[Ord. No. 4762, 10-2-2023]
1. 
The purposes of these sign regulations are:
a. 
To encourage the effective use of signs as a means of communication in Rolla;
b. 
To maintain and enhance the aesthetic environment and the City's ability to attract sources of economic development and growth;
c. 
To promote pedestrian and traffic safety;
d. 
To minimize the possible adverse effect of signs on the enjoyment and economic value of nearby public or private property;
e. 
To preserve the right of free speech and expression; and
f. 
To enable the fair and consistent enforcement of these restrictions.
2. 
When the word "sign" or "signs" is used in this Division it may also be referring to patio furniture, merchandise, and decorations.
3. 
Where this Division is silent, or where the rules of this Division do not provide a basis for concluding that a sign is allowed, said sign is therefore prohibited.
4. 
The following definitions apply to this Section of the Zoning Code:
BANNER
Any cloth, bunting, plastic, paper, or similar non-rigid material attached to any structure, staff, pole, rope, wire, or framing that is anchored on two (2) or more edges or at all four (4) corners, or by one (1) edge when not on a pole or staff. Banners do not include flags.
CHANGEABLE COPY SIGN
A sign with the capability of content change by means of manual or remote input, includes the following types:
a. 
MANUALLY ACTIVATEDChangeable sign whose message copy or content can be changed manually on a display surface.
b. 
ELECTRICALLY ACTIVATEDChangeable sign whose message copy or content can be changed by means of remote electrically energized on-off switching combinations of alphabetic or pictographic components arranged on a display surface.
ELECTRONIC MESSAGE CENTER OR SIGN (EMC)
An electrically activated changeable sign whose variable message and/or graphic presentation capability can be electronically programmed by computer from a remote location. EMCs typically use light emitting diodes (LEDs) as a lighting source. Any reference to EMC also refers to electrically activated changeable copy signs.
FEATHER FLAGS (Also known as advertising flags, flag banners, swooper flags, flutter flags, blade flags, sail flags, bow flags, or tear drop flags)
These advertising tools come in the form of a long, narrow, lightweight canvas or other non-rigid material that is attached to a flexible pole (generally) that can be placed into the ground or attached to a weighted stand that allows them to be portable. The shape of the canvas usually resembles a feather or tear drop or a sail with its long side attached to the pole and perpendicular to the ground. Feather flags are temporary in nature and do not include flags or banners.
FLAG
Any sign printed or painted on cloth, plastic, canvas, or other like material with distinctive colors, patterns, or symbols and is attached to a pole or staff and anchored along only one (1) edge or supported or anchored at only two (2) corners.
FLASHING SIGNS
Signs whose illumination is characterized by a repetitive cycle in which the period of illumination is either the same as or less than the period of non-illumination. Generally, a message is continuously repeated, with the sign used as an attention-getting device.
FREESTANDING SIGNS
A sign supported by structures or supports that are placed on, or anchored in the ground; and that is independent and detached from any building or other structure. The following are subtypes of freestanding signs:
a. 
GROUND SIGN (Also known as monument sign)A sign permanently affixed to the ground at its base, supported entirely by a base structure, and not mounted on a pole or attached to any part of a building.
b. 
POLE SIGNA freestanding sign that is permanently supported in a fixed location by a structure of one (1) or more poles, posts, uprights, or braces from the ground and not supported by a building or a base structure. This definition includes pylon signs.
c. 
TEMPORARY FREESTANDING SIGNA freestanding sign that is not anchored in the ground or supported by a structure that is anchored in the ground or a freestanding sign that is easily removed from the ground by hand, such as h-frame lawn signs. This type of sign does not include balloon signs, inflatable signs, feather banners, sandwich board signs, vehicular signs, animated/electronic signs, mechanical movement signs, or revolving signs.
FRONTAGE, BUILDING
The length of an exterior building wall or structure of a single premises along the public's rights-of-way.
FRONTAGE, PROPERTY
The length of the property line(s) of any single premises along a public street. When the word "frontage" is used alone, it refers to property frontage.
ILLUMINATED SIGN
A sign with electrical equipment installed for illumination, either internally illuminated through its sign face by a light source contained inside the sign or externally illuminated by a light source aimed at its surface.
ILLUMINATION
A source of any artificial or reflected light, either directly from a source of light incorporated in, or indirectly from an artificial source.
a. 
EXTERNAL ILLUMINATIONArtificial light, located away from the sign, which lights the sign, the source of which may or may not be visible to persons viewing the sign from any street, sidewalk, or adjacent property.
b. 
INTERNAL ILLUMINATIONA light source that is concealed or contained within the sign and becomes visible in darkness through a translucent surface. Message center signs, digital displays, and signs incorporating neon lighting shall not be considered internal illumination for the purposes of this Chapter.
INFLATABLE SIGN
A sign that is an air-inflated object, which may be of various shapes, made of flexible fabric, resting on the ground or structure and equipped with a portable blower motor that provides a constant flow of air into the device.
INTERNAL SIGNS
Any on-premises sign located entirely within a building.
MECHANICAL MOVEMENT SIGN
A sign having parts that physically move rather than merely appear to move as might be found in a digital display. The physical movement may be activated electronically or by another means, but shall not include wind-activated movement, such as used for banners or flags. Mechanical movement signs do not include digital signs that have changeable, programmable displays.
MURAL
A graphic which is painted directly to a wall or surface of a building.
OFF-PREMISES SIGN (Also known as a third-party sign, billboard, or outdoor advertising)
An outdoor sign that contains a message or messages that directs attention to a specific business, product, service, event or activity, or other commercial or non-commercial activity, or contains a non-commercial message about something that is not sold, produced, manufactured, furnished, or conducted on the premises upon which the sign is located.
ON-PREMISES SIGN
A sign that contains a message or messages and design that relates to an individual business, profession, product, service, event, point of view, or other commercial or non-commercial activity sold, offered, or conducted on the same property where the sign is located.
PERMANENT SIGN
A sign attached or affixed to a building, window, or structure, or to the ground in a manner that enables the sign to resist environmental loads, such as wind, and that precludes ready removal or movement of the sign and its intended use appears to be indefinite.
PORTABLE SIGN
Portable signs are signs that are designed to be transported or moved and not permanently attached to the ground, a building, or other structure. The following types of signs are portable signs.
a. 
SANDWICH BOARD SIGN (Also known as A-frame sign)A type of freestanding, portable, temporary sign consisting of two (2) faces connected and hinged at the top and its message is targeted to pedestrians. Includes a board sign on a stand instead of hinged.
b. 
VEHICULAR SIGNA sign affixed to a vehicle in such a manner that the sign is used primarily as a stationary advertisement for the business on which the vehicle sits or is otherwise not incidental to the vehicle's primary purpose.
PREMISES
The lot or lots, plots, portions, or parcels of land considered as a unit for a single use or development, whether owned or leased.
PROJECTING SIGN (Also known as a blade sign)
A building-mounted, double-sided sign with the two (2) faces generally perpendicular to the building wall. Signs and banners that hang from a canopy, awning, or roof shall be considered projecting signs.
REVOLVING SIGN
A sign which revolves in a circular motion; rather than remaining stationary on its supporting structure.
ROOF SIGN
A sign mounted on the main roof portion of a building or on the uppermost edge of a parapet wall of a building and which is wholly or partially supported by such building. When permitted, a roof sign will be considered a wall sign for the purpose of calculating maximum sign area.
SIGN
Any device, structure, fixture, painting, emblem, or visual that uses words, graphics, colors, illumination, symbols, numbers, or letters for communicating a message. A sign includes the sign faces as well as any sign supporting structure
SIGN AREA OR FACE
The area of a sign enclosed by the perimeter upon which sign copy is placed. The computation details are described below:
a. 
Where the sign consists of individual letters, designs, or symbols that are attached individually and directly upon a wall without a change in color or appearance of the surface background, the area shall be that of the smallest rectangle which encompasses all of the letters, designs, and symbols.
b. 
In the case of panel or cabinet type signs, the sign area shall include the entire area of the sign panel or cabinet upon which the sign copy is displayed or illustrated, but not open space between separate panels or cabinets.
c. 
In the case of sign copy enclosed within a painted or illuminated boarder, or displayed on a background contrasting in color with the color of the building or structure, the sign face shall comprise the area within the contrasting background, or within the painted or illuminated border.
d. 
Only one (1) side of a double-sided sign shall be considered when determining the sign area if the faces are equal in size and the interior angle formed by the faces is zero degrees (0°).
e. 
Where the faces of a double-sided sign are not equal in size, but the interior angle formed by the faces is zero degrees (0°), the larger sign face shall be used as the basis for calculating sign area.
f. 
When the interior angle of a double-sided sign formed by the faces is greater than zero degrees (0°), all sides of such sign shall be considered in calculating the sign area.
g. 
The sign area for signs that are (or include) a three-dimensional object is calculated as the sum of two (2) adjacent vertical faces of the smallest cube encompassing the sign or object.
SIGN COPY
The letters, figures, characters, representations, pictures or wording on a sign, including any identification, description, symbol, trademark, object, design, logo, illustration, or device comprising the content or message of a sign; or any emblem or painting designed to advertise, communicate, identify, or convey information.
SIGN HEIGHT
The vertical dimension of a sign. The computation details and relevant regulations are as follows:
a. 
Sign height shall be measured as the distance from the highest portion of the sign to the mean finished grade of the street closest to the sign. In the case of a sign located greater than one hundred (100) feet from a public street, height shall be measured to the mean grade at the base of the sign.
b. 
Clearance shall be measured as the smallest vertical distance between finished grade and the lowest point of the sign, including any framework or other structural elements that project from the wall.
SIGN TYPES
Signs are divided into various types of signs. Signs may be a permanent sign or a temporary sign. A sign may be an on-premises sign or an off-premises sign. A permanent sign may be a wall sign, a freestanding sign, a roof sign, an EMC, or a projecting sign. A temporary sign may be a portable sign or a banner. Signs can also be classified by their characteristics, such as a flashing sign or an illuminated sign.
SNIPE SIGN (ALSO KNOWN AS BANDIT SIGN)
A sign tacked, nailed, posted, pasted, glued, or otherwise attached to trees, poles, stakes, fences, public benches, streetlights, or other objects, or placed on any public property or in the public's rights-of-way or on any private property without the permission of the property owner.
STRUCTURAL ALTERATION
Any alteration to the structure which supports a sign, including the foundation and support poles. Such definition does not include replacement of the sign cabinet, sign boards, supports for the sign boards, or routine maintenance.
TEMPORARY SIGN
A sign that cannot be defined as a permanent sign.
VEHICULAR SIGN
A vehicle or mechanical contraption that has signage integrated or attached and is situated such that it cannot be considered to be a freestanding sign; and not including operable vehicles primarily and actively used for business purposes and/or personal transportation.
WALL SIGN (Also known a fascia sign, parallel wall sign, or band sign)
A building-mounted sign, which is either attached to or displayed on an exterior wall in a manner parallel with the wall surface. A sign or banner installed on a roof, eave, canopy, or awning in a manner parallel with the structures surface is also considered a wall sign. See projecting signs for signs that hang from such structures.
ZONING DISTRICT, NON-RESIDENTIAL
C-1, C-2, C-C, M, and P Districts.
ZONING DISTRICT, RESIDENTIAL
R-1, R-2, U-R, R-3, and R-4 Districts.
[Ord. No. 4762, 10-2-2023]
The following signs are exempt from the provisions of this Section, unless otherwise noted, but must conform to all other Federal, State, and local codes/rules, including Building Codes:
a. 
Any sign that is posted by a governmental unit on government property and any sign required by local, State, or Federal law.
b. 
Signs that are less than ten (10) feet in height if the sign face is not visible from any street.
c. 
In non-residential districts, any sign less than seven (7) feet in height and that is more than one hundred (100) feet away from any lot line fronting a street or not visible from any street.
d. 
In non-residential districts, if the signs are four (4) square feet or less in area and four (4) feet or less in height, and located adjacent to the driveway(s) serving the property and outside the street right-of-way.
e. 
Flags. This provision does not include banners or feather flags. However, flags and supporting structures that lawfully project into the public rights-of-way shall not hang below seven (7) feet in height over a sidewalk.
f. 
Internal signs, including lettering painted on or attached to a window or door and window signs located inside a building, but excluding flashing signs that do not conform to the regulations of this Division related to electronic message center signs.
g. 
A sign that is integrated into or on a menu board, coin-operated machine, credit-card machine, vending machine, gasoline pump, gasoline station canopy, or telephone booth.
h. 
Signs carved into a building or raised in integral relief on a building.
i. 
Murals.
[Ord. No. 4762, 10-2-2023]
The following signs are prohibited:
a. 
Flashing signs.
b. 
Signs that employ pyrotechnic or blue casting components and signs that emit smoke, visible vapors, particulate matter, or odor.
c. 
Signs that employ any searchlights or strobe lights and reflective signs or signs containing mirrors.
d. 
Signs that may be confused with or construed as a traffic control sign, signal, or device, or the light of an emergency vehicle or road equipment by reason of their size, location, movement, coloring, or manner of illumination.
e. 
Signs that shield from view any traffic control device, sign, signal or other government sign.
f. 
Snipe signs.
g. 
Vehicular signs.
h. 
Signs which do not meet the requirements of this Section or other City, State, or Federal laws.
[Ord. No. 4762, 10-2-2023]
1. 
On-Premises Signage. Signage, except as authorized by this Section and signs authorized by Federal and State law, shall only be on-premises signage.
2. 
Permitting Exceptions. The following operations shall not require the issuance of a sign permit:
a. 
Changing the copy on an existing conforming sign that has not been discontinued and that is specifically designed for the use of manually or digitally activated changeable copy sign, including billboard panels and posters; but not including changes in the structure, size, placement, or location of the sign.
b. 
Maintenance, including repainting, cleaning, or other normal repair of an existing sign not involving structural alterations or changes in size, location, or placement.
c. 
Window signs and wall signs less than twenty (20) square feet in size.
3. 
Permitting Process. Except for exempt signs, all permanent signs require the submission and approval of an application for a sign permit and a sign site plan. Applications for sign permits or supporting material, such as elevations, shall indicate the type, number, size, shape, and dimensions of all of the existing and proposed signage on the premises. If needed, elevation views or other relevant information may be required. No sign permits shall be issued if the premises requesting the permit contains a prohibited sign.
4. 
Site Plan Requirements. Sign site plans for detached signage shall be provided as follows:
a. 
The site plan shall be drawn to scale or shall show the dimensions of all relevant objects/elements and show all the distances between all of the relevant objects/elements.
b. 
The site plan shall indicate the property lines of the premises and, in cases whereby signs are being placed in the rights-of-way, the site plan shall indicate the type of ROW surface, the location of the curbline, the sidewalk, and any objects within the ROW in front of the property subject to the proposal.
c. 
The site plan shall show the proposed location of each sign in relation to property lines, nearby buildings, walkways, streets, driveways and parking areas.
5. 
Sign Location And ROW. All signs and other objects regulated by or exempt from this Division, including merchandise, patio furniture, sign structures, flags, decorations, and temporary signs, must be erected/placed and attached totally on or within private property, except that if a tenant space is located in a non-residential zoning district along a street and there is less than five (5) feet between the full building frontage of the tenant space and the street, certain types of signs and other objects may be placed in or project over the street right-of-way, but not in or over any roadway. The following provisions listed below describe the applicability and the restrictions of such an allowance:
a. 
Only wall signs, flags, and projecting signs shall be permitted to project over sidewalks. The minimum clearance of such objects shall be seven (7) feet and the object shall not occupy space beyond a vertical plane of two (2) feet from the curb line.
b. 
Only patio furniture, merchandise, and sandwich board signs are permitted on sidewalks. The maximum height for such signs/objects shall be five (5) feet.
c. 
One (1) flag or temporary freestanding sign may be located in each City-owned flowerpot if the sign is less than two (2) square feet in area, the object does not exceed five (5) feet in height when in the flowerpot, the flowerpot is watered and maintained by the tenant, and those flowerpots are on a public sidewalk and abut the tenant space responsible for locating such a sign in said flowerpot.
d. 
Temporary and portable signage on sidewalks are subject to additional requirements in this Section.
6. 
Permission. The party constructing/installing/placing the sign or object on private property is responsible for obtaining the permission of the property owner before such action is taken.
7. 
Setbacks. All signs, including temporary signs and exempt signs but not including signage which is allowed within street rights-of-way, shall conform to the side and rear setback requirements of the zoning district they are located in. No setback applies to a front yard or along any street. However, no sign over ten (10) feet in height is permitted within or over a utility easement. In addition, signs must not impair the sight distance requirements for driveways or street intersections.
8. 
Sign Sounds. No sign that emits sound shall be permitted in or within one hundred (100) feet of a residential zoning district, not including zoned rights-of-way.
9. 
Illumination. Externally lit signs shall be illuminated only with steady, stationary, and shielded light sources directed solely onto the sign. The illumination of signs shall not be brighter than is necessary for clear and adequate visibility. Illumination shall not exceed approximately seven hundred fifty (750) cd/m2 or Nits at night. The illumination of signs shall not be of such intensity or brilliance as to impair the vision of a motor vehicle driver with average eyesight or to otherwise interfere with the driver's operation of a motor vehicle.
10. 
Roof Signs And Sign Placement. In no instance shall a wall sign or projecting sign project above the eave line or beyond a wall edge, except for roof signs in the C-2 and C-C Zoning Districts. Roof signs shall not exceed the building height limit of the zoning district in which the sign is located.
11. 
Maintenance. All signs, together with their supports, braces, connections, or anchors shall be kept in good repair. Unsafe signs, damaged, or deteriorated signs, or signs in danger of breaking apart or falling shall be removed or repaired.
12. 
Obstructions.
a. 
Fire Escapes, Means Of Egress Or Standpipes. Signs, sign structures and awnings are prohibited from being erected in any manner that interferes in any way with the free use of any fire escape, means of egress or standpipe. Attaching signs, sign structures or awnings to a fire escape is prohibited unless such a sign is required for safety.
b. 
Obstruction Of Windows And Ventilation. Signs, sign structures and awnings are prohibited from being installed in any way that obstructs any building openings to such an extent that light, ventilation, or exhaust are reduced to a level below that required by either the Building Code, Plumbing Regulations, Heating and Ventilating Regulations, or Housing and Maintenance Regulations.
13. 
Measurements. All lineal distances required by this Division shall be measured from the nearest outside edge of the subject sign, whether a support, structural member, or the sign surface itself, to the nearest outside edge of the corresponding sign, building, right-of-way, property line, easement, or other object/element involved.
14. 
Changeable Copy. Changeable copy, whether digitally or manually activated, is permitted only if it is integrated into a pole, ground, marquee, projecting, or wall sign. In addition, only manually activated changeable copy is permitted on sandwich board signs.
[Ord. No. 4762, 10-2-2023]
1. 
Sign standards for properties within residential zoning districts:
a. 
Type. Any wall sign or freestanding sign. No sign is permitted to have changeable copy. Off-premises temporary signage shall not be posted for more than fourteen (14) consecutive days in any given quarter of a year and such signage shall be removed within fourteen (14) days of receiving notice from the City of Rolla.
b. 
Number And Sign Area. If the total sign area of all signs does not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet, there is no limit on the number of signs permitted.
c. 
Height. Freestanding signs shall be less than six (6) feet in height and wall signs shall not project higher than the lowest eave line.
2. 
Sign standards for residentially-zoned properties that serve as the entrance/exit ways to subdivisions, contain multi-family complexes or condominium complexes, or contain permitted or non-conforming non-residential uses:
a. 
Type. Any wall sign or freestanding sign. Off-premise temporary signage shall not be posted for more than fourteen (14) consecutive days in any given quarter of a year and such signage shall be removed within fourteen (14) days of receiving notice from the City of Rolla.
b. 
Number And Sign Area. One (1) wall sign is permitted on each building and one (1) ground or pole sign is permitted per entrance/exit to a public street or, in the case of a subdivision, per entrance/exit to the subdivision. The maximum sign area of any one (1) permanent sign is sixty-four (64) square feet. An unlimited amount of temporary freestanding signs is permitted if the total sign area of all temporary freestanding signs does not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet.
c. 
Height. Ground and pole signs shall be limited to a maximum height of fifteen (15) feet. Temporary freestanding signs shall be limited to six (6) feet in height.
[Ord. No. 4762, 10-2-2023]
1. 
General Provisions. Each building, not individual tenants, are permitted a maximum amount of area for wall signs. The owner(s) of the premises may divide and distribute the allowable sign area in any way she/he/they chooses. It is the responsibility of the person/entity posting the sign to obtain permission from the owner to install/locate a sign of a certain size on the owner's property.
2. 
Sign Standards For Properties Located In C-1 And C-C Districts.
a. 
Type. Pole signs, ground signs, projecting signs, and wall signs shall be permitted. Roof signs are permitted in the C-C District.
b. 
Number. Each premises is permitted an unlimited amount of wall signs and is permitted one (1) projecting sign for each tenant space. In addition, all premises are permitted one (1) permanent freestanding sign (i.e., ground signs and pole signs) for each one hundred (100) feet of road frontage if there is a distance of five hundred (500) feet or more between pole signs with a minimum of one (1) sign allowed for each lot frontage.
c. 
Sign Area. Maximum wall sign area shall be determined by multiplying the lineal feet of building wall by two (2) square feet. Projecting signs shall not exceed twenty (20) square feet in area, regardless of the amount of other signage on the premises. Each pole or ground sign shall be limited to one hundred (100) square feet each.
d. 
Height And Clearance. Ground and pole signs shall be limited to a maximum height of twenty (20) feet. Projecting signs shall have a minimum clearance of seven (7) feet.
3. 
Sign Standards Properties Located In C-2, M, Or P Zoning Districts.
a. 
Type. Pole signs, ground signs, projecting signs, and wall signs shall be permitted. Mechanical movement and revolving signs are also permitted. In addition, roof signs are only permitted in C-2 Zoning Districts and such signs will be considered wall signs in the calculation of maximum sign area. If a mechanical movement or revolving sign is attached to a building it will be considered a projecting sign and if such signs are not connected to a building, they will be considered a permanent freestanding sign (i.e., ground signs and pole signs).
b. 
Number. Each premises is permitted an unlimited amount of wall signs and is permitted one (1) projecting sign for each tenant space. In addition, all premises are permitted one (1) permanent freestanding sign (i.e., ground signs and pole signs) for each one hundred (100) feet of road frontage if there is a distance of five hundred (500) feet or more between pole signs with a minimum of one (1) sign allowed for each lot frontage.
c. 
Sign Area. Maximum wall sign area shall be determined by multiplying the lineal feet of building wall by four (4) square feet. Projecting signs shall not exceed twenty (20) square feet in area, regardless of the amount of other signage on the premises. Each pole or ground sign shall be limited to four hundred (400) square feet each.
d. 
Height And Clearance. Ground and pole signs shall be limited to a maximum height of forty (40) feet.
[Ord. No. 4762, 10-2-2023]
The following provisions apply to non-residential zoning districts only. The following restrictions apply to temporary and portable sign placement/installation/construction:
1. 
Each independently occupied tenant space on a property in a non-residential district is permitted to locate two (2) temporary signs on such a property, except that when a tenant locates a balloon sign or inflatable sign on the property, the tenant shall not locate any other temporary or portable sign on the property. Off-premise temporary signage shall not be posted for more than fourteen (14) consecutive days in any given quarter of a year and such signage shall be removed within fourteen (14) days of receiving notice from the City of Rolla. A vacant parcel shall be permitted an unlimited number of temporary freestanding signs only, but the total sign area of such signs shall not exceed ninety-six (96) square feet.
2. 
Tenants may only choose from the following types of temporary and portable signs:
a. 
Temporary freestanding signs.
b. 
Banners.
c. 
Balloon signs.
d. 
Inflatable signs.
e. 
Feather flags.
f. 
Sandwich board signs.
3. 
Area Restrictions By Sign Type.
a. 
Temporary freestanding signs, banners, and feather flags shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet.
b. 
Sandwich board signs shall not exceed sixteen (16) square feet.
c. 
Inflatable signs and balloon signs are limited to seventy-five (75) square feet.
4. 
Height Restrictions By Sign Type.
a. 
Temporary freestanding signs and sandwich board signs shall be limited to seven (7) feet in height.
b. 
Balloon signs and inflatable signs shall be limited to twenty-four (24) feet in height.
5. 
General Restrictions.
a. 
The party posting the temporary sign is solely responsible for obtaining the permission of the property owner before posting their temporary sign.
b. 
Except for movement caused by air compressors for inflatable signs, mechanical motion, illumination, EMC technology, and electronically activated changeable copy is prohibited.
c. 
Manual changeable copy is only permitted when integrated into a sandwich board sign.
d. 
No temporary or portable sign that is more than seven (7) feet tall shall be permitted within one hundred (100) feet of a residential zoning district.
6. 
Sidewalk Restrictions. If permitted by this Section, the following restrictions apply:
a. 
If signs are permitted on sidewalks, signs shall only be located on the sidewalk space that abuts the tenant space that is permitted to locate such signs on such sidewalks.
b. 
No object shall obstruct a continuous through pedestrian zone of at least five (5) feet in width.
c. 
Sandwich board signs that are on a public sidewalk shall be located within twelve (12) feet of the primary public entrance of the tenant's establishment.
d. 
Sandwich board signs shall be weighted, temporarily secured, or strategically placed to avoid being carried away by high winds.
e. 
Sandwich board signs and merchandise shall not be displayed on any sidewalk during hours of non-operation.
f. 
No signs shall obstruct pedestrian and wheelchair access from the sidewalk to parking spaces or access ramps designated for people with disabilities or building exits, including fire escapes.
7. 
Installation And Maintenance.
a. 
All signs/objects must be installed such that, in the opinion of Rolla's Building Official, they do not create a safety hazard.
b. 
All signs must be made of durable materials and shall be well maintained. Signs that are frayed, torn, broken, or that are no longer legible will be deemed unmaintained and required to be removed.
c. 
Owner or tenant will be given one (1) warning for violating any of the provisions pertaining to temporary/portable signs. After the initial warning, all subsequent violations may result in the issuance of a citation without any further notice in perpetuity.
[Ord. No. 4762, 10-2-2023]
Permanent off-premise signage shall comply with all the requirements of this Section and shall only be permitted upon property having frontage on either Interstate 44, Highway 63, Highway 72, or Kingshighway and zoned C-2 or M. Within areas zoned Planned Unit Development District Overlay, or property in any zoning district upon which a conditional use permit has been issued in the above mentioned corridors, such advertising structures shall only be permitted when specifically authorized upon the final development plan or permit approval.
1. 
Area, Height, Location — I-44.
a. 
The maximum height of a billboard along Interstate 44 shall not exceed forty-five (45) feet. No part of structure shall extend below fifteen (15) feet.
b. 
The maximum surface area along Interstate 44 shall be six hundred seventy-two (672) square feet with a maximum sign height of twenty (20) feet and a maximum sign width of forty-eight (48) feet. The sign shall be limited to two (2) signs in each direction with one (1) message per sign. In no case will the total sign surface in any one (1) direction exceed six hundred seventy-two (672) square feet.
c. 
Sign spacing along I-44 shall be five hundred (500) lineal feet per side of the highway.
2. 
Area, Height, Location — Hwy. 63, Hwy. 72, And Kingshighway.
a. 
The maximum height of a billboard along Highway 63, Highway 72, and Kingshighway shall be thirty (30) feet. The maximum surface area of a billboard along Highway 63, Highway 72, and Kingshighway shall be one hundred ninety-two (192) square feet surface on each side with a maximum sign height of twelve (12) feet and a maximum sign width of twenty-four (24) feet. Such signs must have a minimum clearance of fifteen (15) feet.
b. 
Sign spacing along Highway 63, Highway 72, and Kingshighway shall be one thousand (1,000) lineal feet per side.
c. 
No sign shall be located within one thousand (1,000) feet of a residential zoning district which fronts on the same road as the proposed sign.
d. 
The minimum front yard setback for such signs shall be fifteen (15) feet from any public right-of-way, and/or private roadway easement. The maximum setback for such sign shall be fifty (50) feet from the public right-of-way.
3. 
Restrictions For All Highways.
a. 
External lighting of billboards are permitted, provided the light source is directed upon the face of the sign and is effectively shielded so as to prevent beams or rays of light from being directed toward any residential structure or into any portion of the main travel way. The lights are not permitted to be of such intensity so as to interfere with the residential use of property or to cause glare, impair the vision of the driver of a motor vehicle, or otherwise interfere with a driver's operation of a motor vehicle.
b. 
No part of any billboard shall be located on or project over any public street or private utility easement, drainage easement, or railroad right-of-way.
[Ord. No. 4762, 10-2-2023]
In non-residential zones, electronic message centers (EMCs), which includes electronically activated changeable copy signs and signs that imitate movement through electronic means, are permitted in accordance with the permitted sign area regulations of the district in which the sign is located. The following restrictions apply:
a. 
With the exception of flashing signs and full motion video or film display via an electronic file imported into the EMC software or streamed in real time into the EMC, EMC display features and functions are permitted in non-residential zoning districts only.
b. 
No EMCs are permitted within one hundred (100) feet of any residential zone.
c. 
An EMC sign may be a portion or comprise the entirety of the sign face of a wall sign, pole sign, ground sign, or projecting sign.
d. 
All EMC signs shall have automatic dimming controls, either by photocell (hardwired) or via software settings, in order to bring the EMC lighting level at night into compliance with sign illumination standards of this Section.
e. 
An off-premises sign can be constructed as, or converted into, an EMC if the sign structure meets all requirements of the Sign Code.
[Ord. No. 4762, 10-2-2023]
Non-conforming signs are signs that do not conform to this Section, yet were legally established prior to the adoption of this Section. The burden of proof will be on the property owner to show that the sign was legally established. Non-conforming signs may continue to exist after passage of this Section if they maintain their non-conforming status. Non-conforming signs are permitted to be removed and/or changed in accordance with the provisions of this Section:
a. 
Permanent signs and sign structures that are moved, removed, replaced, or structurally altered must be brought into conformance with the sign regulations. However, non-conforming signs required to be moved because of public right-of-way improvements may be reestablished. Removable faces or sign panel inserts in a cabinet style sign may also be changed.
b. 
Once a sign is altered to conform or is replaced with a conforming sign, the non-conforming rights for that sign are lost and a non-conforming sign may not be reestablished.
c. 
When a sign or sign structure is removed or intentionally destroyed, replacement signs and sign structures must comply with the current standards. However, if a sign or sign structure that has non-conforming elements is partially or totally damaged by fire or other causes beyond the control of the owner, the sign and sign structure may be rebuilt to the same size and height using the same materials.
d. 
Once a sign loses its non-conforming status, it must be removed before any other permits for signs shall be issued for the premises on which the sign that has lost its non-conforming status exists.
e. 
A sign may be replaced if the structure is in danger of an imminent failure which would cause danger to the general public, as determined by a structural engineer.