AN ORDINANCE REVOKING
AND REPLACING CHAPTER 3, ARTICLE 3.1400 ET SEQ. OF THE BASTROP CITY
CODE OF ORDINANCES, RELATED TO THE SIGN ORDINANCE; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES
IN CONFLICT THEREWITH; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING
AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
_________________________________________________________________________
WHEREAS,
under the authority granted by and the provisions of the Constitution
of and laws of the State of Texas and the Home Rule Charter of the
City of Bastrop, as heretofore and hereafter amended Chapter 3, Article
3.1400 of the City Code of Ordinances.
NOW THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BASTROP, TEXAS:
Part 1: That Chapter
3, Article 3.1400 et seq. of the Code of Ordinances of the City of
Bastrop, Texas is hereby amended to read as follows:
Article
3.1400
Sign Code
Table of Contents
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SECTION
1. PURPOSE. The purpose of this Code is to promote the
public health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the City of Bastrop
through a comprehensive system of reasonable, effective, consistent,
content-neutral, and nondiscriminatory sign standards and requirements.
With this purpose in mind, the Code is adopted to fulfill the following
objectives:
(1) To minimize the distractions and the obstructions of view that contribute
to traffic hazards and endanger public safety;
(2) To ensure that signs are designed, installed, constructed, and maintained
so that public safety and traffic safety are not compromised;
(3) To establish a standard for signs in order that they should be appropriate
to and enhance the aesthetic appearance and attractiveness of the City
of Bastrop for its citizens and visitors through the identification
of the special character and economic advantages of the City;
(4) To allow for adequate and effective signs to communicate directions
and identification while preventing signs from dominating the visual
appearance of the area in which they are located;
(5) To protect property values, the local economy, and the quality of
life by preserving and enhancing the appearance of the streetscape which
affects the image of the City of Bastrop; and
(6) To convey the City’s ambience to citizens, tourists, and visitors
to the City of Bastrop by restricting the construction and erection
of new billboards.
SECTION 2. AUTHORITY.
The provisions of this Code are adopted pursuant to Texas Local
Government Code Section 216 and the City Charter. Notwithstanding
any other provision of this Article, no legally erected sign shall
be required to be relocated, reconstructed or removed except in compliance
with Texas Local Government Code.
SECTION 3. FIRST
AMENDMENT RIGHTS. This Article shall not be interpreted
nor enforced in a manner to violate First Amendment Rights guaranteed
under state and federal law. The Director of Planning shall seek the
advice and recommendation of the City Attorney with respect to the
enforcement of any provision related to non-commercial signage.
SECTION 4. JURISDICTION.
In accordance with the Texas Local Government Code, the provisions
of this Article shall apply to all signs in the city limits of the
City of Bastrop and to the areas in the City’s Extraterritorial
Jurisdiction (ETJ) within 500 feet of the centerline of the following
roadways:
1. SH 95;
2. SH 21 east of SH 95;
3. FM 304;
4. Highway 71 east of SH 95;
5. Highway 71 west to Pope Bend Road; and
6. FM 969 within the statutory ETJ.
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SECTION
5. APPLICABILITY AND ENFORCEMENT.
A. A sign may not be altered, installed, erected, constructed, placed,
painted, created, enlarged, moved or converted within the City of
Bastrop or its specified extraterritorial jurisdiction except in compliance
with the standards, procedures, exemptions, and other requirements
of this Code.
B. The provisions of this Article may be enforced against, without
limitation, a sign owner, a sign user, an operator or lessee of a
sign, lessee of property and/or the property owner on which the sign
is located. Such persons shall be referred to herein as “Responsible
Persons.”
SECTION 6. SIGN
CATEGORIES. For purposes of this Article, all property
within the City’s Sign Code jurisdiction is classified into
a Sign Category (SC). Those properties within the City’s limits
are classified based upon their zoning district classification. Those
properties located within the ETJ shall be classified into a Sign
Category by the Director of Planning based upon the existing or proposed
use and the zoning district most closely associated with that use.
Classification into a Sign Category is for the purposes of signage
only and does not establish vested use rights towards the assignment
of zoning should the property be annexed into the city limits. In
overlapping areas, the most restrictive sign regulations will apply.
A. Single Family Residential Sign Category includes any residential
site in an Agricultural/Open Space (A/OS), Manufactured Housing (MH),
or any Single Family (SF) zoning districts or equivalent land use
in the ETJ. Non-residential uses permitted in the identified residential
districts shall be included in the Neighborhood Service Sign Category.
B. Multi-family Residential Sign Category includes any site
in a Multi-Family (MF) zoning district or equivalent use in the ETJ.
Non-residential uses permitted in the identified residential districts
shall be included in the Neighborhood Service Sign Category.
C. Neighborhood Service Sign Category includes any site in
an Office (O), Neighborhood Service (NS) zoning district or equivalent
use in the ETJ and the permitted non-residential uses identified in
the City’s residential and multi-family zoning districts.
D. Business Sign Category includes any site that is located
within the boundaries of a General Retail (GR), Commercial Tourism
(CT), Commercial-1 (C-1), Commercial-2, (C-2), Industrial Park (IP),
Light Industrial (LI) zoning district or equivalent use in the ETJ.
E. Central Business District Sign Category includes any site
that is located within the boundaries of the Central Business District
(CBD) zoning district.
SECTION 7. EXEMPT
SIGNS. The following signs shall be exempt from obtaining
a sign permit, but must meet the standards of this Code:
A. Any Public Notice or warning required by a valid and applicable
federal, state, or local law, regulation or ordinance;
B. Any sign inside a building, not attached to a window or door, that
is not legible from a distance of more than three (3) feet beyond
the lot line of the lot or parcel on which such sign is located;
C. Works of art that do not include a commercial message;
D. Holiday lights and decorations with no commercial message;
E. Government signs erected by the city, county, state, or federal
government in furtherance of their governmental responsibility;
F. Memorial signs or tablets and building markers displayed on public
or private buildings and tablets or headstones in cemeteries;
G. Signs prepared by or for the local, state or federal government
marking sites or buildings of historical significance;
H. Address and postbox numerals conforming to incidental sign regulations;
I. Onsite real estate "for sale," “for rent,”
and “for lease” signs;
J. Political signs;
K. Announcement signs as defined herein;
L. Garage sale signs as defined herein;
M. Incidental signs as defined herein;
N. Flags that are used as a symbol of a corporate, governmental or
political subdivision;
O. Ballfield/sports complex/rodeo signs and scoreboards that face
the inside of a playing field and that are an integral part of the
stadium structure; and
P. A-Frame, Sandwich Board, or T-Frame signs as defined herein.
SECTION
8. PROHIBITED SIGNS AND ACTIVITIES. Any sign not specifically
authorized by this Code is prohibited unless allowed by law. The following
signs and conditions are prohibited:
A. Signs having: flashing copy or lights; revolving beacon lights;
chasing, blinking, scrolling, or stroboscopic lights; or, fluttering,
undulating, swinging, or otherwise moving parts. For purposes of this
Code an electronically controlled changeable-copy sign is not considered
a flashing sign unless it directly falls under the definition of "flashing"
as defined in this Code;
B. No new billboards shall be permitted by the City of Bastrop. No
other off-premise signs, including advertising benches, shall be permitted,
except as specifically authorized in this Code;
C. Any sign located within, on, or projecting over a property line
which borders a public or private street, highway, alley, lane, parkway,
avenue, road, sidewalk, or other right-of-way, except as provided
in this Article. The Building Official may cause the immediate removal
of any temporary or portable sign erected or displayed upon, or projecting
into public property;
D. Any sign attached to any public utility pole or structure, street
light, tree, fence, fire hydrant, bridge, curb, sidewalk, park bench,
or other location on public property, except as provided herein.
E. Any sign placed, which by reason of its location, will obstruct
the view of any authorized traffic sign, signal or other traffic control
device or which by reason of shape, color, or position interferes
with or could be confused with any authorized traffic signal or device;
F. Any sign which imitates or resembles any official traffic sign
and which may constitute a traffic hazard including but not limited
to signs containing words such as "stop," "look,"
"danger;"
G. Any sign which is placed so as to prevent or inhibit free ingress
to or egress from any door, window, or any exit way required by the
City of Bastrop’s Building Code or by City Fire Department Regulations;
H. Any sign which emits audible sound, odor, smoke, steam, laser or
hologram lights, or other visible matter, including any sign that
employs any stereopticon, or motion picture projection;
I. Any sign placed, mounted, attached or painted on a trailer, boat,
or motor vehicle when parked, stored, or displayed conspicuously on
the public right-of-way or private premises in a manner intended to
attract the attention of the public. This provision expressly excludes
political signs; and business signs that are permanently painted on,
or magnetically attached to motor vehicles or rolling stock that are
regularly and consistently used to conduct normal business activities;
J. Roof signs not in compliance with this Code;
K. Banners and Temporary Signs except as provided herein;
L. Inflatable signs and tethered balloons;
M. Bandit signs except as provided herein;
N. Pennants;
O. Searchlights and beacons; and
P. Any pole mounted, non-lettered, physical representative object,
including without limitation pole mounted automobiles, boats, airplanes,
or similar objects, except as provided herein.
SECTION
9. PERMIT REQUIRED TO ERECT OR INSTALL A SIGN.
A. Permit Required. No sign, other than those exceptions listed
in Section 7 shall be erected, constructed, placed, painted, attached,
enlarged, moved, converted, altered (including face changes), or secured
to the ground, building, or any structure, until a permit for such
sign has been issued by the Planning and Development Department. The
Building Official shall approve or deny a completed application for
a sign permit within thirty (30) days of the City’s receipt
of an application that provides information as required by Section
10 of this Article. A permit will be issued if a proposed sign conforms
to all City ordinances. Incorrect information shall be grounds for
revocation of a permit. Normal maintenance and repair as defined herein
shall not require a permit application. Table 10.01 is a Summary of
Permitted and Allowable Signs.
B. To Whom Issued. No permit for the erection of any sign shall
be issued to any person other than the property owner or his/her designated
representative. In the case of a special event or permitted vendor,
the permit shall be issued to the authorized individual. The permit
is not transferable without notifying the City of the transfer. Any
change in address of the holder of the permit must be reported to
the City’s in a timely manner, but no later than 30 days after
the transfer occurs.
C. Fees. Each application for a sign permit shall be accompanied
by the applicable fees, which shall be established by the City of
Bastrop City Council.
D. Interpretation and Administration. The Director of Planning
and Development shall be responsible for interpreting and administering
this Code.
SECTION
10. APPLICATION FOR SIGN PERMIT. An application
for a sign permit must be accompanied by the permit fee and a complete
application form unless exempt by Sec. 7 of this ordinance or otherwise
not required by Table 10.01. Table 10.01 lists the permitted and allowed
signs by Sign Category and Sign Type. An application form shall be
submitted to the Planning and Development Department and shall require
the following information:
1. The street name and street number of the location or building where
the sign is to be placed;
2. Names, addresses, and telephone numbers of the applicant, owner
of the property on which the sign is to be erected, and the licensed
contractor if applicable;
3. A plot plan of the property involved, showing accurate placement
of the proposed sign;
4. The type of sign or sign structure as defined in the Sign Regulations
of the City of Bastrop;
5. Clear and legible drawings showing location of the proposed sign(s)
and all existing signs that require permits as identified in Table
10.01, when such signs are on the same premises. Distances between
freestanding signs shall be shown;
6. Drawings showing the dimensions and height of the sign, construction
materials and method of attachment, foundation, and electrical wiring,
if applicable;
7. Signatures of the applicant and property owner authorizing placement
of the signage; and
8. Approval of property owner is required for all tenant spaces.
9. Applicants for commercial
signs shall provide proof of insurance and bonding as specified in
Section 23 of this Article.
Table
10.01 Summary of Permitted and Allowable Signs.
The following table establishes permitted signs in the jurisdiction
of Bastrop based on Sign Categories detailed in Section 6. All sign
types not listed are prohibited.
| Sign
Type |
Single
Family |
Multi-Family
|
Neighborhood
Service |
Business |
Central
Business |
| A
= allowed without permit P = sign permit
required |
| Permanent |
| Awning/Canopy |
-- |
P |
P |
P |
P |
| Building Wall |
--
|
P |
P |
P |
P |
| Directional |
-- |
A |
P |
P |
P |
| Directory |
-- |
--
|
P
|
P
|
P |
| Electronic Message |
--
|
--
|
--
|
P
|
-- |
| Flags |
A
|
A |
A |
A |
A |
| Ghost |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
A |
| Government |
A |
A
|
A
|
A |
A |
Kiosk Directional
(Wayfinding) |
P
|
P |
P |
P |
P |
| Marquee |
-- |
-- |
-- |
P |
P |
| Monument |
--
|
P |
P |
P |
P |
| Multi-Tenant |
--
|
P
|
P |
P |
P |
| Projecting |
-- |
--
|
P |
P |
P |
| Pylon 1
|
--
|
-- |
-- |
P1 |
-- |
| Subdivision Entry |
P |
P
|
P |
P
|
P |
| Suspended |
--
|
--
|
P |
P |
P |
| Window |
-- |
A |
A |
A |
A |
| Temporary |
| A-Frame |
-- |
--
|
--
|
A
|
A |
| Banner |
--
|
P |
--
|
P |
P |
| Bandit Sign
2 |
A2 |
-- |
-- |
A2
|
-- |
| Construction Site
|
P |
P |
P |
P |
P |
| Development Information
|
P |
P |
P |
P
|
P |
| Garage Sale |
A |
-- |
--
|
-- |
-- |
| Light Pole-Mounted
|
P |
-- |
--
|
P |
P |
| Model Home |
P
|
--
|
-- |
-- |
-- |
| Point of Sale |
--
|
--
|
-- |
P
|
P |
| Political |
A
|
A |
A
|
A |
A |
| Real Estate |
A |
A
|
A |
A |
A |
1 Only those properties with frontage on Highway 71.
2 Only as specified in Section 15.
SECTION 11. ACTION ON A PERMIT
APPLICATION. After the submission of a complete
application for a sign permit, the Planning and Development Director,
or the assigned designee, shall:
A. Issue the sign permit,
if a complete application with all the required information has been
submitted and if the sign(s) conforms in every respect to the requirements
of this Article; or
B. Reject the sign permit application if the application is incomplete,
if any required plans have been omitted from the submittal, or if
the sign(s) that is the subject of the application fails in any way
to conform with the requirements of this article. In case of a rejection,
the Planning and Development Director, or the assigned designee, shall
specify, in writing, the reason(s) for the rejection.
C. If an application is rejected, the applicant may resubmit the application
with the information requested by the Planning and Development Director,
or the assigned designee, within sixty (60) days of rejection or the
application is denied.
SECTION 12. EXPIRATION
OF SIGN PERMITS. A sign permit shall expire and become
void unless a request for final inspection of the sign is made no
later than sixty (60) days after the date the permit is issued. The
Planning and Development Director may grant an extension to the permit
based upon evidence of extenuating circumstances, such as weather
or shipment delays, if she/he receives a written request prior to
the expiration of the permit.
SECTION
13. GENERAL PROVISIONS.
A. Sign Measurement Criteria.
1. Sign Area Measurement.
Sign area for all sign types is measured as follows:
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a. Sign copy mounted, affixed, or painted on a background
panel or area distinctively painted, textured, or constructed
as a background for the sign copy, is measured as that area
contained within the sum of the smallest rectangle(s) that
will enclose both the sign copy and the background.
b. Sign copy mounted as individual letters or graphics against
a wall, fascia, mansard, or parapet of a building or surface
of another structure that has not been painted, textured,
or otherwise altered to provide a distinctive background
for the sign copy, is measured as a sum of the smallest
rectangle(s) that will enclose each word and each graphic
in the total sign.
c. Sign copy mounted, affixed, or painted on an illuminated
surface or illuminated element of a building or structure,
is measured as the entire illuminated surface or illuminated
element which contains sign copy. Such elements may include,
but are not limited to lit canopy fascia signs, cabinet
signs, and/or interior lit awnings. Support structures and
frames of a freestanding sign shall count toward the sign
area.
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d. Multi-face signs are measured as follows:
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(1) Two (2)
face signs: If the interior angle between the two (2)
sign faces is thirty degrees (30°) or less, the sign
area is of one (1) sign face only. If the angle between
the two (2) sign faces is greater than thirty degrees
(30°), the sign area is the sum of the areas of the
two (2) sign faces.
(illustration 13.A.1.d.1)
(2) Three (3) or four (4) face signs: The sign area is
fifty percent (50%) of the sum of the areas of all sign
faces.
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e. Spherical,
free-form, sculptural, or other non-planar sign area is
fifty percent (50%) of the sum of the areas using only the
four (4) vertical sides of the smallest four-sided polyhedron
that will encompass the sign structure. Signs with greater
than four (4) faces are prohibited.
(illustration 13.A.1.e.1)
f. Freestanding sign area is the entire advertising area
of a sign, including framing, trim or molding and the supporting
frame for monument signs and including the air space between
the supporting structures for freestanding signs in the
CBD.
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2. Sign Height Measurement.
Sign height is measured as follows:
a. Freestanding
Signs: The height of a freestanding sign shall be computed
as the distance from the base of the sign at finished grade
to the top of the highest attached component of the sign.
The height of any monument sign base or other structure erected
to support or adorn the sign is measured as part of the sign
height. If a sign is located on a mound, berm, or other raised
area for the sole purpose of increasing the height of the
sign, the height of the mound, berm, or other raised area
shall be included in the height of the sign.
b. Building Mounted Signs: The height of wall, fascia, mansard,
parapet or other building mounted signs is the vertical distance
measured from the base of the wall on which the sign is located
to the top of the sign or sign structure.
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B. Sign Illumination. All permanent signs may be
non-illuminated, illuminated by internal, internal indirect (halo),
or lit by external indirect illumination, unless otherwise specified.
Signs shall have no: flashing copy or lights; revolving beacon lights;
chasing, blinking, or stroboscopic lights; fluttering, undulating,
swinging, or otherwise moving parts. For purposes of this Code an
electronically controlled changeable-copy sign is not considered a
flashing sign unless it directly falls under the definition of "flashing"
as defined in this Code. Scoreboards and sponsorship signs shall not
be lighted other than by a light source for the athletic field when
the athletic field is in use.
1. Internal Illumination.
Outdoor, internally illuminated signs, including but not limited
to awning/canopy signs, cabinet signs (whether freestanding
or building mounted), changeable copy panels or service island
signs, shall be constructed with an opaque background and
translucent letters and symbols, or with a colored background
and lighter letters and symbols. Where white is part of a
logo, it is permitted in the logo only, provided that such
logo shall represent not more than fifty percent (50%) of
the total sign area permitted.
2. External Indirect Illumination. Externally lit signs are
permitted to be illuminated only with steady, stationary,
down directed and shielded light sources directed solely onto
the sign. Monument signs may have ground mounted lighting
when said lighting is in compliance with this Section. Light
bulbs or light tubes, excluding neon, used for illuminating
a sign shall not be visible from adjacent public rights-of-way
or residential properties.
3. Neon. Exposed neon tube illumination is permitted on permanent
signs in non-residential sign categories only. Neon illumination
utilized as a sign copy projection, border, frame, or other
embellishment of sign copy, or other features shall not be
included in the total square footage of the sign, provided
the measured area of any such projection or detailed embellishment
does not exceed twelve (12) square feet in area. Where such
augmentations do exceed twelve (12) square feet in area, such
features shall be included and counted against the permitted
sign area for the use.
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a. In the Central
Business Sign Category, neon or phosphorescent lighting
shall not exceed (10) percent of the total signage allowed
and may only be located in a window.
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4. A sign lighted
by incandescent light shall be installed to protect the driver
of a vehicle from dangerous glare and to maintain visual clearance
of all official traffic signs, signals and devices.
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C. Sign Location.
1. All signs shall
be located on private property and outside of public right-of-way
unless otherwise specified.
2. All signs shall be located on developed property or property
to which a building permit has been issued for construction
of the use or building to which the sign is for, unless otherwise
specified herein.
3. All signs shall be situated in a manner that does not interfere
with or obstruct windows, doors or other means of exit from
a building. Further, no sign shall be supported on or attached
to any fire escape, door or window casing.
4. All signs shall be located outside of the visibility triangle
as defined within this Article.
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D. Construction
and Installation. All signs shall be constructed and maintained
in accordance to the following standards:
1. All signs shall
comply with the applicable provisions of the adopted versions
of the International Building Code (IBC) and the National
Electrical Code adopted by the City of Bastrop. Signs must
comply with Appendix H and must comply with the requirements
as detailed in Chapter 16 and 17 of the IBC 2000.
2. Except for banners, flags, temporary signs, and window
signs conforming in all respects with the requirements of
this Article, all signs shall be constructed of permanent,
durable, approved materials and shall be securely fastened
and anchored to the ground, a building or another structure
designed to carry the sign designed loads by an approved mechanical
attachment system as permitted by the Director of Planning
and Development.
3. Wall signs may not project more than twelve (12) inches
from the face of the building.
4. Roof signs shall be built in such a way that only the critical
supports touch the roof allowing free flow of all natural
runoff.
5. Projecting signs shall be installed on sound, straight
steel, galvanized or iron pipe in good condition, free from
all major flaws and defects and be primed and painted with
rust inhibitor paint or finish.
6. All pipes for freestanding/pole signs over one hundred
(100) pounds shall be of the well casing type or equivalent.
In no case shall pipe supports be less than three (3) inches
in diameter.
7. Any sign as defined in this Article, shall be designed
and constructed to withstand wind pressures and receive dead
loads as required in the City’s Building Code. Any sign,
other than a wall sign, shall be designed, installed, and
maintained so that it will withstand a horizontal pressure
of thirty (30) pounds per square foot of exposed surface.
8. Any sign will be considered a structure with the same requirements
as required for a building structure, in regards to wind and
weather related loads.
9. Any object added to a sign or any object used as a sign/advertisement
that was not manufactured specifically for a sign shall have
the following added requirements:
a. Written
authorization from the manufacturer to use their object
for the intended use.
b. The manufacturer must certify the object is safe
to use in this manner.
c. A 70-foot radius clearance or twice the height
of the mounted object from the outermost points on
the object shall be provided for on the property the
sign is located.
d. Exception: A tower or object initially designed
as an independent, free-standing structure is exempt
from requirements a, b, and c above.
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E. Maintenance.
1. All signs shall
be maintained in good structural condition, in compliance
with this Article, and all applicable building and electrical
codes at all times.
2. Maintenance of a sign shall include periodic cleaning,
replacement of flickering, burned out or broken light bulbs
or fixtures, repair or replacement of any faded, peeled, cracked,
or otherwise damaged or broken parts of a sign, and any other
activity necessary to restore the sign so that that it continues
to conform to the requirements of this Article.
3. The Building Official shall have the authority to order
the painting or repair, of a sign and accompanying landscaping
which constitutes a public nuisance. If such a condition is
determined to exist, the Building Official shall give notice
by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the sign owner
at the address shown on the sign permit. If, within thirty
(30) days from service of notice, the order is not complied
with the Building Official may cause the sign to be repaired,
and the cost of such repair to be charged against the sign
owner and/or property owner.
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SECTION
14. STANDARDS FOR PERMANENT SIGNS. The following sign
types are permissible upon issuance of a sign permit, unless exempted
by Section 7 of this Article, subject to the following specifications
and to the Dimensional Standards of Table 14.01.
| A. Awning/Canopy Signs.
|
1. The sign area
shall be counted as a part of the total allowable area for
Building Wall Signs per Table 14.01.
2. The supporting structure of an awning or canopy may not
encroach into or over the street right-of-way with the exception
of awning/canopy signs in the CBD that may extend into the
right-of-way as long as it does not impede pedestrian movement
or cause a safety hazard.
3. Such sign shall only be displayed on the ground floor awning/canopy
of a multi-story building.
4. The minimum clearance to any pedestrian sidewalk from the
bottom of the awning/canopy shall be nine (9) feet.
(illustration 14.A.4.1)
5. Copy, including logo, shall not exceed one square foot
of sign area per linear foot of awning or canopy width.
(illustration 14.A.51)
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B. Building Wall Signs.
1. The maximum
sign area shall be a ratio of the linear footage of the primary
façade of the building in accordance with Table 14.01.
(illustration 14.B.2.1)
2. Only one building façade with a primary entrance
may be used to calculate wall signage.
(illustration 14.B.2.1)
3. No wall sign shall extend above the roofline or parapet
of the building to which the sign is attached.
4. No building wall signs are permitted at a location higher
than the second story sill level, or on or above the cornice
line of any building.
5. For buildings having multiple tenants, the allowable area
shall be based on the individual frontage of each tenant.
(illustration 14.B.5.1)
6. Directory wall signs are permitted as incidental signs
in the Business and Neighborhood Services Sign Category.
7. Within the Central Business Sign Category:
a. Design
and construction must be appropriate to the era of
significance and should not conflict with the architectural
features of the structure.
b. When feasible, building wall signs should be located
so that they align with others on the block.
c. Graphics painted directly on the building where
the wall surface already has been painted are permitted.
Signs proposed for previously unpainted rock or brick
are not permitted, and historic ghost signs shall
not be defaced or obscured.
d. Directory wall signs are permitted as secondary
signs for buildings with multiple tenants in the CBD
Sign Category.
e. The light for a sign should be an indirect source
focused directly on the sign. Fluorescent and sodium
lighting is prohibited.
f. A secondary sign at an alley access that is not
more than forty percent (40%) of the primary business
sign dimension is permitted for businesses having
an alley entrance.
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C.
Directional Signs.
1. The maximum
sign area shall not exceed twelve (12) square feet.
2. The materials shall be consistent with the building materials
on project site.
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(example
14.C.2.1) |
(example
14.C.2.2) |
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D. Directory Signs
1. Such signs may
be monument, freestanding low profile, or wall mounted.
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(example
14.D.1.1) |
(example
14.D.1.2) |
2. The sign area
shall not exceed sixteen (16) square feet and, if freestanding,
shall not exceed six (6) feet in height.
3. Such signs are not counted in the aggregate sign area.
4. The materials shall be consistent with the building materials
of the project.
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E. Electronic Message (L.E.D.).
1. Such signs shall
be incorporated into a permitted monument sign only.
2. Such signs shall not exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of
the area of the sign.
3. Any change of pictures or information on the sign shall
not produce the illusion of scrolling, moving objects, expanding
or contracting shapes, rotation or any similar effect of animation.
4. Any change of pictures or information on the sign shall
not change more often than eight (8) times per day except
for message display of time or temperature.
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F. Flags.
1. The maximum area
for a flag is dependent on the height of a flag pole.
2. The maximum height of a flagpole or other supporting structure
in the Residential and Neighborhood Service Sign Categories shall
not exceed twenty (20) feet; the flag size shall not exceed twenty-eight
(28) sq. ft. The maximum height in all other Sign Categories shall
not exceed thirty-five (35) feet; the flag size shall not exceed
forty (40) sq. ft.
3. A maximum of three (3) flags per project site is allowed.
4. The flags shall be located on the property and setback a minimum
distance equal to the height of the pole. |
G. Ghost Signs in CBD.
To continue the historic past time of identifying the individual business
in the historic downtown, Ghost signs, shall be permitted in the CBD.
H. Kiosk Signs.
Kiosk signs, also known as Wayfinding signs, shall be allowed as off-premise
signs to provide directional information for the CBD, and other special
districts, public parking, points of interest (parks, historic places)
cultural facilities (libraries, museums, schools, etc.) and builders’
information for new residential subdivisions. These signs shall be
developed only as part of a city sponsored program.
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 |
(example
14.H.1) |
(example
14.H.2) |
I. Marquee Signs.
1. The maximum
number and sign area shall be regulated in accordance with
Table 14.01.
2. For a cinema, a marquee may include a changeable listing
of movie titles.
3. A marquee sign shall not extend more than ten (10) feet
from the building nor be less than nine (9) feet above the
ground or sidewalk at its lowest point.
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J. Monument Signs.
1. The maximum
number and sign area shall be regulated in accordance with
Table 14.01.
2. Building materials shall be consistent with the building
materials on the principal building.
3. A shared monument sign is encouraged (see multi-tenant
sign below). Such a monument sign must be located on one of
the properties included in the sign text and all panels should
be integrated into one common sign structure.
4. Street address shall be included on the sign.
5. Spacing of seventy-five (75) feet shall be maintained between
all monument signs.
(illustration 14.J.5.1)
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K. Multi-Tenant Signs.
1. A multi-tenant
sign shall be approved in accordance with Sec. 16, Comprehensive
Sign Program.
2. The maximum number and sign area shall be regulated in
accordance with Table 14.01. The maximum sign area in the
Business Sign Category is based upon the acreage of the center.
3. Developments containing two or more businesses, whether
in a single building or multiple buildings, single lot or
separate lots, and constituting a single cohesive development
are eligible for a multi-tenant sign.
4. The sign shall be located on a lot/property within the
boundaries of the center that the sign is advertising. Street
address shall be included on the sign.
5. The design and construction shall be compatible with the
architecture and style of the development.
(illustration 14.K.5.1)
6. Within the Central Business Sign Category:
a. May
be either a Building Wall Sign or a low profile free-standing
sign mounted on two (2) poles placed at the outermost
sides of the sign face.
b. The maximum size area shall be no more than twelve
(12) sq. ft. The maximum height for the low profile
sign shall be six (6) feet.
(illustration
14.K.6.1)
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L. Projecting Signs.
1. A maximum of
one (1) sign per business not to exceed sixteen (16) square
feet per business.
2. The minimum height from nearest grade or sidewalk to the
lowest edge of a projecting sign shall be at least nine (9)
feet.
3. A projecting sign shall not project more than four (4)
feet from a building wall.
(illustration 14.L.3.1)
4. Within the Central Business Sign Category:
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a. Should be
placed near the main entrance, just above the door or to
the side of it.
b. The maximum size area per business shall be no more than
eight (8) sq. ft.
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M. Pylon Signs on
Hwy 71.
1. A maximum of
one (1) sign, either a pylon sign or a monument sign shall
be permitted along Hwy. 71 per lot.
2. The maximum area of a pylon sign is one hundred sixty (160)
sq. ft.; maximum allowable height is 35 ft.
3. The pylon signs shall be constructed in a mono-pole configuration.
4. Signage shall be spaced a minimum of 100 ft. apart from
any other type of sign excluding government signs.
(illustration 14.M.4.1)
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N. Subdivision Entry Signs.
1. Subdivision
entry signs are allowed at one (1) primary entrance unless
the subdivision has more than one primary entrance, in such
case, an entry sign may be placed at each of the major entrances.
2. One (1) single face entry sign is allowed per corner at
the entrance or one (1) double faced sign in a landscaped
median. Median location shall require City Council approval
of a license agreement between the City and the homeowner/property
owner association.
3. The maximum sign area shall be forty-eight (48) sq. ft.
4. The maximum height shall be eight (8) ft.
5. Subdivision entry signs must be constructed of stone, brick
or other masonry materials compatible with the developed subdivision.
6. Lighting shall be ground lights or lights attached to the
top of the sign focused downward directly on the sign.
7. Subdivision entry signs must have a landscaped area equal
to twice the area of the sign face, providing one (1) five
(5) gallon shrub for every ten (10) sq. ft. of landscaped
area. Irrigation shall be provided.
8. The developer shall represent in writing its plan for perpetual
maintenance of such signs by the homeowner's association or
similar entity in its application for a permit before a permit
will be issued for such signs.
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O. Suspended Signs.
1. Such signs are
permitted at a location on or immediately adjacent to the
business the sign identifies in the CBD as a secondary sign.
2. Where such signs are less than four (4) sq. ft. in area,
such signs are not counted in the total building wall sign
area for the use. Signs exceeding four (4) sq. ft. in area
are counted in the aggregate total sign area permitted.
3. A minimum clearance between the bottom of a suspended sign
and nearest grade or sidewalk of eight (8) feet is required.
(illustration 14.O.3.1)
4. The sign should be mounted perpendicular with the building
façade and shall be suspended from underneath the canopy
in such a manner to allow for movement.
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P. Window Signs.
1. The maximum
sign area is twenty percent (20%) of the window area. Any
signs exceeding twenty percent (20%) shall be calculated against
the maximum wall sign area permitted.
2. Incidental signs exceeding five percent (5%) of the window
area shall count towards the maximum window sign area.
3. Within the Central Business Sign Category
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a. A window sign
should cover no more than approximately 30% of the total
window area.
b. It may be painted on the glass or hung just inside the
window.
c. Neon or phosphorescent lighting shall not exceed ten
(10) percent of the total signage allowed and may only be
placed in a window sign.
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TABLE 14.01 Sign Dimensional Standards by
Sign Category: It is important to note that the dimensional standards
listed below are maximums and that a sign is not required to reach
the maximums allowed.
| Sign
Type |
Residential
|
Multi-Family
|
Neighborhood
Services |
Business
|
Central
Business |
Building
Wall:In CBD,
the following are
Secondary Signs:
Directory
Suspended |
N/A |
Area: Ratio
of 1 sq.ft. per linear ft. of primary entrance façade;
not to exceed 40 sq.ft. maximum |
Area:
Ratio of 1 sq.ft. per linear ft. of primary façade |
Area: Ratio
of 1 sq.ft. per linear ft. of primary façade 1 |
Area: Ratio
of 1 sq. ft. per linear ft. of primary façade
Qty.: 1 for primary façade or building entrance; 1 for
alley entrance; 2 Secondary Signs |
| Monument |
N/A |
Area:
24 sq.ft.
Height: 6 ft
Qty.: 1 per street frontage
Spacing: 75 ft. |
Area:
24 sq.ft.
Height: 6 ft
Qty.: 1 per street frontage
Spacing: 75 ft. |
Area:
48 sq.ft. for < 2 acres 60 sf. for > 2 acres
Height: 8 ft
Qty.: 1 per street frontage
Spacing: 75 feet |
Area:
24 sq.ft.
Height: 6 ft.
Qty: 1 per street frontage |
Multi-Tenant
Monument |
N/A |
N/A |
Area:
48 sq.ft.
Height: 8 ft
Qty.: 1 per street frontage
Spacing: 75 ft. |
Area:
48 sq.ft. for < 3 acres 60 sq.ft. for 3 to 9.9 acres 96 sq.ft.
for 10 or greater
Height: 8 ft for 48 sq.ft.10 ft for all others
Qty.: 1 per street frontage
Spacing: 100 feet |
Area:
12 sq. ft.
Height: 6 ft.
Qty: 1 per street frontage
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| Pylon See
|
N/A
|
N/A |
N/A |
Section
14.M 2 |
N/A |
1
Area of sign allowable for buildings greater that 100,000
sq. ft. is 1.5 sq. ft. per linear ft. of primary facade.
2 Pylon signs are only permitted on Hwy. 71. See Sec. 14 M for additional
Pylon sign criteria.
SECTION 15. STANDARDS FOR TEMPORARY
SIGNS. Temporary signs are allowed for a limited time
period in accordance with the Permitting requirements of this Article
summarized in Table 10.01.
A. A-Frame, Sandwich Board or T-Frame Signs.
1. A maximum height
of four (4) ft. and width of three (3) ft.
2. One sign per business is allowed during normal business
hours.
3. Signs shall be placed on the private sidewalk in front
of the business and should allow for a minimum of at least
three (3) ft. of unobstructed pedestrian clearance adjacent
to the sign.
4. Within the Central Business Sign Category, signs shall
be placed on the sidewalk in front of the business and should
allow for a minimum of at least three (3) ft. of unobstructed
pedestrian clearance adjacent to the sign.
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B. Banner Signs.
1. Maximum sign
area is forty-eight (48) square feet and not to exceed seventy-five
percent (75%) of the building or lease space width upon which
the sign is to be located.
2. Maximum banner height dimension is four (4) feet.
3. One banner sign may be placed on a building for up to two
(2) weeks four (4) times per calendar year. The periods may
be combined. Each tenant space or building located on a single
lot or in a complex shall be allowed an individual banner
as allowed per this Code.
4. All four (4) corners of a banner sign shall be securely
attached to the building.
5. Street banners announcing permitted community events may
be placed over the public right-of-way in the CBD on Chestnut
Street and Main Street as permitted by law. A maximum of one
(1) banner per block shall be permitted, and no more than
two (2) banners per event shall be allowed.
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C. Bandit Signs.
1. Bandit signs
shall not exceed four (4) square feet and shall not be more
than three (3) feet above the natural grade.
2. Bandit Sign shall be authorized for new residential subdivisions
during the development and sale phases only.
3. Bandit signs shall not be placed on public right-of-way,
or within the visibility triangle of an intersection.
4. The posting of bandit signs shall only be allowed between
the hours of 5:00 a.m. Saturday through 6:00 a.m. Monday.
5. The bandit signs shall be set back from the property line
a minimum of five (5’) feet and shall not exceed three
(3’) feet in height above the natural grade.
6. Any bandit sign placed prior to 5:00 a.m. on Saturday or
not removed by 6:00 a.m. Monday shall be in violation of this
ordinance. The City of Bastrop shall remove bandit signs in
violation of this ordinance within twenty-four (24) hours.
The owner of the bandit sign shall be fined in accordance
with this Article.
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D. Construction Site Signs.
1. The maximum
sign area for a construction site sign is as follows:
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a. Freestanding
– thirty-two (32) square feet
b. Wall signs – ten percent (10%) of building or lease
space façade on which it is attached.
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2. The maximum
height for a construction site sign is listed in Table 14.01.
3. Only one (1) freestanding sign per street frontage on the
property where the activity is to occur is permitted.
4. Only one (1) wall sign per building is permitted.
5. The construction site sign shall be displayed no earlier
than thirty (30) days before the commencement of the activity
and must be removed no later that thirty (30) days after the
activity is completed, or the installation of a permanent
sign, whichever occurs first.
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E. Development Information
Signs.
1. The maximum
sign area shall not exceed forty (40) square feet and the
maximum height is based on the Sign category in Table 14.01.
2. One sign is allowed for every fifty (50) lots, not to exceed
thirty-two (32) signs unless the project exceeds four (4)
square miles.
3. All signs must conform to a unified design, shape and neutral
color scheme and be constructed of strong, durable weather
resistant materials.
4. For a residential subdivision, the sign may be displayed
once the plat is recorded and shall be removed when 90% of
each phase to which the sign is a part of is completed.
5. For a commercial development not requiring platting, the
sign may be displayed with the approval of either the site
plan or the building permit.
6. Development Information Signs shall be located on private
property within the project subdivision/development to which
the signs pertain. Signs may not be located on boundary streets
of the project subdivision.
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F. Garage Sale Signs.
1. Must be located
on private property (i.e., not in the right-of-way or on a
utility pole) at a distance not less than three feet from
a curb.
2. A maximum sign area of four (4) square feet.
3. Allowed from 5:00 p.m. Thursday until 8:00 a.m. Monday
(unless Monday is a holiday, in which case the sign can remain
until 8:00 a.m Tuesday. .)
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G. Light Pole Mounted
Banners.
1. Limited to not
more than one banner on any light pole.
2. Limited to no more than two (2) ft. X six (6) ft. in exterior
dimension and twelve (12) square feet in area per banner.
3. A minimum height of six (6) ft. as measured from adjacent
grade to the bottom of the banner.
4. A maximum height of twelve (12) ft. to the top of the banner.
5. Banners shall be maintained in good repair. Should they
become excessively faded, tattered or torn, they shall be
replaced or removed.
6. Banners shall not be illuminated, except for indirect lighting
associated with the main lamp of the light pole to which it
is mounted.
7. Banners shall be permitted in the CBD for the advertising
of permitted community events, seasonal and historic themes,
or other such civic purposes; on collector level and higher
classification within a residential subdivision; within Master
Planned Commercial subdivision. Such banners are limited to
subdivision identification, or seasonal decorations and works
of art by local artists. Such banners must be approved by
the appropriate electric utility company in addition to receiving
a permit from the City’s Planning and Development Department.
(illustration 15.G.7.1)
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H.
Model Home Signs.
1. The maximum
sign area is eighteen (18) square feet.
2. The maximum height is six (6) feet.
3. One (1) sign per cluster of model homes per builder.
4. A nameplate sign that identifies the individual product
name is exempt if it does not exceed three (3) square feet
nor three (3) feet in height.
5. Must be placed in front of a cluster of one or more model
homes per builder.
6. All model home signage must be removed from the premises
upon sale of the last model in the cluster.
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I. Point of Sale Signs.
1. The maximum
sign area is six (6) square feet.
2. The maximum height is three (3) feet.
3. Must be located within a covered or protected area and
cannot be located within parking or driveway areas.
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J. Political Signs.
1. Political signs
shall not require a permit.
2. Political signs shall not:
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a. have an effective
area greater than 36 feet;
b. be more than eight (8) feet high;
c. be illuminated; or
d. have any moving elements.
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3. Political signs shall be placed on private real property
and only with permission of the property owner.
4. Political signs shall not be placed on State, County or
Local utility poles or in right-of-ways.
5. All political signs shall be removed within thirty (30)
days after the election at which the issue is decided.
6. The political candidate will be held responsible that all
political signs promoting their election are removed.
7. Any reasonable city expense incurred in removing political
signs after the thirty (30) day period will be charged to
the political candidate. The charge for such removal will
not be greater than the charge for removal of other signs
regulated by ordinance.
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K. Real Estate Sign.
1. Residential
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a. The maximum
sign area of six (6) square feet.
b. A maximum of one (1) sign per street frontage.
c. Directional real estate signs to subject property are
permitted off-site, but shall be located on private property.
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2. Commercial
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a. The maximum
sign area for a freestanding commercial real estate sign
is thirty-two (32) square feet.
b. The maximum sign area for a wall mounted commercial real
estate sign is ten (10) square feet.
c. The maximum height of a freestanding commercial real
estate sign is ten (10) feet.
d. The free standing sign shall be located on the property
that is subject to sale or lease.
e. A maximum of one (1) free standing sign per street frontage
and one (1) building wall sign per building or tenant space.
f. Sign shall be removed within thirty (30) days of completion
of the sale or lease transaction.
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SECTION
16. COMPREHENSIVE SIGN PROGRAMS. A Comprehensive Sign
Program (CSP) is provided to enhance the overall project, whether
new development or redevelopment, through the use of unique architectural
design and compatible building materials. An application for Comprehensive
Sign Program is required for:
a. Master Planned
Communities, or
b. Non-residential multi-tenant or multi-lot non-residential
subdivision.
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A. Application.
The application shall include the following:
1. The proposed
sign type, number, size, location, design, colors and materials
for each sign within the development project.
2. The sign program shall enhance the overall development
through coordinated and compatible architectural style, design,
color, and material.
3. The sign program may include various types of signs, such
as freestanding and wall?affixed signs, to affect the optimum
blend of business advertising and community design.
4. A Comprehensive Sign Program allows for the inclusion of
a Multi-tenant Monument Sign in addition to other monument
signs utilized within the development.
5. A Comprehensive Sign Program application for multiple lots
must be signed by all property owners within the recorded
subdivision. All signatures must be notarized.
6. A Comprehensive Sign Program may be approved once a preliminary
plat has been approved; however, no sign permit for individual
signs shall be permitted prior to recordation of the final
plat.
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B. Administrative Review.
An application for a Comprehensive Sign Program shall be reviewed
by City Staff in accordance with the following:
1. Comprehensive
sign programs shall reflect proposed signage in compliance
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