3.7 SIGN PERMIT REVIEW

Final copy approved by Fountain Green City Council February 18, 2008. Minor changes 3.6 F and G April 19, 2012. 3.20 Amended October 18, 2012. Amended section 3.15 January 19, 2023. Amended sections 3.2 & 3.15 March 16, 2023. Revise section 3.6 G January 18, 2024. Revise section 3.6 F & G January 16, 2025. Updated & Revised Jan 22, 2026. The Mayor and City Council of Fountain Green City declare that the purpose and intent of this chapter is to enact reasonable regulations governing the erection and maintenance of signs within Fountain Green City, Sanpete County, State of Utah, in order to enhance the appearance of Fountain Green City and thereby to safeguard and enhance property values throughout Fountain Green. This chapter shall be interpreted in accordance with this general purpose and intention and regulates to the maximum extent allowed by law. A. EXCEPTIONS. Except as provided in this chapter, no sign, permanent or temporary, shall be established, erected, located, raised, moved, reconstructed, extended, enlarged or altered, without a permit from the Fountain Green City Planning Commission, issued in compliance with the terms of this chapter. The following signs are not regulated by this code: 1. Signs of a governmental nature for the control of traffic and other regulatory purposes such as street signs, danger signs, railroad crossing signs and signs of public service companies indicating danger and aids to service or safety; 2. Signs which are associated with public and quasi-public organization functions, and which are clearly of a temporary nature; 3. Signs on the interior portion of any building; 4. Signs advertising yard sales, missing, open houses, election campaigns or school, church or community functions of a short, temporary or limited duration are exempt; 5. Flags, emblems, or insignias of any nation or political subdivision; 6. Signs not exceeding six square feet in area and bearing only property numbers, postal box numbers or names of occupants of premises, or other noncommercial signage; 7. Legal notices, identification information, or directional signs erected by governmental bodies; 8. Commemorative plaques of recognized historical agencies, or identification emblems or symbols of religious orders, provided that no such plaque, symbol, or identification emblem exceeds six square feet in area, and such plaque, symbol or emblem is placed flat against a building; and 9. Existing signage, which has been previously approved, shall not be required to comply with this chapter insofar as the initial installation is concerned. All other requirements are applicable. Final copy approved by Fountain Green City Council February 18, 2008. Minor changes 3.6 F and G April 19, 2012. 3.20 Amended October 18, 2012. Amended section 3.15 January 19, 2023. Amended sections 3.2 & 3.15 March 16, 2023. Revise section 3.6 G January 18, 2024. Revise section 3.6 F & G January 16, 2025. Updated & Revised Jan 22, 2026. 10. Commercial/advertising. Menus displayed on the exterior of Premises or on an a-frame/sandwich board occupied by restaurants or food trucks shall be attached to the structure or securely anchored to the ground or using sufficient weight to withstand the wind. 11. Construction/service signs. One temporary non-illuminated sign per service or construction project site to be removed within 5 days after the project ends. B. NONCONFORMING SIGNS. A nonconforming sign shall not be reconstructed, raised, moved, placed, extended, or enlarged unless said sign is changed so as to conform to all provisions of this chapter. Alterations shall not be interpreted to include changing the text or copy of off-premises advertising signs, theater signs, outdoor bulletin, or other similar signs which are designed to accommodate changeable copy. C. ABATEMENT. The non-conforming sign provisions of this chapter shall not be applicable to prohibited signs. D. PERMITS. Except as provided in this code, it is unlawful to display, erect, relocate, or alter any sign without first submitting a sign permit application to the Planning Commission and obtaining the sign permit. When a Fountain Green City sign permit has been issued, it is unlawful to change, modify, alter, or otherwise deviate from the terms or conditions of said permit without prior approval of the Planning Commission. A written record of such approval shall be entered upon the original permit application and maintained in the files of the Planning Commission. The application for a sign permit shall be made by the owner (or tenant with owner permission) of the property on which the sign is to be located, or his/her authorized agent, or a licensed sign contractor and shall be accompanied by the following plans and other information: 1. The name, address and telephone number of the owner or persons entitled to possession of the sign or control of the same and of the sign contractor or erector; 2. The location by street address of the proposed sign structure; 3. A site plan and elevation drawings of the proposed sign, caption of the proposed sign, and elevations of building facades if the application is for a wall sign. The site plan shall include the proposed location of the sign in relation to the face of the building or to the boundaries of the lot on which it is situated; 4. Plans for freestanding signs requiring a building permit shall indicate the scope and structural detail of the work to be done, including details of all connections, guy lines, supports and footings, and materials to be used, stamped by a professional engineer licensed in the State of Utah; and Final copy approved by Fountain Green City Council February 18, 2008. Minor changes 3.6 F and G April 19, 2012. 3.20 Amended October 18, 2012. Amended section 3.15 January 19, 2023. Amended sections 3.2 & 3.15 March 16, 2023. Revise section 3.6 G January 18, 2024. Revise section 3.6 F & G January 16, 2025. Updated & Revised Jan 22, 2026. 5. Application for, and required information for such application, and electrical permit for all electric signs if the person building the sign is to make the electrical connection. E. EXEMPT SIGN CHANGES. The following changes do not require a sign permit: 1. The changing of the advertising copy or message of signs specifically designed for the use of replaceable copy; 2. Electrical maintenance, repainting, or cleaning maintenance of a sign; 3. The repair of a sign; 4. Real estate signs no larger than six square feet; 5. Nameplate signs. F. TRAFFIC HAZARDS. Signs or other advertising structures shall not be erected at the intersection of any streets or driveways in such manner as to obstruct free and clear vision; or at any location where by reason of the position, shape, or color, it may interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal device, or make use of words, phrases, symbols or characters in such manner as to interfere with, mislead, or confuse vehicle operators. 1. At intersecting streets and within the clear view area, there shall be no signs allowed, unless a sign is less than three feet in height as measured from the average grade of the intersecting streets. 2. For signs over pedestrian ways, the clearance between the ground and the bottom of any projecting or ground sign shall not be less than eight feet. 3. For signs over driveways for vehicular traffic, the minimum clearance shall be 14 feet. 4. For signs more than three feet in height and having less than an eight-foot clearance, the front setback shall be the same as for buildings in that zoning district. In no case shall the front setback be less than 18 inches from the front property line as measured from the leading edge of the sign. G. SIGNS OVER PUBLIC PROPERTY. No sign shall be located on publicly owned land or inside street rights-of-way except signs required and erected by permission of an authorized public agency. This restriction shall include, but not be limited to, handbills, posters, advertisements, or notices that are fastened, placed, posted, painted, or attached in any way upon any curbstone, lamp post, telephone pole, electric light or power pole, hydrant, bridge, tree, rock, sidewalk or street. No projecting sign attached to Final copy approved by Fountain Green City Council February 18, 2008. Minor changes 3.6 F and G April 19, 2012. 3.20 Amended October 18, 2012. Amended section 3.15 January 19, 2023. Amended sections 3.2 & 3.15 March 16, 2023. Revise section 3.6 G January 18, 2024. Revise section 3.6 F & G January 16, 2025. Updated & Revised Jan 22, 2026. a building shall project over public property more than four feet and in no case be closer than four feet to curb line or edge of street, whichever is more restrictive. Ground signs must be setback at least 18 inches from any public right-of-way. H. PROHIBITED SIGNS. 1. ABANDONED SIGNS. Abandoned signs, including all structural and support elements. 2. BILLBOARDS. Billboards, outdoor advertising and off-premises signs (see definition of Billboards) are prohibited in all zones. 3. CHANGEABLE SIGNS. Electronically or electrically controlled "time and temperature", message center, reader board or other signs on which copy or sign panels are changed manually or electronically is prohibited, except service station signs, theaters, restaurants, and official 'Fountain Green Welcome Signs'. 4. INTENSELY LIGHTED SIGNS, BEACONS AND SEARCHLIGHTS. Lighted beacons, searchlights, other lights or lighted devices which attract attention to a property are prohibited. Intensely lit or exposed luminary sources such as exposed bulbs or tubes shall be prohibited. Exposed neon signs shall be prohibited, except for those allowed by this chapter. 5. MISCELLANEOUS SIGNS AND POSTERS. The tacking, posting or otherwise affixing of signs of a miscellaneous character, visible from a public way, located on the walls of buildings, barns, sheds, on trees, poles, posts, fences or other structures, except to identify a residence or residence structure by means of posting the name of occupant or structure, and the street address, are prohibited unless specifically permitted by this chapter. Miscellaneous signs may be permitted on a temporary basis, in certain locations, with prior written approval of the Planning Commission. 6. MOVING, ANIMATED, OR WIND-DRIVEN SIGNS. No sign shall be permitted which is animated by means of flashing, scintillating, blinking or traveling lights or any other means not providing constant illumination or intensity of illumination, including changeable signs, signs that rotate, move or assume any motion constituting a nonstationary or non-fixed condition. Arm-flailing tube men, also known as air dancers, are colorful inflatables commonly used as attention-grabbing devices in advertising and promotion and are therefore not considered signs. 7. REFLECTIVE SIGNS. Signs made wholly or partially of highly reflective material. 8. SCULPTURE. Sculpture, statues, fountains or other art or decorative articles made of plastic or vinyl, with or without advertising copy, which by reason of height, size, color or nature serve primarily to attract attention to an establishment, organization or enterprise rather than to serve a primarily decorative or landscaping function. 9. Signs which bear or contain statements, words or pictures of an obscene or pornographic character (as defined by the U.S. Supreme Court in Miller vs. California, 413 U.S. 15, 24 (1973), and anything that demeans or otherwise degrades religions, races or ethnic groups, or any other protected group. Final copy approved by Fountain Green City Council February 18, 2008. Minor changes 3.6 F and G April 19, 2012. 3.20 Amended October 18, 2012. Amended section 3.15 January 19, 2023. Amended sections 3.2 & 3.15 March 16, 2023. Revise section 3.6 G January 18, 2024. Revise section 3.6 F & G January 16, 2025. Updated & Revised Jan 22, 2026. 10. Signs which emit audible sound, odor or visible matter. 11. Signs which, because of their size, location, movement, content, coloring or manner of illumination, may be confused with or construed as a traffic control sign, signal or device, or the light of an emergency or road equipment vehicle, or which hide from view any traffic or street sign or signal or device. 12. Signs, except as may be required by law, placed or maintained so as to interfere with free ingress to or egress from any door, window or fire escape. 13. Signs, including political signs, attached, maintained, painted, printed or otherwise affixed to any curb, sidewalk, post, pole, hydrant, bridge, bench, tree or other surface on public property or over or across any street or public thoroughfare, except by a duly authorized public employee or as required or permitted by law. I. MINIMUM SIGN STANDARDS. All signs must conform to building, structural, and electrical codes as well as regulations of the town. All signs shall be subject to the following minimum requirements: 1. SETBACKS. Signs less than 3 feet in height may be placed within the clear view triangle. No sign greater than 3 feet in height may be placed where it obstructs the clear view area. Signs more than 3 feet in height must have a front setback of at least 18 inches from the front property line as measured from leading edge of sign. Signs shall also meet clear view requirements as detailed in sign definitions. No sign shall interfere with emergency vehicle access. 2. MATERIALS. Signs, unless otherwise stated in the following sections of this chapter, may be constructed of painted, stained or carved wood, brick or stone; or metal which is painted or otherwise treated to prevent reflective glare. Wood signs shall be solid wood, except that painted signs may be of MDO surfaced plywood or equivalent. Ordinary plywood, cardboard, plastic, or materials that do not have adequate longevity are prohibited, unless for temporary signs. 3. COLOR. Exceedingly brilliant, luminescent, or fluorescent colors are prohibited. Colors should repeat those of the facade or compliment them. In general, dark backgrounds with light letters are more legible. Too many colors can overwhelm the sign's communication function and create a distracting, garish visual element rather than an integral part of the texture of the street. 4. ILLUMINATION. Signs may be unlighted or lighted. Light sources for lighted signs shall be placed to illuminate only the sign surface and shall not be visible beyond the premises. Special care shall be taken in the design of external sign lighting to ensure that the light source is not visible to neighboring properties or motor vehicle traffic. Final copy approved by Fountain Green City Council February 18, 2008. Minor changes 3.6 F and G April 19, 2012. 3.20 Amended October 18, 2012. Amended section 3.15 January 19, 2023. Amended sections 3.2 & 3.15 March 16, 2023. Revise section 3.6 G January 18, 2024. Revise section 3.6 F & G January 16, 2025. Updated & Revised Jan 22, 2026. J. SIGN STANDARDS FOR ALL ZONES EXCEPT BUSINESS/COMMERCIAL: One low profile identification sign is allowed for each subdivision, home occupation business, agricultural business or the like. Signs shall be either freestanding, attached to a building wall or attached to a wall or fence announcing the site entrance. 1. SUBDIVISION COMMON ENTRANCE sign shall not exceed 20 square feet for each subdivision entrance and shall be located a minimum of 6 feet from the public right of way. 2. ALL OTHER FREESTANDING MONUMENT signs shall not exceed 8 square feet and shall be located a minimum of 6 feet from the public right of way. 3. SIGNS MOUNTED FLAT against the building, entrance wall, or fence shall not exceed 8 square feet in area, nor 8 feet in height; nor shall they extend out more than 12 inches from wall or fence. No sign shall extend above the wall, fence, or roofline. 4. SPECIAL EVENT SIGNS: off-premise event advertising signs, not exceeding 8 square feet in area, that are painted on windows, attached to windows or walls, or affixed to a maximum of one a-frame or sandwich board, provided that said signs are posted only during said event or no more than 7 days prior to said event and are removed no more than 7 days after an event. (this may be included in the event permitting process.) K. SIGN STANDARDS FOR BUSINESS/COMMERCIAL - PERMIT REQUIRED: Each duly licensed business on its own parcel shall be allowed one primary sign and one secondary sign. In the event that the primary sign is freestanding, the secondary sign shall be building mounted. In the event that the primary sign is building mounted, the secondary sign may be freestanding or building mounted on a building frontage other than that upon which the primary sign is located. In the event the building is 100 feet or more from sr-132, primary and secondary signs may both be freestanding monument signs. 1. FREESTANDING MONUMENT SIGNS. A freestanding monument sign and the corresponding support structures shall be designed to complement the building architecture and the surrounding areas, and shall comply with the following height, area, material, and color requirements. No freestanding monument sign shall exceed 6 feet in height or extend beyond the roofline or parapet wall at the highest point, whichever is less. Final copy approved by Fountain Green City Council February 18, 2008. Minor changes 3.6 F and G April 19, 2012. 3.20 Amended October 18, 2012. Amended section 3.15 January 19, 2023. Amended sections 3.2 & 3.15 March 16, 2023. Revise section 3.6 G January 18, 2024. Revise section 3.6 F & G January 16, 2025. Updated & Revised Jan 22, 2026. Primary sign is not to exceed 40 square feet in area; secondary signs do not exceed 20 square feet. Freestanding monument signs shall be of a non-reflective surface, and made of weatherproof wood, stone, or metal. 2. BUILDING MOUNTED SIGNS. Signs mounted on the building shall be integrated into the building and designed so that architectural features and expression of the building are not obscured. Signs mounted to the building include wall signs, awning signs, projecting signs, and suspended signs. A building mounted primary sign for business/commercial district shall: a. Have a maximum area of 40 square feet. b. Shall not extend beyond the roofline or parapet wall at the highest point, nor extend beyond a maximum of 15 feet in height. c. If mounted flat to a wall, shall be permanently attached and not extend more than 12 inches from said wall. d. If projecting, shall not extend from the building face a distance greater than 6 feet, and no projecting sign shall extend over public property a distance greater than 12 inches. e. Shall maintain a minimum 8-foot clearance between the lowest point of the sign and the grade immediately below. 3. In the instance of a building set back from the road by more than 100 feet, the Planning Commission may allow installation of a wall mounted primary sign up to but not exceeding 5 percent of the total area of the wall on which it will be mounted. 4. A building mounted secondary sign for the Business/Commercial district shall: a. Have a maximum sign area of 20 square feet. b. Not extending beyond the roofline or parapet wall at the highest point, nor extending beyond a maximum of 15 feet in height. c. If mounted flat to wall, be permanently attached and shall not extend more than 12 inches from said wall. d. If projecting, not extend from the building face a distance greater than 6 feet, and no projecting sign shall extend over public property a distance greater than 12 inches. e. If projecting sign, awning sign or suspended sign, shall maintain a minimum 8-foot clearance between the lowest point of the sign and the grade immediately below. Final copy approved by Fountain Green City Council February 18, 2008. Minor changes 3.6 F and G April 19, 2012. 3.20 Amended October 18, 2012. Amended section 3.15 January 19, 2023. Amended sections 3.2 & 3.15 March 16, 2023. Revise section 3.6 G January 18, 2024. Revise section 3.6 F & G January 16, 2025. Updated & Revised Jan 22, 2026.