24-8-3 Safety and location standards for permanent signs

(1) All signs must be built of durable and permanent materials. (2) Permanent power sources for signs must be concealed underground away from public view. (3) Deviations from the requirements of this section must be reviewed and approved by the Tooele County engineer and may be approved only if found to maintain an acceptable degree of safety. (4) All signs must be permanently mounted on foundations and footings that conform to the International Building Code. (5) The light from the illumination of signs shall be carefully directed so that the light is not obtrusive or a nuisance to adjacent properties, especially residential areas. (Ord. 2002-13, 6/18/02) Table 24-8-4. Community signs. (Ord. 2010-03, 3/2/10; Ord. 2002-13, 6/18/02) Figures 11-12. Community signs. (1) Permanent or temporary signs: Either (2) Community signs shall be allowed on parcels with the permission of the owner and approval of the zoning administrator. (3) Design and construction standards: No sign shall be permitted that is unsafe for vehicular or pedestrian traffic, is inappropriate with respect to location, Table 24-8-4. Community signs. (Ord. 2010-03, 3/2/10; Ord. 2002-13, 6/18/02) size, time or duration of display, or is maintained in a deteriorated condition. Such a sign: (a) must be made of durable, weather resistant, material; (b) shall not be permitted which is unsafe for vehicular or pedestrian traffic, is inappropriate with respect to location, size, time or duration of display, or is maintained in a deteriorated condition; (c) must use logos or symbols instead of copy where possible, where copy would cause a distraction to vehicular traffic; (d) may be located at various gateway areas to Tooele County, along major streets and important intersections adjacent to non-residential properties; (e) shall be uniform in size for each individual display and shall be no larger than four feet wide and ten feet tall. Signs attached to a building may be larger but must be appropriate in scale and location as approved by the zoning administrator; (f) shall not be located on any parcel where a dwelling is or will be placed; and (g) freestanding community signs may not be attached to another temporary sign or a permanent traffic or business sign. (4) The size of the sign shall be according to the following standards: Less than 5 acres: 24 square feet 5 to 10 acres: 32 square feet 10 to 20 acres: 48 square feet 20 or more acres: 64 square feet Maximum height: 12 feet (5) Community signs may be part of a “rotating permanent feature” of Tooele County or a community for such events as: (a) the Benson Grist Mill; (b) holidays; (c) cultural or arts events; (d) non-profit athletic/recreation leagues; Table 24-8-4. Community signs. (Ord. 2010-03, 3/2/10; Ord. 2002-13, 6/18/02) (e) the Deseret Peak Recreational Convention Center; and (f) general community promotions, such as business with the prohibition of commercial endorsement or name on any such sign. (6) Temporary freestanding community signs for any single purpose or event may not be displayed for more than 30 days. However, the zoning administrator may approve temporary community purpose signs for long-term purposes subject to review on a 90-day basis. Table 24-8-5. On-premise free-standing signs. (Ord. 2026-06, 6/30/26; Ord. 2015-12, 4/21/15; Ord. 2013-17, 11/19/13; Ord. 2010-03, 3/2/10; Ord. 2002-13, 6/18/02) Figures 13-15. Freestanding signs, measurements in 24-7-5. (1) Permanent or temporary signs: Permanent (2) On-premise free-standing signs are only allowed in commercial zones as follows: (a) permitted use in all commercial (C) zones except the commercial neighborhood (C-N) zoning district; (b) limited to only one per business or planned center/commercial complex, whichever is fewer; (c) if located on a corner lot or double frontage lot, the planning commission may approve two such signs by conditional use only if one double sided or angled sign is conclusively proven to be unfeasible; (d) reader boards, changeable copy areas and electronic message centers are allowed but discouraged. No such device may exceed 75% of the total sign copy area of the sign; Table 24-8-5. On-premise free-standing signs. (Ord. 2026-06, 6/30/26; Ord. 2015-12, 4/21/15; Ord. 2013-17, 11/19/13; Ord. 2010-03, 3/2/10; Ord. 2002-13, 6/18/02) (e) shall not extend over any pedestrian or vehicular access area unless specifically approved by the county engineer; (f) all on-premise freestanding signs must have the structural supports covered or concealed with pylon covers and the covers must be architecturally and aesthetically designed to match the building; (g) on parcels within 1,000 ft. of an exit off of Interstate 80: 1. signs shall have a height not greater than 35 feet above the nearest traffic lane of Interstate 80; 2. signs must be located within a 30-foot setback from the property line on such parcel; 3. the allowable sign area for one of these signs shall not exceed one square foot in sign area for each lineal foot of property frontage with a maximum sign area of 200 square feet; and 4. locations that are adjacent to a freeway overpass or similar view obscuring ring structure may request an additional height allowance from the zoning administrator which shall only give enough height to provide reasonable visibility above the obstruction; (h) All other locations: 1. the allowable sign area for one of these signs shall not exceed one square foot in sign area for each lineal foot of property frontage with a maximum sign area of 150 square feet; and 2. the sign structure shall not exceed 25 feet in height as measured from the highest point of the sign to the crown of the street unless specifically authorized by the zoning administrator; (i) all lighting and/or illumination must face downward or be contained in a cabinet and must illuminate only the sign such that it remains unobtrusive and does not constitute a nuisance; (j) unless excepted by the zoning administrator, all signs must be incorporated into a landscape design or planter box; (k) in no case shall the permitted freestanding sign be placed closer than 100 feet to any other monument, freestanding or pole sign located on the same side of the street. (3) On-premise free-standing signs are only allowed in industrial zones as follows: (a) permitted use in all industrial (M) zones; (b) limited to only one per business or planned center/commercial complex, whichever is fewer, or as approved by the zoning administrator; (c) if located on a corner lot or double frontage lot, the planning commission may approve two such signs by conditional use only if one double sided or angled sign is conclusively proven to be unfeasible; Table 24-8-5. On-premise free-standing signs. (Ord. 2026-06, 6/30/26; Ord. 2015-12, 4/21/15; Ord. 2013-17, 11/19/13; Ord. 2010-03, 3/2/10; Ord. 2002-13, 6/18/02) (d) reader boards, changeable copy areas and electronic message centers are allowed but discouraged. No such device may exceed 75% of the total sign copy area of the sign; (e) shall not extend over any pedestrian or vehicular access area unless specifically approved by the county engineer; (f) all on-premise freestanding signs must have the structural supports covered or concealed with pylon covers and the covers must be architecturally and aesthetically designed to match the building; (g) on parcels within 2,000 ft. of an exit off of Interstate 80: 1. signs shall have a height not greater than 80 feet maximum, 70 feet above the nearest traffic lane of Interstate 80; 2. signs must be located within a 30-foot setback from the property line on such parcel so long as it does not impede line-of-sight; 3. the allowable sign area for one of these signs shall not exceed one square foot in sign area for each lineal foot of property frontage with a maximum sign area of 200 square feet; and 4. locations that are adjacent to a freeway overpass or similar view obscuring ring structure may request an additional height allowance from the zoning administrator which shall only give enough height to provide reasonable visibility above the obstruction; (h) All other locations: 1. the allowable sign area for one of these signs shall not exceed one square foot in sign area for each lineal foot of property frontage with a maximum sign area of 200 square feet; and 2. the sign structure shall not exceed 35 feet in height as measured from the highest point of the sign to the crown of the street unless specifically authorized by the zoning administrator; (i) all lighting and/or illumination must face downward or be contained in a cabinet and must illuminate only the sign such that it remains unobtrusive and does not constitute a nuisance; (j) unless excepted by the zoning administrator, all signs must be incorporated into a landscape design; (k) in no case shall the permitted freestanding sign be placed closer than 100 feet than any other monument, freestanding or pole sign located on the same side of the street. (4) On-premise free-standing signs require the following information to be issued permits: (a) a plot plan showing the relationship of the sign to buildings, property lines, the setback from public rights-of-way, intersections, easements and driveways; Table 24-8-5. On-premise free-standing signs. (Ord. 2026-06, 6/30/26; Ord. 2015-12, 4/21/15; Ord. 2013-17, 11/19/13; Ord. 2010-03, 3/2/10; Ord. 2002-13, 6/18/02) (b) two accurately dimensioned, scaled drawings showing height, color, square foot dimensions, landscaping, sign composition, type of illumination and how the sign will appear from the street; (c) details of the sign construction including the electrical plan, foundation scheme and value of the sign; and (d) the number of acres and length of lineal frontage of property. Table 24-8-6. Monument signs. (Ord. 2013-17, 11/19/13; Ord. 2010-03, 3/2/10; Ord. 2002-13, 6/18/02) X H Figures 16-18. Monument signs, measurements in 24-7-4. (1) Permanent or temporary signs: Permanent (2) Monument signs are only allowed as follows: (a) permitted use in all zoning districts except the residential, residential multi-family and rural residential districts; (b) the use of monument signs in place of freestanding signs is encouraged; (c) signs shall have a logo/identification theme as part of the sign; (d) signs must be separated by at least 100 feet as measured diagonally across the property from center to center of both signs or only one sign will be allowed; (e) the sign structure shall not exceed six feet in height as measured from the ground at the highest point unless another height is specifically authorized by the zoning administrator; (f) if entire frontage of the property is bermed, the height to the top of the sign as measured from the street curb may vary depending upon landscaping, but the combined height of the sign and berming or landscaping may not exceed nine feet; Table 24-8-6. Monument signs. (Ord. 2013-17, 11/19/13; Ord. 2010-03, 3/2/10; Ord. 2002-13, 6/18/02) (g) signs must have at least a one foot opaque pedestal designed as part of the foundation that conceals any pole support, and the illuminated cabinet may not exceed five feet for a total of six feet; (h) the pedestal should run at least 50% of the horizontal length of the sign, and there may not be any exposed space between the pedestal and the ground or landscaped area; (i) signs shall be placed not less than two feet and not more than four feet from the frontage property line and not less than 25% of the total distance from either of the side boundaries as measured along the frontage unless allowed by the planning commission; (j) the zoning administrator must approve any proposal that would place a sign on each street; (k) reader boards, changeable copy areas and electronic message centers are allowed but discouraged. No such device may exceed 75% of the total sign copy area of the sign; (l) shall not extend over any pedestrian or vehicular access area; (m) allowed for any size parcel provided the parcel has 30 feet of street frontage; (n) the allowable sign area for monument signs is 40 square feet for sites with less than one acre of property and 56 square feet for sites with more than one acre of property; (o) signs within the clearview zone are prohibited; (p) all lighting and/or illumination must face downward or be contained in a cabinet and must illuminate only the sign such that it remains unobtrusive and does not constitute a nuisance; (q) unless excepted by the zoning administrator, all signs must be incorporated into a landscape design or planter box; (r) the zoning administrator must also approve any permanent removal of landscaping for the purpose of situating a sign; (s) the regulated area of a monument sign includes all parts of the sign or structure that contains words or symbols and information; and (t) signs for planned commercial centers; 1. centers with two or more street frontages are allowed one sign on each street frontage; 2. signs must be separated by at least 100 feet as measured diagonally across the property from the center of the sign; 3. in no case shall the approved monument sign be placed closer than 100 feet to any other monument or freestanding pole sign located on the same side of street; 4. in the case of the development of a planned commercial center on multiple parcels of property having common frontages, regardless of the number of separately owned parcels or buildings of separate occupancy within the planned commercial center, the frontage shall be considered to be the composite of the entire commonly used parcels or buildings and not the frontage of each individual business or occupancy; and Table 24-8-6. Monument signs. (Ord. 2013-17, 11/19/13; Ord. 2010-03, 3/2/10; Ord. 2002-13, 6/18/02) 5. in the event a planned commercial center has several freestanding buildings, each permitted monument sign shall be separated from each other by no less than 100 feet. (3) Placement and design of monument signs are regulated by the following: (a) a plot plan showing relationship of the sign to buildings, property lines, the setback from public rights-of-way, intersections, easements and driveways; (b) two accurately dimensioned, scaled drawings showing height, color, square foot dimensions, landscaping, sign composition, type of illumination, and how the sign will appear from the street; (c) details of the sign construction including the electrical plan, foundation scheme, and value of the sign; and (d) the number of acres and length of lineal frontage of property. Table 24-8-7. Wall and painted signs. (Ord. 2013-17, 11/19/13; Ord. 2010-03, 3/2/10; Ord. 2002-13, 6/18/02) X Figures 19-21. Wall signs, measurements in 24-7-2. (1) Permanent or temporary signs: Permanent (2) Wall signs are only allowed as follows: (a) permitted uses in all commercial (C) and industrial (M) zoning districts; (b) signs should be the primary form of identification for business uses; (c) the sign may not occupy more than 15% of the flat wall area: (d) if a sloping facade or roof exists, the sign may not exceed 15% of that area; (e) a wall sign may not use a combination of both flat and sloping areas in calculating the 15%; (f) the 15% area may be divided into more than one sign with the approval of the zoning administrator; (g) wall signs with changeable copy, reader board, or electronic message capability are allowed with the approval of the zoning administrator; Table 24-8-7. Wall and painted signs. (Ord. 2013-17, 11/19/13; Ord. 2010-03, 3/2/10; Ord. 2002-13, 6/18/02) (h) buildings or businesses with exposure on the sides and front may choose which wall to mount their sign upon; (i) signs are allowed on the rear of the building with zoning administrator approval; (j) a proposal for a second wall sign may be approved by the zoning administrator if the sign does not exceed 5% of that wall; (k) the zoning administrator must approve a sign on a third wall; (l) reader boards, changeable copy areas and electronic message centers are allowed but discouraged. No such device may exceed 75% of the total sign copy area of the sign; (m) buildings that have small offices inside, accessory or secondary to the main use, are required to create a building identification/tenant sign instead of trying to obtain a sign for every tenant; (n) copy mounted or painted on a background panel or area distinctly painted, textured or constructed as a background for the sign copy shall be measured as that area contained within the outside dimensions of the background panel or surface; (o) any illuminated bands or illuminated structures which contain sign copy or corporate logos are by definition wall signs in their entirety and as such may not exceed 30% of the wall area; (p) signs on sloping roofs shall be erected so as to appear as a sign applied to a similarly vertical wall surface and finished in such a manner that the visual appearance from all sides is such that they appear to be part of the building itself. All such signs shall be installed or erected that there is no visual support structure such as guy wires or braces; (q) no part of any wall sign or of the sign structure shall project above or below the highest or lowest part of the wall upon which the sign is mounted or painted; and (r) no wall sign including any light box or structural part shall project more than 18 inches from the face of the building to which it is attached. (3) Placement and design of wall signs are regulated by the following: (a) a plot plan showing relationship of the sign to buildings, property lines, the setback from public rights-of-way, intersections, easements and driveways; (b) two accurately dimensioned, scaled drawings showing height, color, square foot dimensions, landscaping, sign composition, type of illumination, and how the sign will appear from the street; (c) details of the sign construction including the electrical plan, foundation scheme, and value of the sign; and (d) the number of acres and length of lineal frontage of property. Table 24-8-8. Billboard (off-premise advertisement) signs. (Ord. 2010-18, 9/21/10; Ord. 2002-13, 6/18/02) Figures 22-24. Billboard signs, measurements in 24-7-2. (1) Permanent or temporary signs: Permanent (2) Off-premise billboard signs are allowed only along Interstate 80 within the Travel-Influence Overlay District and shall: (a) conditional use only in M-D or M-G industrial or C-G or C-H commercial zoning districts; (b) be oriented for viewing from Interstate 80; (c) be located within one hundred feet of the nearest freeway lane and within one and one half miles of an existing freeway exit; (d) reader boards, changeable copy areas and electronic message centers are allowed but discouraged, but such devices may not exceed 50% of the total sign copy area of the sign; (e) shall not extend over any pedestrian or vehicular access area; (f) have a maximum area of 675 square feet for one side of a sign, whether single or double faced; (g) be a maximum height of 25 feet above the grade of the edge of the traveled way or ground level, whichever is higher; (h) not be erected within 500 feet of another existing billboard sign; (i) all lighting and/or illumination must face downward or be contained in a cabinet and must illuminate only the sign such that it remains unobtrusive and does not constitute a nuisance; (j) not be erected within 1,500 feet of any residential zoning district boundary unless located in M-D or M-G industrial zoning districts, in which case no billboard sign shall be erected within 500 feet of any residential zoning district boundary; and (k) be of a monopole construction. (3) Off-premise billboard signs require the following information to be issued permits: (a) a plot plan showing relationship of the sign to buildings, property lines, the setback from public rights-of-way, intersections, easements and driveways; Table 24-8-8. Billboard (off-premise advertisement) signs. (Ord. 2010-18, 9/21/10; Ord. 2002-13, 6/18/02) (b) two accurately dimensioned, scaled drawings showing height, color, square foot dimensions, landscaping, sign composition, type of illumination, and how the sign will appear from the street; (c) details of the sign construction including the electrical plan, foundation scheme, and value of the sign; and (d) the number of acres and length of lineal frontage of property. Table 24-8-9. Suspended signs. (Ord. 2013-17, 11/19/13; Ord. 2010-03, 3/2/10; Ord. 2002-13, 6/18/02) X BACH Y Figures 25-27. Suspended signs, measurements in 24-7-3. (1) Permanent or temporary signs: Permanent (2) Suspended signs are only allowed as follows: (a) permitted in all zoning districts except the residential, multiple residential, rural residential, agriculture, multiple use and hazardous industry districts, if the architecture of the building or planned center lends itself to that design and a sign theme is submitted to and approved by the zoning administrator; (b) in lieu of a wall sign and should primarily be used as identification for tenants in a planned commercial development where suspended signs are part of an overall theme; (c) the zoning administrator may approve suspended signs for purely directional or instructional purposes that do not include commercial messages in addition to a wall sign as part of an overall theme; (d) reader boards, changeable copy areas and electronic message centers are allowed but discouraged and no such device may exceed 75% of the total sign copy area of the sign; (e) shall not extend over any pedestrian or vehicular access area; (f) the zoning administrator must review any proposal for a suspended sign for compatibility with this section, the development theme, and the individual building; (g) a suspended sign may not exceed 15% of the flat wall of the tenant space; Table 24-8-9. Suspended signs. (Ord. 2013-17, 11/19/13; Ord. 2010-03, 3/2/10; Ord. 2002-13, 6/18/02) (h) buildings or businesses with exposure on the sides and front may choose which wall to mount their sign upon and in no case will a second suspended sign be allowed; (i) all lighting and/or illumination must face downward or be contained in a cabinet and must illuminate only the sign such that it remains unobtrusive and does not constitute a nuisance; (j) no part of any suspended sign shall project above or below the highest or lowest part of the sign structure upon which the sign is mounted; (k) no suspended sign including any light box or structural part shall project more than 18 inches from the face of the building to which it is attached; (l) a suspended sign must have at least an eight-foot clearance above the sidewalk or seven feet above any landscaped area; (m) there must be a minimum horizontal distance of five feet on both sides between suspended signs; (n) no sign may project beyond the outside limit of the arcade, marquee, or canopy or facade to which it is attached; and (o) be of a monopole construction. (3) Suspended signs require the following information to be issued permits: (a) a plot plan showing relationship of the sign to buildings, property lines, the setback from public rights-of-way, intersections, easements and driveways; (b) two accurately dimensioned, scaled drawings showing height, color, square foot dimensions, landscaping, sign composition, type of illumination, and how the sign will appear from the street; (c) details of the sign construction including the electrical plan, sign structure, and value of the sign; (d) a profile drawing of how the sign will appear from the street and parking area and on the building; and (e) the number of acres and length of lineal frontage of property. Table 24-8-10. Awning signs. (Ord. 2010-03, 3/2/10; Ord. 2002-13, 6/18/02) Figures 28-30. Awning signs. (1) Permanent or temporary signs: Permanent (2) Awning signs are only allowed as follows: (a) permitted in all zoning districts except the residential, multiple residential, rural residential, agriculture, multiple use and hazardous industry districts; (b) the zoning administrator may approve any application for an awning sign which fully complies with this chapter; (c) signs in planned centers must be designed to conform to an approved sign theme; (d) no awning signs will be allowed on multi-tenant buildings or in planned centers unless the building or center has consistent treatment; (e) signs shall be limited to single story buildings or to the first level only of multi-story buildings; (f) signs must function as true awnings by being placed over a doorway, window, or walkway to protect such from the elements; (g) signs are not allowed on or above sloping or mansard roof; (h) signs shall be maintained in a clean, safe, and attractive condition and failure to do so will result in revocation of the sign permit; (i) all lighting and/or illumination must face downward and must illuminate only the sign such that it remains unobtrusive and does not constitute a nuisance; (j) signs shall conform to all provisions of the current building code; (k) signs shall not project out from the wall more than eight feet, nor less than two feet; (l) in the case of entrance canopies, the awning may project out from the building over a walkway and must lead to a bona fide business entrance; (m) signs shall not project above the roofline, defined as the highest part of the vertical wall; (n) the area of awning signs shall be a maximum of 15% of the primary wall upon which the sign is mounted. Awning signs for secondary walls are limited to 5% of the wall area; Table 24-8-10. Awning signs. (Ord. 2010-03, 3/2/10; Ord. 2002-13, 6/18/02) (o) the area of copy and logo on awnings shall be limited to 40% of the awning; (p) signs shall maintain a minimum clearance of seven feet to the bottom of the valance and eight feet to the frame above the sidewalk and comply with all other clearance requirements; and (q) be of a monopole construction. (3) Awning signs require the following information to be issued permits: (a) a plot plan showing relationship of the sign to buildings, property lines, the setback from public rights-of-way, intersections, easements and driveways; (b) two accurately dimensioned, scaled drawings showing height, color, square foot dimensions of both the building and the sign, sign composition, and type of illumination; (c) details of the sign construction including the electrical plan, sign structure, and value of the sign; (d) a profile drawing of how the sign will appear from the street and parking area and on the building; and (e) the number of acres and length of lineal frontage of property. Table 24-8-11. Canopy signs. (Ord. 2010-03, 3/2/10; Ord. 2002-13, 6/18/02) Figures 31-32. Canopy signs. (1) Permanent or temporary signs: Permanent (2) Canopy signs are only allowed as follows: Table 24-8-11. Canopy signs. (Ord. 2010-03, 3/2/10; Ord. 2002-13, 6/18/02) (a) permitted use in zoning districts that allow gas stations, over gas islands; (b) copy and corporate logos shall be a maximum of 15% of one face of the canopy; (c) the height to the top of the canopy may not exceed 20 feet from grade and no canopy fascia may exceed four feet in height; (d) individual letters, logos, or symbols may not exceed four feet in height or project out from the surface of the canopy more than 18 inches or project above or below the canopy face; and (e) up to a maximum of four sets of double-faced gas price signs with a maximum area of four square feet are allowed on the monument sign or below the canopy over the pumps. (3) Canopy signs require the following information to be issued permits: (a) a plot plan showing relationship of the sign to buildings, property lines, the setback from public rights-of-way, intersections, easements and driveways; (b) two accurately dimensioned, scaled drawings showing height, color, square foot dimensions of both the building and the sign, sign composition, and type of illumination; (c) details of the sign construction including the electrical plan, foundation scheme, and value of the sign; (d) a profile drawing of how the sign will appear from the street and parking area and on the building; and (e) the number of acres and length of lineal frontage of property. Section 24-9-1. 24-9-2. 24-9-3. 24-9-4. Codes and symbols. Residential and multiple residential zones. Rural residential, agricultural, and multiple use zones. Commercial and industrial zones.