1165 ORDINANCE NO. 1165
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SANFORD, FLORIDA
ESTABLISHING REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE ERECTION,
LOCATION, RELOCATION, CONSTRUCTION, REPAIR AND
MAINTENANCE OF SIGNS WITHIN THE CORPORATE LIMITS
OF THE CITY OF SANFORD, FLORIDA. PROVIDING
DEFINITIONS THEREFORE AND PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION
THEREOF.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF SANFORD, FLORIDA
ARTICLE I
PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The purpose of this ordinance is to regulate all exterior
signs and interior signs placed for exterior observance so as to
protect property values, to protect the character of the various
communities in the City, to protect' health, safety and morals
and to promote the public welfare. '
The principal features are the restriction of advertising
to the business or use of the premises on which the sign is located
and the restriction of the total sign area permissible per site.
A~ny sign placed on land or on a building for the purpose of
identification or for advertising a use conducted therein or
thereon shall be deemed to be accessory and incidental to such
land, building or use. It is intended that the display of
signs will be appropriate to the land, building or use to which
they are appurtenant and be adequate, but not excessive, for
the intended purpose of identification or advertisement. With
respect to signs advertising business uses, it is specifically
intended, among other things, to avoid excessive competition ·
and clutter among sign displays in their demand for public
attention. It is further intended that in commercial areas
now in existence and more so in proposed commercial and
industrial areas that all signs within one complex be coordinated
with the architecture ~n such a manner that the overall appearance
is harmonious in color, form and proportion.
It is also intended by this section that all temp6rary
signs erected for directional purposes, for public information
or to call attention to special events shall be confined to those
that are of general public interest and that such signs shall
be limited to the giving of information.
ARTICLE II
DEFINITION OF TE~MS
For the purpose of this ordinance, certain words or terms
used herein are defined as follows:
Words used in the present tense include the future tense.
Words used in the singular include the plural, and words used in
the plural include the singular.
The word "shall" is always mandatory.
The word "person" inclhdes a firm, association, organization,
partnership, trust company or corporation as well as an individual.
,
The word "map" or "zoning map" means the official zoning map
of the City of S~nford on file in the office of the City Clerk.
1. SIGN. Any device or disp~ay,~ consisting of'letters,
numbers, symbols, pictures, illustrations, announcements, cut-outs,
insignia, trade marks or demonstrations, including all trim and
borders, designed to advertise, inform, identify, or to attract
the attention of persons not on the premises on which the device
or display is located, and visible from any public way. A sign
shall be construed to be a single display surface or device
containing elements organized, related and composed to form a
single unit. *
· 2. SIGN AREA. Sign area shall be the area encompassed
(2) ·
within mny regular geometric figure which would enclose all parts
of the sign. The structural supports for a sign, whether they
are columns, a pylon or a building or a part thereof, shall not
be included-in the sign area. Only one side of a dOuble-faced
sign shall be included in the computation of a sign area. The
area of a cylindrical sign shall be computed by multiplying the
diameter by ~e height of the sign and,adding fifty percent ~(50%)
to the result. For the purpose of this ordinance sign area,~sign
surface, sign face are considered synonymous.
3. ANI~LATED SIGN. Any sign of which all or any part
thereof revolves or moves in any fashion whatsoever; and any sign
which contains or used for illumination any light, lights or
lighting device or devices which change color, flash .or alternate,
show movement or motion, or change the appearance of said sign or
any part thereof automatically.
4. BANNER SIGNS. Banner signs shall mean signs either
with or without~ frames, posses.sing characters, letters, illustrations
or ornamentations applied to cloth, paper or fabric of any kind.
For the purpose of this ordinance national flags, flags of political
subdivision and symbolic flags of any institution or business shall
not be considered as banners.
5. BEACON LIGHT. Any light with one or more beams, capable
of being directed in any direction or directions, or capable of
being revolved automatically, or having any part thereof capable
of being revolved automatically. *
6. BILLBOARD. Any outdoor advertising signs erected and
maintained by an advertising business or service, upon which
advertising matter may be displayed and which generally advertise
firms and organizations that, along with their goods and services,
are not located on the same premises, as the sign; ~nd whose surface
is sold, rented, or leased for the display of advertising material.
(3)
7. C~tNGEABLE COPY SIGN. Any poster board, bulletin board,
neon sign, screen, surface or ~all, with characters, letters or
illustrations affixed thereto or thereon, by any method or means
whatsoever, that can be changed, re-arranged, or altered Without
changing the face of the poster board, bulletin board, neon sign,
screen, surface or.wall.
8. C~MERCIAL ADVERTISING SIGN. Any stEucture, poster
board, bulletin board, neon sign, ~creen,. surface or wall Wi~h
characters, letters or illustrations affixed thereto, ~hereon or
thereunder, by any method or means whatsoever, where the matter is
displayed, would be used for the purpose of publicly advertising
the legal or exact firm or organization name or the name of the
business carried on therein or thereat, or for advertising any
service or product actually and actively being offered for sale
therein or thereon; but shall not include street or directional
signs, occupan_t identification signs, or real estate signs as
defined herein.
9. DIRECTORY SIGNS. A directory sign shall mean signs
which give the name and/or occupation of the occupants of a
building; or gives the use of-~he building, including office
building dir~gtories, church directories and apartment house
directories.
10. ERECT. Shall mean to build, construct, attach, hang,
place, suspend, or affix and shall include the painting of wall
signs.
I1. FLASHING SIGN. Shall mean a sign or any.part thereof,
the electrical lighting device or devices of which go on and off
alternately.
12. GROUND SIGN. A sign which is supported by structures
or supports in or upon the ground and independent 6f support from
any building. Ground signs may be any of the following: Animated,
changeable copy, commercial advertising, flashing, lighted occupant
identification, on site and public information signs.
13. HIGH INTENSITY LIGHT. Shall mean stroboscopic or
incandescent lighting effects in excess of one hundred (100) watts.
14. LIGHTED OR ELECTRICAL SIGN. Shall mean any sign whose
characters, letters figures, designs, or outlines are affixed thereto
and which is illuminated by an electric l~ght or luminous tubes
constituting an integral part of the sign proper.
15. MARQUEE SIGN. Shall mean a sign upon, attached to,~or
hanging from a marquee; said marquee to mean a canopy or covered
structure projecting from and supported by a building. Marquee
signs may be any of the following: Changeable copy, flashing
lighted, on-site and promotional signs.
16. MOBILE TRAILER SIGN. Shall mean a point of purchase
advertising sign or any material for use with or without changeable
type lettering, illuminated or non-illuminated mounted on a boatc
type trailer or frame and/or any vehicle with or without wheels.
17. MOTOR VEHICLE SIG~. Shall mean a sign or advertising
display mounted or painted on a motoz vehicle.
18. NON-CONFORMING SIGN. Any sign which is in violation of
this ordinance at the time of its effective date.
19. NEIGHBORHOOD SHOPPING CENTER. Shall mean a shopping
center comprised of a group of seperate stores with a minimum of
three and less than fifteen, utilizing a common parking facility.
20. OCCUPANT IDENTIFICATION SIGN. Any structure, device,
display board, screen, surface or wallwith characters, letters or
illustrations placed thereto, thereon, or thereunder, by any method
or means whatsoever, where the matter displayed is used only to
indicate to the public the legal or exact firm name and/or the
character of the business therein. Occupant identification'signs
(5)
shall include shingle signs and directory signs.
,
21. OFF POINT OF PURCHASE SIGN. A sign relating, in its
subject matter, to commodities, accommodations, services, or
activities offered on premises other than the property upon which
such sign is located.
,
22. ON POINT OF PURCHASE SIGN. A sign relating, in its
subject matter, to the commodities, accommodations, services., or
activities offered on premises upon which sign is locate~.
.22. PERSON. Shall mean and include any person, firm,
partnership., association, co_rporation, company or organization
of any kind.
24. PUBLIC BODY. Any government or governmental agency
of the City of Sanford, Seminole Count~, State of Florida, or of
the U. S. Government.
25. PROJECTING SIGN. Any sign affixed to any building,
wall, or structure which extends more than twelve (12) inches and
less than five (5) feet beyond'such buy ding~ wall or structure.
Projecting signs may be any of the following: Animated, commercial
advertising, flashing, lighted occdpant identification, on site and
public information signs'i
26. PROMOTIONAL~SIGN. A si_gn designed and intended-to~
promote the s~le of unplatted land where more than one lot and/or
principal building is involved. Also, any sign designed and intended
to advertise grand opening of business, special promotions or similar
events and not to be posted for more than a sixty (60) day period~
27° PUBLIC INFORMATION SIGN. Any sign used or placed by
a public body as herein defined for public information or direction.
28. REPLACING. Shall mean.rebuilding, enlarging or any
change in size, or structure or copy other tha~ repainting and
repair to electrical apparatus or repairing parts Ehereof for
maintenance purposes.
(6)
29. REAL ESTATE SIGN. Any structure, device, display board,
screen, surface or wall, with characters, letters or illustrations
placed thereto, thereon or thereunder, by any method or means
whatsoever, where the matter displayed shall be used solely for the
purpose of offering for sale, or lease, or for rent the exact property
upon which the sign is placed. Standard size multiple listing strips,
supplied by Multiple Listing Service, shall not be considered a part
of the real estate sign. ~
30. ROOF SIGN. Shall mean an outdoor advertising display
sign erected, constructed, or maintained above the roof of any
building in accordance with Section 2303.2 of the Southern Standard
Building Code. RoOf signs may be any of the following: Animated,
commercial advertising, flashing, lightea occupant identification,
on site and public information signs. Signs that are separate but
part of the same structure shall be considered one sign provided
each individual face carries the same copy and is placed at such
an angle to preclude viewing bbth faces of the sign from any one
location.,
31. REGIONAL SHOPPING CENTER. Shall mean a shopping center
comprised of twenty-five (25) acres or more of ground and a minimum
,
of fifteen (15) separate stores, utilizing a common parking facility.
32° SANDWICH SIGN & PORTABLE SIGN. Shall mean any sign,
double or single faced, which is portable and may readily be moved
from place to place.
33. SEAWALL SIGN. Any sign with characters, letters, figures,
designs, or outlines painted on:.the face of the bulkhead or seawall. *
34. SHINGLE SIGN. Any sign not exceeding two (2) square feet
in area which is attached to a building, marquee or permanently
erected ground pole. -~..
35. SNIPE SIGNS. Shall mean a sign of any material, including
paper, cardboard, wood and metal, when tacked, nailed or attached in
(7) ·
any way to trees or other objects where such sign may or may .not
apply to the premises.
36. SUBDIVISION SIGN. Any sign designed as a permanent
structure to identify a subdivision or neighborhood ~ut which shall
no~ be used for development or promotional purposes and shall bear
the name of the subdivision only.
37. S~I-PUBLIC BODY. Churches and organizations operating
as a non-profit activity serving a public purpose or service and
includes such organizations as non-commercial clubs, lodges, theatre
groups, recreation and neighborhood associations, cultural activities
and schools.
38. STRUCTURAL REQUIREMENTS. Any construction used or designed
to support or to provide a surface for a sign shall comply with the
provisions of the Southern Standard Building Code.
,
39. SIGN SURFACE,,- FACE AREA. Shall mean that portion of
the sign surface or area containing letters, characters, insignia,
or any other means of displayihg a message or image.
40. TEMPORARY SIGNI Any sign, banner, pennant, valance or
advertising display constructed of cloth, canvas, light fabric,
cardboard, wall~board ~r other light materials, with or without
frames limited to thirty (301 days use. '. ' --
41. WALL SIGN. Shall meanan outdoor advertising display
,
single face sign affixed to the wall of any building. Area or
,
surface of such sign shall project not more than eighteen (18)
inches from the building wall and shall include painted copy or
decorative features of said wall. Wall signs may be lighted, on
site, occupant identification or painted signs.
ARTICLE IiI
GENERAL PROVISIONS. ~
* 1o APPEARANCE.
a. All flat signs, projecting signs, and ground signs
(8)
sl ~1 have concealed structu~ ~ members except
for vertical supports or other supporting members
which are designed and arranged so as to be an
inte~ra~ pa~ ~ ~he ~thQti~ c~mpo~i~io~ ~ a
sign. Signs in general shall present a g6od
structural appearance and when attached to a
building it shall appear to be an integral part
of the building.
b. All structural members.on roof signs shall~be
concealed by the covering of the members with
an appropriate material or, at the discretion
of the owner, painted with a white, light gray
or neutral color, but excluding dark colors such
as green, brown and red.
c. All signs shall be maintained in good condition
so as to present a neat and orderly appearance.
The Building Official may cause to be removed,
after' due notice, any sign which shows gross
· neglect, which becomes dilapidated or which
has ground area around it that is not well
maintained.
,
2o BAI~qER OR PERMANENT SIGNS. -Shall be permitted with
in the City of Sanford as long as they are erected within the
,
confines of the building line and used as a temporary promotional
,
sign only and for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days.
Similar type signs shall be prohibited over street right of ways
or suspended across any public property except by special per-
mission of the City Manager ~nd concurrence of theBuilding Official.
* 3. BENCH SIGNS, TRASH RECEPTACLE SIGNS, GUTTER ~GNS,
SNIPE SIGNS. As defined in the Definitions shall
be prohibited,
(9)
* 4. BULKHEAD AND SEAWALL SIGNS. As defined in the
Definition is prohibited.
5. COMMERCIAL ADVERTISING SIGNS. Commercial advertising
signs shall be prohibited in all residential districts, except
where sp'ecifically permitted by these regulations. All commercial
advertising signs located in a commercial or industrial district
overhanging a sidewalk or public property shall be at least nine
(9) feet above the highest point of the s~dewalk or public proper-
,
ty and not closer than three (3) feet to the inside curb edge,
and where there is no sidewalk or curb involved, City right of
way shall control. All signs shall advertise only those products'
or services offered or carried on at the premises where the sign
is located.
6. CONSTRUCTION SIGNS. The erection of one (1) sign,
not exceeding one hundred and twenty-eight (128) square feet of
area, shall be permitted on property where construction is act-
ually in progress under a current building permit. This sign
may include the names of persons and firms performing services,
labor, or .supply material to the premises. Such sign must be
removed before a Certificate o·f OcCupancy shall be issued by the
Building official. '~ _. ~
7. DEVELOPMENT SIGNS. SignS designed and intended to
advertise and promote the sale or rental or lease-of lots ~nd/or
homes in any residential development shall be permitted as follows:
1. All Residential District. One (1) sign not exceed-
ing sixty-four (64) square feet in area shall be
permitted for the first twenty (20) building
sites, plus one (!) additional such sign for
each additional fifty (50) building sites or
parts thereof, not to exceed one (5) such sign
for each street entrance into the subject sub-
division or development. Such signs shall be
permitted only within the confines of the property
being developed. Permits for such development
signs shall be issued for a period of one (1) year
only, subject to renewal on application. Such
permits may be renewed by the Building Official
only after determination that the promotion of
the development is active.
8. DIRECTORY SIGNS. Churches, ~ospitals, public Sc~ools
and public agencies may erect on-premise directory sig~s not
exceeding twenty-four (24) square feet in area in any district,
but must first submit a plan to the Building Official, and
receive a permit for construction, lighting and placement of
the sign. Regular permit fees shall apply.
* 9. FLASHING SIGNS. Scintillating, border chasing,
spelling, wipe-on, and sequential action are herein recognized
as non-conflicting with traffic signals, and are permissible
within the following limitations:
1.No "on-off" flashing action permitted within
fifty (50) feet of electric traffic signals.
2. No prisms., mirrors or polished reflecting
surfaces to be uSed~fo~ purpose of augmenting
intensity of light sources.
3.No hi-intensity lights or strobos~opic lights
or effect permitted.
4. No more than forty-five (45) milli-amperes on
high voltage side of neon transformer permitted
for neon tubing to be flashed.
5. On-off flashing of~ed,~bl~e or am~er~Colors_
prohibited..! HoWever, red, blue and a~er colors
are to be permitted .on border chasing, scintillating
and multiple random actions. Green, white and
(ll)
turquoise and light pink may also be flashed.
6. On-off flashing action shall be permitted for%
neon borders not to exceed eight (8) feet in
7. Maximum wattage of incandescent bulbs to be
limited to eleven (ll) watts, flashing or non-
flashing.
8. No.~ore than forty-five (45) milliamperes per-
m~ted on high voltage side of transformer
serving neon tubing to be flashed. Sixty (60)
milliamperes permitted on neon tubing not to
be flashed.
9. Only decorative portions,of the lights on a
sign may be flashed (not the internal illumination
of plastic signs) nor shall the entire sign be
flashed nor shall entire letters, logos trade-
~ ./ marks and names or messages be flashed in
· their entirety. However, internal or external
-'~ .. .portions of multiple stroke neon letter may be
~% ed p~ovided that an inner or outer portion
of such letters must remain on at all times.
Scintillati~g. orborder ~hasing action of~in-
candescent bulbs (eleven (11) watt maximum) may
be used in conjunction therewith outlining said
letters or filling in the internal portions
thereof.
10.~ Flashing actions must constitute part of the
original design of the sign and may not be
incorporated into the sign at a later date nor
may flashing devices be added onto ~n existing
sign unless such device be incorporated as a
decorative portion not to exceed twenty-five per
cent (25%) of the square footage of any additional
sign to be added to the sign structure support-
ing the original sign.
ll.~ Strip lighting of buildings with maximum of eleven
(11) watt incandescent bulbs may be permitted
with chasing action only and having a minimum
of four (4) breaker contacts on mechanism ~overn-
ingflashing action.
12. Scintillating, wipe-on, and random flashing actions
of neon or eleven (11) watt maximum incandescent
bulbs permitted on letters or border decoration
with not less than four ~(4) breaker contacts on
mechanism governing flashing action.
All non-conforming flashing devices and incandescent bulbs over
eleven (11) watts to be altered, eliminated or stopped within
one (1) year from date of this ordinance.
10. GROUND SIGNS. Ground signs shall be permitted, used
or erected only upon. complying with the following requirements:
1. Corner Lots. tn all zoning districts all ground
signs erected within one hundred (100) feet of
the nearest street intersection, ~nd with the
,
lower edge of the face less than nine (9) feet
above the average ground level, shall be set
,
back from all property lines a distance Of~te~
feet.
* 2. INTERIOR LOTS AND COMMON PROPERTY LINES, In all
zoning districts ground signs shallbe setback
a minimum of five (5) feet from common p~operty
lines. All ground signs with the lower edge of
(13)
the face less than nine· (9) feet above average
ground level shall be setback a minimum of nine
(9) feet from public right of way property lines.
* 3 Maximum Area. Maximum area of a ground sign shall
be one hundred fifty (150) square feet. Such one
hundred fifty (150) square feet shall apply per
business establishment with a maximum of twq (2)
such signs per each one .hundred (100) feet of
street frontage. The total area of alI signs
facing each street frontage shall be within the
allowable square footage and Within a single
· sign structure or frame. Larger signs shall be
subject to review by the Planning and Zoning
Commission and variance approval by the Board
of Adjustment.
11. MARQUEE SIGNS. Signs may be placed on the vertical.
face of a marquee or may project below the lower e,dge of a marquee
not more than twelve (12) inches, but the bottom of a sign placed
on a marquee shall be no less than eight (8) feet above the side-
walk or grade ~t any point. No part of a marquee sign shall
project more than twelve (i2.) inches _above the top of ~the :vertical
face of the marquee.
* 12. MOTOR VEHICLE SIGNS. A motor vehicle sign as herein-
before defined shall not be pa~ked and left unattended when
utilized primarily as means of promoting or advertising. The
motor vehicle shall be in an operable condition.
13. NON-CONFORMING SIGNS. ewners of all signs made non-
conforming by the adoption of this ordinance shall be notified
of such non-conformance and the requirements of this section
of these regulations. An existing non-conforming ~ign may be
maintained and rep. aired but shall not be structuraliy or mechan-
ically extended or altered to further the non-conformance. Non-
conforming signs which are destroyed or damaged to the extent of
fifty (50) per cent or more of its replacement value shall not be
repaired or rebuilt except in conformity with this regulation.
All non-conforming signs shall be eliminated after five (5) years
unless the Board of Adjustment or other governing body has granted
a previous variance to permit the construction of said sign (s).
Such non-conforming sign or signs shall be eliminated after ten
(10) years.
1. Exception. All snipe signs including banners,
pennants and wind operated devices, beacon
lights, and sandwich signs shall be removed
within sixty (60) days after the effective date
of the adoption of this ordinance.
14. PROJECTION SIGN OVER PUBLIC PROPERTY. Projecting
signs may project over public rights of way only where there is
no building setback requirement, and then may project no more than
five (5) feet over the public right of way, but no closer than
three (3) feet to a curb line and must have a minimum clearance
of nine (9) feet above the sidewalk or finished grade at any
point and eighteen (18) feet above any street, driveway or alley.
15. POLITICAL CAMPAIGN SIGNS. Signs announcing candidates
seeking public office and other data pertinent thereto shall be
permitted up to a total of nine (9) square feet for each premise
in a residential zone and thirty two (32) square feet in a commer-
cial or industrial zone. These signs shall be confined within
private property and not be less than fifty (50) feet from the
curbline of any street intersection. The signs may be displayed
thirty (30) days prior and seven (7) days after the election for
which intended. In case where a final election following within
sixty (60) days of a primary election, those candidates who won
in the primary election may continue to display their signs during
(15)
the interim period and up to seven (7) days after the final election.
A temporary sign permit shall be acquired for each sign.
16. REGIONAL SHOPPING CENTERS. A multiple use identification
sign, stating the name of the center and the major tenants shall
be allowed. The area of the sign shall be determined by allowing
,
two (2) square feet Of sign area for each one (1) lineal foot of
,
lot frontage on a public right of way or six hundred (600) square
feet overall, whichever is smaller. A double faced sign shall be
considered as one sign. If the center has frontage on more than
one public right of way, one such identification sign may be allowed
for each frontage. The total area of all signs facing each frontage
shall be within the allowable square footage and within one sign
structure or frame.
17. SANDWICH SIGN OR PORTABLE SIGN~ 'As hereinbefore defined
shall be proh'~bited. *
18. ROOF SIGN. Shall be no greater in size ~han one hundred
fifty (150) square feet in are~ and a maximum overall height of
twenty (20) feet measured from the highest point of the building
roof. No roof sign shall be permitted in Residential Dwelling
Districts.
19. SIGNS PROHIS/TED iN. RESIDENTIAL AREAS. No sign of any
Character shall be erected in any Residential Dwelling District,
except such signs as are exempt from the provisions of this ordinance
as hereinafter provided with the following exceptions:
1. Offices and business permitted in Residential Dwell-
ing District may only have name plates not exceed-
ing six (6) square feet in area and not illuminated,
in zoning districts where such proffession is
permitted to do business. Not more than two (2)
such signs shall be located on any~Dne office.
2. Real Estate Signs not exceeding six (6) square
(16)
feet in area which advertise the sale, rental or
lease of the premises upon which said signs are
located only, when not illuminated, in any
Residential Dwelling District.
3. Memorial signs or tablets, name of buildings and
the date of erection when cut into any masonry
surface or when constructed of bronze or other
incombustible material. ~
4. Apartments, apartment hotels or other residential
,
uses permitted in the Multiple Family Dwelling
Districts may have one illuminated ground sign
or wall sign, providing it is not more than six
(6) square feet in size indicating facilities
available on the immediate premises or structure
is located on more than one street, one sign may
be displayed on each such street.
20. SIGNS ON PUBLIC PROPERTY. No person shall erect a
sign on or over any public property or public right of way except
as specifically provided in these regulations. Signs may be erected
on public property only by a public body or a semi-public body r
provided such sign is approved by the City Manager. No person
shall paint, paste, print or nail any banner sign, paper sign,
or any advertisement or notice of any kind whatsoever, or cause
the same to be done, on any curb, flagstone, pavement or any
other portion or part of any sidewalk or street, or upon any
tree, lamp post, telephone or telegraph pole, hydrant or bridge
within the limits of any street or public right of way within
the City, provided, however, this section shall not apply to
regular notices as required by law to be so posted, and other
exceptions as provided in Article II, Section 1. -
21. SUBDIVISION SIGNS AND DEVELOPMENT ENTRANCEWAYS.
Subdivision signs and entranceways, not exceeding two (2) in number,
may be erected at each entrance to any subdivision for identification
purposes reflecting Only the name of the subdivision. Such signs
and entr~ceways however, shall be erected only after compliance
with Zoning Ordinance.Regulations and approval of plans and site
location by the Planning Board of the City of Sanford, Florida.
22. WALL SIGN. Wall signs not .exceeding one hundred
,
fifty (150) square feet shall be permitted only as related to the
businesss conducted on the premises or in the building. No wall
sign shall be permitted in any Residential Dwelling District,
,
except as herein provided in Section 15.
23. SHIELDING. Illuminated signs shall p~ovide shielding
from any source of illumination other than neon. No'objectional
glare shall be directly visible from a public way or residential
zone.
ARTICLE IV
'UNSAFE AND UNLAWFUL SIGNS.- ~
1. UNSAFE A~ UNEAWFUL SIGNS. All signs for which a
permit is required by this ordinance, including, their supports,
braces, guys ~nd anchors~ shall be kept 'in good repair. If the '
City of Sanford Building Official shall find that.any sign'or
other advertising structure regulated herein is unsafe or in- .
secure, or is a menace to the public health, safety, morals and
general welfare, or has been constructed, erected or is being
maintained in violation of the provisions of this ordinance, he
shall give written n6tice' of such finding to the contractor, owner,
or agent or lessee thereof. If the contractor, agent, owner,
lessee fails to remove or alter the structure so as to comply
with the standards herein set forth within ten (10) days after
said notice, such sign or other advertising structure.may be re-
moved or altered to comply by the Building Official at the expense
of the contractor, owner, agent or lessee, of the property upon
which such sign is located. The Building Official may cause
any sign or other advertising structure which is an immediate
peril to persons or property to be removed immediately. Any
permit issued by the Building Official for any sign shall bl
and upon receipt and acceptance by the,contractor, owner, ~gent
or lessee, authorize such removal, at the expense of s~id contractor,
owner, agent or lessee, of all signs not properly maintained.
The Building Official shall refuse to issue a permit tO any owner
or lessee who refuses to pay costsso assessed. Any sign removed
or caused to be moved by the Building O~ficial in compliance with
the above provisions shall be impounded for a period of not less
than ten (10) days. The owner, contractor, agent or lessee may
,
redeem said sign by paying within the said time all expenses
"incurred for removal and storage, but not less than five (5)
dollars for each sign removed.
2. BILLBOARD SIGNS. Billboard signs shall not be per-
mitted within the city limits. of the City of Sanford. After
the adoption by ordinance.of these. regulations all owners or
lessees of biilboards within the Citylimits of Sanford shall
be notified by registered mail that such billboar~ shall be
eliminated within five (5) years.
3. DISTANCE FROM RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS. Signs on
properties in commercial or industrial districts which abutt a
residential district shall not be erected closer than ten (10)
feet to any residential district boundary line.
4. FIRE AND HEALTH HAZARD. Vegetation shall be kept
cut in front of, b~hind, underneath, and around th~ base of
.(19)
ground signs for a distance of ten (10) feet, and no rubbish or
debris shall be permitted under or near such sign that would
constitute a fire or health hazard.
5. IMMORAL DISPLAY. No sign shall be erected which
displays any statement, work, character, or illustration of an
obscene, indecent or immoral nature.
'6. LIGHTS, BEACONS. High intensity lights such as beacon
lights, spot lights or flood lights shall be permitted in those
districts specified herein, provided~said lights are i~ a fixed
position and shine only on the owner's premises and away from
any street or roadway.
7. LIGHTS, CONFUSING. There shall be no lights, either
fixed, moving or flashing which might create confusion with"
traffic lights or lights on emergency vehicles.
* 8. MOBILE - TRAILER SIGNS. As herein def'ined shall be
prohibited in all zoning districts within the City.
9. OBSTRUCTION. No s~gn shall be erected in a manner
that would impede ingress and egress through any door or emergency
exit of any building. No sign shall be erected on a fire escape
or any other public safety device. ~
10. PUBLIC INTER~mERENCE.. Signs shall not create a
traffic or fire hazard, or create conditionsadverselyaffecting
the public safety. No sign shall be erected which would impair
visibility at a street intersection or driveway entrance.
ARTICLE V
EXCEPTION TO REGULATIONS. ~ne provisions Of this Article do not
apply to the following signs:
1. ANY SIGN not exceeding two (2) square feet area and
· D
bearing only property numbers', pest office numbers-and neumes of
(20)
occupants on any private premises, for identification purposes
only.
2. DIRECTING OR INSTRUCTING SIGNS,for vehicular or
pedestrian traffic and parking on private property, ~rovid~ng
such signs bear no advertising matter and do not exceed two (2)
square feet in area.
3. DIRECTION~L OR ON-SITE. SIGNS, along inland waterways.
4. LEGAL NOTICES posted by authorized persons of ~
public body.
5. PUBLic INFORMATION AND DIRECTIONAL SIGNS. Signs
erected by a public body. *
ARTICLE VI'
ADMINISTRATION, ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES -
1. kME~qDMENTS. This ordinance may be amended from time·
to time in the same manner as provided for amending the Zoning
Ordinance of The City of Sanford, Florida.
2. COMPLIANCE WITH OTHER REGULATIONS. All signs shall
be erected, altered or maintained in accordance with all codes
including Electrical Codes, Zoning Regulations, Southern Standard
Building Code and such other regnlatio~s as may be applicable.
3. CONFLICT WITH OTHER REGULATIONS. In the event any
of these regulations are in conflict with requirements of the
Zoning Ordinance of the City of Sanford# Florida, or applicable
law of Florida, the more restrictive provisions of either shall
apply and govern.
4. ENFORCEMENT OF O~{ER REGULATIONS. It shall be the
duty of the Building Official to administer and enforce the pro-
visions of this ordinance i~ conjunction with the building and
electrical codes of the City. In case of a conflict between any
(21)
of the provisions of this ordinance and those of the building or
electrical code, in a given instance, the more restrictive of the
two shall govern. Appeals from electrical and building codes shall
be governed by requirements of said codes. The Planning and Zoning
Commission shall review for recommendation to the Board of Adjustment
to hear and dispose of all other appeals.from rulings of the
Building Official under this ordinance. Persons desiring to
appeal any ruling of the Building Official shall so notify.~the
Building Official on the proper forms, provided for appeals, in
the Building Department of the City of Sanford, Florida.
5. WIND LOADS. All signs shall be designed to comply
with applicable codes of the City of Sanford.
6. INSPECTION. All signs, for which a permit is required
by this ordinance, are subject to inspection by the Building
Official or his duly authorized agent. The Building Official is
hereby authorized and empowered to revoke any permit issued by
him upon failure of the holder' thereof to comply with the provisions
of this ordinance within thirty (30) days after. notification in
writing by the Building Official.
7. PENALTIES. Any person who shall violate any provision
of this ordinance shall beguilty of a misdemeanor and shall upon
~convlctlon,
k~ ' ' be punished by a fine of not more than fi~e hundred
~($500.00) dollars or imprisonment for not more than thirty (30)
days, or both fine and imprisonment.
8, CONSTRUCTION AND ELECTRICAL PERMITS. No sign shall beI
constructed, erected, or structurally altered without a sign permit,
~nd if lighted or electrically wired, w~thout an electrical permit.
.In order to obtain apermit to erect any sign within the jurisdiction
of these regulations, an applicant shall submit to the Building
Official an accurate drawing, to scale, showing the material to
(22)
be displayed heighL and dimensions, constructi~a details, electrical
plans conforming to the National Electric~'~ode and distances to
property lines and/or buildings in respect to the proposed location
9f t~e s&g~ tD be erected.
9. VARIANCES Applications of the regulations may
be varied by the Board of Adjustment, where, 'ewing to special
conditions, a li~eral enforcement of the provisions of this ordinance
will, in an individual case, result in practical difficulty or
unnecessary hardship peculiar to property and not people. Such
variance may be granted in such individual case as provided for in
the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Sanford.~A variance is required
on all non-conforming signs which have not been removed within
the five (5) year time limitation set forth in these regulations.
ARTICLE VII~
FEES AND PERMITS
1. FEES AND PERMITS FOR F~TERIOR SIGNS. Before erecting,
displaying or replacing any sign upon property, the owner, real
estate agent, broker, electrical contractor or sig~ contractor,
as the case may be, shall first secure a permit from the building
official upon submitting an application for such sign, together
with a sketch of the proposed sign or signs with a site plan, and
upon payment of the following schedule:
Signs up to and including ten(10) square feet
in area ................................. $3.00
Signs over ten (10) square feet, up to and
in including fifty (50) square feet in area.2$10~00.
Signs over fifty (50) square feet the fee shall
be ten (10) dollars for the first fifty (50)
square feet, plus twenty (20) cents for each
additional square foot thereof.
(23)
2. Any relocation of an existing sign or changing of
copy on any sign other than a movable letter type display sign
or billboard sign, the same fee shall apply as for a new sign.
* 3. TEMPORARY SIGN. A minimum fee Of one ($1.00) dollar
shall be charged for each sign and shall be valid for a period
not to exceed thirty (30) days.
4. Anyone found erecting, relocating changing copy 9n,
except a moveable letter type display sign or billboard sign, or
reconditiOni~g]: a sign without a sign permit shall be charged
double fees.
5. That all reconditioning of signs will require the
appropriate permit; however, permit fees will not be charged
for any reconditioning or repairs the co~t of which is one
hundred ($100.00) dollars or less per sign.
* 6. The sign permit number shall be clegrly and permanent-
ly illustrated on each sign.
ARTICLE VIII
SAVING CLAUSE =
If any section, sentence, clause, phrase, or word of
these regulations is for any reason, held or declared to be un-
constitutional, inoperative or void, such holding Or invalidity
shall not affect the remaining portions of the requlations; and
it shall be construed to have been the legislati've intent to
pass these regulations without such unconstitutional, invalid,
or inoperative part therein; and the remainderof the regulations,
after the exclusion of such part or parts shall be deemed and
held robe.valid as if such p'arts had not been included herein;
or if these regulations or any provision thereof shall be held
inapplicable to any person, group of persons, property, kind
of property, circumstances or set of circumstances such holding
(2~)'
shall not affect t~o~ applicability thereof t~'~ny other person,
property and parts of circumstances.
That all ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict
herewith are hereby repealed. In any case where this ordinance
imposes a g~eater restriction, this ordinance shall control.
ARTICLE IX
ENFORCEMENT, VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES.
1. The Building Official is hereby designated and author-
ized to enforce the Ordinance.
2. Any person, firm~or corporation who violates, dis-
obeys, omits, neglects or refuses to comply with or who resists
the enforcement of any of the provisions of hthis Ordinance shall
be fined not less than fifty ($50.00) dollars norm ore than two
hundred ($200.00) dollars, or shall be imprisoned in the City
Jail, for not more than thirty (30) days, or both, in the dis-
cretion of the Court. Each day that a violation is permitted
to exist shall constitute a s~parate offense.
That this ordinance shall take effect on October 1, 1973.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 27th d~y~~~ A.D. 1973.
(SEAL)
City of Sanford, Florida.
(25)
CERTIFICATE
I, H. N. Taman,jr., City Clekk of the City of Sanford, Florida,
do hereby certify that a true and correct copy of the foregoing
Ordinance No. 1165, PASSED and ADORED by the City Commission
of the City of Sanford, Florida, on the 27th day of August,
1973, was POSTED ~lat the front door of the City Hall in the
City of Sanford, Florida, on the 29th day of August, 1973.
F r