§ 33-284.87. Signs.

Except as provided herein, the definitions set forth in Section 33-84 of this chapter shall apply. In the event of a conflict, the provisions of this section shall govern. Non-commercial signs shall be allowed wherever commercial signs are allowed.

A.

For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:

1.

Digital technology (signs): Electronic technology that allows for changes to a sign copy resulting from digital data input. Included in this technology are signs that use series of lights, including light emitting diodes (LED), fiber optics, or other similar technology.

2.

Nits: Luminance is the measure of the light emanating from an object with respect to its size and is the term used to quantify electronic sign brightness. The unit of measurement for luminance is nits (nt), which is the total amount of light emitted from a sign divided by the surface area of the sign [candelas per square meter (cd/m )].

B.

Temporary Signs in MUCs and CUCs. Temporary signs (Class A) shall be permitted in compliance with Section 33-99 of this chapter.

C.

Permanent Point of Sale Signs. Permanent point of sale signs (Class B) shall be permitted as follows:

1.

The following permanent point of sale signs are permitted in all Sub-districts in conjunction with permitted business and industrial uses: flat attached, hanging, awning, cantilever, projecting, and monument. No other detached sign shall be permitted except monument signs.

a.

Projecting signs shall be mounted and perpendicular to the building.

b.

The copy of an awning sign shall only be located on the valance of the awning.

c.

The bottom of a hanging sign shall be located at a minimum height of eight (8) feet from the finished floor.

d.

Monument signs, which are freestanding, 2-faced signs, shall have a base at least seventy-five (75) percent of the horizontal width of the sign and located directly on the ground or a maximum of twelve (12) inches above grade.

e.

Cantilever signs are mounted on those portions of the building that project horizontally.

2.

Maximum size, location, and number of signs shall be as follows:

Sign Type	Size	Number of Signs
Flat Attached, Cantilever, Projecting*	10% of wall area**	Not limited
Hanging, Awning	6 sq. ft.	Not limited
Monument	25 sq. ft. maximum for first 50 feet of street frontage plus .75 sq. ft. for each additional foot of street frontage to a maximum of 40 sq. ft. per sign face.	One per street frontage
* Each side of a projecting sign with multiple faces shall count toward the maximum permitted sign area. ** Where a building may be occupied by multiple tenants, the permitted sign area that results from the percentage of wall area is shared among all tenants. A sign survey shall be required at time of permitting to demonstrate compliance with the maximum sign area permitted. In all Sub-districts, for flat attached signs only, up to thirty (30) percent of the sign may be illuminated using digital technology.

 

3.

Illumination/lighting shall comply with the following:

a.

All signs shall be static and shall not include digital technology, except as expressly provided for in this article. Signs illuminated by flashing, moving, intermittent, chasing or rotating lights are prohibited. Signs may be illuminated by exposed bulbs, fluorescent tubes, interior lighting, or by indirect lighting from any external source. Indirect lighting, such as floodlights, shall not shine directly on adjacent property, motorists or pedestrians. Illumination shall be such that it will provide reasonable illumination and eliminate glare and intensity which might pose safety hazards to drivers and pedestrians. Revolving and rotating signs shall be illuminated by internal lighting only.

b.

Where digital technology is allowed, it shall be provided in compliance with the following:

i.

No auditory message or mechanical sounds shall be emitted from the sign.

ii.

The sign shall not display any illumination that moves, appears to move, blinks, fades, rolls, dissolves, flashes, scrolls, shows animated movement, or changes in intensity during the static display period.

iii.

All digital signs shall be modulated so that, from sunset to sunrise, the brightness shall not be more than 500 Nits. Sunset and sunrise times are those times established by the Miami office of the National Weather Service. At all other times, the maximum brightness levels shall not exceed 5,000 Nits. All digital signs shall have installed ambient light monitors and at all times shall allow such monitors to automatically adjust the brightness level of the sign based on ambient light conditions.

iv.

The message display shall not change more often than once each eight seconds, with all moving parts or illumination moving or changing simultaneously.

v.

Any digital sign that malfunctions, fails, or ceases to operate in its usual or normal programmed manner shall immediately revert to a black screen and shall be restored to its normal operation conforming to the requirements of this section within 24 hours.

4.

Maximum heights shall be as follows:

a.

Six (6) feet above grade to top of sign for monument signs; except, for signs associated with nonconforming structures located on corner parcels fronting major or minor roads identified on the Land Use Plan, one monument sign may be constructed at a maximum height of twelve (12) feet above grade to top of sign in lieu of two six-foot signs;

b.

No height limits for flat attached, cantilever, or projecting signs;

c.

For signs painted on the facade of a building or on the valance of an awning, the copy shall not exceed one (1) foot.

5.

No setback is required for any sign. Cantilever, projecting, and awning signs may encroach into any required setback. Awning signs and projecting signs attached to awnings may encroach into the right-of-way. Where a zero (0) foot setback is permitted, cantilever and projecting signs may encroach into the right-of-way up to three (3) feet. Signs encroaching into the right-of-way shall be a minimum of eleven (11) feet above the sidewalk.

D.

Directional Signs. Directional signs, to direct traffic flow and locate entrances and exits shall be permitted on private property in connection with any permitted use. Detached directional signs shall not exceed three (3) square feet in area; directional signs attached to buildings shall not exceed twelve (12) square feet in area. The maximum height of a detached directional sign shall be ten (10) feet. Directional signs shall be shown and approved on site plans which indicate sign size, location, copy, etc.

E.

Flags. Each parcel may display no more than three (3) flags and three (3) flagpoles. Flagpoles shall not exceed seventy (70) feet in height. Flag dimensions shall be proportional to the pole such that the hoist side of the flag is not more than fifty (50) percent of the vertical height of the flagpole. For purposes of this section, "flag" means any fabric or bunting containing colors, patterns, or symbols.

F.

Kiosk signs. Kiosk signs shall be permitted in accordance with section 33-107.

G.

Prohibited Signs. The following types of outdoor signs shall be prohibited:

1.

Revolving, rotating, and other moving signs.

2.

Backlit signs of any type.

3.

Banners.

4.

Roof signs.

5.

Balloon signs.

6.

Class C commercial signs or other outdoor advertising, except those within bus shelters and kiosk signs as provided herein.

(Ord. No. 05-143, § 7, 7-7-05; Ord. No. 06-10, § 4, 1-24-06; Ord. No. 08-102, § 4, 9-2-08; Ord. No. 12-86, § 6, 10-2-12; Ord. No. 17-43, § 3, 7-6-17; Ord. No. 18-3, § 4, 1-23-18)