Ordinance 1972-014 Sign Ordinance
ORDINANCE N0. 14-72
AN ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE OF NORTH PALM BEACH,
FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 34 OF THE VILLAGE OF NORTH PALM BEACH
CODE BY AMENDING COMPLETELY THE CODE PROVISIONS CONCERNING SIGNS
IN THE VILLAGE OF NORTH PALM BEACH.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF NORTH PALM
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BEACH, FLORIDA:
Section 1. That Sections 34-18 through 34-99 of the
Village of North Palm Beach Code are hereby repealed.
Section 2. That Sections 34-1 through 34-17 of the
Village of North Palm Beaoh Code are hereby amended to read as
follows:
Sec. 34-1. DEFINITIONS---As used in this Chapter, unless the con-
text otherwise indicates, the following words and phrases shall
have the meanings indicated:
(1) Builder-Developer Sign is a temporary sign advertising
construction projects, and real estate for sale or lease.
(2) Building means any structure built for the support, shelter
or enclosure of persons, animals, chattels, or property of any kind
which has enclosing walls for 50'id or more of its perimeter. The
term "building" shal]. be construed as if followed by the words
"or part thereof." (For the purpose of this Code each portion of
a building separated from other portions by a fire wall shall be
considered as a separate building).
(3) Shed means any structure built for the support, shelter or
enclosure of persons, animals, chattels, or property of any kind
which has enclosing walls for less than 5046 of its perimeter.
(4) Open Shed means any structure that has no enclosing walls.
(5) Building Inspector shall mean the duly appointed Building
Inspector of the Village of North Pa]m Beach, or his deputy.
(6) Erect shall mean to build, construct, attach, hang, place,
suspend, or affix.
(7) Facing or S~irface shall mean the surface of t}ie sign upon,
against, or through which the message is displayed or illuminated
on the sign.
(8) Illuminated Sign shall mean airy sign which has characters,
letters, figures, designs or outline illuminated by electric lights
or luminous tubes as a part of the sign proper.
(9) Incombustible Material shall mean any material which will
not ignite at or below a temperature of 1200° Fahrenheit and will
not continue to burn or glow at this temperature.
(10) Number. For the purpose of determining number of signs,
a sign shall be considered to be a single display surface or display
device containing elements organized, related and composed to form
a unit. Where matter is displayed in a random manner without or-
ganized relationship of elements, or where there is reasonable doubt
about the relationship of elements, each element shall be considered
to be a single sign.
(11) On-site Sign shall mean and include any sign relating
in its subject matter to the premises on which it is located, or to
products, accommodations, services or activities on the premises.
(12) Painted Wa11 Sian shall mean a sign painted on a wall,
pavement, or any other surface of a building or structure.
(13) Person shall mean and include any person, firm, partnership,
association, corporation, company or organization of any kind.
(14) Pole, Ground or Free Standinu Sian shall mean a sign
which is supported by one or more columns, uprights or braces in or
upon the ground.
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(15) Sign shall mean and include any device designed to
inform or attract the attention of persons not on the premises
on which the sign is located. It shall also include any
announcement, declaration, demonstration, display illustration
or insignia used to advertise or promote the interests of any
person when the same is placed in view of the general public
or is visible and legible from public ways or from off the
premises.
(16) Surface Area. In computing surface area in square feet,
standard mathematica formulas for known or common shapes will
be used. in the case of irregular shapes, straight lines drawn
closest to the extremities of the shape will be used. On signs
with more than one face, only that face or faces visible from
any one direction at one time will be computed.
(17) Temporary Sign shall mean a sign which is intended to
advertise community or civic projects, construction projects,
real estate for sale or lease or other special events on a
temporary basis.
(18) Wall Simon is a sign which is in any manner affixed to
any exterior' wal~of a building or structure and which projects
not more than 18 inches from the building or structure wall and
which does nod extend above the parapet, eaves or building roof
of the building on which it is located.
Sec. 34-2. PERMITS---(1) Permits Re uired. It shall be unlawfu
or any person to erect, rep~iz', as t~elocate or maintain
within the village any sign defined in this Chapter without first
obtaining a permit from the Building Department and making pay-
ment of the fee required by this Section. All illuminated signs
shall, in addition, be subject to the provisions of the
Electrical Code, and the permit fees required thereunder.
(2) Fees. (Based on sign valuation): Not exceeding $100
valuation, X3.00; from $100 to $500 valuation, $5.00; from $500
to $1,000 valuation, $10.00; over $1,000 valuation, $10.00 plus
$3.00 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof..
(3) Revocation. The Building Department is hereby authorized
and empowere~to revoke any permit issued upon failure of the
holder thereof to comply with any provisions of this Chapter.
Sec. 34-3. UNSAFE AND UNLAWFUL SIGNS---(1) Only signs that
are specs ica y set ort erea ter as being permitted in the
various zones can be erected and all signs not specifically
permitted are hereby expressly prohibited from being erected in
such zones, provided, however, that motor vehicles with advertis-
ing devices or signs of any nature attached or affixed in any
manner to the motor vehicle may be permitted on a paYCel of .land
for not more than 24 consecutive hours and for not more than 24
hours in any 98-hour period. Non-motorized vehicular signs or
sign structures attached or affixed in any manner on or to any
non-motorized wheeled vehicle are expressly prohibited in any
zone.
(2) if any sign regulated herein is found by the Building
Department to be unsafe, insecure, a menace to the public,
constructed, erected or maintained in violation of the provisions
of this Chapter, written notice shall be given to the
owner thereof. If the owner fails to
remove or alter the structure so as to cc:eply with the provisions;
herein set forth within ten (10) days after such notice, such
sign shall be removed or altered to comply by the Building
Department at the expense of the owner of the property upon
which it is located. The Building Department shall cause any
sign which ie an immediate peril to persons or property to be
removed summarily and without notice. ~
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Sec. 34-4. IDENTIFICATION OF SIGNS---Every outdoor advertising
sign erea ter erecte , constructe or maintained, for which a
permit is required, shall. be plainly marked with the name of
the person, firm or corporation erecting and maintaining such
sign and shall have affixed on the front thereof the number of
permit issued for said sign by the Building Department.
Sec. 34-5. MAINTENANCE---All signs for which a permit is
req- u-i`~~, toget er wit all their supports, braces, guys, anchors
and plastic faces, shall be kept in repair and unless constructed
of galvanized or non-corroding material shall be thozoughly
painted at least once every two years. The Building Department
may order the removal of any sign that i.s not maintained in
accordance with the provisions of this Section. Such removal
shall be at the expense of the owner or lessee. i
Sec. 34-6. DESIGN REQUIREMRNTS---All signs shall be designed
and constructe to wit stancTa wind load of. fifty (50) pounds
per. square foot. The Building Department s}~all require
sufficient design data, in every case, to determine whether the
sign complies with the applicable codes of. the village. All
ground signs which exceed forty (40) square feet in area shall
be designed, signed, sealed and certified by a Florida registered
engineer, who s}~all submit sufficient design data t.o enable the
Building Department to determine whether the sign complies with
the applicable Codes of the village.
Se_c. 34-7. OBSCENE MATTER PROHIBITED---It shall be unlawful. for
any person to isp ay upon any s gn or of:her advertising structu
any obscene, indecent, or immoral matter.
Sec. 34-8. SIGN NOT COVERED-•--Any sign not covered by the
prove is one o t is C apter will be erected only upon approval of
the Building Department. The Building Department shall approve
any such structure, provided it is found the proposed design is
satisfactory and that the material, method or work offered i.s,
for the purpose intended, at least equivalent of tite prescribed
i.n this Chapter in quality, strength, effectiveness, fire-
resistanre, durability and safety.
Sec. 34-9. LOCATION RESTRICTIONS---No sign shall be erected,
constructed orr. mainta ne so as to obstruct any fire escape or
any window or door or opening used as a means of egress or so as
to prevent free passage from one part of a roof to any part
thereof. No sign shall be attached in any shape or manner to a
fire .escape nor be placed in such a manner as to interfere with
any openi~~g required for legal ventilation.
Sec. 39-].0. CONSTRUCTION REQUTREMENTS---(1) Lighting of signs
by-3`lasTiing or intermittent um nation, rotating, revolving,
oscillating or moving signs, the use of neon tubes or other
illuminating devices to outline part or al]. of a building shall
be prohibited. Exposed neon tube and lamps are prohibited.
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(2) The use of reflector-type spot or flood lamps and
exposed incandescent lamps larger than 15 watts, unless properly ~
shielded to prevent glare upon the street or adjacent property,
shall be prohibited. ~
(3) All ground signs shall be erected within landscaped j
areas. Minimum distance from the edge of the landscaped area
to sign supports shall be three (3) feet.
(4) All electric wiring to signs shall be installed in
conduit. The conduit shall be installed under the ground in
accordance with the Village Electric Code.
Sec. 34-11. REMOVAL OF CERTAIN SIGNS---Any sign now or hereafter
existing w is no onger a vert ses a bona fide business
conducted, or a product sold, shall be taken down and removed
by the owner, agent, or person having the beneficial use of the
bu~lding or structure upon which such sign may be found within tei
(10) days after written notification from the Building Official,
and, upon failure to comply with such notice within the time
specified in such order, the Building Official is hereby
authorized to cause removal of such sign, and any expense
incident thereto shall be paid by the owner of the building or
structure to which such sign is attached.
Sec. 34-12. SPECIFIC
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(a) One sign, not exceeding one (1) square foot in
surface area and bearing only property numbers, street
address and/or narnes of occupants of premises.
(b) One Real Estate Sign not exceeding five (5) square
feet in surface area which advertises the sale, rental or
lease of the premises upon which said signs are located
only.
(c) One or two signs denoting the architect, engineer and/
or contractor when placed upon work under construction, and
not exceeding eight (S) square feet in surface area in total.
(d) Traffic or other municipal signs, legal notices, danger
and such temporary or emergency signs as may be approved by the
Village Council.
(e) No ground sign may be located closer than 10 feet
of the front property line or three feet of the side and rear
property line, except sign allowed in Subsection (a) above.
(2) For Districts R-2 and R-2A, the following signs are
permitted:
(a) One sign, not exceeding one (1) square feet in surface
area and bearing only property numbers, street address and/or
names of occupants of premises.
(b) One Real Estate Sign not exceeding five (5) square
feet in surface area which advertise the sale, rental or
lease of the premises upon which said signs are located only.
•(c) One or two signs denoting the architect, engineer
and/or contractor when placed upon work under construction,
and not exceeding eight (8) square feet in surface area in
total.
(d) Traffic or other municipal signs, legal noh~ces,
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danger, and such temporary or emergency signs as may be
approved by the Village Council.
(e) Bulletin Boards not over twenty-four (24) square
feet in surface area for public, charitable or religious
institutions when the same are located on the premises
of said institutions.
(f) Memorial signs on tablets, names of buildings and
dates of erection when cut into any masonry surface or when
constructed of bronze or other incombustible materials and
not exceeding eight (8) square feet in surface area.
(g) In addition to the above listed signs, the following
are permitted:
1. _T_~yy~~e. On-site ground and wall signs which may be
indirectly i~inated only.
2. Number.. One sign only permitted.
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3. Size. The maximum surface area shall be eight
(8) square feet.
4.H-ei~~ht. The maximum total height. of a ground
sign shall bee s (6) feet above ground level.
(h) Location. No ground sign may be located closer. than
ten (].0) f.eet~ tTie front property line or three (3) feet of
the side and rear property line. This provision does r,ot apply
to the sign allowed by Subsection (a) above.
(3) For District R-3, the following signs are permitted:
(a) One sign, not exceeding three (3) square feet i.n sur-
face area and bearing only property numbers, street address
and/or names of occupants of premises.
(b) One Real Estate Sign not exceeding five (5) square
feet in surface area which advertise the sale, rental. or
lease of the premises upon which said signs are located only.
(c) One or two signs denoting the architect, engineer.
and/or contractor when placed upon work under constructior:,
and not exceeding eight (8) square feet in surface area in
total.
(d) Traffic or. other municipal signs, legal notices,
danger, and such temporary or emergency signs as may be
approved by the Village Council.
(e) Bulletin Boards not over twenty-four (24) square feet
in surface area for public, charitable or religious institu-
tions when the same are located on the premises of said
institutions.
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(f) Memorial Signs or tablets, names of buildings and
dates of erection when cut into any masonry surface or when
constructed of bronze or other incombustible materials and
not exceeding eight (8) §quhre feet in surface area.
(g) In addition to the above listed signs, the following
are permitted:
1.Ty~e. On-site ground and wall signs which may be
indirect y illuminated or sillouetted.
2. Number. One sign only permitted.
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3. Size. The maximum surface area shall be thirty-two
(32) square feet.
4. Height. The maximum total height of a ground sign
shall be ten (10) feet above ground level.
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(h) Location. No ground sign may be located closer than
ten (10) e~ et o~ the front property line or three (3) feet
of the side and rear property line. This provision does not
apply to the sign allowed by Subsection (a) above.
(i) Builders and developers signs advertising the sale,
rental or lease of the premises upon whic}~ said signs are
located. Builders and developers signs shall be permitted
to exceed the above sizes but shall not exceed one hundred
(100) square feet i.n surface area. Pcerrnita are renewable
every six (E) months. Wall signs shall be removed one year
after issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy. Ground signs
shall be removed one year after. issuance of. Certificate of
Occupancy or. eighteen (18) months after erection, whichever
occurs first.
(9) For District CA the following sign are permitted:
(a) Vie. On-site wall and ground signs are permitted.
(b) Number.
1. Ground Signs. One siyrr permitted per. building.
2. Real Estate Si. ns. One sign permitted to advertise
the sale, yenta or ease of the premises upon which said
sign is located. Maximum surface of sign shall be ten
(10) square feet.
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(c) size.
1. Ground Si n. Total ground sign surface area shall
not excee i ty ) square feet for lots of one hundred
(100) feet or less, in width, and may be increased in total
surface hrea by five (5) square feet for each additional
twenty (20) feet of lot width. The maximum total. surface
area permitted in any case is seventy-f.ire (%5) square feet.
2. Wall Sign. The total surface area of: all wall
signs shall not exceed the ratio of one-half (1/2) square
foot of area for each lineal foot of building frontage with
the maxi.murn of orie hundred (100) square feet of wall sign
area per building.
(d) Hei.gYit.
1. Ground _Si~~n. Maximum total. height permitted is
twenty (2~-meet-aTove ground level.
2. Wall S-i~-n. The
exceed six ~) inches in
eight (8) feet above the
sign shall exceed twelve
top edge of the sign sha
eave or building facade.
bottom edge of wall signs which
thickness shall be a minimum of
ground or. sidewalk level. No wall
(12) inches in L•hickness. The
L1 not extend above the parapet,
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~I (e) Location.
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I! 1. Ground Si ns. Ground signs shall be set back a
~; minimum o forty feet from any right-of-way and twenty
;~ (20) feet from any side property line.
2, wall Si ns. Wall signs may be erected on the front
i building wa s or on the front one-half (1/2) of side walls.
~' (f) In addition to the above, the following non-illuminate
signs are permitted:
1. one sign, not exceeding one (1) square foot in
surface area and bearing only property numbers, street.
address and/or names of occupants of premises. ~
2. Up to three (3) signs denoting the architect, ~
engineer or contractor when placed upon work under ~
construction, and not exceeding a total combined of sixteen ;
(16) square feet in surface area. j
3. Traffic or other municipal signs, legal notices,
danger, and such temporary or emergency signs as may be
approved by the Village Council.
4. Bulletin Boards not over twenty-four (24) square
feet in surface area for public, rharitable or religious
institutions, when the same are located on the premises
of said institutions.
5. Memorial Signs or tablets, names of. buildings and
dates of erection when cut into any masonry surface or
when constructed of bronze or other incombustible materials
and not exceeding eight (8) square feet in surface area.
6. Occupational wall signs denoting only the name
and profession of an occupant i.n a commercial building,
public institutional building or dwelling house, and not
exceeding two (2) square feet in surface area.
7. Professional memo wall plates not exceeding one
(1) square foot in surface area permitted.
(g) Directional Si ns. Parking area signs may be
erected at sac po nt o ingress and egress to a parking lot
or' parking area, and such signs shall not exceed two (2)
square feet in area nor extend to a greater height than three
(3) feet above the ground. Only one such sign shall be
allowed at each point of ingress and egress, provided such
signs do not create a traffic or pedestrian hazard.
(h) Removal. AJ.1 signs erected in CA 7.one that do not
conform toltre terms of this Chapter. shall conform prior to
the J.9th day of December, 1974, or be removed from the property
upon which it is erected.
(5) For Districts C-1, C-].A and C-2 the following signs are
permitted:
(a) Type. On-site ground and wall signs which may be
illuminate
(b) Number. Not more than three (3) on-site signs shall
be perdiitte~-`or each street frontage and for each place of
business. These signs may be any combination of signs
providing, however, only one ground sign shall be permitted
for any one building.
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(c) Size.
1. For each lineal foot of lot frontage measured along
the front lot line which is used to calculate the allowed size of
a ground sign, the size of a ground sign shall not contain more
than 1-1/2 square feet of surface area.
2. For each 1-ineal foot of lot frontage measured
along the front lot line which is used to calculate the allowed
size of a ground sign, the total size of wall signs shall not con-
tain more than 2 square feet of surface area.
3. A combination of one ground sign and one or more
wall signs shall. be permitted provided that the total surface area
of the combined signs shall not exceed the maximum permitted area
set forth above; for example, a lot frontage of 100 feet would.
permit a ground sign with 75 square feet of surface area, together
with wall signs with 100 square feet of surface area.
(d) }{eight and Location.
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1. Wall Sign. The bottom edge of wall signs which ex-
ceed si.x (6) inches in thickness shall lie a. minimum of eight (8)
feet above the grade. No wall sign shall exceed twelve (12) inches
in thickness.
2. Ground Sign. A ground sign shall be set back a minimum
of fifteen (15) feet from any right.-of-way line and the maximum
height of the sign above grade shall be fifteen (15) feet at the
setback .line. For each two (2) feet that a sign is located behind
the fifteen (15) foot setback line, the height of the sign may be
increased one (1) foot. The maximum height of a ground sign shall be
twenty (20) feet. No ground sign shall. be erected nearer than two
(2) feet of any other sign, building or structure. No part: of any
sign shall be erected closer than eighteen (18) inches of any
property line.
(e) In addition to the above, the following signs are permitted:
1. One sign, not exceeding one (1.) square foot in surface
area and bearing only property rnmrbers, street address and/or names
of occupants of premises.
2. One Real Estate Sign not exceeding five (5) square
feet in surface area which advertises the sale, rental or• lease
of the premises upon which said signs are located only.
3. Up to three (3) signs denoting the architect, engineer
or contractor when placed upon work under construction, and not
exceeding a total combined of sixteen (16) square feet in surface
area.
4. Traffic or other municipal signs, legal notices,
danger, and. such temporary or emergency signs as may be approved
by the Village Council.
5. Bulletin boards not over twenty-four• (241 square
feet in area for public, charitable or religious institutions when
the same are located on the premises of said institutions.
6. Memorial signs and tablets, names of buildings and
dates of erection when cut into any masonry surface or o:hen con-
structed of bronze or other incombustible. materials and not ex-
ceeding eight (8) square feet in surface area.
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7. Occupational wall signs denoting only name and
profession of an occupant in a commercial building, public
institutional building or dwelling house, and not exceeding
two (2) square feet i.n area.
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8. Professional memo ]plates not exceeding one (1)
square foot in area.
9. Builders attd developers signs advertising the
sale, rental, or lease of the premises upon which said signs
are located. Builders and developers signs shall be permitted
to exceed the above sizes but shall not exceed one hundred
(100) square feet in surface area. Permits are renewable
every six (6) months. Wall signs shall be removed one year
after issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy, Ground signs
shall be removed one year after issuance of Certificate of
Occupancy or eighteen (18) months after erection, whichever
occurs first.
Sec. 39-13. REidOVAI, OF SIGNS BY VILLAGE---Upon the failure,
neglect or re usa~~ any owner, agent or person to remove or
repair any sign in violation of this Chapter, after notification
so to do by the Building Inspector, the Village Manager is hereby
authorized and empowered to pay for the removal of such sign
which is in violation, or. to order the removal by the village
employees.
Sec. 34-14. SAME---OWNER TO BEAR COST---When the village has
e ecte t e removal o suc sign or as paid for the removal
thereof, the actual cost thereof plus accrued interest at the
rate of six per cent per annum from the date of the completion
of the work, if not paid by such owner or agent prior thereto,
shall be charged to the owner of such property on the next
regular tax bill forwarded to such owner by the village, and
said charge shall be due and payable by said. owner at the time
of payment of such tax bill.
Sec. 34-15. SAME---RECORDED STATEMENT CONSTITUTES LIEN---(1)
erwTi -e t~~u~T-amount ue t e vzlTage is'~ not pa~Ci Tiy such owner
within sixty days after the removal of such signs which are in
violation of this Chapter, then, and in that case, the village
manager. shall cause to be recorded in the Official Record Books
of Palm Beach County, Florida a sworn statement showing the coat
and expense incurred for such removal and the date, place or
property on which said work was done, and the recordation of
such sworn statement shall constitute a lien and privilege on
the property, and shall remain in full force and effect for the
amount due in principal and interest, plus costs of court, if
any, for collection, until final pa}nnent has been made.
(2) Said costs and expenses shall be collected in the
manner fixed by law for the collection of taxes, and further,
shall be subject to a delinquent penalty of six per cent in the
event same is not paid in full on or. before the date the tax
bil]. upon which said charge appears become delinquent.
(3) Sworn statements recorded in accordance with the provi-
sions hereof shall be prima facie evidence that all legal
formalities have been complied with and that the work has been
done properly and satisfactorily done, and shall be full notice
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to every person concerned that the amount of the statement,
plus interest, constitutes a charge against the property
designated or described in the statement and that the same is
due and collectible as provided by law.
Sec. 39-16. NONCONFORMING SIGNS---All signs erected within the
Vi age, except t ose in t e C-A Zoning District, that do not
conform to the terms of this Chapter shall conform
by'July 13, 1980 or be removed from the premises.
Sec. 39-17. PENALTY CLAUSE---Any violation of any provision
o f is C apter s a a punished by a fine not exceeding five
hundred dollars or imprisonment. for a term not exceeding two
months, or by both such fine and imprisonment. Each day a
violation of any prmvision of this Chapter shall continue shall
constitute a separate offense."
PLACED ON FIRST READING THIS oZ•~ DAY OF
PLACED ON SECOND, FINAL READING ANP PASSED
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1972.
(t•illage Seal)
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~I~lage C er c
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