18.80.020 Applicability and general requirements.
(A) Scope. The regulations and provisions of this chapter shall be applicable to the construction, establishment, or addition of any new sign, sign structure, or sign face, whether on-site or off-site, as well as to the relocation, enlargement, extension, reconstruction, replacement, maintenance, or continuance of any existing sign, sign structure, or sign face. These regulations shall be applicable within any existing or new development area of the City, as well as within any area newly annexed to the City. Nothing herein shall require any change or modification to any signage lawfully established or constructed prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this title, except as provided in subsection (C) of this section and SLCC 18.80.080(E)(5).
(B) Responsibility. The duty to erect and maintain signage in the manner specified herein shall be the responsibility of the owner and/or occupant(s) of the property upon which the signage is located.
(C) Nonconforming Signage. Any sign or sign structure lawfully existing prior to the effective date of this chapter, whether on-site or off-site, and not meeting the standards and requirements specified herein, shall be considered nonconforming and be subject to the following provisions:
(1) Continuance. The lawful use of any nonconforming sign or sign structure may be continued; provided, however, that any addition, enlargement, or other alteration which would increase the degree of nonconformity shall be prohibited. Any nonconforming sign or sign structure which is abandoned for a period exceeding two years shall be subject to the requirements of this title pertaining to removal of abandoned signage.
(2) Repairs and Alterations. Repairs and alterations which do not increase the degree of nonconformity shall be permitted, except that if any sign or structure is damaged or has deteriorated to an extent that the cost of repair equals 50% of its replacement value if sound, or if the cost of alteration exceeds 50% of the replacement value, it shall either be rebuilt or replaced in conformance with the standards and requirements of this chapter, or be removed altogether.
(3) Replacement of On-Site Signage. At such time as the name of an activity changes, any nonconforming on-site signage related to such activity shall either be replaced or modified to meet the requirements of this title unless such signage was previously constructed with interchangeable panels, letters, or copy. An act of maintenance or repair or repainting a previously painted sign face, or repapering a previously papered sign, or other similar manner of changing a sign face, none of which would increase the degree of nonconformity, shall not be deemed as replacement hereunder and shall be permitted.
(D) Prohibited Signage. The following types of signage shall be prohibited:
(1) Portable signs as defined by this chapter;
(2) Balloons or any inflatable device exceeding four feet in diameter;
(3) Swinging signs;
(4) Signs which rotate more than six revolutions per minute;
(5) Banners, other than for identifying a special event as set forth in temporary signs;
(6) Any sign attached to a stand pipe or fire escape;
(7) Any sign which impedes access to any door, window, or fire escape;
(8) Unauthorized signs on public property;
(9) Any sign which facsimilates traffic control devices or emergency vehicles by reason of shape, color, or other feature;
(10) Any on-site sign attached to an off-site installation which increases the existing sign face area;
(11) Any off-site sign attached to an on-site sign installation; and
(12) Any other type of signage which does not comply with the regulations and provisions of this title.
(E) Locations Within the Right-of-Way. No sign shall be located within any existing or prospective public street right-of-way as classified by the transportation/circulation element of the City of San Luis General Plan, and its successors, nor shall any portion of a sign or sign structure overhang such right-of-way, except as provided in the San Luis City Code or the Arizona Revised Statutes.
(F) Signage for Which No Permits Are Required. Permits shall not be required for any of the following sign installations; provided, however, that such installations shall meet all other requirements of this chapter as may be applicable:
(1) Changing the copy of a sign previously designed with interchangeable panels, letters, or other graphics.
(2) Cleaning, repair, repapering, repainting a previously painted sign, or other maintenance, including replacement of a sign face necessitated by damage or deterioration, none of which increases the existing sign face area. No activity shall be contrary to the requirements of subsection (C) of this section (Nonconforming Signage) and SLCC 18.80.080(E)(4) (Damaged or Deteriorated Signage).
(3) The painting of any on-site signage, whether permanent or temporary, within a window of any building wall, or the installation or modification of any merchandise display within an existing window.
(4) Temporary signage not exceeding 32 square feet in area, or six feet in height.
(G) Exempt Signage. The following types of sign installations shall be exempt from the requirements of this chapter:
(1) Flags of a nation, state, or other governmental entity.
(2) Government signs for street names, traffic control, or other regulatory purpose of the government.
(3) Holiday decorations.
(4) Signage located within the interior of any building or other enclosure, and not visible from any public right-of-way or adjoining property, provided, however, this provision shall not exempt such installations from the requirement for any electrical permit, such as an illuminated sign within an enclosed mall, any structural permit, or other requirement of an applicable building code or other regulation adopted by the City. (Ord. 312 § 2(16.1), passed 4-11-2012. Code 2012 § 152.256.)