§ 142-5. Regulations Pertaining to the Measurement, Construction, and Maintenance of All Signs.

The requirements of this section shall apply to all signs whether or not a permit is required unless otherwise noted below:

(a)

Measurement of sign area.  

(1)

The sign area shall be measured from the outside edges of the sign or sign frame, whichever is greater, excluding the area of the supporting structures, provided that the supporting structures are not used for advertising purposes and are of an area equal to or less than the permitted sign area. In the case of wall-mounted signs without border or frame, the surface area shall include such reasonable and proportionate space as would be required if a border or frame were used.

(2)

When a single sign structure is used to support two or more signs, or unconnected elements of a single sign, the surface area shall comprise the square footage within the perimeter of a regular geometric form enclosing the outer edges of all the separate signs or sign elements. However, undecorated space of up to 12 inches between separate sign panels may be excluded from the sign area measurement where necessary to provide structural support members or to provide visual separation between sign panels.

(3)

Where signs are installed back-to-back, both faces shall be counted as sign area.

(b)

Measurement of sign height. The height of a sign shall be considered to be the vertical distance measured from the top of the structure to the finished ground elevation of the site at the base of the sign. In no event shall excess fill be used to raise a sign.

(c)

Location of signs.  

(1)

Clear sight triangle. No sign shall be erected that would impair visibility at a street intersection or driveway entrance pursuant to Section 114-201.

(2)

Clearance from high-voltage power lines. Signs shall be located in such a way that they maintain a horizontal clearance of thirteen (13) feet from all overhead electrical conductors over 7,000 volts and a three-foot horizontal clearance from all secondary low voltage service drops. Any exceptions to this must be reviewed and written approval granted by the local utility provider. The applicant shall coordinate with the local utility provider in determining the type of electrical conductors and service drops located near proposed signs.

(3)

Setbacks from property lines. The minimum setback for signs shall be five feet. Setbacks shall be measured from the property line to the farthest extension of the sign, including any overhangs, guy wires and supports.

(4)

Scenic corridor bufferyard. Where a scenic corridor bufferyard is required pursuant to Section 114-125, ground-mounted signs shall only be erected in the immediate vicinity of a driveway.

(5)

Fences. Signs not requiring a permit under Section 142-3(d) may be placed on a fence regardless of setbacks provided the sign does not extend above the fence or project more than four inches outward from the fence.

(d)

Construction and operation of signs. All signs shall comply with the following requirements unless no permit is required.

(1)

Compliance with Florida Building Code. All signs shall comply with the appropriate detailed provisions of the Florida Building Code, relating to design, structural members and connections. Signs shall also comply with the additional standards hereinafter set forth.

(2)

Licensed contractor. Signs shall only be erected by entities authorized by Chapter 6.

(3)

Structure design. All signs that contain more than 40 square feet in area or are erected over 20 feet in height shall be designed by an engineer registered in the state. Structural drawings shall be prepared by the engineer and submitted prior to a permit being issued. Wind load calculations shall be contained in the engineering drawings. The building official may set wind load requirements greater than the Florida Building Code if deemed necessary to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public or property owners surrounding the sign. The Building Official may request wind load calculations for signs of less than 40 square feet in area prior to issuing a permit.

(4)

Electric signs and illuminated signs.

a.

All electric signs shall require a permit and shall be Underwriter's Laboratory approved or certified by a sign electrician specialty contractor or master sign contractor, or an electrical contractor, that the sign meets the standards established by the National Electrical Code, current edition. All electric signs shall be erected and installed by an entity authorized to do so by Chapter 6 of the Monroe County Code, and shall be in conformance with the National Electrical Code, current edition. The provision of electrical power to a power source or connection of a sign to existing electrical service shall be by an entity authorized by Chapter 6.

b.

Artificial light used to illuminate any sign from outside the boundaries of such sign shall be screened in a manner that prevents the light source from being visible from any right-of-way or adjacent property.

c.

Electronic message centers or automatic changing signs (ACS) shall comply with the following:

1.

Lamps/bulbs in excess of nine (9) watts for incandescent bulbs (or its equivalent if CFL, LED, or other type of bulb) are prohibited in the ACS matrix;

2.

ACS lamps/bulbs shall be covered by lenses, filters, or sunscreens;

3.

ACS signs shall be equipped with an operational night dimming device; and

4.

Other than the scrolling of written messages or non-animated graphics, all operating modes that result in animation as defined in Section 142-3(b) are prohibited.

(5)

Supports and braces. Supports and braces shall be adequate for wind loading. Wire or cable supports shall have a safety factor of four times the required strength. All metal, wire cable supports and braces and all bolts used to attach signs to a bracket or brackets and signs to the supporting building or structure shall be of galvanized steel or of an equivalent corrosive-resistant material. All such sign supports shall be an integral part of the sign.

(6)

Sign anchoring. No sign shall be suspended by chains or other devices that will allow the sign to swing due to wind action. Signs shall be anchored to prevent any lateral movement that would cause wear on supporting members or connections.

(7)

Double-faced signs. Double-faced signs with opposing faces having an interior angle greater than 45 degrees shall not be permitted.

(e)

Sign identification and marking. Unless specifically exempted from permit requirements of this chapter, no sign shall hereafter be erected, displayed, rebuilt, repaired, the copy changed, painted or otherwise maintained until and unless the building permit number is painted or otherwise affixed to the sign or sign structure in such a manner as to be plainly visible from grade.

(f)

Maintenance. All signs for which a permit is required by this chapter, including their braces, supports, guys and anchors, shall be maintained so as to present a neat, clean appearance. Painted areas and sign surfaces shall be kept in good condition, and illumination, if provided, shall be maintained in safe and good working order.

(g)

Responsibility. The sign owner, the owner of the property on which the sign is placed and the sign contractor shall each be held responsible for adherence to this chapter and Chapter 6.

( Ord. No. 006-2016 , § 1(Exh. 1), 4-13-2016)