§ 17.60.4.050. Premises exceeding 50,000 square feet.

The following on-premise signs are authorized on premises zoned commercial, industrial, transitional or public lands and institutions that exceed fifty thousand (50,000) square feet. (See Exhibit 60-11 of this chapter.) Montana ExpoPark, Multi- Sports Park, Don Olsen Field, American Fields, Riverview Little League, Westside Little League, Centene Stadium and the Siebel Soccer Park are covered under section 17.60.4.060.

The maximum sign allocation for each premise under this section equals the standard wall sign allocation plus three hundred (300) square feet maximum freestanding signage. If the premise houses multiple-tenants or is subsequently subdivided, a Comprehensive Signage Plan must be submitted to the Design Review Board. The owner of the premise is responsible for allocating signage amongst the separate tenants/businesses. (See Exhibit 60-11 of this chapter.)

A.

Wall signs. (See Exhibit 60-1 and Exhibit 60-5 of this chapter.)

1.

A maximum of ten (10) percent of frontage building wall, excluding service delivery areas and parapets, may be covered with wall signage.

2.

Each premise is allowed at least twenty-four (24) square feet of wall signage.

3.

Maximum projection - excluding awnings: twenty-four (24) inches.

4.

Wall signs may be placed no higher than six (6) inches below the top of the wall or parapet.

5.

Wall signs may not obstruct required windows and/or required exits.

B.

Freestanding signs including monument signs and other low profile signs. (See Exhibit 60-8 of this chapter.)

1.

A maximum of three hundred (300) square feet is allowed per premise.

2.

One (1) freestanding sign of no more than two hundred (200) square feet is allowed per street frontage. A perimeter separation of two hundred fifty (250) feet is required between any two (2) freestanding signs on any premise.

3.

Height limit is twenty-five (25) feet from the finished grade of the lot, except in the Central Business Core District, Riverfront Corridor, Neighborhood commercial district, or a residential area where height is limited to twenty (20) feet, twenty (20) feet, fifteen (15) feet, and six (6) feet, respectively.

4.

Freestanding signs must be located entirely on private property.

5.

Freestanding signs may not project over public property.

6.

A twenty (20) percent increase in maximum freestanding sign area is granted when all freestanding signage is entirely low-profile.

7.

When a freestanding sign structure is installed, the base of the sign must be landscaped. If the freestanding sign is located within a vehicular use area, the landscaped area must be designed to protect sign base supports from vehicular incursion. Support protection examples include bollards, stones or curbing that are integrated with the landscaping. Landscaping may contain trees, shrubs, groundcovers, perennial or annual flowers, turf and organic or inorganic mulches. Living plant materials must cover at least seventy-five (75) percent of the landscaped area.

8.

If a premise is subsequently subdivided after a freestanding sign allocation has been established for the premise, the subsequently created parcels shall share the freestanding sign allocation; shall share the same freestanding sign pole or monument; and, the owner/subdivider is responsible for allocating the freestanding signage amongst the separately created parcels at the time of each sale or lease.

C.

Each commercial or industrial premise exceeding 50,000 square feet may receive a permit for temporary signage of up to one hundred twenty eight (128) square feet total. Signs are allowed to be two (2) faced. Banners, wind signs and sandwich board signs are considered temporary. The permit may be granted for up to sixty (60) days. An annual permit may be issued for one (1) temporary sign per premise for a period of one (1) year, upon payment of a fee as may be set by City Commission resolution. The following restrictions apply:

1.

Temporary signs must be located completely within the property lines of the premise and must be placed a minimum of twelve (12) feet from the back of the curb.

2.

Temporary signs must be well-maintained and secured. Signs may not be tattered or torn.

3.

Temporary signs may not be displayed in place of permanent signage. Businesses must display permanent signage no later than forty-five (45) days after commencement of commercial operations or show proof that signage is on order.

4.

Temporary signs must be of professional quality.

5.

Large inflatables are considered temporary signs. Permits must be obtained before they are displayed. Inflatables may not be higher than twenty-five (25) feet above the ground as measured from the top of the inflatable.

6.

Temporary sandwich board signs may be placed on public property adjacent to properties with commercial land uses. Such signs must be placed a minimum of twelve (12) feet from the back of the curb except when adjacent to commercial properties with sidewalks in excess of eight (8) feet in width. Sandwich board signs at these locations must be placed so that the middle third of the sidewalk is clear. A minimum of five (5) feet of sidewalk width must be unobstructed. (See Exhibit 60-10 of this chapter.)

a.

Sandwich board signs must conform to the following design standards:

i.

Each sign may have a maximum of two (2) faces, not to exceed an aggregate total of twelve (12) square feet per sign. (See Exhibit 60-10 of this chapter.)

ii.

Each sign must be secured in place by no less than two (2) weights of not less than ten (10) pounds each, placed upon the base material.

iii.

The permit fee for each sandwich board sign shall be established by City Commission resolution and paid before the sign is displayed.

b.

Sandwich board signs must be placed adjacent to or upon the permit-holding premises, may only be displayed during business hours of the advertised business and must be removed during all other times.

c.

Sandwich board signs may not be illuminated or energized.

d.

The sign permit may be revoked at any time for lack of adequate maintenance or safety, or which become a public nuisance by interfering with normal flow of traffic on the public right-of-way in accordance with 17.60.7.090. The sandwich board sign will be removed by the sign owner upon notice of permit revocation. If not removed, the City may remove the sign. The sign owner may reclaim the sign within ten (10) working days of the removal. After such time, the sign may be destroyed.

(Ord. 3139, 2016)