§ 17.60.5.020. Billboards signs.

A.

Purpose. The intent of this section is to regulate the visual impact of billboard signs; to improve the appearance of designated entryways and scenic corridors; and to encourage compatibility between billboard signs and neighboring property, e.g. parks, schools, places of worship, and residential areas.

B.

Prohibited locations. A billboard is an off-premise sign and may not be located on the same premise as that of the business advertised by the billboard. Billboard signs erected after the effective date of this ordinance shall comply with the following location limitations:

Exhibit 60-14. Allowable Billboard Sign Spacing

1.

Billboard signs may only be erected in C-2, C-3, I-1 and I-2 zoning districts.

2.

Billboard signs may not be erected within two hundred (200) feet of the edge of a roadway surface along the following entry and scenic corridors known as Billboard-free Areas:

a.

10th Avenue South from I-15 Exit #278 to the intersection of 10th Avenue South and 2nd Street South

b.

Along 10th Avenue South from 54th Street to the eastern limit of the City

c.

River Drive from the southernmost City limits to 38th Street North

d.

Central Avenue West from 6th Street to the east bank of the Missouri River

e.

Along the Old Havre Highway from the intersection of 15th Street to Smelter Avenue

3.

Billboard signs are prohibited in the following areas:

a.

All zoning districts other than C-2, C-3, I-1 and I-2.

b.

Within three hundred (300) feet in any direction of a public park, public or private school, college or university, church, cemetery, courthouse, Civic Center, or public museum.

c.

Within one hundred and fifty (150) feet in any direction of any lot or parcel that is zoned residential or used as a primary residential use of any kind.

d.

Within one thousand (1,000) feet of any other billboard sign, measured on the same side of the street. (See Exhibit 60-14.)

e.

Within three hundred (300) feet of any other billboard sign on a crossing street located on the same side of the street. (See Exhibit 60-14.)

4.

Minimum spacing requirement shall not apply to two (2) faces that share a support structure and face different directions.

C.

Billboard standards. Billboards established after the effective dates of this Code shall conform to the following standards:

1.

The maximum sign display area for any one (1) billboard face shall be two hundred fifty (250) square feet. Billboards located within the interstate corridor are exempt from this standard.

2.

In the Interstate Corridor within the City of Great Falls, the maximum display area for any billboard face shall be four hundred thirty-two (432) square feet.

3.

Billboards may be single-faced or double-faced, but no billboard shall contain more than one (1) face on each side of the display. The surface display area may not exceed a total area of five hundred (500) square feet per structure.

4.

Billboard sign face limitations exclude border, trim, base or apron supports or other structural members, but include cut-outs, extensions or protrusions. Size limits apply to each sign face of a structure. Sign faces may be placed back-to-back with no more than one (1) display per face.

5.

The maximum overall height of a billboard sign shall not exceed thirty (30) feet above the grade of the roadway to which the sign is oriented. However, if the sign is located in the Riverfront Corridor, it is limited to twenty (20) feet above the grade of the roadway to which the sign is oriented.

6.

Billboard structures must be located entirely on private property. No portion of any structure or sign face may overhang the public right-of-way.

D.

Installation, appearance and maintenance. All billboards must be kept in good repair and maintained according to the following standards:

1.

During periods of repair, alteration or copy change the facing may be removed for a maximum of forty-eight (48) consecutive hours.

2.

All billboard signs must have the owner's name firmly attached to the sign structure.

3.

Billboard structures must be single pole.

4.

Billboard structures may not be placed on the roof or wall of a building or structure.

5.

Sign structures must be painted, anodized or otherwise finished in earth tones of brown and green, including beige, mocha, forest and hunter green; but not teal or any fluorescent color. The paint or finish must not be peeling or obviously worn.

E.

Maintenance and repair requirements.

1.

If the Director of Planning and Community Development finds that any billboard, except one (1) that is nonconforming, is not maintained in good repair and has not deteriorated more than fifty (50) percent of its replacement value, the Director of Planning and Community Development will notify the owner and order him to repair the billboard within a specified time allowing at least ten (10) calendar days.

2.

If the Director of Planning and Community Development finds that the billboard has deteriorated more than fifty (50) percent of its replacement value, or is not repaired within the time specified in the repair notice, the Director will notify the owner of the billboard and the owner of the real property that the billboard is to be removed from the property within a specified time.

(Ord. No. 3056, § 1, 8-17-2010)