HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD 7310 TO AMEND THE COMPREHENSIVE ZONING ORD BY AMENDING SECTION 28-B (SIGNS) ORDINANCE _ 7310
An Ordinance to amend the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance adopted by the
Augusta, Georgia Commission effective September 16, 1997 by amending
Section 28-B (Signs)
THE AUGUSTA COMMISSION HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION I. That the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance is amended by deleting
Section 28-B (Signs) in its entirety;
SECTION II. That the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance is amended by adding a new
Section 18-B (Signs) as follows;
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SECTION III. All Ordinances or parts of Ordinances in conflict with this Ordinance are hereby
repealed.
Duly adopted by the Augusta-Richmond County Commission this 6th day of
nec , 2011.
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MAYOR, AUGUSTA COMMISSION
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA
ATTEST:
L A BO , CLERK
First Reading:
,
SecondReading:De�emhe,- �., �n�i
Published in the Augusta Chronicle December - 1 . 5, 2011
SECTION 28-B
SIGNS
28-B-1 PURPOSE AND FINDINGS. The purpose of this Section is to provide fair and
comprehensive regulations that will promote safety by eliminating confusing, distracting and
unsafe signs; assure the opportunity for businesses to advertise in an efficient and cost-effective
manner; and enhance the physical appearance, natural beauty and historical significance of
Augusta. It is declared that the regulation of signs within Augusta is necessary and in the public
interest:
A. PURPOSE — This article is enacted for the following purposes:
1. To promote traffic safety and protect the general public from damage and injury caused,
or partially attributable to, the distractions or obstructions impairing motorists' ability to
see pedestrians, other vehicles, obstacles or traffic signs which are caused by improperly
designed or situated signs;
2. To protect property values within Augusta;
3. To promote and aid in the tourist industry which is declared to be of importance to the
economy of Augusta;
4. To provide a pleasing overall environmental setting and community appearance which is
deemed vital to tourism and to the continued economic attractiveness of Augusta;
5. To protect the right of citizens to enjoy Augusta's natural scenic beauty;
6. To improve the legibility and effectiveness of commercial and governmental signs; and
7. To preserve and promote the public health, safety and welfare in the City.
8. To enhance the aesthetics of the community.
B. FINDINGS:
1. The City finds that signs are a proper use of private property, are a means of personal free
expression and a necessary component of a commercial environment. As such, signs are
entitled to the protection of the law. In the absence of regulation, however, the number of
such signs tends to proliferate, with property owner's desiring ever increasing numbers
and sizes of signs, leading to cluttered blighted thoroughfares, in addition, the
competition among competing sign owners for visibility of their signs contribute to safety
hazards for both vehicles and pedestrians and undermines the sign owner's original
purpose of presenting a clear message of its idea or identification of its premises.
2. The City further finds that the regulation of the size, height, number and spacing of signs
is necessary to protect the public safety, to assure compatibility of signs with surrounding
land uses, to enhance the business and economy of the City to protect, to protect the
public investment in the streets and highways, to maintain the tranquil environment of
residential areas, to promote industry and commerce, to eliminate visual clutter and
blight, to provide and aesthetically appealing environment and to provide for the orderly
and reasonable display of signs for the benefit of all the City's citizens.
3. The City further finds that there is a substantial difference between signs erected by
public authority and signs erected by private citizens or businesses. Signs erected by
pubic authority are virtually all erected for the purpose of maintaining the public safety
either through direct control of traffic or through provision of such type signage as street
signs which enable the traveling public to know where they are located and to find where
they are going. As such, with the exception of signs identifying government buildings,
virtually all government signs are erected purely for public safety purposes. Moreover,
their use in public right-of-way is necessary to ensure their visibility to the motoring
public. The City finds that public utility signs are frequently of the same nature as those
signs erected by government entities in that they provide necessary information to
safeguard the public from downed power lines and from street excavations. Even where
signs serve a propriety purpose, such as identifying markings on utility poles, those signs
are marked primarily for the purpose of benefiting the public generally through
identification of locations where there may be temporary losses of power.
4. The City further finds that some signage has a single targeted function and that
identification of such signage by description is impossible without referring to its
function. For instance, address numerals are used for the sole purpose of locating
addresses, which is of benefit to persons looking for those addresses and is essential to
public safety personnel responding to emergencies. Subdivision signs at the entrances to
subdivisions favor a similar purpose in enabling both the traveling public and emergency
personnel to quickly locate subdivision entrances for the purpose of either visitation or
responding to emergency calls. While such signage is often referenced based upon the
function it serves within the context of this ordinance, whenever, possible it is the intent
of this ordinance to refer to signs unrelated to the content of speech provided and to allow
maximum expressive potential to sign owners.
DEFINITIONS. For the purpose of this Section the following definitions will be used:
Banner. A sign or outside advertising display bearing the characters, letters, illustrations,
ornamentations, symbols, colors, or visual representations applied to cloth, paper, vinyl,
fiber, plastic, or like malleable material with or without frame. The term "banner" shall
include flags, pennants, life rafts, t-shirts, towels, ribbons, spinners, streamers, kites,
balloons, tethered hot air balloons, inflatable devices, and similar objects, or any other
material or outside advertising display whether stationary or fastened in such a manner as to
move upon being subjected to movement of the atmosphere or any mechanical device. A
banner may or may not have lettering or other specific identification or advertising
information or graphics.
Billboard — A sign, single face, double face, or v-type, contains over two hundred ninety-nine
(299) square feet in area.
Commercial - DELETE .
Flag, Official. A flag of the United State of America, or a flag of the State of Georgia or other
governmental entity, or a flag officially adopted by the person, institution, organization, or
corporation occupying a property.
Message Board or Reader Board. A sign or portion of a sign on which the message or copy
changes automatically on a lamp bank or through mechanical means. Also known as Commercial
Electronic Variable Message Sign.
Non Commercial DELETE
Reader Board or Message Board. A sign or portion of a sign on which the message or copy
changes automatically on a lamp bank or through mechanical means. Also known as a
Commercial Electronic Variable Message Sign.
Sign — A sign, single face, double face, ar v-type, which directs attention to one or more
businesses, commodities, services, or entertainments.
Sign, Abandoned. A sign which was properly permitted and erected on property in conjunction
with a particular use which use has been discontinued for a period of 30 days or more; or a
permitted temparary sign for which the permit has expired.
Sign, Awning. A sign located on an awning, which is a roof-like cover providing protection
from the weather placed over or extending from or above any window, door or other entrance
to a building.
Sign, Building Mounted. A sign painted onto or attached to a building, canopy, awning,
marquee or mechanical equipment located outside a building.
Sign, Canopy. A sign located on a canopy, which is a permanent roof-like structure providing
protection against the weather whether attached to or detached from a building.
Sign Enforcement Officer. An employee of the Augusta Planning and Development Department
who is responsible for enforcement of the provisions of this Section and is empowered to
issue citations, remove certain illegal signs, and take other actions consistent with this
Section. '
Sign, Freestanding. A sign supported by a structure secured in the ground and which is wholly
independent of any building, fence, vehicle, or other support.
Sign, Mansard. A sign attached to the mansard section of a roof, which is the lower, mostly
vertical portion of a roof with two pitches, including a flat topped roof with a mansard
portion.
Sign, Marquee. A sign attached to a marquee, which is a permanent roof-like structure
projecting from and beyond a building wall at an entrance to a building or extending along
and projecting beyond the building's wall and generally designed and constructed to provide
protection against the weather.
Sign, Monument. A freestanding sign which is mounted on or supported by a structure which is
not a simple pole, pylon, or beam system.
Sign, Non Conforming. A sign which was in existence and was constructed in compliance with
the terms of any prior Ordinance but does not conform to the provisions of this Section.
� Sign, Off-Premises. DELETE
• Sign, On-Premises. DELETE
• Sign, Pole (or Pylon) Mounted. A freestanding sign which is mounted on or supported by a
simple pole, pylon, or beam system.
Sign, Political. A sign erected for the purpose of advertising a candidate or stating a position
' regarding an issue upon which the voters of the city shall vote.
Sign, Portable. A sign which is designed to be transportable (with wheels; designed to be
, transported by trailer or wheels; mounted on a vehicle for advertising purposes, parked and
visible from the public right-of-way — except for normal business vehicles) and utilized at
different locations and is not permanently affixed to the ground or to a building.
• Sign, Projecting. A sign attached to a building, canopy, awning or marquee and projecting
' outward therefrom in any direction a distance of two feet or more.
Sign Surface Area. A measurement of the portion of a sign consisting of the actual copy,
advertisement, or area devoted to identification or proclamation within the periphery of the
smallest circle, triangle, rectangle, a combination of the foregoing. The sign surface area
shall include any background material, trim, color, or other visual representations which
attracts attention or are used to differentiate a sign from a building, structure, backdrop
surface, or object upon which the sign is placed. Sign surface area shall not include the sign
structures if no message, symbol, or any of the aforementioned sign face criteria are
displayed on or designed as part of the sign structure. Sign surface area is the combined
surface area of all signs on a lot; excluding the area of one face of all double-faced signs.
Double-faced sign means a sign which has two display areas where one face is designed to be
seen from one direction and the other face from another direction.
Sign, Temporary. A sign or advertising display constructed of cloth, canvas, fabric, paper,
plywood, sheet metal, or another light material which is designed to be used only
temporarily, and which is not permanently mounted. Included in this category are banners,
portable signs, retailers signs temporarily displayed such as special sale signs, special event
signs, special product or service promotional signs, and similar signs.
Sign, Traffic Directional A sign consisting of a simple message such as "in", "out", "parking" or
something similar and an arrow, logo, but nothing more erected solely for the purpose of
vehicular or pedestrian traffic direction or safety. Such sign shall have no advertising words
or phrases.
Sign, Window. Any sign or display which is painted on or applied to or projected upon or within
the interior or exterior of a building glass area, including doors, which can be read from
contiguous property or public right-of-way.
28-B-3 ADMINISTRATION. Administration of this Section shall be the responsibility of the Augusta
Planning and Development Department. Administration shall consist of (A) application and sign
plan, and (B) sign permit:
A. Application and Sign Plan. A sign permit may be issued upon the submission of an
application and an approved sign plan, and payment of a fee. The application shall be on
a form provided by Augusta, Georgia disclosing the sign owner, property owner, property
occupant, address of the premises where the sign is to be located, together with the size of
the proposed sign and a description of any other signs located on the premises, other
signs for which a permit has been issued and remain outstanding, and for proposed signs
yet to be permitted. In addition, other information shall be provided as indicated on the
form, and other information needed pursuant to Sections 28-B-6 through 28-B-12 shall be
provided.
Every permit application shall be accompanied by a sign plan. A sign plan shall show the
location of all existing, permitted but not erected, and proposed signs, all buildings,
parking facilities, driveways, curbs and right-of-way lines immediately adjacent to the
property. Also, single-family residential structures on adjoining properties shall be
shown. The location of the sign(s) for which the permit applies shall be shown. In
addition, the sign plan shall include drawings of all proposed signs showing dimensions,
: elevations, height, setbacks, materials and illumination sources, types, and intensity.
Sign plans shall be scaled drawings with accurate dimensions provided, where
appropriate, to show conformance to this Section. Sign plans need not be prepared by
licensed professionals, unless required elsewhere in this Section, but a certification of
their accuracy shall be placed upon the plan.
Sign plans shal] be approved, approved with conditions, or denied by the Augusta
Planning and Development Department. Action on a sign plan shall be taken within five
working days of submission or it shall be deemed to have been approved. An approved
sign plan, an application, and payment of a fee shall be required to obtain a sign permit.
B. Sign Permit. Except as specified in Subsection 28-B-4 of this Section, a sign permit must
be obtained from the Augusta Planning and Development Department prior to the
erection, installation or material alteration of any sign. As used in the preceding
sentence, material alteration shall mean any change in, a) the height of a sign, b) the
surface area of a sign, c) the location of a sign, d) the supporting structure of a sign, and
e) the illumination of a non-illuminated sign; such terms shall not include routine
maintenance and repair or routine electrical work only. Permits may be obtained from
the Augusta Planning and Development Department. Signs to be located in locally
designated historic districts (Title 7, Chapter 4 of the Augusta, Georgia Code), shall be
approved by the Historic Preservation Commission.
A sign permit shall be accompanied by a decal which shall be affixed to the sign structure
befare it is erected. A Permit for a temporary sign shall be accompanied by a decal color
coded to the calendar quarter in which the permit is valid. A decal for a permanent sign
shall be valid and remain affixed to the sign throughout the life of the sign. A sign permit
issued upon the basis of false or misleading information which is material to the
application and granting of a permit, shall be immediately revoked and such sign shall be
removed within 30 days.
28-B-4 EXEMPTIONS. The following are not considered to be signs for the purpose of administering
and enforcing this Ordinance, and permits shall not be required. '
A. Official Flags. Except during celebration of officially recognized holidays, only one of
each of the three categories of Official flags may be displayed on a lot. Official flags
shall not exceed sixty (60) square feet in area, nor be located on flagpoles more than forty
(40) feet in height or that exceed the height limitation of the zoning district. Official
flags shall be flown in accordance with protocol established by the Congress of the
United States for the Stars and Stripes, as applicable. Any flag not meeting any one or
more of these conditions will be considered a sign and will be subject to regulation as
' such.
B. DELETE
' C. Government signs erected pursuant to and in the discharge of any government function.
D. Signs or plates on residential structures or premises bearing the name and/or address of
the occupant; mailboxes, paper boxes, and similar uses customarily associated with
residential structures.
E. Historical markers, monuments or signs as recognized by local, state, or federal
authorities.
F. Holiday decorations that do not convey a commercial message.
G. Any sign or display which is located completely within an enclosed building and which is
not visible from outside the building or beyond the boundaries of the lot or parcel upon
which it is located.
H. DELETE
I. Standard information sign. A sign with an area of not greater than four (4) square feet,
with a sign face made for short term use (90 days or less), containing no reflecting
elements, flags, or projections and which, when erect, stands at a height not greater than
three (3) feet and is mounted on a stake or metal frame with thickness or diameter not
greater than 1 '/z inches.
J. Political signs when the sign area is 32 square feet or less, provided such signs are related
to a specific local, state, or national election and provided such signs are removed within
ten days after such election. Political signs larger than 32 square feet shall be regulated
as temporary signs per Section 28-B-6.
K. Grave markers, headstones, memorial statues or similar remembrances.
L. Any sign approved by the Augusta Commission and incorporated into a bus shelter or
bench.
M. Address numbers less than six inches in height.
N. Inside faces of scoreboards or walls on athletic fields.
O. A living display on the ground of flowers or other plants which conveys a message.
P. Banners when specifically approved as to size, form, location and duration by the
Augusta Commission.
Q. In B1, B2, LI, and HI zones, on every lot, or in the case of a shopping center or other
multiple occupancy structure, on every building or storefront, one banner not exceeding
(twenty-four) 24 square feet in area mounted flat against the building or projecting no
more than two (2) feet therefrom, which is removed daily upon the close of business.
R. For shopping centers or other multiple occupancy structures, one sandwich board type
sign per business or occupant, not to exceed twelve (12) square feet in area nor five (5)
feet in height, nor less than three (3) feet in height, may be located within (ten) 10 feet of
the building occupied by each business or occupant of such shopping center or similar
structure. Such sign must be removed daily upon the close of business.
S. On a lot which adjoins a public sidewalk where the main building is setback ten feet or
less from the right-of-way line, a sandwich board type sign (not to exceed twelve square
feet in area nor five (5) feet in height, nor be less than three (3) feet in height) placed
within the sidewalk encroachment zone as identified in Section 3-8-11 of the City Code,
shall be exempted. Such signs shall be subject to the permitting requirement set forth in
Code Section 3-8-11. Such signs must be removed from the sidewalk daily after the
close of business.
28-B-5 PROHIBITED SIGNS. The following types of signs are prohibited in Augusta, Georgia:
A. Pavement markings or sidewalk markings except those of a customary traffic control
nature or otherwise approved by the City.
B. Signs attached to trees, lampposts, parking meter posts, hydrants, traffic signs, rocks or
other natural features, telephone or utility poles unless specifically approved as to size,
form, location, and duration by the Augusta Commission.
C. Signs mounted, painted, or otherwise displayed on the roofs of buildings.
D. Banners, except that banners may be used as temporary signs.
E. DELETE
F. DELETE
G. Any private or business sign, except as authorized by Augusta, Georgia, which restricts
or appears to reserve any portion of public right-of-way or any public area for the
exclusive use or private use of an individual, tenant, client, guest, or business.
H. Signs which in any way imitate an official traffic sign or signal, or contains words or
symbols displayed in a manner which might mislead or confuse drivers of vehicles, or
signs which any manner may unduly confuse, distract, or divert the attention of drivers of
vehicles.
I. Signs which use flashing lights, strobe lights, blinking lights, or any type of pulsating or
moving light, except moving message boards or reader boards.
J. Any sign painted on or attached to a vehicle and used as a stationary sign, where said
vehicle is:
l. not titled or displaying a current license tag, or
2. located in a front yard per this Ordinance
K. Any sign which obstructs free ingress to or egress from a required door, window, fire
escape, or other exitway.
28-B-6 TEMPORARY SIGNS. One temporary sign per street frontage may be located on a lot, parcel
or tract which is not occupied by a shopping center of similar multiple occupancy structure in a
B1, B2, LI, or HI zone. Except for those signs which are exempted under Section 28-B-4 of this
Ordinance, there shall be no temporary signs within shopping centers or similar multiple
occupancy structures in a B1, B2, LI, or HI zone. A temparary sign that is not exempted by 28-
B-4 may be located on property for a maximum of thirty (30) days per calendar quarter, either
thirty (30) consecutive days or for three (3) ten (10) day periods. A permit shall be acquired for
a temporary sign, and a decal color-coded to the calendar quarter shall be affixed to the
temparary sign before it is erected. The temporary sign shall be removed when the decal expires.
If an applicant chooses to display a sign for three consecutive ten-day periods then such must or
shall be noted on the application for a permit. Using three (3) ten-day periods will require three
inspections. The setbacks and height requirement for permanent signs shall apply to temporary
signs. Temporary signs shall not exceed forty (40) square feet in area (1 side). Temporary signs
shall not be placed or located in parking spaces and shall not be an obstruction for sight distance.
A sign having less than six (6) square feet shall be exempted from permitting and the thirty (30)-
day maacimum, but such sign shall be the only temporary sign located on said property.
28-B-7 SIGNS IN AGRICULTURAL, SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL, TWO-FAMILY
RESIDENTIAL, AND MULTIPLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL ZONES (A, R-1, R-2, AND
R3). The following signs shail be the only signs permitted in Agricultural and Residential
zones:
A. Entrance Signs For Approved Subdivisions. One subdivision entrance sign per
entrance is allowed for residential subdivisions. Such signs shall not exceed 24
square feet in area or six (6) feet in height and illuminated only by indirect
incandescent lighting. The location of such sign shall not adversely affect traffic
safety and the location shall be approved by the Traffic Engineer.
B. Entrance Signs For Apartment or Condominium Complexes With More Than Ten
Units in Two-family and Multiple-family Residential Zones. One sign per street
front. Such sign shall not exceed 24 square feet in area or six (6) feet in height
and illuminated only by indirect incandescent lighting. An illuminated sign must
be located at least 100 feet from the nearest existing single-family home. The
location of such sign shall not adversely affect traffic flow and shall be approved
by the Traffic Engineer.
C. Signs for Uses Permitted by Special Exception in Sections 15-18 and 26. When
located in Agricultural or Residential zones, signs shall be prohibited in
association with the following uses: family day care homes, family personal care
homes, group personal care homes, transitional housing and home occupations.
When located in any other zone, these uses shall conform to the Regulations for
that zoning classification. When located in Agricultural or Residential zones, the
following uses may have one non illuminated sign per street front which shall not
exceed six square feet in area or five feet in height: lodging houses or tourist
houses, fraternity or sorority houses, congregate personal care homes, and adult
day care facilities. When located in any other zone, these uses shall conform to
the Regulations for that zoning classification. The following uses may have one
sign per street front in an Agricultural or a Residential zone; church, private
school, hospital (public or private), cemetery, nursing home, funeral home, inert
landfill, sanitary landfill, or club per Section 26-1. Such signs shall not exceed 24
square feet in area or six (6) feet in height. An illuminated sign must be located at
least 100 feet from the nearest existing single-family home and may be
illuminated only by indirect incandescent lighting. When located in any other
zone these uses shall conform to the Regulations for that zoning classification. All
signs provided for in this Subsection shall be set back a minimum of ten (10) feet
from a public right-of-way line or fifteen (15) feet from any curb or edge of
pavement.
D. Delete
28-B-S FREESTANDING SIGNS IN PROFESSIONAL, COMMERCIAL, AND
INDUSTRIAL ZONES.
A. Number of Signs. In P-1, B-1, B-2, LI or HI zones: One freestanding-sign,
excluding billboards, per street frontage (must be oriented toward the street
frontage), plus one for each 300 feet of street frontage or plus one for each ten
(10) businesses in a shopping center or similar multiple occupancy complex.
Freestanding signs, including billboards, on the same property and on the same
street frontage shall be at least 100 feet apart.
B. Sign Surface Area. The maximum freestanding sign surface area in the P-1 zone
is 24 square feet. Signs in the P-1 Zone shall be non-illuminated and shall not be
located within 20 feet of a single-family residential zone nor within 25 feet of the
intersection of the right-of-way lines of intersecting streets. In B-1 zones, the
maximum sign surface area is 100 square feet unless the sign location would be
within 100 feet of a single-family residence or single-family residential zone in
which case the maximum sign surface area shall be 50 square feet. In the Planned
Development Riverfront Zone (PDR) or National Register ar locally designated
historic districts (Title 7, Chapter 4 of the Augusta, Georgia Code), the maximum
sign surface area shall be 35 feet in a B-1 zone. Signs other than billboards that
are located in B-2, LI, or HI zones, the maximum sign surface area is 200 square
feet. If the sign location would be located within 100 feet of a single-family
residence or single-family residential zone, or within the Planned Development
Riverfront Zone (PDR), or the sign would be located in a national register or
locally designated historic district (Title 7, Chapter 4 of the Augusta, Georgia
Code), the sign surface area is limited to a maximum of 50 square feet.
Freestanding signs may be either monument (completely enclosed base) or pylon
(pole) supported. There shall be no limitation on the size of a simple pole or
beam support system. For a monument sign, the supporting structure of the sign
shall not be included in calculating the area of the sign permitted by this
Ordinance; provided, however, that the supporting structure shall not exceed 50%
of the total combined area of the sign and supporting structure.
To encourage design excellence and enhance the aesthetic quality of
development, the minimum freestanding sign surface area set forth above may be
increased in all cases as provided herein. A separate bonus may be granted for
each of the criteria, but in no case may the total bonus exeeed 70%. Bonus
provisions shall not apply to billboards or signs that are located wifhin the
Planned Development Riverfront Zone (PDR) or in National Register or locally
designated historic districts (Title 7, Chapter 4 of the Augusta, Georgia Code).
1) 10% bonus when the sign is constructed of solid wood and the design is
compatible with the style, texture, and color scheme of the structure(s) on
the site;
2) 10% bonus when an area around the base of the sign is at least 4 times the
area of the sign surface and the area around the base of the sign is covered
by a landscaped planter;
3) 10% bonus if the sign is unlighted;
4) 45% bonus where a proposed sign would replace an existing sign that is
100% larger than the current Ordinance would permit, where the proposed
sign location would not be within 100 feet of a single family residence or
zone, and where the proposed sign would be the only freestanding sign on
the property;
5) 45% bonus if the lot qualifies for more than 1 freestanding sign but only 1
sign is erected, if the proposed sign location would not be within 100 feet
of a single family residence or zone;
6) 25% bonus if the proposed sign location is more than 100 feet from any
existing or proposed public street or highway right-of-way, the proposed
sign is the only freestanding sign on the property, and the proposed sign
location would not be within 100 feet of a single family residence or zone.
C. Height. In P-1 zones, the maximum height, including structural elements, is six
feet. In B-1 zones, the maximum height, including structural elements, is 20 feet.
In B-2, LI, or HI zones the maximum height, including structural elements, is 30
feet. The sign's height shall be measured from the elevation of the adjoining road
grade or from the base of the sign, whichever is higher.
D. DELETE
E. Setback. No part of any freestanding sign may be closer than ten feet from any
public right-of-way line or fifteen feet from any curb or edge of pavement
whichever is greater. No freestanding sign may be located closer than 50 feet
from a single-family residence or an R-zone boundary nor within 10 feet of any
property line. No sign shall be located so as to inhibit the visibility of motorists
entering or leaving a public road.
F. Clearance. Adequate sign clearance shall be provided to assure that vehicular
and pedestrian traffic movements are not adversely affected. Minimum clearance
of pole mounted signs shall be no less than 10 feet above pedestrian ways and not
less than 15 feet above areas utilized by motor vehicles.
G. Traffic Directional Signs. The area, height, and setback limitations at Sections
28-B-8-B to 28-B-8-E shall not apply to on-site entrance, exit, or other traffic
directional signs, provided that no such directional sign shall exceed 30 inches in
height nor more than 4 square feet in area. There shall not be more than two
traffic directional signs per driveway entering or exiting the street frontage. Such
signs shall be set back at least 10 feet from any street curb or edge of pavement
but not on any public right-of-way.
H. Message Boards and Reader Boards. Shall be permitted in B-1, B-2, LI and HI
zones. They shall count toward the maximum permitted freestanding signage set
forth in Sections 28-B-8-B and 28-B-8-D.
I. Freestanding Outdoor Drive Through Menu Boards. If not visible from a street
right-of-way, menu boards shall not count toward the total freestanding signage
permitted. If visible from a street right-of-way, then such signs will be considered
to be regulated freestanding signs.
J. Illumination. Freestanding signs in P-1 zones shall be non illuminated. In B-1,
B-2, LI and HI zones, signs on the same side of a street or across a street from a
single-family residence which is within 100 feet of the proposed sign location
shall be non illuminated. Otherwise, signs in B-1, B-2, LI and HI zones may be
illuminated. To the extent possible, illumination shall be oriented away from
residential areas.
K. Code Conformance. All signs for which a building permit is required shall be
constructed and maintained in conformance with City building and electrical
codes. Plans for all freestanding signs 30 feet or higher, or greater than 150
square feet, shall be certified as to conformance with all structural and wind-load
resistive standards of the Building Code by a structural engineer registered in the
State of Georgia, or be prepared using standard drawings prepared by a structural
engineer or other qualified professional meeting or exceeding all requirements of
the Building Code. Freestanding signage that does not require an engineer's seal
must include supporting foundation calculations. All freestanding signage
requires a foundation inspection. Neon exposed or attached to a structure requires
a final inspection. All signage must have a disconnect switch located at the
signage. All signs involving internal lights or other electrical devices or circuits
shall display a label certifying that all equipment or products are approved by
one of the organizations currently recognized by OSHA as "Nationally
Recognized Testing laboratories (NRTL) '. All signs, together with their supports,
braces, guys and anchors, shall be kept in good repair and, unless constructed of
galvanized or non-corroding metal, shall be given a protective coating as
necessary to maintain a clean appearance and safe condition.
28-B-9 BUILDING MOUNTED SIGNS IN PROFESSIONAL, COMMERCIAL, AND
INDUSTRIAL ZONES.
A. Number and area of signs permitted. In Professional zones, there may be only
one building attached sign per street frontage per building, or in the case of
attached buildings, shopping centers, or other multiple occupancy complexes, one
building attached sign per individual front facade. The area of such signs shall
not exceed 12 square feet. Building mounted signs shall not extend above the
roofline of the portion of the building where they are mounted.
In commercial or industrial zones, the number of building attached signs shall not
be limited. The maximum area in B-1 (Neighborhood Business) zones shall be
one square foot of sign surface area per linear foot of building width parallel to
the street, or in the case of attached buildings, shopping centers or other multiple
occupancy complexes, per individual front facade. In B-2 (General Business)
zones, LI (Light Industrial) zones, and HI (Heavy Industrial Zones) the maximum
area shall be 2 square feet of sign surface area per linear foot of building width.
If any premises is entitled to use freestanding signs pursuant to Section 28-B-8
but chooses not to do so and signs an agreement waiving all rights to future
freestanding signs, then the maximum permitted building mounted signs surface
area may be increased by 25 percent. This bonus provision may only be applied
to attached buildings, shopping centers, and other multiple occupancy complexes
if there is no freestanding sign on the entire property, and an agreement is
executed whereby future freestanding sign rights would be waived on the entire
property.
Building attached signage in B-2, LI, and HI zones may only be placed upon the
front of a building facing the street upon which the area calculation is based.
B. Canopy, Marquee, Mansard, and Awning Mounted Signs. Building mounted
signs may be placed flat against a building or on canopies, marquees, or mansard
portions of roofs. Regardless of where such signs are located they shall be
counted toward the maximum building mounted sign surface area that may be
placed on the facade upon which such signs are located or project from. Such
signs shall be affixed flat to the surface of a canopy, marquee, or mansard or
project no more than three inches therefrom, and they shall not extend vertically
above a canopy, marquee, or mansard. Awning signs must be painted or printed
directly on the awning and they shall also count toward the maximum building
mounted sign surface area that may be placed on the facade upon which they are
located or project from.
C. Projecting Signs. Building attached signage may not project more than two feet
from the building wall upon which it is attached except for canopy, marquee, or
awning mounted signs.
D. Window Signs. Window signs shall not be permitted in Professional zones. In B-
1, B-2, LI, and HI zones, window signs may be permitted, but they may not
occupy more than 20 percent of the area of any window. In the Planned
Development Riverfront Zone (PDR) or National Register or locally designated
histaric districts (Title 7, Chapter 4 of the Augusta, Georgia Code), no more than
two windows in any structure may be used for signs.
E. Illumination. Building mounted signs in P-1 zones shall be non-illuminated. In
B-1, B-2, LI, and HI zones, signs on the same side of a street or across a street
from a single-family residence which is within 100 feet of the proposed sign
location shall be non illuminated. Otherwise, signs in B-1, B-2, LI, and HI zones
may be illuminated.
F. Code Conformance. All signs for which a building permit is required shall be
conducted and maintained in conformance with City building and electrical codes.
All neon applications shall require a final inspection. All signage shall have a
disconnect switch located on the signage. All signs involving illumination or
other electrical devices or circuits shall display a label certifying it as meeting
standards of the Underwriters Laboratories. All signs shall be kept in good repair.
28-B-10 BILLBOARDS
A. Location. Billboards may be located only in B-2 (General Business), LI (Light
Industrial), or HI (Heavy Industrial) zones in accordance with other provisions of this
Section, except in areas and sites which would not be consistent with the desired
overall character of the City and the information needs of tourists, businesses, and
residents. Billboards are prohibited within the following areas and sites:
. Washington Road from the Calhoun Expressway to River Ridge Road, 1000 feet
from the right-of-way line;
• Calhoun Expressway, 1000 feet from the right-of-way line;
• Gordon Highway from Bobby Jones Expressway to 1000 feet past Gate 1 at Fort
Gordon (at Dyess Parkway), 1000 feet from the right-of-way line;
• Doug Barnard Parkway from Gordon Highway to 1000 feet past Tobacco Road,
1000 feet from the right-of-way line;
• Bobby Jones Expressway from Doug Barnard Parkway to the Savannah River,
1000 feet from the right-of-way line;
• Jimmy Dyess Parkway, 1000 feet from the right-of-way line;
• Riverwatch Parkway, 1000 feet from the right-of-way line;
• Berckman Road from.Rae's Creek to Washington Road, 500 feet from the right-
of-way line;
• Wheeler Road from Bransford Road to Columbia County, 1000 feet from the
� right-of-way line; �
• Jackson Road from Wrightsboro Road to Wheeler Road, 1000 feet from the right-
' of-way line;
• Walton Way Extension from Wheeler Road to Pleasant Home Road, 1000 feet
' from the right-of-way line;
• Davis Road from Pleasant Home Road to Columbia County, 1000 feet from the
right-of-way line;
• Pleasant Home Road from Washington Road to Walton Way Extension, 1000 feet
from the right-of-way line;
• Wrightsboro Road from Barton Chapel Road to Columbia County, 1000 feet from
the right-of-way line;
� Windsor Spring Road from old Louisville Road to Hephzibah City limits, 1000
feet from the right-of-way line;
• Tobacco Road, 1000 feet from the right-of-way line;
• All national register historic districts and all locally designated historic districts
under Title 7, Chapter 4 of the Augusta-Richmond County Code.
• The Planned Development Riverfront District (Sec. 25 - A)
• St. Sebastian Way from Walton Way to Reynolds Street, 500 feet from the right-
of-way line.
• Other areas and sites which may be designated by amendment to the text of this
Ordinance.
B. Separation from single-family residential zone boundaries or uses. Billboards shall
not be located within 100 feet of any single-family residential zone boundary or the
property line of a parcel occupied by a single-family residence.
C. Setback. The setback requirements for billboards shall be the same as the setback
requirements for principal structures.
D. Spacing between billboards. There shall be no more than one (1) billboard for each
seven hundred and fifty (750) feet of frontage on each side of any roadway. Any
billboards located within five hundred (500) feet of the right-of-way line of the
subject roadway shall be considered to be on the roadway, regardless of whether the
sign faces or is oriented toward the subject roadway or toward another roadv��ay, and
regardless of whether or not there are intersecting streets. No billboard shall be
located less than three hundred (300) feet from any other billboards in any direction.
Billboards located within six hundred and sixty (660) feet of the nearest edge of the
right-of-way of an Interstate Highway must be permitted by the Georgia Department
of Transportation. For purposes of this Ordinance, any billboard located in this area
shall be considered to be a part of the Interstate Highway System regardless of
whether the sign faces the Interstate Highway or is oriented toward the Interstate
Highway or toward another roadway, and regardless of whether or not there are
intersecting streets.
No billboards shall be located on roadways designated as part of the Interstate
Highway System within five hundred (500) feet of an interchange, intersection grade,
or safety rest area. The foregoing 500 foot zone shall be measured along the
Interstate Highway from the point at which the pavement commences or ceases to
widen at exits from or entrances to the main traveled way.
E. Height. No billboards shall exceed a height of sixty (60) feet from ground level
measured from the elevation of the adjoining road grade or from the base of the sign,
whichever is higher.
F. Area. The maximum area of a billboard's face shall be three hundred (300) square
feet on two lane roadways and six hundred seventy-two (672) square feet on
highways with more than two lanes, plus temporary embellishments not exceeding
twenty percent (20%) of the permanent sign area. Only one (1) sign face facing
traffic moving in one direction shall be permitted on a billboard.
G. DELETE
H. Code Conformance. Code Conformance. All signs for which a building permit is
required shall be constructed and maintained in conformance with City building and
electrical codes. Plans for all freestanding signs 30 feet or higher, or greater than 150
square feet, shall be certified as to conformance with all structural and wind-load
resistive standards of the Building Code by a structural engineer registered in the State
of Georgia, or be prepared using standard drawings prepared by a structural engineer
or other qualified professional meeting or exceeding all requirements of the Building
Code. Freestanding signage that does not require an engineer's seal must include
supporting foundation calculations. All freestanding signage requires a foundation
inspection. Neon exposed or attached to a structure requires a final inspection. All
signage must have a disconnect switch located at the signage. All signs involving
internal lights or other electrical devices or circuits shall display a label certifying
that all equipment or products are approved by one of the organizations currently
recognized by OSHA as "Nationally Recognized Testzng laboratories (NRTL)'. All
signs, together with their supports, braces, guys and anchors, shall be kept in good
repair and, unless constructed of galvanized or non-corroding metal, shall be given a
protective coating as necessary to maintain a clean appearance and safe condition.
I. Site Plan Required. Every permit application for a proposed billboard or for
any repair or replacement of an existing billboard shall be accompanied by a
site plan prepared by a registered surveyor. The site plan shall show the
proposed location for the subject sign, the distance of the proposed or existing
billboard to the nearest billboards on the same side of the roadway, the
distance to the nearest billboards on the opposite side of the roadway, and also
the distance to any other structures on the property where the new sign is to be
located. In the event of repair or replacement, the distance to existing
structures on the property shall be shown. The site plan shall be prepared and
stamped by a registered land surveyor. The surveyor shall be required to enter
the correct map and parcel number and complete address for the property for
which the permit application is being submitted. The site plan shall be
approved by the Augusta Planning and Development Department. Once
approved, the site plan shall be in effect for two years except that an approved
plan may be rescinded at the request of the party who presented the plan for
approval. An approved plan cannot be renewed or extended beyond two
years. After a site plan has been approved, no other plans shall be considered
that would conflict with the subject plan until two years have expired, or the
approval has been properly rescinded.
28-B-11 NON-CONFORMING SIGNS. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to ratify or
approve the erection and/or maintenance of any sign which was erected in violation of
any prior Ordinance, and any sign so erected shall be subject to removal as provided in
this Subsection. Signs that were in existence and were constructed in compliance with
the terms of any prior Ordinance but do not conform to the provisions of this Section are
hereby designated as legal nonconforming signs. Signs which become legal
nonconforming uses as the result of this Section may continue under the general
standards for nonconformity in Section 5. They may be maintained and repaired but they
may not be enlarged, heightened, or illuminated (if not currently illuminated). All signs
defined herein as temporary signs, attention getting devices, or banners must either be
permitted as temporary signs. Non-conforming signs (permanent and temporary) not
permitted as prescribed above, shall become illegal signs and the Augusta Planning and
Development Department shall be authorized to issue citations and/or remove such non-
permitted signs per Section 28-B-13. All illegal and nonconforming signs shall be
removed from a tract or parcel before any additional signs may be permitted on the same
tract or parceL
28-B-12 ABANDONED SIGNS. Signs that conform to this Ordinance, or signs that are made
non-conforming as a result of this Ordinance which subsequently become abandoned
signs shall upon abandonment be covered with a weather resistant opaque material which
blocks the total sign surface area (billboards are exempted). 90 Days after the
abandonment of a legal non-conforming sign the permit for such sign shall automatically
expire and all exposed parts of said sign shall be removed. The foregoing shall apply to
all signs.
28-B-13 ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES. Enforcement of this Section shall be the
responsibility of the Augusta Planning and Development Department.
The Augusta Planning and Development Department shall make routine inspection of all
signs, and he shall also respond to issues raised by the public and other departments.
Upon ascertaining a violation of the provisions of this Chapter, the Augusta Planning and
Development Department shall cause to be served upon the offender, or to his agent, or
upon the owner or his agent, or the occupant(s) of the premises a written notice to abate
which sha1L•
A. Describe the condition(s) constituting a violation,
B. Demand that the violation be corrected or that the offending sign be removed,
C. State that an inspection will be made no less than 10 days nar more than 30 days
after the notice is issued and at such time, if the conditions which constitute the
violation have not been abated, then a citation will be issued.
If, after the notice has been given and upon an inspection the offending sign has not been
removed, then the Augusta Planning and Development Department shall issue a citation,
and if the off�nding sign is a temporary sign or banner then the Augusta Planning and
Development Department shall remove such sign. If the offending sign is not a
temporary sign, then the offending sign may be removed, or the offending condition may
be corrected by the City at the expense of the offender and/or the owner and/or the
' occupant of the premises under direction of the Augusta Planning and Development
Department. The City shall have a lien on the property upon which said sign is located to
secure the amount expended for the abatement and all unpaid perrnit fees and delinquent
charges due to such sign. Citations shall be forwarded to Magistrate Court for placement
' on the earliest possible docket.
Any person who violates any provision of this Chapter or any person refusing to comply
with any notice to abate or other notices issued by the Augusta Planning and
Development Department within the time allowed by such notice upon conviction shall
' be guilty of misdemeanor. Each day is a separate violation. Each violation of this
Chapter shall be deemed a separate offense and punishable by a fine not exceeding one
thousand dollars ($1,000) or by imprisonment not exceeding sixty (60) days, either ar
both in the discretion of the judge having jurisdiction.
AMENDED — Section 28-B-10 (A) November 2010
Section 28-B-8-(K) May 2011
Section 28-B - December, 2011