BCC WORK SESSION

OVERVIEW OF ORANGE COUNTY SIGN CODE

(PART II)

SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

Overview

• Recap• Sept.10th BCC Meeting

• Sign Variance Trends• Proposed Sign Code Amendments

• General Sign Code Amendments• Tourist Commercial Sign Code Amendments

• Comments

Recap

On September 10, 2013, BCC and staff conducted 1st work session.

Items discussed:• Signage Types• Signage Regulations• BCC Signage Concerns

Signage Variance Trends

38%

4%

13%11%

13%

11% 13%

10 Year TrendIncrease in copy for wall signage

Increase height of pole sign

Increase height of ground sign

Additional ground sign

Increase in copy for ground sign

Increase in copy for pole sign

Reduction in setback

Sign Code Amendments

General Sign Regulations under consideration:

1) Architectural Features and Signs

2) Maximum Allowable Copy Area for Wall Signs

3) Electronic Message Center

4) Non-residential Signs in Residential Districts

5) Window Signs

6) Special Event Signs

7) Construction Signs

Exempted Signs

Generic, integrated, architectural feature Designed and constructed as part of building Identification via symbols, logos, letters,

moving parts, lights etc. are not exempt

Signage within commercial developments Clarification of language

Wall Signs

Maximum Allowable Copy Area: Current code: Must use front of building to

calculate wall signage. May distribute signage on all walls.

Proposed Amendment : If front of building is not used to calculate wall signage, then all signage must be placed on the side used to calculate the signage.

Wall Signs

Example

Current code – 90 sq.ft. of signto distribute on any wall

Proposed – use larger wallwith all sign on that wall, 150 sq. ft. on this wall

Electronic Message Center (EMC)

Electronic Message Center

Current Regulations:

• Ground , Pole and Wall sign • Permitted in Office, Commercial or Industrial zoning

districts

Electronic Message Center

Proposed Changes:• Restrict EMC based on proximity to residential uses• Prohibit on Wall signs• Pole signs – limit EMC to 25% of total copy area• Must meet Display Criteria:1) Must hold display for minimum 8 seconds2) No flashing, animation, or movement of any kind3) Required automatic dimming technology4) Cannot exceed a brightness level of 0.3 candles above ambient

light5) Brightness measured with foot candle meter 6) Measure brightness equation – square root of sign area x 100a) 50 sq. ft. sign measured at 71 feetb) 100 sq. ft. sign measured at 100 feetc) 200 sq. ft. sign measured at 141 feet

Electronic Message Center

Wall Signs • Electronic message centers

are not allowed as wall signs

Non-residential Signs in Residential Districts • Electronic message centers

and changeable copy signs are not allowed

Window Signs

Current Regulation (General and Tourist Commercial): • Maximum copy area= 25% of window area, affixed to window.

Proposed Changes (General and Tourist Commercial):• Location of sign – distance from window (3 feet)

Window Signs

Excessive Window Signage Excessive Window Signage

Special Event Signs

Current Regulations: 1 every six months

Proposed Change: No more than 2 permits on same parcel within any calendar year.

Construction Signs

Current Regulations: 64 sq. ft. residential, 128 sq. ft. non-residential.

Proposed Change: Allowed on a mesh fence banner affixed to the fence surrounding a construction site

Tourist Commercial Signs

Areas of Focus

1) Maximum Allowable Wall Sign Copy Area

2) EMC

3) Ground Signs

Tourist Commercial Signs

Maximum Allowable Copy Area:Copy area increase due to height of sign on building(sign must be located within top 20% of building height):

Height

0-35 ft.36-50 ft.51-75 ft.76-100 ft.101-140 ft.140-180 ft.>180 ft.

Current Code %

No Increase10%15%20%25%30%

Proposed%

No Increase15%20%25%50%100%125%

Tourist Commercial Signs

General BCC concerns regarding Electronic Message Centers: Location Transition time Dimming Technology Prohibition

Tourist Commercial Signs

Electronic Message CentersCurrent Code: Permitted on Pole, and Wall signs.Proposed Changes:

• Pole signs – Limit EMC to 25% of total copy area• Prohibit on Wall signs• Permit on Ground signs where:

1) > 15 acres

2) Min.1,000 foot road frontage

3) Separation distance of 300 feet between signs

4) Must meet display criteria:

a) Must hold display for minimum 8 seconds

b) Images shall appear instantaneously without flashing, animation, or movement of any kind

c) Must be equipped with automatic dimming technology to adjust sign’s brightness

d) Cannot exceed a brightness level of 0.3 candles above ambient light

e) Non-conforming signs must comply with brightness by date certain

Tourist Commercial Signs

Ground Signs:• Maximum Allowable Copy Area increases from 60 sq.

ft. to 80 sq. ft.• Maximum height increases from 8 ft. to 10 ft.• May include changeable copy area where the parcel

contains a minimum of 1000 ft. of road frontage (excluding limited access highways)

• Changeable copy signs must be a minimum of 300 ft. apart

Next Steps

1. Stakeholders Input

2. Draft Amendment Ordinance

3. Work sessions with P&ZC / BCC

4. Public Hearings

BCC WORK SESSION

OVERVIEW OF ORANGE COUNTY SIGN CODE

(PART II)

SEPTEMBER 24, 2013