OR 88-405 Adopting a new sign code AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF COPPELL, TEXAS
ORDINANCE NO. 88405
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF COPPELL, TEXAS AMENDING CHAPTER
10 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF COPPELL IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY ADOPTING A NEW SIGN CODE FOR THE CITY REGULATING
IN ALL RESPECTS THE ERECTION AND MAINTENANCE OF SIGNS WITHIN
THE CITY; PROVIDING A REPEALING CLAUSE; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY
CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR A PENALTY OF FINE NOT TO EXCEED 'iHE SUM
OF ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($1,000.00} FOR EACH OFFENSE AND
DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COPPELL,
TEXAS.
SECTION 1. AMENDING CHAPTER 10 TO ADOPT NEW SIGN CODE
Chapter 10 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Coppell is hereby amended
in its entirety by adopting the following which shall be known as the Coppell
Sign Code and which shah become the new Chapter 10 of the Code of Ordinances
of the City. The new Chapter 10 shall read as follows:
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Scope and Enforcement Page 1
2. Definitions Page 3
3. Permit Procedures and Fees Page 6
4. Provisions for All Zoning Districts Page 8
5. Provisions for Business Zoning Districts Page 12
6. Provisions for Non-Business Zoning Districts Page 16
7. Non-Conforming Signs Page 18
8. EXceptions to Ordinance Page 20
9. Variances Page 24
CHAPTER 10
SIGN CODE
ARTICLE 10 - 1
SCOPE AND ENFORCEMENT
Section 10-1-1 PURPOSE
Signs use private land and the sight lines
created by the public right-of-way to inform and
persuade the general public by publishing a
message. This chapter provides standards for the
erection and maintenance of private signs. All
private signs not exempted shall be erected and
maintained in accordance with these standards.
The general objectives of these standards are to
promote health, safety, welfare, convenience and
enjoyment of the public, and in part to achieve
the following:
A. Safety: To promote the safety of persons and
property by providing that signs:
1. DO not create a hazard due to collapse,
fire, collision, decay or abandonment;
2. DO not obstruct fire fighting or police
surveillance; and
3. Do not create traffic hazards by
confusing or distracting motorists, or
by impairing the driver's ability to see
pedestrians, obstacles, or other
vehicles, or to read traffic signs.
B. Communications Efficiency: To promote the
efficient transfer of information in sign
messages by providing that:
1. Those signs which provide messages and
information most needed and sought by
the public are given priorities.
2. Businesses and services may identify
themselves.
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3. Customers and other persons may locate a
business or service.
4. No person or group is arbitrarily denied
the use of the sight lines from the
public right-of-way for communication
purposes.
5. Persons exposed to signs are not
overwhelmed by the number of messages
presented, and are able to exercise
freedom of choice to observe or ignore
aid messages, according to the
observer's purpose.
C. Landscape Quality and Preservation: To
protect the public welfare and to enhance the
appearance and economic value of the
landscape, by providing that signs:
1. Do not interfere with scenic views;
2. Do not create a nuisance to persons
using the public right-of-way;
3. Do not create a nuisance to occupancy of
adjacent and contiguous property by
their brightness, size, height or
movement; and
4. Are not detrimental to land or property
values.
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ARTICLE 10 - 2
DEFINITIONS
The following words and phrases shall have meanings respectively
ascribed to them by this Article:
Building means a structure which has a roof supported by
columns, walls or air for the shelter, support, or enclosure of
persons, animal or chattel.
Effective Area, Attached Sign - means the sum of the areas of
the minimum imaginary rectangles enclosing each word attached to
any particular facade. Effective area shall also be referred to
as size. (See Appendix Illustration 1)
Effective Area, Monument Sign - means the area enclosed by
drawing a rectangle of horizontal and vertical lines which fully
contain all extremities of the sign exclusive of its supports.
The measurement is to be calculated from a viewpoint which gives
the largest rectangle of that kind. The effective area for
attached signs shall mean the sum of the areas of the minimum
imaginary rectangles enclosing each word attached to any
particular facade. Effective area shall also be referred to as
size. (See Appendix Illustration 1)
Effective Area, Other Sign - Signs that do not meet the
definition of attached signs or monument signs shall be referred
to as other signs. The effective area of other signs shall be
calculated by drawing a rectangle of horizontal and vertical
lines which fully contain all extremities of the sign exclusive
of its supports. Effective area shall also be referred to as
size.
Facade - means any separate face of a building, including parapet
walls and omitted wall line, or any part of a building which
encloses or covers usable space. Where separate faces are
oriented in the same direction, or in the directions within
forty-five degrees of one another, they are to be considered as a
part of a single facade.
Premises - means a lot or unplatted tract, or a combination of
contiguous lots or unplatted tracts if the lot or tract, or
combination is under single ownership and is reflected in the
plat records of the city.
Premises, Dwelling - means a lot zoned SF, TH or 2F that is
occupied by a residential housing structure.
Public Right-of-Way - means a dedicated road or street including
the easement for that road or street.
Sign - means any device, flag, banner, light, figure, picture,
letter, word, message, symbol, plaque, or poster visible from
outside the premise on which it is located and designed to inform
or attract the attention of persons not on that premise.
Sign, Attached - means any sign attached to, applied on, or
supported by, any part of a building (such as a wall, roof,
window, canopy, awning, arcade, or marquee) which encloses or
covers usable space.
Sign, Banner - means a sign which is not permanently affixed.
Sign, Detached - means any sign connected to the ground which is
not an attached sign, inclusive of signs on movable objects,
except signs on vehicles which are moving or are parked only
temporarily, incidental to their principal use for
transportation.
Sign, Monument - means any detached sign which is of monolithic
or semi-monolithic construction being made from masonry, concrete
materials, or plastic provided that a masonry base is
incorporated into the sign, with no separation between the base
of the sign and grade. (See Appendix Illustration 2)
Sign, Movement Control - means a sign which directs vehicular or
pedestrian movement within or onto the premise on which the
movement control sign is located.
Sign, Off-Premise - means a sign displaying advertising copy that
pertains to a business, person, organization, activity, event,
place, service, or product not principally located or primarily
manufactured or sold on the premise on which the sign is located.
Sign, Pole - means any detached sign which is not a monument
sign.
Sign, Political - means any type of sign which refers only to the
issues or candidates involved in a political election.
Sign, Portable means a sign designed or constructed or used to
facilitate the placing or moving of the sign from one location to
another and is not permanently affixed to the real property.
Sign, Premise - means a sign identifying or advertising a
business, person, or activity, and installed and maintained on
the same premise as the business, person, or activity.
Sign Protective - means any sign which is commonly associated
with safeguarding the permitted uses of the occupancy, including,
but not limited to, "bad dog." "no trespassing," and "no
solicitors."
Sign, Support - means any pole, post, strut, cable, or other
structural fixture or framework necessary to hold and secure a
sign, providing that said fixture or framework is not imprinted
with any picture, symbol or word using characters in excess of
one (1) inch in height, nor is internally or decoratively
illuminated.
Sign, Vehicular - means any sign on a vehicle moving along the
ground or on any vehicle parked temporarily, incidental to its
principal use for transportation. This definition shall not
include signs which are being transported to a site of permanent
erection.
Zoning District, Business - means any zoning district designated
by the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Coppell as O, R, C, TC, LI
and Hi. Any PD District with the previous listed zoning prefix
is also include in this list, unless specifically excluded by its
provisions.
Zoning District, Non-business - means any zoning district not
designated as a business district in accordance with the above
definition.
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ARTICLE 10 - 3
PERMIT PROCEDURES AND FEES
Section 10-3-1 ADMINISTRATION. The provisions of this code
shall be administered by the Building Official or
his authorized representative.
Section 10-3-2 PERMITS. NO sign shall be erected, constructed,
relocated, altered, repaired or maintained except
as provided in this article until a permit for
such has been issued and the fee paid, except as
otherwise provided in this article.
Section 10-3-3 APPLICATIONS. All applications for permits shall
include a drawing to scale of the proposed sign
and all existing signs maintained on the premise
and visible from the right-of-way, a drawing of
the lot plan or building facade indicating the
proposed location of the sign, and
specifications.
Section 10-3-4 FEES. Every applicant, before being granted a
permit, otherwise noted as permitting, shall pay
to the City of Coppell the applicable fee herein
defined.
A. Fees for a permit to erect, alter, replace or
relocate a sign shall be One Hundred Dollars
($100.00) for each sign unless otherwise
stated in this ordinance.
B. It shall be unlawful for any person to repair
or make alterations, excluding repainting or
changing the message, to any sign requiring a
permit without first obtaining a repair
permit and making payment of the fee
required. Fees for a permit to repair shall
be Fifty Dollars ($50.00).
C. When a sign is erected, placed or maintained,
or work started thereon before obtaining a
sign permit, there shall be a late fee equal
to twice the amount of the sign permit fee.
The late fee does not excuse full compliance
with the provisions of this article.
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D. A permit for a sign, shall expire if the work
is not commenced within forty-five (45) days
from the date of such permit, or if work
authorized by such permit is suspended or
abandoned at any time after work is
commenced for a period of forty-five (45)
days.
Section 10-3-5 ELECTRICAL PERMIT. Prior to issuance of a sign
permit for a sign in which electrical wiring and
connections are to be used, an electrical permit
must be obtained according to the existing fee
schedule. The electrical inspector shall examine
the plans and specifications submitted with the
application to ensure compliance with the
Electrical Code of the City. No sign shall be
erected in violation of the Electrical Code.
ARTICLE 10 - 4
PROVISIONS FOR ALL ZONING DISTRICTS
Section 10-4-1 IMITATION OF TRAFFIC AND EMERGENCY SIGNS
PROHIBITED. No person shall cause to be erected
or maintained any sign using any combination of
forms, words, colors, or lights, which imitate
standard public traffic regulatory, emergency
signs, or signals.
Section 10-4-2 EXEMPTIONS. The following signs are specifically
exempt from the provisions of this code.
A. Movement Control Signs. Movement control
signs may be erected at any occupancy or any
premise, other than single family or duplex
premises, may be attached or detached, and
may be erected without limits as to number;
provided that such signs shall comply with
all other applicable requirements of this
ordinance. Movement control signs shall be
premise signs only and shall not be construed
as any sign listed in Section 10-8-5 or
Section 10-8-6. The occupant of a premise
who erects a movement control sign shall
comply with the following requirements:
1. Each sign must not exceed three (3)
square feet in effective area.
2. If a sign is an attached sign, the words
must not exceed six (6) inches in
height.
3. Each sign must convey a message which
directs vehicular or pedestrian movement
within or onto the premise on which the
sign is located.
4. The signs must contain no advertising or
identification message.
B. Protective Signs. The occupant of a premise
may erect not more than two (2) protective
signs, in accordance with the following
provisions:
1. Each sign must not exceed two (2) square
feet in effective area.
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2. Detached signs must not exceed two (2)
feet in height.
3. Letters must not exceed four 4) inches
in height.
C. Vehicular Signs. Vehicular signs shall
conform to the following restrictions:
1. Vehicular signs shall contain no'
flashing or moving elements.
2. Vehicular signs shall not project beyond
the surface of a vehicle.
3. Vehicular signs shall not be attached to
a vehicle so that the driver's vision is
obstructed from any angle.
D. Government Signs. Flags, insignia, legal
notices, or informational, directional, or
traffic signs which are legally required or
necessary to the essential functions of
government agencies.
Section 10-4-3 PROHIBITED SIGNS. The following types of signs
are specifically prohibited.
A. Portable Signs.
B. Balloons, streamers, bunting, banners, flags
(except flags allowed under section 10-4-4 of
this code) or signs that contain moving parts
unless otherwise specifically allowed by this
code.
C. Signs erected in violation of the building or
electrical code of the city.
D. Signs attached to or maintained upon any tree
or public utility pole or structure.
E. Signs attached to or painted on the outside
of a fence, railing or wall that is not a
structural part of a building.
F. Signs attached to or painted on any sidewalk,
curb, gutter or street (except house address
numbers).
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G. Signs illuminated to an intensity to cause
glare or brightness to a degree that could
constitute a hazard or nuisance.
H. Signs that move, flash, light intermittently,
change color or revolve unless specifically
allowed by this ordinance.
I. Pole signs and flag poles unless otherwise
specifically allowed by this ordinance.
J. Off premise signs. (except for those signs
allowed under section 10-8-5 and section 10-
8-6 of this code)
K. Signs erected in the public right-of-way.
(except for those signs allowed under section
10-8-5 and section 10-8-6 of this code)
Section 10-4-4 FLAGS. All flags shall conform to the following
requirements:
A. Nothing in this ordinance shall be construed
to prevent the display of a National, State
or City flag.
B. Businesses may erect one corporate flag and
flag pole, per location, for a bonafide
company or corporate office located within
the City of Coppell.
Section 10-4-5 OBSCENITY. No person shall display on any sign
any obscene, indecent or immoral matter. Any
sign which does contain any obscene, indecent or
immoral matter must be removed or the obscene,
indecent or immoral matter must be removed within
twenty-four (24) hours of notice. The owner of
the property on which the sign is located shall
be responsible for compliance of this section.
Section 10-4-6 OBSOLETE SIGNS. All signs relating to a product
no longer available for purchase by the public
and all signs relating to a business which has
closed or moved away shall be removed or the
advertising copy shall be removed. Painted wall
signs shall be painted over with a color that
resembles or matches the wall and does not allow
the sign message to be visible after
overpainting. The owner of the property on which
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the sign is located shall be responsible to
remove the sign within thirty days of
obsolescence.
Section 10-4-7 MAINTENANCE OF SIGNS. All signs shall be
maintained in good condition. Signs which are
damaged in any way, rusty, or have peeling paint
do not meet minimum maintenance criteria. Signs
that do not meet minimum maintenance criteria
shall be brought into compliance no later than
the tenth (10th) day after notice of such
violation or the sign must be removed. The owner
of the property on which the sign is located
shall be responsible for compliance of this
section.
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ARTICLE 10 - 5
PROVISIONS FOR BUSINESS ZONING DISTRICTS
Section 10-5-1 Signs which are located within twenty-five (25)
feet of a non-business district boundary shall
conform to the requirements of non-business
zoning district signs found in Article 10-6.
Section 10-5-2 DETACHED (MONUMENT) SIGNS. Detached (monument)
signs are permitted in business districts as
follows:
A. Shopping Centers with multiple tenants
located of a premises of one acre or more in
size are permitted to erect a maximum of two
(2) monument signs with the following
stipulations.
Maximum size -75 square feet
Maximum height - 8 feet
Setbacks - 15 feet from street right-of-way
- 75 feet from property lines other
than those property lines fronting the
street right-of-way.
- 500 feet from other monument signs on
the property.
B. Shopping centers with multiple tenants
located on a premises of less than one acre
in size are permitted to erect a maximum of
two (2) monument signs with the following
stipulations:
Maximum size - 50 square feet
Maximum height 6 feet
Setbacks 15 feet from street right-of-way
- 75 feet from property lines other than
those property lines fronting the
street right-of-way.
- 500 feet from other monument signs on
the property.
C. Businesses located on individually platted
land including individual pad sites within a
shopping center are permitted to erect one
monument sign with the following
stipulations:
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Maximum size - 36 square feet
Maximum height - 6 feet
Setbacks -15 feet from street right-of-way
-75 feet from property lines other
than those property lines fronting
the street right-of-way.
D. Gasoline service stations shall mount price
per gallon signs on monument signs only.
Monument signs that contain the price per
gallon of gasoline sold by that business are
permitted to erect monument signs with the
following stipulations:
Maximum size - 50 square feet
Maximum height - 6 feet
Setbacks - 15 feet from street right-of-way
- 75 feet from property lines other
than those property lines fronting
the street right-of-way.
Section 10-5-3 ATTACHED SIGNS. Attached signs are permitted in
business areas in accordance with the following
provisions:
A. All signs and their words shall be mounted
parallel to the building surface to which
they are attached, and shall project no more
than eighteen (18) inches from that surface.
B. Effective area: Attached signs shall not
exceed the following schedules:
1. An attached sign located at a height of
thirty-six (36) feet or less, the sign
area is limited to one (1) square foot
of sign area of each lineal foot of
building frontage not to exceed three
hundred (300) square feet.
2. An attached sign located above a height
of thirty-six (36) feet shall be
permitted an increase in maximum
effective area. Such increases shall
not exceed four (4) square feet in
effective area for each additional one
(1) foot of height above thirty-six (36)
feet measured from the base of the
sign. Signs may be increased to a
maximum size of four hundred (400)
square feet.
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3. Attached signs may be located on each
facade; however, the sum of the
effective area of all attached signs
shall not exceed twice the allowable
effective area as specified in above
paragraphs (1) and (2). The maximum sum
of effective area for signs is as
follows:
a. The maximum sum of effective area
for signs located thirty-six (36)
feet or less in height shall be
three-hundred (300) square feet.
b. The maximum sum of effective area
of signs located at a height above
thirty-six (36) feet shall be four-
hundred (400) square feet.
C. Canopies. Signs shall not be attached to
canopies e.g. gasoline service station
canopies.
Section 10-5-4 TEMPORARY BANNER SIGNS. Banner signs shall be
erected as outlined below. Such signs shall be
constructed of cloth or canvas material and must
be anchored in such a way that would prevent the
sign from moving freely in the wind. Businesses
that erect signs under the provisions of this
section shall not display a sign that states
"Going Out of Business" or similar message more
than one time.
A. During the initial year of operation, a
business shall be permitted to erect one (1)
temporary banner sign a maximum of four (4)
times. Such signs shall be erected a maximum
of fourteen (14) days for each permit. A new
permit, for such a sign, shall not be issued
within thirty (30) days of the date that any
temporary banner sign was erected at the
occupancy. The permit application for the
sign must include the date the sign will be
erected, the date the sign will be removed
and a drawing showing the location of the
sign. The permit fee for a temporary banner
sign shall be fifteen dollars ($15.00). The
effective area for such signs shall not
exceed forty (40) square feet.
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B. A business that has been in operation for a
period of one (1) year or more shall be
permitted to erect one (1) temporary banner
sign at an occupancy two (2) times per
calendar year. Such signs shall be erected a
maximum of fourteen (14) days for each
permit. A new permit, for such a sign, shall
not be issued within thirty (30) days of the
date that any temporary banner sign was
erected at the occupancy. The permit fee for
a temporary banner sign shall be fifteen
dollars ($15.00). The effective area for
such signs shall not exceed forty (40) square
feet.
1. Non-profit organizations shall be
permitted to display temporary banner
signs as outlined above. A sign permit
is required; however, no permit fee
will be assessed.
C. New multi-family developments shall be
allowed to display one (1) banner sign as
provided in this paragraph. Signs shall
refer to leasing information only and shall
be removed within six (6) months of the date
the permit was issued. Signs shall not
exceed one hundred fifty (150) square feet in
effective area.
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ARTICLE 10 - 6
PROVISIONS FOR NON-BUSINESS ZONING DISTRICTS
Section 10-6-1 The provisions of this article apply to all signs
in any non-business zoning district, and also to
signs which are within twenty-five (25) feet of a
non-business zoning district boundary.
A. No sign shall be illuminated in such a manner
so as to produce intense glare or direct
illumination across any property line.
B. Owners of property in a non-business zoning
district shall only erect signs listed in the
following sections of this article.
Section 10-6-2 DETACHED MONUMENT SIGNS
A. Churches, model homes, apartments, town
homes, schools or government facilities or
buildings may have detached monument signs
subject to the following restrictions:
1. Number of signs: Each premise may have
no more than one (1) detached monument
sign provided, however, that a premise
with more than seven hundred fifty (750)
feet of frontage along a public way,
other than an alley, may not have more
than one (1) additional detached
monument sign for each seven hundred
fifty (750) feet of additional frontage.
Signs must be a minimum of seven
hundred fifty (750) feet apart.
2. Setback and effective area: A minimum
setback of fifteen (15) feet from the
City right-of-way is required of all
detached monument signs. No detached
monument sign shall exceed thirty-six
(36) square feet.
Section 10-6-3 ATTACHED SIGNS
A. Churches, model homes, apartments, town
homes, schools, or government facilities or
buildings may have one (1) attached sign
subject to the following restrictions:
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1. Location: All signs and their words
shall be mounted to and parallel to the
building surface to which they are
attached. No sign or work shall project
more than eighteen (18) inches from the
surface to which it is attached. Signs
shall not be mounted on or to the roof
surface and support members and shall
not project above roofs.
2. Effective area: Attached signs may not
exceed thirty-six (36) square feet in
effective area.
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ARTICLE 10 - 7
NON-CONFORMING SIGNS
Section 10-7-1 PURPOSE OF ARTICLE. It is the declared purpose
of this article that in time all privately owned
signs shall either conform to the provisions of
this ordinance or be removed. By the passage of
this ordinance and its amendments, no presently
illegal sign shall be deemed to have been
legalized unless such sign complies with all
current standards under the terms of this
ordinance and all other ordinances of the City of
Coppell. Any sign which does not conform to all
provisions of this ordinance shall be a non-
conforming sign if it legally existed as a
conforming or non-conforming sign under prior
ordinances, or an illegal sign, if it did not
exist as conforming or non-conforming sign, as
the case may be. It is further the intent and
declared purpose of this ordinance that no
offense committed, and no liability, penalty or
forfeiture, either civil or criminal, incurred
prior to the time this ordinance was adopted
shall be discharged or affected by such passage,
but prosecution and suits for such offenses,
liabilities, penalties or forfeitures may be
instituted, and causes presently pending may
proceed.
Section 10-7-2 IMPOUNDMENT
A. All of the following signs shall be construed
a public nuisance and the City may, without
notice, remove and impound any of the
following signs:
1. Any sign erected or existing that
constitutes a traffic hazard.
2. Any sign erected without a permit,
either prior to or after the adoption of
this ordinance, if a permit was
required.
3. Any sign erected in violation of the
provisions of this ordinance.
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4. Any sign erected in or over a public
right-of-way either prior to or after
the adoption of this code, except those
signs allowed under Section 10-8-5 and
Section 10-8-6 of this code.
Section 10-7-3 REMOVAL OF CERTAIN NON-CONFORMING SIGNS. Non-
conforming signs which have been blown down or
otherwise destroyed or dismantled for any purpose
other than maintenance operations or for changing
the letters, symbols, or other matter on the sign
shall be removed or brought into compliance with
this ordinance if the cost of repairing the sign
is more than 60 percent (60%) of the cost of
erecting a new sign of the same type at the same
location.
Section 10-7-4 IMPOUNDED SIGNS - RECOVERY/DISPOSAL
A. Impounded signs may be recovered by the owner
within ten (10) days of the date of
impoundment. Signs that are not recovered
within ten (10) days of impoundment will be
destroyed. Impoundment fees are as follows:
1. A fee of Five Dollars ($5.00) for signs
which are twelve (12) square feet or
less in area.
2. A fee of Fifteen Dollars ($15.00) for
signs which are larger than twelve (12)
square feet in area.
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ARTICLE 10 8
EXCEPTIONS TO ORDINANCE
Section 10-S-1 The following signs shall be erected and
maintained under the conditions and exceptions
listed in the following sections.
section 10-S-2 REAL OR PERSONAL PROPERTY SALE AND POLITICAL
SIGNS
A. Residential. Permission is granted to owners
or occupants for the erection of non-
illuminated real or personal property sale
signs to be erected in the required front
yard of platted property zoned SF, 2F or TH
until the ownership has been transferred.
Lots that abut streets where sidewalks exist
shall locate the signs no closer than fifteen
(15) feet to any street curb line. Lots
shall be limited to three (3) such real or
personal property signs not exceeding six (6)
square feet each may be erected on the
premises. No permit or permit fee is
required.
B. Business. Permission is granted to owners or
oocupants of business zoned property for the
erection of non-illuminated real estate sale
signs until the ownership has been
transferred. Such signs shall not exceed
six (6) square feet and shall be located no
closer than fifteen (15) feet from any
property line. No more than one (1) sign
shall be located for every 2 acres in a tract
cf land or portion thereof. No permit or
permit fee is required.
C. Political signs. Political signs shall
conform to the following requirements.
I. Political signs may be erected at
dwelling premises with no limitation as
to their number. Lots that abut streets
where sidewalks exist shall locate signs
between the sidewalk and the structure.
Lots that abut streets where sidewalks
do not exist shall locate the signs no
closer than fifteen (15) feet to any
street curb line. Signs must be removed
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within ten (10) days of the completion
of the election. Political signs that
are located on a dwelling premise shall
not exceed six (6) square feet in
effective area per side. No permit or
permit fee is required for these signs.
2. Political signs that are located on
property other than a dwelling premise
must be permitted. A permit fee of one-
hundred ($100.00) dollars must be paid
for each sign. Each sign must conform
to the following requirements:
Maximum size - 36 square feet
Maximum height - 10 feet
Setbacks 15 feet from all
property lines
Section 10-8-3 REAL ESTATE SIGNS - TEMPORARY
A. Highway Frontage. Temporary signs
advertising the sale of the land upon which
the sign is located may be erected on tracts
of land fronting State Highway 121 and
Interstate 635, provided that the area of the
property is a minimum size of two (2) acres.
Such signs shall not exceed two hundred (200)
square ieet in effective area and shall be
limited to one sign per tract. Permits
allowing such signs shall be limited to a
period of one year from the date that the
permit is issued. Signs allowed under this
subsection shall be deemed a privilege of
ownership and the right to erect any such
signs shall be in the owner rather than any
particular sales agent. Authorization by the
owner to an agent, to erect such a sign,
shall be dated and signed by the owner.
Signs erected under the provisions of this
~aragraph shall be located a minimum of
fifteen feet from all property lines.
B. Permission is granted to property owners,
except for the property zoned SF, TH, or 2F,
for the erection of signs to advertise the
sale, lease, or rent of the property on which
the sign is located. Signs must be spaced a
minimum of fifty (50) feet apart along a 10t
frontage and there shall be no more than four
( 4 ) signs per lot. Such signs shall not
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exceed thirty-six (36) square feet in
effective area. Permits allowing such signs
shall be limited to a period of one year from
the date that the permit is issued. Signs
allowed under this subsection shall be deemed
a privilege of ownership and the right to
erect any such sign shall be in the owner
rather than any particular sales agent.
Authorization by the owner, to an agent to
erect such signs, shall be dated and signed
by the owner. Signs erected under the
provisions of this paragraph shall be located
a minimum of fifteen (15) feet from all
property lines.
Section 10-8-4 TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION SIGNS. Permission is
granted to builders and developers to erect one
(1) temporary construction sign, except on
property zoned SF, TH or 2F, designed to identify
contractors, financier, architects, engineers, or
to advertise the coming of a new business on the
premise the sign is located. Such signs shall
not be erected prior to the issuance of a
building or utility construction permit for the
property the sign pertains to. The sign must be
removed prior to the issuance of a Certificate of
Occupancy or letter of acceptance of the utility
construction work from the city. Such signs
shall conform to the following provisions:
Maximum size - 100 square feet
Maximum height - 15 feet
Setbacks - 15 feet from the street right-of-way
Section 10-8-5 SUBDIVISION SIGNS. Permission is granted to
developers and home owners associations to erect
subdivision signs. Subdivision signs must either
be detached monument signs or attached signs
placed on a screening or a decorative wall at the
entry to the subdivision. Subdivision signs must
be approved by the Building Official. The
effective area of subdivision signs shall be
limited to thirty-six (36) square feet. The
effective area of subdivision signs shall be
calculated by drawing the largest possible
rectangle around the entire message of words
including artistic designs and logos. Subdivision
signs that are placed in the median are exempt
from Section 10-4-3 K.
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Section 10-8-6 TEMPORARY OFF-PREMISE SIGNS. Builders,
developers and real estate agents are granted
permission to erect temporary off-premise signs
as outlined below:
1. Builders and developers may erect temporary
off-premise signs which refer to a
subdivision only. A subdivision shall be
defined as a tract of land platted by the
City of Coppell that is zoned SF, TH or 2F.
Separate sections or phases of a subdivision
shall not constitute a new and separate
subdivision. Such signs shall not list or
refer to any individual or group of builders
or developers and shall be erected only
between the hours of 12: 00 noon Friday and
12: 00 noon Monday. Such signs shall not
exceed six (6) square feet in effective area
and may be placed in the City right-of-way
provided that they do not project out over
the street or sidewalk. No sign shall be
allowed to be placed within any street
median. No more than ten (10) such signs per
subdivision may be placed within the City and
shall refer only to subdivisions that are
located within the City of Coppell. No
permit or permit fee is required.
2. Real estate agents may erect temporary off-
premise signs which refer to open houses.
Such signs shall be erected only between the
hours of 12: 00 noon Friday and 12: 00 noon
Monday and shall contain the words "Open
House". Signs shall not exceed six ( 6 )
square feet in effective area and may be
placed within the City right-of-way provided
that they do not project out over a street or
sidewalk. No sign will be allowed within any
street median. Signs are to refer only to
real property that is located within the City
of Coppell. No permit or permit fee is
required.
3. If any change is made to section 10-8-6, the
Building Official shall notify the real
estate companies that have current listings
in the City of Coppell and the Metrocrest
Homebuilders Association.
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ARTICLE 10 - 9
VARIANCES
Section 10-9-1 PROCEDURE FOR VARIANCE. The City Council may
allow signs to vary from the size, location or
construction requirements of this ordinance.
An administrative fee of one ~undred dollars
($100.00) shall be charged to al~ applicants
requesting a variance from this ordinance.
Any siqn constructed or which may be hereafter
constructed, pursuant to any variance heretofore
authorized, shall be considered a sign conforming
to the provisions of this ordinance.
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SECTION Z. REPEALING CLAUSE
All ordinances, or parts of ordinances, inconsistent or in conflict with the
provisions of this ordinance are hereby repealed.
SECTION 3. SEVERABILITY CLAUSE
If any article, paragraph or subdivision, clause or provision of this ordinance
shall be adjudged invalid or held unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the
validity of this ordinance as a whole or any part or provision thereof, other than
the part so decided to be invalid or unconstitutional.
SECTION 4. PENALTY CLAUSE
Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of this ordinance
shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction shall be punished
by a penalty of fine not to exceed the sum of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00)
for each offense, and each and every day such offense is continued shall constitute
a new and separate offense.
SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE
This ordinance shall take effect immediately from and after the publication
of its caption, as the law in such cases provides.
DULY PASSED by the City Council of the City of Coppell, Texas, this the
26th day of April, 1988
APPROVED:
Lou Duggan, Mayor
ATTEST:
Dorothy Timmons, City Secretary
APPROVED AS TO FORM
CITY ATTORNEY
·
APPROVED AS TO FORM: