ORDINANCE NO. 130225

Amending Chapter 88, Code of Ordinances, by repealing Section 88-445-06-A, Residential Signs, and enacting in lieu thereof a new section of like number and subject matter. (254-S-284)

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:

Section 1. That Chapter 88, Code of Ordinances of the City of Kansas City, Missouri, is hereby amended by repealing Section 88-445-06-A, Residential Signs, and enacting in lieu thereof a new section of like number and subject matter.

88-445-06 Signs in Residential Districts

88-445-06-A. Residential Signs

Only the following signs are allowed in districts AG-R, R-80, R-10, R-7.5, R-6, R-5, R-2.5, R-1.5, R-0.5, and R-0.3:

1.      GENERAL RULES

a.       LIGHTING

Except where otherwise specified, signs in residential districts may be externally illuminated only, unless otherwise specified.

b.      FLASHING, MOVING AND SIMILAR SIGNS

Flashing, moving, animated, wind-blown, or other signs that move or simulate movement are prohibited.

c.       TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNS

In addition to other signs permitted under this section, any lot or parcel containing more than 4 dwelling units, a permitted institutional use, or a permitted commercial use, may contain signs conforming with the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices and not containing any commercial message.

d.      MESSAGES

Any sign allowed under this section may bear a noncommercial message. Limited commercial messages are allowed, in accordance with express provisions of this section, but such commercial messages may not advertise or direct attention to a business or commercial activity other than one lawfully conducted on the premises, as expressly allowed under this section.

e.       SETBACK

Signs placed on a corner lot shall not extend forward of a diagonal line which intersects the front and side property lines of the lot at points 20 feet distant from the common intersection of the front and side property lines or, if the corner of the lot is platted on a radius, the extension of the front and side property lines to a point of common intersection. Signs placed on an interior lot shall be set back a minimum of 5 feet from the right-of-way line.

2.      SINGLE-FAMILY AND TWO-FAMILY HOUSES

A lot with a principal use of a single family or two-family home may have:

a.       For each entrance (excluding garage entrances) to a dwelling unit, one wall sign, not to exceed 80 square inches in area.

b.      One interim sign bearing a noncommercial message or a message related to the sale, lease, rental, or construction of the home. Such sign may not exceed 8 square feet in area or 4 feet in height.

c.       Additional interim signs not bearing commercial messages. No such sign may exceed 8 square feet in area or 4 feet in height. A maximum of 16 square feet of sign area is allowed per lot.

d.      During the period from 6 weeks prior to a public election to be held in Kansas City to 2 weeks after such election, each lot may display additional signs not bearing commercial messages. No such sign may exceed 8 square feet in area or 4 feet in height.

3.      MULTI-FAMILY BUILDINGS

A lot with a principal use of a multi-family building may have:

a.       WALL SIGNS

1.      One wall sign per building not to exceed 12 square feet in area. The message on such sign may include a commercial message related to the sale, lease, or rental of units in the building or complex.

2.      For each building entrance providing access to multiple dwelling units, an additional sign to identify the dwelling units in that building, not to exceed 4 square feet in area, provided that no message on such sign other than a word such as "directory" or similar identifying word may be legible from a location on the public right-of-way or on private property other than that which is part of the same complex.

3.      For each entrance (excluding garage entrances) to an individual dwelling unit, one wall sign, not to exceed 80 square inches in area

4.      For any multi-family residential building containing one or more offices, as permitted under the zoning for the district, one additional wall sign is permitted, which sign may not exceed 16 square feet in area. The wall sign may bear a commercial message related to activities lawfully conducted on the premises or a noncommercial message.

b.      INCIDENTAL SIGNS

One additional sign per driveway is permitted, which sign may not exceed 36 inches in height and 2 square feet in area. Such sign may not contain a commercial message.

c.       INTERIM SIGNS

1.      One interim sign bearing a noncommercial message or a message related to the sale, lease, rental, or construction of the units. Such sign may not exceed 8 square feet in area or 4 feet in height.

2.      Additional interim signs not bearing commercial messages. No such sign may exceed 8 square feet in area or 4 feet in height. A maximum of 16 square feet of sign area is allowed per lot.

3.      During the period from 6 weeks prior to a public election to be held in Kansas City to 2 weeks after such election, each lot may display additional signs displaying noncommercial messages. No such sign may exceed 8 square feet in area or 4 feet in height.

4. INSTITUTIONAL USES

A lot with an institutional use as its principal use, such as a church, school, police or fire station, community center, public park, or other permitted principal uses not described herein, may have:

a. MONUMENT SIGNS

One monument sign per street frontage which may not exceed 32 square feet in area or 6 feet in height. One sign per lot may include changeable copy, but the changeable copy feature must use direct human intervention for changes and may not include any form of digital or electronic display. Such sign may be internally or externally illuminated.

b. WALL SIGNS

One wall sign per public entrance, which may not exceed 20 square feet in area. Such sign may not include any form of digital or electronic display. Such sign may be internally or externally illuminated.

c. INCIDENTAL SIGNS

1. One sign per driveway is permitted, which may not exceed 42 inches in height and 6 square feet in area.

2. Incidental signs must be set back a minimum of 10 feet from all property lines.

3. Such sign may not contain a commercial message but may include the logo of the institutional use.

d. INTERIM SIGNS

1. One interim sign bearing a noncommercial message or a message related to the sale, lease, rental, or construction of the property. Such sign may not exceed 8 square feet in area or 4 feet in height.

2. Additional interim signs not bearing commercial messages. No such sign may exceed 8 square feet in area or 4 feet in height. A maximum of 16 square feet of sign area is allowed per lot.

3. During the period from 6 weeks prior to a public election to be held in Kansas City to 2 weeks after such election, each lot may display additional signs not bearing commercial messages. No such sign may exceed 8 square feet in area or 4 feet in height.

5. HOSPITAL SIGNS

A signage plan portraying signs necessary for the proper identification of the facilities within a hospital may be approved by special use permit. Such signs shall be on-premises signs and limited to proper identification of the facilities. Such signs may be internally or externally illuminated.

6. RESIDENTIAL ENTRANCE SIGNS

One monument sign is allowed at each street entrance, identifying the name of the residential neighborhood or multi-family complex or building. Such sign may not exceed 32 square feet in area or 6 feet in height.

7. INTERIM SUBDIVISION DEVELOPMENT SIGNS

As an interim use accessory to the permitted activity of lawful subdivision development in a development which will contain at least 20 dwelling units, interim identification signs are permitted, provided that such signs may not exceed 100 square feet in sign area nor more than 15 feet in height; if there is more than one such sign, such signs must be at least 1,000 feet apart. Each such sign may remain in place until 90 percent of the lots in the sector are sold, but no longer than 18 months from the date of erection. All such signs must be located at least 15 feet from the pavement edge or edge of the street or thoroughfare to which it is directed, but not within the sight triangle. All such signs must be within the development or within 2000 feet of the development. These signs may not be illuminated.

8. GROUP HOMES

A lot with a principal use of a group home may have:

a.       For each entrance (excluding garage entrances) one wall sign, not to exceed 80 square inches in area

b.      One interim sign bearing a noncommercial message or a message related to the sale, lease, rental, or construction of the home. Such sign may not exceed 8 square feet in area or 4 feet in height.

c.       Additional interim signs not bearing commercial messages. No such sign may exceed 8 square feet in area or 4 feet in height. A total of 16 square feet of sign area is allowed per lot.

d. During the period from six weeks prior to a public election to be held in the city to two weeks after such election, each lot may display additional signs not bearing commercial messages. No such sign may exceed 8 square feet in area or 4 feet in height.

9. OTHER PRINCIPAL USES AND VACANT LOTS

A lot with a principal use not described in this section, or a vacant lot may have:

a.       One interim sign bearing a noncommercial message or a message related to the sale, lease, rental, or construction of the property. Such sign may not exceed 8 square feet in area or 4 feet in height.

b.      Additional interim signs not bearing commercial messages. No such sign may exceed 8 square feet in area or 4 feet in height. A total of 16 square feet of sign area is allowed per lot.

c. During the period from six weeks prior to a public election to be held in the city to two weeks after such election, each lot may display additional signs not bearing commercial messages. No such sign may exceed 8 square feet in area or 4 feet in height.

10. AUXILIARY PARKING

Signs to identify parking areas allowed by special use permit shall be approved in conjunction with such special use permit, although no sign may exceed 12 square feet in area or 6 feet in height. Such signs may show only the hours in which the parking lot is open and the persons authorized to use the parking area.

11. OFFICE

A lot with a principal use of office may have:

a Monument Signs

One monument sign per street frontage which may not exceed 32 square feet in area or 6 feet in height. Such sign may be internally or externally illuminated.

b Wall Signs

One wall sign per façade with a maximum of two signs per building. No sign shall exceed 5% of the building façade upon which it is placed or 250 square feet whichever is less. Such sign may be non-illuminated, internally illuminated, or halo lit. Illuminated signs may only be lit from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Signs on an elevation facing an adjacent lot containing wholly residential structures may not be illuminated. For purposes of this subsection, properties that are “adjacent” include properties separated only by a street.

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Approved as to form and legality:

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M. Margaret Sheahan Moran

Assistant City Attorney