ORDINANCE - Amending UDO Article 11 Sign Regulations 6-18-18

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11.1.1 This sign ordinance is adopted under the zoning authority of the County of Lee in furtherance of the more general purposes set forth in this Ordinance. The purposes of these sign regulations are: (a) to encourage the effective use of signs as a means of communication in the County of Lee while preserving the rights of free speech under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution; (b) to maintain and enhance the aesthetic environment and the County of Lee's ability to attract sources of economic development and growth; to improve pedestrian and traffic safety; (c) to minimize the possible adverse effect of signs on nearby public and private property; and (d) to enable the fair and consistent enforcement of these sign restrictions. A sign may be constructed, erected, placed, established, painted, created, or maintained in the County of Lee only in conformance with the standards, procedures, exemptions, and other requirements of this Ordinance. The effect of this Ordinance as more specifically set forth herein is: 11.2.1 To establish a permit system to allow a variety of types of signs in commercial and industrial zones, and a limited variety of signs in other zones, subject to the standards and the permit procedures of this Ordinance; 11.2.2 To allow certain signs that are small, unobtrusive, and incidental to the principal use of the respective lots on which they are located, subject to the substantive requirements of this Ordinance, but without a requirement for permits; 11.2.3 To prohibit all signs not expressly permitted by this Ordinance; and 11.2.4 To provide for the enforcement of the provisions of this Ordinance. 11.2.5 The physical alteration of a sign face or supporting structure shall be considered the same as construction of a new sign, which shall require a permit and conformity to all the dimensional requirements of this Ordinance. However, repainting of a sign or replacement of a sign face shall be considered maintenance or repair and shall not require a permit. 11.2.6 Notwithstanding any provision in this Article to the contrary, non-commercial copy may be placed on any otherwise permissible sign in place of commercial copy. 11.2.7 Existing signs that are required to be moved as a result of a public infrastructure improvement project (e.g., a road widening project) may be relocated and shall not be deemed because of that relocation to violate the requirements of this article, provided there is not any expansion, addition or structural change or new sign plan and/or design for that sign. If a pylon sign is to be relocated, the sign shall be relocated to meet the appropriate setback as set forth in this Article 11. 11.3.1 APPLICABILITY. Except for those signs explicitly permitted by this Article without a permit, no sign shall be erected or established unless and until a Sign Permit has been issued by the Department of Community Development. 11.3.2 INITIATION. The Applicant shall file a complete application for a Sign Permit with the Department of Community Development. The application shall include the information required for issuance of a building permit as prescribed by the Building Code. A master Sign Permit application may be requested for all signs to be included as part of a Planned Unit Development, a shopping center, a Commercial Retrofit, or a Traditional Neighborhood Development. 11.3.3 SIGNAGE PLAN REQUIRED. For any lot on which the owner proposes to erect one or more signs requiring a permit the owner shall submit to the Department of Community