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Town of Calera
Oklahoma · Est. 1872
Chapter

CHAPTER 156 — Signs

§ 156.01 Purpose And Application

   (A)   Purpose. Standards are herein provided for the purpose of extending regulations of the use of land for the erection, construction, placement, replacement, operation, display, location and maintenance of signs and outdoor advertising media; for the purpose of protecting places and areas of historical and cultural importance; for the purpose of increasing safety and lessening congestion in the streets; for the purpose of conserving the value of buildings; for the purpose of preserving residential values; for the purpose of providing improved community appearance and for the purpose of encouraging the most appropriate use of land.
   (B)   Application. This chapter shall apply prospectively to future permit applications for sign construction and to existing sign structures encroaching on the public right-of-way.
(Prior Code, § 9-401) (Ord. 2018-04, passed 7-18-2018)

§ 156.02 Definitions

   For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions apply unless the context clearly requires a different meaning.
   BILLBOARD. A nonaccessory sign or sign structure upon which advertising may be posted, painted or affixed and which is primarily designed for rental or lease of the sign space for advertising not related to the use of the property upon which the sign is located.
   DISPLAY SURFACE. The surface of the sign upon, against or through which the message is displayed or illustrated.
   DISPLAY SURFACE AREA.
      (1)   The net geometrical area enclosed by the display surface of the sign, including the outer extremities of all letters, figures, characters and delineations, provided, however, that the DISPLAY SURFACE AREA shall not include the structural supports for freestanding signs if the structural supports are arranged so as not to become a part of the attention-attracting aspect of the sign.
      (2)   Unless specifically provided in this chapter, the DISPLAY SURFACE AREA to be computed shall be based on the following standards.
         (a)   For signs of irregular design, the DISPLAY SURFACE AREA shall be determined by computing the area formed by an envelope of rectangles and triangles which shall be formed by drawing straight lines which connect the adjacent extreme points of the display surface of adjacent panels, figures, characters or delineations.
         (b)   Where a sign has two faces which are joined in a “V” shape forming an angle of more than 30 degrees but not to exceed 60 degrees, or where such sign contains three or more faces which are joined to form a polygon shape when viewed from above, the total DISPLAY SURFACE AREA of the sign may be increased by 150% of the allowable maximums as outlined in this division (2)(b), provided that no one side of the sign exceeds 75% of the normal maximum size as set forth herein.
         (c)   The maximum DISPLAY SURFACE AREA of a double-faced sign, as defined herein, shall be calculated on the basis of only one sign face.
         (d)   The DISPLAY SURFACE AREA of a double-surface sign, when the two surfaces are greater than 36 inches apart and not joined to form a “V,” as permitted above, shall be computed by adding together the square footage of each display surface. For signs over 25 feet in height, the distance between the surfaces may be increased to 60 inches maximum.
   DOUBLE-FACED SIGN. Any sign which has two display surfaces, each of which is parallel to the other or joined in a “V” shape forming an angle of 30 degrees or less.
   ERECT. To build, construct, place, locate or structurally alter any sign, cause any sign to be built, constructed, placed, located, relocated or structurally altered or benefit directly or indirectly from the building, construction, placement, location, relocation or structural alteration of any sign or other advertising device upon the site where it is to be utilized, whether permanently or temporarily.
   NONACCESSORY SIGN. A sign or advertising device which directs attention to an activity, service or product sold or offered elsewhere than on the premises on which the sign is located.
   SIGN. Any structure or part thereof or any device permanently or temporarily attached to, painted on, supported by or represented on a building, fence, post or other structure which is used or intended to be used to attract attention.
   STRUCTURE. Anything built or constructed, whether or not permanently attached to the ground.
(Prior Code, § 9-401) (Ord. 2018-04, passed 7-18-2018)

§ 156.03 Contractor License And Bond

   (A)   Contractor’s license.
      (1)   No person except a licensed sign contractor shall engage in the business of manufacturing, installing, erecting, repairing, painting, altering, servicing or removing signs.
      (2)   Employees of duly-licensed sign contractors shall not be required to obtain a license or pay a fee in order to engage in the work of manufacturing, installing, erecting, repairing, painting, altering, servicing or removing signs in the regular course of their employment.
      (3)   No such license shall be issued until the person applying for it pays to the Town Clerk-Treasurer the fee established in the general schedule of fees in § 156.04 of this chapter.
   (B)   Contractor’s bond.
      (1)   No sign contractor’s license shall be issued until the applicant therefor shall have deposited with the Town Clerk-Treasurer a surety bond in the sum of $5,000, to be known as the “sign contractor’s bond.” The bond shall be executed by the sign contractor, and the surety thereon shall be a corporate surety company authorized to do business in the state.
      (2)   The bond shall be in the favor of the town and conditioned that the licensee shall faithfully and properly conduct his or her business in compliance with the laws and ordinances of the town relating to signs and sign contractors, and for the payment of all fines and penalties imposed by a violation of such laws and for the protection and indemnification of the town against all damages resulting directly or indirectly from any injury to persons or property on account of the negligence or unskilled work of the licensee.
      (3)   The bond shall be renewed annually, and no person shall engage in the business of sign contractor unless the bond as provided in this section is on file with the Town Clerk-Treasurer.
(Prior Code, § 9-404) (Ord. 2018-04, passed 7-18-2018) Penalty, see § 156.99

§ 156.04 Permit, License And Review Fees

   (A)   Permit fees for signs or advertising structures.
      (1)   Removal of a nonaccessory sign: $38; and
      (2)   Display, erect, structurally alter or relocate any sign or other advertising structure device sign:
 
Display Surface
Fee
Less than 101 square feet in area
$ 46
101 to 200 square feet in area
$58
201 to 500 square feet in area
$118
Greater than 500 square feet in area
$154
 
   (B)   Electrical permit fees. The fees in division (A) above do not include charges for electrical permits required under the provisions of the Electrical Code. See §§ 150.01 through 150.06 of this code for such fees.
   (C)   Contractor license fee. A sign or billboard contractor’s license is $75 annually.
   (D)   Construction-related permit fees per occurrence.
Type
Fee
Type
Fee
Assessor buildings
$25
Commercial new construction
$750
Commercial remodel
$500
Contractor demolition fee
$100
Fencing
$25
Fire and health/safety codes compliance fee
$25
Homeowner demolition fee
$25
In-ground pool
$25
Natural gas inspection/pressure test (as performed by a licensed plumber)
$25
Placement and/or resurfacing a driveway (culverts not included)
$25
Placement of mobile home
$100
Residential new construction
$500
Residential remodel
$100
Return inspection per trip
$10
Roofing (residential and commercial)
$25
Storm shelter/safe room
$25
 
   (E)   Engineer consultant review. The fee is separate from a consultant invoice fee. The fee is $75.
(Prior Code, § 9-405) (Ord. 2018-04, passed 7-18-2018; Ord. 2019-06, passed 10-21-2019)

§ 156.05 Size Requirements

   (A)   The display surface area for nonaccessory signs displayed to be read from a divided, limited access roadway with four or more traffic lanes shall not exceed 672 square feet per sign face, except for a 20% allowance for extensions and cutouts.
   (B)   The display surface area of all other nonaccessory signs shall not exceed 300 square feet per sign face.
   (C)   The maximum width of a sign shall be 60 feet.
(Prior Code, § 9-403) (Ord. 2018-04, passed 7-18-2018) Penalty, see § 156.99

§ 156.06 Height Requirements

   (A)   The maximum height of the highest point of the structure for nonaccessory signs displayed to be read from a divided, limited access roadway with four or more traffic lanes shall be 50 feet above grade, provided, however, that where the sign is adjacent to an elevated roadway, the maximum height shall be 30 feet above the road grade.
   (B)   The maximum height of the highest point of the structure for all other nonaccessory signs shall be 35 feet above grade. The minimum clearance between ground level and the lowest point of the display surface, exclusive of supports, shall be not less than six feet.
(Prior Code, § 9-403) (Ord. 2018-04, passed 7-18-2018) Penalty, see § 156.99

§ 156.07 Location Requirements

   (A)   The location shall comply with all established building lines and required setbacks as outlined in this chapter and in all other ordinances of the town.
   (B)   Where there is no building setback line established by ordinance or subdivision plat, such signs shall be set back from the front lot line not less than 25 feet.
   (C)   Where a railroad right-of-way crosses a public right-of-way, required setbacks or established building lines on adjacent properties are extended through or across the railroad right-of-way.
   (D)   No nonaccessory sign shall be constructed, erected or placed in any way on the roof or walls of a building. A sign may be constructed over, but not on, a roof, provided that there is a minimum distance between the roof and the lowest point of the sign surface of ten feet.
(Prior Code, § 9-403) (Ord. 2018-04, passed 7-18-2018) Penalty, see § 156.99

§ 156.08 Spacing Requirements

   (A)   Spacing generally.
      (1)   The measurement for the spacing requirement shall be from the center of the sign support structure.
      (2)   Except as provided for in division (A)(3) below, no nonaccessory sign shall be constructed, erected, placed or replaced closer than 750 feet to another nonaccessory sign facing in the same direction and on the same side of the street or highway from which the sign is intended to be read.
      (3)   Regardless of the applicable zoning, no sign displayed to be read from a divided, limited access roadway with four or more traffic lanes shall be constructed, erected, placed or replaced closer than 1,200 feet to another nonaccessory sign facing in the same direction and on the same side of the roadway from which the sign is intended to be read.
   (B)   Spacing from residential property.
      (1)   No nonaccessory sign shall be constructed, erected, placed or replaced closer than 50 feet to the nearest residentially-zoned property.
      (2)   No nonaccessory sign shall be constructed, erected, placed or replaced closer than 150 feet to the nearest detached single-family or two-family residential building.
(Prior Code, § 9-403) (Ord. 2018-04, passed 7-18-2018) Penalty, see § 156.99

§ 156.09 Owner And Sign Contractor Responsibilities

   (A)   Owner’s consent. Before any permit is granted for the erection of a sign, plans and specifications shall be filed with the Town Board of Trustees showing the dimensions, materials and required details of construction, including the loads, stresses and anchorage. Such applications shall be accompanied by the written consent of the owner or lessee of the premises upon which the sign is to be erected.
   (B)   Alteration. A sign shall not be enlarged or relocated except in conformity to the provisions of this chapter for new signs, nor until a proper permit has been secured.
   (C)   Maintenance. The owner of any property on which a sign is located and those responsible for the maintenance of the sign shall be equally responsible for the conditions of the area in the vicinity of the sign and shall be required to keep said area clean, sanitary and free from noxious or offensive substances, rubbish and flammable waste materials.
(Prior Code, § 9-402) (Ord. 2018-04, passed 7-18-2018) Penalty, see § 156.99

§ 156.10 Prohibitions Generally

   (A)   Unless specifically permitted in another section of this chapter, no sign shall be erected on or over a street right-of-way.
   (B)   No person shall permit the manufacturing, installing, erecting or displaying of any obscene, indecent or immoral matter.
   (C)   All portions of signs, including the display surface, shall be kept in good repair at all times so that the entire sign is clearly legible and free of damage, deterioration or defacement. Prior to the issuance of a citation for a violation of this division (C), the Town Manager or his or her designee shall first give 30 days’ written notice of the alleged violation to any person or persons who may be cited for the violation. The written notice shall notify such person or persons of the apparent violation of this division (C) and shall state that a citation may be issued to such person or persons if the alleged violation is not abated within 30 days from the date shown on the written notice.
   (D)   All signs or portions thereof which are not maintained in good repair, are no longer used for advertising purposes or are no longer clearly legible shall be brought into compliance with this section or removed.
(Prior Code, § 9-401) (Ord. 2018-04, passed 7-18-2018) Penalty, see § 156.99

§ 156.11 Removing Signs Due To Nonconformance Or Lack Of Permit; Exception

   (A)   (1)   Any sign which was fully lawful when erected but does not conform with the current regulations set forth in this chapter may continue unless such sign is altered in a manner which increases the degree of nonconformity or is abandoned for a period of more than two years.
      (2)   In the event of such alteration or abandonment, the sign shall be immediately terminated and removed unless it is brought into conformance with the provisions of this chapter and all other applicable town regulations.
   (B)   Any sign erected without a permit shall be subject to immediate removal.
(Prior Code, § 9-401) (Ord. 2018-04, passed 7-18-2018) Penalty, see § 156.99

§ 156.12 Removing Signs By Impoundment; Disposal

   (A)   Impoundment without notice authorized.
      (1)   Any sign situated in the right-of-way of a public street or in a required sight triangle, or an unanchored sign or one which has been damaged by storm or collision in such a manner that its presence constitutes a threat to the health, safety and welfare of the public, is hereby declared a public nuisance endangering the public safety, and upon discovery, it may be impounded by the Mayor or a member of the Board of Trustees, a code enforcement officer, any police officer, such other employees of the town as may be designated by the Town Manager or any person contracting with the town as an independent contractor to impound such signs subject to the supervision and control of the Town Manager or his or her designee.
      (2)   Those responsible for the placement of signs or the causing of signs to be placed, located, built or constructed, or who benefit directly or indirectly from the placement, location, building or construction of said signs, in violation of this code are subject to the penalties set forth for applicable code violations.
   (B)   Disposal. All signs which are impounded shall be disposed of by the town.
(Prior Code, § 9-401) (Ord. 2018-04, passed 7-18-2018) Penalty, see § 156.99

§ 156.99 Penalty

   Any person who violates this chapter shall be punished as provided in § 10.99(A) of this code.
(Prior Code, § 9-406) (Ord. 2018-04, passed 7-18-2018)