ORDINANCE 857ORDINANCE NO. 7 -75 -857
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SOUTH 'MIAMI,
FLORIDA, AMENDING ARTICLE VI OF SECTION
1 OF ORDINANCE NO. 20 -71 -724, HERETOFORE
ADOPTED AS THE OFFICIAL ZONING ORDINANCE
OF THE CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA, BY
CHANGING THE SIGN :RtEGULATIONS FOR THE
CITY OF:SOUTH MIAMI, AND REPEALING ALL
ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN
CONFLICT THEREWITH.
WHEREAS, the Zoning Task Force has suggested certain
changes in the City's Zoning Code as to sign regulations, and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of South Miami
has referred the changes to the Planning Advisory Board of the
said City for their recommendations, and
WHEREAS, the said Planning Advisory Board has duly +
considered the suggested changes and has made certain amendments
thereto and has given their recommendations thereon.
NOW,, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA-
Section 1. That Article VI of Section 1 of
Ordinance No. 20 -71 -724, heretofore adopted as the Official
Zoning Ordinance of the City of South Miami, Florida, be, and
the same is hereby amended to read as follows;
"SIGN REGULATIONS"
6 -1 -1 SIGN DEFINITIONS
For the purpose o-_° this section, certain ter^t5 anri
words pertaining to signs are hereby defined. The
general rules of construction contained. in Article
X are applicable to these definitions.
.01 Shan. An identification, r10 cription, illustration,
or device which is affixed to or represented directly
or indirectly upon a building, structure, or land .
and which directs attention to a product, place,
activity, person, service, institution, or business.
.02 Siryn A,rea_. That area within a line including the
outer extremities o-� all letters, figures, characteYs,
and delineations, or within a line, includinq the
outer extremities o,. the I'rammyork or bacjo.grounc4 off`
the sign, vjhic %ever line includes Elie larger Ar rt.
Tile support for tie slon bat!heround,, €- IDsether it 11c,
col.uMnal a bilon, or' a a uildinn or Bart therrog,
shalt not be included In the Sion ay lol. Only on
tide oo a double -faced Men �oajj ill., ill .1
cOf" Utation Of 91on amn. "it* area] $)e .w eaqiniiriejl
atttt shall he
eo s�rl�,ed lsy atilt i l rin�a z<s���W.. �1 P. t.g tw
aireum0orence
[in
.03 Construction Sign. A sign which is displayed on the
premises only during the progress of actual
construction work which indicates the ultimate
character of the development and those firms or
individuals involved in its creation.
.04 Detached Sign. A sign not attached to or painted on
a building, but which is affixed to the ground. A
sign attached to a flat surface such as a fence or
wall, not a part of a building, shall be considered
a detached sign, as will free - standing and poke signs.
.05 Directional Sign. A sign which transmits information
which facilitates vehicular access to and from off-
street parking or drive -in facilities, but does not
in any way identify or advertise the use of the premises.
06 Double -Faced 'Sign. A sign with two parallel, or nearly
parallel,, faces, back to back and located not more
than twenty -four (24) inches from each other. If
designed as an angle sign, the angle between the two
faces shall be not more than thirty (30) degrees.
.07 Flat Sign. Any sign attached to and erected parallel
to the face of, or erected or painted on the outside
wall of, a building and supported throughout its
length by such a wall or building and not extending
more than eighteen (18) inches from the building wall.
,08 Free- Standing Sign. (See Detached Sign)
-409 Frontage. For the purpose of these sign regulations,
only one side of any parcel of property shall be
considered as frontage in the calculation of total
sign area permitted and that side shall be determined
by the location of the street address.
.10 Hanging Sign. Any sign which is displayed over a public
sidewalk or pedestrian way and is supported from a
projected canopy or roof overhang.
11 Illuminated Sign. Any sign which does not produce
artificial light from within itself but which is
either opaque and backlighted or illuminated by
spotlights or floodlights not a part of or attached
to the sign itself.
.12 Indirectly Illuminated Sign. Any sign which does not
produce artificial light from within itself but which
is either opaqu. and backlighted or illuminated by
spotlights or floodlights not a part of or attached
to the sign itself.
.13 Pole Sign. (See Detached Sian)
.14 Portable Si n A sign of any size, type or material
which is attached to a vehicle or structure and can
be moved from place to place on wheels, skids or
similar means.
.15 Project Identification Sign. A sign relating to a
multiple nit residential project which identifies
the accepted name of the project but which does not
include rental of sales in- ormation or tenant of
owner names.
"2-
16 Projecting or Marquee Sign. A sign which is attached
to and projects more than eighteen (18) inches from
the face of a wall of a building -.
.17 Real Estate Sign.A sign which indicates a property
is for sale, rent or lease.
.18 Snipe Sign. A sign of any material, including paper,
cardboard, wood and metal, when such sign is tacked,
nailed or attached in any way to trees, utility poles'
or other objects and where such sign does not apply
to premises whereon it is located."
"6 -2 GENERAL SIGN REGULATIONS
The following regulations apply to all signs and are
in addition to the regulations contained in the section .
of this Article establishing the .district sign
regulations.
6 -2 -1 Permits Rerrured.
.01 No ,sign, unless herein excepted, shall be erected,
constructed, posted, painted, altered, maintained,
or relocated, except as provided in this Article
and these Regulations, until a permit has been issued
by the City Manager.
.02 Before any permit is issued, an application especially
provided by the City Manager, ,shall be filed, together
with three(3) sets of drawings and /or specifications
(one to be returned to the applicant) as may be
necessary to fully advise and acquaint the City Manager
with the locations, construction, materials, manner
of illuminating, and /or securing or fastening, and
number of signs applied for and*the wording of the
sign or advertising to be carried on the sign.
.03 All signs which are elelertrically illuminated by neon
or by other means shall require a separate electrical
permit and inspection.
.04 All signs shall be erected on or before the expiration
of sixty (60) days from the date of issuance of the
permit; otherwise the permit shall become null and
void and a new permit shall be required.
.05 Each sign requiring a permit shall be clearly marked
with the permit number and name of the person or firm'
placing the sign on the ;premises.
.06 Applications for any signs of over ten (10) square
feet in area or of an unusual character shall be
referred to the Environmental Review Board for their
review and approval.
.07 '.lithin ten (10) days of completion of any sign
installation, an inspection shall be required for final
approval.
&y- Temporary �rtHits
The City Manager, pon application, tray xsand temporary
pdrm.its for the following slons and displays for a
period not to euceed tbti ty (30) Jaya when, in bia
Opfnion# the usd of such 91coa and misplays vsduld be
In the public interest anej waald not result in darwane
to private praperto,
.. I-
.01 Signs advertising a special civic or cultural event
such as a fair or exposition, play, concert, or
meeting; sponsored by a governmental, charitable
or Civic Organization.
.02 Special decorative displays used for holidays,
Public demonstrations, or promotion of non - partisan
civic purposes. _
.03 Special sales and promotional displays in a district
where such sales are permitted, including displays
incidental to the opening of a new business.
6 -2 -3 Exceptions
The following signs may be erected or constructed,
without a permit without review by the Environmental
Review ? board but in accordance with the structural
and safety requirements of the Building Code.
.01 Official traffic informational signs or sign structures
and provisional warning signs or sign structures,
when erected or required to be erected by a govermmntal
agency and temporary signs indicating danger.
.02 Changing of copy'on a permitted bulletin board, display
encasement, or marquee, providing that no chancre is
made in the site or character of the sign itself.
.03 Sign on a truck, bus or other vehicle while in use
in the normal course of a business.
.04 Signs speci:`ically re`erred to as temporary within
these regulations.
�6 -2 -4 Illumination
No sign shall be either directly or indirectly illuminated
unless specifically permitted within the district
regulations. When a particular sign is specifically
permitted direct illumination, it shall also be
construed to optionally permit indirect illumination
as Well. No reference to illumination shall be
construed to mean all, types of illumination are
prohibited.
6 -2 -5 Structural Supports
All signs shall have concealed structural menbers,
except vertical supports. Signs shall appear to be
an inteqral *part o� the building, when attached to
building walls and in general, to present a wood
structural. anpea.rance.
6 -2 -6 pie, fight
Ito detached sign shall exceee a heicrht of twenty -one
(21) ect. a
6 -2•-7 Compl,i.ancet otherfioceg and provisions.
:to siren shah, be approved 4or use finless it has been
3nsr ectr9d by tie City -)- 1"66 l to be in conoliance
with all the re€uirer�entr o' this trrl+nafiec and
applicable technical code,. 11n narticular-.
-,I W
.01 All structural, electrical and safety features shall
be in accordance with the requirements of the South.
Florida Building Code.
.02 All signs shall comply with the yard setback requirements
of the district in which they are located.
.03 All signs shall comply with the provisions of the
Ordinance governing nonconforming uses as established.
in Article IX.
.04 All signs shall comply with the vision clearance
requirements' of Article VIII.
6 -2 -8 Prohibited Characteristics
No sign shall be constructed, erected, used, operated,
or maintained which:
.01 Is of a blinking, flashina, rotating, or "nervous"
nature or displays intermittent lights resembling
or seeming to resemble, the flashing lights customarily
associated with danger or such as are customarily used
by police, fire, or other emergency vehicles.,
.02 Uses the word "stop" or "danger ", or presents or
implies the need'or requirement for stopping or the
existence of danger, or which is a copy or imitation
of an official sign. This provision regarding the
word "stop" or "danger" does not apply when they are
used in descriptive lines of advertising so long as
they are not used to simulate, copy, or imply any
official traffic warning, either for vehicles, or
pedestrians.
.03 Is located and /or illuminated so as to provide a
background of colored lights blending with traffic
signal lights to the extent of confusing a motorist
when viewed from normal approaching position of a
vehicle at a distance of twenty -five (25) to three
hundred (300) feet.
.04 Is located so as to project over any public street
or sidewalk or alley except in C2 Districts where
hanging signs may be permitted.
.05 Is attached to a tree, utility pole, or any other
unapproved supporting structure.
.06 Is of a portable or movable nature.
.07 is "located on the roof of a building,
.08 Is of a pennant, banner, streamer, or other fluttering,,
spinning, or similar nature, excepting National flags,
and Flags of political subdivisions of the United States,
bona fide civic, charitable, fraternal, and welfare
organizations. During nationally recognized holiday
periods, however, pennants, banners, streamers, and
other zluttering, spinninu, or similar type advertising
devices pertaining to said holiday periods may be
displayed on a temporary permit basis as provided in
Section 6 «2 -2.
5-
.09 Advertises commercial products, services or
establishments not available within the City
of South. Miami.
6 -2 -9 Political Signs
Political signs shall not be permitted in single
family residential districts.
6 -2 -10 Removal
.01 .one City Manager may cause Lo be removed any sign or
sign structure which shows neglect or becomes
dilapidated or where the area around such sign or
sign structure is not well maintained after due
notice has been given as provided below.
.02 The City Manager shall remove, or cause to be removed,
any sign erected or maintained in conflict with these
Regulations if the owner or lessee of either the site
or the sign fails to correct the violation within
ten (10) days after receiving written notice of
violation from the above official. Removal of a
sign by the Building Official shall not affect any
proceedings instituted prior to removal of such sign.
.03 Any sign previously associated with a vacated premises
shall be either removed from the premises by the owner
or lessee not later than three (3) months from the
time such activity ceases to exist, or said signs
shall be altered or resurfaced by the owner or lessee .
within the same three (3') months time period, so that
the sign will not display letters, numerals, symbols,
figures, designs, or any other device for visual
communication that would pertain to the activity
formerly associated with the vacated premises.
6 -2 -11 Violations: Responsibilit
The owner and /or tenant of the premises and the owner
and /or erector of the sign shall be held responsible
for any violation of these Regulations. Where a sign
has been erected in accordance with these Regulations,
the sign company shall be relieved of further respon-
sibility under these Regulations after final approval
of the sign by the City Manager.
6 -3 DISTRICT REGULATIONS
In order to carry out the provisions of these
Regulations, the following specific signs and their
regulations are hereby permitted within the districts .
defined in Article V.
6 -3.1 Single- Family Residential (RS -1, RS -2, RS -3, and RS -4)
.01 one name plate, not to exceed one (1) square foot in
area, to identify the owner or occupant of each
dwelling. indirect Illumination.
.02 One directional sign not to exceed two (2) square feet
In urea.
.03 One temporary real estate sign, not to emceed five (5)
square feet in area.
.0d
one temporary construction sign, not to emceed twenty
(20) square- feet in area.
�6_
6 -3 -2 Cluster or Townhouse /Duplex Residential (RB -6 and RB -9)
.01 One name plate, not toexceed one (1) square foot in
area, to identify the owner or occupant of each
dwelling. Indirect Illumination.
.02 One project identification sign, not to exceed four
(4) square feet in area. Indirect Illumination
.03 One direction sign, not to exceed two (2) square feet
in area.
.04 One temporary real estate sign, not to exceed five (5)
square feet in area.
.05 One temporary construction sign, not to exceed twenty
(2,0,) square feet in area.
.06 One flat sign, not to exceed twenty (20) square feet in
area, for church, temples, synagogues and private
schools. In addition, churches, temples and synagogues'
shall be allowed one detached bulletin board not to exceed
ten (10) feet in area and located not less than fifteen
(15) feet from a public right -of -way. Indirect
Illumination.
6' -3 -3 Multi- Family Residential (RM -18 and RM -24)
.01 One project identification sign, not to exceed five
(5) square feet in area. Indirect Illumination.
.02 Two directional signs, not to exceed two (2) square feet
each in area. Indirect Illumination.
.03 One temporary real estate sign, not to exceed ten (10)
square feet in area.
..04 One temporary construction sign, not to exceed thirty-
two (32) square feet in area.
.05 One flat sign, not to exceed twenty (20) square feet
in area for churches, temples, synagogues and private
schools. In addition, churches, temples and synagogues
shall be allowed one detached bulletin board not to
exceed ten (10) square feet in area and located not
less than fifteen (15) feet from a public right -of -way.
Indirect Illumination..
6 -3 -4 Residential Office (RO)
.01 Name plates, not to exceed one (1) square foot each
in area, to identify each occupant within the
development, not to exceed an aggregate total area of
ten (10) square feet. Indirect Illumination.
.02 One flat sign, not to exceed two (2) square feet in
area for every ten (10) feet of linear lot frontage.
Corner lots shall be permitted one additional flat
sign on the wall facing the side street. The area
of said sign shall not exceed fifty (50) percent of
the permitted area of the front flat sign. Direct
.Illumination.
03 Two directional signs, bot to exceed two (2) square
.feet each In area. Direct Illumination.
--
.04 One temporary real estate sign, not to exceed ten
(1'0) square feet in area.
.05 One temporary construction sign, not to exceed, thirty
two (32) square feet in area.
6 -3 -5 Commercial Office (CO)
.01 Name ,plates, not to exceed one (1') square foot each
in area, to identify each occupant within the
development, not to exceed an aggregate total area
of thir.y (30') square feet. Direct Illumination.
.02 One flat sign, not to exceed, two (2) square feet in
area for every ten !(10) feet of linear lot frontage.
Corner lots shall be permitted one additional flat sign on
the wall facing the side street. The area of said sign
shall not exceed fifty (50) percent of the permitted area
of the front flat sign. Direct Illumination.
.03 Two directional signs, not to exceed two (2) square
feet each in area. Direct Illumination -.
.04 One temporary real estate sign, not to exceed ten.
(10) square feet in area -.
.0 =5 One temporary construction sign, not to exceed thirty -
two (32) square feet in area.
6 -3 -6 Neighborhood Commercial (C -1;)
.01 Flat signs not to exceed a total aggregate sign area
equal to five (5) square feet in area for every ten
(10) feet of linear lot frontage. Corner lots shall
be permitted one additional flat sign on the wall
facing the side street. The area of said sign shall
not exceed fifty (50) percent of the permitted area
of the front flat sign. Direct Illumination.
.02 One detached sign, not to exceed twenty -five (25)
square feet in area. When the property contains
multiple occupancy and has a frontage of fifty (50)
feet or more, the detached 'sign may have an additional
two (2) square feet of area for each ten (10) feet
of frontage in excess of fifty (50) feet. The total
sign area, however, shall not exceed fifty (50) square
feet. The minimum setback for detached signs shall be
seven (7) feet. Direct Illumination.
.03 TWO directional signs, not to exceed a total of five
(5) square feet in area. Direct Illumination.
.04 Temporary paper signs in show windows limited to
twenty (20) percent of the total glass area of the
window in which they are placed.
.05 One temporary real estate sign, not to exceed ten (10)
square feet in area.
.06 One temporary construction sign, not to exceed thirty-
two (32) square feet in area.
6 -3 -7 Downtown Commercial (C -2)
.01 Flat signs with a total aggregate sign area not to
exceed ten (10) square feet in area for every ten
(10) feet of linear lot frontage. Direct Illumination.
-a-
.02 One hanging sign, not to exceed one and one -half
(1 1/2) square feet in area, for each individual
business establishment. Direct Illumination.
.03 One projecting sign, not to exceed four (4) square
feet in area, for each individual business establishment.
Direct Illumination.
.0.4 Two directional signs, not to exceed a total of five
(5') square feet in area. Direct Illumination.
.Oa Temporary paper signs in show windows, not to exceed
twenty (2'0) percent of the total glass area of the
window in which they are placed.
.06 One temporary real estate 'sign, not to exceed ten
(10) square feet in area.
.07 One temporary construction sign;, not to exceed thirty-
two (32') square feet in area.
6 -3 -8 Arterial Commercial (C -3)
.01 Flat signs with a total aggregate sign area not to
exceed fifteen (15) square feet in area for every
ten (10) feet of linear lot frontage and with no
sign to exceed one 'hundred and fifty (150) square
feet in area. Direst Illumination
.02 One projecting sign, not to exceed forty (40) square
feet in area, for each individual business establishment.
Direct Illumination.
.0`3 One detached sign, not to exceed forty (40) square
feet in area. When the property contains multiple
occupancy and has a lot frontage of fifty (50) feet
or more, the detached sign may have any additional
two (2) square feet of area for each ten (10) feet
of frontage in excess of fifty (50) feet. The total
detached sign area, however, shall not exceed one
hundred (100) square feet. The minimum setback for
detached signs shall be ten (10) feet. Direct
Illumination.
.04 Two directional. signs, not to exceed a total of five
(5) square feet in area. Direct Illumination.
.05 One temporary real estate sign, not to exceed ten
(10) square feet in area.
.06 One temporary construction sign, not to exceed sixty-
four (64) square feet in area.
.07 The total area of all permanent signs on the premises
shall not exceed two (2) square feet for each linear
foot of arterial frontage with the aggregate total
not to exceed three hundred (300) square .feet.
6 -3 -9 Intensive (I)
.01 One game plate, not to exceed one (1) square foot
in area, to identify each individUal business
establishment. Direct Illumination.
.02 One fiat sign, not to eRcedd one hundred. (100) square
feet in area. direct Illumination.
-9-
I
.03 One projecting sign, not to exceed twenty- five (25)
square feet in area„ for each individual business
establishment. Direct Illumination.
.04 Two directional signs, not to exceed a total of five
(5) square feet in area,. Direct Illumination.
.05 One temporary real estate sign, not to exceed ten
(10') square feet in area.
.06 One temporary cc,�,6truction sign, not to excaec sixty --
four (64) square feet in area."
Section 2. All ordinances or parts of ordinances
in conflict herewith be, and the same are hereby repealed.
PASSED and ADOPTED this 6th day of May ,1975,
APPROVED:
1�
Mayor
Attest:
City Clerk
Passed on first reading: April 15, 1975
Passed on second reading: May 6, 1975.
1()�