ARTICLE I. - GENERAL PROVISIONS

17.08.010 - Purpose and Intent.#

A.

The regulations of this Chapter are designed and intended to further the goals and policies of the City by:

1.

Implementing portions of the City's General and Master Plans;

2.

Creating a distinctive appearance;

3.

Contributing to enhancing the City's character;

4.

Furthering the purposes and intents of the City's regulations;

5.

Fostering economic prosperity; and

6.

Limiting and reducing visual clutter along Streets within the City.

B.

The requirements herein are created to promote the public health, safety and general welfare of the citizens of South Salt Lake by:

1.

Eliminating potential hazards to motorists and pedestrians by requiring that Signs are designed, constructed, installed and maintained in a manner that promotes public safety and traffic safety;

2.

Safeguarding and enhancing property values;

3.

Protecting public and private investment in Buildings and open space; and

4.

Reducing confusion and inattentive driving habits.

C.

The standards established in this Chapter are meant to encourage Signs that, by their good design, are integrated and harmonious with the Buildings and sites, including Landscaping, which they occupy. The restrictions are crafted to encourage Sign legibility through the elimination of excessive and confusing Sign displays, thus reducing driver inattention or confusion.

D.

The restraints designated herein are intended to preserve and improve the appearance of the City as a place in which to live and to work, to create an attraction to nonresidents to come to visit or trade and to allow each individual business to clearly identify itself and the nature of its business in such a manner as to become the hallmark of the business.

(Ord. No. 2020-02, § IV(Exh. C), 1-8-2020)

17.08.020 - Conformity of Signs.#

No Sign shall be erected, raised, moved, placed, reconstructed, extended, enlarged or altered except in conformity with the regulations specified in this Chapter. The regulations in Article I apply to all Signs and locations in the City regardless of type or district.

(Ord. No. 2020-02, § IV(Exh. C), 1-8-2020)

17.08.030 - Maintenance.#

All Signs shall be properly maintained. Exposed surfaces shall be cleaned and painted as required. Defective and damaged parts shall be replaced promptly. The ground space within a radius of ten feet from the base of any Detached Sign shall be kept free and clear of all weeds, rubbish, and inflammable material.

(Ord. No. 2020-02, § IV(Exh. C), 1-8-2020)

17.08.040 - Traffic and Pedestrian Hazards Prohibited.#

No Sign shall be erected in such a manner or in such a location as to obstruct free and clear vision; or at any location where, by reason of its position, shape, color or words, it may interfere with, obstruct the view of or be confused with any authorized traffic Sign, signal or device or block visibility for driveway ingress or egress. No Sign shall be erected in such a manner or in such a location where, by reason of its position, shape, color or words, it may interfere with or obstruct the view of traffic devices or create any confusion or impediment to pedestrian or vehicular movement or travel.

No Sign shall be erected or located in any manner that would create a safety hazard to pedestrians or vehicular traffic.

(Ord. No. 2020-02, § IV(Exh. C), 1-8-2020)

17.08.050 - Sign Removal.#

Signs identifying a discontinued Use on the property shall be removed from the property within thirty (30) calendar days of the time the Use was discontinued.

(Ord. No. 2020-02, § IV(Exh. C), 1-8-2020)

17.08.060 - Indemnification and Insurance.#

All persons involved in the maintenance, installation, Alteration, or relocation of Signs near or upon any public right-of-way or property shall agree to hold harmless and indemnify the City, its officers, agents and employees against any and all claims of negligence resulting from such work. All such persons involved shall maintain all required insurance and shall file with the state a satisfactory certificate of insurance to indemnify the state, county, or City against any form of liability. Proof of such filing shall be provided to the City upon demand.

(Ord. No. 2020-02, § IV(Exh. C), 1-8-2020)

17.08.070 - Exempt Signs and Sign-Related Activities.#

A.

For Signs or activities listed in this Section, permits are not required, nor is the area of such Signs to be included in any computation of the total allowed Sign Area permitted for a particular Parcel or use. All such Signs must still meet the maintenance, removal and safety standards of this Title as well as the size, location, height and other standards of this Title to the extent possible as determined by the Community Development Department.

B.

Exempt Signs shall not be located on property in a manner that constitutes a safety or visibility problem.

C.

The Signs listed in this Section may be limited or restricted by the Community Development Department as deemed appropriate to meet the intent of this Chapter and the City's General or Master Plans. The Community Development Department may limit the placement, location, size, height, number, lighting and other factors of Signs usage.

D.

Any exempt Sign which becomes a nuisance, as determined by the Community Development Department, may be required by the Community Development Department to be removed, relocated, modified in size or height or other requirements designed to eliminate the nuisance.

E.

The following Signs and Sign-related activities shall be exempt from the provisions of this Chapter to the extent indicated herein:

1.

Directional or Instructional Signs. Signs which provide direction or instruction and are located entirely on the property to which they pertain and exceed neither four square feet in area nor four feet in height. These Signs include, without limitation, Signs which identify rest rooms, public telephones or walkways or may provide direction such as Parking Lot entrance and exit Signs and those of a similar nature.

2.

Memorial Signs or Tablets. Memorial Signs or tablets, names of Buildings and dates of Building erection when embedded or cut into the surface or Faade of a Building.

3.

Public Notices. Official notices posted by public officers or employees in the performance of their duties.

4.

Governmental Signs. Governmental Signs for control of traffic and other regulatory purposes, Street Signs, danger Signs, railroad crossing Signs, and Signs of public service companies indicating danger and aids to service or safety.

5.

Real Estate Signs. Real estate Signs that are temporary in nature and have no visible connection to a Sign, light pole, tree or other items and are not placed on roofs. Such Signs shall not be allowed on road pavement, sidewalk, gutter areas or Park Strips.

6.

Flags. The flags, emblems or insignias of any nation or political subdivision subject to the restrictions as found herein, those of this Chapter and as allowed by special exception. Flags shall be restricted in size, except when allowed as a special exception, to a maximum of seventy-two (72) square feet in size.

7.

Symbols or Insignias. Religious symbols, commemorative plaques of recognized historical agencies or identification emblems of religious orders or historical agencies, provided that no such symbol, plaque or identification emblem may exceed foursquare feet in area, and provided further that all such symbols, plaques and identification emblems shall be placed flat against a Building or on low profile Signs.

8.

Interior Signs. Signs located within the interior of any Building or stadium, or within an enclosed lobby or court of any Building, and Signs for and located within the inner or outer lobby, court or entrance of any theater.

9.

Temporary Event Signs. Temporary Signs not exceeding sixty-four (64) square feet in area pertaining to drives or events of civic, philanthropic, educational or religious organizations, provided that said Signs are posted only during said drive and are removed within fifteen (15) days after said event.

10.

House Numbers and Name Plates. A Building or house numbers Sign shall be limited to one per Street address. A Building numbers Sign shall not be greater in size than two percent of the Building Faade on which located.

11.

Political and Campaign Signs. Political or campaign Signs on behalf of candidates for public office or measures on election ballots are allowed, provided that the Signs are not be erected in such a manner as to constitute a Roof Sign, are not located on property in a way that constitutes a safety or visibility problem and are not erected on utility poles, Street Signs or in public Rights-of-Way.

12.

Holiday Decorations. Signs of a decorative nature, clearly incidental and customary and commonly associated with any national, local or religious holidays are permitted. Such Signs may be of any type, number, area or illumination and shall be placed so as to avoid confusion with authorized traffic lights and signals and shall conform to traffic safety standards.

13.

Building Plaque Sign. A Building plaque Sign shall be limited to one per address and shall not exceed four square feet in area.

14.

Building Security Sign. A Building security Sign whose Sign face is limited to no more than one square foot in area. Building security Signs shall be limited to no more than four Signs per Lot.

15.

Gas pump Signs, provided the Sign is an integral part of the pump.

16.

Public Event Signs and Banners. A public event Sign or banner authorized by the City for a specific event.

17.

Routine Maintenance of Sign. Routine Sign maintenance or changing of lettering or parts of Signs designed to be regularly changed.

18.

Warning Signs. Private warning Signs shall be no more than six square feet in area and shall be limited to one such Sign per Parcel unless a special exception is obtained from the Community Development Department.

19.

Incidental Signs.

20.

Signs specifically authorized by a Development Agreement executed as a condition precedent to a rezone.

(Ord. No. 2020-02, § IV(Exh. C), 1-8-2020; Ord. No. 2025-32, § 2(Exh. A), 7-9-2025)

17.08.080 - Prohibited Signs.#

Unless specifically allowed otherwise in this Title, no person may erect, alter or relocate any Sign of the type or nature specified in this Section.

A.

Animated and intensely lighted Signs.

1.

Animated Signs are not permitted, except as allowed as an electronic display Sign and excluding public service Signs.

2.

No Sign is permitted which, because of its intensity of light, size, configuration, elevation or location, constitutes a nuisance or hazard to vehicular traffic, pedestrians or adjacent properties.

B.

Moving Signs. No moving Sign or any portion thereof may rotate or repeat a pattern of motion more than eight complete repetitions every sixty seconds.

C.

Roof Signs of any type, except where allowed as a special exception under the provisions of this Title, or as specifically authorized by a Development Agreement executed as a condition precedent to a rezone, and except location Signs or numbers designed to be visible from the airways only and intended for public safety purposes.

D.

Miscellaneous Signs and Posters. Except where expressly allowed by this Chapter, the tacking, painting, pasting or otherwise affixing of Signs or posters of a miscellaneous character, visible from a public way, located on the walls of Buildings, barns, sheds, on trees, poles, posts, fences or other structures is prohibited.

E.

Snipe Signs of any type are prohibited except as posted by a government agency.

F.

A-frame, pedestal and other portable Signs of any nature, except as allowed as a special exception by the Community Development Department for limited temporary usage.

G.

Portable trailer or flashing Signs.

H.

Flashing or scintillating lights.

I.

Spot lights, except as allowed as a special exception by the Community Development Department.

J.

Parking of advertising vehicles.

1.

No person shall park, on any property in the City, any vehicle or trailer which has attached thereto or located thereon any Sign or advertising device for the basic purpose of providing advertisement of products or directing people to a business or other activity.

2.

It is the intent of this Section to restrict advertising in residential areas of the City and to standard Signs in business areas. This Section is not intended to apply to standard advertising or identification practices where such Signs or advertising devices are painted on or permanently attached to a business or commercial vehicle used to deliver or pick up merchandise or materials for such business.

a.

Such a vehicle may not be parked, except for brief visiting or delivery purposes, on residential district Streets or at a residential property not resided in by the operator of said vehicle and must meet all other requirements of City ordinances.

b.

Such a vehicle at the residence of the operator may not be parked on the Street and must be parked on private Parking Areas, to the fullest extent such area allows, so that the vehicle is the least visible from the Street.

K.

Sound, Odor, or Visible Matter. No advertising Sign or device shall be permitted which emits audible sound, odor or visible substance.

L.

Painted Wall Signs. Except as allowed as a special exception, no Sign may be painted directly on any Building, wall, fence or pole.

(Ord. No. 2020-02, § IV(Exh. C), 1-8-2020; Ord. No. 2025-32, § 2(Exh. A), 7-9-2025)

17.08.090 - Construction Standards.#

A.

Applicable Regulations.

1.

All Signs erected in the City shall comply with the current standards of the building and Construction Codes adopted by the City.

2.

All Signs shall comply with all provisions of this Chapter, any other applicable provisions of this Chapter or other applicable regulations.

3.

All electric Sign component parts shall be approved and labeled as conforming to the standards of the United States Bureau of Standards, the Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc. or other similar institution of recognized authority.

B.

Engineering Required. All Signs shall be engineered to conform with applicable Code provisions and, where required by the Community Development Department, Applications for permits shall be accompanied by an engineering drawing stamped and signed by a structural engineer licensed by the state of Utah attesting to the adequacy of the proposed construction of the Sign and its supports.

C.

General Standards. Except for banners, flags, Temporary Signs and Window Signs conforming in all respects with the requirements of this ordinance, all Signs shall be constructed of permanent material and shall be permanently attached to the ground, a Building or another Structure or be a direct attachment to a rigid wall, frame or structure.

D.

Detached Signs. All Detached Sign structures or poles shall be self-supporting structures erected on and permanently attached to concrete foundations. Such structures or poles shall be fabricated only from painted steel or such other materials as may be approved by the Community Development Department.

E.

Signs on Architectural Projections. Signs may be placed below and may be supported by an architectural projection of a Building when the projection is designed to carry the additional weight of the Sign. Any Sign attached to or located on an architectural projection may not be located less than eight feet above a walkway, surfaced area or ground level below the Sign.

(Ord. No. 2020-02, § IV(Exh. C), 1-8-2020)

17.08.100 - Signs on or Over Public Property.#

A.

Insurance Required. No Sign on or over public property shall be erected, re-erected, located or relocated or enlarged or modified structurally or changed in ownership without first receiving the approval of the Community Development Department and submitting a certificate of insurance as specified by the Community Development Department.

1.

The City must be named as an insured party.

2.

A thirty-day written notice to the City of South Salt Lake of cancellation or expiration must be included in the insurance certificate.

3.

The name of the Owner of the projecting Sign must be clearly identified on the permit as an official corporation, partnership or sole proprietorship with appropriate names of individuals involved.

B.

Permission Required. No Sign shall be located on or over publicly owned land or inside Street Rights-of-Way, except Signs erected by permission of an authorized public agency and meeting the requirements of this Chapter.

(Ord. No. 2020-02, § IV(Exh. C), 1-8-2020)

17.08.110 - Illumination.#

For the protection of community appearance and to minimize light pollution and traffic hazards caused by glare, lights and illuminated Signs shall be subject to the conditions found herein. A.

Any light used for the illumination of a Sign shall be shielded so that the beams or rays of light will not shine directly onto surrounding areas.

B.

Neither the direct nor the reflected light from any light source shall create a traffic hazard or distraction to operators of motor vehicles on public thoroughfares.

C.

No portion of the Sign, including any frame, bracing or support structure, shall be constructed of a reflective surface.

D.

Signs Illuminated from an Exterior Light Source. No light source shall be directly visible to any motor vehicle or pedestrian located in a public Right-of-Way or Street or from any residential area within a distance of three hundred (300) feet measured from the light source.

E.

Signs Illuminated from an Interior Light Source. The light source shall not be visible from the exterior of the Sign.

F.

Lights or Lighted Signs Not to Create a Nuisance. No spotlight, floodlight or lighted Sign shall be installed in any way which will permit the rays of light to penetrate beyond the property on which such light or lighted Sign is located in such a manner as to constitute a nuisance.

G.

Lights or Signs alleged to be a nuisance by reason of light by the neighboring property Owners or tenants shall be subject to review by the Community Development Department to consider the validity of the nuisance complaint. If the illumination of the light or Sign is determined by the Community Development Department to be a nuisance, the Owner or person having control or interest of the light or Sign shall be required by the Community Development Department to take appropriate corrective action. Any person adversely affected by a decision of the Community Development Department may appeal the decision to the Administrative Law Judge as provided for appeals of administrative decisions.

(Ord. No. 2020-02, § IV(Exh. C), 1-8-2020)

17.08.120 - Repair of Façades.#

A Building Façade damaged as the result of the removal, repair, replacement or installation of any Sign shall be repaired by the property Owner within thirty (30) calendar days from the date of the damage.

(Ord. No. 2020-02, § IV(Exh. C), 1-8-2020)

17.08.130 - Multi-Frontage Lots.#

A.

On-site Signs may be placed on each Frontage of a Lot or Parcel in the number, area, size and height allowed by this Chapter for one Frontage, except that:

1.

Maximum allowances may not be transferred in whole or in part from one Frontage to another for purposes of computing any limitation using Frontage as a factor; and

2.

The maximum area for a Sign placed at a Street intersection corner of the Parcel and turned at an angle to be visible from both Streets is computed using the longer of the Frontages.

(Ord. No. 2020-02, § IV(Exh. C), 1-8-2020)

17.08.140 - Signs for Nonconforming Businesses.#

In order to encourage changes to eliminate Nonconforming Uses and noncompliant sites, Signs for nonconforming businesses and businesses occupying noncompliant sites shall be limited as found herein. A.

Conditional Use. All Signs for nonconforming businesses and businesses occupying non-compliant sites shall be a Conditional Use.

B.

Businesses Located in Residential Districts. Signs for businesses in residential districts shall be limited to Attached Signs.

C.

Nonconforming Businesses. Signs for such businesses may be limited to fifty (50) percent of the normal Sign allowances.

D.

Businesses Noncompliant as to Bulk (Site) Requirements. Signs for such businesses may be limited to seventy-five (75) percent of the normal Sign allowances.

(Ord. No. 2020-02, § IV(Exh. C), 1-8-2020)

17.08.150 - Signs in Landscaping.#

All Detached Signs (for Billboards see Article VI) are to be located in a Landscaped Area. All Landscaped Areas are subject to design review standards. The "normal" minimum Landscaped Area is defined as an area equal to twice the size of the area of the Sign or an area of four hundred (400) square feet, whichever is smaller.

(Ord. No. 2020-02, § IV(Exh. C), 1-8-2020)

17.08.160 - Signs in Flood Hazard Areas.#

No Detached Sign shall be located in a flood hazard area except as approved by the Planning Commission as a special exception and only if constructed to withstand flood hazards as determined by the City.

(Ord. No. 2020-02, § IV(Exh. C), 1-8-2020)

17.08.170 - Sign Area.#

Sign Area shall include the entire area within a single continuous perimeter of a Sign that encloses the extreme limits of a writing, representation, emblem, or any figure of similar character, together with any material or color forming an integral part of the display or used to differentiate a Sign designed with more than one exterior surface. A.

Sign Area does not include the supports, uprights, or Structure that support a Sign except if such supports, uprights, or structures are designed in a manner as to form an integral background of the Sign.

B.

If a Sign has two (2) or more display faces, the Sign Area shall include the combined area of all display faces.

C.

Only one side of a back-to-back or double-face Sign covering the same subject shall be counted as Sign Area when the Signs are parallel or diverge from a common edge by an angle of not more than forty-five (45) degrees.

D.

Sign Area on frameless Signs shall be calculated based on the smallest rectangle, triangle, or circle large enough to frame the entire display.

E.

Sign messages consisting of separate or individual letters, modules, or symbols shall be measured by a single continuous perimeter completely surrounding the entire Sign message to determine its Sign Area.

F.

When more than one Use or business occupies a single Lot, the Lot or Building Frontage shall be used to calculate the allowable Sign sizes for a combined total of a Detached or Attached Sign, not for each Use. The total Sign Area shall then be divided between the Uses.

G.

Multiple Signs. A single business may have multiple Signs provided the total Sign Area of all of the Signs combined, does not exceed the maximum Sign Area allowed.

(Ord. No. 2020-02, § IV(Exh. C), 1-8-2020)