City of Mandeville Sign ordinances

WHAT KIND OF SIGNS CAN mandeville BUSINESSES DISPLAY? The laws which regulate signage, both business and residential, are included in the City of Mandeville’s Comprehensive Land Use Regulation Ordinance (CLURO). These regulations were passed by the Mandeville City Council and are regularly updated. They can be accessed at Appendix A of: https://library.municode.com/la/ma ndeville/codes/code_of_ordinances Sign ordinances are included in Article 10 of the CLURO

Question: Can these laws regulate my private property? Answer: Absolutely. Land Use ordinances (as well as most laws…)are designed to give individuals the widest range of freedom while promoting community values and goals.

What are these “values and goals?” Among the goals specifically listed in Article 1 Sec. 2.3 of the CLURO are: health, safety, welfare and aesthetics of the community. preserve property values and promote the economic well- being of the community as a whole by encouraging the most appropriate land use throughout the City while acknowledging the importance of maintaining the health of the environment for the health of the public.

Article 1 Sec. 2.4 of the CLURO goes on to say: It is also important to note that commercial enterprises are necessary for the servicing of the needs of the community and for its fiscal stability. To that end commercial enterprises should be encouraged which best fit the needs and character of the city, and enhance the desirability of Mandeville as a place in which to both live and work.

Section 10.2.1 lists the findings of city council in regards to regulation of signs The City Council, after due and careful study and deliberation, and in full consideration of comments received from interested members of the general public, hereby find and declare: 1.That the people of the City have a primary interest in controlling the erection, location and maintenance of signs in a manner designed to protect the public health, safety and morals and to promote the public welfare. 2.That the rapid economic development of the City has resulted in a great increase in the number of businesses located in the City, with a marked increase in the number and size of signs advertising such business activities, creating conflicts between advertising signs themselves and between traffic regulating devices and advertising signs, which by their primary purpose draw mental attention to them potentially to the detriment of sound driving practices. 3.That it is necessary to the public safety that these official traffic regulating devices be easily visible and free from such nearby visual obstructions as blinking signs, distracting signs, as excessive number of signs, or signs in any way resembling official signs. 4.That it is necessary to provide equity and equality in displaying identification signs by establishing regulations on size and location of such signs to afford local businesses equal and fair opportunity to advertise and promote their products and services.

Cluro sec. 10.2.1 cont. 5.That the construction, erection and maintenance of large outdoor signs, suspended from or placed on top of buildings, walls or other structures constitutes a direct danger to pedestrian traffic below such signs, especially during periods when winds of high velocity are prevalent. 6.That the uncontrolled erection and maintenance of large or distracting signs seriously detracts from the enjoyment and pleasure of the natural scenic beauty of the Mandeville area, and the fact that such signs are intended to command visual contact grants them a proportionately greater role than other structures in determining the overall aesthetic and visual quality of the community. 7.That brightly lit signs are inconsistent with the City's status as a dark skies community and the overall character of the City. 8.That this code is enacted to provide for fair and equal treatment of all sign users and for a reasonable period of time for the elimination of non-conforming signs, to assure that sign users who erected signs prior to this code shall not have an unfair advantage over sign users who conform to this code. 9.That this code shall apply to the design, quality of materials, construction, location, electrification, illumination and maintenance of all signs and sign structures to be located within the City.

And wrapping in all up: Section 10. 2 And wrapping in all up: Section 10.2.2 – specifically lists the purposes of the sign code The purposes of the adoption of the Sign Code are hereby declared to be: 1. The protection of the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Mandeville; 2. The facilitation of commercial and non-commercial speech in a manner that promotes economic activity, enhances safe and convenient navigation through the community, fosters community pride and awareness of community events, and informs the public; 3. The protection and preservation of property values and the promotion of economic well-being throughout the community; and 4.The preservation and maintenance of the visual and aesthetic quality of the community in accord with the character of the City of Mandeville and the surrounding area through the establishment and enforcement of standards for the design, quality of materials, construction, location, electrification, illumination and maintenance of all signs and sign structures within the City.

As a reflection of the goals stated in the cluro and sign code, the following types of signs are prohibited anywhere within the city limits Section 10.4 specifically lists: Abandoned signs; Audible signs; Beacons; Bench signs; Electronic Message Centers, except when serving as a public directional or informational sign established by any public agency on publicly owned property or meeting the definition of an incidental sign; Flashing signs; Inflatable signs; Lasers; Portable signs; Projected signs; Revolving or rotating signs; Roof signs; Search lights; Signs attached to trees, shrubs or any living vegetative matter; Signs, other than public directional signs, public service signs, public information signs, subdivision signs or official notices which encroach into a public right-of-way; Signs resembling traffic control devices or emergency devices;

Prohibited signs, cont. Freestanding signs that restrict or impair visibility at the intersection of the right- of-way lines of two streets, or of a street and a railroad right-of-way, or of a street and a pedestrian or bicycle right-of-way; Snipe signs other than signs posted on private property including incidental signs, real estate signs, garage sale signs, election signs or signs used to convey or express a non-advertising or noncommercial idea or message. Strings of lights, except when used as holiday decorations during the period beginning the Sunday prior to Thanksgiving to the second Sunday in January of the succeeding year; Trailer signs; Any sign not specifically defined and allowed by the provisions of this article; Any sign that consists or comprises immoral, deceptive or scandalous matter or that carries a letter combination or message which is offensive to good taste and decency.

Here’s an example of one such prohibited sign (perhaps the most frequent violation of the sign code): “Snipe signs” are temporary signs, often with metal poles For support. They are only allowed on private property in specific circumstances (Ex. Real estate, garage sale, campaign signs, non-commercial message, etc.) They are never allowed on public property and right of ways. Snipe Signs found in public right of ways will be immediately seized and disposed of.

So, ...what kind of signs can a business have? The answer, in large part depends on zoning. Mandeville business zones include: Four “B”-Business districts (Neighborhood, Highway, Old Mandeville, Major Crossroads); Two “M”-Manufacturing districts (Light, General); An “O/R”-Office/Residential district; A “TC”-Town Center district; and Several types of “PD”-Planned districts. You can locate a business zoning district on the map located at- http://www.cityofmandeville.com/Images/Interior/mande_official_zoning_map_20 17.03.27.pdf

First…there are two types of signs: Those that require permits First…there are two types of signs: Those that require permits and those that do not… Here is the “exclusive” list of ON PREMISES signs that are allowed without permits. Please note that they are allowed with specific conditions noted for each type of sign in Table 10.5.4 of the Sign Code. Address signs, Election signs, Flags, Sandwich Board signs, Holiday banners, Vehicle signs, and Window signs

Note that table 10.5.4 also lists types of signs that do require permits And that list includes: Directional signs; non-holiday streamers and banners; construction project signs; attached signs; free-standing signs; menu boards; temporary signs preceding permanent sign approval; and temporary real estate signs.

How many more slides are there???? Not many, because now it is time to generalize on what the City of Mandeville allows for businesses. It is IMPORTANT to note that this varies slightly according to zoning district and type of business and that a business owner should always: Personally review the CLURO Sign Code (Section 10). Submit ALL sign ideas and plans (even those not requiring permits) to the City Planning and Permit staff. 985-624-3104 A business owner may also schedule a free on-site visit with a Code Enforcement Officer to review sign plans and answer questions.

in general, Mandeville businesses can have…. ONE (1) Freestanding sign up to 32 square feet (in B-3 and TC) or 50 square feet (in all other zones). Note: This must be a “monument sign” in most districts. However, B-3 and TC districts allow pole, post and blade signs. All freestanding signs require permits. Table 10.5.3.5 lists the specific limitations and requirements for these signs. Monument Post

In addition to the freestanding sign, Mandeville business can have… One (1) Attached sign. This can be a wall, parapet, projecting or awning sign. In B-3 or TC this can be up to 32 square feet. In all other districts it can be 32-120 square feet (1.25 feet per linear foot of façade). All attached signs require permits. Table 10.5.3.6 lists the specific limitations and requirements for these signs.

And in addition to the freestanding and attached signs business can have… Signs that require permits: one temporary banner (allowed for two weeks, twice annually), directional signs, temporary real estate signs. Signs that do not require permits: address signs (1), flags (3), sandwich boards (1), holiday banners (1) vehicle signs (note the strict requirements), and window signs (cannot cover more than 50% of any window or 25% of aggregate).

Now remember…the rules vary slightly by zone as well as business type… For example, Section 10.5.3.5 lists the rules for businesses in Multi-Occupant premises and Large Site Development and Section 10.5.3.6 lists the rules for businesses in Professional Centers. For example…can I have my own freestanding sign if I am located in a strip mall? Sorry, you will have to incorporate your sign into the center’s monument. But you can still have your attached sign (and a variety of no-permit-needed signs).

Finally… The Sign Code Sets standards for sign design and construction in the various zones. Establishes the procedure for obtaining sign permits. Explains enforcement of the sign code and penalties for violation. AGAIN… a City of Mandeville business owner should: 1) Review the CLURO; 2) check with the city planning and permit staff 985-624-3104 before $pending money on $igns; 3) perhaps make an appointment for a free on-site visit from a friendly code enforcement officer.