CITY OF BURLINGTON
CITY PLANNING COMMISSION
ITEM:
Amend Section 17.75.112 of the City of Burlington Zoning Code (Billboards)
MEETING DATE: June 23, 2015
ATTACHMENTS: Site Map
Original Sign Permit
Commercial and Industrial Zone Map
Signage Code Study
PETITIONERS REQUEST:
Representatives of the Bracewell Stadium project and the City Council have requested that City
staff look at examining the sign regulations pertaining to billboards (off-premise signs). A
situation recently arose in which a sign classified as an off-premise sign (billboard) was placed
on the freestanding sign pole at Bracewell Stadium in violation of City Code. Staff was not
consulted on the sign and a sign permit was not submitted showing the off-premise advertising.
The sign in question was described to be part of the fundraising effort for Bracewell Stadium.
Staff has been tasked to review whether our sign restrictions are more burdensome than other
cities, and if they are what changes could be made to the regulations and what impact this could
have on the community as a whole. This issue was discussed in the last Planning Commission
meeting, and Planning Commissioners requested to look at the issue a second time with the
assumption that the area would be rezoned to a Limited Commercial District. This staff report is
written with the assumption that Bracewell Stadium will be rezoned to C-1 (Limited
Commercial). A rezoning application has been submitted by BCSD.
DEPARTMENTS REVIEW AND COMMENT:
As part of a fund raising effort for Bracewell Stadium, Universal Therapy paid to have a sign with
their business name placed at the top of a freestanding sign along Central Avenue at Bracewell
Stadium. This sign had previously obtained a sign permit which had stated the sign would say
“Bracewell Stadium” and did not indicate Universal Therapy in any manner.
After the
installation of the sign, the discrepancy was pointed out to City staff which prompted staff to
contact the sign installer and let them know they had installed an illegal sign. The sign installer
attempted to receive a variance from the Zoning Board of Adjustment and was unsuccessful.
Staff was then directed to perform a signage code study to see if our sign restrictions are too
burdensome. A study of signage code from eight cities was conducted and it was determined
that our billboard code is not significantly different from other city’s billboard code.
The results of this study are summarized below.
Section 17.75.112 of the Burlington City Code on Billboard signs states:
“Billboards shall not be erected within fifty (50) feet of any residential zone, shall be set
back at least twenty-five (25) feet from all right-of-way lines, and shall not exceed twenty
(20) feet in height above grade. Only one such sign shall be allowed per lot or property.
One (1) off premise sign shall be allowed in parking lots when the business is located
adjacent to or directly across the street or public right-of-way and both are under the
same ownership. Such signage will count towards maximum signage allowed on the
primary business lot, is allowed up to a maximum of 30 square feet, shall only advertise
for the business, and shall not be an electronic sign. Such signs will be allowed to be
located as on premise signs, and must follow all other regulations set forth in Section
17.75 of the Zoning Code”
There is one way in which the billboard sign at Bracewell Stadium violates City of Burlington
Code (assuming the property is zoned C-1). The violation comes from the location of the sign to
the adjacent right-of-way line. Code states that billboards shall be setback at least 25 feet from
all right-of-way lines, while this sign sits 4 inches away from the right-of-way line. It should be
noted that on the originally approved sign application for this sign, it was stated that the sign
would sit 10 feet back from the property line (“property line” and “right-of-way line” are
interchangeable words). The setback is primarily intended to maintain off-premise signs as
secondary signs on properties, making the on premise sign for the business at a site the primary
sign most visible from the street. This is intended to reduce confusion over what business is
located on a site and reduce sign clutter along streets for aesthetic purposes. The 25 foot rightof-way setback for Billboards in Burlington follows the 25 foot front yard setback required in all
Zoning Districts except one (C-3).
Signage Code from eight other Cities in Iowa was examined to determine whether our code
differed or was more stringent. The following cities were examined: Iowa City, Des Moines,
Dubuque, Mason City, Clinton, Ottumwa, Fort Dodge, and Muscatine. Five of these cities were
chosen for their comparable size, while the other three were chosen based on their status as
regional population centers.
Results from the signage study are below:
City
Burlington
Iowa City
Des Moines
Dubuque
Mason City
Clinton
Ottumwa
Fort Dodge
Muscatine
Setback
25 feet
5 feet
0 feet
20 feet*
5-25 feet**
0 feet
20 feet***
5-25 feet ****
0 feet
*In Neighborhood Shopping Centers and Mixed Use Neighborhood Zones
**25 feet for front yard, 5 feet for side yard, 5 feet for rear yard
***In C-1 (Retail Business) Zones
****25 feet for front yard, 5 feet for side yard, 5 feet for rear yard
Results from this signage study indicate that while Burlington’s right-of-way setback requirement
is in the upper range, it is not significantly different than the setback requirements of comparable
Iowa cities. The Bracewell Stadium sign currently sits 4 inches off of the right of way line, this
would be allowable in three cities (Des Moines, Clinton, and Muscatine) but not in the other five.
ALTERNATIVES:
A range of alternatives have been provided for this situation, which are presented in order from
most disruptive to our current code to least disruptive. For the off premise sign to be located on
the existing freestanding sign (assuming the side is rezoned to Limited Commercial), one part of
the billboard code will have to be changed: the 25 foot right-of-way buffer. For the sign to
remain in its current location, the buffer will have to be removed entirely since it sits 4 inches off
of the property line. Any change to the Billboard code will affect the areas where Billboards are
allowed (Commercial and Industrial Zones), a map of these areas has been provided. The
alternatives are:
1. Eliminate the right-of-way setback for Billboards entirely, allowing Billboards to sit up
against the property line.
2. Reduce the right-of-way setback to 0 feet for Billboards under 25 square feet (the
Universal Therapy sign is 17.3 square feet) and keep it at 25 feet for signs above that
square footage. For these Billboards under 25 square feet, require the on premise
activity to be the primary portion of the sign (51% of the cabinet area for that portion of
sign) with “Sponsored by _____” as secondary identification on the sign (49% of cabinet
area for that portion of sign).
3. Reduce the right-of-way setback for Billboards to between 5 and 20 feet.
4. Do not change the Sign Regulations of the Zoning Code.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends alternative #4, do not change the zoning code. Staff does not believe our
current signage code is unreasonable. While the Bracewell Stadium project is a quality
community project, changing the Code in this instance could have negative community
implications aside from Bracewell Stadium. A map has been provided showing all the zones
(Commercial and Industrial) in which a change to Billboard code would impact. If the
Commission is set on allowing the Bracewell Stadium sign to stay in its current position, then
staff would recommend alternative #2 because it would help mitigate the community-wide
impact of changing the Signage Regulations. Additionally, if all parties are willing, it may be
possible to choose alternative #3 to reduce the right-of-way setback and then move the sign
back until it conforms to the new setback.
S CE N
TRAL
AV E
Bracewell Stadium
Stadium
Bracewell
Sign Location
Location Map
Map
Sign
µ
/
Commercial and
and Industrial
Industrial Zones,
Zones,
Commercial
City of
of Burlington
Burlington
City
µ
Updated Study of Billboard and Off-Site Signage:
UPDATE:
After the City Planning Commission meeting on 5/21/2015, the Planning Commissioners
indicated to staff that they would like this code study revisited with the assumption that the
land Bracewell Stadium sits on will be rezoned to C-1, Limited Commercial. Billboards are
allowed in C-1 Zoning Districts, so if Bracewell Stadium was rezoned then the billboard would
be in an appropriate district. However, the billboard still sits too close to the right-of-way
(property) line. The intention of this code study is to determine whether or not our right-of-way
setback requirement is significantly different than that of comparable cities.
City
Burlington
Iowa City
Des Moines
Dubuque
Mason City
Clinton
Ottumwa
Fort Dodge
Muscatine
Setback
25 feet
5 feet
0 feet
20 feet*
5-25 feet**
0 feet
20 feet***
5-25 feet ****
0 feet
*In Neighborhood Shopping Centers and Mixed Use Neighborhood Zones
**25 feet for front yard, 5 feet for side yard, 5 feet for rear yard
***In C-1 (Retail Business) Zones
****25 feet for front yard, 5 feet for side yard, 5 feet for rear yard
Results from this signage study indicate that while Burlington’s right-of-way setback
requirement is in the upper range, it is not significantly different than the setback requirements
of comparable Iowa cities. The Bracewell Stadium sign currently sits 4 inches off of the right of
way line, this would be allowable in three cities (Des Moines, Clinton, and Muscatine) but not in
the other five.
City of Burlington Applicable Code
Definitions
Billboard: Any sign that advertises or displays good, products, services, or facilities which are
located elsewhere than on the premises upon which such a sign is displayed
Freestanding Sign: Any sign supported by a foundation, uprights, or braces; placed upon the
ground; and not attached to any building. Freestanding signs include ground signs, monuments
signs, pylon signs, pole signs and other similar signs as determined by the Development
Department.
Off-premise Sign: A commercial sign that advertises goods, services, or another business that
are not sold or operated on the premises.
C-1 (Limited Commercial Zoning District): The intent of this district is to allow a transition area
between limited commercial growth and residential neighborhoods.
Exemptions
The following signs are exempt from permit requirements, district signage regulations, and
design requirement sections of the City of Burlington Signage Code.
18. Athletic fields and similar recreation area signage are permitted in addition to other
permitted signage addressed herein, so long as said signs are intended to be viewed primarily
from the playing field and spectator area and not from the public right-of-way. Said athletic
field and similar recreation area signage shall not exceed 25-foot in height and three hundred
(300) square feet. This signage is not counted towards the total allowable signage for the lot or
property upon which is it located.
District Signage Regulations
C-1 and C-2 (Commercial Districts):
a. The total surface area of all signs on a lot shall not exceed two (2) square feet for each
lineal foot of building frontage, or one (1) square foot for each lineal foot of lot frontage,
whichever results in the larger surface area. However, the maximum total surface area
of all permitted signs for each property shall not exceed two hundred (200) square feet
in C-1 districts and three hundred (300) square feet in C-2 districts.
b. Properties that have more than one lot frontage shall be permitted an additional fifty
(50) square feet of signage, if frontages allow, for a maximum total of two hundred fifty
(250) square feet in C-1 districts and three hundred fifty (350) square feet in C-2
districts.
c. Signs shall not exceed the height of the wall to which they are attached, and
freestanding signs shall not exceed twenty-five (25) feet in height in a C-1 area or forty
(40) feet in height in a C-2 area. In no case shall a freestanding sign be greater than
twenty-five (25) feet in height if the sign is located within fifty (50) feet of a residential
zoning district boundary.
d. On additional freestanding sign shall be permitted when the lot frontage exceeds five
hundred (500) feet for that property. An additional freestanding sign shall also be
allowed for each additional two hundred fifty feet (250’) of lot frontage beyond five
hundred (500’) feet of lot frontage.
e. Signs may be illuminated.
Freestanding Signs
Such signs are limited to one sign for each lot, except as elsewhere prohibited or permitted. All
freestanding signs shall meet the design criteria as stated in section 17.75.118. All freestanding
signs located on one lot or property must be located a minimum of one hundred (100) feet
from any other freestanding sign on such property. All freestanding signs must be located a
minimum of ten (10) feet from all side property lines.
Billboard Signs
Billboards shall not be erected within fifty (50) feet of any residential zone, shall be set back at
least twenty-five (25) feet from all right-of-way lines, and shall not exceed twenty (20) feet in
height above grade.
Prohibited Signs
2. Off-premise Signs: Not allowed, except as billboards, which must follow the
requirements of Section 17.75.112 Billboards and all other applicable requirements of
this chapter.
Summary
There is one way in which the billboard sign at Bracewell Stadium violates City of Burlington
Code (assuming the property is zoned C-1). The violation comes from the location of the sign to
the adjacent right-of-way line. Code states that billboards shall be setback at least 25 feet from
all right-of-way lines, while this sign sits 4 inches away from the right-of-way line. It should be
noted that on the originally approved sign application for this sign, it was stated that the sign
would sit 10 feet back from the property line (“property line” and “right-of-way line” are
interchangeable words).
The purpose of the setback is primarily to maintain off-premise signs as secondary signs on
properties, making the on premise sign for the business at a site the primary sign most visible
from the street. This is intended to reduce confusion over what business is located on a site
and reduce sign clutter along streets for aesthetic purposes. The 25 foot right-of-way setback
for Billboards in Burlington follows the 25 foot front yard setback required in all Zoning Districts
except one (C-3).
City of Iowa City Applicable Code
General Location Standards for All Zones
1. No sign shall be located in violation of the intersection visibility standards.
2. All nonbuilding signs, and all parts thereof, must be set back at least five feet (5’) from
any property line, with the following exceptions: Signs may be located closer than five
feet to a property line at ten feet or more above grade, provided no part of the sign or
sign support overhangs any property lines. In addition, freestanding wide base signs
must not be located closer than ten feet to any right of way or closer than thirty feet to
any street curb.
Billboard and other off premises signs
1. Not to exceed the maximum sign area for the subject sign type as specified in the
applicable zone and will be deducted from the maximum sign allowance for the subject
property. Maximum of 72 square feet for billboards. May be double faced for a total
area of 144 square feet.
2. Not to exceed the maximum sign height for the subject sign type as specified in the
applicable zone. Maximum for billboards of 25 feet.
3. Not permitted in residential, commercial office, commercial neighborhood, central
business support, central business, research development park, and office research park
zones.
4. May take the form of any sign allowed in the zone in which the sign is located and must
comply with all other provision specified for the subject zone.
5. Only 1 off premises sign is allowed per lot or tract.
6. 2 or more uses may install a common off premises directional sign.
7. No off premises sign shall be located within 300 ft. of another off premises sign.
8. No off premises sign shall be located within 120 ft. of a residential zone, parks and open
space use, educational facility, religious/private group assembly use, public museum or
government administrative or judicial office.
9. Billboard signs shall not apply toward maximum sign allowance for the lot or tract.
Summary
Iowa City has a property line setback of 5 feet, which is much less than Burlington’s setback of
25 feet. However, location of billboards is not only restricted by proximity to certain zoning
districts but also proximity to certain uses. Off premise signs are not to be located within 120
feet of an educational facility. Chapter 4 of Article A of the Iowa City City Code lists sports
facilities as accessory uses to education facilities, meaning that a billboard in Iowa City can’t be
within 120 feet of a stadium. . In this case, the billboard at Bracewell Stadium would not be
allowed even if it was in a commercial zone and the right-of-way setback was removed entirely.
City of Des Moines Applicable Code
Prohibited Signs (18.200.160)
6. Off premises signs, except as provided in DMMC 18.200.206; or any one sign for a Des
Moines business that is 12 square feet or under.
Clearance and sight distance (18.200.210)
Marquees or projecting signs which project over areas where motor trucks may be required to
pass beneath them shall maintain a minimum vertical clearance of 15 feet. No marquee or
projecting sign may project closer than two feet from the curbline of the street. Signs must
maintain a minimum of eight feet of vertical clearance over pedestrian ways.
Placement (18.200.206)
All signs, except real estate directional signs, political signs, City-operated signs communicating
information on City services, community events, and emergency management, and portable
signs expressly allowed under DMMC 18.200.070, and off-premises signs approved under
DMMC 18.200.110, must be located on the premises or events or activities of the business that
they identify or advertise. All other advertising signs located on premises other than the
premises of the business or events or activities they advertise are prohibited, notwithstanding
single ownership of more than one premises, except where the premises are contiguous. For
the purposes of this section “contiguous” means that such buildings or properties are joined
and/or interior access is provided from one to the other. Except those signs approved pursuant
to DMMC 18.200.110 and 18.200.160. [Ord. 1591 § 486, 2014.]
Commercial Zones (18.200.300)
1. Freestanding Signs.
a. Freestanding signs shall not be located on, above, nor project over the public
right-of-way.
Summary
Des Moines does not have a required property line setback for freestanding signs, only
requiring them to not project into the right-of-way . As with Burlington’s zoning code, Des
Moines does not have a separate zoning class for schools, but lists them as permitted uses in
residential zones (with special limitations). Des Moines stance on Billboards (off-premise signs)
is more restrictive than Burlington’s, only allowing off-premises signs for contiguous properties
under the same ownership and for the advertising of group sales of single-family residences or
condominiums (with special permission). In this case, even though there is no required rightof-way setback, the billboard at Bracewell Stadium would not be allowed even if it was in a
commercial zone.
City of Dubuque Applicable Code
Definitions
Off Premises Sign: A sign structure advertising an establishment, merchandise, service, or
entertainment which is not sold, produced, manufactured, or furnished at the property on
which said sign is located.
Off Premises Signs
Off Premises Signs are permitted in the following zoning districts: neighborhood shopping
center (C-2), mixed use neighborhood (C-2A), general commercial (C-3), downtown commercial
(C-4), commercial service and wholesale (CS), commercial recreation (CR), light industrial (LI),
heavy industrial (HI), and modified heavy industrial (MHI). Off Premises Signs are not allowed
in residential zones.
Of these zoning districts where offsite signs are allowed, C-2 (Neighborhood Shopping Center)
and C2A (Mixed Use Neighborhood) most closely align with Burlington’s C-1 (Limited
Commercial) zoning district. The setback in these districts for off premise signs is 20 feet from
the property line and 100 feet from any historic district. The setback for all other zoning
districts in which off premise signs are allowed is 100 feet from any historic district.
Summary
Off Premises (Billboard) Signs are allowed in Commercial Zones, and the property line setback is
only applied in commercial zones which are intended to have a neighborhood feel (similar to
Burlington’s C-1 district). If the Bracewell Stadium sign was located in the C-2 or C2A
Commercial Zoning districts in Dubuque, it would not be allowed. However, if it was located in
any other Commercial Zoning district it would be allowed.
City of Mason City Applicable Code
Definitions
Off Premises Sign: A sign that directs attention to a business, profession, product, service,
activity or entertainment that is not conducted, sold or offered on the premises upon which the
sign is located. An off premises sign shall be considered a principal use in the zoning districts in
which it is allowed.
Off Premises Sign Regulations
Districts allowed:
1. Z-4 (Multi-use): mixture of retail, office, lodging, and multi-family residential uses in a
mixture of building types, sizes, and assemblages. Schools are an allowed use provided
Planning and Zoning gives approval to the site plan.
2. Z-6 (Industrial): Industrial facilities. Schools are not an allowed use in Z-6.
3. Z-7 (Specific Use): Includes specific uses such as college campuses, hospitals and medical
centers. Schools are not an allowed use in Z-7.
Signs can be a maximum of 300 square feet. Signs must meet minimum setbacks of the zoning
districts they are in and cannot be within 1000 feet of a residential district and 300 feet of an at
grade intersection of any street and railroad.
Building Setback Requirements for Zones in Which Off Premises Signs are Allowed
1. Z-4 (Multi-use): Minimum of 10 feet in front yard, 5 feet in side yard, and 25 feet in rear
yard.
2. Z-6 (Industrial): Minimum of 35 feet in front yard, 20 feet in side yard, and 20 feet in
rear yard.
3. Z-7 (Specific Use): Minimum of 25 feet in front yard, 5 feet in side yard, and 5 feet in
rear yard.
Summary
Off Premises (Billboard) Signs allowed in Z-4 (Multi-use) Zoning Districts in Mason City, and Z-4
is similar to Burlington’s C-1 (Limited Commercial) District. Billboard signs must meet the
building setbacks for the Zoning District, which is 25 feet at most and 5 feet at least depending
on whether the sign sits in the front, back or side yard. In this case the billboard at Bracewell
Stadium would not be allowed even if it was in a commercial zone
City of Clinton Applicable Code
Base Sign Regulations
(B) Signs shall contain only the name of the business establishment or the principal business
conducted on the premises and may include any motto, slogan, insignia or combination
thereof.
Sign Regulations Based on Zoning
C-2 and M (General Commercial and Industrial) Zoning District Allowable Signage by Category:
- Primary highway signs
- Off-premises advertising signs (subject to Section Y).
Section Y:
Off-premises signs not on a primary highway. All off-premises signs not located on a primary
highway must conform to the permit, zoning, size, lighting and spacing criteria of the city.
(1) In the C District, the display area shall not exceed 200 square feet. In any M District, the
display area shall not exceed 300 square feet.
(2) New signs must be a minimum of 800 feet from any other off-premises sign.
(3) No off-premises sign shall be permitted within 200 feet of a residential boundary unless
the sign is completely screened from vision from the residential district.
(4) No off-premises sign shall exceed 35 feet in height.
(5) No off-premises sign located on the side of a building shall exceed 25 feet in height
from the street grade.
Summary
Off Premises (Billboard) Signs are permitted in General Commercial and Industrial zones on the
condition that they be further than 200 feet of a residential district boundary. There is no
property line/right-of-way setback required. . In this case the billboard at Bracewell Stadium
would not be allowed even if it was in a commercial zone due to the 200 yard from residential
district requirement.
City of Ottumwa Applicable Code
Definitions
Billboard: Shall mean any outdoor off-premise sign that identifies or communicates a
commercial or noncommercial message related to an activity conducted, a service rendered, or
a commodity sold at a location, other than where the sign is located.
General Requirements of All Zones
C. Sign Placement: All free standing signs shall be parallel or perpendicular to the street,
except signs on corner lots. Said signs may be placed on a diagonal only when the sign does not
protrude into the public right-of-way or obstruct vision. Applicable set-backs are required
within each zoning district.
Signage Permitted Based on Zoning District
C-2 (Commercial District):
3. There shall not be more than one off-premises sign per lot or parcel and shall not
exceed 32 square feet. An off-premise sign shall be counted towards the aggregate sign
area permitted under D.1.
M-1 and M-2 (Industrial Districts):
1. Billboards and signs that advertise items or products or services not available on the
property.
a. Billboards shall be limited in sign area of no more than 200 square feet and shall be set back
a minimum of 25 feet from all right-of-way lines.
b. Billboards shall not exceed 25 feet in height above grade.
c. Billboards shall not be located closer than ½ mile from any entrance to the city.
d. There shall be at least 300 feet between billboards.
e. Billboards shall be at least 100 feet from any residential zone.
f. Billboards shall not be allowed on the roofs of buildings.
g. There shall not be more than one billboard per lot or parcel.
Summary
Off Premises (Billboard) Signs are allowed in C-2 (General Commercial) Zones but prohibited in
C-1 (Retail Business) Zones. There is no required front yard setbacks for signs in C-2 Zones but
there is a required 20 foot front yard setback for signs in C-1 Zones. In this case the billboard at
Bracewell Stadium would not be allowed if it was in a C-1 Commercial Zone but would be
allowed if it was in a C-2 Commercial Zone.
City of Fort Dodge Applicable Code
Off-Premises Signs
This section contains the regulations for signs directing attention to a business, profession,
commodity or service which is not located on the same property on which the sign is located.
For purposes of this section, off-premises signs shall include billboards, bulletin boards and
advertising signs as defined within this ordinance. Off-premises signs shall be subject to the
provisions of this section, notwithstanding any other applicable regulation of the zoning district
in which the off-premises sign is located.
1. Zoning. Off-premises signs may be placed on property zoned AC (Arterial Commercial),
LI (Light Industrial), and HI (Heavy Industrial), subject to all other restrictions in this
section.
3. Setbacks
a. Off-premises signs shall meet the minimum setback requirements for principal
structures in the underlying zoning district.
Arterial Commercial District Setbacks
25 foot front yard setback, 5 foot side yard setback, 5 foot rear yard setback
Summary
Billboards are permitted in General Commercial and Industrial zones on the condition that they
meet the principle structure setback in the underlying zone. For Commercial Zones the
setbacks are 25 feet for the front yard, 5 feet for the side yard, and 5 feet for the rear yard. In
this case the billboard at Bracewell Stadium would not be allowed even if it was in a
Commercial Zone.
City of Muscatine Applicable Code
Billboards
1. Definition:
A billboard is an off-premises object, device, display, sign, or structure, or part thereof,
displayed outdoors or visible from a public way, which is used to advertise, identify, display,
direct or attract attention to an object, person, institution, organization, business, product,
service, event or location, or to express a point of view, by any means, including words, letters,
figures, design, symbols, advertising flags, fixtures, colors, illuminations or projected images..
Billboards do not include on-premises commercial or political signage nor small commercial or
non-commercial signs temporarily placed in residential lawns by residents, owners, contractors,
realtors, or by or on behalf of political candidates or issues.
2. Size and Height Regulations
i. No billboard shall exceed 400 square feet in area.
ii. No billboard shall exceed 25 feet in height.
3. Placement
i. Allowed only in the C-2 (General Commercial) and M-2 (Heavy Industrial) zoning districts.
ii. On a single parcel no billboard shall be located within 400 feet of another billboard also
located on that same parcel.
iii. No billboard, when erected on a lot fronting on intersecting streets, shall be erected within
50 feet of the intersection of the streets.
Additional Sign Regulations
4. Post Signs: Post signs constructed within ten feet (10’) of any property line must
maintain at least ten feet (10’) of vertical clearance from the ground or pavement to the
lowest edge of the sign.
Summary
Off Premises (Billboard) Signs are allowed in residential zones and there is no buffer
requirement from the right-of-way line as long as the sign maintain 10 feet of clearance from
the groun. In this case the billboard at Bracewell Stadium would not be allowed even if it was
in a Commercial Zone because the lowest edge of the sign is not 10 feet from the ground.