§ 9-160. Billboards permitted.

(A)

In general. Freestanding billboards are permitted subject to the requirements of this section. In no case shall a billboard sign be placed on the roof or wall of a building structure.

(B)

Location. Billboard signs shall be permitted only on parcels zoned "C-2," "C-3," "I-1," "I-2," or "I-P" which are adjacent to the right-of-way of Interstate 35, Highway 21, Highway 48, and Highway 60 West of Highway 21.

(C)

Maximum size and height. Billboard sign structures shall not contain more than two (2) signs per face, nor shall the sum of such sign or signs exceed a length of fifty-five (55) feet or a surface area of seven hundred fifty (750) square feet. A billboard sign structure shall not exceed thirty (30) feet in height. An interstate highway oriented billboard sign structure shall not exceed fifty-five (55) feet in height.

(D)

Setback requirements. Billboard sign structures must maintain a twenty-five (25) foot minimum front setback off the property line. Where an adjacent building structure within the same block has a front setback different than those required, the minimum front setback shall be the average of the required setback and the actual setback of the adjacent structure. Billboard sign structures shall not be set back from the interstate right-of-way more than one hundred (100) feet as measured from the portion of the sign furthest from the right-of-way.

(E)

Distance from other uses and from other similar structures. No billboard sign structure shall be permitted within one hundred (100) feet of an adjoining residential district boundary line or any public park, school, library, church, or government building. All billboard sign structures located adjacent to Interstate 35 shall be spaced at least seven hundred fifty (750) feet from any other billboard sign structure. Billboard sign structures in all other permitted locations shall be located at least two thousand (2000) feet from any other billboard sign structure.

(F)

Billboard construction and maintenance. Billboard support structures shall be steel monopole or I-beam construction and shall be painted in earth tones, such as rust, brown, or gray, unless constructed of a material designed to be unpainted and to oxidize naturally. Billboards shall be maintained in good, upright condition and sign faces shall be kept free of sagging, peeling, or torn copy.

(G)

Landscaping. The area around the base of billboards in all areas shall be landscaped and maintained in a neat and orderly fashion, including regular mowing as needed. An applicant for a sign permit for a billboard shall submit a landscape plan with the application which will identify the kinds of vegetation, masonry, or other material to be installed around the base and how the area will be maintained.

(H)

State statutes. All billboard sign structures shall also be subject to the provisions of the "Minnesota Outdoor Advertising Control Act," which appears in Chapter 173, Minnesota Statutes.

(I)

Digital billboards. The City of Faribault recognizes that digital billboards are a cost-effective means for providing information to the public. The city sees merit in allowing new technologies so that messages of all kinds can be quickly and easily updated. The city also sees advantages in being able to provide public service messages through digital billboard technology for the greater good of the City of Faribault as a whole and its visitors. By placing certain requirements and restrictions on digital billboards to minimize potential driver distraction and the impacts to nearby residential properties, these signs can serve a greater public purpose. Digital billboards shall be subject to the following standards:

(1)

Digital billboards shall be subject to all other billboard provisions as stated in this article.

(2)

A sign permit shall be required prior to installation of a digital billboard face on any or new existing billboard sign structure.

(3)

Digital billboards shall not be permitted on nonconforming sign structures.

(4)

Not more than one (1) digital or static sign face or message facing in the same direction shall be allowed.

(5)

The digital billboard screen shall not be divided to show more than one (1) message displayed concurrently.

(6)

A digital billboard shall be located a minimum of two thousand (2,000) feet from any other digital billboard oriented in the same general direction of travel.

(7)

A digital billboard shall be located a minimum of three hundred (300) feet from the center of a signalized intersection and a minimum of five hundred (500) feet from the center of an unsignalized intersection. The city, at its sole discretion, may require additional setbacks from an intersection based on site conditions.

(8)

Digital billboards shall be designed and equipped to freeze the device in one (1) position. The sign owner shall immediately stop the digital display when notified by the city that it is not in compliance with this ordinance.

(9)

In conjunction with the sign permit application, the applicant shall provide written certification from the sign manufacturer that the sign is equipped with a dimmer control that automatically adjusts to day/night brightness levels.

(10)

The digital billboard shall not exceed a maximum illumination of five thousand (5,000) nits during daylight hours and five hundred (500) nits between dusk to dawn as measured at the sign's face at maximum brightness. The city, at its sole discretion, may require lower illumination levels based on site conditions through the conditional use permit process.

(11)

In conjunction with the sign permit application, the applicant shall provide written certification from the sign manufacturer that the brightness levels have been preset to a maximum illumination of five thousand (5,000) nits during daylight hours and five hundred (500) nits between dusk to dawn as measured at the sign's face at maximum brightness.

(12)

Modes which cause the sign to flash or appear to flash are prohibited. Movement, motion, or the appearance or movement or motion is prohibited.

(Ord. No. 99-20, § 1, 11-23-99; Ord. No. 2007-05, § 1, 4-10-07; Ord. No. 2008-25, § 2, 2-24-09)