Legislative Version Ordinance - 11/15/2024V1 1
Project Title: Electronic Signs Text Amendment
Petition No.: PLNPCM2023-00669
Version: 1
Date Prepared: November 12, 2024
Planning Commission Action: Recommended 3/27/2024
This proposed ordinance makes the following amendments (for summary purposes only):
Amends sections 21A.46.020.B, 21A.46.070, 21A.46.110.A.3.b, 21A.46.120.E.4.b, and
21A.37.050.H;
Adds definitions for electronic message center, dwell time, and twirl time and updates other
definitions to reflect changes related to these definitions;
Deletes the definition for electronic changeable copy;
Changes all instances of electronic changeable copy to electronic message center;
Creates standards specifically regulating electronic message centers including standards for
motion, dwell and twirl times, brightness, on-premise use, display hours, permitted locations, and
sign controls;
Adds a standard for electronically displayed art to the exterior lighting design standard in
21A.37.050.
Underlined text is new; text with strikethrough is proposed to be deleted. If modifications are made as
part of the Planning Commission recommendation, those will be added and highlighted in yellow. All
other text is existing with no proposed change.
1. Amends Subsection 21A.46.020.B as follows: 1
a. Amends the definition of “Animated Sign” as follows: 2
ANIMATED SIGN: A sign, excluding an electronic message center changeable copy, which 3
involves motion or rotation of any part by mechanical or artificial means or which displays 4
flashing or intermittent lights. 5
b. Adds the definition of “Dwell Time” as follows: 6
DWELL TIME: The length of time that text, images, or graphics are legible on an electronic 7
message center. 8
c. Deletes the definition of “Electronic Changeable Copy”: 9
ELECTRONIC CHANGEABLE COPY: The copy of a sign containing an electronically 10
generated message such as a public service, time, temperature and date, or a message center or 11
reader board, where different copy changes of a public service or commercial nature are shown 12
on the same lamp bank or message facility. The term "electronic changeable copy" shall not be 13
defined as a type of "animated sign" if the message displayed is fully readable within three (3) 14
seconds. Electronic changeable copy shall be considered, for the intents of this chapter, a sign 15
face type rather than a sign type. 16
APPROVED AS TO FORM
Salt Lake City Attorney’s Office
Date: ___________________________
By: ____________________________
Katherine D. Pasker, Senior City Attorney
November 12, 2024
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d. Adds the definition of “Electronic Message Center (EMC)” as follows: 17
ELECTRONIC MESSAGE CENTER (EMC): A portion of an on-premise sign face that is 18
capable of displaying words, symbols, figures, graphics, or images that can be electronically 19
changed by remote or automatic means. 20
e. Adds the definition of “Twirl Time” as follows: 21
TWIRL TIME: The time it takes for text, images, or graphics on an electronic message center to 22
change to different text, images, or graphics. 23
2. Amends Section 21A.46.070 by adding a new Subsection W as follows: 24
W. Unless exempt pursuant to Sections 21A.46.50, 21A.46.52 and 21A.46.55, all electronic message 25
centers shall be operated pursuant to the following standards: 26
1. Motion: Text, images, or graphics displayed on an electronic message center must be static. 27
Transition effects such as wipes, fades, or other special effects are permitted provided they 28
comply with twirl time regulations. 29
2. Dwell and Twirl time: Text, images, or graphics on an electronic message center shall not 30
change more than once every 8 seconds. Twirl time between subsequent static text, images, 31
or graphics shall not exceed 0.25 second. 32
3. Brightness: No electronic message center shall exceed a brightness level of 0.3 foot-candle as 33
measured at a pre-set distance. The measurement distance shall be determined based on the 34
area of the electronic message center using the following formula: the square root of (the 35
electronic message center area times 100). Fractions shall be rounded to the nearest foot. 36
Example: If a monument sign features a 50 square foot electronic message center, the 37
measurement distance shall be calculated as follows: 38
50 x 100 = 5,000 39
√5,000 = 71 feet. 40
The brightness level will be measured at 71 feet away from the electronic message center. 41
4. Display: An electronic message center shall be used for the identification of the on-premise 42
use. Text, images, or graphics advertising off-premise uses are not permitted. 43
5. Display hours: An electronic message center shall not be illuminated or lit between the hours 44
of twelve o'clock (12:00) midnight and six o'clock (6:00) A.M, except when: 45
a. A business is open to the public during these hours at the property at which the electronic 46
message center is located; and 47
b. The illumination of the associated electronic message center is limited to the hours at 48
which the associated business is open to the public. 49
6. Location: An electronic message center is not permitted in single- or two-family zoning 50
districts. Additionally, an electronic message center is not permitted in the Eco-Industrial 51
Buffer Area or the Natural Area of the Northwest Quadrant Overlay District (see 52
21A.34.140.C and D). 53
7. Controls: 54
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a. Each electronic message center shall be equipped with an automatic dimmer control or 55
light sensing device that automatically adjusts the brightness of the sign as ambient light 56
conditions change. 57
b. Each electronic message center shall contain a default mechanism that will cause the sign 58
face to revert immediately to a black screen if the sign face malfunctions. 59
8. Prior to approval of any permit to operate an electronic message center, the applicant shall 60
certify that the sign face has been tested and complies with the motion, dwell time, 61
brightness, and other requirements herein. 62
63
3. Amends Subsection 21A.46.110.A.3.b as follows: 64
65
b. Sports Arena and Convention Center Sign Regulations. The following signs shall be 66
permitted on the blocks that contain the sports arena and convention center, described as 67
follows: beginning at the southwest corner of the intersection of South Temple and West 68
Temple Streets, heading south to the intersection of 200 South and West Temple Streets, 69
thence west to the intersection of 200 South and 200 West Streets, thence north to the 70
intersection of 100 South and 200 West, thence west to the intersection of 100 South and 71
400 West Streets, thence north to the intersection of South Temple and 400 West, thence 72
east to the point of beginning. Modifications to sign regulations within this overlay may 73
be approved as part of the design review process for any building that is subject to 74
21A.59. Signs shall not include off-premise advertising. For the purpose of this section, 75
signs may include advertising any business, facility, event or event or facility sponsor 76
which are located within the boundaries of the sports arena and convention center sign 77
regulations overlay. 78
STANDARDS FOR THE SPORTS ARENA AND CONVENTION CENTER 79
Types of Signs
Permitted7, 8, 9
Maximum Area
per Sign Face
Maximum Height of
Freestanding Signs1
Minimum
Setback2
Number of Signs
Permitted per
Sign Type
Awning/canopy
signs
5 square feet per
linear foot of
canopy length
(sign area only)
Shall not be located
above the second
floor level of the
building for both
awning and canopy
signs
May extend 6
feet from face of
building but not
within 2 feet
from back of
curb
1 per first floor
window/door, may
be combined with
adjacent doors/
windows
Flat sign (general
building
orientation)
5 square feet per
linear foot of
building face
n/a 1 per building face
Flat sign
(storefront
orientation)
Flat sign
(storefront
orientation)
n/a 3 per business
storefront
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Flat sign display,
electronic
changeable copy
message center3
No larger than
1,400 square feet
per sign
n/a 5 per city block
Freestanding sign,
electronic
changeable copy
message center4
Not more than
1,600 square feet
per sign, which
may be located in
a continuous
round display
45 feet n/a 2 per city block
Monument sign 3 square feet per
linear foot of
street frontage
20 feet None 5 per street
frontage
Private directional
sign5
100 square feet 20 feet No setback No limit
Roof sign 5 square feet per
linear foot of
building frontage
20 feet above the roof
line or parapet wall
n/a 1 per building
Roof surface sign 30,000 square
feet6
n/a n/a 1 per roof surface
Special event light
pole sign
10 square feet 20 feet n/a 2 per light pole
Special event sign Sign may cover
up to 60% of total
building face7
May not exceed the
height of building
n/a 1 per street
frontage
Window sign 90% of total
frontage window
area (interior or
exterior) for
sports arena
events, not to
exceed 6 months
in duration for
each calendar year
unless otherwise
allowed by the
zoning
administrator.
No Limit n/a No Limit
Notes: 80
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1. Reserved 81
2. Public property lease and insurance required for projection over property line. 82
3. Flat sign, electronic changeable copy message center may display static or rotating messages or 83
operate as outdoor television monitors. 84
4. An advertising face on a freestanding sign with an electronic changeable copy message center 85
that is not oriented to a public street may be operated to allow full motion video display. 86
5. Private directional sign may include an electronic changeable copy message center within the 87
sign area. 88
6. To be located on the horizontal plane of a roof surface, primarily viewable from planes and 89
surrounding buildings located above the arena. 90
7. Advertising or corporate logos are limited to on premises advertising of sports arena events and 91
sponsors only. 92
8. Dwell and Twirl time: Text, images, or graphics on an electronic message center shall not change 93
more than once every eight (8) seconds. Twirl time between subsequent static text, images, or 94
graphics shall not exceed one-fourth (0.25) second. Outdoor television monitors are exempt. 95
9. Brightness: No electronic message center shall exceed a brightness level of three-tenths (0.3) 96
foot-candle as measured at a pre-set distance. The measurement distance shall be determined 97
based on the area of the electronic message center using the following formula: the square root of 98
(the electronic message center area times 100). Fractions shall be rounded to the nearest foot. 99
100
4. Amends Subsection 21A.46.120.E.4.b as follows: 101
b. Standards for the Ballpark Located on the Southeast Corner of 1300 South and West 102
Temple: Flat signs, construction signs, political signs, real estate signs, new development 103
signs, window signs, public safety signs, and nameplates shall comply with the table for 104
standards for the PL, PL-2 and I Districts 105
106
Types of Signs
Permitted
Maximum Area per
Sign Face
Maximum Height
of Freestanding
Signs1
Minimum
Setback2
Number of
Signs
Permitted
Awning signs 1 square foot per
linear foot of awning See note 1
May extend 6
feet from face of
building, 2 feet
from back of
curb face5
1 per first floor
door/window
and not to
extend beyond
1 foot on each
side of the
door or
window width
Monument
signs3,4
60 square feet of total
sign face area
including a base. The
base shall be 25% of
the sign height.
8 feet 10 feet 1 per building
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Pole signs
(triangle frame
structure)
180 square feet per
gross sign face.
540 square feet for the
structure
30 feet
No sign
projection over
the property line
1 pole sign
which allows 4
sign panels per
sign face, 1 of
which may
contain an
electronic
changeable
copy message
center4 and 1
logo sign (12
total signs for
the triangular
pole sign)
Private
direction signs3
8 square feet of total
sign face area
including a base. The
base shall be 25% of
the sign height.
4 feet 2 feet behind
property lines
2 per driveway
approach and
as necessary
for pedestrian
direction
Notes: 107
1. For limits on the height of building signs, see Subsection 21A.46.070.J of this chapter. 108
2. Not applicable to temporary signs mounted as flat signs. 109
3. Modified from the standards for the PL, PL-2 and I Districts and required for the Ballpark 110
Overlay District. 111
4. An electronic message center changeable copy shall only be permitted on arterial street 112
frontages. Electronic message center changeable copy panels shall not exceed 50 square feet. 113
5. Public property lease and insurance required for projection over property line. 114
115
5. Amends Subsection 21A.37.050.H as follows: 116
H. Exterior Lighting: All exterior lighting shall be shielded and directed down to prevent light trespass 117
onto adjacent properties. Exterior lighting shall not strobe, flash or flicker. Electronically displayed 118
art shall comply with the motion and brightness standards for electronic message centers in 119
21A.46.070.W. 120