HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 3886 ORDINANCE NO. 3886
ZONING CASE TR25-01
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL AMENDING THE CODE
OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS BY
AMENDING CHAPTER 106, SIGNS, TO REVISE STANDARDS FOR
ELECTRONIC MESSAGE BOARDS, CHANGE THE NAME OF
ELECTRONIC MESSAGE BOARDS TO ELECTRONIC MESSAGE
SIGNS WHERE REFERENCED IN THE CHAPTER, REVISE THE
NUMBER OF BUILDING FACES PERMITTED FOR WALL SIGNS,
AND REVISE THE AREA CALCULATION CRITERIA FOR WALL
SIGNS; PROVIDING THAT THIS ORDINANCE SHALL BE
CUMULATIVE OF ALL ORDINANCES; PROVIDING FOR
SEVERABILITY; ESTABLISHING A PENALTY; PROVIDING FOR
SAVINGS; PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION; AND PROVIDING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City of North Richland Hills, Texas is a home-rule municipality located
in Tarrant County, Texas acting under its charter adopted by the electorate
pursuant to Article XI, Section 5 of the Texas Constitution and Chapter 9 of
the Local Government Code; and
WHEREAS, the Zoning Ordinance of the City of North Richland Hills regulates and
restricts the location and use of buildings, structures, and land for trade,
industry, residence, and other purposes, and provides for the establishment
of zoning districts of such number, shape, and area as may be best suited
to carry out these regulations; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to amend certain portions of the Sign Regulations
Ordinance regarding electronic message signs and wall signs; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that the proposed ordinance amendment
promotes the health, safety, morals, and the general welfare within the City
of North Richland Hills and is in the best interest of the City of North
Richland Hills;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS:
Ordinance No. 3886
TR25-01
Page 1 of 10
SECTION 1: That Chapter 106, Signs, and Code of Ordinances of the City of North
Richland Hills be amended in part by revising Section 106-2-"Definitions"
to delete the definition for "electronic message board" and add the
following definition to read as follows:
Electronic message sign means a sign that utilizes changeable copy
messages through internal illumination through light emitting diodes
(LED) or other light sources.
SECTION 2: That Chapter 106, Signs, and Code of Ordinances of the City of North
Richland Hills be amended in part by revising Section 106-2-"Definitions"
to revise the definition for"ground sign"to read as follows:
Ground sign means a permanent sign that has its supporting structure
depending on the ground for attachment and includes pole signs,
monument signs, outdoor menu message boards, electronic message
signs, and traffic directional signs.
77
SECTION 3: That Chapter 106, Signs, and Code of Ordinances of the City of North
Richland Hills be amended in part by revising Section 106-3 - "General
regulations," Subsection (12) "Freeway overlay zone" to read as follows:
(12) Freeway overlay zone. There shall be a freeway overlay zone
located within an area 200 feet from and parallel to the right of way
of I.H. Loop 820 and State Highway 121. A pole sign or electronic
message sign within the freeway overlay zone shall comply with
the following additional regulations:
a. Maximum pole sign and electronic message sign height: A pole
sign or electronic message sign located within the freeway
overlay zone shall not exceed 65 feet in height.
b. One pole sign shall be allowed per platted lot which must be
separated by a minimum of 100 feet from existing pole signs
located on adjacent lots.
c. Maximum pole sign and electronic message sign area: The
maximum size of a pole sign or electronic message sign located
Ordinance No. 3886
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within the freeway overlay zone shall be two square feet of sign
area for each linear foot of freeway frontage up to a maximum
of 400 square feet. Electronic message signs may not contain
displays which reproduce a sense of motion that may cause an
undue distraction to motorists and may not change displays or
flash at frequencies more than once every eight seconds.
Lettering or images that blink, flash, fly, or chase into view of
the electronic display shall be prohibited.
d. Any pole sign or electronic message sign located on the
property of a public school, private school, government entity,
or other nonprofit organization that is used to provide public
service information of a general nature to the community may
have a commercial sponsorship message on the sign. The
commercial sponsorship message is limited to ten percent of
the total sign area.
e. One pole sign or monument sign shall be allowed for each
separate auto dealership located within the freeway overlay
district, but may not exceed one sign for each 150 linear feet of
qualified street frontage, or fraction thereof. Auto dealership
signs shall be subject to the applicable provisions of the pole or
monument sign regulations. A pre-owned automobile
dealership and each new automobile make offered for sale shall
constitute separate dealerships for the purposes of this section.
17
SECTION 4: That Chapter 106, Signs, and Code of Ordinances of the City of North
Richland Hills be amended in part by revising Section 106-5 - "Prohibited
signs," Subsection (2) "Rotating and flashing signs" to read as follows:
(2) Rotating and flashing signs. Revolving, rotating, flashing, or
blinking beams or beacons of light shall be prohibited as a part of
a sign display or as a device to attract attention, except as required
by a governmental agency.
11
SECTION 5: That Chapter 106, Signs, and Code of Ordinances of the City of North
Richland Hills be amended in part by revising Section 106-9 - "Table of
permitted signs," Subsection "A. Ground Signs" to change the name of
electronic message board to electronic message sign and to read as
follows:
Ordinance No. 3886
TR25-01
Page 3 of 10
Residential Districts Nonresidential Districts
a p
a �
u
' c Z o ci c. M F' cc c-1 < <-i -t N U r-I N C•
� 8
a 0
a.
A.Ground Signs 13A
Electronic
Message Y .
Sign4
»
SECTION 6: That Chapter 106, Signs, and Code of Ordinances of the City of North
Richland Hills be amended in part by revising Section 106-9 - "Table of
permitted signs," footnote four (4) to read as follows:
4Electronic message signs allowed outside the freeway overlay zone
have additional restrictions than electronic message signs within the
freeway overlay zone.
SECTION 7: That Chapter 106, Signs, and Code of Ordinances of the City of North
Richland Hills be amended in part by revising the caption of Section 106-
12 to read as follows:
Sec. 106-12. Electronic message signs and digital billboards.
SECTION 8: That Chapter 106, Signs, and Code of Ordinances of the City of North
Richland Hills be amended in part by revising Section 106-12-"Electronic
message signs and digital billboards,"Subsection (a)"On-premises signs"
to read as follows:
(a) Electronic message signs. Electronic message signs are subject to
the following standards.
(1) Electronic message signs are permitted on properties with the
following primary land uses, provided it is the sole use of the
Ordinance No. 3886
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property. The sign is not permitted if the use is located in a
multitenant building or multiuse property.
a. Public or private school.
b. University or college.
c. House of worship.
d. Amusement park or theme park.
e. Public park.
f. Governmental building.
(2) Electronic message signs are subject to the following standards:
a. Number of signs. One electronic message sign is permitted
per lot.
b. Type and size. Electronic message signs are permitted as
monument signs only and subject to design standards in
Section 106-13(a)(2). The screen size must not exceed two-
thirds (2/3) of the overall sign message area.
c. Image requirements. The following standards apply to images
displayed on the electronic message sign screen.
i. The screen must display static messages for a period
of at least eight (8) seconds. A change of message
must occur simultaneously on the entire sign face and
transition instantaneously to another static image.
ii. The sign must not display animated, full-motion, or
other moving images; strobing, flashing, blinking, or
scrolling text or images; or any similar visual effects of
animation or movement.
iii. The sign must be equipped with technology that will
automatically freeze a blank screen, single message,
content, and/or image on the display if the sign
malfunctions or is damaged.
iv. The sign must be equipped with automatic dimming
technology that automatically adjusts the sign
brightness based on ambient light conditions.
d. Residential adjacency. To minimize the potential negative
effects on surrounding and adjacent residential properties,
Ordinance No. 3886
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Page 5 of 10
electronic message signs are prohibited from displaying
illuminated messages between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.in the
following circumstances:
i. when the sign is on residentially zoned property;
ii. when the sign is located within 100 feet of a residential
structure; and,
iii. when the sign is located within 100 feet of a
residentially zoned property.
e. Illumination. The electronic message sign must not exceed a
brightness level of zero-point-three (0.3) foot-candles above
ambient light conditions, as measured by the guidelines
below.
i. At least 30 minutes past sunset, a light meter must be
used to record the ambient light reading for the area.
All readings must be taken at five (5) feet above grade
and 45 feet from the sign. The meter must be aimed
directly at the sign.All measurements must be taken in
foot-candles.
ii. The initial reading must be performed while the digital
sign is off or displaying all black copy.
iii. A second reading must be taken with the sign turned
on and illuminated entirely in white or red.
iv. If the difference between the two readings taken above
is 0.3 foot-candles or lower, then the sign is in
compliance. If the result is greater than 0.3 foot-
candles, the sign is out of compliance and must be
adjusted to meet standards or turned off until
compliance can be met.
(3) Freeway overlay zone. Electronic message signs are permitted
within the freeway overlay zone, provided that the restrictions in
Section 106-3(12) are met.
(4) Fuel pricing signs. Electronic message signs are permitted to be
used to display the current price of diesel fuel or gasoline for sale,
provided that the restrictions in Section 106-13(b)(2) are met. The
fuel pricing message must not change more often than once per
hour.
Ordinance No. 3886
TR25-01
Page 6 of 10
SECTION 9: That Chapter 106, Signs, and Code of Ordinances of the City of North
Richland Hills be amended in part by revising Section 106-13 - "Sign
height, area, construction and placement standards," Subsection (a)
"Ground signs" to read as follows:
(a) Ground signs generally. Ground signs shall be regulated as pole
signs, monument signs, major development signs, subdivision
nameplate signs, new development signs, traffic directional signs,
electronic message signs, or outdoor menu board signs.
77
SECTION 10: That Chapter 106, Signs, and Code of Ordinances of the City of North
Richland Hills be amended in part by revising Section 106-13 - "Sign
height, area, construction and placement standards," Subsection (b)
"Building signs," Subsection (1) "Wall signs" to read as follows:
(1) Wall signs. The purpose of a wall sign is to provide single faced
signage attached flat against the wall of a structure. Each structure
or tenant space may have wall signage on a maximum of three
building faces. Wall signs are only permitted on faces of buildings
that have a street frontage or a public entrance. For the purpose of
these regulations, a sign attached to a mansard roof that has a one
to one slope or more shall be regulated as a wall sign. For the
purpose of these regulations, a sign that is attached or affixed to an
awning that does not extend more than 36 inches from the exterior
wall surface to which it is attached shall be regulated as a wall sign.
Wall signs shall comply with the following regulations:
SECTION 11: That Chapter 106, Signs, and Code of Ordinances of the City of North
Richland Hills be amended in part by revising Section 106-13 - "Sign
height, area, construction and placement standards," Subsection (b)
"Building signs," Subsection (1) "Wall signs," Subsection (b) "Maximum
area" to read as follows:
Ordinance No. 3886
TR25-01
Page 7 of 10
(b) Maximum area. Multiple wall signs are allowed on exterior walls, but
the maximum area of all wall signs on each such wall must not
exceed ten percent (10%) of the exterior wall area. For the purpose
of these regulations, the term "exterior wall area" means the exterior
wall surface area of a single tenant structure or the storefront of a
multi-occupancy structure. The wall area is calculated as the width
of the wall multiplied by the height of the wall from the finished floor
elevation or top of foundation to the top of the parapet wall or the
bottom of the eave, whichever is tallest.
SECTION 12: That Chapter 106, Signs, and Code of Ordinances of the City of North
Richland Hills be amended in part by revising Section 106-13 - "Sign
height, area, construction and placement standards" Subsection (b)
"Building signs" Subsection (1) "Wall signs" Subsection (e) "No projection
above roofline" to read as follows:
(e) Wall sign placement. Wall signs must be placed flat against the wall
of the building. The sign must be located at least twelve (12) inches
horizontally from the edge of a wall or tenant space, and at least
twelve (12) inches vertically from a cornice line, parapet wall, the
apparent flat roofline, or eaves line of the building.
SECTION 13: This Ordinance shall be cumulative of all provisions of ordinances and of
the Code of Ordinances of the City of North Richland Hills, Texas, as
amended, except when the provisions of this Ordinance are in direct
conflict with the provisions of such ordinances and such code, in which
event the conflicting provisions of such ordinances and such code are
hereby repealed.
SECTION 14: It is hereby declared to be the intention of the City Council that the
sections, paragraphs, sentences, clauses, and phrases of this Ordinance
are severable, and if any section, paragraph, sentence, clause, or phrase
of this Ordinance shall be declared unconstitutional by the valid judgment
or decree of any court of competent jurisdiction, such unconstitutionality
shall not affect any of the remaining sections, paragraphs, sentences,
clauses, and phrases of this Ordinance, since the same would have been
Ordinance No. 3886
TR25-01
Page 8 of 10
enacted by the City Council without the incorporation in this Ordinance of
any such unconstitutional section, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase.
SECTION 15: Any person, firm, or corporation violating any provision of the Sign
Regulations of the City of North Richland Hills as amended hereby shall
be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon final conviction thereof
fined in an amount not to exceed Five Hundred ($500.00). Each day any
such violation shall be allowed to continue shall constitute a separate
violation and punishable hereunder.
SECTION 16: All rights and remedies of the City of North Richland Hills are expressly
saved as to any and all violations of the provisions of any ordinances
governing the sign regulations that have accrued at the time of the
effective date of this Ordinance; and, as to such accrued violations and all
pending litigation, both civil and criminal, whether pending in court or not,
under such ordinances, same shall not be affected by this Ordinance but
may be prosecuted until final disposition by the courts.
SECTION 17: The City Secretary is hereby authorized and directed to cause the
publication of the descriptive caption and penalty clause of this Ordinance
as required by law, if applicable.
SECTION 18: This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect upon publication as
required by law.
AND IT IS SO ORDAINED.
PASSED AND APPROVED on this 27th day of January, 2025.
CITY OF NORTH.RICHLAND HILLS
it.:7L(
J McCarty, Mayor
' 7'
ATTEST: .�6`.0'0LAN j I..,
a, ,,..,_, Z . r
Alicia Richardson p:Q'•. ���'
City Secretary/Chief Gov ?.Offi ��.
Ordinance No. 3886 �I',`°°trod•"`�
TR25-01
Page 9 of 10
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
Bradley A. Berle, City Attorney
APPROVED AS TO CONTENT:
Clayton Co stock
Managing Director of Development Services
Ordinance No. 3886
TR25-01
Page 10 of 10
pa&c.det 'd "ittiredeutee . .
STATE OF TEXAS
COUNTY OF TARRANT
I,JOHN M. BONDURANT,JR., PUBLISHER
of the COMMERCIAL RECORDER,am over the age CITY OF
NORTH RICHLAND HILLS
of 18, have knowledge of the facts stated herein, ORDINANCE NO.3886
and am otherwise competent to make this AN ORDINANCE OF'THE
p CITY COUNCIL AMEND-
affidavit. The COMMERCIAL RECORDER, of Fort .ING THE CODE OF ORDI-
NANCES OF THE.CITY OF
Worth, Tarrant County, Texas, is a newspaper of JvoxiTiRIc.HI.ANDBILLSBY
AMENDING.CHAPTER 106,
general circulatioCl which has been published in SIGNS,.TO.REVISE STAtif
Tarrant County regularly and continuously for a MESSAGE BOARDS,CHANGiS
period of over one year prior to the first day of THE NAME OF ELECTRON-
IC MESSAGE BOARDS.TO.
publication of this notice. The COMMERCIAL ELECTRONIC MESSAGE•
RECORDER is qualified topublish legal notices SIGNS WHERE REFER-
RECORDERg ENCED IN THE CHAPTER.,
according to Article 28e, Revised Civil statutes of REVISE THE NUMBER OF
BUILDING FACES PERMIT-
Texas. TED FOR WALL SIGNS,Aftlai
REVISE THEAREA CALCULI,
TION CRITERIA FOR WALL
I,solemnly swear that the notice hereto attached SIGNS; PROVIDING...TRAP
was published in the COMMERCIAL RECORDER, CUMURDINaNCESl.OR
CUMULATII�S OF Ail.ORI;.
on the following dates,to-wit: NANCES; PROVIDING FOR
SEVERABIL1TY;ESTABLiSII-
INGAPENALTY;PROVIDIP
January 31,2025 FOR SAVINGS;PROVIDINa
FOR PUBLICATION; ANSI
PROVIDING AN EFFECr'ISSk
DATE.
Any person, firm;or-crr-
poration violating any provl-;
sion of the Sign'Regulations'
of the City of North Richlatid
Sworn to and subscribed before me this Hills as amended hereb}
shall be deemed guilty of ti`
31st day of January,A.D. 2025 nal conviction
theand Upon'
'Hal conviction thecebf fine
in an amount not to•exceed
Five Hundred(vSOation.Eacli
day-any such violation-sliali
be allowed to continue shall:
constitutea separate violation.
anduand punishable
hable hereunder.:;;•
Notary Public,Tarrant County,Texas PASSED AND APPROVED on'
this 27th dayof]anuary,2025:
CITY_DF NORTH RICHLAND
HILLS
By:/s/Jack McCarty
Jack McCarty,Mayor..
,,,,,, _� . ATTEST:
CUNDO V s Alicia Richardson
�ptr1+Y V�'I F��I�F JR // �;�.�;
! , Alicia Richardson
F I f.E4 iv My Notary ID#129755308 City Secretary/Chief Gover,
•s;or 1$• altos March 20,2026
nance Officer
• APPROVED AS TO'FORM'
AND LEGALITY: •
/s/Bradley A.Anderle`;. •
Bradley A.Anderle,City'At
torney '
1-31