Are LED Signs Allowed in Gunnison, Sanpete County, Utah? A Guide to Permits, Sizes, and Zoning
EMC Sign Allowed?
✅ Yes. Gunnison’s Land Development Code allows and regulates EMC (Electronic Message Center) signs (“EMCs”) under its sign regulations (§4.8 Signs), subject to strict controls on size, illumination, placement, permitting, and zone district type.
🔗 Full Ordinance – City of Gunnison Sign Code
🔗 Zoning & GIS Map – City of Gunnison Zoning & GIS Map
EMC Sign Summary Table
| Feature | Allowance / Restriction in Gunnison |
|---|---|
| Zoning districts that allow EMCs | Nonresidential zones: Commercial (C), Industrial (I), Central Business District (CBD) under certain conditions. |
| EMC sign styles allowed | Free-standing EMCs; portion of freestanding sign area; also projection and/or building face signs with EMC portions. |
| Off-premise EMCs allowed | Generally, ❌no; signs must identify or advertise only the business or establishment upon which they are located. |
| EMCs in Right-of-Way | ❌Not allowed. Signs cannot project into or over public rights of way unless explicitly permitted. |
| Maximum allowed EMC area vs. permitted free-standing sign | EMC portion often limited to a % of the permitted free-standing sign area (e.g., 25%) with absolute maximum square footage caps depending on zone. |
| Number of EMC signs per parcel | Limited to 2 per parcel for free-standing signs in many nonresidential districts. |
| Height / Setback restrictions | Must comply with zone district height and setback standards for free-standing and building-mounted signs. Also, limits on how far the EMC portion may project. |
| Illumination/lighting requirements | EMCs are subject to obtaining electrical permits; must comply with construction, illumination, and safety standards; transitions or message changes (EMC “travel” or “transition” modes) are regulated. |
Zoning District Overview
Gunnison defines several base zone districts in its LDC, each with different allowances for signs:
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Residential zones: R-1, R-1M, R-2, RMU, R-3 – EMCs are not typically allowed in strictly residential zones under permitted sign types.
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Nonresidential zones: B-1 (Professional Business), CBD (Central Business District), C (Commercial), I (Industrial) – these are the zones where EMCs are allowed under certain conditions.
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Special Purpose / Planned Unit Development zones also have signage rules that may allow EMCs if integrated into approved plans.
Signage / EMC-Specific Standards
Here are some of the key rules in Gunnison that affect EMCs:
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Freestanding Signs and EMC portions
The EMC portion may be limited to about 25% of the permitted free-standing sign area, or capped in certain districts (e.g., maximum square footage for EMC portion). -
Number, Height, Setback
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Usually up to 2 free-standing EMC signs per parcel in nonresidential districts.
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Max height for signs depends on the district; setbacks from property lines are required. EMC portions must conform to those.
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Message Format / Transition / Animation
Gunnison defines “Travel” and “Transition” modes for the change of message on EMCs.
There are restrictions on how message transitions occur (speed, visibility, etc.) to avoid visual distractions. -
Illumination / Safety / Electrical Permits
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Any electronic or illuminated sign requires an electrical permit.
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Must meet construction, illumination, and safety standards.
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Sign structures, foundations, and attachments must be engineered for wind, snow, and dead loads.
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Prohibited Signs
Some sign types are explicitly prohibited in certain zones (or completely), including some changeable signs in Residential or in certain business zones. The code lists particular prohibited sign types. EMCs in those zones are disallowed. -
Temporary Signs
Temporary signs must comply with size, duration, height, and lighting rules. Importantly, temporary signs may not be illuminated. EMC features are more permanently regulated, so EMC as a temporary sign is likely not permitted.
Permit Filing Requirements
To install an EMC sign in Gunnison, you would need to follow:
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Submit a sign permit application with required details: drawings/specs including size, materials, exact construction, sign structure, and illumination method.
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Provide an electrical permit for illuminated or EMC portions.
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Meet zone district standards for maximum sign area, height, setbacks, number of signs, etc.
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If you are in CBD, Industrial, or other nonresidential zones, confirm with the specific sign schedule table (in the code) to see the exact area, height, etc.
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Ensure that sign transitions/animation modes comply with the definitions (travel, transition) and avoid prohibited effects.
Local Project Examples
Here are possible or likely examples (hypothetical or recent) given the code:
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A commercial business in the C (Commercial) zone is installing a free-standing EMC sign where the EMC portion is 25% of its permitted free-standing sign area.
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Industrial facility in I (Industrial) zone using an EMC portion in a monument sign, complying with height and setback restrictions.
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A business in the Central Business District (CBD) is using an EMC portion but capped at the allowed square footage for that zone.
Full Ordinance Text Excerpts
“EMC (§4.8 D.8.): 25% of the permitted free-standing sign area (maximum … ) in Commercial; … see §4.8 H.3 for additional standards associated with EMCs.”
“Electronic Message Centers … Installation of any electronic sign is subject to obtaining an electrical permit.”
“Travel is a mode of message transition on an Electronic Message Center … Transition is a visual effect used on an Electronic Message Center to change from one message to another.”
“Temporary signs … Lighting: No temporary sign shall be illuminated.”
External Reference Links
🗺️ Walls Zoning & GIS Map
📘 Walls Zoning Sign Code
📝 Permit Application Portal