Are LED Signs Allowed in Pleasant Grove, Utah County, Utah? A Guide to Permits, Sizes, and Zoning
EMC Sign Allowed?
✅ Yes – with conditions.
Pleasant Grove’s sign code includes an explicit definition for “Electronic Message Center.”
The code thus contemplates EMCs as a permitted sign type (or portion of a sign) when complying with the prescribed standards.
For example:
“No electronic message sign shall exceed a brightness of more than three-tenths (0.3) foot candle above the ambient light as measured using a foot candle (lux).”
So long as an EMC adheres to the brightness cap, changeability rules, and other structural or design criteria, it should be acceptable under Pleasant Grove’s sign regulations.
🔗 Full Ordinance – City of Pleasant Grove Sign Code
🔗 Zoning & Parcel View – City of Pleasant Grove Zoning & Parcel View
EMC Sign Summary Table
| Feature | Pleasant Grove Code Rule |
|---|---|
| Zoning districts/zones allowed | As allowed under Chapter 19 for signs / outdoor advertising (subject to district sign allowances) |
| EMC sign styles allowed | EMC may form part of wall signs or other permitted sign types, subject to code rules (e.g., wall sign rules) |
| Off-premise EMCs allowed | Not clearly indicated in the excerpts—would need to check full Chapter 19 for off-premise signage rules |
| EMCs in public right-of-way | No explicit allowance in the excerpts; likely prohibited unless specifically authorized in Chapter 19 |
| Maximum brightness/illumination | Must not exceed 0.3 foot candle above ambient (measured via foot‐candle method) |
| Use restrictions/change rate, etc. | The code imposes limits on brightness; likely other rules about transitions, dwell time, and non-animation (to avoid distraction) in the full chapter (not in the snippet) |
Sign Regulation / Zoning Framework Overview
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Pleasant Grove maintains a Chapter 19: Signs & Outdoor Advertising code section covering definitions, permitted signs, prohibited signs, design standards, illumination, and enforcement.
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The code includes a definition for “Electronic Message Center” (EMC).
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Wall sign rules, illumination rules, materials, and design harmony requirements are spelled out in separate sections (e.g., wall sign illumination).
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The building/permitting department handles new signs, and sign permits are required.
To assess for a specific property, you’d need to (a) identify which zone the property lies in (residential, commercial, mixed, etc.), (b) see the permitted sign types per zone in Chapter 19, and (c ensure your EMC design meets both the general sign rules and the EMC-specific constraints.
Zoning-Specific Sign / EMC Standards (Wall Signs Example)
Below is a key excerpt dealing with wall signs and EMC brightness rules, which shows how EMCs must conform when part of a wall sign:
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Wall Sign Illumination / Brightness Cap
“No electronic message sign shall exceed a brightness of more than three-tenths (0.3) foot candle above the ambient light,” as measured in foot‐candle (lux) units. -
Design / Mounting
Wall signs can be internally or externally lit.
Signs may extend up to 18 inches from the wall surface but must not exceed the roofline or parapet limits.
Wiring and hardware must be concealed; materials should be low-maintenance.
These rules mean an EMC integrated into a wall sign must not be overly bright, must fit within the physical boundaries (projection, height), and must maintain design consistency with the building.
Other sign types (monument, pole, freestanding, projecting, etc.) likely have their own illumination / EMC provisions in Chapter 19, which should be reviewed to ensure compliance.
Permit Filing Requirements
To install an EMC in Pleasant Grove:
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Submit a Sign Permit Application through the City’s Community Development / Building Division.
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Provide sign plans including dimensions, materials, electrical wiring, mounting, and illumination/brightness controls.
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Demonstrate compliance with EMC brightness standards (0.3 foot candle over ambient) and that transitions, animations, or movement (if any) comply with the code (if such clauses exist).
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If needed, obtain a variance or conditional approval from the appropriate board (planning commission or city council) if your design deviates or is novel.
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Ensure compliance with applicable building and electrical codes (NEC, state codes) for the device and its installation.
You should check the city’s sign permit fee schedule and recent sign permit forms.
Local Project Examples
I did not locate public examples in Pleasant Grove of permitted EMC sign installations, but the existence of explicit EMC rules suggests the city anticipates their use and may have some instances. You might check recent planning commission minutes or building permit logs for signs listed as “electronic sign,” “LED display,” “EMC,” or “digital message board.”
Full Ordinance Text Excerpts (Selected)
Definition – Electronic Message Center
“Electronic Message Center: A mechanism or device which uses a combination of lights, lighted or unlighted panels which are controlled electronically to produce ...”
Wall Sign / Illumination Rule
“No electronic message sign shall exceed a brightness of more than three-tenths (0.3) foot candle above the ambient light as measured using a foot candle (lux).”
These excerpts underscore that EMC signs are recognized in the Pleasant Grove code but are subject to tight brightness limits and integration with permitted signs.
External Reference Links
🗺️ Pleasant Grove Zoning & Parcel View
📘 Pleasant Grove Zoning Sign Code
📝 Permit Application Portal