EMC Signage Rules in Boone County, Florence, KY and FAQ (Commercial Districts C1)

Navigating the rules and regulations for installing signs in Boone County, particularly within the city limits of Florence, KY, can be complex. This guide aims to provide a detailed overview of the signage rules, specifically for Electronic Message Centers (EMCs) in Commercial District 1 (C-1). This guide will also serve as an FAQ to answer common questions.

Sign Size Based on Road Frontage

The size of a sign is determined by the property's road frontage. If a property has frontage on more than one road, like Ewing Boulevard and Burlington Pike (KY 18), the size and height of the sign are based on the frontage of the road where the sign is located.

Example Scenario

Dual Frontage Property: Suppose a property is located between Ewing Boulevard and Burlington Pike (KY 18).
Choosing the Frontage: The owner can choose which road frontage to use for calculating the sign size and height, depending on where the sign will be placed.

If the Sign is Placed on Ewing Boulevard Side:
- Measure the length of the frontage along Ewing Boulevard.
- Determine the allowed sign height and area based on this measurement.
If the Sign is Placed on KY 18 (Burlington Pike) Side:
- Measure the length of the frontage along KY 18.
- Determine the allowed sign height and area based on this measurement.

Specific Rules:

Sign Height:
Sign Area:

By accurately measuring the road frontage on the specific side where the sign will be located, the property owner can determine the permissible dimensions for their signage.

Right of Way and Placement Restrictions

Subject Property: The sign must be located on the subject property, not in the right of way.
Utility Easement: Permission is required if the sign is within a utility easement.
Setback and Sight Distance: There is no setback requirement from the property line, but the sign must not create sight distance issues.
Access Obstruction: No sign shall obstruct access to or from doorways, fire escapes, or required escape windows.
Airflow Blockage: Signs must not block free airflow through windows in residential units.
Clear Sight Triangle: Signs located within a clear sight triangle must not obstruct the vision of motorists or pedestrians.

EMC Sign Size Regulations

Overall Sign Size: Up to 150 square feet, depending on road frontage.
EMC Size: Up to 50% of the overall sign area.
- For a 150 square foot sign, the EMC can be up to 75 square feet.
Fixed Panel Requirement: The sign must have a fixed panel. At least 50% of the sign must be a static panel.

Height and Placement

Building Mounted Signs

Must not extend above the top of the building wall, including parapets and architectural extensions. Signs must not overhang the edge or corner of the wall they are mounted on (except for projecting signs).

Free Standing Signs:

Allowed up to 20 feet in height, depending on road frontage verification.
The bottom edge of any freestanding sign (excluding entrance signs) in areas used for vehicular movement or parking must be at least ten (10) feet above the paved level. This height may need to be increased for areas with tractor-trailer traffic.

Prohibitions and Permissions for Moving Signs

Animations: Moving signs or animations are prohibited.
EMCs: EMCs are allowed as a conditional use.

Conditional Use for EMCs

To install an EMC, a conditional use permit is required from the Florence Board of Adjustment. The process includes submitting an application, which will be reviewed in a public meeting.

Application Submission: Submit to the Boone County Planning Commission.
Design Review: The sign design must meet all zoning regulations.
Code Section: Refer to section 3408.5 for specific rules.

Application Process and Timeline

Public Meeting: Conditional use applications are reviewed in a public meeting held by the Florence Board of Adjustment.
Meeting Schedule: Second Wednesday of each month.
Application Deadline: 22 calendar days prior to the meeting.
- Example: For a meeting on the second Wednesday of August, the application deadline would be around mid-July.

Specific Sign Regulations in Commercial Districts (Table 34-3)

Below is a summary of the types of signs allowed in various commercial districts (C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4) and their associated regulations:

Type of Sign	C-1	C-2	C-3	C-4	Reference
Abandoned signs and support structures	-	-	-	-	Sec. 3403
Animated, revolving, and moving signs	-	-	-	-	Sec. 3403
Signs not legible from the public right-of-way	E	E	E	E	Sec. 3404
Signs less than 4 sq. ft. in area and height	E	E	E	E	Sec. 3404
Signs on coin-operated machines, vending machines, gasoline pumps, or ATMs	E	E	E	E	Sec. 3404
Banners, pennants, posters, ribbons, flags for advertising	-	-	-	-	Sec. 3403
Building mounted signs	P	P	P	P	Sec. 3408.1
Non-commercial building mounted signs (≤ 4 sq. ft.)	E	E	E	E	Sec. 3404
Canopy signs	P	P	P	P	Sec. 3408.2
Cornerstones, foundation stones, memorial signs (≤ 6 sq. ft.)	E	E	E	E	Sec. 3404
Cultural decorations or displays (non-commercial)	E	E	E	E	Sec. 3404
Directional signs	P	P	P	P	Sec. 3408.3
Drive-through and menu boards	P	P	P	P	Sec. 3408.4
Electronic message boards/screens	C	C	C	C	Sec. 3408.5
Entrance signs	-	-	-	-	Sec. 3408.7
Freestanding signs	P	P	P	P	Sec. 3408.6
Height bar/vertical clearance directional signs (no advertising)	E	E	E	E	Sec. 3404
Hot air balloons, spot lights, or search lights	-	-	-	-	Sec. 3403
New billboards	-	-	-	-	Sec. 3403
Official flags of cities, the country, commonwealth, or any nation	E	E	E	E	Sec. 3404
Portable signs	-	-	-	-	Sec. 3403
Roof signs	-	-	-	-	Sec. 3403
Sandwich board/A-frame signs	E	E	E	E	Sec. 3404
Signs attached to trees, telephone poles, street lights, public benches, bus stops, or public property	-	-	-	-	Sec. 3403
Signs conforming to the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices	E	E	E	E	Sec. 3404
Signs imitating or resembling official traffic or government signs	-	-	-	-	Sec. 3403
Temporary political, subdivision, public event, directional, real estate, or agricultural advertising signs	P	P	P	P	Sec. 3404
Signs placed on vehicles or trailers for the primary purpose of supplementing or replacing on-premise signage	-	-	-	-	Sec. 3403
Signs using sounds, music, sound effects, or noise-making devices	-	-	-	-	Sec. 3403
Symbols without commercial messages integrated into building architecture	E	E	E	E	Sec. 3404
Window signs	E	E	E	E	Sec. 3404

Key:

P: Permitted E: Exempt C: Conditional use permit required
-: Not allowed

FAQs

What is the maximum height allowed for a sign in Florence, KY?

The maximum height allowed is 20 feet, provided the property has more than 100 feet of road frontage.

Can the entire sign be an EMC?

No, the sign cannot be entirely an EMC. At least 50% of the sign must be a static, fixed panel.

How do I determine the allowed sign area?

The allowed sign area is one square foot per linear foot of road frontage, up to a maximum of 150 square feet.

Are moving or animated signs allowed?

No, moving or animated signs are not allowed. EMCs are allowed with a conditional use permit.

What is the process for getting a conditional use permit for an EMC?

Submit an application to the Boone County Planning Commission. The application will be reviewed in a public meeting held by the Florence Board of Adjustment.

What are the setback requirements for signs?

There are no specific setback requirements from the property line, but the sign must not create sight distance issues.

How long does the conditional use permit process take?

The process typically takes about a month, with applications due 22 days prior to the meeting.

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