HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007 01_zoning code chapters 15 thru 21_2007.02.06CITY OF OWASSO, OKLAHOMA
RESOLUTION NO. 2007 -01
A RESOLUTION RELATING TO THE RULES AND REGULATIONS OF A
PORTION OF THE OWASSO ZONING CODE: TO -WIT: CHAPTER 15
TELECOMMUNICATION TOWERS; AND CHAPTER 16, FENCING
REQUIREMENTS, AND CHAPTER 17, FLOOD HAZARD REGULATIONS; AND
CHAPTER 18, SIGNS; AND CHAPTER 19, OUTDOOR LIGHTING; AND
CHAPTER 20, LANDSCAPING REQUIREMENTS; AND CHAPTER 21, ACCESS
GATES FOR GATED COMMUNITIES; PROVIDING STANDARDS FOR
DEVELOPMENTS IN THE CITY OF OWASSO.
WHEREAS, the zoning regulations of the City of Owasso are intended to provide
standards that will enhance the health, safety, and general welfare of the public,
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Owasso,
Oklahoma, that the following standards are adopted as the Rules and Regulations for: Chapter
15, Telecommunication Towers; and Chapter 16, Fencing Requirements; and Chapter 17, Flood
Hazard Regulations; and Chapter 18, Signs; and Chapter 19, Outdoor Lighting; and Chapter 20,
Landscaping Requirements; and Chapter 21, Access Gates for Gated Communities; of the City of
Owasso Zoning Code. Said chapters are included with this resolution as "Exhibit A ".
OF 0 .
OFFICIAL
SEAL
ATTEST:
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Sherry Bisholf, City Clerk VT
Approved this 6th day of February 2007.
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Stephen ataudella, Mayor
EXHIBIT A
CHAPTER 15
TELECOMMUNICATION TOWERS
1510 Definitions
1520 Telecommunication Towers
SECTION 1510 DEFINITIONS
For the purpose of this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meaning ascribed
to them as follows:
1. The term "telecommunications tower" means a structure more than ten feet tall, built
primarily to support one or more telecommunications antennas.
2. The term "telecommunications" means the transmission, between or among points
specified by the user, or information of the user's choosing, without change in the form
or content or information as sent and received.
3. The term "telecommunications service" means the offering of telecommunications for a
fee directly to the public, or to such classes of users as to be effectively available directly
to the public, regardless of the facilities used.
4. The term "antenna" means any structure or device used to collect or radiate
electromagnetic waves, including both directional antennas, such as panels or dishes, and
omni- directional antennas, such as whips, but not including satellite earth stations.
5. The term "telecommunications antenna" means an antenna used to provide a
telecommunications service.
6. The term "antenna array" means a structure attached to a telecommunication tower that
supports telecommunication antennas.
7. The term "whip antenna" means an omni- directional dipole antenna of cylindrical shape
that is no more than six inches in diameter.
8. The term "non whip antenna" means an antenna that is not a whip antenna, such as dish
antennas, panel antennas, etc.
9. The term "EIA -222" means Electronic Industries Association Standard 222, "Structural
Standards for Steel Antenna Towers and Antenna Support Structures"
10. The term "historically significant landscapes" and "architecturally significant structures"
shall apply to those areas identified as such within the National Register of Historic
Places.
SECTION 1520 TELECOMMUNICATION TOWERS
(A) NO SPECIAL EXCEPTION REQUIRED
(1) Permitted By Right — Telecommunication towers are a permitted use in all CG,
CH, IL, IM, and IH if proposed towers satisfy the following requirements.
Telecommunication towers permitted under this subsection may exceed
compatibility and base district height restrictions.
(a) Aesthetic Protection
Telecommunication facilities shall be so located to ensure that historically
significant landscapes are protected. The views of vistas from
architecturally and/or historically significant structures should not be
impaired or diminished by the placement of telecommunication facilities.
(b) Setback
Tower shall be a minimum of 200' from any RS -3 or more restrictive
district.
(c) Height
Tower height, excluding antenna array, does not exceed:
(1) 75 feet, if the tower is at least 200 feet but less than 250 feet, from
any RS -3 or more restrictive district.
(2) 100 feet, if the tower is at least 250 feet but less than 350 feet,
from any RS -3 or more restrictive district.
(3) 120 feet if the tower is 350' or greater, from any RS -3 or more
restrictive district.
(d) Antenna Array Height
The antenna array does not exceed the tower height by more than 10 feet.
(e) Setback of Guy Wires
All guy wires and guy anchors are setback a minimum of 20 feet from any
property line.
(f) Tower Type
The tower is of monopole design, or one of equal or lesser impact, if
located within 350' of any RS -3 or more restrictive district.
(g) Co- Location
A telecommunication tower must be designed and built so as to be capable
of use by at least three wireless communication providers such as cellular
or PCS providers using antenna arrays of 9 to 12 antennas each within 15
vertical feet of each other with no more than three degrees twist and sway
at the top elevation. The owner of the tower and the property on which the
tower is located must certify to the City that the antenna is available for
use by at least two other wireless telecommunication providers on a
reasonable and nondiscriminatory basis and at a cost not exceeding the
market value for the use of the facilities. If the property on which the
tower is proposed to be located is to be leased, the portions of the actual or
proposed lease that demonstrate compliance with the requirements of this
paragraph shall be submitted with the building permit application.
(h) Security Fencing
The base of tower is enclosed by security fencing.
(i) Compliance with Applicable Regulations
The tower is constructed and operated in compliance with current Federal
Communication Commission and other applicable federal and state
standards.
0) Neighborhood Impact
The proposed tower location will not cause a negative impact on any
residential neighborhood. In determining neighborhood impact, the
Director shall consider the opinion of record property owners within 300',
but the Director shall not be bound by such opinions expressed.
(k) Removal of Tower
Upon the discontinuance of use of any such tower for a period of thirty
(30) days, said tower is to be removed by the applicant /owner.
(2) Replacement of Existing Poles — Telecommunication towers erected to replace
existing poles are permitted in all zoning districts, provided that:
(a) The pole replaced is a functioning utility pole or light standard within an
established utility easement or public right -of -way, recreational facility
light pole, or telecommunication tower.
(b) Replacement tower height, including antenna array does not exceed:
(1) The height of the original utility, light standard, or recreational
facility light pole by more than 10 feet; or
(2) The height of the original telecommunication tower and
antenna array.
(c) The pole replaced does not obstruct a public sidewalk, public alley, or
other public right -of -way, and
(d) Pole appearance and function, except for antenna, are not significantly
altered.
(3) Placement on Existing Poles — permitted in all zoning districts, provided that:
(a) Telecommunication antennas are permitted on existing utility, lighting,
telecommunication towers, and sign structures at or exceeding 50 feet in
height.
(b) Provided that the antenna does not exceed the height of the structure by
more than ten (10) feet if a non -whip type or fifteen (15) feet if a whip
type.
(c) Telecommunication antennas located on existing structures are not subject
to the 5,000 feet separation requirement.
(d) If any additions, changes, or modifications are to be made to the
monopole, the Director of Community Development shall have the
authority to require proof, through the submission of engineering and
structural data, that the addition, change, or modification conforms to
structural wind load and all other requirements of the current Building
Code adopted by the City of Owasso.
(4) Roof Mounted Telecommunication Antennas — allowed on non - residential
buildings in all districts, provided that:
(a) Non -whip antennas do not exceed the height of the building by more than
ten (10) feet and is screened from view from any adjacent public roadway.
(b) Whip antennas do not exceed the height of the building by more than
fifteen (15) feet and are located no closer than fifteen (15) feet to the
perimeter of the building.
Prior to the installation of a roof mounted antenna, the Community
Development Department shall be provided with an engineer's
certification that the roof will support the proposed antenna and associated
roof - mounted antennas and equipment.
Roof mounted antennas and associated equipment may either be screened
with enclosures or facades having an appearance that blends with the
building on which they are located or by locating them so they are not
visible from an adjacent public roadway.
(5) Building Mounted Telecommunication Antennas of the nonwhip type are allowed
on non - residential buildings in all zoning districts, provided that:
(a) The antenna is mounted flush with the exterior of the building so that it
projects no more than 30 inches from the surface of the building to which
it is attached.
(b) The antenna's appearance is such as to blend with the surrounding surface
of the building.
(c) Associated equipment shall be place either within same building or in a
separate building that matches the existing building in character and
materials or blends with landscaping and other surrounding material
adjacent to the separate building housing the equipment. Associated
equipment for roof mounted antennas may be located on the roof of the
building if it is screened from view from any adjacent public roadway.
(6) When an application for a building permit to locate a telecommunication antenna
on an existing building or other structure is made, the Community Development
Department shall be provided with color photo simulations showing the site of the
existing structure with a photo- realistic representation of the proposed antenna
and the existing structure as it would appear viewed from the closest residential
property. The applicant shall also submit photographs of the same views showing
current appearance of the site without the proposed antenna.
(7) Distance Measurement — distances in this section shall be measured along a single
straight line between the center of the tower base and the nearest point on any
property line of identified historic property or RS -3 or more restrictive district or
use. For the purposes of applying restrictions set forth in this section, "RS -3 or
more restrictive zoning district or use" excludes property that is:
(a) Used as public or private primary or secondary educational facility;
(b) Used as a college or university educational facility;
Owned by the US, State of Oklahoma, Tulsa County, or the City of
Owasso, and not used for RS -3 or more restrictive residential uses;
Used primarily for religious assembly;
Used as a cemetery;
Occupied by non - residential, non - conforming uses; or
Any other site similar to those listed above and determined by the Director
of Community Development to be consistent with the purposes of this
section.
(8) Exceptions and Exemptions
(a) A telecommunication tower that fails to meet the requirements of this
section may be authorized by obtaining a Special Exception through the
Owasso Board of Adjustment.
(b) Towers erected by a public agency for police, fire, EMS, 911 or other
similar public emergency communication shall be exempt from the
requirements of this section.
(B) SPECIAL EXCEPTION REQUIRED
(1) This section is designed to encourage placement of telecommunication towers in
permitted areas. If a proposed telecommunication tower is not to be located in a
permitted by right district, a Special Exception is required.
(2) All Special Exception requests for telecommunication towers may be so
authorized by the Owasso Board of Adjustment, subject to the following
additional requirements:
(a) Setback from Historical Property
The tower shall not be on, or within 300 feet, or property recognized as a
historical property or a property of historical significance.
(b) Setbacks General
The telecommunication tower must be a minimum of 200 feet, or 3 to 1
distance to height ratio, whichever is greater, from structures used for
residential purposes.
(c) Height
Tower height, excluding antenna array, shall not exceed:
(1) 75 feet if the tower is at least 75 feet, but less than 100 feet, from
any RS -3 or more restrictive zoning district.
(2) 100 feet if the tower is at least 100 feet, but less than 200 feet,
from any RS -3 or more restrictive district or use.
(3) 120 feet if the tower is at least 200 feet, but less than 300 feet,
from any RS -3 or more restrictive district or use.
(4) Maximum height shall be an appropriate height set by the Board of
Adjustment, if the tower is in excess of 300 feet from any RS -3 or
more restrictive zoning district or use.
(d) Array Height
The antenna array shall not exceed the tower height by more than 10 feet.
(e) Guy Wires
All guy and guy wires shall be set back a minimum of 20 feet from any
property line.
(f) Monopole Required
Any tower within 200 feet of any RS -3 or more restrictive district shall be
of a monopole design, or one of equal or lesser impact.
(g) Security Fencing
The base of the tower shall be enclosed by security fencing at a height of 8
feet.
(h) Compliance with Applicable Regulations
The tower is constructed and operated in compliance with the current
Federal Communications Commission and other applicable federal and
state standards.
(i) Distance from Other Towers
New telecommunication towers must be a minimum distance of 5,000 feet
from any other telecommunication tower, unless in a by right district.
0) Removal of Tower
Upon the discontinuance of use of any such tower for a period of thirty
(30) days, said tower is to be removed by the applicant /owner.
CHAPTER 16
FENCING REQUIREMENTS
1610 Required screening fences
1620 Sight triangle definition
1630 Fences in residential neighborhoods
1640 Fences in flood and drainage areas
SECTION 1610 REQUIRED SCREENING FENCES
A. All residential uses, including, but not limited to, single - family attached and detached,
duplexes, multi - family, mobile homes, etc., that back up to any arterial road, shall be
screened with a solid opaque fence to provide screening of the rear yards of the
residential property. Parks, swimming pools, and other amenities included within a
residential subdivision and adjacent to an arterial may be bordered with a decorative
fence, approved by the Community Development Department, in lieu of a screening
fence. All multi - family residences, mobile home parks and all industrial uses that adjoin
any arterial or collector street or highway, shall be screened with a solid opaque fence
that provides screening of all yards. Screening fences shall not be less than six (6) feet
nor more than ten (10) feet in height; provided that such fences shall not be permitted in
any stormwater drainage easement, established floodplain, sight triangle areas, nor block
ingress and egress.
B. All non - single- family and non - duplex uses shall be screened from any adjacent single -
family and duplex uses by a screening wall or fence. Such screening wall or fence 1)
shall be constructed, designed, and arranged to provide visual separation of uses,
irrespective of vegetation, 2) shall not be less than six (6) feet in height, 3) shall be
constructed with all braces and supports on the interior, except when both sides are of the
same design and appearance, 4) shall be constructed prior to the occupancy of the
building or initiation of the use required to screen, and 5) shall be of the type of materials
compatible with the surrounding area.
C. On or after the effective day of this Ordinance, all new wooden screening fences,
including replacements for existing wooden screening fences that are required by the
Zoning Ordinance or are constructed as perimeter fencing for new subdivisions, shall
have the vertical support posts constructed of permanent building materials that may
include but not be limited to a minimum of schedule 40 galvanized steel posts with an
outside diameter equal to or larger than two and three- eighths (2 3/8) inch, masonry
columns at least one foot square, or pvc fencing using dual extruded pvc posts. Required
screening fences, as well as privacy fences that are not required by this code, shall be
constructed with all braces and supports on the interior. The Community Development
Department may permit alternative support posts as part of any site /landscape plan
review, as long as the materials used meet or exceed the wind load capabilities of the
materials listed above. Footings shall be constructed of concrete or equivalent materials.
Any existing fence otherwise lawful at the time of construction and thereafter maintained
may continue throughout its useful life; however, the replacement of such fence or other
repair of more than thirty (30) consecutive linear feet shall require the replacement or
repair to conform to the standards listed herein. Unless otherwise approved by the
Community Development Department, all fencing shall be uniform in height.
Replacement fencing/screening, excluding support posts, shall retain its original height
and material and the top elevation shall match the adjoining elevation.
D. The exterior of required screening fences shall be uniform for the entire length of the
development.
SECTION 1620 SIGHT TRIANGLE DEFINITION
An area of land located adjacent to the intersection of two (2) or more streets, which area of land
is bounded by a line measured from the center of a connecting street and extended along the curb
line of a corner lot for a distance of seventy -five (75) feet, to an end point to form one boundary
of the triangle, and bounded by a line measured from the center of the second connecting street
and extended along the second curb line of the corner lot for a distance of seventy five (75) feet
to an end point to form the second boundary of the triangle; and bounded by a straight line
connecting the two (2) end points of the first two (2) boundaries. This triangle has been
determined for regulatory purposes to be sufficient for the drivers of two (2) vehicles traveling at
twenty -five (25) miles per hour or less and approaching an uncontrolled intersection on separate,
interconnecting, level and dry streets to view each other and take appropriate actions safely.
This triangle has also been determined for regulatory purposes to be sufficient for pedestrian
traffic, which may be augmented by toys such as roller skates, skateboards, sleds and similar
devices.
SECTION 1630 FENCES IN RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS
A. Fences or vegetation having a screening effect shall not be permitted or allowed by the
owner to grow on any corner lot within the sight triangle of a corner lot.
B. Fences shall not be constructed in the street right -of -way, whether such right -of -way is
held as an easement or in fee.
C. If additional fences are constructed on the residential lot, such fences adjoining any
arterial, collector, or minor street, shall be not less than six (6) feet or more than eight (8)
feet in height. Fences adjoining a highway shall be not less than six (6) feet or more than
ten (10) feet in height.
D. Fences in residential areas may be constructed on property lines, in side yards, and rear
yards. However, no fences higher than thirty (30) inches may be constructed in any front
yard as defined by this code.
E. If the landowner of a corner lot constructs a fence within a side yard and rear yard in
accordance with Section 11.2, and if the rear portion of these yards of the corner lot abut
the side yard of a neighboring lot, then any such fence built between the building setback
line and the property line must be so constructed as to allow the driver of a vehicle on the
neighboring lot to have a clear view of the street and all traffic thereon, for a distance of
seventy -five (75) feet in each direction from the point of entrance into the street right -of-
way from the neighboring lot. For the purpose of this subsection, the rear portion of the
corner lot will be deemed to abut a neighboring side yard only if the two (2) yards form a
common boundary along the majority of their length.
SECTION 1640 FENCES IN FLOOD AND DRAINAGE AREAS
No fences, other than an open split rail fence or barbed wire fence, shall be constructed in any
one hundred -year floodplain area. No fences other than open split rail or barbed wire shall be
constructed in drainage easements that are not in the 100 -year floodplain area unless the owner
has been given the written approval of the Public Works Department following their
investigation of the consequences to the drainage.
CHAPTER 17
FLOOD HAZARD REGULATIONS
1710 Statutory Authorization, Findings of fact, and Statement of purpose
1720 Definitions
1730 Scope of controls; use and conditions
1740 Areas of special flood hazard defined
1750 Lands to which special flood hazard applies
1755 Basis for establishing the areas of special flood hazard
1760 Floodplain manager action
1765 Flood development permits
1770 Standards for floodways
1775 Standards for areas of shallow flooding
1780 Variance procedures
1785 Exemptions
1790 Enforcement and Penalties
SECTION 1710 STATUTORY AUTHORIZATION, FINDINGS OF FACT, AND
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
STATUTORY AUTHORIZATION
The Legislature of the State of Oklahoma has in (statutes) 82 O.S. § §1601 -1618, as amended,
Chapter 23 delegated the responsibility of local governmental units to adopt regulations designed
to minimize flood losses. Therefore, the City Council of Owasso, Oklahoma, does ordain as
follows:
FINDINGS OF FACT
1) The flood hazard areas of the City of Owasso, Oklahoma are subject to periodic inundation,
which results in loss of life and property, health and safety hazards, disruption of commerce and
governmental services, and extraordinary public expenditures for flood protection and relief, all
of which adversely affect the public health, safety and general welfare.
2) These flood losses are created by the cumulative effect of obstructions in floodplains which
cause an increase in flood heights and velocities, and by the occupancy of flood hazard areas by
uses vulnerable to floods and hazardous to other lands because they are inadequately elevated,
floodproofed or otherwise protected from flood damage.
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE —
It is the purpose of this ordinance to promote the public health, safety and general welfare and to
minimize public and private losses due to flood conditions in specific areas by provisions
designed to:
1. Protect human life and health;
2. Minimize expenditure of public money for costly flood control projects;
3. Minimize the need for rescue and relief efforts associated with flooding and
generally undertaken at the expense of the general public;
4. Minimize prolonged business interruptions;
5. Minimize damage to public facilities and utilities such as water and gas mains,
electric, telephone and sewer lines, streets and bridges located in floodplains;
6. Help maintain a stable tax base by providing for the sound use and development
of flood -prone areas in such a manner as to minimize future flood blight areas;
and
7. Insure that potential buyers are notified that property is in a flood area.
SECTION 1720 DEFINITIONS
For the purpose of this chapter the following terms shall have the meanings respectively ascribes
to them in this section:
1. "Area of special flood hazard" means that land in the floodplain within a community
subject to a one percent (I%) or greater chance of flooding in any given year;
2. "Base flood" means the flood having a one percent (I%) chance of being equaled or
exceeded in any given year;
3. "Development" means any man -made change to improved or unimproved real estate,
including but not limited to buildings or other structures, mining, dredging, filling,
grading, paving, excavation or drilling operations;
4. "Flood or flooding" means a general and temporary condition of partial or complete
inundation of normally dry land areas from the unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff
of surface waters from any source;
5. "Flood boundary and floodway map (FBFM)" means an official map of a community,
issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, where the areas within the
boundaries of special flood hazards have been designated;
6. "Habitable floor" means any floor usable for living purposes, which includes working,
sleeping, eating, cooking, or recreation, or a combination thereof. A floor used for
storage purposes only is not a "habitable floor";
7. "Mean sea level" means the average height of the sea for all states of the tide;
8. "Mobile home" means a structure, transportable in one or more sections, which is built on
a permanent chassis and designed to be user with or without a permanent foundation
when connected to the required utilities. It does not include recreational vehicles or
travel trailers;
9. "Structure" means a walled and roofed building that is principally above ground, as well
as a mobile home; and
10. "Substantial damage" means damage of any origin sustained by a structure whereby the
cost of restoring the structure to its before damaged condition would equal or exceed 50
percent of the market value of the structure before the damage occurred.
(Ord. No. 304, 6/2/81)
SECTION 1730 SCOPE OF CONTROLS; USE AND CONDITIONS
This chapter shall apply to all areas of special flood hazard within the jurisdiction of the city.
Uses normally permitted in applicable zoning districts shall be permitted providing the following
provisions have been met:
All new construction and substantial improvements (including the placement of
prefabricated buildings and mobile homes) shall:
a. Be designed (or modified) and adequately anchored to prevent flotation, collapse,
or lateral movement of the structure;
b. Be constructed with materials and utility equipment resistant to flood damage;
and
C. Be constructed by methods and practices that minimize flood damage;
2. All new and replacement water supply systems shall be designed to minimize or
eliminate infiltration of flood waters into the systems;
3. All new and replacement sanitary sewage systems shall be designed to minimize or
eliminate infiltration of flood waters into the systems and discharges from the systems
into flood waters;
4. All new and replacement on -site waste disposal systems shall be located to avoid
impairment to them or contamination from them during flooding;
5. All new construction and substantial improvements of residential structures shall have
the lowest floor elevated to or above the base flood level calculated on the basis of one
hundred percent (100 %) upstream urbanization or development;
6. All new construction and substantial improvements of non - residential structures shall
have the lowest floor flood - proofed or elevated to or above the base flood level calculated
on the basis of one hundred percent (100 %) upstream urbanization or development;
7. Any altered or relocated water course shall maintain its original flood carrying capacity;
8. No man -made change to improved or unimproved property, including filling, grading,
paving, or excavating shall be commenced until a building permit or zoning clearance
permit has been obtained for each change; and
9. All mobile homes shall be anchored to resist flotation, collapse, or lateral movement by
providing over - the -top and ground ties to anchors. Specific requirements shall be:
a. Over - the -top ties at each of the four (4) corners of the mobile home, with two (2)
additional ties per side at intermediate locations and mobile homes less than fifty
(50) feet long requiring one additional tie per side;
b. Frame ties at each corner of the home with five (5) additional ties per side at
intermediate points and mobile homes less than fifty (50) feet long requiring four
(4) additional ties per side.
C. All components of the anchoring system be capable of carrying a force of four
thousand eight hundred (4,800) pounds; and
d. Any additions to the mobile home be similarly anchored.
e. For new mobile home parks and subdivisions, for expansions to existing mobile
home parks and subdivisions; for existing mobile home parks and subdivisions
where the repair, reconstruction or improvement of the streets, utilities and pads
equals or exceeds fifty percent (50 %) of the value of the streets, utilities and pads
before the repair, reconstruction or improvement has commenced, require:
(1) Stands or lots are elevated on compacted fill or on pilings so that the
lowest floor of the mobile home will be at or above the base flood level.
A registered professional engineer, architect or land surveyor shall submit
a certification to the building inspector or zoning officer that the standards
of this paragraph complies with this section;
(2) Adequate surface drainage and access for a hauler are provided; and
(3) In the instance of elevation on pilings: (1) lots are large enough to permit
steps; (2) piling foundations are placed in stable soil no more than ten
(10) feet apart, and (3) reinforcement is provided for pilings more than six
(6) feet above the ground level.
(Ord. No. 304, 6/2/81)
SECTION 1740 AREAS OF SPECIAL FLOOD HAZARD DEFINED
A. The provisions of this chapter shall apply to and govern the placement of structures
and improvements and man -made changes of land, and the issuance of building
permits or zoning clearance permits for property within the areas of special flood
hazard in the city. The areas of special flood hazard identified by the Federal
Emergency Management Agency in a scientific and engineering report entitled "The
Flood Insurance Study for Tulsa County, Oklahoma and Incorporated Areas" dated
September 22, 1999, with accompanying flood insurance rate maps and flood hazard
boundary floodway maps, and any revisions thereto are hereby adopted by reference
and declared to be a part of this chapter. Copies for public review shall be available
in the Public Works Department of the city.
B. It is the responsibility of the city manager, through the floodplain manager, to
determine, on request for a building permit or zoning clearance permit, if a particular
tract of land is in part or in whole within the areas of special flood hazard as shown
on the flood hazard boundary and floodway maps.
SECTION 1750 LANDS TO WHICH SPECIAL FLOOD HAZARD APPLIES
The provisions of this chapter shall apply to and govern the placement of structures and
improvements and man -made changes of land, and the issuance of building permits or occupancy
permits for property within the areas of special flood hazard in the city.
SECTION 1755 BASIS FOR ESTABLISHING THE AREAS OF SPECIAL
FLOOD HAZARD
The areas of special flood hazard identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in a
scientific and engineering report entitled, "The Flood Insurance Study for Tulsa County,
Oklahoma and Incorporated Areas," dated April 16, 2003 with accompanying Flood Insurance
Rate Map (FIRM) are hereby adopted by reference and declared to be a part of this chapter.
Copies for public review shall be available in the Public Works Department of the City.
SECTION 1760 FLOODPLAIN MANAGER ACTION
The building inspector or zoning officer shall act upon all such applications on which he is
authorized to act under these regulations within thirty (30) days, after these are filed in
compliance with the provisions hereof. He shall either issue a building permit or zoning
clearance permit within the thirty (30) day period or he shall notify the applicant, in writing, of
his refusal of such a permit and set forth the reason therefore. Failure to notify the applicant in
case of such refusal within thirty (30) days shall entitle the applicant to the building permit or
zoning clearance permit, unless the applicant consents to an extension time. Under such rules as
may be adopted by the board of adjustment, the building inspector or zoning officer may issue a
temporary building permit or zoning clearance permit. He shall also:
Review all permits to determine whether proposed building sites will be reasonably safe
from flooding;
2. Maintain a record of all lowest habitable floor elevations submitted to him;
In the absence of other Federal Emergency Management Agency base flood elevation
data, consider other available data basis for determining lowest permitted floors;
4. Notify adjacent communities of all proposed water course alterations;
5. Require that all other state and federal permits are obtained; and
6. Review all applications and determine their conformance with the subdivision regulations
of the city as applicable.
SECTION 1765 FLOOD DEVELOPMENT PERMITS
A request for the processing and issuance of a flood development permit pertaining to property
situated within the boundary of the defined areas of special flood hazard shall be accompanied
by such plans as may be necessary, including, at the discretion of the floodplain manager, plans
in duplicate, drawn to scale in black line or blueprint, showing:
1. The actual shape and dimensions of the lot to be built upon or to be changed in its use, in
whole or in part;
2. The exact location, size and height of any building or structure to be constructed or
altered;
3. The existing and intended use of each building or structure or part thereof;
4. The number of families, dwellings, or housekeeping units the building is designed to
accommodate;
5. When no buildings are involved, the location of the present use and proposed use to be
made on the lot;
6. When the property lies within the area of special flood hazard, the elevation (in relation
to mean sea level) of the lowest habitable floor of all new or substantially improved
structures; and
7. Such other information with regard to the lot and neighboring lots as may be necessary to
determine and provide for the enforcement of these regulations.
One copy of any such plan or plans shall be returned to the owner when such plans have been
approved by the floodplain manager, together with such flood development permit as may be
granted. All dimensions shown on these plans relating to the location of the buildings thereon
shall be staked out on the ground before construction is started. Whenever a lot is not provided
and is not proposed to be provided with public sewers, the application for flood development
permit shall be accompanied by a certificate of approval by the county health officer of the
proposed method of water supply or disposal of sanitary wastes.
SECTION 1770 STANDARDS FOR FLOODWAYS
Located within areas of special flood hazard established in Section 12 -404 of this code are areas
designated as floodways. Since the floodway is an extremely hazardous area due to the velocity
of flood waters which carry debris, potential projectiles and erosion potential, the following
provisions shall apply:
Encroachments are prohibited, including fill, new construction, substantial improvements
and other developments unless certification by a registered professional engineer or
architect is provided demonstrating that encroachments shall not result in any increase in
flood levels during occurrence of the base flood discharge;
2. If paragraph 1 hereof is satisfied, all nr construction and substantial improvements shall
comply with all applicable flood hazard reduction provisions in Section 12 -403 of this
code; and
3. Prohibit placement of any mobile homes, except in an existing mobile home park or
subdivision.
SECTION 1775 STANDARDS FOR AREAS OF SHALLOW FLOODING
Located within the areas of special flood hazard established in Section 12 -404 of this code are
areas designated as shallow flooding. These areas have special flood hazards associated with
base flood depths of one to three (3) feet where a clearly defined channel does not exist and
where the path of flooding is unpredictable and indeterminate; therefore, the following
provisions apply:
1. All new construction and substantial improvements of residential structures shall have the
lowest floor, including basement, elevated above the crown of the nearest street to above
the depth number specified on the flood boundary and floodway map;
2. All new construction and substantial improvements on non - residential structures shall:
Have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated above the crown of the
nearest street or above the depth number specified on the flood boundary map;
and
b. Together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities be completely floodproofed
to or above that level so that any space below that level is watertight with walls
substantially impermeable to the passage of water and with structural components
having the capability of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and effects
of buoyancy; and
3. A registered professional engineer or architect shall submit a certification to the building
inspector or zoning officer that the standards of this section and Sections 12 -405 through
12 -407 of this code are satisfied.
SECTION 1780 VARIANCE PROCEDURES
The board of adjustment as established by the city shall hear and render judgment on requests for
variances from the requirements of this chapter in accordance with the provisions of the zoning
code of the city.
SECTION 1785 EXEMPTIONS
Provisions of this chapter shall not be applicable to:
1. Any building permit, zoning clearance permit, zoning special exception approval, zoning
variance approval, site plan approval, license, permit, or other approval granted prior to
the initiation of the development controls hereby enacted; however, nothing herein
contained shall limit the city's right to revoke any building permit, certificate of
occupancy, license or other approval previously issued when such revocation is in the
best interest of the health, safety and welfare of the community;
2. Agricultural activities, except for new construction of structures or substantial
improvements to structures;
3. Home gardening; and
4. Emergency repairs of a temporary nature made on public or private property which are
necessary for the preservation of life, health or property, and which are made under such
circumstances where is would be impossible to obtain prior building permit or zoning
clearance permit. However, such repairs shall not be considered as being exempt from
the provisions of this chapter and they shall be conclusively deemed temporary and non-
permanent unless subsequently authorized by an appropriate building permit or zoning
clearance permit approval.
SECTION 1790 ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES
A. Any building permit or zoning clearance permit may be revoked or suspended by the city
council after a public hearing. Ten (10) calendar days advance written notice shall be
given to the grantee specifying the grounds for such contemplated revocation or
suspension and advising the grantee of the date, place and time of the hearing before the
city council; the permits may be revoked or suspended upon occurrence of any one of the
following events:
Violation of any condition of the approval;
2. Violation of any provision of this chapter or any other applicable law, ordinance,
rule or regulation pertaining to the work authorized by building permit or zoning
clearance permit approval; or
Existence of any condition or the doing of any act constituting or creating a
nuisance, hazard, or endangering human life or the property of others.
B. Any person, firm or corporation or other legal entity violating the requirements of this
chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction, shall be punished as
provided in Section 1 -108 of this code.
C. In addition to any fine, the city may institute appropriate actions or proceeding at law or
equity for the enforcement of the provisions of this chapter, or to correct the violations
thereof. If applicable and appropriate, the city may institute appropriate actions or
proceedings at law or equity against any surety company, escrow holder, or any third
party who has affirmatively acted as surety or guarantor for the grantee's performance as
authorized by the special exception approval.
CHAPTER 18
SIGNS
1805 Purpose.
1810 Promulgation of Rules and Regulations.
1815 Calculating the Area of a Sign.
1820 Definitions.
1825 Signs Not Requiring Permits.
1830 Prohibited Signs.
1835 Permitted Signs.
1840 Matrices.
1845 Unified Sign Plan.
1850 Administrative Provisions.
1855 Permits Required.
1860 Permit Revocable.
1865 Construction, Inspection, and Maintenance Standards.
1870 Permit Fees and Penalties.
1875 Nonconforming Signs.
1880 Sign Variances.
1885 Validity.
1805 PURPOSE
This Code, together with future amendments thereof, shall be known and may be cited as the
"City of Owasso Sign Code ". The purpose and general intent of the City of Owasso Sign Code
is as follows:
(1) To establish standards and guidelines for the design, erection and installation of signs and
other visual communication devices so that the City of Owasso may appear orderly and to
prevent the needless clutter in appearance within the City by signs unreasonable in number,
location, area and illumination.
(2) To provide for the appropriate use and location of signs in a manner that will not adversely
affect or impact property values, compatibility of land use, community appearance and
identity, and to otherwise promote the general welfare, public safety, convenience and order
to the City of Owasso.
(3) To provide for the issuance, revocation, inspection and identification of signs within the
City.
(4) To provide for the removal of any sign that is in violation of or non - conforming with the
intent and purpose of this Code.
1810 PROMULGATION OF RULES AND REGULATIONS
Upon adoption of this ordinance, the City Manager shall present Rules and Regulations relating
to the implementation of the intent of Chapter 18 to the City Council for adoption by resolution.
Provided, however, that the City Manager shall from time to time promulgate such additional
Rules and Regulations, or changes to existing Rules and Regulations as considered necessary.
The promulgation of such Rules and Regulations, in whole or in part, shall require the City
Manager to notify the City Council and Planning Commission in writing of the proposed Rules
and Regulations and shall require the exact language of the proposal be attached to such notice.
Such notice to the City Council shall be published in the consent agenda of a City Council
meeting for acknowledgement of Council receipt of the change(s). Upon notification to the City
Council and for a period of 30 days, the proposed Rules and Regulations shall lay open and be
subject to City Council action to disapprove either in part or in whole. Absent action by the City
Council to disapprove proposed Rules and Regulations within the allotted time frame, such Rules
and Regulations shall have the force and effect of law.
1815 CALCULATING THE AREA OF A SIGN
The area of a sign shall be computed to include the entire area within a sign, whether such sign is
a parallelogram, triangle, circle or semi - circle, including all of the display area of one side and
any part of the surface of any cornice, hood, awning, wall or similar ornamental or structural
feature that blends with the sign in such a manner as to appear to be the background of the sign,
and including all of the elements of the matter displayed, regardless of the angle at which such
sign is placed in relationship to the building frontage; provided, however, that the area of a wall
sign shall be computed to include only the area in which characters, letters, illustrations, insignia
or logos are depicted.
1820 DEFINITIONS.
Definitions of terms as used in this Code, unless the context otherwise requires, shall be as
follows:
Advertising Face. Each side of a sign that is designed, constructed, located and positioned for
the purpose of displaying off - premises advertising material.
Area Marker. A sign that designates or identifies a subdivision or development.
Awnings. Any structure made of cloth or metal with a metal frame attached to a building and
projecting over public property when so constructed to permit its being lowered to a position
over public property and to permit its being raised to a position flat against building when not in
use.
Canopy. A roof -like structure of a permanent nature that projects over a public way.
Contractor Sign. Signs that denote the architect, engineer, contractor, lending institution or other
related business when placed upon work under construction.
Establishment. A place of business that has a separate identity, separate entrances, and separate
records and books of its business transactions.
Front Footage. The lot frontage on which the sign is located.
Marquee. A roof -like structure of a permanent nature that projects from the wall of a building
and may overhang a public way. Changeable lettering may be a part thereof.
Noncombustible Material. Any material that will not ignite at or below a temperature of one
thousand two hundred (1200) degrees Fahrenheit and will not continue to burn or glow at that
temperature.
Professional Nameplate. A sign that states the name and occupation or profession of the person
occupying the premises where the sign is located.
Sim A sign includes any device that displays or includes any letter, work, model, banner, flag,
pennant, insignia, propeller balloon, device or representation used as, or that is in the nature of an
advertisement or announcement or that directs attention to an object, product, place, activity,
person, institution, organization, or business; but the term shall not include display of official
notice.
Sign, Bulletin. A sign or board constructed in connection with a non - profit, community or
neighborhood center, public building, church building or educational institution on its premises
for announcement purposes.
Sign, Business. A sign that directs attention to a business or profession conducted, or to
products, services, or entertainment sold or offered upon the premises where such sign is located,
or to which it is attached.
Sign, Directional. A sign providing directions to the general public to a specific site or address
in the City.
Sign, Flashing_ Any sign that incorporates in any manner apparent movement achieved by
electrical pulsation, contains intermittent lighting or by other means such as sequential light
phasing.
Sign, Ground / Pole Mounted. A sign that is supported by one or more poles, uprights or braces
in the ground and that is not a part of a building.
Sign, Ground / Surface Mounted. A sign that is mounted flush with the ground or is supported
by one or more poles, uprights, or braces in the ground and that is not a part of a building.
Sign, Illuminated. Any sign designed to give forth any artificial light, or designed to reflect such
light deriving from any source that is intended to cause such light or reflection.
Sign, Moving_ Any sign, or part of a sign, whether illuminated or unilluminated, that does not
remain stationary at all times regardless of power source that affects movement.
Sign, Political. A sign that makes known the name or information about a person running for an
office or any other information concerning a political campaign or election issue of any nature.
Sign, Roof. A sign constructed upon or above a roof or parapet of a building whether extending
beyond the highest point of the building or not.
Sign, Snipe. A temporary sign that is made of any material, attached to a utility pole, tree, fence
post, stake, stick, mailbox or any similar object, whether in the public right -of -way or not.
Sign, Structure. The supports, uprights, bracing and framework for a sign or outdoor display.
Sign, Temporary.. A sign that is not intended to be used or installed permanently and /or that the
Community Development Director or his /her designee deems to not be constructed or erected in
a manner consistent with the stated purpose of this Code.
Sign, Wall. A sign painted, attached to, or constructed against the wall of a building or structure
with the exposed face of the sign in a plane approximately parallel to the plane of the wall.
Wall. The exterior surface of a building or structure. For purposes of this Code, other than size
limitations, wall shall be determined to include mansard -type or sloped roof structures.
Work of Art. The term "work of art' shall apply to all mural paintings or decorations,
inscriptions, mosaic, painted glass and similar art forms of a permanent character intended for
permanent or commemoration that are applied to, constructed or placed upon the exterior walls
of any building. For the purpose of this ordinance, "work(s) of art", whether singular or in
aggregate, shall be deemed to exist when its size exceeds sixteen (16) square feet. For the
purpose of this ordinance, a "work of art" which in any way relates to the business conducted
therein shall be considered as a wall sign.
1825 SIGNS NOT REQUIRING PERMITS
A permit shall not be required for the following types of signs, provided that said signs shall be
subject to all other provisions of this Code.
Sports Field Signs. Temporary signs at sports fields do not require permits and will not be
required to follow the provisions of this Ordinance.
Real Estate Signs. One (1) real estate sign not exceeding eight (8) square feet in area for
residentially zoned areas or thirty -two (32) square feet for commercial or industrial zoned areas
which is "double- faced" and advertises only the sale, rental or lease of the premises upon which
such signs are located.
Open House Signs. One (1) directional or open house sign not exceeding two (4) square feet in
area located on the private property of the premises upon which the sale is located. Additionally,
one open house sign may be placed at the entrance to the subdivision in which the house for sale
is located, provided that the sign announces the address of the house and the time and date that
the open house is being conducted.
Business Signs. One (1) non - illuminated, non - activated nameplate or occupational sign not
exceeding two (2) square feet in area and attached flat against a building, providing only the
name, address and occupation of the building tenant or owner.
Flags. Flags and insignias of any government or government agency.
Historical Markers. Non - illuminated, non - reflective memorial signs or signs bearing the name of
the building and date of erection, provided that said signs do not exceed twelve (12) square feet
in area and are either carved into, embossed on or permanently embedded in masonry, bronze or
other non - combustible materials, in such a way that they are an architectural detail of a building.
Legal Notices. Legal notices, identification, informational or directional signs constructed by
government agencies or in compliance with their regulations.
Political Signs. Political signs, not exceeding sixteen (16) square feet in area, which makes
known the name of and information concerning a political campaign of any nature, provided that
such signs shall not be placed or erected sooner than six (6) weeks before the general election
and are to be removed no later than one (1) day following the general election, that no political
sign shall be placed in or on the public right -of -way, that no political sign shall be placed or
erected in or on any private property without the express permission of the owner or occupant of
such property.
Garage Sale Sign. A maximum of two (2) signs not to exceed four (4) square feet each shall be
permitted to advertise a garage sale. Any such sign shall not be placed in the public right -of-
way, shall not be placed or located farther than the nearest major arterial roadway from the site
of the sale and shall be removed immediately at the conclusion of the garage sale.
Service Station Signs. Signs that are attached to gasoline pumps or other similar dispensing or
servicing devices are allowed, as well as signs and required regulatory information that are an
integral part of the service station operation. In no way does this section allow snipe signs and
pennants at service stations, and banners at service stations must be permitted as they are at other
uses.
Awning or Canopy Lettering_ Vinyl or plastic lettering affixed to any awning or canopy, and
conforming to the provisions of the section related to awnings /canopy type signs.
Contractor Signs. Contractor signs not exceeding twenty -four (24) square feet in area and placed
within the area to be constructed.
Window Signs. Signs that are posted on windows and not designed to be read from a point off
the property.
Community Interest Signs. Any other sign that the City Council deems of a public or
community wide interest.
1830 PROHIBITED SIGNS.
The following signs classified by location, type and content are prohibited.
Locnflon
(a) No sign shall be permitted to extend into, above or be placed in or on any portion of a public
street, avenue or alley, nor shall any sign be painted, pasted, posted, printed or nailed to or on
any curb, sidewalk, tree, light standard, utility pole, hydrant or bridge, or in any manner
displayed within the public property or public right -of -way lines of any street, avenue or
alley except legal notices, identification, informational or directional signs erected by a
government agency and in compliance with their regulations.
(b) No sign shall be constructed so as to obstruct any fire escape, required exit, window, or door
opening intended as a means of ingress or egress, nor shall any sign be placed in such a
manner as to interfere with any opening required for ventilation.
(c) No sign shall be constructed in a manner that interferes with any surface or underground
utility structure. Furthermore, placement shall not interfere with natural or artificial drainage
or surface or underground water.
(d) No sign shall be constructed or displayed that is deemed to be hazardous, a danger, a traffic
hazard, causes the potential impediment to rescue personnel in the event of an emergency or
which constitutes a public nuisance.
(a) Any sign not specifically permitted within a zoning district, to include temporary signs,
shall be prohibited within such zoning district.
(b) Portable, Snipe, Mobile, or Vehicular Signs. No portable, mobile, vehicular or snipe signs
shall be permitted within the City, and no motorized vehicle or trailer shall be parked upon
public or private property within the City for the obvious purpose of advertising; provided
that commercial vehicles may be identified only by business name, type of business,
business address, business telephone number, and contractor's state / county / city license
number when required.
(c) Gooseneck Reflectors. Gooseneck reflectors and lights shall be permitted only on ground
signs, roof signs, wall signs, and works of art, provided the reflectors shall be equipped with
proper glass lenses concentrating the illumination upon the area of the sign or work of art so
as to prevent glare upon the street or adjacent property.
(d) Spotlight and Floodlights. It shall be unlawful for any person to maintain any sign or work
of art that extends over public property that is wholly or partially illuminated by floodlights
or spotlights.
(e) Moving and Flashing_ No moving signs shall be permitted in any district except for
pennants used in connection with real estate "Open House" and maintained for less than
forty -eight (48) hours. No flashing signs shall be permitted in any residential district.
(f) Nuisance. No sign shall be permitted that emits audible sound, vapor, smoke, odor particles
or gaseous matter.
(g) Placards, Leaflets, Handbills. No placards, leaflets, handbills or similar signs shall be
placed on the exterior wall or window of any building, attached to utility poles, or public
property in any district.
(h) Corporate or Commercial Flags. No corporate or commercial flags shall be permitted in any
zoning district that exceed thirty -five (35) feet in height and /or fifteen (15) square feet in
area to include those corporate or commercial flags containing logos. Additionally,
corporate or commercial flags shall be limited to one (1) flag per business entity.
(i) Work of Art. No work of art shall be applied to, erected or placed upon the exterior walls of
any building within the City of Owasso without first being submitted to and approved by the
Planning Commission. The request to allow a work of art shall be accompanied by plans
and specifications which describe the proposed work of art, location, appearance, color,
texture, general design, use material, orientation to other buildings and the relationship of
such factors to features of buildings in the immediate surroundings. The City Council may,
when it deems proper, also require a complete model of work of art to be submitted. In
determining the merits of the work of art, consideration should be given to insure that the
work of art maintains the highest character of community development and would not be
detrimental to the stability of value and the welfare of surrounding property, structures, and
residents, and to the general welfare and happiness of the community.
(j) Advertising Signs (off - premises). It shall be unlawful for any person to construct any off -
premises advertising sign in any zoning district in the City.
(k) Roof Signs. It shall be unlawful for any person to construct or maintain any roof sign in any
zoning district in the City.
(1) Balloons and Inflatable Si ns. It shall be unlawful for any person to construct, erect or
maintain any balloon, inflatable device or image for the purpose of advertising or directing
attention to the location from which the device is attached.
Content.
(a) Obscene Matter No person shall display upon any sign or other advertising structure an
obscene, indecent or immoral matter.
(b) Traffic Safety No sign shall be erected or constructed in any district within the City that
states, "stop ", "go ", "slow ", "danger" or any other similar term which could reasonable be
confused with traffic signs. Furthermore, no sign shall be erected or constructed in any
district which would by its color or nature, tend to be confused with or obstruct sight of
traffic signs or traffic signals by motorists or pedestrians, or which would otherwise
constitute a hazard to the safe and efficient operation of vehicles, or would create a
condition which might endanger the safety of any person.
1835 PERMITTED SIGNS
Signs permitted under the provisions of this Code are itemized on matrices according to zoning
districts. The matrices indicate whether the sign is "permitted conditionally ", or "not permitted"
in each zoning district. Each matrix also includes significant characteristics or attributes of each
sign by type and is further cross - referenced by a series of conditions. Signs not listed in a
particular matrix are expressly prohibited unless allowed under the provisions of Section 1820 of
this Code. The matrices do not intend, however, to preclude any other section of this Code.
1840 MATRICES
The following matrices with qualifying conditions are included below:
A. Matrix #1 — Signs permitted in AG Agricultural, RE Residential, RS -1 Residential,
RS -2 Residential, and RS -3 Residential zoning districts.
B. Matrix #2 — Signs permitted in RD Duplex, RTH Multi- family, RM -1 Multi- family,
RM -2 Multi- family, and RMH Mobile Home zoning districts.
C. Matrix #3 — Signs permitted in OL Office and OM Office zoning districts.
D. Matrix #4 — Signs permitted in CS Commercial and IL Industrial zoning districts.
E. Matrix #5 — Signs permitted CG Commercial, CH Commercial, and IM Industrial
zoning districts.
Matrix #6 — Signs permitted in IH Industrial zoning districts.
SIGN MATRIX # 1
AG, RE, RS -1, RS -2, RS -3
Setbac
Setbac
k from
Conditi
Not
Max
k from
Max #
Max #
Maxim
Side or
Setbac
Type
on
Perm
Area
Front
Signs
of
um
Rear
k from
Propert
Days
Height
pear
ROW
y Line
y Line
Area
A,D,J
100
1
25
Marker
Awnin
X
gs
Banner
HH,II
1
Bulleti
B, C, D
12
10
1
4
8
n
Busine
X
ss
Canop
X
y
Contra
D,I,FF
16
1
ctor
Flashin
X
g
Groun
X
d/
Pole
Groun
X
d/
Surfac
e
Marqu
X
ee
Movin
D,BB
1
2
g
Politic
D,K
16
al
Project
X
ing
Real
C,D,H,
8
1
4
Estate
FF,GG
Wall
B, C, E
12
1
SIGN MATRIX # 2
RD, RTH, RM —1, RM — 2, RMH
Setbac
Setbac
Not
Max
k from
Max. #
Max #
Maxim
k from
Side or
Setbac
Type
Cond
Perin
Area
Front
of
Days
uin
Rear
k from
Propert
Signs
Height
ROW
y Line
Propert
y Line
Area
A,D,J
100
1
25
Marker
Awnin
X
gs
Banner
1
HH,II
Bulleti
B, C,
12
10
1
4
8
n
D
Busine
X
ss
Canop
X
y
Contra
D,I,FF
16
1
ctor
Flashin
X
g
Groun
X
d/
Pole
Groun
X
d/
Surfac
e
Marqu
X
ee
Movin
BB
1
2
g
Politic
D,K
16
al
Project
X
ing
Real
C,D,H,
8
1
4
Estate
FF,GG
—T
Wall
C,L,M
12
1
SIGN MATRIX # 3
OL, OM
Setbac
Setbac
k from
Max #
Max #
Maxim
k from
Setbac
Type
Cond
Not
Max
Front
of
of
um
Side or
k from
Perm
Area
Propert
Signs
Days
Height
Rear
ROW
y Line
Propert
y Line
Area
A,D,J
100
1
25
Marker
Awnin
S,T
g
Banner
HH,II
1
Bulleti
B,C,D
12
10
1
4
8
n
Busine
F,G
2
1
ss
Canop
S,Z
y
Contra
D,I,FF
16
1
ctor
Flashin
X
g
Groun
C,D,G,
1
30
d /
N,O,P,
Pole
S,W,E
E, FF
Groun
C,D,G,
1
4
d /
N,O,P,
Surfac
W,DD,
e
EE
Mount
Marqu
S,T,Z,
1
ee
AA
Movin
BB
1
2
g
Politic
D,K
16
al
Project
X
ing
Real
C,D,G
32
1
8
Estate
G, FF
Wall
C,G,M
1
Q,R
SIGN MATRIX # 4
CS and IL
Setbac
Setbac
Conditi
Not
Max
k from
Max #
Max #
Max
k from
Side or
Setbac
Type
ons
Perm
Area
Front
of
of
Height
Rear
k from
Propert
Signs
Days
ROW
y Line
propert
Line
Area
A,D,J
100
1
25
Marker
Awnin
S, T
gs
Banner
HH,II
1
Bulleti
B,C,D
12
10
1
4
8
n
Busine
F,G
2
1
ss
Canop
S, Z
Y
Contra
I,D,FF
16
1
ctor
Flashin
D,CC
g
Groun
C,D,G,
1
30
d/
N,O,P
Pole
S,V,EE
,FF
Groun
C,D,G,
1
4
d/
N,O,P,
Surfac
V,DD,
e
EE
Mount
Marqu
S,T,Z,
1
ee
AA
Movin
BB
1
2
g
Politic
D,K
16
al
Project
X
ing
Real
C,D,G
32
1
8
Estate
G, FF
Wall
C,G,M
1
Q,R
SIGN MATRIX # 5
CG, CH, IM
Setbac
Setbac
k from
Max #
Max #
k from
Setbac
Type
Cond
Not
Max
Front
of
of
Max
Rear or
k from
Perm
Area
Propert
Signs
Days
Height
Side
ROW
y Line
Propert
y Line
Area
A,D,J
100
1
25
Marker
Awnin
S,T
gs
Banner
HH,II
1
Bulleti
B,C,D
12
10
1
4
8
n
Busine
F,G
2
1
ss
Canop
S,Z
Y
Contra
D,I,FF
16
1
ctor
Flashin
D,CC
g
Groun
C,D,G,
1
30
d/
N,O,P,
Pole
V,
S,EE,F
F
Groun
C,D,G,
1
4
d/
O,P,V,
Surfac
DD,EE
e
Mount
Marqu
S,T,Z,
1
ee
AA
Movin
BB
1
2
g
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Sign Matrices Conditions — All Zoning Districts
A. Such signs are subject to approval by the Planning Commission.
B. Such signs shall be permitted only in connection with a non - profit, community or
neighborhood center, public building, church building or educational institution.
C. If illuminated, illumination shall be constant, indirect lighting directed away from any
adjoining residential use.
D. Such signs shall not be constructed or located that it will obstruct the view of traffic or
within the public right -of -way.
E. Such signs shall not project higher than ten (10) feet above ground level when affixed to a
building.
F. Such signs shall be unilluminated.
G. Such signs shall only include the professional or occupational nameplate to include only the
name and / or address and occupation of the occupant.
H. Such signs shall be double- faced, advertising only "for sale ", "for rent" or "for lease" of the
premises upon which the sign is located.
I. Such signs shall be removed from the site within thirty (30) days after construction is
complete.
J. Such signs shall be removed within ninety (90) days after the sale of the last lot in the
subdivision or three (3) years from the date of initial construction, whichever comes first.
K. Such signs shall not be erected or placed sooner than six (6) weeks before the applicable
election or campaign and shall be removed no later than one (1) day after the general
election.
L. Such signs shall sign shall not exceed ten (10) percent of the wall to which it is attached or
ninety (90) square feet, whichever is less.
M. Such signs shall be attached to a wall that fronts or faces upon a street right -of -way.
N. Such signs shall be limited to thirty (3 0) feet in height and one hundred (100) square feet in
area. If the lot or tract has a front footage in excess of one hundred (100) feet, additional
area may be allowed on each side of the sign equal to thirty (30) percent of the front footage
in excess of the first one hundred (100) feet of said tract or lot up to a maximum of one
hundred fifty (15 0) square feet.
O. Shopping centers that are located on a tract or lot bound by two (2) or more public streets
are allowed one (1) additional ground sign, pole or surface mounted with a maximum
square footage of fifty (50) feet at a secondary entrance facing a different public street than
the original ground sign.
P. If illuminated, such signs in direct view of traffic signals shall not be red, green or amber in
color, and shall be illuminated only during business hours or until eleven o'clock (11:00
pm) whichever is later.
Q. Such signs are permitted on any wall that faces or fronts onto a public right -of -way, except
that no wall sign shall be permitted upon any wall other than the front wall which faces or
fronts onto a public right -of -way when such public right -of -way is bounded on the opposite
side by properly zoned single- family dwellings.
R. Such signs shall be limited to ten (10) percent of the wall to which it is attached or one
hundred fifty (150) square feet, whichever is less. For each one hundred (100) foot
increment the structure is set back from the public right -of -way, the maximum area may be
increased by fifty (50) percent, provided that no sign shall exceed four hundred fifty (450)
square feet.
S. All such structures shall be constructed and erected so that the lowest portion thereof shall
not be less than eight (8) feet above the level of the public sidewalk and fifteen (15) feet
above a drive or alley.
T. Such structures shall not be permitted to extend beyond a point two (2) feet inside the
curbline.
U. All establishments may construct one (1) wall sign as permitted in their respective zoning
districts on building walls which do not face or front an adjoining and abutting public right -
of -way, when there exists under the same ownership a parking lot or other open space of at
least fifty (50) linear feet between the wall and the nearest building, but in no case shall a
sign be constructed on more than two (2) walls of a building.
V. If more than one (1) establishment is located on a tract or lot, one (1) ground sign, pole or
surface mounted, may be installed to display names of stores, occupations or businesses
located on the tract or lot. The size of the sign shall not exceed one hundred (100) square
feet in area.
W. Such signs shall be limited to sixty (60) square feet in area. If the lot or tract has a front
footage in excess of one hundred (100) feet, additional area may be allowed on each side of
the sign equal to thirty (30) percent of the front footage in excess of the first ninety (90) feet
of said tract or lot up to a maximum of one hundred (150) square feet.
X. Projecting signs shall be permitted beneath a canopy or marquee and erected over a public
sidewalk and shall be hung at a right angle from the building.
Y. A sign erected beneath a canopy or marquee shall not extend beyond a point within two (2)
feet of the front edge of the canopy or marquee and shall maintain a minimum clearance of
eight (8) feet between the bottom of the sign and the public sidewalk.
Z. All such structures must comply with the following:
1. Such structures must be suspended from the building and not resting upon the sidewalk.
2. Such structures, when erected must be so drained as not to discharge water upon the
sidewalk or upon streets except by a closed drain.
AA. No marquee shall display any advertising matter, except those goods and services offered
for sale upon the premises or public service messages of a community wide interest.
BB. Such signs shall be unilluminated and permitted for a period of forty -eight (48) hours in
connection with a real estate "open house ".
CC. Such signs are permitted only when displaying flashing or intermittent lights, or lights of
changing degrees of intensity of color and when such signs do not constitute a traffic
hazard.
DD. No such sign shall be located on the triangle formed by two (2) curblines at the intersection
of two (2) streets and extending for a distance of fifty (50) feet each way from the
intersection of the curblines on any corner lot or shall be permitted to exceed a height of
more than thirty -six (36) inches above the road level of any street, avenue or alley.
EE. No portion of such signs shall extend beyond the property line.
FF. Structural components of such signs, including the pole(s) or structure(s) to which said sign
is attached, may not exceed twenty -five (25) percent of the width of the sign cabinet.
GG. Such signs are limited to eight (8) square feet in agricultural and residentially zoned districts
and thirty -two (32) square feet in all other zoning districts.
HH. If said banner is in connection with a non - profit, community or neighborhood center, public,
church or educational institution, said banners shall adhere to the following restrictions:
1. Such banners shall be limited to a period not exceeding thirty (30) days.
2. Said banners must be permitted by the City Planner and must contain a site plan
indicating the location(s) of said banners.
II. If said banner is in connection with a commercial or for profit institution, said banners shall
adhere to the following restrictions:
1. Said banners must be permitted by the City Planner and must contain a site plan
indicating the location of said banner.
2. Said banners must accompany a permanent ground, pole or wall sign.
The requested time period for the banner must be, in the opinion of the City Planner,
relative to the need.
4. Said banners shall be limited to one (1) banner per location.
5. Said banners must be attached to the primary building and not free standing, when
applicable
1845 UNIFIED SIGN PLAN
A unified sign plan (USP) is an application requesting approval of a comprehensive sign permit
establishing the size, location and design of signage on property being developed as a unit. The
purpose of a USP is to provide for the establishment of signage criteria that is tailored to a
specific development or location and which may vary from the provisions of this Code. The
intent of the USP section is to provide for some flexibility in the sign criteria of this Code that
promotes superior design through architectural integration of the site, buildings and signs.
National or international franchises shall be given reasonable consideration with respect to
company standard logos and lettering styles that are an integral part of the franchise image and
identity. The consideration shall not be without restriction and shall be within the boundaries of
sound zoning practice and planning and in harmony with the general purpose and intent of the
unified signage plan.
All unified sign plans are subject to the following restrictions:
(1) All unified sign plans shall include the location, size, height, construction material, color,
type of illumination and orientation of all proposed signs.
(2) All unified sign plans shall be reviewed by the City of Owasso Planning Commission and
shall conform to all conditions imposed by said Commission prior to the issuance of a sign
permit.
(3) Unified Sign Plans shall include all signage to be located within the perimeters of the subject
site whether in excess of the provisions of the current sign code or not.
(4) Unified Sign Plans may not propose a total sign square footage exceeding three (3) square
feet of signage per every one (1) linear foot of street frontage of the subject property.
(5) Unified Sign Plans may not include any prohibited sign.
1850 ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS
Except where otherwise provided, the administrative provisions herein described shall govern all
signs located within the City of Owasso.
1855 PERMITS REQUIRED
(a) No person shall construct, structurally alter, rebuild, enlarge, extend, relocate, attach to or
support by a building or structure any sign unless a permit for such sign has been issued by
the City of Owasso, or unless such sign is specifically exempted from permit requirements.
(b) It shall be unlawful to change, modify, alter, or otherwise deviate from the terms or
conditions of a sign permit.
(c) If the work authorized under a sign permit has not been completed within ninety (90) days
after the date of issuance said permit shall become null and void and there shall be no
refund of any fee required by this Code.
(d) After a sign has been constructed, the applicant shall notify the Community Development
Director or his /her designee, who shall inspect such sign and approve the same if it is in
compliance with the provisions of this Code. The Community Development Director or
his/her designee may, from time to time as he /she deems necessary, inspect all signs or
other advertising structures regulated by this Code, for the purpose of ascertaining whether
it is secure or whether it is in need of removal or repair.
1860 PERMIT REVOCABLE
(a) All rights and privileges acquired under the provisions of this section, or any amendment
thereto, are mere licenses revocable by the Community Development Director or his/her
designee for violation of the provisions of this Code.
(b) All canopies, ropes, networks, banners, holiday decorations, posts, radio aerials, placed in or
projecting over or across any street, avenue, alley, or sidewalk, shall be deemed nuisances
unless constructed and maintained under the conditions of this Code. Permission may be
granted by the Board of Adjustment to maintain a banner or holiday decoration across a
street for a limited period of time upon the following terms and conditions:
(1) That the applicant for said banners or holiday decorations be in connection with a
non - profit, community or neighborhood center, public building, church building or
educational institution and shall contain no advertising.
(2) That if the banners or decorations were affixed to private property, it be done so only
after the written consent of the property owner is obtained.
(3) That said application be granted after the filing of a bond or insurance in a sufficient
amount to protect the public and hold the City harmless from all claims and damages
of any kind.
(c) When any such condition exists as is referred to in (b) above, the Community Development
Department may declare such a nuisance and order its removal and abatement. The
Community Development Director or his/her designee shall give the owner or occupant of
the grounds fronting thereon, or the person causing a nuisance mentioned in (b) above, a
written notice that such a nuisance must be removed within forty -eight (48) hours. If such
nuisance is not removed or abated within forty -eight (48) hours, the Community
Development Director or his/her designee shall cause the same to be removed and abated,
and shall report the cost thereof to the City Clerk. The cost of removal or abatement shall be
charged against the lot or parcel of ground fronting on such nuisance or the expense may be
collected from the person causing such nuisance.
1865 CONSTRUCTION, INSPECTION, AND MAINTENANCE STANDARDS
Provisions related to construction requirements shall be as follows:
MATERIALS
(a) Awnings. Awnings may be constructed of cloth or metal. All frames and supports shall be
constructed of metal.
(b) Canopy. Canopies must be constructed of fireproof material.
(c) Ground Si / Pole Mounted. All ground signs /pole mounted, shall have a surface or
facing of noncombustible materials, or material approved by the Community Development
Director or his /her designee. Provided, that combustible structural trim may be used
thereon.
(d) Ground Sign / Surface Mounted. All ground signs /surface mounted, shall be constructed of
materials approved by the Community Development Director or his /her designee.
(e) Marquees. All marquees, including the anchors, bolts, supports, rods and braces thereof,
shall be constructed of noncombustible materials and approved by the Building Inspector.
(f) Wall Signs. All wall signs shall have a surface or facing of noncombustible materials.
Provided that combustible structural trim may be used thereon. However, the surface or
facing and structural trim of a wall sign which is attached to a stone, brick, or masonry wall
may be of exterior grade plywood having a thickness of not less than one half (1/2) inch.
No plywood sign shall be illuminated or in any manner be operated or serviced by
electricity.
LETTERS, BRACING, ANCHORAGE AND SUPPORTS
(a) Awnings. Every awning shall be securely attached to and supported by the building.
(b) Ground Sign / Pole Mounted. All letters, figures, character, or representation in cut out or
irregular form, maintained in conjunction with, attached to or superimposed upon any
ground sign/pole mounted shall be safely and securely built or attached to the sign structure.
This does not exclude the use of standardized, changeable lettering securely mounted on sign
forms. All ground signs /pole mounted shall be securely built, constructed and erected upon
foundations, posts, standards or supports designed to adequately support the sign. In no case
shall this Code be construed as to allow "A- frame" signs.
(c) Ground Sign / Surface Mounted. All letters, figures, characters, or representation in cut out
or irregular form, maintained in conjunction with, attached to or superimposed upon any
ground sign/surface mounted shall be safely and securely built or attached to the sign
structure. All ground signs /surface mounted shall be securely built, constructed and erected
upon foundations, posts, standards, or supports designed to adequately support the sign. In
no case shall this Code be construed to allow "A- frame" signs.
(d) Marquees. Marquees shall be supported solely by the building to which they are attached,
and no columns or posts shall be permitted as support.
(e) Wall Signs. All wall signs shall be safely and securely attached to the building wall.
MAINTENANCE - All signs affixed or attached to the ground or surface and the premises
surrounding the same shall be maintained by the owner or occupant thereof in a clean, sanitary
and inoffensive condition, free and clear of all obnoxious substances, rubbish and weeds.
Furthermore, all signs or other advertising structures governed by this Code, upon inspection by
the Community Development Director or his/her designee and upon a finding that a sign is
damaged or in need of repair, the Community Development Director or his/her designee may
order the repair or removal of said sign.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS - All signs governed under this Code shall be designed and
constructed according to the City building code.
1870 PERMIT FEES AND PENALTIES
PERMIT FEES - Every applicant before being granted a permit hereunder shall pay to the
Community Development Director or his /her designee the following permit fee for each sign
regulated under this Code. Furthermore, a permit shall not be issued until a certificate of public
liability insurance in the amount of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) and a certificate of
employer's liability and worker's compensation insurance in an amount that is in conformity
with the statutory requirements of the laws of the State of Oklahoma has been filed with and
approved by the City Clerk. A double permit fee shall be charged for failure to make application
for a sign permit as required.
All fees are exclusive of required electrical and building permit fees. Fees for all signs are
included below:
TYPE
COST
Awning
$15.00
Banner
$15.00
Canopy
$15.00
Permanent Signs
(Wall Sign,
Ground Sign,
etc.)
$20.00
Unified Sign Plan
$750.00
(a) Any application requesting a permit to install a sign with internal or external lighting will be
required to purchase an electric permit in addition to the above fee schedule.
(b) If a permit is requested for signs in different categories as outlined above, whether for one or
more businesses, the full cost for the permit in each category shall be charged unless a
unified sign plan is submitted.
Penalty Any person, firm or corporation violating any to the provisions of this Code shall upon
conviction thereof, be fined a sum not exceeding two hundred dollars ($200.00) or be imprisoned
for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days or both so fined and imprisoned. Each day such
violation is committed or permitted to continue shall constitute a separate offense. It shall be the
responsibility of the Community Development Director or his /her designee to enforce all
provisions of this Code.
1875 NON - CONFORMING SIGNS
A sign lawfully existing at the effective date of the adoption or amendment of this Code but
which would be prohibited under the terms of this Code or amendment thereto shall be deemed
non - conforming. Said signs shall remain nonconforming and may continue subject to the
following provisions:
(1) Temporary signs shall be removed within ninety (90) days of the passage of this Code.
Temporary signs include, but are not limited to banners, portable, snipe and mobile signs.
(2) Permanent, non - conforming signs may not be moved, altered or enlarged in any way
without conforming to the provisions of this Code.
(3) Permanent, non - conforming signs that are damaged or partially destroyed by any means to
the extent of more than fifty (50) percent of its current replacement costs at the time of
damage shall not be replaced or reconstructed without conforming to the provisions of this
ordinance.
1880 SIGN VARIANCES.
The City of Owasso Board of Adjustment may grant a variance to the requirements of this Code
only if the applicant demonstrates compliance with the following criteria:
(1) That the variance is necessary due to extraordinary or peculiar circumstances related to the
size, shape, topography, or location of the subject property.
(2) That the extraordinary or exceptional conditions of the subject property are not a direct result
of the actions of the applicant.
(3) That the variance as granted represents the least deviation from the prescribed regulations
necessary to accomplish the purpose for which the variance is sought and which is consistent
with stated intent of this Code.
(4) That the granting of the variance shall result in greater convenience to the public in
identifying the business location for which a sign code variance is sought.
(5) That the granting of the variance will not be detrimental to the public welfare, will not
constitute a public nuisance or adversely affect public safety.
(6) That the granting of the variance will not interfere with the location and identification of
adjacent businesses, buildings or activities.
1885 VALIDITY
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion of this Code is for any reason held
invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, such portion shall be deemed a
separate, distinct and independent provision and such holding shall not affect the validity of the
remaining portions thereof.
CHAPTER 19
OUTDOOR LIGHTING
1905 Purpose.
1910 Promulgation of Rules and Regulations.
1915 Definitions.
1920 Light Measurement Technique.
1925 General Standards for Outdoor Lighting.
1930 Parking Lot Lighting.
1935 Outdoor Sports Field /Outdoor Performance Area Lighting.
1940 Sign Lighting.
1945 Lighting for Commercial Buildings and Landscaping.
1950 Site Plans.
1955 Search Lights.
1960 Nonconformities.
1905 PURPOSE
Outdoor lighting shall be designed to provide the minimum lighting necessary to ensure adequate
safety, night vision, and comfort; and maximum light levels so as not to create or cause glare
onto nearby properties and public street rights of way; and to minimize uplight.
1910 PROMULGATION OF RULES AND REGULATIONS
Upon adoption of this ordinance, the City Manager shall present Rules and Regulations relating
to the implementation of the intent of Chapter 19 to the City Council for adoption by resolution.
Provided, however, that the City Manager shall from time to time promulgate such additional
Rules and Regulations, or changes to existing Rules and Regulations as considered necessary.
The promulgation of such Rules and Regulations, in whole or in part, shall require the City
Manager to notify the City Council and Planning Commission in writing of the proposed Rules
and Regulations and shall require the exact language of the proposal be attached to such notice.
Such notice to the City Council shall be published in the consent agenda of a City Council
meeting for acknowledgement of Council receipt of the change(s). Upon notification to the City
Council and for a period of 30 days, the proposed Rules and Regulations shall lay open and be
subject to City Council action to disapprove either in part or in whole. Absent action by the City
Council to disapprove proposed Rules and Regulations within the allotted time frame, such Rules
and Regulations shall have the force and effect of law.
1915 DEFINITIONS
Cutoff Fixture — An outdoor light fixture shielded or constructed in such a manner that no more
than two and one half (2.5) percent of the total light emitted by the fixture is projected above the
horizontal plane of the fixture.
Flood Lamp — A form of lighting designed to direct its output in a specific direction with a
reflector formed from the glass envelope of the lamp itself. Such lamps are so designated by the
manufacturers and are typically used in residential outdoor area lighting.
Flood Light — A form of lighting designed to direct its output in a diffuse, more or less specific
direction, with reflecting or refracting elements located external to the lamp.
Footcandle (FC) — A quantitative unit measuring the amount of light cast onto a given point,
measured as one lumen per square foot.
Full Cutoff Fixture — An outdoor light fixture shielded or constructed in such a manner that it
emits no light above the horizontal plane of the fixture.
Glare — The effect produced by a light source within the visual field that is sufficiently brighter
than the level to which the eyes are adapted, to cause annoyance, discomfort, or loss of visual
performance and ability.
Light Source — The element of a lighting fixture that is the point of origin of the lumens emitted
by the fixture.
Lumen — A quantitative unit measuring the amount of light emitted by a light source.
Maintained Footcandles — Illuminance of lighting fixtures adjusted for a maintenance factor
accounting for dirt build -up and lamp output depreciation.
Outdoor Sports Field — An area designed for active recreation, whether publicly or privately
owned, including but not limited to baseball /softball diamonds, soccer fields, football fields, golf
courses and ranges, tennis courts, racetracks, and swimming pools.
Outdoor Performance Area — An area permanently dedicated to the public presentation of music,
dance, theater, media arts, storytelling, oratory, or other performing arts, whether publicly or
privately owned, including but not limited to amphitheaters and similar open or semi - enclosed
structures.
Right -of -way — An interest in land controlled by the City that provides for the perpetual right and
privilege of the City, its agents, franchise holders, successors, and assigns to construct, install,
improve, reconstruct, remove, replace, inspect, repair, maintain, and use a public street, including
related and customary uses of street rights -of -way such as sidewalks, bike paths, landscaping,
mass transit facilities, traffic control, traffic control devices and signage, sanitary sewer,
stormwater drainage, water supply, cable television, electric power, gas, and telephone
transmission and related purposes in upon, over, below, and across the rights -of -way.
Semi - Cutoff Fixture — An outdoor light fixture shielded or constructed in such a manner that it
emits no more than five (5) percent of its light above the horizontal plane of the fixture, and no
more than twenty (20) percent of its light ten (10) degrees below the horizontal plane of the
fixture.
Spillover Light — The light that can be measured on a property, when that same light is generated
from another property.
Uplight — Light that shines upward, above the horizontal plane, such as might be generated from
a searchlight or spotlight.
Wall Pack — A type of light fixture typically flush - mounted on a vertical wall surface.
1920 LIGHT MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUE
Light level measurements shall be made at the property line of the property upon which the light
to be measured is being generated. If measurement on private property is not possible or
practical, light level measurements may be made at the boundary of the public street right -of-
way that adjoins the property. Measurements shall be made at finished grade (ground level),
with the light- registering portion of the meter held parallel to the ground pointing up. Light
levels are specified, calculated and measured in footcandles (FC).
1925 GENERAL STANDARDS FOR OUTDOOR LIGHTING
1. All Zoning Districts Except Residential and Agricultural
1) Unless otherwise specified in the following subsections, the maximum light level
shall be 0.5 maintained footcandles at any property line adjacent to a single - family
residential property, and 2.0 maintained footcandles at any public, non - arterial street
right -of -way, unless otherwise approved by the Planning Commission. During hours
of operation, a minimum of 1.0 footcandles shall be maintained in parking lots.
2) Unless shielded, all flood lights shall be installed such that the fixture shall be aimed
down at least forty -five (45) degrees from vertical, or the front of the fixture is
shielded such that no portion of the light bulb extends below the bottom edge of an
external shield. Flood lights and display lights shall be positioned such that any such
fixture located within fifty feet (50') of a public street right -of -way is mounted and
aimed perpendicular to the right -of -way, with a side -to -side horizontal aiming
tolerance not to exceed fifteen (15) degrees from perpendicular to the right -of -way
(see Exhibit 1).
Exhibit 1.
3) All wall fixtures, including wall packs, shall be cutoff fixtures.
4) Service connections for all freestanding fixtures shall be installed underground. The
applicability of this provision may be reviewed on an individual basis for
developments with structures totaling less than 4,000 square feet of floor area.
5) All light fixtures installed by public agencies, their agents, or contractors for the
purpose of illuminating public streets shall use the current standards provided by the
IES or AASHTO for road lighting, and are otherwise exempt from these regulations.
6) No wood poles may be used for any freestanding fixtures. The applicability of this
provision may be reviewed on an individual basis for developments with structures
totaling less than 4,000 square feet of gross floor area.
2. RM Zoning Districts
1) Unless otherwise specified in the following subsections, the maximum light level
shall be 0.5 maintained footcandle at any property line adjacent to a single - family
district, , and 2.0 maintained footcandles at any public, non - arterial street right -of-
way, unless otherwise approved by the Planning Commission. A minimum of 0.7
footcandles shall be maintained in parking lots in RM districts.
2) Unless fully shielded, all flood lights shall be installed such that the fixture shall be
aimed down at least forty -five (45) degrees from vertical, or the front of the fixture
is shielded such that no portion of the light bulb extends below the bottom edge of
an external shield. Flood lights and display lights shall be positioned such that any
such fixture located within fifty feet (50') of a public street right -of -way is mounted
and aimed perpendicular to the right -of -way, with a side -to -side horizontal aiming
tolerance not to exceed fifteen (15) degrees from perpendicular to the right -of -way.
Nothing in this section shall be construed so as to allow any fixture that cause
excessive glare to be visible from any right -of -way (see Exhibit 1).
3) All wall fixtures, including wall packs, shall be cutoff fixtures.
4) Service connections for all freestanding fixtures in non - single- family areas shall be
installed underground. The applicability of this provision may be reviewed on an
individual basis.
5) All light fixtures installed by public agencies, their agents, or contractors for the
purpose of illuminating public streets shall use the standard provided by the IES for
road lighting, and are otherwise exempt from these regulations.
6) No wood poles may be used for any freestanding fixtures. The applicability of this
provision may be reviewed on an individual basis.
3. Agricultural and Other Residential Districts
The provisions of Section D of these regulations do not apply to properties located within
AG, RE, RS, RD, and RTH zoning districts.
1930 PARKING LOT LIGHTING
1) Other than flood lights and flood lamps, all outdoor area and parking lot lighting fixtures
of more than 2,000 lumens shall be cutoff fixtures, or comply with subsection (3) below,
and shall be subject to the requirements of Section D.
2) The mounting height of all parking lot lighting shall not exceed thirty (30) feet above
finished grade. The applicability of this provision may be reviewed on an individual
basis.
3) All non - cutoff fixture open- bottom lights shall be equipped with full cutoff fixture
shields that reduce glare and limit uplight.
4) All parking lot lighting requirements listed in Section 2050 may be modified by the
Community Development Department upon a finding that the developer has provided a
method by which glare from lighting elements will not cross any property line, and
lighting elements will not be visible from any point off the subject property.
1935 OUTDOOR SPORTS FIELD /OUTDOOR PERFORMANCE AREA
LIGHTING
The hours of operation for the lighting system for any game or event shall not exceed two hours
after the end of the event.
1940 SIGN LIGHTING
Lighting fixtures illuminating signs shall be aimed and shielded so that direct illumination is
focused exclusively on the sign. The lighting of any signs must also comply with the Owasso
Sign Ordinance.
1945 LIGHTING OF COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS AND LANDSCAPING
Lighting fixtures shall be selected, located, aimed, and shielded so that direct illumination is
focused exclusively on the building fagade, plantings, and other intended site features and away
from adjoining properties and the public street right -of -way. Ornamental and decorative accent
lighting fixtures will be considered on an individual basis.
1950 SITE PLANS
The applicant for any site plan approval required for work involving outdoor lighting shall
submit documentation at time of site plan submission that the proposed lighting plan complies
with the provisions of this Code. The site plan must include a point -by -point footcandle array in
a printout format indicating the location and aiming of illuminating devices. The printout shall
indicate compliance with the maximum maintained footcandles required by this Code.
The Community Development Director or his /her designee may require a photometric plan for
the development, that shall contain, but not be limited to the following, all or part of which may
be part of or in addition to the information required elsewhere in this Code:
Description of the illuminating devices, fixtures, lamps, supports, reflectors, poles, raised
foundations and other devices (including but not limited to manufacturers or electric utility
catalog specification sheets and /or drawings, and photometric report indicating fixture
classification [cutoff fixture, wall pack, flood light, etc.]).
1955 SEARCHLIGHTS
Searchlights shall require a separate permit. If granted, such permit shall not be valid for
duration longer than 48 hours on a specific property, and such permit shall not be granted more
than two times in one year. Searchlights shall not be permitted inside residential areas.
1960 NONCONFORMITIE5
Any lights existing prior to the adoption of this ordinance are considered legal and non-
conforming. Any new outside light fixtures placed upon properties within Owasso must meet
the requirements of this ordinance.
CHAPTER 20
. LANDSCAPING REQUIREMENTS
2005 Introduction and Intent.
2010 Promulgation of Rules and Regulations.
2015 Purpose.
2020 Definitions
2025 General Landscaping Requirements
2030 Commercial, Industrial, Office, and Multi- Family Landscaping Requirements
2035 Single - Family Landscaping Requirements
2040 Tree Preservation and Protection
2045 Care of Trees on Public Land
2050 Landscape Plan
2055 Nonconformities
2060 Variances
2065 Rules and Regulations
2005 INTRODUCTION AND INTENT
These landscaping and buffer requirements are intended to provide standards that will enhance
the general welfare of the public, increase property values, and improve the appearance of the
community through preservation of trees, and plants in Owasso. Landscaping, including trees,
shrubs, flowers, vegetation, and landscape elements are recognized as effective means of
beautifying and enhancing the livability of the City of Owasso. In addition, trees and other
landscape features soften the impact of urban development. The standards provided herein are
minimum requirements and should not be interpreted as limiting the amount or type of
landscaping that a development can provide.
2010 PROMULGATION OF RULES AND REGULATIONS
Upon adoption of this ordinance, the City Manager shall present Rules and Regulations relating
to the implementation of the intent of Chapter 20 to the City Council for adoption by resolution.
Provided, however, that the City Manager shall from time to time promulgate such additional
Rules and Regulations, or changes to existing Rules and Regulations as considered necessary.
The promulgation of such Rules and Regulations, in whole or in part, shall require the City
Manager to notify the City Council and Planning Commission in writing of the proposed Rules
and Regulations and shall require the exact language of the proposal be attached to such notice.
Such notice to the City Council shall be published in the consent agenda of a City Council
meeting for acknowledgement of Council receipt of the change(s). Upon notification to the City
Council and for a period of 30 days, the proposed Rules and Regulations shall lay open and be
subject to City Council action to disapprove either in part or in whole. Absent action by the City
Council to disapprove proposed Rules and Regulations within the allotted time frame, such Rules
and Regulations shall have the force and effect of law.
2015 PURPOSE
The objective of this Ordinance is to establish procedures and practices governing the protection,
installation, and long -term maintenance of trees, shrubs, vegetation, and other landscape
elements within the City of Owasso and provide for the promulgation of rules necessary to
achieve the intent of this ordinance. The City's purpose is as follows:
1. To promote the beautification of the City of Owasso.
2. To promote reasonable preservation and replenishment of landscaping in new
developments and on existing commercial and public properties.
3. To safeguard and enhance property values and to protect public and private
investment.
4. To provide an ordinance that is reasonable, enforceable, and easily understood by all
affected parties.
5. To provide for the promulgation of Rules and Regulations to implement and ensure
continuation of the intent of the ordinance.
2020 DEFINITIONS
ARTERIAL STREET — A street designated as an arterial in the City of Owasso Master Plan.
CALIPER — The diameter of the tree trunk measured at 6" above ground level.
DAMAGE — Includes any intentional or negligent act that will cause perennial vegetation to
decline and die within three years.
DOWNTOWN — The area of Owasso bounded by the Owasso Expressway to the east; 86th
Street North to the north, 5th Avenue to the south, and Atlanta Street to the west.
GROUND COVER — Low plants that grow to form a continuous cover over the ground, such as
English ivy or grass.
LANDSCAPE AREA — The area seen from the street that contains grass, shrubs, flowers,
ground cover, trees or native plat materials of any kind and that may include decorative fixtures
or accouterments such as rock, pools, and planters. Does not include artificial plants, trees, or
vegetation.
LANDSCAPE BUFFER — Landscape area required to be provided adjacent to an existing
single - family district in multi - family and non - residential areas.
LANDSCAPED EDGE — Landscape area required to be provided adjacent to a street or
highway in multi - family and non - residential areas.
LANDSCAPING — Any living organic plant material including trees, shrubs, flowers, ground
cover, vegetation, vines or grass.
MAINTENANCE — In reference to landscaping includes irrigating, pruning, mulching, mowing,
spraying, fertilizing, propping, bracing, treating for disease or injury, and any other similar acts
that promote the life, growth, health or beauty of the landscape vegetation.
SHRUB — A bushy, woody plant, usually with several permanent stems and usually not over ten
feet high at its maturity.
TREE — Any self supporting woody plant having one or more defined stems or trunks and
having a defined crown that customarily attains a mature height of eight feet or greater.
2025 GENERAL LANDSCAPING REQUIREMENTS
These standards shall apply to all areas where landscaping is required by this ordinance.
1. Required landscaping shall not include artificial plants, trees, or other artificial
vegetation.
2. Landscaping shall not obstruct pedestrian and /or vehicular traffic visibility at
street intersections or at access points to streets.
3. All required plant material shall be maintained in a healthy and growing
condition, and must be replaced if damaged, destroyed, or removed.
4. Landscaped areas shall be kept free of trash, litter, and weeds.
5. The list of suggested trees and discouraged trees shown in Appendix A attached
hereto, are provided for guidance and will not be used as requirements in the site
plan review process.
6. The Community Development Director or his /her designee may lessen the
requirements of this ordinance for a development when it is determined that the
development complies with the intent of this ordinance and is taking appropriate
steps to provide landscaping.
7. No site plan submitted to the Planning Commission prior to the effective date of
this ordinance shall be required to conform to the landscaping requirements of this
ordinance.
2030 COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL, OFFICE AND MULTI - FAMILY
LANDSCAPING REQUIREMENTS
These standards shall apply to all commercial, industrial, office, and multi - family zoning
districts.
Landscaping along street right -of -way:
A landscaped edge shall be provided adjacent to all frontage roads, arterial streets, collector
streets, and local streets. The landscaped edge shall be a minimum depth of ten feet. Within the
landscaped edge, one tree shall be planted per 50 linear feet of landscaped edge. The number of
required trees shall be calculated solely on the linear frontage of the required landscaped edge.
Trees may be grouped together or evenly spaced. Four shrubs shall be counted as the equivalent
of one tree up to a point equaling 50% of the required number of trees.
For developments in the downtown, one tree shall be planted per 50 linear feet of street frontage.
Trees may be grouped together or evenly spaced. Four shrubs shall be counted as the equivalent
of one tree up to a point equaling 50% of the required number of trees. No specific width of
landscaped edge shall be required for developments in the downtown. The downtown area is
bounded by East 86th Street North, the Owasso Expressway, 5th Avenue, and Carlsbad.
Landscaping as a buffer between landscaping- required developments and existing single - family
developments:
For all new commercial, industrial, office and multi - family developments, a landscaped buffer
shall be provided adjacent to all existing single- family residential developments. The landscaped
buffer shall be a minimum depth of twenty feet. Within the landscaped buffer, one tree shall be
planted per 30 linear feet of landscaped buffer. The number of required trees shall be calculated
solely on the linear frontage of the required landscaped buffer. Trees may be grouped together
or evenly spaced. Four shrubs shall be counted as the equivalent of one tree.
2035 SINGLE - FAMILY LANDSCAPING REQUIREMENTS
A landscape plan is required for the arterial entrance(s) to a single - family residential subdivision.
The location and types of landscaping shall be reviewed by the Technical Advisory Committee
to ensure that motorists' visibility is not threatened and that utility lines are not encroached upon.
All landscaping shown on the approved landscape plan shall be planted prior to the issuance of
any final inspection for a dwelling unit within the subdivision. A homeowners association shall
be required to provide perpetual maintenance of the landscaped area.
,.
2040 TREE PRESERVATION AND PROTECTION
The purpose of this section is to establish incentives for the preservation of existing trees within
the City of Owasso and to provide guidelines for the protection of trees during construction,
development, or redevelopment.
Tree Preservation Credits — For every large, mature tree (8" caliper or larger) preserved in an
area where landscaping is required by this ordinance, the developer shall be given credit for two
trees as required by this ordinance. Only trees in good condition shall be considered for credit.
Landscape Plan — The landscape plan that is required to be submitted with the site plan shall
include the approximate location, size (caliper and height), condition and common name of each
tree to be preserved for which the applicant is requesting tree credits.
Replacement of Trees — Replacement trees will be required when any tree that was shown on a
landscape plan is removed or dies. Any tree with a caliper of less than three inches shall be
replaced by the same caliper of tree. Trees that are larger than three inches in caliper shall be
replaced with a tree with a minimum caliper of three inches.
2045 CARE OF TREES ON PUBLIC LAND
The City shall have the right to prune and remove trees, plants, and shrubs within the public right
of way lines of all streets, alleys, avenues, lanes, squares, and public grounds as may be
necessary to insure public safety, to preserve or enhance the symmetry and beauty of the public
area, or to protect public utility facilities thereon.
2050 LANDSCAPE PLAN
Landscape plans shall be reviewed and approved by the Planning Commission as a part of the
site plan review of all proposed developments. Upon completing their review, the Planning
Commission shall:
Approve the landscape plan as complying with the requirements of this ordinance,
or
2. Approve the landscape plan with conditions that bring it into compliance with the
requirements of this ordinance, or
3. Reject the landscape plan as failing to comply with the requirements of this
ordinance.
The required landscape plan shall contain the following:
1. The date, scale, north arrow, project name and the name of the owner and
designer.
2. The location of property lines and dimensions of the tract.
3. The approximate center line of existing water courses, the approximate location of
significant drainage features, the location and size of existing and proposed streets
and alleys, existing and proposed utility easements and overhead utility lines on
or adjacent to the lot, existing and proposed fire hydrants on or adjacent to the lot,
and existing and proposed sidewalks on or adjacent to the lot.
4. The location, size, and type (tree, shrub, ground cover, or grass) of proposed
landscaping and the location and size of the proposed landscaped areas.
5. Planting details and /or specifications.
6. The location, size (caliper and height), condition, and common name of any
existing tree for which credit is requested shall be indicated. The method of
protecting the existing trees that are to be retained from damage during
construction shall be described.
2055 NONCONFORMITIES
Any landscaped or non - landscaped developments existing prior to the adoption of this ordinance
are considered legal and non - conforming. Any new developments placed upon properties within
Owasso subsequent to the passage of this ordinance must meet the requirements of this
ordinance.
2060 VARIANCES
The Board of Adjustment, upon application, and after notice (when notice is required) and public
hearing, may grant variances from the terms of this ordinance only upon a finding that the
variance will not cause substantial detriment to the public good or impair the spirit, purposes and
intent of this ordinance, where by reason of exceptional narrowness, shallowness, shape,
topography, or other extraordinary or exceptional situation, condition, or circumstance peculiar
to a particular property, the literal enforcement of the ordinance will result in unnecessary
hardship.
2065 RULES AND REGULATIONS
Upon adoption of this ordinance, the City Manager shall present Rules and Regulations relating
to the implementation of the intent of the ordinance to the City Council for adoption by
resolution. Provided, however, that the City Manager shall from time to time promulgate such
additional Rules and Regulations, or changes to existing Rules and Regulations as considered
necessary. The promulgation of such Rules and Regulations, in whole or in part, shall require
the City Manager to notify the City Council and Planning Commission in writing of the proposed
Rules and Regulations and shall require the exact language of the proposal be attached to such
notice. Such notice to the City Council shall be published in the consent agenda of a City
Council meeting for acknowledgement of Council receipt of the change(s). Upon notification to
the City Council and for a period of 30 days, the proposed Rules and Regulations shall lay open
and be subject to City Council action to disapprove either in part or in whole. Absent action by
the City Council to disapprove proposed Rules and Regulations within the allotted time frame,
such Rules and Regulations shall have the force and effect of law.
CHAPTER 21
ACCESS GATES FOR GATED COMMUNITIES
2105 Gates on Private Streets.
2110 Distance between Gates and Public Streets
2115 Prohibition of Tire Damaging Devices
2120 Validity of Other Ordinances
2125 Establishment of Homeowners Association
2130 Gate Width
2135 Backup System
2140 Emergency Release
2145 Access System
2150 Design Standards for Streets
2155 Gates to Remain Open in Event of Failure
2160 Minimum Height and Width
2165 Access and Easements Required
2170 Inspections and Maintenance Required
2105 GATES ON PRIVATE STREETS
Gated access will only be considered and allowed for private streets in approved Planned Unit
Developments, apartment projects, or other subdivision plats approved by the City Council.
Only local streets that would not otherwise provide access to other neighborhoods will be
considered eligible for gates. No collector roads that would connect one arterial to another
arterial will be considered eligible for gates. All plats submitted with private streets and gated
access shall require the approval of the Planning Commission and the City Council. The City of
Owasso, prior to the issuance of any building permits, shall approve streets and grading plans for
the subdivision, and those plans shall show the locations and details of all gates.
2110 DISTANCE BETWEEN GATES AND PUBLIC STREETS
Any gate shall be located a sufficient distance from a public street to allow two (2) cars to line up
at the gate so as to completely clear the right -of -way of the abutting public street without
interfering with vehicles utilizing the public street; the minimum acceptable distance from the
gate to the public street right -of -way shall be no less than forty (40) feet. A turn around lane
shall be provided for vehicles unable to enter the gated development.
2115 PROHIBITION OF TIRE DAMAGING DEVICES
Road spikes, barbs, or other tire damaging devices are prohibited. Spikes installed on gates shall
also be prohibited.
2120 VALIDITY OF OTHER ORDINANCES
Use of controlled access does not negate other City of Owasso ordinances.
2125 ESTABLISHMENT OF HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION
A Homeowners' Association or a similar entity shall be established and the name, addresses and
emergency contact numbers provided to the Fire Department. The Homeowners' Association
shall be responsible for the following:
(a) Maintenance and repairs of the private streets and /or fire lanes, and to provide the funds
for such.
(b) Maintenance testing and repairs of all functions of the gate.
(c) Accompanying the Fire Department officers during annual inspection and testing of the
opening systems.
(d) Maintaining a service agreement with a qualified contractor to insure year round
maintenance.
2130 GATE WIDTH
The minimum gate opening width, including clearance for all improvements related to the gate,
shall not be less than fourteen (14) feet per lane if there is to be ingress and an egress gates.
2135 BACK -UP SYSTEM
A battery back -up system shall be provided for each gate. These batteries will be trickle charged
to maintain electrical energy, and in the event of loss of normal electrical current, cause the gate
to open until reset by the Homeowners' Association. An emergency release or hitch pin shall be
installed on the control arm.
2140 EMERGENCY RELEASE
This hitch pin, when removed, will detach the control arm from the gate and allow the gate to
swing open freely with manual intervention.
An emergency release shall be installed on the gate. This emergency release, when removed,
will detach the gate from the opening device and allow the gate to swing or slide open freely
with manual intervention.
2145 ACCESS SYSTEM
The gate shall be equipped with a "Click2Enter, Inc. public safety access system, which utilizes
the existing emergency service radios for rapid entry.
2150 DESIGN STANDARDS FOR STREETS
All streets within the development shall otherwise meet the requirements of the Comprehensive
Plan, Subdivision Regulations, and the design standards of the City of Owasso.
2155 GATES TO REMAIN OPEN IN EVENT OF FAILURE
Should any problem occur in the operation of the gate or any violation of any section of this
ordinance, the gate shall remain open and accessible until the problem is resolved and /or the gate
is repaired and tested.
2160 MINIMUM HEIGHT AND WIDTH
When a covered entry structure is requested, the minimum height shall be no less than sixteen
(16) feet. The width shall be no less than twenty (20) feet.
2165 ACCESS AND EASEMENTS REQUIRED
Any developer, Homeowners' Association, or other responsible property owners proposing any
gated community must provide the City of Owasso (including Fire, Police, Public Works, and
Community Development) access assurance prior to installation of any approved gate. The
access shall be provided by an easement to be dedicated to the City of Owasso in the deed of
dedication of the plat for utilities and essential City services in the streets and common areas as
designated on the subdivision plat.
2170 INSPECTIONS AND MAINTENANCE REQUIRED
The developer, Homeowners' Association, or other responsible property owners shall provide for
annual inspection of each gate to insure that each gate is tested to meet all of the construction
requirements prior to it being approved for operation or continued operation at any point the gate
fails to meet the standards. The verification of the access agreement and a copy of the latest
inspection form will be kept on file with the City of Owasso City Clerk including the
contractor's name, address, and 24- hour -a -day telephone number(s). The developer,
homeowner's representative, or responsible property owner's name, address, and telephone
number shall be a minimum requirement for approval of the annual inspection of the gate.