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 Flagler Beach
 Code of Ordinances
 Appendix A. LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS
 Article VII. SIGNS

§ 7.00.00. Purpose.  

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  • The purpose of this article [is] to promote the public health, safety and general welfare through reasonable, consistent and non-discriminatory sign regulations. No part of these regulations shall be construed to favor commercial speech over non-commercial speech, nor restrict speech on the basis of content, viewpoint or message. Also these sign regulations reduce signage conflicts, promote traffic and pedestrian safety and increase the aesthetic value and economic viability of the city by classifying and regulating the location, size, type and number of signs and related matters in a content-neutral manner.

    These sign regulations are especially intended to reach the secondary effects that may adversely impact aesthetics and safety. The City of Flagler Beach is a coastal community located in Flagler County and encompasses several miles of waterfront property. The economic base of the city is enhanced by tourism. In order to preserve and promote the city as a desirable community in which to live, vacation and do business, a pleasing, visually attractive environment is of primary importance. These sign regulations have been prepared with the purpose of enhancing the visual environment of the city and promoting its continued well-being, and are intended to:

    A.

    Encourage the effective use of signs as a means of communication in the city;

    B.

    Improve pedestrian and traffic safety;

    C.

    Minimize the possible adverse effect of signs on nearby public and private property;

    D.

    Promote the integration of signage with architectural and landscape designs;

    E.

    Lessen the visual clutter that may otherwise be caused by the proliferation, improper placement, illumination, animation, excessive height and excessive size (area) of signs, which compete for the attention of pedestrian and vehicular traffic;

    F.

    Allow signs that are compatible with their surroundings and aid orientation, while precluding the placement of signs that contribute to sign clutter or that conceal or obstruct adjacent land uses or signs;

    G.

    Encourage and allow signs that are appropriate to the zoning district in which they are located and consistent with the category of use and function to which they pertain;

    H.

    Curtail the size and number of signs and sign messages to the minimum reasonably necessary to identify a residential or business location and the nature of any such business;

    I.

    Establish sign size in relationship to the scale of the lot and building on which the sign is to be placed or to which it pertains;

    J.

    Categorize signs based upon the function that they serve and tailor the regulation of signs based upon their function;

    K.

    Preclude signs from conflicting with the principal permitted use of the site and adjoining sites;

    L.

    Regulate signs in a manner that will not interfere with, obstruct the vision of or distract motorists, bicyclists or pedestrians;

    M.

    Except to the extent expressly preempted by state or federal law, ensure that signs are constructed, installed and maintained in a safe and satisfactory manner, and protect the public from unsafe signs;

    N.

    Preserve, conserve, protect and enhance the aesthetic quality and scenic beauty of the city;

    O.

    Protect property values by ensuring that sign types, as well as the number of signs and their size, height, illumination, movement, and brightness are in harmony with buildings, neighborhoods and conforming signs in the area;

    P.

    Regulate the appearance and design of signs in a manner that promotes and enhances the beautification of the city and that complements the natural surroundings in recognition of the city's reliance on its natural resources and beautification efforts; and

    Q.

    Allow for traffic control devices consistent with national standards and whose purpose is to promote highway safety and efficiency by providing for the orderly movement of road users and pedestrians on streets and highways, and that notify road users of regulations and provide warning and guidance needed for the safe, uniform and efficient operation of all elements of the traffic stream.

(Ord. No. 2010-15, § 2, 11-18-10)