Title 18 - Unified Development Ordinance

18.440.140 Signs on Vehicles

1. A.
   Vehicle signs do not require a sign permit, but must comply with the provisions of this Section.
2. B.
   No vehicle (including trailers or other non-motorized wheeled vehicles carrying signage) shall be parked so that it functions primarily as a sign. Factors to determine whether a vehicle is being used primarily as a sign include, but are not limited to the following:

   1. 1.
      Is the vehicle parked at a prominent location?
   2. 2.
      Can the sign be easily read by people driving by the sign?
   3. 3.
      Is the vehicle parked at the same or similar locations for several hours during the same day or for several days during the same week?
   4. 4.
      Are there any stated or apparent reasons, other than signage purposes, that justify the vehicle being at that location?

While other factors may also establish a violation, a vehicle presumptively violates this provision if the first three questions are affirmative and there is no compelling answer to the fourth question to justify the parking location as opposed to some less conspicuous location.

3. C.
   No vehicle (including trailers or other non-motorized wheeled vehicles carrying signage) shall traverse the right-of-way carrying or otherwise displaying signs for the primary purpose of advertising (e.g., a movable billboard).
4. D.
   Vehicles (including trailers) used as part of the normal function of a business or organization are allowed to have incidental signs subject to the following limitations:

   1. 1.
      Signs must be painted or professionally wrapped directly on the body of the vehicle or securely mounted on the body of the vehicle. Roof-mounted signs are also allowed provided they do not exceed 3 s.f. in area per face.
   2. 2.
      Signs cannot be mounted on a framework: (1) attached to a vehicle, (2) in the bed of a truck, or (3) on an object carried by the vehicle. Signs cannot extend above the roof of a vehicle except as allowed by Subsection D.1 above.
   3. 3.
      Paper signs, electronic message signs, fabric signs, changeable copy signs or signs with a scrolling mechanism to change messages are not allowed.
   4. 4.
      When a vehicle is parked at or near the site of the business or organization, it shall be parked at least 75 feet from any right-of-way classified as a highway, thoroughfare, super-collector or collector. Provided, however, if there are no areas to park outside of that setback, no such vehicle shall park within a distance from the right-of-way equal to half of the distance from the main entry to the business or organization and the nearest right-of-way line.
   5. 5.
      Where the restrictions of Subsection 4 create clear practical difficulties regarding the availability of appropriate parking spaces or the functional requirements of the business, the Director may authorize an alternate parking location that is reasonably inconspicuous and lessens the practical difficulties. This Subsection shall not apply where the vehicle is:

      1. a.
         Temporarily parked at a loading dock;
      2. b.
         Substantially hidden from view from any public street by buildings, fences, mature landscaping or similar objects such that the vehicle does not attract attention to the business or organization; or
      3. c.
         A trailer at the site of an active construction project.
   6. 6.
      In a residential zoning district, the vehicle shall not be parked on a street curb or unenclosed driveway unless the vehicle is legally parked at the residence of the driver or is making a delivery or service call. (See also commercial vehicle regulations in Title 7.)

(History:Ord. No. ZRR-3300 §15, 2020; Ord. ZRR-2343 §56, 2002; ZRR-1725; ZRR-1637)

Effective on: 1/1/1901