§ 28-11. Special purpose signs

(a) Flags, emblems and insignia of a governmental entity are allowed.

(b) Special purpose, temporary construction signs denoting the architect, engineer, contractor, subcontractor or financier and temporary signs denoting the future location of a particular business, retail center or institution are allowed one such construction sign and one such future location sign per street adjacent to the construction site or future location site. No such sign shall exceed 32 square feet in area nor extend higher than 15 feet as measured from ground level; provided, that such signs are located on the premises where construction or location being advertised is or will be occurring. Such signs shall be removed upon issuance of a certificate of occupancy.

(c) Special purpose freestanding signs for the purpose of identifying the location of or direction to subdivisions or major home builder sites are allowed. Such signs shall be on-premises and shall not exceed 32 square feet in area, nor extend more than ten feet in height, or when located adjacent to a screening wall shall not extend more than 15 feet in height. A home builder with 25 lots or more qualifies as a major home builder. One such sign may be allowed for subdivisions, major home builders, sites or developments of 30 acres, or less. One additional sign shall be allowed for each additional 30 acres. Permits for such signs may be granted for a maximum period of 12-month intervals, with such signs being removed upon 90 percent completion of the project. No such sign shall be located closer than 100 feet to a residential dwelling not within the subdivision.

(d) Off-premise, special purpose freestanding directional signs for the purpose of identifying the location of or direction to a subdivision within a residential zoning district are allowed under the following conditions:

(1) Such signs shall not advertise any site located outside the city limits of Murphy, Texas;

(2) Such signs shall be located within a one-mile radius of the subdivision to which it pertains and shall not be located closer than 100 feet to a residential dwelling;

(3) Such signs shall not exceed 100 square feet in area, nor extend more than 15 feet in height;

(4) The maximum number of such signs shall not exceed one sign per 50 lots, or fraction thereof, nor a maximum of two signs per subdivision;

(5) No such off-premise, special purpose freestanding directional sign shall be erected closer than 100 feet from any other off-premise sign on the same side of the thoroughfare;

(6) Permits for such signs may be granted for maximum intervals of 12 months each with such signs being removed when 90 percent of the lots within the subdivision have been developed.

(e) Wind devices, heavier-than-air inflatable, and similar special purpose signs promoting a single-family subdivision or multi-family complex shall be allowed a maximum single use period not to exceed 15 days, with a minimum period between permits of 30 and a maximum number of three permits per year for a given subdivision or complex.

(f) Wind devices, heavier-than-air inflatables, and similar special purpose signs promoting a retail or commercial establishment or center shall be allowed a maximum single use period not to exceed seven days with a minimum period between permits of 15 days and a maximum number of three permits per year for a given establishment or center.

(g) Signs that advertise sales, specials, grand openings, or other goods or services available within an establishment may be placed in windows using water soluble paint, appliqués or other temporary and removable means provided that no such window sign may:

(1) Be located on the window surface in any manner that obscures more than 25 percent of the visible window area available in the absence of any signs; and

(2) Remain in place more than 30 days in any six-month period.

(Ord. No. 09-05-797, § 2, 5-18-2009; Ord. No. 13-02-947, § 5, 2-19-2013)