Fitial signs updated zoning law

Gov. Benigno R Fitial signed into law yesterday the latest version of the Saipan Zoning Law, refining and updating the zoning law that went into effect in February 2008.

“The changes will improve our ability to attract new businesses and to reuse our existing buildings,” said Fitial.

Among the changes are new requirements that will affect all businesses that produce or display banner signs and rules relating to the location of adult businesses.

The law went into effect immediately and all new development proposals will be reviewed and approved under the new law.

The 2008 Law has a number of key features. It:

-Requires adult businesses to be separated from each other by 500 feet in an adult business overlay zone

-Provides special standards for reusing large commercial and industrial buildings

-Provides a deadline for removal of nonconforming banners signs

-Prohibits banner signs with advertising except when they are related to an event

-Prohibits signs that project above the level of the roof

-Increases the number of lots that may be subdivided in a “minor” subdivision

-Allows up to six children in a home day care business

-Allows temporary uses to be permitted for up to a year rather than just six months

-Reduces the lot area and setback requirements in some zones

-Provides more flexibility in permitting roadside merchandise stands

-Provides new standards for fences and retaining walls

-Establishes a parking improvement fund for Garapan

-Exempts political campaign signs from permits if they are more than 50 feet from an intersection and no more than 6 ft high

-Provides a simpler process for making lot line adjustments.

Dr. Elizabeth Rechebei, acting chairwoman of the Zoning Board, said: “The board has been working on this update for many months and we are grateful for the Governor’s leadership and support as well as the support and assistance we received from the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation. We recognize the need to keep the law current and respond to new opportunities. We have been very grateful to the Saipan business community and the public for the tremendous efforts they have made to comply with the zoning law.”

The new banner requirements prohibit most banner signs that advertise a brand-name product, contain a brand name, symbol or logo, or contain a product price.

“The intent of the banner sign restriction is to make Saipan more attractive for tourists and to our residents,” said Zoning administrator Steve Tilley.

Banner signs will still be allowed that don’t contain product advertising and banner signs for special events may contain up to 40 percent advertising space. However, retail banner signs advertising a product will not be allowed.

All nonconforming banner signs must be taken down by Jan. 31, 2009. The deadline for removing nonconforming banner signs has already passed, and the Zoning Office has provided a grace period for sign owners to remove their signs.

Beginning Feb. 1, 2009, the Zoning Office will issue notices of violation for nonconforming banner signs. Violations of the SZL can carry criminal and civil penalties including fines up to $1,000 per day.

According to the new rule, a banner sign is “a sign with or without characters, letters, illustrations, or ornamentations applied to cloth, paper, flexible plastic, or fabric of any kind with only such material for backing.” A nonconforming banner sign is one that is already installed but would not be allowed under the Saipan Zoning Law.

A banner sign will be allowed to advertise products and prices if the sign is a window sign or event sign, such as for government functions or charity fundraisers. This category does not include retail sale events.

The new zoning law can be viewed on the publications page of the zoning website at www.zoning.gov.mp. Anyone with questions can also call or visit the Zoning Office at 234-9661, 2nd Floor, Joeten Building, DanDan. [B][I](Zoning Board)[/I][/B]