17.70.070 Signs in Commercial Districts
   No sign, outdoor advertising structure, or display of any kind shall be permitted for nonresidential uses except as specifically allowed by this Chapter.
   (a)   Signs for Free-Standing Single Tenant Buildings and Sites
      (1)   Wall Signs
         (A)   The maximum sign area per building frontage shall be one (1) square foot per linear foot of building frontage. Any wall sign removed or obstructed due to construction of an adjacent building cannot be relocated unless a new sign permit is obtained and it complies with all the requirements of this Chapter.
         (B)   Awnings or canopy signs may be allowed, with their sign area allocated against the total cumulative sign area for wall signs.
         (C)   Window signs may also be allowed to identify the business or use. The maximum sign area shall not exceed 25% of the window area.
         (D)   Nameplate sign may not exceed one (1) square foot in size.
      (2)   Free-Standing Monument Signs
         (A)   Free-Standing pole signs are not permitted; only monument or Pylon style signs are permitted. Pylon signs shall have two supporting towers on either side of the sign with a minimum dimension of twelve inches by twelve inches (12" x 12").
         (B)   No more than one free-standing monument sign is permitted for each street frontage.
         (C)   The maximum sign area allowed for free-standing monument signs shall be one (1) square foot per ten (10) linear feet of street frontage on which the sign is located.
         (D)   No single sign shall exceed thirty-six (36) square feet in area.
         (E)   The address or address range of the property shall be incorporated on the sign visible from public right-of-way and no larger than one (1) square foot in area.
         (F)   Maximum height of a free-standing monument sign shall not exceed eight (8) feet.
         (G)   Monument signs located near street intersections and driveways shall be setback out of the Clear Area per Section 17.10.080 .
         (H)   “Reader boards” or similar devices for showing changing text and/or graphic messages may be used and shall count towards the permitted sign area. Reader board content shall be limited to the date, time, temperature, and messages directly related to business or site use. Advertisement of off-site uses is prohibited.
      (3)   Projecting or Shingle Signs
         Small projecting, shingle or suspended signs may be permitted subject to the following:
         (A)   A maximum of one (1) such sign per building entrance is permitted provided that it is perpendicular to the main face of the building suspended from a canopy or projects not more than three (3) feet from the building face.
         (B)   Projecting or shingle signs shall not exceed two (2) square feet in area and shall have a minimum ground clearance of eight (8) feet.
         (C)   All such signs shall be non-energized or non-electrical.
   (b)   Signs for Tenants within Shopping Centers and Multiple Tenant Buildings
      (1)   Sign Programs
         A sign program shall be required for all business or shopping centers or any group of business uses with shared signs facilities to insure that all signs are integrated and compatible. Sign programs shall comply with all of the provisions of Section 17.70.100 Sign Programs. All signs in such development shall comply with the provisions of the approved sign program in addition to the provisions of this Chapter.
      (2)   Wall Signs
         (A)   The maximum sign area per building or unit frontage shall be one (1) square foot per linear foot of building or unit frontage. Subject to the approval of a sign program, the property owner may apportion the sign area to individual uses or overall building, or certain identification, provided that the total cumulative sign area is not exceeded.
         (B)   Any wall sign removed or obstructed due to construction of an adjacent building cannot be relocated unless a new sign permit is obtained and it complies with all the requirements of this Chapter.
         (C)   Awnings or canopy signs may be allowed, with their sign area allocated against the total cumulative sign area for wall signs.
         (D)   Window signs may also be allowed to identify the business or use. The maximum sign area shall not exceed 25% of the window area.
         (E)   Nameplate sign may not exceed one (1) square foot in size.
      (3)   Free-Standing Signs
         (A)   Free-Standing pole signs are not permitted; only monument or Pylon style signs are permitted. Pylon signs shall have two supporting towers on either side of the sign with a minimum dimension of twelve inches by twelve inches (12" x 12").
         (B)   The maximum sign area allowed for free-standing signs shall be two (2) square feet per ten (10) linear feet of street frontage on which the sign is located.
         (C)   No single-sign shall exceed two hundred (200) square feet.
         (D)   No more than two free standing signs are permitted for each street frontage. Spacing shall be subject to Table 70-1 below.
         (E)   Monument signs located near street intersections and driveways shall be setback out of the Clear Area per Section 17.10.080 .
         (F)   “Reader boards” or similar devices for showing changing text and/or graphic messages may be used and shall count towards the permitted sign area. Reader board content shall be limited to the date, time, temperature, and messages directly related to business or site use. Advertisement of off-site uses is prohibited.
         (G)   Maximum height and separation of free-standing signs shall comply with the following:
            (1)   Center identification signs shall meet the maximum sign heights and minimum sign spacing specified below:
TABLE 70-1
FREE-STANDING SIGN HEIGHT AND SPACING STANDARDS
 
Road Designation
Gross Lot Area
Maximum Sign Height
Minimum Spacing
Highways or Major Streets/Boulevards
20 ac or more
25 feet
300 feet
Highways or Major Streets/Boulevards
5 to 19.99 ac
15 feet
200 feet
Highways or Major Streets/Boulevards
Less than 5 ac
8 feet
150 feet
Collector
Any lot area
8 feet
*
 
   *   Minimum sign spacing shall comply per net lot area as Major Streets/Boulevards
            (2)   Other free-standing signs which may be permitted for a center shall not exceed a maximum height of eight (8) feet.
         (H)   Subject to approval of a sign program, the property owner may apportion the sign area to individual uses or overall center or building identification, provided that the total cumulative sign area per each type of sign is not exceeded. This allows a center to apportion sign area for free-standing signs, for example, between a center identification sign and monument signs for individual free-standing tenants in accordance with the maximum number of permitted signs per lot and/or development.
         (I)   The address or address range of the property shall be incorporated on the sign visible from public right-of-way and no larger than four (4) square feet in area.
         (J)   All free-standing signs in excess of eight (8) feet in height shall reflect high quality, enhance community design and be harmonious with the desert character through the following:
            (1)   Is compatible with the structures and uses located on the site by incorporating elements of the architecture and/or natural features of the site, without dominating the site;
            (2)   Makes use of high quality and/or natural or indigenous building materials, including, but not limited to, rock, adobe, timber, carved wood and incised lettering in stone;
            (3)   Identifies the site or use without extensive sign copy (text) by use of graphic imagery and/or logo; and
            (4)   Utilizes reverse channel lettering or opaque sign field (background) with illuminated routed copy.
         (K)   Fast Food Menu Boards
            (1)   Fast food restaurants with drive-through or walk-up facilities may be allowed two (2) menu or reader boards with a total maximum area of thirty-six (36) square feet, with a maximum height of six (6) feet.
            (2)   Any pictures, photographs, representations, or logos within or on the perimeter of the board shall be included in the computation of the maximum area of such boards.
            (3)   The menu board shall be located at such a point that there are at least 3 cars queued between the service window and the menu board; and at least 3 cars queued from the menu board to the entrance of the drive-through.
         (L)   Automated Service Facilities
            Signs for drive-up or walk-up service windows or machines whether free-standing or incorporated into a building, require special consideration for which uniform sign regulations cannot be established because of their unlimited variety and character. Therefore, the sign allowance for such facilities shall be determined on the basis of their function and use, when the sign permit application is being reviewed.
            (1)   In no event shall such signs exceed five (5) square feet in area.
            (2)   Automated service signs shall not be allowed as a method of increasing the basic sign allowance for the principal use or the function as off-site advertising of the principal use. Examples of such facilities are drive-up or walk up machines for banking and drive-up or walk-up windows for restaurants, grocery stores, and film processing.
      (4)   Projecting or Shingle Signs
         Small projecting, shingle or suspended signs may be permitted subject to the following:
         (A)   A maximum of one (1) such sign per building entrance is permitted provided that it is perpendicular to the main face of the building suspended from a canopy or projects not more than three (3) feet from the building face.
         (B)   Projecting or shingle signs shall not exceed two (2) square feet in area and shall have a minimum ground clearance of eight (8) feet.
         (C)   All such signs shall be non-energized or non-electrical.
   (c)   Service Stations
      Signs for service stations shall be the same as for other businesses, except the following:
      (1)   Free-standing signs shall not be within one hundred (100) feet of another free-standing sign on the same property.
      (2)   Signs on dispensers and dispenser islands shall be limited to identification and directions for use of pumps or payments, or other signs required by State regulations.
      (3)   Video display terminals on dispenser and dispenser islands shall not exceeding fifteen (15) inches, measured diagonally.
[Ord. No. 474, Section 5, 5/28/08; Ord. No. 528, Exhibit P, 9/10/14.]