The purpose of this section is to provide sign controls and is intended to protect property values, to maintain and enhance the visibility of unique architectural and natural features, and to encourage investment and beautification in residential and commercial areas by reducing the visual clutter of advertising signs which impair the effectiveness of neighborhood business and institutional signs and otherwise detract from the appearance, perception and safety of the Central Village Area.
(A) Interpretation. The provisions of these signage standards are supplementary to the provisions of Chapter 154, entitled Sign Regulations, hereafter referred to as the Sign Code. Provisions of this sign plan that are more restrictive than the provisions of the Sign Code shall prevail and supersede provisions in the Sign Code. All other provisions of the Sign Code shall continue to apply to signs in the Central Village Area. All words and terms shall be defined as in this sign plan and in the Sign Code.
(B) Definitions. For the purpose of these signage standards, the following definitions shall apply, in addition to those definitions found in the Sign Code.
AWNING. A shelter extending from a building not more than four feet that is supported entirely from the exterior wall of a building and composed of non-rigid fabric or materials except for support framework.
AWNING SIGN. A sign that is part of or attached to the face of an awning, which shall be constructed in the same non-rigid fabric or material as the awning.
CANOPY. A structure extending from a building not more than four feet constructed of rigid materials including, but not limited to metal, wood, concrete, plastic, or glass, which is attached to and supported by a building or by columns, poles, or braces extended to the ground.
CANOPY SIGN. A sign that is suspended from, attached to, supported form, or forms part of a canopy.
DIRECTORY SIGN. A sign listing only the names and/or use, or location of more than one business, activity, or professional office conducted within a building, group of buildings, or commercial center.
HANGING SIGN. A sign that projects from a commercial building or and overhangs an abutting pedestrian walkway.
MARQUEE SIGN. A sign attached to a permanent roof-like structure projecting more than four feet but no more than six feet beyond a building wall at an entrance to a building and includes a reader board with changeable copy.
PROJECTING SIGN. Any sign, single- or double-faced, mounted on brackets, poles, or beams projecting at right angles from the front or side of any building and supported solely by brackets, poles, or beams.
ROOF SIGN. Any sign erected or constructed wholly upon or over the roof of any building and supported solely or partially on the roof structure.
SIGNABLE AREA. The area or areas on a commercial or mixed-use building facade where signs may be placed without disrupting facade composition. SIGNABLE AREA will often include panels at the top of show windows, transoms over storefront doors and windows, sign boards on fascias, and areas between the top of the storefront and the sills of second story windows.
WINDOW SIGN. Any permanent sign attached or painted to any surface of a window denoting the name of a business and/or the goods or services sold at the business. The area of such sign shall count in the maximum allowable sign area.
(C) Signs allowed without a permit. See also the Sign Code.
(1) For lease, sale, or rent signs. Single- and multiple-tenant commercial buildings may have a dedicated wall sign listing the property management company or agent and any pertinent information. Such signage shall not exceed four square feet and may be in addition to any permitted building signage. These signs shall be located near the primary entrances of buildings and shall be located no higher than eight feet above grade. There shall not be freestanding for lease, sale, or rent signs for a standing commercial building.
(2) Temporary window signs. Single and multiple tenant commercial buildings may post such signs inside provided they do not, individually or combined, occupy more than 50% of the total area of said window.
(3) Commemorative plaques. Any memorial, commemorative plaques, or tablet that contains the primary name of a building, the date of erection, and use of the building when the signs is built into the building or mounted flat against the wall of the building.
(4) Menu boards. Restaurant and cafe uses only may post one display case that features the actual menu of the restaurant used at the dining table. The display case, which may be lighted, shall not exceed two square feet and must be attached to the wall of the restaurant tenant space approximately five feet from grade.
(5) Sandwich boards. Restaurant and cafe uses only may place one sandwich board outside of the entrance of the restaurant or cafe. The sandwich board shall not exceed five square feet, shall be constructed of wood, chalkboard, or finished metal, and shall be located within four feet of the main entrance to the business provided it does not interfere with pedestrian or vehicle traffic. The information displayed on the sandwich board shall be limited to daily specials and hours of operation, and must be removed at the end of the business day.
(6) Directory signs - wall-mounted. A wall-mounted directory sign may be located next to the primary entrance of a multiple tenant, multi-story building no higher than six feet above grade. The wall-mounted sign shall list only the names of the businesses located within a particular multiple-tenant building. The wall-mounted sign shall not exceed four square feet and shall be approximately five feet from grade.
(7) Directory signs - free-standing. A free-standing directory may display businesses within a multi-tenant development, and may be placed at points nearest the pedestrian entrances to the businesses within that development. A free-standing directory may not exceed 16 square feet and shall be no higher than 6 feet.
(D) Signs allowed with a permit.
(1) Building signs - ground level.
(a) Location. All ground level signs shall be located no higher than the first story of a multi-story building, or for single-story building, the roof overhang or top of the parapet walls. All signs shall be located in a sign band(s) or other designated area(s) noted on the master sign plan on the front facade of the building. The sign band shall be no greater than 24 inches high and no longer than 80% of the length of the tenant frontage. The sign band shall be located near the entrance to individual tenant spaces, and in no case shall be more than 10 feet from the main entrance to each business.
(b) Types of signs. Buildings signs on the ground level may be: attached, projecting, marquee, hanging, awning, or canopy signs.
(2) Building signs - upper level.
(a) Location. Multi-story, multi-tenant buildings, offices or services located above the ground floor are allowed and shall be located in a sign band(s) or other designated area(s) noted on the master sign plan on the front facade of the building. The sign band shall be no greater than 24 inches high and no longer than 80% of the length of the tenant frontage. The sign band shall be located near the entrance to individual tenant spaces, and in no case shall be more than 10 feet from the main entrance to each business.
(b) Types of signs. Building signs on an upper level may be: attached, permanent window, or projecting.
(3) Additional building signage. Additional signs are allowed on a side of a building that abuts business or industrially zoned property or a public street, except where the side of the building faces an adjacent public street which abuts residentially zoned property. Additional signs shall not be installed on the same face of the building as the main entrance sign. The wall of a building where additional signs are located shall have sign band, wall materials, and/or exterior colors similar to the main entrance wall and all trash, storage, and loading facilities along the wall shall be screened from adjacent properties in the same materials and/or exterior colors. Additional building signs shall be identical to the main primary business sign, but shall not be considered as part of the total square footage allowed for that property or business.
(4) Ground signs. Ground signs shall be used only for the identification of the Central Village Area, and for residential developments. Such signs shall be located only at the intersections or along the street frontages of minor arterials and/or collectors and shall be identified on a master sign plan for the Central Village Area plan.
(E) Design standards.
(1) Building signs. In multiple-tenant buildings, any commercial tenant space shall not have more than one sign per building face; this shall include window signage. Signs installed on the building face shall be located in a dedicated sign band or other area designated on the master sign plan. In no case shall a sign project above the roof line or wall parapet. The sign shall be flat and parallel to the surface of the building and projecting no more than one foot from it.
(2) Projecting signs. All projecting signs shall be perpendicular to the surface of the building and no more than one foot in thickness. Projecting signs may project no more than four feet from the front edge of the building and may not extend over a public right-of-way, a designated parking space, or a loading area. Projecting signs may project over pedestrian walkways but must be at least eight feet from grade. Projecting signs may not rise above the level of the building's roofline. Projecting signs shall be supported in a stationary position by a cantilevered structure without the use of any guy wires, cables, angle irons, or turnbuckles.
(3) Hanging signs. All hanging signs shall be at least eight feet above the sidewalk or ground level, and shall be located within the central one-third of the facade length so as not to obstruct neighboring signs. Hanging signs may not extend over a public right-of-way, a designated parking space, or a loading area. All hanging signs shall be safely and securely attached to the roof support beams of the primary structure by metal anchors, bolts, or expansion screws. No excess chain shall be allowed. In no case shall any hanging sign be attached by wire, string, rope, wood, or secured by nails.
(4) Awning signs. Any portion of an awning or canopy sign containing advertising copy shall be shall be treated as building signage and shall be included in the overall area calculations for building signage, except for if it is smaller than one foot in height and six feet in length. All awning and canopy signs shall be at least eight feet above grade and these signs may not rise above the level of the building's roofline. Awning signs may not be backlit.
(5) Marquee signs. No more than one marquee sign per building and the marquee sign shall be on the building front. No more than two-thirds of the sign shall be composed of changeable copy.
(6) Neon. Exposed neon tube illumination is allowed on permanent, nonresidential, signs in the Central Village Area. The neon tubing may be used for sign copy and shall be calculated in the manner noted in § 154.02 of the Sign Code. Neon tubing used for a border or framing of the sign copy shall not be included in the total square footage of the sign.
(F) Prohibited Signs. In addition to those signs prohibited by the Sign Code, the following signs shall be prohibited within the Central Village Area:
(1) Flashing signs, except when used to provide time and temperature or other public service announcements in a permanent sign.
(2) Roof signs.
(3) Balloon signs.
(4) Signs placed on or painted on a motor vehicle or trailer and parked with the primary purpose of providing signage.
(5) Audible signs.
(6) Searchlights or strobe lights.
(7) Signs intended to be read from the public right-of-way.
(8) Pylon signs.
(9) Box signs or cabinet signs, whether of a wall, projecting or on canopies, except for logo signs as approved as part of a master signage plan.
(1) Permits. Whenever a permit for a sign in the Central Village Area is required under the provisions of Chapter 154, a permit shall not be issued unless the plans for the sign have been approved by the Zoning Administrator in conformance with this sign plan. All permit applications for signs in the Central Village Area shall be submitted to the Zoning Administrator for review and approval. A fee to cover the costs of the review shall be established by resolution of the City Council.
(2) Master sign plans. Applicants submitting plans for new construction of buildings shall submit a master sign plan for the building, regardless of use, which shall comply with the requirements of this article. The master signage plan shall be drawn to scale showing the proposed location, maximum height and width of signs, finishes, colors, materials, and types of signage for the building. In the case of multiple tenant buildings, all signs shall be compatible, though not necessarily similar. All signs proposed by building owners or tenants shall adhere to the requirements outlined in the signage plan for the building.
(3) All applications submitted for Zoning Administrator approval shall be of sufficient detail to demonstrate that the proposed sign complies with the provisions of this sign plan as well as the Sign Code. The Zoning Administrator shall review the application within 30 days and notify the applicant of any decision to approve or disapprove the application. Written reasons, prepared by the Zoning Administrator, shall accompany any application denied by the Zoning Administrator.
(H) Sign Maintenance. It shall be unlawful for any owner of record, lessor, lessee, manager, agent, or other person having lawful possession or control over a building, structure, or parcel of land to fail to maintain the property and all signage thereon in conformance with § 154.06 of the Sign Code.
(I) Sign standards. The following signs may be erected or maintained, as shown for each zoning district or land use, only after obtaining a permit from the city and payment of permit fees, providing the standards of § 154.03 are met.
Type of Sign | Number | Area (sq. ft.) | Standards |
Type of Sign | Number | Area (sq. ft.) | Standards |
Building signs | |||
Ground level: | |||
Attached | 1 | 40* | |
Projecting | 1 | 40* | |
Marquee | 1 | 80* | |
Hanging | 1 | 10 | |
Awning & canopy | 1 | 10 | |
Upper level: | |||
Window | 1 | 25 | |
Attached | 1 | 40 | |
Ground signs | 1 per development | 40 | No higher than 8 feet. Must be set back at least 13 feet from the property line. |
Monument signs for residential developments | 1 | 40 | Must be at least 5 feet from property line and 10 feet from all buildings. |
Notes to table: * Sign area for retail and office uses. Building floor area: <5,000 sq. ft. of sign per 25 sq. ft. of occupant's retail floor area >5,000 sq. ft. = after the first 5,000 sq. ft. of sign per 100 sq. ft. of occupant's retail floor area. Maximum allowed: 200 sq. ft. of sign. Minimum entitlement: 40 sq. ft. of sign. | |||