In nonresidential districts, the number of permanent signs identifying the name and nature of an establishment shall be limited as follows. Other types of permanent signs are prohibited except by special use permit.
(a) General. Not more than two such signs shall be permitted for each building or unit thereof, except by special use permit.
(b) Sign Types. For each lot, not more than one such sign shall be displayed as a ground or pole sign. For each building or unit thereof, not more than one such sign shall be displayed as a projecting sign, if permitted. Furthermore, no use may display both a projecting sign and a ground or pole sign.
(c) Additional Ground Signs. Additional ground signs shall be permitted for each lot with a frontage of at least 120 feet, measured along the lot line providing principal access to the building(s) is on such lot. However, the total number of ground signs per lot shall exceed neither one per sixty feet of lot frontage nor one per unit of the building(s). Further, the minimum spacing between such signs shall be twenty-five feet.
(d) Exempt Signs. Signs indicating a direction or location to which pedestrian or vehicular traffic is requested to move, are permitted in addition to the above signs provided that such signs exceed neither four square feet in area nor four feet in height. The number of such signs shall be the minimum necessary as determined by the Planning Commission. In addition to other permitted signs, building identification wall or window signs of historic significance shall be permitted regardless of size. Such signs shall be considered of historic significance if in place for at least fifty years.
(e) Secondary and Rear Entrances. Additional signs shall be permitted for secondary and rear entrances as follows. Buildings or units thereof with a secondary customer entrance facing a second public street shall be permitted an additional wall or window sign not exceeding fifteen square feet in area. Buildings or units thereof with a rear entrance from a parking area shall be permitted an additional wall or window sign not exceeding six square feet in area. Such signs shall be located in proximity to the entrance and shall be limited in content to identifying the name and nature of the use.
(f) Upper Floor Uses. In Business Districts, any use located on the second floor of a building or above shall be entitled to one window sign identifying the name and nature of the business. Such sign shall be limited in size to two percent (2%) of the floor area and a maximum of twenty-five square feet. As an alternative, such upper floor uses may be identified on a directory wall sign as regulated in subsection (g) hereof.
(g) Uses Lacking Exclusive Access. Ground floor and basement uses which lack direct and exclusive exterior customer access and which are not identified on a ground or pole sign shall be entitled to signs only as permitted below. Each such use may display one wall or window sign identifying the use and its address and not exceeding two square feet in area. Multiple uses served by one entrance shall be identified by one directory wall or window sign not exceeding two square feet per use, plus two square feet for the building name, and not exceeding a maximum of twenty-two square feet.
(h) Bulletin Boards. One bulletin board displaying the name and activities of a church, temple, library, primary or secondary school, public facility or cultural-type institution shall be permitted as a free-standing or wall sign on the premises of such use provided that no such sign exceed twelve square feet in area. If free-standing, such sign shall be set back from each lot line a minimum distance of twenty feet and shall not exceed six feet in height. Free-standing bulletin boards shall be counted as are other ground and pole signs for purposes of subsection (b) hereof.
(i) Portable Read-A-Board Signs. A two hundred dollar ($200.00) annual fee with set backs same as ground signs shall be required for portable read-a-board signs.
(2004 Code)