The following regulations apply to signs in all of the city’s residential zones, in addition to the sign regulations that are generally applicable throughout the city.
(A) Signs allowed without a permit.
(1) Any sign for which a permit is required by this chapter shall comply with this section. Signs exempt under BCO § 39.02(A) (Exemptions) are not regulated under this chapter and do not require a permit. All other signs are either prohibited or require a permit.
(2) Portable signs may be displayed within the public right-of-way in the residential zone between the hours of 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. subject to the following limitations:
(a) The sign is on a sidewalk, within 6 inches of the curb and entirely outside the driving and on-street parking portion of the right-of-way;
(b) The sign area does not exceed 2.5 feet wide by 2.5 feet high and is no taller than 4 feet above average grade;
(c) The sign does not obstruct a continuous through pedestrian zone of at least three feet in width; and
(d) The sign does not obstruct pedestrian or wheelchair access along the sidewalk, from the sidewalk to transit stop areas, designated disabled parking spaces, disabled access ramps or building exits.
(e) The sign, when next to an on-street parallel parking space, does not obstruct the free opening of vehicle doors and access of passengers into and out of parked cars.
(B) Signs allowed with a permit. The following signs are allowed in the city’s residential zones so long as a permit is first obtained:
(1) Monument signs.
(a) A monument-style sign may be placed at the entrance to a subdivision; provided, that it is not larger than 32 square feet in area and is located on a separate non-developable tract owned and maintained by a homeowner’s association.
(b) A monument sign may be placed at the entrance to an apartment complex provided it is not larger than 32 square feet in area.
(2) Other signs. A single sign is permitted on one residential lot provided the sign is not larger than six square feet in area.
(3) Non-residential uses. One bulletin board, reader board or monument sign not exceeding 25 square feet in area and 6 feet in height when associated with lawful uses on lots 5,000 square feet or less.
(4) Multiple-family developments containing four or more units shall be allowed one sign limited to 20 square feet in area and not exceeding six feet in height, located at each entrance to the building complex. In addition, at each entrance, there may be a sign not to exceed 15 square feet in area containing a map showing the location of individual units.
(C) Unless specifically allowed by the preceding subsections, illuminated or signs that are lighted from within or by an external light, excluding addresses or wall plaques less than two square feet, are prohibited in the city’s residential zones.
(Ord. 2018-04-01, passed 5-8-2018)