The following regulations apply to the city’s commercial zones, in addition to any generally applicable regulations.
(A) All signs in the city’s commercial zones shall:
(1) Use materials compatible with the facade materials.
(2) Avoid highly reflective materials and surfacing, limit the use of plastic, and employ painted wood or metal where reasonably feasible.
(3) Apply letter or painted signs to the building face where reasonably feasible.
(4) Use fonts which complement the period of the building’s architecture.
(5) Avoid use of reader boards consistent with this chapter.
(6) Avoid corporate design standards which cannot be used as a justification for granting a variance to this chapter.
(7) Be externally illuminated by downward facing light sources.
(8) Mounted so that the sign does not obscure significant architectural details.
(B) Signs allowed without a permit. Signs exempt under BCO § 39.02(A) (Exemptions) are not regulated under this chapter and therefore do not require a permit. Incidental signs are allowed without a permit so long as the definitional requirements of an incidental sign are met. All other signs are either prohibited or require a permit.
(C) Signs allowed with a permit. The following signs are allowed in the city’s commercial zones so long as a permit is first obtained:
(1) Wall signs. One wall sign is allowed per business on each property, with a maximum area of 36 square feet per wall sign. The collective area of all wall signs on any facade of a multi-tenant building shall not exceed 15% of the facade’s area. Wall signs shall not stand more than 12 inches from the wall.
(2) Portable signs. One portable sign may be displayed in the public right-of-way per business during business hours, subject to the following limitations:
(a) The sign is entirely outside the driving and on-street parking portion of the right-of-way.
(b) The sign is no larger than seven square feet in size. The sign face is no wider than two feet and no taller than 42 inches.
(c) The sign is within six inches of the curb.
(d) The sign does not obstruct a continuous through pedestrian zone of at least three feet in width.
(e) The sign does not obstruct pedestrian or wheelchair access from the sidewalk to transit stop areas, designated disabled parking spaces, disabled access ramps or building exits.
(3) Electronic reader board signs. One LED electronic reader board sign is allowed per property, so long as the sign message area is no larger than 20 square feet, and no part of the sign or support structure is higher than 25 feet above grade. Video display reader boards are prohibited.
(4) Street banners. Street banners may be erected in or over the public right-of-way subject to first obtaining a city sign permit and compliance with all conditions attached to that permit. All other banners shall be regulated as signs under this chapter.
(5) Window displays - temporary. Artwork and text affixed to windows shall not exceed 60% of the window area if temporary.
(6) Window displays - permanent. Artwork and text affixed to windows shall not exceed 25% of the total window area. The sign area of each window shall be deducted from the maximum sign area permitted for wall signs. Hours of operation or open/close signs shall not count toward sign allowance.
(7) Monument signs. The sign area of a monument sign shall not exceed 40 square feet, and the highest point of the monument sign shall be no higher than five feet above average finished grade. No more than one monument sign shall be permitted per lot.
(8) Projecting signs. Where a building is built to the property line, a projecting sign may extend over the public right of way. The signs’ supporting structure shall not extend more than 42 inches from the building wall and the sign face shall be no more than 36 inches wide and 16 square feet in area per face. Any projecting signs shall be no closer than 8 feet above the sidewalk finished grade. The top of the sign shall not exceed the ridgeline of the building.
(9) Awning signs.
(a) The maximum total area for each awning sign shall be based on the horizontal lineal length of the awning where the sign is to be located. Awning signs shall not exceed one square foot per two horizontal lineal feet of awning.
(b) The area of a sign on an awning shall be deducted from the wall sign area permitted.
(c) The lowest point of the awning must be at least 8 feet above the sidewalk.
(10) Directory signs. directory signs are used for multi-unit tenant buildings and are small scale, oriented to pedestrians. These are different from directional signs which are more auto-oriented.) A directory sign may be free standing or may be wall mounted.
(a) One directory sign may be permitted per premise.
(b) Directory signs shall be no larger than 12 feet in area.
(c) Directory signs shall have a maximum height of five feet.
(11) Shopping center signs.
(a) A shopping center shall be allowed one free standing sign in compliance with this chapter, indicating the total shopping center use or listing of uses.
(b) Each business in the shopping center shall be allowed signage in compliance with § 39.07(C).
(c) No additional free standing or monument signs shall be allowed within the shopping center.
(12) Drive through menu boards.
(a) Menu boards shall not be placed in required setbacks.
(b) Maximum height of the menu sign shall be eight feet and maximum size shall be 30 square feet.
(c) Each drive through shall be limited to two menu boards.
(13) Hanging signs.
(a) Hanging signs shall maintain a minimum seven-foot clearance above pathways from the bottom of the sign to finished grade.
(b) One hanging sign is allowed for each business storefront.
(c) Individual hanging signs shall not exceed 6 square feet in area.
(D) Signs prohibited in commercial zones. Feather signs are prohibited in the City’s commercial zones, as are all signs that are generally prohibited throughout the city.
(Ord. 2018-04-01, passed 5-8-2018)