Accessory signs in the B-2A Automotive Business District shall be designed, erected, altered, moved and maintained, in whole or in part, in accordance with these regulations.
(a) Functional Types Permitted. Business signs, development signs of a temporary nature, directional signs, identification signs, informational signs, nameplates, political signs, real estate signs, temporary signs, and bulletin boards on the lots of public or semi-public institutions.
(b) Structural Types Permitted. Awning, canopy, ground, pole, wall and window signs. Projecting signs may be permitted if approved by the Planning Commission. Portable signs only permitted while permanent signs are being constructed and in place, and for no longer than thirty (30) days.
(c) Allowable Area and Number Permitted.
(1) Maximum Sign Face Area. The maximum total size of all business signs for each lot having street frontage shall be based on the following:
A. Up to 250 feet of frontage: 1 sq. ft. for each linear foot of frontage.
B. 251-500 feet of frontage: 1 sq. ft. for each linear foot of frontage up to 250 feet, and thereafter 0.75 sq. ft. for each additional linear foot of frontage.
C. Over 500 feet of frontage: 438 sq. ft. of sign area for the first 500 linear feet of frontage plus 0.5 sq. ft. for each additional linear foot of frontage.
However, in no case shall the size of signs be required to be less than a minimum of thirty (30) square feet in total area.
(d) Structural Types Permitted.
(1) Bulletin Boards. One bulletin board not exceeding thirty (30) sq. ft. in area, or ten (10) feet in height may be located on the premises of a public charitable or religious institution, but not less than fifteen (15) feet from a street right-of-way line; illumination shall be permitted.
(2) Canopy Signs. A sign attached to the underside of the canopy at a ninety (90) degree angle to the building, intended for pedestrian visibility is permitted. The total area of one face of the sign must not exceed five (5) sq. ft.; the vertical dimension of the sign must not exceed twelve (12) inches, and the lowest structural member must not be less than eight (8) feet above the sidewalk grade.
(3) Development Signs. One temporary development sign not exceeding eighty (80) sq. ft. in area and ten (10) feet in height shall be permitted on the lot where a building is under construction. Signs shall be removed on the issuance of a final occupancy permit or one (1) year after the permit is issued, whichever date occurs first. Development signs shall not be erected in the public right-of-way.
(4) Direction Signs. Directional signs each not exceeding six (6) sq. ft. in area shall be permitted on any building or lot adjacent to driveways, but not less than five (5) feet from any lot or street right-of-way line.
(5) Ground Signs. Ground signs are not to exceed 140 sq. ft. of area.
(6) Nameplates. One nameplate not exceeding one (1) sq. ft. in area for each store or office unit in the building, but not exceeding a total of eight (8) nameplates per building, shall be permitted.
(7) Pole Signs. A maximum of one (1) pole sign may be located within a required yard of a business lot. Each face of the pole sign shall not exceed 200 sq. ft. of area. No part of the sign shall project over the public sidewalk or right-of-way. When the sign is in proximity to a vehicular access drive, a protective barrier shall be provided around the base of the pole sign structure.
(8) Pole Signs at Rockside Road. One pole sign may be located within a required yard of a business lot. Each face of the pole sign shall not exceed two hundred (200) sq. ft. in area; no part of the sign shall project over the public sidewalk or right-of-way. When the sign is in proximity to a vehicular access drive, a protective barrier shall be provided around the base of the pole sign structure. The area of pole signs on Rockside Road shall not be included in the maximum total area as described in Section 1949.19(c)(1).
(9) Real Estate Signs. One (1) temporary double face freestanding or wall sign advertising the sale, lease or rental of the premises or part of the premises on which the signs are displayed, shall not exceed forty (40) sq. ft.
(10) Projecting Signs. May be permitted up to a twenty-four (24) inch width in cases where innovative design is demonstrated, and where no potential safety hazard to motorists or pedestrians is created, subject to review and approval by the Building Commissioner if approved by the Building Commissioner with the concurrence of the Secretary of the Planning Commission. (See Section 1949.05(i)).
(11) Awning Signs. Awning signs shall be permitted. The total area of one (1) face of any sign shall not exceed forty (40) sq. ft. and the vertical dimension of the sign shall not exceed twenty-four (24) inches. Awning signs shall be measured from the top to the bottom of the lettering, and from the beginning of the first letter to the end of the last letter of each individual word.
(12) Roof Signs. Prohibited.
(13) Permanent Window Signs. Permanent window signs shall be permanently affixed to the windows of a building by painting, or by the mechanical connection of a sign of rigid or durable construction. Permanent window signs shall not occupy an area larger than thirty percent (30%) of the total area of the window, and shall be included in the maximum sign face area for the business. The design and color of permanent window signs shall be approved by the Building Commissioner with the concurrence of the Secretary of the Planning Commission. Signs obscuring the glass in a door or sidelight shall not be permitted. Signs together with the windows in which they are displayed, shall at all times be maintained in a neat, clean and attractive condition.
(14) Temporary Signs Including Temporary Window Signs.
A. Temporary Signs: Temporary signs (including flags, banners and balloons) announcing sales, new products and special business events shall be permitted on the outside of buildings and in the yards where other signs are permitted (in addition to the permanent business signs) provided that such signs do not exceed thirty percent (30%) of the maximum area permitted for each establishment. Temporary signs may be displayed for a short term not to exceed thirty (30) days at any one time and a total of sixty (60) days per year. The size and color of temporary signs shall comply with the requirements for permanent signs, and shall be approved by the Building Commissioner or the Planning Commission. Flashing signs or signs illuminated in such a way as to be distracting to motorists shall not be permitted. Temporary signs shall not be erected in the public right-of-way.
B. Windows Signs. Temporary window signs may be affixed to either the exterior or the interior of the surface of the window, and shall be permitted to be displayed for a short period of time not to exceed thirty (30) days at any one time or a total of sixty (60) days per year. The area of all temporary window signs may not exceed fifteen percent (15%) of the total window space, and no single sign shall be larger than forty inches by fifty-four inches (40" x 54"). The total of all window signs, both temporary and permanent, may not exceed the total of thirty percent (30%) of the total window space. Window signs shall be compatible with the surrounding area in design and color, and be approved by the Building Commissioner.
(15) Wall Signs. Wall signs shall be mechanically applied or painted onto a plain wall surface of a structure. A plain wall surface is a surface of either brick wood, masonry, EIFS or other material without or exclusive of windows, doors, cornices or other decorative architectural features. Wall signs used for the primary identification sign on the main building facade shall not exceed 200 sq. ft. in size, nor more than ten percent (10%) of the available wall area. One secondary sign which will be permitted on the main facade of the structure and all wall signs on the sides of the structure shall not exceed sixty (60) sq. ft. nor more than ten percent (10%) of the available wall area collectively in size. All wall signs shall be professionally manufactured or painted. Wall signs may not extend higher than the roof line of the structure, nor extend past the outside corners of the walls of the structure.
(16) Billboards. Prohibited.
(e) Supplementary Area and Location Standards.
(1) Side and Rear Entrances. In cases where the office or business building has an entrance from the side street of a corner lot, or has a back entrance from a parking lot open to the public, additional sign area equal to twenty-five percent (25%) of that permitted on the front of the building may be used over such entrance.
(2) Vacant Lots. No sign other than a real estate sign shall be placed on vacant lots. The real estate sign shall comply with Section 1949.19(d)(9).
(f) Portable Signs. Portable signs shall be permitted in B-2A districts, subject to the limitations as described for temporary signs. Blinking, flashing or distracting lighting is not permitted on temporary signs. Signs may not be placed in the right-of-way.
(Ord. 9740-19. Passed 11-18-19.)