(A) Permanent signs exempt from permit requirement. The following permanent signs and activities are exempt from the sign permit requirements of this chapter and are permitted in all zoning districts provided that they comply with the following standards.
(1) Alteration and maintenance activities. Alteration and maintenance activities may include cleaning, painting, repairing, changing advertising copy, changing permitted items of information, or modifying the copy of changeable copy signs, but shall not involve structural changes.
(2) Flags.
(3) Government signs. Government signs shall be exempt from sign permit requirements but shall be subject to approval by the City Council.
(4) Headstones.
(5) Historical markers. Historical markers shall be cut into a masonry surface or constructed of bronze or other incombustible materials and shall not exceed four square feet in area per sign.
(6) Home occupation signs. Home occupation signs shall denote only the name and profession of the occupant or name of the business and shall not exceed two square feet in area. One wall sign or window sign shall be permitted per lot, and such sign shall not be illuminated.
(7) Miscellaneous information signs.
(8) Parking lot signs. Parking lot signs shall not exceed six square feet in area per sign.
(9) Street address signs. Street address signs shall not be illuminated and shall not exceed two square feet in area per sign.
(10) Warning signs. Warning signs shall not exceed two square feet in area per sign.
(B) Permanent signs with permit requirement. The following permanent signs require a sign permit, per § 1476.02 (Sign Permits and Variations), and shall comply with the following standards.
(1) Awning signs. Awnings that do not display signs are not subject to the regulations of this section. Refer to Figure 1476.05-A. Awning Sign.
(a) Location.
1. Awning signs are permitted in the C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4, I, P, and R-4 Districts.
2. An awning sign may project from the front or corner side facade of the building to which it is attached, but shall not project more than five feet.
3. Awning signs shall be located at least eight feet above grade.
4. Awning signs shall be generally aligned with awning signs attached to adjacent buildings to maintain a sense of visual continuity.
(b) Size. An awning sign shall not exceed 50% of the area of the awning on which it is located. The area of an awning sign is measured as the total area of the smallest geometric shapes that will encompass the largest elements of the display.
(c) Illumination. Externally illuminated awning signs are permitted only in accordance with § 1476.03(D) (Illumination). Awning signs shall not be backlit.
(d) Display standards.
1. Awning signs shall be displayed on standard planar awnings constructed out of durable, weather-resistant material such as canvas, nylon, vinyl-coated fabric, or metal.
2. Awning signs shall not be displayed on round, arched, casement, bullnose, bubble, box, or waterfall awnings.
Figure 1476.05-A. Awning Sign
(2) Canopy-mounted signs. Refer to Figure 1476.05-B. Canopy-Mounted Sign.
(a) Location.
1. Canopy-mounted signs are permitted in the C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4, I, and P Districts, and in all residential districts for non-residential uses.
2. The canopy upon which the canopy-mounted sign is displayed may project from the front or corner side facade of the building to which it is attached, but shall not project more than five feet.
3. The canopy upon which the canopy-mounted sign is displayed shall be located at least eight feet above grade.
(b) Quantity. One canopy-mounted sign is permitted per street frontage.
(c) Size.
1. The total area of canopy-mounted signs on the front and corner side facades shall not exceed one square foot of sign area per linear foot of zoning lot frontage as measured along either the front or corner side lot line.
2. Canopy-mounted signs shall not exceed two feet in height as measured from the top of the canopy.
(d) Illumination. Internally and externally illuminated canopy-mounted signs are permitted only in accordance with § 1476.03(D) (Illumination).
Figure 1476.05-B. Canopy-Mounted Sign
(3) Driveway entrance/exit signs. Refer to Figure 1476.05-C. Driveway Entrance/Exit Sign.
(a) Location. Driveway entrance/exit signs are permitted in the C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4, I, and P Districts for zoning lots wider than 100 feet.
(b) Quantity. One driveway entrance/exit sign is permitted per driveway access from a public street, and one additional driveway entrance/exit sign is permitted per intersection of driveways within a site to identify traffic routing.
(c) Size. Driveway entrance/exit signs shall not exceed four square feet in area per sign and four feet in height.
(d) Illumination. Internally illuminated driveway entrance/exit signs are permitted only in accordance with § 1476.03(D) (Illumination).
(e) Display standards.
1. Driveway entrance/exist signs shall be displayed as pole signs or monument signs. In the event of a conflict between the provisions of division (B)(3) of this section and the applicable provisions of division (B)(6) or division (B)(7) of this section, the provisions of this division (B)(3) shall control.
2. Driveway entrance/exit signs may identify the use of a zoning lot by means of a logo, shape, or color, but shall not use words other than those included in a logo to identify the use or to advertise products or services sold on the premises.
Figure 1476.05-C. 3. Driveway Entrance/Exit Sign
(4) Drive-through signs. Refer to Figure 1476.05-D. Drive-Through Sign.
(a) Location.
1. Drive-through signs are permitted for any drive-through establishment.
2. Drive-through signs shall be located a minimum of 15 feet from any residential zoning district lot line.
(b) Quantity. One drive-through sign is permitted per drive-through lane.
(c) Size. Drive-through signs shall not exceed 50 square feet in area and seven feet in height.
(d) Illumination.
1. Internally illuminated drive-through signs are permitted only in accordance with § 1476.03(D) (Illumination).
2. Drive-through signs may include an electronic screen to display information to customers.
(e) Display standards. Drive-through signs shall be displayed as pole signs or monument signs. In the event of a conflict between the provisions of division (B)(4) of this section and the applicable provisions of division (B)(6) or (B)(7) of this section, the provisions of this division (B)(4) shall control.
Figure 1476.05-D. Drive-Through Sign
(5) Marquee signs. Refer to Figure 1476.05-E. Marquee Sign.
(a) Location.
1. Marquee signs are permitted in the C-2, C-3, and C-4 Districts.
2. A marquee sign may project from the front or corner side facade of the building to which it is attached, but shall not project beyond the curb line.
3. A marquee sign must be set back a minimum of one foot from the edges of the front or corner side facade to which it is attached, except for marquee signs that wrap around a building corner.
4. Marquee signs shall be located at least eight feet above grade.
5. Marquee signs shall be permitted on buildings of three or more stories.
(b) Quantity. One marquee sign is permitted per zoning lot.
(c) Size. Marquee signs shall not exceed eight feet in height, including any individual letters, logos, and/or representation mounted on top of the roof of the marquee.
(d) Components. An electronic message sign or manually changeable copy sign is permitted as a component of a marquee sign, in accordance with divisions (B)(11) and (B)(12) of this section.
(e) Illumination. Internally illuminated marquee signs are permitted in accordance with § 1476.03(D) (Illumination).
(f) Display standards. A marquee sign shall be supported solely by the building to which it is attached and shall not be supported by ground-mounted columns or posts.
Figure 1476.05-E. Marquee Sign
(6) Monument signs. Refer to Figure 1476.05-F. Monument Sign.
(a) Location.
1. Monument signs are permitted in the C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4, I, P, and R-4 Districts, and in the R-1, R-2, and R-3 Districts for non-residential uses.
2. Monument signs shall be set back a minimum of ten feet from any interior side lot line.
(b) Quantity.
1. For zoning lots with less than 300 feet of lot width, one monument sign is permitted per street frontage.
2. For zoning lots with 300 feet or more of lot width, two monument signs are permitted per street frontage. A minimum distance of 50 feet is required between monument signs on a zoning lot.
3. A zoning lot with a monument sign shall not be permitted to erect a pole sign.
(c) Size.
1. In the C-1, C-2, C-3, P, R-1, R-2, R-3, and R-4 Districts, monument signs shall not exceed 32 square feet in area per sign and six feet in height.
2. In the C-4 and I Districts, monument signs shall not exceed 48 square feet in area per sign and eight feet in height.
(d) Components. An electronic message sign or manually changeable copy sign is permitted as a component of a monument sign, in accordance with divisions (B)(11) and (B)(12) of this section.
(e) Illumination. Internally and externally illuminated monument signs are permitted only in accordance with § 1476.03(D)(Illumination).
Figure 1476.05-F. Monument Sign
(7) Pole signs. Refer to Figure 1476.05-G. Pole Sign.
(a ) Location.
1. Pole signs are permitted in the C-1, C-2, C-4, I, and P Districts.
2. Pole signs shall be set back a minimum of five feet from any interior side lot line.
3. Pole signs mounted on one pole shall be located at least eight feet above grade.
4. Pole signs mounted on two poles shall be located at least two feet above grade.
(b) Quantity.
1. One pole sign is permitted per zoning lot.
2. A zoning lot with a pole sign shall not be permitted to erect a monument sign.
(c) Size.
1. In the C-1, C-2, and P Districts, pole signs shall not exceed 40 square feet in area and 20 feet in height.
2. In the C-4 and I Districts, pole signs shall not exceed 48 square feet in area and 32 feet in height with the exception that in the C-4 District on Ogden Avenue, pole signs shall not exceed 56 square feet in area.
(d) Components. An electronic message sign or manually changeable copy sign is permitted as a component of a pole sign, in accordance with divisions (B)(11) and (B)(12) of this section.
(e) Illumination. Internally illuminated pole signs are permitted only in accordance with § 1476.03(D) (Illumination).
Figure 1476.05-G. Pole Sign
(8) Projecting signs. Refer to Figure 1476.05-H. Projecting Sign.
(a) Location.
1. Projecting signs are permitted in the C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4, and I Districts.
2. Projecting signs shall be located at least eight feet above grade.
3. A projecting sign shall not project more than five feet from the face of the building to which it is attached, including the area between the sign and the face of the building.
4. A projecting sign and its structural supports shall not project above the roof of the building to which the sign is attached. All structural supports shall be attached to the facade of the building and shall not be attached to the roof.
(b) Quantity. One projecting sign is permitted per street frontage per tenant located on the ground floor.
(c) Size.
1. In the C-1 and C-3 District, projecting signs shall not exceed 16 square feet in area per sign and six feet in height.
2. In the C-2, C-4, and I Districts, projecting signs shall not exceed 24 square feet in area per sign and eight feet in height.
(d) Illumination. Internally and externally illuminated projecting signs are permitted only in accordance with § 1476.03(D) (Illumination).
Figure 1476.05-H. Projecting Sign
(9) Wall signs. Refer to Figure 1476.05-1. Wall Sign.
(a) Location.
1. Wall signs are permitted in all non-residential districts, and in all residential districts for non-residential uses.
2. Wall signs shall be installed on the building facade at least eight feet above grade and shall not project more than one foot from the face of the building.
3. Wall signs shall be located at a generally uniform height throughout multi-tenant commercial developments.
4. A wall sign shall not project above the top of the wall to which it is attached.
5. Painted wall signs displaying a business name, products, or services may be displayed on building facades facing a corner side, interior side, or rear yard if such signs are professionally painted.
(b) Quantity.
1. One wall sign is permitted per street frontage per tenant on the ground floor.
2. One additional wall sign is permitted per ground floor tenant on the side or rear facade adjacent to an off-street parking lot that serves the building.
3. Wall signs may be located on no more than three facades of a building.
(c) Size.
1. The total area of wall signs on the front or corner side facades shall not exceed 40 square feet, or one and one-half square feet of sign area per linear foot of zoning lot frontage as measured along either the front or corner side lot line, whichever is greater. The total area of a cabinet sign used as wall sign on the front or corner side facades shall not exceed five feet in width, three feet in height, or a total of 15 square feet.
2. The total area of wall signs on rear or interior side facades shall not exceed one square foot of sign area per linear foot of zoning lot frontage as measured along either the rear or interior side lot line. Cabinet signs shall not be used as wall signs on the rear or interior side facades.
3. The allowable wall sign area measured for any facade shall only be applicable for use on that facade, and is not transferable to other facades.
(d) Illumination. Internally and externally illuminated wall signs are permitted only in accordance with § 1476.03(D)(Illumination).
Figure 1476.05-I. Wall Sign
(10) Window signs. The following regulations apply to both permanent and temporary window signs. Refer to Figure 1476.05-J. Window Sign.
(a) Location. Window signs are permitted in all non-residential districts on all building facades, and in all residential districts for non-residential uses.
(b) Size. Window signs shall not occupy more than 20% of the total ground floor window area on each building facade.
(c) Illumination. Internally illuminated window signs, including neon signs that do not exceed six square feet in area per sign and electronic message signs that do not exceed four square feet in total area, are permitted only in accordance with § 1476.03(D) (Illumination).
Figure 1476.05-J. Window Sign
(11) Electronic message signs. Refer to Figure 1476.05-K. Electronic Message Sign.
(a) Location.
1. Electronic message signs are permitted in the C-2, C-3, C-4, I, and P Districts, and in the C-1 District if displayed by a non-residential use.
2. Electronic message signs shall be permitted as components of marquee, monument, or pole signs, or as a window sign as permitted in division (B)(10) of this section. An electronic message sign is subject to the regulations pertaining to the sign type upon which it is located.
(b) Quantity. One electronic message sign or manually changeable copy sign is permitted per zoning lot.
(c) Size. An electronic message sign shall not occupy more than 50% of the total sign area of the marquee, monument, or pole sign on which it is displayed.
(d) Illumination.
1. Internally illuminated electronic message signs are permitted only in accordance with § 1476.03(D) (Illumination).
2. Electronic message signs are permitted to change their message no more than once every ten seconds, and the transitions between messages shall be instantaneous.
3. Electronic message signs shall display static messages that do not contain a light source that flashes, blinks, strobes, travels, chases, rotates, or changes in intensity, brightness, or color.
4. Electronic message signs shall be designed to default to a static display in the event of mechanical failure.
Figure 1476.05-K. Electronic Message Sign
(12) Manually changeable copy signs. Refer to Figure 1476.05-L. Manually Changeable Copy Sign.
(a) Location.
1. Manually changeable copy signs are permitted in the C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4, I, and P Districts, and in all residential districts for non-residential uses.
2. Manually changeable copy signs shall be permitted as components of marquee, monument, pole, or wall signs. A manually changeable copy sign is subject to the regulations pertaining to the sign type upon which it is located.
(b) Quantity. One manually changeable copy sign or electronic message sign is permitted per zoning lot.
(c) Size. A manually changeable copy sign shall not occupy more than 80% of the total sign area of the marquee, monument, pole, or wall sign on which it is displayed.
(d) Illumination. Internally illuminated manually changeable copy signs are permitted only in accordance with § 1476.03(D) (Illumination).
Figure 1476.05-L. Manually Changeable Copy Sign
(Ord. 17-33, passed 9-12- 2017)