(A) Computation of sign area. For signs on a background, the entire area of the background will be calculated for sign area, including any material or color forming the sign face or background used to differentiate the sign from the structure against which it is placed. Sign area does not include any supporting framework or bracing, unless such framework or bracing is part of the message or sign face.
(1) Computation of sign area.
(2) Computation of sign area, non-rectangle.
(3) Computation of sign area, individual lettering.
(a) For wall signs consisting of individually attached letters or logos, the area of a sign face (“sign area”) is calculated by means of the smallest square, circle, rectangle or triangle, or combination thereof that will encompass the extreme limits of the writing, representation, emblem or other display. Sign area does not include any supporting framework or bracing, unless such framework or bracing is part of the message or sign face.
(b) For awning or canopy signs, the sign area is calculated in the same manner as for wall signs consisting of individual letters and logos.
(4) Computation of sign area, individual lettering.
(5) Measurement of area of multi-faced signs. Where the sign faces of a double-faced sign are parallel and the distance between the faces is three feet or less, only one display face will be measured in computing sign area. If the two faces of a double-faced sign are of unequal area, the area of the sign will be the area of the larger sign. In all other cases, the areas of all faces of a multi-faced sign will be added together to compute the area of the sign.
(6) Sign height and clearance measurements. The height of a sign will be computed as the distance from the highest point of the sign structure to the elevation of the centerline of the adjacent public street or highway. The required clearance of a pole or projecting sign will be computed as the distance from the lowest point of the sign structure to the established grade on which the sign rests or is directly below the sign.
(7) Sign height and clearance measurements.
(B) Design loads (wind, direct and snow). Any sign, other advertising structure, marquee, canopy or awning as defined in this chapter must be designed and constructed to withstand a wind pressure of not less than 30 pounds per square foot of net surface area, snow loads as required by the city code, and ASCE/SEI minimum design loads for buildings and other structures as required in the Building Code and/or other ordinances of the city.
(C) Location. On a corner lot, no freestanding sign over two feet tall may be placed within the clear sight area, as defined.
(D) Illumination.
(1) Reflector lighting. Any sign illumination, including gooseneck or reflectors and internally illuminated signs, and all electronic signs must be designed, located, shielded and directed to prevent the casting of glare or direct light upon roadways and surrounding properties, or the distraction of motor vehicle operators or pedestrians in the public right-of-way. In the case of internally illuminated signs, the sign face must function as a filter for any illumination.
(2) The use of neon lighting as an accent is permitted for projecting, window and wall signs in the U-TOD and Commercial Sign Overlay Districts, subject to the following.
(a) Neon lighting shall only be used as an accent material on projecting and wall signs, such as for letters, logos and/or sign details.
(b) Neon lighting on projecting and wall signs shall not be illuminated during the daylight hours. When lit, neon lighting must be continuously illuminated. Flashing neon is prohibited.
(c) Neon lighting on projecting and wall signs shall not be combined with any reflective materials (such as mirrors, polished metal, highly-glazed tiles or other similar materials) that would cause glare and increase the spread of light.
(d) Neon tubes or LED-related neon tubes (flexible, “opaque,” or frosted) are allowed to accent windows in a commercial setting (i.e., a storefront window), but LED light strips are prohibited, especially if LED emitting diodes can be seen.
(3) LED light strips are prohibited to outline business signs, buildings, or building elements such as windows, doors, staircases, and etc.
(4) Any sign that uses illumination shall be turned off while the related business is not open to the public for regular distribution of goods or services.
(5) No sign illumination shall exceed one footcandle of illumination at the property line, except indirect lighting where permitted in accordance with this section.
(E) Landscaping. All ground signs must be landscaped at the base of the sign in accordance with the following:
(1) Landscaping must extend a minimum of one square foot for every one square foot of sign area. All landscaping must be maintained in good condition, and free and clear of rubbish and weeds. Landscaping around the base of a sign is included in the total amount of landscaping required on a site, if applicable.
(2) Ground signs (monument or pole) must be landscaped with small shrubs a minimum of 18 inches in height at planting. The remainder of the landscaped area must be planted with a mix of perennials, ornamental grasses, shrubs, groundcover and organic mulch.
(F) Items of information.
(1) All signs must limit the number of items of information on any single sign face to no more than six items to prevent traffic hazards for passing motorists and to minimize the cluttered appearance of signs.
(2) Each piece of information on a sign shall be defined as an item of information. For example, each of the following would be defined as one item of information: a telephone number, the name of the business, even if multiple words, or the business logo. If the sign advertises products or services, each product or service would be one item of information. The street number address of the business is not counted as an item of information.
(3) In the case of an electronic sign, the electronic portion of the sign counts as one item of information. Changeable copy signs, where the items of information are changed manually, are also counted as one item of information.
(4) All signs on a zoning lot must be related to goods and/or services sold or offered on the premises, with the exception of non-commercial or political signs.
(5) Ground signs for multi-tenant commercial buildings used to advertise which tenants are located within the development, are limited to one item of information per tenant within the development, in addition to the name and address of the development.
(6) Directory signs and hospital signs are exempt from the items of information limitation.
(G) Design criteria.
(1) The purpose of these design criteria is to establish a checklist of those items relative to signs that affect the physical aspect of the city’s environment. Pertinent to signs is the design of the sign, its scale and relationship to buildings and structures, plantings, street furniture and miscellaneous other objects.
(2) The following criteria are not intended to restrict imagination, innovation or variety, but rather to assist in focusing on design principles that can result in creative solutions that will develop a satisfactory visual appearance within the city, preserve property values and promote the public health, safety and welfare.
(a) Every sign shall have good scale and proportion in its design and in its visual relationship to buildings and surroundings.
(b) Sign materials, size, color, lettering, location and arrangement shall be an integral part of site and building design.
(c) The colors, materials and lighting of every sign shall be restrained and harmonious.
(d) The number of graphic elements on a sign shall be held to the minimum needed to convey the sign’s major message and shall be composed in proportion to the area of the sign face. Text should be kept to a minimum.
(e) Lighting for signs shall be in harmony with the signs’ and the project’s design. If external lighting is used, it should be arranged so the light source is shielded from view.
(f) Sign supports and braces shall whenever possible be an integral part of the sign design. Necessary supports or braces shall whenever possible be hidden from public view.
(Prior Code, § 166.112) (Ord. 2014-040, passed 7-8-2014; Ord. 2023-030, passed 5-23-2023) Penalty, see § 165.999