Signs in commercial and industrial districts shall conform to the standards set forth in this Section.
(a) Maximum Sign Number, Area and Height Regulations for Signs in Commercial and Industrial Districts. All signs in commercial and industrial districts shall, based on the type of sign, conform to the following maximum number of each type of sign allowed, the maximum area and, for freestanding signs, the maximum height standards:
COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS | ||||||
SIGN TYPE | C-1 | C-2 | C-3 Core | C-3 | MU | I-1, I-2 |
(1) Nameplate, Area | 2 sf | 2 sf | 2 sf | 2 sf | 2 | 2 |
(2) Business Identification Sign, Max. Heights | 12 ft | 25 ft | Not Permitted | 12 ft | 12 ft | 12 ft |
A. Attached to Building, Area a | 2 sf | 2.5 sf | 2 sf | 2 sf | 2 sf | 2.5 sf |
B. Awning/Canopy Area | 50% of awning/canopy face | Not Permitted | ||||
C. Freestanding Area b | 40 sf | 80 sf | 40 sf | 40 sf | 40 sf | 80 sf |
D. Window, Area c | 20% | 20% | 20% | 20% | 20% | 20% |
(3) Institutional Identification Sign Area, | Shall be permitted the allowable sign area for business identification signs for the district in which the use is located. | |||||
Max. Height | 12 ft | 12 ft | 12 ft | 12 ft | 12 ft | Not Applicable |
(4) Directional Sign, Area, Max Height | 4 sf | 4 sf | 4 sf | 4 sf | 4 sf | 4 sf |
4 ft | 4 ft | 4 ft | 4 ft | 4 ft | 4 ft | |
(5) Building Marker, Area | 6 sf | 6 sf | 6 sf | 6 sf | 6 sf | 6 sf |
(6) Temporary Sign, Area d, Max, Height except: | 6 sf 4 ft | 6 sf 4 ft | 6 sf 4 ft | 6 sf 4 ft | 6 sf 4 ft | 6 sf 4 ft |
A. Project Real Estate/Construction Sign, Area d Max. Height | 40 sf 12 ft | 80 sf 25 ft | 40 sf 12 ft | 40 sf 12 ft | 40 sf 12 ft | 80 sf 12 ft |
B. Window Sign, Area d | 20% | 20% | 20% | 20% | 20% | Not Permitted |
SIGN TYPE | C-1 | C-2 | C-3 Core | C-3 | MU | I-1, I-2 |
C. Special Event Sign, Area d Area d Max Height | 24 sf | 24 sf | 24 sf | 24 sf | 24 sf | 24 sf |
6 ft | 6 ft | 6 ft | 6 ft | 6 ft | 6 ft | |
(7) Instructional Sign, Area | Considered an identification sign unless exempt pursuant to Section 1173.06(c) | |||||
(8) Public Purpose/Safety Sign | Permitted as needed to achieve the intended public purposes No Max Height Limits | |||||
a Per linear foot of building frontage, see also Section 1173.06(b) b See also Sections 1173.06(d) c Of total window area. See also Section 1173.06(a) d See also Section 1173.06(e) | ||||||
(b) Maximum Area of Business Identification Signs in Commercial and Industrial. Districts. The area of business identification signs shall comply with the following:
(1) Signs Attached to Buildings. The area of signs attached to a building shall comply with the following:
A. The total area of all identification signs shall not exceed the area identified in Section 1173.06(a) above, except as otherwise specifically permitted in this Chapter.
1. This maximum area shall be the sum of the areas of all identification signs attached to the building, including wall signs and awning or canopy signs, and shall also include the area of instructional signs unless such instructional signs are determined to be exempt pursuant to subsection (b) below.
2. Notwithstanding the above standard, each building shall be permitted a minimum of forty (40) square feet of identification signs attached to the building.
(2) Under-canopy signs shall comply with the maximum area set forth in Section 1173.06, the area of which shall not be included in the sum total set forth in subsection (b)(1)A., above.
(3) Bonus Sign Area. Additional area for business identification signs attached to buildings shall be permitted for any lot in a Commercial or Industrial District that meets the following requirements.
A. Corner Lots and Side and Rear Entrances. The maximum allowable area for identification signs attached to a building shall be increased beyond the allowable area set forth in Section 1173.06 in compliance with the following:
1. Additional area shall be permitted when a building has a secondary frontage as defined in Section 1173.03(c)(3).
2. The increased sign area for each secondary building frontage shall be seventy-five percent (75%) of the sign area permitted for the primary frontage, provided that:
a. The additional sign area is utilized only on the secondary building frontage.
b. The sign area permitted on the principal building frontage may, however, be redistributed along the secondary building frontage(s), provided that the total sign area facing the secondary street(s) or parking lot, does not exceed the formula set forth in Section 1173.06 based on the length of the building frontage.
B. Large Building Setbacks. The maximum allowable area for identification wall signs may be increased by one-half (½) square foot of sign area for each foot of building frontage when the principal building is set back more than 200 feet from the principal street on which the building is located. When only a portion of the building is set back more than 200 feet from the principal street, the sign area may be increased by one-half (½) square foot of sign area for each lineal foot of that portion of the building which is more than 200 feet from the street and the additional sign area is included in a sign placed on that portion of the building.
(c) Instructional Signs. The area of instructional signs that are clearly intended for instructional purposes, as determined by the Zoning Administrator shall not be included in the sum of the area of identification signs, provided such signs comply with the following:
(1) The sign is not larger than necessary to serve the intended instructional purpose, and
(2) The sign is not in a location and does not possess design characteristics that constitute or serve the purposes of an identification sign.
(d) Freestanding signs permitted in commercial and industrial districts shall comply with the following regulations:
(1) Minimum Building Setback and Lot Width. A freestanding sign shall be permitted on a lot only when the lot complies with the minimum lot width requirements and the principal building is set back from the street right-of-way a minimum distance that is equal to the height of the sign.
(3) Minimum Sign Setback from Street. Freestanding signs shall be setback from the street right-of-way line a distance equal to one-half the height of the sign. All signs shall be placed so as not to obstruct sight lines for vehicles or pedestrians. On corner lots, freestanding signs shall be erected at least fifty (50) feet from any intersection except as otherwise permitted below.
(4) Minimum Sign Setback from Side Lot Lines. Freestanding signs shall be located a minimum of ten (10) feet from any side lot line, except that when a side lot line coincides with a residential zoning district boundary line, the minimum setback shall be twenty (20) feet.
(5) Landscaping. Freestanding signs shall be erected in a landscaped setting and not on sidewalks, drives or in parking lots. Neither the landscaping nor the freestanding sign shall obstruct the view of vehicles entering or exiting the property.
(6) Changeable Copy. Business identification freestanding signs may have up to fifty percent (50%) of the permitted sign area set forth in Schedule 1173.06 devoted to changeable copy.
(7) Multi-Tenant Facilities. When a freestanding sign is permitted on a site that has more than one tenant, it is the property owner's responsibility to determine if the sign area shall be devoted to identification of the building(s), the anchor tenant, all tenants, or some combination thereof.
(8) Additional Freestanding Sign For Corner Lots. One additional freestanding sign may be permitted for a corner lot provided that:
A. The total lot frontage of both streets is not less than 300 feet;
B. The area of each freestanding identification sign complies with Section 1173.06, and the total area of both freestanding signs shall not exceed one hundred seventy-five percent (175%) of the maximum area permitted for a single sign;
C. The second freestanding sign is clearly located to provide identification along the secondary street; and
D. The two signs may be aggregated into a single sign at the corner provided that the area of any freestanding sign face shall not exceed one hundred fifty percent (150%) of the maximum area permitted for a single sign, unless otherwise permitted in subsection (d)(9) below.
(9) Additional Freestanding Signs for Large Lots. The area and number of freestanding signs on large lots may be increased according to the following:
A. The allowable area of any freestanding sign face may be increased by one (1) square foot of area for every five (5) linear feet of lot frontage greater than 200 feet.
B. The allowable area pursuant to this Section may be distributed to one (1) freestanding sign for each 250 feet of lot frontage or fraction thereof.
C. Notwithstanding any provision of this section, the area of any freestanding sign shall not exceed 200 square feet.
(e) Temporary Signs. The following regulations for temporary signs in commercial and industrial districts are in addition to the maximum sign area and height regulations set forth in Section 1173.06.
(1) Project Real Estate/Construction Signs. A project real estate or construction sign for a development project shall be permitted only in compliance with the following:
A. One project real estate or construction sign shall be permitted for each street on which the lot has frontage.
B. Such sign shall be located a minimum of ten (10) feet from any street right-of-way.
(2) Temporary Window Signs. Temporary window signs, where permitted, shall be attached to the interior of the building and shall comply with the following:
A. The area of temporary window signs, either affixed thereto or visible from the outside, shall not exceed the percentage of the window area as set forth in Section 1173.06. This area is in addition to the allowable sign area for identification signs that are permanently attached to windows.
B. All temporary window signs shall be displayed no longer than thirty (30) days after placement, after which time such sign shall be removed.
C. Temporary signs are permitted for up to three (3) thirty (30)-day periods per calendar year.
(3) Special Event Signs. One temporary special event sign, either a freestanding sign or a banner attached to the front of the building, shall be permitted for a period not to exceed fourteen (14) days not more than three (3) times per calendar year for the purpose of advertising the opening of a business, special sales event or community event, program or festival. Special event signs may be permitted for a period longer than fourteen (14) days only when the Planning Commission approves an extended time frame for the special event, pursuant to Section 1170.38. Such sign shall be removed within two (2) days of the completion of the event or project.
(4) Temporary Signs in C-3 District. Portable sandwich board signs and similar types of temporary signs shall be permitted only in the core area of the C-3 District. Such signs shall be placed no more than five (5) feet from the front of the building and may encroach upon the public right-of-way provided a four (4) feet unobstructed walkway is reserved for public passage. Such signs shall not exceed three (3) feet in height or two (2) feet in width. Sandwich board signs must be placed indoors at the close of each business day. The Zoning Administrator shall approve all such signs.
(5) Other Temporary Signs. In addition to the above, each business shall be permitted to erect one additional temporary sign in compliance with Section 1173.06.
A. Such temporary sign shall be displayed for no longer than thirty (30) days, after which time such sign shall be removed.
B. Temporary signs are permitted for up to three thirty (30)-day periods per calendar year.
(6) Setbacks. All temporary freestanding signs shall be located on private property and no closer than ten (10) feet from the street right-of-way line and ten (10) feet from a side lot line, unless specifically regulated otherwise. (Ord. 62-2023. Passed 1-16-24.)