(A) All permanent signs shall require a permit. Permitted permanent signs shall be classified into one of the four following types: wall signs, window signs, ground signs, and nameplate signs.
(1) All signs within the Downtown Historical District shall be of such a style or design that reflects the era during which the structure was built.
(2) All signs shall be construction or natural or traditional materials.
(B) Wall signs may be erected on a building wall or extension of a building wall which faces a street, parking lot or service drive, and such sign may not extend beyond any building setback lines. Wall signs shall be attached parallel to the building face and extend outward perpendicular from the building face a maximum of ten inches except as follows:
(1) Signs may be painted on an awning area or attached to a canopy, marquee or roof which projects beyond the building provided that no part of such sign may extend above the roof line, canopy or marquee.
(2) All signs are limited to no larger than one quare feet per lineal foot of the store front. (EX: Measure with store front and multiply with 1. If a store front measures 25' it is allowed a maximum of 25 square feet of permanent sign.)
(C) Ground signs, to include pole signs and other types of freestanding signs, may be erected on a lot provided the location, height and other characteristics of the sign meet the regulations of this subchapter.
(D) Permanent window signs shall be limited to signs denoting the identification of the occupant, the address of the premises and its use. Window signs shall be limited to one sign per window and shall not exceed one-fourth of the total area of the window, and in no case exceed ten square feet.
(E) Projecting Nameplate. Signs shall not exceed one per major street frontage, shall not rise above the roof line nor obscure any architectural features, and shall not exceed one square foot per linear foot frontage.
(F) The following general requirements shall apply for characteristics of permanent signs:
(1) Illumination. Illumination shall be from a concealed or indirect light source and shall not flash, blink, fluctuate, travel, move or in any manner fail to provide constant illumination and shall not create a hazard or visibility problem or interfere with or impair vehicular traffic. The level of illumination emitted from a sign shall not be of an intensity to constitute a demonstrable safety hazard to vehicular movement on any street from which the sign may be viewed. Illuminated signs shall be constructed and maintained so that the source of illumination is shielded or otherwise prevented from beaming directly onto adjacent properties or streets. No internal lighted signs are permitted in the Downtown Historic District.
(2) Animation, Message Centers and Moving Signs. Message centers, flashing signs, moving signs and the animation of signs are prohibited.
(3) Pennants, Streamers, and the Like. No sign shall contain or consist of banners, pennants, ribbons, streamers or similar moving devices.
(4) Construction. The construction of all signs, including any electrical wiring necessary for the operation of illuminated signs shall conform to the specifications of the City Building Code. All signs shall be adequately maintained and shall not constitute a safety hazard.
(5) Location.
(a) All permanent signs shall be located on the site being promoted, identified or advertised.
(b) In no case shall any part of a sign be placed in, over, or extend onto any public right-of-way except for publicly owned signs such as traffic control and directional signs. In no case shall any part of a sign be placed in, over or extend above the roof line of any structure.
(c) No sign shall be permitted to cover, "black out" or close existing windows, doorway openings or otherwise hide important architectural features.
(G) The height of the sign shall be measured from the established grade which shall be defined as that point where the grade line intersects the fronting wall of the building.
(H) Billboards, roof signs, mobile signs, announcement signs, blinking, flashing, fluctuation, or moving lights, moving signs, flashing signs, animated signs, pennants, ribbons, and streamers are prohibited.
(I) All signs projecting over city property shall be installed so as to insure a minimum of ten feet of clearance from the bottom of the sign to the sidewalk pavement. If extended over any roadway or alley, 15 feet of clearance from the bottom of the sign to the roadway pavement shall be provided to permit safe vehicular traffic.
(J) All upper story level offices or businesses must conform to all rules regulating signs in the Downtown Historic District.
(Ord. 22-94, passed 3-14-94; Am. Ord. 45-96, passed 6-10-96) Penalty, see § 161.99