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(A) Applicability. The following standards shall apply to all new single-family attached dwellings in the city. For projects built under old standards but that have space for additional buildings, all new buildings are expected to meet these standards unless it is determined:
(1) The location is not on an arterials and collector road or other highly visible location where strict compliance is crucial to meeting overall city aesthetic goals; and
(2) The likelihood is low of surrounding non-conforming buildings changing use, being redeveloped, or otherwise being brought into greater compliance with these design standards within the foreseeable future.
(B) New construction. The following standards apply to all building plans approved after June 30, 2024.
(1) Building orientation.
(a) Buildings must be oriented so that the primary entrances of the units face either a public street, whether internal or external to the development, or a central courtyard area with at least one side of the courtyard containing no units.
(b) When buildings face a public street, whether internal or external to the development, no buffer is required between the units and the road. When the sides or rear of buildings face a public street, a buffer shall be required according to the buffer requirements of the Zoning Ordinance.
(c) Buildings must be oriented so that the fronts of units do not face the sides or rears of other buildings.
(2) Allowed materials. The following materials are allowed on any façade:
(a) Brick or brick veneer (veneer must be made of brick);
(b) Stone or stone veneer (veneer must be made of stone);
(c) Stucco;
(d) Wood;
(e) Vinyl siding, provided that panels are at least 0.42 millimeters thick, are at least 12 feet long except in areas that are shorter than that (such as end of a row); and
(f) Cementitious siding (i.e. Hardiplank).
(3) Prohibited materials. The following materials are prohibited on all façades:
(a) Metal siding (unless architectural grade in limited application such as design accent or feature only);
(b) Exposed smooth-finished concrete block; and
(c) Plywood.
(4) Windows. Any window installed must be designed so the width does not exceed the height.
(5) Front façade.
(a) No more than two different types of materials shall be used on a façade, excluding the foundation material.
(b) For duplexes, the same exterior material must be used on each unit.
(c) Façade uniformity. Units are not required to be symmetrical, but it is allowed.
(6) Architectural variability.
(a) Rooflines. Each building must have roofline differentiation of at least 16 inches either vertically or horizontally between each unit, or gables or dormers on each unit.
(b) Each building with three or more units must have at least three of the following on the front façade of the building (upstairs or downstairs) on one or more of the units:
1. A porch;
2. A bay window;
3. A gable;
4. A dormer; and
5. A shed roof.
(7) Side façades. The side façades of single-family attached homes must be the standards of § 157.094
(B)(9).
(8) Garages and carports.
(a) The exterior materials, design features and roof form of garages and carports must be compatible with the building it serves.
(b) Garage doors facing a public street or public open space must be recessed within the façade and include detailing elements to create visual interest and add to the overall character of the building. This does not apply to garage doors facing an alley, service area, or otherwise nonpublic area.
(9) Building foundations. One of the following is required on all homes except for dwellings designed or intended for occupation by persons with physical disabilities:
(a) An 18-inch crawlspace that is clad with brick, brick veneer, stone, stone veneer, stucco, or other masonry materials on the front and side façades; or
(b) A slab foundation, provided that the foundation supporting the floor framing is an average of at least 18 inches above grade on the front and side façades and is clad with brick, brick veneer, stone, stone veneer, stucco, or other masonry materials on the front and side façades.
(c) A slab-on-grade foundation, provided that an average of 18 inches from the ground levels is clad with brick, brick veneer, stone, stone veneer, stucco, or other masonry materials on the front and side façades. This shall not apply to dwellings with brick, stone or stucco siding.
(d) Alternatively, a basement foundation may be used on the sides and/or rear façades.
(e) Foundations shall not be clad in finished or unfinished concrete block.
(10) Eaves. Eaves must extend beyond the plane of façade by at least six inches. Similar treatments such as coping on top of a brick façade or a stucco parapet wall are also allowed.
(11) Entries. All entries must be sheltered with an overhang, portico, or porch.
(12) Outdoor area. In addition to the common open space required for the entire project, each unit must have an outdoor living area for the residents to use for recreation. Specific standards include:
(a) Types. The outdoor area may take forms such as, but not limited to, a yard, balcony, covered or screened porch, rooftop area, patio or deck.
(b) Location. The private outdoor area must be fully contained on the individual parcel, outside of all required utility easements.
(c) Size. The private outdoor living area must be at least 200 square feet in area per unit. This area may be physically broken up into two separate areas, but neither area may be smaller than 48 square feet.
(d) Separation. Private outdoor living areas must have physical separation from adjacent units through building walls, fences, hedges, or similar. The physical separation is not required to provide a full screen; for example, a three-foot hedge or decorative fence is allowed.
(e) Surfacing. Private outdoor areas must have a surface appropriate for the use.
(f) Parking areas. Parking areas that are provided to meet the parking standards of this section and driveways that access a garage do not count as approved outdoor areas.
(Ord. 2024-014, passed 6-25-24)
(A) Applicability. The following standards apply to all building plans approved after June 30, 2024. For projects built under old standards but that have space for additional buildings, those new buildings would be expected to meet these standards unless it is determined:
(1) The location is not on an arterials and collector road or other highly visible location where strict compliance is crucial to meeting overall city aesthetic goals; and
(2) The likelihood is low of surrounding non-conforming buildings changing use, being redeveloped, or otherwise being brought into greater compliance with these design standards within the foreseeable future.
(B) Design intent. The following design standards are intended to create high quality, walkable urban environments based on time-tested urban design principles. These principles, along with the careful location of these buildings and communities in high-amenity, mixed-use locations, are intended to create long-term value that allows buildings to become even more coveted addresses over time. Architectural details, the design quality and functionality of open spaces, and the design and functional integration of these buildings and communities with their surrounding mixed-use environment are the important public interests that are reflected in these standards.
(C) Orientation of buildings to streets and open space.
(1) All multi-family dwellings must be oriented so that the primary entrance(s) and street-level unit entries face the street. In the case of corner lots, the primary entrance(s) must face the street from which the building derives its street address. It is acceptable to have two primary entrances, but no secondary entrance may face a street. A primary entrance is defined by the entrance's function, scale, and/or design detail.
(2) When a required open space area is included within the development, at least 10% of the dwelling units must front the open space area; this includes lots where a street is located between dwelling units and the open space. The percentage may be reduced if the open space is designed to preserve specific natural features, or extend existing open space or pedestrian corridors, or such a percentage cannot be reasonable met.
(3) Within the context of other design requirements, streets and buildings should be arranged to frame the open space to the maximum extent practicable (see picture below).
(D) Open space. Required open space must be functional and enhance the resident or visitor's experience. Amenities include special paving, enhanced landscaping, trellises, and other features that promote outdoor recreation, scenic amenity, and/or shared exterior space for people to gather. See examples below.
(E) Parking. Multi-family projects must comply with the following, in additional to any related standards elsewhere in this subchapter.
(1) Off-street parking lots associated with multi-family dwellings cannot be located between any structures and the street.
(2) Off-street parking lots located next to a building must not occupy more than 25% of the parcel's street frontage. Associated driving areas must be included as part of such off-street surface parking.
(3) Any podium parking or structured parking should be adequately screened and integrated into the overall design of the building through the use of metal screens, louvers, grilles, and/or green screens.
(F) Pedestrian walkways.
(1) Continuous internal pedestrian walkways must be provided to connect off-street parking areas with primary building entrances and the public sidewalk system.
(2) If a public sidewalk is adjacent to the project site, at lease one internal pedestrian walkway with a minimum width of five feet must be provided from the primary entrance to the public sidewalk at a major connection point. In the case of a corner lot, a connection must be made to the sidewalk of both streets.
(3) The crossings at major entrances, major internal routes, and major pedestrian walkways must be distinguished from driving surfaces through the use of durable, low-maintenance surface materials such as pavers, bricks, or scored/stamped concrete or asphalt to enhance pedestrian safety and comfort, as well as the attractiveness of the walkways.
(G) Building size. Individual building footprints are limited to 15,000 square feet, or in cases where at least 25% of the ground floor is reserved for neighborhood commercial uses served by their own exterior entrance, to 25,000 square feet. A larger building footprint may be approved by the Planning Commission for special purpose facilities or an established mixed-use area if compatible with the sale of the surrounding development.
(H) Building massing.
(1) All building façades of multi-family uses must include a distinguishable and distinct base, middle and top such that the base of the building relates to the pedestrian scale.
( 2) All buildin g elevatio ns must be treated in a consiste nt manner regardi ng the design, material s, color, and complex ity, unless the elevatio n exclusiv ely fronts a service area or alley, or is otherwise not visible from to the general public.
Base, middle and top examples
(I) Design of front façades.
(1) Façades must incorporate wall offsets in the form of projections and/or recesses in the façade plane at least every 30 feet of façade frontage.
(2) Wall offsets, resets, and projections must have a minimum depth of two feet.
(3) The building façade must express the module of the actual residential unit in order to scale to create a façade that has depth, visual interest, and rhythm.
(4) In additional to wall offsets, façades of multi-family buildings must provide a minimum of four of the following design features in a cohesive manner for each residential unit fronting onto a public street or public space unless there are unique and challenging circumstances that would otherwise make the implementation of these features not feasible (such as incompatibility with an established building aesthetic, lack of public visibility, or demonstrated physical constraints of the site):
(a) One or more dormer windows or cupolas above the corresponding residential unit.
(b) A projecting or recessed balcony for at least 50% of the units facing a public street or public space and a covered porch for each unit at ground-level facing a public street or public space.
(c) Ornamental pilasters, columns, or other similar architectural features integrated into the overall architectural design.
(d) One or more bay windows with a minimum 12-inch projection from the façade plane.
(e) Eaves with a minimum of six-inch projection from the façade plane.
(f) A parapet wall with an articulated design, which entails design variation rather than a simple rectilinear form.
(g) Multiple windows grouped together to establish a design feature that can be either recessed or projecting with a minimum four-inch wide trim.
(h) Windows that have dimensional window surrounds or trim.
(i) Windows that incorporate ornamental elements such as shutters, arched windows, transom windows, or any other design feature that would otherwise add ornamental characteristics to a window or group of windows.
(j) Other prominent design details that are consistent with the overall architectural character and scale of the building.
(5) Pitched roofs must have multiple planes and elements, including hips, gables and dormers reflecting required wall offsets or other architectural features of the building, with at least one additional roof plane or feature for every 60 feet of façade frontage.
(6) Flat roofs should include elements that act as a prominent visual termination for the building, such as projecting architectural features, cornices, and eaves. Where a flat roof is used, a parapet should extend beyond the roof plane and include an element that provides a visual termination of the façade. The parapet should extend far enough above the roof plane that any mechanical equipment is concealed from public view at street level.
(J) Consistency of façade design. Each façade must receive similar treatment to the façades that are oriented toward the street. They should have variation in massing, similar pattern of openings, at least one projection or recess, or one bay window or covered porch meeting the standards in division (I) above. This requirement may be waived by the Planning Commission for adjacent building sides or façades otherwise oriented with minimal public visibility.
(K) Design of building entries.
(1) At any entry, whether a common entry or access to an individual unit entry at ground level, a canopy, awning, balcony, or other significant architectural feature combined with the entry itself being either recessed or projecting from the primary façade must be provided to promote pedestrian safety and orientation to the building by creating a well-defined and welcoming building entry.
(2) Shared or common building entries should provide a transition from the street to the entries themselves to create a unique shared sense of entry that provides a defensible space, therefore generating a sense of pride and ownership. This can be accomplished by changes in grade, stairs, low masonry walls, ornamental railing, a change in paving materials and/ or landscaping.
(3) Exterior, open corridors (breezeways) designed to provide primary, street-side access to dwellings are prohibited, whether the breezeways are ground level or elevated.
(4) All residential units, other than units that are accessed individually directly from the exterior, should be accessed through enclosed, shared common access points that are monitored by a security system and/or on-site security/management staff and be accessible to emergency responders. Building access must be provided via a keypad entry, card access, or similar system equipped with the ability to provide on-demand access to emergency responders.
(L) Building foundations.
(1) A slab foundation is permitted, provided that the foundation supporting the floor framing is an average of at least 18 inches above grade on the front and side façades and is clad with brick, brick veneer, stone, stone veneer, stucco, or other masonry materials on the front and side façades.
(2) Buildings that are age-restricted to citizens ages 55 and older, and buildings that are designed or intended for occupation by persons with physical disabilities may use a slab-on-grade foundation or raised slab foundation, provided that an average of 18 inches from the ground levels is clad with brick, brick veneer, stone, stone veneer, stucco, or other masonry materials on the front and side façades.
(3) Foundations shall not be clad in finished or unfinished concrete block.
(M) Building materials.
(1) Buildings must have a minimum of 50% brick, stone or stucco on façades facing a public street or public open space, and 30% brick, stone or stucco on façades that front service areas or alleys, or are otherwise not visible to the general public. Stucco or synthetic stucco (EIFS) may only be placed above the first building level on all façades, except for detailed design elements that may extend to the ground level.
(2) The following materials are prohibited for all building elevations:
(a) Metal siding (unless architectural grade in limited application such as design accent or feature only).
(b) Vinyl siding.
(c) Plywood.
(d) Exposed smooth-finished concrete block.
(3) Changes in materials and color should correspond to the building modulation and other architectural features of the building. At a recess, projection or change in material, the materials should return to meet the primary façade.
(N) Windows, doors, balconies, patios and porches.
(1) Windows and doors should be recessed within the façade in which they are located or have dimensional surrounds/trim a minimum of four inches wide.
(2) False balconies (or Juliet balconies) should not be used unless the depth is at least 12 inches from the façade.
(O) Garages and carports.
(1) Garages/carports serving multi-family buildings must be located to the side or rear of the building.
(2) Garage doors are prohibited from facing a public street.
(3) Side-facing garages must not face existing single-family detached dwellings unless a perimeter buffer with a minimum width of 30 feet is provided between the garage and existing single-family detached dwellings.
(4) The exterior materials, design features, and roof form of garages and carports must be compatible with the building they serve.
(5) Garage doors facing a public street or public open space must be recessed within the façade and include detailing elements to create visual interest and add to the overall architectural character of the building. This does not apply to garage doors facing an alley, service area, or otherwise non-public area.
(P) Roof penetrations and equipment.
(1) To the degree practicable, all roof vents, pipes, antennas, satellite dishes, and other roof penetrations and equipment (except chimneys) must be located on the rear elevations or configured to have a minimal visual impact as seen from the street.
(2) Where wall-mounted equipment is visible from the street or any public area, it should be of similar color to the façade on which it is located and be integrated into the overall design.
(Q) Unique conditions and exceptions. In situations where the applicant can show that building orientation, building layout, adjacent land use, or other determining factors preclude adherence to the standards, the Planning and Development Director may reduce the applicable standards of this section after all reasonable efforts are made to incorporate them in their entirety.
(Ord. 2024-014, passed 6-25-24)
(A) Applicability.
(1) These non-residential design standards apply to all new public, institutional, commercial and industrial development.
(2) In addition to new non-residential development, these standards also apply to any existing non-residential buildings if any expansion or alteration exceeds 50% of the structures gross square footage at the time of expansion or alteration.
(3) The approving authority for a site plan, subdivision plat, or other permit may modify or waive any or all of these standards for industrial uses when they conflict with the covenants or design scheme of an existing industrial park. Modification or waiver must consider the following criteria:
(a) The surrounding area is substantially developed with buildings not meeting any or all of these standards;
(b) The location is not on an arterial or collector road or other highly visible location where strict compliance is crucial to meeting overall city aesthetic goals; and
(c) The likelihood of surrounding non-conforming buildings changing use, being redeveloped, or otherwise being brought into greater conformance with these design standard within the foreseeable future is low.
(B) Building presentation and wall pattern. Front building façades shall be substantially parallel to the front property line except that:
(1) The entrance of corner buildings may be oriented to front the corner;
(2) Buildings interior to a development site may be arranged to front a common courtyard, parking area, driveway;
(3) Where the street curves at the front property line the building shall be parallel to a tangent of the curve that does, or would if lines were extended, intersect the side property lines;
(4) In pedestrian-oriented areas such as the Central Business District, an operable primary building entrance must face the street;
(5) In automobile-oriented transportation corridors, the operable primary entrance is considered the main customer entrance and may face a street or parking lot;
(6) Side yard houses built to conform to historic design principles shall be exempt from this requirement.
(C) Building articulation required. In order to provide building articulation and interest in design and human scale to the façade of a building, a variety of building techniques are required. The purpose of this section is to ensure that the front of non-residential structures have a variety of offsets, relief, and insets to provide a more interesting façade appearance. Front façades more than 60 feet wide must comply with the following articulation requirements.
(l) Horizontal articulation.
(a) A wall must have a perpendicular offset after a horizontal span of two times its average height, or more frequently if desired.
(b) The offset depth must be at least 5% of the average building height. Offsets can be of varying depth as long as this minimal standard is met.
(c) The offset must extend laterally for a distance equal to at least 10% of the entire façade, up to a maximum of 40 feet.
(d) Industrial buildings may use a change of materials, colors, or texture to meet the horizontal articulation requirements. Buildings must still meet the distance and length requirements above.
(e) For calculation purposes, the façade will be considered the total distance of the building façade.
(2) Vertical articulation.
(a) A wall must chance elevation after a horizontal span of two times its average height, or more frequently if desired.
(b) The change in height must be at least 15% of the average building height.
(c) The elevation chance must continue to extend laterally for a distance equal to at least l0% of the entire façade, up to a maximum of 40 feet.
(d) Elevation changes can be of varying heights as long as the minimal standard is met.
(e) For calculation purposes, the façade will be considered the total distance of the building façade.
(3) Prominent entry. All non-residential buildings must have at least one prominent entry. All non-residential buildings other than industrial uses must use at least two of the following features, and industrial uses must use at least one feature:
(a) Canopies, porticos, or roof overhangs above the entrance;
(b) Entry recesses/projections, with raised parapets, gabled roof forms, arcades, or arches above the entrance;
(c) Architectural details, such as tile work and moldings, that are integrated into the building structure and design, and are above and/or directly adjacent to the entrance; or
(d) Integral planters or wind walls that incorporate landscaped areas or seating areas. A wing wall is a wall secondary in scale projecting from a primary wall and not having a roof.
(D) Building materials.
(1) Prohibited materials.
(a) Lap siding is only permitted on office and commercial buildings of less than 10,000 square feet, and above the ground floor of multi-story mixed-use buildings. Vinyl lap siding must have a smooth finish with no visible grain pattern.
(b) Stucco or synthetic stucco is prohibited on buildings larger than 10,000 square feet, and within two feet of the grade level or within two feet of any exterior door jamb.
(2) Colors.
(a) Paint colors used on exterior walls of non-residential buildings shall be of low reflectance, subtle, neutral, or earth-tone colors or shall relate to historic building colors found within the city generally or on neighboring historic buildings. Contrasting colors shall be kept in tone with the primary color.
(b) The exterior wall area of each side of the building may contain nonfluorescent highlighting trim or dark contrasting features which use bright, dark, or vivid colors, but are restricted to no more than 10% of the façade.
(E) Roofs.
(1) Roof planes. Except for mansard roofs, cupolas, and steeples, sloped roofs must include two or more sloping roof planes with greater than or equal to one foot of vertical rise for every three feet of horizontal run, and less than or equal to one foot of vertical rise for every one foot of horizontal run.
(2) Flat roofs. When flat roofs are used, parapet walls with three-dimensional cornice treatments must conceal them. The cornice must include a perpendicular projection a minimum of four inches from the parapet façade plane.
(3) Pitched roofs. Pitched roofs shall be dark-colored fiberglass shingles (except red and blue), slate, clay tile, or standing-seam metal roofs.
(4) Allowable roof colors.
(a) Asphalt shingles may be any color except red or blue.
(b) Metal, plastic or fiberglass roofs may be tan, gray, brown, slate, clay, black, white, burgundy, evergreen or metallic.
(5) Services and utilities.
(a) All loading docks, storage areas, solid waste, maintenance equipment and similar items shall be screened from public view.
(b) Mechanical equipment at ground level shall be placed on the parking lot side of buildings away from public streets and buildings on adjacent sites, except for single-family residential uses and industrial buildings in the CMU zoning district. All such equipment shall be substantially screened from public view.
(c) Mechanical equipment and antennas located on rooftops shall be camouflaged as a normal architectural feature of the building, or hidden by a decorative cornice or parapet wall, as seen from the ground.
(d) All trash and recycling receptacles and storage areas shall be located away from public streets and screened entirely from public view.
(e) All non-vegetative screening used to block public view of trash and recycling receptacles and storage areas shall be made of materials compatible in color and type to the principal structure(s) on the property.
(f) Drive-thru windows, freestanding ATMs, and similar devices and accessory uses shall only be placed in areas that will not interfere with the safe movement of pedestrians and vehicles in parking and driveway areas.
(g) Drive-thru windows, freestanding ATMs, and similar devices shall not be placed between the primary façade of a building and the public street.
(Ord. 2024-014, passed 6-25-24)
(A) Materials. These standards are in addition to the non-residential design standards for all non-residential buildings.
(1) Exposed smooth-finished concrete block, sheet metal and corrugated metal are prohibited as an exterior wall material on all buildings except for the rear side of commercial and industrial buildings that area screened from public view.
(2) Buildings not intended for industrial use must use brick, brick veneer, stone, or stone veneer as a primary material on all façades, not only limited amounts on key architectural features.
(3) When a more modem architectural design is used, glass, wood, brick, brick veneer, stone, or stone veneer may be used as primary building materials. The use of EIFS in modern is allowed but should be minimized.
(4) Lap siding of any material is not allowed on any building façade that is visible from any street.
(5) Corrugated metal roofs and metal panel roofs with exposed edges are not allowed. This standard applies to all non-residen tial uses including industrial uses.
(B) 360-degree design.
(1) Archit ectural and signage towers that are out of scale in terms of size or height with the overall structure are not allowed.
(2) Conversely, architectural and signage towers may be used as accent features extending above the primary roofline provide d that they are in scale in terms of size and height with the overall structure. Signage may be placed higher than the roofline when these elements are used. However, the colors used on the tower must be muted.
(C) Iconic or unusual shapes. Unique architectural features, regardless of whether or not they are associated with a specific brand, are not allowed.
(D) Colors.
(1) Paint colors used on exterior walls of non-residential buildings shall be of low reflectance, subtle, neutral, or earth tone colors or shall relate to historic building colors found within the city generally or on neighboring historic buildings. Contrasting colors shall be in tone with the primary color.
(2) The exterior wall area of each side of the building may cont ain nonf luorescent high lighting trim or dark contrasting features that use bright, dark, or vivid colors, but are restricted to no more than 10% of the façade.
(E) Mechanical equipment. Mechanical equipment and antennas located on rooftops shall be camouflaged as a normal architectural feature of the building, or hidden by a decorative cornice or parapet wall, as seen from the ground.
(Ord. 2024-014, passed 6-25-24)
(A) Materials. Buildings not intended for industrial use must use brick, brick veneer, stucco, stone, stone veneer, or fiber cement siding (e.g. HardiePlank) as a primary material on all façades, not only limited amounts on key architectural features.
(B) Building design.
(1) The scale and design of the exterior of any new building or the renovation of the exterior of any existing building fronting the following street segments shall be of a design that is architecturally compatible and in aesthetic harmony with nearby historic properties. Brick veneers must be of a compatible color and style.
(2) Doors and windows that operate as sliders are prohibited.
(3) Openings above the first story shall not exceed 50% of the exterior wall area, with each floor calculated independently. However, individual windows shall be a minimum of 15 square feet.
(4) All openings, including porches, and windows, with the exception of shopfronts, shall have a width that does not exceed height.
(5) Awnings.
(a) Awnings, where provided, shall be placed at the top of window and door openings and shall relate to the shape of the top of the window or doorway.
(b) Awnings shall be made of canvas, vinyl or similar material.
(c) Awnings shall be self-supporting from the wall; no supports shall rest on or interfere with the use of pedestrian walkways, streets, trees or utilities. Awnings shall extend over a light gauge frame.
(d) Awnings may encroach the sidewalk up to four feet, must clear the sidewalk vertically by at least eight feet but by no more than 12 feet, and shall not be placed closer than six feet to a the trunk of a tree.
(e) Lights may be installed underneath awnings only if they are directed to point toward the ground, and are not used to illuminate the awning.
(C) Shopfront façade required.
(1) Buildings with frontage on the following street segments shall meet additional design standards:
(a) Broad Street: Dekalb Street to York Street.
(b) Dekalb Street: Church Street to Little Street.
(c) Rutledge Street: Church Street to Lyttleton Street.
(d) Clyburn Lane: Broad Street to Market Street.
(e) Market Street: Dekalb Street to York Street.
(2) With the exception of civic buildings, all buildings shall have the first floor designed with a shopfront at sidewalk level along the entire length of the building front.
(3) Shopfronts (first floor only) shall contain no less than 50% glazing with clear glass. Glass shall be a minimum of 18 inches above the sidewalk.
(4) New construction and additions to or remodeling of existing buildings shall maintain a clear visual division between street level and any upper floors using cornice lines, windows, or similar architectural elements.
(5) Signs. Lettering and logos on a freestanding and wall signs can only be internally illuminated using silhouette lighting.
(Ord. 2024-014, passed 6-25-24)
SIGN REGULATIONS
The purpose and intent of these regulations is to protect the dual interests of the public and the advertiser. The regulations herein are designed to protect public safety and ensure the maintenance of an attractive physical environment, while satisfying the needs of sign users for adequate identification, communication and advertising.
(Ord. 15-002, passed 2-24-15)
(A) A sign may be erected, placed, established, created, installed or maintained in the city only in conformance with the requirements of this subchapter. From and after its adoption, no sign may be enlarged, erected, modified or replaced unless it conforms to the requirements of this subchapter.
(B) All signs located in a Historic Overlay District shall be subject to additional requirements as provided in Chapter 158.
(Ord. 15-002, passed 2-24-15)
(A) Location.
(1) No sign shall be located within the visual clearance areas as defined in § 157.191.
(2) Signs shall relate in their placement and size to other building elements without obscuring building elements such as windows, cornices, or decorative details, except that signs may be placed on the inside of windows where permitted by and according to such standards set forth in this Zoning Ordinance.
(B) Pedestrian area clearance. When a sign extends over a sidewalk, walkway or other spaces accessible to pedestrians, the bottom of the sign structure shall be at least eight feet above the ground.
(C) Vehicle area clearance. When a sign extends over an area where a vehicle travels or is parked, the bottom of the sign shall be at least 14 feet above the ground. Vehicle areas include driveways, alleys, parking lots, and loading and maneuvering areas.
(D) Construction. All signs must:
(1) Be constructed in compliance with all applicable provisions of the Building Code and the Electrical Code;
(2) Consist of durable all-weather materials;
(3) Be maintained in good condition; and
(4) Not be permitted to fall into disrepair.
(E) Signs shall not have light-reflecting backgrounds, but may use light-reflecting lettering.
(F) Illumination.
(1) Light sources used to externally illuminate signs shall only use white lights, must be shielded and shall be directed so that all direct light falls entirely on the sign face.
(2) Light sources used to illuminate signs shall neither be visible from any street right-of-way nor cause a glare hazardous to pedestrians or vehicle drivers, and shall not create a nuisance to adjacent properties.
(3) No illumination simulating traffic control devices or emergency vehicles shall be used; nor shall lights that are intermittently switched on and off, changed in intensity or color, or otherwise displayed to create the illusion of flashing or movement be permitted.
(4) Illumination using exposed bulbs is prohibited.
(5) Lights used to illuminate signs must remain at a constant intensity.
(6) Neon lights or strip lights are not allowed on the exterior of a building unless they are used as an internal light source of translucent panels or signs.
(7) Signs for permitted nonresidential uses in residential zoning districts may be internally or externally illuminated.
(8) In the Corridor Overlay District and Downtown Core lettering and logos on a sign can only be internally illuminated using silhouette lighting.
(G) Colors.
(1) No fluorescent colors shall be used.
(2) The only colors allowed for the background of signs are white, grey or any pastel color except as follows:
(a) In CBD, GBD, IND, and CMU zoning districts, the background of freestanding signs, except incidental signs, that do not exceed 40 square feet in area and six feet in height shall be any non-fluorescent color.
(b) The background of flush-mounted building signs may be black, blue or green; if the background color is used as a highlighting color on the exterior wall areas.
(H) Sign measurement.
(1) The area of a sign enclosed in frames or cabinets is determined by measuring the outer dimensions of the frame or cabinet surrounding the sign face.
(a) Sign area does not include foundation or supports.
(b) Only one side of a double-faced or V-shaped freestanding sign is counted in the calculation of total sign area. The height of a sign shall be measured from the natural grade to the top of the sign face or sign structure, whichever is higher.
(2) Sign height shall be measured according to the procedures set forth in § 157.192(B)(2).
(3) For signs on a base material and attached without a frame, such as wood board or polycarbonate panel, the dimensions of the base material are to be used in the measurement, unless it is clear that part of the base contains no sign-related display or decoration.
(4) For sign structures consisting of individual pieces attached to a building wall, sign area is determined by the smallest perimeter that can be drawn around all sign elements.
(5) For sign structures containing multiple modules oriented in the same direction, sign area is determined the smallest perimeter that can be drawn around all sign elements.
(6) For signs incorporated into awnings, the entire panel containing the sign is counted as the sign face, unless it is clear that part of the panel contains no sign-related display or decoration.
(Ord. 15-002, passed 2-24-15; Am. Ord. 2017-013, passed 10-10-17; Am. Ord. 2019-020, passed 11-12-19)
Signs shall be allowed on private property in accordance with the following table:
A = Allowed without a permit P = Permit required N = Not allowed | ZONING DISTRICT | |||||
SIGN TYPE | RE, R-15, R-10, R-6
R-6S | CBD | GBD | OI, LBD | IND | CMU |
A = Allowed without a permit P = Permit required N = Not allowed | ZONING DISTRICT | |||||
SIGN TYPE | RE, R-15, R-10, R-6
R-6S | CBD | GBD | OI, LBD | IND | CMU |
Freestanding Signs | ||||||
Principal | P1 | P | P | P | P | P |
Incidental | N | P | P | P | P | P |
Sidewalk | N | P | P | N | N | N |
Subdivision | P | N | N | N | N | P |
Buildings Signs | ||||||
Awning | N | P | P | N | P | P |
Canopy | N | P | P | P | P | P |
Identification | A | P | P | P | P | P |
Incidental | N | P | P | P | P | P |
Integral Roof | N | N | P | N | P | P |
Marquee | N | N | P | N | P | P |
Projecting | N | P | P | P | P | P |
Wall | P | P | P | P | P | P |
Window | N | A | A | A | A | A |
Copy and Illumination | ||||||
Changeable Copy | P | P | P | P | P | P |
Illumination, External | P | P | P | P | P | P |
Illumination, Internal | P1 | A | A | A | A | A |
(Ord. 15-002, passed 2-24-15; Am. Ord. 2015-022, passed 10-13-15; Am. Ord. 2016-002, passed 3-8- 16; Am. Ord. 2021-012, passed 6-22-21)
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