(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)