Downtown signage should be integral to a building's design rather than applied after the fact. As such, all signage should incorporate complementary materials, colors, and details. The use of banners as permanently mounted signage is prohibited. This section regulates all signs erected in all areas zoned BPR.
A. Location Of Signs: Freestanding monument signs may be erected on private property subject to the following restrictions:
1. All freestanding monument signs must have fifteen feet (15') of setback from the street curb line (extended vertically).
2. No part of any freestanding monument sign may be erected so as to suspend over or otherwise encroach upon any public right of way.
3. No sign may be erected on the roof of any structure, or be erected on the building facade so that any portion of the sign exceeds the height of the facade.
4. Any architectural sign that projects or suspends over any sidewalk, public or private, or any public right of way shall have at least eight feet (8') of clearance between the base of the sign and the ground or sidewalk. The owner of any sign suspended over public right of way agrees to indemnify and hold the city harmless from any liability which may arise by reason of the sign being projected or suspended over the public rights of way. The owner shall submit an insurance certificate listing the city as additionally insured prior to the issuance of a sign permit.
B. Height Of Signs:
1. Freestanding monument signs may be erected to the maximum height of eight feet (8') above the ground.
C. Sign Area:
1. Freestanding monument signs with one or two (2) sides are permitted a maximum sign area not to exceed fifty (50) square feet per side.
2. Architectural signs are limited to one and one-fourth (1.25) square feet of sign area for each linear foot of building frontage or fifty (50) square feet, whichever is larger.
D. Illumination: All signs may be illuminated provided that they conform to the following restrictions:
1. The light source, including the interior of a building shall be so shaded, shielded, or directed so that the light intensity or brightness shall not adversely affect surrounding or facing premises.
2. The light shall not adversely affect the safe vision of operators of vehicles.
3. Light shall not shine on or into neighboring residential structures.
4. The illumination may not flash in any manner.
E. Architectural Signs: Architectural signage that utilizes channel lettering and/or raceways, solid or laser cut metal, etc., are examples of approved sign materials.
F. Projecting Signs: One projecting sign is permitted per storefront and shall be construed as contributing to the building's total allotted square footage of architectural signage. Projecting signs are permitted to project a maximum of four feet (4') from the surface of any structure and must maintain a minimum of eight feet (8') of clearance between the lowest extent of the sign and the ground or sidewalk. The owner of any sign suspended over public right of way agrees to indemnify and hold the city harmless from any liability which may arise by reason of the sign being projected or suspended over the public rights of way. The owner shall submit an insurance certificate listing the city as additionally insured prior to the issuance of a sign permit.
G. Architectural Signs:
1. A maximum of twenty five percent (25%) of the surface of any awning or canopy may be utilized for permanently affixed copy. Any background colors, graphic striping, color banding or patterns shall not be considered as contributing to the sign area. Furthermore, this allotment shall not be construed to contribute to the total amount of architectural signage permitted for any structure in the BPR district.
2. Under canopy signs are permitted and will be considered as contributing to the total square footage of architectural signage that is permitted. Under canopy signs must maintain at least eight feet (8') of clearance between the lowest extent of the sign and the ground or sidewalk. The owner of any sign suspended over public right of way agrees to indemnify and hold the city harmless from any liability which may arise by reason of the sign being projected or suspended over the public rights of way. The owner shall submit an insurance certificate listing the city as additionally insured prior to the issuance of a sign permit.
H. Animated Signs: Animated signs are permitted but are subject to the following provisions:
1. Electronic Message Board:
a. Electronic message boards shall not make up more than thirty percent (30%) of the actual sign surface. In no case shall an electronic message board exceed twenty four (24) square feet.
b. Electronic message boards shall be limited to the display of messages which take no more than two (2) seconds to complete. A minimum of six (6) seconds shall be required between the changing of messages. Animation shall be limited to those incorporated into the changing of a message, but shall not restrict the use of images in the background of a message (e.g., clouds moving, flames burning, running water, etc.). No flashing, blinking, or pulsating of lights shall be allowed. Electronic message boards must be equipped to freeze in one position or discontinue the display in the event that a malfunction occurs.
2. Mechanically Animated: The movement of a sign is limited to an action which takes no less than six (6) seconds to complete. This shall apply to a rotating, waving, or similar motion that a sign may incorporate.
I. Number Of Signs:
1. Freestanding monument signs when permitted: One per street frontage except as sited below.
2. In the circumstance where the street frontage for a business on a street exceeds three hundred (300) linear feet, a second freestanding monument sign may be erected on that street frontage provided that the surface area for the signs complies with the requirements of subsection C of this section and provided further that the two (2) signs are placed at least fifty feet (50') apart. If the business is located on a corner lot or a through lot and has a combined street frontage exceeding three hundred (300) linear feet, a second freestanding sign may only be erected on the second frontage pursuant to this provision.
3. There is no limit on the number of architectural signs provided that the total square footage of all signs does not exceed the maximum square footage allowed.
J. Special Signs Permitted In The BPR District: A-frame signs are permitted in the BPR district with the issuance of an annual sign permit subject to the following provisions:
1. Signs may not exceed six (6) square feet per side and shall not exceed three feet (3') in height and two feet (2') in width (2 sided only).
2. Signs must be located within fifteen feet (15') from the front entrance.
3. No sign shall impede the normal and orderly flow of pedestrian traffic, and shall not obstruct any accessible route; for purposes of this section, the sign should be located so that there is a clear passage of at least three and one-half feet (31/2') between the sign and any building, post or obstruction in the sidewalk.
4. Signs shall be removed each day at the close of business.
5. For any sign located on the right of way, the owner shall submit an insurance certificate listing the city as additionally insured prior to the issuance of a sign permit.
K. Temporary Signs Permitted In The BPR District:
1. Temporary Commercial Banners: Temporary commercial banners are permitted to advertise goods or services for economic gain:
a. Temporary banners shall be limited to thirty two (32) square feet.
b. Each individual business will be allowed to display a temporary banner, mounted to the building, for a period not to exceed thirty (30) consecutive days. Each business is allowed a total of ninety (90) calendar days to display temporary banners. A new permit shall be issued each time the temporary banner is to be displayed, unless authorized under the original permit.
c. Commercial signs prohibited include: signs that are carried, waved or otherwise displayed by persons either on public rights of way or in a manner visible from public rights of way. This provision is directed toward such displays intended to draw attention for a commercial purpose, and is not intended to limit the display of banners, flags or other signage by persons participating in demonstrations, political rallies, and similar events.
d. No temporary banner may be illuminated.
2. Temporary Noncommercial Signs:
a. Temporary signs shall be limited to thirty two (32) square feet.
b. Each individual 501(c) not for profit organization will be allowed to display a temporary sign for a period not to exceed thirty (30) consecutive days. Each organization is allowed a total of sixty (60) calendar days to display temporary signs. A new permit shall be issued each time the temporary sign is to be displayed. Permit fees may be waived with the approval of the administrative official.
c. Temporary signs need not be located on the site for which the event is to take place.
3. Removal Of Temporary Signs: If a temporary sign relates to an event, such sign shall be removed within five (5) days after the conclusion of the event.
L. Flashing Signs: A flashing sign may be permitted provided it conforms to the following restrictions:
1. A minimum of two seconds shall be required between flashes.
2. Flashing lights must not exceed the equivalent amount of lumens emitted by a 25-watt incandescent bulb.
(Ord. 2023-31; Ord. 2017-17)