Signs in nonresidential districts shall conform to the standards set forth in this Section.
(a) Maximum Number and Area of Permanent Signs Attached to Buildings. A permanent sign attached to buildings shall conform to the maximum number and area limitations set forth in Schedule 1129.09(a).
Building Signs for the Primary Frontage | ||||||
Type of Sign | Maximum Area of Wall Signs, Awnings and Canopies | |||||
C-1 | C-2 | C-3 | C-4 | I | S | |
Wall, awning, canopy and marquee(a) | 1 sq. per linear ft. of building or tenant space frontage, as applicable | 1 sq. per linear ft. of building or tenant space frontage, as applicable | 1 sq. per linear ft. of building or tenant space frontage, as applicable | 1 sq. per linear ft. of building or tenant space frontage, as applicable | 1 sq. per linear ft. of building or tenant space frontage, as applicable | 0.5 sq. per linear ft. of building or tenant space frontage, as applicable |
Projecting | NP | (3) | NP | NP | NP | |
Instructional (Incidental) Signs | ||||||
(a) The number of signs is not limited to a specific number. A building is permitted to have any number provided the total area of all signs does not exceed the maximum area allocation. NP = Not Permitted | ||||||
(b) Building Signs. A building sign permitted in Schedule 1129.09(a) shall be erected in compliance with the following additional regulations.
(1) Sign Bonuses for Large Building Setbacks. The maximum allowable area for a building sign may be increased by 25% for each 100 feet of building setback where the building is visible from the street and located more than 100 feet from the street on which the building fronts. The sign bonus allowed herein shall not exceed 200% of the maximum allowable area.
(2) Sign bonuses for Corner Lots and Side and Rear Entrances. The maximum allowable area for building signs shall be increased above the allowable area set forth in Schedule 1129.09 (a) when the following conditions apply:
A. Additional area shall be permitted when a building has a secondary frontage.
B. The sign area for signs on each secondary building frontage may be no greater than fifty percent (50%) of the sign area permitted for the primary frontage.
C. At the applicant's discretion, some or all of the sign area permitted for the primary frontage may be transferred to a secondary frontage. The resulting total area on the secondary frontage shall not exceed the maximum sign area permitted for the primary frontage. The election to transfer primary frontage sign area to secondary frontage shall be made in the sign application.
(3) Projecting Signs in the C-2 Commercial Districts. In addition to the permitted sign area set forth in Schedule 1129.09(a), one projecting sign per tenant space shall be permitted in C-2 Commercial Districts when all of the following conditions are met:
A. Projecting signs shall be limited to first floor tenant spaces having a minimum of fifteen (15) feet of building frontage.
B. Projecting signs shall be supported by a decorative bracket.
C. Projecting signs shall have a maximum area of twelve (12) square feet. The maximum width shall be three (3') feet; the maximum height shall be four (4') feet.
D. All projecting signs shall have a minimum clearance of eight (8') feet from grade to the bottom of the sign unless the projecting sign is located above a landscaped area or other area where pedestrian traffic beneath the sign is not permitted. Projecting signs shall have a maximum height of fourteen (14') feet from grade to the top of the projecting sign or structural support whichever is highest.
E. No portion of a projecting sign, including its frame or support, shall extend more than four (4') feet from the building wall to which it is attached.
(4) Wall Signs. Wall signs shall be located within the primary or secondary frontage of the advertised tenant space. The width of a wall sign shall not exceed ninety percent (90%) of the width of the tenant space. At least five percent (5%) on each end shall remain open and unoccupied. A letter, number or character, logo, or pictorial matter shall not exceed four (4') feet in height.
(c) Permanent Freestanding Signs. Permanent freestanding signs permitted in nonresidential districts shall comply with the following regulations:
(1) Maximum Number, Area and Height, Minimum Setback of Permanent Freestanding signs. Permanent freestanding signs shall comply with Schedule 1129.09(c).
Permanent Freestanding Signs | |||||
Maximum Number | Maximum Sign Area | Maximum Sign Structure Height | Minimum Setback from ROW | Minimum Setback from Side Lot Line (c) | |
1. Primary Freestanding Sign (a) | |||||
a. S Special | 1 per lot | 24 sq. ft. | 6 ft. | Equal to height of sign | 10 ft. |
b. C-1 Restricted Business | 1 per lot (b) | 32 sq. ft. (d) | 6 ft. | 10 feet | 10 ft. |
c. C-2 Chardon Square Mixed Use | 1 per lot (b) | 32 sq. ft. (d) | 6 ft. | Equal to height of sign | 10 ft. |
d. C-3 Traditional Classic Commercial | 1 per lot (b) | 32 sq. ft. (d) | 6 ft. | 10 feet | 10 ft. |
e. C-4 General Commercial | 1 per lot (b) | 32 sq. ft. (d) | 6 ft. | 10 feet | 10 ft. |
f. I Industrial District | 1 per lot (b) | 32 sq. ft. | 6 ft. | 10 feet | 10 ft. |
2. Directional Signs | 2 per driveway (1 in, 1 out) | 2 sq. ft. | 3 ft. | 0 | 0 |
3. Instructional (Incidental) Signs | Shall be exempt from regulations when in compliance with Section 1129.03(b)(2) | ||||
(a) Not permitted on the site when the building is setback less than 10 feet from the street right-of-way. (b) Except as otherwise permitted in Section 1129.09 (c) (2) for lots that have 400 feet or more of street frontage. (c) Except that when a side lot line coincides with a Residential District boundary line, then the minimum setback shall be 30 feet. (d) Plus 1 sq. ft. for every 5 ft. of lot frontage >200 ft. Notwithstanding any provision of this Section, the area of any freestanding sign shall not exceed 75 square feet. | |||||
(2) Additional Freestanding Signs for Large Lots. The number of freestanding signs on large lots (lots with at least 400' of frontage one street) may be increased as follows. The allowable sign area permitted by this Section may be distributed to one or more freestanding sign(s) for each 200 feet of lot frontage. (For example, a lot with 400 feet of frontage would be permitted to have two freestanding signs. See Figure 2.) The total area of all freestanding signs along the same street frontage shall comply with Schedule 1129.09 (c).
Illustration of Additional Freestanding Signs for Large Lots
Lot with 400 feet of frontage.
Number of ground signs
permitted = 400 ft./200 = 2 signs |
(3) Signs On Lots with Multiple Public Street Frontages. For a lot with frontage on multiple public streets, each street frontage shall be considered and calculated separately as noted in 1129.09(c)(2) above. The allowable sign area permitted by this Section may be divided among one or more freestanding sign(s) for each 200 feet of lot frontage. The total area of all freestanding signs shall comply with Schedule 1129.09 (c). Two signs may be aggregated into a single sign provided that the area of a freestanding sign face shall not exceed seventy-five (75) square feet.
(4) Minimum Separation of Freestanding Sign. Freestanding signs on a single lot shall be separated by a minimum of 200 feet, as measured along the street right-of-way line. For corner lots, both sides of the intersection shall be used to measure the distance of separation.
(5) Minimum Sign Setback from Intersection. On corner lots, freestanding signs shall comply with the minimum sign setback from both street rights-of-way, as set forth in Schedule 1129.09(c).
(6) Landscaping. Freestanding signs shall be erected in a landscaped area 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.
(7) Multi-Occupant Facilities. When a freestanding sign is permitted on a site that has more than one occupant, the property owner shall designate which occupants shall be identified on the sign area.
(d) Temporary Signs in Nonresidential Districts. The following regulations for temporary signs in non-residential districts supplement and are in addition to the maximum sign area and height regulations set forth in Section 1129.09 (a) - (c).
(1) Setbacks: All temporary freestanding signs shall be located no closer than five feet from the street right-of-way line and ten feet from a side lot line, unless specifically regulated otherwise.
(2) Illumination: Temporary signs shall not be illuminated.
(3) Number and Size: One temporary sign shall be permitted per developed commercial property. Maximum size for a freestanding sign is 6 square feet and the maximum size for a temporary sign attached to a building is 40 square feet. The maximum height for a freestanding temporary sign is 6 feet.
(4) Additional temporary non-commercial signs for up to thirty (30) days prior to the day absentee ballots are available or the day early voting is permitted, whichever comes first, for a general, primary, or special election are not limited by the number of signs. No individual sign may be larger than 16 square feet and 6 feet in height.
(5) One additional temporary sign may be located on a property during active construction authorized by a Zoning Certificate as long as the sign does not exceed 32 square feet.
(6) One temporary sign shall be permitted per undeveloped commercial property. Maximum size for a freestanding sign is 16 square feet. The maximum height for a freestanding temporary sign is 6 feet.
(Ord. 3117. Passed 6-11-20.)