A. Sign area and height measurement. The measurement of sign area and height to determine compliance with the requirements of this Chapter shall be as set forth in Chapter 19.74 (Signs).
B. Sign location requirements. Each sign shall be located in compliance with the following requirements, and all other applicable provisions of this Chapter.
1. On-premise signs. Each sign shall be located on the same site as the subject of the sign, except as otherwise allowed by this Chapter.
2. Setback requirements. Each sign shall comply with the applicable building setback requirements, except for an approved blade sign.
3. Placement on a building. No sign shall be placed so that it interferes with the operation of a door or window, or covers a prominent architectural feature of the building. To integrate signs into project design, the architectural review board, or other applicable review authority, may limit signs to certain areas of a building as a condition of architectural review approval.
4. Signs within a public right-of-way. No sign shall be allowed in the public right-of-way except for the following:
a. An approved blade sign;
b. Public signs erected by or on behalf of a governmental agency to supply public information, identify public property, post legal notices, or direct or regulate pedestrian or vehicular traffic;
c. Bus stop signs;
d. Informational signs of a public utility regarding its lines, pipes, poles, or other facilities; or
e. Emergency warning signs erected by a governmental agency, a public utility company, or a contractor doing authorized work within the public right-of-way.
C. Sign Design. The following design criteria shall be used in reviewing the design of individual signs. Substantial conformance with each of the following design criteria shall be required before a sign permit or building permit can be approved.
1. Color. Colors on signs and structural members should be harmonious with one another and related to the dominant colors of the buildings on the site. Contrasting colors may be utilized if the overall effect of the sign is still compatible with building colors.
2. Design and construction.
a. Except for banners, flags, temporary signs, and temporary window signs conforming with the requirements of this Chapter, each sign shall be constructed of permanent materials and shall be permanently attached to the ground, a building, or another structure by direct attachment to a rigid wall, frame or structure.
b. Each permanent sign shall be designed by a professional or someone who is capable of producing professional results.
c. Each permanent sign shall be constructed by persons whose principal business is building construction or a related trade including sign manufacturing and installation, or someone who is capable of producing professional results.
3. Materials and structure.
a. Sign materials (including framing and supports) shall be representative of the type and scale of materials used on the site where the sign is located. Sign materials shall be compatible with those used on the buildings on the site and any other signs on the site.
b. No sign shall include reflective material.
c. Materials for permanent signs shall be durable and capable of withstanding weatherizing over the life of the sign with reasonable maintenance.
d. The size of the structural members (e.g. columns, crossbeams, and braces) shall be proportional to the sign panel they are supporting.
e. The use of individual letters incorporated into the building design is encouraged, rather than a sign with background and framing other than the structure wall.
4. Sign Lighting. Sign lighting shall be designed to minimize light and glare on surrounding rights-of-way and properties.
a. External light sources shall be directed and shielded so that they do not produce glare off the site, on any object other than the sign.
b. Sign lighting shall not blink, flash, flutter, or change light intensity, brightness, or color.
c. Colored lights shall not be used at a location or in a manner so as to be confused or construed as traffic control devices.
d. Neither the direct nor reflected light from primary light sources shall create hazards for pedestrians of operators of motor vehicles.
e. For energy conservation, light sources shall be hard-wired fluorescent or compact fluorescent lamps, or other lighting technology that is of equal or greater energy efficiency. Individual incandescent bulbs using seven watts or less are exempt from this requirement.
f. Sign lighting intensity shall be compatible with other signs in the vicinity, the site’s architecture and the general light level of the immediate area.
D. Sign maintenance.
1. Each sign and supporting hardware, including temporary signs and awning signs, shall be maintained in good repair and functioning properly at all times. Any damage to a sign or its illumination, including the failure of illumination shall be repaired within a maximum of 14 days from the date of damage or failure.
2. A repair to a sign shall be of materials and design of equal or better quality as the original sign.
3. A sign that is not properly maintained and is dilapidated shall be deemed a public nuisance, and may be abated in compliance with the provisions of this Code.
4. When an existing sign is removed or replaced, all brackets, poles, and other supports that are no longer required shall be removed, and, as applicable, all holes patched, textured and painted to match the underlying structures.
(Ord. 2358 §22)