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As used in this chapter, the terms listed below shall be interpreted according to the following definitions:
(a) Sign. Any device, structure, fixture, painting or visual image designed to be seen from an outdoor location and using graphics, symbols, letters or numbers for the purpose of conveying a message or advertising or identifying any establishment, product, goods or service. (A searchlight is not classified as a sign).
(b) Sign Panel. A structural object or portion of a structural object designed to form a distinct background area or frame for the display of a sign’s information – including all non-opaque surface area of an internally illuminated canopy or wall panel displaying signage.
(c) Unit of a Building. A space occupying a portion of the ground floor of a building, containing an entrance from the building exterior, and separated from other such spaces by a party wall or walls.
(d) Freeway. A limited-access or controlled- access public highway characterized by entrance and exit ramps and an absence of traffic signals and stop signs along the main roadway.
(e) Signs by Use Type. For the purpose of identifying permitted signs, all signs are classified by use type and defined as follows:
(1) Billboard. A sign directing attention to a specific business, product, service, entertainment activity or other commercial activity sold, offered or conducted elsewhere than upon the lot on which the sign is located.
(2) Bulletin Board. A sign for the display of announcements of a public or semi-public institution and located on the grounds of that institution.
(3) Business Sign. An “identification sign” (as defined below) which also may display such detailed information about the operation of a business as brand names of goods or services offered on the premises, prices or special “sale” information, forms of payment accepted, hours of operation, telephone number or other similar information.
(4) Development Sign. A temporary sign announcing a development to be located on the subject property and identifying firms or individuals participating in the development process.
(5) Directional Sign. A sign indicating a direction or a location to which pedestrian or vehicular traffic is requested to move.
(6) Identification Sign. A sign identifying or naming a building, business, institution, residential development or other use and displaying such other information as the owner, manager and address of the use or building.
(7) Information Sign. A sign which presents miscellaneous information or instructions intended to serve the public rather than to promote a business, product or issue and not containing information included in the definition of any other sign.
(8) Nameplate. A sign indicating the name, address and/or profession of a person or persons occupying a residence.
(9) Political Sign. A temporary sign advocating action on a public issue, indicating a candidate for public office, or expressing an opinion or belief.
(10) Real Estate Sign. A temporary sign promoting the rental, sale or lease of property.
(11) Temporary Sign. A sign announcing special events or sales, the sale or rental of property, political positions or other matters and intended for use for a limited period of time.
(12) Wall Mural. A sign that displays high resolution static or electronic graphic or photographic images, including decorative art and art used in commerce, placed on an unsightly wall of a building, or unsightly roof surface generally parallel to the building wall surface. A wall mural may display words in accordance with Section 350.161 and otherwise shall comply with Section 350.161. A wall mural may depict or direct attention to a specific business, product, service, entertainment activity, or other activity. Wall murals shall not be deemed billboards or wall signs for purposes of Chapters 350 and 341 of this Zoning Code and Chapters 161, 303, 3113, and 317 of the Codified Ordinances.
(f) Signs by Structural Type. For the purpose of identifying permitted signs, all signs and particular related objects are classified by structural type and defined as follows:
(1) Banner. A temporary sign of lightweight fabric or similar material that is mounted to a pole or a building (excluding flags and pennants as defined herein).
(2) Changeable Copy Sign (Automatic). A sign or portion thereof on which the copy changes automatically or animation is displayed through electrical or electronic means (e.g., time and temperature units and message centers).
(3) Changeable Copy Sign (Manual). A sign or portion thereof on which copy is changed manually through placement of letters or symbols on a sign panel.
(4) Canopy Sign. A sign attached to or printed on the fascia or valence of a canopy, awning or marquee or hanging from the soffit (underside) of such structure.
(5) Flag. An object, typically of lightweight fabric material, used as a symbol of a government, political entity or nationality group.
(6) Flashing Sign. A sign illuminated by intermittent light in a manner designed to attract attention.
(7) Free-Standing Sign. A sign which is not attached to a building and which is either attached directly to the ground, placed directly on the ground, displayed on a natural or man-made object (other than a building), or elevated on a pole or other supporting structure attached to the ground.
(8) Pennant. An object or sign of lightweight fabric or similar material, suspended from a rope, wire or string, usually in series, and designed to move in the wind, also including streamers, pinwheels, balloons and similar small objects.
(9) Portable (Mobile) Sign. A temporary sign which is designed to be moved and is not permanently attached to any part of a building or to the ground.
(10) Projecting Sign. A sign erected on the outside wall of a building and projecting out at an angle therefrom.
(11) Roof Sign. A sign created upon and completely over the roof of any building.
(12) Wall Sign. A sign attached to or displayed or painted on an exterior wall in a manner parallel with the wall surface and not projecting more than sixteen (16) inches from such surface. (A sign mounted on a roof surface which is generally parallel to the wall surface shall also be considered a “wall sign.”)
(13) Window Sign. A sign painted on, attached to, or suspended directly behind or in front of a window or the glass portion of a door.
(Ord. No. 1282-06. Passed 11-27-06, eff. 1-6-07)
Application for permits to erect, structurally alter, move or display a sign shall be made to the Department of Building and Housing by the owner (or owner’s agent) of the property for which a sign is proposed, on forms provided by the City, in accordance with the following regulations:
(a) Exemptions from Permit Requirement. City permits shall be required for all permanent and temporary signs except as listed below:
(1) Normal maintenance, repainting or change of message or sign face which does not alter the size, placement or structure of a sign, except for on-premises signs located in a Design Review District, a Landmark District or on a designated Landmark property, for which a permit shall be required for such repainting or change of sign face;
(2) Nameplates and information signs for residential uses;
(3) Temporary window signs mounted on the inside window surface;
(4) Temporary real estate and development signs not exceeding forty-eight (48) square feet in area;
(5) Political signs not exceeding forty-eight (48) square feet in area;
(6) Garage sale and real estate open house signs as regulated in division (c) of Section 350.13.
(b) Applicability. Regardless of exemptions from the requirement for a permit, all permanent and temporary signs shall be subject to applicable regulations of this Code except for signs listed in Section 350.21.
(c) Submission Requirements. With the exception of any requirements determined to be inapplicable in a particular instance by the Director of Building and Housing, the applicant shall submit accurately-scaled elevation drawings and a site plan at a minimum scale of one (1) inch - fifty (50) feet, indicating, in narrative or plan form, the following information:
(1) All sign dimensions and sign height;
(2) Placement of signs in relation to building edges, roof lines, tenant party walls, windows, doors and other building features as well as in relation to all lot lines, street lines, sidewalks and drives;
(3) Construction materials for the signs and sign structure, as well as method of attachment; and
(4) Type, intensity, placement and shielding of illumination.
(d) Billboards. For billboard applications requiring approval by the State of Ohio, no permit shall be issued by the City prior to submission by the applicant of the approved State permit. In addition, an application for a billboard shall indicate all existing billboards located within a distance of one thousand (1,000) feet or, for a billboard to be placed along a freeway, all existing billboards within a distance of two thousand (2,000) feet. Any application for placement of a billboard along a freeway shall include the name, address and phone number of the company that owns the billboard, including the owners of said company, the name of the company that owns the land where the billboard is located and the name and phone number of a contact person responsible for maintenance of the sign and its site. This information shall be updated and sent to the Clerk of Council by January 31 and July 31 of every year.
(e) Temporary Signs. Where required, a permit for a temporary sign shall be issued for a period not exceeding six (6) months unless another display period is specified in Section 350.12 or in other applicable sections of the Codified Ordinances. Permits for real estate and development signs shall be issued for a period not exceeding one (1) year but may be renewed while construction or marketing is pursued diligently. Development signs shall be removed immediately upon placement of a permanent identification sign.
(Ord. No. 846-12. Passed 9-23-13, eff. 9-27-13)
Sign face area, sign height and sign location, as regulated in this chapter, shall be measured according to the following standards:
(a) Sign Face Area. Standards to compute the amount of sign face area permitted by these regulations are established as follows:
(1) Measurement of Sign Face Area.
A. Panel Signs. Sign face area shall be measured to include the entire surface of the smallest single rectangle enclosing the sign panel. For double- sided projecting or free-standing signs, only one (1) side of the panel shall be included in the measurement if the two (2) sign faces are in parallel arrangement and are separated by no more than three (3) feet. Measurement of a “V-shaped” temporary sign shall also include only one (1) of the two (2) sign faces.
B. Non-Panel Signs. Sign face area shall be measured to include the entire area within a single, continuous perimeter composed of not more than three (3) rectangles which enclose the letters or characters of a sign.
(2) Measurement of Building and Lot Frontage. The frontage of a building shall be the width of the facade(s) of the building (excluding any roof overhang or non-bearing decorative walls) which faces the principal street or contains the main entrance. If a building is divided into units, the building unit frontage shall be the width of that unit, as measured from the party wall center-lines, on the frontage of the building. The frontage of a lot shall be the width of the lot along the principal street serving a use located on the lot.
(3) Measurement of Temporary Window Sign Coverage. In determining the percentage of window area covered by temporary signs (as defined in divisions (e)(11) and (f)(13) of Section 350.03), each facade or side of the building shall be considered separately. Window area shall be measured to include all windows and the glass portions of doors but shall exclude all such area covered by permanent signs or other opaque material.
(b) Sign Height. The height of free-standing signs shall be measured from the base of the sign at its point of attachment to the ground to its topmost element. However, if the support of a free-standing sign is attached to a wall or other man-made base, including a graded earth mound, the sign height shall be measured from the grade of the nearest street, drive or parking area, as determined by the Building Commissioner.
(c) Sign Location. In determining the location of signs in relation to lot lines (including setback, district and street right-of-way lines), distances shall be measured from the vertical projection of the lot line to the closest point on the sign. For corner lots, two (2) lot lines shall be considered street right-of-way lines.
(Ord. No. 3076-A-89. Passed 12-10-90, eff. 12-20-90)
The following types of signs are prohibited in all zoning districts:
(b) Signs imitating or resembling official traffic or government signs and signals;
(c) Signs attached to trees, rocks or natural formations or public property including but not limited to utility poles, benches, trash containers and parking meters, except as specifically authorized by the City;
(Ord. No. 1282-06. Passed 11-27-06, eff. 1-6-07)
Signs may be illuminated only in accordance with the following regulations:
(a) Controls. Sign illumination shall be designed and placed so as not to cause glare which may result in traffic hazards or which may interfere with the customary use of nearby residences.
(c) Districts. In Residential Districts, only nameplates and bulletin boards may be illuminated. All signs in non-residential districts may be illuminated.
(d) Electronic Message Centers. Signs displaying electronically-changing or animated messages (as defined in division (f)(2) of Section 350.03) are permitted as specified in the “schedules” referenced in division (b) of Section 350.14 and division (b) of Section 350.15 and as permitted in Section 350.161 governing wall murals.
(Ord. No. 1282-06. Passed 11-27-06, eff. 1-6-07)
The following regulations regarding the location and placement of signs are generally applicable to all zoning districts:
(a) Vertical Clearance. The lowest element of any sign which occupies the vertical space above a pedestrian or vehicular way and is designed to permit traffic thereunder shall be at least ten (10) feet above the finished grade of a sidewalk or other pedestrian way and at least sixteen (16) feet above the finished grade of a pavement used for vehicular traffic if such sign is located within eighteen (18) inches of the vertical projection of the pavement edge. Awnings or canopies displaying signs shall meet the clearance standards of Chapter 3113 of the Building Code.
(b) Visibility at Intersections. Signs shall be located and designed so as to maintain a substantially clear view between two and one-half (2.5) feet and eight (8) feet above grade in a triangle formed by intersecting street right-of-way lines and a line thirty (30) feet from the point where the street lines intersect. At the intersection of a driveway and a public street, such triangle shall be defined by the street right-of-way line, the driveway pavement edge and a line ten (10) feet from the point of intersection.
(c) Relation to Specific or Setback Building Lines. A free-standing identification or business sign located in front of a “Specific or Setback Building Line” or in a front yard area shall be set within a curbed, planted island or area a minimum of one hundred (100) square feet in area. (See also divisions 350.13(b), 350.14(c) and 350.15(c)).
(d) Relation to Traffic Devices. Unless regulated otherwise in the Traffic Code of the City, signs shall not be erected so as to obstruct sight lines along any public way or so as to obstruct sight lines to traffic control lights, street name signs at intersections or signals at railroad grade crossings. Signs visible from the sight lines along a street shall not contain symbols or words such as “stop”, “go”, “slow”, etc., or red, yellow or green lights that resemble highway traffic control devices.
(e) Projecting Signs. A projecting sign shall not extend above the wall to which it is attached, shall extend horizontally no more than four (4) feet from the wall surface, shall not extend closer than two (2) feet to a curb, and shall not be located within four (4) feet of an interior side lot line or party wall. The two (2) sign faces of a projecting sign shall be separated by no more than two (2) feet.
(f) Wall Signs. A wall sign shall not extend above the wall to which it is attached, and such sign shall be set back from the ends of the building or party wall lines a minimum distance of six (6) inches. A wall sign mounted on a vertically-oriented roof surface (as defined in division (f)(12) of Section 350.03) shall not extend above the top of such surface.
(g) Canopy Signs. A sign which is attached to the fascia of a canopy shall not extend beyond the edges of that surface.
(h) Roof Signs. A roof sign shall be set back from the ends of the building or party wall lines a minimum distance of two (2) feet.
(Ord. No. 3076-A-89. Passed 12-10-90, eff. 12-20-90)
In order to provide information to the highway traveler, a retail business located in proximity to a freeway interchange shall be permitted one (1) additional free-standing identification sign in accordance with the following regulations:
(a) Distance from Interchange. The use to which the sign refers shall be located within six hundred sixty (660) feet (one-eighth (1/8) mile) of the nearest freeway exit ramp, measured from the intersection of the center lines of the exit ramp and the public street to the nearest property line of the use.
(b) Height. The height of such sign shall not exceed eighty (80) feet above grade level at the base of the sign structure.
(c) Size. Sign face area shall not exceed two hundred and twenty-five (225) square feet and shall be permitted in addition to sign face area otherwise permitted for the property.
(d) Sign Location. Signs shall be located on the business premises and shall be set back a minimum of five (5) feet from the freeway right-of-way, ten (10) feet from other street right-of-way lines, twenty-five (25) feet from interior lot lines and fifty (50) feet from Residential District lines. Such sign shall be oriented for readability principally from the freeway.
(e) Retail Business. For purposes of this section “retail businesses” shall include all non-residential uses permitted in the General Retail zoning district.
(Ord. No. 3076-A-89. Passed 12-10-90, eff. 12-20-90)
Billboards, as defined in division (e)(1) of Section 350.03, shall be permitted only in accordance with the following regulations and other applicable regulations of this chapter:
(a) Zoning Districts. Billboards shall be permitted only in General Industry and Unrestricted Industry Districts, except that billboards directed at any angle toward a freeway may be permitted in Semi- Industry Districts. Billboards shall not be permitted in Cleveland Landmark Districts, Public Land Protective Districts. Business Revitalization Districts or on the opposite side of any street bordering such districts. No billboards shall be permitted on the cast side of State Route 176 (the Jennings Freeway) and only one (1) billboard shall be permitted on the west side of State Route 176 (the Jennings Freeway).
(b) Sign Types. Billboards shall be permitted as either free-standing or wall signs, unless otherwise restricted in these Codified Ordinances. In General Industry and Unrestricted Industry districts, billboards shall also be permitted as roof signs not exceeding permitted building height and meeting the standards of division (h) of Section 350.08.
(c) Size. Billboard sign panels shall not exceed eight hundred and twenty (820) square feet in area and shall be further limited in size by the setback regulations in divisions (g) and (h) of this section. For purposes of determining required setbacks, the measurement of sign panel area shall exclude “extensions” projecting beyond the otherwise rectangular or standard geometric panel dimensions, provided that these extensions do not exceed twenty- one percent (21%) of such standard panel area.
(d) Height. The maximum height of a billboard above the roadway surface to which it is oriented shall be fifty (50) feet. However, in no case shall the height of the billboard as measured from the grade of the lot on which it is placed exceed the maximum permitted height for main buildings.
(e) Spacing. Along freeways, the minimum distance between billboards located on one (1) side of the road shall be fourteen hundred (1,400) feet. Along freeways, the minimum distance between billboards located on opposite sides of the road and visible to approaching traffic shall have a minimum spacing of five hundred (500) feet. Along other roads, such distance shall be seven hundred fifty (750) feet between two (2) billboards which are each less than one hundred (100) square feet in area and shall be one thousand (1,000) feet in all other instances. Except for double-sided (“back-to-back”) billboard panels, not more than one (1) billboard panel may be located on a single structure.
(f) Distance from Street Lines. Billboards shall be located behind the required building setback lines of the lots on which they are located. In addition, billboards shall be located a minimum distance of twenty-five (25) feet measured in any direction from the point of intersection of the right-of-way lines of two (2) intersecting streets.
(g) Distance from Zoning District Lines. Billboards located along streets other than freeways shall be set back at least two hundred (200) feet from Residential, Local Retail and General Retail District lines. For such billboard panels exceeding three hundred eighty (380) square feet in area, all minimum setbacks from zoning district lines shall be increased one (1) foot for each one (1) additional square foot of sign panel area. Billboards along freeways shall be set back at least fifty (50) feet from Residential, Local Retail, and General Retail District lines.
(h) Distance from Bridges Not on Freeways and from Parkways. A billboard directed at any angle toward a bridge, not on a freeway or toward a bridge not on a freeway or toward a parkway shall be set back from the outer pavement edge a minimum of one (1) foot for each one (1) square foot of sign panel area. However, the minimum such setback shall be three hundred thirty (330) feet. Furthermore, as required by State regulations, no billboard may be located within five hundred (500) feet of the interchange of a freeway, as measured along the right edge of the main traveled roadway in the direction of travel from the beginning or ending of pavement widening at the exit or entrance to the freeway.
(i) Distance from Freeways. A billboard directed at any angle toward a freeway shall be located outside of the freeway right-of-way, but in no case closer than fifty (50) feet from the freeway pavement edge.
(j) Illumination. Billboards shall be illuminated only by means of continuous reflected light. Internally- illuminated or back-lit billboards shall not be permitted. Billboards shall not include automatic changeable copy signs (i.e., electronic message centers) as defined in division (f)(2) of Section 350.03.
(k) Referral to City Planning Department. Any Building Permit application for installation of a new billboard shall be referred to the Director of the City Planning Department for a determination of compliance with the location, spacing and setback regulations of this section. In making this determination, the Director and staff of the Department shall utilize a map maintained by the Department showing locations of existing billboards, zoning districts and other information necessary to make such determination.
(l) Nonconforming Billboards. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 350.19, a legal nonconforming billboard may be replaced or may be reconstructed to an extent greater than otherwise permitted if the City Planning Commission determines that such replacement or reconstruction will satisfy the following conditions:
(1) Site and Design Improvements. The site of the new or reconstructed billboard shall be landscaped and otherwise improved, through use of an ornamental base or frame, a streamlined support structure, or similar features effective in improving the appearance of the site. At a minimum, evergreen shrubs, at least three (3) feet in height at the time of planting and four (4) feet in height after two (2) growing seasons, shall be planted at maximum intervals of four (4) feet along any side of the base of the billboard oriented toward a public street. Such planting shall extend at least the full width of the billboard panel. In addition, all portions of the parcel(s) of land on which the billboard site is located shall be planted with grass or other suitable vegetative ground cover between the billboard and all public streets abutting the parcel(s).
(2) Degree of Nonconformity. The new or reconstructed billboard shall be no greater in size, height, number of panels, or any panel dimension than is the existing billboard, nor shall the new or reconstructed billboard be less conforming to any zoning regulation than is the existing billboard, except that a panel or sign face may be added to the back of a billboard where previously there had been no panel or sign face.
(3) Location. The new or reconstructed billboard shall be placed in precisely the same location as the existing billboard unless the City Planning Commission determines that a different location on the same parcel of land would be more effective in meeting the intent of the sign regulations, as stated in Section 350.01.
(4) Sign Type. With respect to the “sign types” defined in division (f) of Section 350.03, the new or reconstructed billboard shall be the same type as the existing billboard unless the City Planning Commission determines that a different sign type would be more compatible with the subject property or nearby properties.
(5) Changeable Copy. The new or reconstructed billboard may incorporate automatic changeable copy only if such copy is limited to a single billboard panel or two (2) back-to-back billboard panels and only if each such panel replaces two (2) or more billboard panels on a single parcel of property or two (2) or more billboard panels on adjacent properties. The replacement billboard panel shall not be larger than any of the billboard panels it is replacing. In the case of a sign utilizing changeable copy, each message shall remain fixed for at least eight (8) seconds.
(Ord. No. 1233-15. Passed 11-9-15, eff. 11-11-15)
Political signs, as defined in division (e)(9) of Section 350.03, shall be permitted in addition to otherwise permitted signs and sign area and only in accordance with the following regulations and other applicable regulations of this chapter:
(a) Location. Political signs shall not be placed on any public property, public right-of-way, utility pole, bridge or bridge abutment. The location of political signs on private property is further prescribed in this chapter by the regulations for each zoning district.
(b) Number and Area. The maximum size of any political sign shall be eight (8) square feet if located in a Residential District and sixty-four (64) square feet if located in a non-residential district. In no case shall the total area of all free-standing political signs on a lot exceed sixty-four (64) square feet, except for a lot on which billboards are permitted. In such a case, political signs may be displayed in accordance with the regulations for billboards in Section 350.10.
(c) Substitution. In addition to the specifically authorized political signs, political messages may be displayed in place of commercial messages on any permitted billboard or other permitted permanent sign.
(Ord. No. 3076-A-89. Passed 12-10-90, eff. 12-20-90)
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