§ 350.14 Signs for Retail Districts

   Signs for uses in University Retail, Local Retail, General Retail and Shopping Center Districts shall be permitted as regulated below:

   (a)   Maximum Sign Face Area (Retail). The maximum sign face area of all permanent building- mounted signs for each building or unit thereof shall be related to the width of the building or unit. (For lots without buildings or with unusually small buildings, see division (d) of Section 350.20.) Maximum sign face area, excluding the area of free-standing signs, shall be determined according to the measurement standards of Section 350.05 and the following formula where “W” is the width of frontage (in feet) of the building or unit thereof: (W × 1.5) + 25 = Square Feet of Signage.

   (b)   Permitted Types, Number, Area and Height (Retail). Signs by use and structural type are permitted only in accordance with the regulations presented in the schedule of Permitted Types, Number, Area and Height (Retail). Sign types not listed are prohibited except for political signs which are permitted as regulated in Section 350.11. (All signs are permanent unless listed as temporary).

Schedule of Permitted Types, Number, Area, & Height
(Retail)

Signs by Use Type	Signs by Structural Type
	Free-Standing	Wall	Window	Canopy	Projecting
Identification or Business 2, 3	#: 1 per lot 4	SF: As regulated by formula		#: 1 per building unit	#: 1 per building unit
	SF: 50 1			SF: 6 if hanging from soffit	SF: 12
	Ht: 12 ft. - Local Retail Districts
	25 ft. - Other Retail Districts
Directional & Information 5	#: Minimum necessary as approved by Building Commissioner				Not Permitted
	SF: 4	SF: 4	SF: 4	SF: 4
	Ht: 3 ft.
Real Estate (Temporary)	#: 1 per street frontage	#: 1 per building side	#: 1 per building unit	Not Permitted	Not Permitted
	SF: 48	SF: 48	SF: 12
	Ht: 10 ft.
Development 6 (Temporary)	#: 2 per lot (total)			Not Permitted	Not Permitted
	SF: 96	SF: 96	SF: 12
	Ht: 12 ft.
Temporary (Excluding Real Estate and Development)	As permitted in Section 350.12		SF: 25% of window area	As permitted in Section 350.12
#: Maximum number of signs SF: Maximum sign area (in square ft.) per side of each sign Ht: Maximum height for free-standing signs and roof signs Sign Area Formula: (W × 1.5) + 25 = square feet
1   Except 75 sq. ft. maximum for establishments with a building frontage of 100-200 ft. and 100 sq. ft. maximum for establishments with a building frontage exceeding 200 ft. For shopping centers, see Section 350.14(d).    2   Identification or business signs using animation, electronically-changeable copy or flashing lights are specifically prohibited for “adult entertainment uses,” as defined in Section 347.07(b).    3   Identification and business signs using animation or electronically-changeable copy are permitted in Local Retail Districts subject to the provisions of division (h) of this section, General Retail Districts and Shopping Center districts as free-standing, wall or window signs and, for theatres, also as canopy signs.    4   See division (b) of Section 350.20.    5   For hospitals, colleges and other public facilities and institutions, directional and information signs may be permitted to a maximum area of 12 sq. ft. and a maximum height of 6 ft. as necessary in the determination of the Building Commissioner.    6   In Local Retail Districts, wall and free-standing development signs shall be limited to 48 sq. ft. and 10 ft. in height (for free-standing signs).

 

   (c)   Location (Retail). Free-standing signs as permitted for retail uses shall conform with the location regulations presented in the Schedule of Location Regulations (Retail) in addition to the regulations of Section 350.08.

Schedule of Location Regulations (Retail)
Free-Standing Sign Types

 

Minimum Distance From	Identification/ Business	Real Estate & Development	Information & Political	Directional
Residential District Line	25 ft.	25 ft.	5 ft.	5 ft.
Street R.O.W. Line(s)	3 ft.	3 ft.	3 ft.	1 ft.
Side & Rear Lot Lines	5 ft.	5 ft.	5 ft.	5 ft.

 

   (d)   Shopping Centers. For purposes of this chapter, three (3) or more retail businesses located on a single lot and served by common parking or common vehicular entrances shall be classified as a “shopping center” and shall be permitted one (1) free-standing identification sign and one (1) wall identification sign in addition to other permitted signs and in accordance with the following regulations:

      (1)   Display of Information. Each shopping center identification sign shall display only the name of the center and the name of not more than one (1) business located within the center, except that, with approval of the council member whose ward is affected as expressed by an ordinance or resolution of Council, for any shopping center with retail floor area exceeding one hundred fifty thousand (150,000) square feet, excluding “outlots” with separate free-standing signs, such sign may display the names of not more than two (2) businesses located within the center.

      (2)   Size. The maximum sign face area of a shopping center identification sign shall equal twenty (20) square feet for each ten thousand (10,000) square feet of gross floor area but shall not exceed one hundred twenty-five (125) square feet. All shopping centers, however, shall be permitted a sign of at least fifty (50) square feet.

      (3)   Other Regulations. All other regulations of this chapter applicable to identification signs shall apply to a shopping center identification sign.

      (4)   Other Signs. A lot displaying a shopping center identification sign may display no other free- standing identification or business signs.

      (5)   Secondary Frontages and Entrances. One (1) additional shopping center identification freestanding sign and one (1) additional shopping center identification wall sign shall be permitted for a shopping center with more than one (1) vehicular entrance, provided that such signs meet the requirements of division (b) of Section 350.20.

      (6)   Outlots. If a vehicular entrance or parking lot of a shopping center also serves a use located on a separate lot (i.e., “out lot”), the free- standing identification or business sign permitted for such lot shall be limited to a maximum of twenty-five (25) square feet in area and seven (7) feet in height.

      (7)   Design Review. No sign identifying a shopping center or identifying two (2) or more businesses within a shopping center and no permanent identification sign of any type located within a designated Shopping Center District shall be erected or altered in appearance without the approval of the City Planning Commission or its Director. In considering such approval, the Commission shall seek to ensure that the signs demonstrate a high degree of graphic and architectural quality, legibility, and design compatibility with the shopping center, its signage and nearby development.

      (8)   Consolidation of Free-Standing Signs. In the case of a shopping center with more than the number of signs allowed under this chapter, which signs were legally established prior to the effective date of this ordinance, a new free-standing sign identifying two (2) or more businesses may be erected if the following conditions are met:

         A.   The new multi-tenant sign shall display the name of the shopping center and tenant names no greater in number than the tenant names currently displayed on free-standing signs in the shopping center, but in no case shall more than six (6) tenant names be displayed on such sign;

         B.   All other free-standing business identification signs on the shopping center property shall be removed prior to erection of the new sign, except that conforming signs permitted for outlots may be retained;

         C.   The sign does not exceed twelve (12) feet in height;

         D.   The council member whose ward is affected approves, as expressed by an ordinance or resolution of Council.

   (e)   Gasoline Service Stations. Signs for gasoline service stations shall conform with all regulations of this chapter except for the maximum sign area regulations of division (a) of Section 350.14 and any regulations which directly conflict with the regulations stated below:

      (1)   Free-Standing Business Sign. Each station shall be permitted one (1) permanent free- standing business signs, with total sign face area of the panel or panels not exceeding one hundred (100) square feet. Such sign shall be limited to identifying the company name, management, fuel prices, and services offered.

      (2)   Signs at Service Islands. Stations shall be permitted information signs at fuel or other service islands which display information regarding type of service or are necessary in directing or instructing the motorist who has entered the station area. Signs not extending beyond the edges of fuel pumps are permitted and shall not be counted as business identification signs.

      (3)   Wall and Canopy Signs. Each station shall be permitted permanent identifications, business, directional and information signs displayed as wall or canopy signs and not exceeding one hundred (100) square feet in combined area. Non-opaque internally- illuminated canopy surfaces (“fascia”) shall be considered as sign panels for purposes of sign area measurement.

      (4)   Temporary Signs. Temporary signs shall be permitted in accordance with the regulations of Section 350.12.

   (f)   Drive-Through Restaurants. For restaurants providing direct service to customers in motor vehicles, one (1) free-standing or wall-mounted “menu board” sign (limited to information regarding the restaurant’s menu and related instructions) shall be permitted for each drive-through lane in addition to signs and sign area otherwise permitted. Such sign shall not exceed forty (40) square feet in area and six (6) feet in height and shall meet setback regulations applicable to free- standing identification signs (as specified in division (c) of this section).

   (g)   Regulations for Larger Projecting Signs. A projecting sign may exceed the otherwise maximum permitted size of twelve (12) square feet and the otherwise maximum permitted projection of four (4) feet from a building wall if such sign meets the following standards:

      (1)   Such sign shall be set back from the closest interior side lot line and the closest tenant party wall line at least one (1) foot for each one (1) square foot of sign area;

      (2)   Such sign shall in no case exceed thirty- six (36) square feet in area nor eight (8) feet in projection from the building wall and shall be set back at least two (2) feet from the outer edge of any street curb;

      (3)   No Building Permit shall be issued for such sign without approval of the City Planning Commission, which shall consider the design quality of the sign and its compatibility with the design character of the subject property and surrounding properties. In addition to considering such general design factors as placement, proportions, color, materials, and consistency with signs to be seen as a series, the City Planning Commission may specifically require use of non-rectangular, custom-shaped panels, exposed neon or reflected lighting, unobtrusive support structures, narrow-profile sign cabinets, or other design features necessary to ensure that a larger projecting sign will enhance the appearance of the building on which it is placed and the district in which it is located;

      (4)   At least five (5) working days prior to the City Planning Commission meeting at which approval under the regulations of this division will be considered, written notice shall be provided to the City Council member in whose ward the proposed sign is to be located.

   (h)   Automatic Changeable Copy Signs in Local Retail Districts. Automatic changeable copy signs shall be permitted in a Local Retail District only if the Board of Zoning Appeals grants a Variance in accordance with the following standards.

      (1)   The Board of Zoning Appeals determines that the proposed sign will not adversely impact the character of nearby properties and will not cause disturbances to users of those properties.

      (2)   The design and placement of the sign has been approved by the City Planning Commission or Landmarks Commission, as applicable, in accordance with the general design guidelines established for use by each Commission.

      (3)   Each display of information shall remain static or fixed for a minimum of twenty (20) seconds, thereby prohibiting flashing, scrolling, animated or other copy that gives the appearance of motion, unless the City Planning Commission or Landmarks Commission, as applicable, determines that animated or more frequently changing displays can be accommodated in a particular location without causing disturbances to nearby properties.

   (i)   Supplemental Regulations. Signs in Retail Districts shall also conform to regulations of Section 350.20.

(Ord. No. 934-10. Passed 5-16-11, eff. 5-20-11)