(A) Permitted sign budget. The permitted sign budget is the square footage of the area allowed for permanent signage on the premises. The permitted sign budget is a function of the property’s frontage on a street or private way. To calculate the permitted sign budget of a property, follow the instructions below:
(1) Identify the zoning of the premises;
(2) Measure the total street frontage as the length of a premises fronting a public or private street (excluding alleys). See the figure in (A)(4)(b) below following the Zoning District table. For multiple frontage properties, the total street frontage shall be calculated as the longest street frontage, plus one-half the length of all additional street frontages;
(3) Determine the calculated permitted sign budget by multiplying the total street frontage length by the zoning district multiplier found in the table in division (A)(4)(b) below; and
(4) Find the permitted sign budget by using the lesser of the calculated permitted sign budget or maximum permitted sign budget shown in the table in division (A)(4)(b) below. Compare the calculated permitted sign budget in Step 3 to the maximum permitted sign budget for the premise’s zoning district:
(a) If the calculated permitted sign budget, in Step 3, is over the maximum permitted sign budget shown in the table in division (A)(4)(b) below than the permitted sign budget is limited to the maximum permitted sign budget; and
(b) If the calculated permitted sign budget, in Step 3, is under the maximum permitted sign budget shown in the table below than the permitted sign budget is greater of the calculated permitted sign budget or the allowable minimum.
Zoning Districts | |||||||||
AG | RR | R-1, R-2 | R-3, NTR | O, LC | UC | Downtown Business District | B-1, B-2 | ML/C- 1, MH | |
Multiplier for calculated permitted sign budget | 0.5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0.5 | 0.75 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 2 |
Allowable minimum permitted sign budget (in square feet) | 4 RU, 100 NRU | 4 RU, 25 NRU | 4 RU, 25 NRU | 150 | 200 | 400 | 250 | 400 | 400 |
Maximum permitted sign budget (in square feet) | 4 RU, 100 NRU | 4 RU, 25 NRU | 4 RU, 25 NRU | 150 RU, 300 NRU | 400 | 800 | 500 | 800 | 800 |
Notes: RU: Residential uses includes all residential uses plus permitted home based businesses and excludes multi-family and non-traditional residential use types. NRU: Non-residential uses includes all non- residential uses plus multi- family and non- traditional residential use types. | |||||||||
(B) Sign area. Sign area is measured or calculated as follows:
(1) For a wall sign with background panel, the background panel area shall be calculated by measuring the area contained within the sum of the smallest rectangles, squares, triangles, parallelograms, circles or ellipses that comprises the background panel.
(2) (a) For a wall sign without background panel, the area of a sign consisting of copy mounted as individual letters or graphics against a wall, fascia or parapet of a building surface or another surface, which has not been painted, textured or otherwise altered to provide a distinctive background for the sign copy.
(b) This area shall be measured as the sum of the smallest rectangles, squares, triangles, parallelograms, circles or ellipses that will enclose each letter, word, graphic or discrete visual element in the total sign.
(3) Sign with illuminated background, the area of a sign with copy mounted, affixed or painted on an illuminated surface, illuminated element or a building or structure, is measured as the entire illuminated surface or illuminated element which contains sign copy.
(4) Signs with two or more faces, where a sign has two or more faces, the area of all faces shall be included in determining the area of the sign, except that only one face of a double-faced sign shall be considered in determining the sign area when both faces are parallel and the farthest distance between faces does not exceed four feet, or when the interior angle of the sign faces does not exceed 15 degrees if the boards are in a “V.” See the figure below for a graphic representation.
(C) Measurement of sign height. The height of a detached sign shall be measured as the vertical distance from the average finished grade of the ground below the sign, excluding any filling, berming, mounding or excavating for the purposes of increasing the height of the sign, to the top edge of the highest portion of the sign. The maximum height allowed for a detached sign is shown in the table in § 151.263(A).
(1) For the purposes of this section, average finished grade shall be considered the lower of:
(a) The lowest elevation where the base of the sign meets ground level;
(b) The top of the curb of the nearest public street adjoining the property upon which the sign is erected; or
(c) The grade of the land at the principal entrance to the lot on which the sign is located.
(2) See the figure below for measurement of sign height graphic.
(Ord. 23-09, passed 8-21-2023)