A. Sign Area Measurement. For the purpose of determining compliance with this Chapter, the measurement of sign area is as follows.
1. For a three-dimensional canister sign, the two-dimensional area within the outer edges of the sign canister.
2. For a sign with two-dimensional (e.g., painted) or three-dimensional (e.g., raised) characters, and with a background that is indistinguishable in appearance from the entire two-dimensional surface of the building or structure on which the sign is displayed, the aggregate surface area of all of the sign characters.
3. For a sign with two-dimensional or three-dimensional characters, and with a background that is distinguishable in appearance from the two-dimensional surface of the building or structure on which the sign is displayed, the area within the edges of the distinguishable background area, plus the aggregate surface area of any sign characters that fall outside of the distinguishable background area.
4. For two or more signs on the same two-dimensional surface, or on the same wall segment, the aggregate area of each sign.
5. For cylindrical, spherical, and similar curved-surface signs, the area equal to one-half the total surface area.
6. Supporting framework or bracing that is clearly incidental to the display itself shall not be computed as sign area.
B. Sign Height Measurement. Sign height shall be measured as the vertical distance from the lowest point of the base of the sign structure to the highest point of the sign. The lowest point of the sign structure shall not include fill, planters, or other material artificially placed to allow increased sign height. See Figure 3-12 (Sign Height Measurement) below.
C. Sign Location Requirements. All signs identifying an occupant, business, or use shall be located on the same site as the occupant, business, or use.
D. Aesthetic Design Standards.
1. Compatibility.
a. All signs shall be architecturally compatible with, and integrally related to, the design features of the buildings, structures and premises on which they are displayed.
b. In assessing compatibility, the style, color, material, lighting and other components and features of signs, including their support elements, decorative embellishments, and the buildings, structures and premises on which the signs are displayed, shall be taken into account.
2. Support elements. The support elements for all signs shall appear to be free of any angle iron, bracing, guy wires or similar features.
3. Preferred sign features. Signs with the following design features are preferred by the City:
a. Non-illuminated backgrounds for any interior illuminated canister sign, or indistinguishable backgrounds for wall and canopy signs that are not interior-illuminated.
b. Channel letters, neon script and similar three-dimensional, interior-illuminated sign characters, with a background that is not distinguishable from the building.
c. Signs with backlit characters.
E. Sign Illumination.
1. External light sources shall be directed and shielded to limit direct illumination of any object other than the sign.
2. Sign lighting shall not be of an intensity or brightness that will create a nuisance for residential properties in a direct line of sight to the sign.
3. Signs shall not use colored lights or other design elements that may be confused with or mistaken for traffic-control devices.
4. All bulbs and incandescent lamps that exceed 15 watts shall not be used on the exterior surface of signs in such a way that the face of the bulb or lamp is visible from a public right-of-way or adjacent property.
5. Light sources shall utilize energy-efficient fixtures to the greatest extent possible.
6. All lighting aimed at the exterior surface of a sign to illuminate it shall be provided with opaque deflection or shielding devices, as determined necessary by the Director to prevent the lighting source from glaring or shining onto adjacent properties and public rights-of-way.
7. String lights with light bulbs exceeding one watt shall be prohibited exterior to a building, except in connection with allowable holiday signs and displays, or as may be allowed in connection with special or temporary events.
8. Beacon and strobe lights shall be prohibited, excluding aircraft warning lights required by the Federal Aviation Agency.
9. Exterior klieg lights (search lights) shall be allowed by permit issued by the Police Department, pursuant to this Title, for grand openings, special events and other promotions.
F. Installation.
1. In conjunction with replacement or modification of an existing sign, any newly exposed portions of a building or structure on which the sign is displayed shall be repaired and repainted, as necessary to restore a uniform appearance to the building surface or structure, prior to final inspection approval of the replacement or modified sign.
Compliance with this requirement shall include the removal of any excess conduit and supports, and the patching or filling of any exposed holes.
2. The electrical conduit and all raceways from a sign to its power source shall be concealed within the interior of the building, or otherwise obscured from view, in a manner approved by the Director.
G. Maintenance Standards. The following maintenance standards shall be continually met for all signs within the City.
1. Maintenance of a sign shall include periodic cleaning, replacement of flickering, burned out or broken light bulbs, mending or replacement of any faded, peeled, cracked or otherwise damaged or broken parts thereof, and other activities as necessary to comply with the purpose and intent of this Chapter.
2. Maintenance shall include repainting of a painted sign that has faded, or that is on a building or structure that is repainted, provided that the repainted sign is identical to the former sign in message content, size and location on the building or structure.
3. Special and routine maintenance shall be caused to be practiced as necessary by the owner or occupant of premises, at the owner's or occupant's expense, regardless of the cause of the state of disrepair of the sign, or of the occupancy-vacancy status of the premises.
(Ord. No. 2005-007 § 1 (part))