(a) In general.
(1) This section applies to all attached private signs, except retaining wall signs and tenant identity signs. The only provision of this section that applies to building identification signs is Paragraph (5) of this subsection. For the regulations governing building identification signs, see Section 51A-7.2109. For the regulations governing retaining wall signs in the One Arts Plaza Subdistrict, see Section 51A-7.2110. For the regulations governing retaining wall signs and tenant identity signs in the Two Arts Plaza and Three Arts Plaza Subdistrict, see Section 51A-7.2111.
(2) No sign may project above the building cornice area.
(3) At-grade structural supports are prohibited.
(4) No establishment may have a mix of awning signs, projecting attached signs, flat attached signs, and/or marquee signs, except that awning signs may be mixed with flat attached signs.
(5) The total effective area of all attached private signs on a facade may not exceed 30 percent of the facade area. Projecting attached signs are not included in these effective area calculations.
(b) Awning signs.
(1) This subsection applies only to awning signs as defined in Section 51A-7.2103.
(2) Letters and numbers on these signs must:
(A) be parallel or perpendicular to the front building facade; and
(B) not exceed 18 inches in height.
(3) No letters or numbers are allowed on the sloped top of an awning except as part of an official corporate logo or registered trademark. No more than 50 percent of the total sloped awning surface area may contain graphics.
(4) No words, other than those which are part of the basic awning design pattern, are permitted on awnings located above the second story.
(5) No sign may have flashing or sequenced lighting.
(c) Flat attached signs.
(1) This subsection applies only to flat attached signs as defined in Section 51A-7.2103.
(2) These signs are not permitted above the third story of a building.
(3) No sign may have a length that exceeds 70 percent of the length of the frontage of the establishment with which it is associated. Signs associated with the same establishment must be spaced at least 30 feet apart. No sign may exceed 60 square feet in effective area.
(4) The maximum character heights allowed on these signs are:
(A) 18 inches for signs located below the third story; and
(B) 24 inches for third-story signs.
(5) No sign cabinets are permitted. Adequate clear space for staging characters must be provided. In no event may the character height exceed 60 percent of the vertical dimension of the sign. The sides of three-dimensional characters, if any, must be the same color as their faces.
(6) No sign may contain more than five words.
(7) Sources of sign illumination that are an integral part of the design of the sign, such as neon or small individual incandescent lamps, are permitted. These signs may be protected by transparent covers.
(8) Internally-lit plastic translucent signs are prohibited.
(9) No sign may have flashing or sequenced lighting.
(d) Marquee signs.
(1) This subsection applies only to marquee signs as defined in Section 51A-7.2103.
(2) These signs are only allowed in conjunction with establishments that have as their major use movies or live entertainment productions.
(3) The permanent canopy of which this sign is a part must:
(A) project no more than six feet from the building facade;
(B) be a minimum of ten feet above the sidewalk grade;
(C) have a vertical dimension that does not exceed four feet; and
(D) have a horizontal dimension along the building facade that does not exceed 30 feet.
(4) The total effective area of signs on the permanent canopy must not exceed 120 square feet.
(5) No sign may:
(A) project more than three feet from the permanent canopy;
(B) extend vertically more than 30 feet above the canopy height; or
(C) be more than three feet in width.
(6) Messages with characters over eight inches in height are limited to a maximum of five words on each canopy facade. Messages with characters under eight inches in height have no limit on the number of words. Character height must not exceed 60 percent of the vertical dimension of the permanent canopy, or 24 inches, whichever is less.
(7) Only the name of the establishment with which the sign is associated may appear on that portion of the sign located above the permanent canopy.
(8) Display panels that announce a show or event may have plastic characters on an internally-lit background.
(9) These signs may turn on or off or change their brightness. The restrictions contained in Section 51A-7.303(b)(1) do not apply to these signs. Flashing and sequenced lighting are permitted.
(e) Projecting attached signs.
(1) This subsection applies only to projecting attached signs as defined in Section 51A-7.2103.
(2) These signs must be a minimum of ten feet above grade.
(3) These signs must be located in either the bottom, top, or combined envelope depicted graphically in the diagram that is Exhibit B in Division 51A-7.1200. Restrictions on the size and location of each sign depend on which envelope the sign is located in as follows:
Bottom Envelope
|
Top Envelope
|
Combined Envelope
| |
Maximum projection allowed from building facade | 6 ft. | 3 ft. | 3 ft. |
Maximum vertical dimension allowed | 10 ft. | 20 ft. | 30 ft. |
Maximum effective area allowed for each sign face* | 30 sq. ft. | 40 sq. ft. | 45 sq. ft. |
*Double this amount to compute the total effective area allowed for both sides of the sign. | |||
(4) If their characters are eight inches or less in height, these signs are not restricted as to the number of words permitted. Signs with characters more than eight inches in height are limited to five words. No character may exceed 12 inches in height if the message area exceeds 60 percent of the sign surface area.
(5) One sign is allowed above each entrance provided that signs associated with the same establishment are spaced at least 30 feet apart.
(6) No sign may be more than 12 inches thick. All messages on these signs must be located on a sign face that is perpendicular to the front building facade.
(7) No illuminated sign or element of a sign may turn on or off or change its brightness.
(8) Sources of sign illumination that are an integral part of the design of the sign, such as neon or small individual incandescent lamps, are permitted. These signs may be protected by transparent covers.
(9) Internally-lit plastic translucent signs are prohibited.
(f) Window signs.
(1) This subsection applies only to window signs as defined in Section 51A-7.2103.
(2) No character on these signs may exceed 12 inches in height.
(3) The maximum amount of window area that may be utilized as sign space varies depending on the location of the window as follows:
Window Location
| Maximum Window Coverage Allowed
|
First Story | 8 sq. ft. or 15 percent, whichever is less |
Second Story | 10 sq. ft. or 20 percent, whichever is less |
Third Story | 12 sq. ft. or 25 percent, whichever is less |
(4) No establishment may have more than four window signs.
(5) Hanging neon signs are allowed if their transformers are concealed from normal view.
(6) Opaque painted backgrounds on windows are prohibited. (Ord. Nos. 25920; 28933)