(a) Applicability. The regulations in this section apply to signs in the O-S, B-A, B-B, B-C, I-A, I-B, I-C, I-D, T-R and PUD zoning districts.
(b) Permanent signs.
(1) Wall signs.
a. Flush mounted wall signs.
1. Maximum total sign area: the total area of all signs shall not exceed 15% of the building face the sign is mounted on.
2. Building signs:
(i) Maximum number of signs: one per building. An additional sign may be permitted for a corner building on the side of the building facing the other street or on the back of a building where the rear faces a parking lot.
(ii) Maximum area per sign: 100 square feet each.
3. Tenant signs:
(i) Maximum number of signs: in addition to the building signs noted above, one sign per elevation is permitted per commercial tenant if there is more than one commercial tenant occupying the building, as long as the total area of signs shall not exceed 15% of the total area of the building side the sign is mounted on.
(ii) Maximum area per sign: 50 square feet each.
(iii) Maximum height on the building: no wall sign or any portion thereof may extend above the top of the wall upon which it is supported.
(2) Projecting wall signs.
a. Maximum number of signs: one per building. An additional sign may be permitted on the back of a building where the rear faces a parking lot.
b. Maximum sign depth: may extend no more than 18 inches into or over any public property or right-of-way.
c. Minimum sign height: shall be a minimum of 8.5 feet above sidewalk grade, but not less than 14 feet above alley grade where they extend over an alley.
d. Maximum height on the building: no wall sign or any portion thereof may extend above the top of the wall upon which it is supported.
(3) Ground signs.
a. Pole mounted signs.
1. Maximum number of signs: No lot or abutting parcels under common ownership shall be permitted more than one pole mounted sign.
2. Maximum sign area: 100 square feet.
3. Maximum sign height: 30 feet.
4. Minimum sign clearance (height to bottom of sign): 8.5 feet.
5. Minimum spacing between signs: 20 feet.
b. Monument signs.
1. Maximum number of signs: No lot or abutting parcels under common ownership shall be permitted more than one monument sign.
2. Maximum sign area: 100 square feet.
3. Maximum sign height: 12 feet.
4. Minimum spacing between signs: 20 feet.
c. No lot or abutting parcels under common ownership shall have both a pole and monument sign.
(c) Electronic signs.
(1) General requirements.
a. Electronic signs up to 24 square feet in area and electronic open signs up to two square feet in area shall be permitted in nonresidential districts subject to the regulations of this article, except in those districts where prohibited by the Zoning Ordinance.
b. In zoning districts in which the Zoning Ordinance allows for electronic signs, electronic signs shall comply with both the provisions of this article and the applicable provisions of the Zoning Ordinance.
c. The permit requirements of this article shall not apply to electronic open signs.
(2) Display requirements.
a. Scrolling or traveling of a message onto and/or off the electronic sign display shall be allowed provided the message is coming from one direction only and that no message shall take more than five seconds to be displayed in its entirety. After a message has been displayed in its entirety, the screen shall not change for 30 seconds, except for time/temperature signs, which shall not change for five seconds.
b. The electronic sign display shall not, or shall not appear to, flash, undulate, pulse or portray explosions, fireworks, flashes of light, or blinking or chasing lights; the display shall not appear to move toward or away from the viewer, expand or contract, bounce, rotate, spin, twist or make other similar movements.
c. Electronic signs shall not be used to display animations, motion pictures, television programming, movies, sporting events, or any similar live or recorded broadcast.
d. Electronic signs shall only relate to the use of the premises on which they are located or to the business activity normally conducted therein.
e. All electronic signs with the electronic display facing a residential zoning district that is within 150 feet of that district shall discontinue the display between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
(3) Light levels.
a. In order to prevent glare, electronic signs shall not operate at a brightness level greater than the manufacturer's recommended levels. Light levels emitted by electronic signs shall not exceed 0.5 foot-candles at the property line of any adjacent residentially used or zoned parcel.
b. All electronic signs shall have installed ambient light monitors and shall at all times allow such monitors to automatically adjust the brightness level of the electronic sign based on ambient light conditions.
(4) Additional requirements.
a. No lots or abutting parcels under common ownership shall be permitted more than one electronic sign. An electronic open sign shall not count as the one electronic sign.
b. No individual unit of a building shall be permitted more than one electronic open sign per public entrance, up to maximum of two.
c. Electronic sign permit applications shall include a copy of the manufacturer's specifications for luminosity.
d. Electronic sign permit applications shall include certification from the owner or operator of the sign stating that the sign shall be operated in accordance with city codes and that the owner or operator shall provide proof of such conformance upon request of the city.
e. Whether the electronic sign is programmed from the site or from a remote location, the computer interface that programs the electronic sign shall be available to city staff for inspection upon request at the site.
f. The surface area of electronic signs shall be included in calculations of maximum allowable signage provided for in this article.
g. Any electronic sign found to not be in compliance with the provisions of this article shall cease operation until the electronic sign is brought into compliance with this article.
(5) Existing signs to conform. Any nonconforming electronic sign lawfully existing under a variance previously granted by the building board of appeals shall be made to comply with the requirements of this section within 30 days from the date this article takes effect. However, any existing electronic sign that exceeds 24 square feet in area or any existing electronic open sign that exceeds two square feet in area may continue as a nonconforming existing sign until such time that the sign is removed, moved, or replaced.
(d) Awnings.
(1) Facades may be supplemented by awnings, which shall be straight sheds with or without side flaps, not cubed or curved, or backlit. Awnings shall be between 8.5 and 12 feet above sidewalk grade at the lower drip edge. Awnings must avoid street trees and be set back at least two feet from the road curb.
(2) The vertical drip edge of an awning may be stenciled with signage a maximum of eight inches in height.
(e) Sandwich boards and similar signs.
(1) Each side of the sandwich board sign shall not exceed three feet in height or two feet in width. A stanchion or support up to 12 inches in height is permitted for the sandwich board sign.
(2) The bottom shall be weighted or anchored so that the sign is stable, wind-proof, and not easily knocked down.
(3) Permits for sandwich board signs shall only be issued for the period of April 1 through October 31. Sandwich board signs shall be prohibited between November 1 and March 31. A new permit shall be applied for each year.
(4) All sandwich board signs must be stored indoors at the close of the business each day.
(5) Sandwich board signs shall be placed on private property whenever possible. In the event that placement on public property is necessary, the applicant must obtain permission from the Director of the Department of Economic Development, or their designee, to occupy the easement, right-of-way, or other public area, which permission may be rescinded in the discretion of the director.
(6) Sign owners, lessees, and manufacturers shall be liable for any and all claims, injuries, or damages that arise from placement of a sandwich board sign on public property.
(7) A permit for a sandwich board sign shall be revoked whenever the sign becomes an eyesore, a nuisance, or is neglected.
(8) A temporary sign that meets the same height and width restrictions as sandwich board signs under this subsection may also be used. Such temporary signs shall be subject to the same terms and conditions as sandwich board signs under this subsection, including, but not limited to, the requirement for a permit, indoor storage during non-business hours, seasonal restrictions, and permission from the Director of Economic Development, or their designee, to place such sign on public property.
a. Temporary signs must be weighted or anchored so that the sign is stable, wind-proof, and not easily knocked down.
(f) Light or utility pole mounted vertical banners on private property.
(1) Maximum size: vertical banners shall be no greater than of 30 inches wide by 94 inches tall with a two-inch hemmed sleeve at the top and bottom.
(2) Minimum mounting height: vertical banners shall be mounted at least 12 feet above the sidewalk or parking lot surface.
(3) Minimum banner fabrication standards: A brass grommet shall be installed at the top and bottom to secure the banner with nylon tie-wraps. Banners shall be professionally constructed of suitable outdoor material (vinyl, sunbrella, canvas, nylon, polyester) so as to guarantee durability for the period of installation. Suitable wind slits must be provided.
(4) Minimum mounting hardware standards: Pole-mounted banners shall only be installed on hardware sufficient to meet the requirements of the applicable construction codes.
(5) Prohibited location: "Over-the-street banners" shall not be permitted except as approved for special events by city council.
(g) Window signs.
(1) Temporary window signs.
a. Maximum sign area per window: a maximum opaque coverage area of 30% shall be permitted per window.
b. Maximum number of signs per building: three.
c. Maximum time permitted per sign: 30 days or less.
d. Doors: such signs shall not be permitted on doors.
e. Sign permit: not required.
(2) Permanent/semi-permanent window signs.
a. Maximum sign area per window: a maximum opaque coverage area of 30% shall be permitted per window.
1. Permanent window or door signs/graphics (stenciled, etched, silk screened, hand painted, vinyl letters/images, window clings, or similar) are permitted with maximum coverage area of 100% provided the following standards are met:
(i) Any coverage beyond 30% shall have a minimum of 70% visual light transmission (VLT).
(ii) Approval by the Director of the Economic Development Department or their designee.
b. Maximum number of signs per window: one.
c. Doors: such signs shall not be permitted on doors.
d. Sign permit: required.
e. Exception: the above regulations do not apply to street numbers, hours of operation, menus and other small accessory signs less than one square foot in area.
(3) Temporary and permanent/semi- permanent window signs shall not be permitted to be displayed in the same window.
(4) Window signs that are blighted, deteriorated or obsolete shall be removed immediately.
(h) Temporary signs (other than temporary window signs).
(1) Permitted number of signs:
a. Each property shall be limited to a total of six signs not to exceed a total sign area of 48 square feet (e.g., 1 double sided 6'x4' sign, 2 double sided 3'x4' signs, etc.)
b. Exception: for properties with road frontage in excess of 400 linear feet, an additional 48 square feet of signage is permitted not to exceed 96 square feet in total sign area. This provision does not allow for an increase in the total number of permitted signs.
(2) Maximum size of individual signs:
a. Total sign area per face: 24 square feet.
b. Maximum height for ground mounted signs: six feet.
(3) Location and setback: Temporary signs shall not be located in public rights-of-way and shall be set back at least three feet from the property line.
(4) Installation: Temporary signs shall be securely attached to the structure or securely anchored/weighted to the ground.
(5) Illumination: Sign shall not be illuminated.
(6) Duration: A commercial temporary sign shall be permitted for 60 consecutive days and shall be taken down no later than five days after the event it pertains to is completed.
(7) Permit: A sign permit is not required.
(i) Temporary decorations.
(1) Temporary decorations, including message-casting (or projected) signs, shall be permitted for a period of 60 consecutive days.
(2) Temporary decorations shall be securely attached and shall not create a safety hazard of any kind.
(3) Temporary decorations shall not exceed the maximum allowable height within the zoning district in which it is located. This regulation shall not apply to message-casting signs.
(4) Only one type of temporary inflatable shall be permitted at any location at any time.
(5) Temporary signs attached to temporary decorations shall be permitted separately and in accordance with this section.
(6) City-sponsored temporary decorations on public property are exempt from the requirements of the sign ordinance provided they are displayed for no more than 60 days.
(7) Message-casting (or projected) signs as temporary decorations; regulations.
a. Shall be carefully located, aimed and shielded so that light is directed only onto the sign, building/structure façade, or ground.
b. Shall not create glare or excessively illuminate the surrounding area, and shall not distract motorists or create a traffic hazard for either vehicles or pedestrians.
c. Fixtures that produce message-casting or projected signs shall not be aimed at adjacent streets, roads, or properties.
d. Shall not cause excessive glare or allow light to encroach into surrounding properties.
e. Time limitation.
1. All message-casting signs with the projected display facing a residential zoning district, that is within 150 feet of that district, shall discontinue the display and shall not be illuminated between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
2. Message-casting or projected signs being used as temporary decorations shall be equipped with actively functioning timer control.
(8) Penalty for failure to remove. Failure to timely remove any temporary sign or temporary decoration, or failure to obtain a permit, shall be a civil infraction subject to a fine of $200.00. Second and subsequent violations committed within two years of a previous conviction or finding of responsibility shall be a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $500.00, a term of imprisonment not to exceed 93 days, or both, in the discretion of the court. Nothing set forth herein shall be construed as limiting the ability of the city to abate as provided in this article.
(Ord. No. 17-1569, - -17; Ord. No. 18-1621, 7-17-18; Ord. No. 23-1804, 1-9-24)