(A) Corporate Office Signs along Interstate District.
(1) For the purposes of this chapter, the Interstate District is hereby defined to include property with frontage on Interstate 270 that has been improved with corporate office building(s) constructed with two or more stories above the natural grade. Such building is entitled to a wall sign or a ground sign facing the interstate in addition to other permitted signage. In all cases, a maximum of two signs shall be permitted. For wall signs, the permitted sign area is based upon the number of building stories above natural grade and the building setback from the interstate right-of-way line. Buildings that are set back at least 50 feet from the interstate shall be entitled to 100 square feet of signage per story, up to a maximum of 300 square feet. Multi-story buildings set back less than 50 feet from the interstate shall be entitled to a maximum 100 square feet of wall signage regardless of number of stories. Any such wall sign shall be individual channel letters and shall be limited to one color. Wall signs may not extend above the roof line of the building. They may not be attached to a penthouse or roof structure including but not limited to mechanical equipment or roof screening. For ground signs, the permitted sign size is based upon the building setback. Buildings set back at least 100 feet from the interstate, shall be entitled to a sign no greater than 80 feet in area and not more than 12 feet in height.
(2) Buildings setback less than 100 feet from the interstate shall be entitled to a sign no greater than 50 feet in area and not more than eight feet in height. All Interstate District signs shall conform to all setback, design, location, and other requirements not specifically addressed in this section.
(B) Joint Identification Signs. One ground sign identifying only the name of a shopping center or other building complex shall be permitted, if there is a minimum of three uses sharing the same site. Such signs shall be permitted in addition to the permitted signs of individual occupants, but shall not list the names of these occupants. A joint identification sign shall not exceed the maximum permitted height of any ground sign identifying the individual occupants and the area of a joint identification sign shall not exceed 80 square feet. A second joint identification sign of the same size is permitted if the site has frontage on two streets, provided that the total lot frontage (on two streets) is 1,000 feet or greater. The two signs shall be no closer than 75 feet. For all buildings or complexes designed and/or intended for multi-tenant usage, a total sign plan conforming to all the requirements of this Code must be submitted to the Planning Director or designee before any sign permit for the complex or an individual tenant will be issued.
(C) Entry Feature Signs. These shall include signs graphically identifying a subdivision and/or multi-family development. Such signs shall be limited to monument signs only. Pole and pylon signs are prohibited. Such signs must consist entirely of natural materials, such as wood, brick and stone. The reverse sides of such signs shall be finished to match the fronts. The graphic area of such signs shall not exceed 20 square feet and the height of the monument shall be limited to six feet. Such signs may not interfere with the safe movement of vehicular and pedestrian traffic. If an entry feature sign is to be located within the right-of-way it must be reviewed and approved by City Council, the Planning and Zoning Commission and the City Engineer. Such signage must meet Dublin lighting and landscaping requirements.
(D) Signs within the Architectural Review District. Refer to the Architectural Review Board regulations and the Historic Design Guidelines for regulations pertaining to signs in these locations.
(E) Nonconforming Signs. All pre-existing illegal nonconforming signs must be removed in accordance with this subchapter. The Planning Director shall issue an order for the sign to be removed within 15 days. The cost of removal will be assessed to the property owner. If the property owner refuses to pay for removal of the sign, the cost of such removal shall be assessed to the property owner's tax records. All pre-existing legal signs that do not conform to the standards of this subchapter must be brought into conformity under any of the following conditions:
(1) Upon any change in the use of the property for which such property was intended at the time this subchapter became effective.
(2) Upon the discontinuance of the present use of property for a period of more than six months.
(3) Upon alterations to the existing sign, the following regulations shall apply:
(a) Structural. No display sign shall hereafter be altered, rebuilt, enlarged, extended, or relocated except in conformity with the provisions of this subchapter.
(b) Repainting or Refacing. The repainting of existing nonconforming signs shall not be considered an alteration within the meaning of this section. Refacing an existing nonconforming sign shall not be considered an alteration as long as the refacing constitutes an exact replica of the existing sign face. The design, color scheme, translucency, graphics and text must exactly match those existing. If any portion of the replacement face(s) is not an exact replica of the original sign face, the replacement face(s) must be brought into compliance with this subchapter in so far as practicable.
(c) Existing Signs; Continuance. Except as otherwise specifically provided, nothing in this section shall require the removal or discontinuance of a legally existing nonconforming permanent display sign which is attached to the property, as distinguished from a temporary or portable sign, that is not altered, rebuilt, enlarged, extended or relocated.
(F) Gasoline Stations. Gasoline stations, whose principal business is the sale of motor fuel, may display signs in addition to those hereinabove authorized. Such signs shall be limited to the following:
(1) One non-illuminated, double-faced sign not exceeding five square feet on a side is permitted for each set of motor fuel pumps identifying “self service” or “full service.”
(2) Price and grade information can be displayed only on the permitted sign, in manually changeable copy. Changeable copy for these purposes shall not include liquid crystal display (LCD), light emitting diodes (LED), or other similar electro/mechanical displays. This is the only circumstance in which changeable copy may be used.
(3) Signs limited to the identification of the brand name, logo or type of fuel sold and other signs as may be required by law shall be permitted on the motor fuel pumps. Fuel pumps shall not be illuminated. No signs projecting above the pumps may be permitted, except as required by law.
(4) Any other such signs as may be required by law.
(G) Architectural Review District. Signs within the Architectural Review District shall require prior review and approval by the Architectural Review Board. Signs within the Architectural Review District shall be in conformance with the Historic Dublin Guidelines, or any properly adopted successor guidelines or regulations. In no case shall such guidelines permit signage which exceed the size, height, color, opacity, and design requirements within this subchapter.
(H) Drive-Thru Menu Board Signs. This shall include free-standing, pole, pylon and monument signs. A drive-thru menu board sign is permitted only when all of the following conditions are fulfilled:
(1) The sign is located on the property to which it refers;
(2) The sign is not visible from the public right-of-way; and
(3) The sign does not exceed 32 square feet in size.
(I) Signs on Vending Machines, Trash Bins, or Other Devices. All such signs shall be screened from view of any public right-of-way and adjoining private property.
(J) Neon Signs. Neon may only be used for internal illumination if totally enclosed and not externally visible.
('80 Code, § 1189.12) (Ord. 66-94, passed 3-20-95; Am. Ord. 103-95, passed 12-18-95; Am. Ord. 26-10, passed 8-9-10; Am. Ord. 12-21, passed 4-12-21) Penalty, see § 153.999