Commercial signs are permitted for lawfully established and maintained businesses, including retail, services, and office locations as provided herein. Commercial signs shall be limited to the business, product, and/or activity available or conducted on the property. In particular, and billboards, are expressly prohibited. Provided, these provisions shall not apply to nonconforming uses nor to home occupations. All existing buildings’ signage and associated lighting to conform to the city code requirements. All new signage has to be reviewed and approved by the Planning Director prior to erection.
(A) Wall signs. Each commercial business is allowed to display one wall sign per each frontage along a public roadway or expressway. Wall signs may also be displayed adjacent to an off-street parking area provided customer access is also available.
(1) For every linear foot of store frontage, ten inches, up to a maximum of 90 square feet of signage is allowed and a minimum height of two feet zero inches is required. See Figure 8 in division (G)(1) below.
(2) The area of wall sign shall be determined by enclosing the elements of the graphic in an imaginary box(es). The sum total area of the graphic within the box(es) is deducted from the permitted wall signage available.
(3) If a raceway is visible it shall match the color of the exterior of the building.
(4) No signs other than those identifying the property where they are installed or identifying the use conducted therein shall be permitted. Advertising by material or product manufacturers and suppliers other than the primary use of property shall not be permitted. All lighting elements such as wires, conduits, junction boxes shall be concealed from view as much as possible.
(B) Changeable copy. Changeable copy is allowed. Changeable copy cannot exceed 50% of the surface of the sign.
(C) Awning signs.
(1) Awning signs are allowed to a maximum of 12 square feet of text size per frontage facing a public or private roadway.
(2) When an awning covers multiple storefronts, each store is allowed up to 30 square feet of copy space. See Figure 9 in division (G)(2) below.
(3) Canopies and awnings are limited to two colors. Logos are exempt from this provision. Striping may only be vertical or horizontal.
(4) Canopies may be illuminated per § 156.226.
(D) Window signs. Window signs are allowed up to 25% of each window. Temporary windows signs are exempt from permit.
(E) Real estate signs. Real estate signs in commercial districts are limited to one sign not to exceed 32 square feet with a maximum height of ten feet.
(F) Permits. LED and LCD signage permitted based upon Planning Committee approval.
(G) Figures.
(1) Figure 8.
(2) Figure 9.
(Prior Code, § 156.224) (Ord. 0-08-0020, passed 9-22-2008) Penalty, see § 156.999