(a) In addition to assuring compliance with the numerical standards of these regulations, the Zoning Administrator and the Architectural Board of Review, when approving signs, shall consider the proposed general design, arrangement, texture, material, colors, lighting placement and the appropriateness of the proposed sign in relationship to other signs and the other structures both on the premises and in the surrounding areas, and only approve signs which are consistent with the intent, purposes, standards and criteria of the sign regulations.
(b) Specific standards for determining the appropriateness of the sign shall include, but not be limited, to the following conditions:
(1) The lettering shall be large enough to be easily read from the public street but not out of scale with the building, site or street scape;
(2) The number of items (letters, symbols, shapes) shall be consistent with the amount of information which can be comprehended by the viewer, reflect simplicity, avoid visual clutter and improve legibility;
(3) The shape of the sign shall not create visual clutter;
(4) Signs shall have an appropriate contrast and be designed with a limited number of, and with the harmonious use of, colors. Signs, if seen in series, shall have a continuity of design with the style of sign generally consistent throughout the building or block. Continuity of design means uniformity of background colors or harmonious use of a limited range of complementary background colors;
(5) The size, style and location of the sign shall be appropriate to the activity of the site as prescribed elsewhere in these regulations;
(6) The sign shall complement the building and adjacent buildings by being designed and placed to enhance the architecture. The sign shall reflect the primary purpose of identifying the name and type of establishment;
(7) The sign should be consolidated into a minimum number of elements;
(8) Instructional signs shall contain the minimum information and the minimum area necessary to convey the message and instruct the viewer in the safe and efficient use of the facility;
(9) A sign should be constructed with a minimum of different types of material so as to provide a consistent overall appearance;
(10) No part of a sign shall project above the parapet line;
(11) All signs in commercial and special districts may be illuminated provided that light sources to illuminate such signs shall be shielded from all adjacent residential buildings and streets, and shall not be of such brightness so as to cause glare hazardous to pedestrians or motorists, or as to cause reasonable objection from adjacent residential districts;
(12) No flashing or moving parts shall be permitted for any sign or advertising display within the city except when conditionally permitted as part of a marquee sign pursuant to § 1151.06(e)(7);
(13) No paper posters shall be applied directly to the wall or building or pole or other support. Letters or pictures in the form of advertising that are printed or painted directly on the wall of a building are prohibited, except for window signs pursuant to this chapter and conditionally permitted murals;
(14) No sign or advertising device shall be permitted which, by color, location or design, resembles or conflicts with traffic-control signs or devices;
(15) Pennants, banners, streamers, whirling devices, bare strings of light bulbs, balloons and other similar devices are prohibited except for banners and pennants when part of public information signs installed by the city pursuant to § 1151.02(b);
(16) All signs shall be designed, constructed and erected in a professional and workmanlike manner, in conformance with all applicable building codes, and with materials which are durable for the intended life of the sign;
(17) For any sign which projects above a public right-of-way, the sign owner shall obtain and maintain in force liability insurance for such sign in such form and in such amount as the Law Director may reasonably determine. Proof of such insurance shall be required prior to obtaining a permit; and
(18) Freestanding signs shall be designed and located so as not to obstruct a driver’s visibility entering or exiting a lot or to be a safety hazard to pedestrians or vehicles, and shall comply with any requirements set forth for maintaining clear sight at an intersection.
(Ord. 165-99, passed 12-21-1999)