(A) General requirements. Ground signs, not being regulated by the Ohio Building Code, after November 1, 2017, are regulated within the City of Forest Park by this section.
(1) Permits. Approval and permits are required for all ground signs or alterations to a ground sign. A separate permit is required for each sign so as to accommodate future changes to individual signs.
(2) Forest Park Sign Code. All signs, including ground signs, except those exempted per FPCO § 90.14, are required to comply with the Forest Park Sign Code, FPCO Chapter 90.
(3) Ground sign defined. The term ground sign shall include any freestanding sign, independently supported by the ground and not attached to any portion of a building, including pylon or pole signs, billboards, temporary signs larger than three square feet, permanent commercial real estate signs, menu boards, residential signs larger than six square feet or electrified, but not including residential real estate, construction, professional, or political signs not larger than three square feet, nor any sign erected by federal, state, or local transportation authorities.
(4) Approvals. All signs, including ground signs, are required to be approved by the property owner or landlord. Such approval shall be documented.
(5) Glass. No glass except illuminating devices is permitted in any sign.
(6) Permit required. No sign may be erected, constructed, or altered until approved and a permit issued.
(7) Maintenance. All ground signs, including structural supports, anchors, frames, and faces are to be maintained in good repair. Any ground sign which becomes an imminent safety hazard shall be repaired or removed.
(B) Design. Ground signs larger than 32 square feet or greater than six feet above ground, or requiring a footing deeper than 30 inches shall be designed by a professional engineer or architect registered in the State of Ohio. Ground signs not required to be of an engineered design shall nevertheless be capable of supporting all loads described in ASCE7 as applicable.
(C) Construction documents. All applications for ground signs shall be accompanied by construction documents including the following:
(1) Site plan. A site plan by an Ohio registered surveyor, showing all property lines, setbacks, easements, and distances to buildings and structures.
(2) Design loads. All applicable dead and live loads on the sign structure, including seismic loads, are to be indicated on the title or specifications sheet.
(3) Design standard. The standard or standards, including ASCE 7 and IBC Chapter 16, used to design the structure is to be designated.
(4) Geotechnical report. A report by a geotechnical engineer may be required by the Building Official for larger signs.
(5) Structural details. All plans must include structural details, cross sections, and connections sufficient to fully describe the construction.
(6) Shop drawings. Shop drawings, manufacturer specifications, and manufacturer installation instructions (to include all connections and fastener specifications) are required to be provided as available and to the extent such information is not included with the engineered drawings.
(7) Special inspections. A Statement and Schedule of Special Inspections is required in accordance with IBC Chapter 17.
(8) Electrical. Applicable electrical information showing compliance with the NEC is required to be provided. A separate permit from IBI is required for any electrical installation.
(D) Inspection. Ground signs are subject to inspection by the Building Department (footings, concrete reinforcement prior to concrete, structural connections prior to covering, any electrical installation, by IBI, final inspections, as well as any special inspections as required per the Schedule of Special Inspections prepared by the SER).
(1) Inspection by the Building Department is required regardless of any special inspections or quality control inspections.
(2) Special inspections are required per Chapter 17 of the IBC. Special inspection of field welds or torchcutting is always required.
(E) Certificate of completion. A certificate of completion will be issued by the Building Department upon final inspection and approval. A temporary certificate of completion may be issued upon request to allow for use of the sign pending completion of minor work and clean-up providing that there are no safety hazards present. A final certificate of completion is required to release the contractor from obligations regarding the permit and contract documents.
(Ord. 25-2019, passed 8-5-19)