The following signs are permitted signs that can be placed on property that is zoned B1, B2, B3, and B4. This section does not include signage regulations for fueling stations, movie theaters, automotive dealers, or drive-up (drive-through) window facilities, which can be found under §§ 151.060 et seq. A uniform sign plan is required for all planned unit developments (PUD), and all multi-building or multi-tenant occupied commercial developments prior to the erection of any permanent sign. All owners, tenants, subtenant, and purchasers of individual units within the development shall comply with the approved uniform sign plan. For requirements of a uniform sign plan, see § 151.003. Permitted signs within the B1, B2, B3 and B4 zoning districts are as follows:
(A) Exempted signs.
(B) Permanent identification signs.
(1) Freestanding sign. Regulations of a freestanding sign are determined by the classification of the road on which the freestanding sign is located as defined in Exhibit A, as amended from time to time, as well as the square footage of the associated building(s). (A copy of Exhibit A is on file at the Clerk’s office.) For the purpose of this chapter, a freestanding sign shall include all signs that are supported by either a masonry base or two six-by-six or four-by-four wood supports not exceeding a height of two feet.
(a) Number: One freestanding sign is permitted per public right-of-way frontage.
(b) Location: No freestanding sign shall project into, over or otherwise encroach upon a public right-of-way. All freestanding signs must maintain a setback of 25 feet from the property line. Each freestanding sign must be surrounded with a landscaped bed of living plant material in accordance with the landscape ordinance as amended from time to time. Only one freestanding sign may be located on a commercial property per public right-of-way frontage.
(c) Illumination: Freestanding signs may be internally illuminated or illuminated via spot lighting or similar external forms. Internally illuminated signs shall have an opaque background with only letters and logo illuminated. All sign illumination must comply with § 151.101. Internally illuminated box signs are prohibited.
(d) Materials: All materials of any freestanding sign shall be compatible and harmonious with the materials of the building identified by the sign.
(e) Colors: All colors of any freestanding sign shall be compatible and harmonious with the color of the building identified by the sign. Furthermore, text on a freestanding sign is limited to three colors, unless otherwise regulated by the approved uniform sign plan.
(f) Items of information: The items of information on a freestanding sign shall include the name of the business(es) or business center, address, telephone number, and/or business logo.
(g) Height: The maximum height of the sign for single tenant and multi-tenant buildings within the B1, B2, B3, and B4 districts is identified by the following tables (Tables A and B). The height of the freestanding sign may be increased 10% to allow for ornamental features.
Table A - Maximum Sign Height for Single Tenant Commercial Uses
Road Classification
|
Maximum Sign Height
|
Regional Arterial | 7 feet |
Community Arterial | 6 feet |
Major Collector | 5 feet |
Neighborhood Collector/Local Street | 4 feet |
Table B - Maximum Sign Height for Multi-Tenant Commercial Uses
Total Building Size (sq. ft.)
|
Regional Arterial
|
Community Arterial
|
Major Collector
|
Neighborhood Collector/Local Street
|
0 to 9,999 | 7 feet | 6 feet | 5 feet | 4 feet |
10,000 to 24,999 | 7 feet | 6 feet | 5 feet | 4 feet |
25,000 to 49,999 | 8 feet | 7 feet | 6 feet | 5 feet |
50,000 to 99,999 | 9 feet | 8 feet | 7 feet | 6 feet |
100,000 to 174,999 | 11 feet | 9 feet | 7 feet | 6 feet |
175,000 and up | 13 feet | 11 feet | 9 feet | 7 feet |
(h) Area: The maximum area for a freestanding sign for both single tenant and multi-tenant commercial uses is determined by the total square footage of the building(s). The area of the sign is defined in Table C.
Table C - Maximum Area For A Freestanding Sign
Total Building Size (sq. ft.)
|
Area of Sign Face
|
0 to 9,999 | 15 square feet |
10,000 to 24,999 | 20 square feet |
25,000 to 49,999 | 30 square feet |
50,000 to 99,999 | 40 square feet |
100,000 to 174,999 | 50 square feet |
175,000 and up | 75 square feet |
(i) Text size: The minimum height of the text is determined by the classification of the road on which the sign is located. Text height will be measured using the lower case height (or shortest character height) of the font chosen for each tenant. Only one tenant shall be allowed upon the same horizontal plane of the sign face. In the case of a multi-tenant commercial use, the height of the text for the name of the center may be smaller than the tenant information. The minimum height of text for a freestanding sign is defined in Table D.
Table D - Minimum Height of Text for a Freestanding Sign
Road Classification | Minimum Text Height | Minimum Text Height for Name of Development
|
Regional Arterial | 12 inches | 9 inches |
Community Arterial | 10 inches | 7 1/2 inches |
Major Collector | 8 inches | 6 inches |
Neighborhood Collector | 7 inches | 6 inches |
(2) Wall sign. Regulations of a wall sign are determined by the linear frontage of the building on which the sign is erected.
(a) Number: For a single tenant business one wall sign shall be permitted per frontage on public right-of-way or frontage on a main point of ingress/egress into the commercial development. For a multi-tenant business one wall sign shall be permitted per store frontage. Those multi-tenant businesses with frontage on a public right-of-way or with frontage on a main point of ingress/egress into the commercial development shall be permitted one wall sign per road frontage. For the purposes of this chapter a business is defined as having its own secured entrance. Businesses located within another business, without having a distinct secured entrance, are not considered a separate business and are not eligible for a wall sign. A business erecting a flag containing a corporate identification or business logo, shall include the square footage of the flag, which shall not measure greater than three feet by five feet, in the total square footage of the allowable wall sign as defined in this chapter.
(b) Location: No wall sign shall project into, over or otherwise encroach upon a public right-of-way. No wall signs shall cover, wholly or partially, any wall opening, nor project beyond the ends, top or bottom of the wall to which it is affixed. No sign shall project more than one foot from the wall on which it is displayed. For multi-tenant buildings, all wall signs must be aligned on one common centerline. Only one wall sign shall be located on a building per storefront or road frontage.
(c) Illumination: Wall signage shall consist of internally illuminated face lit channel letters, reverse channel lit letters, spot lighting or similar external forms of illumination. Internally illuminated signs shall have an opaque background with only letters and logo illuminated. All wall sign illumination must be in compliance with § 151.003. Signs within the B4 district are not to be internally illuminated.
(d) Color: No more than three colors shall be used for all wall signage pertaining to a business, except for multi-tenant business, which must comply with the approved uniform sign plan. If a wall sign is mounted on a raceway, the color of the raceway shall match the color of the exterior of the building.
(e) Items of information: The items of information for a wall sign shall be limited to the business name, logo, and/or nature of business.
(f) Height: The maximum height of a wall sign is seven feet.
(g) Area: For a single tenant business the maximum area for wall signage may not exceed one square foot per linear foot of the principal structure's frontage. For a multi-tenant business the wall sign may not exceed one square foot per linear foot of each store frontage. For the purposes of this chapter, area of wall signs shall include text and logos. The maximum area of a wall sign is 200 square feet; the minimum area is 20 square feet.
3. Soffit signs. Regulations of a soffit sign restrict the location, area and the illumination of the sign.
(a) Location: Soffit signs are to be placed perpendicular to the public right-of-way or main point of ingress/egress fronting the building on which the soffit sign is to be located. The soffit sign shall be suspended from a roof overhang, covered walkway, or covered porch. No part of the suspended soffit sign shall extend beyond the edge of the overhang. A minimum clearance of eight feet shall be maintained between the bottom of the sign and the nearest grade or sidewalk. A soffit sign shall be located adjacent to the business it identifies.
(b) Number: One soffit sign is permitted per store frontage.
(c) Illumination: Internal illumination of soffit signs is prohibited.
(d) Materials: Sandblasted wood is encouraged for all soffit signs. Alternative materials are acceptable, however must be compatible and harmonious with the colors and materials of the building identified by the sign.
(e) Items of information: Items of information on the soffit sign shall be limited to the name of the individual business or building complex.
(f) Area: The maximum area of a soffit signs is four square feet per sign face.
(4) Permanent window signs. Regulations of a window sign are determined by a percentage of the total window frontage.
(a) Location: Permanent window signs are limited to first floor windows only.
(b) Number: For a single tenant business one window sign shall be permitted per frontage on public right-of-way or frontage on a main point of ingress/egress into the development. Text may not encompass more than one window. For multi-tenant business one window sign shall be permitted per store frontage. Those multi-tenant businesses with frontage on a public right-of-way or with frontage on a main point of ingress/egress into the development shall be allowed one window sign per road frontage. Text may not encompass more than one window per business. For the purposes of this chapter a business is defined as having its own secured entrance. Businesses located within another business, without having a distinct secured entrance, are not considered a separate business and are not eligible for a window sign.
(c) Illumination: Illumination of window signs is prohibited.
(d) Materials: A window sign must be painted directly upon or permanently fastened to the window surface itself and shall not be composed of any neon, or other bare-bulb illumination.
(e) Items of information: The items of information of a window sign shall be shall be limited to the name, address, telephone number, and business hours. Slogans are not permitted.
(f) Area: The maximum allowable area of a window sign is 25% of the total frontage window area.
(g) Color: No more than three colors shall be used for all window signage pertaining to a business, except for multi-tenant business, which must comply with the approved uniform sign plan.
(Ord. 2243, passed 11-21-05; Am. Ord. 3338, passed 2-7-22)