Signs permitted in business and industrial districts. The following signs are permitted in business and industrial districts subject to the standards set forth below. All signs require a permit except those in division (A).
(A) Signs permitted in all districts and temporary signs as specified in this subchapter. Sign permits not required where specified above.
(B) One or more business signs mounted on the building shall be permitted, if the following requirements are met:
(1) Signs containing only advertising of products sold on premises.
(2) Signs may have up to four square feet for each foot of frontage of the building.
(C) Authorized additional building-mounted business signs are permitted if one of the following conditions are met.
(1) The business fronts on more than one thoroughfare.
(2) More than one business located in a building. In such instance, the combined total area of the business signs shall not exceed four square feet per front foot of the building.
(3) The business has rear or side parking, in which case one additional business sign may be permitted on the side or rear of the building occupied provided such sign is constructed to the same standards as are required in the front of said premises.
(4) The sign is part of a wall graphic.
(5) The sign is a projecting sign. Where may be more than one sign per business, the total surface area of all signs (both sides) shall be included in the maximum sign surface area specified in division (B)(2) above. The sign shall not project more than six feet from a structure nor be closer than ten feet to the ground. If the sign is over the public sidewalk or right-of-way, in the Historic Downtown District, these signs may be illuminated in neon as long as they are not flashing or have moving graphics. All signs that project from a structure may be no larger than a six-foot by six-foot sign with both sides included in the maximum surface area specified in division (B)(2) above. All projecting signs must receive approval by the Board of Works. If the projecting sign is to be located in the Historic Downtown District, then application for recommendation must first be obtained from the City Plan Commission prior to submission to the Board of Works for approval.
(6) The sign is a canopy sign. There may be more than two business uses and the total surface area of the sign (both sides) shall be included in the maximum sign surface area specified in division (B) (2) above. The sign shall be no closer than eight feet to the ground. If the canopy is over a public sidewalk or right-of-way, Board of Works approval shall be obtained. If the canopy sign is to be located in the Historic Downtown District, then application for recommendation must first be obtained from the City Plan Commission prior to submission to the Board of Works for approval.
(D) In addition to the building-mounted sign or signs, one single- or double-faced, freestanding sign may be erected on a business or industrial site, provided the following conditions are met:
(1) Such sign, including any structure to which the sign is attached, shall not exceed 35 feet in height from the grade level to the top of the sign and shall be set back not less than 15 feet from the road right-of-way and from adjacent property. No freestanding sign or billboard shall be permitted in the Historic Downtown Square Area. In all the other Historic Downtown Area off the square, a 25-foot freestanding sign in height from grade level may be erected.
(2) The sign shall not be larger in total surface area than 100 square feet per face.
(3) The sign shall contain only the logotype, trademark or name of the company, commercial or industrial center on the property.
(4) Only one freestanding sign shall be permitted on each individual parcel. However, within commercial or industrial centers where more than one business is located in a building, the freestanding sign may identify all the businesses in the center but in this instance, the combined total area of the sign shall not exceed the standards of this section. In such instances where an individual business site or commercial or industrial center has access on more than one street, the Building Inspector may authorize such additional signs as the Building Inspector determines to be appropriate, but in no event shall there be more than one sign per street frontage. Additional freestanding signs may be approved as a special exception by the Board of Zoning Appeals where special circumstances warrant.
(5) Businesses which require the frequent display of special prices and events shall be permitted, in addition to a logo sign, one permanent message sign which does not exceed 20 square feet per face. Where additional message logo signs have been allowed by division (1), additional message signs shall be mounted on the same pole or structure as the logo or signs or on the building, and there shall be no freestanding message signs or product advertising signs whatsoever other than as permitted above.
(E) For businesses which sell gasoline, sign on pump islands and canopies relating to self-service or full-service locations, prices and similar information are permitted provided the numerals of any sign does not exceed eight inches in height and the signs do not exceed a total area of six square feet on each pump island.
(F) For businesses with drive up windows, directional signs and outside menu display boards are permitted but said signs shall be directed towards customers on the property and shall not display any product advertising visible by passing motorists or pedestrians.
(G) For businesses which have service bays, wall signs which identify the special functions of the various service bays are permitted provided they do not exceed ten square feet each and do not contain any product advertising.
(H) The following alternating illumination signs are permitted:
(1) Time, temperature and changing devices customarily identified with banks and lending institutions.
(2) Barber poles, provided such devices meet other applicable provisions of this subchapter.
(I) Signs on vending machines, where permitted, are allowed provided that all such machines on a parcel placed together in a single group against a building.
(J) Streamers, pennants, banners and decorative flags are permitted in business and industrial districts. No sign permits required.
(K) Disregarding all other business sign requirements, where existing residences are converted to nonresidential uses in residential districts by the Board of Zoning Appeals approval or otherwise, such nonresidential use shall be limited to one sign per use either attached or freestanding, which does not exceed ten square feet in total area nor six feet in height. Such signs may not be illuminated except by indirect light. Freestanding signs may be double-faced and shall be located in a landscaped area of the front yard. The sign shall be at least 15 feet from the right-of-way and from adjacent property.
(Ord. CO-90-2, passed 3-26-90; Am. Ord. CO-07-19, passed 12-10-07)