(A) Residential districts. Real estate signs, home occupation signs and public building or church signs or bulletin boards pertaining to the property on which they are placed, with not over six square feet of sign area and unlighted, except for general lighting.
(B) Mixed Use Districts. Business and auxiliary signs pertaining to the business on the property on which the sign is located are permitted, whether freestanding, projecting or attached flatly to the building wall, provided that:
(1) Illumination of all signs shall be diffused or indirect and shall be arranged so as not to reflect direct rays of light into adjacent Residential Districts or into the public way. Awnings may not be illuminated from the inside. Only signs with opaque fields and translucent lettering may be internally illuminated;
(2) Each business on a property is entitled to a total of 30 square feet of sign area advertising its existence, name and/or nature, unless the building in which the business is located is on a corner of two streets, in which case the business is entitled to 45 total square feet of sign area (so long as no other business occupies the same premises and so long as the sign is split onto two sides of the building with a maximum of 30 square feet on one side of the building);
(3) If more than two businesses occupy the same premises, said businesses shall combine signs so that no more than two main signs with a total of 45 square feet of sign area appear on the premises, whether located on a corner lot or not;
(4) All signs, except temporary signs, shall have no more than a one to three height-to-width or width-to-height ratio;
(5) Freestanding signs shall not exceed 12 feet in height;
(6) Each business may have one lighted open/closed sign not to exceed 13 inches by 26 inches in size; and
(7) Each business with a window or windows facing the street may place one non-illuminated, white paper with black type, advertising sign in each window sash, provided the sign does not cover more than one-half of the sash area, and there are no more than four signs per business or shared business site. Artificial window sashes may not be used to create window signage areas.
(C) Institutional Districts.
(1) Illumination of all signs shall be diffused or indirect and shall be arranged so as not to reflect direct rays of light into adjacent Residential Districts or into the public way;
(2) Each institutional entity is entitled as a matter of right to erect one sign advertising its existence, name and/or nature which shall not exceed 30 square feet of sign area, unless the building in which the institution is located is on a corner of two streets, in which case the institution is entitled to 45 total square feet of sign area (so long as no other institution occupies the same premises and so long as the sign is split onto two sides of the building with a maximum of 30 square feet on one side of the building);
(3) Each building belonging to an institutional entity within the Institutional District which is dedicated to institutional uses is entitled as a matter of right to be marked by no more than two signs, each of which shall not exceed six square feet in sign area;
(4) The Commission may, upon application for additional or larger signs, issue a permit for such, if it determines that the additional signage shall not have a negative impact on public health or safety, shall not unduly distract traffic, shall assist the institutional entity without detriment to the interests of the general public, and that the sign is in keeping with the general purposes of this chapter; and
(5) All signs, except temporary signs and except for the names of buildings which honor donors, employees or contributors, shall have no more than a one to three height-to-width or width-to-height ratio.
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(G) Banners. Banners of any size promoting an exhibition, located at the site of the exhibition in the Institutional or Mixed Use Districts, are permitted 30 days prior to the starting date of the exhibition, and ending 72 hours after exhibition has closed. Banners placed by the village in any district are exempt from this chapter.
(H) Barn siding and roof signs. Signs affixed to, painted on or appearing by shingle design, on a barn siding or roof, designating the landowner, family name, year established, Ohio bicentennial, “Heart of Ohio” and signs of similar import are permitted. This section does not apply to yard barns consisting of 120 square feet or less.
(I) Billboards. Billboards shall not be permitted within the village limits.
(J) Bulletin boards. Bulletin boards and signs for a church, school, community or other public or semi-public institutional building shall be permitted provided that the sign area of such bulletin board or sign shall not exceed 12 square feet.
(K) Changeable copy signs. Each building in the Institutional or Mixed Use Districts may display a portable changeable copy sign for up to 72 continuous hours, twice in any calendar year, provided the sign does not block the sidewalk or otherwise constitute a trip hazard, and there is a break of at least 30 days between each display period.
(L) Historical and dedication plaques. Historical and dedication plaques are exempt from this chapter.
(M) Outdoor furniture signs. Advertising signs affixed to outdoor tables, chairs and benches are permitted in the Institutional or Mixed Use Districts, so long as there is only one sign affixed to each table, chair or bench; the sign does not exceed four inches by six inches in size; such outdoor furniture does not block the sidewalk, or otherwise constitute a trip hazard; and there are no more than two pieces of furniture outside any individual building.
(N) Political signs. Political signs or posters concerning candidates for elective office, public issues and similar matters to be decided by public election, may be displayed beginning no more than 45 days prior to election and shall be removed no later than three days after such election. Such signs shall not exceed six square feet in area; shall not be illuminated; shall not create a safety or visibility hazard; shall not be affixed to any public utility pole or tree; and shall not be located within a public right-of-way. If such signs are placed in a public right-of-way, or are not removed at the end of the three-day post election period, the village shall remove and dispose of them. This section is not applicable to political campaign headquarters signs which shall require a temporary sign permit.
(O) Real estate signs. Real estate signs do not require a permit and are not subject to the 30-day time limit for temporary signs. Real estate signs shall be removed within 30 days of closing on the property.
(P) Sandwich board signs. A temporary sign placed in the right-of-way or on the land between the building and the right-of-way as a freestanding sign, which may include chalk and dry-erase boards, is permitted in the Institutional or Mixed Use Districts, so long as the sign does not exceed 32 inches by 48 inches in size, and does not block the sidewalk or otherwise constitute a tripping hazard.
(Q) Vending machines. Outside vending machines are permitted in the Institutional or Mixed Use Districts, so long as they are not placed in an area facing the street, or facing an adjoining residential lot.
(R) Wall signs. A building wall in the Mixed Use District may be used for display of general commercial advertising, provided that the area of such sign does not exceed 30 square feet.
(Ord. 1999-03, passed 3- -1999; Ord. 2013-04, passed 2-4-2013)