The following provisions define the categories of signs permitted by this Chapter in Non-Residential Zoning Districts and set forth certain specific regulations with respect to each category. All other provisions of this Chapter, which are by their nature applicable to any of the following categories of signs, shall apply to such categories.
(a) Wall Signs. Every commercial, business, industrial or institutional use located in a Non-Residential Zoning District may erect and maintain upon the structure of the building or portion of a building in which such use is maintained, either illuminated or non-illuminated signs. All wall signage is required to be 3-dimensional. Acceptable forms are channel letters or 3-dimensional reverse channel letters/backlit channel letters. Standard channel letters are individual 3-dimensional letters consisting of a U-channel base with translucent faces. Reverse channel letters that have metal faces and returns (sides) but have a clear plastic backing. These letters are designed to be mounted an inch or two away from the wall or raceway. "Open" face channel letter signs are prohibited.
(1) Such signs may be attached to the exterior walls or other vertical surfaces of such buildings but may not extend beyond the parapet of such building provided further that the face of such signs shall be parallel to the face of the building. All bracing and support structures for signs visible from a street or residence shall be decorative or covered.
(2) The total wall sign area on each building shall not exceed ten (10) percent of the building face.
(3) No portion of said signs shall project more than fourteen (14) inches beyond the face of the building, nor extend beyond the end of the building face.
(4) No building shall have a roof mounted sign, except for signs mounted on the face of a mansard roof.
(5) A property owner may allocate up to fifty (50) percent of the allowable total wall sign area to a building wall other than the front wall of the building, however, in no case shall the total wall sign area for the entire building exceed ten (10) percent of the front building face area.
(6) The total wall sign area for any building, including all facades, shall not exceed one hundred and fifty (150) square feet in area.
(b) Ground Signs.
(1) Setback requirements for ground signs shall be as follows: No portion of any freestanding, ground level sign shall be closer than five (5) feet to any property line or right-of-way.
(2) Height requirements for ground signs shall be as follows: No portion of any such sign may exceed eight (8) feet in height.
(3) Distance between ground signs shall be as follows:
A. No ground sign shall be closer than fifty (50) feet to any other freestanding sign.
B. Distance shall be measured on a straight line directly between signs but shall not apply to signs located across any public right-of-way except an alley.
(4) Number of ground signs permitted shall be as follows:
A. Every commercial, business or industrial use or multiple development located in a non-residential zoning district may erect and maintain one or more freestanding signs as follows:
Road Frontage
| Number of Signs Permitted
|
0 to 400 feet | One (1) sign |
401 to 800 feet | Two (2) signs |
801 feet or more | Three (3) signs |
B. In the case of a user or multiple development located on a corner lot, the aforesaid minimum frontage shall be computed by adding together the frontages on each abutting street or road.
C. If the premises upon which a freestanding sign is erected fronting on more than one public street, other than a corner lot, the street frontage nearest the sign(s) shall be used in determining the maximum number of permitted signs on such streets.
(5) Display surface area for ground signs:
A. The sign area for a ground sign shall not exceed fifty (50) square feet per display area. More than one display surface shall only be permitted when such surfaces are placed “back to back” and cannot be viewed at the same time.
B. In the case of a multiple development, the permitted total area of display surfaces of a ground sign shall include all the display surfaces of any individual signs identifying separate uses in such multiple development.
C. The allowable area of a freestanding sign may include a section for changeable letters. Such area shall not exceed fifty (50) percent of the sign area.
(c) Landscaping of Signs. Any ground mounted sign shall have landscaping beneath the sign according to the following standards:
(1) The minimum landscaped area shall be equal to the area of the sign face.
(2) The landscaped area shall provide a year-round (i.e. evergreen) screen of all points of structural support attachment to the ground.
(3) Where the required landscaped area is adjacent to a paved surface accessible to vehicular traffic, a raised non-mountable curb suitable to prevent the encroachment of vehicles is required. The minimum horizontal distance between the face of any required curb and any part of the sign is thirty-six (36) inches.
(4) The landscaped area shall include live plantings that are maintained on a regular basis. The use of concrete, asphalt or other paved surface inside the required landscaped area beneath the sign is prohibited.
(d) Temporary Signs. One temporary sign for any of the following events shall be permitted for each business, except that two such signs shall be permitted on corner lots. Such signs may have two faces with each sign face area as follows:
(1) Non-commercial Events
A. Maximum size = 8 square feet
B. Maximum time = 14 days
(2) New development
A. Maximum size = 32 square feet
B. Maximum time = Annual Renewal
(3) Commercial Events
A. Maximum size = 60 square feet
B. Maximum time = 14 days per event; a period of 60 days shall elapse between temporary sign permit issuance and no more than two such signs are permitted within one year.
(e) Alternative Signs and Sign Standards. It is recognized that individual sites and/or businesses may present unique characteristics, including shape and location, and the design of existing and proposed structures could be best developed through the application of alternative signs or standards which depart from the requirements of this Section. In such cases, the Planning Commission may approve alternative signs or standards for on-premises and temporary signs, contingent upon finding that the alternative signs or standards will:
(1) Result in a site and/or business having a visual character which is as compatible, or more compatible, with adjacent sites and/or businesses than anticipated by the requirements of this Section.
(2) Encourage a development trend or a visual character similar to that anticipated by the requirements of this Section.
(3) Result in a sign which meets or exceeds all other requirements of this Section.
(Ord. 2013-04-CD. Passed 4-2-13; Ord. 2016-07-L&R. Passed 10-25-16; Ord. 2019-01-L&R. Passed 10-8-19.)