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As used in this chapter, certain terms are defined as follows:
(a) “Banners” means signs of flexible materials suspended by rope, wire, line, string, or fastened directly to posts or other structures.
(b) “Bench sign” means any sign painted on, located on or attached to any part of a bench.
(c) “Bus shelter sign” means any sign painted or affixed to any bus shelter.
(d) “Changeable copy sign” means a sign or portion thereof with characters, letters or illustrations that can be changed or rearranged manually or electronically.
(e) “Directional sign” means a temporary or permanent sign that provides information regarding location, instructions for use or functional/directional data.
(f) “Flags” means noncommercial flags or any flags displayed from flagpoles or staffs that do not display any commercial advertisement and are not considered to be signs.
(g) “Flashing sign” is any directly or indirectly illuminated sign that exhibits changing natural or artificial light or color effects by any means.
(h) “Free-standing signs” means signs supported by or suspended from posts, pillars, columns or other similar structures or signs supported by or mounted on buildings in such a manner that such sign is not parallel to and flush with such wall.
(i) “Frontage” (building) means the length of a single exterior building wall or structure of a single premise orientated to the public way.
(j) “Highway sign” refers to an on-premises advertising sign above the maximum height limit. New construction or reconstruction of these signs is not permitted.
(k) “Informational sign” means signs used by businesses to promote new products, sales or seasonal products, placed in windows or on the premises.
(l) “Interior sign” means any sign placed within a building, but not including “window signs” as defined by this chapter. Interior signs, with the exception of window signs as defined, are not regulated by this chapter.
(m) “Marquee sign” means a permanent roofed structure attached to and supported by the building and projecting beyond the building line or over public property. A marquee sign is attached or constructed in a marquee.
(n) “Monument sign” means a free-standing sign having fifty percent (50%) or more of the bottom of the sign in contact with the ground or supporting structure.
(o) “Off-premises sign” means any outdoor device or display designed to inform or convey messages to the public about persons, products or services available principally at a site removed from the location of the sign. This could include, but shall not be limited to, ground signs, bus shelters, bench advertising, trash receptacles, flags, banners, posts, and inflatable devices.
(p) “Outdoor advertising structure” means any structure or device designed to hold, stabilize or maintain a sign.
(q) “Pole sign” means a free-standing sign having more than fifty percent (50%) of the sign separated from the ground by air.
(r) “Political sign” means a sign having reference to a candidate for elective public office or a public question or issue to be submitted to the electorate at any election.
(s) “Portable sign” means a sign with fixed type or that which is designed to allow for adding and removing letters and numbers to the sign face and which can be moved from one location to another without any change to its structure or components. This includes trailer signs, A-frame signs, self-supporting signs, streamers, and air activated devices.
(t) “Projecting sign” means any sign that extends perpendicular from a structure, suspended above ground level. Maximum area is eight square feet (8').
(u) “Public or semi-public signs” means signs for a church, school, community or other public or semi-public institutional building not exceeding forty square feet (40') in area and located on the premises.
(v) “Real estate sign” means a sign offering real estate for sale, lease or rent or indicating property has been sold, leased or rented. Sign shall not be illuminated. Sign to be removed ten days or less after conveyance of property. Sign is not to exceed eight square feet (8') in area, nor more than four feet (4') in height above ground level; located no closer than ten feet (10') to the right-of-way along the street or streets on which the lot or parcel fronts; City may enforce, at its discretion, greater distance to achieve safe view for traffic. One (1) sign shall be permitted on each lot or parcel of property for which conveyance is intended. No permit needed.
(w) “Roof sign” means a sign mounted on, and supported by, the main roof portion of a building, or above the uppermost edge of a parapet wall of a building and which is wholly or partially supported by such a building. Signs mounted on a mansard facade, pent eaves and architectural projections such as canopies or marquees shall be considered to be rooftop signs.
(x) “Roofline” means the top edge of a peaked roof or in the case of an extended facade or parapet, the uppermost point of the facade or parapet.
(y) “Sign” means any device visible from a public place that displays either commercial or noncommercial messages by means of graphic presentation of alphabetic or pictorial symbols or representations.
(z) “Streamer” means a ribbon-shaped or cord like rope, which may have pennants and/or banners attached and which is stretched or hung between two (2) or more supports.
(aa) “Temporary signs” means signs not exceeding forty total square feet (40') announcing special events, construction of buildings, the architect, or building, contractor, and may be erected for a period of sixty days (60) in one (1) calendar year on sites which a building permit has not been obtained or until building construction is completed. Real estate signs shall be excluded as a temporary sign. See subsection (e) hereof for definition of Real Estate Sign.
(bb) “Window sign” means a sign, graphic, poster, symbol or other identifications, which is within six feet of the interior side of the window and conveys a message to the exterior.
(Ord. C85-01. Passed 12-3-01; Ord. 58-05. Passed 7-5-05.)
It is the declared purpose of the provisions of this chapter to regulate, control and limit the size, location, manner or construction and maintenance, safety and quality of all signs within the City insofar as sign regulation, control and limitation shall be inconsistent with and superceded by the construction and laws of the United States, the State of Ohio or the Charter of the City. The invalidation or repeal of any portion of the provisions of this chapter either expressly or by implication shall not invalidate or repeal the remainder.
(Ord. C85-01. Passed 12-3-01; Ord. C58-05. Passed 7-5-05.)
(a) No part of a projecting sign shall be supported from an unbraced parapet wall. All metal parts used in sign or structure, including pole or pylon, metal, supports and braces, shall be galvanized or of corrosive-resistant material or painted with approved corrosive-resistant paint. When existing poles or structures are used for new sign installation, all parts shall be brought to like-new condition and shall be painted with approved rust and corrosion-resistant paint. Existing pole and installation of pole shall be approved before being used in new sign installation.
(b) When a sign is removed for any reason, a new permit for future installation of the sign shall be obtained, or all mast arms, cable, guys of any nature, clips, brackets and all structures of the old sign shall be removed with the sign.
(c) No equipment such as cable to support electric circuits, light fixtures, guys, etc. may be added to sign structure or supports other than as approved by the Building Inspector in the sign permit. Brackets, wires, switches, etc., required to illuminate the sign may be added. When sign structure or supports are used in any manner other than outlined above, certification by a licensed engineer shall be obtained to show the structure is capable of supporting the load.
(d) Projecting signs, such as marquee signs, shall not be installed on a building or structure unless the support has been designed specifically for the purpose of supporting a sign and approved by the Building Inspector. Projecting sign surface area is limited to eight square feet and must be at least 10 feet above ground level, but are not permitted to extend over streets, easements or rights of way.
(e) No sign or outdoor display structure shall be erected, constructed or maintained so as to create a traffic hazard by obstructing or confusing the view of traffic lights, railroad crossing lights or warning signs. No sign or outdoor display structure shall be of such character or with such inscription or marking that it may be mistaken for a highway sign or marker. No sign of any description shall be installed, erected or constructed in such a manner as to obstruct any fire escape or any door or window giving access to any fire escape, nor shall a sign be attached in any form, shape or manner to a fire escape.
(f) No revolving or flashing lights or beacons of any kind shall be used on any type sign.
(g) All electrical signs shall be plainly marked on the bottom edge of the sign using 3/4 inch minimum letters with the erector's name, the voltage, amperes or watts, and the date of installation. All signs shall be grounded.
(h) All wiring, fittings and materials used in the construction, connection and operation of electrically illuminated signs shall be in accordance with the provisions of the National Electric Code. Electric sign wiring shall be maintained in weather-proof condition during erection or alteration by use of permanent or temporary cover.
(i) Pole size for monument signs shall be of sufficient size to support a thirty-pound (30) per square foot wind pressure against face of sign. The Central Ohio Sign Association's most current specification charts and tables for determining size of supporting steel and concrete foundation of ground-supported signs is hereby adopted as minimum requirements.
(j) No sign is to be erected until the excavation for foundation or foundations has been inspected and a permit application with drawing to comply with the table for depth has been submitted and approved.
(k) Materials for the primary base and supporting structures for all new, replacement, or reconstructed monument signs will consist of brick, stone, or other masonry material approved by the Building Department, or a treated wood accepted by the Building Department.
(Ord. C85-01. Passed 12-3-01; Ord. C58-05. Passed 7-5-05.)
Portable or temporary signs in existence at the effective date of this section which do not comply with the provisions of this chapter and all other signs heretofore erected or displayed without legal authorization or to which a nonconforming use has not been established, shall be removed within ten days after the delivery of written notice to that effect by the Building Inspector to the owner or occupant of the premises on which such signs are located. This section does not apply to sign in public rights-of-way or easements as set forth in Section 1145.13.
(Ord. C85-01. Passed 12-3-01; Ord. C58-05. Passed 7-5-05.)
(a) Bench signs.
(b) Bus shelter signs.
(c) Signs with changeable copy, electronic or manual, except for manual gasoline service station pricing boards that do not exceed eight square feet.
(d) Signs exceeding the roofline or affixed to the roof.
(e) Streamers or banners used by private or publicly held corporations.
(f) Off-premise signs.
(g) Exposed neon and/or skeleton tubing.
(h) Any sign attached to, or placed on, a vehicle or trailer parked on public or private property, except for signs that are attached by magnetic or static decals or painted upon an integral part of the vehicle or equipment, as originally designed by the manufacture, and do not break the silhouette of the vehicle.
(Ord. C58-05. Passed 7-5-05.)
(a) No sign or outdoor advertising structure shall be constructed until a sign permit has been issued by the Building Department certifying that the sign or structure conforms to the requirements of this chapter. The name, address and telephone number of the owner, advertising agency or person/company constructing the sign shall be clearly placed on all signs.
(b) Permit fees for on-premise signs shall be: Fifty dollars ($50) for the first sign and twenty-five dollars ($25) for each additional sign.
(c) (EDITOR’S NOTE: This subsection was repealed by Ordinance C84-94, passed November 21, 1994.)
(Ord. C85-01. Passed 12-3-01; Ord. C58-05. Passed 7-5-05.)
No electrical sign of any description shall hereafter be erected without having been inspected on the ground and approved by the Building Inspector. It shall be the duty of the manufacturer or installer of such sign to notify the Inspector when the sign is ready for ground inspection.
(Ord. C85-01. Passed 12-3-01; Ord. C58-05. Passed 7-5-05.)
If any sign is or becomes insecure or is in danger of falling or otherwise unsafe, the owner thereof or the person maintaining it shall, upon receipt of written notice by certified mail, as defined in Section 1133.06 of the Codified Ordinances, from the Building Inspector, proceed immediately within seventy-two (72) hours to put the sign in a safe and secure condition or remove it.
(Ord. C85-01. Passed 12-3-01; Ord. C58-05. Passed 7-5-05.)
If any sign is installed, erected, constructed or maintained in violation of any of the provisions of this chapter, the Building Inspector shall notify the owner or lessee thereof in writing to alter such sign so as to comply with this chapter or to remove such sign within ten (10) days or a time designated by the Inspector.
(Ord. C85-01. Passed 12-3-01; Ord. C58-05. Passed 7-5-05.)
No display or advertising sign shall be attached to the standard of a free-standing sign, other than the display surface originally constructed as a part of such sign. The standard of the free-standing sign shall be painted in only one (1) color unless the sign standard is covered with metal, wood or masonry; any or all may be used together. No display or advertising sign shall exceed eight square feet (8') when attached to or painted or otherwise displayed on a light standard, gasoline pump, fence, wall, post or other structure, or to any portable supporting device, except as specifically authorized by this section.
(Ord. C85-01. Passed 12-3-01; Ord. C58-05. Passed 7-5-05.)
(a) No sign shall be placed in any public right-of-way except:
(1) A governmental sign, such as a traffic control or directional sign; and
(2) Signs in the central business district, provided the signs meet the requirements of this chapter.
(b) Any sign placed in a public right-of-way or right-of-way easement may be removed by the city and stored in a city complex for a minimum of seventy-two (72) hours and may thereafter be destroyed.
(c) Whoever violates this provision of this section shall be fined not more than one hundred fifty ($150). A separate offense shall be deemed committed for each sign placed on said rights-of-way.
(Ord. C85-01. Passed 12-3-01; Ord. C28-05. Passed 4-4-05; Ord. C58-05. Passed 7-5-05.)
(a) Real estate, political, church, temporary, garage sales, public or semi-public, directional subdivision's and/or contractor's signs as defined in this chapter and Chapter 713 of the Codified Ordinances may be erected and maintained within the City limits, subject to the limitations and restrictions set forth in this chapter and Section 713.04 of the Codified Ordinances.
(b) Political signs may be displayed as defined in Section 1145.02(r) provided that such signs shall not be located any closer than ten feet (10') to the right-of-way along the street or streets on which a lot or parcel fronts. Such signs shall not be illuminated nor be erected within any public rights-of-way or easements nor attached in any manner to any utility pole, fence or any other structure within any public rights-of-way.
(c) On-site directional signs not exceeding four square feet in area and three feet in height.
(d) Informational signs are limited in size to fifteen (15) square feet and shall be limited to one sign for businesses with less than forty (40) lineal feet of building frontage and no more than two (2) for businesses, exceeding forty (40) lineal feet of building frontage, but at no time shall a sign exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of the window area. Such signs shall be placed in ground level windows only.
(e) Signs/banners temporarily displayed to advertise grand openings shall be permitted for nonresidential uses in commercial and industrial districts subject to the following limitations:
(1) Such signs/banners shall be limited to one (1) sign per street front;
(2) Such signs/banners may be displayed for not more than twenty (20) consecutive days for any new business within the first one hundred twenty (120) days of operation.
(3) Total area of all such signs/banners shall not exceed forty (40) square feet.
(f) Signs denoting “open,” management information or acceptable forms of payment may not exceed two (2) square feet for any business.
(Ord. C85-01. Passed 12-3-01; Ord. C58-05. Passed 7-5-05.)
(a) All portable signs are prohibited with the exception of A-frame signs as provided for in this section for commercial premises located in the Central Business District as defined in Section 1135.12.
(b) See Section 1145.02(s) for definition of “portable sign”.
(c) Applications for A-frame sign permits shall be submitted, at no cost to the applicant, on prescribed forms to the Building Division.
(d) If the A-frame sign permit is approved, the Building Division will issue an A-frame sign permit.
(e) A business may display one A-frame sign, except in multi-tenant buildings. A commercial building with multiple tenants shall be permitted one (1) A-frame sign per frontage along a public sidewalk. The A-frame sign shall be exempted from the requirements for permanent signage.
(f) A-frame signs shall meet the following requirements:
(1) The sign shall be located directly in front of the building containing the business that the sign advertises.
(2) The sign shall not impede or obstruct pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
A. There shall be a minimum of four feet of open space free of all obstructions, including but not limited to the A-frame sign, sidewalk furnishings, street trees, trash receptacles, bike racks, fire hydrants, and lamp posts.
B. A-frame signs shall not have moving parts, projections, lighting or any attention-grabber devices attached to them, including but not limited to streamers and balloons.
C. A-frame signs shall be stable. If necessary, the sign shall be braced to prevent collapse or toppling. If the City determines that an approved sign is unstable, the City may remove the sign without notice to the owner.
D. A-frame signs may be displayed on the sidewalk only during the hours when the business that the sign advertises is open. When the business is closed, the holder of the A-frame sign permit is responsible for removing the sign from the sidewalk.
E. A-frame signs shall have a maximum height of forty-two inches and a minimum height of twenty-four inches. The maximum width of all A-frame signs shall be thirty-six inches.
F. A-frame signs shall have two equally sized panels consisting of fixed-copy, chalkboard or a combination thereof. Panels shall be completely contained within the sign frame. Fixed-copy panels and text shall be consistent with the Historical Preservations Area (HPA) color palette. Panels shall be constructed of weather resistant material.
G. The sign frame shall be constructed of metal, finished black and designed to be compatible and appropriate with other street furnishings located within the public right-of-way. The frame shall provide stable contact with the sidewalk. A-frame signs shall not have wheels.
(Ord. C85-01. Passed 12-3-01; Ord. C58-05. Passed 7-5-05; Ord. C96-16. Passed 1-3-17.)
(a) Sign Area Measurement.
(1) Signs shall be computed by including the entire area within the sign faces. In computing the sign measurement of a double-faced sign, use one face only. Border trim and structural supports not bearing advertising matter shall not be included in computing the sign area.
(2) Total maximum area for a single sign, identifying an entrance to a business or business center may not exceed fifty square feet for commercial properties and one hundred (100) square feet for industrial properties (see subsection (e) hereof).
(3) The aggregate sign area or display surface of all attached building signs shall not exceed the following:
A. Each business shall be allowed one square foot of building signage per lineal foot of building frontage with a maximum square footage of two hundred (200) square feet.
(b) Use of Building Walls and Windows for Signs.
(1) No sign shall be painted on any wall displaying or advertising a product or service offered with the building.
(2) In commercial and industrial districts, wall signs shall be flat on the face of the building or any architecturally designed extension thereof and shall not project more than twelve inches (12"). Wall signs shall not extend above the parapet of the building.
(3) All signage for multiple tenant buildings shall be consistent in style, color and design (i.e. all channel letters or all box signs).
(c) Roof Signs. All roof signs shall be prohibited.
(d) Double-faced Signs. All signs, except those erected parallel to any right of way, in front of a permanent structure or natural barrier, shall be double faced.
(e) Monument and Pole (Free Standing) On-Premise Signs.
(1) There may be only one sign located on any single tax parcel of land, as established by the Franklin County Auditor, regardless of the number of buildings or business establishments on such parcel. A sign may be located in front of the building set back line. The sign shall not exceed the height of eight feet for commercial or industrial properties. The sign shall not exceed a maximum of fifty square feet for commercial properties or one hundred (100) square feet for industrial properties of display space per face of a double-faced sign. Such structure shall be in conformity with the Central Ohio Sign Association's specifications as adopted by Section 1145.04(j). No sign shall be located within the street right of way or on any easement.
(2) The entire sign, including all support structures, base, and associated landscaping shall not be less than ten feet (10') from any adjoining lot line.
(3) The top face of the sign shall be no more than eight feet (8') for commercial properties and industrial properties measured from the base of the sign or supporting structure at finished grade to the top of the highest element. Finished grade shall be grade defined under standard civil engineering practice, exclusive of any filling, berming, or mounding solely for the purpose of increasing the elevation of a sign.
(f) Awnings and Canopies.
(1) Setback from curb lines. No awning or canopy shall be permitted to extend beyond a point of twelve inches inside the curb line.
(2) Height above sidewalk. All awnings and canopies shall be constructed and erected so that the lowest portion thereof is not less than eight feet above the level of the sidewalk.
(3) Advertising. No advertising shall be placed on any awning or canopy, except that the name of the owner and the business, industry or pursuit conducted within the premises may be painted or otherwise permanently placed on a space not exceeding eight inches (8") in height on the front and side portions thereof. Any advertising space used on an awning or canopy shall be considered as part of the total permitted signage for a building or structure, as determined by this section.
(g) Signage for commercial properties located in a PUD zoning classification may request a deviation from subsection (a) and (e) of this section and shall be subject to recommendations of the Planning Commission and Council approval. Consideration for any deviation shall be based on providing consistent and complimentary signage for the entire project and to scale the signage to set backs, and wall space.
(Ord. C85-01. Passed 12-3-01; Ord. C58-05. Passed 7-5-05.)
(a) All on-premise highway signs currently in existence after the passage of this section shall be allowed only as a pre-existing, nonconforming sign. (See Section 1145.20.) These signs shall still maintain a design and be certified by a licensed engineer to show structure and sign are capable of withstanding required windload and shall not in any way be a menace to persons or property. Highway signs shall be brought into conformity with this Code when conditions described in Section 1145.20 occur.
(b) (EDITOR’S NOTE: This subsection (b) was repealed by Ordinance C84-94, passed November 21, 1994.)
(Ord. C85-01. Passed 12-3-01; Ord. C58-05. Passed 7-5-05.)
Temporary signs for churches, schools, community and other public or semi-public institutional buildings shall be permitted, provided the area of such bulletin board or sign does not exceed forty (40) square feet in area and twenty (20) feet in length and comply to the requirements of this chapter. These signs do not require a permit.
(Ord. C85-01. Passed 12-3-01; Ord. C58-05. Passed 7-5-05.)
Any sign that is nonconforming with this chapter shall be brought into compliance with the enforced sign legislation when there is a change in use of the business or when the sign becomes a hazard as described by this chapter or when a business ceases operation for a period of six (6) months or more.
(Ord. C85-01. Passed 12-3-01; Ord. C58-05. Passed 7-5-05.)
No person shall construct, install, alter or repair any publicly displayed signs within the City unless the person is the holder of a license then in force, issued by the City, giving the person the right to perform or supervise the work or unless the person has then in his employ a holder of a license then in force supervising the work. The license shall be obtained by request therefor to the Building Department and such request shall be accompanied by a fee of fifty dollars ($50) and meet the requirements of Chapter 1375.
(Ord. C85-01. Passed 12-3-01; Ord. C58-05. Passed 7-5-05.)
All ground signs shall be landscaped at their base with acceptable ground cover material in accordance with Chapter 1136 of the Codified Ordinances. The landscape plan shall accompany, and be presented simultaneously, with the related sign plan. However, the landscape plan may be accepted or rejected independent of the sign plan.
(Ord. C85-01. Passed 12-3-01; Ord. C58-05. Passed 7-5-05.)
Banners shall be permitted only as public or semi-public signs for churches, schools, community or other public or semi-public (such as the Chamber of Commerce, Civic Club, registered nonprofit agencies) buildings or events, not to exceed forty (40) square feet. Banners may not be used by privately held companies or publicly held corporations, except as provided for in Section 1145.14(e). Permissible banners may be erected for not more than thirty (30) days per calendar year. Banners displaying personal messages, such as birthday, births, retirement, graduation, or other personal messages may be erected on private residential parcels for not more than fifteen (15) days in one calendar year.
(Ord. C85-01. Passed 12-3-01; Ord. C58-05. Passed 7-5-05.)
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