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(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.)
(EDITOR'S NOTE: See Section 1301.99 for general Building Code penalty.)
(Ord. C85-01. Passed 12-3-01; Ord. C58-05. Passed 7-5-05.)