The following are the signs permitted in the commercial and mixed use zoning districts (Business "C" District, Business and Residential "D" District, and Industrial "E" District). Signs in the commercial and mixed use districts shall be on-premises signs, accessory to the principal use, and be in conformance with the regulations of this section.
(A) Permitted signs. Table 11: Summary of Permitted Signs in the Commercial and Mixed Use Zoning Districts illustrates a summary of sign types permitted within each commercial and mixed use zoning district. The symbol "PS" shall mean the specific sign type is permitted within the applicable zoning district subject to all other applicable standards established in this section. The symbol "C" shall mean the specific sign type is permitted with the approval of a conditional use permit and is subject to all other applicable standards established in this section.
Table 11: Summary of Permitted Signs in the Commercial and Mixed Use Zoning Districts | ||||
Type of Sign | Business “C” District | Business and Residential “D” District | Industrial “E” District | See Section |
Table 11: Summary of Permitted Signs in the Commercial and Mixed Use Zoning Districts | ||||
Type of Sign | Business “C” District | Business and Residential “D” District | Industrial “E” District | See Section |
Wall signs | PS | PS | PS | § 155.134(B) |
Monument signs | PS | PS | PS | § 155.134(C) |
Pole signs | PS | PS | § 155.134(D) | |
Awning signs | PS | PS | PS | § 155.134(E) |
Projecting signs | PS | PS | PS | § 155.134(F) |
Identification and directional signs | PS | PS | PS | § 155.134(G) |
Nameplate signs | PS | PS | PS | § 155.134(H) |
Menu board signs | PS | PS | § 155.134(I) | |
Fuel price displays | PS | PS | § 155.134(J) | |
Billboards | C | C | C | § 155.134(K) |
Manual changeable copy | PS | PS | PS | § 155.136(A) |
Electronic signs | PS | PS | PS | § 155.136(B) |
(B) Wall signs.
(1) The maximum wall sign area shall be equal to two square feet for each foot of building frontage, except as noted below.
(a) For buildings set back more than 200 feet from any right-of-way from which the sign is viewed, the maximum wall sign area shall be equal to two and one-quarter square feet for each foot of building frontage.
(b) For buildings setback more than 400 feet from any right-of-way from which the sign is viewed, the maximum wall sign area shall be equal to two and one-half square feet for each foot of building frontage.
(2) Buildings located on corner lots or lots with multiple frontages such as double or triple frontage lots may be permitted to have a wall sign on each frontage.
(3) In the case of a multi-tenant building, the calculation found in division (B)(1) of this section shall apply to the area of the front building wall elevation for the individual tenant.
(4) The maximum wall sign area may be divided into multiple signs on the building frontage as long as the combined square footage of all signs does not exceed the maximum wall sign area as calculated in division (B)(1) of this section.
(5) Wall signs shall not project more than 18 inches from the building wall and shall not extend above the wall or beyond the wall to which they are attached.
(6) For multi-storied properties with multiple tenants "bonus signage" of 30 square feet is permitted for each eligible frontage. This may be increased by ten square feet for each additional building floor. The sign must be placed at the height at which the bonus has been granted.
(C) Monument signs.
(1) Either one monument or one pole sign is permitted per development. One additional sign may be permitted for each frontage for corner lots or lots with multiple frontages such as double or triple frontage lots.
(2) Maximum height for monument signs is eight feet.
(3) The area for any monument sign shall not exceed 100 square feet of total sign face area. The area of any additional ground signs as permitted in division (C)(1) of this section shall be limited to 50 square feet of total sign face area.
(4) Monument signs may utilize manual changeable copy subject to § 155.136 (Electronic Signs and Changeable Copy).
(5) Monument signs may incorporate an electronic sign subject to the standards designated in § 155.136 (Electronic Signs and Changeable Copy).
(D) Pole signs.
(1) Either one monument or one pole sign is permitted per development. One additional sign may be permitted for each frontage for corner lots or lots with multiple frontages such as double or triple frontage lots.
(2) Maximum height for pole signs is 30 feet. (See § 155.131(A)(7) for additional guidance.)
(3) The area for any pole sign shall not exceed 200 square feet of total sign face area. The area of any additional signs as permitted in division (D)(1) of this section shall be limited to 100 square feet of total sign face area.
(4) Pole signs may utilize manual changeable copy subject to § 155.136 (Electronic Signs and Changeable Copy).
(5) Pole signs may incorporate an electronic sign subject to the standards designated in §
155.136 (Electronic Signs and Changeable Copy).
(E) Awning signs.
(1) Regulations for awning signs shall also apply to signs located on canopies (fabric supported structures).
(2) Awnings must be at least eight feet above the sidewalk grade and 15 feet above any drive.
(3) Awning signs are permitted in addition to the allowable wall signage as regulated in
§ 155.134(B) (Wall Signs).
(F) Projecting signs.
(1) Projecting signs may be attached to the building wall or canopy and project at an angle of approximately 90-degrees or may be attached to the corner of a building and may project at a 45-degree angle from the building wall or canopy for a distance of not more than four feet. In no instance should a projecting sign of either configuration project over another owners' property, or any public or private drive.
(2) Projecting signs must be at least eight feet above the sidewalk grade.
(3) All projecting signs shall be rigidly fastened to allow no structural movement.
(4) Projecting signs may be internally illuminated, subject to the criteria defined in § 155.132 (Illumination).
(5) Projecting signs are permitted in addition to the allowable wall signage as regulated in § 155.134(B) (Wall Signs).
(6) Projecting signs that extend into the right-of-way, will need to get permission for the right-of-way encroachment from the Safety and Service Director.
(G) Identification and directional signs. Identification and direction signs indicating traffic routes or serving similar functions shall be permitted subject to the following.
(1) Signs shall be setback ten feet from all lot lines and all rights-of-way.
(2) Such signs shall not exceed six square feet in sign area.
(3) Maximum height of such signs is six feet
.
(H) Nameplate signs.
(1) Buildings or developments may install nameplate signs for the purpose of establishing the identity of establishments within the development.
(2) Signs shall not exceed four square feet and may be wall or ground signs.
(3) Ground signs must be a minimum of ten feet from any side lot line and street
right-of-way.
(I) Menu board signs.
(1) Two menu board signs (a preview board plus a menu board) are permitted for each stacking lane in a drive-through facility. Each menu board shall not exceed 48 square feet in sign area. Any attachments, such as pictures or photographs of food, or other items shall be included within the maximum sign area.
(2) Menu board signage shall be permitted in addition to the allowable monument signage and other applicable signage.
(3) No menu board shall exceed eight feet in height.
(J) Fuel price displays.
(1) Manual changeable copy fuel price displays, incorporated into a permitted sign of an establishment that sells gasoline or other vehicle fuels, are permitted.
(2) Electronic fuel price displays, incorporated into a permitted sign of an establishment that sells gasoline or other vehicle fuels, are permitted subject to the following.
(a) The electronic fuel price display shall not exceed 50% of the permitted sign area and in no case shall the fuel price display be greater than 40 square feet in area.
(b) Electronic fuel price displays shall be one-color LED technology.
(c) Electronic fuel price displays shall come equipped with automatic dimming capabilities and shall automatically dim to a corresponding reduction in ambient light. In no instance shall the electronic fuel display cause light trespass onto an adjacent residential district or use.
(d) The electronic fuel price display shall be static and may not display animated, scrolling, moving, or flashing messages or video.
(K) Billboards.
(1) All billboards within the city shall conform to the outdoor advertising device regulations of the Ohio Revised Code and the Ohio Department of Transportation, as applicable.
(2) (a) No additional billboards are permitted within the city.
(b) The billboards that are existing as of the effective date of this chapter may remain and are considered permitted uses.
(c) Face changes and regular maintenance of such billboards is permitted, but if an existing billboard is proposed to be rebuilt, converted to an electronic billboard, increased in size, or other similar transformation, a conditional use permit will be required.
(Ord. 2018-06, passed 7-9-2018, § 155.190; Ord. 2023-28, passed 9-14-2023)