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(a) General Requirements.
(1) Projecting and suspended signs shall be permitted in B-1, B-2, and CBD, Districts.
(2) The maximum area of a projecting or suspended sign shall not exceed twenty (20) square feet on each side or a total of forty (40) square feet. The total square feet of signage (both sides) shall be subtracted from the total allowable wall signage square footage for the district.
(3) The bottom of the projecting or suspended sign shall be a minimum of seven (7) feet above the surface of the sidewalk or ground area, or otherwise be located so as not to interfere with pedestrian traffic.
(4) The City shall approve the lighting of all signs in accordance with the standards set forth in Section 7.02(c).
(b) Projecting or Suspended Signs Requiring Special Land Use Approval. The Planning Commission may consider a sign that is greater than the maximum area requirements as a special land use. The Planning Commission may also consider more than one (1) projecting sign per premises as a special land use.
In review of a Special Land Use, the Planning Commission shall consider the standards set forth in Section 3.03 and the following:
(2) The size, shape and topography of the property;
(3) The relationship of the sign to neighboring properties and signs; and
(4) The relationship to and visibility from the public street where the property is located.
Interior window signs shall be permitted in the CBD Central Business District, B-1 Local Business District, and B-2 General Business District. Interior window signs shall be permitted for each use on each floor level but in total shall not exceed twenty-five (25) percent of the window area of each building face on each floor level, and no more than fifty (50) percent coverage per window.
The following temporary signs shall be permitted in accordance with the regulations herein.
(a) Permits Required. All permitted temporary signs, that are twelve (12) square feet or greater, except those signs where additional sign area is permitted during the time frame and conditions specified in this Section 7.07(d)(3) shall require a permit from the Zoning Administrator. Banners meeting the requirements of this section shall be considered temporary signs.
(b) Temporary Freestanding Signs.
(1) All temporary signs shall be located no closer than ten (10) feet from the public right-of-way.
(2) Number of Temporary Signs Permitted. One (1) temporary freestanding sign shall be permitted per premise, except those signs where additional number is permitted in the time frame and conditions specified in Section 7.07(d)(3).
(3) Height and Area Requirements for Temporary Freestanding Signs. All temporary signs shall be permitted in accordance with the following requirements, except those signs where additional area is permitted during the time frame and conditions specified in Section 7.07(f)(3).
Height (ft.) | Area (sq. ft.) |
Height (ft.) | Area (sq. ft.) | |
CBD District All permitted and special land uses, not located within a business center. | 6 | 16 per side, not to exceed a total of 32 |
B-1, B-2, I-1 and I-2 Districts All permitted and special land uses, not located within a business center. | 6 | 16 per side, not to exceed a total of 32 |
O-1 Districts All permitted and special land uses, not located within a business center. | 6 | 16 per side, not to exceed a total of 32 |
R-1, R-2, R-T and R-M Districts Applicable to the following uses: libraries, parks and recreational facilities; public and private schools; Municipal office buildings; churches; golf courses, country clubs and cemeteries; convalescent homes; bed and breakfast operations, and funeral homes or mortuaries. | 6 | 16 per side, not to exceed a total of 32 |
Applicable to the following uses: colleges, universities and other such institutions of higher learning; general hospitals; and other uses of community-wide or regional nature. | 6 | 32 per side, not to exceed a total of 64 |
All one family, multiple family or mobile home park developments | 4 | 16 per side, not to exceed a total of 32 |
HL Districts All uses. | 4 | 16 per side, not to exceed a total of 32 |
(c) Temporary Wall Signs.
(1) Number of Temporary Wall Signs. One (1) temporary wall sign shall be permitted per premise, except those signs where additional number is permitted in the time frame and conditions specified in Section 7.07(f)(3).
(2) Area Requirements. All temporary wall signs shall be permitted in accordance with the following requirements, except those signs where additional area is permitted in the time frame and conditions specified in Section 7.07(f)(3).
Maximum Area (sq. ft.) | |
CBD District All permitted and special land uses. | 16 |
Maximum Area (sq. ft.) | |
CBD District All permitted and special land uses. | 16 |
B-1, B-2, I-1 and I-2 Districts All permitted and special land uses. | 16 |
O-1 Districts All permitted and special land uses. | 8 |
R-1, R-2, R-T and R-M Districts Applicable to the following uses: libraries, parks and recreational facilities; public and private schools; Municipal office buildings; churches; golf courses, country clubs and cemeteries; convalescent homes; bed and breakfast operations, and funeral homes or mortuaries. | 16 |
Applicable to the following uses: colleges, universities and other such institutions of higher learning; general hospitals; and other uses of community-wide or regional nature. | 32 |
R-M Districts All multiple family developments. | 32 |
HL Districts (Only one (1) sign per building, either freestanding or wall, is permitted in this district.) | |
All special land uses. | 16 |
(d) Standards for All Temporary Signs.
(1) Temporary signs shall be constructed of durable, all-weather materials and designed to remain in place and in good repair so long as they remain on display.
(2) The maximum display time of temporary signs is thirty (30) days unless additional time is granted under subsection 3 or 4 below. After this time expires, the sign shall be removed. Once the temporary sign is removed, there shall be a gap of at least thirty (30) days between display of a temporary sign on the same property.
(3) In recognition that there is a need for additional expression of speech prior to a scheduled election, the following applies for a period of sixty (60) days prior to and three (3) days after a City-designated election day on which there is at least one ballot item: the maximum allowable area of temporary signs shall be increased to sixty-four (64) square feet per premise in all districts. The maximum area of an individual sign remains as stated in the table above during this period.
(4) When all or a portion of a building or land area is listed for lease, the maximum display time of freestanding temporary signs and temporary signs mounted on buildings shall be ninety (90) days. When all or a portion of a building or land area is listed for sale, the maximum display time of freestanding temporary signs for all uses and temporary signs mounted on buildings for all uses except residential uses shall be the duration the building, building unit or land is listed for sale. In all cases, the sign area shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet per side.
(5) Display of temporary banners and temporary signs mounted on building walls (temporary wall signs) shall be limited to a total of thirty (30) days per calendar year. Such signs shall not be displayed for any continuous period greater than ten (10) days.
(a) Intent. It is the intent of this ordinance to provide opportunities for businesses to provide pedestrian-scale communication of messages to customers near the entrances to their businesses while preventing sign clutter along the City's thoroughfares.
(b) General Standards.
(1) One (1) portable sign shall be permitted per building in the CBD, B-1, B-2, O-1, and MXD Districts. Buildings with frontage on two streets are permitted to have one sign on each street.
(2) In all districts, except the CBD, a portable sign shall be located on the premises of the business it is intended to advertise, but not within the public right-of-way.
(3) All sandwich board signs shall be located within ten (10) feet of the building containing the business it is advertising. In the CBD, a portable sign may be located on the sidewalk in the public right-of-way either in front of or adjacent to the business it is intended to advertise.
(4) All portable signs may only be displayed during regular business hours.
(5) A portable sign shall not occupy or obstruct the use of any fire lane or required off-street parking. Any sign that creates a visual or safety hazard may be ordered to be removed by the Zoning Administrator.
(6) A portable sign shall not exceed nine (9) square feet per side or a total of eighteen (18) square feet. The height shall not exceed four and one-half (4.5) feet.
(c) Additional Standards in the CBD District. If a portable sign is located on a public sidewalk, a minimum of five (5) feet of unobstructed pedestrian access shall be maintained. Sufficient room shall also be provided to allow car doors to open.
(a) Signs for Bed and Breakfast Accommodations.
(1) The Planning Commission, in its sole discretion, may approve one (1) of the following types of signs: ground, wall, projecting or suspended.
(2) A ground sign shall not exceed four (4) feet in height and six (6) square feet in area per side, nor to exceed a total of twelve (12) square feet in area.
(3) A wall sign shall not exceed six (6) square feet in area.
(4) A projecting or suspended sign shall not exceed six (6) square feet in area per side, not to exceed a total of twelve (12) square feet in area. A projecting or suspended sign shall provide a minimum of eight (8) feet of ground clearance or otherwise be located so as to not interfere with pedestrian traffic.
(5) The Planning Commission shall approve the lighting of all signs.
(b) Signs on the premises of Outdoor Sales of Automobiles or Vehicles. No signs may be placed on-site other than the permitted maximum wall and/or ground signs as per this article. The prohibited signs include banners, flags and digital/electronic signs.
(c) Signs on the premises of Automobile Filling Stations, Automobile Repair Garage, Automobile Service Stations , Automobile Washes, and Automobile Dealerships. No signs may be placed on-site other than the permitted maximum wall and/or ground signs as per this article. The prohibited signs include banners and flags. Digital/electronic signs may be permitted under the following circumstances:
(d) Drive-In and Drive-Through Accessory Signs.
(1) Drive-in and drive-through businesses shall submit a plan for approval by the Planning Commission illustrating the location of accessory signs in relationship to a drive-in or drive-through.
(2) Each drive-in and drive-through accessory sign shall not exceed seven (7) feet in height.
(3) One (1) drive-in and drive-through accessory sign (in stacking lane) shall not exceed sixteen (16) square feet and the other (at the speaker) shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in area.
(4) The area of the drive-in and drive-through accessory sign is exclusive of the structures framing.
(5) All drive-in and drive-through accessory signs shall be single sided.
(6) No drive-in and drive-through accessory sign may be located within the front yard.
(7) The drive-in and drive-through accessory sign may include digital/electronic signage not to exceed four (4) square feet.
(8) The Planning Commission may consider a modified sign area, subject to the following:
A. Only one (1) of the drive-in and drive-through accessory signs may be increased in area.
B. The drive-in and drive-through accessory sign is completely screened from the roadway.
C. Under no circumstances shall the drive-in and drive-through accessory sign exceed forty-eight (48) square feet in area.
(e) Electronic Message Signs. Electronic message signs, where permitted, shall be subject to the following standards and requirements:
(1) General Standards.
A. Electronic message signs shall only be permitted to be incorporated in a freestanding sign in the B-1, B-2, MXD and South Michigan Avenue Form Based District;
B. The area devoted to an electronic message sign (EMS) shall not exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of the permissible ground sign area;
C. The ground sign in which the EMS is incorporated shall be in complete conformity with the ground sign requirements of the district in which the premise is located. All other signs shall conform to the requirements of the district in which the premise is located;
D. There shall be no window sign permitted, maintained or installed on a premise with an EMS; and
E. The EMS must comply with all sign display and illumination standards in Section 7.02(c).
(2) Message Display and Communication Requirements:
A. The display time of an EMS shall not be less than two (2) minutes per message display;
B. The transition or change of message shall appear instantaneous without the use of special effects such as dissolve or fade;
C. An EMS shall not exhibit any characteristics of movement or flashing and shall not use techniques defined as dynamic frame effect, scroll, or travel;
D. No EMS message display shall resemble or simulate any warning or danger signal, or any official traffic control device, sign, signal or light or have the brilliance or intensity that will interfere with any official traffic sign, device or signal;
E. An EMS shall be limited to white, black, and/or graytone lettering and images. Operation of a full color EMS is prohibited and any full color capable EMS shall only be operated on the white, black, and/or graytone mode; and
F. An EMS shall not include any audio message or audible sound.
(3) Miscellaneous Requirements.
A. No EMS shall be permitted to operate unless it is certified as follows and equipped with all of the following mechanisms, programming, and equipment in proper working order at all times:
1. A default mechanism that will cause the EMS to revert immediately to a default static display to zero lumens if the EMS or any component thereof malfunctions;
2. A non-glare panel covering the electronic changeable copy display or other equivalent method approved by the City to substantially reduce glare;
3. A sensor or other device that automatically determines the ambient illumination and is programmed to automatically dim according to ambient light conditions; and
4. A written certification from a sign manufacturer or other approved testing agency that the light intensity has been preset to conform to the brightness, illumination, and display standards established in this article and that the preset levels are protected from end user manipulation by password protected software or other method with certification shall be provided to the City.
B. The owner or controller must either turn off or adjust the sign to meet the brightness and illumination standards set forth in Section 7.02(c). The adjustment must be made within twelve (12) hours of a notice of non-compliance from the City.
(f) Business Center Signs.
(1) One (1) freestanding sign shall be permitted, where such signs are permitted in the district in which located.
A. Freestanding business center signs shall not exceed fifty (50) square feet per side, one hundred (100) square feet total.
B. Freestanding business center signs shall meet the size and height requirements of the district in which such sign is located.
C. Within a freestanding business center, individual tenants or uses shall not have a separate freestanding sign.
(2) In areas of the City where a freestanding sign is not permitted, a business center may have a business center wall sign.
A. Wall business center signs shall meet the area requirements for wall signs in the district in which located.
B. Wall business center signs shall meet all other wall sign requirements in the district in which located.
This article shall be administered by the Zoning Administrator or designated representative.
(a) Review and Approval of Signs by the Administration. All new or replacement signs for existing structures or uses that are not subject to Planning Commission review, including temporary signs and banners, shall be reviewed and approved by the Zoning Administrator or designated representative. In any case, the Zoning Administrator reserves the right to refer a sign application to the Planning Commission for a recommendation.
(b) Review and Approval of Signs by Planning Commission. Signs subject to the review and approval of the Planning Commission are as follows:
(1) All new signs subject to the provisions of this article, whether for existing or new structures and uses that are subject to site plan review.
(3) Signs designating sites of historical significance as set forth in Section 7.02(f)(4).
(4) Signs for bed and breakfast accommodations as set forth in Section 7.09(a).
The application shall also describe the colors, construction materials and method of lighting of all such signs.
(c) Review Standards. The Zoning Administrator or the Planning Commission, depending upon the review authority set forth in subsections (a) and (b) hereof, shall review the sign plan for conformity with the objectives and standards of this article, specifically Section 7.01
Intent and Section 7.02
General Conditions.
(d) Permits Required.
(1) It shall be unlawful to display, erect, relocate or alter any sign without obtaining a sign permit. Signs meeting the provisions of Section 7.02(f) shall not require a permit.
(2) Sign permits shall be issued for signs in compliance with the standards of this article. When a sign permit has been issued by the City, it shall be unlawful to change, modify, alter or otherwise deviate from the terms or conditions of said permit without first amending the permit or applying for a new permit.
(3) The application for a sign permit shall be made by the owner or tenant of the property on which the sign is to be located, his or her authorized agent, or a sign contractor. Such application shall be made in writing on forms furnished by the Zoning Administrator and shall be signed by the applicant.
(4) The application for a sign permit, whether reviewed by the Administrator or the Planning Commission, shall be accompanied by the following information:
A. The name, address and telephone number of the owner or persons entitled to possession of the sign and of the sign contractor or erector.
B. The location by street address of the proposed sign structure.
C. Complete information as required on application forms, including a site plan and elevation drawings of the proposed sign, and such other data as are pertinent to the application, including the locations of the proposed sign(s) on the property and/or buildings as well as any other existing signs located upon the property and buildings on the site, the dimensions of the proposed sign and all existing signs, and a drawing of such sign(s). The application shall also describe the construction materials and method of lighting of all such sign(s).
D. Plans indicating the scope and structural detail of the work to be done, including details of all connections, guy lines, supports and footings, and materials to be used.
E. Application for, and required information for such application, and an electrical permit for all electrical signs if the person building the sign is to make the electrical connection.
F. A statement of valuation.
(e) Non-conforming Signs.
(1) Unless otherwise provided in this Section or other applicable law, nonconforming signs may be used, maintained, or repaired in the same form and type as they existed at the time they became nonconforming.
(2) No nonconforming sign:
A. Shall be changed to another nonconforming sign;
B. Shall have any change made in the message displayed on the sign unless the sign is specifically designed for periodic change of message;
C. Shall have any change made in the structure, shape, size, type, design, or mechanical or electrical equipment of the sign unless the change brings the sign into compliance with this chapter; however, the Building Official may order repair of a nonconforming sign for safety;
D. Shall be reestablished or maintained after the activity, business or usage to which it relates has been discontinued for one hundred twenty (120) days or longer;
E. Shall be repaired or erected after being damaged if the repair or erection of the sign would cost more than fifty percent (50%) of the cost of an identical new sign;
F. Shall have any change that would result in different type of or greater illumination of the sign or change a non-luminescent sign to a luminescent sign;
G. Shall have any change made to add mechanical or electronic features, except ambient light monitors to regulate brightness in accordance with this Code.
(3) If the owner of a sign or the premises on which a sign is located changes the location of a building, property line, or sign, or changes the use of a building so that any sign on the premises is rendered nonconforming, such sign must be removed or made to conform to this chapter.
(f) Removal of Abandoned Signs.
(1) Any sign located on property in the City that has been vacant or unused for more than one hundred twenty (120) days shall be presumed to be abandoned. The owner's intent to abandon or no longer continue the use of the sign shall be established by a preponderance of the evidence before the Zoning Administrator. Such evidence may include, but not be limited to, any factor involving the use (or lack thereof) or the condition of the sign or the business it advertises, and may include, by way of example, such considerations as:
A. Whether utilities have been disconnected to the premises to which the sign relates.
B. Whether any fixtures within and outside the premises to which the sign relates have been removed.
C. Whether the premise to which the sign relates have fallen into disrepair or is considered "blighted."
D. Whether U.S. Mail delivery for the business to which the sign relates has been terminated or mail is forwarded to another address.
E. Whether the classification of the property for tax purposes has been changed to reflect another use.
F. Whether any license associated with the use of the premises to which the sign relates has expired.
G. Any other evidence indicating that the business or activity to which the sign relates is no longer operating from the advertised premises.
(2) Exceptions to this restriction may be permitted by the Planning Commission based upon the historical significance of signage. In determining historical significance of a sign, the Planning Commission shall use the following guidelines:
A. Whether or not the sign is located on an historically significant or contributing structure, as defined in this ordinance.
B. The historical or architectural value and significance of the sign and its relationship to the historical value of the surrounding area;
C. The relationship of the exterior architectural features of the sign to the rest of the structure and the surrounding area;
D. The general compatibility of exterior design, arrangement, texture and materials of the sign; and
E. Other factors, including aesthetic value, which the Planning Commission considers pertinent.
(3) A sign shall be removed by the owner or lessee of the premises upon which the sign is located within thirty (30) days after the business which it advertises is no longer conducted on the premises. The Zoning Administrator or designee shall order the removal of any sign, including the sign structure, erected or maintained in violation of this ordinance. Notice in writing shall be given to the owner of such sign or of the building, structure, or premises on which such sign is located, to remove the sign or bring it into compliance with the ordinance. Notice in writing shall be delivered in person or sent certified, return receipt requested, within five (5) days of discovery of the violation.
A. If the owner of the property to whom such a notice has been sent claims that the sign has not been abandoned, such owner shall, within sixty (60) days from the date of the notice, file a written response to the Zoning Administrator stating facts which rebut the presumption of abandonment and demonstrate the intent not to abandon the sign.
B. At the end of such sixty (60) day period, if a written response stating facts to rebut the presumption of abandonment has not been submitted to the Zoning Administrator, the sign shall be deemed abandoned, and a notice to such effect shall be sent to the owner.
C. If a written response stating facts to rebut the presumption of abandonment has been submitted to the Zoning Administrator, and if the response demonstrates in the discretion of the Zoning Administrator that the sign has not been abandoned, the sign shall be permitted to remain until further evidence of abandonment appears, or some other basis for removal arises. If the Zoning Administrator determines that the response fails to demonstrate that the sign has not been abandoned, the notice of sign abandonment and the response from the owner shall be placed upon the agenda of a meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals, and notice of the time, place and date of the meeting shall be sent to the owner. After a review of the notice and response, and after affording an opportunity to be heard by the owner and the Zoning Administrator, together with any and all other information and argument deemed appropriate by the Zoning Board of Appeals, the Zoning Board of Appeals shall make a final determination with respect to whether the sign has been abandoned.
(4) If the owner or lessee fails to remove the sign, then the City may remove the sign by issuance of a Municipal Civil Infraction to the owner or by applying to a court of competent jurisdiction seeking an order requiring removal of the sign. Any cost of removal incurred by the City shall be assessed to the owner of the property on which such sign is located and may be collected in the manner of ordinance debt or in the manner of taxes and such charge shall be a lien on the property.
(5) The City shall also remove the sign immediately and without notice if it reasonably appears that the condition of the sign is such as to present an immediate threat to the safety of the public, with the cost of removal assessed against the owner as set forth herein.
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