The following signs shall require a permit to be issued by the city of Knoxville. Signs may be permitted in specific zoning categories, subject to the following restrictions:
A. Height And Setback Requirements: In commercial or industrial zoning districts where setbacks are required for building construction, no part of any sign shall extend over the property line, public right of way or public easement.
B. Number Of Signs Permitted:
1. Total Number: No more than one sign per side of any sign type shall be located at any business, except that premises occupied by a shopping center may, as an alternative, have one detached directory sign plus one wall sign for each place of business located in said shopping center.
2. Corner Lots: Businesses with streets fronting both sides shall be allowed one type of sign for each street frontage.
C. Types Of Signs:
1. Access Identification: Access identification.
2. Billboard Sign: Billboards shall be allowed in only the C-2, M-1 and M-2 zoning districts, provided they meet the following requirements: They must meet all setback requirements for the zoning district; may not exceed twenty feet (20') in height, nor shall they exceed one hundred forty four (144) square feet in total display. The area may be on one side or divided into two (2) areas so as not to exceed one hundred forty four (144) square feet; not more than one billboard shall be located on a single lot; no billboard shall be closer than five hundred feet (500') from another billboard when measured parallel to the street; and the billboards shall be the only use on a lot.
3. Building Directory: Building directory.
4. Wall Signs: Wall signs are permitted when placed against the exterior walls of buildings and shall not extend more than twenty four inches (24") outside of a building's wall surface, nor extend above the roofline. Total sign area (including multiple business/tenant signs on a single property) shall not exceed two (2) square feet for each linear foot of the building parallel with the main street frontage. Rear or side entrance signs are subject to the same size restrictions as that found at the principal (front/main) entrance to the building. Signs on other building facades (i.e., nonentrance side facades) are limited to one-half (1/2) square foot per linear foot of such facade. All signs attached or affixed to a building shall not exceed twenty feet (20') in height above the mean centerline street grade.
5. Freestanding/Ground Signs: Freestanding/ground signs and their supporting structure shall comply with all setback requirements for signs as set forth in this chapter. Ground signs shall not exceed in gross area for any one premises: fifty (50) square feet on each side in a C-1, C-2, C-3 or C-4 district; or one hundred sixty (160) square feet on each side in an M-1 or M-2 industrial district. Such signs shall not exceed at their highest point twenty feet (20') in height above mean centerline street grade. One ground sign is permitted on a street frontage provided there is no pylon sign on that side.
6. Pylon Signs: Pylon signs shall not exceed twenty feet (20') in height in C-1, C-2, C-3 and C-4 districts, nor exceed thirty feet (30') in height in an M-1 or M-2 industrial district. Height is measured above the mean centerline of street grade. The sign shall be completely within the property upon which it is located. One pylon sign per street frontage is permitted. Size is limited to one hundred (100) square feet for one side, or two hundred (200) square feet for all sides. Any pylon sign shall have a minimum landscaped area of sixteen (16) square feet around the base of the pole.
7. Shopping Center/Industrial Park Directory Signs: In a shopping center or industrial park, one freestanding identification/directory sign for each street upon which the development fronts may be permitted showing the name of said center or park and represented business or industries. Directory signs for shopping centers or industrial parks are permitted as an alternative to ground signs or projecting signs for individual stores in the shopping center or business in the industrial park. The top of a directory sign shall not exceed thirty two feet (32') in height above the mean centerline street grade and the bottom of the sign shall not be less than ten feet (10') above the sidewalk and not more than sixteen feet (16') above a driveway or alley. Double supporting pylons shall not be greater than ten feet (10') apart. That portion of the directory sign which advertises the shopping center or industrial park name shall not exceed one hundred (100) square feet for one side and a total of two hundred (200) square feet for all sides. That portion of the directory sign which advertises the individual store/business name shall not exceed sixteen (16) square feet for one side and a total of thirty two (32) square feet for all sides. (Ord. 12-12, 11-5-2012)