The following types of signs must comply with the General Sign Standards outlined above as well as the restrictions outlined below and require a permit from the city (See § 152.41, Permit Process). Electronic message center (dynamic) signage is allowed only in the Commercial/Industrial District.
(A) Central Business District.
(1) Freestanding signs. One on-premise freestanding sign per building, provided that said sign does not exceed 48 square feet in area for a single tenant building or 60 square feet in area for a multiple tenant building. Signs shall not exceed 15 feet in height. Posts or anchoring mechanisms for the sign shall not be located on public property. Front, rear and side back setback requirements for the district must be followed when positioning sign. Posts or anchoring mechanisms for the sign shall not be located on public property.
(2) Wall or fascia signs. Wall signs are permitted on each street frontage provided that the area of all signage on each street or alley frontage does not exceed 25% of the wall area. This limitation is to be applied individually to each street frontage. Additionally, wall signs not exceeding 10% of said wall are permitted on each building frontage abutting a public parking lot accommodating 25 or more cars providing that all land abutting all sides of the parking lot is either public right-of-way or commercially zoned property.
(3) Projecting signs. A projecting sign may not exceed 20 square feet in area, nor may it project more than six feet out from the wall to which it is affixed. No projecting sign shall extend beyond the curb line of any public street or right-of-way. Projecting signs must maintain a minimum clearance between the bottom of the sign and the finished grade of eight and a half feet.
(4) Window signs. Window signs are permitted provided that the area of the signage does not exceed 25% of the window area; and that the total area of all window, wall and fascia signage on the same street frontage does not exceed 25% of the wall area, Windowpanes on entrance doors may not have more than 25% of the gross surface area of the glass pane covered by signage in order to avoid obstructing the view of persons entering and exiting the building.
(5) Canopy or awning signs. Canopy or awning signs shall not exceed 75% of the exterior, viewable surfaces of the canopy or awning. In the case of a canopy or awning that is attached to the building, the area of canopy/awning signage, together with the area of all wall, window and fascia signage on the same street frontage, shall not exceed 25% of the wall area.
(6) Off-premises signs. Off premise or billboard signs shall only be allowed in the Central Business District on a modified "cap and replace" basis as defined in § 152.22(B)(6).
(B) Commercial and Industrial Districts.
(1) Freestanding signs. One on-premises freestanding sign per building is permitted provided said sign does not exceed 150 square feet in area, 25 feet in height, and is not placed closer than ten feet from any street right-of-way. The freestanding sign described herein may contain off-premises advertising if the freestanding sign complies with the requirements of this provision and the off premises establishment advertised is located on a lot that is immediately adjacent to the lot on which the freestanding sign is located. Front, rear and side back setback requirements for the district must be followed when positioning sign. Posts or anchoring mechanisms for the sign shall not be located on public property.
(2) Projecting signs. Projecting signs are allowed when the sign is to be attached to a building that has a setback of ten feet or less from the street right-of-way. Such projecting signs shall not overhang the right-of-way. A projecting sign may not exceed 24 square feet in area and must maintain a minimum clearance between the bottom of the sign and the finished grade of eight and a half feet.
(3) Wall or fascia signs. Wall signs are permitted on each street or alley frontage provided said signs do not exceed 25% of the wall area. This limitation is to be applied individually to each street frontage. Additionally, wall signs not exceeding 10% of said wall area are permitted on each building frontage abutting a public parking lot accommodating 25 or more cars providing that all land abutting all sides of the parking lot is either public right-of-way or commercially zoned property.
(4) Window signs. Window signs are permitted provided that the area of the signage does not exceed 25% of the window area; and that the total area of all window, wall and fascia signage on the same street frontage does not exceed 25% of the wall area. Windowpanes on entrance doors may not have more than 25% of the gross surface area of the glass pane covered by signage in order to avoid obstructing the view of persons entering and exiting the building.
(5) Canopy or awning signs. Canopy or awning signs shall not exceed 75% of the exterior, viewable surfaces of the canopy or awning. In the case of a canopy or awning that is attached to the building, the area of canopy/awning signage, together with the area of all wall, window and fascia signage on the same street frontage, shall not exceed 25% of the wall area.
(6) Off-premises signs. Other than division (B)(1) of this section, off-premises or billboard signs shall only be allowed on a modified "cap and replace" basis.
(a) Capitation. As of the date of the adoption of this chapter, a complete inventory of existing off-premise signs shall be prepared. The inventory shall contain information pertaining to the size, height, location, ownership and permit number of the sign. All inventoried signs may remain in place, as legal nonconforming signs, for as long as they are properly maintained and utilized (see § 152.24). No additional signs are allowed. The inventoried signs may not be altered in such a manner as to enhance their size, to raise their height or to change their location.
(b) Replacement. Inventoried signs may be replaced at the end of their useful lives, or earlier if destroyed by circumstances out of the control of the owner of the sign. All replacement signs must meet the sign requirements outlined in division (B)(6)(c) below. Any signs which are allowed to fall into disrepair, or which carry no commercial or public service message for more than six continuous months will be considered abandoned. Abandoned signs are a nuisance, must be removed pursuant to § 152.40 and will not be eligible for replacement.
(c) Requirements for replacement signs. All replacement signs must meet the following requirements, as well as any requirements set forth in regulations promulgated by state or federal governmental agencies.
1. Location.
a. Highway 14/61 (the Pike) from 1,400 feet west of Twilite Street east to the city limits, on the south side of the roadway.
b. Highway 14/61 from Houston County 6 north to the city limits.
2. Height. Maximum height is 20 feet above the centerline of the adjacent roadway.
3. Size. Maximum sign area is 300 square feet per facing, not to exceed two facings. Double-sided signs shall be attached back to back. Signs connected at one edge, with the two faces forming an interior angle of 30 degrees or less shall be considered to be back to back.
4. Spacing. Three hundred linear feet from any other such sign on either side of the street or roadway. Not closer than 300 linear feet from the intersection of two or more streets or highways as measured from the centerlines of the roadway intersection.
5. Identification. All billboard signs shall have noted on their face the name of the firm, which manufactured the sign, and the sign permit number.
(C) Residential.
(1) Home occupations and special home occupations. One wall sign per dwelling, the maximum size to be two square feet. Standard house numbers used to identify the property are not considered to be home occupation signs.
(2) Multiple family dwellings. One wall or freestanding identification sign per building not to exceed ten square feet in area. Freestanding sign must not exceed five feet in height nor be placed within ten feet of any right-of-way.
(3) Churches or other conditional use buildings. One wall or freestanding sign per building. Height and size restrictions shall be as outlined for signs in the Central Business District.
(Ord. 497, passed 8-10-15; Am. Ord. 531, passed 3-25-19)