(A) Awnings and canopies. Awnings and canopies that are considered an architectural feature of a structure and are not used for identifying the premises or the goods and/or services sold are not considered a sign. Awnings and canopies used as signs are subject to the following regulations:
(1) Awning and canopy signs are permitted for multi-family residential and non-residential uses in any district.
(2) All awning or canopy signs must maintain a minimum clearance of seven feet, six inches. Awnings and canopies must not extend beyond a point two feet from the curb line.
(3) Printing on any awning or canopy sign is limited to ten inches in height.
(4) Awning and canopy signs shall be constructed out of canvas or canvas-like material. Back-lit and metal awnings and canopies are prohibited.
(5) Awning and canopy signs must be securely attached to and supported by a building. All frames and supports must be made of metal or similar rigid material. Frames and supports may not be made of wood or plastics.
(6) Under-awning signs are permitted in the C-1 and C-2 Districts subject to the following:
(a) Under-awning signs must be attached to the underside of an awning. Under-awning signs must not project beyond the awning.
(b) Under-awning must maintain a minimum clearance of seven feet, six inches.
(c) A maximum of one under-awning signs per business establishment with frontage on the street where the awning is mounted is permitted.
(d) Under-awning signs may not exceed three square feet.
(e) Under-awning signs must be securely fixed to the awning with metal supports.
(7) All awnings or canopies shall comply with the following design standards:
(a) Awnings and canopies shall be compatible in material and construction to the style and character of the building. The color of the awning or canopy shall be compatible with the overall color scheme of the facade.
(b) When feasible, awnings shall be generally aligned with others nearby in order to maintain a sense of visual continuity.
(c) Awnings and canopies shall fit the opening of the building and be positioned so that distinctive architectural features remain visible.
(B) Directory signs, directional signs and menu board signs.
(1) Directory signs. Multi-tenant non-residential uses shall be permitted one directory sign of no more than 16 square feet.
(2) Directional signs.
(a) Such signs shall identify the use only by means of a logo, shape, or color with the exception of words such as “ENTRANCE” or “EXIT.” Directional signs shall not include words identifying or advertising the use. Directional signs shall be located entirely on the property to which they pertain and shall identify restrooms, public telephone, walkways, parking lot entrances and exits and features of a similar nature.
(b) One directional sign is permitted for each driveway access from a public street. One additional directional sign is permitted for each intersection of driveways within a site, to identify traffic routing, entrances and services, such as drive-in lanes.
(c) Directional signs are limited to a have a maximum height of five feet and a maximum surface area of six square feet. Directional signs shall be of a monument design. Directional signs shall not project beyond the property line.
(3) Menu board signs. Drive-through establishments are permitted one menu board sign, constructed as monument sign, no more than 40 square feet in sign area, no more than six feet in height and no less than 15 feet from any lot line. Menu boards may be internally illuminated.
(C) Electronic message signs.
(1) Electronic message signs are permitted in the C-2, OS and I Districts.
(2) There shall be only one electronic message sign per zoning lot.
(3) Each message displayed on an electronic message sign must be static or depicted for a minimum of 30 seconds. Any scrolling, flashing or movement of the message is prohibited.
(4) No illumination from an electronic message sign shall glare into any residential premises. In addition, no illumination from such sign shall interfere with the safe movement of motor vehicles on public thoroughfares.
(5) Electronic message signs shall be permitted as monument signs or wall signs, and shall be subject to the requirements, including sign area, of this subchapter for those sign types.
(6) Electronic message signs shall not display any off-premises commercial advertising.
(7) Electronic display screens are prohibited.
(D) Monument signs.
(1) Monument signs are permitted in the C-1, C-2, M-1, OS and I Districts and for non-residential uses in the residential districts.
(2) One monument sign is permitted per street frontage of a zoning lot. For lots with over 120 square feet of lot frontage, a monument sign is permitted for each 120 square feet of lot frontage to a maximum of three signs.
(3) Monument signs shall not exceed six feet in height. Monument signs shall be limited to a maximum sign area of 32 square feet.
(4) No monument sign shall encroach into the public right-of-way and shall be located no closer than five feet from any interior or corner side lot line.
(5) Monument signs shall be spaced 20 feet apart.
(6) The ground area directly surrounding the base of a monument sign must consist of at least one square foot of landscaped area per each square foot of sign area. Monument signs may only be externally illuminated.
(E) Projecting sign.
(1) Projecting signs are permitted in C-1 and C-2 Districts.
(2) The maximum area of a projecting sign is 24 square feet.
(3) One projecting sign per ground floor establishment with frontage on a public street is permitted. In the case of a multi-tenant building, one additional projecting sign identifying the name of the multi-tenant development is permitted.
(4) Projecting signs shall not project more than four feet from the face of the building to which they are attached, including the area between the sign and the face of the building.
(5) The bottom of any projecting sign must be at least seven feet, six inches above the sidewalk or thoroughfare. No projecting sign affixed to a building may project higher than the building height, including the sign support structure.
(6) Projecting signs, including frames, braces, and supports must be designed by a licensed structural engineer or manufacturer. No projecting sign may be secured with wire, chains, strips of wood or nails nor may any projecting sign be hung or secured to any other sign. Any movable part of a projecting sign, such as the cover of a service opening, must be securely fastened by chains or hinges.
(7) External illumination, such as goose-neck type lighting, is permitted on projecting signs provided that illumination is concentrated on the area of the sign face only. Projecting signs may be internally illuminated.
(F) Wall sign.
(1) Wall signs are permitted in the C-1, C-2, M-1, OS and I Districts and for non-residential uses in the residential districts.
(2) The permitted sign area for a wall sign shall be as follows:
(a) For an interior lot, the maximum size of a wall sign shall be established at one square foot per linear foot of zoning lot frontage as measured along the front lot line, with a minimum of 25 square feet permitted. No wall sign shall exceed 100 square feet.
(b) For a corner lot, the maximum size of a wall sign located on each building wall shall be established at one square foot per linear foot of zoning lot frontage as measured along the front or corner side lot line of that building wall, with a minimum of 25 square feet permitted for each sign. The size of a wall sign on each side of the building shall be limited to the square footage calculated on that side only. In no case shall the square footage permitted for the building wall located along the front lot line and the square footage permitted for the building wall located along the corner side lot line be combined to create a larger sign on a wall other than that permitted on each individual wall. No wall sign shall exceed 100 square feet.
(c) In a multi-tenant structure, each tenant shall be permitted a wall sign of one square foot per linear foot of business frontage, with a minimum of 25 square feet permitted for a wall sign for each tenant. In no case, shall the total amount of wall signs on the structure exceed one square foot per linear foot of business frontage or the sum total of 25 square feet per tenant, whichever is greater. If a multi-tenant structure is located on a corner lot, the maximum size of the wall sign located on the wall along the corner lot line shall be limited to one square foot per linear foot of zoning lot frontage as measured along the front lot line, with a minimum of 25 square feet permitted. No wall sign shall exceed 100 square feet.
(d) When an exterior wall fronts on a railroad right-of-way, a wall sign is permitted on such exterior wall of one square foot per linear foot of frontage, with a minimum of 25 square feet. No wall sign shall exceed 100 square feet.
(3) Wall signs must be safely and securely attached to the building wall at no less than seven feet, six inches above the ground. Wall signs must be affixed flat against the building wall and must not project more than 12 inches from the building wall.
(4) No wall sign affixed to a building, including sign support structure, may project beyond the ends or top of the wall to which it is attached. On existing buildings, a parapet wall must not be constructed for the sole purpose of increasing the allowable height of a wall sign. For new buildings, when a sign is to be mounted on a parapet wall, that parapet wall must be consistent with the architectural design of the building, including building materials. Wall signs may not be attached to un-reinforced masonry parapets. Wall signs shall not cover windows, doors or architectural features.
(5) Wall signs shall be constructed of wood or metal. Wall signs shall not be painted on the exterior wall.
(6) Gooseneck reflectors are permitted on all wall signs provided the reflectors must concentrate the illumination upon the area of the sign face only. Internally illuminated wall signs are permitted.
(7) Within a multi-tenant commercial development, all wall signs must be located at a generally uniform height on the building wall.
(G) Window sign (permanent).
(1) Window signs are permitted in the C-1, C-2, M-1, OS and I Districts and for non-residential uses in the residential districts.
(2) All window signs, whether temporary, permanent or neon window signs, shall occupy no more than 40% of the surface of each window area. Window area is counted as a continuous surface until divided by an architectural or structural element. Mullions are not considered an element that divides window area. (See Figure 15-3: Window Sign Area Calculation.)
FIGURE 15-3: WINDOW SIGN AREA CALCULATION
(Ord. 929, passed 1-25-11; Ord. 1076, passed 1-23-18) Penalty, see § 153.999