Signs, as permitted in all use districts, shall be designed to be compatible in character and style with regard to materials, color and size of the building, other signs designed or located on the same building, and other signs adjoining buildings in order to produce an overall unified effect, and in accordance with the standards set forth in this section. Signs shall be reviewed with respect to each of the provisions of this section and shall require approval by the Board of Building Standards.
(a) Continuity. Signs shall be considered in relationship to their surrounding environment and, if seen in series, should have a continuity of design.
(b) Style and Color. The style of a sign shall be generally consistent throughout the particular building or block involved; the color of signs shall be a component of the color of the building facade and the total number of colors on a sign shall be limited to four unless otherwise permitted by the Board of Building Standards.
(c) Lettering. The lettering on a sign shall be large enough to be easily read, but not overly large or out of scale with the building upon which it is placed. An excessive amount of information on signs, where visual clutter could create a potential safety hazard to motorists or pedestrians, shall not be permitted.
(d) Materials. Signs shall be fabricated on and of materials which are of high quality, high durability and complementary to the building of which they become a part. When noncombustible outdoor signs or display structures are required by this chapter, all parts including the supporting structures shall be of noncombustible material; provided, however, that wood, approved plaster, or other material not more combustible than wood or approved plastic shall be permitted in the following locations:
(1) For small ornamental moldings, caps, nailing strips, individual letters, symbols, figures and insignia.
(2) On the face of a sign, provided that the aggregate area of such facing for any sign shall not exceed 100 square feet.
(e) Structural Design. Any graphic, other sign structure, marquee, canopy or awning as defined in this chapter, shall be designed and constructed to withstand a wind pressure of not less than thirty pounds per square foot of net surface area, allowing for wind from any direction, and shall be constructed to withstand loads as required in the American Standards Association Standard A60.1, as amended and as provided herein. Signs shall not be attached to parapets.
(f) Canopy Signs. A canopy sign is a sign attached to the underside of the canopy at a ninety degree angle to the street, intended for pedestrian visibility. The vertical dimension of the sign shall not exceed twelve inches and the lowest structural member shall be not less than eight feet above sidewalk grade. The location, design, and installation of canopies are subject to the approval of the Board of Building Standards.
(g) Ground Signs. Shall not extend higher than ten feet above the finished grade. Ground signs shall not be located within the required front and side yards unless approved by the Board of Building Standards. The base of ground sign shall be required to have landscaping as approved by the Board of Building Standards.
(h) Mural Signs. May be permitted in the C 1, C2 and C3 Districts only in cases where innovative design is demonstrated subject to review and approval by the Board of Building Standards.
(i) Pole Sign. Existing pole signs may be refaced as long as the cabinet, pole or structure is not modified in anyway. Any such modification other than refacing the cabinet requires removal of the pole sign.
(j) Projection Signs. May be permitted in the Cl, C2,C3, MUOD Districts only in cases where innovative design is demonstrated and where no potential safety hazard to motorists or pedestrians is created. Projecting signs shall not project any further than twenty -four inches from a vertical line projected from the curb. No sign projecting over public property shall swing from any bar, crane, swing or other sign, unless approved by the Board of Building Standards.
(k) Wall or Panel Signs. Shall not project more than twelve inches from the building wall to which it is attached and shall be set back from the end of the building and party wall lines for a distance of at least eighteen inches and shall not project beyond any corner or above the coping or eaves of any building.
(l) Vertical Clearance. The lowest member for all signs which project or are supported on posts shall be not less than eight feet above the finished grade of a sidewalk or any other pedestrian way; and, if located over a pavement used for vehicular traffic or within twenty-four inches of the vertical projection of the edge of such pavement, the lowest member of the signs shall be not less than sixteen feet above the finished pavement.
(m) Relation to Traffic Devices. Signs shall not be erected so as to obstruct sight lines along any public way, traffic control lights, street name signs at intersections, or street sight lines or signals at railroad grade crossings. Signs visible from the sight lines along a street shall not contain an arrow or words such as " stop ", " go ", " slow ", etc., and the movement, content, coloring or manner of illumination shall not exceed twelve inches.
(n) Awning Signs. The total area of one face of the sign shall not exceed six square feet and the vertical dimension of the sign shall not exceed twelve inches. The location, design, and installation of awnings are subject to the approval of the Board of Building Standards.
(o) Changeable Copy Signs. Shall comply with all other regulations of this chapter including the design standards in this section, and the provisions for application for permits in Section 1329.12.
When reviewing the proposed sign, the Board of Building Standards shall consider and establish the standards applicable for the changeable copy which may include, but are not limited to: determining the potion of the sign permitted for changeable copy; determining the suitable material and method for making changes and the manner for fastening the new copy; and establishing the color and design criteria. Changeable copy shall be text only and of a single color. Changeable copy signs may be digital for the purposes of displaying price, time, and/ or temperature. The digital copy may not flash or change other than to reflect a change in status.
(p) Electronic Reader Boards. Shall only be permitted as a part of Comprehensive Sign Plan as defined in Section 1329.05(q). Shall comply with all other regulations of this chapter including the design standards in this section, and the provisions for application for permits in Section 1329.12. When reviewing the proposed sign, the Board of Building Standards shall consider and establish the standards applicable for the electronic reader boards which may include, but are not limited to: determining the portion of the sign permitted for electronic reader boards; determining the suitable material and method for making changes and the manner for fastening the new copy; and establishing the color and design criteria. Electronic reader board signs cannot flash, blink, scroll or strobe and are permitted to change copy once per hour. The electronic reader board portion of signage must be a subordinate portion of proposed signage. These standards shall be set forth in the sign permit and shall apply for the life of the sign unless otherwise amended by the Board according to Section 1329.12.
(q) Comprehensive Sign Plan. As part of a comprehensive rehabilitation or redevelopment of a commercially zoned site or building, the Board of Building Standards may approve special sign standards for a property as follows:
(1) The proposed sign program applies to all current and future building tenants and standardizes the location, size and type of all wall, door and window signs.
(2) The proposed sign program requires high quality materials, innovative design and uses little or no internally illuminated signage.
(3) The Board may increase the amount of signage permitted for the property, provided the condition of subsections (q)(1) and (2) hereof are met, and permit more than the standard square footage allowed per sign without requiring variances for each sign.
(4) The proposed sign program approvals assign the sign criteria for the property. All tenants must conform to those requirements at all times.
(r) A-Frame Signs. All signs shall be professionally manufactured, maintained in good repair, and no attachments to the signs are permitted. Construction of the sign shall be of professional quality and made of durable, weather resistant materials such as wood, steel, aluminum and PVC. Signs shall only be permitted on the public sidewalk in front of the business. Illumination is prohibited.
(Ord. 2-16. Passed 4-18-2016.)