(a) Setback and Placement. Except as otherwise expressly permitted, all freestanding signs and flagpoles shall be set back from any public right-of-way at least the height of the sign. Electronic message displays shall be placed perpendicular to residential structures where possible and shall comply with Federal Communications Commission regulations, including the avoidance of harmful interference with radio frequencies.
(b) Illumination. The purpose of the following provisions regulating signage lighting is to ensure that signs are lighted in such a manner as to maintain aesthetic consistency with signs already existing in the city and to ensure the safety of drivers and pedestrians, while also ensuring that signs are adequately able to convey sign messages.
(1) Definitions.
A. "Candela" means the basic unit of measurement of light in SI (metric) units.
B. "Candela per square meter (cd/m²)" means the SI (metric) unit used to describe the luminance of a light source or of an illuminated surface that reflects light. Also referred to as Nits.
C. "Nit" means a photometric unit of measurement referring to luminance. One nit is equal to one cd/m².
D. "SI (International System of Units)" means the modern metric system of measurement, abbreviated SI for the French term "Le Systeme International d'Unites."
(2) Excluding signs accessory to a residential use, signs in any district may be illuminated at night. Signs that are illuminated at night may not exceed a maximum luminance level of seven hundred and fifty (750) cd/m² or Nits, regardless of the method of illumination, at least one-half (0.5) hour before Apparent Sunset, as determined by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), US Department of Commerce, for the specific geographic location and date. All illuminated signs must comply with this maximum luminance level throughout the night, if the sign is energized, until Apparent Sunrise, as determined by the NOAA, at which time the sign may resume luminance levels appropriate for daylight conditions.
(3) The maximum luminance during daylight conditions, between Apparent Sunrise and one-half hour before Apparent Sunset, shall be ten thousand (10,000) cd/m² or Nits.
(4) All permitted and conditional use signs may be backlit, internally lighted, or indirectly lighted, subject to lighting limitations in this code. All external sign lighting shall have lighting fixtures or luminaires that are fully shielded.
(5) Temporary signs shall not be lighted.
(6) Any sign, when illuminated, shall be externally illuminated with white light only.
(c) Maximum Height Measurements. Wall signs and other signs with sign structures not affixed to the ground are measured from the lowest attached component of the sign to the highest attached component of the sign. The height of signs with sign structures affixed to the ground is measured as the distance from the base of the sign at normal grade to the top of the highest attached component of the sign, subject to limitations in this Article. Normal grade is the lower of:
(1) Existing grade prior to construction; or
(2) The newly established grade after construction, exclusive of any filling, berming, mounding, or excavating primarily for the purpose of mounting or elevating the sign.
(d) Measurement of Sign Area. Sign area is calculated under the following principles:
(1) With signs that are regular polygons or circles, the area can be calculated by the mathematical formula for that polygon or circle. With signs that are not regular polygons or circles, the sign area is calculated using all that area within a maximum of three (3) abutting or overlapping rectangles that enclose the sign face.
(2) The permitted area of a double-faced, a-frame sign shall be considered to be the area on one side only. If one face contains a larger sign area than the other, the larger face shall be used in calculating the sign area.
(3) For projecting signs, the sign area also includes the area of the visible sides of the sign, calculated as a rectangle enclosing each entire side view.
(4) Supports, uprights, or structures on which any sign is supported shall not be included in determining the sign area unless such supports, uprights, or structures are designed in such a way as to form an integral background of the display; except, however, when a sign is placed on a fence, wall, planter, or other similar structure that is designed to serve a separate purpose other than to support the sign, the entire area of such structure shall not be computed.
(5) In instances where there are multiple tenants or users on a property or in a building, allowable sign area for all parties shall not exceed the maximum sign area computed based upon the number of tenants multiplied by forty (40) square feet per tenant. In no case shall any tenant sign exceed forty (40) square feet.
(6) All signs displayed, whether permanent or temporary, and regardless of the type of sign are counted toward the maximum sign area allowed per use.
(e) Number of Signs. All signs displayed on a lot, whether permanent or temporary, and regardless of the type of sign are counted towards the maximum number of signs permitted per use.
(f) Wall Signs.
(1) Wall signs larger than one hundred (100) square feet shall provide as part of a zoning permit application:
A. Express permission from the operator or owner of the building;
B. The name and address of the person applying the wall sign; and
C. A clear drawing of the proposed wall sign including dimensions and location.
(2) Wall signs larger than one hundred (100) square feet are subject to the design review standard in Subsection (g).
(g) Design Review Standards for Signs. Design review standards shall apply to wall signs in excess of one hundred (100) square feet. The Board of Zoning Appeals shall issue zoning permits for signs subject to design review in accordance with Section 1373.05, and the Board of Zoning Appeals shall issue a determination within forty (40) business days. In determining whether a sign is compatible with the theme and overall character to be achieved in each zoning district or overlay, the Board of Zoning Appeals shall base its compatibility determination on the following criteria:
(1) The relationship of the scale and placement of the sign to the building or premises on which it is to be displayed.
(2) The relationship of the colors of the sign to the colors of adjacent buildings and nearby signs.
(3) The similarity or dissimilarity of the sign's size and shape to the size and shape of other signs in the area.
(4) The similarity or dissimilarity of the style of lettering or number of words on the sign to the style of lettering or number of words of nearby signs.
(5) The compatibility of the type of illumination, if any, with the type of illumination in the area.
(6) The compatibility of the materials used in the construction of the sign with the materials used in the construction of other signs in the area.
(Ord. 319. Passed 6-18-24.)