In addition to the general requirements set forth in this chapter, the following shall apply in commercial and industrial zoning districts:
(A) Types of signs allowed.
(1) Free-standing signs.
(2) Dimensions
Zoning District | Maximum Square Feet | Maximum Height |
C-1 | 50 sq. ft. | 20’ |
C-2, C-3, M-1, M-2, M-3 | 180 sq. ft. (not to exceed 120 sq. ft. per any one face) | 45’ |
C-4 | 80 sq. ft. (not to exceed 50 sq. ft. per any one face | 30’ |
(3) Number of signs.
(a) Maximum of one (1) free-standing sign for lots having two hundred (200) feet or less of road frontage. For each additional two hundred (200) feet of road frontage, an additional free standing sign is allowed.
(b) Free-standing signs shall be a minimum of fifty (50) feet from any other free-standing sign on the same lot.
(c) Advertising benches that are permanently mounted shall be considered a free-standing sign except when abutting the principal building, then they shall be counted as a wall sign. See wall signs in subsection (A) (2) (f).
(3) Setbacks. The leading edge of a free-standing sign may abut the property line except:
(a) When located in a vision clearance area which is an area triangular-shaped located at the intersection of any combination of streets, alleys or driveways. The sides of the triangle extend fifteen (15) feet from the intersection of the vehicle travel areas. See Figure 5. The height of the vision clearance area is from forty-two (42) inches above grade to ten (10) feet above grade. See Figure 6. Support structure(s) for a sign may only be located in a vision clearance area if the combined total width is twelve (12) inches or less and the combined total depth is twelve (12) inches or less.
Click here to view Figure 5
Click here to view Figure 6
(b) When a sign extends over a private area where vehicles travel or are parked, the bottom of the sign structure must be a minimum of ten (10) feet above the ground. This includes driveways, alleys, parking areas and loading and maneuvering areas.
(B) Wall signs:
(1) Maximum surface area of wall or roof signs shall not exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of the building face of the wall to which it is attached. Such wall area shall include all windows, doors, and wall area of the building in one plane of elevation. Where the building or wall face is broken or irregular in relation to a signal vertical plane perpendicular to the ground (by such architectural features as dormers, pitched roofs, awnings, etc.) the total building face may be considered as one, two dimensional wall, and number of signs permitted and maximum area requirements applied on that basis.
(2) Shall not extend above the peak of the roof.
(3) Where a single building or complex of buildings contains two (2) or more separate activities or establishments with their own separate exterior entrances, the individual businesses located therein shall be permitted wall signs and wall sign areas based on the portion of the building frontage used by the businesses as though they were individual buildings with individual street frontages.
(4) Where a single building contains two (2) or more separate activities or establishments, without their own separate exterior entrances, and share a common hallway, the building shall be permitted wall signs and wall sign areas based on the entire building face to which the sign(s) will be attached.
(5) Permanent window signs shall be counted as part of the percentage allowable for wall signs. Permanent window signs less than three (3) square feet will not require a permit.
(6) Advertising benches abutting the principle building and permanently mounted shall be considered a wall sign and shall be counted as part of the percentage allowable for wall signs.
(C) Canopy Signs:
(1) Shall not be allowed above the first story of a building.
(2) Shall be counted as part of the percentage allowable for wall signs.
(3) When extended over either a private or public sidewalk, the minimum clearance from the lowest point of the awning or canopy to the top of pavement shall be eight (8) feet.
(4) If projecting over a public right-of-way, proof of insurance naming the city as an insured party must be provided and authorization must be obtained from the City Council.
(D) Projecting/Suspended Signs:
(1) One per street frontage.
(2) Must have a minimum of eight (8) feet of clearance above the ground.
(3) Projecting signs shall not extend more than seven (7) feet from a building and must be at least two (2) feet from the curb line of any street or off-street parking area nor extend above the roofline of the building to which it is attached.
(4) Shall be counted as part of the percentage allowable for wall signs.
(5) If projecting or suspended over a public right-of-way, proof of liability insurance naming the city as an insured party must be provided and authorization must be obtained from the City Council.
(E) Off-Premise Signs. Off-premise signs must be deducted from the total allowable area for any free-standing signs on the premises of the business entity being advertised. The following regulations apply:
(1) One free-standing sign per individual business unit not to exceed twenty- five (25) square feet in area. A sign advertising more than one individual business unit may have a maximum sign area of seventy-five (75) square feet and shall comply with applicable height and setback requirements for that district.
(2) May not be located within fifty (50) feet of any other free-standing sign.
(F) Billboards.
(1) A conditional use permit must be granted before any new billboard is erected.
(2) No new billboards will be allowed within the area bounded by North Street to McLaughlin and Madison Avenue to Park Avenue. See Figure 7 on page 142.
(3) Shall not be erected within one hundred fifty (150) feet of any residential structure, excluding fences, without the written consent of the owner(s) of the adjoining residential structures.
(4) Shall not exceed thirty (30) feet in height nor three hundred eighty (380) square feet in area when located along roadways designated as U.S. highways and shall not exceed three hundred (300) square feet when located along other roadways.
(5) Minimum setback from any street right-of-way shall be twenty (20) feet.
(6) Shall not be erected within twenty-five (25) feet of a side property line without the written consent of the adjacent owner(s).
(7) Must be erected on a single pole constructed of steel.
(G) Digital Billboards.
(1) In addition to the following requirements, digital billboards shall adhere to the same size, height, spacing, setbacks and locations as all other non-digital billboards:
(a) Digital billboards shall be allowed as a conversion, replacement or relocation of any billboard in a location provided for in this subchapter.
(b) Conversion of a non-conforming billboard to a non-conforming digital billboard shall be allowed with approval from the Board of Adjustment.
(2) The message on a digital billboard shall:
(a) Be static for at least eight (8) seconds;
(b) Change from one (1) message to another in less than two (2) seconds;
(c) Not blink, scroll, or contain animation or video; and
(d) Be programmed to freeze in a static display if a malfunction occurs.
(e) An electronic advertising device shall be equipped with a sensor or other device that automatically determines the ambient illumination and shall be programmed to automatically dim to a luminance of three hundred (300) nits or less if the ambient light is 1.5-foot candles or less.
(f) Must comply with all requirements of KRS 177.830 to 177.890.
(Ord. 99-06, passed 6-7-99; Am. Ord. 99-11, passed 7-5-99; Am. Ord. 2024-10, passed 9-16-24) Penalty, see § 158.99