(A) Sign measurement.
(1) The face of a sign is any portion or facet capable of displaying a message whether by letters, numbers or symbols.
(2) The area of a sign face shall be the largest area visible from any one point, and enclosed by a single continuous perimeter including any framing, trim or decorative embellishments, but not including any structural parts lying outside the limits of the sign that do not form an integral part of the display and which have a cross-sectional width no greater than 18 inches.
(3) The height of a freestanding sign, as described in division (B)(3) below, shall be the distance from the ground at the base of or below the sign to the highest part of the sign face, as defined above, or to the top of the supporting structure, whichever is greater.
(a) Freestanding signs located on earth berms shall be measured from the ground level at the base of the earth berm. The top of an attached sign, as described in division (B)(1) below, shall be considered the highest part of the sign face, as defined above.
(b) The clearance of a sign is measured as the unobstructed distance from the ground at the base of or below the sign to the lowest part of the sign face, or to the bottom of the supporting structure, whichever is less.
(4) The building facade area upon which the maximum allowable area of attached signs is based in division (B)(1) below is the actual square feet of the building wall or other vertical architectural element to which the sign is attached, and that consists of a separate elevation from ground level to the top of the structure as viewed horizontally from the ground, street or other nearby location. The area of a facade includes windows and doors, and the like, but does not include roof surfaces. Separate walls of a building oriented in the same direction or within 45 degrees of each other shall be considered part of the same facade.
(B) Sign standards.
(1) Attached signs. The following signs are attached to, applied on or supported by, any part of a building. The maximum amount of attached sign area per building or building occupancy (portion of building facade allocated to a lease space in a multi-tenant building) will not exceed 100 square feet.
(2) Wall sign. Wall signs shall not extend above the highest point of the building roof, canopy or other structure on which the sign is displayed. The highest point of the roof, canopy or structure shall not include spires, belfries, cupolas, antennae, water tanks, ventilators, chimneys, mechanical systems or other similar appurtenances. A sign projecting from a building face shall be considered a wall sign for the purposes of this chapter.
(3) Freestanding signs. The following signs are affixed to the ground, or mounted or applied on a fence, retaining wall or screening wall that is not part of a building. The maximum number of freestanding sign structures allowed on each property is one per street frontage. Sign shall not exceed a height of 20 feet above the ground at the base of or below the sign, and will not exceed 100 square feet in size. No setback from the property line is required except for corner sight triangle areas or easements, where the sign structure is not allowed.
(4) Institutional signs. Commercial attached or low profile freestanding signs not exceeding a cumulative total of 60 square feet in area per street frontage may be displayed on the premises of governmental, educational, religious or other permitted institutional uses where the signs would not otherwise be allowed in the residential zoning districts.
(5) Community entrance signs. One or more signs may be erected at entrances to the city on U.S. Highway 80 and State Highway 142, upon approval by the City Council, identifying public facilities and services, or nonprofit organizations such as churches and civic clubs, that are available or located within the city limits. The City Council may limit the size of individual signs, and may require them to be consolidated or a single structure per highway entrance location. Locations under the jurisdiction of the State Department of Transportation shall comply with any applicable state permit requirements.
(6) Development entrance signs. A maximum of two attached or low-profile freestanding signs not exceeding a total of 60 square feet aggregate sign area, and limited to the name, address and leasing or sales information, may be displayed along the perimeter street frontage at each street entrance to a residential subdivision or permitted manufactured home park where signs of that size would not otherwise be allowed in the residential zoning districts, as applicable. The signs located in the public street right-of-way shall require license agreement approved by the city.
(7) Residential identification signs. One attached or low-profile freestanding sign not exceeding 16 square feet in a residential zoning district, per driveway/street entrance or per street frontage, whichever is greater, and limited to the name, address and leasing or sales information for the development, may be displayed on the premises of a residential multi-family, condominium or townhouse development.
(8) Banner signs. No more than one banner sign not exceeding 32 square feet is allowed per street frontage of each business or agency occupant. Banners are allowed on private property as further provided below:
(a) For advertising special promotions, grand openings or other events of a specific duration not to exceed 30 days, in the commercial zoning districts. Banner signs in the extraterritorial jurisdiction shall be regulated as if located in the commercial zoning district; and
(b) For advertising grand openings and business anniversaries, only in the commercial zoning districts for a period not exceeding 30 calendar days and subject to issuance of a sign permit.
(C) Construction standards.
(1) All signs shall be constructed so that they will not disintegrate or collapse when subject to a wind velocity of 60 mph.
(2) Signs placed along state and federal highways shall meet all requirements of the State Department of Transportation, in addition to the provisions of this chapter.
(3) All construction and wiring shall be in compliance with the currently adopted building and electrical codes of the city in effect at the time of sign permit application.
(Ord. 08-342, passed 3-4-2008) Penalty, see § 152.99