(a) Scope of requirements. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to erect, construct or alter any sign in the city except in conformance with the provisions of this chapter, subject to issuance of a permit, except as otherwise provided herein.
(b) Location; setback requirements.
(1) All freestanding signs shall be set back a minimum of ten feet from the right-of-way as shown on the City of Mason Thoroughfare Plan, unless otherwise exempted.
(2) Signs shall be setback at least three feet from the closest edge of any parking lot to protect signs from vehicular encroachment.
(3) Freestanding signs in nonresidential zoning districts shall be located no closer than 50 feet to any residential zoning district. Freestanding signs in residential districts located on a nonresidential property shall be located no closer than 50 feet to any property line used for residential purposes.
(4) All signs shall comply with § 1171.09.
(c) Construction standards.
(1) General requirements. All signs shall be designed and constructed in a safe and stable manner in accordance with the Building Code and other applicable codes. All electrical wiring associated with a freestanding sign shall be installed underground.
(2) Framework. All signs shall be designed so that all internal support framework is contained within the sign or behind the face of the sign or within the building to which it is attached so as to be totally screened from view.
(d) Sign area, setback and height measurements.
(1) Sign area measurements. Sign area shall be computed as follows.
A. General requirements. Where a sign consists of a generally flat surface or sign face on which lettering and other information is affixed, the sign area shall be computed by measuring the entire face of the sign, including any frame which forms an integral part of the sign display (see Figure 1187.02B).
B. Individual letters. Where a sign consists of individual letters and logo affixed directly to a building, the area of the sign shall be computed by measuring the area of the rectangular envelope required to enclose the lettering and logo.
C. Freestanding sign. The area of a freestanding sign shall be computed by measuring the entire
vertical surface of a face upon which the letters and logo are attached. The area of a double-faced freestanding sign shall be computed using only one face of the sign provided that:
1. The outline and dimensions of both faces are identical; and
2. The faces are back-to-back so that only one face is visible at any given time.
(2) Setback and distance measurements. The following guidelines shall be used to determine compliance with setback and distance measurements.
A. The distance between two signs shall be measured along a straight horizontal line that represents the shortest distance between the two signs.
B. The distance between a sign and a parking lot or building shall be measured along a straight horizontal line that represents the shortest distance between the sign and the outer edge of the parking lot or building.
C. The distance between a sign and a property line shall be measured along a straight horizontal line that represents the shortest distance between the sign and property line.
D. The distance between a sign and a right-of-way line shall be measured along a straight horizontal line that represents the shortest distance between the sign and right-of-way line.
(3) Height measurements. Sign height shall be computed as follows.
A. The height of a freestanding sign shall be determined by measuring the vertical distance between the top part of the sign or its structure or frame, whichever is highest, to the elevation of the ground directly beneath the sign or the elevation of the street centerline of the road that the sign fronts on, whichever is lowest (see Figure 1187.02C). In the event that the sign height is less than allowed under this chapter due to the differences in elevation between the street centerline and the ground beneath the proposed sign, the applicant may request a sign height determination from the Zoning Board of Appeals. The Zoning Board of Appeal’s determination may not exceed the maximum permitted height of a freestanding sign as regulated in this chapter.
B. The height of an awning, canopy, marquee, window, wall or projecting sign shall be determined by measuring the vertical distance between the top part of the of a sign letter, symbol, panel or frame, whichever is highest to the elevation of ground underneath the sign (see Figure 1187.02D).
C. Any material whose major function is to provide structural support for a sign shall be considered part of the sign for purposes of determining sign height.
(e) Illumination.
(1) General requirements. Signs shall be illuminated only by steady, stationary, shielded light sources directed solely at the sign, or internal to it, except for all signs located in the B-l Central Business District, which shall be externally lit.
(2) Non-glare, shielded lighting. Use of glaring, unshielded or undiffused lights or bulbs shall be prohibited. Lights shall be shielded so as not to project onto adjoining properties or thoroughfares.
(3) Traffic hazards. Sign illumination that could distract motorists or otherwise create a traffic hazard shall be prohibited.
(4) Bare bulb illumination. Illumination by bare bulbs or flames is prohibited.
(5) Intensity. Illumination resulting from all signs and sign lighting on any property in a nonresidential zoning district shall not exceed one-half foot candles at a height of five feet when measured at any point on property in a residential zoning district or at any point on any road right-of-way.
(f) Sign design features.
(1) The following standards shall apply to all signs.
(2) All signs shall be designed, constructed, and maintained so as to compliment the construction materials and architectural style of the principal structure on the lot and to prevent nuisances and distractions to motorists.
A. Location. Signs shall not cover architectural details such as arches, transom windows, doors, moldings, columns, capitals, sills, cornices and similar details.
B. Material. Sign materials shall compliment the construction materials and architectural style of the building facade.
C. Lettering style. Lettering style shall be clean and simple to assure readability (see Figure 1187.02E).
D. Colors. Colors used on any sign should be in harmony with the building color and architecture.
(g) Treatment of existing signs.
(1) Maintenance.
A. Repair and preservation. All signs and sign structures shall be kept in repair and in a proper state of preservation.
B. Sanitation/landscaping. Property surrounding any freestanding sign shall be kept clean, sanitary and free from obnoxious and offensive substances, weeds, debris, rubbish and flammable material. All plant materials and other landscaping surrounding a freestanding sign shall be maintained on a regular basis, including pruning, mowing, watering, fertilizing and replacement of dead and diseased materials.
(2) Inspection of existing signs. The Building Official shall have the authority to routinely enter onto property to inspect existing signs for compliance with this chapter. In conducting the inspections, the Building Official shall determine whether the sign is compliant with the City Building Code. The sign owner shall be notified of any defects or deferred maintenance requiring corrective action in writing.
(3) Correction of defects. If any sign reaches a state of disrepair and is deemed unsightly or unsafe or abandoned by the Zoning Administrator and is not properly renovated within 30 days, it shall be condemned and an order issued for its immediate removal by sign erector, owner of the sign, or owner of the land.
(4) Removal of signs.
A. Public nuisance. Signs that exhibit a material defect or lapse of maintenance to an extent that the sign jeopardize public safety shall be deemed a nuisance by the Building Official or his or her designee and be removed immediately at the expense of the property owner. The Building Official or his or her designee may have the sign removed by private contractor. Costs associated with the sign removal shall be a debt owed to the city by the owner of the sign. The city may assess the costs to remove the sign on the property owner’s taxes.
B. Abandoned signs. Any sign face or copy that no longer identifies a business that is in operation, or that identifies an activity or event that has already occurred, shall be considered abandoned and shall be removed by the owner, agent or person having use of the building or structure. Upon vacating a commercial or industrial establishment, the property owner shall be responsible for removal of all non-permanent signs and sign copy used in conjunction with the business. The property owner shall paint over painted wall signs so the original sign is not visible and completely blocked. The entire wall shall be painted if the color of paint used to block out the painted wall sign does not match the color of the wall.
C. Unlawful signs. Signs that are erected without an approved permit or erected in a manner different than approved shall be unlawful and removed by the owner, agent or person having use of the building, structure or unit. The Zoning Administrator may fine the sign owner or property owner where an unlawful sign is located as permitted in § 1135.99. The Zoning Administrator may use all remedies provided for by law to bring the unlawful sign into compliance or to have the sign removed.
D. Signs placed in city right-of-way. Signs placed in the city’s right-of-way without previous approval by City Council will be immediately removed by the Zoning Administrator. All expenses incurred by the city when removing the illegally placed signs will be the responsibility of the sign owner.
(Ord. 2003-99, passed 9-8-2003)