A. Allowable Signs. The types of signs allowed, per zoning district, are provided in Table 8.2.5.1: Permitted Sign Types in Traditional Zoning Districts and Table 8.2.5.2: Permitted Sign Types in Mixed-Use Zoning Districts.
B. Design. Signs shall be, or appear to be, in compliance with the following design standards:
a. Signs shall be constructed of stone, masonry, metal, ceramic, glass, plastic, or wood.
b. Fluorescent or iridescent colors including outline or strip lighting and neon tubes are prohibited.
c. Monument/Community signs shall include base, a cap and column in their design.
C. Landscaping. Ground signs shall, to the extent practicable, be placed in a landscaped setting appropriate to the size and scale of the sign, and character of the property unless otherwise noted. Landscape materials shall not be permitted to grow to obscure the sign face. Landscaping shall be in accordance with Section 8.3: Landscaping, Buffering, Fences and Walls.
D. Intersection Visibility Triangle. No sign structure may obstruct any cross-visibility area or traffic control device. No signs are permitted in the visibility triangle (Note: the standards for sight visibility at intersections are detailed in the City of Monroe Standard Detail Manual).
E. Illumination. Permanent signs maybe illuminated by internal or external illumination as regulated below.
1. External Illumination.
a. Only stationary and shielded light sources, directed solely onto the sign, are permitted.
b. Illumination which shines directly into, or causes glare onto, a public right-of-way or a residential use is prohibited.
2. Internal Illumination.
a. Internally illuminated signs are prohibited in residential districts as defined in Section 4.2: Residential Zoning Districts.
b. Internal illumination is permitted in non-residential and mixed use buildings. Permitted internal illumination includes the use of individual letters (i.e., channel letters) or an opaque or semi-opaque background with lettering and or logos a lighter color or semi-transparent.
c. Illumination in signs shall not impair the vision of motor vehicle drivers.
F. Changeable Copy. Changeable copy on monument/community, canopy, wall signs is permitted per the following standards:
1. Size. Up to fifty percent (50%) of the maximum area of the sign face may be used for changeable copy.
2. Video. Video, animated, scrolling or moving changeable electronic variable messages are not permitted. This provision shall not restrict the copy from changing from one message to another.
3. Message. Message must remain static for at least five (5) seconds with an interval of two (2) seconds or less.
4. GB and GI. Changeable copy may be permitted only in the General Business (GB) and General Industrial (GI) district including canopy-oriented signs subject to the following standards:
a. The maximum sign area per canopy face is twelve (12) square feet limited to two faces.
b. The vertical edge of the canopy sign shall be a maximum of two (2) feet in height, except for fuel canopies, where the maximum vertical edge of the canopy may be thirty-six (36) inches.
c. In no case shall the sign extend beyond the vertical edge of the canopy to which it is attached.
d. The sign area for canopy-oriented signs shall be deducted from the allowable square footage for wall signs permitted for the use.
G. Construction. All signs must be erected in compliance with building, electrical, and fire codes. All signs shall comply with the following requirements as applicable:
1. Supports and braces shall be designed as an integral part of the sign structure and be hidden from public view to the extent technically feasible.
2. Audio components are prohibited as part of any sign with the exception of drive-through menu signs.
H. Maintenance. All signs must be maintained and present a neat, clean appearance. Abandoned, dilapidated signs shall be removed by the owner.
1. Failure of an owner to remove an abandoned or dilapidated sign may result in removal of the sign at the owner’s expense following provision of notice to the owner by the City.
I. Common Signage Plan. A common signage plan is required as part of a site and development plan, as defined in Section 3.4.17: Site and Development Plan. Signs shall utilize coordinated colors throughout the development. The common signage plan shall specify:
a. The number of signs;
b. Type of signs;
c. Size of signs;
d. Height of signs;
e. Setbacks;
f. Locations;
g. Designs; and
h. Illumination of signs.
J. Design Alternatives. A design alternative shall not be permitted for illumination, but maybe permitted by the Director for the following circumstances:
1. Permitted sign type;
2. Total number of signs permitted;
3. Size (height and or sign area);
4. Setbacks; and
5. Location and design.
K. Public Rights-of-Way. Non-governmental signs including temporary signs may not be placed in public rights-of-way.
L. Drive-Through Signs. A maximum of three (3) drive-through menu signs shall be allowed for uses utilizing a drive-through and shall meet the following standards:
1. Each allowed drive-through menu sign maybe either a freestanding monument sign or an attached building sign.
2. Each sign shall not exceed twenty (20) square feet in sign area and ten (10) feet in height.
3. The sign area for drive-through signs shall be deducted from the allowable square footage for free-standing signs permitted for the use.
(Am. Ord. O-2022-70, passed 11-8-22)