A permanent sign is intended to remain posted indefinitely.
A. Sign Area
1. Unless otherwise provided in Division 6.7, the maximum total sign area of all permanent signs on any lot or parcel is the maximum sign area allocated for the zone in which the sign is located.
2. The maximum sign area for a sign on a lot or parcel within 150 feet of a residential use is 100 square feet.
B. Sign Placement
1. A sign must comply with the setback and height standards of the applicable zone under Sections 6.7.9-6.7.11.
2. A sign must not extend outside the property upon which it is erected, except for properties with no building setback, or satisfying the standards in Section 6.7.11.A.3 for canopy signs.
3. A sign must not obstruct any building aperture, such as an operable window, door, ventilation opening, or fire prevention device.
C. Building and Electrical Permits
The applicant for a permanent sign under Division 6.7 must construct and maintain the sign in a manner that satisfies the building and construction requirements of Chapter 8 and the electrical requirements of Chapter 17.
D. Color
1. Color combinations that may be confused with a traffic sign or signal are prohibited.
2. A sign back or non-display side of a sign must be a single color where visible from outside the property lines of the site; otherwise, the sign will be considered double-sided or 3-dimensional.
E. Illumination
When illumination of a sign with an exterior lighting fixture is permitted, the applicant must satisfy the following requirements:
1. Sign illumination must be from a shielded source and be 0.5 footcandles or less at the property line if the subject property abuts a property that is improved with a residential use on the ground floor in any zone or is vacant in an Agricultural, Rural Residential, or Residential zone; and
2. sign illumination may not be flashing, revolving. intermittent, or of changing intensity.
F. Changeable Content
A sign that has characters that are changed manually or electronically must not be changed more than once every 30 seconds. This change must be an entire sign change and not fade or pixelate in and out. This includes a sign that gives the appearance or illusion of movement for a written or printed message. A sign that displays the number of available parking spaces is exempt from this requirement.
G. Historic Preservation Area
1. The applicant for a sign erected on a historic resource or in a historic district must receive a historic area work permit under the provisions of Chapter 24A before issuance of a sign permit by DPS. DPS must verify that the historic resource or district is designated in the Montgomery County Master Plan for Historic Preservation.
2. A variance may also be required if the sign does not satisfy the standards of this Division.
H. Service Windows
1. An establishment with a ticket, drive-thru, or ordering window may have no more than two signs per drive-aisle.
2. The area of each sign may not exceed 32 square feet.
3. The height of a freestanding sign may not exceed 6 feet.
(Legislative History: Ord. No. 19-33, §2.)