The following standards apply to signs on lots in the NC, CB, GB, OB, LI, GI, and PI Districts:
(a) Freestanding Signs. All freestanding signs in nonresidential zoning districts shall meet the following requirements:
(1) The freestanding signs shall be set back a minimum of ten (10) feet from the right-of-way and ten (10) feet from any adjacent lot lines.
(2) Only one (1) freestanding sign shall be permitted along each public street frontage.
(3) Both monument and ground signs are permitted types of freestanding signs in all districts except the CB District where only monument signs are permitted.
(5) Where changeable copy signs are allowed pursuant to Table 1113-1, such signs shall be regulated as follows:
A. The changeable copy sign may be either an electronic message center or a manual changeable copy sign. Each freestanding sign may only use one type of changeable copy sign.
B. The changeable copy sign area shall be counted toward the total freestanding sign area allowed in Table 1113-1.
C. The maximum sign area allowed as a manual changeable copy sign area shall be fifteen (15) square feet. The maximum sign area allowed as an electronic message center shall be twenty-four (24) square feet.
D. Electronic message centers shall be subject to the following standards:
i. Any message on an electronic message center shall remain static for a minimum of eight (8) seconds. The transition interval between messages shall be accomplished within one (1) second or less and no animation is permitted during the transition.
ii. The complete message must fit on one (1) screen.
iii. The electronic message center shall be set back a minimum of 100 feet from any lot that contains a residential use.
iv. The electronic message center shall come equipped with an automatic dimming photocell, which automatically adjusts the display's brightness based on ambient light conditions.
v. Illumination shall not exceed 0.3 footcandles over ambient lighting conditions when measured at fifty (50) feet in any direction from an electronic message sign.
vi. Audio emissions from electronic message centers shall be prohibited.
(6) Where a freestanding sign serves multiple tenants or uses, it shall be the responsibility of the property owner to determine the messaging on the sign.
(7) Exposed sign foundations shall be constructed with a finished material such as brick, stone or wood.
Zoning District | Maximum Sign Area | Maximum Sign Height | Changeable Copy Sign Allowed |
NC | 24 Square Feet | 6 Feet | Yes (Manual Changeable Copy Sign Only) |
CB [1] | 20 Square Feet | 6 Feet | No |
OB | 20 Square Feet | 6 Feet | No |
GB | 40 Square Feet for Lots with Less Than 200 Feet of Lot Width [2] | 8 Feet for Lots with Less Than 200 Feet of Lot Width [2] | Yes |
80 Square Feet for Lots with 200 Feet or more of Lot Width [2] | 20 Feet for Lots with 200 Feet or more of Lot Width [2] | Yes | |
LI | 60 Square Feet | 15 Feet | Yes |
GI | 60 Square Feet | 8 Feet | Yes |
PI | 40 Square Feet | 6 Feet | Yes |
NOTES: [1] Monument signs are not permitted to be located on any frontage along Main Street or along Public Square. On all other frontages, a monument sign shall only be permitted where there is a parking lot or a building setback greater than 10 feet. [2] See Section 1113.08(a)(8), below regarding lots widths for the purposes of signs. | |||
(8) For the purposes of measuring lot width for this section on freestanding signs, the lot width shall be measured along a straight line that runs parallel with the street frontage at the widest point of the lot. This measurement shall be regardless of the presence of driveway entrances to the lot or the presence of smaller outlots in front of the applicable lot. See Figure 1113-L.
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Figure 1113-L: The above image illustrates different methods of measuring lot width when
calculating the amount of freestanding sign area permitted on a lot.
(9) Landscaping Permanent Freestanding Signs.
A. All permanent freestanding signs shall be located in a landscaped area equal to the total sign area of the applicable sign or forty (40) square feet, whichever is more. Such landscaped area may be an area that fulfills any landscaping requirements of this code.
B. The landscaped area shall include all points where sign structural supports attach to the ground.
(b) Building Signs. Building signs are permitted on all principal buildings in accordance with the following:
(1) The building sign area allowed in this code shall include the total amount of all awning, canopy, marquee, projecting, wall, or window signs on each primary and secondary façade, where applicable. Standards for each individual building sign type are established in this section.
(2) Building signs shall also be subject to any applicable standards for building sign types in Section 1113.08(b)(7).
(3) Building signs shall not extend above the top of the roofline of the building to which it is attached.
(4) Building signs may not be attached to mechanical equipment or roof screening.
(6) Size.
A. The following is the maximum amount of sign area for all building signs permitted on the primary and secondary façades of a building, where applicable, based on the zoning district:
i. One (1.0) square feet of sign area per lineal foot of primary facade width; and
ii. One-half (0.5) square feet of sign area per lineal foot of secondary facade width.
B. Additional building sign area shall be permitted when the primary facade is setback greater than 250 feet from the right-of-way. The additional building sign area shall not exceed one-fourth (0.25) square feet of building sign area per lineal foot of the primary façade width, not to exceed an additional twenty-five (25) square feet of sign area.
C. For buildings with multiple building units, the ratio shall be applied to each lineal foot of building facade width assigned to each individual building unit. If there is no clearly established delineation of building unit space on the exterior of the façade, the amount of building signage shall be based on the total façade width, to be divided by the property owner or agent.
D. Building signs shall not be permitted on secondary facades if the secondary facade faces an adjacent lot in a residential zoning district or an adjacent lot that contains a residential dwelling unit.
E. There is no maximum number of building signs but the total square footage of building signs located on a single facade shall comply with the requirements of this section.
F. The amount of building signs permitted shall be based on the facade width of the principal building.
G. The maximum building sign area provided for in this section shall apply to building signs, regardless of the message.
(7) Standards for Permanent Building Sign Types.
A. Wall Signs.
i. Wall signs shall be mounted on or flush with a wall and shall not protrude more than twenty-four (24) inches from the wall or face of the building to which it is attached.
ii. A wall sign may be painted directly on a building wall, mounted on the facade wall, or mounted on a raceway.
iii. Cabinet style wall signs are prohibited in in the CB District.
B. Awning, Canopy, or Marquee Signs. Any canopy, awning, or marquee sign allowed pursuant to this section shall comply with the following standards:
i. Signage shall not cover more than fifty percent (50%) of any individual awning, canopy, or marquee.
ii. A sign may be mounted above a canopy provided that the top of the sign does not exceed the height of the roofline of the building.
iii. Marquee signs may include manual changeable copy signs.
C. Projecting Signs.
i. Only one (1) projecting sign shall be permitted for each tenant on each street frontage where the tenant has a building unit with an exterior entrance.
ii. A projecting sign shall be perpendicular to the wall of the building to which it is attached and shall not extend more than four (4) feet from the façade wall to which it is attached.
iii. Projecting signs shall maintain a minimum six-inch clearance from the façade of any building.
iv. Decorative supporting structures for projecting signs are encouraged and shall not count toward the maximum square footage of signs allowed, however, in no case shall the supporting structure exceed six (6) square feet.
v. The maximum sign area for a projecting sign shall be six (6) square feet.
vi. Projecting signs must be suspended from brackets that comply with any applicable building code and contain no exposed guy wires or turnbuckles.
vii. Projecting signs may project over a sidewalk in a right-of-way provided that there shall be a minimum of two (2) feet between the curb and the nearest point of the sign.
viii. Projecting signs shall comply with the clearance standards of Section 1113.04 when extending over the right-of-way, private walkway, or over any internal drive with vehicular access.
D. Window Signs.
i. Window signs shall not occupy more than fifty percent (50%) of the window area in any NC, GB, LI, GI, or PI Districts or no more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the window area in the OB or CB Districts.
ii. Window signs require a zoning permit in the same manner as all other building signs.
iii. Window signs shall be limited to the first floor of a building unless allowed as a temporary sign in Section 1113.10.
iv. Window signs may be temporarily or permanently attached to the window surface. If window signs are intended to be temporary and replaced in a routine manner, then a zoning permit shall only be required for the initial installation of the window sign.
v. Window signs shall not be illuminated except when illuminated by an external lighting source.
vi. Decorative edging or other window treatments that are not an integral part of the sign copy shall not be considered a part of the sign for the purposes of this chapter. See Figure 1113-G.
vii. The sign area is based on the total window area, regardless of the presence of an awning. Window areas separated by piers, architectural elements, or similar features that are not glass or window framing or support shall be considered separate and distinct window areas. See Figure 1113-M.
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Figure 1113-M: The window area is illustrated within the dashed line area for the two storefronts in the above image.
(c) Driveway Signs.
(1) A maximum of two (2) signs shall be permitted for any one (1) driveway.
(2) Driveway signs shall be set back at least five (5) feet from all lot lines but in no case shall the sign be set back more than twenty-five (25) feet from the edge of the driveway where it intersects with the public street.
(3) Each driveway sign shall not exceed four (4) square feet in sign area. The maximum height shall be six (6) feet in the LI and GI Districts and four (4) feet in all other zoning districts.
(4) Driveway signs may be internally or externally illuminated.
(5) The sign area of driveway signs shall not be counted as part of any other sign allowance in this chapter.
(Ord. 2024-032. Passed 7-22-24.)