(a) Residential Identification Signs. A residential identification sign shall be permitted for each entrance to a subdivision, PURD and multi-family development pursuant to the area limitations of Schedule 1145.04 and the height limitations of Schedule 1145.05 in compliance with the following regulations.
(1) Such signs shall be placed on private property no closer than 10 feet to the right- of-way, except as permitted in subsection (2) below, and shall be located no closer than 20 feet to a side lot line.
(2) A free-standing identification sign may be placed in the right-of-way, provided such sign shall be located on the center island of a boulevard entrance, placed no closer than 25 feet to the intersecting street's right-of-way.
(3) A maximum of two sign faces shall be permitted per entrance; either as a double- sided freestanding sign or as two single-sided signs ether free-standing or mounted on a wall or other entrance feature.
(b) Requirements for Free-standing Identification Signs. Free-standing identification signs for institutions in Residential Districts and uses in C-1, I-1 and T-C Districts shall comply with the following regulations:
(1) One free-standing identification sign, with a maximum area of 50 sq. ft. per sign face, shall be permitted per lot, or per development if more than one lot is included in the development, except as otherwise provided herein. The area of the free-standing identification sign shall be included in the total sign area permitted for identification signs.
(2) Such sign shall be permitted only when the principal building conforms to the minimum building setback and lot width requirements specified in the district regulations.
(3) Such sign shall be located no less than 10 feet from the right-of-way provided no portion of any free-standing sign shall be closer to the street right-of-way than a distance equal the height of the sign, and shall be located no less than 20 feet from a side lot line.
(4) For a corner lot, one free-standing sign shall be permitted per street frontage provided that the lot has at least 80 feet of lot frontage on each street and the signs are located a minimum of 30 feet from the intersection.
(5) Content of free-standing signs.
A. Multiple-tenant facilities. When a free-standing sign is permitted on a site with more than one tenant, it is the property owner's responsibility to determine if the sign area shall be devoted to identification of the building(s), be a directory for all or only a select group of tenants, or some combination thereof.
B. Product and service signs. Up to a maximum of 50% of the area of the free-standing identification sign may be devoted to advertising using a product and service sign.
C. Changeable copy sign. Up to a maximum of 75% of the area of the free-standing identification sign may be devoted to changeable copy.
D. Electronic changeable copy sign. Up to a maximum of 75% of the area of the freestanding identification sign may be devoted to electronic changeable copy.
(6) For lots having more than 250 feet of lot frontage, one free-standing identification signs shall be permitted for each 250 feet of lot frontage or fraction thereof, provided the total allowable sign area for identification signs shall comply with Section 1145.04. Future subdivision of such lot shall not be approved unless all signs existing prior to the subdivision comply with the requirements for the resulting sub lots.
(7) Free-standing signs shall be landscaped as an integral part of the required front yard landscaping.
(c) Additional Requirements for Business Identification Signs.
(1) Rear entry signs for multiple-tenant buildings. Each rear entrance to a tenant space in a multiple-tenant commercial or industrial building shall be clearly identified with the name and address of the occupant.
(2) Second-story tenant identification signs. For multi-story retail or office buildings, each tenant not located on the ground floor shall be permitted one permanent identification sign to be placed in a window of the tenant's space. Such sign shall not exceed four square feet and shall be included as part of the identification sign area for the building.
(3) Signs on awnings and canopies. A permitted identification sign may be placed on an awning or canopy, applied to the face of the awning or canopy. Awnings or canopies may be back- lit.
(d) Directive Signs. A maximum of two directive signs shall be permitted per access drive for multi-family, institutional, commercial and industrial uses pursuant to the area limitations of Section 1145.04 and the height limitations of Section 1145.05. Such signs shall be located no less than 10 feet from a side lot line in a residential district and no less than 5 feet from a side lot line in a nonresidential district, and may be located at or near the right-of-way but shall not be in the right-of- way.
(e) Window Signs in C-1 and T-C Districts. Window signs for the purpose of identification or periodic or special advertising shall be permitted in C-1 and T-C Districts without a zoning certificate, provided that such signs shall not cover more than 50% of the total window area.
(1) There shall be not more than one builder's project sign per lot located no less than 10 feet from the right-of-way and 20 feet from a side lot line, except that signs having an area greater than 50 square feet shall be located no less than 20 feet from the right-of-way and 30 feet from a side lot line.
(2) A builder's project sign shall be erected on the lot only during the period of time that the building project is under construction and while a valid building permit is in force. Such sign shall be removed with 14 days of the commencement of the intended use.
(3) In the event construction extends beyond the time period specified on the zoning certificate, a request for an extension of the sign permit shall be submitted to the Zoning Inspector for review and approval.
(g) Political Signs. Non-illuminated political signs shall be permitted on private property without a zoning certificate in all districts.
(1) One such sign shall be permitted per street frontage located no less than 10 feet from the right-of-way and 15 feet from a side lot line.
(1) One such sign shall be permitted per street frontage located no less that 10 feet from the right-of-way and 15 feet from a side lot line.
(2) Real estate signs shall be located only on the site being advertised for sale, lease or rent.
(3) On individual lots, such signs shall be removed by the property owner or realtor identified on the sign within ten days after said property is transferred, rented, leased or removed from the real estate listing.
(4) A sign advertising the sale of lots in a new residential subdivision shall be permitted for a period not to exceed 24 months and shall be removed within 30 days after the last lot is sold or the development abandoned.
(i) Temporary Promotional Signs. Temporary non-illuminated promotional signs, banners, pennants or flags (other than institutional, State, Federal or other patriotic flags) intended to promote or advertise special events or sales may be permitted without a zoning certificate when complying with the following regulations.
(1) Open house, auction, garage sale signs. Signs promoting an open house, an auction or a garage sale (which shall include yard sale, porch sale, house sale or similar terms) in a residential district shall be permitted without a zoning certificate pursuant to the area limitations for a temporary promotional sign set forth in Section 1145.04 and the height limitations of Section 1145.05 in compliance with the following:
A. All signs posted on private property shall have the permission of the property owner.
B. Signs may be located at or near the right-of-way, shall be placed no less than 10 feet from a side lot line, and shall not be placed upon or in a street right-of-way or attached to or upon any street identification sign or utility pole.
C. Such signs shall be allowed to remain in place for the period of the open house, auction or garage sale, but in no case shall the period exceed 72 hours.
(2) Community programs and activities. Signs promoting community programs and/or activities sponsored by a public or semi-public organization on a lot in a residential district shall be permitted pursuant to the area limitations for a temporary promotional sign set forth in Section 1145.04 and the height limitations of Section 1145.05. Such signs shall be posted on private property with the owner's permission for a period not to exceed 14 days.
A. Free-standing signs or banners shall be permitted to be placed on the premises.
B. Such sign shall be located no less than 10 feet from the right-of-way and shall be no less than 10 feet from a side lot line or shall be attached to the building.
C. Such sign is intended to advertise a special event or promotional sale activity.
(4) Banner in the public right-of-way. Temporary promotional banners for the purpose of announcing a civic event may be erected in the public right-of-way upon approval of the Mayor, for the duration and in the location approved by the Mayor.
(j) Safety or Regulatory Signs. Signs to direct vehicular or other traffic on the premises and to ensure the safety of residents, visitors and employees may be erected in any district. Such signs should be sized and landscaped in such a manner that the signs cannot be viewed from the highway or adjacent property and shall contain no message of any sort.
(k) Municipal Signs Identifying the City of Munroe Falls and/or Municipal Property. All such signs shall be uniform and conform to established standards approved by Council. In addition, and prior to the procedures for approval of signs provided in Section 1145.10, the Park Board shall review proposed signs to determine whether they uniformly meet the established standards.
(Ord. 3-95. Passed 1-17-95; Ord. 28-01. Passed 9-18-01; Ord. 25-2012. Passed 9-18-12; Ord. 2017-01. Passed 2-7-17.)