All signs not already specifically excluded shall require a permit. Signs are classified into two uses: on-premises and off-premises. There are eight structural types: wall, projected, ground, roof, window, awning, canopy and reader boards.
(A) Wall signs.
(1) Wall signs are permitted in all commercial and industrial zoning districts. Wall signs may be erected on a building wall that faces a public street and such sign may not extend into any required setback line or above or below the wall surface. Wall signs shall be limited to one per each street for which the structure fronts for single-occupant structures and one per occupant/per street face for any multiple-tenant structure. Letter or numerals, except numerals used to identify the address of the structure, mounted on a building shall be considered as wall signs. Wall signs shall be attached parallel to the building face and extend outward perpendicular from the building face a maximum of one foot. Wall signs shall not exceed a maximum area of 36 square feet.
(2) An additional one square foot of wall sign area will be permitted for each additional foot that the structure is located beyond the required setback. However, in no case shall the wall sign be permitted to be larger than 64 square feet.
(B) Projecting signs. Projecting signs are permitted only in the Central Commercial Districts (C-1). One projecting sign is permitted per building per street frontage. Projecting signs shall project not more that four feet outward from the wall of the structure, shall not exceed 20 square feet and shall be perpendicular to the wall to which they are attached. All projecting signs shall be located not less than nine feet above the sidewalk or ground level. Such signs shall be of a sturdy construction and shall be erected in such a manner as to protect persons who pass underneath from possible injury.
(C) Ground signs. Ground signs are permitted in all zoning districts provided requirements below are met:
(1) Residential districts. Ground signs customarily incidental to places of worship, libraries, museums and schools are permitted in all residential districts. These signs shall not exceed 15 square feet in area and shall be located on the premises of such institution. One ground sign per building per street frontage may be erected. Such signs shall meet the setback requirements of this chapter.
(2) Commercial and industrial districts. Ground signs are permitted in commercial and industrial districts. These ground signs shall not exceed:
(a) Twelve feet in height in C-1 Districts.
(b) Fifteen feet in height in C-2 Districts.
(c) Fifteen feet in height in I-1 Districts.
(d) Fifteen feet in height in I-2 Districts.
(3) The maximum sign area permitted shall be in accordance with the following standards:
(a) In C-1 Districts, ground signs shall not exceed 32 square feet per face.
(b) In C-2 Districts, ground signs shall not exceed 48 square feet per face.
(c) In I-1 Districts, ground signs shall not exceed 64 square feet per face.
(d) In I-2 Districts, ground signs shall not exceed 64 square feet per face.
(4) One ground sign per building per street frontage may be erected. Such signs shall be located on the premises of the establishment they serve. All ground signs of this type shall meet the setback requirements of the chapter.
(5) Off-premises ground signs are permitted in the commercial and industrial districts. A single location in these districts may have up to two off-premises ground signs. Each sign face intended for viewing from the street shall be considered a sign. No single off-premises ground sign shall exceed 64 square feet in area and shall not exceed the height regulations for the zoning district in which it is located. Off-premises ground signs shall meet the setback requirements for structures of the appropriate district in which they are located.
(D) Roof signs. Roof signs are prohibited in all zoning districts.
(E) Window signs. Window signs are permitted in all commercial and industrial districts. No window sign shall occupy more than 20% of the window surface. Window signs shall be permitted to ground or first-floor windows.
(F) Awning signs. The only signs that will be permitted in any commercial or industrial district are those that attached to an awning that is being used to provide shelter from inclement weather for patrons entering or exiting a building. Such signs shall be permitted as long as the maximum height of the lettering or numbers affixed to the awning is no larger than eight inches in height. Awning signs that are lit from the back will not be permitted. This standard for awning signs may also include awnings placed over windows and containing letters or numbers, provided they do not exceed eight inches in height.
(G) Canopy signs. Canopy signs are permitted in commercial and industrial districts as long as they are attached to or are an integral part of the canopy. Canopy signs may be erected on a canopy that faces a public street, and such sign may not extend into any required building setback line or above or below the canopy surface. Letters or numerals mounted on a canopy shall be considered a canopy sign. Signs shall be attached parallel to the canopy face and extend outward perpendicular from the canopy face a maximum of eight inches. Canopy signs shall not exceed a maximum area of 36 square feet. Canopy signs shall not be illuminated.
(H) Reader boards. Reader boards are those signs that contain provisions or capabilities that allow or enable the text to be readily changed. Such signs are used to promote weekly sales, new product or services, or features. The use of such signs shall be permitted, provided the reader boards are permanently affixed to the structure or the support system used for any freestanding or pylon sign. The sign area used for the reader board shall be included in the calculated sign area permitted under divisions (A) and (C) of this section. Reader boards shall not be more than 30% of the allotted sign area.
(Ord. 2005-4-11, passed 5-10-05) Penalty, see § 152.99