The following provisions pertain to specific types of signs and shall be observed in addition to pertinent regulations contained within each zoning district:
(a) Awning or Canopy Signs.
(1) Awning or canopy signs may be displayed in addition to, a wall sign for an individual establishment.
(2) If illuminated, such canopy sign shall have the lighting source concealed from view.
(3) An awning or canopy sign shall not project higher than the top of the framework to which the sign is affixed.
(4) An awning or canopy sign shall not project wider than the framework to which it is affixed.
(b) Changeable Copy Signs.
(1) Permanent ground signs located in B, CB, and I Districts, as well as permitted conditional uses in A and R Districts, may incorporate up to 30% of total sign area for changeable copy.
(2) Manually changeable copy may be used in lieu of, but not in addition to, electronically changed copy.
(3) All changeable copy signs must be enclosed and locked securely in a clear glass or plastic casing, or be of such height as to discourage unauthorized tampering.
(c) Commercial and Industrial Planned Unit Development (PUD) Signs. Signs which have been approved as part of a planned unit development (PUD) review program may vary from the specific requirements stated within this chapter. Variations permitted through a PUD review process may include, but are not limited to, the following: total number of signs permitted, sign size, sign setback, sign height, material composition of sign, and percentage of sign area devoted to changeable copy or electronic copy. Such deviations are recognized to be primarily for safety or unique parcel configuration circumstances and are not intended to circumvent the intent of the sign code.
(d) Electronic Copy Signs. Free-standing permanent ground signs located in B and I Districts may incorporate 25% of total sign area for electronic copy with a maximum letter height of 18 inches.
(e) Major Development Signs. Developments in excess of ten acres in area and shopping centers of more than five acres in areas located in Business and Industrial Districts, fronting on a freeway, State highway, or major county thoroughfare shall be permitted one permanent free-standing sign per street frontage up to a maximum of two permanent free-standing signs per development. Any such major development sign should be located at or adjacent to the primary access street to the development and must comply with the following:
(1) Shall not exceed 100 square feet of sign area per face, with a maximum of two sign faces permitted per sign.
(2) Where a developed parcel has street frontage in excess of 300 feet, an additional major development sign may be permitted, but may not exceed 75 square feet of sign area per face.
(3) Shall not exceed 20 feet in height.
(4) Shall be set back a minimum of 20 feet from the right-of-way.
(5) Shall be an on-premises sign only.
(6) Shall not be located nearer than 100 feet to an adjoining development or unrelated premises or property line on same side of street.
(7) Shall have landscaping conforming with requirement for ground signs.
(f) Neon Signs.
(1) Neon signs shall be permitted in the GB District.
(2) Neon signs may be displayed in lieu of, but not in addition to, a wall sign for any individual establishment.
(g) Permanent Ground Signs.
(1) The Zoning Administrator may permit slight variation from the minimum street frontage spacing requirements for ground signs applicable in individual zoning districts if conflict with driveways, natural barriers, trees, and utility equipment is unavoidable.
(2) Permanent ground signs shall be prohibited on parcels with street frontage less than 50 feet in width at the right-of-way lines unless otherwise expressly permitted in this sign code.
(h) Permanent Wall Signs.
(1) One wall sign per building frontage shall be permitted for each established business use.
(2) A wall sign may be displayed in addition to, an awning sign or neon sign for an individual establishment.
(3) Premises fronting on more than one public right-of-way shall not combine permissible sign area for two or more building frontages for the purpose of placing the combined area of the signs on one building frontage. However, one wall sign for each respective wall fronting upon a public right-of-way may be erected subject to the area limitations of the respective zoning district.
(4) Total sign area for a wall sign shall not exceed 5% of the size of the wall in which it is mounted.
(5) A wall sign shall not project more than 18 inches from the wall of the building upon which it is mounted.
(6) A wall sign shall be inclined from the vertical position only to the extent necessary for conformity to the general contour of the wall to which the sign is mounted.
(7) A wall sign shall not extend above the top of the wall and shall not exceed beyond the limits of any wall to which it is attached.
(8) A wall sign shall not mask or interrupt a major architectural feature such as, but not limited to, doors, windows or trim.
(9) A wall sign shall have hidden structural supports and shall be mounted in such a way as to not allow movement by atmospheric conditions.
(i) Special Event Signs.
(1) Signs, banners, flags, pennants, "A frame", and similar devices may be temporarily erected to advertise the following:
A. The initial opening of a new business, new occupancy, new proprietor or management.
B. Events of community-wide interest when sponsored by an organization qualified as a charitable entity under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
C. Other special events as determined by the Zoning Inspector to be of a significant functional nature in the interest of the general community, as per the above examples, as opposed to sale events or general advertising.
(2) Such signs shall be governed by the following requirements:
A. Permits shall be limited to four events per calendar year, not to exceed 30 days per event.
B. Free-standing signs shall not exceed 24 square feet per face. Signs shall not exceed six feet in height.
C. Signs attached to a building shall be limited to an area not to exceed 5% of the area to which it is attached.
D. Signs erected in residentially zoned areas shall not be illuminated.
E. All such signs shall be constructed of such material and attached in such a manner as to reasonably withstand wind and water damage. In this respect, paper or cardboard are not acceptable materials for such signs.
(j) Vending Machine Signs. Signs on vending machines located so as to be seen from the exterior of a structure shall be considered for identification purpose only, and shall be limited to an overall size of three square feet. Only two such vending machines per structure shall be permitted outside the structure.
(Ord. 06-29. Passed 5-1-06; Ord. 10-47. Passed 12-6-10.)