Signs in business districts shall be accessory to a building or use permitted and conform with the regulations set forth in this section.
(a) Contents of Signs. The following types of signs shall be permitted:
(1) Nameplates and bulletin boards, if accessory to a residential or institutional building or use, as regulated in this section.
(2) Nameplates for offices.
(3) Business signs.
(4) Real Estate and development signs.
(5) Directional Signs (may be located on any lot in a business district).
(b) Designs of Signs. The following types of signs shall be permitted:
(1) Flat and Wall signs.
(2) Projecting signs.
(3) Pole signs.
(4) Ground signs.
(5) Temporary signs.
(6) Marquee signs.
(c) Area of Signs.
(1) The total area of all permanent signs for each office, store or service building, parking lot or other land use shall not exceed the number of square feet indicated in the following table:
Maximum Area of All Signs By Building or Lot Frontage | |
Frontage of Building or Use (feet) | Maximum Square Feet of Sign Area |
Under 15 | 45 |
15 - 19 | 60 |
20 - 24 | 70 |
25 - 29 | 80 |
30 - 34 | 90 |
35 - 39 | 100 |
40 - 44 | 105 |
45 - 49 | 110 |
50 - 54 | 115 |
55 - 59 | 120 |
60 - 64 | 125 |
65 - 69 | 135 |
70 and over | 145+5 |
For each additional 5 feet of frontage or fraction thereof. | |
(2) Sign areas shall be permitted in addition to the areas stated in the above table, as follows:
A. Nameplates: Professional or service offices and organizations above the ground floor of a building may have additional signs provided the total area of the signs do not exceed two (2) percent of the floor area occupied by the establishment or 50 sq ft., whichever is the smaller. Any window sign shall not exceed two (2) sq. ft. in area.
B. Theatres and places of amusement: The size, area and design of sign shall be determined separately for each establishment and regulated by Conditional Use Permits.
C. Temporary Development signs: Announcing a proposed building, a building under construction or advertising the sale, rental or lease of a building, or part thereof, shall be located on the zoning lot occupied by the building or use advertised and shall not exceed 40 sq. ft. in total area for each street frontage. Permanent signs, indicating name, owner or manager shall be permitted; size and design to be approved by the Planning Commission.
D. Directional signs: Of permanent construction indicating traffic routes and similar functions, shall be permitted in addition to the above limitations if each sign does not exceed four (4) sq. ft. in area.
E. Signs for Service Stations: Drive-in eating places and for similar uses, may be increased 50 percent in addition to the above standards.
F. Temporary Signs: Announcing sales, new products and special business events shall be permitted on the outside of buildings and in the yards where other signs are permitted, in addition to the permanent business signs, provided such signs do not exceed 40 percent of the maximum area permitted for each establishment and are not displayed more than 30 consecutive days.
(d) Location of Signs. Signs in business districts may be located on the surface of, or project from, the building wall adjacent to a street, a pedestrian way or adjacent to a parking area, or be erected on poles or other ground supports in yards as herein regulated. The maximum dimensions set forth shall include the structural members unless otherwise indicated.
(1) Flat or Wall signs shall not project more than 18 inches in front of the building wall and shall not project beyond any building corner. A sign may extend above the top of the front wall but not more than 20 percent of its total height may be extended above the wall, provided further that the sign is set back from each side lot line and party wall line at least equal to the dimensions that the sign projects above the top of the wall.
(2) Projecting signs shall be limited to not more than one sign for each establishment or store unit. Such signs shall be attached to the wall and may project at an angle of not less than 30 degrees therefrom over a public way, and may extend above the top of the wall, but not more than 35 percent of the total height of the sign may extend above the wall. Any face of a projecting sign shall be not less than five (5) feet from a side lot line or party wall of another store unit.
(3) Marquee signs may extend above the fascia, however, the vertical dimension of such sign, including fascia, shall not exceed four (4) feet.
(4) Pole signs shall project not more than three (3) feet over a public way and the support for the sign shall not be located within the public right-of-way. The maximum size of one face of any pole sign shall not exceed 40 sq. ft.
(5) Ground signs shall not be less than five (5) feet from another business lot and not less than 25 feet from a residential district line or exceed 10 feet in height. The maximum size of one face of any ground sign shall not exceed 50 square feet. Temporary development signs may be located in front of the building setback line and a permanent development sign may be located in front of the setback line if approved by the Commission. Directional signs may be located within the required yards.
(e) Height of Signs. The height of the lowest member of any sign, which is not integral with a wall surface, shall be not less than 8-1/2 feet above a sidewalk or other pedestrian way and not less than 14 feet if over or within 18 inches of the vertical projection of a pavement used for vehicular traffic. The maximum height of any sign shall not exceed 30 feet. (Ord. 474. Passed 8-27-73.)