(a) Statement of Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to create the legal framework for a comprehensive but balanced system of signage, and thereby to facilitate an easy and pleasant communication between people and their environment. With this purpose in mind, it is the intention of this section to authorize the use of signage that is:
(1) Appropriate to the type of activity to which it pertains;
(2) Expressive of the identity of individual proprietors and of the community as a whole; and
(3) Legible in the circumstances in which it is seen.
(b) Permit Required. All signs EXCEPT those specifically exempted in Section 1282.03
(p)(5) of this section require a City issued permit.
(c) Application for Permit. Application for sign permits shall be made upon forms provided by the Zoning Inspector and shall contain or have attached thereto the following information:
(1) The name, address and telephone number of the applicant and owner of the premises;
(2) The location of the building, structure, or lot to which or upon which the sign or other advertising structure is to be attached or erected;
(3) The position of the sign or other advertising structure in relation to nearby buildings or structures and a site plan for ground signs;
(4) Scale drawings, including graphics, colors, plans, and specifications, the method of construction and attachment to the building or the method of installation in the ground, using a scale of one inch equals one foot or another standard architectural scale;
(5) The name of the person erecting the structure;
(6) Written consent of the owner of the building, structure, or land to which or on which the structure is to be erected;
(7) The product, use, or service to be advertised; and
(8) Such other information as the Zoning Inspector shall require to show full compliance with this and all other ordinances of the City.
(d) Permit Fees. Every applicant, before being granted a sign permit, shall pay to the City a permit fee in an amount consistent with a resolution passed by Council.
(e) Revocability of Permits. All rights and privileges acquired under the provisions of this chapter or any amendment hereof are mere licenses granted for the duration of the requested use only, and are revocable at any time by the Zoning Inspector. All permits shall contain this provision. All permits are conditioned upon the continued use of the premises or business for the purpose set forth in the application for the permit.
(f) Authority to Revoke. The Zoning Inspector is hereby authorized to revoke any permit issued by him or her upon failure of the holder thereof to comply with any provision of this chapter.
(g) Construction. All signs, canopies, attachments and accessories shall be attached and constructed in a safe, secure manner, free of any hazards, and it shall be the responsibility of the owners and/or contractor to construct and maintain all signs as required by the applicable building code.
(i) Prohibited Signs.
(1) Animated signs. No flashing, moving, or animated signs shall be erected, constructed, or maintained in the Municipality. Changeable signs (such as an LED) are permitted to change their display every eight seconds with the change taking no longer than two seconds.
(2) Roof signs. No roof signs shall be erected or constructed in the Municipality.
(3) Billboards. No billboards or off-premise signs shall be erected or constructed in the Municipality.
(4) Abandoned signs. No abandoned signs shall be permitted within the City.
(j) General Provisions.
(1) Creating traffic obstruction or confusion. No sign or other advertising structure, as regulated by any of the provisions of this chapter, shall be erected at the intersection of any street in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision of traffic. No such sign or other advertising structure shall be erected at any location where, by reason of its position, shape, or color, it may interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with an authorized traffic sign, signal, or device.
(2) Advertising matter. Only the name of the business, the type or service offered and the name of the owner, proprietor, or manager of the place of business erecting and maintaining such sign shall be permitted as advertising matter.
(3) Unsafe and unlawful signs. If the Zoning Inspector or his or her authorized representative finds that any sign or other advertising structure regulated herein is unsafe and insecure, is a menace to the public or has been constructed or erected, or is being maintained, in violation of any of the provisions of this chapter, notice shall be given in writing by the Zoning Inspector to the permittee thereof. If the permittee fails to remove or alter the structure so as to comply with the standards herein set form within ten days after such notice, such sign or other advertising structure may be removed or altered by the City so as to comply by the Zoning Inspector at the expense of the permittee or owner of the property upon which it is located. The Zoning Inspector shall refuse to issue a permit to any permittee or owner who refuses to pay costs so assessed. The Zoning Inspector may cause any sign or other advertising structure that is an immediate peril to persons or property to be removed summarily by the City and without notice.
(4) Inspections. The Zoning Inspector or his or her authorized representative shall inspect, at any time deemed necessary, each sign or other advertising structure regulated by this chapter for the purpose of ascertaining whether the same is secure or insecure, and whether it is in need of removal or repair.
(5) Maintenance. The owner of any sign regulated by this chapter is hereby required to properly maintain, in good condition and repair, all parts and supports of the sign.
(6) Presumption of responsibility. The occupant of any premises upon which a violation of any of the provisions of this chapter is apparent, or the owner of any sign placed or remaining anywhere in violation of any of the provisions of this chapter, shall be deemed prima-facie responsible for the violation so evidenced and shall be subject to the penalty provided therefor.
(7) Nonconforming existing signs. Every sign or other advertising structure lawfully in existence on the effective date of this chapter shall not be replaced, altered, or relocated, except as may be required by law and ordinance, unless such sign is made to comply with the provisions of this chapter.
(8) Portable signs. A portable sign is a sign, pennant, or advertising display constructed of cloth, canvas, light fabric, cardboard, plastic, wallboard, or other like materials that can easily be removed or stored and are temporary in nature.
A. Portable signs shall be permitted in all agricultural, commercial, industrial, and public zoning districts. In the CB District, a temporary sandwich board sign is permitted.
B. Portable signs shall not exceed sixteen square feet total or eight square feet per side if double-faced, and cannot cause a visual or physical obstruction to pedestrians or vehicles.
C. No permit is required for a portable sign and one sign per business is permitted.
D. Portable signs shall only be displayed during operating hours and shall be removed at the close of business each day.
(9) Total aggregate area for outdoor advertising. The total aggregate square footage for outdoor advertising for a building or structure shall not exceed 500 square feet total in the C, NCO, M-l, or M-2 Districts and 300 square feet total in the Central Business (CBD) District.
(10) Changeable copy sign. A sign, or portion thereof with letters, numbers or illustrations that can be periodically changed or rearranged without altering the face of or surface of the sign. A changeable copy sign displays message and/or graphics with electronic or mechanical means, is not animated, and remains unchanged for at least three seconds.
(11) All signs noted in this section shall require a permit unless otherwise specified in this Section 1282.03.
(12) On-premises electronic message center: A large, free standing sign used for the purpose of promoting goods and services of the business located on the parcel where the message center is located may be permitted to be displayed, provided:
A. The business is directly adjacent to the interstate highway (I-75 or I-280).
B. The business is located in a "M-2" Industrial District along I-75 or a "C" Commercial District along I-280. On-premise billboard signs are prohibited in all other zoning districts in order to protect the City's aesthetics, and promote the general welfare of the public.
C. No sign of this type may be located within a radius of 500 feet of another on-premises electronic message center regardless of geographic jurisdiction or within 300 feet of existing or future residential uses.
D. No on-premises electronic message center shall be permitted within any right-of-way or easement provided for a railroad.
E. No on-premises electronic message center may be located within seventy-five feet of a property line adjoining a street or thirty feet of any other boundary line of the property on which the message center is located.
F. The maximum allowable display area for each allowable facing of an on-premises electronic message center is 672 square feet.
1. The on-premises electronic message center shall be comprised of a maximum of two facings which shall be installed back-to-back.
G. The height of an on-premises electronic message center may not exceed eighty feet above the natural grade of the ground on which it is located.
H. The exposed supports of the on-premises electronic message center in full view of vehicular traffic approaching along the main travel way shall be covered. This regulation shall not apply when the road design, natural topography, buildings, and other objects provide screening to the backs of any graphic.
I. On-premises electronic message center shall comply with the lighting requirements set forth in paragraph (A)(4) of rule 5501:2-2-02 of the Ohio Administrative Code as well as the brightness standards set forth by the International Sign Association (ISA).
J. On-premises electronic message center must be stationary and shall not incorporate the use of any mechanical movement in its display and must comply with the variable or multiple message requirements set forth in paragraph (B) of rule 5501:2-2-02 of the Administrative Code.
K. On-premises electronic message center shall be constructed in such a fashion that it will withstand all wind and vibration forces that can normally be expected to occur in the vicinity and in compliance with all applicable codes, it shall be maintained so as to assure proper alignment of structure, continued structural soundness and continued readability of message. The structural component of the sign shall be designed and sealed by a professional engineer.
L. Every on-premises electronic message center shall require a sign permit before installation. Permits will be reviewed and issued consistent with the terms of this section as well as all other applicable ordinances. Every applicant for a permit shall file with the application a certificate of insurance, certifying that the applicant is insured against bodily injury and for property damage arising out of the erection, maintenance, repair, and replacement of the on-premises electronic message center.
M. Each applicant, if the permit is granted, shall be required to maintain said insurance and keep a certificate of insurance currently effective on file with the City so long as these types of signs are in existence. The certificate shall provide that the City shall receive fourteen days written notice in case of cancellation of the policy. Any on-premise billboard sign in violation of the insurance requirements of this section shall be removed immediately and the cost of such removal shall be charged against the sign/business owner.
N. The owner of the on-premises electronic message center may coordinate with the local authorities to display, when appropriate, information relative to the City of Northwood and emergency information important to the traveling public.
O. The on-premises electronic message center must otherwise comply with all other relevant regulations and ordinances of the City of Northwood, Ohio R.C. Chapter 5516, Ohio Administrative Code rule 5501:2-2-03, and State and Federal laws.
(k) A-1 Districts.
(1) Permitted signs. The following nonilluminated signs are permitted in an A-1 District:
A. For residential buildings, a sign not more than one square foot in area, showing the address or the name of an occupant thereof; and
B. A sign not more than 100 square feet in area for an agricultural building, structure or lot.
(2) Regulations. Only one sign shall be permitted for each lot.
(l) R, RA, R-OA-1, R-OA-2 and R-4 Districts.
(1) Permitted signs. The following nonilluminated signs are permitted in R, RA, R-OA-1, R-OA-2 and R-4 Districts:
A. For residential buildings, a sign of not more than one square foot in area, showing the address or the name of an occupant thereof.
(2) Regulations. Only one sign shall be permitted for each lot.
(m) NCO and C Districts.
(1) Permitted signs. The following signs are permitted in NCO and C Districts:
A. All signs permitted in an A-1 District; and
B. An illuminated, non-flashing or nonilluminated sign, and ground mounted signs provided, that the total area of such sign is not more than sixty square feet and the total area of a double-faced sign is not more than 120 square feet.
(2) Regulations. Permitted signs in these Districts shall be regulated as follows:
A. No sign shall be located nor project closer than ten feet to any public right-of-way, as specified in this Zoning Code; and
B. No sign shall extend more than fifteen feet above the average finished grade level.
(n) Central Business (CBD) District.
(1) Permitted signs. The following signs are permitted in the Central Business (CBD) District:
A. Projection signs that are no more than sixteen square feet, or eight square feet in total area if double-faced.
B. Illuminated or nonilluminated wall signs, ground mounted signs, and awning signs that are no more than sixty square feet each side or 120 square feet for double-faced ground mounted signs.
(2) Regulations. Permitted signs in this District shall be regulated as follows:
A. Ground mounted signs shall not be located nor project closer than ten feet to any public right-of-way, as specified in this Zoning Code;
B. Projection signs are permitted to extend into the public right-of-way, if there is a sidewalk adjacent to the building, no more than two feet.
C. The total aggregate sign area for all outdoor advertising shall not exceed 300 square feet.
D. Signs for multi-tenant properties. A sign plan shall be established which includes sign uniformity in terms of height, proportion, sign type, background materials, illumination and building location. Individual business branding through color, fonts and icons may be permitted.
E. No more than three signs shall be permitted on single tenant properties.
(o) M-l and M-2 Districts.
(1) Permitted signs. The following signs are permitted in M-l and M-2 Districts:
A. All signs permitted in a C District except that:
1. A nonilluminated nonflashing ground and/or pole sign may be 160 square feet in total area.
2. An illuminated, nonflashing ground and/or pole sign may be 100 square feet in area.
3. In cases of two-sided signs, both sides shall be considered in computing total square feet in area.
B. A nonflashing illuminated or non-illuminated sign of any size attached to the main building or main structure, provided that such sign does not extend more than ten feet from the main building or main structure in any direction.
C. No sign shall be located, nor project closer than ten feet to any public right-of-way.
D. No sign shall extend more than twenty feet above the average finished grade level.
(p) Regulations Applicable to All Districts.
(1) Wall signs. Wall signs shall be permitted subject to the following limitations and requirements:
A. Wall opening. No wall sign shall cover, wholly or partially, any wall opening.
B. Projection from building. No wall sign shall project beyond the ends or top of the building wall to which it is attached, nor be set out more than one foot from the face of the building to which it is attached.
C. Graphic display. The graphic display shall not exceed twenty-five percent of the signable wall area, nor shall it exceed forty-eight inches in height.
D. Lighting. Lighting shall be permitted on wall signs, provided that such illumination is concentrated upon the area of the sign so as to prevent glare upon the street or adjacent property.
E. Obstruction to doors, windows, or fire escapes. No wall sign shall be erected, relocated, or maintained to prevent free entrance to, or exit from, any door, window, or fire escape.
(2) Ground signs. Ground signs shall be permitted subject to the following limitations and requirements:
A. Location. Ground signs shall not be permitted in any right-of-way or at any location, which, in the opinion of the Zoning Inspector, will block sight distances and cause a hazard for vehicular traffic or pedestrians. No ground sign shall be located, nor project closer than ten feet to any public right-of-way.
B. Sign limitations. Only one ground sign may be displayed per building or structure.
C. Lighting. Lighting shall be permitted on ground signs provided that such illumination is concentrated upon the area of the sign so as to prevent glare upon the street and adjacent property.
(3) Awnings and canopies.
A. Location. No awning or canopy shall be permitted to extend into any right-of-way, except in the CB District where awnings are permitted to extend into the public right-of-way 50% of the distance from the back of the curb, or the edge of pavement if there are no curbs, to the front of the building.
B. Advertising. No advertising shall be placed on any awning or canopy, except that the name of the owner and the business, industry or pursuit conducted within the premises may be painted or otherwise permanently placed in a space not exceeding the district's square footage requirements. Any advertising space used on an awning or canopy shall be considered as part of the total permitted signage for a building or structure.
(4) Pole signs.
A. Location. No pole sign shall be located, nor project closer than ten feet to any public right-of-way.
B. Sign limitations. Only one pole sign may be displayed per lot.
C. Lighting. Internal illumination is permitted. External illumination is permitted provided that such illumination is concentrated upon the area of the sign so as to prevent glare upon the street and adjacent property.
D. Clearance. The minimum clearance under such signs shall be eight feet.
(5) Temporary signs not requiring a permit.
A. All signs provided for in this subsection shall comply with the provisions of this section. No signs erected pursuant to this subsection shall be more than six feet above the sidewalk elevation, unless otherwise specified. All signs herein described shall be nonilluminated and must be removed within forty-eight hours after the completion of the event if said event is date specific, or structure to which such signs apply, unless otherwise specified.
B. The following signs may be erected without a zoning permit:
1. Residential. A total of 24 square feet allowed year round. An additional 64 square feet allowed related to an event. No sign shall be placed in the public right-of-way.
2. Non Residential. A total of 60 square feet allowed year round. An additional 120 square feet allowed related to an event. No sign shall be placed in the public right-of-way.
(Ord. 2002-45. Passed 8-22-02; Ord. 2007-43. Passed 12-6-07; Ord. 2014-26. Passed 11-20-14; Ord. 2014-33. Passed 12-4-14; Ord. 2015-14. Passed 7-13-15; Ord. 2017-40. Passed 12-7-17; Ord. 2018-07. Passed 3-8-18; Ord. 2020-41. Passed 12-10-20; Ord. 2023-12. Passed 2-9-23.)