(A) Generally. The following signs are permitted within the specified zoning districts, in compliance within the following regulations. In addition, exempt signs and temporary signs are permitted in all districts by other provisions of this subchapter. See definitions of the types of signs in § 154.031.
Zoning District or Type of Use | Maximum Total Height of Free-standing Signs | Maximum Area of Wall Signs | Maximum Area of Window Signs | Maximum Area and Number of Freestanding Signs**** |
Zoning District or Type of Use | Maximum Total Height of Free-standing Signs | Maximum Area of Wall Signs | Maximum Area of Window Signs | Maximum Area and Number of Freestanding Signs**** |
Residential districts, with these signs limited to allowed principal nonresidential uses, such as places of worship | 8 ft. | 20 sq. ft. on each side of a principal building | May be used in place of a wall sign with the same restrictions | 1 sign on each street the lot abuts, each with a maximum sign area of 20 sq. ft. ** |
Other types of signs are addressed in § 154.117, including home occupation signs | ||||
New signs in these districts shall not be internally illuminated | ||||
NC District* | 15 ft. | 10% of the vertical area of the building side on which the signs are attached, up to a maximum total of 150 sq. ft.* | Temporary non-illuminated window signs are not regulated; other window signs are regulated under wall signs | 1 sign per street that the lot abuts, each with a maximum area of 20 sq. ft.** |
LIC and MU Districts, except that residential development shall only be able to have the signs allowed by § 154.117 | 15 ft. | 15% of the vertical area of the building side on which the signs are attached, up to a maximum total of 150 sq. ft. | Temporary non-illuminated window signs are not regulated; other window signs are regulated under wall signs | 1 sign per street that the lot abuts, each with a maximum area of 30 sq. ft. **, *** |
* In the NC District, the following additional signs shall be allowed: | ||||
(a) A maximum of 1 projecting sign shall be permitted per lot, provided: | ||||
1. Such sign has a minimum clearance over the sidewalk of 9 ft. (unless a differing standard is established by the Building Code (Chapter 150 of this code of ordinances); | ||||
2. Is constructed entirely from wood or materials with wood, in addition to any metal fasteners; | ||||
3. Has a maximum sign area on each of 2 sides of 8 sq. ft.; and | ||||
4. Is securely attached to the building; | ||||
(b) A maximum of one sidewalk sign (or “sandwich board sign”) shall be permitted per lot, provided: | ||||
1. Such sign has a maximum sign area of 8 sq. ft. on each width of 3 ft., and has a maximum height of 4 ft.; | ||||
2. Such sign is taken indoors during all hours when the business is not open to the public; | ||||
3. Such sign is not in a location that would interfere with pedestrian traffic, emergency access or parking spaces and maintains a 4-foot wide minimum clear path for pedestrians, and is kept as close to the building as is feasible; and | ||||
4. Such sign is attractive, well-maintained and durably constructed primarily of wood or materials with an appearance similar to wood. | ||||
** If the permitted freestanding sign area is not used, such sign may be added to the permitted wall sign area. | ||||
*** If a lot includes three or more distinct commercial or industrial establishments, then along one street, 1 or 2 freestanding signs shall be permitted with a maximum total freestanding sign area of 100 sq. ft. | ||||
**** See setbacks for freestanding signs in § 154.120(A) | ||||
(B) Maximum height of wall signs. The maximum height of wall signs shall be equal to the top of the roof along the wall to which they are attached.
(C) Portable signs (including signs on mobile stands) and other temporary signs.
(1) Purpose. These standards recognize portable signs as a particular type of sign that has the characteristics of a temporary sign but that has been inappropriately used as a permanent sign. This section is based on the policy that if a use desires to regularly display a sign for regularly changing messages, that it erect a permanent sign within all of the requirements of this subchapter.
(2) Definition of a “portable sign”. A PORTABLE SIGN is a freestanding sign that is attached to a chassis or legs that allows it to be towed or carried from one location to another and that is not permanently attached to the ground.
(3) Portable signs are prohibited in all districts, except as a temporary charitable event or temporary special sale sign as permitted by § 154.117.
(D) Signs on walls. A freestanding sign may be attached to a decorative masonry or stone wall with a maximum height of six feet and a maximum length of 12 feet, without being regulated by the wall setback regulations of this subchapter and with the wall itself not counting towards the maximum sign area.
(2006 Code, § 27-704) (Ord. 12/18/2003, passed 12-18-2003, § 704)