(A) Freestanding sign regulations. The supplemental provisions of this division (A) shall apply to the freestanding signs authorized pursuant to § 158.165 of this chapter.
(1) General provisions.
(a) If a non-residential zoning lot has frontage on two or more collector and/or arterial streets, one additional sign, of a monument sign style only and erected in accordance with the provisions of this section, may be located on such collector or arterial street frontage, in addition to the freestanding sign otherwise permitted. Such lot may have no more than two freestanding signs.
(b) The supports of every freestanding sign, except within I-64 frontage lots, shall be designed so as to obscure the bare pole or other support by the use of architectural features such as masonry or other covering of such bare pole or other sign supports.
(2) Location. Freestanding signs may be located adjacent to the front property line of the zoning lot on which it is situated, but shall be set back 20 feet from the side abutting another lot and from rear property lines. Freestanding signs shall not overhang the property line or a right-of-way. All freestanding signs must be completely constructed on or in a landscaped island or landscaped area.
(3) Size and height.
(a) A freestanding sign, including its cabinet, structure and/or trim, shall not exceed six feet in height above the average existing finished grade at the base of such sign, or the elevation of the adjacent street, whichever is higher. Any building-up or mounding of land at the base of such sign generated to “lift” such sign above a consistent grade with the lot shall be debited against the permitted sign height. For each additional four-foot setback from the front property line, the sign height may increase by one foot for a maximum of ten feet in height.
(b) Sign faces shall not exceed a width of 12 feet.
(c) The total sign area shall be four-tenths square feet of signage per linear foot of street frontage and shall not exceed 100 square feet. Ex: 150' Frontage x 0.4 = 60 sq. ft. sign. The Frontage length shall be measured along the front yard Building setback.
(d) The sign shall be attached to a proportionate enclosed base, integrated planter or structural frame, the width of which shall be a minimum of three-quarters the width of the widest part of the sign. The sign, including its base, shall be of permanent materials compatible with the primary structure. The base shall be placed in or at ground level with the top of the enclosed base extending up to a height of one to three feet above the average existing finished grade at the base of the sign.
(e) The supports of all freestanding signs shall not extend farther than 20 inches beyond the horizontal width of either edge of the sign.
(f) V-shaped signs shall have an exterior angle between faces of not more than 30 degrees with a distance between faces of such signs at their farthest point not exceeding six feet.
(g) Exceptions: the following freestanding signs shall be subject to the requirements above for other freestanding signs except as specifically noted as follows.
1. I-64 frontage lots. Lots located adjacent to and having frontage along Interstate 64 are permitted one freestanding sign not to exceed 35 feet in height in lieu of the freestanding sign otherwise permitted above. Such sign shall be located along the Interstate 64 frontage and shall not exceed a sign area of 250 square feet. The maximum length of any dimension of such sign shall be 21 feet.
2. Highway 50 lots. The freestanding sign for non-residential lots located adjacent to and having frontage along West Highway 50 between Old Collinsvilie Road and the intersection of Highway 50 and State Street (the “Spur”) may be up to 20 feet in height and up to 126 square feet in sign area, subject to all other applicable regulations regarding freestanding signs; except that, such signs shall be set back from the property line of the lot one foot for each additional foot of sign height over six feet. The outer width of the sole or joint supports for such freestanding sign shall be a minimum of one-third the width of the widest part of the sign. In lieu of a required base, the Department may approve a landscaped or otherwise appropriately designed ornamental or architectural feature concealing the base of the supports.
3. Residential conversions. Any establishment operating from a building that was designed for and originally used as a residential dwelling unit, and which exterior structure has not been substantially altered to conform it to a commercial building, shall be limited by the additional restrictions in this division (A)(3)(g)3. in that any freestanding sign shall be:
a. No larger than 32 square feet of sign area;
b. No greater than eight feet in width; and
c. No greater than six feet in height.
4. Tenant identification signs (multiple tenant lots). A zoning lot that serves multiple buildings and/or multiple tenants may substitute its permitted freestanding sign with a “tenant identification sign” pursuant to the following requirements.
a. Tenant identification signs shall adhere to the requirements for freestanding signs, except as otherwise identified herein.
b. Sign area shall be calculated at a rate of five-tenths of one square foot of signage per linear foot of street frontage and shall not exceed 132 square feet. (Ex: 150-foot frontage x 0.50 = 75 square foot sign.)
c. The maximum top-of-sign height at the property line shall be eight feet.
d. For each additional four-foot setback from the front property line, the sign height may increase by one foot for a maximum of 12 feet in height.
e. Tenant identification signs shall include dedicated areas for each business, tenant or building currently in use on the lot. Such sign shall not be solely dedicated for display of a single business.
(4) Development identification signs (large developments).
(a) A single commercial, industrial or mixed-use development or subdivision that is in excess of 20 acres in size or contains ten or more lots shall be permitted a development identification sign at each main entrance to the subdivision or development identifying the name of the project and/or containing a directory of tenants. The sign may include the name and/or logo of the development or subdivision. Such sign may be located within an easement on any platted lot or on common ground of the subdivision. Such sign may also be located on any unplatted portion of the subdivision identified as part of a particular development on an approved preliminary subdivision plat, site development concept plan, site development section plan or site development plan.
(b) A development identification sign shall not exceed 30 feet in height above the average existing finished grade at the base of the sign or elevation of the adjacent street, whichever is higher, with the total sign area per face not to exceed 288 square feet.
(c) The standard height versus width regulations for freestanding signs shall not apply to development identification signs. Development identification signs shall be a maximum of 14 feet wide.
(d) The sign face of development identification signs shall be no greater than 12 feet in width and 24 feet in height.
(e) The bottom of the sign face shall not exceed a height of six feet above the average existing finished grade at the base of the sign, or elevation of the adjacent street, whichever is higher.
(f) The support for such sign shall either:
1. Be attached to a proportionate enclosed base, integrated planter or structural frame, the width of which shall be a minimum of three-quarters of the width of the widest part of the sign face; or
2. Feature two vertical supports architecturally integrated and located at the edges of the sign in lieu of the proportionally enclosed base.
(g) Exceptions: developments that contain lots located adjacent to and having frontage along Interstate 64 may increase the height and size of the development identification sign by decreasing the number of permitted freestanding signs along Interstate 64 with approval of the City Council. The maximum size of one sign utilizing this exception shall be 55 feet in height and 450 square feet of sign area per face. These requests for exemption must be approved on a case-by-case basis by the City Council as part of a special use permit.
(B) Wall sign regulations. The supplemental provisions of this division (B) shall apply to the wall signs authorized for each establishment pursuant to § 158.165 of this chapter.
(1) Size.
(a) The sign area of each such sign and the total cumulative wall signage shall not exceed 10% of the wall area of the face of the building on which the sign is attached. No individual sign shall exceed 300 square feet in sign area.
(b) Countable wall area shall include the entire surface of a wall, such as gable and similar areas, and the vertical face of a mansard wall, whether real or artificial, which extends above the wall of the business on which the sign is attached. However, the countable area of mansard walls shall be limited to the area not greater than six feet above the eave line of the roof multiplied by the length of the associated wall.
(2) Specific regulations and exceptions.
(a) No wall sign shall project more than 18 inches from the wall or surface to which it is attached, except for projecting signs as permitted herein.
(b) Wall signs may not overlap or cover doors, windows or architectural details.
(c) Signs on awnings, canopies or marquees: signs mounted, painted or otherwise placed flush against any awning, canopy or marquee shall be considered wall signs, and shall comply with the regulations of this division (B). Signs suspended beneath any awning, canopy or marquee shall be considered projecting signs and shall comply with the regulations of division (C) below.
(d) Window signs: any establishment may display window signs. Window signs shall cover no more than a total of 20% of any window. Window signs shall not require a sign permit unless such sign includes structural supports.
(C) Projecting sign regulations. An establishment shall be permitted to display up to one wall sign in the form of a projecting sign facing street frontage subject to the following additional restrictions.
(1) A projecting sign shall not project more than six feet from the building to which it is attached;
(2) No projecting sign shall extend vertically past the roofline;
(3) A projecting sign shall not project over a street, alley or driveway, nor be closer than two feet from the curb or edge of any such vehicular way;
(4) Such sign shall not extend below a point eight feet above the ground or pavement.
(5) The size of a projecting sign shall be debited against the sign area allowance for wall signs.
(6) The sign area of a projecting sign shall be no larger than 16 square feet.
(Ord. 623, passed 9-8-1970; Ord. 3587, passed 9-15-2008; Ord. 3786, passed 12-17-2012)