(a) Freestanding Signs.
(1) Minimum Sign Setback from Street. Freestanding signs shall be set back at least five (5) feet from the right-of-way. All signs shall be placed so as not to obstruct: sight lines for motorists or pedestrians; fire lanes, exits or standpipes for emergency-response vehicles; or any window such that light and/or ventilation is reduced below minimum standards required by any applicable law or building code.
(2) Minimum Side Setback from Side Lot Lines. Freestanding signs shall be located a minimum of ten (10) feet from any side lot line, except that when a side lot line coincides with a residential zoning district boundary line, the minimum setback shall be twenty (20) feet.
(3) Minimum Setback from Driveways. Freestanding signs, other than entrance and exit signs, shall be setback a minimum of five (5) feet from the pavement of an entrance/exit drive.
(4) Landscaping. Freestanding signs shall be erected in a landscaped setting with landscape materials approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission and not on sidewalks, drives or in parking lots. Neither the landscaping nor the freestanding sign shall obstruct the view of motorists entering or exiting the property.
(5) Multiple Tenant Facilities. When a freestanding sign is permitted on a site that has more than one tenant, it is the property owner's responsibility to determine whether the sign area will be devoted to identification of the building(s), the anchor tenant, all the tenants or some combination thereof.
(b) Illumination of Signs. Permanent signs shall be permitted to be illuminated in compliance with the following:
(1) The illumination of an internally illuminated sign shall only include the lettering, logo and/or symbols. The background shall be opaque.
(2) Signs shall not include animated, flashing, moving or intermittent illumination except for Electronic Message Center signs as regulated in Section 1161.09.
(3) External light sources shall further comply with the following requirements:
A. All external light sources shall be shielded from the view of persons viewing the sign and be further shielded and directed so that the light shines only on the sign and that illumination beyond the sign face is minimized.
B. All external light sources shall comply with the requirements of the National Electric Code.
C. Electrical wiring serving any sign shall be installed underground or on or within the structure to which the sign is attached.
(c) Instructional Signs. Instructional signs are intended for instructional purposes and shall be permitted, as needed, provided such signs: are not larger than necessary to serve the intended instructional purpose; are the minimum number to serve the intended instructional purpose; and are not in a location and do not possess design characteristics that constitute or serve to attract attention beyond the perimeter of the site. Except when restricted as a public service necessity, these signs may, in addition to the instructional purposes, be used to express non-commercial speech. (Ord. 2016-24. Passed 2-8-17.)