A. Conflict: Where regulations conflict within the provisions codified in this Chapter or with other ordinances, the most stringent regulation shall apply.
B. Visibility: No sign shall be erected that interferes with the visibility of traffic control devices or street name signs nor shall any sign be placed so as to cause visual obstruction of a public right of way.
C. Permanent Sign Structure And Installation: The structure and installation of all signs shall comply with this Chapter, Titles 13 and 10 of the OMC, and the latest adopted edition of the City's building code.
D. Architectural Details: Signs shall be located so as to complement the original architecture features and character of the building. Permanent signs are subject to the requirements of section 13-6-7 of this title. All signs may not cover or obscure important architectural details of a building such as stair railings, turnings, windows, doors, decorative louvers, or similar elements intended to be decorative features of a building design. All signs must appear to be a secondary and complementary feature of the building facade. Wall signs must be located within architectural sign bands or other blank spaces which visually frame the sign. Blank wall sections above or between windows and doors, for example, may provide an effective location for signage. Signs hanging between pillars and archways may also be an effective design solution.
E. Owner Shall Maintain: All signs shall be maintained by the owner of the sign to show no signs of deterioration, including, but not limited to, rust, holes, discoloration, peeling paint, trash, or overgrowing weeds.
F. Illumination: Indirect illumination is preferred and shall be lighted in such a manner that glare from the light source is not visible to pedestrian or vehicle traffic. Internally illuminated signs must adhere to the standards in subsection L. Internally illuminated signs shall be designed to emphasize the lighting of the sign text, message and/or symbols, while minimizing the lighting of the background of the sign face. Temporary signs shall not be illuminated.
G. Permanent Freestanding Signs: Permanent freestanding signs are considered structures for purposes of compliance with required setbacks. Landscaping shall be used in conjunction with all permanent freestanding signs and may utilize shrubs and plantings or decorative features such as concrete bases, planter boxes, or ornaments.
H. Ownership And Removal Of Signs:
1. Private Property: The property owner or lessee is responsible for all signs on private property and compliance with this Chapter and all other applicable regulations. The property owner or lessee shall immediately remove all illegal, damaged, vandalized or abandoned signs. Signs on private property in violation of this Chapter shall be abated by the City pursuant to the process set out in this Chapter.
2. Public Right Of Way: Except as otherwise provided in this Chapter, no permanent signs shall be placed in the public right of way. Temporary non-commercial signs may be placed in the public right of way with a permit issued by the City, and are subject to the regulations set forth in this Chapter. The permittee shall remove permitted temporary sign(s) placed in the public right of way, pursuant to the terms of the permit. The City or its agents may summarily remove any sign placed in the right-of-way or public property in violation of the terms of this Chapter and is entitled to recover the costs of abatement from the permittee, in accordance with the process set out in this Chapter.
I. Directional Signs: On premises permanent directional signs not exceeding four (4) square feet in area may be permitted for each entrance or exit to a surface parking lot. Permanent directional signs may be permitted within the public right of way with the permission of the immediately adjacent property owner, pursuant to the permit process stated in this Chapter. Off premises permanent directional signs, whether on private or public property, shall only identify the facility or site and its distance and direction from the sign.
J. Sign Area Determinations:
1. Sign area for freestanding signs shall be calculated by determining the total surface area of the sign as viewed from any single vantage point, excluding support structures.
2. Sign area for letters or symbols painted or mounted directly on wall or freestanding signs shall be calculated by measuring the smallest single rectangle which will enclose the combined letters and symbols.
3. Sign area for signs contained entirely within a cabinet and mounted on a wall or freestanding sign shall be calculated by measuring the entire area of the cabinet.
4. Perimeter of all other signs shall be established by the smallest rectangle enclosing the extreme limits of the letter module or advertising message being measured.
K. Installation Prohibited:
1. No sign shall be installed, attached to, supported by or propped up against any utility pole, light standard, traffic sign, tree, fire hydrant, or any other public facility located within the public right of way.
2. No sign shall be mounted above the roofline and/or on the roof of a building.
L. Internally Illuminated Signs:
1. Internally illuminated signs are only permitted as a secondary, permanent sign, supplementary to a business's primary sign which shall not be internally illuminated or be a changing message sign.
2. The text that changes in a changing message sign is limited to a single color and must be a warm-toned off-white or similar color and the background must be a dark toned color as approved by the planning commission in compliance section 13-6-7 design review standards. The colors of the sign, letters, and background shall remain fixed.
3. Signs shall have a maximum luminance of not more than 0.2 foot-candles over ambient lighting conditions.
4. Changing message signs shall have dimming capability to allow adjustment of sign brightness when required by the City to accommodate local ambient conditions.
5. An electronic message may not change more frequently than every thirty (30) seconds;
6. Rotating, traveling, pulsing, flashing or oscillating light sources, lasers, beacons, searchlights or strobe lighting shall not be permitted.
7. Electronic signs shall not exceed the number, type, size, and height requirements set forth in section 13-7-9;
8. Electronic signs shall be permitted only in the MUCTN, MUTC, and PF zones.
9. The sign structure must comply with the architectural design review standards found in section 13-6-7.
M. Right of Way Frontage Determination for Flag Lots:
1. The maximum sign area for freestanding signs is determined by the frontage on a public right of way. Frontage for flag lots is determined by the length, in linear feet, of the building which contains the primary entrance to the uses within the building.
N. Wall Sign Area Determination:
1. 1. Canopy, under canopy, projected, and wall signs are considered wall signs for the purpose of determining sign area. (Ord. 2019-1041, 5-29-2019; Ord. 2021-1081, 9-8-2021; Ord. 2023-1103, 1-25-2023)