Accessory signs in Commercial Districts shall be designed, erected, altered, moved and maintained, in whole or in part, in accordance with the following:
(a) Structural Types Permitted. The following use types of signs are permitted in Business Districts:
(1) Wall or panel;
(2) Canopy;
(3) Ground;
(4) Menu board; and
(5) Changeable copy.
(b) Determination of Aggregate Face Area and Setback. The aggregate face area of all signs in any use district shall not exceed the following limits, determined on the basis of the setback distance of the building and the horizontal store frontage:
(1) For buildings erected with a setback of zero to 125 feet, the aggregate area of all signs shall not exceed two square feet for each lineal foot of store frontage.
(2) For buildings erected with a setback greater than 125 feet, but not more than 250 feet, the aggregate area of all signs shall not exceed 2.25 square feet for each lineal foot of store frontage.
(3) For buildings erected with a setback of 250 feet or more, the aggregate area of all signs shall not exceed 2.5 square feet for each lineal foot of store frontage.
(4) The maximum sign face area of a permitted nameplate sign is two square feet.
(5) The maximum sign face area permitted of a menu board sign is 36 square feet, with a maximum height of six feet to the top of the sign, measured from the finished grade.
(6) The maximum sign face area for a temporary sign is established in divisions (c)(6) and (7) of this section.
(7) The maximum sign face area of a changeable copy sign is established in' division (c)(9) of this section.
(8) Setback distance shall be measured from the centerline of the principal thoroughfare that provides direct customer access to the building and that abuts the parcel of land on which the building is erected or the shopping center of which the building is part.
(c) Number; Locations; Maximum Sign Face Area Permitted.
(1) Wall signs. One wall sign per wall may be permitted for each business use or each separate unit thereof.
(2) Ground signs. Businesses in Commercial Districts may be permitted one ground sign in accordance with this section. Ground signs shall be at least 20 feet from another business lot and at least 50 feet from any Residential District line. A ground sign shall be set back at least five feet from the street right-of-way line and ten feet from the nearest edge of any interior drive. The height of a ground sign shall not exceed six feet for a single business and be in accordance with division (c)(10) of this section for multiple businesses and shopping centers, but in no way should it affect traffic sight lines or impair pedestrian or vehicle traffic.
(3) Canopy or covered walk signs. One canopy or covered walk identification sign may be attached to the soffit or fascia of a canopy or roof over a walkway structural member of each business use. However, the vertical dimension of such signs shall not exceed 18 inches, and the lowest member shall be not less than eight feet above the sidewalk grade. The maximum single-face sign area of any canopy sign shall not exceed ten square feet.
(4) Directional ground signs. Directional ground signs, indicating traffic routes and similar information are permitted and are not subject to the sign face area limitations of this section, provided that no such sign exceeds four square feet in a single-face sign area or is closer than 15 feet from any side lot line or five feet from any street right-of-way line, and provided, further, that no such sign exceeds three feet in height.
(5) Window signs. Permanent window signs are permitted on each wall elevation, provided that they do not exceed 15 square feet, provided that they do not cover more than 30% of said window, and provided that the area from four feet, six inches to six feet, six inches above the finished sidewalk grade must be open and free of any and all signage and/or obstruction of view at all times without exception. All signs, permanent or temporary, must be considered when determining the 30% coverage. When there is more than one window, each window must meet the criteria for sign area and window coverage. A “window” is defined as the area of glass within a frame or sash, or the area separated by muntins or mullions. In any event, only two permanent window signs will be permitted for each 50 linear feet of glass, regardless of glass area being one piece or a number of pieces. No signs of any kind, except address numbers, hours of operation (maximum 80 square inches) and credit cards accepted (maximum 60 square inches), are permitted on doors.
(6) Temporary project ground signs. One temporary project ground sign, not exceeding 32 square feet in single-face sign area and six feet in height, shall be permitted, if it is located on the lot of a proposed building or a building under construction. Such project sign shall be located not less than 100 feet from the nearest residential lot line and not less than 25 feet from the nearest nonresidential lot and street right-of-way line. A permit for such a sign shall be issued for a period not exceeding six months. However, such permit may be renewed while construction is pursued diligently. A project sign shall be removed within 14 days of commencement of the intended use.
(7) Other temporary signs. Temporary signs may be permitted in addition to the maximum sign face area of a permanent business sign. Temporary signs may be placed on the inside surfaces of windows and doors, provided that such signs are not displayed for more than 30 consecutive days and do not cover more than 30% of the window or glass door area. The gross sign face area of all temporary signs may not exceed 20% of the maximum area of a permanent sign for which a permit was issued for each establishment. At least 30 days must pass before a second sign may be erected. Temporary signs placed on the inside surface of windows and doors shall not be subject to Section 1383.10(a). Mobile, movable and illuminated signs, anchored balloons and searchlights are not permitted. One temporary real estate ground sign may be permitted advertising the sale, rental or lease of the premises or part of the premises on which the sign is displayed, provided that such sign does not exceed 15 square feet in single-face sign area or five feet in height. Such sign shall be located not less than 25 feet from any side lot line, or 15 feet from any street right-of-way line.
(8) Menu boards. Menu boards will be located on the lot.
(9) Changeable copy signs. Changeable copy signs shall not exceed 25% of the allowable aggregate face area of all signs.
(10) Shopping centers; multiple business identification signs. One permanent identification sign, indicating the name of a shopping center or building containing a group of individual stores designed and developed as a coordinated unit may be permitted in accordance with this section. Height restrictions are: six feet for one business or corporation; nine feet for two businesses or corporations; 12 feet for three or more businesses or corporations. In addition, no sign shall exceed 15 feet in width.
(10) New business announcement signs. In lieu of window signs, one temporary announcement ground sign, not exceeding 24 square feet in single-face area and four feet in height shall be permitted to identify a business whose use, identity or ownership has changed. It shall be set back at least five feet from the street right-of-way and ten feet from the nearest edge of an interior drive. It shall not affect the traffic sight lines or impair pedestrian or vehicular traffic. A permit for a new business announcement sign shall be issued within 60 days of obtaining the occupancy permit for the commercial space associated with the sign. The permit shall be issued for a period not exceeding 30 days. Such sign shall be removed upon installation of permanent signs.
(11) Service station island signs. Automobile service stations shall be permitted information signs at fuel pumps and other service islands. One sign, not more than two feet wide and two feet high will be allowed on each side of the pump island canopy.
(Ord. 2001-49. Passed 12-10-01.)