The guidelines set out in this section address issues related to sign compatibility, legibility, placement, color, and illumination. They are intended to complement the standards of this section and to guide quality visual environments.
( A) Illumination of signs. Lighted signs facing and on property adjacent to or across a street from a residential district shall not be backlit and shall be no closer than 20 feet from the nearest residential district boundary. All signs shall not exceed 0.3-foot candles over ambient light conditions.
(B) Electric signs.
(1) All electric signs shall be manufactured to meet UL specifications and be approved by the Building Official in accordance with the city’s Electrical Code. An equivalent alternative may be accepted as approved by the Building Official.
(2) Electrical transformer boxes and raceways should be concealed from public view. If a raceway cannot be mounted internally behind the finished exterior wall, the exposed metal surfaces of the raceway should be finished to match the background wall or integrated into the overall sign design.
(3) Electric signs shall be watertight, with service holes to provide access to each component fitted with waterproof covers.
(4) Any electrical equipment or apparatus of a sign which causes interference with radio and television reception shall not be allowed.
(C) Wall signs.
(1) A wall sign shall not extend more than 18 inches from the wall to which it is
attached.
(2) A wall sign may not extend beyond the corner of the wall to which it is attached, except where it is attached to another wall sign, it may extend to provide for the attachment.
(3) A wall sign shall not extend beyond its building’s roof line.
(D) Projecting signs.
(1) Projecting signs must minimize visible support structure, including guy wires, cables, turnbuckles, angle iron, or other similar external support structure.
(2) A projecting sign may not extend more than four feet from the wall to which it is attached and shall provide clearance of at least eight feet (10’) above pedestrian walkways and at least 15 feet above driveways.
(E) Pole signs. Permitted pole signs may revolve at a rate not to exceed six revolutions per minute to not be classified as a moving sign which is prohibited in this chapter.
(F) Driveway signs. Driveway signs for directional use are only allowed in office and commercial zoning districts. Detached signs regulations to direct internal traffic, identify parking areas, or supply other information, given that the driveway signs are:
(1) No larger than three square feet per face;
(2) If building mounted, no higher than eight feet from grade;
(3) If free standing, no higher than three feet from grade; and
(4) A maximum of one at each driveway or drive through lane.
(G) Fuel island signs.
(1) The sign area shall be no more than 15 square feet of fuel island sign area shall be permitted per pump located within the fuel island. For example, a fuel island with six pumps would be allowed 90 square feet of sign area within the fuel island.
(2) The total sign area shall be the actual square footage of one sign face. Sign area installed in excess of 15 square feet per pump shall be counted toward the total allowed sign area for building mounted or ground mounted signs based on the installation type.
(3) Location. Fuel island signs shall be located internal to the site and oriented toward a fuel island.
(4) Height. Fuel island signs shall be installed to a height not exceeding eight feet.
(H) Clearance from electric lines. A clearance of not less than ten feet horizontally and vertically shall be maintained between any sign and any overhead electrical transmission line.
(I) Electronic message signs.
(1) Electronic message signs are permitted as part of a sign if they are enclosed on all sides with a finish of brick, stone, stucco, powder-coated metal, or anodized aluminum.
(2) Square footage of electronic message signs shall not exceed the maximum sign area permitted for that sign type within the zoning district where the proposed sign is to be located. The balance of the sign area shall utilize permanent letters or symbols.
(3) Electronic message signs shall be:
(a) Located no closer than 100 feet to a residential dwelling unit;
(b) Prohibited in the A-1 Agricultural and Rural Residential Districts;
(c) Permitted in the R-1, R-2, and R-3 Residential Districts for a non-residential use with a conditional use permit with approval by the Zoning Board of Adjustment subject to the standards in this chapter;
(d) Permitted in the Office and Commercial Districts; and
(e) Limited to one such sign per lot.
(4) Electronic message signs shall not:
(a) Blink, rotate, move, chase, flash, glare, strobe, scintillate, or in any fashion be distracting to the traveling public or the public in general;
(b) Include audio, pyrotechnic, or bluecasting (Bluetooth advertising) components;
(c) Be programmed in a way that suggests or resembles a traffic control device, such as a traffic signal; and
(d) Be included on or used as a portable or temporary sign.
(5) Electronic message centers shall:
(a) Not be limited by color;
(b) Contain a default design that will freeze the sign in one position with no more illumination than 0.3-foot candles above ambient light if a malfunction occurs; and
(c) Include an automatic dimmer that dims the sign at dusk or during low-light conditions.
(J) Sign bases and surround.
(1) All sign bases and surrounds shall be designed and constructed of materials that are like those used on the principal building.
(2) Sign bases and surrounds shall be dominated with materials of permanency and strength such as brick stone, block, other masonry or concrete materials, or architectural paneling and shall be compatible with other structures and signs in the development.
(3) No exposed sign cabinetry shall be visible from either side of the sign.
(4) Metal skirting around a supporting pole shall not be considered an acceptable sign base and surround material.
(5) All sign bases shall be at least 12 inches in height, while all sign surrounds shall be at least six inches in thickness.
(6) Signs without a continuous surround may be approved by the city when incorporating architectural elements or substantial materials meeting the intent of high-quality sign design on all sides, bottom and top to frame the sign area.
(7) (a) The area around the base of the sign shall be maintained in clean condition by the sign owner or property owner.
(b) A radius of five feet around the base of the sign shall be landscaped with natural materials acceptable to the Zoning Administrator.
(Ord. 2023-13, passed 7-25-2023)