A. Dark sky protection option.
1. Purpose: To allow increased sign area and height and promote the use of illumination measures to protect dark skies.
2. Application: Applies to conventional internally-illuminated signs and externally-illuminated signs. Does not apply to billboard signs.
3. Incentives: A 25 percent increase in the area and height of a sign is allowed subject to meeting the requirements of this section. Submittals are reviewed by and subject to approval, approval with conditions, or denial by the planning official.
4. Illumination measures. In addition to meeting the Outdoor Lighting Code, a sign shall meet the following:
a. An illuminated sign shall be turned off by 9 PM;
b. Only the sign copy shall be illuminated;
c. A maximum correlated color temperature (CCT) of 3000K for the illumination source;
d. A maximum luminous intensity of 100 nits (candela per square meter).
e. Externally illuminated signs:
i. Full shielding of luminaires;
ii. Top-down illumination only;
iii. Light trespass onto any other property prohibited;
iv. Sign surface contains all of the light;
f. Conventional internally illuminated signs: Light text on dark backgrounds only, where "dark" does not include white, off-white, light gray, cream or yellow colors.
B. Master sign program.
1. Purpose:
a. To allow flexibility in the standard provisions of this chapter to respond to a special need, event, or activity in exchange for better design while still meeting the general intent of the chapter;
b. To promote:
i. A unifying, consistent and aesthetic design theme in the form of architectural style, shapes, textures, colors and materials used on a scale from an individual lot to a development complex;
ii. A well-organized visual environment with signs located and spaced or grouped together to reduce a disorganized appearance and improve the appearance of affected street frontage;
iii. Proportionality in sign area and height to integrate with the buildings, architecture, and landscape of the site;
iv. The use of high quality materials.
c. To protect Dark Skies through the use of illumination measures (Section 18.79.100(A)(4));
d. To maintain sign legibility and promote traffic and pedestrian safety;
e. To avoid obstructing significant scenic views from the right-of-way.
2. Application. The Master Sign Program may apply to:
a. On-site signs;
b. Off-site signs equal or less than 32 square feet in sign area including any signs in the right-of-way.
The program does not apply to billboards, off-site signs that exceed 32 square feet in sign area, or sign types not otherwise allowed by the chapter. The program applies to Tier 1 and Tier 2 requests according to Section 18.79.100(B)(3) below. One application per site or project shall be submitted.
3. Review.
i. Allowing off-site signs equal or less than 32 square feet in sign area;
ii. Increasing the number of signs on a site by 10 percent or less;
iii. Increasing the maximum sign area per site by 10 percent or less;
iv. Allowing a variation of 10 percent or less in the location of signs on a site; or,
v. Allowing a variation of 10 percent in the time period that signs may be displayed on a site.
The planning official may approve, approve with conditions, or deny the request based on this section. The applicant may appeal the decision by the planning official to the Board of Supervisors.
i. Increasing the number of signs on a site by a maximum of 25 percent;
ii. Increasing the sign area per site by a maximum of 25 percent;
iii. Allowing a variation in the location of signs by a maximum of 25 percent;
iv. Allowing a variation in the time period signs may be displayed on a site to a maximum of 25 percent, and,
v. Increasing the maximum height of a sign per site by a maximum of 25 percent.
The Design Review Committee may approve, approve with conditions, or deny the request based on this section. The applicant may appeal the decision by the Design Review Committee to the Board of Supervisors.
4. The applicant shall submit a complete master sign program request according to departmental requirements and fees.
5. If a sign is proposed for location within the right-of-way, review and approval by the Pima County Department of Transportation shall be required.
6. Written permission by the property owner for any sign on private property shall be required.
7. Each sign must be clearly labeled with the permit number and the name and contact information of the sign permit applicant.
(Ord. 2020-41, § 5 (part), 2020)