In addition to the general design requirements in Section 17.52.100, the following requirements shall apply to special sign types as listed.
A. Wall Signs.
1. Wall signs shall be compatible with the predominant visual architectural elements of the building façade.
2. Wall signs shall not project more than twelve (12) inches from the building façade.
3. Wall signs shall utilize a consistent proportion of signage to building scale, such as 1/3 text to 2/3 wall area or one-forth (1/4) text to three-fourths (3/4) wall area. See Figure 17.52.110-1 (Text Scale).
4. Wall sign raceways shall be concealed from public view (e.g., within the building wall or otherwise integrated with the design of the sign and building so as to not detract from the architectural character of the building.
5. Channel letters, reverse channel letters, and push pin letters are preferred in place of can signs. Letters may not utilize gold-colored (or a shade of gold) trim cap.
6. Signage containing multiple elements (e.g., logo and text) on one (1) façade shall be designed so that the multiple elements are located and scaled with relationship to each other.
B. Awning and Canopy Signs. Awning and canopy signs may be permitted only as an integral part of the awning or canopy to which they are attached or applied and shall be considered wall signs for signage area calculation purposes. The following requirements shall apply:
1. Lettering shall be allowed on awning valances only and shall not exceed eighteen (18) inches in height. Logos, symbols, and graphics that do not include text may be allowed on the shed (slope) portion of an awning and shall not exceed four (4) square feet in area for each awning. All awning signage, text and/or other graphics, whether located on the shed or valance, shall count towards the total sign area, pursuant with the measurement rules provided in Subsection 17.52.090.E (Determination and Measurement of Sign Area). See Figure 17.52.110-2 (Awning and Canopy Sign).
2. Lettering shall be located within the middle seventy percent (70%) of the valance area.
3. Only permanent signs that are an integral part of the awning or architectural projection shall be allowed. Temporary signs shall not be placed on awnings.
4. Awning signs shall only be allowed for first and second story occupancies.
5. Awnings shall not be lighted from under the awning (backlit) so that the awning appears internally illuminated. Lighting directed downwards that does not illuminate the awning is allowed.
C. Projecting Signs. Projecting signs, including, but not limited to, blade signs, bracket signs, and marquee signs, and shall be considered wall signs for the purposes of sign area calculations. Projecting signs shall only be permitted as follows:
1. Location. Projecting signs shall be placed only on ground-floor facades, except for businesses located above the ground level with direct exterior pedestrian access. In the case of a one (1)-story building, the top of the sign shall, exclusive of the suspension structure, be no higher than the roof eave line.
2. Angle of Projection. Projecting signs shall either be located at right angles to the building front along the building façade, or, when located on the corner of a building, at a forty-five (45) degree angle to the corner of the building.
3. Height. The lowest point of a blade or bracket sign shall be a minimum of seven and a half (7 1/2) feet above grade.
4. Projection. The sign may project a maximum of five and a half (5 1/2) feet from the building.
5. Suspension. The sign shall be suspended with a clear space of at least six (6) inches between the sign and the building.
6. Sign structure. Sign supports and brackets shall be compatible with the design and scale of the sign.
7. Encroachment. Blade, bracket, or marquee signs may not encroach into the public right-of-way or be located above it, or into city-owned property except with an encroachment permit.
8. Spacing. Projecting signs shall be spaced to maximize the visibility of signage.
D. Freestanding Signs. Freestanding signs, including monument signs, pole signs, and pylon signs, shall only be permitted as follows:
1. Pole Signs. The bottom of the pole sign (excluding the sign structure) shall be no lower than seven and one-half (7.5) feet above ground level. The pole sign shall have no exposed connecting, or supporting wires.
2. In an effort to promote full architectural integration of signs, voids between the sign face and the sign structure are prohibited. Either the sign face shall utilize the full width of the sign structure or coverings that are architecturally consistent with the rest of the sign shall be used to fill any voids.
3. Materials and design for freestanding signs shall be complementary to the materials and design of the buildings for the related development. For example, if the façade of the building is made of brick or brick veneer, a complementary freestanding sign would also include brick.
4. Landscaping shall be provided at the base of the sign equal to the area of the sign. Landscaping shall be complementary to and designed in concert with the landscaping for the overall site. The design of the landscaping shall be such that natural growth will not obscure the sign from the public right-of-way.
5. The minimum letter height on a freestanding sign shall be twelve (12) inches. The intent is to limit the clutter of text on the sign and increase readability for the public, thereby providing for public safety.
6. The maximum letter height on a freestanding sign shall be thirty-six (36) inches. The intent is to limit the visual impact of large text size. For applicants requesting signage visible to freeway motorists, the maximum letter height for a freestanding sign shall be forty-eight (48) inches. For any further deviations from this requirement, the applicant may apply for a creative sign program or variance.
E. Marquee or Changeable Copy Sign. These types of signs shall be considered to be the same as any other type of sign and shall be regulated based on their location; i.e., if located on a wall, they shall be deemed wall signs.
F. Electronic Message Signs.
1. Off-site electronic message signs. Off-site electronic message signs shall only be allowed in conjunction with pylon signs along Interstate 80 pursuant to the requirements provided in Table 17.52.110-1 (Electronic Message Signs).
2. Sign area and height. Maximum sign area for all electronic messages shall be one hundred (100) square feet and maximum height of sign structure containing electronic message shall be one hundred (100) feet.
3. Sign brightness. The electronic message sign (including both graphic and video displays) must not exceed a maximum illumination of six thousand (6,000) nits (candelas per square meter) during daylight hours and a maximum illumination of one thousand (1,000) nits (candelas per square meter) between dusk to dawn as measured from the sign's face at maximum brightness. All electronic message centers shall be designed and operated with automatic dimming features and have the capability for the owner/operator of the sign to reduce the illumination and/or brightness to adjust to background and ambient light conditions. These controls may include an auxiliary photocell on or near the sign.
4. If an electronic message sign displays more than one (1) type of electronic message as categorized by Table 17.52.110-1 (Electronic Message Signs) (e.g., time and temperature message and electronic display), each type of electronic message shall be subject to the relevant regulations for such message type when that message type is displayed. For instance, when a time and temperature message is displayed, it may only be displayed pursuant to the requirements for time and temperature signs; when an electronic graphic display message is displayed, it may only be displayed pursuant to the requirements for electronic graphic displays; even if multiple message types are displayed on one (1) sign, each message type shall be governed by the relevant regulations for that message type. Electronic displays or electronic graphic displays shall not be allowed to use the text and message limits established for time and temperature messages, even if a time and temperature message is displayed on the sign in addition to other electronic message types. The regulations provided below shall apply to the specified message type whenever such message type is displayed, regardless of alterations between message types.
Description/ Requirement | Message Type | |||
Electronic Display | Electronic Graphic Display | Video Display | Time and Temperature | |
Description | Text Only - No Picture | Images and Text | Moving Pictures | Informational Only |
Allowed | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
Text Limit (1) | 10 words | No Limit | n/a | Time and Temperature Only |
Minimum Message Duration | 1 minute | 1 minute | 4 ft. | 5 seconds |
Brightness (NITSs) (2) - Day/Night | 7,000/2,500 | 7,000/2,500 | n/a | 7,000/2,500 |
Notes:
(1) Scrolling messages are prohibited.
(2) NITs are a unit of intensity (candelas/square meter).
(Ord. 2010-02 § 1 (part), 2010)