No signs are allowed in Zoning Districts C-1, O-I, C-2, or C-R except as specifically set forth below. These exceptions shall not be construed as relieving the owner of such signs from the responsibility of complying with other applicable provisions of this Ordinance or the Princeton Planning and Zoning Code in general.
(a) Roof Signs. Roof signs shall not be permitted.
(b) Freestanding Signs. Freestanding signs shall be permitted subject to the following:
(1) On-site freestanding signs subject to the following:
A. Only one on-site freestanding sign shall be permitted on a lot.
B. Display surface area shall not exceed the following:
Mall, Shopping Center, Strip Center (Larger signs will be brought before the Planning Commission for review and approval) | 1000 sq. ft. |
Single business with less than 10,000 sq. ft. of floor space | 120 sq. ft. |
Single business with 10,000 sq. ft. or more of floor space | 300 sq. ft. |
C. The sign may be illuminated.
D. The closest part of any sign shall be an least (3) three feet from the property line and (50) fifty feet from any R-1, R-2, or R-3 zoning district.
(c) Projecting Signs. Projecting signs shall be permitted subject to the following:
(1) Off-site projecting signs are prohibited.
(2) On-site projecting signs subject to the following:
A. Only one on-site projecting sign shall be permitted on a building.
B. Display surface area shall not exceed the following:
Single business with less than 10,000 sq. ft. of floor space | 60 sq. ft. |
Single business with 10,000 sq. ft. or more of floor space | 150 sq. ft |
C. The sign may be illuminated.
D. The farthest protruding section of a projecting sign shall be set back four (4) feet from any existing street right-of-way and fifty (50) feet from any R-1, R-2, R-3, or C-R zoning district.
(d) Wall Signs. Wall signs shall be permitted subject to the following:
(1) Wall signs shall not project more than eighteen (18) inches from the surface upon which they are mounted; provided, the upper edge of a wall sign mounted on a mansard roof may project more than eighteen (18) inches so long as the sign is perpendicular to the ground.
(2) Where a building houses more than one business, wall signs shall be limited in number to one wall sign per business on each wall with a limit of two (2) wall signs per business per building. No wall signs shall cover wholly or partially any wall to which it is attached. All wall signs may not exceed 100 square feet or five percent 5% of any wall which ever is greater.
(3) Where a building houses only one (1) business, a maximum of three (3) wall signs may be placed on one wall, but no more than four (4) wall signs may be placed on the entire building. The display surface area of all wall signs on any one wall shall not exceed five percent (5%) of the wall on which they are located or 100 square feet whichever is greater.
(4) The sign may be an illuminated sign.
(5) Off-site wall signs are prohibited.
(e) Area Identification Signs.
(1) The size and location of the wall, or other structure which will contain the area identification sign, must be approved by the Building Inspector, who will approve such structure based on the City Building Code.
(2) The maximum display surface area of all area identification signs shall not exceed sixty (60) square feet.
(f) Portable Swinger, "A" Frame, Sandwich, Attraction Sign Boards Prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person to display or erect any portable swinger, "A" frame, sandwich or temporary attraction sign board in the City, except under the following conditions: One "A" frame type sign may be allowed. The sign may be no larger than 3 feet by 5 feet on each side and must be placed off public property and only on the property where the business is located.
(g) Barber Poles. Nothing contained in this article shall prohibit or restrict on-premises barber poles.
(h) Freestanding Bulletin Boards. A freestanding bulletin board shall be set back a minimum of fifteen (15) feet from street right-of-way. No freestanding bulletin board shall exceed sixteen (16) square feet in display surface area.
(i) Signs Painted on Windows or Doors. Signs painted on, or affixed to, glass surfaces of windows or doors, and letters on awnings and canopies pertaining to the lawful business conducted therein shall be allowed without a Permit.
(j) Directional, Identification and Informational Signs. Directional, identification and information signs provided such signs shall be limited to wall and freestanding signs with a maximum of four (4) square feet of display surface area. Notwithstanding restrictions on the location and number of freestanding signs prescribed by Section 1365.07, one informational sign shall be permitted at each entrance or exit on a lot or parcel to identify said entrance or exit, provided such sign does not constitute a traffic hazard.
(k) Banners. Banners shall be prohibited except when used as follows:
(1) Public Events. Public event banners are permitted, provided the public event banner shall be removed within forty-eight (48) hours following the event to which the banner applies.
(2) Private Sale Event. Private sale event banners may be placed on private property for advertising a special sales event for no more than fifteen (15) consecutive days and for no more than fifteen (15) days in any one (1) calendar month.
(3) Banners hung on utility poles are permitted with permission from the appropriate utility.
(l) Building Marker. Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings and date of erection when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of bronze or other incombustible materials.
(m) Outdoor Menu Board. Outdoor menu boards are only allowed under the following conditions:
(1) Only one outdoor menu board shall be permitted, per order window.
(2) Display surface area shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet.
(3) The sign may be illuminated.
(4) The outdoor menu board lettering may not be legible from any distance off the zoned lot for which it is approved.
(o) Off Premises Signs. Off premises signs such as signs on benches, buggy caddies, etc. and free standing signs not to exceed 100 square feet are allowed in commercial areas with Special Use Permit.
(p) One sign per business may be animated as long as no safety problem is created.
(q) Changeable temporary copy board signs are allowed on private property without a permit as long as they do not create a danger to the public.
(Passed 1-6-97.)