(A) Generally. Commercial signage shall be permitted C1A through C3 zoning districts.
(B) Allowable signs.
(1) General provision. All signs permitted in § 29.1410(B)(1);
(2) Attached signs. One or more attached signs, provided the total of all attached signage does not exceed 10% of the total square footage of the building face upon which it is placed or one attached open letter sign not exceeding 15% of the total square footage of the building face upon which it is placed. In the instance of corner lots, additional attached signs will be permitted on each street frontage of the building not exceeding 10% or 15% as the case may be of the total square footage of the respective building face upon which it is placed. For buildings with multiple tenants, see division (D) below;
(3) Overhanging sign. One overhanging sign not exceeding 32 square feet. In the instance on corner lots, an additional overhanging sign shall be permitted for each street frontage of the building;
(4) Ground-mounted signs.
(a) One 32-square-foot per face ground-mounted sign shall be permitted per lot.
(b) One ground-mounted sign not exceeding 50 square feet per face on any lot having not less than 50 feet nor more than 75 feet of street frontage.
(c) One ground-mounted sign not exceeding 75 square feet per face on any lot having not less than 75 feet nor more than 200 feet of street frontage.
(d) One ground-mounted sign not exceeding 150 square feet per face for any lot having more than 200 feet of street frontage. Additional ground-mounted signs shall be permitted for parcels over 200 feet of street frontage. The size of additional ground-mounted signs shall be based on the above street frontage requirements. The total square footage of signage shall conform to the requirements of this section.
(5) Pole signs. Except in C1A and multiple occupancy buildings (see division (B)(9) below). Pole signs shall be allowed as follows:
(a) No pole sign shall be permitted on lots having less than 50 feet of street frontage;
(b) One pole sign, not exceeding 50 square feet on any lot having not less than 50 feet nor more than 75 feet of street frontage. The sign shall not exceed 30 feet in height;
(c) One pole sign not exceeding 75 square feet on any lot having not less than 75 feet nor more than 200 feet of street frontage. The sign shall not exceed 30 feet in height; and
(d) One pole sign not exceeding 150 square feet for any lot having more than 200 feet of street frontage. The sign shall not exceed 30 feet in height. An additional pole sign shall be permitted for each 150 feet of street frontage provided the total square footage of pole signage conforms to the requirements of this section. By way of example, a lot having street frontage of 300 feet shall be allowed two pole signs, which could consist of a 150 square feet sign (more than 200 feet of street frontage) and a maximum 75 square feet sign (more than 75 feet of street frontage.
(6) Changeable copy signs. Changeable copy signs shall be allowed as follows:
(a) Automatic changeable copy signs shall only be located where permitted:
1. Pole signs. One changeable copy sign not exceeding 32 square feet shall be permitted when attached to a pole sign, regardless of the number of tenants located on the zoning lot.
2. Ground signs. Ground signs may contain changeable copy signs not exceeding 32 square feet.
(b) Automatic changeable copy signs shall be equipped with a sensor or device that automatically determines the ambient illumination and is programmed to automatically dim according to ambient light conditions, not to exceed 0.3 footcandles above ambient light.
(c) The applicant shall provide written certification from the automatic changeable copy sign manufacturer that the light intensity has been factory preset not to exceed 0.3 footcandles above ambient light and the intensity level is protected from end user manipulation by password-protected software or other method as deemed appropriate by the Director of Planning and Development.
(d) Any person, firm or corporation that violates the automatic changeable copy sign provisions, in addition to other such relief as the law may afford, will be subject to a minimum fine of $500.
(7) Occupational/identification signs. One attached sign not exceeding two square feet in displaying the name, occupation and/or service located upon the premises and the address;
(8) Permanent window signs. Shall not cover more than 20% of the total window area or door to which they are applied;
(9) Directories. For buildings with multiple occupancies, a directory sign may be substituted in lieu of the allowable pole sign. A sign may exceed the limitations specified in division (B)(5) above, upon review and approval by the Zoning Board of Appeals as to height and overall square footage;
(10) Canopy signs. Canopy signs which are attached to a canopy not exceeding five square feet; and
(11) Directional signage. Two signs per entry/exit not exceeding six square feet per face.
(C) Location and height.
(1) Generally. All signs permitted by division (B) above shall be governed as to height and location by the requirements of § 162.264(A)(2);
(2) Overhanging signs. The signs shall be at least ten feet above the surrounding grade. No sign shall extend over public right-of-way except as approved by the City Council as provided in § 91.110 of this code;
(3) Ground mounted signs. The signs shall not exceed eight feet in height from the surrounding grade to the highest point on the sign and shall be located no closer than ten feet to any property line. Surrounding grade shall be defined as the highest grade within five feet of the sign base and may include a maximum 18 inches high permanent raised planter or seat wall around the perimeter of the sign. The signs shall not be located so as to obstruct lines of sight for safe vehicular entry or exit from the property.
(4) Pole signs. The bottom of the sign shall be at least ten feet above the surrounding grade;
(5) Occupational/identification signs. The signs shall conform to the locational requirements of division (B)(2) above of this section;
(6) Window signs. The signs may be attached to or painted on either the interior or exterior of a window or glass door and shall be maintained in good repair; and
(7) Canopy signs. Canopy signs shall maintain a clearance of eight feet above ground or pavement.
(D) Other requirements.
(1) Maximum number of signs.
(a) Generally. Except as otherwise provided, each building or property shall be allowed a maximum number of signs as follows:
1. One overhanging sign; and
2.
Either a ground-mounted sign or a pole sign, unless more than one of the signs is permitted pursuant to division (B)(5) above.
(b) Exception. Window signs and occupational/directions signs as regulated by this section are excluded from this maximum restriction. A ground-mounted sign or a pole sign, may include a separate sign area or face consisting of an information, changeable sign, provided the total sign area of the ground or pole sign does not exceed the limitations specified in divisions (B)(4) and (B)(5) above.
(2) Multiple occupancy building. For buildings and/or property containing more than one business or tenant, each business or tenant may have an attached sign conforming to the requirements of this section. For the purposes of determining the total square footage of the attached sign, only the face of each respective lease unit to which the respective sign will be attached shall be counted. Each sign must be attached to the lease unit containing the business or tenant identified.
(3) Additional attached signs. Each building or property may have additional attached signs conforming to the requirements of this section on walls containing a main entrance which face customer parking area. For this exception to apply, the signs must be attached to the same wall as their respective entrances and both the signs and the entrances must be upon the same plane of the building.
(4) Plan required. An application to erect a pole sign shall be accompanied by the following:
(a) A set of plans, provided by owner of the sign or structural engineer or architect providing all necessary construction and electrical details of the sign and sign structure, including a representation of the proposed sign, including the width and length of the sign faces, and height from surrounding grade and wind load as provided in the ICC Building Code as adopted and incorporated in this code; and
(b) A site plan containing:
1. The proposed location of the sign upon the property;
2. The distance from the proposed sign location to any building (s) upon the property, and adjoining street right-of-way lines and driveway entrances;
3. The distance from the proposed sign location to the adjacent property lines; and
4. The distance from the proposed sign location to the nearest street intersection in either direction.
(1980 Code, § 29.1411) (Ord. 8915, passed 7-9-2001; Ord. 9104, passed 4-2-2007; Ord. 9175, passed 9-7-2010; Ord. 9184, passed 6-11-2011; Ord. 9240, passed 7-29-2013; Ord. 9271, passed 12-22-2014; Ord. 9351, passed 10-1-2018; Ord. 9423, passed 8-16-2021)
Penalty, see § 162.999