In the downtown districts, all signs shall be subject to the following regulations:
(A) Attached signs. Attached signs are permitted as follows:
(1) On frontage walls up to 25 feet above street grade. The combined area of all frontage signs shall not exceed 10% of the frontage wall. If individual letters are used for frontage signs, the sign area shall include the space in between each letter.
(2) Non-frontage attached signs shall be flush-mounted or painted directly upon the first floor area of the wall and shall not exceed 5% of the wall area.
(3) Attached signs may include:
(a) Backlit signs, provided no less than 60% of the sign area is opaque;
(b) Channel-lettered signs, where every letter is internally illuminated;
(c) Reverse channel lettering, where the background of the sign is illuminated but not the lettering; and
(d) Neon signs, where lettering and other images are illuminated but the background of the sign is not illuminated.
(B) Projecting signs. Signs projecting over city right-of-way are allowed only by revocable permit, which shall be issued by the Director of Utilities and Engineering upon approval of the City Council. The signs shall be no larger than 15 square feet and brackets for such signs shall be located under second floor windows but not more than 15 feet above the street grade. The bottom of a projecting sign shall not be less than ten feet above sidewalk grade or project more than six feet from the building facade or over the street curb. Projecting signs may include:
(1) Backlit signs, provided no less than 60% of the sign area is opaque;
(2) Channel-letter signs, where every letter is internally illuminated;
(3) Reverse channel-letter signs, where the background of the sign is illuminated but not the lettering; and
(4) Neon signs, where lettering and other images are illuminated but the background of the sign is not illuminated.
(C) Ground signs. Ground signs shall not exceed a height of 8 feet from the surrounding grade and shall be located at least two feet from the boundary of any adjoining properties. Surrounding grade means the highest grade within five feet of the sign base and may include up to 18 inches of permanent architectural landscaping or a seat wall surrounding the perimeter of the sign. The face of each ground sign shall not exceed 32 square feet, excluding structural components that do not convey an advertising message. Ground signs may contain manual and automatic changeable copy surfaces.
(D) Window signs. Signs painted or attached to windows shall not exceed 50% of the window area.
(E) Directional signs. Signs providing directions shall not exceed SIX square feet, nor exceed three feet in height from the surrounding grade.
(F) Prohibited signs. The following signs are prohibited in the downtown districts:
(1) Internally-illuminated plastic awnings;
(2) Flashing signs;
(3) Pole signs;
(4) Backlit signs with less than 60% opaque sign area;
(5) Standard outdoor advertising signs;
(6) Portable signs; and
(7) Attached internally illuminated changeable copy signs.
(Ord. 9184, passed 6-1-2011)