The following standards shall apply to signs for movie theaters in any zoning district in which they are permitted:
A. Signs Subject To Review: All movie theater signs, including building mounted signs and marquees, shall be subject to review and approval by the city.
B. Additional Signs Allowed: Movie theaters may use any or all of the following types of signs:
1. Building mounted marquee to identify the movie theater and any or all of the movies showing in the theater.
2. Freestanding marquee to identify the movie theater and any or all of the movies showing in the theater.
3. Building mounted signs to identify the movie theater.
4. A marquee directly over the ticket window(s) for the convenience of ticket buyers to identify movies and showtimes.
5. Movie posters to display current and coming attractions.
C. Sign Sizes: The following size limits shall apply to signs for movie theaters:
1. Building mounted marquee signs shall be limited to the larger of either two hundred (200) square feet or twenty (20) square feet per screen in a multiscreen theater. All screens in a multiscreen theater may be used to calculate the marquee size.
2. Freestanding marquee signs shall be limited to the larger of either: a) two hundred (200) square feet or b) twenty (20) square feet per screen in a multiscreen theater. Freestanding marquee signs may be increased to a maximum of twenty five (25) square feet per screen, subject to approval by the planning commission, if it is determined that the sign's architectural design is of such a quality and/or character as to warrant the increase in marquee size. All screens in a multiscreen theater may be used to calculate the marquee size.
3. The size of a building mounted marquee shall be calculated separately from a freestanding marquee. Allowable sign area in excess of the amount used may not be transferred from a building marquee to freestanding marquee or from a freestanding marquee to a building marquee.
4. Building mounted signs (exclusive of marquees) shall be limited to a maximum of two hundred (200) square feet. One sign may be increased in size in excess of two hundred (200) square feet, subject to approval by the planning commission, if it is determined that the sign's architectural design is of such a quality and/or character as to warrant the increase in size. Up to two (2) square feet of sign per foot of building frontage may be permitted, subject to approval by the planning commission, if it is determined that the design of proposed signs is of such a quality and/or character as to warrant the increase of total area.
D. No Maximum Marquee Size Established: No maximum size for box office marquees is established, other than the limit on letter height contained in this section. The size of a box office marquee shall not be counted toward the total sign area on a theater.
E. Exterior Poster Cases: Exterior poster cases shall be limited to a maximum size of thirty nine inches (39") wide by fifty two inches (52") high. The size of poster cases shall not be counted toward the total sign area on a theater.
F. No Maximum Letter Height Established: No maximum letter height shall be established for movie theaters, with the exception that letters on box office marquee signs identifying the movies and/or showtimes shall be no more than three inches (3") high.
G. Sign Height:
1. Freestanding Theater Marquee: Twenty feet (20') to the top of the marquee area. The overall height of the sign structure may exceed twenty feet (20') (up to the maximum height limit in the land use district), subject to approval by the planning commission, if it is determined that the sign's architectural design is of such quality and/or character as to warrant the increase in height. In no case shall the top of the marquee area exceed twenty feet (20') in height above the ground.
2. Signs On Building: These height limits shall not apply to signs located on a movie theater building.
H. Number Of Signs: The following limits shall apply to the number of signs at a movie theater:
1. Building mounted marquee: Maximum of one sign.
2. Freestanding marquee: Maximum of one sign.
3. Exterior poster cases: Maximum of one poster case for every two (2) screens. Poster cases must be located within forty feet (40') of an entrance into the theater lobby. Poster cases may be located in a freestanding structure more than forty feet (40') from a lobby entrance if approved by the planning commission. Poster cases on a freestanding structure shall be limited to a maximum of one for every four (4) screens. (Ord. 2552 § 1, 2004)