This sign standards section applies to the following zoning districts: PR; NC; LC; AND CB. The following standards apply.
(A) Project applicability.
(1) Single-tenant building.
(a) Permanent signs. Wall, ground, projecting, awning, display board and directional device signs shall be permitted for single-tenant buildings provided the conditions specified for single-tenant buildings are met, and the cumulative square footage of all permanent signs does not exceed two square feet of sign area per lineal foot of front facade, or 150 square feet, whichever is less.
(b) Temporary signs. Standard temporary and special temporary signs shall be permitted for single-tenant buildings provided the conditions specified for single-tenant buildings are met.
(2) Multiple-tenant building.
(a) Permanent signs. Wall, ground, projecting, awning, display board, tenant listing and directional device signs shall be permitted for multiple-tenant buildings provided the conditions specified for multiple-tenant buildings are met, and the cumulative square footage of all permanent signs does not exceed two square feet of sign area per lineal foot of front facade.
(b) Temporary signs. Standard temporary and special temporary signs shall be permitted for multiple-tenant buildings provided the conditions specified for multiple-tenant buildings are met.
(B) Permanent signs. Permanent signs shall be permitted as follows.
(1) Wall signs. Wall signs shall be permitted on single-tenant buildings and multiple-tenant buildings provided the following conditions are met. All wall signs shall count toward the maximum cumulative square footage for permanent signs.
Wall Signs | Single-Tenant Building | Multiple-Tenant Building |
Changeable copy ratio | Not permitted | Not permitted |
Maximum projection from building | 8 inches | 8 inches |
Maximum quantity | 1 per side of building, not to exceed 3 | 1 per tenant space |
Maximum sign area | 2 sq. ft. of sign area per lineal ft. of front facade; maximum of 85 sq. ft. on front facade and 25 sq. ft. each on side or rear facades | 2 sq. ft. of sign area per lineal ft. of front tenant facade; maximum of 60 sq. ft. per tenant front facade and 25 sq. ft. per tenant each on side or rear facades |
(a) Changeable copy. Changeable copy shall not be permitted.
(b) Illumination. Wall signs on single-tenant buildings and multiple-tenant buildings may be illuminated internally or by externally-mounted lights.
(c) Multiple-tenant building consistency. The sign envelope that tenants may use and the regulations to maintain consistent sign appearance shall be identified during the permitting process. The sign envelope shall not exceed 150% of the allowable wall sign area for each tenant space.
(d) Exception. Single-tenant buildings with a facade greater than 120 feet in length may have two wall signs on those facades. However, the cumulative square footage of all permanent signs shall still apply.
(2) Ground signs. Ground signs shall be permitted for single-tenant and multiple-tenant buildings provided the following conditions are met. All ground signs shall be counted toward the maximum cumulative square footage for permanent signs.
Ground Sign | Single-Tenant Building | Multiple-Tenant Building |
Changeable copy ratio | 80% or 24 sq. ft. of the sign area may be changeable copy, whichever is more restrictive | Not permitted |
Height above ground | 6 ft. maximum | 6 ft. maximum |
Maximum quantity | 1 | 1 |
Maximum sign area | 1 sq. ft. per lineal ft. of front facade; maximum of 40 sq. ft. | 1 sq. ft. per lineal ft. of front facade; maximum of 40 sq. ft. |
(a) Double-sided. If a ground sign has two identical sides, back-to-back, only one side’s area counts toward the maximum cumulative square footage.
(b) Location. A ground sign shall be located a minimum of five feet from any existing or proposed right-of-way, edge of pavement and curb associated with a street or driveway; and a ground sign shall be setback ten feet from all property lines.
(c) Landscaping. Landscaping shall be installed around the base of a ground sign as follows.
1. Quantity. At least one shrub per two lineal feet of ground sign base shall be installed.
2. Location. All required plants shall be located within five feet of the ground sign base.
3. Double-sided ground signs. Any double-sided ground sign shall have landscaping on both sides.
(d) Changeable copy. If changeable copy is used, it shall be integrated into the permanent ground sign and shall only include cyclical or static messages, regardless if the sign is capable of flashing messages.
(e) Illumination. A ground sign may be illuminated internally or by externally-mounted ground lighting.
(3) Projecting signs. Projecting signs shall be permitted on single-tenant and multiple-tenant buildings provided the following conditions are met. All projecting signs shall be counted toward the maximum cumulative square footage for permanent signs.
Projecting Sign | Single-Tenant Building | Multiple-Tenant Building |
Changeable copy ratio | Not permitted | Not permitted |
Height above ground | 8 ft. minimum; 14 ft. maximum | 8 ft. minimum; 14 ft. maximum |
Maximum quantity | 1; or 2 for corner buildings | 1 per each tenant space with 20 lineal ft. of front facade |
Maximum sign area | 20 sq. ft. total | 14 sq. ft. per tenant sign |
(a) Double-sided. If a projecting sign has two identical sides, back-to-back, only one side’s area counts toward the maximum cumulative square footage.
(b) Location. A projecting sign shall be located within ten feet of the center of the primary entrance.
(c) Projection. Projecting signs and all supporting apparatuses of projecting signs shall not project more than eight feet from the building facade. However, a projecting sign shall be at least two feet from a curb or driving surface. In some cases, a projecting sign may encroach in the right-of-way which is owned by the Board of Public Works and Safety. The Board of Public Works and Safety generally approves these encroachments, but reserves the right to deny any encroachment into the right-of-way.
(d) Sign separation. No two projecting signs shall be within 20 feet of one another.
(e) Changeable copy. Changeable copy shall not be permitted.
(f) Illumination. A projecting sign may be illuminated internally or by externally-mounted lighting.
(4) Awning signs. Awning signs shall be permitted on single-tenant buildings and multiple-tenant buildings provided the following conditions are met. All awning signs shall be counted toward the maximum cumulative square footage for permanent signs.
Awning Sign | Single-Tenant Building | Multiple-Tenant Building |
Maximum quantity | 2 | 1 per tenant |
Maximum sign area | 20 sq. ft. total | 20 sq. ft. per tenant |
(a) Illumination. Awning signs on single-tenant buildings and multiple-tenant buildings may be illuminated.
(b) Projection. Awning signs and all parts of an awning shall not project more than six feet from the building facade. However, an awning shall be at least two feet from a curb or driving surface. In some cases, an awning may encroach into the right-of-way which is controlled by the Board of Public Works and Safety. The Board of Public Works and Safety generally approves these encroachments, but reserves the right to deny any encroachment into the right-of-way.
(5) Display board signs. Display board signs shall be permitted on single-tenant and multiple-tenant buildings provided the following conditions are met. Examples of display board signs include permanently affixed bulletin boards or encased display boards for posting of menus, specials, events, performances and other temporary postings. Display board signs shall be counted toward the maximum cumulative square footage for permanent signs.
Display Board Sign | Single-Tenant Building | Multiple-Tenant Building |
Height above ground | 7 ft. maximum | 7 ft. maximum |
Maximum quantity | 1 | 1 per tenant |
Maximum sign area | 40 sq. ft. | 20 sq. ft. per tenant |
(a) Design. The display board sign shall be framed with wood, metal or other durable material and be permanently attached to the building; or be a designated window on the building.
(b) Postings. Postings on the display board sign shall not exceed the size of the display board sign. Postings shall not be required to obtain any type of permit.
(6) Tenant listing sign.
(a) Generally. A tenant listing sign shall be permitted for a multiple-tenant building that has tenant spaces on upper floors and a common lobby or stairway. Tenant listing signs shall be counted toward the maximum cumulative square footage for permanent signs.
Tenant Listing Sign | Single-Tenant Building | Multiple-Tenant Building |
Height above ground | Not permitted | 7 ft. maximum |
Maximum quantity | Not permitted | 1 per common lobby or stairway leading to upper floor tenant spaces |
Maximum sign area | Not permitted | 6 sq. ft. per sign |
(b) Location. The tenant listing sign shall be fully located with ten feet of the primary entrance to the common lobby or stairway leading to upper floor tenant spaces.
(7) Directional device signs. Directional device signs shall be permitted for single-tenant buildings and multiple-tenant buildings provided the following conditions are met. Directional device signs shall not count toward the maximum cumulative square footage for permanent signs.
(a) Directional device signs may only be used to indicate vehicular points of entry or exit.
(b) Directional device signs shall not exceed three square feet in area per side per entrance. Up to 40% of the sign area may be a corporate logo.
(c) Directional device signs shall not exceed 36 inches in height.
(d) Directional device signs may be illuminated.
(e) Directional device signs shall not interfere with safe vehicular or pedestrian traffic circulation, obstruct the view of drivers entering or exiting, or be placed within a right-of-way.
(f) No more than two directional device signs shall be used per lot.
(C) Temporary signs. Any combination of standard temporary and special temporary signs shall be permitted for single-tenant buildings and multiple-tenant buildings provided the following conditions are met.
(1) Permits. Standard temporary signs shall be exempt from obtaining an improvement location permit, but shall comply with applicable standards. Special temporary signs shall be required to obtaining an improvement location permit.
(2) Location. Temporary signs may be located on a public or private sidewalk or in a first floor window. However, the placement of a temporary sign on a sidewalk shall be directly in front of the business and shall not constrain the sidewalk to less than five feet of clear way for pedestrians and temporary signs located on a public sidewalk shall be taken inside each day at the close of business.
(3) Illumination. Temporary signs shall not be illuminated.
(4) Standard temporary signs. Standard temporary signs shall be permitted provided the following conditions are met. The following conditions apply to single-tenant buildings and multiple-tenant buildings unless otherwise specified.
(a) Type. A standard temporary sign shall be a sandwich board, self-standing sign or window panel. (Examples of standard temporary signs include sale of property, special sale and special offer signs.)
(b) Quantity.
1. Single-tenant buildings. One standard temporary sign shall be permitted for each lot, except for corner lots. Two standard temporary signs shall be permitted for corner lots that have a customer entrance on each front facade.
2. Multiple-tenant buildings. One standard temporary sign shall be permitted for each tenant.
(c) Sign area. The sign area for a standard temporary sign shall not exceed 12 square feet per side.
(d) Height above ground. No part of a standard temporary sign shall be more than five feet above the ground unless the standard temporary sign is in a first floor window.
(e) Duration. Standard temporary signs shall only be placed on the sidewalk during the hours of operation (i.e., times when open to the public).
(f) Quality. A standard temporary sign shall be constructed of durable, weather resistance and ridged in construction. Sign faces shall not be paper, cardboard or unprotected wood. Sign frames or structures shall not be wire, plastic or thin gauge metal; materials that are easily damaged or bent. Sign faces shall be securely attached to a frame or structure.
(5) Special temporary signs. Special temporary signs shall be permitted provided the following conditions are met. The following conditions apply to single-tenant buildings and multiple-tenant buildings unless otherwise specified.
(a) Type. Special temporary signs shall include inflatables, banners, streamers, posters, pennants, window panels, sandwich boards, self-standing signs and the like.
(b) Quantity.
1. Single-tenant buildings. One special temporary sign shall be permitted per lot at any one time.
2. Multiple-tenant buildings. One special temporary sign shall be permitted for each tenant.
(c) Height above ground. A special temporary sign shall not exceed 15 feet above the ground.
(d) Duration. A special temporary sign may stay in place for 50 total days in any calendar year. Special temporary signs shall only be placed on the sidewalk during the hours of operation (i.e., times when open to the public).
(Ord. 10-2010, passed - -2010, § 5.78)