This sign standards section applies to the following zoning district: HC. The following standards apply.
(A) Project applicability.
(1) Single-tenant building.
(a) Permanent signs. Wall, ground, pole, 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 and one-half square feet of sign area per lineal foot of front facade, or 350 square feet, whichever is less. A pole sign may also be permitted for single-tenant buildings provided the conditions specified are met.
(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, gateway, pole, awning, display board 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 and one-half square feet of sign area per lineal foot of front facade, but no single tenant shall have more than 350 square
feet of sign area. A pole sign may also be permitted for multiple-tenant buildings provided the conditions specified are met.
(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 | 50% or 24 sq. ft. of the sign area may be changeable copy, whichever is more restrictive | 50% of the sign area may be changeable copy |
Maximum projection from building | 12 inches | 12 inches |
Maximum quantity | 2 per facade, not to exceed 4 | 1 per tenant space |
Maximum sign area | 2 sq. ft. per lineal ft. of front facade; maximum of 200 sq. ft. on front facade and 70 sq. ft. on other facades | 2 sq. ft. per lineal ft. of front facade; maximum of 150 sq. ft. on front facade and 50 sq. ft. on other facades |
(a) Changeable copy. If changeable copy is used, it shall be integrated into the permanent wall sign and shall only include cyclical or static messages, regardless if the sign is capable of flashing messages.
(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 100 feet in length may have two wall signs on those facades; plus, one additional wall sign shall be permitted for every 25 feet over 100 lineal feet, with an absolute maximum of six wall signs (i.e., a 155-foot long front facade may have up to four permanent wall signs). However, the cumulative square footage of all permanent wall signs shall still apply.
(2) Ground signs. Ground signs shall be permitted on single-tenant buildings provided the following conditions are met. (See division (B)(3) (Gateway Signs) below for multiple-tenant buildings.) 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 | 8 ft. maximum | Not permitted |
Maximum quantity | 1 | Not permitted |
Maximum sign area | 1.5 sq. ft. per lineal ft. of front facade; maximum 120 sq. ft. | Not permitted |
(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) Gateway signs. Gateway signs shall be permitted for multiple-tenant buildings that have a minimum of six tenants, a minimum of 12,000 square feet of main floor area, and provided the following conditions are met. (See division (B)(2) (Ground Signs) above for single-tenant buildings.) All gateway signs shall be counted toward the maximum cumulative square footage for permanent signs.
Gateway Sign | Single-Tenant Building | Multiple-Tenant Building |
Changeable copy ratio | Not permitted | 50% of sign area may be changeable copy |
Height above ground | Not permitted | 8 ft. maximum |
Maximum overall sign area | Not permitted | 1 sq. ft. per lineal ft. front facade; maximum of 160 sq. ft. |
Maximum quantity | Not permitted | 1 |
Maximum tenant sign area | Not permitted | 50 sq. ft. |
(a) Double-sided. If a gateway sign has two identical sides, back-to-back, only one side’s area counts toward the maximum cumulative square footage.
(b) Location. A gateway 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 gateway sign shall be setback ten feet from all property lines.
(c) Landscaping. Landscaping shall be installed around the base of a gateway sign as follows.
1. Quantity. At least one shrub per two lineal feet of gateway sign base shall be installed.
2. Location. All required plants shall be located within five feet of the gateway sign base.
3. Double-sided gateway signs. Any double-sided gateway sign shall have landscaping on both sides.
(d) Changeable copy. If changeable copy is used, it shall be integrated into the permanent gateway sign and shall only include cyclical or static messages, regardless if the sign is capable of flashing messages.
(e) Illumination. A gateway sign may be illuminated internally or by exterior-mounted ground lighting.
(4) Pole signs. Pole signs shall be permitted for single-tenant buildings and multiple-tenant buildings provided the majority of the lot is within 500 feet of an interstate right-of-way, a primary structure exists on the lot, and the following conditions are met. Pole signs shall not be counted toward the maximum cumulative square footage for permanent signs.
(a) Quantity.
1. Single-tenant building. One pole sign shall be permitted for each single-tenant building.
2. Multiple-tenant building. One pole sign shall be permitted for each multiple-tenant building.
(b) Sign area and sign height. Pole signs for single-tenant buildings and multiple-tenant buildings shall meet the following sign area and height above the ground proportions. If a pole sign has identical sides, back-to-back, only one side’s area counts toward the sign area:
1. Pole signs with a sign area of 150 square feet or less shall be at least 25 feet above the ground, but no part of the sign shall exceed 35 feet above the ground.
2. Pole signs with a sign area greater than 150 square feet, but less than 200 square feet shall be at least 30 feet above the ground, but no part of the sign shall exceed 50 feet above the ground.
3. Pole signs with a sign area of 200 square feet or more shall be at least 40 feet above the ground, but no part of the sign shall exceed 75 feet above the ground.
4. A pole sign shall not have a sign area greater than 225 square feet.
(c) Location. A pole sign shall be located a minimum of ten feet from any existing or proposed right-of-way, edge of pavement and curb associated with a street or driveway; and a pole sign shall be setback 20 feet from all property lines.
(d) Landscaping. Landscaping shall be installed around the base of a pole sign as follows.
1. Quantity. At least eight shrubs shall be installed. For pole signs greater than 50 feet, the required shrubs shall be replaced with ornamental trees.
2. Location. All required plants shall be located within ten feet of the pole sign, and at a minimum shall be distributed in all directions facing a public street or parking lot. If ornamental trees are required, they shall be installed within 20 feet of the pole sign.
(e) Changeable copy. Up to 50% of the sign area of a pole sign on a single-tenant building or a multiple-tenant building may be changeable copy. If changeable copy is used, it shall be integrated into the permanent pole sign and shall only include cyclical or static messages, regardless if the sign is capable of flashing messages.
(f) Illumination. A pole sign may be illuminated internally, but shall not be illuminated by externally-mounted lights.
(5) Awning signs.
(a) Generally. 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 projection from building | 6 ft. | 6 ft. |
Maximum quantity | 2 | 1 per tenant |
Maximum sign area | 40 sq. ft. total | 30 sq. ft. per tenant |
(b) Illumination. Awning signs on single-tenant buildings and multiple-tenant buildings may be illuminated.
(6) 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 Signs | Single-Tenant Building | Multiple-Tenant Building |
Height above ground | 6 ft. maximum | 6 ft. maximum |
Maximum quantity | 1 | 1 per tenant |
Maximum sign area | 50 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 single-tenant or multiple-tenant building; be a designated window on the single-tenant building; or consist of hardware permanently affixed to the single-tenant or multiple-tenant building for display of a consistent size posting.
(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.
(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 street frontage, and no more than four 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 shall be located a minimum of five feet from any right-of-way, edge of pavement and curb associated with a street or driveway.
(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, yard sign or a 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 200 feet or more of combined street frontage. However, standard temporary signs shall be located at least 80 feet from one another.
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 30 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. A standard temporary sign may stay in place for the duration of the temporary event. The standard temporary sign may be put in place up to five days prior to the temporary event. All standard temporary signs shall be taken down within seven days after the standard temporary sign’s purpose no longer exists.
(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) Disqualification. Any lot with a permanent electronic message sign or other permanent sign with electronic changeable copy shall not qualify for a special temporary sign.
(b) Type. Special temporary signs shall include inflatables, banners, streamers, posters, pennants, yard signs, window panels, sandwich boards, self-standing signs and the like. (Examples of special temporary signs include “now hiring” banner and “welcome home” sign.)
(c) Quantity.
1. Single-tenant buildings. Two special temporary signs shall be permitted at any one time for a lot.
2. Multiple-tenant buildings. One special temporary sign shall be permitted for each tenant.
(d) Height above ground. A special temporary sign shall not exceed 15 feet above the ground.
(e) Duration. A special temporary sign may stay in place for 50 total days in any calendar year.
(Ord. 10-2010, passed - -2010, § 5.80)