§ 156.557 GENERAL PROVISIONS.
   (A)   No sign or sign structure shall be placed on private or public property without the written consent of the owner or agent thereof.
   (B)   No sign or sign structure other than official highway signs shall be placed upon, over or in any street or highway right-of-way or any sidewalk, except as provided in division (E) below.
   (C)   No sign or sign structure shall be erected at any location where it may interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device. No rotating beam, beacon or flashing illumination resembling any emergency lights shall be used in connection with any sign display, nor shall any sign make use of the words “Stop”, “Look”, “Danger” or any other word, phrase, symbol or character in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic.
   (D)   No sign or sign structure shall be located in such a manner as to materially impede the view of any street or highway intersection, or in such a manner as to materially impede the view of the intersection of a street or highway with a railroad grade crossing.
   (E)   It shall be unlawful to erect and maintain:
      (1)   Any sign which is not included under the types of signs permitted in this chapter;
      (2)   Any portable or movable sign, except as permitted under the provisions of this chapter (see §§ 156.515 through 156.518 of this chapter);
      (3)   Any sign which projects more than 18 inches over public property except when such sign is necessary to the public safety and convenience and so authorized by the applicable governmental unit;
      (4)   Any sign or sign structure affixed to a roof top or known as roof-top sign, which superstructure extends above the highest point of the roof; and
      (5)   A business sign and advertising sign on the same lot.
   (F)   Signs or sign structures located on a marquee or canopy shall be affixed flat to the surface thereof, and shall not:
      (1)   Be greater than three feet in vertical measurement above the marquee or canopy; and/or
      (2)   Extend vertically below or horizontally beyond more than 18 inches from the marquee or canopy limits.
   (G)   Signs located on awnings shall be affixed flat to, or painted upon the surface thereof, shall not extend vertically or horizontally beyond the limits of said awning, and shall not be illuminated. Only the name and address of the use shall be indicated.
   (H)   No sign or sign structure, except a projecting sign structure, attached to the wall of a building shall extend more than 18 inches horizontally from such wall.
   (I)   No sign or sign structure attached to the wall of a building shall extend above the roof or parapet lines of such building; provided, however, in the case of the unified center, including unit development plans, shopping centers, planned business areas and enclosed industrial parks, in single ownership or under unified control, the Board of Zoning Appeals may grant a special exception in accordance with §§ 156.400 through 156.405 of this chapter for one such sign per occupant extending not more than four feet above the roof or parapet line of such building.
   (J)   Business and advertising signs may be illuminated, unless specified otherwise; provided, however, light reflectors shall not extend more than 12 feet from the face of the sign. Where a sign is illuminated by light reflected upon it, direct rays of light shall not beam upon any part of adjoining property.
   (K)   Not more than one projecting business sign structure shall be allowed for each lot or occupant thereof, and the maximum surface area of such sign shall not exceed 240 square feet per side. Only one side of a projecting sign shall be considered in computing total allowable sign surface area. In no case shall the sign structure extend more than eight feet from or beyond its supporting building. No projecting sign shall be at its lowest point less than eight feet above grade level.
   (L)   Freestanding signs shall not be higher than 40 feet above the street elevation to which the sign is oriented, and the maximum surface area of such sign shall not exceed 300 square feet per side.
   (M)   Signs or sign structures shall be set back in accordance with the building setback lines required by the district; provided, however:
      (1)   In case the supporting building for a projecting sign is located closer than eight feet to the building setback line, the projecting sign may extend in front of said setback line, but in no case shall such sign extend beyond the property line, in accordance with the standards of this section; or
      (2)   In the case of freestanding signs where graphic illustration is exhibited to the Board of Zoning Appeals, indicating extensive landscaping, compliance with all other standards of this chapter and appropriate safeguards for the public safety, such sign or sign structure located no closer than 20 feet to the front property line shall be deemed sign setback special exemption, and in accordance with the requirements of §§ 156.400 through 156.405 of this chapter, the Board of Zoning Appeals may approve such special exception.
(Ord. passed - -2006, § 80.37(H)) Penalty, see § 156.999