§ 153.459 DESIGN STANDARDS.
   (A)   Signs in PUD and T-District. Signs within a Planned Unit Development or a Transition District may be approved as part of the overall development plan for that district. Signage in these districts shall generally follow the provisions of § 153.459(B): Signs in Residential Zoning Districts, § 153.461(B): Temporary Signs in the Residential Single Household Zoning Districts, and § 153.461(C): Temporary Signs in the Residential Multi-Household Zoning District for signage in residential areas and § 153.459(C): Signs in Non-Residential Zoning Districts and § 153.461(D): Temporary Signs in the Non-Residential Zoning Districts for signage in non-residential areas.
   (B)   Signs in residential zoning districts. Signs in residential zoning districts shall be in conformance with the regulations of this section. The types of signs permitted and regulations pertaining to the use, structure, size, and number shall be regulated as follows:
      (1)   One non-illuminated nameplate, not exceeding two square feet in area, may be located on any building or lot but not less than five feet from any side lot line and ten feet from any street right-of-way.
      (2)   One non-illuminated directional or no trespassing sign not exceeding two square feet in area and four feet in height shall be permitted on any building or lot but not less than 25 feet from any side lot line and ten feet from any street right-of-way.
      (3)   For multi-household developments, one permanent development identification sign is permitted subject to the following regulations:
         a)   Maximum area is 25 square feet.
         b)   Maximum height is six feet.
         c)   Sign shall be at least 50 feet from a side lot line and ten feet from any street right-of-way.
         d)   Signs shall not be internally illuminated.
         e)   Sign shall be mounted on a permanent foundation with a masonry base and shall be incorporated into a landscaped area that is at least equal in size to the area of the sign.
      (4)   For single-family developments, permanent development or subdivision signs shall be permitted subject to the following regulations:
         a)   A maximum of one permanent monument sign or two signs attached to a supporting wall or fence may be permitted for each primary entrance to the subdivision that is located on a collector or arterial street.
         b)   Each sign may have a maximum sign area of 25 square feet not including any fencing, wall, supporting base, or other material used to frame, brace, or otherwise provide structural support for the sign on which the sign is located.
         c)   Maximum height is six feet.
         d)   Signs shall not be internally illuminated.
         e)   Signs shall be set back ten feet from the public right-of-way and ten feet from any adjacent lot lines.
      (5)   For non-residential uses located in residential zoning districts, one permanent identification sign is permitted subject to the following regulations:
         a)   Maximum area is 50 square feet.
         b)   Maximum height is six feet.
         c)   Sign shall be at least 50 feet from a side lot line and ten feet from any street right-of-way.
         d)   Manual changeable copy is permitted per § 153.460(A): Manual Changeable Copy. Electronic signs shall be considered a conditional use for non-residential uses located in residential zoning districts and shall be subject to the procedure set forth in § 153.204: Conditional Use Permits.
      (6)   Temporary signs are regulated in § 153.461: Temporary Signs.
   (C)   Signs in non-residential zoning districts. Signs in non-residential zoning districts shall be on-premises signs, accessory to the principal use, and be in conformance with the regulations of this section. The types of signs permitted and regulations pertaining to the use, structure, size, and number shall be regulated as follows:
      (1)   Permitted signs. Table 459-1: Summary Table of Permitted Signs, illustrates a summary of sign types permitted within each non-residential zoning district. The symbol "P" shall mean the specific sign type is permitted within the applicable zoning district subject to all other applicable standards established in this section. (Ord. 33-2016, passed 11-16-16)
TABLE 459-1: SUMMARY TABLE OF PERMITTED SIGNS
PF
OB
GB
SS
GI
See Section:
TABLE 459-1: SUMMARY TABLE OF PERMITTED SIGNS
PF
OB
GB
SS
GI
See Section:
Wall Signs
P
P
P
P
P
153.459(C)(2)
Ground Signs
P
P
P
P
P
153.459(C)(3)
Pole Signs
P1
153.459(C)(4)
Regional Retail Shopping Center Identification Signs
P
153.459(C)(5)
Retail Shopping Center Identification Signs
P
153.459(C)(6)
Awning Signs
P
P
153.459(C)(7)
Window Signs
P
P
P
P
P
153.459(C)(8)
Projecting Signs
P
P
153.459(C)(9)
Directional Signs
P
P
P
P
P
153.459(C)(10)
Nameplate/Identification Signs
P
P
P
P
P
153.459(C)(11)
Manual Changeable Copy
P
P
P
P
P
Electronic Signs
C
PS
C
1Pole Signs are allowed on properties that have frontage on an interstate highway as described in § 153.459(C)(4).
 
      (2)   Wall signs.
         a)   The maximum wall sign area shall be equal to the width of the building frontage times 1.5 plus 20 square feet (wall sign area = building frontage lineal feet x 1.5 + 20 square feet). For buildings set back from the right-of-way a minimum of 400 feet, the maximum wall sign area shall be equal to the width of the building frontage times two plus 40 square feet (wall sign area = building frontage lineal feet x 2 + 40 square feet). (Ord. 33-2016, passed 11-16-16; Am. Ord. 36-2017, passed 9-20-17)
         b)   Buildings located on corner lots may be permitted to have wall signs on each frontage provided that the primary frontage conforms with section a) above and the second frontage has a maximum sign area that is equal to the width of the secondary building frontage times one. (Ord. 33-2016, passed 11-16-16)
         c)   The maximum square footage for any one wall sign is 150 square feet. For buildings set back from the right-of-way a minimum of 400 feet, the maximum wall sign area is 250 square feet. (Ord. 33-2016, passed 11-16-16)
         d)   All wall signs shall be constructed primarily with channel cut letters. A maximum of 15 percent of the proposed wall sign area may be cabinet sign if used in conjunction with channel cut letters. The Planning Commission may approve variations to this wall sign requirement.
         e)   Wall signs affixed directly to an exterior wall shall not project more than 18 inches from the building wall to which they are attached and shall not project above the coping or eaves of any building. Wall signs located on a parapet wall shall not exceed higher than 42 inches above the building roofline.
         f)   Wall signs shall be set back three feet from the end of each tenant wall.
         g)   Window signs, described in § 153.459(C)(8): Window Signs, are considered wall signs and the area of all painted, internally illuminated window signs, and decals applied to windows shall be included in the overall wall sign calculations.
      (3)   Ground signs.
         a)   One ground sign is permitted per development.
         b)   One additional ground sign may be permitted for corner lots or lots with multiple frontages such as double or triple frontage lots.
         c)   Maximum height for all ground signs is eight feet.
         d)   The area for any ground sign shall not exceed 100 square feet of total sign face area. The area of a second ground sign, if permitted under b), shall not exceed 50 square feet of total sign face area.
         e)   Ground signs must be set back at least ten feet from any non-residential zoning district or use lot line and 50 feet from any residential zoning district or use lot line.
         f)   The base of the ground sign shall be constructed of materials, colors, and design details which match or correlate to those used in one of the principal buildings on site.
         g)   Ground signs shall be located in a mulched and landscaped area that includes a variety of plant types or bushes and is equal to or larger than the total sign area of the applicable signs.
         h)   For developments in the General Business (GB) zoning district or in a non-residential PUD development, up to 50 percent of the allowable sign area may incorporate an electronic sign subject to the regulations in § 153.460: Electronic Signs and Changeable Copy.
         i)   For developments in the Public Facilities (PF) or Support Services (SS) zoning districts, up to 50 percent of the allowable sign area may incorporate an electronic sign subject to the approval of a conditional use permit, subject to the procedure set forth in § 153.204: Conditional Use Permits and § 153.460: Electronic Signs and Changeable Copy.
      (4)   Pole signs. Pole signs are solely permitted on parcels in the General Business (GB) zoning district or in a non-residential PUD development that has direct frontage on an interstate highway right-of-way and are subject to the following regulations:
         a)   Maximum height for any pole sign is 50 feet.
         b)   The total area for any pole sign shall not exceed 150 square feet of total sign face area.
         c)   The sign shall be constructed of materials, colors, and design details which match or correlate to one of the principal buildings on site. The sign shall incorporate architectural features or finishes such as a gable, arch, or pediment.
         d)   No bare metal poles shall be allowed. All poles must be wrapped or covered with a material that complements the overall design of the sign and is consistent with c) above.
         e)   All pole signs shall be set back a minimum distance equal to the height of the sign from the right-of-way of the interstate highway.
         f)   Pole signs shall be located in a mulched and landscaped area that includes a variety of plant types or bushes and is equal to or larger than the total sign area of the applicable signs.
      (5)   Regional retail shopping center identification signs. A regional retail shopping center identification sign may be permitted if it meets the following regulations:
         a)   The regional retail shopping center exceeds 1,000,000 square feet of gross leasable area.
         b)   The regional retail shopping center has frontage on an interstate highway.
         c)   The maximum height of such signs is 110 feet.
         d)   The maximum sign area is 850 square feet.
         e)   The sign shall be located no more than 100 feet from an interstate highway right-of-way line.
         f)   The sign may incorporate an electronic sign as part of the allowable sign area subject to the regulations in § 153.460(B): Electronic Sign Standards.
         g)   Signs shall be located in a mulched and landscaped area that includes a variety of plant types or bushes and is equal to or larger than the total sign area of the applicable signs.
         h)   The sign shall be constructed of materials, colors, and design details which match or correlate to one of the principal buildings on site. The sign shall incorporate architectural features or finishes such as a gable, arch, or pediment.
      (6)   Retail shopping center identification signs. A retail shopping center identification sign may be permitted in lieu of all ground or pole signage if it meets the following regulations:
         a)   The retail shopping center exceeds 100,000 square feet of gross leasable area.
         b)   The retail shopping center has at least 500 feet of frontage on a major or secondary arterial street.
         c)   For developments on corner lots with frontage on two major or secondary arterial streets, the applicant may combine the frontage of each street to satisfy this requirement.
         d)   The maximum height of such signs is 25 feet.
         e)   The maximum sign area is 100 square feet.
         f)   The sign shall be located at least ten feet from all rights-of-way, 25 feet from an adjacent non-residential zoning district or use lot line, and 100 feet from any residential zoning district or use lot line.
         g)   Up to 50 percent of the allowable sign area may incorporate an electronic sign subject to the regulations in § 153.460(B): Electronic Sign Standards.
         h)   Signs shall be located in a mulched and landscaped area that includes a variety of plant types or bushes and is equal to or larger than the total sign area of the applicable signs.
         i)   The sign shall be constructed of materials, colors, and design details which match or correlate to one of the principal buildings on site. The sign shall incorporate architectural features or finishes such as a gable, arch, or pediment.
      (7)   Awning signs.
         a)   Regulations for awning signs also apply to signs located on canopies.
         b)   Awnings must be at least eight feet above the sidewalk grade and 15 feet above any drive.
         c)   Awning signs shall not be internally illuminated.
         d)   The total area of the lettering and logo shall not exceed 20 percent of the total area of the awning that would be visible in a drawing of a façade on which the awning is located.
   Figure 459-1: Example of an awning sign with appropriate height clearance
      (8)   Window signs. Window signs shall be regulated as follows:
         a)   Painted and internally illuminated window signs and decals applied to windows shall be regarded as permanent signs.
         b)   Non-commercial messaging including identifying the business' hours of operation and accepted payment methods shall not be included in the overall sign area of window signs.
         c)   Window signs shall be included in the wall signage allowance described in § 153.459(C)(2)g).
         d)   Signs which are more than two square feet in area with characters more than two inches high and are placed within 30 inches of the inside of a transparent window shall be considered window signs.
         e)   Signs attached to a door shall be considered window signs.
         f)   Window signs shall be static and may not display animated, scrolling, moving, or flashing messages or video which simulates such.
         g)   Temporary window signs for special events shall be regulated in § 153.461: Temporary Signs.
      (9)   Projecting signs.
         a)   Projecting signs may be attached to the building wall or canopy and project at an angle of approximately 90 degrees from the building wall or canopy for a distance of not more than four feet. They may project over the corner line not more than one-third of the total height of the sign.
         b)   Projecting signs shall be at least eight feet above a public sidewalk and 15 feet above any drive.
         c)   Maximum area per sign face is six square feet.
         d)   All projecting signs shall be rigidly fastened to allow no structural movement.
         e)   Projecting signs shall not be internally illuminated.
   Figure 459-2: Example of a projecting sign
      (10)   Directional signage. Permanent directional signs indicating traffic routes or serving similar functions shall be permitted in addition to the limitations of this section subject to the following:
         a)   Maximum sign area is six square feet per sign face.
         b)   Maximum sign height is four feet.
         c)   Signs must be set back at least 10 feet from any side lot line and five feet from any street right-of-way line provided that the sight distance is maintained.
         d)   Directional signage may incorporate the company's logo and colors if all the other requirements are met under subsection (10).
      (11)   Nameplate/identification signs.
         a)   Buildings or developments may install nameplates or identification signs for the purpose of establishing the identity of establishments within that development.
         b)   Signs shall not exceed four square feet and may be wall signs or ground signs.
         c)   Ground signs must be a minimum of ten feet from any side lot line and ten feet from any street right-of-way.
(Ord. 4-2016, passed 3-2-16; Am. Ord. 33-2016, passed 11-16-16; Am. Ord. 36-2017, passed 9-20-17; Am. Ord. 04-2020, passed 1-15-20)