The following sign regulations are in addition to the maximum sign area and height regulations set forth in Sections 1183.04.
(a) Residential Subdivision Identification Signs. A freestanding residential identification sign shall be permitted for each entrance to a subdivision in compliance with the following:
(1) Such freestanding sign shall be placed on private property no closer than 10 feet to the right-of-way, except as permitted in subsection (a)(2) below, and shall be located no closer than 20 feet to a side lot line.
(2) A freestanding identification sign may be placed in the right-of-way provided such sign shall be located on the center island of a boulevard entrance, placed no closer than 25 feet to the intersecting street's right-of- way.
(3) A maximum of two sign faces shall be permitted per entrance: either as a double-sided freestanding sign or as two single-sided signs either freestanding or mounted on a wall or other entrance feature. In any case, the sign and its supporting structure shall comply with the requirements set forth in Section 1185.01(b)(2).
(4) Such signs shall be monument signs.
(b) Requirements for Freestanding Identification Signs. Freestanding identification signs for institutions and commercial and industrial establishments shall comply with the following regulations:
(1) Such signs shall be monument signs.
(2) Such signs shall be permitted only when the principal building conforms to the minimum building setback and lot width requirements specified in the district regulations.
(3) Such signs shall be located no less than 10 feet from the right-of-way and no less than 20 feet from a side lot line.
(4) Only one freestanding identification sign shall be permitted per lot except that for a corner lot, one freestanding identification sign shall be permitted per street frontage provided that the lot has at least 100 feet of lot frontage on each street and the signs are located a minimum of 30 feet from the intersection.
(5) Content of Freestanding Signs.
A. Multiple-Tenant Facilities. When a freestanding sign is permitted on a site with more than one tenant, it is the property owner's responsibility to determine if the sign area shall be devoted to identification of the building(s), be a directory for all or only a select group of tenants, or some combination thereof.
B. Product and Service Signs. Up to a maximum of 50 percent of the area of the freestanding identification sign may be devoted to advertising using a Product and Service Sign.
C. Changeable Copy Sign. In a commercial and industrial district or an institutional identification sign in a residential district, up to a maximum of 33 percent of the area of the freestanding identification sign may be devoted to changeable copy. The sign face devoted to changeable copy shall be covered by a protective material and securely locked at all times.
D. Electronic Message Signs
1. Has static image for at least 6 seconds;
2. Achieves a change to another static image in a period of 2 seconds or less;
3. Does not display any illumination that moves, appears to move, including animated, flashing, scrolling, intermittent or full motion video elements;
4. Will adjust display brightness as ambient light levels change;
5. Contain a default design that will freeze the sign in one position if a malfunction occurs;
6. The area of the display shall not occupy more than 33% of the total sign area; and
7. Shall be located on a masonry monument sign and the display area shall be surrounded on all sides with a masonry material of at least 12” in width.
(6) Additional Signage for Large Lots. The allowable area of a freestanding identification sign may be increased by ten square feet of area for every 100 lineal feet of lot frontage, or fraction thereof, greater than 300 lineal feet, provided that such sign shall not exceed 70 square feet. The maximum height for a freestanding sign with an area greater than 50 square feet may be increased up to 20 feet, provided such sign is located no closer to the right-of-way than a distance equal to its height.
(7) Freestanding signs shall be landscaped as an integral part of the required front yard landscaping.
(8) Identification signs in residential districts shall be illuminated by external means only except institutional identification signs may be internally illuminated. No electronic message boards shall be permitted in residential districts. Illumination shall occur only during the hours of 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
(c) Additional Requirements for Business Identification Sign.
(1) Rear Entry Signs for Multiple-Tenant Buildings. Each rear entrance to a tenant space in a multiple-tenant commercial or industrial building shall be clearly identified with the name and address of the occupant using reflective letters no less than three inches in height.
(2) Signs for Businesses not on the Ground Floor. For multi-story retail or office buildings, each tenant not located on the ground floor shall be permitted one permanent identification sign to be placed in a window of the tenant's space. Such sign shall not exceed four square feet and shall be included as part of the identification sign area for the building.
(3) Awning Signs
.A permitted identification sign may be placed on an awning, applied to the face of the awning. Awnings may be back-lit.
(4) Canopy Signs. A canopy sign may be illuminated.
(d) Directional Signs. A maximum of two directional signs shall be permitted per access drive for institutional, commercial and industrial uses Such signs shall be located no less than five feet from a side lot line, and may be located at or near the right-of-way but shall not be in the right-of-way.
(e) Advertising Signs in Commercial Districts.
(1) Window Signs. Window signs for the purpose of periodic, special advertising shall be permitted in C-2, C-3, C-4 and C-5 Districts without a zoning certificate provided that window signs shall not cover more than 20 percent of the window area that is within a height of eight feet above the ground.
(2) Pump Island Signs. Retail outlets having fuel pump islands may have, for pricing and service information only, not more than one (1) double-faced sign or 2 single-faced signs per pump island. Such sign shall not be greater than 24 in. by 48 in., be confined to the pump islands, shall be permanently attached, and may be illuminated. No zoning certificate or fee shall be required.
(f) Construction Signs. A non-illuminated construction sign shall be permitted in all districts in compliance with the following:
(1) There shall be not more than one construction sign per lot located no less than 10 feet from the right-of-way and 20 feet from a side lot line.
(2) A zoning certificate for a construction sign shall be valid for a period of six months. The construction sign shall be erected on the lot only during the period of time that the building project is under construction and while a valid building permit is in force. Such sign shall be removed within 14 days of the commencement of the intended use.
(3) In the event construction extends beyond the six month time period, a request for an extension of the construction sign permit shall be submitted to the Planning Director for review and approval.
(g) Political Signs. Political signs are permitted on private property with the owner's permission in all districts provided that they:
(1) Shall not be illuminated.
(2) Shall not be placed on utility poles or on public property or street right-of- ways, but may adjoin the right-of-way line provided such signs do not obstruct vehicular sight distance.
(h) Real Estate Sales Signs. Real estate sales signs are permitted in all districts in compliance with the following:
(1) One such sign shall be permitted per street frontage located no less than 10 feet from the right-of-way and 20 feet from a side lot line.
(2) Such signs shall not be illuminated.
(3) Real estate sales signs shall be located only on the site being advertised for sale, lease or rent.
(4) Such signs shall be removed by the property owner or realtor identified on the sign within ten days after said property is transferred, rented, leased or removed from the real estate listing.
(i) Temporary Promotional Signs. Temporary non-illuminated promotional signs, banners, pennants or flags (other than institutional, State, Federal or other patriotic flags) intended to promote or advertise special events or sales may be permitted when complying with the following:
(1) Open House, Auction, Garage Sale Signs. Signs promoting an open house, an auction or a garage sale (which shall include yard sale, porch sale, house sale or similar terms) in a residential district shall be permitted without a zoning certificate in compliance with the following:
A. Shall be posted on private property with the permission of the property owner.
B. May be located at or near the right-of-way, shall be no less than 10 feet from a side lot line, and shall not be placed upon or in a street right-of-way or attached to or upon any street identification or utility pole.
C. Shall be allowed to remain in place for the period of the open house, auction or garage sale but in no case shall the period exceed 36 hours.
(2) Community Programs and Activities. Signs promoting community programs and/or activities within the City and sponsored by public or semi- public organizations shall be permitted in compliance with the following:
A. Shall be posted on private property with the owner’s permission for a period not to exceed 30 days.
B. Any freestanding sign proposed to be located on or over a public right-of-way or other publicly owned land shall be approved by City Council.
C. Banners over the public right-of-way may be erected to promote a public activity sponsored by a community group and that will be held in the City of Stow.
D. The Stow Service Director shall have the authority to approve the erection of banners proposed for locations on or over a public right- of-way, subject to the restrictions as outlined above. No banner shall be erected for a period of greater than two weeks. Further, the Service Director shall have the authority to impose additional requirements not in conflict with the Codified Ordinances of this City.
E. One year after the adoption of Ordinance 1995-129, no banner will be permitted to be placed over any right-of-way within this City.
(3) Seasonal Sales Signs. Signs for periodic sales or promotions by commercial or business uses and non-profit or quasi-public organizations shall be permitted in compliance with the following:
A. One freestanding sign or one banner shall be permitted to be placed on the premises where the sale is to occur.
B. A temporary freestanding sign shall be located no less than 10 feet from the right-of-way and no less than 20 feet from any side lot line. A temporary banner shall be placed only on the building’s front wall.
C. Such temporary sign or banner shall be intended to advertise a special event or promotional sale activity.
D. Such temporary sign or banner shall be permitted a maximum of four times a year in increments of 15 days each. There shall be no more than one temporary sign per each 15 day period.
E. Temporary signs or banners for new businesses are permitted for a period of 45 days from the date of the change of occupancy permit. Such display shall not count against the temporary sign limitation period according to subsection (d) above.
(j) Community Directional Signs. Community directional signs for the purpose of providing directions to public, quasi-public, religious, educational, and major recreational facilities in the City may be permitted as a conditional use when reviewed and approved by Planning Commission and Council and subject to the following conditions:
(1) Shall not be illuminated.
(2) The area and height of the sign shall be a function of the number of facilities being addressed and may be limited by Planning Commission and Council.
(3) Application for a community directional sign shall include an agreement signed by the owner of the proposed site authorizing the erection and continuing maintenance of the sign and landscaping. The sign proposal shall indicate proposed landscaping of the site in the area of the sign.
(Ord. 2007-222. Passed 1-10-08.)