1159.14 BUSINESS SIGNS – NUMBER, LOCATION AND AREA REGULATIONS
   (a)    Location. Except as provided in subsections (c) and (h) hereof, signs within the Business District may only be located upon the property to which they pertain. As used in this Section, "Business District" means the B (Business), B-T (business transitional), C-R (commercial, office, residential), R-O (residence-office), R-T transitional residential), and C-3 (highway interchange commercial) districts. This section also applies to legal non-conforming non-residential uses in other districts.
   (b)    Wall Signs. One wall sign may be permitted for each separate business use.
   (c)    Planter/Monument Signs. Business uses may be permitted one planter/monument identification sign in accordance with the following provisions:
      (1)   Planter/Monument signs shall not be less than twenty-five (25) feet from the side lot line and not less than one hundred (100) feet from any Residential District line. A planter/monument sign shall be set back a minimum of ten (10) feet from the street right of way line. No planter/monument sign shall be allowed within a triangle formed between points on the street right of way line and the nearest edge of an intersection drive within thirty-five (35) feet from the intersection.
      (2)   The maximum single face sign area shall not exceed forty (40) square feet for any planter/monument sign.
      (3)   The maximum height of a planter sign shall be eight (8) feet including frames and moldings. All planter/monument signs shall have a decorative base and the base shall not exceed forty-five percent (45%) of the entire sign area.
      (4)   A planter/monument sign shall be permitted to a freestanding single-tenant non-residential building in an Integrated Development Plan Area identified in subsection (i) hereof, notwithstanding that the business is or can be represented on a multi-tenant identification sign granted under that subsection.
   (d)    Canopy or Covered Walk Signs. One canopy or covered walk identification sign may be attached to the soffit or fascia of a canopy or roof over a walkway of each business use. The lowest member of such sign shall not be less than eight (8) feet above the sidewalk grade.
   (e)    Directional Signs. Directional signs indicating traffic routes may be permitted in addition to the other signs permitted and in excess of the other limitations of this Chapter, provided that no such sign exceeds three (3) square feet in a single face sign area or is closer than fifteen (15) feet to any side lot line or ten (10) feet to any street right of way line, and provided that no directional sign exceeds three (3) feet in height.
   (f)    Temporary Project Signs. One temporary project sign not exceeding thirty two (32) square feet in single sign face area and eight (8) feet in height shall be permitted if it is located on the lot of a proposed building or a building under construction. Such project sign shall be located not less than one hundred (100) feet from the nearest residential lot line and not less than twenty five (25) feet from the nearest nonresidential lot and street right of way line. Permits for such signs shall be for a period not to exceed one year. However, such permits may be renewed while construction is pursued diligently. Project signs shall be removed within fourteen (14) days of the commencement of the intended use or the issuance of a certificate of occupancy, whichever occurs first.
   (g)    Other Temporary Signs. Temporary signs announcing sales, new products or special business events may be permitted in addition to the maximum sign face area of a permanent business sign. Temporary signs may be placed on the inside surface of the windows and doors of the building provided that such signs do not exceed thirty percent (30%) of the window area and are not displayed for more than thirty (30) consecutive days. Temporary signs secured to surfaces other than windows of the main building are prohibited. Mobile or moveable signs are not permitted. One temporary real estate sign may be permitted advertising the sale, rental or lease of the premises or part of the premises on which the sign is displayed, provided such sign does not exceed thirty two (32) square feet in single sign face area or eight feet in height. Such sign shall be located not less than twenty-five (25) feet from any side lot line or fifteen (15) feet from any street right of way line. Illumination is not permitted.
   (h)    Business Identification Signs - Multiple Uses Not Subject to Integrated Development Plan. Properties containing multiple business uses may be permitted planter/monument identification signs in accordance with the following provisions: In the case of (1) business areas contained on one or more parcels of property and containing more than one building, designed, developed and operated as a coordinated unit, and (2) business buildings on one parcel of property containing more than one business unit: individual store or business identification shall be limited to signage attached to the building or unit thereof, and in addition, one permanent planter/monument identification sign may be permitted indicating the name of the shopping or business location or business building, as well as the names of the individual stores or businesses ("multi-tenant sign"). Multi-tenant identification signs provided for under this subsection (h) shall be authorized and limited as follows:
      (1)   Signs shall not exceed a total 160 square feet of sign face area,
      (2)   Signs shall not exceed ten (10) feet maximum height,
      (3)   Tenant identification panels shall not exceed twenty (20) square feet each,
      (4)   Signs shall be set back at least 10 feet from the nearest public right-of-way, and twenty-five (25) feet from the nearest property line, and
      (5)   In a business area contained on one or more parcels of property and containing more than one building, designed, developed and operated as a coordinated unit, a multi-tenant identification sign may refer to a business not located on the same parcel as the sign, if the business referred to is located within the area operated as a coordinated unit.
   (i)   Business Identification Signs - Multiple Uses Subject to Integrated Development Plan. Properties containing multiple business uses may be permitted planter/monument identification signs in accordance with the following provisions: In the case of a business area of five (5) acres or more developed under and subject to an Integrated Development Plan approved and in effect under either Section 1132.08 or 1147.06 hereof ("IDP Area"): individual store or business identification shall be limited to signage attached to the building or unit thereof, and in addition, permanent planter/monument identification signs may be permitted indicating the name of the shopping or business location or business building, as well as the names of the individual stores or businesses ("multi-tenant sign"). Multi-tenant identification signs provided for under this subsection (i) shall be authorized and limited as follows:
      (1)   Signs shall not exceed a total 200 square feet of sign face area,
      (2)   Signs shall not exceed twenty-five (25) feet maximum height,
      (3)   Tenant identification panels shall not exceed twenty (20) square feet each,
      (4)   Signs shall be set back at least ten (10) feet from the nearest public right-of-way, and twenty-five (25) feet from the nearest property line,
      (5)   One multi-tenant identification sign will be permitted for each main entrance to the IDP Area, provided that no such sign will be sited within 1,500 feet of another multi-tenant identification sign. "Main entrance" means a signalized intersection with at least three total lanes for vehicular entrance/exit, and
      (6)   In an IDP Area, a multi-tenant identification sign may refer to a business not located on the same parcel as the sign, if the business referred to is located within the IDP Area.
   (j)    Canopy Signs (Theatre). The Planning Commission shall determine the size and design characteristics of theatre canopy signage.
   (k)    Service Station Island Signs. Automobile service stations shall be permitted information signs at fuel pumps and other service islands. Such signs shall be limited to the display of information regarding the type of service provided and other information essential in directing and instructing the motoring public. The number, area, height and design of such signs shall be determined by the Planning Commission. No identification or business signs shall be permitted on, or attached to, any part of the pump island canopy.
   (l)    Office Park Identification Signs. In addition to the signs permitted in this Section, one office park identification planter or monument sign may be permitted for a unified development of three or more office buildings serviced by a common access drive. Said sign shall only identify the name and address of the office park. The maximum single face sign area shall not exceed forty (40) square feet. A planter sign shall not exceed eight (8) feet in height. Such sign shall be located at the vehicular entrance to the office park and shall be set back a minimum of thirty (30) feet from the nearest street right of way line and nearest edge of pavement of a private drive.
   (m)    Temporary Signs - Other - including but not limited to political signs.
   (n)   Medical Marijuana Dispensary Business Identification Signs. A medical marijuana dispensary shall be permitted one Wall or one Canopy or Covered Walk sign, otherwise compliant with this section and with Section 1159.13. A Canopy or Covered Walk sign shall not exceed the size limitations contained in Section 1159.13(b). The provisions of Section 3796:6-3-24(H) of the Ohio Administrative Code regulating dispensary advertising signage shall also apply to business identification signs authorized under this subsection.
(Ord. 2019-38. Passed 3-11-19.)