Signs, as permitted in the various zoning districts, shall be professionally designed, constructed and installed so as to be compatible in character with regard to the architecture of the building on the lot on which they are located, and with the material, color and size of signs designed and located on the same building and on adjoining buildings in order to produce an overall unified effect in accordance with the standards set forth in this section.
(a) Wall or Panel Signs. A wall or panel sign shall not project more than twelve inches from the building wall to which it is attached and shall be set back from the end of a building or party wall line for a distance of at least three feet and shall not project above the building wall or coping of a mansard roof.
(b) Projecting Signs. Projecting signs shall not extend more than three feet from the face of a building and the lowest portion of such sign shall not be less than eight feet above the finished grade of a sidewalk, or other pedestrian way, and not less than fifteen feet above the finished grade of a vehicular way.
(c) Sign Height. Maximum height of freestanding signs shall be in accordance with the height limitations as specified in their respective zoning district's regulations.
(d) Vertical Dimension. The lowest member of all signs which are supported or suspended from a building shall not be less than eight feet above the finished grade of a sidewalk or other pedestrian way. If located over a pavement used for vehicular traffic or within eighteen inches of the vertical projection of the edges of such pavement, the lowest member of the sign shall not be less than fifteen feet above the finished pavement.
(e) Relation to Openings. Signs shall not project over or obstruct the required windows or doors of any building.
(f) Relation to Traffic Devices. Signs shall not be erected so as to obstruct sight lines along any public way, traffic control signals, street name signs, or street sight lines or signals at railroad grade crossings. Signs visible from the sight lines along any street shall not contain an arrow or words such as "stop", "go", "slow", or any terms which could cause confusion with traffic signals. The movement, content, coloring or manner of illumination of any sign shall not resemble traffic control signs or signals or cause confusion with traffic signals.
(g) Movement Restrictions. No sign shall employ any parts or elements which revolve, rotate, whirl, or spin. Banners, flags, posters, pennants, ribbons, streamers, spinners, strings of lights, air balloons, wind-driven signs or other similar devices for the purpose of advertising are prohibited. Such devices may be permitted for Public Facilities uses, as approved by the Architectural Review Board and Building Commissioner, or for other uses as otherwise specifically permitted in this chapter.
(h) Signs on Corner Lots. No sign shall be allowed within a triangle formed between points on the front and side street right-of-way lines within thirty-five feet from their intersection.
(i) Continuity. Signs seen in series on a building wall or walls, shall have a continuity of design with respect to shape, materials, color and placement.
(j) Style and Color. The style or design of signs shall be consistent throughout a particular building or group of buildings; the colors of signs shall be compatible with the color of the building facade(s) and other existing and proposed signs.
(k) Graphics. The lettering on a sign shall be clearly legible and in scale with the sign surface upon which it is placed.
(l) Materials. Signs shall be constructed of materials which are of appropriate quality and durability, and which are compatible with the materials of the building upon which such signs are placed.
(m) Structural Design. The construction, erection and maintenance of all signs shall be in compliance with this chapter and the Building Code and all other applicable municipal standards and regulations; provided, however, that in every instance the most restrictive standard shall govern.
(Ord. 2021-006. Passed 3-15-21.)