The type and functional classification of signs permitted shall be those of the underlying sign district, subject to the regulations stated below:
(a) Limitations on Projecting Signs.
(1) Projecting signs shall have a minimum clearance of ten (10) feet above the sidewalk and a maximum height of fifteen (15) feet above the sidewalk.
(2) Projecting signs shall not overhang the public right-of-way. except over a pedestrian sidewalk in a B-3 Central Business Zoning District, and then only to a maximum of four (4) feet.
(3) In addition to any other requirements of this section, as a condition of issuing a permit for the sign, the applicant must comply with the following:
A. File with the Zoning Administrator a certificate of insurance for Commercial General Liability coverage with a minimum limit of one million dollar ($1,000,000) per occurrence for bodily injury, personal injury and property damage issued by an insurance company authorized to do business in the State of Ohio and acceptable to the City, conditioned to indemnify and save harmless the City from acts or damages. If Commercial General Liability Insurance with a general aggregate limit is used, either the general aggregate limit shall apply separately to this sign/location or the general aggregate limit shall be twice the required occurrence limit. On the coverage the City of Troy shall be listed as an additional insured, using the language required by the City of Troy, Ohio.
B. Execute an agreement to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the City from any and all damages, judgments, costs or expenses which the City may incur or suffer by reason of the granting of such permit or which may result by reason of the granting of such permit or which may result from the construction or maintenance of such projecting sign. The requirement to enter into a hold harmless agreement shall be required of any subsequent owner(s) as a condition of the permit to use the right-of-way for the overhanging sign.
C. The policy shall not be cancelled, except after thirty (30) days’ prior written notice has been provided, mailed to the Zoning Administrator, 100 S. Market Street, Troy, Ohio, 45373. Prior to the actual policy expiration, the owner must provide a certificate with a new carrier.
D. All certificates shall be kept current and reissued each policy year while the sign is still present.
(b) Sign Construction. The sign face may be constructed using rigid and opaque materials such as wood, composition wood, metal or MDO board. The use of translucent materials such as certain types of plastics, vinyl, glass, plastic film, fiberglass, or the use of corrugated plastic or paper, cardboard, or foam shall be prohibited. Other materials that are rigid and opaque that are not specifically prohibited by this Sign Code may be approved by the Planning Commission on a case-by-case basis. (Ord. 7-2009. Passed 2-2-09.)
(c) Illumination. Except for permitted window signs under Section 749.12(e), no sign shall be internally illuminated. Only external artificial light sources directing light to the sign face that shall conform to the following shall be permitted:
(1) The color of any artificial lights used shall be white or amber.
(2) Light fixtures shall be positioned in a manner that focuses light onto the sign face to prevent glare to person's off-premise and to shield the fixture lens or bulb from public view. (Ord. 4-2012. Passed 3-5-12.)
(d) Changeable Copy Signs. No sign shall utilize changeable letters.
(e) Window Signs.
(1) No more than twenty-five percent (25%) of any window panel shall be covered by permanent and/or temporary window signs.
(2) Permitted internally illuminated window signs:
A. A sign that identifies the business name shall not be internally illuminated.
B. Only a window sign may be internally illuminated.
D. No internally illuminated window sign shall be larger than four (4) square feet in size.
E. The total square footage of all internally illuminated window signs shall not exceed seven (7) square feet.
F. On a property with windows on multiple frontages, one (1) additional internally illuminated window sign, not to exceed three (3) square feet in size, may be erected but only in the window of that additional frontage.
G. Internally illuminated window signs shall be subject to all other regulations of the Zoning and Sign Codes.
(Ord. 4-2012. Passed 3-5-12.)
(f) Architectural Review. All permanent signs shall be subject to architectural review by the Planning Commission. In determining whether to grant approval, the Commission shall not approve unless:
(1) The sign is appropriate in scale to the building with which it is associated.
(2) The sign is appropriate in design to the architectural style or period of the building with which it is associated.
(3) The colors selected for the sign are compatible with the building with which it is associated.
(4) The sign is located so as to reasonably minimize adverse aesthetic effects on the architectural design of the building with which it is associated.
Application for architectural review by the Planning Commission shall be made simultaneously with the application for the sign permit. Applications shall be on the form prescribed by the City, accompanied by a dimensioned scale drawing or dimensioned photograph of the sign indicating its typographic style, graphics, colors, supporting structure and other visual detail. (Ord. 7-2009. Passed 2-2-09.)