A. Purpose and Applicability. This Section establishes sign area allowances for specific Zones as well as dimensional standards for the type of signs permitted. Unless otherwise specified below, standards for each sign type are in Section 17.48.110.
B. Aggregate Wall Sign Area. In all Zones other than Agricultural and Residential Zones, the basic sign area allowance for all wall signs on a lot or site, excluding signs for which no permit is required under Section 17.48.030 (Exempt Signs), is as follows:
Table 17.48.100(B): Maximum Area for Wall Signs by Zone | ||||
Commercial Zones | Office Zones | Industrial Zones | Quasi-Public Zones | |
Total Sign Area Allowed* | 2 sq. ft. x ln. ft. of frontage Maximum 150 sq. ft. | 1 sq. ft. x 2 ln. ft. of frontage Maximum 30 sq. ft. | 1 sq. ft. x ln. ft. of frontage Maximum 100 sq. ft. | 0.5 sq. ft. x ln. ft. of frontage Maximum 100 sq. ft. |
* Total Sign Area is based on an allowance in square feet per lineal foot (ln. ft.) of street frontage. (1): Unless the standards in the specific Development Standards state otherwise.
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1. Sites with Multiple Frontages. On lots and sites with more than one frontage on a public street (excluding alleys), the maximum permitted wall sign area is calculated as follows:
a. Corner and Through Lots. Where a lot fronts on two streets (a corner or "through lot"), either both the front and side, or front and rear lot lines as related to
the applicable frontages may be used for calculating the allowable wall sign area.
b. Three or More Frontages. Where a lot has three or more frontages on a public street, the length of only two contiguous sides, one of which must be the principal street frontage, are added together to determine allowable wall sign area.
Figure 17.48.100(B)(1): Sites with Multiple Frontages
2. Multiple-Occupancy Commercial Sites with Limited Frontage. Where a multiple-occupancy commercial site has public street frontage equal to 20 percent or less of the perimeter measurement of the site, the maximum allowable wall sign area for the site is calculated as follows (see Figure 17.48.100(B)(2)):
a. One square foot of sign area per one lineal foot of public street frontage; plus
b. One lineal foot of exterior building walls fronting on driveways and parking lots that are generally used for public access and are located on the same site.
c. Pedestrian-only passageways that are lined on both sides by building walls are considered interior spaces, and although signs may be placed on such walls, the area of such walls is not included in the calculation of the maximum allowable sign area for the site.
Figure 17.48.100(B)(2): Calculation of Aggregate Sign Area for Multi-Occupancy Commercial Sites with Limited Frontage
3. Additional Allowance for Signs in Shopping Centers. Shopping centers may exceed the basic sign allowance by up to 25 percent through the approval of a Conditional Use Permit issued pursuant to Chapter 17.38 of the Visalia Municipal Code.
4. Minimum Allowance in Multi-Tenant Projects. For multi-tenant commercial projects, the aggregate sign area may be increased to the extent that each tenant has a minimum of 0.5 square feet of sign area per lineal foot of business frontage on a primary access way.
C. Dimensional Standards for Signs. The Table below presents the dimensional standards for signs in Zoning Districts other than Agricultural and Residential Zones. Detailed controls by sign type are located in Section 17.48.110.
Table 17.48.100(C): Standards for Signs in Non-Residential Zoning Districts | |||||
Sign Type | Maximum Number Permitted | Maximum Area per Individual Sign | Maximum Height | Maximum Horizontal Projection from Wall | Additional Regulations |
Awning or Canopy Sign | N/A | 25% of exterior surface of awning or canopy | N/A | N/A | Minimum 8 ft. vertical clearance. |
Freestanding Sign | 1 per street frontage | 35 sq. ft. per face; 70 sq. ft. total | 12 ft. in Commercial Districts; 6 ft. in Office and Industrial Districts | N/A | |
Projecting Sign | 1 per building frontage or tenant space | 8 sq. ft. per face; 3 sq. ft. per face if under awning canopy | 18 ft. but not above the ground floor of the frontage or tenant space | 4 ft. | |
Wall Sign | N/A | See Table 17.48.100(B) | The height of the wall of the building | 6 in. | |
Permanent Window Signs | N/A | 100% of aggregate window area for permanent window signage | N/A | N/A | |
(Ord. 2017-01 (part, 2017: Ord. 2016-11 § 2 (part), 2016)