All signs hereafter constructed, erected, remodeled, relocated or expanded shall comply with the following standards:
A. Sign Area/Copy/Face:
1. The term "sign area" shall be the gross surface area of each sign face with a single continuous perimeter enclosing the extreme limits of a sign and in no case passing through or between any adjacent elements of same. Such perimeter shall not include any structural or framing elements lying outside the limits of such sign and not forming an integral part of the display. For computing the area of any wall sign which consists of letters mounted on a wall, the area shall be deemed to be the area of the smallest rectangular figure which can encompass all of the letters.
2. The term "sign copy" shall mean the physical sign message including any words, letters, numbers, pictures, and symbols.
3. The term "sign face" shall mean the surface upon, against or through which sign copy is displayed or illustrated, not including structural supports, architectural features of a building or sign structure, nonstructural thematic or decorative trim, or any areas that are separated from the background surface upon which the sign copy is displayed by a distinct delineation, such as a reveal or border.
a. In the case of panel or cabinet type signs, the sign face shall include the entire area of each sign panel, cabinet or face substrate upon which the sign copy is displayed or illustrated, excluding only the open space between separate panels or cabinets.
b. In the case of signs painted on a building, or individual letters or graphic elements affixed to a building or structure, the sign face shall comprise the sum of the geometric figures or combination of regular geometric figures drawn closest to the edge of the letters or separate graphic elements comprising the sign copy, but not the open space between separate groupings of sign copy on the same building or structure.
c. In the case of sign copy enclosed within a painted or illuminated border, or displayed on a background contrasting in color with the color of the building or structure, the sign face shall comprise the area within the contrasting background, or within the painted or illuminated border.
B. Sign Height: The sign height shall be measured to the highest point of the sign structure from the natural or approved finished grade level directly below the sign or the centerline of the traveled way at a point perpendicular to the location where the sign is to be placed, whichever is higher at the time of sign installation. The intent of this subsection is to prevent permitted ground sign height from being increased by installing a ground sign on a manmade berm, landscape bed, or mound.
C. Setbacks: All signs, except as otherwise specifically permitted by the provisions of this chapter, shall be set back not less than ten feet (10') from any front, corner side, side and rear lot line, provided, however, that any such sign shall not be located in the "vision clearance triangle" as defined in this chapter, unless said sign is less than twenty four inches (24") in height.
D. Misrepresentation: No sign shall be permitted which contains knowingly false information or knowingly misrepresents the product, service or commodity to be offered, conducted or sold on the premises.
E. Traffic Safety: No sign shall be maintained at any location where by reason of its position, size, shape or color it may obstruct, impair, obscure, interfere with the view of or be confused with any traffic control sign, signal or device, or where it may interfere with, mislead, confuse, or unsafely obstruct the view of traffic.
F. Sign Area Limitation: The sign area of any sign shall not exceed a maximum of two hundred (200) square feet per sign face.
G. Illumination:
1. Location/Design Of Light Source: Whenever an external artificial light source is used to illuminate a sign, illumination shall be located, shielded, and directed so as not to be directly visible from any public street or residentially zoned property at grade level. All artificial illumination shall be so designed, located, shielded, and directed as it illuminates only the sign face and to prevent the casting of glare or direct light upon adjacent property or streets.
2. Level Of Illumination: In no event shall the illumination of any sign, resulting from any internal or external artificial light source, exceed fifty (50) foot-candles when measured with a standard light meter held perpendicular to the sign face a distance equal to the narrowest dimension of such sign face.
3. Signs Adjacent To Residential Areas: Any illuminated sign located on a lot abutting or across the street from any residentially zoned property shall not be illuminated between the hours of eleven o'clock (11:00) P.M. and seven o'clock (7:00) A.M.; except such sign may remain illuminated during such time as the activity to which the sign pertains is engaged.
4. Transitional Office District: Signs permitted in the Transitional Office District shall be internally illuminated, backlit or downlit by an incandescent, solar, light emitting diode (LED), or compact fluorescent light (CFL) light source equivalent to not more than seventy five (75) watts per each six (6) square feet of signage.
H. Maintenance: The owner of a sign and the owner of the premises on which said sign is located shall be jointly and severally liable to maintain such signs subject to the following standards:
1. Signs shall be maintained in a neat and orderly condition and good working order, including illumination sources, at all times.
2. Signs shall be properly painted unless galvanized or otherwise treated to prevent rust or deterioration.
3. Signs shall conform to maintenance provisions of the Building and Electrical Codes as adopted by the City.
I. Cantera Sign Standards: The sign standards applicable within the Cantera planned unit development area shall be those sign standards set forth in the Cantera development control regulations. (Ord. O2017-38, 6-19-2017)