Signs in the apartment and retail districts shall be accessory to a building or use permitted and shall conform with the regulations set forth in this section.
(a) Contents of Signs. The following types of signs shall be permitted:
(1) Nameplates and bulletin boards, if accessory to an apartment or retail building or use, as regulated in this chapter.
(2) Nameplates for offices, if the sign is located on the same lot as the profession or service to which it is directed.
(3) Business signs, if the sign is located on the same lot as the business or service to which it is directed.
(4) Real estate and development signs, if the sign is located on the same lot on which the real estate business is conducted or the lot to which attention is directed.
(5) Directional signs may be located on any lot in a retail district.
(b) Design of Signs. The following types of signs shall be permitted:
(1) Flat and wall signs, if attached to or integral with a wall, or attached to or painted on the windows or doors of a building occupied by a permitted business or service.
(2) Projecting signs, if projecting from a building occupied by a permitted business or service.
(3) Ground signs, if located on the same lot as the real estate, business, service or other use to which it directs attention.
(4) Temporary signs, if located on the same lot as the real estate, business, service or other use to which it directs attention.
(5) Marquee signs, if located on the same lot as the business or service building, parking or other use to which it directs attention.
(c) Area of Signs.
(1) The total area of all permanent signs for each office, store or service building, apartment, parking lot or other land use shall not exceed the number of square feet indicated in the following table:
MAXIMUM AREA - ALL SIGNS
Frontage of Building or Use (Feet) | Maximum Square Feet Sign Area Permitted by District | |
Retail | Apartment | |
Frontage of Building or Use (Feet) | Maximum Square Feet Sign Area Permitted by District | |
Retail | Apartment | |
Under 15 | 70 square feet | 80 square feet |
15 to 19 | 85 | 100 |
20 to 24 | 100 | 120 |
25 to 29 | 115 | 140 |
30 to 34 | 130 | 155 |
35 to 39 | 140 | 165 |
40 to 44 | 147.5 | 175 |
45 to 49 | 155 | 185 |
50 to 54 | 162.5 | 195 |
55 to 59 | 170 | 205 |
60 to 64 | 177.5 | 215 |
65 to 69 | 185 | 225 |
70 and over | 190 plus 5 for each additional 5 feet frontage or fraction thereof | 235 plus 7 |
(2) Sign areas shall be permitted in addition to the areas stated in the table in subsection (c)(1) hereof, as follows:
A. Secondary entrances. Buildings having secondary entrances to a parking area or having a facade facing a second street may have additional signs not exceeding twenty percent (20%) of the area of signs permitted on the main facade.
B. Nameplates. Professional or service offices and organizations above the ground floor of a building may leave additional signs provided the total area of the signs does not exceed two percent (2%) of the floor area occupied by the establishment or fifty square feet, whichever is the smaller. Any window sign shall not exceed two square feet in area.
C. Theaters. The size, area and design of the sign shall be determined for each establishment and regulated by conditional use permits.
D. Temporary development signs, announcing a proposed building, a building under construction or advertising the sale, rental or lease of a building, or part thereof, shall be located on the zoning lot occupied by the building or use advertised and shall not exceed forty square feet in total area for each street frontage. Permanent signs, indicating name, owner or manager shall be permitted; the size and design to be approved by the Commission.
E. Directional signs, of permanent construction, indicating traffic routes and similar functions, shall be permitted in addition to the above limitations if each sign does not exceed four square feet in area.
F. Temporary signs, announcing sales, new products and special business events, shall be permitted on the outside of buildings and in the yards where other signs are permitted, in addition to the permanent business signs, provided such signs do not exceed forty percent (40%) of the maximum area permitted for each establishment or thirty square feet, whichever is larger, and are not displayed more than thirty consecutive days in a three month period, and not more than four permits for such temporary signs on the same premises shall be issued during any calendar year.
(d) Location of Signs. Signs in the retail district may be located on the surface of, or project from, the building wall facing a street, a pedestrian way or adjacent to a parking area, or other ground supports in yards as herein regulated. The maximum dimensions set forth shall include the structural members unless otherwise indicated.
(1) Flat or wall signs shall not project more than eighteen inches in front of the building wall and not project beyond any building corner and the top shall be at least six inches below the coping.
(2) Projecting signs shall be limited to not more than one sign for each establishment or store unit. Such signs shall be attached to the wall and the top shall be at least six inches below the coping. Any face of a projecting sign shall be not less than five feet from a side lot line or party wall of another store unit.
(3) Marquee signs may extend above the fascia; however, the vertical dimension of such sign, including fascia, shall not exceed four feet.
(4) Ground signs shall have a minimum setback of ten feet from the edge of the public right-of-way and five feet from an abutting business lot. In the case of a sign abutting a single-family or multi-family zoned lot, the minimum side yard setback shall be twenty-five feet. Any minimum setback distance may be adjusted to ensure the safety and clear visibility of both pedestrians and vehicle drivers. The maximum size of one face of any ground sign shall be forty square feet. Only one ground sign shall be permitted per owned lot. In the event of multiple or joint occupancy, it is the responsibility of the property owner to apportion the permitted sign area among the multiple users.
(e) Height of Signs. The height of the lowest member of any sign which is not integral with a wall surface shall be not less than nine feet above a sidewalk, or other pedestrian way and not less than fifteen feet if over or within eighteen inches of the vertical projection of a pavement used for vehicular traffic. Ground signs must be placed horizontally and shall not exceed six feet in height, measured from the established grade (prior to landscaping) under the sign to the top of the sign. The framing and support structure shall not add more than two feet to either side of the graphic sign sides, such that the combined sign and frame/support structure shall not exceed twelve feet in width. The overall size of the sign and frame support structure shall not exceed six feet in height and twelve feet in width.
(Ord. 82-58. Passed 9-21-82; Ord. 2003-52. Passed 10-21-03.)
(f) Off-Premises Signs. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 1349.08, the Chief Building Inspector shall have authority to permit a business sign to be located on property adjoining the applicant’s property under circumstances where there exists no suitable location for such sign on applicant’s property, provided that the written consent of the adjoining owner has first been obtained and that the addition of the sign applied for meets all other requirements of Chapter 1349 of the Codified Ordinances.
(Ord. 2000-62. Passed 1-2-01; Ord. 2005-9. Passed 3-1-05; Ord. 2007-26. Passed 4-17-07; Ord. 2013-68. Passed 12-17-13; Ord. 2014-23. Passed 5-6-14.)