1102.05 SIGNAGE.
The review of signage proposed for development projects shall address size, scale, geometry, location on building or site, materials, colors, detail, legibility, illumination, movement and wall or ground anchorage details.
(a) General Guidelines. These requirements are supplementary to the City's signage regulations. Private signs shall be designed with reasonable proportions and in keeping with the area and its buildings. Signs which combine inventiveness, excellence in lettering, coordination with the buildings colors and materials, legibility, creative lighting and effective use of logos or decorative devices are desired.
Signage is generally intended for the pedestrian at ground level and should be designed with this in mind.
The visual impact of any illumination during evening hours shall be taken into consideration by the Design Review Committee. Illuminations shall not be by harsh, colored lights and shall not flash or pulsate.
Signage shall not employ moving parts, or emit noise, smoke or other foreign substances so as not to distract motorists or cause a safety hazard.
It is recommended that signage be limited to two per building. Letter height on signage should not exceed twenty-four inches.
Signage for multiple tenant buildings shall be reviewed by the Design Review Committee on a case-by-case basis. One consolidated sign identifying all building tenants is recommended.
(b) Permitted Signage. The following is a summary list of permitted signs: Walls signs, including directories, plaques and signs for building or business identification
Ground signs, including dedication and memorial monuments and monuments for building or business identification
Signage painted on windows
Canopies and awnings
Marquee signs (theaters, hotels, motels, inns only)
Parking lot or parking garage signs
Temporary signs (by permit only)
(1) Wall signs. Wall signs are those signs which are attached flat against the wall of any building or structure. They shall be architecturally integrated with the building upon which they are displayed. No sign shall project more than twelve inches from the wall of the building or structure. The bottom edge of a wall sign shall not be less than eight feet above the sidewalk, except for those signs which do not project over three inches beyond the face of the building over public property. Wall signs shall not cover the ornamental features of a building. Wall signs should relate to the cornice line of the buildings and should reinforce the pedestrian scale.
One sign is permitted per street front. All copy shall be clear, legible and in good contrast to sign background material. Illumination of signage shall not produce a glare. Signs painted directly on the wall of a building are included in this category.
(2) Ground signs. A ground sign is any detached sign supported by uprights, braces or a foundation. They stand independent of a building or structure. Billboards are not included in this category.
Ground signs and monuments shall be architecturally compatible with the building to which they are related. One ground sign is permitted per street frontage. Signage constructed as part of a landscape area shall be compatible with those landscape elements.
Placement of all ground signs or monuments shall be reviewed by the Design Review Committee. No sign shall be placed in front of the building setback requirements. Clear sight shall be maintained at all times along a public right of way for vehicular as well as pedestrian safety. All ground signs shall have a side yard clearance of at least five feet from buildings and lot lines.
No ground sign shall at any given point be more than twenty-two feet nor less than two feet above grade line, and shall be properly supported and braced.
Copy shall be clear, legible and in good contrast to background material. Illumination is permitted, either internally or by concealed floodlight. The base of monuments may be landscaped with combination of low growing bushes, plants or flowers.
(3) Window signs. Window signs are those signs in which all lettering, logos and illustrations are painted directly on the glass surface of windows, doors, or storefront bays. It is recommended that such signs not exceed thirty percent (30%) of the total glass area of the window.
Lettering of all window signs shall be clear, using colors which are compatible with the building facade or storefront. One window sign per street front is permitted to create a more uniform street front.
(4) Canopies and awnings. Canopies and awnings shall be architecturally integrated with the character of the building to which they are attached. A minimum clear space of seven feet under canopies or awnings shall be required for safe pedestrian passage.
(5) Marquee signs. Marquee signs shall be constructed entirely of metal or noncombustible materials and may be attached to or hung from a marquee. When hung from a marquee, at its lowest level the signs shall be at least nine feet above sidewalk or ground level.
Signs shall not extend outside the line of the marquee. Signs may be attached to the sides and front of a marquee and such signs may extend the entire length and width of such marquee, provided the sign does not exceed more than six feet above nor one foot below such marquee, but under no circumstances shall any sign have vertical dimensions greater than six feet.
(6) Parking lot and garage signs. Signs which identify parking lots or garages, whether commercial or private, shall not exceed six square feet in area. One sign per entrance is permitted to maintain proper sight clearance.
One additional sign is permitted per kiosk or attendant booth with copy limited to identifying the parking rates and hours of operation. This sign shall not exceed four square feet.
(7) Temporary signage. Temporary signage, relating to advertisement, construction of announcement, real estate, banners, flags or pennants shall be permitted pursuant to Section 2307 of the existing City signage regulations. In addition, all banners, flags or pennants, whether suspended from marquees, canopies, awnings, utility poles or similar means, shall not be hung lower than eight feet above the sidewalk or ground level to allow for safe pedestrian passage. The placement of such temporary signage shall first be approved by the Design Review Committee before any permits are issued.
(c) Prohibited Signage. The following signs are prohibited:
(1) Portable or trailer signs, including those with changeable copy, shall not be on permanent display.
(2) Free-standing signage, other than those noted, including pole signs and sandwich boards.
(3) Signs which are hung in such a manner so as to swing or move freely.
(4) Signs projecting into a right of way so as to cause possible vehicular or pedestrian hazard.
(5) Temporary signs, other than those noted.
(6) No sign painted or printed on paper muslin or other fabric shall be extended over public property or posted, tacked or otherwise secured on any exterior surfaces of buildings or other surfaces of other fixed objects except as provided under temporary signage.
(7) No sign shall be erected or placed over the face of an existing sign. No additional sign or advertising device shall be attached to or suspended from any sign.
(d) Exempt Signage. Signage which is exempt from the requirements set forth in this section includes the following:
(1) Institutional signage. Institutional signage includes those signs for public, charitable or religious institutions.
(2) Integral signs. Decorative or architectural features built into the walls of buildings as an integral part of their design including memorial plaques or tablets, cornerstones, historic tablets and the like consisting of bronze, brass, glass, marble, stone, aluminum, stainless steel or other similar materials.
(3) Municipal signs. Signs required by law to be maintained or posted through governmental order, rule or regulation. This includes directional and traffic signs, legal notices, railroad and danger signs, public safety and convenience signs (such as those indicating public transit service, public utilities, pedestrian convenience information), flags or other government insignia. (Ord. 94-528. Passed 1-11-95.)