(A) Freestanding identification signs in the VBD -Village Business District.
(1) Type of freestanding identification signs permitted. Freestanding identification signs shall be ground signs; provided, however, freestanding identification signs shall not be permitted on a street frontage when the lot contains a building that has less than a ten-foot setback from that street.
(2) Maximum number of freestanding identification signs.
(a) One freestanding identification sign shall be permitted for each street frontage of a lot.
(b) When a lot has more than one street frontage and qualifies for an additional freestanding identification sign, the minimum separation between freestanding identification signs on the lot, regardless of the orientation of the freestanding identification signs, shall be 50 feet.
(3) Maximum sign surface area of freestanding identification signs. Maximum sign surface area shall apply individually to each street frontage. The maximum sign surface area shall not exceed 12 square feet per street frontage.
(4) Minimum front setback for freestanding identification signs. There shall be no minimum required front setback for freestanding identification signs; provided, however, such signs shall not encroach into any public right-of-way, sidewalk or any vision clearance area.
(5) Maximum height of freestanding identification signs. The maximum height of a freestanding identification sign shall not exceed four feet in height above grade.
(B) Building identification signs in the VBD -Village Business District.
(1) Types of building identification signs permitted.
(a) Lower level building identification wall signs shall be wall signs, suspended signs, projecting signs awning signs or canopy signs.
(b) Upper level building identification signs shall be wall signs.
(2) Maximum number of building identification signs. Each tenant space within a building shall be permitted a maximum of two signs, which may be wall, projecting, awning or canopy signs. In addition, each tenant space shall be permitted one suspended sign, per division (B)(3) below; provided, however, the total sign surface area for the building shall not be exceeded.
(3) Requirements for lower level building identification signs. Any building identification signs located on the first 26 feet of building height or the actual building height. Whichever is less, shall be considered a lower level building identification sign.
(a) Total sign surface area of lower level building identification signs.
1. The total sign surface area of all lower level building identification signs oriented to an individual facade shall not exceed:
a. Front facade: 5% of the total area of the first 26 feet or the actual building height, whichever is lesser of front facade of a building; and
b. Side and rear facades: 3% of the total area of the first 26 feet or the actual building height, whichever is lesser, of a side or rear facade of a building.
2. Provided that, for any building which has more than one street frontage, the maximum sign surface area of 5% shall apply to all building facades with street frontages.
(b) Illumination of lower level building identification signs. Lower level building identification signs shall not be internally illuminated.
(c) Additional requirements for lower level projecting signs.
1. Maximum height of lower level projecting signs. Projecting signs shall not extend above the roof line.
2. Maximum projection from building for lower level projecting signs. No projecting sign or sign structure supporting a projecting sign shall extend more than six feet from or beyond its supporting building.
3. Public right-of-way clearance. No projecting sign or sign structure shall extend any closer than two feet to an imaginary perpendicular vertical plane located at the street pavement line, curb or outside edge of sidewalk.
a. Exception. A projecting sign may encroach into the above described clearance area and/or air rights of a public right-of-way if approval for such encroachment is obtained from the governmental authority having jurisdiction over said right-of-way prior to the placement of the projecting sign.
4. Minimum height above grade for a lower level projecting sign. The bottom edge of a projecting sign shall not be less than nine feet above grade over a sidewalk or walkway or 15 feet above grade over any type of street, alley, drive or driveway.
5. Maximum sign area. Maximum sign area permitted for a lower level projecting sign shall be 12 square feet.
6. Internal illumination. Lower level projecting signs shall not be internally illuminated.
(d) Additional provisions for lower level suspended signs.
1. Maximum sign surface area for suspended signs. The maximum sign surface area for a suspended sign shall not exceed five square feet.
2. Maximum number of lower level suspended signs. One suspended sign shall be permitted per each building facade (if containing a single use) or grade level tenant space (if the building contains more than one business).
3. Minimum height above grade for lower level suspended signs. All portions of any suspended sign or sign structure shall be not less than eight feet above the sidewalk or finished grade.
(e) Additional provisions for lower level awning or canopy signs. Awnings or canopies, as regulated in § 194.062(C)(7) of this chapter, may contain signs, subject to the following provisions.
1. The total area of the awning or canopy (i.e., the combined two dimensional surface area of all sides of the awning or canopy) shall not exceed the sign surface area allocated to the facade of the building upon which the awning or canopy is attached.
2. The portion of the awning or canopy which includes a sign surface shall not exceed 25% of the total area of an awning or canopy.
3. Awnings or canopies shall be neither internally illuminated. Nor illuminated from inside or underneath the awning or canopy in such a manner that the entire awning or canopy is lit up.
(4) Requirements for upper level building identification signs. Any building identification signs located above the first 26 feet of building height shall be considered an upper level building identification sign.
(a) Total sign surface area of upper level building identification signs. The total sign surface area of all upper level building identification signs oriented to an individual facade shall not exceed: front, side or rear facade: 2.5% of the total area of the applicable facade of a building located above 26 feet above grade.
(b) Illumination of upper level building identification signs. Upper level building identification signs shall not be internally illuminated.
(C) Incidental signs.
(1) Type of incidental signs. Incidental signs shall be wall signs.
(2) Number of incidental signs. There shall be no limit on the number of incidental wall signs and such signs shall be exempt from the total number of building identification signs permitted by section division (B)(2) above. However, such signs shall be calculated in the total sign surface area for the building facade on which they are placed.
(D) Window signs (building identification and incidental). The provisions of divisions (B) and (C) above shall not apply to window signs. Window signs shall comply separately with the following.
(1) Maximum number of window signs. There shall be no limit on the number of window signs permitted.
(2) Maximum area of window coverage for window signs. The sign copy area shall not exceed 10% of the window surface area on which it is placed or through which it is viewed.
(3) Illumination of window signs. Window signs shall not be internally illuminated.
(E) Development plan approval required.
(2) Development plan approval petitions for signs in the VBD District shall be submitted as a part of the application for an improvement location permit for signs.
(3) The Building Commissioner shall grant development plan approval upon written finding that the proposed freestanding or building identification sign:
(a) Is consistent with and harmonious to the buildings and sites which they occupy;
(b) Represents a use of design features which will enhance the use or value of area properties;
(c) Utilizes materials and is of a style which is compatible with the Zionsville theme; and
(d) Is consistent with the intent and purpose of this chapter.
(Ord. 2000-16, passed 8-28-2000, § 6.6; Ord. 2020-01, passed 1-6-2020)