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Town of Milton, DE
Sussex County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
The purpose of this article is to promote and protect the public health, welfare and safety by regulating existing and proposed outdoor advertising, outdoor advertising signs and outdoor signs of all types. It is intended to protect property values, create a more attractive economic and business climate, enhance and protect the physical appearance of the community, preserve the scenic and natural beauty of designated areas, and provide a more enjoyable and pleasing community. It is further intended hereby to reduce sign or advertising distractions and obstructions that may contribute to traffic accidents, reduce hazards that may be caused by signs overhanging or projecting over public rights-of-way, provide more open space, and curb the deterioration of natural beauty and community environment. Any sign which is greater in size than 32 square feet and which is to be placed along a state-maintained road must receive approval from DelDOT prior to installation.
Definitions. The following words and terms shall, for the purposes of this chapter and as used elsewhere in this Code, have the meanings shown herein:
ABANDONED SIGN
A sign structure that has ceased to be used for the display of sign copy, or as otherwise defined by state law.
ANIMATED SIGN
A sign employing actual motion or the illusion of motion, including digital signage. Animated signs, which are differentiated from changeable signs as defined and regulated by this chapter, include the following types:
[Amended 1-9-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-008]
A. 
Electrically activated. Animated signs producing the illusion of movement by means of electronic, electrical or electromechanical input and/or illumination capable of simulating movement through employment of the characteristics of one or both of the classifications noted below:
(1) 
Flashing. Animated signs or animated portions of signs whose illumination is characterized by a repetitive cycle where the period of illumination is either the same as or less than the period of nonillumination. For the purposes of this chapter, flashing will not be defined as occurring if the cyclical period between on/off phases of illumination exceeds four seconds.
(2) 
Patterned illusionary movement. Animated signs or animated portions of signs whose illumination is characterized by simulated movement through alternate or sequential activation of various illuminated elements for the purpose of producing repetitive light patterns designed to appear in some form of constant motion.
B. 
Environmentally activated. Animated signs or devices motivated by wind, thermal changes or other natural environmental input. Includes spinners, pinwheels, pennant strings, and/or other devices or displays that respond to naturally occurring external motivation.
C. 
Mechanically activated. Animated signs characterized by repetitive motion and/or rotation activated by a mechanical system powered by electric motors or other mechanically induced means.
ARCHITECTURAL PROJECTION
Any projection that is not intended for occupancy and that extends beyond the face of an exterior wall of a building, but that does not include signs as defined herein. See also "AWNING" and "CANOPY, ATTACHED AND FREESTANDING.”
[Amended 12-7-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-001]
AWNING
An architectural projection or shelter projecting from and supported by the exterior wall of a building and composed of a covering of rigid or nonrigid materials and/or fabric on a supporting framework that may be either permanent or retractable, including such structures that are internally illuminated by fluorescent or other light sources.
AWNING SIGN
A sign displayed on or attached flat against the surface or surfaces of an awning. See also "WALL OR FASCIA SIGN."
BANNER
A flexible substrate where copy or graphics may be displayed.
[Amended 1-9-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-008]
BANNER SIGN
A sign utilizing a banner as its display surface.
BILLBOARD
See "off-premises sign" and "outdoor advertising sign."
BUILDING ELEVATION
The entire side of a building, from ground level to the roofline, as viewed perpendicular to the walls on that side of the building.
CANOPY (ATTACHED)
A multisided overhead structure or architectural projection supported by attachments to a building on one or more sides and either cantilevered from such building or also supported by columns at additional points. The surface(s) and/or soffit of an attached canopy may be illuminated by means of internal or external sources of light. See also "MARQUEE."
CANOPY (FREESTANDING)
A multisided overhead structure supported by columns, but not enclosed by walls. The surface(s) and/or soffit of a freestanding canopy may be illuminated by means of internal or external sources of light.
CANOPY SIGN
A sign affixed to the visible surface(s) of an attached or freestanding canopy. For reference, see § 220-63.
CHANGEABLE SIGN
A sign with the capability of content change by means of manual or remote input, including signs which are:
A. 
Electrically activated. Changeable sign whose message copy or content can be changed by means of remote electrically energized on-off switching combinations of alphabetic or pictographic components arranged on a display surface. Illumination may be integral to the components, such as characterized by lamps or other light-emitting devices, or it may be from an external light source designed to reflect off the changeable component display. See also "ELECTRONIC MESSAGE SIGN OR CENTER."
B. 
Manually activated. Changeable sign whose message copy or content can be changed manually.
COMBINATION SIGN
A sign that is supported partly by a pole and partly by a building structure.
COPY
Those letters, numerals, figures, symbols, logos and graphic elements comprising the content or message of a sign, excluding numerals identifying a street address only.
DEVELOPMENT COMPLEX SIGN
A freestanding sign identifying a multiple-occupancy development, such as a shopping center or planned industrial park, that is controlled by a single owner or landlord and approved in accordance the requirements of this chapter.
[Amended 1-9-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-008]
DIGITAL SIGN
See "ANIMATED SIGN."
[Added 1-9-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-008]
DIRECTIONAL SIGN
Any sign that is designed and erected for the purpose of providing direction and/or orientation for pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
DOUBLE-FACED SIGN
A sign with two faces, back to back.
ELECTRIC SIGN
Any sign activated or illuminated by means of electrical energy.
ELECTRONIC MESSAGE SIGN OR CENTER
An electrically activated changeable sign whose variable message capability can be electronically programmed.
EXTERIOR SIGN
Any sign placed outside a building.
FASCIA SIGN
See "wall or fascia sign."
FLAG
A usually rectangular piece of fabric of distinctive design that is used as a symbol (as of a nation), as a signaling device (open) or as a decoration. National flags and flags of political subdivisions shall not be considered flags for the purpose of this article.
FLASHING SIGN
See "animated sign, electrically activated."
FREESTANDING SIGN
A sign principally supported by a structure affixed to the ground and not supported by a building, tree or utility pole, including signs supported by one or more columns, poles or braces placed in or upon the ground. For visual reference, see § 220-63.
[Amended 11-7-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-010]
FRONTAGE (BUILDING)
The length of an exterior building wall or structure of a single premises orientated to the public way or other properties that it faces.
FRONTAGE (PROPERTY)
The length of the property line(s) of any single premises along either a public way or other properties on which it borders.
GROUND SIGN
See "freestanding sign."
ILLUMINATED SIGN
A sign characterized by the use of artificial light, either projecting through its surface (internally illuminated) or reflecting off its surface (externally illuminated).
[Amended 1-9-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-008]
INSTITUTIONAL SIGN
A sign identifying an institutional use.
INTERIOR SIGN
Any sign placed within a building, but not including "window signs" as defined by this chapter. Interior signs, with the exception of window signs as defined, are not regulated by this chapter.
MANSARD
An inclined decorative roof-like projection that is attached to an exterior building facade.
MARQUEE
See "canopy (attached)."
MARQUEE SIGN
See "canopy sign."
[Amended 12-7-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-001]
MENU BOARD
A freestanding sign oriented to the drive-through lane for a restaurant that advertises the menu items available from the drive-through window and which has no more than 20% of the total area for such a sign utilized for business identification.
MULTIPLE-FACED SIGN
A sign containing three or more faces.
OBSCENE SIGN
A sign that displays material within the definition of obscene in Title 11. Section 1364, of the Delaware Code, as amended.
[Added 9-11-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-010]
OFF-PREMISES SIGN
See "outdoor advertising sign."
ON-PREMISES SIGN
A sign erected, maintained or used in the outdoor environment for the purpose of the display of messages appurtenant to the use of, products sold on, or the sale or lease of the property where it is displayed.
[Amended 1-9-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-008]
OUTDOOR ADVERTISING SIGN
A permanent sign erected, maintained or used in the outdoor environment for the purpose of the display of commercial or noncommercial messages not appurtenant to the use of, products sold on, or the sale or lease of the property where it is displayed.
[Amended 1-9-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-008]
PARAPET
The extension of a building facade above the line of the structural roof.
POLE SIGN
See "FREESTANDING SIGN."[2]
PORTABLE SIGN
Any sign not permanently attached to the ground or to a building or building surface.
PROJECTING SIGN
A sign other than a wall sign that is attached to or projects more than 18 inches from a building face or wall or from a structure whose primary purpose is other than the support of a sign. For visual reference, see § 220-63.
REAL ESTATE SIGN
A temporary sign advertising the sale, lease or rental of the property or premises where it is located.
[Amended 1-9-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-008]
REVOLVING SIGN
A sign that revolves 360° about an axis. See also "ANIMATED SIGN, MECHANICALLY ACTIVATED."
ROOFLINE
The top edge of a peaked roof or, in the case of an extended facade or parapet, the uppermost point of said facade or parapet.
ROOF SIGN
A sign mounted on, and supported by, the main roof portion of a building, or above the uppermost edge of a parapet wall of a building and is wholly or partially supported by such a building. Signs mounted on mansard facades, pent eaves and architectural projections such as canopies or marquees shall not be considered to be roof signs. For a visual reference, and a comparison of differences between roof and fascia signs, see § 220-63.
[Amended 1-9-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-008]
SIGN
Any device visible from a public place that displays either commercial or noncommercial messages by means of graphic presentation of alphabetic or pictorial symbols or representations. Noncommercial flags or any flags displayed from flagpoles or staffs will not be considered to be signs.
SIGN AREA
The area of the smallest geometric figure, or the sum of the combination of regular geometric figures, that comprise the sign face. The area of any double-sided or V-shaped sign shall be the area of the largest single face only. The area of a sphere shall be computed as the area of a circle. The area of all other multiple-sided signs shall be computed as 50% of the sum of the area of all faces of the sign.
[Amended 1-9-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-008]
SIGN COPY
Those letters, numerals, figures, symbols, logos and graphic elements comprising the content or message of a sign, exclusive of numerals identifying a street address only.
SIGN FACE
The surface upon, against or through which the sign copy is displayed or illustrated not including structural supports, architectural features of a building or sign structure, nonstructural 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. See § 220-63.
A. 
In the case of panel or cabinet-type signs, the sign face shall include the entire area of the sign panel, cabinet or face substrate upon which the sign copy is displayed or illustrated, but not open space between separate panels or cabinets.
B. 
In the case of sign structures with routed areas of sign copy, the sign face shall include the entire area of the surface that is routed.
C. 
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.
D. 
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.
SIGN STRUCTURE
Any structure supporting a sign.
TEMPORARY SIGN
Portable signs or any sign not permanently embedded in the ground or not permanently affixed to a building or sign structure that is permanently embedded in the ground are considered temporary signs.
[Amended 9-11-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-010]
V SIGN
Signs containing two faces of approximately equal size, erected upon common or separate structures, positioned in a "V" shape with an angle between faces of not more than 90° with the distance between the sign faces not exceeding five feet at their closest point.
WALL OR FASCIA SIGN
A sign that is in any manner affixed to any exterior wall of a building or structure and that projects not more than 18 inches from the building or projections from a building, provided the copy area of such signs remains on a parallel plane to the face of the building facade or to the face or faces of the architectural projection to which it is affixed. For a visual reference and a comparison of differences between wall or fascia signs and roof signs, see § 220-63.
WINDOW SIGN
A sign affixed to the surface of a window with its message intended to be visible to and readable from the public way or from adjacent property.
[1]
Editor's Note: See other definitions in §§ 220-6 and 220-21E(3) of this chapter.
[2]
Editor’s Note: The definition of “political sign,” as amended, which immediately followed this definition, was repealed 9-11-2017 by Ord. Nos. 2017-009 and 2017-010.
A. 
General sign types. General sign types and the computation of sign area shall be as depicted in Figures 1 through 4.
Figure 1
General Sign Types
General Types
(Source: 2003 International Zoning Code)
Figure 2
General Sign Types
Roof and Wall and Fascia Signs
Figure 3
General Sign Types
Sign Area Computation Methodology
Figure 4
General Sign Types
Computation Methodology
Notes: Sum of shaded areas only represents sign area for Code compliance purposes. Signs consisting of individual letters, elements or logos placed on building walls or structures.
B. 
Signs restricted.
(1) 
The construction, erection, alteration, reconstruction, display, ownership, maintenance or operation of any sign within the Town except as provided by this article is hereby prohibited.
(2) 
Signposts are specifically prohibited from the public right-of-way with the exception of those that are necessary or recommended by the State of Delaware Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
(3) 
Signs overhanging the public right-of-way are specifically prohibited except as provided by this article.
(4) 
Obscene signs are prohibited.
[Amended 9-11-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-010]
(5) 
No electric sign or electrically illuminated sign, or any sign board, signpost, portion of any advertising nature or otherwise shall be permitted or allowed to remain on the sidewalk nor on any portion of the Town streets.
(6) 
No animated sign or electronic message sign or center is permitted in any district.
[Amended 1-9-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-008]
C. 
Institutional signs. Institutional signs shall not exceed 32 square feet in size nor shall there be more than one such sign per institution.
D. 
Temporary banners within right-of-way. Signs, other than official street or traffic signs, shall not be erected within the right-of-way lines of any street, except that temporary banners may be permitted for festivals or special events with the requirement that special permits for such banners shall be issued by the Code Enforcement Officer for periods no longer than 10 days. Applicants are responsible for ensuring the safety of the public, and the Town of Milton takes no liability for the sign.
E. 
General provisions:
(1) 
Permits required. A sign permit shall be required before any sign or billboard may be erected, altered, reconstructed or displayed within the Town except as provided by this article.
(2) 
Application for permit. Written application shall be made to the Code Enforcement Officer on a form provided by the Code Enforcement Officer and shall be accompanied by complete plans and specifications showing the construction, method of support and materials to be used. Application may be made by the owner of the property where such sign is to be placed. The Code Enforcement Officer may require the plans and specifications be signed by a professional engineer or architect registered in the state.
[Amended 1-9-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-008]
(3) 
Permit fees. Each application shall be accompanied by a fee, as established by the Town Council, that may be amended or modified from time to time. For signage fees, please consult the currently effective Town of Milton Fee Schedule. The Code Enforcement Officer of the Town of Milton may require proof of the monetary value of the sign.
[Amended 9-9-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-04; 1-9-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-008]
(4) 
Upon the approval of the Code Enforcement Officer of such application and of the place and manner of erecting the sign therein mentioned, and upon writing or stamping thereon the amount of the fee required for the sign applied for, the applicant shall pay to the Code Enforcement Officer the fee prescribed by this section, and thereupon shall issue to the applicant a permit for the applied sign.
[Amended 1-9-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-008]
(5) 
Unsafe, unlawful and deteriorating signs. Whenever it shall appear to the Code Enforcement Officer that any sign has been constructed or erected or is being maintained in violation of the terms of this article, or is unsafe or insecure, or is a menace to the public, or has been allowed to deteriorate, the Code Enforcement Officer shall give written or verbal notifications to the property owner and/or tenant. Said sign shall be removed or repaired and placed in a safe condition after receipt of the written or verbal notification. If the foregoing is not complied with, the Code Enforcement Officer shall have the sign in question removed and the bill for the cost of removal sent directly to the property owner. If the bill for the cost of removal is not paid within 60 days, a lien will be placed on the property.
[Amended 2-5-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-0003]
(6) 
In the event a sign has been damaged and presents an immediate threat to the public, the Code Enforcement Officer may order the immediate removal of said sign and take appropriate action to protect the public and recover costs. Any time a business goes out of business or moves, the owner or company shall remove all signs and structural supports.
[Amended 12-7-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-001]
(7) 
Sign mounting. All exterior signs shall be securely mounted and anchored.
(8) 
Restrictions. Signs shall not in any way obstruct the required door or window area of any building or structure. Signs shall not be attached to or placed upon any portion of a fire escape. Signs shall not be erected that will in any way interfere with the activities of the Fire Department. Signs constructed or erected after the adoption of this chapter shall not be rotating or contain any moving parts.
(9) 
Traffic control signs. Signs necessary for traffic control on private property and containing no advertising may be erected, not to exceed an area of 12 square feet per sign.
(10) 
Exemptions. The provisions of this article shall not apply to the following signs:
(a) 
Traffic signs erected by governmental bodies.
(b) 
Railroad warning signs.
(c) 
Municipal signs.
(d) 
Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings and date of erection when cut in any masonry surface or when constructed of bronze or other noncombustible materials.
(e) 
Occupational signs denoting only the name and profession of an occupant in commercial buildings and the name and nature of the occupancy in public and institutional buildings. Such signs shall not exceed 4 1/2 square feet in area.
(11) 
Illumination:
(a) 
Signs may be illuminated at night by backlighting or direct lighting only, provided that the latter is so screened as not to cast any direct light upon any residence or street right-of-way. No sign or lighting device shall be of the flashing, intermittent or reciprocating type.
(b) 
Illuminated signs must bear the National Underwriters Seal of Approval or must be inspected and approved by the Code Enforcement Officer.
(12) 
Glass in any wall sign must be safety glass or comparable material.
(13) 
Attaching to trees, poles or structures. It shall be unlawful for any person to paint, post, place or fix any business or commercial advertisement, paper, handbills or circulars, or cause the same to be done upon any utility poles, structures or trees within the limits of the Town.
(14) 
No nonconforming sign may be replaced without conforming to the provisions of this article.
F. 
Temporary signs, subject to the following limitations:
[Amended 9-11-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-010]
(1) 
No artificially illuminated signs of any type are allowed.
(2) 
Size is limited to six square feet per side; however, any property that is advertised for sale in a nonresidential district may have one sign up to 16 square feet.
(3) 
Signs must be freestanding.
(4) 
No more than four signs are allowed per lot.
(5) 
No sign shall be placed closer than 25 feet to an intersection.
(6) 
No signs shall be placed in a right-of-way.
(7) 
No permit is required for temporary signs under this subsection.
(8) 
No sign shall be so close to the sidewalk or public thoroughfare that it interferes with pedestrian or vehicle traffic.
G. 
Flags.[1]
(1) 
When installed over a public sidewalk the bottom of the flag shall be no less than six feet above the established sidewalk.
[Amended 1-9-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-008]
(2) 
The flag shall not impede pedestrian traffic along public sidewalks.
(3) 
The size of the flag shall be no larger than three feet by five feet.
(4) 
Flags displayed by businesses within the Town Center District shall be limited to the hours that the business is open or dawn to dusk, whichever is shorter.
[Amended 1-9-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-008]
[1]
Editor’s Note: Former Subsection G, Political signs, as amended, was repealed 9-11-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-009. This ordinance also provided for the renumbering of former Subsection H as Subsection G.
Signs in R-1, R-2 and R-3 districts shall conform to the following regulations:
A. 
Identification signs. Identification signs shall be permitted as an accessory use in any residential district as follows:
(1) 
Customary professional or home occupation identification signs not over 4 1/2 square feet in size, related solely to the profession or home occupation conducted on the premises by a resident thereof.
(2) 
No more than one such identification sign shall be permitted for each professional or other person so engaged and residing in the premises, but if a dwelling has frontage on more than one street, an additional identification sign shall be permitted for each additional frontage.
(3) 
Such identification sign may be affixed to the face of the building or may be erected on a post or posts not over four feet high, located in the yard but at least five feet from the property line and not to impede pedestrian traffic.
(4) 
The sign may not be illuminated.
(5) 
A permit is required.
B. 
Bulletin boards.
(1) 
Permanent bulletin boards or similar announcement signs are allowed only for churches and other nonprofit institutions. They may not exceed 32 square feet in gross area and shall be located at least five feet from the property line. One such sign shall be permitted for each street frontage.
(2) 
Signs may be illuminated at night by backlighting or by direct lighting, provided that the latter is so screened as not to be visible from an adjacent residence.
(3) 
A permit is required.
[Amended 1-9-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-008]
The intent of the sign standards for the T-C Town Center District is to provide guidelines for the overall size and dimensions, design, illumination, and placement of signs that allows for variety while at the same time maintains the historic character and pedestrian scale of the Town Center District.
A. 
The following types of signs are permitted in the T-C Town Center District and the MURC District:
(1) 
Window signs.
(2) 
Wall signs.
(3) 
Projecting signs.
(4) 
Ground signs.
(5) 
Awnings.
(6) 
Sandwich board signs.
(7) 
Signs permitted in § 220-64.
B. 
Size limitations. The total display area of all signs, including window, wall, ground and awnings and excluding sandwich board signs, permitted on a single lot shall be 1.5 square feet of display area for each linear foot of building frontage facing the main street or highway.
C. 
Window signage.
(1) 
No window sign shall occupy more than 40% of the total area of the window where it is located.
D. 
Wall signs.
(1) 
No wall sign shall extend above the roofline of the building where it is attached.
(2) 
No wall sign shall cover, wholly or partially, any wall opening.
(3) 
No wall sign shall include moving, flashing, or animated parts.
(4) 
No wall signs shall be painted directly on the face of a building.
(5) 
Wall signs shall be at least eight feet above the sidewalk.
(6) 
Only one wall sign shall be permitted per facade.
(7) 
The sign may not be illuminated.
E. 
Ground signs.
(1) 
One ground sign shall be allowed per location.
(2) 
Signs shall be no more than eight feet in height.
(3) 
Total display area shall not exceed 24 square feet.
(4) 
Any lighting of the ground sign shall be directed to the sign itself or intentionally illuminated so as not to impact surrounding properties.
(5) 
No ground sign shall be located in the public right-of-way.
(6) 
No ground signs shall present a physical or visual obstruction to vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
F. 
Projecting signs.
(1) 
Total area shall not exceed 20 square feet.
(2) 
No projecting sign shall extend above the roofline of the building where it is attached.
(3) 
No projecting sign shall cover, wholly or partially, any wall opening.
(4) 
No projecting sign shall include moving, flashing or animated parts.
(5) 
Projecting signs shall be at least eight feet above the sidewalk.
(6) 
Only one projecting sign shall be permitted per facade.
G. 
Awnings.
(1) 
The outer edge of an awning shall not extend within 12 inches of the inside curb line.
(2) 
The lowest edge of the awning shall be attached no lower than eight feet above the sidewalk.
(3) 
Awnings shall be constructed of fabric or metal (no plastic awnings).
(4) 
The sign may not be illuminated.
H. 
Sandwich board signs.
(1) 
Sandwich board sign display area shall not exceed six square feet per side, or a total of 48 inches in height.
(2) 
No sandwich board sign shall be taller than four feet from the level of the sidewalk.
(3) 
Sandwich board signs shall be designed so as not to be an obstruction to any public space or walkway.
(4) 
No sandwich board sign shall be illuminated.
(5) 
Display hours will be from dawn to dusk.
A. 
The following types of signs are allowed in the C-1 General Commercial Use District. Each business establishment shall be allowed the following types of signs only, which shall be installed at the business location only. Further, any area allowed in a ground sign or a pole or pylon type shall be deducted from the total area allowed under Subsection B, Size limitations, of this section.
(1) 
Wall sign.
(2) 
Projecting.
(3) 
Ground sign.
(4) 
Monument and pole or pylon sign.
(5) 
Roof sign.
(6) 
Canopy sign.
(7) 
Awning sign.
(8) 
Window signs.
B. 
Size limitations. The total display area of all signs, including wall, projecting, ground, pole, pylon, roof, canopy, awning and window, permitted upon a single lot shall be two square feet of display area for each linear foot of building frontage facing the main street or highway.
C. 
Wall signs.
(1) 
Any sign attached to a building shall not extend more than 50% above the roofline immediately behind the sign, and in no case shall the sign extend above same roofline by more than five feet.
(2) 
Wall signs shall not extend more than 12 inches from the face of the building into any street, alley, sidewalk, thoroughfare or other public space.
(3) 
Wall signs projecting six inches or more into any public space from the face of a building shall have a clearance of not less than eight feet between the bottom of such sign and the sidewalk level of any public thoroughfare.
D. 
Projecting signs.
(1) 
Total area shall not exceed 30 square feet.
(2) 
No projecting sign shall extend above the roofline of the building where it is attached.
[Amended 1-9-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-008]
(3) 
No projecting sign shall cover, wholly or partially, any wall opening.
(4) 
No projecting sign shall include moving, flashing or animated parts.
(5) 
Projecting signs shall be at least eight feet above the sidewalk.
(6) 
Only one projecting sign shall be permitted per facade.
E. 
Ground signs. Two ground signs may be permitted not exceeding 65 square feet in total area and subject to the following regulations:
(1) 
Ground signs shall not be more than 10 feet each in height as measured from the ground.
(2) 
Any open space between the ground and the bottom of the sign shall not exceed three feet.
(3) 
Ground signs may not be located in any area that shall affect visibility for motor vehicle traffic.
[Amended 1-9-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-008]
F. 
Monument pole or pylon signs. One monument pole or pylon sign may be permitted per street frontage but no more than two and not exceeding 72 square feet each in area and subject to the following regulations:
(1) 
The height of the monument pole or pylon shall not be more than 28 feet above the ground or curb, whichever is lower.
(2) 
An open space of not less than 10 feet for a pole or pylon sign shall be maintained between the ground level and the bottom of such sign.
G. 
Roof signs.
(1) 
No roof sign shall extend above the peak of the roofline of the building where it is attached.
[Amended 1-9-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-008]
(2) 
No roof sign shall cover, wholly or partially any wall opening.
(3) 
No roof sign shall include moving, flashing or animated parts.
(4) 
Only one projecting sign shall be permitted.
(5) 
Total area shall not exceed 48 square feet.
H. 
Canopy signs and awnings.
(1) 
Canopy signs and awning signs shall be no lower than eight feet above the sidewalk and 12 feet above any area used by motor vehicles.
[Amended 1-9-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-008]
(2) 
No canopy or awning sign shall include moving, flashing, or animated parts.
(3) 
The outer edge of an awning shall not extend within 12 inches of the inside curb line.
[Amended 1-9-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-008]
(4) 
Awnings shall be constructed of fabric or metal (no plastic awnings).
(5) 
Awning signs shall not be illuminated.
I. 
Window signs.
(1) 
No window sign shall occupy more than 40% of the total area of the window upon which it is located.
Within the M-R Marine Resources Use District, all signs shall conform to the requirements of § 220-64 or as approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission, but in no case shall a sign be greater in area than permitted by § 220-66.
[Amended 1-9-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-008]
Within the LI-1 Light Industrial Use District and the LLI-1 Limited Light Industrial Use District, signs shall conform to the C-1 use district regulations.
[Amended 1-9-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-008]
Billboards and off-premises advertising signs are not permitted.
[Added 9-11-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-010]
The owner of any sign that is otherwise allowed under this article may substitute noncommercial copy in lieu of any other commercial or noncommercial copy. This substitution of copy may be made without any additional approval or permitting. The purpose of this section is to prevent any inadvertent favoring of commercial message over any other noncommercial messages. This provision prevails over any more specific provision to the contrary. This provision does not create the right to increase the total amount of signage on a parcel or allow the substitution of an off-premises commercial message in place of an on-premises commercial message.