The face of a building that is considered to be the architectural
front and usually given special architectural treatment. The facade
does not include roof designs.
Directional, information or public service signs, such as
signs advertising locations of rest rooms, telephones or similar facilities
of public convenience, including entry and exit signs from parking
areas. Functional signs shall not include any name, business, logo
or message other than the directional or informational material as
above.
A zoning permit must be obtained prior to the erection, installation, alteration or relocation of any sign, except those signs permitted under § 300-104D below.
A certificate of conformance must be obtained after erection, installation, alteration or relocation of any sign to confirm that the property and the sign conform to and with the requirements of this § 300-104.
Computation of sign area. In administering this
section, the area of any sign shall be computed as the total square
foot content of the background upon which the lettering, illustration
or display is presented, including in such background any decorative
motif or moldings. If the lettering, illustration or display is not
affixed to the background but is affixed directly to the wall of a
building or other structure, the area of the sign shall be computed
as the product of the largest horizontal distance and the largest
vertical distance of the lettering, illustration or display. The supporting
members of any sign, which are used exclusively for such purpose,
shall not be included in the computation of the sign area. Signs having
more than one display face may have the maximum area permitted on
each face, provided that the faces are directly parallel to each other.
Any sign in existence at the time of the adoption
of this section is entitled to remain so long as it is not moved,
altered or replaced, in which event it shall conform to all the requirements
of this section.
No sign shall be placed in a position that will
cause danger to traffic on a street or entering a street by obscuring
the view of traffic on either street. In no case shall any sign, other
than an official governmental sign or traffic control sign, be erected
within the right-of-way of any street unless specifically authorized
by ordinance or regulations of the City.
The repainting, relettering or repair of an
existing sign shall not constitute a new sign, provided said repainting,
relettering or repair does not necessitate the removal of the sign
from its supporting structures.
Flashing, blinking, twinkling, animated, moving
or projected signs of any type or signs which present an illusion
of movement are prohibited. This prohibition shall not apply to static
time and temperature displays.
Illuminated signs, where permitted, may be internally
or externally illuminated so long as such illumination does not shine
directly onto adjoining property or onto any street or highway.
Temporary signs locating and advertising subdivisions
of land and projects requiring site plan approval which have received
final approval by the City, provided that no such sign shall exceed
24 square feet in area, exceed two in number, nor be located closer
than 20 feet to any street line. Such sign permits shall be valid
for a period of six months, and then such signs shall be removed,
unless the permit is renewed. Such signs shall be removed, in the
case of land subdivisions, when either 75% of the lots created have
been built upon or after 75% of the lots have been sold by the developer,
which ever should occur first, and in the case of projects receiving
site plan approval, upon the issuance of a certificate of occupancy.
Temporary signs of artisans and contractors,
provided said signage does not exceed an area of 12 square feet, does
not exceed a height above grade of four feet and is removed within
24 hours of completion of work.
Temporary signs announcing any educational,
charitable, civic, religious, political or similar event for a consecutive
period not to exceed 31 days before the event and seven days after
the event. The size of all temporary signs shall not exceed 20 square
feet in area and six feet in height. The number of temporary signs
shall be limited to one sign per property and shall contain no commercial
message or logo. Temporary signs shall be made of wood, plastic, or
paper-based material and shall not be illuminated. The person or organization
erecting the sign shall be responsible for taking the sign down within
the allowed time limit.
One temporary sign advertising hiring of employees
which shall only be a plastic or wooden type sign, which shall not
exceed eight square feet in area and shall not be installed within
any local, county or state right-of-way. A temporary hiring sign shall
be limited to a maximum time period of 30 calendar days and for no
more than four time periods during any one calendar year.
Temporary real estate signs, provided said signage
does not exceed an area of 12 square feet, does not exceed a height
above grade of four feet and is removed within 24 hours of settlement
or the execution of a lease.
The front and side yard setbacks applicable
to flagpoles shall be 1/2 of the applicable minimum building front
and side yard setback; provided, however, that no flagpole may be
installed or erected in any required buffer area.
Signs in residential zones. The following signs
shall be permitted in the R-1, R-2, R-3 and PLD Zoning Districts and
shall comply with the following regulations.
If the sign is to be installed by the developer,
it must be shown on the final subdivision plat and located on a private
lot or parcel or within the common areas owned and controlled by the
homeowners' association applicable to the development.
The homeowners' association shall be solely
liable for all maintenance, repair, utility cost and insurance for
such sign. The sign and all adjacent landscaping shall be kept in
a well maintained state.
The homeowners' association documents must give
the City the right and power but not the obligation to maintain the
sign if the homeowners' association fails to maintain the same and
to assess the owner of the lot on which the sign exists for the costs
to complete such maintenance and repair.
If the sign is installed upon the application of the homeowners' association, the applicant shall execute an agreement containing provisions similar to Subsections F(1)(b)[4] and [6] above as a condition of such approval. The form of agreement shall be approved by the City Solicitor.
Professional uses in addition to the sign permitted
in the front yard area may have one additional sign attached to the
building in which the professional use is located not exceeding six
square feet in area.
Signs in Local Commercial (LC) Zones and historic
districts. The following regulations shall govern the size and placement
of signs in the Local Commercial Zone:
If a commercial use has a secondary entrance,
one additional attached sign is permitted at that entrance, provided
it is mounted flush against the wall and does not exceed four square
feet in area.
Maximum lettering area shall not exceed 1/2
square foot for each linear foot of building frontage or 16 square
feet, whichever is less. Inclusion of the premises' street address
on the awning or canopy shall not be counted towards the maximum permitted
sign area or number of signs.
Awning or canopy signs attached to the same
building must be the same shape, color and height, regardless of individual
business ownership or tenancy in the building.
Awning or canopy signs may not extend outward
from a building's facade more than four feet and may not encroach
into a public right-of-way unless said sign is at least seven feet
above any sidewalk.
Signs in Highway Commercial (HC) Zones and Commercial
Industrial (CI) Zones. The following regulations shall govern the
size and placement of signs in the Highway Commercial and Commercial
Industrial Districts:
Any business establishment may display one monument
sign and one attached sign mounted flush to its facade. The maximum
area of any monument sign shall be the lesser of 1/2 square foot per
each lineal foot of front building elevation or 54 square feet, and
may not have a vertical dimension in excess of six feet above grade;
the maximum area of any attached sign shall not exceed 15% of the
area of the facade to which it is affixed.
In the case of a shopping center or multiple
occupant/tenant (MOT) commercial development, the development shall
be permitted one monument sign per driveway, but not to exceed two
and not exceeding 72 square feet in area and a height above grade
of 10 feet. Each tenant shall be permitted to display one attached
sign not to exceed 15% of the facade area attributable to each individual
tenant use.
The height of any attached sign shall not exceed
10% of the height of the wall to which it is attached, except that
such sign can be at least two feet in height. The maximum width of
any attached sign shall not exceed 50% of the width of the wall to
which it is attached or 12 feet in width, whichever is less.
No attached sign shall extend farther than six
inches from the face of the wall upon which it is attached. Where
a sign extends more than three inches from the face of the wall, the
bottom of such sign shall be at least eight feet above ground level.
Any attached sign overhanging a public or private walkway shall not
extend more than three inches from the face of the wall to which it
is attached.
Signs in automotive service stations and public
garages. The following signs, in addition to the foregoing signs,
shall be permitted in connection with an automotive service station
or public garage, subject to the following regulations:
A ground-mounted combination identification
and price sign not exceeding a vertical dimension of eight feet nor
an area of 64 square feet. Said sign shall be placed at least 10 feet
from any property line.
Where a canopy is provided over pump islands,
the company logo may be placed on any two sides of the fascia. Each
logo may not cover more than 10% of the fascia side to which it is
affixed.
Signs or lettering displayed over individual
entrance doors or bays consisting of the words washing, lubrication,
repairs or such other legend related to the functions performed in
such location, provided that there shall be no more than one such
sign over each entrance and the area of any such sign does not exceed
six square feet.
The customary lettering or other insignia such
as company logo which are an integral part of any gasoline pump, together
with any signs located thereon dealing with the product dispensed
therefrom, a price indicator and any other sign which may be required
by law.
Other signs describing, locating and identifying
other services or products dispensed, such as air, water and oil,
provided that such signs shall not exceed one square foot in area.
Nonilluminated credit card signs indicating
those credit cards which are honored at such establishment, provided
that no individual signs shall exceed two square feet in area.