[Ord. 331, 11/17/1999, § 7.100]
1. The provisions of this Part shall apply in all zone districts and
are intended to establish minimum standards that will discourage roadside
clutter, but will permit reasonably sized and located signage to draw
attention to goods and services in the public interest.
2. All new signs shall be located upon the lot containing the activity,
use or manufacturing process for which the sign is to be erected,
except for off-site directional signs and billboards.
3. Sign structures of any type already legally in place at the date
of adoption of this chapter may remain in place as nonconforming signs
if they do not meet the requirements of this Part. However, signs
that would not be permitted under the terms of this Part may not be
increased in size or relocated although the sign's message may be
changed. Once such a sign structure has been removed, it may not be
replaced, enlarged or relocated except in conformance with this Part.
4. This section shall not apply to the display of patriotic flags or
banners; or to "no hunting" or "no trespassing" signs; or to Christmas
or other holiday decorations placed on a temporary basis; or to street
address numbers.
5. No sign shall be permitted to be placed upon the roof of any structure
or to project above the parapet wall of a flat-roofed building or
above the gutter line of a sloped roofed building. A sign integrated
into a sloped roof or attached to a wall hiding roof-mounted mechanical
equipment, as part of the building's original design, may be permitted.
6. No animated signs, no signs illuminated by a flashing, pulsating
or intermittent source, no strings of bare bulbs except holiday decorations,
and no signs lighted in such a manner as to create glare conditions
on adjacent or nearby properties or streets, or to be capable of causing
confusion with traffic control devices shall be permitted.
7. All signs shall be located so that sight lines for drivers entering
a public street are not compromised. Signs and sign structure, except
for projecting signs, shall not extend into a public right-of-way
and in any case no part of a sign or structure shall be closer than
10 feet to a street pavement. The Zoning Officer may require a greater
setback if the street in the vicinity of the sign makes more setback
necessary, such as when the road curves around the sign.
8. Signs shall be removed not more than 60 days after the use or activity
on the same property that they advertise has been removed. If the
building that housed the use or activity remains, the sign structure
may also remain.
9. For purposes of determining sign size for conformance with this section,
the sign area shall be the vertical height times the horizontal width
of the signboard, including borders around the sign edges. For irregularly
shaped signs, the actual area including borders shall be computed,
using a grid of one foot squares covering the surface of the sign
to reach an acceptable approximate figure. Sign area sizes given in
this section are for one side of a sign. A reverse side of the same
size or less is permitted. For signs with more than two sides, the
total area of all sides shall be not more than twice the maximum permitted
area for one side. Sign supports below the sign shall not be included
in computing sign area if they carry or support no advertising.
[Ord. 331, 11/17/1999, § 7.200]
1. Identification Signs.
A. Types of Signs. Signs may be attached flat to a building wall or
a fence, or hung from a private post but shall not project into a
public right-of-way.
B. Location. Such signs shall be placed in the front yard area between
the principal building and front lot line but not less than five feet
from a side lot line, or may be placed on the front wall of the building
or a fence facing a street.
C. Number of Signs Permitted. One such sign may be placed in each yard
area abutting a street, but on lots abutting two or more streets,
one sign may be placed in any yard abutting a street, but not more
than a total of two signs.
D. Maximum Size of Signs.
(1)
Property identification or advertisement of a home occupation:
two square feet.
(2)
Identification of a multifamily building: six square feet.
E. Height of Signs. Not more than 10 feet measured from average ground
level below the sign to the top of the sign.
F. Illumination. No sign regulated by this subsection shall be lighted
except by a porch light or lamp post light.
2. For Sale or Rent, Development or Artisan Signs.
A. Such signs shall indicate only the name, address and phone number
of the developer, real estate agent or artisan and the name and type
of development or type of work or service performed.
B. Types of Signs. Signs shall be freestanding or may be attached to
a fence or building if no yard area on the property provides a view
from the adjacent street.
C. Location. Such signs shall be placed in the front yard area between
the principal building and front lot line, or may be placed on the
front wall of a building or a fence facing a street if no yard area
provides a view from the street.
D. Number of Signs Permitted. One for sale or rent sign or one development
sign indicating impending use of a property, and not more than two
artisan signs advertising contractors at work on the property shall
be permitted in any yard abutting a street but in not more than two
yards on any property abutting streets.
E. Maximum size of signs: 10 square feet.
F. Height of signs: not more than 10 feet measured from average ground
level below the sign to the top of the sign.
G. Illumination: no signs regulated by this section shall be lighted.
H. Removal. Signs regulated by this section shall be removed immediately
upon completion of a sale or rental agreement or completion of work
carried out by an artisan.
3. Institutional Signs.
A. Such signs shall be those identifying the properties of a public,
religious or private nonprofit community facility on the property
occupied by such facility.
B. Types of Signs. Signs may be freestanding or may be attached to the principal building. Monument-type signs (see §
27-703, Subsection
4A) are preferred, with a maximum height of five feet and area of 50 square feet.
C. Location. Such signs shall be placed in the front yard area between
the principal building and front lot line not less than 10 feet from
a side lot line, or may be placed on the front wall of the building.
D. Number of Signs Permitted. One such sign may be placed in each yard
area abutting a street, but no more than two on any property that
abuts two or more streets, only one in each yard.
E. Maximum size of signs: 30 square feet for freestanding or wall signs.
F. Height of signs: not more than 10 feet measured from average ground
level below the sign to the top of the sign.
G. Illumination. Such signs may be lighted from within or by a source
hidden from view by those on adjacent properties or streets.
4. Temporary Signs.
A. Such signs shall include porch, garage or yard sale signs, and signs
calling attention to a community event promoted by a public or institutional
body.
B. Signs may be attached to fences, buildings or poles, or on their
own support, but may be placed only with the approval of the property
owner.
C. Location and Time Limits. Signs may be placed only in yards abutting
streets and not in any street right-of-way, and shall be posted not
more than 30 days before the event promoted. Signs shall be removed
not later than 10 days after the event.
D. Number of Signs Permitted. Not more than three off-premises signs, plus two signs on the property where the event is to occur may be placed. Signs shall require permits and fees as stipulated by §
27-705, Subsection
2 of this Part. Special banners or flags to promote a public or institutional event, including those in or over a street, may be approved by the Board of Supervisors.
E. Maximum size of signs: 32 square feet.
F. Height of signs: not more than 10 feet from the top of the sign to
the ground level below.
G. Illumination. No sign regulated by this subsection shall be lighted
except from incidental light used primarily for other purposes.
5. Incidental Signs.
A. Such signs shall be those identifying the entrances and exits of
parking lots, parking lot ownership and use, private driveways and
lots requesting no trespassing.
B. Types of Signs. Signs shall be freestanding or may be attached to
a building wall or fence.
C. Location. Signs may be at the appropriate places to provide needed
information but not within the public right-of-way.
D. Number of Signs Permitted. One sign may be located at each access
to a parking lot, at one place in the lot to provide information about
the lot, and one at each private driveway entrance.
E. Maximum size of signs: two square feet except for parking lot information
signs which may be as large as 10 square feet.
F. Height of signs: not more than four feet except for parking lot information
signs which may be mounted no higher than eight feet to the top of
the sign.
G. Illumination. Signs may be lighted provided the light source is within
the sign, or directed from a shielded source invisible from any adjacent
street or property and no glare is created upon any adjacent street
or property.
[Ord. 331, 11/17/1999, § 7.300]
1. Freestanding Signs.
A. Such signs shall be supported on their own structures independent
of any building and no part of such a sign shall extend into the public
right-of-way.
B. Location. Signs shall be placed between the principal building on
the lot and the street abutting the lot, but not closer to a side
lot line than 10 feet if abutting a commercially or industrially zoned
property or 20 feet if abutting a residentially zoned property.
C. Number of Signs Permitted. One such sign may be located along each
street frontage abutting the lot, but not more than two such signs
may be placed on any lot abutting two or more streets, not more than
one facing the same street.
D. Maximum Size of Signs. Signs in the C-1 Zone shall not exceed 100
square feet in area each face. Signs in the C-2, C-3 and I Zones shall
not exceed 200 square feet in area each face.
E. Maximum Height. No part of a sign shall extend to a height greater
than 35 feet measured from the average grade below the sign. Where
a pedestrian way passes below the sign, the bottom of the signboard
shall be not less than eight feet above grade. Where a vehicular drive
is located below a projecting part of a sign, the bottom of the signboard
shall be not less than 14 feet above grade.
F. When the floor area of a business exceeds 50,000 square feet, or
when several or many businesses share the same premises and their
total floor area exceeds 50,000 square feet, the total area of the
freestanding sign may be 200 square feet plus one square foot for
each 1,000 square feet of floor area or fraction thereof that the
floor square footage exceeds 50,000 up to a maximum sign square footage
of 500 square feet, assuming no other freestanding signs are placed
on the premises. When several businesses share the same property or
are integrated into one building or complex regardless of property
divisions, only one freestanding sign, to serve such a group of businesses,
shall be permitted. The top of signs regulated by this section may
not exceed 50 feet of height above ground level.
G. Freestanding signs covered by this section shall be designed by either a registered professional engineer or the company providing the sign, as attested on the drawings submitted for the permit (see §
27-705, Subsection
2A). Sign construction shall follow the guidelines of §
27-705, Subsection
1A.
H. Freestanding signs shall be lighted from within, or from a ground
level source or shielded source above the sign, in either case hidden
from view by anyone on adjacent streets or properties. Illuminated
message rather than background will be preferred.
2. Wall-Mounted Signs.
A. Such signs shall be attached on one side to a building wall, with
no part extending above or beyond the wall edges, and projecting not
more than one foot from the wall surface, even if into the public
right-of-way.
B. Location. Wall-mounted signs shall be placed on the area of the wall
above the street or ground floor windows and below the top of the
wall. In addition, a building directory sign, not more than eight
square feet in area, may be placed flat on the wall next to the main
entrance of the building.
C. Number of Signs Permitted. One sign board is permitted on each lot
facing the abutting street. Where a lot contains more than one business,
each business may have a separate sign applied flat to the wall, or
two such signs on a corner lot, but not more than one on any wall
facing a street. Where several businesses occupy the ground floor
of a building, each business shall be entitled to a sign not to exceed
in area an amount proportionate to the width of the building frontage
occupied by each business.
D. Maximum Size of Signs. Wall signs shall not exceed 10% of the total
surface area of the wall on which mounted, or 60 square feet, whichever
is greater. The area of windows and doors in the wall may be included
in determining the wall area.
E. Wall-mounted signs shall be lighted from within or from a shielded
source mounted above the sign. Illuminated message rather than background
will be preferred.
3. Projecting Signs.
A. Such signs shall be attached on one edge to a building or may be
hung from a beam anchored into a building wall.
B. Location. Projecting signs shall be placed so that the lowest edge
is at least eight feet above the ground below, or at least 14 feet
above a driveway.
C. Number of Signs Permitted. One such sign may be placed on a property,
except that if the property abuts two or more streets, one sign may
be located on each of two sides of the building facing streets.
D. Maximum Size of Signs. A projecting sign shall not extend more than
three feet from the wall to which it is attached. Signs in the C-1
Zone shall not be greater in area than 20 square feet, or not greater
than 40 square feet in the C-2, C-3 or I Zones.
E. Maximum Height. No part of a sign shall extend to a height greater
than 25 feet, measured from the grade below the sign.
F. Projecting signs shall be lighted from within or from a shielded
source mounted above the sign. Illuminated message rather than background
will be preferred.
4. Other Types of Signs.
A. Monument Signs. Such signs shall be attached along their lower edge to a foundation carried into the ground. They shall be located in the area between the principal building and abutting street and a second such sign may be installed, where the lot abuts two or more streets, abutting a second street. Monument signs shall be no greater in area than 100 square feet each face and the top of the sign shall be no more than eight feet above average ground level below. Such signs shall be located so as not to interfere with driver sight lines on abutting or nearby streets or driveways. Monument signs may be used in place of, but not in addition to, freestanding signs regulated by Subsection
1. Monument signs may be lighted by a source inside the sign behind a translucent panel or by a source that is not visible from adjacent streets or properties.
B. Portable Signs. Such signs are on a chassis, are capable of being
easily moved on their own wheels from site to site, and generally
use changeable letters. The sign area shall not exceed 32 square feet.
Portable signs shall be located between the principal building on
the lot and the abutting street right-of-way, shall be placed so as
not to interfere with driver sight lines, shall be permitted for a
period not to exceed six months on the property, and may be illuminated
only from within.
C. Marquee, Canopy and Awning Signs. Such signs may be painted or applied
to the vertical or sloping surfaces of marquees, canopies or awnings
but shall not occupy more than 10% of the total of such surfaces on
any marquee, canopy or awning. Signs shall not be mounted on top,
or extend above, below or beyond the end or edges of a marquee, canopy
or awning. Signs may be attached to the underside of a marquee or
canopy, provided the bottom edge of such a sign is not less than eight
feet above the ground level below, the sign is not larger than eight
feet in area each face, not more than one such sign is attached to
any marquee or canopy for any one business, and the sign does not
extend beyond the edges of the marquee or canopy. Marquees, canopies
and awnings may be located over public sidewalks for a distance not
to exceed six feet and shall be supported only by the wall to which
they are attached.
D. Billboards shall be considered any sign that advertises a commercial
or institutional product or service that is not available on the property
where the billboard is located. Any such signboard in place at the
time of adoption of this chapter may remain and its message may be
changed indefinitely. If a billboard and its structure are removed,
it shall not be replaced except in conformance with this section.
New billboards may be located only in the I Industrial Zone District,
shall not exceed 300 square feet of area each side, or a height of
35 feet above ground level, and shall be placed so that no part of
the billboard is less than 100 feet from a street right-of-way. A
billboard shall be the only structure or building on the lot, which
shall meet at least the minimum requirements for a lot in the I Zone.
E. For sale or rent signs, artisan signs, institutional signs and temporary signs such signs shall adhere to the standards contained in §
27-702, Subsections
2,
3, and
4, except that for sale and for rent signs may have an area not to exceed 50 square feet and height above ground of not over 20 feet.
F. Incidental and Directional Signs. These signs shall provide information and directions but no advertising, except the name of the lot owner. Such signs shall adhere to the standards contained in §
27-702, Subsection 5 of this chapter.
[Added by Ord. 420, 3/16/2017, § 7.500]
1. Signs on Property Put to Residential Use. Signs on property put to residential use shall meet those requirements of this Part
7 that are applicable generally in all districts and those requirements set forth in §
27-702, Signs in the Residential Zone Districts (R-1, R-2 and R-3).
2. Signs on Property Put to Nonresidential Use. Signs on property put to a nonresidential use not already being conducted at the effective date of this amendment shall meet those requirements that are generally applicable in all districts, and those requirements set forth in §
27-703, Signs in the Commercial and Industrial Districts (C-1, C-2, C-3 and I); subject, however, to the following special limitations:
A. The maximum size of such a sign shall be 30 square feet in area each
face.
B. The maximum height of a sign shall be not more than 10 feet measured
from average ground level below the sign to the top of the sign.
C. Signs may be illuminated only by a porch light, lamp post light,
from within or by a shielded source hidden from view by those on adjacent
properties or streets. No glare may be created upon any adjacent street
or property.
D. No sign may be illuminated between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 6:00
a.m. except by a porch light or lamppost.
[Ord. 331, 11/17/1999, § 7.400]
1. Maintenance.
A. Signs, except for temporary signs, shall be constructed of durable
materials not subject to rapid deterioration, shall be securely and
permanently attached into the ground or supporting structure, and
shall be maintained, over the life of the sign, in good repair. Signs
with an area exceeding 60 square feet shall be constructed of noncombustible
materials. Sign structure foundations shall extend at least three
feet below finished grade. Wood members shall be pressure treated
for outdoor use.
B. The Zoning Officer may require the owner of a sign to repair, replace
or remove it, if in the Officer's opinion, it has become deteriorated,
dilapidated, or poses a threat to the public safety.
C. Reasons for requiring action may be structural deterioration or damage,
obliteration of all or part of the sign message, or the purpose for
the sign ceasing to exist.
D. If after 30 days from the date of written notice to repair, replace or remove the sign has been sent no action occurs, the Zoning Officer may order the sign removed within a period of 30 additional days, subject to the penalties provided in §
27-1204. Nothing shall prevent the Zoning Officer to order a sign to be repaired or removed immediately, or cause to have it removed, if it threatens the public safety.
E. This subsection may be applied retroactively to signs erected prior
to the adoption of this chapter.
2. Review Procedure.
A. Anyone wishing to erect a sign or signs to be in place for at least
60 days regardless of type or size, shall apply to the Zoning Officer,
submitting a plan of the lot showing the location of the sign, dimensions
to property lines and buildings; the length, width and height of the
sign and distance between the top of the sign and ground below as
depicted on an elevation view of the sign; and construction details
indicating materials to be used and method of attachment to a building
or the ground, including guying.
B. If all requirements of this section that apply to the application
are met, the Zoning Officer shall issue a sign permit.
C. Permits shall be required for all signs over six square feet in area,
which shall be valid for the life of the sign. A schedule of fees
shall be established by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.