The maximum size permitted for individual signs is set forth in Article
IV, District Regulations. The area of an individual sign shall be the area of the smallest rectangle, triangle, or circle that will encompass all elements of the sign, such as letters, figures, symbols, designs, distinguishing colors, or other display, exclusive of supporting structures, unless such supporting structure is illuminated or is in the form of a symbol or contains advertising copy, in which case the supporting structure shall be included in the size computation. In the case of signs that have no definable edges, such as raised letters attached to a building facade or letters and/or symbols painted on a display window, the sign size shall be that area within a single continuous rectangular, triangular, or circular perimeter enclosing the extreme limits of the actual message or copy area and any artwork or color forming an integral part of the display or used to differentiate the sign from the surface upon which it is placed or painted. For double-faced signs with the identical message on both sides, only one display face shall be measured in computing sign area, provided the sign faces are within one foot of each other, except that sidewalk signs with back-to-back sign faces connected at the apex shall have sign faces within 30 inches of each other at the sign base. Double-faced signs with different messages on either side or with faces more than one foot apart shall be considered as two signs.
A lot or lot with structures may have a combination of sign structures and sign types, as defined herein in Article
II, Definitions. However, in no case shall the total area of all signs exceed the total permitted signage for the lot in accordance with Article
IV, District Regulations. For the purpose of total permitted sign area on a lot, temporary signs, noncommercial signs, and billboards shall not be counted in computing total square footage of signage.
The following regulations and prohibitions shall apply to the
various sign structures in all districts where they are permitted:
A. Arcade. The lowest portion of an arcade sign shall be not less than
eight feet above the public right-of-way or pedestrian walkway.
B. Awning. The advertising copy of symbols on an awning sign may not
exceed 50% of the area of the awning surface on which it is located.
C. Banner. A banner sign affixed to a building wall shall not exceed a height of 25 feet above grade and shall not be less than eight feet above grade. If attached to a pole or other support structure affixed to a building wall, the support structure shall not project more than four feet from the wall to which it is attached. Banner signs attached to freestanding poles shall be regulated as freestanding signs. For temporary banner signs extending over the public right-of-way, see §
255-15, Public safety and welfare.
D. Billboard. A billboard shall not exceed 300 square feet, except that
a billboard oriented toward U.S. Routes 283 or 30 shall not exceed
a maximum size of 672 square feet. A billboard shall not exceed 40
feet in height above the grade level of the street to which it is
oriented, shall not project into any public right-of-way, and shall
not be less than 20 feet from any front lot line, not less than 10
feet from any secondary front lot line, not less than 12 feet from
any side lot line and not less than 25 feet from any rear lot line.
In addition, billboard structures shall contain no more than two sign
faces which are parallel, back-to-back, and no more than four feet
apart, shall be located no less than 400 linear feet from another
billboard along one right-of-way, regardless of the side of the right-of-way
and regardless of whether or not located on the same property or in
the same district or municipality, and shall be no less than 100 feet
from a residential district, except that in districts where permitted,
a billboard oriented toward U.S. Route 30 or U.S. Route 283 may have
two back-to-back sign faces at an angle not exceeding 45°. Billboards
designed to change messages by mechanical or electronic means shall
be permitted, provided the interval of change shall be no less than
seven seconds. A billboard shall not have a flashing or animated moving
electronic message. A billboard shall not be converted to have an
electronic display if it is nonconforming in its location or sign
area size. All other requirements pertaining to billboards shall apply.
E. Freestanding and monument.
(1) Freestanding and monument signs shall not be located within any sight
triangle specified by other chapters of the City Code. A freestanding
or monument sign shall not exceed six feet in height in residential
districts and shall not project into any public right-of-way. A freestanding
or monument sign shall be located not less than five feet from a side
or rear lot line nor less than three feet from the front lot line.
The height of a freestanding or monument sign in nonresidential districts
may be increased based upon the following districts and the following
distances of setback of the sign from the nearest street right-of-way
line. Freestanding inflatable signs shall not be permitted within
20 feet of any public right-of-way.
Freestanding and Monument Sign Maximum Heights
|
---|
Setback from street right-of-way line (feet)
|
3 to 5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
Maximum total height (feet) in C2, C3 or SM Districts
|
10
|
13
|
16
|
19
|
22
|
25
|
Maximum total height (feet) in other nonresidential districts
|
10
|
13
|
16
|
16
|
16
|
16
|
(2) Monument signs within the buildable area of a lot shall be no taller
than 75% of the existing building facade excluding eaves and roof
areas. For sites with multiple buildings the sign height shall be
based upon the average building height of all principal buildings
within 75 feet of the proposed sign's location. In no case shall
a monument sign exceed 35 feet in height.
F. Marquee. A permanent marquee sign may not exceed 50% of the area
of the marquee surface on which it is located.
G. Projecting. A projecting sign shall not exceed a height of 25 feet
above grade, shall not be less than eight feet above grade unless
over or adjacent to an existing obstruction, shall not project more
than four feet from the wall to which it is attached, shall not extend
above the roof or parapet level more than three feet, and shall be
mounted at right angles to the face of the building, except that a
corner lot may have a sign with an angle of 45°.
H. Roof. A roof sign shall not exceed a height of 10 feet above the
roof or parapet wall, and shall not project into any public right-of-way
or beyond the building wall.
I. Sidewalk. A sidewalk sign shall be placed in front of the building
where the business, product, or service being advertised is located
and shall not be placed on any sidewalk not adjacent to the location
of the advertised entity. The sign shall be placed within the area
between 18 inches and 42 inches from the face of the curb, except
that if steps or other building elements project into the sidewalk,
a sidewalk sign may be placed in that area adjacent to the building,
provided that the sign does not extend beyond the steps or other existing
building projection. The sidewalk sign shall be placed in a manner
that maintains an unobstructed four-foot-wide pedestrian path, unless
a wider pedestrian path consistent with the City of Lancaster Sidewalk
Ordinance is required by the City Engineer. Sidewalk signs near
the curb shall not exceed 36 inches in height and 24 inches in width;
sidewalk signs near the property line shall not exceed 60 inches in
height and 42 inches in width. The distance between sidewalk signs
shall be a minimum 10 feet. In no case shall a sidewalk sign be placed
on a public sidewalk in such a manner so as to impede pedestrian travel
or cause a hazard to persons with disabilities.
J. Wall. A wall sign shall not project more than 18 inches from the wall, shall not extend beyond any edge of the wall, including the top edge, and shall be parallel to the building wall. Wall signs comprised solely of individual letters affixed to the building wall may be twice the maximum sign size stipulated in Article
IV, District Regulations. Signs on display windows shall not exceed 50% of the total window area.