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[1] 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.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 262, Streets and Sidewalks.
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.
A. 
Flashing signs or signs with strobe effects shall be prohibited in all districts except that temporary detour or road construction signs may flash warning messages.
B. 
Signs with an electronically changing message shall be allowed in the CB, CB1, C2, C3, CM and SM Districts, provided the following requirements are met:
(1) 
The sign message does not change more than once every seven seconds or the message is readable in a scrolling fashion; and
(2) 
No such signs shall be erected within 50 feet of nor be visible from any property or building used in whole or in part for residential purposes if such sign would be likely to disturb the occupants therein.
C. 
Signs displaying only weather, time, and open or closed information shall not be restricted by this subsection.
D. 
The lighting of signs shall not create glare for motorists. Any spotlighting of signs shall be aimed and/or shielded to prevent the lighting element from being directly visible to motorists.
E. 
External lighting focused on a sign shall be permitted, provided that such lighting or fixture housing does not extend more than six feet beyond the sign structure to which it is attached and such illumination is directed upon the face of the sign.
F. 
Internally lit signs and awnings shall be permitted in nonresidential districts and shall be so shielded so as not to cast direct light onto any part of a property or building used for residential purposes. In residential districts, internally lit signs and awnings shall be permitted, provided that they are not illuminated after 11:00 p.m. or before 7:00 a.m.; except that in the City of Lancaster Historic District, as provided for in City Code Chapter 155, Article I, Historic District, no internally lit sign or awning shall be permitted. No internally illuminated sign shall be so large or bright so as to cause glare or impairment of vision of the driver of any motor vehicle or interfere with the driver's ability to see or read an official traffic sign, device or signal.
G. 
Neon lighting, tubing and string lights may be used on any permitted sign, except that in residential districts, signs with neon lighting, tubing or string lights shall be located within the interior of the building and shall not be illuminated after 11:00 p.m. or before 7:00 a.m. With the exception of the CB and CB1 Districts, no exterior lighting shall be permitted to outline buildings or structures or parts thereof through the use of exterior neon tubing, strings of lights or other means with the exception of customary holiday decorations, which may be installed 30 days prior to and removed not later than 21 days after the holiday.
H. 
Internally lit and neon lighting must be UL (Underwriters Laboratory) approved, constructed according to the National Electrical Code adopted by the City of Lancaster, and must be inspected by the City Electrical Inspector prior to being electrified.
A. 
All signs, together with all structural apparatus and electrical equipment, shall be kept in safe and operable condition. All signs shall be maintained in a neat, clean and attractive condition, free of rot, missing or broken components or excessive rust. If a sign is damaged, any repair and maintenance must be completed within six months of the damage. In addition, the area around signs shall be maintained in a neat, clean and attractive condition. All signs which are not properly maintained shall be removed by the City if the owner fails to remove them after 30 days' written notice.
B. 
Any sign or sign support structure which has become obsolete due to the discontinuance of a business, service, product or event which it advertises or identifies shall be removed or changed to a blank message within six months of the discontinuance of said business product, service or event.
C. 
Signs that do not conform to the size, height, or other regulations herein shall be brought into conformity if, for a period of at least six months, the message no longer applies to the activity on the premises.
D. 
Signs and supporting structures that do not conform to the requirements contained herein may continue to be displayed as long as there is compliance with the following limitations and conditions:
(1) 
There shall be no expansion or increase in the nonconformity;
(2) 
The property is being renovated or offered for sale or lease and the sign or sign structure is intended to be used by the new occupant;
(3) 
The sign was lawfully erected under a prior sign or zoning ordinance.
E. 
Removal of a sign with historical significance will not be required if the property owner obtains a written determination of the sign's historic significance from the City of Lancaster Historic Preservation Specialist.
F. 
Nonconforming billboards shall be permitted to continue to exist and shall be regulated in accordance with Chapter 300, Article IV, Nonconforming Lots, Uses and Structures, of the City of Lancaster Zoning Ordinance as administered by the Sign Commission.
A. 
No sign shall be placed so as to obstruct any window, door, stairway or other opening intended for ingress or egress or which would obstruct ventilation and/or light.
B. 
No sign, whether illuminated or not, shall be located in a manner which would confuse, interfere with or obstruct the vision or line of vision between a motorist and an official traffic sign or marking or traffic signal.
C. 
No sign shall violate the corner visibility provisions set forth in Article VII, § 300-24, of the City Zoning Ordinance.
D. 
No sidewalk sign shall block the flow of pedestrian traffic or create a hazard for persons with disabilities, nor shall a sign be placed at any bus stop, loading zone, or driveway or obstruct corner visibility for drivers. Furthermore, no sidewalk sign shall be fastened or attached in any manner to any tree, utility pole, parking meter, street sign or other structure.
E. 
No sign, visible from a public street, except a public sign, shall use the word "stop," "danger," or any other word, phrase, symbol, color, character or representation which could be interpreted by a motorist as being a public safety warning or traffic sign.
F. 
No revolving beam or beacon of light resembling any emergency vehicle or facility shall be permitted to be erected as part of any sign or window display.
G. 
In residential districts and in the CB and CB1 Districts, no moving sign or display, such as pennants, spinners, tinsel, signs with physically moving elements, or rotating panel signs, shall be permitted. Flags and banners shall be exempt from this provision.
H. 
No flashing, illusionary movement or other form of illuminated sign shall be programmed, illuminated or operated in a fashion that would distract or impair a motorist's ability to see or drive safely.
I. 
No flag or banner attached to a freestanding pole shall be placed within, on or upon any sidewalk right-of-way, with the exception of a governmental flag or banner, nor shall any flag or banner be attached to any tree, utility pole, sign post or other structure within the sidewalk right-of-way. An application for a banner spanning a street right-of-way shall first be submitted to the City Engineer for review and approval. The City Engineer shall determine the minimum height above grade and an appropriate length of time for display and may require that insurance and particular fastening methods are employed to secure the public safety.
A. 
Temporary signs shall not be attached to a tree, fence, utility pole or other object not intended for the use as a sign facility unless authorized by the City Engineer or Bureau of Police, such as temporary no-parking or parade route signage, provided that such signage is attached with rope, string or twine, and that nails, tacks, staples or similar fastening methods shall not be used. All signage shall be removed upon completion of the activity or within 48 hours.
B. 
Temporary special advertising or business signs and temporary public signs, including, but not limited to, signs announcing to the general public any special events, such as commercial sales days, cultural or entertainment attractions, or charitable activities, shall be permitted to be displayed by any business or entity in any district for a single period not to exceed 30 calendar days. Temporary signs shall not be displayed for more than 90 days during one calendar year upon any lot.
C. 
No temporary special advertising or business sign shall exceed the maximum business sign size permitted in the district where it is located, nor shall the total area of such temporary signs on a lot exceed the maximum business sign area per lot. Temporary signs will not be included in the maximum business sign area calculation.