Unless expressly authorized by this article, a premises may not have more than one freestanding sign, not including temporary signs. Unless expressly authorized by this article, businesses may not advertise on both a multi-tenant sign and another freestanding sign, not including temporary signs, located on the premises.
(Ordinance 7040 adopted 2/19/19)
(A) 
Attached Sign (also termed Attached Wall Sign or Wall Sign).
An attached sign or attached wall sign is a sign that is attached to, applied to, applied on, or supported by any part of a building (such as a wall, parapet, canopy facia, awning, arcade, mansard, or marquee) that encloses or covers usable space (as contrasted to a freestanding or detached sign).
An attached sign may be attached to, affixed upon, or painted upon a wall surface with the sign facing parallel to and projecting not more than eighteen inches from the surface of the building or appurtenance. Attached signs painted or applied directly upon an exterior wall surface must be professionally designed and constructed, consist of professional quality workmanship and exterior grade paints and materials, and be maintained at all times so that there is minimal fading, chipping, or peeling. The property owner shall remove any attached signs painted or applied directly upon an exterior wall surface that have not been properly maintained or are in a deteriorated condition.
A sign attached to or painted upon an awning or a canopy and visible to the exterior is considered in the allowable calculations for wall signs (also see “awning sign” and “canopy sign” for additional limitations). Luminous gaseous tubing, LED lights, or other strip lighting attached directly to a wall surface is considered a “wall sign” when forming a border for the subject matter, when directing attention to the subject matter, or when forming letters, logos, symbols, or pictorial designs of any kind. Attached signs or attached wall signs must comply with the following provisions:
(1) 
Maximum height:
Attached signs may not extend higher than the height of the wall surface, unless noted below for parapet signs:
(a) 
Signs may be placed a maximum of 10 feet above the roof on a parapet or similar projection that is continuous on three or more sides; and
(b) 
Signs may not project above any portion of a parapet or similar projection.
(2) 
Maximum size:
Attached signs must comply with the following provisions for the total maximum surface area of all attached wall signs per facade in aggregate:
(a) 
For single-tenant buildings:
(i) 
Front (main entry) facade only: The maximum square footage of an attached sign on the front of a single-tenant building may not exceed 2 square feet per lineal width in feet of building width of the wall upon which the sign is mounted, and in no case may any of the sign’s dimensions exceed 75 percent of the corresponding width or the height of the wall, with a maximum of 200 square feet.
(ii) 
Side and rear facades: The maximum square footage of an attached sign on a side or rear facade of a single-tenant building may not exceed one square foot per lineal width in feet, of the wall upon which the sign is mounted, and in no case may any of the sign’s dimensions exceed 50 percent of the corresponding width or the height of the wall, with a maximum of 100 square feet.
(b) 
For “end-cap” tenants in multi-tenant strip center buildings:
(i) 
Front (main entry) facade only: The maximum square footage of an attached sign on a front facade for “end cap” tenants in multi-tenant building may not exceed 2 times the lineal width, in feet, of the tenant frontage. Tenant wall sign shall only be permitted upon the wall fronting the tenant and in no case may the sign’s dimensions exceed 75 percent of either the corresponding width or the height of the wall. The total maximum sign area may not exceed 200 square feet.
(ii) 
Side facade: The maximum square footage of an attached sign on a side facade for “end cap” tenants in a multi-tenant building may not exceed one square foot per lineal width, in feet, of the wall upon which the sign is mounted adjacent to the tenant space, and in no case may the sign’s dimensions exceed 25 percent of either the corresponding width or the height of the wall. The total maximum sign area shall not exceed 100 square feet.
(c) 
For “interior” tenants in multi-tenant strip center buildings:
(i) 
Front (main entry) facade only: The maximum square footage of an attached sign on a front facade for “interior” tenants in a multi-tenant building may not exceed the square footage of 2 times the lineal width of the wall upon which the sign is mounted, and in no case may the sign’s dimensions exceed 75 percent of either the corresponding width or the height of the wall. The total maximum sign area shall not exceed 200 square feet.
(ii) 
Side and rear facades: Attached wall signs are not permitted for interior tenants.
(d) 
For buildings three or more stories in height: The square footage of an attached sign that identifies the building name, and that is not attached to a tenant space, shall not exceed one square foot per the lineal width, in feet, of the frontage of the building, in addition to the total sign area otherwise allowed in this Section 4.78(A) and the maximum area for the building name sign shall be 100 square feet.
(e) 
For multiple tenant building with “interior” tenants that do not have direct exterior exits (such as office buildings, indoor shopping malls, and other similar uses)the total sign area of all wall signs for all tenants combined may not exceed the allowable sign area allowed in Section 4.78(2)(a).
(f) 
The total combined area of attached signs (including attached wall signs, awning signs, and canopy signs) for any elevational view shall not exceed that allowed for attached signs as set forth in Section 4.78(2)(a).
(3) 
Location:
Attached signs are allowed in all nonresidential and mixed-use zoning districts.
(4) 
Placement/setbacks:
On the vertical face only of a building; attached signs must be comprised of individual letters or characters attached directly to the building face or to a raceway, or unilluminated panels comprised of individual letters or characters (cans, illuminated panels or illuminated box type signs shall not be permitted) and must be professionally designed, constructed, and applied in a workmanlike manner.
(B) 
Awning Sign.
An awning sign is a sign that is painted or applied directly on the surface of an awning. Awning signs must comply with the following provisions:
(1) 
Maximum height:
The height of an awning sign shall be no greater than the vertical face only of the awning (for purposes of this subsection, the front vertical surface area for a “bubble” awning is located only on the front of the awning and not on its sides, and comprises the awning surface as measured from the bottom edge to that point on the awning that is less than 45 degrees to the ground plane, as viewed on the elevational view of the awning).
(2) 
Maximum size/area:
Awning signs must comply with the following provisions:
(a) 
Shall not exceed the lineal width of the awning upon which the sign is applied;
(b) 
Shall not be internally illuminated (can be illuminated using downward focused wall-mounted “gooseneck” or other decorative wall lighting);
(c) 
Shall be designed and installed as an integral, architectural element of the entire building system in a uniform, rhythmic systematic design pattern, including compatible color and lighting; and
(d) 
The total combined area of attached signs (including attached wall signs, awning signs, and canopy signs) for any elevational view shall not exceed that allowed for attached signs as set forth in Section 4.78(A).
(3) 
Location:
Awning signs are allowed in all nonresidential and mixed-use zoning districts.
(4) 
Placement:
Awning signs must have a minimum vertical clearance of 8 feet above any sidewalk or pedestrian travel surface, and 14 feet above any vehicular parking or circulation surface.
(C) 
Temporary Signs.
Temporary signs include banners, balloons, pennants, inflatables, streamers, sails, air-supported devices, feathers, wind devices, and other similar types of temporary signs (but not including noncommercial flags, which are regulated by above Section 4.70) that may be placed on a structure or at a site that is intended to draw attention to a particular commercial event or commercial product must comply with the following provisions:
(1) 
Maximum size/area:
The maximum surface area of all temporary signs located on a property or tract of land, may be no greater than two times the width of the wall containing the main entrance of the building, or tenant space occupied by the applicant who intends to display the temporary signage. In no case may the total square footage of the surface area of all the temporary signs located on a property or tract of land exceed 200 square feet.
(2) 
Maximum Height:
Temporary signs attached to the building may not exceed the height of the building. Freestanding temporary signs such as balloons, inflatables, or wind devices shall not exceed the height of the building or a maximum of 12 feet, whichever is less.
(3) 
Location:
Temporary signs attached to the building are allowed in all nonresidential, mixed-use, multifamily, and townhouse zoning districts, and allowed for any nonresidential use (such as a church, school, or day care center) that is located in an agricultural, single-family, or two-family zoning district. Except as expressly allowed under this Article 5, freestanding temporary signs (such as balloons, inflatables, streamers, sails, or wind devices) are only allowed in nonresidential and the commercial areas of mixed use zoning districts.
(4) 
Placement:
Temporary signs attached to a building must be securely attached to the vertical face only of a building or a canopy so that the banner does not move, flap, wave, flutter, or twirl. Temporary signs may not be attached to an object such as a fence, screening wall, tree, utility pole or structure, or permanent sign support, and may not extend vertically above the roofline of the structure. Nonresidential uses located in residential districts, such as schools and churches may attach temporary signs to fences and other structures when approved by the Building Official where the temporary sign will not impose undue stress on the structure. All temporary signs must be on-premises and may not be located on public property or in the public right-of-way. All freestanding temporary signs must be securely affixed to the main structure or the ground capable of withstanding a 70 mph wind and be setback a minimum of 15 feet from the edge of the street or the back of the curb.
(5) 
Maximum number:
The maximum number of temporary signs in nonresidential and commercial areas of mixed use zoning districts, shall be limited by the maximum total area of 200 square feet, but in no case shall the total number of temporary signs exceed 3.
(6) 
Duration:
Temporary signs may be displayed no more than 20 calendar days from the date the associated business, person, organization, activity, or event first opens to the public, which shall be indicated on the sign permit application.
(D) 
Blade Sign, Pedestrian.
Pedestrian blade signs are generally placed perpendicular to the building’s front entrance facade, and they are either suspended beneath a canopy or awning or attached directly to, and project out from, the building’s facade. Blade signs may not encroach into any public right-of-way or over any public easement (except a pedestrian easement. A pedestrian blade sign must have a minimum clearance of 8 feet above any sidewalk or pedestrian travel surface, and fourteen feet above any vehicular parking or circulation surface. Pedestrian blade signs must comply with the following provisions:
(1) 
Maximum size/area:
The maximum surface area of a pedestrian blade sign is 4 square feet when suspended beneath a ground-level canopy or awning, or attached to a building on the ground-level facade. The blade sign may be no larger than 8 square feet when attached to the building’s second or higher story.
(2) 
Location:
Pedestrian blade signs are allowed in all nonresidential and mixed-use zoning districts, and allowed for any nonresidential use (such as a church, school, or day care center) that is located in an agricultural or residential zoning district.
(3) 
Placement/setbacks:
A pedestrian blade sign must be suspended beneath a canopy or awning, or attached to building’s entrance facade at a minimum height of 8 feet from the grade of the sidewalk and a maximum height of 10 feet, measured from the lowest portion of the frame or structure of the sign.
(4) 
Maximum number:
A business may have one pedestrian blade sign per public entrance.
(E) 
Canopy Sign.
A canopy sign is a type of attached sign that is painted or applied directly on the surface of an attached or freestanding canopy, or that is designed to be an integral part of the face of a canopy. Canopy signs must comply with the following provisions:
(1) 
Maximum height:
The height of a canopy sign may not extend beyond the vertical face of the canopy.
(2) 
Maximum size/area:
A canopy sign’s size and area must comply with the following:
(a) 
The sign may not exceed 75 percent of the area of the face of the canopy of which it is a part or to which it is attached, or a maximum of twenty-five square feet, whichever is smaller;
(b) 
The copy or artwork may or may not be illuminated; and
(c) 
Gaseous, LED, or illuminated lighting on a canopy must be in conformance with Section 4.98(A) in Article 7 in this Chapter 4.
(d) 
The total combined area of attached signs (including attached wall signs, awning signs, and canopy signs) for any elevational view may not exceed that allowed for attached signs as set forth in Section 4.78(A).
(3) 
Location:
Canopy signs are allowed in all nonresidential and mixed-use zoning districts.
(4) 
Quality:
Canopy signs must be professionally designed and constructed, consist of professional quality workmanship and exterior grade paints and materials, and be maintained at all times so that there is minimal fading, chipping, or peeling.
(5) 
Placement/setbacks:
Canopy signs may be placed on the vertical face only of a canopy (not on the roof). Canopy signs must have a minimum vertical clearance of 8 feet above any sidewalk or pedestrian travel surface, and 14 feet above any vehicular parking or circulation surface.
(6) 
Maximum number:
There may be no more than one canopy sign per canopy face.
(F) 
Changeable Message Sign (nonelectronic, also termed Reader Board Sign).
A nonelectronic changeable message sign is a wall-mounted or freestanding sign (or a portion of a larger sign), with manually interchangeable letters and symbols. It includes nonelectronic bulletin boards and theater marquees; but, it is not a “Programmable Sign.” A changeable message sign may be a component of another type of sign, such as a monument or pylon sign, and all applicable standards for the type of sign of which it is a part apply including, but not limited to, those pertaining to maximum height, maximum size/area, permissibility in each zoning district, placement/setbacks, or number of signs permissible per lot.
(G) 
Changeable Message Signs (Electronic).
See “Programmable Sign.”
(H) 
Construction Sign.
A construction sign is a temporary sign allowed while a development project is being constructed on the premises upon which the sign is located. Construction signs must comply with the following provisions:
(1) 
Maximum height:
A construction sign may be no more than 15 feet in height.
(2) 
Maximum size/area:
A construction sign may be no more 32 square feet.
(3) 
Location:
Construction signs are allowed in all zoning districts, but not on lots containing model home signs.
(4) 
Placement/setbacks:
Construction signs must be placed a minimum of 10 feet from any property or right-of-way line.
(5) 
Maximum number:
The maximum number of construction signs at a single site is one per 1,500 feet of total street frontage (or portion thereof). The total street frontage shall be based on the frontage of the street named on the construction permit as the address of the site.
(6) 
Duration:
Construction signs may remain at a project until it is complete. Construction signs must be removed prior to final building inspection or occupancy of the structure.
(I) 
[Reserved.]
(J) 
Menu Board.
A menu board is an on-site display that is utilized by restaurant, entertainment, and other business establishments in a drive-through operation. The menu board may be wall-mounted near the establishment’s primary entrance, or may be freestanding at a drive-in or drive-through food service establishment, and may have a speaker and an electronic visual order display board or panel that verifies what the patron is ordering at the drive-through. Menu boards must comply with the following provisions:
(1) 
Maximum height:
The maximum height of a menu board is 8 feet if freestanding; if it is mounted upon a wall above a sidewalk, the top edge must be no higher than 7 feet above nearest sidewalk grade.
(2) 
Maximum size/area:
The maximum surface area of a menu board is 45 square feet.
(3) 
Location:
Menu boards are allowed in the zoning districts that allow the associated use by right (or by SUP where applicable).
(4) 
Placement/setbacks:
Menu boards, if freestanding, are prohibited in the front building setback(s); menu boards are prohibited in a side or rear yard where adjacent to any residential zoning district.
(5) 
Maximum number:
If freestanding, two menu boards per establishment (or per drive-through lane, if more than one) are allowed. However, drive-in style restaurants may have one menu board per parking stall, plus up to two menu boards for a drive-through lane. If wall-mounted, one menu board per business is allowed.
(K) 
Monument Sign.
A monument sign is a type of freestanding ground mounted sign having a low profile and the structure of which being made of stone, concrete, decorative metal, brick, or similar materials that is designed to complement the architecture of the building or complex on the premises where the sign is located. The lower edge of a monument sign must be contiguous with the ground (that is, solid from the ground up), and may not be elevated above grade by the use of poles, struts or wires, and may not incorporate embellishments or cut-outs. All sign panels on a monument sign must be architecturally compatible and cohesively designed. Monument signs must comply with the following provisions:
(1) 
Maximum height:
The maximum height for a monument sign is 7 feet, including the monument base, as measured from the average ground level at the base to the topmost portion of the sign or structure. The ground upon which a monument sign is located may be bermed (or designed as a raised planter with heavy evergreen landscaping to conceal the planter on all sides) a maximum of 2 feet above average grade where the sign is placed.
(2) 
Maximum size/sign area:
The maximum surface area of a monument sign is 50 square feet.
(3) 
Location:
A monument sign is allowed in all zoning districts, but is prohibited on individual single- or two-family residential lots.
(4) 
Placement/setbacks:
A monument sign must be placed a minimum of 5 feet from any property or right-of-way line.
(5) 
Maximum number:
A site is allowed only one monument sign per street frontage, or a maximum of one per 300 feet of total street frontage if no pole or pylon sign is also used , but in no case are more than 3 monument signs allowed.
(L) 
Multi-Tenant Complex Sign.
(1) 
A “Unified-lot” means two or more contiguous premises, whether in a single building or multiple buildings, which are a part of the same site plan, shopping center, business complex, or other similar type of multi-tenant development.
(2) 
Except as expressly provided for within this subsection (L), owners or tenants of property located within a unified-lot may not construct, or advertise on, freestanding signs, except on multi-tenant complex signs that are the subject of a unified-lot sign agreement, to which they are a party, as further detailed in below subsection (f).
(3) 
A multi-tenant complex sign is a type of freestanding sign that is used to identify the name of a multiple-building and multiple-tenant retail shopping center, a business park, or an industrial, commercial or office center or complex to assist public safety and emergency personnel in identifying individual businesses or tenants on the site or within the shopping center or business complex. A multi-tenant complex sign must be mounted on a single structural element on one of the lots represented on the sign. A multi-tenant complex sign is allowed with a fully executed unified lot agreement, as more particularly described in below subsection (f). Freestanding businesses that are represented on a multi-tenant complex sign, and that have a minimum building square footage of 5,000 square feet, are also allowed one monument sign on their own lot, in addition to representation on a site-applicable multi-tenant complex sign. All sign panels on a multi-tenant complex sign must be architecturally compatible and cohesively designed. Multi-tenant complex signs must comply with the following provisions:
(a) 
Maximum height:
The maximum height of a multi-tenant complex sign is 35 feet. If located within 100 feet of an elevated portion of Interstate Highway 635, Interstate Highway 30 or President George Bush Turnpike/State Highway 190 and if sign visibility is impeded due to the highway elevation, the Planning Director may approve up to 10 feet of additional height, but in no case may it exceed a total height of 40 feet, in accordance with the alternative compliance provisions of Article 1, Division 2 of this Chapter 4.
(b) 
Maximum size/area:
The maximum surface area of multi-tenant complex signs is 150 square feet per side for pylon style signs, and 200 square feet per side for monument style signs.
(c) 
Location:
Multi-tenant complex signs are allowed in all nonresidential and mixed-use zoning districts on a unified-lot development site of combined contiguous lots that is at least 5 acres in size.
(d) 
Placement/setbacks:
Multi-tenant complex signs must be placed a minimum of 10 feet from any property or right-of-way line. Multi-tenant complex signs may be only masonry pylon or monument style (that is, they may not be pole signs).
(e) 
Maximum number:
Only one multi-tenant complex sign is allowed per 20 acres in the development and only one per street frontage.
(f) 
Unified-lot sign agreement:
A unified-lot sign agreement, in a form provided by the City, is required whenever the owners (or the sole owner if only one) of 2 or more contiguous lots agree to treat their separate lots as one unified lot for the limited purpose of sharing a multi-tenant complex sign. The property owners must both be named as parties and execute the agreement. The agreement shall provide the following: (i) a legal description of the properties subject to the agreement; (ii) the parties agree to treat their separate lots as one unified lot; (iii) the parties agree to maintain the sign in accordance with Section 4.72 of this Article 5; (iv) a provision that the parties, their heirs, and assigns forego any rights to additional freestanding street front signage on the premises covered by the agreement (except for freestanding businesses who may have one additional monument sign on their own lot); (v) a provision that the agreement is a covenant running with the land to be filed and made a part of the Deed Records of the applicable county of jurisdiction; and (vi) a provision that the agreement cannot be amended or terminated without the consent of the Building Official. A unified-lot sign agreement is not effective until a true and correct copy of the approved agreement is filed with the applicable county and a copy is filed with the Building Official.
(M) 
Mural (also termed Original Art Display).
Mural means a nonelectronic, static work of art, its primary purpose being noncommercial speech (that is, no more than 30% of the total surface area may be used as commercial speech), generally for the purpose of decoration or artistic expression. To qualify as a mural under this section, no individual commercial speech element may be larger than 10% of the total surface area of a mural.
(1) 
Permit. Subject to subsection (4) below, a permit is not required for any original art display that meets the definition of a "mural."
(2) 
Location. Murals are expressly prohibited in all residential districts. Murals are allowed by right in all nonresidential and mixed-use zoning districts with the approval of the property owner.
(3) 
Placement/setbacks. Murals must be applied using paint or other material that will weather well and will generally remain legible and in its original appearance for at least 5 years following application. A mural that extends from a vertical wall facing requires a permit that is issued for the sole purpose of inspecting the structural components of the extension and issued in the same manner as provided under Section 4.65 for a sign. The permit fee for a mural extension shall be consistent with the sign permit fee established under Chapter 30, Article XVI of the City Code.
(4) 
Commercial speech. For the purposes of this section, the percentage of allowed commercial speech incorporated in a mural shall be calculated in the following manner:
(a) 
Copy, symbols, lettering, trademarks, advertising, or other references to the premises, the products sold, or services provided, on the premises shall be considered commercial speech.
(b) 
The measurement of the percentage of allowed commercial speech in a mural is as follows:
(i) 
Determine the overall area of the mural in the same manner as signs under section 4.75.
(ii) 
Determine the size of the area of the proposed commercial speech components of the mural in the same manner as signs and individual cutout words or figures under section 4.75.
(iii) 
Determine the maximum allowed commercial speech area as related to the overall size using the following formula: (total mural area/commercial speech area) x 100.
(N) 
Pole Sign.
A pole sign is a single-support style sign that is placed on or anchored in the ground, and that is structurally independent of any building or other structure. Pole signs are prohibited in all zoning districts.
(O) 
Programmable Signs (Electronic).
A programmable sign is a sign that displays changing content through animated, scrolling, or moving messages. For the purposes of this subsection, “changing content” means content (of whatever nature) changing more than once every 4 hours. The term includes, but is not limited to, signs that project animated moving images, messages, or moving images by means of electronic or ‘digital’ illumination such as cathode ray tubes, light emitting diodes (LED), plasma screens, liquid crystal displays, fiber optics, lasers, projectors and similar technology. Electronic programmable signs must comply with the following provisions:
(1) 
Maximum height:
The maximum height for an electronic programmable sign is the same standard as the type of sign on which it is attached (such as a monument sign, pole, or pylon sign).
(2) 
Maximum size/area:
The maximum surface area of an electronic sign is the same standard as the type of sign on which it is attached (such as a monument sign, pole, or pylon sign)[.]
(3) 
Location:
Electronic programmable signs are allowed as freestanding monument signs in all nonresidential and mixed-use districts on property that is not adjacent to IH-635, IH-30, or State Highway 190. An electronic programmable sign is also permitted as a freestanding monument sign in a residential district on a site that contains and operates as a lawful nonresidential use, and that has at least one frontage on a Type D (four-lane, divided) or larger thoroughfare, as shown on the City’s adopted Major Thoroughfare Plan, in which case the electronic programmable sign may only be placed on a Type D or larger street frontage. Additionally, where located within a residential district or within 25 feet of a residential district, electronic programmable signs are prohibited from displaying illuminated messages between 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. to further minimize potential negative impacts on surrounding residential properties.
(4) 
Attached signs or Attached Wall Signs.
Attached programmable signs are prohibited in all districts.
(5) 
Placement/setbacks:
The placement and setback standard for an electronic programmable sign is the same as the type of sign on which it is attached (such as a monument sign or pylon sign).
(6) 
Maximum number:
One electronic programmable sign is allowed per site. Except on a site in a nonresidential zoning district with frontage on 2 or more streets, or more than 300 feet of frontage on a single street, a maximum of 2 electronic programmable signs are allowed, both of which must be monument signs.
(7) 
Electronic programmable signs are prohibited from:
(a) 
Displaying animated, full-motion or other moving images, or display a flashing or blinking image, an image that incorporates intermittent or bursts of illumination, or an image that scrolls, fades, rolls, shades, dissolves, or otherwise gives the appearance of movement that is not solely a transition between displays as provided by Subsection 4.78(O)(7)(c) below;
(b) 
Projecting an image onto a structure, building, the ground, or another object;
(c) 
Displaying an image for a period of less than eight seconds, or exceeding a period of two seconds during a transition between a complete change of message (other than black screen);
(d) 
Transitioning from one display to the next in a manner that requires the viewer to read subsequent displays in order to determine the message being conveyed; or
(e) 
Including any audio message.
(8) 
A programmable sign must be equipped with a properly functioning automatic dimmer to adjust the luminance of the sign relative to ambient light so that at no time the sign will exceed the luminance limitations of Subsections 4.70(I) and 4.70(J) [sic]. A programmable sign must be equipped with a properly functioning default mechanism that will cause the sign to revert immediately to a single, fixed, non-transitory image or to a black screen if the sign malfunctions. The owner of a programmable sign must provide the Building Official with current, valid contact information for a person who is authorized and able to turn off the programmable sign within four hours of notification in the event of a malfunction.
(9) 
The sign face(s) of a freestanding monument sign may be converted to a programmable sign only in a manner that fully conforms to the provisions of this GDC. A lawfully existing, nonconforming sign must be made conforming in all respects including, without limitation, setbacks, sign area, height, and number in order to convert the sign face(s) of the sign to a programmable sign.
(P) 
Pylon Sign.
A pylon sign is a double- (or multiple-) support single-tenant or multi-tenant style sign that is placed on, or anchored in, the ground, and that is structurally independent of any building or other structure. Pylon signs must be designed in such a manner so that the support structures are architecturally and visibly distinct from one another. Pylon signs must be located entirely on private property and not within any public right-of-way or easement. All sign panels on a multi-tenant pylon sign must be architecturally compatible and cohesively designed. All supports for a pylon sign must be constructed of masonry products (or be constructed in such a manner as to have the appearance of masonry (however, stucco construction is not allowed). Pylon signs must comply with the following provisions:
(1) 
Maximum height:
A pylon sign may be a maximum height of 22 feet.
(2) 
Maximum size/area:
The maximum surface area of a pylon sign is 150 square feet.
(3) 
Location:
Pylon signs are allowed in all nonresidential zoning districts with the exception of NS, NO, UR, UB and DT districts (only monument-style freestanding signs are allowed in those districts).
(4) 
Placement/setbacks:
A pylon sign must be placed a minimum of 20 feet from any property or right-of-way line.
(5) 
Maximum number:
One pylon sign per site per public street frontage is allowed (not allowed if property only has access from an access easement or nonpublic street); minimum spacing between freestanding pylon signs on-site and from those on adjacent properties shall be at least 150 feet.
(Q) 
Reader Board Sign.
Reader board signs must comply with the standards of a “Changeable Message Sign, Nonelectronic.”
(Ordinance 6773 adopted 5/19/15; Ordinance 6943 adopted 11/7/17; Ordinance 7040 adopted 2/19/19; Ordinance 7196, sec. 5, adopted 2/2/21; Ordinance 7547 adopted 9/3/2024)
(A) 
Purpose.
The City values and recognizes that historical signs foster civic pride in the history of the City, support and stimulate business and industry, strengthen the economy of the City, enhance the quality of life for all citizens, and contribute to the overall positive nature of the community. Therefore, upon application by the property owner or owner of the sign, and pursuant to the criteria and procedures set out within this Section 4.79, a sign may be designated as an historic sign. A sign designated as an historic sign shall be exempt from the general sign regulations of this Article 5, except for applicable safety requirements and regulations that are expressly applicable to historic signs.
(B) 
Permit Required.
No sign shall be considered an historic sign for the purposes of this Section 4.79 without first being designated as an historic sign by City Council and subsequently issued an historic sign permit by the Building Official.
(C) 
Application for an Historic Sign Permit.
For a sign to be designated as an historic sign and qualify for an historic sign permit, the applicant must file a written application with the Building Official, in a form provided by the City, and include a site plan, elevations of the sign, engineering drawings when determined necessary by the Building Official, and any additional information necessary to determine if the proposed sign meets the minimum criteria to qualify as an historic sign.
(D) 
Criteria.
In order to be designated as an historic sign, an applicant must provide sufficient evidence demonstrating that the sign meets all of the following criteria:
(1) 
Materials, technology, and design.
The sign must be architecturally and aesthetically representative of a period of construction that existed fifty (50) years prior to the date of the time the application is submitted by the applicant. An historic sign may use newer technologies (e.g., LED lighting) so long as it retains its overall historic character.
(2) 
Integrity.
The sign must retain the majority of its character-defining features (materials, technologies, structure, colors, shapes, symbols, text, and/or art) that have historical significance, or are integral to overall sign design, or convey historical or regional context. If character-defining features have been altered or removed, the majority of the features must have the potential to be restored to their historic function and appearance.
(3) 
Safety.
The sign must be structurally safe or can be made safe without substantially altering its historical appearance.
(4) 
Location.
The sign may not be a billboard, unless approved in accordance with subsection (E).
(5) 
Date of Construction.
The sign must have been originally constructed more than fifty (50) years before the date of application.
(E) 
Issuance of Historic Sign Permit.
The Building Official is the responsible official for processing a historic sign application and issuing a sign permit upon recommendation of the Plan Commission and an affirmative vote for approval by 5 members of the City Council. The City Council may approve a sign that was originally constructed over twenty-five (25) years (but less than fifty (50) years) before the date of application as an historic sign with an affirmative vote of 7 members of the City Council.
(F) 
Fees.
The non-refundable fee for an historic sign permit shall be the same for “Signs-New, repair or reface attached or detached,” provided for in the Fee Schedule of Section 30.301 of the City Code.
(G) 
Improper Designation; Failure to Properly Maintain Historic Sign.
(1) 
Suspension or Revocation of Sign Permit.
(a) 
The Building Official may suspend or revoke any sign permit issued under the provisions of this article upon a determination that the permit was issued in error or on the basis of incorrect or false information, whenever the permit was issued in violation of any of the provisions of this article or any other ordinance of the City or any state or federal law, or when the historic sign no longer meets the criteria upon which the permit was issued.
(b) 
The suspension or revocation is effective immediately upon written notice being personally delivered or mailed to the person to whom the sign permit was issued at the address provided by the applicant in the respective sign permit application, to the owner or benefactor of the sign, or to the owner of the premises upon which the sign is located.
(c) 
If the sign approved as an historic sign has not been repaired, restored, constructed, or relocated within six (6) months after designation is granted, the designation and permit shall expire.
(d) 
Any sign installed under a revoked historic sign permit must be removed by the permit holder, sign owner, or property owner within fifteen calendar days following the mailing of the written notice of the revocation.
(e) 
If an historic sign permit is issued for a historic sign in existence on the date of enactment of this Section, the permit will be valid for the life of the sign so long as the sign maintains compliance with requirement of this Section.
(2) 
Appeal.
The owner of the sign or the owner of the premises upon which the sign is located may appeal the decision of the Building Official to revoke or suspend an historic sign permit to the City Council. The appeal must be in writing and filed with the Building Official within ten (10) business days of the Building Official sending notice of the revocation or suspension.
(H) 
Repairs and Restoration.
(1) 
An historic sign may be repaired, restored, and/or adaptively reused if there is sufficient surviving fabric or sufficient historical documentation (photographs, postcards, permits, or other records) on which to base the treatment concept. An existing historic sign may be repaired, restored, or rehabilitated either in place, or off-site and then re-erected on site.
(2) 
An historic sign may be repaired or restored to any past appearance prior to fifty (50) years before the date of application. If the owner of an historic sign can provide documentation or physical evidence that the original design included intermittent lighting features (e.g., flashing, blinking, chasing or sequentially lit elements which create the appearance of movement) or moving parts, those sign elements may be repaired and restored.
(3) 
An historic sign that will be adaptively reused must retain, repair, or restore the majority of the character-defining features (e.g., materials, technologies, structure, colors, shapes, symbols, text, typography and/or artwork) that have historical significance, or are integral to the overall design of the sign, or convey historical or regional context. Changes to character-defining text are not allowed; any or all text that is not character defining can be changed. Changes to text must either match or be compatible with existing text or the text being replaced, in terms of materials, letter size, font, and color.
(I) 
Relocating an Historic Sign.
An historic sign may only be relocated under the following conditions:
(1) 
Where the historic sign is being relocated:
(a) 
to another location on the same premises;
(b) 
to another location that houses the same or similar businesses;
(c) 
to areas of similar character within a one mile radius of the present location; or
(d) 
to the original location of the sign.
(2) 
An historic sign may not be relocated to property zoned residential.
(3) 
Relocated detached historic signs must be located no less than ten (10) feet from the property line.
(4) 
Relocated historic signs that project into the public right-of-way shall follow the rules and procedures of this Article, and shall follow the sign permitting process.
(J) 
A freestanding historic sign that was historically used to identify a multiple-building or multi-tenant shopping center, business park, or industrial, commercial, or office complex shall be treated as a Multi-tenant Complex Sign for calculating allowable sign face square footage on the premises.
(Ordinance 7229 adopted 6/22/21)