While the City understands the integral role signs play in identification of a business to both the driver and pedestrian, the intent of this Subsection is to provide a higher aesthetic through the limitation of clutter and regulation of commercial and locational signage. It is also intended to help enliven retail, restaurant and mixed-use areas.
These standards should not be interpreted to prevent district-oriented signs such as seasonal banners and directional signs. Commercial and locational signage within the district shall be limited, regulated and controlled as provided in this Chapter 7. All other signage shall be subject to the requirements of City ordinances, rules and regulations in effect at the time.
More specifically:
(A) 
The location, size, color, materials, and design of signs should be in keeping with the character of the Downtown district;
(B) 
Signage should be oriented primarily towards the pedestrian in terms of scale and legibility in order to reinforce the pedestrian character of the district;
(C) 
The number of signs should be limited to avoid clutter;
(D) 
Signs should be integrated into the overall building design in terms of placement, materials, colors, scale, proportions, etc.;
(E) 
Signs attached flush to the building should not obscure any significant architectural details;
(F) 
Sign materials should be durable and easy to maintain;
(G) 
Sign lettering should be simple, legible and appropriately proportioned for clear communication;
(H) 
Signs may be lit by external light sources as long as exposed direct lighting sources are not visually intrusive to the pedestrian environment or visible to residential units; and
(I) 
Identification signs within a single development should be similar in design to enhance consistency and project identity.
(Ordinance 6773 adopted 5/19/15)
(A) 
Signs in the Downtown district shall conform with this Subsection and the regulations in Chapter Four, Article 5 of this GDC. Where there is a conflict between the two, this Subsection prevails.
(B) 
In addition to the Sign Chart, the following standards apply:
(1) 
Address signs are required for all buildings.
(2) 
Mixed-Use, Commercial, and Live/Work Building Types:
(a) 
The allowed sign area is limited to the amount established in Section 4.75, Article 5, Chapter 4 of this GDC, or as otherwise defined in this Subsection.
(b) 
Monument signs are generally not appropriate for pedestrian oriented districts like the Downtown. Approval of any monument sign requires a Major Waiver in all sub-districts except the SC sub-district. In any case, such signs shall be limited to one per lot frontage, subject to the limits and restrictions herein.
(c) 
Directory signs are allowed, subject to the limits and restrictions herein.
(d) 
Temporary signs are allowed, subject to the limits and restrictions herein.
(3) 
Mixed Residential Building Types:
(a) 
The maximum combined effective area of all signs requiring a permit may not exceed five percent of the total area of each facade, in the form of wall, blade, awning and window signs.
The total sign area may be divided into any combination of individual signs, including awning, blade, window or wall signs.
Signs may be placed on each exterior facade, subject to the five percent limit per facade.
(b) 
Monument signs are generally not appropriate for pedestrian oriented districts like the Downtown. Approval of any monument sign requires a Major Waiver in all sub-districts except the SC sub-district. In any case, such signs shall be limited to one per lot frontage, subject to the limits and restrictions herein.
(c) 
Directory signs are allowed, subject to the limits and restrictions herein.
(d) 
Temporary signs are allowed, subject to the limits and restrictions herein.
(C) 
Standards.
(1) 
A sign may be externally lit only with a full-spectrum source, unless otherwise approved by Minor Waiver. This includes direct lighting, backlighting, halo lighting, internally lit letters and neon.
(2) 
Restaurant and retail areas may have gaseous tubing (such as neon) or specially designed exterior signs, if such are approved through the Downtown Development Plan approval process.
(Ordinance 6773 adopted 5/19/15)
(A) 
The following signs are not allowed:
(1) 
Internally-lit sign boxes
(2) 
Pole signs
(B) 
Signs shall not be roof-mounted or project above the roof line.
(Ordinance 6773 adopted 5/19/15)
Signage is allowed for each building type as set out in Table 7-7 below.
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Table 7-7: Allowed Signs
Sign Type/Bldg. Type
Single-family Detached
Town home
Mixed Res/Loft
Live/ Work
Mixed Use
Comm.
Standards
Require Permit
Address Sign
P
P
P
P
P
P
a. Address signs meeting the requirements outlined below do not require a sign permit prior to erection.
No
b. Address sign text shall be no larger than 12 inches in height.
No
c. Address signs, including suite numbers, shall be limited to one per entrance.
No
Sandwich Board/A-Frame Signs
 
 
 
P
P
P
a. Signs shall be limited to one per business, and may not be used to advertise real estate sales or leasing opportunities. Off-premise advertising is prohibited.
No
b. Signs shall not interfere with the required unobstructed sidewalk path.
No
c. Signs shall be within 20 feet of the primary entrance to the business.
No
d. Signs shall not exceed six square feet in area per face and three feet in height. The entire sign structure shall be included in the calculation of the sign area.
No
e. Signs shall be professionally manufactured with the frame of the sign made from wood or finished metal. PVC and corrugated plastic sheets are not allowed as sign materials.
No
f. Signs may include a chalkboard or bulletin board.
No
g. A-frame signs may be used during business hours only and shall not be left outside the building overnight.
No
Awning Signs
 
 
P
P
P
P
a. Awning signs are allowed for ground floor uses only.
Yes
b. Signs on awnings shall be printed, painted or applied directly on the surface of the awning and include only the name, logo, and type of service of the business. Letters shall be a maximum of eight inches high.
Yes
c. Backlighting of awning signs is prohibited.
Yes
d. Awnings shall be made of metal or heavyweight canvas or laminated material (minimum 14 oz. woven acrylic, 16 oz. opaque or translucent vinyl, or 20 oz. eradicable vinyl).
Yes
e. A minimum of eight feet of vertical clearance shall be maintained between the lowest element of the sign and the sidewalk level.
Yes
Blade Signs
 
 
 
P
P
P
a. Blade signs may not encroach into any public right-of-way or public easement, and shall have a minimum clearance of eight feet above any sidewalk/pedestrian travel surface, and fourteen feet above any vehicular parking or circulation surface.
Yes
b. Blade signs shall be suspended beneath a canopy or awning, or attached to a building’s entrance facade.
Yes
c. Maximum size/area: Four square feet when suspended beneath a ground-level canopy or awning or attached to the facade of the building on the ground-level; eight square feet when attached to the building’s second or higher story.
Yes
d. One blade sign per business customer entrance allowed.
Yes
Building Directory Signs
 
 
 
P
P
P
a. Exterior directory signs are allowed on multi-tenant buildings where there are two or more tenants without direct outside access to a public street. One exterior directory sign per entrance shall be allowed.
No
b. The exterior directory sign may include only building information (name, address or logo) and building tenant information (name and suite). The sign shall not contain other advertising.
No
c. Text size is limited to three inches for building name and logo, and one inch for all other information. All tenant information should utilize a single text font.
No
d. The sign shall project a maximum of four inches from the wall to which it is attached.
No
e. Maximum size shall be 10 square feet.
No
Building Identification Signs
 
 
P
 
P
P
a. Building identification signs shall be limited to one per building face.
Yes
b. Each sign shall be 12 feet or more above sidewalk level.
Yes
c. Applied letters shall be constructed of painted cast metal, bronze, brass, or anodized aluminum. Applied plastic letters are prohibited.
Yes
Bulletin Board Sign (note; “Menu Boards” as defined in GDC not applicable with no drive-ins)
 
 
 
P
P
P
a. Bulletin board signs are signs which may include restaurant menus, community notices, real estate offerings and/or other notices.
Yes
b. They shall have a glass cover and be constructed only of materials that are noncombustible or slow-burning in the case of plastic inserts and faces, except as noted herein.
Yes
c. Combustible materials may be used, providing the sign is attached to a wall with a minimum two-hour fire resistive rating.
Yes
d. Bulletin board signs placed on heavy wood construction may be of combustible materials, but in no case shall they be internally illuminated.
Yes
e. A bulletin board sign shall be designed, constructed and attached so as to withstand a wind pressure of not less than 30 pounds per square foot.
Yes
f. The display case shall be attached to the building wall, next to the main entrance, at a height of approximately five feet and may be lighted.
Yes
g. The total area of the sign shall not exceed ten square feet.
Yes
Marquee Signs
 
 
 
 
P
P
a. A maximum of one marquee shall be allowed for theaters, auditoriums and other public gathering venues accommodating 100 persons or more subject to the approval of a Minor Waiver.
Yes
b. The area of the sign shall be limited to 100 sf. and may include changeable copy (electronic and non-electronic).
Yes
c. A marquee sign shall be attached to the building, and may extend over the sidewalk but shall not intrude on the street tree planting zone and shall maintain a minimum 8-foot clearance between the lowest element of the sign and the sidewalk level.
Yes
Memorial Signs or Tablets
P
P
P
P
P
P
a. Memorial signs may be constructed of bronze or other noncombustible materials attached to the building or may be cut into any masonry surface.
No
b. Memorial signs shall not exceed four square feet in area, with one sign allowed for each building wall facing a street.
No
Menu Signs
 
 
 
 
P
P
a. A temporary sign used to inform the public of the menu and entertainment available in a restaurant.
No
b. May be located within a display case attached to the building wall, or affixed to a window.
No
c. A menu sign may not exceed a total area of six square feet, and may be lighted.
No
Monument Signs
 
 
 
 
 
 
a. Minor Waiver for properties with large setbacks and existing monument signs to allow for upgraded and improved signs where appropriate.
Yes
Nameplate
P
P
P
P
P
P
a. Nameplate signs shall not exceed one square foot in area, with one sign allowed for each residential unit.
No
Projecting Signs
 
 
 
P
P
P
a. Projecting signs will be a maximum of one per building face.
Yes
b. Projecting signs will be a maximum area of 60 square feet per building face; and will not exceed 5 feet in width.
Yes
c. Projecting signs will be a minimum of 12 feet in distance from the ground to the lower edge of the sign.
Yes
d. Projecting signs will have a maximum height so as not to exceed 2/3 the building face height in linear feet.
Yes
Temporary Signs
 
 
P
P
P
P
a. In the Downtown district, temporary signs shall include signs, banners, flags, balloons or pennants promoting a merchandise program, opening of a retail or commercial establishment or center, special program of a public institution or the opening of a single-family subdivision or multifamily development.
Yes
b. Such sign shall meet the standards established in Chapter Four Article 5 Signs in the GDC.
Yes
Real Estate Signs
P
P
P
P
P
P
a. Such sign shall meet the standards established in Chapter Four Article 5 Signs in the GDC.
No
Temporary Construction Signs
P
P
P
P
P
P
a. Temporary construction signs denoting the architect, engineer, contractor, subcontractor, or financier and temporary signs denoting the future location of a particular business, retail center or institution shall be limited to one construction sign and one future location sign per street adjacent to the construction site or future location site. Each sign shall be limited to 32 square feet in area and shall not extend above 15 feet in height measured from ground level.
No
b. Such signs shall be located on the premises where the construction or the location being advertised is or will be occurring and shall be removed upon issuance of the certificate of occupancy.
No
Wall Signs
 
 
 
P
P
P
a. Maximum size is 30 square feet if located 12 feet or higher above grade; 10 square feet if less than 12 feet above grade.
Yes
b. In addition, one wall-mounted sign, not exceeding 6 square feet in area, is permitted on any side or rear entrance that is open to the public. Such wall signs may only be lighted during the operating hours of business.
Yes
c. A wall sign shall not extend above the facade of the structure or building to which it is attached. Such sign shall be designed, constructed and attached so as to withstand a wind pressure of not less than 30 pounds per square foot.
Yes
d. Wall signs shall be limited to one per occupancy, per street frontage. A Minor Waiver may be approved for a single-occupancy building to allow additional signage.
Yes
e. A minimum separation of 10 feet shall be provided between Wall Signs (excluding Building Identification Signs or Directory Signs).
Yes
Directional/Movement Control Signs (On-Site)
 
 
P
P
P
P
a. Directional and Movement control signs shall meet city-wide standards.
No*
Window Signs
 
 
 
P
P
P
a. In no event shall signs located on the internal or external window surface in any manner obscure more than 25 percent of the visible window area available in the absence of any signs. Where multiple windows exist fronting on a single street or sidewalk, the 25 percent visibility shall be maintained for each window on such street or sidewalk. Window signs shall include:
Yes
i. Signs painted on the internal surface of the window of a retail/commercial or office establishment.
Yes
ii. Signs (except posters, below), banners or displays located on the internal surface of the window of a commercial or retail establishment.
Yes
iii. Posters, providing such posters are not located on the external surface of the window.
Yes
iv. Decorations intended to direct attention to public events, providing such signs are painted on the internal surface of the window and no more than 25 percent of the window is obscured by the decorations.
Yes
v. Signs attached to the internal surface of a window that defines the name, proprietor, telephone number or address of such retail or commercial establishment.
Yes
vi. Signs that are visible from the outside and located within 5 feet of a window.
Yes
(Ordinance 6773 adopted 5/19/15)