The following definitions are used in this article:
ABANDONED OR OBSOLETE SIGN
Any display or sign remaining in place or not maintained
for a period of 90 days which no longer identifies an ongoing business,
product, or service available on the premises where the display or
sign is located or where the building, business, or establishment
to which the display or sign is related has ceased operation. For
purposes of this definition, abandonment for the applicable period
shall be deemed conclusive evidence of abandonment regardless of the
property, business, or sign owner's intent.
AWNING
A hood or cover which projects from the wall of the building.
Some may be retractable, folded, or collapsed against the face of
a supporting structure.
BANNER
Any sign or attractant made of nonstructural materials such
as cloth or flexible plastics.
BEACON
A bright light that is mounted high on a pole or other structure.
BENCH SIGN
A sign mounted onto, or incorporated into, a seat in a public
seating structure such as a bus stop bench.
BILLBOARD
A sign which may pertain to the premises where the sign is
located or directs persons to a different location from where the
sign is located.
CANOPY
A roof-like cover that projects from the wall of a building.
Canopies may be freestanding, such as a covering over a service station
island.
DIRECTLY ILLUMINATED
Any sign designed to give any artificial light directly through
any transparent or translucent material from a source of light originating
within or on such sign.
ELECTRONIC MESSAGE SIGNS
Any message on a sign that may be changed by electronic process.
Includes electronic signs that display the time and temperature.
ELECTRONIC SIGNS
A sign which has an electronically controlled, illuminated
display surface which allows all, or a portion, of the sign to be
changed or illuminated in different ways.
FLASHING
Any direct or indirect illumination of a sign on which artificial
light is not stationary and constant in intensity and color at all
times when in use.
FREESTANDING SIGN
A sign anchored directly to the ground or supported by one
or more posts, columns or other vertical structures or supports, and
not attached to or dependent for support from any building.
GOVERNMENT SIGN
A sign that is constructed, placed or maintained by the federal,
state or local government or a sign that is required to be constructed,
placed or maintained by the federal, state or local government.
GROUND SIGN
A type of freestanding sign that is a self-supported sign
structure erected or supported from the ground containing one or more
faces for sign or display purposes.
INFLATABLE ADVERTISING DEVICE/INFLATABLE SIGN
A device designed to be inflated and which is tethered to
the ground, a building, structure, vehicle, or similar support. This
definition includes hot air balloons and "tube men."
MARQUEE
A permanent roof-like area to mount a sign that projects
beyond a building wall at an entrance to a building or extends along
and projects beyond the building's wall and is generally designed
and constructed to provide protection against weather.
MURAL
A painting or other work applied to and made integral with
a wall surface.
PENNANT
A sign that is constructed of a lightweight flexible material,
suspended from a rope, wire or string, usually in series, and designed
to move in the wind. This definition does not include a banner, flag,
or recognized flag.
PORTABLE TRAILER SIGNS
Any structure without a permanent foundation or otherwise
permanently attached to a fixed location, which can be carried, towed,
hauled or driven and is primarily designed to be moved rather than
be limited to a fixed location regardless of modifications that limit
its movability.
PREMISES
A house or building, together with its land and outbuildings.
PROJECTING SIGN
Any structure extending from the face of a wall or building
designed to carry a sign.
PYLON SIGN
A pylon sign is a type of freestanding sign typically detached
from a building. These signs are supported by one or more structural
elements that complement the overall design. Pylon signs are most
commonly found around shopping center locations and feature single
or multiple business advertisements.
RECREATIONAL DIRECTORY SIGNS
A sign indicating the direction and/or distance to a specific
cottage, resort, residence, or recreation facility that is located
within an agricultural, resource conservation or park district.
ROOF/ROOF-MOUNTED SIGNS
A sign affixed to a roof of a building where the top edge
of any point of that sign does not exceed the height of the roof plane
to which it is affixed.
SANDWICH SIGN
An outdoor freestanding structure designed with an A-frame
construction capable of holding signage on both sides with a signage
area.
SIGN
Any device, structure, fixture, painting, or visual image
using words, graphics, symbols, numbers, or letters designed for the
purpose of conveying information or attracting attention.
TEMPORARY SIGN
Any sign structure intended to display a sign for a short
period of time.
VEHICLE SIGN
A sign affixed to, or painted on, or otherwise incorporated
onto the outside of a vehicle, but does not include license plates,
license plate frames or the vehicle brand.
WALL SIGN
Structure attached to, erected on, or painted on the wall
of a building that supports or permits the mounting of signage, such
as letters, pictures and symbols.
WAYFINDING SIGN
A sign with the purpose of serving the public welfare through
wayfinding by displaying the address of the residence, name of the
destination, arrow, and/or distance.
WINDOW SIGN
Any sign area located within an enclosed building and visible
from a public way, also including signage mounted onto window surfaces.
No sign shall hereinafter be located, erected, moved, reconstructed,
enlarged, expanded, altered, converted, operated, placed, relocated,
or structurally altered without obtaining a sign permit from the Zoning
Administrator, with the following exceptions:
A. Memorial signs and tablets displayed on public property or in cemeteries.
B. Address numerals and signs not exceeding one square foot in area
and bearing the names of occupants of the premises.
D. On-site traffic directional signs, traffic control signs, and parking
signs that do not exceed three square feet in area and 48 inches in
height.
E. Home occupation sign not exceeding three square feet in area and
mounted flush against the dwelling.
F. Gasoline price signs as required by law and not larger than 10 square
feet in surface area.
G. "No trespassing" and "no dumping" signs, provided that no such sign
shall exceed two square feet in surface area.
H. Combined on-premises nameplates and addresses for residences, provided
that no such combined nameplate and address sign shall exceed three
square feet of combined area.
I. No more than one "open/closed" and one "vacancy/no vacancy" sign,
not exceeding two square feet in area each, displayed for each business.
J. Window signs not exceeding 30% of the glass area of the glass areas
that are used for exits/entrances or necessary for visibility to exits/entrances.
All other glass shall be considered part of the building and held
to the same restrictions as any other part of the building.
K. Repainting, changing of parts, and preventive maintenance of signs
located on the site without changing or altering sign design, logo,
or wording.
L. Signs related to events, activities, or elections sponsored or authorized by a governmental body, as defined in § 19.82(1), Wis. Stats. Such signs are not subject to the signage requirements set forth in §
315-74A(1)(a) or (b).
M. Signs erected and maintained pursuant to the discharge of governmental
functions, or that are required by law, ordinance, government regulation,
or that are required to the posted in order to effectuate a legal
right.
N. City of Burlington community identification, community welcome and/or
community event signs owned or rented by the City of Burlington and
reviewed and approved on an annual basis by the Common Council for
design and placement that meet the requirements of this subsection.
When said community identification, community welcome and/or community
event signs are proposed to be located within a City of Burlington
public park, said signs shall also be reviewed and approved on an
annual basis by the City of Burlington Park Board in accordance with
this subsection. Said community identification, community welcome
and/or community event signs shall:
(1) Be no larger than 32 square feet in sign area;
(2) Be no taller than eight feet in height;
(3) Be placed in compliance with the traffic visibility requirements set forth under §
315-46 of this article;
(4) Not be a temporary sign; and
(5) Said Common Council approved City of Burlington community identification,
community welcome and/or community event signs are exempt from inclusion
in the calculation of the maximum total accumulated sign area for
permitted signs and freestanding signs on a zoning lot. The signed
written permission of the property owner upon whose property City
of Burlington community identification, community welcome and/or community
event signs are placed shall be obtained by the City prior to the
placement of City of Burlington community identification, community
welcome and/or community event signs.
O. Signs in P-1 District. Advertising signs for athletic fields in the
P-1 District and dog parks when approved as to park location by the
Common Council after review and recommendation by the Park Board and
individual sign content and design is reviewed and approved by the
Park Board or its designee provided:
(1) Said advertising signs shall not be limited per zoning lot or entrance to a zoning lot (§
315-72A and
Table 13), are exempt from inclusion in the calculation of the maximum total accumulated sign area for permitted signs for each individual business on a zoning lot (§
315-72B), and are exempt from inclusion in the maximum accumulated total sign area for wall, fascia, awning/canopy, marquee and graphic signs (§
315-72D).
(2) Said advertising signs shall not be classified as billboard signs
and may advertise off-site businesses and services. Said signs may
be affixed to scoreboards or fences.
P. An off-premises sign is allowed to identify a parking lot serving
an associated principal use; one sign per entrance drive from a public
right-of-way, not to exceed 60 inches in height and five square feet
in area.
The purpose of §§
315-67 through
315-74 is to establish minimum regulations and standards for the display of signs in the City of Burlington.
Sign area shall be defined by the following:
A. Sign area determination for freestanding, awning/canopy, and marquee
signs. In the case of freestanding, awning/canopy, and marquee signs,
the entire surface area of the sign on which copy could be placed,
including background and sign framing, is the sign area. The supporting
structure or bracing of a sign shall not be counted as a part of the
sign area. Where a sign has two display faces back-to-back, the area
of only one face shall be considered the sign area. Where a sign has
more than one display face, all areas which can be viewed simultaneously
shall be considered the sign area.
B. Sign area determination for wall, fascia, and graphic signs. For
wall, fascia, and graphic signs whose message is fabricated together
with the background which visually borders or frames that message,
the sign area shall be the total area of the background which visually
borders or frames that message.
Sign height and clearance shall be determined as follows:
A. Height of a freestanding sign. The height of a freestanding sign shall be measured as indicated in §
315-140 of this article for the definition of "height, sign."
B. Clearance of a projecting sign. The clearance of a projecting sign
shall be measured from the base of the sign face area to the ground
below.
C. Height of a wall sign. The height of a wall sign shall be measured
from the grade level of the base of the building below the sign to
the top of the sign area. The top of the sign shall be no higher than
the maximum permitted building height.
Permitted methods of sign lighting and illumination are as follows:
A. General. The sign has neither an internal light nor an external light
source which is intended to specifically light that sign. Rather,
the sign depends on the general lighting of the area (i.e., parking
lot, street, or pedestrian area lighting) for illumination.
B. Internal illuminated message. The sign is made of metal, wood, or
other material that is not translucent, and the message is cut out
of the material and replaced with translucent material. The sign's
light source is located inside the sign.
C. Internal illuminated sign. The sign face is made of translucent material
with internal light source.
D. Backlighting. The message is raised beyond the sign's background
and the lighting illuminates the sign from behind in the form of backlighting.
E. Shielded spotlight. The sign is lighted by spotlights specifically
directed at it. The spotlights are fully shielded so that they are
not visible from streets or adjoining property. Any spotlights permitted
to illuminate signs shall be shielded such that their light source
cannot be seen from adjoining roads.
F. Electronic signs. Electronic signs meeting the requirements of this
subsection are permitted only in the B-1, B-2, and B2A Zoning Districts
and as a conditional use in the I-1 Zoning District.
(1) Electronic signs that display the time or temperature or alternate
between the time and temperature may be affixed to buildings pursuant
to the provisions of this article.
(2) Electronic signs that display messages in addition to or other than
the time or temperature must be freestanding or monument signs meeting
the requirements of this article. The display message area shall be
a maximum of 25% of the entire sign area.
(3) The display on an electronic sign shall meet the following requirements:
(a)
The sign shall have installed ambient light monitors and shall
at all times allow such monitors to automatically adjust the brightness
level of the electronic sign based on ambient light conditions.
(b)
Illumination from the sign shall not exceed 2.0 footcandles
as measured at any point along the property boundary line. The maximum
brightness level for the electronic sign shall not be obtrusive (as
determined by the Zoning Administrator) to surrounding and abutting
properties or the neighborhood, and at no time shall the sign be operated
at a brightness level greater than the manufacturer's recommended
levels.
(c)
The display of the sign shall not change more rapidly than once
every five seconds.
(d)
The display of the sign shall not, or shall not appear to, flash,
undulate, pulse, or portray explosions, fireworks, flashes of light,
or blinking or chasing lights; and the display of the sign shall not
appear to move toward or away from the viewer, expand or contract,
bounce, rotate, spin, twist or otherwise portray movement or animation
as it comes onto, is displayed on, or leaves the sign board.
(e)
No message shall require more than 10 seconds to be displayed
in its entirety.
(f)
Scrolling or traveling of a display onto the sign shall be from
one direction only, provided that once the entire message is displayed,
each message remains in a static state for at least 1.5 seconds. There
shall be two seconds of still image or blank screen following every
scrolling or traveling display.
In zoning districts where signs are permitted, as set forth herein, signs which are not legal nonconforming signs as defined in §
315-76 shall conform to the dimensional requirements of this section. Signs in the M-3 District are also subject to the additional requirements set forth in Subsection F.
A. Permitted signs. Signs are permitted in the TN-R, Rm-1, Rm-2, and Rm-3 Zoning Districts per each zoning lot as indicated in
Table 13 and in the B-1, B-2, B-2A, B-3, M-1, M-2, M-3, M-4, Q-1, I-1, P-1 and PUD Zoning Districts per each individual business on a zoning lot as indicated in
Table 13. Signs are permitted in the Rm-4 Zoning District pursuant to §
315-25H, under the PUD (Residential) category as indicated in
Table 13. In a Nonresidential PUD Overlay District, one freestanding sign at each entrance to the PUD is allowed as part of the overall sign plan for the PUD regardless of the number of zoning lots included in the PUD. These entrance signs may include signs for businesses in the PUD regardless of whether the businesses are located on the same zoning lot as the sign.
B. Maximum total accumulated sign area for all permitted signs per each
individual business on a zoning lot or individual zoning lot as applicable.
The maximum total accumulated sign area for all signs permitted in
the TN-R, Rm-1, Rm-2, and Rm-3 Zoning Districts per each zoning lot
is as indicated in the following table and in the B-1, B-2, B-2A,
B-3, M-1, M-2, M-3, M-4, Q-1, I-1, P-1 and PUD Zoning Districts per
each individual business on a zoning lot (including each individual
business located in a shopping center located on a zoning lot) is
as indicated in the following table. In no case shall the maximum
total accumulated sign area per each individual business on a zoning
lot (including each individual business located in a shopping center
located on a zoning lot) or zoning lot, as applicable, exceed the
maximum specified in the following table:
Zoning District
|
Maximum Total Sign Area for All Signs (square feet)
|
---|
TN-R
|
64
|
Rm-1
|
64
|
Rm-2
|
64
|
Rm-3
|
64
|
B-1
|
None(a)
|
B-2
|
None(a)
|
B-2A
|
None(a)
|
B-3
|
None(a)
|
M-1
|
None
|
M-2
|
None
|
M-3(b)
|
None
|
M-4
|
None
|
Q-1
|
300
|
I-1
|
200
|
P-1
|
150
|
PUD (Residential)
|
64
|
PUD (Nonresidential)
|
As set forth in basic zoning district
|
NOTES:
|
(a)
|
See § 315-72C for the maximum accumulated sign area for freestanding signs and see § 315-72D for the maximum accumulated sign area for wall, fascia, awning/canopy, marquee, and graphic signs.
|
(b)
|
Also see additional sign requirements for signs located in the M-3 District as set forth in § 315-72F.
|
C. Maximum accumulated total sign area for freestanding signs. The maximum
accumulated total sign area for freestanding signs permitted in the
TN-R, Rm-1, Rm-2, Rm-3, B-1, B-2, B-2A, B-3, M-1, M-2, M-3, M-4, Q-1,
I-1, P-1 and PUD Zoning Districts per zoning lot is as indicated in
the following table:
Zoning District
|
Maximum Total Sign Area for Freestanding Signs(a)
(square feet)
|
---|
TN-R
|
64
|
Rm-1
|
64
|
Rm-2
|
64
|
Rm-3
|
64
|
B-1
|
150(d)
|
B-2
|
100(f)
|
B-2A
|
100
|
B-3
|
150
|
M-1
|
150
|
M-2
|
150
|
M-3(b)
|
100/200(c)
|
M-4
|
150
|
Q-1
|
100
|
I-1
|
100
|
P-1
|
75
|
PUD (Residential)
|
64
|
PUD (Nonresidential)
|
As set forth in basic zoning district(e)
|
NOTES:
|
(a)
|
Per zoning lot and not for each individual business or tenant
located on a zoning lot.
|
(b)
|
Also see additional sign requirements for signs located in the M-3 District as set forth in § 315-72F.
|
(c)
|
For buildings with two or more tenants in the M-3 District,
freestanding ground signs shall have a maximum total of 200 square
feet in area on all sides for any one premises.
|
(d)
|
Lots in the B-1 District that have five or more acres with building
setbacks that are 250 feet or greater and where the lot directly abuts
a public arterial street which has an average daily traffic volume
(ADT) of over 20,000 vehicles shall have a maximum total of 300 square
feet in area.
|
(e)
|
In a Nonresidential PUD Overlay District, one freestanding sign
at each entrance to the PUD is allowed as part of the overall sign
plan for the PUD regardless of the number of zoning lots included
in the PUD. The maximum set forth in this section shall apply to each
entrance sign.
|
(f)
|
Restaurants in the B-2 Central Business District which abut
three or more public streets are allowed 200 square feet.
|
D. Maximum accumulated total sign area for wall, fascia, awning/canopy,
marquee, and graphic signs. The maximum accumulated total sign area
for wall, fascia, awning/canopy, marquee, and graphic signs permitted
in the TN-R, Rm-1, Rm-2, and Rm-3 Zoning Districts per each zoning
lot is as indicated in the following table, and in B-1, B-2, B-2A,
B-3, M-1, M-2, M-3, M-4, Q-1, I-1, P-1 and PUD Zoning Districts per
each individual business on a zoning lot is as indicated in the following
table:
Zoning District
|
Maximum Total Sign Area for All Wall, Fascia, Awning/Canopy,
Marquee and Graphic Signs
(square feet)
|
---|
TN-R
|
0 (not permitted)
|
Rm-1
|
0 (not permitted)
|
Rm-2
|
0 (not permitted)
|
Rm-3
|
0 (not permitted)
|
B-1
|
1.40 square feet proportionally per 1 linear foot of exterior
storefront wall width that fronts on a public street; however, no
sign for any 1 exterior storefront which fronts upon any public street
or no sign for any 1 tenant which fronts upon any public street shall
exceed 200 square feet in area (b)
|
B-2
|
1.30 square feet proportionally per 1 linear foot of exterior
storefront wall width that fronts on a public street; however, no
sign for any 1 exterior storefront which fronts upon any public street
or no sign for any 1 tenant which fronts upon any public street shall
exceed 200 square feet in area (b)
|
B-2A
|
1.30 square feet proportionally per 1 linear foot of exterior
storefront wall width that fronts on a public street; however, no
sign for any 1 exterior storefront which fronts upon any public street
or no sign for any 1 tenant which fronts upon any public street shall
exceed 200 square feet in area(b)
|
B-3
|
0.80 square foot proportionally per 1 linear foot of exterior
business front wall width that fronts on a public street; however,
no sign for any 1 exterior storefront which fronts upon any public
street or no sign for any 1 tenant which fronts upon any public street
shall exceed 150 square feet in area(b)
|
M-1
|
1.20 square feet proportionally per 1 linear foot of exterior
business front wall width which fronts on a public street up to a
maximum of 200 square feet per public street frontage(b)
|
M-2
|
1.20 square feet proportionally per 1 linear foot of exterior
business front wall width which fronts on a public street up to a
maximum of 200 square feet per public street frontage(b)
|
M-3(a)
|
0.40 square foot proportionally per 1 linear foot of exterior
business front wall width that fronts on a public street up to a maximum
of 200 square feet per public street frontage(b)
|
M-4
|
1.25 square feet proportionally per 1 linear foot of exterior
business front wall width which fronts on a public street up to a
maximum of 150 square feet per public street frontage(b)
|
Q-1
|
1.00 square foot proportionally per 1 linear foot of exterior
business front wall width which fronts on a public street up to a
maximum of 200 square feet per public street frontage(b)
|
I-1
|
0.90 square foot proportionally per 1 linear foot of exterior
building front wall width which fronts on a public street up to a
maximum of 200 square feet per public street frontage(b)
|
P-1
|
Private park name signs, as approved by the Common Council after
review and recommendation by the Plan Commission; public park name
signs, as approved by the Common Council after review and recommendation
by the Park Board
|
PUD (Residential)
|
0 (not permitted)
|
PUD (Nonresidential)
|
As set forth in basic zoning district(b)
|
NOTES:
|
(a)
|
Also see additional sign requirements for signs located in the M-3 District as set forth in § 315-71F.
|
(b)
|
Any one exterior storefront or exterior building front which
is situated and/or designed so as to be fronting upon two or more
public streets shall only be allowed the maximum sign area allowed
as if said exterior storefront or exterior building front was fronting
upon one public street.
|
(c)
|
In the B-1, B2-A, B-3, M-1, M-2, M-3, M-4 and I-1 Zoning Districts, primary business entryways that do not face onto a public street shall be permitted one wall, fascia, awning/canopy marquee or graphic sign not exceeding eight square feet. In the HPO Historic Preservation Overlay District the requirements of § 315-75 shall apply. Also, see additional sign requirements for signs located in the M-3 District as set forth in § 315- 72F and any applicable PUD Overlay District.
|
E. Maximum freestanding sign height for permitted freestanding signs.
The maximum freestanding sign heights for freestanding signs permitted
in the TN-R, Rm-1, Rm-2, Rm-3, B-1, B-2, B-2A, B-3, M-1, M-2, M-3,
M-4, Q-1, I-1, P-1, PUD and NCA Zoning Districts are indicated in
the following table:
Zoning District
|
Maximum Sign Height
(feet)
|
---|
TN-R
|
8
|
Rm-1
|
8
|
Rm-2
|
8
|
Rm-3
|
8
|
B-1
|
15
|
B-2
|
15
|
B-2A
|
15
|
B-3
|
15
|
M-1
|
15
|
M-2
|
15
|
M-3(a)
|
8/15(b)
|
M-4
|
15
|
Q-1
|
10
|
I-1
|
15
|
P-1
|
8
|
PUD (Residential)
|
8
|
PUD (Nonresidential)
|
15
|
NOTES:
|
(a)
|
Also see additional sign requirements for signs located in the M-3 District as set forth in § 315-72F.
|
(b)
|
For buildings with two or more tenants in the M-3 District,
freestanding ground signs shall have a maximum height of 15 feet.
|
F. Special signage requirements for the M-3 District. Signs located
in the M-3 District shall meet those minimum requirements set forth
in this section.
(1) Wall signs. Wall signs placed against the exterior walls of buildings
shall not extend more than 12 inches outside of a building wall surface
and shall not exceed a total of 150 square feet in area for any one
premises. In a multi-tenant building, each tenant may share a portion
of the maximum total of 150 square feet of wall signage. On a corner
lot, each exterior wall facing a public street may share a portion
of the maximum total of 150 square feet of wall signage. Signage copy
shall be limited to business name and logo. No wall sign shall extend
above the roof or building parapet line. The maximum height of the
wall sign area shall be three feet. The height of a wall sign shall
be measured from the grade level of the base of the building below
the sign to the top of the sign area.
(2) Ground signs. One ground sign is permitted per lot (pole signs are
not permitted) in the M-3 District. Ground signs shall not exceed
50 square feet in area on one side and shall not exceed a total of
100 square feet in area on all sides for any one premises and shall
not exceed five feet in height. For buildings with two or more tenants,
ground signs shall not exceed 100 square feet in area on one side
and shall not exceed a total of 200 square feet in area on all sides
for any one premises and shall not exceed 15 feet in height. When
earthen berms are used at the base of said ground signs, the earthen
berms shall count towards the maximum permissible sign height. Ground
signs shall be set back from any existing or planned public street
right-of-way a minimum distance of 30 feet. Signage copy shall be
limited to business name and logo.
(3) Required landscaping at base of ground sign. All ground signs (not
including on-site directional ground signs) in the M-3 District shall
provide a landscaped area with appropriate natural plant material
ground cover and other landscape plantings located at the base of
said ground sign equal in area to the area of the face of the sign.
When earthen berms are used as part of said landscaping, the earthen
berms shall maintain a side slope of 3:1 with a maximum berm height
of three feet above adjacent surrounding grade. When earthen berms
are used, earthen berms shall count towards the maximum permissible
sign height.
(4) On-site directional ground signs. On-site directional signage in
the M-3 District may be allowed giving directions to areas such as
employee or visitor parking and shipping or loading zones. The maximum
size of directional ground signs shall not exceed three square feet
in area on each side. Maximum height shall be 48 inches.
(5) Temporary construction signs and real estate sales/lease signs. Temporary construction signs and real estate sales and/or lease signs in the M-3 District shall be permitted in accordance with the provisions of this article
VII and shall not exceed 32 square feet in sign area.
(6) Prohibited signs. Specifically prohibited signs include projecting signs, billboards, pole signs, roof signs, pylon signs, flashing or moving signs or beacons, bench signs, trailer signs, banner signs on poles or buildings, vehicle signs, balloons, inflatable advertising devices, inflatable signs, and pennants and those signs listed in §
315-65 of the Code.
(7) Sign maintenance. The owner of any sign shall keep it in good maintenance
and repair, which includes restoring, repainting, or replacement of
a worn or damaged legally existing sign to its original condition,
and shall maintain the premises on which the sign is erected in a
clean, sanitary, and inoffensive condition, free and clear of obnoxious
substances, rubbish, and weeds.
(8) Signs illuminated by spotlights. If any signs are illuminated by
spotlights specifically directed at it, the spotlights are to be fully
shielded so that they are not visible from public streets or adjoining
property.
In addition to the requirements set forth in other sections
of this article, signs located in the HPO District shall also conform
to the additional standards indicated below. Where conflicts exist
between the standards set forth in other sections of this article
and this section, the standards set forth in this section shall prevail
in the HPO District.
A. Signs prohibited in the HPO District. In addition to those signs prohibited in all zoning districts as set forth in §
315-65 of this article, the following signs shall be prohibited in the HPO District:
(1) Freestanding signs prohibited. No freestanding signs shall be permitted in the HPO District. Notwithstanding the prohibition of sandwich signs set forth in §
315-65, one freestanding sandwich sign not exceeding a maximum of six square feet per sign face may be permitted per business in the HPO District when such sign does not constitute a public safety or traffic hazard as determined by the Zoning Administrator.
(2) Plastic formed facade signs prohibited. No plastic formed signs or
signs formed from plastic-like materials shall be permitted in the
HPO District unless such materials simulate historic signage.
B. Wall, fascia (including transoms), and awning signs.
(1) Placement of wall, fascia (including transoms), and awning signs. All wall, fascia (including transoms), and awning signs shall be placed below the upper edge of the traditional building sign band as indicated below. No wall, fascia, or awning signage shall be allowed to be located above the upper edge of the traditional building sign band. (See Subsection
C for the allowance of projecting and hanging signs.) Awning signs should be limited to the valance only.
(2) Maximum signage area. The total maximum cumulative signage area of
all signage placed upon the street-facing facade (including all wall,
fascia, awning signs and interior business signs visible from the
display windows and entries) of a building (not including freestanding
sandwich signs, or projecting and overhanging signs placed above the
upper edge of the building sign band) shall not exceed 15% of the
total area of that portion of the first floor street-facing facade
which lies below the upper edge of the building sign band. Gilded,
vinyl, painted letters or other business signage placed on the inside
or outside (attached and detached) of storefront display windows shall
be counted towards the total maximum cumulative signage area.
(3) Maximum signage lettering. The maximum size of letters on a wall
or fascia sign shall be no greater than 12 inches in height and cover
no more than 60% of the sign band or window upon which the letters
are placed.
(4) Maximum number of walls, fascia (including transoms), and awning
signs. The total maximum number of all wall, fascia (including transoms),
and awning signs placed upon the street-facing facade of a building
shall not exceed four signs. Gilded, vinyl, painted letters or other
business signage placed on the inside or outside (attached or detached)
of storefront display windows shall be counted towards the maximum
number of walls, fascia (including transoms), and awning signs. Hours
of operation shall not be included in these calculations as they are
not considered business signage.
(5) Wall and fascia (including transoms) sign placement not to visually
obscure architectural details. No wall sign or fascia (including transoms)
shall be placed so as to visually obscure architectural details which
are important to the historic character of the HPO District and the
building upon which such wall or fascia sign is placed.
C. Projecting and hanging signs. Projecting and hanging signs are allowed
in the HPO District to extend only over public rights-of-way occupied
by pedestrian sidewalks subject to the following:
(1) Minimum and maximum height of a projecting and hanging sign. All
such projecting or hanging signs in the HPO District shall be elevated
a minimum height of eight feet. Projecting or hanging signs may be
placed above the sign band; however, no projecting or hanging sign
shall extend above the top edge of the largest second story window.
(2) Limitation of the extension of a projecting and hanging sign. Any
such projecting or hanging sign in the HPO District shall not project
more than five feet from the surface of its supporting building. All
such projecting signs in the HPO District shall not be permitted to
extend closer than two feet to any public street curb or pavement
or to any public alley curb or pavement.
(3) Placement of projecting and hanging signs. All projecting and hanging
signs in the HPO District shall be placed perpendicular to the building
facade and not flush with the building facade.
(4) Maximum area of a projecting and hanging sign. The maximum cumulative
permitted area allowed for all projecting or hanging signs on a structure
in the HPO District shall not exceed 7% of the upper building facade
area. The upper building facade area shall be determined by multiplying
the width of the upper building facade by its height (height as measured
from the upper edge of the sign band to the upper edge of the cornice).
(5) Limitation of the number of projecting and hanging signs. The total
number of projecting signs allowed a structure in the HPO District
shall be one sign per business.
D. Illumination of signs. Nonflashing, illuminated signs shall be permitted in the HPO District. If signs are illuminated, said signs shall be externally illuminated and subject to the provisions of §
315-71E of this chapter. No electronic message signs shall be installed in the HPO District.
E. Limitations on types of window signs (including transom windows).
All window business signs (including transom windows) in the HPO District
shall be gilded, painted, vinyl, etched glass, or leaded glass letters
placed on the inside or outside of storefront display windows. Product
and/or company logo signs are allowed on the inside of storefront
display windows.
F. Signage color. All signage shall be of a color which is compatible
and complementary with the color of the building construction materials
found in the HPO District. Company or organizational logos with colors
outside of the HPO color palette are allowed.
G. Signage for corner buildings. If a structure in the downtown district
is on a corner and therefore has two street-facing facades, consideration
to a second sign will be given. The sign dimension can mirror what
is allowable on the primary side, if the second side is equal to or
larger in size than the primary facade and existing signage. If the
secondary facade is shorter, signage must be proportional to the primary
facade signage, based on the width of the structure.
H. Alleyway signage for deliveries. Signage in the alleyway to identify
businesses for deliveries and staff access is permitted. Alleyway
signs shall not exceed two-foot by four-foot or eight total square
feet in size.
The purpose of §§
315-78 through
315-83 is to establish administrative procedures for signs in the City of Burlington.
The City of Burlington Zoning Administrator is hereby designated
as the City's authorized agent to record and file all applications
for sign permits, with any accompanying plans and documents, make
inspections of signs in the City of Burlington, and make such reports
as the City may require.
All signs and sign messages shall be removed by the owner or
lessee of the premises upon which an on-premises or off-premises sign
is located when the business it advertises is no longer conducted
or, for an off-premises sign, when lease payment and rental income
are no longer provided. All signs shall be removed by the owner or
lessee from the premises upon which an on- premises sign message or
sign is located within 30 days of the vacation of the premises. If
the owner or lessee fails to remove the sign or sign message, the
Zoning Administrator, or other Common Council authorized agent, shall
give the owner 30 days' written notice to remove said sign or
sign message. Upon failure to comply with this notice, the City of
Burlington may cause removal to be executed, the expenses of which
shall become a lien on the property upon which the sign message or
sign is located as of the date of the removal of the sign message
or sign and shall automatically be extended upon the current or next
tax roll as a special charge against the property.
All appeals or variances pertaining to the regulation of signs
as set forth in this article shall be to the Zoning Board of Appeals
of the City of Burlington.
By the holding of a sign permit, any person who holds said sign
permit who installs or maintains a sign which involves, in whole or
in part, the location, erection, movement, reconstruction, enlargement,
expansion, alteration, conversion, operation, maintenance, placement,
relocation, or removal of a sign or any other sign work shall hold
harmless and indemnify the City of Burlington, its officers, agents,
consultants, and employees from any and all claims of negligence resulting
from the location, erection, movement, reconstruction, enlargement,
expansion, alteration, conversion, operation, maintenance, placement,
relocation, or removal of a sign or any other sign work insofar as
this article has not specifically directed the placement of the sign.
The City of Burlington's acceptance of fees as provided
herein shall not be deemed as assumption of liability by the City
of Burlington. The owner of any building, structure, or land upon
which a sign is located, erected, moved, reconstructed, enlarged,
expanded, altered, converted, operated, placed, or relocated shall
be liable for any damages and injuries that may be caused to persons
or property thereby.
No signage shall be placed within the HPO Historic Preservation Overlay District without review and recommendation by the Historic Preservation Commission and final approval by the Building Inspector as provided under §§
315-113 and
315-42E(1) of this chapter.