§ 9.1. General Requirements.

1.

Intent. This section seeks to enhance the economy and aesthetic appeal of the [Place Type name] through the reasonable, orderly, safe, and effective display of signage.

2.

Applicability. These standards shall apply to signage in all districts for nonresidential uses only.

3.

General Compliance. Compliance with the regulations outlined shall be attained under the following situations.

(1)

Newly Constructed or Reconstructed Signage. All new signs and structural improvements to existing signs.

(2)

Change in Use for Single Business Signage. For signage serving one business, whenever the existing Use is changed to a new use resulting in a change in signage, including rewording.

(3)

Multiple-Business Signage. For signage serving multiple businesses, whenever 50% or more of the existing uses are changed to new uses resulting in a change in signage, including rewording.

(4)

Damage or Destruction. When a sign has been damaged or destroyed by fire, collapse, explosion or other cause and the cost of restoration is greater than 50% of the replacement value at the time of the destruction or damage, the replacement sign shall comply with the standards in this article.

4.

Prohibited, Temporary, Exempt Signage Refer to the City's Code for information on Prohibited, Temporary, and Exempt Signs.

5.

Sign Permit Process. Refer to the City's Code for information on the Sign Permit Process.

6.

Sign Location. Unless otherwise specified, signs shall only be located within the boundaries of the lot and not in the right-of-way or on public property.

(1)

Certain Sign types may extend beyond a property line into the right-of-way or public property with permission from the City and in accordance with the regulations outlined in this section.

(2)

No sign shall be attached to a utility pole, tree, standpipe, gutter, or drain.

(3)

Signs shall be erected so as to permit free ingress to or egress from any door, window, the roof, or any other exit-way required by the building code or by fire department regulations.

(4)

No Sign shall be erected or maintained in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision of, interfere with, or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal, or device.

7.

Illumination. All signs shall be illuminated according to the following provisions unless otherwise stated.

(1)

Signs shall be illuminated only by steady, stationary light sources directed solely at the Sign or internal to it, except as permitted for Electronic Message Boards.

(2)

Individual letters or logos may be internally illuminated as permitted per each sign type; no other portion of the sign shall be internally illuminated, except as permitted for Electronic Message Boards or unless otherwise stated.

(3)

When an external artificial light source is used to illuminate a Sign, the lamp (or bulb) shall be located, shielded, and directed so as to not be visible from any public street or private residence.

(a)

No receptacle or device housing a permitted light source which is attached to the sign itself shall extend more than 18 inches from the face of the Sign.

(b)

If ground lighting is used to illuminate a sign, the receptacle or device should not extend more than 12 inches above ground and must be fully screened and housed.

8.

Construction, Design, and Maintenance Standards. All signs shall meet the construction, design standards, and maintenance requirements of the City's Building Code.

9.

Computation. The following standards generally apply to computing the area of signs by type and by building lot. Refer to the Sign Types 9.3-9.11 for more information.

(1)

Exempt and temporary signs are not included in the maximum signage area calculations, unless otherwise specified.

(2)

Height for freestanding signs is measured from the average grade at the front property line to the top of the sign, sign cabinet, or cap, whichever is highest.

(3)

For the purposes of determining area, lot width or frontage is measured along the front property line.

(a)

If the lot is a corner lot, the width shall be measured along the front yard.

(b)

Building frontage is the width of the front facade of a building.