Article XV, Section 53

Signage

• Affixing to existing sign structure

  No sign shall be permitted to be nailed or otherwise affixed to any existing sign structure unless it is to become an integral part of such existing sign structure.

• Animated signs prohibitedProhibitedNot allowed in the district at all, short of rezoning or a variance.

  Animated signs as defined in article I of this chapter shall not be permitted in any district.

• Banner sign maximum display duration120 days

  No banner sign shall be displayed for a period exceeding 120 days

• Banner sign maximum frequency per year2 times/year

  nor shall banner signs be displayed on a lot more frequently than two times in a calendar year.

• Banner sign minimum heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. above grade7 ft

  Banner signs shall be erected a minimum of seven feet above grade, except where mounted flush against the face of a building.

• Compliance with building code

  All signs shall conform to applicable provisions of the Uniform Statewide Building Code and all amendments thereto.

• Directional indicator illumination

  Arrows or other directional indicators on a sign may not be illuminated.

• Directional sign maximum area8 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.

  On-site directional signs. Signs directing and guiding traffic on private property when such signs do not exceed eight square feet in area.

• Directional sign maximum heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first.4 ft

  If freestanding, such signs shall not exceed four feet in height

• Directional sign setbackSetbackThe distance a building must be held back from a lot line.3 ft

  or be located within three feet of a street line or other property line.

• Electrical standards for signs

  Any sign containing electrical components shall conform to current UL, ETL, CSA, or ULC standards and display a label from one of these recognized testing labs; or as an alternative, shall be designed and constructed to standards that would allow one of the above referenced labels to be affixed and thereafter inspected to insure compliance with these standards.

• Illumination glare on buildings

  No light from any illuminated sign shall cause direct glare into or upon any building other than the building to which the sign is related.

• Illumination glare on property

  No light from any illuminated sign shall cause direct glare on to any adjoining piece of property, or any adjoining right-of-way.

• NonconformingNonconformingLawful when built, but not compliant with the rules now in force; usually allowed to continue but not to expand. sign damage restoration

  Any nonconforming sign damaged to the extent that it represents a public hazard as determined by the building official, or any nonconforming sign damaged by fire, explosion, act of God or the public enemy to an extent exceeding 50 percent of its replacement cost, shall be removed or made to conform to the provisions of this ordinance. In the case of damage of 50 percent or less of the replacement cost of a nonconforming sign damaged by fire, explosion, act of God or the public enemy, such sign may be restored as before the damage, if such restoration is completed within six months of the damage.

• NonconformingNonconformingLawful when built, but not compliant with the rules now in force; usually allowed to continue but not to expand. sign maintenance

  A nonconforming sign may be maintained and repaired, provided that such sign shall not be moved, replaced, structurally altered, or modified as to size, shape or height except in conformity with the provisions of this article. Lighting or illumination shall not be added to a nonconforming sign.

• Obstruction of openings

  No wall sign or other sign shall be attached to or obstruct any window, door, stairway or other opening intended for ingress or egress or for needed ventilation and light.

• Sign permit expiration12 months

  Any permit issued pursuant to this article shall expire 12 months from the date of issue if the sign for which such permit was issued has not been erected, constructed, installed, attached, altered, changed, modified, expanded, enlarged, extended, reconstructed, replaced, relocated, reestablished, restored, repaired, rebuilt, converted, or displayed within such 12-month period.

• Sign permit required

  No person shall erect, construct, install, attach, alter, change, modify, expand, enlarge, extend, reconstruct, replace, relocate, reestablish, restore, repair, rebuild, convert, or display any sign on private property without first obtaining a permit therefor from the city, except as otherwise provided in this article.

• Portable sign illumination

  No portable sign shall be illuminated.

• Portable sign maximum area32 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.

  Portable signs shall not exceed 32 square feet in area.

• Portable sign number per lot1 signs

  Not more than one portable sign shall be permitted on a lot, except additional portable signs shall be permitted within a shopping center when spaced not less than 200 feet apart and when not more than one such sign is erected for a particular business.

• Portable sign setbackSetbackThe distance a building must be held back from a lot line.5 ft

  No portable sign shall be located within five feet of any street right-of-way, other property line or any driveway.

• ProhibitedProhibitedNot allowed in the district at all, short of rezoning or a variance. sign types

  Prohibited signs are as follows: 1. Any sign that, due to its size, location, color, or illumination, obscures a sign displayed by a public agency. 2. Any sign, except an official public notice, which is nailed, tacked, posted, or in any other manner attached to any utility pole, or structure supporting wire, cable, or pipe; or to public property of any description. 3. Any sign located within a public right-of-way, except for signs displayed by a duly constituted governmental authority. 4. Flashing or revolving lights, or beacons intended to direct attention to a location, building or service, or any similar device otherwise displayed that imitates by its design or use, emergency service vehicles or equipment. 5. Any sign that simulates an official traffic sign or signal. 6. Any sign or portion thereof that rotates, or otherwise moves through the use of electrical or wind power, with the exception of the changing of messages on electronic message boards. 7. Billboard signs.

• Property line encroachment

  Except as specifically permitted in the commercial district, no portion of any sign or its supporting structure shall extend beyond the property lines of the lot on which it is located or extend into or project over the right-of-way of a public street.

• Signs on public property

  No person except a public officer or employee in performance of a public duty shall paste, paint, print, nail, tack, erect, place or fasten any sign, pennant, banner or notice of any kind within, facing or visible to any public street or public open space, except as provided for in this chapter.

• Sandwich board sign heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first.6 ft

  Such signs shall not be greater than six feet in height or 2½ feet in width

• Sandwich board signs per shopping center12 signs

  for shopping centers are not to exceed a total of 12 sandwich board signs

• Sandwich board signs per business1 signs

  Within the commercial districts, one sandwich board sign is permitted for each business

• Sandwich board sidewalk clearance4 ft

  nor shall they obstruct the sidewalk to less than four feet in width

• Sandwich board sign width2.5 ft

  Such signs shall not be greater than six feet in height or 2½ feet in width

• Temporary sign area in commercial/industrial districts18 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.

  One or more temporary signs not exceeding an aggregate area of 18 square feet shall be permitted in commercial or industrial zoning districts.

• Temporary sign area in residential districts6 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.

  One or more temporary signs not exceeding an aggregate area of six square feet shall be permitted in the residential zoning districts

• Temporary sign setbackSetbackThe distance a building must be held back from a lot line. from right-of-way10 ft

  Any such sign shall not be located within ten feet of any developed public right-of-way.

• Traffic interference prohibition

  No sign shall be located, arranged or designed so that it interferes with traffic by any of the following means: glare; blocking of reasonable sight lines for streets, sidewalks or driveways; confusion with a traffic control device by reason of its color, location, shape, or other characteristic; or any other means.