§ 9-37.050. General Requirements for All Signs

A.

Sign area. Sign area shall be measured as follows to determine compliance with the sign area limitations of this Chapter.

1.

The surface area of a sign shall be calculated by enclosing all framing, writing, logo, representation, emblem, or other display within a single continuous perimeter line. See Figure 3-11.

Figure 3-11. Sign Area Measurement

2.

Supporting members or bracing that is clearly incidental to the display itself shall not be computed as sign area.

3.

The area of a double-faced (back-to-back) freestanding sign shall be calculated as a single sign face if the distance between each sign face does not exceed one foot at any point.

4.

Where a sign consists of one or more three-dimensional objects (e.g., balls, cubes, clusters of objects, sculptures and statue-like trademarks), the sign area shall be measured as their maximum projection upon a vertical plane. See Figure 3-12.

Figure 3-12. 3-D Sign Measurement

B.

Sign height. Sign height shall be measured as the vertical distance from the top of the adjacent curb elevation to the highest point of the structure, or average grade, whichever is less, as shown in Figure 3-13.

Figure 3-13. Sign Height Measurement

C.

Sign location requirements.

1.

All signs shall be located on the same site as the subject of the sign, except as otherwise allowed by this Chapter. A sign may project over an adjacent public right-of-way only if authorized by an encroachment permit as well as a Sign Permit.

2.

Signs shall not be located within the public right-of-way, except as otherwise allowed by this Chapter.

3.

Except for awnings, signs shall not overlap any portion of a window.

D.

Maintenance standards for signs.

1.

Signs and supporting hardware, including temporary signs, shall be maintained in a good state of repair and must function properly at all times. Signs with broken frames and mounting brackets, missing or broken panels, missing or unreadable text or graphics, burned out lights, peeling paint, rusted, or bent structural members shall be deemed not to be in a good state of repair. Repairs to signs shall be of equal or better quality of materials and design as the original sign. Signs that are not in a good state of repair shall be deemed to be a public nuisance, and may be abated in compliance with the City's Property Maintenance Ordinance.

2.

When existing signs are removed or replaced, all brackets, poles, and other supports that are no longer required shall be removed. Walls shall be repaired and painted to match the supporting structure.

E.

Rehabilitation Sign Permit Standards. Refer to Section 9-44.120(D) for standards.

F.

Design guidelines for signs. The following design guidelines are strongly encouraged for use in preparation of sign permit applications. (Note: All sign design guidelines appear in italics to distinguish them from standards, which are mandatory requirements.)

1.

Responsibility for design and construction.

a.

Design drawings for proposed permanent signs should be prepared by design professionals (e.g., graphic designers, architects, landscape architects, interior designers, whose principal business is the design, manufacture, or sale of signs) or others who are determined by the Director to be capable of producing professional results.

b.

All permanent signs should be constructed by individuals whose principal business is building construction or a related trade, including those whose principal business is the manufacture and installation of signs, or others capable of producing professional results. The intent is to achieve signing of careful construction, neat and readable copy, and durability, to reduce maintenance costs and to prevent dilapidation.

2.

Sign copy. The City does not regulate the message content (copy) of signs; however, the following are principles of copy design and layout that can enhance the readability and attractiveness of signs. Copy design and layout consistent with these principles is encouraged.

a.

Sign copy should relate only to the name and/or nature of the business or commercial center.

b.

Permanent signs that advertise continuous sales, special prices, etc. should be avoided.

c.

Information should be conveyed briefly or by logo, symbol, or other graphic manner. The intent should be to increase the readability of the sign and thereby enhance the identity of the business.

d.

Freestanding signs should contain the street address of the parcel or the range of addresses for a multi-tenant center.

3.

Colors. Colors on signs and structural members should be harmonious (e.g., compatible and complementary) with one another and representative of the dominant colors of the building(s) being identified.

4.

Materials and structure.

a.

Materials selected for permanent signs should be durable and capable of withstanding weathering over the life of the sign with reasonable maintenance.

b.

Sign materials (including those for framing and support) should be similar in appearance to the type and scale of materials used on the buildings on the same site as the sign. Insofar as possible, sign materials should match the materials used on the building and on other signs on the project site.

c.

The size of the structural members (e.g., supports) should be proportional to the sign panel they are supporting. In general, fewer larger supporting members are preferable to many smaller supports.

d.

Any background required to support the individual letters should be the same (e.g., color, materials, etc.) for all on-site signs with backgrounds.

e.

The use of signs composed of individual letters mounted on a building wall and incorporated into the building design (rather than signs with background and framing other than the building wall) should be required under the following:

(1)

Proposed signs under a Master Sign Program;

(2)

New or modified signs; and

(3)

Any background required to support the individual letters should be the minimum amount needed to serve the intended purpose.

5.

Light sources. Light sources should utilize energy efficient fixtures to the greatest extent possible.

6.

Sign illumination.

a.

External light sources should be directed and shielded to limit direct illumination of any object other than the sign.

b.

In areas with low ambient nighttime illumination levels (e.g., residential neighborhoods or business districts with little or no illuminated signing) applicants are encouraged to use light, illuminated copy against dark or opaque backgrounds.

c.

Reflective-type bulbs and incandescent lamps that exceed 15 watts should not be used on the exterior surface of signs so as to expose the face of the bulb or lamp to a public right-of-way or adjacent property.

G.

Electronic changeable copy sign standards.

1.

The display illumination shall not have continuous motion or appear to be in continuous motion.

2.

The message rate shall not change at a rate faster than one message every 30 seconds.

3.

The intensity of the illumination shall neither change nor flash.

4.

For signs located within or abutting residential zones, the hours of operation are limited to 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

5.

The display is limited to text only and no graphics/pictures are allowed.

6.

The sign shall be freestanding only with a maximum height of eight feet and a total area allowed for electronic display limited to 40 square feet.

(§ 4, Ord. 1092, eff. July 6, 2006, as amended by § 2, Ord. 1126, eff. March 13, 2008)