(1)   The lettering shall be large enough to be easily read but not overly large or out of scale with the building or site;

      (2)   The number of items, letters, symbols and shapes shall be consistent with the amount of information which can be comprehended by the viewer; reflect simplicity; avoid visual clutter; and improve legibility;

      (3)   The shape of the sign shall be simple and not create visual clutter, and the sign should be consolidated to a minimum number of elements;

      (4)   The size, style and location of the sign shall be appropriate to the activity of the site;

      (5)   The sign shall compliment the building and adjacent buildings by being designed and placed to enhance the architecture;

      (6)   Signs shall have an appropriate contrast and be designed with a limited number of, and harmonious use of, colors;

      (7)   Extraneous elements, by virtue of inappropriate remodeling, and which exist at the time a new sign is proposed, shall be removed to improve the clarity and design of the proposed sign and restore the intended character of the building;

      (8)   Signs, if seen in series, shall have a continuity of design with the style of sign generally consistent throughout the building or block;

      (9)   Visible frames or supports for projecting signs shall be artistic in nature; and

      (10)   A sign should be constructed with a minimum of different types of material so as to provide a consistent overall appearance.

      (1)   Signs and/or notices issued by any court, officer or other person in performance of a public duty. Any such sign shall be removed no later than seven days after the last day it is required to be displayed;

      (2)   Whenever any sign, either conforming or nonconforming, is required to be removed for the purpose of repair, relettering or repainting, the same may be done without a zoning permit or any payment of fees provided that all of the following conditions are met:

         A.   There is no alteration or remodeling to the structure or the mounting of the sign itself;

         B.   There is no enlargement or increase in any of the dimensions of the sign or its structure; and

         C.   The sign is accessory to a legally permitted or legally nonconforming use.

      (3)   This shall include the exchange of sign panels when a sign is designed to have replaceable sign faces unless a zoning permit or site plan review is required for simultaneous work on the applicable lot, in which case, the sign panel change shall be reviewed as part of the zoning permit or site plan review application, as applicable;

      (4)   Signs that are an integral part of the original construction of vending or similar machines, fuel pumps, automated teller machines or similar devices that are not of a size or design as to be visible from a street or by any person other than those using the machine or device;

      (5)   Any sign that is located completely inside a building that is not visible from the exterior (see also definition of window sign);

      (6)   Signs that are located within a stadium, open-air theater, park, arena or other outdoor use that are not visible from a public right-of-way or adjacent property, and can be viewed only by persons within such stadium, open-air theater, park, arena or other outdoor use;

      (7)   Certain temporary signs as established in § 1236.11: Temporary Signs;

      (8)   No more than four flags located on flagpoles or on wall-mounted posts provided that the following shall apply:

         A.   The maximum height of flag poles shall not exceed the maximum building height for structures in the subject zoning district, and a maximum sign area of area of 40 square feet for any individual flag attached to the pole; and

         B.   The maximum projection for wall-mounted flag post is six feet and a maximum sign area of 15 square feet per flag.

      (9)   A single wall sign placed on the facade of an individual dwelling unit that is not illuminated and does not exceed two square feet in area;

      (10)   Signs that are an integral part of the historic character of a structure that has been designated an official landmark or historic structure by any agency or body of the governments of the United States, state, Lorain County or city;

      (11)   Any signs located on umbrellas, seating or similar patio furniture provided they are located outside of the right-of-way;

      (12)   Ground signs and markings located completely within the interior of a lot used for a cemetery where such signs are not designed to be visible from a public street;

      (13)   Signs that are part of a public art installation;

      (14)   Any sign on a truck, bus or other vehicle that is used in the normal course of a business (e.g., deliveries or fleet vehicles for contractors) for transportation (see also § 1236.06(p)), or signage required by the state or federal government;

      (15)   Signs installed or required by a governmental agency including the city, Lorain County, state and United States, including local and regional transit agencies;

      (16)   Any warning signs or traffic safety signs required by public utility providers;

      (17)   Hand-held signs not set on or affixed to the ground;

      (18)   Any address numbers required by the city, Lorain County or the state;

      (19)   Changes of copy on signs with changeable copy;

      (20)   Any signs, including illuminated signs, or related decorations erected in observance of religious, national or state holidays which are not intended to be permanent in nature and which contain no advertising material; and

      (21)   General maintenance, painting, repainting, cleaning and other normal maintenance and repair of a sign or any sign structure unless a structural change is made.

(Ord. 21-161, passed 12-13-2021; Ord. 22-195, passed 12-19-2022)

   The following types of signs are specifically prohibited within the city:

   (a)   Any sign that copies or imitates a sign installed by any governmental agency or purports to have been authorized by a governmental agency;

   (b)   Signs that interfere with, obstruct the view of, or are similar in appearance to any authorized traffic sign, signal or device because of its position, shape, use of words or color;

   (c)   Signs that constitute a hazard to safety or health by reason of inadequate or inappropriate design, construction, repair or maintenance, as determined by the building official;

   (d)   Signs that employ any parts or elements which revolve, rotate, whirl, spin or otherwise make use of motion to attract attention. This shall not include electronic message centers as allowed in this chapter;

   (e)   Signs with moving or flashing lights except for electronic message centers as allowed in this chapter;

   (f)   Feather signs;

   (g)   Beacons and searchlights, except for emergency purposes;

   (h)   Windblown devices, pennants, streamers, and similar signs that are designed to move by atmospheric, mechanical, electrical or other means, whether containing words or numerals or containing no message.

   (i)   Air-activated graphics;

   (j)   Balloon signs;

   (k)   Roof signs;

   (l)   Signs that are applied to trees, bus shelters, utility poles, benches, trash receptacles, newspaper

vending machines or boxes, or any other unapproved supporting structure, or otherwise placed in the public right-of-way except as otherwise specifically provided for in this code;

   (m)   Signs that obstruct or substantially interfere with any window, door, fire escape, stairway, ladder or opening intended to provide light, air, ingress or egress to any building;

   (n)   Signs which are not securely affixed to the ground or otherwise affixed in a permanent manner to an approved supporting structure unless specifically permitted as a temporary sign;

   (o)   Portable signs;

   (p)   Vehicle signs viewed from a public road with the primary purpose of providing signage not otherwise allowed by this chapter. A vehicle sign shall be considered to be used for the primary purpose of advertising if the vehicle fails to display current license plates, inspection sticker, or municipal decal; if the vehicle is inoperable; if evidence of paid-to-date local taxes cannot be made available; or if the sign alters the standard design of such vehicle. Vehicle signs include those attached to or placed on a vehicle or trailer. Vehicles or trailers shall not be parked continuously in one location to be used primarily as additional signage. This does not apply to a vehicle parked at a driver’s residence and is the primary means of transportation to and from his or her place of employment. See also § 1236.05(d)(14); and

   (q)   Any sign not specifically allowed by this chapter.

(Ord. 21-161, passed 12-13-2021)

      (1)   The calculation of sign area shall not include any supporting framework, bracing or decorative fence or wall unless such structural support is determined to constitute an integral part of the sign design by means of text or other message, as determined by the Code Administrator. See Figure 1236-A.

      (2)   For sign copy mounted or painted on a background panel, cabinet or surface distinctively painted, textured, lighted or constructed to serve as the background for the sign copy, the sign area shall be computed by means of the smallest permitted shape, or combination of permitted shapes, that encompasses the extreme limits of the background panel, cabinet or surface. See Figure 1236-A and Figure 1236-B.

      (3)   For sign copy where individual letters or elements are mounted on a building facade or window where there is no background panel, cabinet or surface distinctively painted, textured, lighted or constructed to serve as the background for the sign copy, the sign area shall be computed by means of the smallest permitted shape, or combination of permitted shapes, that encloses all the letters or elements associated with the sign. See Figure 1236-C.

      (4)   In cases where there are multiple sign elements of sign copy on the same surface, any areas of sign copy that are within two feet of one another shall be calculated as a single sign area that shall be computed by means of the smallest permitted shape, or combination of permitted shapes, that encloses all sign copy within two feet of one another, otherwise the sign area shall be computed for each separate piece of sign copy. See Figure 1236-D.

      (5)   Decorative edging or other window treatments that are not an integral part of the sign copy shall not be considered a part of the sign for the purposes of this chapter. See Figure 1236-D.

      (6)   Except for three-dimensional signs, the sign area for a sign with more than one face (multifaced signs) shall be computed by adding together the area of all sign faces when the interior angle is greater than 45 degrees.

      (7)   When two identically sized, flat sign faces are placed back-to-back or at angles of 45 degrees or less, so that both faces cannot be viewed from any one point at the same time, the sign area shall be computed by the measurement of one of the sign faces. If the two faces are unequal, the sign area shall be calculated based on the larger of the two faces.

      (8)   In the case of a three-dimensional sign where the sign faces are not mounted back-to-back, the sign area shall be calculated by the smallest permitted shape, or combination of permitted shapes, that encompasses the profile of the sign message. The profile used shall be the largest area of the sign message visible from any one point. See Figure 1236-E.

      (1)   When calculating the permitted sign area based on the width of any facade, such calculation shall be based on viewing the facade from a 90-degree angle (i.e., straight on), regardless of facade insets, offsets or angles. See Figure 1236-F.

      (2)   The primary facade shall be the portion of a frontage that serves as the main access point to a building or building unit. A site or building will be considered to have secondary facades when any of the following site/building characteristics are present (see Figure 1236-G):

         A.   The subject site is a corner lot;

         B.   The primary parking area is not located adjacent to a public street; or

         C.   The building or unit has walls with public or customer entrance points that do not face the public street.

      (3)   When a site has primary and secondary facade as defined herein, the Code Administrator shall determine which wall shall be the primary building facade and which wall(s) shall be the secondary building facade. Only one outside wall of any business shall be considered its primary facade.

      (4)   For multi-tenant buildings, the portion of a building that is owned or leased by a single occupant or tenant shall be considered a building unit. The facade width for a building unit shall be measured from the centerline of the party walls defining the building unit.

      (5)   The Code Administrator shall have the authority to make the determination of what facades are primary facades and secondary facades for the purposes of this chapter.

(Ord. 21-161, passed 12-13-2021)

   Unless otherwise specifically stated, the following regulations shall apply to all signs within the city.

   (a)   Permanent signs are considered accessory uses and shall be accessory to a principal use provided for in this code. Temporary signs may be permitted on all lots, regardless of the presence of a principal use, provided the temporary signs are in compliance with this chapter.

   (b)   All signs shall be constructed in compliance with the applicable building and electrical codes as well as any other city regulations.

   (c)   Signs shall be structurally designed to withstand wind pressure of 30 pounds per square foot in any direction.

   (d)   Signs shall be fabricated on and of materials which are of good quality, good durability and are complimentary to the building of which they become a part.

   (e)   No sign shall be erected, relocated or maintained so as to prevent free ingress or egress, or block any light or ventilation openings.

   (f)   No sign shall obstruct or interfere with fire ingress or egress from any door, window or fire escape, nor shall it obstruct or interfere with traffic or traffic visibility, or resemble or imitate signs or signals erected by the city or other governmental agency for the regulation of traffic or parking.

   (g)   All signs shall be secured in such a manner as to prevent swinging or other significant noticeable movement, not including movement related to permitted electronic message centers.

   (h)   Signs supported by or suspended from a building shall hang so as to maintain a minimum clear height of eight feet above a pedestrian path and 15 feet above a vehicular path.

   (i)   All signs shall comply with the vision clearance requirements of § 1226.05: Intersection Visibility.

   (j)   Signs in rights-of-way.

      (1)   Signs shall be prohibited in the right-of-way with the exception of:

         A.   Signs installed by the city, Lorain County, state or United States, including local and regional transit agencies;

         B.   Permanent monument signs if approved by the Code Administrator and where a homeowners’ or property owners’ association agreement or covenants provide for the maintenance of the sign; or

         C.   Any warning signs or traffic safety signs required by public utility providers.

      (2)   The building official may remove or cause to be removed any unlawful sign in the public right-of-way.

   (k)   Landscaping permanent freestanding signs.

      (1)   All permanent freestanding signs shall be located in a landscaped area equal to or larger than the total sign area of the applicable sign. Such landscaped area may be an area that fulfills any landscaping requirements of this code.

      (2)   The landscaped area shall include all points where sign structural supports attach to the ground.

      (3)   Exposed sign foundations shall be constructed with a finished material such as brick, stone or wood, or be screened with evergreens to the top of the anchor bolts.

   (l)   Maintenance.

      (1)   Every sign shall be maintained in a safe, presentable and good structural condition at all times, including the replacement of a defective part, painting, cleaning and other acts required for the maintenance of the sign so as not to show evidence of deterioration, including peeling, rust, dirt, fading, damage, discoloration or holes.

      (2)   Whenever a sign is to be removed pursuant to the requirements of this section, all parts of the sign and supporting structure (e.g., pole, foundation, cabinet structure and the like), excluding buildings for wall, projecting or similar signage, shall be removed in its entirety. This section shall not require the removal of a raceway if mounted to such structure on a building.

      (3)   The building official or Code Administrator may order the removal or repair of any sign that, has become insecure, in danger of falling or otherwise unsafe, or presents a threat to the public safety.

(Ord. 21-161, passed 12-13-2021)

   All signs, unless otherwise stated in this chapter, may be illuminated by internal or external light sources, provided that such illumination complies with the following.

   (a)   Illuminated signs shall not have any flashing or blinking lights or rotating beacons, nor shall any beam of light be projected through a mechanism which periodically changes the color of the light reaching the sign.

   (b)   All illumination shall be oriented so as to prevent glare onto traffic or onto adjacent property or structures.

   (c)   All electrical illumination devices shall be designed to be weather-resistant and shatterproof.

   (d)   Electronic message centers: all electronic message centers shall be subject to the following requirements.

      (1)   The maximum brightness of the electronic message center shall be:

         A.   The electronic message center shall come equipped with an automatic dimming photocell, which automatically adjusts the display’s brightness based on ambient light conditions;

         B.   The brightness level shall not increase by more than 0.3-foot candles (or 3.23 lumens per square meter or lux) (over ambient levels) as measured using a foot candle meter at a pre-set distance;

         D.   The owners of such signs shall include specifications accompanying their zoning permit application, demonstrating that they will comply with the prescribed brightness limitations set by this code.

      (2)   Electronic message centers shall have a pixel pitch of not more than 16 millimeters.

      (3)   Electronic message centers shall be designed and equipped to freeze the device in one position if a malfunction occurs. The displays must also be equipped with a measure to immediately discontinue the display if it malfunctions.

      (4)   Any message change shall be a static, instant message change meaning the sign shall not include animation, full motion video, flashing, scrolling, strobing, racing, blinking, changes in color, fade in or fade out in any manner imitating movement, or any other means not providing constant illumination.

      (5)   Messages can only change once every ten seconds.

      (6)   Only Light Emitting Diodes (LED) technology or similar quality signs shall be permitted for electronic message centers.

      (7)   Wherever an electronic message center is permitted, a manual changeable copy sign shall also be permitted. A zoning permit shall be required to change between each type of sign.

(Ord. 21-161, passed 12-13-2021)

   The following are the types of permanent signs allowed in the city and the applicable regulations for each type of sign.

            1.   Each sign may have a maximum sign area of 12 square feet.

            2.   No such sign or any portion of the structure shall exceed six feet in height.

            3.   The sign may only be illuminated through an external light source.

            1.   A maximum of two permanent monument sign may be permitted for each entrance to the subdivision or development on a collector or arterial street, as determined by the Development Review Committee.

            2.   Each sign shall be setback 15 feet from the public right-of-way and 20 feet from any adjacent lot lines.

            3.   One monument sign may be located on the center island of a boulevard entrance. See § 1236.08(j).

            4.   If an applicant proposes to use monument signs, no wall signs, as allowed in division(a)(1)C. of this section shall be permitted.

            1.   A maximum of two wall signs may be permitted for each entrance to the subdivision or development on a collector or arterial street, as determined by the Development Review Committee.

            2.   The signs shall be mounted to a decorative wall, fence, or architectural feature adjacent to the entrance street.

            3.   The placement of wall signs on architectural features shall only be permitted if such architectural feature is approved as part of a RPD or a subdivision plat. See Figure 1236-H.

            4.   The sign shall be setback 15 feet from the public right-of-way and 20 feet from any adjacent lot lines.

            5.   If an applicant proposes to use wall signs, no monument sign, as allowed in division (a)(1)B. of this section shall be permitted.

         A.   One permanent monument sign may be permitted on a lot containing a use approved as a conditional use provided the sign meets the following requirements.

            1.   The sign shall be set back seven feet from the public right-of-way and 20 feet from any adjacent lot lines.

            2.   The maximum sign area shall be 36 square feet.

            3.   No such sign or any portion of the structure shall exceed six feet in height.

         B.   Buildings signs shall be permitted on a lot containing a use approved as a conditional use provided the signs meet the same requirements for building signs in the B-1 District in division (c) of this section.

      (1)   A freestanding sign is only permitted in the B-3 District when the principal building is set back a minimum of ten feet from the right-of-way.

      (2)   The monument sign shall be set back minimum of seven feet from the right-of-way and 15 feet from any adjacent lot lines. In the B-3 District, the sign shall not be required to be set back from the right-of-way.

      (3)   Only one monument sign shall be permitted along each street frontage. One additional monument sign may be allowed on the same street frontage provided there is a minimum lot width of 200 feet and the signs are separated by at least 100 feet.

      (4)   The maximum sign area permitted, per sign, shall be 32 square feet in the B-3 District and 40 square feet in all other nonresidential zoning districts.

      (5)   The maximum sign height shall be seven feet.

      (6)   Monument signs may include manual changeable copy signs or electronic message centers as regulated by this chapter.

      (7)   Where a freestanding sign serves a multi-tenant building, it shall be the responsibility of the property owner to determine the messaging on the sign.

      (8)   Exposed sign foundations shall be constructed with a finished material such as brick, stone or wood.

      (1)   The building sign area allowed in this section shall include the total amount of all wall, canopy, awning and projecting signs on each facade wall. Standards for each individual building sign type are established in this section.

      (2)   Building signs shall not extend above the top of the roofline of the building to which it is attached. For canopy signs, the signs may be attached above the canopy, which is attached permanently to the building, provided that the sign does not extend above the top of the roofline of the building.

      (3)   Building signs may not be attached to mechanical equipment or roof screening.

      (4)   Building signs shall not include electronic message centers.

      (5)   Building sign allowance.

         A.   There is no maximum number of permitted building signs.

         B.   Where there is a building sign allowance for a primary facade, such building sign area shall only be attached to the primary facade.

         C.   Where there is a secondary facade, as determined in § 1236.07(d), there shall only be one designated secondary facade and any building sign area allowed for the secondary facade shall be attached to the applicable secondary facade.

 

 

         D.   For conditionally approved uses in residential zoning districts, the maximum building sign area shall be based on a calculation of one square foot of sign area per lineal foot of primary facade with, with a maximum of 100 square feet of total building sign area.

      (6)   Wall sign standards: any wall sign shall comply with the following standards.

         A.   Wall signs shall be mounted on or flush with a wall and shall not project more than 18 inches from the wall or face of the building to which it is attached.

         B.   A wall sign may be mounted on the facade wall or mounted on a raceway or wireway.

         C.   No wall sign shall extend any closer than 12 inches to either the top or side edges of the surface or wall to which it is attached. No wall sign shall cover or obscure any wall opening.

         D.   No wall sign shall extend above the parapet of the main building to which it is attached, nor beyond the vertical limits of such building.

         E.   Wall signs may be internally or externally illuminated except when attached to a facade that faces a residential zoning district, in which case the illumination of the wall sign is prohibited.

         F.   The wall sign allowance may be used for signs attached to roofed structures over fueling stations or to stand-alone accessory structure such as Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) or detached accessory buildings.

      (7)   Canopy or awning sign standards: any canopy or awning sign shall comply with the following standards.

         A.   Signage shall not cover more than 24 square feet of any individual awning, canopy or marquee.

         B.   Canopies or awnings should not extend more than 36 inches from the facade.

         C.   Signage may be mounted above any canopy that extends over a customer entrance provided that the maximum sign height over the canopy shall be 18 inches as measured from the top of the canopy to the top of the sign.

         D.   Only the area of the sign may be illuminated internally on a canopy or awning. The remainder of any canopy or awning shall not be illuminated or may be illuminated by an external source such as gooseneck lighting.

      (8)   Projecting sign standards: any projecting sign shall comply with the following standards.

         A.   Only one projecting sign shall be permitted for each tenant of building space.

         B.   A projecting sign shall be perpendicular to the wall of the building to which it is attached and shall not extend more than four feet from the facade wall to which it is attached.

         C.   Projecting signs shall maintain a minimum six-inch clearance from the facade of any building.

         D.   Decorative supporting structures for projecting signs are encouraged and shall not count toward the maximum square footage of signs allowed, however, in no case shall the supporting structure exceed six square feet.

         E.   The maximum sign area for a projecting sign shall be 24 square feet.

         F.   Projecting signs must be suspended from brackets or other supports approved by the building official and contain no exposed guy wires or turnbuckles.

         G.   Projecting signs shall not encroach into any right-of-way.

      (1)   Window signs are prohibited in residential zoning districts with the exception that temporary signs may be placed in windows. See § 1236.11.

      (2)   Window signs may be temporarily or permanently attached to the window surface.

      (3)   Window signs shall not occupy more than 25% of the window area. The sign area is based on the total window area, regardless of the presence of an awning. Window areas separated by piers, architectural elements or similar features that are not glass or window framing or support shall be considered separate and distinct window areas. See Figure 1236-I.

      (1)   Drive-through facility signs shall only be permitted in nonresidential zoning districts.

      (2)   One drive-through facility sign shall be allowed for each stacking lane in a drive-through facility provided the total aggregate sign area of all ground signs associated with each drive-through facility does not exceed 72 square feet. In no case shall a single drive-through facility sign exceed 36 square feet in sign area.

      (3)   Such signs shall be oriented so as to only be visible to occupants of vehicles in the stacking lanes of the drive-through facility.

      (4)   No drive-through facility sign under this section shall exceed six feet in height measured from the grade of the adjacent driving surface to the top of the sign.

      (5)   Drive-through facility signs may be internally or externally illuminated. Up to 100% of each sign may be an electronic message center if they comply with the following standards.

         A.   Any message change shall be a static, instant message change.

         B.   Only Light Emitting Diodes (LED) technology or similar quality signs shall be permitted for electronic message centers.

         C.   The electronic message center shall come equipped with an automatic dimming photocell, which automatically adjusts the display’s brightness based on ambient light conditions.

         D.   The electronic message center shall be turned off during the hours when the related business is closed.

      (6)   Drive-through facility signs attached to a wall of building shall be calculated as part of the building signage allowance in division (c) of this section.

      (7)   The maximum sign areas of this section shall not apply where the drive-through facility sign is located in a manner that is not visible from a public right-of-way or from an adjacent residential lot, as determined by the Planning Commission during the site plan review process.

      (1)   Driveway signs shall not be permitted in residential zoning district except when accessory to an approved conditional use. In all other districts, driveway signs shall be permitted provided each sign complies with the standards of this section.

      (2)   Driveway signs shall only be permitted near driveway entrances to a public street.

      (3)   A maximum of two driveway signs are permitted per individual driveway.

      (4)   Driveway signs shall be located within 30 feet of the right-of-way.

      (5)   Each driveway sign shall not exceed four square feet in area and 30 inches in height.

      (6)   Driveway signs may be internally or externally illuminated.

(Ord. 21-161, passed 12-13-2021; Ord. 25-109, passed 6-23-2025)

   The following are the types of temporary signs allowed in the city and the applicable regulations for each type of sign.

      (1)   Temporary signs shall not be mounted, attached, affixed, installed or otherwise secured in a manner that will make the sign a permanent sign.

      (2)   No temporary sign shall be mounted, attached, affixed, installed or otherwise secured so as to protrude above the roofline of a structure.

      (3)   Temporary signs shall not be posted in any place or in any manner that is destructive to public property including, but not limited to, rights-of-way, utility poles, public trees and the like.

      (4)   Unless otherwise specifically stated, temporary signs shall not be illuminated.

      (5)   No temporary sign shall require a foundation, support, wiring, fittings or elements that would traditionally require a building permit or electrical permit.

      (6)   Temporary signs shall not be affixed to any permanent sign or permanent structure except when a banner sign is permitted to cover a permanent sign in accordance with division (d)(3) of this section or when such sign is attached to the principal building as permitted in this chapter.

      (7)   No streamers, spinning, flashing, windblown devices or similarly moving devices shall be allowed as part of or attachments to temporary signs.

      (8)   All temporary signs shall be secured in such a manner as to prevent swinging or other significantly noticeable movement resulting from the wind that could pose a danger to people, vehicles or structures.

      (9)   Mobile signs on wheels, runners, casters, parked trailers, parked vehicles or other temporary or movable signs shall not be permitted unless otherwise specifically stated in this chapter.

      (10)   Because of the nature of materials typically used to construct temporary signs and to avoid the unsightliness of deteriorating signs and all safety concerns which accompany such a condition, temporary signs shall be removed or replaced when such sign is deteriorated.

      (1)   Temporary signs that that contain a noncommercial message shall still be required to comply with vision clearance requirements. See § 1226.05: Intersection Visibility.

      (2)   The maximum height of temporary signs with a noncommercial message shall be four feet.

      (3)   Up to 36 square feet of aggregate sign area with a noncommercial message shall be permitted on any single lot.

      (4)   The maximum sign area of any individual sign with a noncommercial message shall be six square feet.

      (5)   Such signs shall be limited to yard signs, banner signs or window signs.

      (1)   Up to two signs with a commercial message shall be permitted on any single lot.

      (2)   The signs may only be window signs or yard signs subject to the sign-specific standards in division (e) of this section.

      (3)   The maximum sign area for any individual sign shall be six square feet with a maximum height of six feet.

      (4)   For lots or subdivisions where there is a minimum lot area of ten acres and no principal uses, one of the commercial signs may be 40 square feet in areas with a maximum height of six feet.

      (5)   The signs shall be set back a minimum of five feet from any public right-of-way.

      (6)   In lieu of the above regulations, any permitted conditional use located in a residential zoning district shall be permitted the same amount of temporary signs with a commercial message as allowed in nonresidential zoning districts below.

            1.   A maximum of 32 square feet of aggregate temporary sign area with commercial messaging shall be permitted for every 200 feet of lineal street frontage.

            2.   The maximum size of any single temporary sign shall be 32 square feet.

            3.   The signs are limited to yard signs or banner signs subject to the sign-specific standards in division (e) of this section.

            4.   The maximum height of the sign shall be seven feet.

            5.   The signs shall be set back a minimum of five feet from any public right-of-way.

            6.   Temporary banner signs may not be used to cover an existing permanent sign unless authorized pursuant division (d)(3) of this section.

            1.   Only one sidewalk sign is allowed for any one business establishment, at one time, and shall be located within five feet of such business.

            2.   There shall be no time limit for sidewalk signs with the exception that the sign shall only be placed outside during the hours of the establishment’s operation.

            3.   Such signs shall not exceed 12 square feet in area with a maximum height of four feet.

            4.   The sign shall only be permitted on a private sidewalk or walkway provided it is placed on pavement and not in any landscaped areas or on pavement used for vehicles (e.g., driveways and parking lots).

            5.   If the sign is placed on a sidewalk or walkway, the sign can only be placed where the paved sidewalk or walkway width, not including curb top, is at least seven feet wide. The width and placement of the sign shall be such so that there shall be a minimum width of four feet of clear and passable sidewalk or walkway for pedestrians.

            6.   The sign must be freestanding and shall not be affixed, chained, anchored or otherwise secured to the ground or to any pole, parking meter, tree, tree grate, fire hydrant, railing or other structure.

            7.   The sign must not obstruct vehicular traffic or access to parking meters, bicycle racks and other features legally in the right-of-way.

            8.   The sign must not interfere with the opening of car doors in legal spaces, or with the operation of wheelchair lifts and ramps, cab stands, loading zones or bus stops.

            9.   The sign shall be internally weighted so that it is stable and windproof.

            10.   The city shall be held harmless from any liability resulting from accident or injury caused by the placement and/or maintenance of such sign.

            11.   A zoning permit shall be required for the initial use and placement of the sidewalk sign.

         A.   The maximum sign area shall not exceed the total building sign area allowed pursuant to § 1236.10(c) or 32 square feet, whichever is less.

         B.   Such temporary signage, regardless of size, shall be permitted up to 30 days, twice a year.

         C.   The signs are limited to yard signs or banner signs subject to the sign-specific standards in division (e) of this section.

         D.   The maximum height of the sign shall be six feet.

         E.   The signs shall be set back a minimum of five feet from any public right-of-way.

         A.   Unless otherwise specifically stated, there shall be no maximum number of banner signs provided the aggregate total square footage of all banner signs does not exceed the maximum sign area allowed in this section.

         B.   Banner signs may be attached to a building, fence or other similar structure. A banner sign attached to posts and mounted in a yard or landscaped area shall be regulated as a temporary yard sign.

         C.   The maximum height standard for temporary signs shall not apply to a banner sign but such signs shall not be mounted in a manner that extends above the roofline of a building or the top of the structure on which it is mounted.

         A.   Temporary window signs shall be mounted or placed on the interior of the building.

         B.   Temporary and permanent window signs in nonresidential districts are regulated in accordance with § 1236.10(d).

         A.   Unless otherwise specifically stated, there shall be no maximum number of yard signs provided the aggregate total square footage of all yard signs does not exceed the maximum sign area allowed in this section on temporary signs.

         B.   There shall be a maximum of two faces to the sign, mounted back-to-back.

(Ord. 21-161, passed 12-13-2021)

   (a)   Any sign that was lawfully in existence at the time of the effective date of this code, or amendment thereto, that does not conform to the provisions herein, shall be deemed a legal nonconforming sign and may remain on a lot of record except as qualified below.

   (b)   A sign shall lose its legal nonconforming status if any of the following occurs:

      (1)   If such sign is damaged to an amount exceeding 50% of the sign’s replacement value not including the cost or value related to the foundation or work below grade, as determined by at least two sign companies requested to provide a quote by the city;

      (2)   The structure of the sign is altered in any form;

      (3)   The sign is relocated;

      (4)   The principal use of the property is voluntarily discontinued for a period of at least six months;

      (5)   The sign is defined as a temporary sign and has been in use for more than one year following the effective date of this amendment; or

      (6)   The nonconforming sign and its structure (including support and frame and panel) are determined by the building official to be unsafe or in violation of this code and are declared a nuisance.

   (c)   A nonconforming sign shall not be altered, modified or reconstructed other than to comply with this chapter except that a sign panel may be replaced (no other structural alteration) or the sign face may be repainted when there is a change of use or tenancy.

   (d)   Any sign that loses its legal nonconforming status must be brought into compliance with the provisions of this chapter and any other city laws and ordinances by an application for, and issuance of, a zoning permit or by complete removal.

   (e)   Failure to bring a sign into compliance after loss of a legal nonconformity status shall cause the sign to be considered an illegal sign.

   (f)   Minor repairs and maintenance of legal nonconforming signs shall be permitted.

   (g)   Nonconforming signs shall be maintained in good condition pursuant to the Building and Housing Code.

(Ord. 21-161, passed 12-13-2021)