Bellville City Zoning Code

SIGN REGULATIONS

§ 155.345 PURPOSE.

It is determined that the use of land for the location of signs is a significant use of land with this village. In order to promote the aesthetics of this village and to reduce the hazards to motorists and pedestrians from the distractions caused by signs, these regulations are enacted as the minimum necessary to protect the public safety and welfare.

(Ord. 87-27, § 550, passed 7-7-1987)

§ 155.346 EXCEPTIONS.

The following signs shall be permitted in all districts within this village and no sign permit shall be required for them:

(A) Traffic control or other regulatory or identification signs erected by the federal, state, county, township or village governmental authorities.

(B) One sign per parcel advertising the sale, rental or lease of real estate provided the signs are located on the premises that are the subject of the sale, rental or lease, unlighted and no larger than four square feet.

(C) Political signs provided they are removed no later than ten days after the election at which the candidate or issue appears on the ballot.

(D) In residential districts, garage, basement, porch or other casual sale signs provided no more than two such sales are held per 12-month period and the signs are present for no more than three days each time.

(E) Signs erected for the convenience of the public showing the location of telephones, bus stops and other public conveniences.

(F) Real estate open house or directional signs provided they are displayed for no more than three days a week for any property.

(G) Construction project identification signs denoting the owner or developer, the architect, engineer or contractor and information concerning the project located on the premises where the construction is taking place and no larger than 40 square feet.

(H) Temporary banners or signs announcing educational, religious or public events no larger than 20 square feet and located on the premises where the event is to occur.

(Ord. 87-27, § 551, passed 7-7-1987)

§ 155.347 PERMIT REQUIRED.

With the exception of those signs listed in § 155.346, and those excluded under § 155.362, no person, firm or corporation shall erect, enlarge or structurally alter any sign within this village without first obtaining a permit from the Village Zoning Inspector. No permit shall be required for the change in an existing sign which does not increase its size or change its structural nature. Whenever the size of a sign is regulated or the fee for a sign permit is based upon the size of the sign, such measurement shall be based upon total display area.

(Ord. 87-27, § 552, passed 7-7-1987)

§ 155.348 PERMIT FORM.

The Zoning Inspector shall provide application forms for a sign permit which, when approved by him or her, shall become the sign permit. The application shall contain the following information:

(A) Name and address of the owner of the property where the sign is to be erected.

(B) Name and address of the sign erector.

(D) A diagram of the proposed sign and its location on the property.

(E) The application shall be accompanied by fees according to the schedule in § 155.446.

(Ord. 87-27, § 553, passed 7-7-1987)

§ 155.349 PERMITTED IN RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS.

Commercial signs are hereby determined to be a non-residential use of land and no commercial signs except as expressly hereinafter permitted in this section shall be allowed in the R-1, R-2 Residential Districts within this village.

(A) No signs permitted in an R-1 District for any reason except signs of no more than two square feet identifying the resident's name or house number.

(B) Signs identifying a group home or apartment building in R-2 District and of no more than eight square feet.

(D) Signs for home occupations shall not be permitted.

(Ord. 87-27, § 554, passed 7-7-1987)

§ 155.350 PERMITTED IN BUSINESS AND INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS.

In the Business and Industrial Districts the following signs are permitted:

(A) On premises activities signs as hereinafter regulated.

(B) Off premises activities signs subject to the following: The minimum lot width for the location of any off-premises sign shall be 200 feet. In addition no sign shall be located within 1,000 feet of any existing off-premises sign nor within 250 feet of any street right-of-way intersection. Each off-premises sign shall not exceed 600 square feet of total display area. A two-sided sign may be use at a single location provided the total display area of both signs does not exceed 600 square feet.

(Ord. 87-27, § 555, passed 7-7-1987; Ord. 18-96, passed 4-15-1996; Ord. 19-08, passed 6-23-2008)

§ 155.351 SIZE LIMITATIONS OF SIGNS.

In any Business or Industrial District, each establishment shall be allowed the following signs for advertising on premises activities:

(A) One wall sign with a maximum area of 40 square feet for each 1,000 square feet of floor area open to the public, but in no event larger than 300 square feet.

(B) In lieu of one wall sign stated in division (A) above, one projecting sign with a maximum area of 20 square feet per side for each 1,000 square feet of area open to the public but in no event larger than 150 square feet per side.

(D) Accessory signs such as those denoting brand names of articles sold or credit cards accepted not to exceed 20 square feet per business.

(Ord. 87-27, § 556, passed 7-7-1987; Ord. 18-96, passed 4-15-1996)

§ 155.352 POLE OR PYLON SIGNS.

(A) Heights. No pylon sign shall be higher than 30 feet from the ground. In any B-1, B-2 or Industrial District, no pole sign shall be higher than 30 feet from the ground. In any B-3 district, no pole sign shall be higher than 100 feet from the ground.

(B) Location. No pole or pylon sign shall be located closer than 20 feet of any adjoining property line or closer than ten feet from the public right-of-way except in any B-3 District, signs higher than 30 feet shall be located no closer than 330 feet from the public right-of-way.

(Ord. 87-27, § 557, passed 7-7-1987; Ord. 18-96, passed 4-15-1996)

§ 155.353 LIGHTING.

All signs that are lighted shall have the lighting arranged in such a manner as to minimize its effects upon neighboring properties or adjacent streets, and hall not be designed or located to cause confusion with traffic control lights. All lighting shall be of constant intensity and no flashing, intermittent, rotating or moving lights shall be allowed.

(Ord. 87-27, § 559, passed 7-7-1987)

§ 155.354 SIGN ERECTORS.

(A) No person, partnership or corporation shall erect, enlarge or structurally alter any sign within this village:

(1) Which contains any electric connection;

(2) Which, when completed, is 12 or more feet off the ground;

(3) Which is larger than eight square feet; unless the person, partnership or corporation is the holder of a current sign erector's license issued under this chapter.

(B) An application for the license shall be filed with the Village Zoning Inspector and shall contain the following information:

(1) Name and address of the sign erector;

(2) Description of the types of signs the sign erector plans to erect;

(3) Evidence that the sign erector has in effect general liability insurance providing coverage for wrongful death and bodily injury in an amount of at least $500,000 per person and $1,000,000 per incident;

(4) Payment of a fee of $5. Upon a determination by the Zoning Inspector that the sign erector has met the requirements of this section he or she shall issue a sign erector's license which shall be valid for a period of one year from its date of issue.

(Ord. 87-27, § 560, passed 7-7-1987)

§ 155.355 PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY.

No signs except those erected by a governmental agency shall be permitted upon the public right-of-way and any sign so located shall be deemed a public nuisance subject to immediate removal.

(Ord. 87-27, § 561, passed 7-7-1987)

§ 155.356 COMPLIANCE WITH STATE LAW.

All signs erected in this village in addition to complying with the provisions of this chapter shall comply where applicable with R.C. Chapter 5516 and the regulations thereunder.

(Ord. 87-27, § 562, passed 7-7-1987)

§ 155.357 TEMPORARY SIGNS.

Temporary signs not exceeding 18 square feet in area shall be allowed in all business and industrial areas in addition to all other signs permitted by this chapter. A sign permit shall be required for each temporary sign. The applicant shall indicate upon the application the number of months the sign will be displayed before the sign permit is issued. In no case may a temporary sign be displayed for more than six months in any 12-month period. No fee for a temporary sign is required. See § 155.355.

(Ord. 87-27, § 563, passed 7-7-1987)

§ 155.358 VARIANCES.

The Village Planning Commission is hereby authorized to grant variances from any of the provisions of § 155.345 to 155.367 if it determines from the evidence presented that the literal application of these provisions will cause undue hardship or practical difficulties. The Planning Commission shall in granting a variance from the requirements of this chapter consider the following factors:

(A) The extent to which the variance will impair vehicular or pedestrian traffic by distracting attention from traffic control signals.

(B) The extent to which any variance will interfere with ingress or egress including sight distance to the applicant's property or any adjacent property.

(C) The extent of which any variance will interfere with public utility poles, wires or other facilities or traffic control devices.

(D) The extent to which the variance will have an adverse effect upon property values in the area.

(E) The extent to which the variance will detract from the appearance of the area.

(Ord. 87-27, § 564, passed 7-7-1987)

§ 155.359 VARIANCE PROCEDURE.

Whenever the Zoning Inspector is unable to issue a sign permit because the proposed sign does not comply with the provisions of this chapter, he or she shall advise the applicant of his or her right to appeal to Planning Commission for a variance. The appeal shall be in writing accompanied by a fee of $25 and the hearing thereon shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of § 155.404(C), (D) and (E) below.

(Ord. 87-27, § 565, passed 7-7-1987)

§ 155.360 PROHIBITED LOCATIONS.

No sign shall be allowed to overhang a public street nor be located within six feet horizontally or 12 feet vertically of any electrical lines or appurtenances.

(Ord. 87-27, § 566, passed 7-7-1987)

§ 155.361 REMOVAL OF UNSAFE SIGNS.

(A) If the Zoning Inspector finds that any sign within this village presents a risk of harm to persons or property, he or she shall immediately give written notice to the landowner where the sign is located. Unless the unsafe condition is remedied within seven days, the Zoning Inspector shall cause the sign to be removed.

(B) In the event of a clear and present danger that the sign will fall or otherwise injure a pedestrian or motorist, the Zoning Inspector may cause the sign to be removed without prior notice.

(Ord. 87-27, §567, passed 7-7-1987)

§ 155.362 SIGNS EXCEPTED FROM REGULATION.

In addition to the signs excluded from regulation by § 155.346 above is not intended to apply to signs advocating political, religious or philosophical points of view which are located on private property. No permit shall be required for such signs nor shall the other restrictions of this chapter be applied.

(Ord. 87-27, § 568, passed 7-7-1987)

§ 155.363 SHOPPING CENTER SIGNS.

Notwithstanding the provisions of § 155.350, in lieu of the single pole or pylon sign permitted for each business, a single pole or pylon sign for a shopping center shall be allowed on each public street which the shopping center abuts. No other pole or pylon signs shall be allowed in the shopping center.

(Ord. 87-27, § 569, passed 7-7-1987)

§ 155.364 STRUCTURE.

All signs shall be constructed in accordance with the Ohio Basic Building Code and applicable electrical regulation and shall be subject to building and electrical inspection by Richland County.

(Ord. 87-27, § 570, passed 7-7-1987)

§ 155.365 ABANDONED SIGNS.

Any business which ceases to operate shall remove all signs, poles and other sign supporting structures from the premises. Upon failure to do so, the Zoning Inspector shall give notice to the owner of the property to remove the sign. Unless the sign is removed within ten days thereafter, the village may remove the sign at the landowner's expense.

(Ord. 87-27, § 571, passed 7-7-1987)

§ 155.366 SIGN INSTALLATION.

All signs shall be installed in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Ohio Basic Building Code. In the event that a sign is more than 15 feet tall, the Zoning Inspector shall request that the Village Engineer review the construction plans in order to be certain that the sign will not be a hazard to the public. The actual charges paid by the village for the engineer's review shall be added to the cost of the sign permit.

(Ord. 87-27, § 572, passed 7-7-1987)

§ 155.367 MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION.

Every sign shall be subject to periodic inspection by the Zoning Inspector. All supports, braces, guys and anchors shall be kept in good repair and shall be painted or otherwise treated to resist corrosion. Any repairs deemed necessary by the Zoning Inspector must be completed within a 30-day period from date of written notification.

(Ord. 87-27, § 573, passed 7-7-1987)

§ 155.368 DEFINITIONS.

For the purpose of §§ 155.345 to 155.367 only, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning:

COMMERCIAL SIGN. A sign used to promote the sale of product or service.

OFF-PREMISES ACTIVITIES SIGN. A sign denoting the name of a business, its products, services, logo, slogans or other information relating to goods or services which are not sold on the premises where the sign is located.

ON-PREMISES ACTIVITIES SIGN. A sign denoting the name of a business or its products, services, logo, slogans or other information relating to goods or services sold on the premises where the sign is located.

POLE SIGN. A sign wholly supported by a structure placed on or into the ground.

PROJECTING SIGN. A sign which is affixed to a wall or other structure in such a manner as to form a 90° angle therewith.

PYLON SIGN. A sign with an enclosed base which appears to be an integral part of the sign.

SHOPPING CENTER. A group of contiguous retail stores originally planned and developed as a single unit with common off-street parking facilities.

SIGN. Any object which is used to display words, letters, pictures, or symbols with the intent to convey a message or attract attention.

TEMPORARY SIGNS. A sign which is not permanently affixed to the ground or a building and is capable of being moved with a minimum of effort.

WALL SIGN. A sign attached to or erected against or applied directly upon a wall of a building or other structure and may be an integral part of the wall with the exposed face of the sign in a place parallel to the place of the wall.

(Ord. 87-27, § 574, passed 7-7-1987)

§ 155.370 OFF-PREMISES SIGNS.

These restrictions apply to all districts within the village.

(A) Locations permitted. Off-premise signs are permitted in the following locations:

(1) Business and industrial.

(B) Sign size. An off-premise advertising sign is subject to the following size restrictions according to the posted speed limit on the road which the off-premise sign faces:

Posted speed limit (mph)	≤35	36-45	46-55	56-65	Limited access
Maximum sign area (sq. ft.)	60	100	150	200	300

(1) The lowest edge of an off-premise sign shall be at least seven feet above the finished grade.

(2) Off-premise signs shall have a maximum height of 30 feet.

(D) Spacing. Off-premise signs shall be:

(1) Set back from the ultimate right-of-way a distance equal to the height of the off-premise sign or 15 feet, whichever is greater.

(2) Located no closer than 25 feet from any property line.

(3) Located no closer than 50 feet from any building, structure, or on-premise sign located on the same property.

(4) Located no closer than 1,500 feet from another off-premise sign on either side of the road measured linearly.

(5) Located no closer than 500 feet from any intersection, or interchange (on/off-ramp).

(6) Located no closer than 1,000 feet from any property line abutting a public park, playground, religious institution, cemetery, school, or residential district.

(7) Not attached to the external wall or otherwise affixed to any part of any building and shall not extend over any public property or right-of-way.

(8) Not located on sewer rights-of-way, or water, electric, or petroleum pipelines.

(9) Not located on a bridge.

(E) Number of signs per lot. There shall not be more than one off-premise sign per lot. Vertically or horizontally stacked signs shall not be permitted.

(F) Content. Off-premise signs shall not display any message or graphic of an obscene or pornographic nature as determined by the Bellville Village Administrator.

(G) Double-sided off-premise signs. Signs may be single or double-sided. However, if the interior angle formed by the face of a double-sided sign is greater than 45 degrees of the face of the paralleled panels are greater than the allowable distance, all sides of such sign shall be considered in calculating the sign area.

(H) Message sequencing. Message sequencing is prohibited.

(I) Construction and maintenance.

(1) All plans for off-premise signs shall be certified by a licensed engineer registered in Pennsylvania.

(2) All off-premise advertising signs shall be constructed in accordance with industry-wide standards established by the Outdoor Advertising Association of America and the Institute of Outdoor Advertising, or their successor organizations. All off-premise advertising signs shall be structurally sound and maintained in good condition and in compliance with Ohio Basic Building Code.

(3) The rear face of a sign-face, off-premise advertising sign shall be painted and maintained with a single neutral color as approved by the Bellville Village Administrator.

(4) Every three years, the owner of the billboard shall have a structural inspection made of the billboard by a licensed engineer registered in Ohio and shall provide the village a certificate certifying that the billboard is structurally sound.

(J) Identification of sign owner. All off-premise signs shall be identified on the structure with name, address, and phone number of the owner of such sign.

(K) Landscaping.

(1) Landscaping shall be provided at the base of all off-premise signs. Trees and shrubbery, including evergreens and flowering trees, of sufficient size and quantity shall be used to achieve the purpose of this section.

(2) Trees greater than four inches in diameter removed for construction of the sign shall be replaced on-site at a ration of one replacement tree for each removed tree using native species no less than three inches in diameter.

(L) Additional regulations. All off-premises signs shall comply with any and all applicable zoning regulations of Bellville, and any and all municipal, state, and/or federal regulations. In the event any other regulation is in conflict with the provisions of this section, the more strict regulations shall apply.

(M) Application/plan requirements. Plans submitted for off-premise advertising signs shall show the following:

(1) The location of the proposed sign on the lot with the required sign setbacks for the property line and ultimate right-of-way.

(2) The location and species of existing trees.

(3) The distance to the nearest existing off-premise advertising sign.

(4) The distance to the nearest right-of-way, property line, building, structure, on-premises sign, off-premises sign, intersection, interchange, safety rest area, bridge, residential district, or institutional use, sewer right-of-way, and water, electric, or petroleum pipelines.

(5) Site plans containing all of the applicable requirements set forth in the Bellville zoning code, as amended.

(6) Certification under the seal by a licensed engineer that the off-premise sign, as proposed, is designed in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws, codes, and professional standards.

(N) Illumination and changeable copy of off-premises signs.

(1) Off-premises signs may incorporate manual changeable copy signs.

(2) Off-premises signs may be illuminated, provided that:

(a) All light sources are designed, shielded, arranged, and installed to confine or direct all illumination to the surface of the off-premises sign and away from adjoining properties.

(b) Light sources are not visible from any street or adjoining properties.

(3) The following illumination types shall be permitted subject to the above regulations:

(a) Message center sign;

(b) Digital display;

(d) Internal illumination.

(4) Off-premises signs may incorporate Tri-Vision Board. The length of time each message of the Tri-Vision Board may be displayed before changing is based upon the visibility and posted speed limit unique to individual signs and adjacent road conditions. The length of time shall be determined by the Village Administrator at the time of permitting.

(Ord. 28-2018, passed 9-4-2018)