Canton City Zoning Code
ARTICLE IX
Signage
§ 325-61 Purpose.
This article is designed to regulate the size, placement and other characteristics of signs in the Village for the purpose of:
A.
Promoting quality signs to improve identification and communication in advertising;
B.
Protecting the historic character and aesthetic value of buildings, streetscapes and neighborhoods;
C.
Promoting and protecting the public health and safety;
D.
Enabling the public to conveniently and safely identify facilities; and
E.
Enhancing and preserving the value and quality of properties.
§ 325-62 Applicability; permit procedures.
A.
Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, no sign or other advertising device shall be erected, constructed, displayed, moved, reconstructed, extended, enlarged or altered except in conformity with this article and, where applicable, without first obtaining a permit from the Code Enforcement Officer in accordance with the following procedures and standards.
B.
The Code Enforcement Officer, at their discretion, may seek a recommendation from the Planning Board regarding any application for a sign permit.
C.
LED/Electronic message centers and common signage plans must be approved by the Planning Board prior to the Code Enforcement Officer issuing a permit.
D.
A permit shall be required for any change in the size, shape, lighting, materials or location of an existing sign, except for exempt signs described in § 325-63 below.
E.
Application for a permit shall be made in writing to the Code Enforcement Officer. One application may include more than one sign, provided that all signs contained in such application are to be erected at the same time on one lot. Applications for new signs or proposed changes in existing signs shall include the following information:
(1)
Plans to scale detailing the dimensions and area of the sign(s), the location of the sign(s) on the building, structure or property where the sign(s) will be erected or attached and a visual simulation or photo to scale illustrating colors, materials, lettering, artwork and method of illumination, if any.
(2)
Written consent of the owner of the structure or real property upon which the sign is to be attached or erected, in the event the applicant is not the building or property owner.
(3)
Each application for a permit shall be accompanied by the fee set forth in the current Fee Schedule adopted by the Village Board. Such fee shall be based on all signs contained in such application.
§ 325-63 Signs exempt from permitting.
The following signs may be erected and maintained without a permit or fee, provided that such signs comply with all requirements of this chapter:
A.
Governmental signs for control of traffic and other regulatory purposes, street signs, danger signs, railroad crossing signs and signs of public service or safety that are erected by or on the order of a public officer in the performance of their public duty.
B.
Any signs required by state or federal law; such signs must be displayed per state law.
C.
Signs denoting the name and address of the occupants of the premises; such signs shall not exceed three square feet in area.
D.
Building identification signs that are incorporated on the facade of a structure, not exceeding three feet in height nor more than 5% of the facade of the building side upon which they are constructed. Building identification shall not identify any tenant or occupant of the structure. Only one building identification sign shall be allowed on a facade and only on a facade that has street frontage. No illumination of these signs is permitted.
E.
Historical site markers, memorial plaques and cornerstones.
F.
Flags, pennants or insignia of any government or nonprofit organization when not displayed in connection with a commercial promotion or as an advertising device.
G.
Painted graphics that are murals, mosaics or any type of graphic art that are painted on a wall or fence and do not contain copy, advertising symbols, lettering, trademarks or other references to the premises, products, or services that are provided on the premises where the graphics are located or any other premises, are not signs for the purposes of these regulations.
K.
Temporary signs.
(1)
A temporary sign is defined as a sign designed or intended to be displayed for a short period of time. Signs that are temporary in nature based on duration of an event, including but not limited to election signs, "for sale" signs, grand opening event signs and other event signs, shall be permitted without a permit, provided the following standards are met:
(a)
Temporary signs shall be limited to 60 days and shall be removed within 10 days of an event or conclusion of the activity unless otherwise provided in this section.
(b)
Temporary signs may not exceed 12 square feet of sign area in the OS, R-SF, R-MF and NMU Zoning Districts, and may not exceed 20 square feet of sign area in all other zoning districts.
(2)
Signs advertising the sale, lease, rental or construction on the premises upon which they are located, which may include the name of the owner, broker, contractor or any other person interested in the sale or rental of such premises. Signs bearing the word "sold" or "rented" may be erected or maintained, provided such signs are removed within 10 calendar days of the change in occupancy or project completion.
L.
Wayfinding signs. Signs designating entrances or exits to or from a parking area shall not count toward the maximum cumulative sign area; however, such signage is limited to one sign for each exit and entrance, and said signs are limited to a maximum size of four square feet. In addition, each parking area shall be permitted one sign per street frontage that designates identity and restrictions for parking.
M.
Announcement signs or bulletin boards. One announcement sign or bulletin board, not exceeding six square feet in area, is permitted, either fixed to a wall of the building or located in the required front yard, provided it is set back at least three feet from the interior edge of the sidewalk or 10 feet from the edge of pavement when no sidewalk exists, and at least five feet from all other property lines.
§ 325-64 Prohibited signs.
The following signs are prohibited in the Village:
A.
Signs with any mirror or mirror-like surface, day glowing or other florescent paint or pigment.
B.
Signs animated by means of flashing, blinking or traveling lights.
C.
Banners erected across any street in the Village, except upon application for and receipt of a permit from the Village Board. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as restricting the reasonable and proper display of the American flag.
E.
Inflatable devices.
F.
Marquees.
G.
Roof signs, which are defined as a sign erected upon or above a roof or parapet wall of a building, and which is wholly or partly supported by that building.
H.
Vehicular signs, which are defined as any vehicle and/or trailer to which a sign is affixed in such a manner that the carrying of the sign is no longer incidental to the vehicle's purpose but becomes the primary purpose of the vehicle.
I.
Signs that detract from or obstruct public view of historic buildings or structures.
J.
Signs using of the words "stop," "look," "danger," "caution" or any other word, phrase, symbol or character that may tend to confuse, mislead or resemble any governmental or duly authorized sign.
§ 325-65 General provisions.
Additional provisions for signs depending on sign type and location are provided in Schedule F of this article.[1]
A.
Sign area calculation.
(1)
Sign area. The area of a sign shall be determined by the smallest rectangle that encompasses all letters or symbols that make up the sign, together with the area of any background of a different color or material than the general finish of the building, whether painted or applied. For the purposes of calculating total sign area, one side of a two-sided or double-sided sign shall be counted as long as the two faces are identical in size and dimension.
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(2)
Sign height. Height shall be measured vertically between the highest point of the sign or sign structure and the average adjacent ground level for 10 feet in any direction of any sign support.
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(3)
Sign calculation on a corner lot.
(a)
Signs on corner lots may be displayed on both facades of the principal building fronting a public street. Such signs shall meet the size standards for the zoning district as provided in § 325-68, Schedule F[2] of this article for each front facade.
[2]
Editor's Note: Schedule F, Sign Standards in Development Zones, is included as an attachment to this chapter.
B.
Location of signs.
(1)
Signs shall not use utility poles or trees as a medium of communication or means of support.
(2)
Signs shall not be placed on/attached to fences.
(3)
No sign shall be located in a public right-of-way, except as otherwise permitted in the Village Code.
(4)
Permanent or temporary signs erected or placed at or near the intersection of any street, alley or driveway access shall not cause a traffic hazard by reason of the position, height, shape, color or illumination of the sign that may interfere with line-of-sight visibility nor obstruct the view of, or be confused with, any authorized traffic sign, signal or device.
(5)
No sign shall be located so as to detract from, or obstruct public view of, historic structures or features, scenic views or any other recognized natural features.
C.
Sign construction.
(1)
All signs shall comply with applicable regulations of the current Uniform Code and the standards of the National Electrical Code.
(2)
All freestanding signs shall be designed and constructed to withstand a wind pressure of not less than 20 pounds per square foot of surface area.
(3)
All signs, including projecting signs, shall be securely anchored and shall not swing or move in any manner.
(4)
All signs, sign finishes, supports and electric work shall be kept clean, neatly painted and free from all hazards such as, but not limited to, faulty wiring and loose supports, braces, guys and anchors.
D.
Illumination of signs.
(1)
"Illumination" refers to any sign illuminated by artificial light, either from the interior or exterior of a sign, and includes reflective and phosphorescent light.
(2)
Internally illuminated signs are signs that derive illumination from an internal source and shall include all plastic signs lighted from behind and all awnings lighted to give the appearance of being lit from within the awning.
(3)
Internally illuminated signs shall only be permitted in the CC and TBL Zoning Districts.
(4)
Lighting directed toward a sign shall be shielded so it illuminates only the face of the sign and does not shine directly into the public right-of-way or onto a property other than the lot on which the illumination is situated.
(5)
All backlit signs shall have a dark background. Only the letters and/or message area of the sign shall be illuminated. Whenever possible, backlit signs shall be constructed flush with the building facade.
(7)
Neon or LED-illuminated signs shall be permitted for use in window signs only and shall not exceed 20% of the size of the window. Such interior signs shall only be permitted on one face of the building.
[1]
Editor's Note: Schedule F, Sign Standards in Development Zones, is included as an attachment to this chapter.
§ 325-66 General standards for certain sign types.
A.
Wall signs.
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(1)
Description. A wall sign is one that is painted on, or attached to, the outside wall of a building, with the face of the sign in the plane parallel to such wall.
(2)
On buildings with designated sign bands, wall signs identifying establishments shall be located in the sign bands to maintain a cohesive and attractive signage location and appearance.
(3)
Wall signs shall not project more than nine inches from the surface of the wall.
(4)
Wall signs shall not extend more than 80% of the building frontage in length or over the top of the wall to which the sign is attached and shall not cover a window, obscure architectural detailing or interrupt a roof line.
(5)
No wall sign may extend above the windowsills of the second story. No portion of a wall sign may extend above the roofline or parapet wall, or above the lower eave.
(6)
Wall signs shall not exceed 2 1/2 feet in height, except in the E-C, GMU, CC and TBL Zoning Districts when the building on which the wall sign is to be located is set back at least 50 feet from the edge of pavement of all public streets.
(7)
Wall signs above or below the street level. A business or entity located above or below street level of a building may have a sign that does not exceed a maximum area of nine square feet.
(8)
Wall signs below street level. In lieu of a primary wall sign or projecting sign, a sign may be located on the wall, planter or handrail legally erected and located adjacent to the stairway leading to the entrance of the business or entity. This primary sign may not exceed 1 1/2 feet in height and six feet in length and may not extend beyond the end of the planter, wall or railing to which it is attached.
B.
Projecting signs.
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(1)
Description: a sign that projects more than 12 inches perpendicular to the building's face.
(2)
One projecting sign shall be permitted per each distinct business or entity facade on a lot in lieu of a wall sign, except that no more than one projecting sign shall be permitted every 30 linear feet of continuous faced frontage.
(3)
Signs shall not project more than four feet perpendicular from the side of the building; and when suspended over a pedestrian walkway such as a sidewalk or entranceway, the bottom of such signs shall be no lower than eight feet measured vertically.
(4)
The highest point of the projecting sign must be no higher than the bottom of the second-floor window line or the eave line of the principal building on the property, whichever is lower.
C.
Freestanding signs.
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(1)
Description. A "freestanding sign" is defined as a permanent, self-supporting sign standing alone on its own foundation. This definition shall not include temporary or portable signs. This definition shall include "monument" signs.
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(2)
One freestanding sign is permitted on a lot where freestanding signs are permitted as provided in Schedule F[1] and only on a lot where the principal building is set back a minimum of 15 feet from the front lot line.
[1]
Editor's Note: Schedule F, Sign Standards in Development Zones, is included as an attachment to this chapter.
(3)
All freestanding signs shall be set back at least three feet from the interior edge of the sidewalk or 10 feet from the edge of pavement when no sidewalk exists; except on a corner lot, where freestanding signs shall be set back 20 feet from the intersection measured at the edge of pavement, and there shall be at least three feet of clear space between the bottom of the sign board and the ground, provided that necessary supports may extend through such clear space.
(4)
The maximum allowable height of a freestanding sign is provided in Schedule F.
D.
Sandwich boards.
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(1)
Description: a portable sign not secured or attached to the ground or surface upon which it is located, but supported by its own frame and most often forming the cross-sectional shape of an "A."
(2)
No more than one sandwich board may be displayed per establishment facade.
(3)
Sandwich boards may be up to eight square feet in size per side.
(4)
Sandwich boards may be displayed only during the hours when the establishment is open to the general public.
(5)
Sandwich boards shall not be located in such a manner as to restrict vision or impair vehicular or pedestrian safety or maintenance of Village sidewalks, interfere with ingress and egress points, and must maintain a minimum of five feet of sidewalk clearance at all times.
E.
Electronic message centers (EMC), including LEDs.
(1)
Description: any sign that contains liquid crystal diodes (LCD), light-emitting diodes (LED), plasma, light bulbs or other digital illuminated displays that allow for fixed or changeable copy, symbols, figures or images by remote or automatic means.
(2)
Definition of display area: the area that encloses the limits of the message, announcement or decoration on a building or freestanding sign. For EMCs, the display area may equal the total allowed sign surface area as permitted below.
(3)
EMC standards.
(a)
Only one EMC sign is allowed per lot, except in the case of a single EMC with two faces that are back-to-back and not more than 24 inches apart. For purposes of gas stations, pricing on all pumps shall constitute one sign use.
(b)
Message duration time and motion. The message or copy of an EMC shall be static and may not change more than once in a twenty-four-hour period.
(c)
Dimming. EMCs must include a photocell to control brightness and automatically dim based on ambient light.
(d)
Colors. EMC messages or copy shall not be more than two colors per message.
(e)
Brightness. The maximum allowable brightness for EMCs is no greater than 0.3 footcandle above ambient light conditions as measured by a footcandle meter, when measured perpendicular to the EMC face at a distance determined by the following formula:
Measure distance (ft) = √[area of EMC sign (in sq. ft.) x 100] |
(f)
Light trespass. At property lines, light trespass from the EMC shall be no more than 0.5 footcandle.
F.
Window signs.
(1)
Description. A regulated window sign consists of individual letters, logos or symbols applied to, stenciled on or etched into the glass surface or within four feet of the inside of a window, that is plainly visible from the exterior of the building. Window signs also include lighted signs with transparent backgrounds hung inside the window glass.
(2)
Window signs may cover no more than 25% of the window area.
(3)
No window sign shall be displayed more than once per elevation, north, south, east and west.
(4)
Exceptions to window coverage limit. The following exceptions are permitted to exceed the 25% maximum coverage of a window:
(a)
Open/Closed sign: a maximum of two square feet is allowed; one sign per street elevation is allowed.
(b)
Information sign. For posting of days and hours of operation, building or tenant address, phone numbers, accepted credit cards: a maximum of two square feet is allowed on or adjacent to the entrance door.
(c)
Temporary window signs, except that no such sign, other than a leasing or "for rent" sign, shall be displayed for more than 60 days.
(d)
Holiday decorations are exempt from these regulations.
G.
Feather flags.
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(1)
Description: a sign that is a vertically oriented banner attached to a single pole allowing the fabric to hang loose at one, two or three of the four corners.
(2)
Feather flags may only be used as a temporary advertising device in the following manner:
(a)
One feather flag per lot may be utilized in the NMU and MS Zoning Districts for up to 45 days in a twelve-month period, but shall be removed daily at the close of business or end of the day's event. If an event is multiple days, the feather flag shall still be removed daily.
(b)
One feather flag per lot may be temporarily installed for up to 60 days in a twelve-month period in the CC and TBL Zoning Districts.
(3)
Feather flags shall not exceed 10 feet in height, including the flag's stand.
(4)
Feather flags shall be set back three feet from the interior edge of the sidewalk or 10 feet from the edge of pavement where sidewalks do not exist and shall not be placed in locations that restrict vision or impair pedestrian or motor vehicle safety. An unobstructed pedestrian pathway of five feet shall be maintained.
H.
Canopy and awning signs.
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(1)
Description. A sign painted on, printed on or attached flat against the surface of an awning made of canvas or fabric or similar material, which is affixed to a building and projects therefrom. Such signs may be retractable.
(2)
The valance portion of an awning or canopy meeting the following standards may be used as a sign and shall count toward the total cumulative sign area but shall not be counted as an additional sign:
(3)
The valance portion shall not project more than 10 feet from the building facade and must be supported by a rigid framework securely attached to said building in such a manner as to be at all times safe and self-supporting.
I.
Off-premises directional signs.
(1)
Description. "Off-premises directional signs" are defined as signs located on a parcel of land other than that parcel where the business, service or event advertised is located that conveys instructions regarding pedestrian and/or vehicular movement.
(2)
Off-premises directional signs are not permitted in the OS, R-SF, R-MF, NMU or GMU Zoning District.
(3)
Off-premises signs shall meet sign area and all other standards of this chapter for the type of sign to be utilized, except as required in Subsection I(4) below.
(4)
An off-premises directional sign shall be situated at least 10 feet, but not more than 15 feet, from the public right-of-way leading to the building referenced by the sign, and shall be situated at least 10 feet from any other public right-of-way or property line of the premises on which it is situated. The building where the business referred to by the sign is conducted must be at least 100 feet from any public right-of-way.
(5)
Only one off-premises sign up to 32 square feet may be located on a lot.
(6)
Written permission of the landowner where the sign is to be placed is required to be filed with the Code Enforcement Officer.
§ 325-67 Signage permitted in all districts with permit.
A.
The following signs are permitted in any zoning district with a permit from the Code Enforcement Officer:
(1)
Signs denoting a subdivision name or multifamily residential property. The total sign area shall not exceed 12 square feet in area. If such sign is freestanding, it shall be set back three feet from the interior sidewalk edge or 10 feet from the edge of pavement where no sidewalk exists. Such signs shall not be illuminated.
(2)
(3)
A property utilized for a nonresidential or business activity as a principal use shall be permitted up to one sign and shall meet the following standards:
(a)
The total cumulative area of all signs permitted on such lot shall not exceed 12 square feet.
(b)
Notwithstanding § 325-17J, Visibility at intersections, the maximum height of a freestanding sign above grade level of the road shall be five feet, and the sign shall be set back at least 10 feet from any property line unless on a corner lot. On a corner lot, a freestanding sign shall be set back 20 feet from the intersection.
§ 325-68 Signs permitted in mixed-use and commercial zoning districts with permit.
A.
In addition to the signage permitted in all districts as established in § 325-67 above, additional signage is permitted in certain zoning districts as established in this section and in Schedule F with an approved permit from the Code Enforcement Officer.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Schedule F, Sign Standards in Development Zones, is included as an attachment to this chapter.
B.
The maximum cumulative sign area permitted for all signs on a lot, the maximum sign area for different types of signs and the height of signs are provided in Schedule F.
C.
Signage permitted in Schedule F shall meet the general requirements for sign types established in § 325-66.
D.
Number of signs.
(1)
In the NMU Zoning District, a total of one sign is permitted per lot.
(2)
In the MS, DMU, GMU, CC and TBL Zoning Districts, the total number of signs is established by the maximum cumulative sign area permitted for all signs on a lot, the maximum sign area for different types of signs as provided in Schedule F and standards of § 325-66. The allowable sign areas differ to reflect the different character of each of these nonresidential or mixed-use districts.
§ 325-69 Common signage plans.
B.
Common signage plans must be approved by the Planning Board.
C.
A common signage plan conforming to the provisions of this section shall be allowed a 25% increase in the maximum total sign area for each included lot, based on the Planning Board's review of the following:
(1)
An accurate plot plan of the lot to scale.
(2)
Location of buildings, parking lots and driveways.
(3)
Computation of the maximum total sign area for the individual signs, the height of signs and the number of freestanding signs.
(4)
An accurate indication of each present and proposed sign.
(5)
Specifications for all signs on the lots regarding color scheme, lettering or graphic style, lighting, materials and sign proportions.
§ 325-70 Nonconforming signs.
A.
A nonconforming sign may continue in existence and may be rebuilt so long as the size is not increased beyond the existing size or square feet of sign area, whichever is less.
B.
A nonconforming sign shall not be enlarged or replaced by another nonconforming sign.
C.
If a nonconforming sign is taken down at any point other than for maintenance, it shall be replaced with a conforming sign.
§ 325-71 Unsafe signs.
A.
Any sign found to be unsafe or derelict upon inspection by the Code Enforcement Officer shall be repaired or made secure by the permit applicant of record. The Code Enforcement Officer shall give notice by certified mail, return receipt requested, to such person to repair or remove such unsafe or derelict sign within five days of receipt of said notice. If the sign is not repaired, made secure or removed within said time period, or within such additional time as the Code Enforcement Officer may allow, the permit issued for said sign shall be revoked and the sign shall be ordered removed by the Code Enforcement Officer.
B.
If a sign is found to be a source of imminent peril to persons or property, the Code Enforcement Officer shall cause said sign to be immediately removed without notice to the permit applicant of record or property owner and all subsequent costs of removal by the Village will be assessed against the property owner's tax bill.
§ 325-72 Signs not in use or abandoned.
A.
Any wall, surface or other area from which a sign is removed shall be restored so that no remnant of the sign is visible.
B.
Any sign located on property that becomes vacant and unoccupied for a period of 90 days or more, or any sign that pertains to a time, event or purpose that no longer applies, shall be deemed to have been abandoned. The sign shall be removed after written notice by the Code Enforcement Officer to the owner of the property on which the sign is affixed. In the event such sign is not voluntarily removed, subsequent costs of removal by the Village will be assessed against the property owner's tax bill.