TABLE VIII-A
STANDARDS FOR OUTDOOR ADVERTISING SIGN STRUCTURES (OASS)

Footnotes:

1. No outdoor advertising sign structures erected on or projecting over a roof shall be permitted.

2. "Back-to-back" shall mean faces erected at no greater than a forty-five (45) degree angle to each other.

3. "Freestanding sign" here excludes instructional or directional signs, for sale signs, temporary signs, portable signs and noncommercial signs.

4. Separation measurements on same side of street from closest projection of OASS on ground to closest projection of freestanding sign on ground.

5. At the intersection of two (2) streets, the separation requirement shall be measured along perpendicular right-of-way lines.

6. All distances between signs/OASS's shall be measured along the right-of-way line from the point of its intersection with lines drawn from the signs/OASS's perpendicular to the right-of-way.

7. All visible structural elements or the materials covering them, if applicable, (excluding the changeable portion of the display) shall be white, grey, tan or another light-shaded color. Another color may be used if the color is compatible with surrounding structures or other property improvements or vegetation in terms of design or color, as determined by the Zoning Administrator based on the intent of this section, subject to appeal to the Zoning Board of Appeals.

8. OASS's shall not include ladders as an element thereof, except those ladders that are contained entirely in the area behind and between the display panels. Permanently exposed handrails shall not be permitted surrounding the catwalks or walkarounds.

9. Cross member supports (not including walkway supports) shall be hidden behind the face of the OASS. If the exposed support structure includes any non-enclosed I-beams, channels, or angle irons, any such elements shall be enclosed with a sheathing or other all-weather material. Any additional apron or framing around the face of the OASS, for an OASS with height from ground level to the base of the display area greater than ten (10) feet, shall be included in the total calculated permitted area of three hundred (300) square feet maximum.

(C.B. No. 2000-307, § 1, 12-19-00; C.B. No. 2001-193, § 1, 8-7-01; C.B. No. 2007-075, § 4, 4-3-07; C.B. No. 2018-149, § 1(Exh. A), 9-18-18)

TABLE VIII-A MAP
OASS OVERLAY MAP

(C.B. No. 2007-075, § 4, 4-3-07; C.B. No. 2015-030, § 1, 3-3-15; C.B. No. 2018-149, § 1(Exh. A), 9-18-18)

TABLE VIII-B
STANDARDS FOR ON-PREMISES SIGNS IN THE CG, GENERAL COMMERCIAL DISTRICT

Footnotes:

1.

If there is also no wall sign, this sign may have an area of one (1) sq. ft. per foot of lot frontage not to exceed one hundred fifty (150) sq. ft., not to exceed the roof height.

;adv;6q;(C.B. No. 97-192, § 2, 7-15-97; C.B. No. 2009-031, § 6, 3-3-09; C.B. No. 2013-091, § 1(Exh. A), 6-4-13; C.B. No. 2018-149, § 1(Exh. A), 9-18-18; C.B. No. 2024-028, § 1(Exh. 1), 3-5-24)

TABLE VIII-C
STANDARDS FOR ON-PREMISES SIGNS IN THE CB1 URBAN FRINGE, CB2 DOWNTOWN, AND CB3 CAMPUSTOWN DISTRICTS

Footnotes:

1.

No roof signs are permitted in this District.

2.

Signs at ends of a canopy or awning (maximum of two (2)) may be substituted for suspended sign.

3.

Any business occupying at least four (4) stories of a structure and a floor area > fifty thousand (50,000) square feet may have a sign area up to one (1) sq. ft. per foot of lot frontage not to exceed one hundred (100) sq. ft., such signs shall not extend above the fourth story of the building, or building roofline, whichever is lower.

(C.B. No. 2005-028, § 1, 2-1-05; C.B. No. 2013-091, § 2(Exh. B), 6-4-13; C.B. No. 2016-211, § 1(Exh. A), 10-18-16; C.B. No. 2018-149, § 1(Exh. A), 9-18-18; C.B. No. 2024-028, § 1(Exh. 1), 3-5-24)

TABLE VIII-D
STANDARDS FOR ON-PREMISES SIGNS IN PLANNED REGIONAL SHOPPING CENTERS

Footnotes:

1.

Instructional or directional signs for Planned Regional Shopping Centers may identify business establishments by their proper name.

(C.B. No. 99-152, § 2, 6-15-99; C.B. No. 99-299, § 1, 11-2-99; C.B. No. 2018-149, § 1(Exh. A), 9-18-18; C.B. No. 2024-028, § 1(Exh. 1), 3-5-24)

(a)

The sign regulations set forth in this article are made in accordance with an overall plan and program for the public safety, preservation of property values, and the general welfare of the City. The enaction of these sign regulations will establish reasonable standards for commercial and other advertising through the use of signs in order to maintain and encourage business activity, and to avoid uncontrolled proliferation of signs. These are also intended to aid in traffic control and traffic safety; preserve and protect property values; lessen congestion of land and air space; provide against undue concentrations of signs which distract and endanger traffic safety and traffic flow; recognize the rights of the public in roads, streets, and highways; and to preserve the attractive character of the City through a community plan that provides for a pleasant, healthful, spacious, clean, and well balanced community.

(b)

These sign regulations distinguish between on-premises and off-premises business signs. This distinction is based on the finding that other media (television, radio, newspapers, and outdoor advertising sign structures) adequately present avenues for business advertising. The restriction of off-premises signs will significantly aid in the realization of the goals and purposes recited above.

(c)

These sign regulations specifically distinguish between outdoor advertising sign structures and signs based on the specific finding that such structures are and have been and continue to be utilized for announcements of both a commercial and noncommercial nature, have been a traditional and lawful use of land in the City, and are a unique communication medium involving nationally standardized signs, which are generally made available to the public. At the same time, the regulations recognize that a limitation upon the size, number, and spacing of such structures is consistent with and will further the goals expressed in this article.

(C.B. No. 2008-259, § 1, 2-3-09; C.B. No. 2018-149, § 1(Exh. A), 9-18-18)

For the purposes of this chapter, the definitions listed in this article shall have the meaning specified herein, except where the text of this chapter clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.

(C.B. No. 2018-149, § 1(Exh. A), 9-18-18)

Awning shall mean an architectural projection that provides weather protection, and is wholly supported by the structure to which it is attached. The awning may provide a business sign or identification, or decoration of the structure to which it is attached. An awning is comprised of a lightweight, ridged skeleton structure over which a rigid covering is attached. Awning or canopy sign shall mean an on-premises business sign other than a projecting sign located upon a canopy or awning.

(C.B. No. 2018-149, § 1(Exh. A), 9-18-18)

Banner shall mean a strip of flexible material such as cloth, paper, or plastic, securely fastened on all corners to a building or a structure and used to advertise a business or a special event.

Business sign shall mean a sign which directs attention to or identifies a business, or which directs attention to or identifies a commodity, service, or entertainment to be sold or offered for sale. Any sign displaying the name of a business enterprise shall be conclusively presumed to be a business sign. Any sign displayed on a lot occupied by a business enterprise, not conveying instructions or directions and not identified as a permitted nonbusiness sign in Section 37-421 shall be presumed to be a business sign.

(C.B. No. 2008-259, § 2, 2-3-09; C.B. No. 2011-151, § 1, 8-2-11; C.B. No. 2018-149, § 1(Exh. A), 9-18-18)

Canopy shall mean an architectural projection that provides weather protection and is supported by the building to which it is attached and the outer end by not less than two stanchions. A canopy is comprised of a rigid structure over which a rigid covering is attached. The awning or canopy may provide a business sign or identification, or decoration of the structure which it is attached to. A canopy shall have a projection of no less than two (2) feet and is comprised of a rigid structure over which a rigid covering is attached.

Carport, freestanding shall mean a freestanding roof structure open on all sides intended to provide protection for motor vehicles parked below. For purposes of signage, signs on freestanding carports shall be treated as wall signs.

(C.B. No. 2018-149, § 1(Exh. A), 9-18-18)

Directional signs, institutional campus. An instructional or directional sign located within an institutional campus.

(C.B. No. 2010-028, § 3, 3-2-10; C.B. No. 2018-149, § 1(Exh. A), 9-18-18)

Electronic changing image sign shall mean a sign whose words, numerals or other images can be changed by electronic or other non-manual means.

Entryway node shall be defined as an area within six hundred sixty (660) feet of the intersection of the centerlines of two (2) specified streets at the following intersections:

Neil Street and Windsor Road;

Springfield Avenue and Wright Street;

Green Street and Wright Street;

University Avenue and Wright Street;

Kirby Avenue and Wright Street;

Neil Street and Walnut Street;

Prospect Avenue and Kenyon Road;

Neil Street and Kenyon Road;

Prospect Avenue and Marketview Drive;

Neil Street and Anthony Drive;

University Avenue and Mattis Avenue;

Bloomington Road and Mattis Avenue;

Olympian Drive and Farber Drive;

Market Street and Olympian Drive;

Springfield Avenue and Duncan Road;

Interstate 72 and Duncan Road;

First N/S access roads near Curtis Road expressway ramps and I-57;

Neil Street and Columbia Street;

University Avenue and State Street;

University Avenue and Third Street.

(C.B. No. 2001-193, § 1, 8-7-01; C.B. No. 2007-075, § 1, 4-3-07; C.B. No. 2008-259, § 3, 2-3-09; C.B. No. 2018-149, § 1(Exh. A), 9-18-18)

Flag shall mean a device generally made of flexible material, such as cloth, paper, or plastic, and displayed from a pole, cable, or rope. It may or may not include copy.

Flag, business shall mean a flag displaying the name, insignia, emblem, or logo of a profit-making entity.

Flag display shall mean a display of two (2) or more flags in close proximity, mounted on permanent flagpoles or brackets attached to a building, which are clearly related in form, design, and scale.

Flag, public or governmental shall mean a flag designated as an official flag of any governmental entity.

Flashing sign shall mean a sign which exhibits artificially changing light or color effects which is visible from the right-of-way or adjoining properties.

Freestanding sign or outdoor advertising sign structure shall mean a sign or outdoor advertising sign structure secured to the ground and not attached to a building.

(C.B. No. 2011-124, § 1, 7-5-11; C.B. No. 2018-149, § 1(Exh. A), 9-18-18; C.B. No. 2021-007, § 1(Exh. A), 1-19-21)

Generally available to the public as re OASSs. In order that OASS's not be used to circumvent the general provisions of the sign ordinance regarding on-premises signs, OASS's would be permitted to be used on lots of a business for advertising for that specific business for a maximum of three (3) months a year.

(C.B. No. 2001-193, § 1, 8-7-01; C.B. No. 2018-149, § 1(Exh. A), 9-18-18)

Height (sign or outdoor advertising sign structure) shall mean the distance from the top of the highest portion of the sign or structure to:

(1)

The grade at the foundation of the sign or outdoor advertising sign structure.

(2)

The average grade of the lot, whichever distance is greater.

(C.B. No. 2018-149, § 1(Exh. A), 9-18-18)

Illuminated sign shall mean a sign designed to give forth any artificial light or reflect light from any artificial source.

Instructional or directional sign shall mean a sign conveying instructions or directions with respect to the lot on which it is located. A business name or logo may be a part of an instructional or directional sign, providing that it occupies less than fifty (50) percent of the surface area.

(C.B. No. 2018-149, § 1(Exh. A), 9-18-18)

Reserved.

Nonconforming sign or outdoor advertising sign structure shall mean:

(1)

A sign or outdoor advertising sign structure lawfully erected, constructed, installed, or maintained prior to the enactment of the regulations in this ordinance, which does not conform to the standards or requirements for permitted signs and is not specifically prohibited.

(2)

A sign or outdoor advertising sign structure lawfully erected, constructed, installed, or maintained after the enactment of the regulations in this ordinance, which does not conform to existing standards or requirements for permitted signs because of annexation, change in zoning districts, or amendments to this article.

(C.B. No. 2018-149, § 1(Exh. A), 9-18-18)

Off-premises sign shall mean a business sign which is not included in the definition of "on-premises sign."

On-premises sign shall mean a business sign which relates solely to a use or business conducted upon, or to a principal product, service, or entertainment sold, provided, or offered upon the lot where the sign is located.

Outdoor advertising sign structure shall mean a standardized outdoor advertising display, including the permanent framework, structural members, support or support foundation, scaffolding and illumination, facing or panels, and message, which is intended and whose customary use is to mount periodically changing commercial displays and which is made generally available for display to the public by the owners on a short-term basis. Such structures shall be limited to the three (3) following standardized structures:

(1)

The thirty (30) sheet poster panel or painted bulletin, whose outside dimensions, including trim, if any, but excluding the base, apron, supports, and other structural members, is approximately twelve (12) feet by twenty-five (25) feet, containing approximately three hundred (300) square feet of total display area.

(2)

The one hundred fifty (150) square foot face, commonly painted rather than posted.

(3)

The junior panel, whose outside dimensions, including trim, if any, but excluding the base, apron, supports, and other structural members, is approximately six (6) feet by twelve (12) feet, containing approximately seventy-two (72) square feet of total face area.

(C.B. No. 2018-149, § 1(Exh. A), 9-18-18)

Pennant shall mean any lightweight plastic, fabric, or other material, whether or not containing a message of any kind, suspended from a rope, wire, or string, usually in series, designed to move in the wind.

Periodically changing OASS shall mean OASS contracts shall not exceed one year in length.

Portable sign shall mean a sign not permanently anchored or secured to either a building or the ground such as, but not limited to, A frame, inverted T-shaped signs, and signs affixed to a chassis with wheels for towing. Projecting yard sign shall mean a sign attached to and erected approximately perpendicular to the wall of a structure; including a sign erected at the corner of a structure and projecting into an open space or yard, but not projecting into the right-of-way of any street, sidewalk, alley, or other public property.

Public promotion sign shall mean a sign which promotes a general civic pride for the City, or a portion of the City, or a district of the City, or a specific charitable or not-for-profit event or organization. No business name, logo, device, symbol, or trademark shall be permitted on a public promotion sign.

(C.B. No. 2001-193, § 1, 8-7-01; C.B. No. 2018-149, § 1(Exh. A), 9-18-18)

Reserved.

Real estate sign shall mean a sign placed on property, which is actively marketed for sale, rental, or lease of the premises on which it is located.

Residential subdivision identification sign shall mean a sign placed on property that identifies the residential subdivision on which it is located.

Roof overhang shall mean a roof-like structure projecting from the wall of the principal structure and which is not part of the roof of the structure.

Roof sign or roof outdoor advertising sign structure shall mean a sign or outdoor advertising sign structure erected upon the roof of any structure.

(C.B. No. 2010-152, § 1, 7-20-10; C.B. No. 2018-149, § 1(Exh. A), 9-18-18; C.B. No. 2021-007, § 1(Exh. A), 1-19-21)

Searchlight, sign shall mean a searchlight which is used to announce, direct attention to, or advertise a business.

Sign shall mean any writing including a word or numeral; pictorial representation including illustration, emblem including device, symbol, or trademark; flag including banner or pennant; or any figure of similar character which has the effect of announcing, directing attention to, or advertising, and which is a structure or part thereof, or is attached to, painted on, or in any manner represented on a building, structure, or parcel of land. This definition shall not include the following:

(1)

Outdoor advertising sign structure or signs displayed thereon.

(2)

Writings, representations, or other figures of similar character within a building unless it is a flashing sign or signs with lights.

(3)

Non-pictorial color treatments on the surface of a building which do not include writing or other direct forms of advertising.

Sign, institutional. A sign, which by symbol or name identifies an institutional use and which may also provide for the announcement of services or activities to be held in a community facility.

Sign, monument. A freestanding sign supported primarily by an internal structural framework or integrated into landscaping or other solid structural features other than support poles.

(C.B. No. 2010-028, § 4, 3-2-10; C.B. No. 2011-124, § 2 , 7-5-11; C.B. No. 2018-149, § 1(Exh. A), 9-18-18)

Temporary sign shall mean a sign not permanently affixed to a building or in the ground which is intended to be displayed for no more than ninety (90) days within a calendar year, unless otherwise specified in this Article.

Theater marquee shall mean a canopy with changeable letters which is attached to a building that currently functions or has historically functioned as a theater.

(C.B. No. 2018-149, § 1(Exh. A), 9-18-18; C.B. No. 2021-007, § 1(Exh. A), 1-19-21)

Reserved.

Vexillum flag shall mean a vertical flag, fixed at the top and bottom to an anchored pole to minimize movement with wind currents and does not display a sign.

Vexillum sign shall mean a vertical flag, mounted over the public right-of-way, fixed at top and bottom to an anchored pole to minimize movement with wind currents.

(C.B. No. 2018-149, § 1(Exh. A), 9-18-18)

Wall sign or outdoor advertising sign structure shall mean a sign or outdoor advertising sign structure attached to, erected against or painted upon the wall of any building with the exposed face thereof in a plane parallel to the plane of such wall, and which sign is mounted at a distance measured perpendicular to such wall, no greater than eighteen (18) inches. A wall sign shall include signs suspended from the ceiling of a marquee, canopy or vestibule where such sign does not project into the street right-of-way or a freestanding sign or freestanding outdoor advertising sign structure any part of which is parallel to and any part of which is within twenty-four (24) inches of a wall.

(C.B. No. 2018-149, § 1(Exh. A), 9-18-18)

Reserved.

(a)

Any sign or outdoor advertising sign structure that is not specifically allowed or regulated in this article is prohibited.

(b)

No sign or outdoor advertising sign structure may be erected, constructed, established, maintained, enlarged, relocated, or changed except in accordance with the provisions of this article.

(c)

Permit required. No sign or outdoor advertising sign structure may be installed, erected, constructed, or placed without a permit from the Zoning Administrator, except as specifically provided for by this article. The permit fee shall be set forth in Chapter 19.

(d)

Permit applications for OASSs shall include a site plan prepared by a licensed surveyor and drawn to scale. Said site plan shall, at a minimum, show the location of the footprint of the proposed OASS and the location of the footprint of any buildings and permanent commercial freestanding signs as defined by this ordinance within four hundred (400) feet of the proposed footprint of any OASS measured along the same side of the street and around corners. The following signs need not be included in any survey: instructional or directional signs, real estate signs, temporary signs, political signs, noncommercial signs, or any official traffic control or direction sign.

Applications shall also include color photographs (or color printouts of digital photographs) of the proposed OASS site from one hundred (100) feet to two hundred (200) feet from the proposed OASS from each direction along the street to which the OASS will be directed, with the approximate location of the proposed OASS marked on each photograph.

(C.B. No. 2001-193, § 1, 8-7-01; C.B. No. 2009-060, § 4, 4-21-09; C.B. No. 2012-193, § 1, 11-20-12; C.B. No. 2018-149, § 1(Exh. A), 9-18-18)

No person shall erect, construct, establish, maintain, enlarge, or relocate:

(a)

Any sign which:

(1)

Is structurally unsafe; or

(2)

Constitutes a hazard to safety or health or is apparently abandoned; or

(3)

Is not kept in good repair; or

(4)

Is capable of causing electrical shocks to persons likely to come in contact with it; or

(5)

Is supported by hanging or swinging from eye bolts, cables, or similar means.

(b)

Any sign or outdoor advertising sign structure which, by reason of its size, location, content, coloring, or intensity of illumination, constitutes a traffic hazard or a detriment to traffic safety by obstructing or detracting from the visibility of any governmentally erected traffic sign or control device, or any sign which resembles a traffic sign or control device. This section shall not be construed to prohibit on-site directional signage that does not interfere with official traffic control signage.

(c)

Signs or outdoor advertising sign structures which make use of words such as "Stop", "Look", "Danger", or any other words, phrases, symbols, or characters, in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic.

(d)

Any sign or outdoor advertising sign structure which obstructs free ingress to or egress from a required door, window, fire escape, or other required exits.

(C.B. No. 2018-149, § 1(Exh. A), 9-18-18; C.B. No. 2021-007, § 1(Exh. A), 1-19-21)

No person shall erect, construct, establish, maintain, enlarge, or relocate any of the following:

(a)

Any sign, whether temporary or permanent, or outdoor advertising sign structure, not erected by the City or its agents, which extends over or touches upon any City property or public right-of-way unless specifically permitted by this article. The appearance on such a sign or outdoor advertising structure of the name or part of the name of any person, business, institution or other commercial or non-commercial entity shall constitute prima facie evidence that the sign or outdoor advertising structure in question was placed in said unlawful location by authority or with the knowledge of said person, business, institution or other commercial or non-commercial entity.

(b)

Any nonconforming sign or outdoor advertising sign structure which refers to a business no longer in existence or in operation at the location advertised.

(c)

Business signs advertising nonconforming uses which do not conform to the sign regulations of the most restrictive district where the nonconforming uses is located.

(d)

Any sign or outdoor advertising sign structure unlawfully constructed, installed, erected or maintained.

(C.B. No. 2010-187, § 3, 9-7-10; C.B. No. 2018-149, § 1(Exh. A), 9-18-18)

(a)

Flags, banners, pennants, spinners, streamers and other similar devices, and portable signs are prohibited unless and only to the extent expressly allowed in this article.

(b)

Any signs with moving parts, the appearance of moving parts, or electronically changeable images shall be regulated as follows:

(1)

Any sign which has any visible moving part, visible revolving parts or visible mechanical movement of any description or other apparent visible movement achieved by electrical, electronic, or mechanical means, including intermittent electrical pulsations, or by action of normal wind currents are prohibited even if indoors if they are visible from the right-of-way or residential areas with the exception of searchlights as permitted elsewhere by this article.

(2)

Electronic changing image signs, other than those permitted in paragraph (d) herein, shall be prohibited in residential zoning districts.

(3)

Electronic changing image signs, other than portions of those signs displaying the current time and temperature, those signs permitted in paragraph (d) herein, and outdoor advertising sign structures, shall not change more than once in any thirty-second period, and shall be restricted to instantaneous full-face changes. No wipes, fades, flashing, or similar effects may be employed.

(4)

Except for those signs permitted in paragraph (d) herein and outdoor advertising sign structures, the maximum area of any sign face that may have a changing electronic image shall be fifty (50) percent of the maximum allowable area of a sign face in the zoning district where the sign is located, or twenty-five (25) square feet, whichever is smaller.

(c)

Time and temperature signs, shall be permitted in accordance with district regulations in this article.

(d)

Outdoor stadiums and indoor arenas with a seating capacity of ten thousand (10,000) or greater shall be permitted to have one (1) electronic changing image sign. There shall be no limit on how frequently said electronic image may change, nor shall there be any limit on the portion of the sign face area that is changeable by electronic means.

(e)

Changing outdoor advertising sign structures (OASS) are those whose face can automatically change by either digital or other mechanical means. They shall not change more than once in any ten-second period. Changes shall be instantaneous full-face changes; no effects (wipes, fades, flashing, etc.) may be employed. Changing OASS with digital displays shall have a minimum resolution of twenty (20) mm. Changing OASS with digital displays shall be equipped with a system to regulate the intensity of lighting, reducing or increasing the light output as exterior light conditions fluctuate.

The separation distance between any two (2) changing OASS shall be a minimum of one thousand (1,000) feet.

Changing OASS with digital displays which are capable of changing more than once per hour shall be directly connected to the regional emergency dispatch system in order that the emergency dispatchers would be able to override the message otherwise displayed on the OASS in favor of an emergency bulletin. The Director of METCAD or the Director's designee shall have authority to direct such an override. Examples of an emergency justifying such override would be broadcasting from the Statewide "Yellow Alert" system regarding abducted children or imminent weather bulletins where the other aspects of the emergency broadcast system (sirens, cable override) are activated.

(C.B. No. 2001-260, § 1, 11-6-01; C.B. No. 2007-075, § 2, 4-3-07; C.B. No. 2008-259, § 4, 2-3-09; C.B. No. 2011-124, § 3, 7-5-11; C.B. No. 2012-088, § 1, 6-5-12; C.B. No. 2018-149, § 1(Exh. A), 9-18-18)

(a)

Permit and insurance required. No person shall erect or maintain a special event sign or sign for a special event of statewide interest on or over any property owned or controlled by the City by any person without first obtaining a permit issued by the Zoning Administrator, who shall consider the requirements and restrictions of this Section in approving or disapproving the method of display, location, number, and sizes of signs. The Zoning Administrator may add conditions to the permit, which elaborate on any of the requirements of the subsections contained in this section. The Zoning Administrator shall require evidence as to general liability insurance or its equivalent which names the City as an additional insured in amounts of no less than combined property damage and personal injury limits of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000.00) prior to issuance of a permit.

(b)

Numbers and sizes of signs. Subject to the terms of this permit, the number of signs regulated by this section comply with the following:

(1)

Except as provided pursuant to this section, permits shall be granted for no more than five hundred (500) yard signs for special events of statewide interest or ten (10) banners for any sign regulated by this section. Where approved applications are received from more than one organization for such signs to be displayed on the same day, and the total number exceeds the maximum provided in this section, each organization shall receive a permit for a pro-rata number of such signs.

(2)

Except as provided pursuant to this section, signs regulated by this section shall be no larger than: Fifty (50) square feet in surface area, in the case of banners, and four (4) square feet, in the case of yard signs.

(c)

Length of time of display. Subject to the requirements of this section, the length and time of display for signs regulated by this section shall comply with the following:

(1)

Signs for special events of statewide interest shall be displayed for not more than a consecutive seven (7) day period.

(2)

No more than two (2) days following the special event for which a sign permit is granted pursuant to this section, such signs shall be removed and the area where such signs have been displayed shall be cleaned and restored to its condition prior to display of such signs.

(d)

Location of display. Subject to the requirements of this section, the signs regulated by this section shall comply with the following:

(1)

Banners may be placed over public right-of-way or affixed to railroad and street overpasses, which are above public right-of-way.

(2)

Yard signs may be located in the right-of-way only on major entryways and corridors including the following arterial streets: Neil Street, Prospect Avenue, Mattis Avenue, Kirby Avenue, University Avenue, Springfield Avenue, First Street, Saint Mary's Drive and Green Street east of Randolph Street.

(3)

Yard signs shall be located a minimum of sixty-five (65) feet from any other yard sign, five (5) feet from any curb cut.

(4)

Except as provided for in subsection (e), no signs regulated by this section shall be:

(i)

Affixed to public structures located in the right-of-way including but not limited to, utility poles, streetlights, trees or traffic control devices.

(ii)

Erected in violation of any of the specific sign prohibitions set forth in Section 37-410.

(iii)

Be located within the visibility triangle setbacks as defined in Section 37-195.

(e)

Vexillum signs. Permits may be granted to not-for-profit corporations who have entered into agreements with the City for the display of special event signs, which are vexillum public promotion signs. Such agreement shall be for a duration of at least one (1) year. Such agreements may be executed by the City Manager after the form has been approved by the City Attorney.

(C.B. No. 2000-271, § 3, 11-7-00; C.B. No. 2018-149, § 1(Exh. A), 9-18-18)

(a)

A permit issued by the Zoning Administrator shall be required prior to erecting, installing or constructing a residential subdivision identification sign.

(b)

Any change to a residential subdivision identification sign, including but not limited to, a change to the sign face, design or location shall require a new permit to be issued by the Zoning Administrator.

(c)

A Major residential subdivision, defined for purposes of this Section as a residential subdivision having an area of twenty (20) or more acres at the time it was initially platted, shall be limited to two (2) identification signs which shall be located within two hundred (20)0 feet of the intersections of the street centerlines at an access point from arterial streets. Said signs shall not have a combined total surface area exceeding one hundred (100) square feet.

(d)

A Minor residential subdivision, defined for purposes of this Section as a residential subdivision having an area of less than twenty (20) acres at the time it was initially platted, shall be limited to two (2) residential subdivision identification signs which shall be located within one hundred (100) feet of the intersection of the street centerlines at the subdivision entrance at the boundary of the subdivision. Said signs shall not have a combined Total surface area exceeding fifty (50) square feet.

(e)

No residential subdivision identification sign shall have any moving parts, moving or intermittent lights or displays, animation, electronic message boards, or neon lighting.

(f)

Any residential subdivision identification sign shall be located within an area that is maintained by a homeowner's association or developer.

(g)

All lights associated with a residential subdivision identification sign shall be hooded with a total cut-off of ninety (90) degrees or greater and directed to minimize glare. No up lighting or backlit signs shall be allowed.

(C.B. No. 2010-152, § 2, 7-20-10; C.B. No. 2018-149, § 1(Exh. A), 9-18-18)

The types of signs identified in this division shall not require a permit for installation, and shall comply with the restrictions or other requirements described in this division.

(C.B. No. 2008-259, § 5, 2-3-09; C.B. No. 2018-149, § 1(Exh. A), 9-18-18)

The total area for all instructional and directional signs on any premises shall not exceed the area as specified below:

(a)

In the SF1, SF2, IT-SF1, IT-MR1 Districts the total area of said signs on any lot shall not exceed six (6) square feet.

(b)

In the MF1, MF2, MF3, MFUniv, IT-MR2, IT-MX, CO Districts the total area of said signs on any lot shall not exceed twelve (12) square feet.

(c)

On lots of five (5) acres or less in CN, CG, CB1, CB2, CB3, and CI Districts the total area of said signs shall not exceed sixteen (16) square feet.

(d)

On lots greater than five (5) acres in CN, CG, CB1, CB2, CB3, CI, Districts and all lots in the I1, I2, and IBP Districts the total area of said signs shall not exceed sixteen (16) square feet per street frontage.

Such signs shall not exceed three (3) feet six (6) inches in height. A business name or logo may be a part of an instructional or directional sign providing that it occupies less than fifty (50) percent of the surface area.

(e)

On the site of an institutional campus-minor, that the total area of said signs shall not exceed twenty (20) square feet, and no sign shall exceed six (6) feet in height.

(f)

On the site of an institutional campus-major, that the total area of said signs shall not exceed forty (40) square feet, and no sign shall exceed six (6) feet in height.

(C.B. No. 2010-028, § 5, 3-2-10; C.B. No. 2016-211, § 1(Exh. A), 10-18-16; C.B. No. 2018-149, § 1(Exh. A), 9-18-18)

Such signs shall be presumed not readable from the right-of-way if all of the following conditions are met:

(a)

The sign is placed a minimum of twenty (20) feet from any adjacent street right-of-way.

(b)

Letters on the sign are less than one and one-half (1½) inches in height.

(c)

Pictures or logos on the sign are less than one and one-half (1½) square feet.

(C.B. No. 2018-149, § 1(Exh. A), 9-18-18)

(a)

One (1) real estate sign per street frontage may be placed on a lot provided it is removed within ten (10) days after closing and the total surface area of the sign does not exceed the following sizes:

(b)

In addition to the signs permitted in paragraph (a) above, a sign having an area not exceeding thirty-five (35) square feet may be placed on undeveloped or developing property as follows:

(1)

One (1) per street frontage per subdivision In the SF1, SF2, IT-SF1, IT-SF2, MF1, MF2, MF3, MFUniv, IT-MR1, IT-MR2, and IT-MX districts during the first year following final plat recording, and for as long as four (4) or more lots in the subdivision remain undeveloped.

(2)

One (1) per street frontage for any lot in the CO, CN, CG, CB1, CB2, CB3, I1, I2, and IBP where no structure exists.

(3)

One (1) per street frontage per lot during the first year following issuance of the initial certificate of occupancy for a multifamily structure on that lot.

(C.B. No. 2009-216, § 1, 11-17-09; C.B. No. 2016-211, § 1(Exh. A), 10-18-16; C.B. No. 2018-149, § 1(Exh. A), 9-18-18; C.B. No. 2022-050, § 1(Exh. 1), 4-5-22)

Such signs shall not exceed thirty-five (35) square feet in area. Such signs shall be placed only when visible work is being conducted upon the property and shall be removed within fourteen (14) days of completion of the construction. For purposes of this type of sign, visible work shall include contractor trucks being located on-site or work being conducted outside on the property or on the exterior of the structure located on the property.

(C.B. No. 2018-149, § 1(Exh. A), 9-18-18)

Signs announcing auctions and garage sales shall not exceed five (5) square feet in area. Such signs shall be posted not more than two (2) days before and shall be removed within two (2) days following the event, with a total time of display not to exceed six (6) days; such signs shall not be attached to or located on public property.

(C.B. No. 2018-149, § 1(Exh. A), 9-18-18)

The following signs shall be permitted without a permit:

(a)

Signs erected by the City or its agents in the public right-of-way for public purposes.

(b)

Signs identifying the street address of a building shall not exceed six (6) square feet in area.

(c)

Parking signs warning of the relocation of trespassing vehicles as provided in Section 33-168 of the Code shall not exceed six (6) square feet in area.

(d)

Signs required by federal, state, or local laws for the operation of certain businesses.

(e)

Public flags shall be mounted on a flag pole or a structure.

(f)

Other flags that are not a public or business flag shall be mounted on a flag pole or structure.

(g)

Temporary signs located in residential zoning districts shall not exceed six (6) square feet in area.

(C.B. No. 2008-259, § 6, 2-3-09; C.B. No. 2011-124, § 4, 7-5-11; C.B. No. 2018-149, § 1(Exh. A), 9-18-18; C.B. No. 2021-007, § 1(Exh. A), 1-19-21)

Editor's note— Formerly entitled "Nonbusiness signs," which was amended by C.B. No. 2021-007.

(a)

Nonconforming signs which are nonconforming because of size, number, height, setback, or off-premises nature, except theater marquee signs, shall be removed or made conforming within five (5) years from the date the sign became nonconforming.

(b)

Nonconforming theater marquee signs existing on May 22, 1978, may continue and be maintained as nonconforming signs provided that they not be enlarged or structurally altered and provided further that all intermittent rotating or flashing lights shall be removed.

(C.B. No. 2018-149, § 1(Exh. A), 9-18-18)

(a)

(1)

OASS Overlay District. In the area defined by the Table-VIII-A map, no additional Outdoor Advertising Sign Structures after January 1, 2007 shall be permitted, provided that OASS which were legally erected may be repaired in their entirety, or relocated within the OASS Overlay District. Rebuilt or relocated signs shall conform to the design/landscaping requirements of this chapter, and shall meet the sixty-point standard as such points are assigned by the Zoning Ordinance under subsection (c) of this section.

(2)

OASS Sign Bank. To allow for the relocation of outdoor advertising sign structures in the Overlay District and the establishment of new changing outdoor advertising sign structures outside the Overlay District, the following provisions shall apply:

a.

When an OASS located in the Overlay District is removed by an owner, it is added to a "sign bank" for that owner. Additionally, any OASS within the City of Champaign made non-conforming by this Ordinance because of proximity to a residential property may be added to the sign bank for that owner if the OASS is removed.

b.

The Zoning Administrator shall maintain a listing of the sign bank inventory indicating the number of OASS faces in the bank along with the area of each OASS face deposited into the bank.

c.

To erect a new OASS in the Overlay District, the owner must draw down the amount of OASS face area deposited in the sign bank equal to the area of the newly proposed OASS. Changing outdoor advertising sign structures are not permitted in the Overlay District.

d.

To erect a changing OASS anywhere outside the Overlay District but otherwise permitted within the jurisdiction of the City of Champaign, the owner must draw down on the number of sign faces deposited in the sign bank at a ratio of 2:1.

(b)

Outdoor advertising structures in entryway nodes. New or relocated outdoor advertising sign structures erected within a half mile of the buildings listed below, shall not obstruct significant views of the buildings listed below for pedestrians or automobile passengers within the right-of-way. The Zoning Administrator shall make the determination of view obstruction. The protected buildings are: The Memorial Stadium, The Assembly Hall, The Champaign City Building, and the Beckman Institute.

Additionally, OASSs located within Entryway Nodes, as defined herein, shall be required to provide design/landscaping elements which accumulates at least one hundred twenty (120) design/landscape points.

(c)

OASS design/landscaping points.

•

Landscaping points should be accumulated from a variety of landscaping; no more than twenty (20) points may be accumulated from the same plant type.

•

Five (5) points for each fifty (50) square feet of flowerbeds or other decorative groundcover. Landscaping beds elevated at least one and one-half (1.5) feet have double point value.

•

Five (5) points for each decorative shrub or ten (10) points for each ornamental tree.

•

Fifteen (15) points for each shade tree.

•

Fifteen (15) points for architectural treatment of sign base plus five (5) points for structure design that mimics or compliments the architectural style of nearby buildings.

•

Up to ten (10) points may be awarded by the Zoning Administrator (subject to appeal to the Zoning Board of Appeals) for design treatments not listed herein which mitigate the visual impact of the OASS.

•

Plantings shall be properly maintained, and placed in compliance with Section 37-571 (Design standards - planting) of this chapter.

If it is physically impractical to provide the required landscaping adjacent to the OASS, such landscaping may be provided on the same lot within the same view from the roadway, providing that the point level of landscaping required is increased by fifty (50) percent.

(d)

OASS structures proximate to designated historic landmarks or districts. Before the erection of an OASS within three hundred (300) feet of an Historically Designated Landmark or an Historic District as defined by this chapter, measured along the same side of any roadway upon which the landmark or district has frontage, any OASS requires a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Historic Preservation Commission prior to a permit being issued.

The Historic Preservation Commission shall not issue a certificate of appropriateness unless it finds that the proposed OASS:

(1)

Does not obstruct views from any vantage point on a public right-of-way of any contributing facade of an historic landmark structure or any contributing building within a designated historic district, and

(2)

If placed in an Historic District, that the sign will be designed to be compatible with the historical character of the district, based upon the following criteria:

i.

The extent to which the materials used in the construction of the OASS are the same or similar to those used to construct contributing structures in the District;

ii.

The extent to which the OASS incorporates design features that are prevalent among contributing structures in the District;

iii.

The extent to which incompatible design features of the OASS support structure are screened from view by natural landscaping elements.

(e)

Outdoor advertising structures other than those in entryway nodes. All new or relocated OASS not located within entryway nodes shall be required to provide design/landscaping elements which accumulate at least sixty (60) design/landscape points.

(C.B. No. 2001-193, § 1, 8-7-01; C.B. No. 2007-075, § 3, 4-3-07; C.B. No. 2010-225, § 1, 9-6-11; C.B. No. 2012-088, § 2, 6-5-12; C.B. No. 2016-211, § 1(Exh. A), 10-18-16; C.B. No. 2018-149, § 1(Exh. A), 9-18-18)

(a)

Prohibited signs or outdoor advertising sign structures shall be removed or modified immediately upon notice from the Zoning Administrator.

(b)

Signs which refer to businesses no longer in existence or operation at the locations advertised shall be removed sixty (60) days from the effective date of discontinuance of the business at the location advertised.

(C.B. No. 2018-149, § 1(Exh. A), 9-18-18)

(a)

Whenever it shall appear to the Zoning Administrator that any sign has been constructed or erected, or is being maintained in violation of any of the terms of this article, or after a permit for a sign has been revoked or become void, or that a sign is unsafe or in such condition as to be a hazard to the safety of the public, the Zoning Administrator is empowered to issue a notice in writing to the owner or lessee of the sign, or the owner of the premises upon which the sign is erected or maintained. Such notice shall inform such person of the violation, and shall direct him/her to make such alteration, repair or removal as is necessary to secure compliance with this article within a reasonable time limit, which shall not be more than sixty (60) days. The person receiving such notice shall comply with the terms thereof.

(b)

The Zoning Administrator may immediately remove, or cause to be removed without notice, a sign if the condition of the sign is such as to present an immediate threat to the safety of the public, or if any sign encroaches on or over any public right-of-way unless otherwise permitted by these regulations. The Zoning Administrator shall provide the owner of the sign so removed a prompt notice of such removal and after compliance with any violation notice or fine for said sign, may have sign returned to the owner.

(C.B. No. 2018-149, § 1(Exh. A), 9-18-18)

(a)

Business signs in the SF1, SF2, IT-SF1, IT-SF2, IT-MR1, and MHP Districts, shall be limited to the following:

(1)

Those identifying a home occupation and meeting the following restriction:

a.

One (1) sign shall be permitted for each home occupation.

b.

Said sign shall not be illuminated.

c.

Said sign shall not exceed one (1) square foot in total surface area.

(2)

In the MHP District, the owner of a mobile home park may erect and maintain one (1) freestanding on-premises business sign not exceeding thirty-five (35) square feet in area nor six (6) feet in height. The freestanding sign shall be set back five (5) feet from property lines.

(b)

Business signs, which may include the business of apartment rental, in the MF1, MF2, MF3, MFUNIV, IT-MR2, and IT-MX, Districts shall be restricted as follows:

(1)

One (1) wall sign per business, not to exceed five (5) percent of the wall area for any wall up to a maximum of fifty (50) square feet for any single business.

(2)

One (1) freestanding sign per lot, located in the front or side yard provided that the total height of the freestanding sign shall not exceed six (6) feet. The total area of the sign shall not exceed ten (10) square feet if the lot the sign is located on does not exceed twenty thousand (20,000) square feet in size; fifteen (15) square feet if the lot is between twenty thousand (20,000) and forty thousand (40,000) square feet in size; and twenty-one (21) square feet if the lot exceeds forty thousand (40,000) square feet in size. The freestanding sign shall be set back five (5) feet from property lines.

(3)

In the MF1, MF2 and IT-MR2 districts, said sign shall not be illuminated.

(4)

On through lots, a business may have a sign on each frontage.

(c)

Business signs in the CO District shall be restricted as follows:

(1)

One (1) wall sign per business per street frontage, not to exceed five (5) percent of the wall area for any wall up to a maximum of fifty (50) square feet for any single business, except as provided for larger CO Districts in subsection (c)(4) below.

(2)

One (1) freestanding sign per lot per street frontage, located in the front or side yard; provided that, the total height of the freestanding sign shall not exceed six (6) feet. The total area of the sign shall not exceed ten (10) square feet if the lot the sign is located on does not exceed twenty thousand (20,000) square feet in size; fifteen (15) square feet if the lot is between twenty thousand (20,000) and forty thousand (40,000) square feet in size; and twenty-one (21) square feet if the lot exceeds forty thousand (40,000) square feet in size. The freestanding sign shall be set back five (5) feet from property lines.

(3)

Signs in sign triangle. When a lot is a corner lot, and when a freestanding sign is erected in the sign triangle, no additional freestanding sign may be erected with sign faces oriented in the same direction. If a four (4) sided sign is erected in the triangle, no additional freestanding sign shall be permitted on the lot.

(4)

In CO Districts consisting of contiguous lots having a combined area of fifty (50) or more acres, one (1) wall sign shall be permitted per building elevation per business. The total area of all signs on a particular building elevation shall not exceed ten (10) percent of the wall area, or one hundred fifty (150) square feet overall, whichever is less.

(d)

Signs for provisional uses and in the In-Town Districts are permitted in accordance with Article V, Provisional and Special Uses.

(e)

Accessory parking lots. Within the MF1, MF2, MF3, and MFUNIV Districts, signs used to identify the accessory parking lot and its associated use are permitted provided the total surface area of the signage does not exceed six (6) square feet.

(C.B. No. 97-310, § 1, 11-18-97; C.B. No. 2008-259, § 7, 2-3-09; C.B. No. 2011-195, § 2, 10-18-11; C.B. No. 2014-137, § 1(Exh. A), 8-5-14; C.B. No. 2015-063, § 1(Exh. A), 5-5-15; C.B. No. 2016-066, § 1(Exh. A), 4-19-16; C.B. No. 2016-211, § 1(Exh. A), 10-18-16; C.B. No. 2018-018, § 1, 2-6-18; C.B. No. 2018-149, § 1(Exh. A), 9-18-18; C.B. No. 2024-028, § 1(Exh. 1), 3-5-24)

(a)

Permitted wall signs. One (1) wall sign for each business per street frontage shall be permitted, provided that the wall signs do not exceed seven (7) percent of the wall area, up to a maximum of one hundred (100) square feet of total wall signage per business. Up to an additional thirty-five (35) square feet of wall signage may be added to any one (1) permitted wall sign per business, if no freestanding sign exists on the lot. In no instance shall the total wall signage be permitted to exceed seven (7) percent of the wall area even if additional wall signage is added in lieu of a freestanding sign.

(b)

Permitted canopy signs. Facials mounted canopy or awning signs may be substituted for wall signs. The maximum area of such signs shall conform with the restrictions for wall signs in the CN District.

(c)

Permitted freestanding signs. The business occupying the building may erect and maintain one (1) two-dimensional freestanding business on-premises sign per street frontage per lot, subject to the following limitations:

(1)

The sign shall not exceed thirty-five (35) square feet in area for a single business nor seventy (70) square feet for more than one business; and

(2)

The height of the sign shall not exceed twelve (12) feet.

(3)

For freestanding signs which advertise more than one (1) business, at least ten (10) percent and not more than sixty-five (65) percent of the total sign face shall be devoted to an individual business.

(4)

When a lot is a corner lot, and when a freestanding sign is erected in the sign triangle, no additional freestanding sign may be erected with sign faces oriented in the same direction. If a four-sided sign is erected in the triangle, no additional freestanding sign shall be permitted on the lot.

(5)

The sign shall be set back five (5) feet from property lines.

(d)

Temporary signs. A business shall be permitted to display one (1) temporary sign or portable sign advertising on-premises activities for not more than a total of four (4) weeks per calendar year with no period of display being less than one (1) week. Temporary signs shall conform with the size and height provisions for the CN District. The permit for a temporary sign shall stipulate the number and type of temporary signs and dates of display.

(e)

Grand opening signs. A business shall be permitted to display one (1) temporary or portable sign per business frontage advertising or announcing a new on-site business for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days from the date the business was started. Additionally, within the first thirty (30) days of the operation of a new on-site business, a business shall be permitted to display grand opening signage for a period of no more than three (3) days running Friday through Sunday. This additional grand opening signage may include oversized banners, inflatable signs and balloons, and searchlights as limited below:

(1)

An oversized banner is limited to twenty-five (25) percent of the area of the wall upon which it is placed. Such banners must be securely fastened to minimize wind movement.

(2)

A searchlight is limited to a single beam of no more than one thousand six hundred million (1,600,000) footcandle [power]. Such lights must be positioned so as to project all beams vertically, but not less than a minimum angle of forty-five (45) degrees from grade level, and must be designed and maintained so as to prevent beam rays of light from being directed at any portion of the traveled ways or adjoining property, and no light shall be of such intensity or brilliance to cause glare or impair the vision of the driver of any vehicles. No searchlight may be operated between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.

(3)

An inflatable sign or balloon may not exceed twenty-five (25) feet in height and shall not obstruct visibility necessary for safe traffic maneuvering. Such signs shall be set back from any property line a minimum distance equal to the height of the balloon plus five (5) feet, and shall maintain a ten (10) foot clearance from any overhead electrical wire. No more than one (1) such inflatable device shall be allowed on any premises. Any such sign or balloon must be secured to minimize wind currents. Up to three (3) flags may be substituted for an inflatable sign or balloon referenced above.

The permit for a grand opening sign shall stipulate the number and type of temporary signs and dates of display.

(C.B. No. 97-192, § 1, 7-15-97; C.B. No. 2009-031, § 1, 3-3-09; C.B. No. 2011-124, § 5, 7-5-11; C.B. No. 2018-149, § 1(Exh. A), 9-18-18; C.B. No. 2024-028, § 1(Exh. 1), 3-5-24)

(a)

Business signs. On-premises business signs, other than interstate oriented highway signs which are regulated in subsection (c), shall be permitted subject to the limitations as provided for in this article and as specified in Table VIII-B at the end of this article.

(b)

Signs in sign triangle. When a lot is a corner lot, and when a freestanding sign is erected in the sign triangle, no additional freestanding sign may be erected with sign faces oriented in the same direction. If a four (4) sided sign is erected in the triangle, no additional freestanding sign shall be permitted on the lot.

(c)

Outdoor advertising sign structures. Outdoor advertising sign structures shall be permitted subject to the limitations as provided for in this article and as specified in Table VIII-A.

(d)

Interstate highway-oriented signs.

(1)

Businesses located along Interstate Highway 74 may erect and maintain a larger on-premises interstate highway-oriented sign if all of the following conditions are met:

(i)

The lot where the business is located must have a minimum of one hundred fifty feet (150') of frontage along the interstate or frontage road parallel to the interstate, and

(ii)

The lot must be located within three hundred feet (300') of the centerline of the interstate, and

(iii)

The lot must be located in the CG zoning district, and

(iv)

The business has no other freestanding signs on the interstate or frontage road frontage.

(2)

An interstate highway-oriented sign shall meet the following conditions:

(i)

The area of the sign shall not exceed one hundred fifty (150) square feet.

(ii)

The height of the sign shall not exceed fifty feet (50').

(iii)

The sign must be located at least one hundred fifty feet (150') from any other interstate-oriented highway sign along the same frontage.

(iv)

The highway sign must be located at least fifty feet (50') from any standard freestanding sign along the same frontage.

(v)

The highway sign shall be set back five (5) feet from property lines.

(e)

Temporary signs. A business shall be permitted to display one (1) temporary or portable sign advertising on-premises activities for not more than a total of four (4) weeks per calendar year with no period of display being less than one (1) week. Temporary wall-mounted signs shall conform with the size and height restrictions for permanent wall signs in the CG District, and temporary freestanding signs shall conform to the height and size restrictions for permanent freestanding on-premises signs in the CG District, as outlined in Table VIII-B. The permit for a temporary sign shall stipulate the number and type of temporary signs and dates of display.

(f)

Grand opening signs. A business shall be permitted to display one (1) temporary or portable sign per business frontage advertising or announcing a new on-site business for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days from the date the business was started. Additionally, within the first thirty (30) days of the operation of a new on-site business, a business shall be permitted to display grand opening signage for a period of no more than three (3) days running Friday through Sunday. This additional grand opening signage may include oversized banners, inflatable signs and balloons, and searchlights as limited below:

(1)

An oversized banner is limited to twenty-five (25) percent of the area of the wall upon which it is placed. Such banners must be securely fastened to minimize wind movement.

(2)

A searchlight is limited to a single beam of no more than one thousand six hundred million (1,600,000) footcandle power. Such lights must be positioned so as to project all beams vertically, but not less than a minimum angle of forty-five (45) degrees from grade level, and must be designed and maintained so as to prevent beam rays of light from being directed on any portion of the traveled ways or adjoining property, and no light shall be of such intensity or brilliance to cause glare or impair the vision of the driver of any vehicles. No searchlight may be operated between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.

(3)

An inflatable sign or balloon may not exceed twenty-five (25) feet in height and shall not obstruct visibility necessary for safe traffic maneuvering. Such signs shall be set back from any property line a minimum distance equal to the height of the balloon plus five (5) feet, and shall maintain a ten (10) foot clearance from any overhead electrical wire. No more than one (1) such inflatable device shall be allowed on any premises. Any such sign or balloon must be secured to minimize wind currents. Up to three (3) flags may be substituted for an inflatable sign or balloon referenced above. The permit for a grand opening sign shall stipulate the number and type of temporary signs and dates of display.

(g)

Major retail stores. In lieu of the standards and limitations expressed in the Table of Standards for On-premises Signs at the end of this Article, single-user retail stores with one hundred thousand (100,000) square feet of gross floor area or larger, and located in the CG District, are allowed one (1) freestanding sign up to one hundred (100) square feet in area and may be a maximum height of thirty (30) feet, if no other freestanding sign exists. The freestanding sign shall be set back five (5) feet from property lines. Up to four (4) wall signs may be installed on the principal elevation. One (1) sign on the principal elevation may be up to two hundred fifty (250) square feet, or other signs on the principal elevation may not exceed one hundred fifty (150) square feet, and total signage on the principal elevation shall not exceed seven (7) percent of the total wall area. All other wall signage must adhere to the standards listed in Table VIII-B, except that a major retailer may forego a one hundred fifty (150) square foot rear wall sign in favor of one (1) sign up to a maximum of seventy-five (75) square foot in area on each side wall.

(h)

Large auto/boat/RV/motorcycle sales. In lieu of the standards and limitations expressed in the Table of Standards for On-Premises Signs at the end of this article, auto/boat/RV/motorcycle sales facilities located on at least two and one-half (2.5) acres (one hundred eight thousand nine hundred (108,900) square feet) are allowed one (1) freestanding sign per franchise per frontage, provided that there is a minimum separation of one hundred (100) feet between signs. Each sign may have up to one hundred (100) square feet in area, with a maximum height of thirty (30) feet. The freestanding sign shall be set back five (5) feet from property lines. A sign advertising used vehicle sales is permitted under this section. Exception: Qualified businesses, which utilize these provisions [may not] utilize the provisions for highway signs on the same frontage as included in subsection 37-437(c).

(i)

Shopping center signage. In shopping centers in the CG District consisting of two (2) or more adjacent lots that share access, a maximum of two (2) freestanding signs shall be permitted. No more than one (1) freestanding sign shall be permitted per frontage. If the freestanding sign is located on a lot other than that which it advertises, the sign must be located in a recorded easement that provides access to the party responsible for maintenance and repair of the sign, and within fifty (50) feet of an arterial or collector street. The freestanding signs shall be set back five (5) feet from property lines.

(C.B. No. 98-10, § 1, 1-20-98; C.B. No. 99-298, § 1, 11-2-99; C.B. No. 2000-4, § 1, 1-4-00; C.B. No. 2002-256, § 1, 10-1-02; C.B. No. 2004-242, § 1, 9-7-04; C.B. No. 2009-031, § 2, 3-3-09; C.B. No. 2011-124, § 6, 7-5-11; C.B. No. 2012-012, § 1(Attch. A), 2-7-12; C.B. No. 2018-149, § 1(Exh. A), 9-18-18; C.B. No. 2024-028, § 1(Exh. 1), 3-5-24)

(a)

Business signs. On-premises business signs shall be permitted subject to the limitations as provided for in this article and as specified in Table VIII-C, and except those signs in planned regional shopping centers shall comply with this article.

(1)

When a lot is a corner lot, and when a freestanding sign is erected in the sign triangle, no additional freestanding sign may be erected with sign faces oriented in the same direction. If a four-sided sign is erected in the triangle, no additional freestanding sign shall be permitted on the lot.

(b)

Outdoor advertising sign structures. Outdoor advertising sign structures shall be permitted subject to the limitations as provided for in this article and as specified in Table VIII-A.

(c)

Business lots without street frontage. One (1) business sign shall be permitted, provided that the lot upon which the business identified by such sign does not abut a public street and is not readily visible from a public street. Such signs shall have a maximum surface of twenty-five (25) square feet and a maximum height of twenty-five (25) feet, and shall be located not more than two hundred (200) feet from the lot of the business which is to be identified.

(d)

Temporary signs. A business shall be permitted to display one (1) temporary sign or portable sign advertising on-premises activities for not more than a total of four (4) weeks per calendar year with no period of display being less than one (1) week. Temporary wall-mounted signs shall conform with the size and height restrictions for permanent wall signs in the CB1, CB2, and CB3 Districts, and temporary freestanding signs shall conform to the height and size restrictions for permanent freestanding on-premises signs in the CB1, CB2, and CB3 Districts, as outlined in Table VIII-C, provided that no temporary sign in the CB1, CB2, and CB3 Districts shall exceed one hundred fifty (150) square feet in area. The permit for a temporary sign shall stipulate the number and type of temporary signs and dates of display.

(e)

Grand opening signs. A business shall be permitted to display one (1) temporary or portable sign per business frontage advertising or announcing a new on-site business for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days from the date the business was started. Additionally, within the first thirty (30) days of the operation of a new on-site business, a business shall be permitted to display grand opening signage for a period of no more than three (3) days running Friday through Sunday. This additional grand opening signage may include oversized banners, inflatable signs and balloons, and searchlights as limited below:

(1)

An oversized banner is limited to twenty-five (25) percent of the area of the wall upon which it is placed. Such banners must be securely fastened to minimize wind movement.

(2)

A searchlight is limited to a single beam of no more than one thousand six hundred million (1,600,000) footcandle [power]. Such lights must be positioned so as to project all beams vertically, but not less than a minimum angle of forty-five (45) degrees from grade level, and must be designed and maintained so as to prevent beam rays of light from being directed at any portion of the traveled ways or adjoining property, and no light shall be of such intensity or brilliance to cause glare or impair the vision of the driver of any vehicle. No searchlight may be operated between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.

(3)

An inflatable sign or balloon may not exceed twenty-five (25) feet in height and shall not obstruct visibility necessary for safe traffic maneuvering. Such signs shall be set back from any property line a minimum distance equal to the height of the balloon plus five (5) feet, and shall maintain a ten (10) foot clearance from overhead electric lines. Up to three (3) flags may be substituted for an inflatable sign or balloon referenced above.

The permit for a grand opening sign shall stipulate the number and type of temporary signs and dates of display.

(C.B. No. 2009-031, § 3, 3-3-09; C.B. No. 2011-124, § 7, 7-5-11; C.B. No. 2016-211, § 1(Exh. A), 10-18-16; C.B. No. 2018-149, § 1(Exh. A), 9-18-18; C.B. No. 2024-028, § 1(Exh. 1), 3-5-24)

Regulations pertaining to signs and outdoor advertising sign structures in the I1, I2, CI, and IBP zoning districts are the same as in the CG District, except that freestanding signs not mounted on a pole may have a maximum area of one hundred (100) square feet and not exceed six (6) feet in height. Freestanding signs shall be set back five (5) feet from property lines.

(C.B. No. 2009-031, § 3, 3-3-09; C.B. No. 2011-124, § 7, 7-5-11; C.B. No. 2016-211, § 1(Exh. A), 10-18-16; C.B. No. 2018-149, § 1(Exh. A), 9-18-18; C.B. No. 2024-028, § 1(Exh. 1), 3-5-24)

(a)

IBP, Interstate Business Park District. The regulations and standards for signs and outdoor advertising sign structures in the I1 District apply to the IBP District.

(b)

IOP, Interstate Office Park District. The regulations and standards for signs and outdoor advertising sign structures in the IOP District are specified in Subsection 37-130.5(f).

(C.B. No. 2009-031, § 5, 3-3-09; C.B. No. 2018-149, § 1(Exh. A), 9-18-18)

(a)

The purpose of this section is to recognize that planned regional shopping centers constitute a category of business distinct from other types of commercial uses. Planned regional shopping centers are distinguished by the provision of substantial on-site automobile parking areas, internal vehicular circulation, limited points of ingress and egress for vehicles, and the gathering together of numerous separate and diverse business establishments and uses. Because of this distinction, it is appropriate that there be sign standards applicable to planned regional shopping centers to provide for the identification of such centers and the commercial activity therein, and to provide for safe and convenient vehicular circulation within the centers and ingress and egress to streets adjacent to such centers.

(b)

The provisions of this section shall apply only to planned regional shopping centers which meet the following requirements:

(1)

The buildings are erected on a single zoning lot of not less than forty (40) acres;

(2)

Gross building floor area exceeds four hundred thousand (400,000) square feet;

(3)

At least ten (10) separate business establishments operate within the buildings on the lot;

(4)

At least two (2) separate points of ingress and two (2) separate points of egress for the entire center are provided; and

(5)

On-site parking is provided for not less than one thousand five hundred (1,500) vehicles.

(c)

The following definitions apply to this section:

Anchor store shall mean any store which is part of a planned regional shopping center which is at least fifty thousand (50,000) square feet or greater in gross floor area.

Food court shall mean a group of restaurant stores which are located together as a public gathering and eating area inside a planned regional shopping center. A food court is considered a single entity within this article.

Mall entrance shall mean a direct public outside entrance from a commons area of a planned regional shopping center.

Stores with direct outside entrances shall mean any store or a food court which has a public entrance for customers which leads directly outside of the planned regional shopping center.

(d)

Permitted signs. Business signs in planned regional shopping centers shall be regulated as specified in Table VIII-D.

(C.B. No. 99-152, § 1, 6-15-99; C.B. No. 2015-063, § 1(Exh. A), 5-5-15; C.B. No. 2018-149, § 1(Exh. A), 9-18-18)

(a)

Where freestanding automatic teller machines are permitted uses, the following regulations shall apply to all districts.

(b)

Signs directed exclusively to on-site customer traffic shall be regulated by section 37-417.

(c)

One wall sign shall be permitted per wall elevation, not to exceed twenty-five (25) percent of the wall area upon which the sign is placed.

(C.B. No. 98-65, § 1, 3-3-98; C.B. No. 2018-149, § 1(Exh. A), 9-18-18)

Editor's note— C.B. No. 2016-211, § 1(Exh. A), adopted Oct. 18, 2016, deleted § 37-442 entitled "Urban neighborhood districts", which derived from C.B. No. 2010-164, § 11, adopted Aug. 3, 2010.

(a)

Plan Required. Prior to issuance of a permit or permits for signage within an institutional campus, or changes to signage within an institutional campus, a master plan shall be submitted for approval by the Zoning Administrator. Depicted on an overall site plan for the campus, the signage master plan shall show:

(1)

The proposed location of existing signs and each new sign to be sited on the campus, or the proposed changes to previously approved signage as appropriate.

(2)

The design of each sign, including its dimensions.

(3)

The placement of any electronic changing image or message board signs.

In the case of a university or university research park campus a site plan shall be submitted for the proposed sign identifying the location of the proposed sign, and existing entryway or directional signage within 500 feet.

(b)

Standards.

(1)

Signs on a Major Institutional Campus (twenty (20) acres or greater) shall meet the following standards:

(i)

Freestanding Signs.

•

Type. All freestanding signs shall be of a monument style.

•

Area. The maximum size of each sign shall be fifty (50) square feet in area, or seventy-five (75) square feet in area for a university or university research park.

•

Height. Freestanding signs shall not exceed a height of ten (10) feet, or fifteen (15) feet in height for a university or university research park.

•

Number. One (1) freestanding sign is permitted for each campus vehicular entrance or functional campus unit.

(ii)

Wall Signs. Permitted in accordance with Subsection 37-436(a), permitted wall signs in the Commercial Neighborhood (CN) District.

(iii)

Electronic Changing Image Signs. Only One (1) electronic changing image sign shall be permitted for each functional campus unit up to a maximum of two (2) per campus, and each said sign shall meet the following standards:

•

Design. Electronic changing image signs may be incorporated into either a monument or institutional campus directional sign provided the electronic changing mechanism is an integral part of the sign and the changing image portion of the sign does not exceed more than fifty (50) percent of the face of the sign or twenty-five (25) square feet, whichever is smaller.

•

Operation. Electronic changing image signs shall not change more than once in any thirty-second period and shall be restricted to instantaneous full-face changes. No wipes, fades, flashing or similar effects may be employed. If located within one hundred (100) feet of a residential use, they shall be turned off between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

•

Location. Electronic changing image signs must be located on arterial or collector streets as designated on the Street Classification Map and must be separated from each other by at least one hundred (100) feet.

(2)

Signs on a Minor Institutional Campus (less than twenty (20) acres) shall meet the following standards:

(i)

Freestanding Signs.

•

Number. One (1) Freestanding Sign is permitted per functional campus unit.

•

Type. Said freestanding sign shall be of a monument style.

•

Area. Said freestanding sign shall be a maximum of thirty-five (35) square feet in area.

•

Height. Said freestanding sign shall not exceed a height of six (6) feet.

(ii)

Wall Signs. Permitted in accordance with Subsection 37-436(a), permitted wall signs in the Commercial Neighborhood (CN) District.

(iii)

Electronic Changing Image Signs. Only One (1) electronic changing image sign shall be permitted for each campus and each said sign shall meet the following standards:

•

Design. Electronic changing image signs must be incorporated into the permitted monument sign, making the electronic changing mechanism an integral part of the sign and the changing image portion of the sign may not exceed more than fifty (50) percent of the face of the sign or seventeen and one-half (17½) square feet, whichever is smaller.

•

Operation. Electronic changing image signs shall not change more than once in any thirty (30) second period and shall be restricted to instantaneous full-face changes. No wipes, fades, flashing or similar effects may be employed. If located within one hundred (100) feet of a property zoned for residential use, they shall be turned off between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

•

Location. Electronic changing image signs must be located on arterial or collector streets as designated on the Street Classification Map and must be separated from each other by at least one hundred (100) feet.

(C.B. No. 2010-028, § 6, 3-2-10; C.B. No. 2011-195, § 3, 10-18-11; C.B. No. 2018-149, § 1(Exh. A), 9-18-18; C.B. No. 2019-162, § 2, 9-17-19; C.B. No. 2022-185, § 1(Exh. A), 12-6-22)