Clinton City Zoning Code

SIGNAGE STANDARDS

§ 152.295 PURPOSE.

The purpose of this subchapter is to:

(A) Permit the effective use of signs as a means of communication for businesses, organizations and individuals in the village;

(B) Maintain and enhance the aesthetic environment, including viewsheds, and the village’s ability to attract sources of economic development and growth;

(D) Provide for adequate business identification, advertising and communication;

(E) Prohibit signs of such excessive size and number that they obscure one another to the detriment of the economic and social well-being of the village;

(F) Protect the health, safety and welfare of the public by minimizing the hazards to pedestrian and vehicular traffic;

(G) Differentiate among those signs that, because of their location, may distract drivers on public streets and those that may provide information to them while they remain in their cars but out of active traffic;

(H) Minimize the possible adverse effects of signs on nearby public and private property; and

(I) Prohibit signs with commercial messages in residential zoning districts and when those commercial messages relate to lawful commercial activities conducted on properties within such districts.

(Prior Code, § 1157.01) (Ord. O-18-20, passed 11-20-2018)

§ 152.296 APPLICABILITY.

(A) Unless otherwise provided, this subchapter shall apply to any sign, in any zoning district, that is visible from the public right-of-way or from property other than the property on which the sign is located; signs located entirely within buildings or other structures and/or otherwise not visible from the public right-of-way or from property other than the property on which the sign is located are exempt from this chapter.

(B) Unless otherwise provided by this chapter, all signs and structural changes to existing signs shall require a sign permit and a payment of fees. A sign permit and payment of fees shall also be required for the changing of a sign panel even if there is no structure change, or the changing of copy when a sign is painted or otherwise printed on a structure. No sign permit is required for the general maintenance of a sign or changing the copy of a changeable copy sign.

(C) Unless otherwise provided, all signs, except temporary signs permitted under § 152.304, that are to be erected, placed, established, moved, altered or remodeled, and otherwise permitted anywhere in the village, shall be submitted to the Planning Commission for review and recommendation to the Zoning Inspector as part of the sign permit review process. Minor repairs that do not involve a panel change or structural change shall not be subject to review by the Planning Commission.

(Prior Code, § 1157.02) (Ord. O-18-20, passed 11-20-2018)

§ 152.297 COMPLIANCE REQUIRED.

(A) It shall hereafter be unlawful for any person to erect, place, establish, move, alter, remodel or maintain a sign in the village except in accordance with the provisions of this subchapter.

(B) All wiring, fittings and materials used in the construction, connection and operation of electrically illuminated signs shall meet all of the requirements of all applicable building and electrical codes.

(C) No sign of any classification shall be installed, erected or attached to a structure in any form, shape or manner that is in violation of any applicable building and fire codes.

(Prior Code, § 1157.03) (Ord. O-18-20, passed 11-20-2018) Penalty, see § 152.999

§ 152.298 COMPUTATIONS.

The following principles shall control the computation of sign area and sign height.

(A) Pole mounted signs. The sign area shall be computed by means of the smallest square, circle, rectangle, triangle or combination thereof that encompasses the extreme limits of the background panel, cabinet or surface on which or where the sign copy is distinctively painted, textured, lighted or constructed to serve as the background for the sign copy.

(B) Ground mounted signs.

(1) The sign area shall be computed by means of the smallest square, circle, rectangle, triangle or combination thereof that encompasses the extreme limits of the background panel, cabinet or surface on which or where the sign copy is distinctively painted, textured, lighted or constructed to serve as the background for the sign copy.

(2) The area of the supporting structure or framework shall be computed by means of the smallest square, circle, rectangle, triangle or combination thereof that encompasses the extreme limits of the supporting structure or framework outside of the sign area as computed in accordance with division (B)(1) above.

(1) For sign copy mounted or painted on a background panel, cabinet or surface distinctively painted, textured, lighted or constructed to serve as the background for the sign copy, the sign area shall be computed by means of the smallest square, circle, rectangle, triangle or combination thereof that encompasses the extreme limits of the background panel, cabinet or surface.

(2) For sign copy where individual letters or elements are mounted or painted on a building façade where there is no background panel, cabinet or surface distinctively painted, textured, lighted or constructed to serve as the background for the sign copy, the sign area shall be computed by means of the combination of the smallest square, circle, rectangle, triangle or combination thereof that encloses all the letters or elements associated with the sign.

(D) Multi-faced signs. The sign area for a sign with more than one face (multi-faced signs) shall be computed by adding together the area of all sign faces visible from any one point.

(E) Identical signs back to back. When two identical sign faces are placed back to back, so that both faces cannot be viewed from any one point at the same time, and when such sign faces are part of the same sign structure and are not more than 24 inches apart, the sign area shall be computed by the measurement of one of the faces.

(F) Height of sign. The height of a sign shall be computed as the distance from the base of the sign at normal grade to the top of the highest attached component of the sign.

(G) Street frontage. When calculating street frontage, only the street frontage that lies in the incorporated area of the village shall be used in the calculation.

(Prior Code, § 1157.04) (Ord. O-18-20, passed 11-20-2018)

§ 152.299 GENERAL SIGN STANDARDS.

(A) Generally. No sign shall be erected or maintained at any location where by reason of its position, working, illumination, shape, symbol, color, form or character, may obstruct, impair, obscure, interfere with the view of, or may be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device, or interfere with, mislead, confuse or disrupt traffic safety or flow.

(B) Obscuring visibility. No portion of a sign shall obscure visibility within the visibility triangle established in § 152.088(B)(5).

(C) Unsafe signs. Should any sign be or become unsafe or be in danger of falling, the property owner shall be responsible for putting the sign in a safe and secure position or removing the sign.

(D) Attachment of signs. Signs shall not be attached to trees, utility poles, rocks, fences or streetlights nor shall signs be placed on any public property except in accordance with this subchapter.

(E) Damaging landscaping. No person may, for the purpose of increasing or enhancing the visibility of any sign, damage, trim, destroy or remove any trees, shrubs or other vegetation within any right-of-way (unless express written authorization is obtained from the agency having jurisdiction over the right-of-way) or on any area where landscaping is required by village regulations.

(F) Illuminated signs. The light from any illuminated sign or from any light source shall be so shaded, shielded or directed that the light intensity or brightness shall not adversely affect surrounding or facing residential districts, or adversely affect the safe vision and operation of vehicles moving on public or private roads, highways or parking areas. Light shall not directly shine or reflect on or into residential structures.

(G) Numeric addresses required. All buildings shall have a sign providing the numeric address for identification purposes to assist in fire and safety protection. Such signs shall not require a sign permit but shall otherwise conform to the standards of this chapter and shall be subject to the standards of § 152.301.

(H) Signs on awnings, canopies or marquees.

(1) Awnings, canopies or marquees shall be designated as permanent parts of the building and shall meet all of the requirements of all applicable building and electrical codes.

(2) The maximum amount of signage permitted on any awnings, canopies or marquees shall be equal to the maximum wall sign area permitted within the applicable zoning district.

(3) Wall signs shall not be permitted on buildings where signage is established on awnings, canopies or marquees and vice versa.

(4) Such signs shall only be illuminated from an external lighting source. Internal illumination of awnings, canopies or marquees is expressly prohibited.

(5) Such signs shall be permitted to extend into the public right-of-way over a sidewalk but shall be required to provide a clearance of eight feet between the sidewalk and the sign. Such sign shall not extend above the roof line.

(I) Location.

(1) Signs shall be erected so as not to obstruct traffic sight lines or traffic control lights at road intersections. No sign shall be constructed on or over any road right-of-way.

(2) No signs provided for in this chapter shall be erected on any private property unless the property owner’s permission has been obtained.

(3) Unless otherwise specified in this chapter, all signs shall be set back a minimum of ten feet from any adjacent street right-of-way line and at least 20 feet from any side lot line.

(J) Illumination.

(1) Any illuminated sign or lighting device shall employ only light emitting a constant intensity. Lights or lighting that flashes or otherwise portrays movement is specifically prohibited.

(2) All wiring, fittings and materials used in the sign shall be in accordance with the provisions of the Electrical Code in effect at the time of installation, modification or repair of the sign.

(3) Unless otherwise permitted or restricted in this chapter, signs that are illuminated shall use lighting in which the source of light shall not be visible from the road and shall not shine on adjoining properties. No flashing, revolving or intermittent illumination shall be employed. In addition, the following illumination requirements shall apply.

(a) In the Downtown Canal District (B-1), only external lighting to a level of 20-foot candles on the surface of the sign.

(b) In the Warwick Business District (B-2) and the Industrial District (I-1), internal or external lighting with a maximum illumination of 50-foot candles on the surface of the sign.

(Prior Code, § 1157.05) (Ord. O-18-20, passed 11-20-2018) Penalty, see § 152.999

§ 152.300 PROHIBITED SIGNS.

The following types of signs are prohibited in all districts:

(A) Signs in any public right-of-way except:

(1) Signs owned by the village, county, state or the federal government and approved by the “Ohio Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices;”

(2) Signs installed by public utilities in their rights-of-way or on their facilities and bearing no commercial message other than such message that is necessary to identify the use; and

(3) Signs installed by a transit company with a franchise or other right to operate in the county, where such signs are installed along its routes and relate to schedules or other information about the transit route.

(B) Abandoned on-premises signs:

(1) Any on-premises sign now or hereafter existing that no longer identifies a bona fide business conducted on the premises or a product sold on the premises for a period of six months shall be deemed abandoned;

(2) Such a sign shall be taken down and removed by the owner, agent or person having the beneficial use of the building or structure upon which the sign may be found within 30 days after notification to the owner from the Zoning Inspector; and

(3) All signs shall be in conformance with § 152.305, regarding the maintenance of signs.

(C) Signs that consist of lights that revolve, flash or show any type of movement are prohibited in all districts with the exception of electronic message centers specifically permitted in the Industrial District (I-D) and the Warwick Business District (B-2);

(D) Signs emitting any noisy mechanical device (whistles, horns, sirens or any other noisy audible devices);

(E) Signs that contain or consist of banners, strings of lights, posters, pennants, ribbons, streamers, spinners or other similar moving devices for the purpose of advertising or attracting attention;

(F) Off-premises signs;

(G) Feather signs;

(H) Air activated graphics or balloons bearing a commercial message except where otherwise permitted in this chapter;

(I) Any sign, which rotates, revolves or otherwise moves unless otherwise expressly permitted under this subchapter;

(J) Signs placed on vehicles or trailers that are parked or located for the primary purpose of displaying such signs. This does not apply to portable signs or lettering on buses, taxis, or vehicles operating during the normal course of business;

(K) Signs imitating or resembling official traffic or governmental signs or signals;

(L) Signs on outdoor vending machines;

(M) Portable signs;

(N) Snipe signs;

(O) Graffiti; or

(P) Signs located above the roofline.

(Prior Code, § 1157.06) (Ord. O-18-20, passed 11-20-2018) Penalty, see § 152.999

§ 152.301 SIGNS OR CHANGES NOT REQUIRING A SIGN PERMIT.

(A) The following signs shall comply with the requirements of this subchapter, wherever applicable, but shall be exempt from the sign permit and fee requirement of this subchapter and § 152.053:

(1) Commemorative or memorial plaques placed by the village, county, state or recognized historical agencies; such a sign shall bear no commercial message, shall not be directly illuminated, and shall have a maximum sign area of 16 square feet;

(2) One wall sign, not to exceed one square foot in area, for each dwelling unit. Such sign shall not contain any commercial message; such sign shall not be directly illuminated;

(3) Routine maintenance of any sign, not involving structural changes to the sign;

(4) Changes of message, either manually or electronically, on an electronic message center or reader board (changeable copy sign), subject to limitations in this subchapter on the frequency of changes of message. Changes of sign panels or other changes to signs may require a sign permit in accordance with § 152.296;

(5) Signs installed by the state, county or officials of the village in the course of their official duties; and

(6) Other signs conforming to the “Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices” and bearing no commercial message.

(B) The following signs shall be exempt from the permit requirements of this subchapter and shall not be considered in applying limitations on the number of signs permitted on a wall or a lot, but such signs shall be subject to the lighting, installation, height, setback, maintenance and other standards set forth in this section:

(1) Detached signs smaller than two square feet in area and less than four feet in height, and containing no commercial message; and

(2) Wall signs smaller than two square feet in area and containing no commercial message.

(Prior Code, § 1157.07) (Ord. O-18-20, passed 11-20-2018)

§ 152.302 PERMANENT SIGNS PERMITTED IN RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS.

The following permanent signs may be permitted in all residential zoning districts and shall require a sign permit and related fee.

(A) A permanent ground mounted sign or wall signs may be permitted for any platted residential development; provided that the signs comply with the following requirements.

(1) General standards.

(a) The sign may be permitted at each primary development entrance as determined by the Zoning Inspector.

(b) The sign shall be set back ten feet from the public right-of-way and 20 feet from any adjacent side lot lines.

(c) The sign may have a maximum sign area of 20 square feet not including any fence or wall on which the sign is located.

(d) No sign or any portion of the structure shall exceed four feet in height.

(e) The sign may only be illuminated by an external light source.

(2) Ground mounted monument signs.

(a) One permanent ground mounted monument sign may be permitted for each entrance.

(b) If an applicant proposes to use a ground mounted monument sign, no wall signs shall be permitted.

(3) Wall signs.

(a) A maximum of two wall signs may be permitted for each entrance.

(b) The signs shall be mounted to a decorative wall or fence that generally runs parallel with the street.

(d) If an applicant proposes to use wall signs, no ground mounted monument sign shall be permitted.

(B) One permanent ground mounted sign may be permitted for any public or institutional use in a residential zoning district; provided that the sign meets the following requirements.

(1) The sign shall be a ground mounted sign.

(2) The sign shall be set back ten feet from the public right-of-way and 20 feet from any adjacent side lot lines.

(3) The maximum sign area shall be 20 square feet.

(4) No such sign or any portion of the structure shall exceed four feet in height.

(5) Up to ten square feet of the sign may be a manual changeable copy sign.

(6) The sign may only be illuminated by an external light source.

(7) Such sign shall be subject to conditional use review as established in § 152.055.

(Prior Code, § 1157.08) (Ord. O-18-20, passed 11-20-2018) Penalty, see § 152.999

§ 152.303 PERMANENT SIGNS PERMITTED IN BUSINESS DISTRICTS.

The following signs may be permitted in the specified business districts; provided that no such sign shall bear an off-premise commercial message, and each such sign shall require a sign permit.

(A) Permanent pole mounted signs. Each platted lot in the Warwick Business District (B-2) and the Industrial District (I-1), as of the effective date of this chapter, or amendment thereto, shall be permitted to have one pole mounted sign that complies with the following provisions.

(1) One pole mounted sign is permitted on each parcel or lot as follows.

(a) The maximum sign area shall be 20 square feet.

(b) The maximum sign height shall be 25 feet.

(2) Where a lot is a corner lot, double frontage lot or is of another configuration with multiple street frontages, each street frontage may have a pole mounted sign that meets the above requirement. The sign area for each additional sign shall be calculated based on the street frontage where the sign is to be placed.

(B) Permanent wall signs (projecting). Any business tenant within a business district shall be permitted one wall sign per building that faces a public street subject to the following.

(1) The maximum sign area of the wall sign for any single business tenant shall not exceed 50 square feet in area.

(2) Wall signs shall not be mounted in such a way as to exceed 12 feet in height and in no case shall exceed the height of the structure.

(3) Wall signs shall not project more than four feet as measured from the face of the building to the front of the sign.

(1) Each business located in a business district may have window signs; provided they do not cover more than 20% of each window surface.

(2) The window signs shall be so located as to allow clear visibility into the building for the purposes of fire and police protection.

(3) Window signs that are permanent in nature shall be subject to the sign permit review established in § 152.053.

(D) Permanent driveway signs. Permanent ground mounted signs (directional signs) shall be permitted in all business districts, near driveway entrances to a street and at intersections of internal drives under the following provisions:

(1) The signs shall be set back five feet from all lot lines but in no case shall the sign be set back more than 25 feet from the driveway entrance or intersection of internal drives;

(2) One sign may be permitted per individual driveway or internal intersection;

(3) The sign may not exceed four square feet in area;

(4) The sign height shall not exceed three feet in height; and

(5) No more than two square feet of the sign shall include a commercial message.

(E) Flags. Up to one flag with commercial speech may be flown on a flagpole in any business district in accordance with the following.

(1) The maximum height of any flagpole shall be 35 feet.

(2) All flagpoles shall be permanently installed into the ground with any required footings as may be necessary based on the individual pole.

(3) The maximum flag size shall be 40 square feet.

(F) Permanent signs related to gasoline sales.

(1) In addition to other signs permitted by this section, one permanent double-faced sign shall be permitted per fueling station where gasoline or fuel is dispensed.

(2) The permitted pole mounted sign associated with gasoline sales may incorporate an electronic message center that shall not exceed ten square feet of the permitted sign area.

(3) Any message change shall be a static, instant message change with no scrolling or other motion allowed.

(G) Electronic message centers.

(1) Electronic message centers shall be permitted in the Warwick Business District (B-2) and the Industrial District (I-1).

(2) One electronic message center may be permitted on each lot and shall be reviewed as a conditional use (see § 152.055).

(3) The maximum sign area for an electronic message center shall be 20 square feet, or 50% of the total sign area, whichever is less.

(4) Any message change shall be a static, instant message change with no scrolling or other motion allowed.

(5) Messages shall only change once every 24 hours or longer.

(6) The maximum brightness levels for an electronic message center shall not exceed 12 foot candles, measured from the nearest point of any highway or public road. All such signs shall be equipped with a dimmer control and a photo cell which shall constantly monitor ambient light conditions and adjust brightness accordingly.

(Prior Code, § 1157.09) (Ord. O-18-20, passed 11-20-2018) Penalty, see § 152.999

§ 152.304 TEMPORARY SIGNS.

(A) General definitions related to temporary signs.

(1) Temporary signs shall be as defined in this chapter and may include, but are not limited to, political signs, real estate signs and special event signs.

(2) Temporary signs with a commercial message include, but are not limited to, real estate signs, signs that reference the sale of items or other business-related activities, or that include text classified as a commercial message.

(3) Temporary signs that do not contain a commercial message include, but are not limited to, political signs, free speech signs and any other sign with text or message that is not classified as a commercial message.

(B) Standards that apply to all temporary signs.

(1) No temporary sign shall be mounted, attached, affixed, installed or otherwise secured by any permanent means to any building, permanent sign, other structure or improvement, or to the ground upon which it is erected.

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

(3) No temporary sign shall be illuminated by anything other than non-reflected daylight.

(4) Unless otherwise specified, temporary signs, regardless of the message, shall be set back a minimum of ten feet from the edge of street pavement or the edge of a street right-of-way, whichever is greater, and shall have a maximum height of four feet.

(C) Permitted temporary signs. This section addresses permitted temporary signs, with a commercial message, in any zoning district.

(1) Temporary commercial signage on lots.

(a) One temporary sign containing a commercial message may be permitted on any lot where the lot or the structure on the lot is for sale or for lease or where there is an auction of the lot, structure or real property on the lot.

(b) If the lot has more than one street frontage, one additional temporary sign shall be allowed. Each temporary sign allowed shall be located on separate street frontages.

(d) The maximum sign for each sign shall be four feet unless attached temporarily to a wall or façade, in which case it shall not be attached or otherwise mounted above the roof line.

(e) No sign permit or fee shall be required for these signs.

(2) Temporary commercial signage for development. As an accessory use to the permitted temporary commercial activity of land development, one temporary sign, with a commercial message is permitted during the development of a subdivision or for the construction of a non-residential use in accordance with the following.

(a) The sign shall not be illuminated and shall have a maximum sign area of 20 square feet and a maximum height of four feet.

(b) The sign shall be installed on the property to be developed.

(d) The sign shall require a sign permit and fee pursuant to § 152.053.

(e) The sign may be maintained for the following periods of time:

1. Until a permitted permanent sign identifying the subdivision or development is installed; or

2. Until 30 days following the completion of construction of the development or of the last dwelling unit.

(f) The Zoning Inspector shall have the authority to review and renew the temporary sign permit every six months if a finding is made that the sign and ground upon which it is located are maintained in a neat and orderly manner. If not, the Zoning Inspector may revoke the sign permit and order the sign removed.

(3) Temporary commercial signage for temporary special events. As an accessory use to a permitted temporary special event lasting 48 hours or less, the owner or occupier of the lot where the event will take place may post one additional temporary sign with a commercial message in addition to the above temporary signs in accordance with the following.

(a) The sign shall have a maximum sign area of 16 square feet and a maximum height of four feet.

(b) The sign shall be set back a minimum of 25 feet from all street rights-of-way.

(c) The sign may be displayed for a maximum period of 14 consecutive days for up to two separate times per calendar year. Each of the 14-day display periods must be at least 30 consecutive days from the prior 14-day period.

(d) The sign shall not require a sign permit but shall require a deposit, in the amount specified in the village fee schedule, paid in advance to the Zoning Inspector. The fee shall be refundable to the applicant upon the removal of all signs and supporting materials. Upon failure to remove signs within the specified time period, without limitation of remedy, the cash deposit shall be forfeited to the village to defray the costs of removing the signs.

(e) The sign shall not be illuminated.

(f) The temporary sign can be an A-frame sign or a sign attached to the ground in a temporary manner.

(4) Temporary signs for public or institutional uses. Public or institutional uses shall be permitted to utilize temporary signs pursuant to this section provided the sign meets the following provisions.

(a) The sign shall not exceed 16 square feet in area for any one side.

(b) The sign shall not exceed four feet in height.

(D) Temporary political signs. Any political sign that does not exceed 12 square feet per side shall be permitted in any district; provided that such sign shall not be erected for more than 30 consecutive days before it must be taken down and, at the property owners’ option, be replaced with a new sign. The sign shall require a sign permit and fee pursuant to § 152.053.

(Prior Code, § 1157.10) (Ord. O-18-20, passed 11-20-2018)

§ 152.305 MAINTENANCE.

(A) All signs, including flags, shall be constructed, maintained and illuminated in a safe manner, and shall comply with applicable codes and be kept in good repair.

(1) Signs shall be free from rust, dust, dirt and other such debris.

(2) Exposed surfaces shall be clean and painted if paint is required.

(3) Defective parts shall be replaced.

(4) The Zoning Inspector shall have the right to order the repair or removal of any sign that is defective, damaged or substantially deteriorated. Such sign shall be repaired or removed by the owner, agent or person having the beneficial use of the sign within 30 days after notification to the owner from the Zoning Inspector.

(B) Should any sign be or become unsafe or be in danger of falling, the owner, tenant or lessee shall, upon receipt of written notice from the Zoning Inspector, proceed at once to correct the unsafe condition and/or remove the sign in question.

(C) Signs shall not be constructed, maintained and/or illuminated in such a manner as to create or allow the obstruction of vision or drivers, pedestrians or the general public, or create a fire or safety hazard. Signs shall be subject to the vision clearance regulations of this chapter.

(Prior Code, § 1157.11) (Ord. O-18-20, passed 11-20-2018) Penalty, see § 152.999

§ 152.306 NON-CONFORMING SIGNS.

(A) Determination of legal non-conformity. Existing signs that do not conform to the specific provisions of this subchapter may be eligible for the designation of a legal non-conforming sign; provided that the non-conforming sign:

(1) Is properly maintained and does not in any way endanger the public or constitute a nuisance; and

(2) The sign was erected pursuant to a valid permit or variance and complies with all other applicable laws on the effective date of this chapter.

(B) Loss of legal non-conforming status. A legal non-conforming sign loses the legal non-conforming designation if:

(1) The sign is relocated;

(2) The sign structure is replaced;

(3) The establishment where the sign is located ceases to operate for a period of two years. This does not refer to general maintenance, changeable marquees or to face and copy changes; or

(4) The sign is removed or abandoned for a period of two years. This does not refer to general maintenance, changeable marquees or face and copy changes.

(C) Maintenance and repair of non-conforming signs. The legal non-conforming sign is subject to all requirements of this subchapter regarding safety, maintenance and repair. However, if the sign suffers damage to an extent greater than 60% of the estimated replacement value, unless such damage was caused by vandalism, an act of God or other causes outside the influence of the owner or user, such sign shall be reconstructed in compliance with this subchapter.

(Prior Code, § 1157.12) (Ord. O-18-20, passed 11-20-2018)