(A)   With the exception of the exempt signs identified below, a sign permit shall be obtained prior to the erection, construction, enlargement, movement, conversion or other improvement of any sign within the jurisdiction of the Crawfordsville Plan Commission. No sign, billboard, or exterior graphic display shall be permitted in any district except as herein provided. Any sign hereafter erected, placed, installed or otherwise established on any property before obtaining a permit as required by this chapter, shall be considered in violation of this chapter and is therefore subject to the penalties set forth in the Enforcement Division of this chapter.

   (B)   The purpose of the following signage standards and regulations is to set forth provisions governing the installation and construction of signs and other advertising devices. In addition, it is the purpose of and intent of this division to: recognize the function and importance of signs for the business sector and the city; preserve and enhance the character and visual appearance of the city; recognize the integral part played by signs in the overall appearance of the city; provide a reasonable set of controls that will permit and encourage creative and effective signs that adequately identify a business; and, provide standards, guidance and direction for sign users and sign designers as to what constitutes appropriate signage within the jurisdiction of the city.

(Ord. 4-2009, passed 3-9-09)

   With the exception of exempt and incidental signs, a sign permit must be obtained from the Planning Department prior to the installation or erection of a sign. All non-exempt, non-incidental sign permit applications shall be accompanied by a sign permit fee as prescribed by the official fee schedule.

(Ord. 4-2009, passed 3-9-09)

   The following are general limitations for all signs and sign structures, including signs exempt from the sign permit process:

   (A)   Location.

      (1)   No sign or sign structure shall be placed on private or public property without the written consent of the owner or agent thereof;

      (2)   No sign or sign structure, other than official highway signs, shall be placed upon, over or in any street or highway right-of-way which includes sidewalks. The right-of-way dimension shall be as determined by the Street Department;

      (3)   No sign or sign structure shall be erected at any location where it may interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device;

      (4)   No sign or sign structure shall be located in such a manner as to materially impede the view of any street or highway intersection, or in such a manner as to materially impede the view of the intersection of a street or highway with a railroad grade crossing.

      (5)   No sign shall be permitted which is placed on any curb, sidewalk, post, pole, electrolier, hydrant, bridge, tree or other surface located on a public property, except as otherwise expressly authorized by this chapter;

   (B)   Mimicking traffic signs and signals prohibited. No rotating beam, beacon, or flashing illumination resembling any emergency lights shall be used in connection with any sign display, nor shall any sign make use of the words “Stop,” “Look,” “Danger,” or any other word, phrase, symbol or character in such a manner as to suggest, interfere with, mislead, or confuse motorists;

   (C)   Improper signs prohibited. No sign shall bear or contain statements, words or pictures of an obscene, pornographic, immoral character, or which contain advertising matter that is untruthful or that offends public morals or decency.

   (D)      Sign size. No sign shall have an aggregate surface size greater than five square feet for each foot of width for the principal structure, unless otherwise specified in § 153.097, Specific Signage Standards, below. Where no principal structure exists, the foregoing limitations shall be computed as though there were such a structure of maximum size permitted on such lot by the applicable zoning district.

(Ord. 4-2009, passed 3-9-09)

   All exempt signs shall be required to meet all other applicable requirements of this chapter. Exempt signs shall only be exempt from the sign permit process. The following exempt signs shall not require a sign permit unless otherwise specified:

   (A)   Changeable copy. The changing of advertising copy or message on an approved sign such as a theater marquee, or freestanding sign displaying gas station prices, and similar approved signs which are specifically designed for use of replaceable copy. For the purposes of administering and enforcing this chapter, changeable copy signs shall display a static message rather than a message that imitates movement.

   (B)   Construction signs. Construction signs shall be exempt, provided that they comply with the following provisions:

      (1)   Location. No more than one sign shall be allowed per driveway entrance.

      (2)   Area. No such sign shall exceed 32 square feet in area.

      (3)   Height. No such sign shall exceed ten feet in height.

      (4)   Removal. Construction signs shall be removed upon issuance of the first certificate of occupancy.

   (C)   Sign maintenance. Painting, repainting, cleaning or other typical maintenance and repair activities, of either the sign or the sign’s structure, or a change in copy not meeting the provision discussed in division (A) as an exempt and incidental sign, above.

   (D)   Address signs. Address signs shall be permitted and exempt from the sign permit process provided they are less than two square feet.

   (E)   Business identification signs. A business identification sign on, near, above beside a public entrance or service entrance shall be permitted in a business, commercial or industrial zoning district, and is hereby exempt from the sign permit process provided that the sign states only the street address number and name of the business or building, that the sign is mounted flush against the wall, and that the sign does not exceed four square feet.

   (F)   Flags. Flags of any country, state, or unit of local government shall be permitted and exempt from the sign permit process provided that:

      (1)   Do not exceed 60 square feet;

      (2)   That no flagpole is greater than 30 feet in height for residential districts and 40 feet in height for non-residential districts; and

      (3)   That all flagpoles meet all of the setback requirements for the applicable district.

   (G)   Historical identification signs. Signs for sites designated by the federal, state or local governments as historic locations, sites or landmarks, shall be permitted and exempt from the sign permit process provided that such signage does not exceed 12 square feet.

   (H)   Integral signs. Name of building, date of erection, monumental citations, commemorative tablets and the like when carved into stone, concrete or similar material or made of bronze, aluminum, or other permanent type construction, shall be permitted and exempt from the sign permit process provided that it is made an integral part of the structure.

   (I)   Parking lot signs. Parking lot signs shall include signs which are placed or displayed in parking lots to supply information to people using such lots, including such information regarding liability, entry, exit, and traffic movement information, as necessary to facilitate the safe movement of vehicles served by the parking area. This section includes all handicap signage as well. Signs for public and private parking lots shall be permitted and exempt from the sign permit process provided that:

      (1)   Such a sign is relevant to the business or operation to which the parking lot is related;

      (2)   Such a sign is not used for advertising purposes;

      (3)   The sign is setback a minimum three feet from the right-of-way;

      (4)   Such a sign does not exceed six feet in height, unless there are extenuating circumstances requiring identification of handicapped stall locations, as a result of changes in topography, or ground level, that do not permit handicapped persons visibility of such signs upon entry into the panning lot;

      (5)   That the sign area does not exceed four square feet; and

      (6)   Such signs are installed so as to not present a hazard to traffic entering or leaving the premises.

   (J)   Private traffic (directional) signs. Signs directing traffic onto or within a premises shall be permitted and exempt from the sign permit process provided that:

      (1)   Such a sign is setback a minimum of three feet from any right-of-way or aisle;

      (2)   Such a sign is no greater than three feet in height;

      (3)   Such a sign is no greater than six square feet in area;

      (4)   Signs that are illuminated comply with all applicable provisions of this chapter.

   (K)   Public signs. Signs of a noncommercial nature and in the public interest erected by or on the order of public officer(s) in the performance of the officer’s public duty, such as safety signs, danger signs, trespassing signs, traffic signs, memorial plaques, signs directing the traveling public to public and quasi-public facilities, or signs on public buildings or structures and the like shall be permitted and exempt from the sign permit process.

   (L)   No trespassing signs. No trespassing signs, warning signs (e.g. “Beware of Dog”) and other such signs regulating the use of property shall be permitted and exempt from the sign permit process provided that such sign does not exceed two square feet in area.

   (M)   Residential name plates. In addition to each dwelling unit displaying a house number plate for identification purposes, a name plate identifying a single-family or multi-family residential dwelling unit shall be permitted and exempt from the sign permit process provided that:

      (1)   Such a sign slates nothing other than the name and/or address of the occupant; and

      (2)   Such a sign does not exceed two square feet in area.

   (N)   Social or charitable organizations. Signs located off-site and indicating the names and locations of churches, charitable organizations, and community service organizations shall be permitted and exempt from the sign permit process provided that:

      (1)   The sign is located off of the public right-of-way as determined by the city Street Department;

      (2)   The sign does not obstruct the view of pedestrians or vehicular traffic; and

      (3)   The sign is approved by the Board of Public Works.

   (O)   Window signs. Window signs shall be permitted and exempt from the sign permit process provided that no window sign cover more than 25% of the window area. No message painted on a window shall cover more than 75% of the window area.

   (P)   Garage sale signs. Signs advertising the sale of miscellaneous household items for the purpose of a residential garage or yard sale shall be permitted and exempt from the sign permit process provided that:

      (1)    The sign does not exceed four square feet in area;

      (2)    The sign(s) is not posted earlier than one week in advance of the sale;

      (3)    The sign is removed within 48 hours of the close of the sale; and

      (4)    Per I.C. 35-43-1-2, the sign in not posted on a utility pole.

   (Q)   Political campaign signs. Political campaign signs shall be permitted and exempt from the sign permit process, provided that said signs meet all other applicable requirements of this chapter.

   (R)   Real estate signs. Real estate signs shall be permitted and exempt from the sign permit process provided that:

      (1)   There is no more than one sign advertising the sale, rental or lease displayed on the premises in which it is intended to advertise;

      (2)   The sign does not exceed nine square feet in area for residential districts and 32 square feet in any other district;

      (3)   The sign is removed within 14 days of the sale, rental or lease;

      (4)   The sign is setback from the right-of-way no less than ten feet;

      (5)   The sign does not reflect advertising or promotional material other man to indicate the party listing the property for sale, rental or lease; and

      (6)   Directional signage for an open house shall not exceed nine square feet in area; shall not be located in the public right of way; shall be erected no more than 72 hours prior to the open house; and, shall be removed within six hours of the end of the open house. For the purposes of administering and enforcing this chapter, a “house for sale sign” shall not be interpreted as directional signage for an open house.

   (S)   Barber poles. Rotating or stationary cylindrical poles of the traditional red, white and blue spiral striped design identifying the premises as a barber shop is exempt provided that:

      (1)   The size does not exceed two and one-half feet in length;

      (2)   The sign is attached by brackets to the barber shop in which it is intended to identify;

      (3)   The top of the pole does not extend above the roofline of the barber shop in which it is intended to identify; and

      (4)    If illuminated, the sign must comply with the illumination provisions of this division.

(Ord. 4-2009, passed 3-9-09)

   The following are specific limitations for all signs and sign structures:

   (A)    Lighting and color. With the exception of an approved changeable copy sign or electronic changeable copy sign, no sign shall have blinking, flashing, or fluttering lights, nor shall any device be utilized which has a changing light intensity, brightness or color, or that gives the illusion of changing light intensity, brightness or color.

   (B)   Illuminated signs.

      (1)   All illuminated signs must meet the standards as specified in the National Electrical Code, as adopted and amended by the state.

      (2)   Signs that are only partially illuminated shall meet all electrical requirements for that portion that is illuminated.

      (3)   The full number of illuminating elements thereof shall be kept in satisfactory working condition or immediately repaired or replaced.

      (4)   The direct non-reflected light from a primary light source shall not create a traffic hazard to operators of motor vehicles on public and/or private roadways.

      (5)   No light shall shine directly onto adjacent property. The light from any illuminated sign shall be so shaded, shielded, or directed that the light intensity or brightness will not be objectionable to the surrounding areas.

   (C)   Electrical wiring.

      (1)   All electrical wiring shall be in conduit and not exposed to the elements or external streets in any way.

      (2)   All electrical signs shall have a disconnecting switch located in a readily accessible place.

(Ord. 4-2009, passed 3-9-09)

   (A)    Surface area. The surface area of a sign shall be that area which is enclosed by the smallest rectangle that can be used to enclose the sign, excluding the supporting structure which does not form part of the sign proper or of the display.

   (B)   Double-faced signs. 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 42 inches apart, the sign area shall be computed by the measurement of one of the faces. For the purposes of this chapter, a sign which has two or more sides visible from a given vantage point, each side shall be considered a separate sign.

(Ord. 4-2009, passed 3-9-09)

   The height of a sign shall be the distance measured from the average surface grade surrounding the base of a sign or the average surface grade of the road bed nearest the base of the sign, whichever is higher, to the top of the highest element.

(Ord. 4-2009, passed 3-9-09)

   (A)   Accessible parking spaces signage. Signs for accessible parking spaces shall be a minimum of 5 % feet above ground level so as not to be obscured by parked vehicles.

   (B)   Home occupation signage. Lawfully permitted home occupations may display one sign on the premises announcing the name, business type, and telephone number of the home occupation. The sign may not exceed two square feet in area; square footage shall be calculated as provided in § 153.095. The sign may be free-standing or attached to the building or placed so as to be visible through a window. The sign itself may not be electrified or internally illuminated, but it may be lit by directional lighting attached to places such as frame of the sign or in the ground or by ambient light from other existing sources. In addition to the foregoing specific limits, all home occupation signage must comply with the requirements of the city’s Signage Standards and Regulations, §§ 153.090 et seq.

   (C)   Subdivision signs. Subdivision signs shall be permitted at each street entrance, provided that the following provisions are met:

      (1)   Display. Only the name of the subdivision or Planned Unit Development shall be included on the sign(s).

      (2)   Quantity. No more than two subdivision signs may be displayed at each entrance if integrated into a wall; otherwise, only one such sign shall be permitted at each entrance.

      (3)   Area. No such sign shall exceed 32 square feet in area.

      (4)   Height. No such sign shall exceed six feet in height.

      (5)   Location. The sign(s) shall be located at a minimum of ten feet from the right-of-way unless integrated into a median.

   (D)   Apartment/multi-family residential identification signs. Signs identifying an apartment or multi-family residence or complex name and/or address shall be permitted, provided that the following provisions are met:

      (1)   Display. Apartment/multi-family residential identification signs shall be void of any and all promotional material and/or information.

      (2)   Quantity. Only one such sign may be displayed per street frontage.

      (3)   Area. No such sign shall exceed 32 square feet in area.

      (4)   Height. No such sign shall exceed six feet in height.

      (5)   Location. The sign(s) shall be located at a minimum of ten feet from the right-of-way unless integrated into a median.

   (E)   Institutional signs. Signs identifying the premises of, or announcing the activities conducted by a church, school hospital, nursing home, or similar institutional facility in a residential district shall be permitted, provided that the following provisions are met:

      (1)   Quantity. Only one such sign may be displayed per street frontage of a single property.

      (2)   Area. The aggregate size of all institutional signs on a lot shall not exceed 32 square feet in area.

      (3)   Height. The height of any freestanding institutional sign shall not exceed six feet.

      (4)   Location. The sign(s) shall be located at a minimum of ten feet from the right-of-way.

   (F)   Free-standing individual business signs. One free-standing individual business sign shall be permitted in all non-residential districts provided that the following provisions are met:

      (1)    Pole or pylon signs. Pole or pylon signs shall not exceed the building height, or 35 feet in height, whichever is less. The maximum surface area of such a sign shall not exceed 100 square feet, per side.

      (2)   Monument signs. Monument signs shall not be higher than eight feet in height, and the maximum surface area of such sign shall not exceed 100 square feet, per side.

      (3)   Unified center signage. Shopping center under common ownership or management with shared parking, and with or without out lots, shall only be allowed to construct a unified-center sign rather man individual free-standing business signs. All other signage for the development shall be as prescribed by this chapter. A unified center sign may be approved, provided that it is in compliance an approved site development plan. The following minimum standards shall also apply:

         (a)   Display. Such signs shall indicate only the name of such center and the name and/or type of business of the occupants of the center.

         (b)   Free-standing unified center signs. Free-standing unified center signs should be monument style signs. In the event that a monument style sign is not feasible, as determined by the Planning Director, a pole or pylon sign may be used instead, provided that it is approved as part of a site development plan and meets the following minimum standards:

            1.   Height. In no circumstances shall a free-standing unified center sign exceed the building height, or 35 feet in height, whichever is the lesser of the two.

            2.   Surface area. The maximum surface area of such a sign shall not exceed 200 square feet.

         (c)   Wall-mounted unified center signs. Wall-mounted signs shall be permitted for unified centers in nonresidential districts, provided that the following provisions are met:

            1.   Area. The total area of the unified center sign shall be limited to 10% of the facade of the building, or 40 square feet, whichever is less.

            2.   Individual sign areas. Each portion of the sign identifying an individual business shall not exceed six square feet in sign area.

            3.   Location. A wall-mounted unified sign shall not extend above the roofline of the building on which it is located.

   (G)   Electronic changeable copy signs. Electronic changeable copy signs must meet the following standards.

      (1)   Location. In any district, the sign must be located on the site of the use identified or advertised by the sign. No electronic changeable copy sign shall be allowed in a historic district;

      (2)   Setback from residential. The leading edge of the sign must be a minimum distance of 100 feet from an abutting residential district boundary;

      (3)   Setback from historic district. The leading edge of the sign must be a minimum distance of 100 from an abutting historic district boundary;

      (4)   Setback from other electronic changeable copy, electronic graphic display or video display signs. Electronic changeable copy signs must be separated from other electronic changeable copy signs, electronic graphic display signs or video display signs by at least 35 feet;

      (5)    Orientation. When located within 150 feet of a residential use located in a residential district, or a historic district, all parts of the electronic changeable copy sign must be oriented so that no portion of the sign face is visible from an existing or permitted principal structure on that lot;

      (6)   Duration. In any non-residential, non-historic district, any portion of the message must have a minimum duration of eight seconds and must be a static display. No portion of the message may flash, scroll, twirl, change color, fade in or out or in any manner imitate movement; and

      (7)   Audio or pyrotechnics. Audio speakers or any form of pyrotechnics are prohibited in association with an electronic changeable copy sign.

   (H)   Signage for businesses in residential neighborhoods. Businesses operating in residentially zoned neighborhoods, either by virtue of being in continuous operation prior to the adoption of the city’s original zoning code (“grandfathered” business) or with the explicit approval of the city by variance or special exception, must ensure that any signage comports with the character of the surrounding residential structures and neighborhood, as well as complies with the requirements of the city’s signage standards and regulations, §§ 153.090 et seq. Because the character of particular neighborhoods varies throughout the city, and because the circumstances of each such business are unique, the Board of Zoning Appeals is hereby authorized to establish specific conditions and restrictions as to any and all signage of such businesses pursuant to the Boards’ power under I.C. 36-7-4-918.2 to impose reasonable conditions to its approvals.

(Ord. 4-2009, passed 3-9-09; Am. Ord. 8-2011, passed 4-11-11)

   All signs, including legally nonconforming signs, and components of a sign or sign structure shall be kept in good repair and be in safe, neat, clean and attractive condition. Failure to comply with this subsection will result in a civil zoning violation.

(Ord. 4-2009, passed 3-9-09)

   Signs for which a permit is required are subject to periodic inspections by the Planning Director in order to determine compliance with the provisions of this chapter. In the event that the Planning Director discovers a violation, the Planning Director shall provide the owner with a written notice of the violation, in accordance with this chapter.

(Ord. 4-2009, passed 3-9-09)

   The Planning Director may order the removal of any sign erected or maintained in violation of this chapter. A sign found to be in violation of this chapter shall be removed by the owner or lessee of the premises upon which the sign is located. If within ten business days the owner or lessee fails to remove the sign, the Planning Director may authorize the removal, or otherwise cause to be removed, the sign, at cost to the owner or lessee.

(Ord. 4-2009, passed 3-9-09)

   All temporary signs shall require issuance of a temporary sign permit. Said temporary signs shall also be in accordance with the provisions below:

   (A)   Distance from a public right-of-way. No temporary sign shall be located less than ten feet from any public right-of-way;

   (B)   Obstruction of vehicular traffic prohibited. No temporary sign shall obstruct the flow or visually impair vehicular traffic on any established right-of-way;

   (C)   Distance from a residential property line. No temporary sign shall be located closer than 20 feet from an adjoining residential property;

   (D)   Sign face. No temporary sign shall have a face which exceeds 32 square feet;

   (E)   Illumination. No temporary sign shall be illuminated, or have blinking lights or arrows; and

   (F)   Duration of use. The use of temporary signs shall not exceed a maximum of ten calendar days, up to three display periods within a given calendar year with the exception of social and charitable organization signs which may not exceed a maximum of 14 calendar days, up to three display periods in a given calendar year.

(Ord. 4-2009, passed 3-9-09)

   With the exception of a lawfully placed directional open house sign, off-premise signs are hereby expressly prohibited throughout the jurisdiction of the Crawfordsville Plan Commission.

(Ord. 4-2009, passed 3-9-09)