The business owner, property owner, and/or sign contractor shall submit photographs and/or a rendering of the affected building and details of the proposed sign, including design, size, location, materials and color, to the Community Development Department for review and approval by the Downtown Architectural Review Board prior to the issuance of a building permit as may be required by this section. Certain minor actions that do not affect the character of the Downtown Design Overlay District may be approved by the Community Development Department, such as the repair, modification or replacement of an approved sign. Community Development staff shall determine if a structure and/or site is of historic or architectural significance, and if so, whether requirements of Chapter 374, Historic Preservation, apply. Where a property is a City-designated historic site or structure, the Historic Preservation Commission shall review new signage and, if compatible, approve; review by the Downtown Architectural Review Board is not required.

Where an applicant wishes to contest the decision of the Downtown Architectural Review Board, the applicant may submit a written appeal to the Board of Appeals. The Board of Appeals shall consider the regulations of this section and § 720-42, the Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership Design Guidelines, and the particular circumstances of a proposed sign as it relates to the property and surrounding area, in action to affirm, modify or deny an appeal of a decision of the Downtown Architectural Review Board.

One projecting sign for each exterior entrance of a building, where such entrance provides direct public access to a commercial use(s), shall be permitted. Allowable area per sign shall not exceed the maximum (per sign) allowed by Schedule VIII.[1]

The supporting arm/bracket of a projecting sign shall use a decorative design. A uniform sign size and sign design shall be used for buildings with more than one projecting sign. Where an awning(s) with or without signage and a projecting sign(s) are utilized on the same facade, wall signage is not allowed on that particular building frontage.

The top of a projecting sign shall not be installed above the window sill of the second story or 18 feet above grade, whichever is less.

No projecting sign shall interfere with public fixtures installed within the right-of-way, including, but not limited to, street trees, street lights, directional signs, traffic devices or streetscape elements.

No projecting cabinet sign installed prior to September 1, 2012, shall be modified, altered, refurbished or replaced, including the replacement or refacing of sign panels. Special consideration may be given to modification or replacement of a projecting cabinet sign that is architecturally or historically significant, or unique in design or structure to complement the building to which it is affixed. A nonconforming projecting cabinet sign shall be removed prior to the installation of any new signage for a property.

No sign shall be affixed to a building or installed so as to obscure the architectural features or openings of the building.

A wall sign shall be placed no higher than the bottom window sill of the second floor or 18 feet, whichever is less. No sign shall obstruct any window, door, fire escape, stairway or any opening intended to provide air, egress or ingress for any building or structure. Signs shall not obscure the prominent architectural features of a building, such as ornamental masonry.

No wall cabinet sign installed prior to September 1, 2012, shall be modified, altered, refurbished or replaced, including the replacement or refacing of sign panels. Special consideration may be given to modification or replacement of a wall cabinet sign that is architecturally or historically significant, or unique in design or structure to complement the building to which it is affixed. A nonconforming wall cabinet sign shall be removed prior to the installation of any new signage for a property.

Wall signage on a building facade that directly abuts a public street or private parking lot that serves the affected property: refer to Schedule VIII.[2]

Wall signage on a building facade that directly abuts a public parking lot:

Projection into the airspace of a public street (i.e., public right-of-way): see § 720-11C(2).

Projection into the airspace of a private parking lot that serves the affected building.

Projection into the airspace of a City park or pocket park:

Where a projecting sign and/or wall sign is permitted, the sign composition may include commercial or professional hand painted art work (text, graphics, backgrounds, etc.).

Hand-painted signs shall be kept in good condition for the life of same, taking care to address color fading, degradation of materials and vandalism. A hand-painted sign shall be removed when it becomes unsightly and/or is not maintained.

Murals. See § 720-84R.

Electronic message center signs; manual changeable message signs.

Inflatable, moving, animated and revolving signs.

Sheet metal, plastic and thin plywood (less than 3/4 inch thick) and other thin, flat materials, including adhesive vinyl lettering except when such material is used as backing panels.

No sign or sign device shall be sited, placed or displayed to encroach into or over the public right-of-way unless otherwise allowed by this section.

Signs and/or sign devices shall not be mounted on a roof, attached to fences, trees, traffic signs, directional signs or utility poles, and shall not be illuminated or situated to impair the view or visibility of the operator of any motor vehicle, obstruct or impair the movement of any pedestrian or motor vehicle, or in any manner create a nuisance, hazard or disturbance to the health and welfare of the general public.

Signs and/or sign devices shall be located entirely on the property to which they relate. Off-site signs shall be prohibited except for civic events or special events, marches, or public assemblies, as defined in Chapter 562 of the Code of the City of Fond du Lac.

Milestone banner. One wall-mounted banner associated with a milestone event such as rebranding, acquisition, anniversary, or a community-related award shall be permitted for an institutional, educational, commercial or manufacturing location (one or more properties that comprise a campus) that exceeds five acres in size. A milestone banner shall be permitted for a one-year period, upon issuance of a permit from the Building Inspector. Banner size shall not exceed 50% of the linear frontage of the building to which it is affixed; the installation of lighting for the banner shall be prohibited.

The minimum interval between copy changes shall be not less than two seconds. Video displays are prohibited.

No part of a message or background shall in any way be similar to traffic signals and/or emergency signals.

The use of an electronic message center as part of a permanent ground sign for a property shall prohibit the use of a temporary portable electronic sign on that site.

An electronic message center shall not display off-premises commercial advertising.

A special use permit shall be approved by the Plan Commission for an electronic message center for property located in a residential district or for a commercial property that is adjacent to or faces a residential district or property used for residential purposes.

One sign for each exterior building entrance shall be allowed for use by a nonresidential tenant/occupant of the building during business hours, placed within the frontage of the affected building and not more than 20 feet from an entrance of the building. Signs shall be stored within the interior of the building at the close of business each day.

The dimensions of the sign/supporting structure shall not exceed 30 inches wide by four feet high. Height shall be measured from the sidewalk to the top of the structure when the sign is in place.

A five-foot clearance shall be provided to allow unobstructed use of the sidewalk. The sign shall not hinder the ability of persons to exit/enter vehicles parked along the curb and/or hinder exit/entry to a building.

No sign shall have moving parts or illumination.

The sign shall have no more than two sides and it shall be neat in appearance, constructed of finished all-weather materials, and well maintained.

The sign shall not be secured, tethered or installed on traffic devices, utility equipment, street trees, street furniture, streetlights, parking meters, or any other public fixture.

The mural has attributes that enhance visual enjoyment.

The mural exemplifies high artistic quality.

The mural does not create a public safety issue, such as a distraction to drivers.

The mural content will not adversely affect the public welfare or morals, or include hostile or negative connotations or representations.

The content of a mural may not include graphics or text to advertise a business, product, brand, or service, except for the bona fide historic recreation of vintage advertising.

The location of the mural shall consider the nature of adjacent land uses.

Lighting in any manner shall be prohibited.

The mural shall be kept in good condition for the life of same, taking care to address color fading, degradation of materials, and vandalism. Where a mural becomes marked with graffiti, the property owner is responsible for the prompt removal of the graffiti as required by City Code § 500-6. The mural shall be removed when it becomes unsightly and/or is not maintained. Where the mural is not maintained, the City of Fond du Lac can require that the mural be covered with opaque paint in a color complementary to the building on which the mural is located or some other appropriate material.

One LSVD per facility or property is permitted. The sign should be designed for view from spectator areas and displayed on the interior-facing wall of a building, fence or other structure located within the enclosed athletic facility. No signage may be affixed to the back of the LSVD.

Siting of the sign should consider existing and proposed landscape elements and topography to screen the view from abutting streets and from nearby residential development.

The surface area of a LSVD shall be limited to one sign face. The maximum surface area, including the frame and trim, is 560 square feet for an athletic facility with a permanent seating capacity for 1,500 or more persons. The maximum surface area, including the frame and trim, is 280 square feet for an athletic facility with a permanent seating capacity for less than 1,500 persons.

Maximum sign height is 30 feet. Sign height is measured from the average height at road grade elevation to the highest point of the sign.

Minimum sign setback from any lot line is 15 feet. Setback distance is measured from the lot line to the outermost physical extension of the sign.

Audio speakers and all forms of pyrotechnics are prohibited.

A large screen video display sign may be used only for the duration of an event. The hours of operation are limited to the time period between 10:00 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. When not in use as permitted, the sign may not be illuminated or used for any purpose, including advertising or promotions.

A large screen video display sign should be kept in good condition and good repair for the life of its use. In the event of damage or disrepair, the condition of the sign must be promptly addressed by the owner thereof. Examples of disrepair may include, but are not limited to, failed or intermittent lighting, missing or exposed parts, peeling paint, structural poles or framing, graffiti, or other evident damage.

Digital multiple message or static off-premises advertising signs may be permitted in the C-2, CR and M-1 Districts upon City Council approval of a special use permit.

The mitigation credit for removal/replacement of an existing off-premises sign shall be one new sign permitted for the removal of two existing signs. An existing sign must be a minimum area of 200 square feet per face to qualify for a mitigation credit. Each sign face shall constitute one sign.

A replacement sign installed on an existing structure that does not meet the requirements of Subsection D(2) and (3) for height and setbacks may be allowed upon approval of a special use permit without necessity of a variance.

A new sign shall be installed within one year after issuance of a building permit.

A demolition permit is required for the removal of an off-premises sign in mitigation of a new sign. A sign permit shall not be issued for a new/replacement sign until all conditions of the demolition permit have been met.

The maximum surface area per face of an off-premises sign is 300 square feet, if located along any local, county or state roadway. Maximum sign size is 672 square feet per sign face if located on a limited access freeway or expressway (Interstate 41) Each sign face shall constitute a sign.

Maximum sign height shall not exceed 30 feet. Sign height shall be measured from the average height at road grade elevation to the highest point of the sign.

Minimum sign setback from the front lot line shall be not less than 15 feet. Setback distance shall be measured from the lot line to the outermost physical extension of the sign.

The duration that a digital message remains in a fixed position shall be eight seconds or more before changing to the next message.

The transition time, or the time it takes to change a message, shall be one second or less.

No sign shall interfere with the visibility or the operation of any traffic signal or railroad control device.

Movement, flashing, blinking, scrolling and/or animation is prohibited.

Audio speakers and all forms of pyrotechnics are prohibited.

Digital signs shall be equipped with automatic dimming capability; light shall not exceed 0.3 footcandle over ambient light levels.

Ground signs shall be self-supporting and permanently attached to a foundation. For signs over eight feet in height, foundations shall be installed below the frost line.

No sign shall be suspended by chains or other devices that will allow the sign to swing due to wind action. Signs shall be anchored to prevent any lateral movement that could cause wear on supporting members.

Ground signs shall be installed to withstand wind of at least 90 miles per hour.

All signs and their supporting members shall be constructed of standardized, durable, all-weather sign materials that is installed in a workmanlike manner.

Sign materials shall be compatible with the design of the face of the facade where they are placed and shall contribute to the legibility of the sign. Sheet metal, plastic and thin plywood (less than three-quarter-inch thick) and other thin, flat materials, including adhesive vinyl lettering, except when such material is used as backing panels, are prohibited.

All signs shall be kept clean, in good order and repair, and maintained in a safe condition so as not to be detrimental to the public health or safety.

In the event the Building Inspector determines that any sign regulated by this article is unsafe or is a hazard to the public, the owner of the sign and the owner of the premises upon which the sign is erected shall be served notice to remove or repair said sign. Removal or repair shall be accomplished within 14 days from the mailing date of the Building Inspector's notice. If not removed or repaired by the owner within said fourteen-day period, such signs may be removed by the City at the owner's expense. The Building Inspector may cause any sign which is a source of immediate peril to person or property to be removed summarily and without notice. If not removed by the owner, such sign may be removed by the City at the owner's expense.