Ensure there are adequate amounts of parking and loading facilities to serve the use(s) and users of the property;

Protect the users of adjacent properties from nuisances caused by the noise, fumes, and glare of headlights which may result from the operation of vehicles;

Reduce congestion on the street network in the City;

Encourage alternative parking designs and modes of transportation to reduce the share of auto-dominated sites within the City and dependence on single-occupancy vehicular trips;

Minimize further expansion of impervious surfaces within the City and reduce loss of green space;

Provide safe traveling conditions and off-street accommodations for motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists; and

Ensure safe, well-planned multi-modal access is provided to all properties within the City while minimizing potential vehicular, pedestrian, and bicyclist conflicts.

The term "vehicle," as used in this article, shall include, but not be limited to automobiles, motorcycles, trucks, recreational vehicles, campers and trailers, including recreational and boat trailers.

Off-street parking and loading spaces shall be provided and kept available as an accessory use to all permitted and specially permitted uses of buildings, structures, and lots in amounts not less than those specified in this article.

Areas that may be considered as off-street parking space include any private garage, carport or other area available for parking other than a street, entrance and exit lanes, or driveway.

The provision and maintenance of private off-street parking areas is a continuing obligation of the property owner.

Parking is prohibited on grass and yard space that is not hard-surfaced and properly designated for such use.

Off-street parking may be permitted in the front yard, provided all vehicles are located on an approved driveway.

Recreational vehicles, commercial vehicles, and other vehicles exceeding 14 feet in length or nine feet in height may be parked on an approved driveway, provided such vehicles are located behind the front building line.

Determination of requirements.

Central Business District. In the CB and CB-5 Districts, off-street parking spaces shall be provided in accordance with the following table.

CB District exemptions. No existing building within the CB and CB-5 Districts shall be required to provide additional off-street parking except when the building footprint is expanded. In such case, the required amount of additional off-street parking required shall be based on the additional building area.

All other districts. Off-street parking spaces shall be provided in all zoning districts, except the CB and CB-5 Districts, in accordance with the following table.

Applicability. Whenever the normal operation of any use requires that goods, merchandise, or equipment be routinely delivered to or shipped from that use, an off-street loading area must be provided in accordance with this article to accommodate the delivery or shipment operations in order to avoid undue interference with the public use of streets or alleys.

CB Districts exemption. Within the CB and CB-5 Districts, loading spaces shall not be required unless otherwise determined through development plan and/or special use permit review to be necessary for the safe and efficient operation of the proposed use and/or to protect the public health, safety, and welfare.

Minimum spaces required. Loading spaces shall be provided for uses in accordance with the table below.

Location in all districts. Off-street parking and loading spaces are prohibited in the front yard in all districts. However, parking in front yard space shall be allowed for single-, two-, and multifamily dwellings up to four units on an approved, designated driveway.

GB, MU-I, and AT District exemption. Parking areas in the Gateway Business, Mixed Use - Industry, and Agricultural Technology Districts may be permitted in the side yard when in compliance with the following standards:

Special restrictions. Parking and loading spaces shall never be located at the corner of any street, in front of any building, or between a building and the public right-of-way.

Same lot requirement. All off-street parking and loading spaces shall be on the same lot as the use they are intended to serve unless otherwise specified in this article.

Additional loading space restrictions.

Materials and markings.

Landscaping and screening. All off-street parking and loading areas shall be landscaped and screened in accordance with Part 3, Article IX.

Lighting. All off-street parking and loading areas shall be illuminated in accordance with the requirements of § 350-10.9.

Grading and stormwater. All spaces and their access driveways shall be graded so as to provide for the proper mitigation of stormwater and runoff.

ADA conformance. All new or reconstructed off-street parking areas must conform to Americans with Disabilities Act[1] standards.

Arrangement.

On-street and municipally owned parking.

Public transit access. A public transit stop or station may be used to satisfy up to 10% of the minimum off-street parking requirement, provided the transit stop or station is located within 500 feet of the use.

Parking demand analysis. The number of off-street parking spaces required for any use may be adjusted with the completion of a parking demand analysis by the applicant. When parking will be shared with other functions, the parking demand analysis may be used to determine the sharing factor. Such analysis shall include, at a minimum:

Benefit. Joint and shared off-street parking areas that extend across property lines are encouraged as parking can be more efficiently organized between uses in larger areas, resulting in more parking capacity with less land devoted to parking.

Joint parking. Joint off-street parking areas by two or more buildings or uses located on the same lot or adjacent lots is permitted, provided that the total of such facilities shall not be less than the sum required of the various buildings or uses computed separately. The land upon which the joint parking spaces are located shall be owned or leased by one or more of the collective users.

Shared parking. Shared off-street parking areas for two or more uses that are located on the same lot or adjacent lots is permitted, provided they have differing peak parking demands or operating hours. Shared parking areas shall conform to the following:

Bicycle parking.

Pedestrian connectivity. Off-street parking areas of five or more spaces shall include a clearly identified pedestrian network from the parking spaces to building entrances and uses on site. Pedestrian connections to the public sidewalk shall also be required, where applicable (see Figure 8.2).

Access from streets to parking areas shall be clearly defined. In order to minimize the number of curb cuts, shared access drives and the development of rear service lanes for access to parking and loading areas are encouraged.

All parking spaces, except those required for single-, two-, or multifamily dwellings up to four units, shall have access to a public street or alley in such a manner that any vehicle leaving or entering the parking area from or into a public street or alley shall be traveling in a forward motion.

No driveway providing access to an off-street parking area shall be located closer than 60 feet to the intersection of public streets.

The width of an access driveway shall be determined by the table below.

Purpose. The City of Geneva recognizes the value of trees and landscaping and that the preservation and enhancement of these resources is necessary to protect the health, safety and welfare of City residents. Landscaping is considered an integral part of site design, offering shade and habitat, impeding soil erosion, providing water absorption and retention to inhibit excess runoff and flooding, enhancing air quality, offering a natural barrier to noise and enhancing property values and providing scenic beauty. Landscaping emphasis shall be placed on providing features that enhance the overall aesthetics of development and the character of the City of Geneva.

Intent. The standards located within this article are intended to:

Landscape plan may be required.

Plan requirements. The landscape plan shall be drawn to scale, including dimensions and distances, and shall clearly delineate:

Proposed planting summary. The landscape plan shall delineate the location and description of all existing and proposed trees, shrubs and plantings. To insure proper protection of plantings and planted areas, landscape materials to be used on the site shall be identified in a planting schedule to be included on the landscape plan with the following information:

The landscape plan shall include all existing plant materials that are to be removed from the site and such other information as may be required to aid in development plan review.

Landscape plans should include a variety of trees, shrubs, and ornamental planting (annuals and perennials) as part of the site design. The mixing of trees and shrubs helps to avoid a uniform, unnatural appearance, and to protect against extreme loss due to disease or infestation.

Upon approval of the landscape plan by the City, the property owner agrees to install and perpetually maintain the approved landscape design and materials for the duration of the approved use.

Plant and landscape materials shall be compatible with soil conditions on-site and the regional climate. Native plant species are encouraged.

All grasses, trees, and plant material shall be in accordance with those appropriate for the City of Geneva's Plant Hardiness Zone (Zone 6a), as defined by the United States Department of Agriculture, including any amendments thereto.

Under no circumstance shall any site include plant material that is considered by the NYSDEC to be a prohibited and regulated invasive species per NYS Law 6 NYCRR Part 575.

A minimum ground cover of not less than 25% of the total lot area shall be landscaped with an appropriate balance of trees, conifers, shrubs, ornamental plantings and lawn area to create a naturalized appearance on the site.

The arrangement and spatial location of landscaped areas shall be designed as an integral part of the site development and disbursed throughout the site, and not just located around the perimeter.

Existing vegetation and trees (of all sizes and stages of maturity) shall be maintained, wherever possible.

Plastic or other artificial plantings or vegetation are not permitted.

Landscape plantings should be designed to stage blooms and have color throughout the growing season.

Indigenous species shall be utilized to the greatest extent possible, as noted on the species list.

Provisions for snow removal and snow storage must not adversely impact landscaped areas. Any area damaged as the result of snow removal or storage activities must be fully restored in accordance with the approved landscaping plan within the next planting season.

Upon development plan review approval, ornamental lighting and street furnishings may be incorporated within approved landscaped areas.

Grass areas shall be planted in a species well adapted to localized growing conditions in Ontario County, New York. Grass areas may be sodded, plugged, sprigged, hydro-mulched, or seeded except that solid sod shall be used in swales or other areas subject to erosion.

In areas where other than solid sod or grass seed is used, over-seeding shall be sown for immediate effect and protection until coverage is otherwise achieved.

Replacement or over-seeding mixes shall match or compliment the original installation.

Grass areas shall also provide continuous, uniform, and consistent coverage.

A mix of landscape plantings shall be installed around all building foundations.

Plant material shall be placed intermittently against long expanses of buildings walls, fences, and other barriers to soften the effect and to help break-up walls with little to no architectural detail.

Ornamental plant material, such as flowering trees and shrubs, perennials, and ground covers are encouraged.

Plantings should decrease in size and increase in detail, color, and variety near entryways into buildings.

Parking shall not be located within 10 feet of any residential district or use, except where a solid screening wall or fence at least six feet in height is placed on the lot line with vehicle stops or a bumper to ensure the integrity of the fence, in which case no setback shall be required. Vehicle stops shall consist of durable material, such as concrete, masonry, metal or rubber. Wooden stops are prohibited.

Where parking is located 10 feet from a residential district or use, the perimeter shall be landscaped with ground cover, low shrubs or flowering plants, and shade trees shall be planted at intervals of not more than 25 feet.

Parking lots containing 10 or more spaces shall be planted with at least one tree per eight spaces, no smaller than two-inch caliper (trunk diameter at four-foot height). Each tree should be located within a landscaped island or median. Large and medium shade trees (no less than eight feet in height at maturity) are recommended. Due to heat and drought stress and vision clearances, ornamental and evergreen trees are not recommended in parking areas.

The dimensions of all islands and medians should be a minimum of eight feet wide at the shortest side to protect plant materials and ensure proper growth (see Figure 8.1). Landscaped islands should be protected with concrete curbing.

Each median or island should include at least one tree (see Figure 8.1). Low shrubs and ground covers will be required in the remainder of the landscaped area. Effective use of earth berms and existing topography is also encouraged as a component of the landscaping plan.

Landscaped islands should be utilized in parking areas to separate parking stalls into groupings of not more than 20 spaces between islands (see Figure 8.1).

Parking lots should be broken up into "rooms" of no more than 40 spaces, separated by landscaped islands or pedestrian accessways or sidewalks (see Figure 8.1).

In instances where healthy plant material exists on a site prior to its development, in part or in whole, for purposes of off-street parking or other vehicular use areas, the above-mentioned standards may be amended as part of development plan review to allow credit for such plant material if such an adjustment is in keeping with the intent of these standards.

Requirements. All dumpsters shall be screened from public view in accordance with the following:

Exceptions. Where dumpster screening may be infeasible due to site constraints, the requirements may be waived or modified through development plan review. In such cases, the waiver or modification of requirements should still ensure the greatest level of compliance with the spirit and intent of this section.

Requirements. Where any nonresidential use abuts a residential use or district, including off-street parking areas, a landscaped buffer of at least five feet in width shall be provided. Such buffer shall include one or any combination of the following screening as approved in development plan review.

Exceptions. Where buffering between nonresidential and residential uses is infeasible due to site constraints, the requirements may be waived or modified through development plan review. In such cases, the waiver or modification of requirements should still ensure the greatest level of compliance with the spirit and intent of this section.

All landscaped areas shall be maintained according to the approved landscape plan, or as amended by an approved development plan revision.

The property owner, or his designated agent, shall be responsible for the proper care and maintenance and replacement, if necessary, of all landscape materials in a healthy and growing condition.

Maintenance shall include, but not be limited to, watering, weeding, mowing (including trimming at the base of fencing), fertilizing, mulching, proper pruning, and removal and replacement of dead or diseased trees and shrubs on a regular basis.

All landscaping and plant material that is missing, dead, decaying, or injured as of September 30th shall be replaced by June 30th of the following year at the property owner's expense. The replacement shall be of the same species and size unless otherwise approved as part of development plan review.

Irrigation systems shall be designed to minimize spray on buildings, neighboring properties, roads or sidewalks; maintained in proper operating condition and conserve water to the greatest extent feasible through proper watering techniques.

Improper maintenance shall be determined through periodic inspection by the CEO. The CEO may require a review and status report of plantings by a professional landscaper, arborist, or engineer. All reasonable costs for review and determination shall be at the property owner's expense.

Purpose.

Intent. The intent of this article is to improve resident quality of life, foster high-quality investment, and promote the City as a civic space where people are attracted to work, shop, and socialize.

Objectives. All nonresidential, mixed-use, and multifamily buildings and structures within in the City shall be designed to achieve the following objectives:

Structures subject to regulation. These design standards should apply to all existing nonresidential, mixed-use, and multifamily structures and shall apply to significantly altered and newly constructed nonresidential, mixed-use, and multifamily structures within the City of Geneva as follows:

New construction. These guidelines are not intended to promote any specific historic architectural style. However, new construction is required to follow these standards and should be compatible with existing contributing architectural features and historic structures, where applicable.

Nonconformity. A building or site not in conformance with this article may not be required to bring the entirety of such structure into conformance, if, in the opinion of the reviewing body, the proposed improvements to the property do not increase the level of nonconformity and are otherwise consistent with the intent of this article. Where the total cost of proposed improvements to a building and/or site are 150% or more of the building and/or property value, the property shall be required to come into conformance with this article unless a standard is specifically waived by the reviewing body in development plan review.

Property owner assistance. Owners of existing buildings should consult with City staff and/or all applicable review boards for assistance in following these design guidelines prior to making exterior repairs, renovations, restorations, and alterations to their buildings or obtaining a building permit.

Reviewing body(s). For the purposes of this article, the terms "reviewing body" or "review body" shall mean the board, committee, commission, or other agent with the authority of review of a development application as duly designated by this chapter and the City of Geneva Code.

Development plan review. All exterior changes proposed for nonresidential, mixed-use, or multifamily structures shall be subject to development plan review and approval as required by Part 4, Article XIII.

Certificate of appropriateness. Where a development application includes structures within a historic district identified in § 350-6.3, a certificate of appropriateness shall also be required. Development plan review approval shall be contingent upon the issuance of such certificate.

Modification of requirements. In reviewing development plan applications, the reviewing body may waive or modify the requirements of this article if deemed necessary and appropriate to achieve the purpose and intent of this chapter and maintain the character and integrity of historic structures within the City of Geneva.

Placement and orientation. Placement refers to how a building is situated on the lot. Orientation refers to the location of a building's main axis, or primary facade. Building placement and orientation is a crucial part of the interface of private building facades with public thoroughfares, which shape a compact, walkable public realm.

Massing and form. Massing and form refer to the volume and shape of a building. Buildings should provide visual interest that engages pedestrians and others to promote activity and business vitality. Wherever possible, new development should enhance the visual quality of the site on which it is located, as well as the character of the surrounding area.

Facade composition. A building facade serves as the interface between the public realm and the interior space of the building and should be compatible with the character and context of the surrounding area. Proper facade composition creates visual interest and adds character to a facade, providing visibility into the building interior, particularly for retail uses, contributing to the pedestrian, bicyclist, and motorist experience throughout the City. The arrangement of facade elements should be so designed to create a recognizable and consistent composition.

Fenestration. "Fenestration" refers to the area of the facade or building exterior covered with openings, in particular windows and doors, how transparent the enclosing glass in the openings is, and how the openings are arranged and/or relate to each other with respect to size, depth, location, etc.

Rooflines. A roofline is an architectural element, such as a cornice, parapet or change in material, plane, or design, which creates a distinction between the top of the building and the lower floors.

Applicability. General design requirements.

General facade design.

First floor. Includes the area of facade below the transition line.

Upper floors. Includes all facade area above the transition line.

Windows and doors.

Storefronts and entrances.

Awnings and canopies.

Roof design.

Roof treatments.

General requirements.

Prohibited materials.

Modern materials. The use of other modern and nontraditional materials or textures within the CB and CB-5 Districts may be permitted with approval by the reviewing body.

Color.

Design of fixtures.

Intensity of illumination.

Open spaces and green spaces.

Stormwater management facilities and green infrastructure. Stormwater management facilities and green infrastructure, such as detention ponds or bioswales, shall not be considered open space for the purposes of this chapter unless they are designed to be a multifunctional, productive, working landscape that integrates local environmental, aesthetic, and recreational benefits.

Purpose. The purpose of this article is to establish standards for the fabrication, erection, and use of signs, symbols, markings, and advertising devices within the City. These standards are designed to protect and promote the public welfare, health and safety of persons within the community and to aid in the development and promotion of business and industry by providing sign regulations which encourage aesthetic creativity, effectiveness and flexibility in the design and use of such devices without creating detriment to the general public.

Objectives. The intent of this article is to achieve the following objectives:

The regulations of this chapter shall govern and control the erection, enlargement, expansion, renovation, operation, maintenance, relocation and removal of all signs within the City visible from any street, sidewalk, public right-of-way, or public space.

The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to safety signs, road signs, historical markers, or highway directional signs erected by municipal or public agencies.

This chapter shall in no event be construed to prohibit the temporary decoration of premises in any district during religious, patriotic or holiday seasons in a customary manner.

If any portion of this chapter is found to be in conflict with any other provision of any zoning, building, fire safety or health ordinance of the City or other local or state agency, the provision which establishes the higher standard shall prevail.

Permit required. Except as hereinafter provided, no person shall erect, alter, construct, relocate or cause to be erected, altered, constructed or relocated any sign without first having obtained a sign permit from the City of Geneva CEO as required by this chapter.

Signs requiring permits. Sign permits are required for certain sign types, depending upon its location, design, or size. The table below indicates permit requirements by sign type.

NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation permit. Per § 13.07 of NYS Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation Law, any proposed sign within 500 feet of a State Park or Parkway boundary shall require a permit from the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation.

Permit exceptions. The following actions shall not require the issuance of a new sign permit provided such maintenance, changes, or alterations do not in any way alter the physical size, design, or nature of the sign.

Alteration. Any sign for which a permit has been issued shall not be modified, relocated, altered, or replaced, unless an amended or new sign permit is obtained from the CEO.

Expiration. A sign permit shall expire if the sign for which the permit has been issued is not fully constructed within 180 days from the date of issuance of the sign permit. The CEO may grant an extension provided the applicant submits a written request with sufficient reason for the delay in construction.

Revocation. The CEO, at any time for a violation of this chapter, may issue a notice of violation. A written notice of the violation including all reasons for the violation shall be mailed to the property, building, and/or sign owner. Said violation must be corrected within 30 days of the date of notice, otherwise the sign permit shall be revoked and the sign in question shall be required to be removed.

Application submittal.

Application requirements. The following shall be provided in all sign permit applications. The CEO may require application materials to be prepared by a licensed engineer or sign professional if deemed necessary for adequate review of the proposed sign.

Review criteria. The approval of sign permit applications shall be based upon the following criteria:

Administrative review procedures.

City Council review. Applications for signs that encroach upon public property, with the exception of a-frame signs, shall be subject to review and approval by City Council under the following procedures.

Business Improvement District guidance. Applicants for signs located within a Business Improvement District (BID), as established by Chapter 116 of the City of Geneva Code, guidance from the Commercial Design and Advisory Team (CDAT) or other such designated BID committee for assistance in developing high-quality sign designs. No Sign Permit will be issued by the CEO until the guidance and approval of the CDAT committee has been issued as directed in Chapter 351, Zoning Appendix, § 351-7, Signs.

Development plan or special permit review. Developments subject to review and approval under this chapter may have proposed signage reviewed and approved as part of the special permit or development plan review process. In the event of such review, all required sign permit application materials shall be provided as part of the special permit or development plan application.

Sign area.

Sign height.

No sign shall be erected, constructed, or maintained so as to obstruct free egress from a window, door or fire escape, to interfere with any opening required for ventilation, or to become a menace to life, health or property.

No sign shall be erected at or near any intersection of streets, alleys, or railways in a manner that obstructs free and clear vision for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists.

No sign shall be of a shape, color, or design that may be confused with any authorized traffic control device.

No rotating beam, beacon, or flashing illumination resembling an emergency light shall be used with any sign display.

Signs shall maintain clearance from high voltage power lines.

The erection of any sign and its supports, including any wiring and/or electrical components utilized therein, shall be consistent with the requirements of the NYS Uniform Code and National Electrical Code, as applicable.

The erection of any sign, its supports, wiring, or other structural and/or electrical elements may be subject to inspection and approval by the CEO.

All signs shall be constructed of permanent, weather resistant, and durable materials, except for banners, flags, temporary signs, and window signs otherwise in conformance with this chapter.

Where applicable, signs shall be supported by sign structures that are designed to resist wind pressures, dead loads, and lateral loads in accordance with the appropriate provisions of the NYS Uniform Code. All sign supports may be reviewed as part of the sign design.

All sign lettering shall be permanently affixed to the sign. Ground signs utilizing manual changeable copy shall be enclosed and locked.

No sign may be constructed of untreated, unfinished, or unpainted wood, or sandblasted metal. All wood components of signs must be sealed and protected from the elements.

In no event shall any illuminated sign or lighting device be placed so as to permit the beams and illumination therefrom to be directed upon a public street, highway, sidewalk or adjacent premises so as to cause glare or reflection that may constitute a traffic hazard or nuisance.

All lighting fixtures shall be dark sky compliant and directed so as not to cast an illumination of more than two foot-candles on adjacent nonresidential properties or more than 0.3 of a footcandle on adjacent residential properties.

All illumination shall be a steady, continuous burning of bulbs or lights. The flashing, blinking, oscillating, rotating or intermittent turning on and off of any illuminating device is prohibited.

Overhead wires or exposed wires on a sign or its supporting members are prohibited.

Internally illuminated signs shall be prohibited. However, reverse channel illumination to produce a halo effect may be utilized in districts where illumination is permitted.

No sign shall obscure, alter, or cover the architectural features of any building.

All signs shall be located on the same property for which the sign is intended to be applicable.

All signs shall maintain at least a ten-foot setback from all property lines, unless otherwise noted within this chapter.

Per § 13.07 of New York State Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation Law, any proposed sign within 500 feet of a state park or parkway boundary shall require a permit from the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation. See § 350-11.3C.

All signs shall be maintained in safe and good structural condition, in compliance with all applicable building and electrical codes, and in conformance with this chapter at all times.

Such maintenance includes replacement of all defective bulbs, parts, materials, painting, repainting, cleaning, replacement of copy, and other acts required for maintenance of such sign.

If any sign does not comply with these standards, the CEO may require its removal.

Where required by this chapter, the removal of signs shall be the sole responsibility of the property owner. If said sign is not removed within 30 days of the date of written notice by the CEO, the CEO or designee is authorized to affect its removal.

The CEO may remove any sign that is found to be in violation of this chapter. The property owner shall subsequently be given written notice of such sign removal. If the sign is not claimed within 30 days of the written notice, the CEO may dispose of the removed sign.

Any costs incurred for the removal of a sign shall be fully reimbursed to the City of Geneva by the sign permit holder. Such costs may be assessed to the property for collection by the City.

A-frame signs. A-frame signs shall not require a permit provided the following conditions are met:

Directional and incidental signs. Signs that provide direction to pedestrians, bicyclists, or motorists, and signs erected to identify addresses, warnings, hours and days of operation, and the like, shall not require a sign permit, provided the following conditions are met.

Governmental signs. Any official sign, public notice, or warning sign supported by federal, state or local law, including but not limited to signs erected and maintained pursuant to and in discharge of any government functions. (Example: NYS inspection station or authorized repair shop identification). There are no size requirements or time limits for governmental signs.

Internal signs. Signs within a building where such sign is intended only to be seen from within the enclosed space and is so oriented.

Lawn signs. Lawn signs shall be allowed on any lot without a permit provided the following conditions are met:

Neon signs. Neon signs are permitted in nonresidential districts without a permit, provided they conform to the following:

Noncommercial signs. Any sign that does not contain a commercial message shall not require a sign permit, provided such sign is in conformance with the following:

Any sign for which no sign permit was issued, for which a sign permit was revoked, or any other sign not explicitly authorized herein.

Any sign that is not properly maintained, considered structurally unsound, hazardous, or otherwise unsafe.

Any sign on a utility pole, tree, rock, ledge or other natural feature, whether on public or private property.

Any sign that is no longer applicable or relevant to the use of the premises on which the sign is located.

Any sign that is located off-premise from the use and/or structure to which it serves.

Any sign that contains words or pictures of an obscene or pornographic nature.

Any sign that emits audible sounds, odor, or visible matter.

Any sign that is internally illuminated, except for reverse channel illumination as provided for by this article.

Any sign that may be confused with a traffic control sign, signal or device or the light of an emergency or road equipment vehicle or any sign which hides from public view any traffic or street sign, signal, or device.

Any sign that flashes, blinks, rotates, or revolves, or utilizes unshielded lighting devices, mirrors, or reflective material.

Any sign that is mounted on wheels or mounted on any structure on wheels.

Any sign that is painted on a wall, fence, or other structure, except for works of art that contain no commercial message.

Any sign projecting above the roof of a structure.

Any banner, poster, pennant, ribbon, streamer, spinner, or balloon, unless such material is utilized as temporary signage subject to the regulations of § 350-11.17(I).

Compatibility.

Legibility.

Placement.

Color.

The following table indicates the number and types of signs permitted in the City of Geneva by zoning district.

There are certain building and development configurations that warrant the permission of additional signage to provide adequate visibility and identification for motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists. The following table indicates the permitted number of signs and sign types for such certain building and development configurations. Unless noted as additional signage, these regulations shall supersede those of Subsection A above.

Awning sign. A sign that is part of or attached to a roof-like protective cover of canvas or other flexible material over a door, entrance, window or outdoor service area that projects from the facade of a structure.

Ground sign. A sign not attached to any building or structure, which may be flush with the ground or supported by two columns or posts provided the distance between the ground and bottommost edge of the sign is no greater than three feet.

Marquee sign.

Pole sign. A sign not attached to any building or structure, which may be supported by one or two columns or posts where the distance between the ground and bottommost edge of the sign is greater than three feet.

Projecting sign. A sign which is wholly dependent upon a building for support and which projects more than 12 inches from such building.

Suspended sign. A sign attached to and supported by the underside of a horizontal plane.

Wall sign. A sign fastened to the wall of a building or structure in such a manner that the wall becomes the supporting structure for or forms the background surface of the sign and which does not project outward more than 12 inches from such building or structure.

Window sign. A sign visible from a sidewalk, street or other public place, painted or affixed on glass or other window material, or located inside within three feet of the window, but shall not include graphics in connection with customary display of products.

Temporary sign. A sign which is not intended to be used for a period of time exceeding 60 days and is not attached to a building, structure, or ground in a permanent manner.

The use of digital sign technology shall be limited to districts where illumination is permitted.

The extent of sign face area utilizing digital sign technology, including any screens or other display area, shall not exceed 25%.

Digital technology shall not be utilized in any wall sign, projecting sign, suspended sign, awning sign, or window sign.

Digital signs shall display static messages with no animation, no effects simulating animation, and no video.

Changes in copy, message, or graphics shall occur no more than once every 30 seconds.

Each transition shall be accomplished immediately with no fade, scroll, flash, spin, revolve, shake or include any other type of movement or motion.

Digital signs shall be equipped with photosensitive equipment that is programmed to automatically adjust the brightness and contrast of the sign in direct relation to the ambient outdoor illumination.

The illuminance of a digital sign shall be measured with an illuminance meter set to measure footcandles accurate to at least two decimals. Illuminance shall be measured with the digital sign off, and again with the digital sign displaying a white image for a full-color-capable sign, or a solid message for a single-color sign. All measurements shall be taken at a height of at least five feet and a distance determined by the following calculation. All fractions shall round up to the nearest foot.

The difference between the digital sign measurements when off and when displaying a solid-message (using the digital sign measurement criteria) shall not exceed 0.3 footcandles, regardless of ambient lighting conditions.

All digital signs shall be equipped with a sensor or other device that automatically determines the ambient illumination and programmed to automatically dim according to ambient light conditions, or that can be adjusted to comply with the 0.3 footcandle measurements.

Digital signs shall be programmed or set in such a manner that the display will turn dark and emit no light in case of malfunction.

No digital sign shall be located within 50 feet of a residential district or use as measured in a straight line from the location of the sign to the nearest residential property line.

Any sign that does not comply with this chapter is eligible for characterization as a legal nonconforming sign if the sign complied with all requirements in effect at the time it was erected.

Nonconforming signs must be brought into compliance with this chapter under the following conditions:

Any nonconforming sign that is removed from its position or siting and not replaced in-kind within 60 days shall be presumed to be abandoned and discontinued, and, therefore, may not be restored or reerected except in compliance with this chapter.

No nonconforming sign may be altered in any way that would increase its nonconformity with the regulations of this chapter, including but not limited to area, height, setback, and illumination.

Nothing in this section shall relieve the owner or user of a nonconforming sign or owner of the property on which the nonconforming sign is located from complying with the provisions of this chapter regarding safety, maintenance and repair of signs. Any repainting, cleaning, or routine maintenance or repair of the sign or sign structure shall not be deemed to modify the sign in any way.