The regulation of signs through a comprehensive system of reasonable, consistent and non-discriminatory standards and requirements is intended to allow for the communication of information necessary for the conduct of commerce; for efficient and safe movement; and for the identification of places of residence; to protect the public from the dangers of unsafe signs; to lessen hazardous situations, confusion and visual clutter caused by a proliferation of signs competing for the attention of pedestrian and vehicular traffic; and to enhance the attractiveness and economic well-being of the City of Jennings.

21.2.1 Outline area of freestanding signs. The outline area of a freestanding sign shall include the area within a continuous perimeter of a plane enclosing the limits of writing, representation, logo, or any figure or similar character together with the outer extremities of any frame, or other material or color forming an integral part of the display which is used as a background for the sign. The area of a freestanding sign or individually cut out writing, representation, logo or any figure of similar character which is not enclosed by framing, and which projects from a sign support or main body of a sign, is the sum of the areas of all of the triangles or parallelograms necessary to enclose each writing, representation, logo, or any figure or similar character, including the space between individual letters comprising a word, but not including the space between individual words.

The outline area of a freestanding sign shall not include the necessary supports for the sign when such supports do not extend above the sign and are not part of the overall design of a sign. The outline area of a freestanding sign shall also not include the area between separate cabinets or modules of such sign or any pole covers, lighting fixtures, or landscaping provided they contain no writing, representation, logo or any figure of similar character.

21.2.2 Outline area of attached signs. The outline area of an attached sign shall include the area within a continuous perimeter of a plane enclosing the limits of writing, representation, logo, or any figure of similar character, together with the outer extremities of any frame, or other material or color forming an integral part of the display which is used as a background for the sign. The area of an attached sign of individually cut-out writing, representation, logo or any figure or similar character which is not enclosed by framing, and which projects from a sign support or main body of a sign, is the sum of the areas of all of the triangles or parallelograms necessary to enclose each writing, representation, logo, or any figure of similar character, including the space between individual words if the words are part or a single message. However, any painted area that is part of the common background area of such attached sign shall be included in the outline area of the sign.

21.2.3 Double-faced signs. Only one (1) side of a double-faced sign shall be included in the sign area. Double-faced signs shall include those signs where the sign face is parallel or where the interior angle formed by the faces of a V-shaped sign is sixty (60) degrees or less. If the two (2) faces of a double-faced sign are of unequal area, the area of the sign shall be the area of the larger face.

The following types of signs are specifically prohibited in the city.

(a)

Signs visible from a public right-of-way that imitate, blend or conflict with, or that may be confused with traffic signs. Such signs shall include, but not be limited to, signs that are imitations of "stop" signs, and/or contain the words, "stop", "go", "caution", "danger" or "warning".

(b)

Signs that are of a size, location, movement or illumination as may be construed as a traffic control device or which obstruct from view any traffic or street sign or signal.

(c)

Signs that advertise an activity, business, product or service no longer conducted on the premises upon which the sign is located.

(d)

Signs on public property except those erected at the direction of or with the permission of an appropriate public authority.

(e)

Portable signs which are not securely affixed to the ground or otherwise affixed in a permanent manner to an approved supporting structure, or which are located on a trailer, vehicle or other movable device parked on private property but within view of the public. This provision is not to be construed as prohibiting the identification of a firm or its' principal products on a vehicle operating during the normal course of business after business hours, provided said parking takes place in as inconspicuous a manner as possible, and the duration of the parking shall not exceed sixteen (16) hours during a seven (7) consecutive calendar day period except on holidays or weekends.

(f)

Strips or strings of lights (excluding holiday lights) used to call attention to a use or occupancy by outlining property lines, display areas, parking areas, sales areas, roof lines, doors, windows wall edges or other architectural features of a building or site.

(g)

Moving signs, including those of which all or any part of the sign moves or appears to move. This prohibition against moving signs shall extend to devices including, but not limited to banners, posters, pennants, ribbons, streamers, strings of light bulbs, and rotating signs, whether part of any sign or maintained as an independent feature.

(h)

Illuminated signs, other than as specified in section 21.5.

(i)

Unkept or unsightly signs, including those that are not securely affixed to the ground or other supporting structure and those that are crudely or carelessly constructed or lettered.

(j)

Advertising signs painted on, or affixed to, or located in such a way as to obstruct visibility through a window or door, except for temporary signs that do not exceed fifteen (15) percent of the individual total window area.

(a)

Government and official signs including but not limited to the following:

(1)

Public notices and official notices posted or authorized by government officials in the performance of their duties.

(2)

Signs for the control or dedication of traffic and other public purposes.

(3)

"No Parking" and "No Trespassing" signs that are no larger than one (1) square foot in gross sign area.

(b)

Identification signs shall not exceed one (1) square foot in gross sign area; including but not limited to the following:

(1)

Name plates attached to a structure or freestanding, and not exceeding one (1) square foot in sign area, used to identify the occupant, to advertise professional services permitted in the zoning district in which the sign is located, or to indicate the name and/or address of the building and the name, address and phone number of the building manager.

(2)

Signs painted in windows in commercial and industrial zoning districts not exceeding one (1) square foot in gross sign area for each business location on the ground floor of the premises.

(3)

Residential address numbers located on a sign no more than one (1) square foot in outline area per facing.

(4)

Political signs not over six (6) square feet in area that are placed in the R-1, R-2, R-3 and planned unit development districts only and that are removed within five (5) calendar days after the election for which they pertain. Political signs shall not be placed on any easement or public right-of-way.

(5)

Memorial or historical plaques.

(6)

Flags of any nation.

Illuminated signs can only be illuminated by internal non-intermittent, incandescent or flourescent light sources. The following requirements shall apply to illuminated signs:

(a)

The light from any illuminated sign shall be so shaded, shielded and/or directed in such a manner that the light intensity or brightness will not be a substantial nuisance to the residents or occupants of surrounding areas.

(b)

No sign shall have blinking, flashing or fluttering lights or other illuminating devices of variable light intensity, brightness or color. Illuminated signs which indicate only the time, temperature, weather, or other similar information shall not be considered flashing signs, provided that the total area of such sign is no greater than sixteen (16) square feet in outline area, the vertical dimension of any letter or number is no greater than twenty-four (24) inches, and the color or intensity of light is constant except for periodic changes in the information display, which occur not more frequently than once every thirty (30) seconds. Beacon lights are not permitted, except by approval of a temporary permit, not to exceed five (5) days, for a building opening or special event.

(c)

No colored lights shall be used at any location or in any manner so as to be confused with or construed as traffic control devices.

(d)

Neither direct nor reflected light from primary light sources shall create a hazard to operators of motor vehicles while entering or while exiting public thoroughfares.

(e)

No exposed reflective type bulb and no strobe light or incandescent lamp which exceeds fifteen (15) watts shall be used on the exterior surface of any sign in such a manner as to expose the face of the bulb, light or lamp to any public street or adjacent property.

All signs shall comply with the following general requirements:

(a)

No sign shall project beyond a property line or into a public right-of-way except traffic control signs as authorized pursuant to the traffic code and public information signs as approved by the city council.

(b)

All signs shall comply in every respect with all applicable Municipal Codes and Ordinances of the City of Jennings.

(c)

All signs and related structures shall be maintained in good repair, free from rust, peeling, flaking, fading, broken or cracked surfaces or broken or missing letters.

(d)

All signs and related structures shall be maintained in a safe, clean and attractive condition. Whenever the director of public works determines that a sign has become structurally unsafe or endangers life or property, he shall send a notice to the owner of the sign that the sign be made safe or be removed. The owner of the sign shall have five (5) days from receipt of such notice in which to comply.

(e)

No sign shall be erected, displayed or maintained so as to obstruct any fire escape, required exit way, window or door opening used as a means of egress, or to obstruct any other means of egress required by the City of Jennings Building Code.

(f)

No sign shall be erected, displayed or maintained in a manner that interferes with any opening required for ventilation under the City of Jennings Building Code.

(g)

No hand lettered signs shall be permitted.

(h)

No advertising signs on bus shelters shall be permitted.

The following signs are permitted as incidental or temporary to a given business or use and are not to be included in calculating the allowable gross area for identification signs:

(a)

Incidental signs. No more than a total of four (4) incidental signs may be attached to any structure containing any given business or use. Such signs shall be attached to a store front, window or door. The subject matter of such signs shall be restricted to information concerning credit cards, notices of services or restrictions or shall pertain to a major service, commodity or facility offered on the premises. The total area of all such signs shall not exceed four (4) square feet.

(b)

Promotional window signs. The total gross sign area of all paper signs and promotional window signs shall not exceed fifteen (15) percent of the allowable gross sign area for identification signs for the street frontage on which the signs are displayed. Promotional window signs shall not be located in the area between four (4) feet and seven (7) feet above the level of the ground floor. Such promotional window signs shall be removed when the promotion has ended.

(c)

Grand opening displays and signs. Grand opening displays and signs shall be permitted for retail sales and service uses for a maximum of fourteen (14) consecutive calendar days. Such grand opening displays and signs shall be limited to a businesses' grand opening promotions. No more than two (2) such grand opening displays and signs shall be allowed at any one location in any twelve (12) month period. The grand opening promotion shall be within sixty (60) days of the receipt of the certificate of occupancy for the business. The gross sign square footage shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet and shall be mounted flat on the building and cannot be of a type prohibited by section 21.5.

Signs authorized by this section are not to be included in calculating the allowable sign area for identification signs:

(a)

Parking direction signs. One (1) freestanding parking direction sign per direction, which may be illuminated, shall be permitted for each driveway in a commercial district, provided that the sign does not exceed three (3) feet, and no portion of the sign shall extend into the public right-of-way. If the sign is located at a private driveway which is for the exclusive use of a single business or institution, the sign may contain the name or address of such business or institution. If the driveway is not for the exclusive use of a single business or institution, the parking direction sign shall be limited to directional information only and shall not contain any other information such as the name and address of any business or institution.

(b)

Directional signs. Directional signs, other than parking direction signs, may be located on a project, site or development exceeding twenty (20) acres in size provided that the total area of all such signs, combined, shall not exceed twelve (12) square feet in gross outline area. No directional sign shall be more than ten (10) feet in height or located closer than fifty (50) feet to a public or private right-of-way.

(b)

Parking regulation signs. One (1) non-illuminating parking regulation sign not exceeding five (5) square feet in gross sign area and not exceeding ten (10) feet in sign height, shall be permitted for each commercial or public parking lot. Parking lots with more than twenty (20) parking spaces shall be permitted one (1) such sign for each twenty (20) parking spaces or fraction thereof.

(c)

Marquee signs. Marquee signs for theaters, cinemas, exhibition centers and similar public assembly uses shall be permitted only upon specific authorization by the city council, with a recommendation by the city plan commission, subject to restrictions and conditions the commission and council may deem necessary after review of a site development plan under the provisions of Articles 14 and 15 of this appendix.

(e)

On-site construction signs. Only one (1) such sign denoting the owner, architect, engineer, consultants, developers, lenders, and/or contractors not to exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in area per face with a maximum of two (2) faces, shall be permitted for each street frontage. Such signs shall be removed within thirty (30) calendar days after receipt of a certificate of occupancy for a building or a development in a commercial zoning district.

(a)

The regulations governing signs in "public areas", "R-1" Single-Family Residential District, "R-2" One and Two-Family Residential District and "R-3" Multiple-Family Residential District and Planned Unit Developments.

General Regulations. SEE CHART BELOW

(b)

Supplementary Regulations.

(1)

A place of worship located in the any residential or planned unit development district shall be permitted one (1) freestanding or flat attached information sign on the same premises. However, a place of worship in the any residential or planned unit development district which has a minimum frontage of 400 feet on each of two (2) or more roadway streets, shall be permitted one (1) freestanding or flat attached information sign on the same premises fronting on each of two (2) such roadways. No part of such sign shall extend more than twenty-five (25) feet above grade, nor shall any lettering contained thereon extend more than fifteen (15) feet above grade. The portion of such sign consisting of a board or surface for information shall not exceed twenty (20) square feet.

(2)

Hospitals, recreation facilities, schools, libraries, auditoriums and similar facilities for public assembly located in the any residential or planned unit development district and having a minimum frontage of two hundred fifty (250) feet on a roadway shall be permitted one (1) freestanding or flat attached information sign not to exceed twenty (20) square feet in outline area per facing on each roadway meeting the above minimum frontage requirement.

21.10.1 Business Signs. Freestanding.

(a)

General provisions.

Subject to other provisions of this appendix, each developed lot may have no more than one (1) freestanding business sign facing each roadway on which the lot has frontage regardless of the number of buildings on the lot. However, each building, regardless of the number of lots upon which it may be located, shall have no more than one (1) freestanding business sign facing each roadway on which its lot or lots has frontage. For the purpose of this regulation, an aggregation of two (2) or more structures connected by a wall, firewall, facade or other structural element, except for a sidewalk, shall constitute a single building.

(b)

Supplementary regulations and exceptions.

(1)

Freestanding business signs are not permitted in the "C-1" Neighborhood Commercial and the "C-2S" Special Shopping and Service Commercial Districts.

(2)

The maximum size of freestanding business signs in the "C-2" Shopping and Service Commercial District shall be limited to fifty (50) square feet in outline area per facing of such sign.

(3)

Only one (1) freestanding business sign in the "C-3" Regional Commercial District may be erected in such district. Freestanding business signs, relating to articles and services, shall not exceed four hundred (400) square feet in outline area per facing and shall not be closer than two hundred (200) feet from any other sign. However, a regional commercial district located on more than one public right-of-way may have a freestanding business sign, relating to articles and services, located facing each such street.

(4)

The maximum size of a freestanding business sign in the "L-1" Light Industrial District shall be limited to eighty (80) square feet in outline area per facing.

(5)

A restaurant with a drive-up or drive-through food pick-up facility shall have either one (1) freestanding menu sign or one (1) wall menu sign. Any freestanding menu sign or wall menu sign shall not exceed sixteen (16) square feet in outline area. No freestanding menu sign or wall menu sign shall exceed eight (8) feet in height or width, or be illuminated in any manner other than from an internal and non-intermittent light source.

(6)

A financial institution with an outdoor automatic teller or similar facility shall have either one (1) freestanding sign or one (1) wall sign. No freestanding sign or wall sign shall exceed sixteen (16) square feet in outline area associated with the facility. No freestanding sign or wall sign for such a facility shall exceed eight (8) feet in height, or width or be illuminated in any manner other than from an internal and non-intermittent light source.

(7)

One (1) freestanding business sign, relating to articles and services offered, facing an interstate highway shall be permitted for gasoline stations, restaurants, hotels or motels with frontage on such a roadway, or service or frontage road of such a roadway. Such sign may be increased to a maximum outline area of one hundred (100) square feet per facing in the "C-2" Shopping and Service Commercial District and "L-1" Light Industrial District, and to a height of fifty five (55) feet, when approved by the city plan commission. The commission's determination shall be based on whether topographic or other circumstances would create an economic hardship on the business if a larger or taller sign is not permitted. A sign of lesser dimension and height may be approved if determined appropriate by the commission.

(8)

A gasoline station shall be permitted one (1) separate price sign attached to the same structure of, but below, any one (1) permitted freestanding business sign on the lot of which the use may be located. The outline area of such sign shall not exceed twenty (20) square feet per facing.

(c)

Out parcel development. In a single development or land use in a regional commercial district of forty-five (45) acres or more, all out-parcels shall be permitted:

(1)

One (1) freestanding business sign relating to articles and services offered in such out-parcel. Such sign shall not exceed one hundred (100) square feet in outline area per facing; nor exceed a width of fifteen (15) feet; nor extend more than thirty (30) feet above the elevation of the adjacent street or the average finish ground elevation at the building, whichever is higher.

(2)

Two (2) freestanding business signs, relating to articles and services offered, shall be permitted facing a roadway when a single out-parcel has a minimum of seven hundred fifty (750) feet of frontage on such roadway. However, a minimum of two hundred fifty (250) feet shall be required between the two (2) signs.

21.10.2 BUSINESS SIGNS—ATTACHED.

(a)

General provisions. Subject to the provisions of this section, each business shall have no more than one (1) attached business sign on any exterior wall of a building. Inaddition to identifying a particular business, such signs may be used to display the name and the logo of the building and project. The outline area of each sign shall not exceed five (5) percent of the wall area of the business on which the sign is attached, but no business sign shall exceed three hundred (300) square feet in outline area. Business signs shall not project beyond the wall more than eighteen (18) inches horizontally. All wall area calculations shall include the entire surface of a wall, such as a gable and similar areas, and the vertical face of a mansard roof, whether real or artificial, which extends above the wall of the business on which the sign is attached. However, the countable area of mansard roofs shall be limited to the area not greater than six (6) feet above the eave line of the roof.

(b)

Supplementary regulations and exceptions.

(1)

Each business in the "C-1" Neighborhood Commercial District shall be limited to one (1) attached business sign on a wall facing a roadway. No business sign shall exceed thirty (30) square feet in outline area. Every sign shall be a flat sign, permanently affixed to the face of the building, and shall not be higher than the lowest elevation of the roof.

(1)

For buildings located on corner lots or lots with double frontage, each business may have one (1) attached business sign on any three (3) walls of a building that are exterior walls of the particular business.

(2)

Attached business signs on building walls, adjacent to publicly owned property or adjacent to any residential district or any Planned Unit Development containing a residential use, shall not be permitted if the adjacent property line is less than fifty (50) feet from the building wall.

(3)

Where a lot or parcel of land is developed with more than one building, interior buildings shall be permitted the same number of wall signs as exterior buildings. The mounting requirements of the permitted signs shall be the same as any attached business sign.

(4)

When a building located within an "L-1" Light Industrial District is more than three hundred (300) feet from a roadway, the outline area of an attached business sign may be increased one (1) square foot for each one (1) foot in excess of three hundred (300) feet that the building is from the nearest roadway the sign faces. In no case shall the area of the sign be greater than ten (10) percent of the area of the wall on which the sign is attached.

(5)

Signs placed on vending machines, express mailboxes, or gasoline station pumps advertising products sold or services offered from the particular machine, mailbox or pump are permitted. However, no vertical or horizontal projection from the surface of the machine, mailbox or pump is permitted. Any other sign placed on the machine shall be considered as an advertising, business, directional or informational sign, subject to the regulations of the zoning district in which the sign is located.

(6)

A restaurant with a drive-up or drive-through food pick-up facility shall have either one (1) freestanding menu sign or one (1) wall menu sign. Any freestanding menu sign or wall menu sign shall not exceed sixteen (16) square feet in outline area. No freestanding menu sign or wall menu sign shall exceed eight (8) feet in height, or width or be illuminated in any manner other than from an internal and non-intermittent light source.

(8)

A financial institution with an outdoor automatic teller or similar facility shall have either one (1) freestanding sign or one (1) wall sign. No freestanding sign or wall sign shall exceed sixteen (16) square feet in outline area associated with the facility. No freestanding sign or wall sign for such a facility shall exceed eight (8) feet in height, or width or be illuminated in any manner other than from an internal and non-intermittent light source.

(9)

A gasoline station with a canopy may have no more than one (1) sign which shall include the name and logo of the business and one (1) sign which shall include the words "self-service" and "full service" attached on each of any two (2) sides of the vertical face of the canopy, excluding canopy supports. The outline area of each sign shall not exceed ten (10) square feet in outline area. Each sign shall be a flat sign permanently affixed to the vertical face of the canopy and shall not project above or below the vertical face of the canopy more than one (1) foot. No projection shall be permitted from any other side of the vertical face of the canopy. Such signs shall be illuminated only by internal and non-intermittent light sources. For gasoline stations located on corner lots, such signs may be located on each of any three (3) sides of the vertical face of the canopy, excluding canopy supports.

(10)

Residential subdivisions which include ten (10) or more lots or units shall be permitted a subdivision informational sign at each main entrance to the subdivision. No such sign shall exceed fifty (50) square feet in outline area per facing; exceed a width of fifteen (15) feet; nor extend more than fifteen (15) feet above the elevation of the adjacent street. The sign may include the name or logo or both of the subdivision. Such signs may be located on any platted lot or common ground of a subdivision and may also be located on any un-platted portion of the subdivision identified as part of a particular development on an approved preliminary subdivision plat or site development concept plan, or site development plan.

(a)

Political signs not over six (6) square feet (2×3) in area are placed in the C-2, C-2S, C-3, L-1 and Planned Unit Development districts only.

(b)

Political signs are allowed forty-five (45) days prior to the election in the C-2, C-2S, C-3, L-1 and Planned Unit Development removed within five (5) calendar days after the election for which, they pertain.

(Ord. No. 2499, § 3, 1-28-19)

(a)

No 2×3 political signs shall be placed on any easement or public right-of-way.

(b)

Political signs shall not be permitted in the C-1 Neighborhood Commercial District.

(c)

V-shaped signs are prohibited in all commercial districts.

(d)

Political signs 4×4 (sixteen (16) square feet) or 4×8 (thirty-two (32) square feet) are prohibited in the L-1 Light Industrial District.

(Ord. No. 2499, § 3, 1-28-19)

(a)

Signs cannot exceed sixteen (16) square feet (4×4) and thirty-two (32) square feet (4×8) in the C-2, C-2S, C-3 and Planned Unit Development commercial districts.

(b)

Only two (2) 2×3 political signs per candidate on a commercial lot. If you apply for the 4×4 or 4×8 you cannot have any 2×3 political signs on the same lot.

(c)

Only two (2) sides of a double-faced sign shall be included in the C-2, C-2S, C-3 and Planned Unit Development commercial districts.

(d)

Political signs cannot be higher than four (4) feet off the ground.

(e)

Only one 4×4 or 4×8 political sign permitted per commercial lot.

(Ord. No. 2499, § 3, 1-28-19)

(a)

Political signs 4×4 or 4×8 shall be ten (10) feet beyond the easement in the C-2, C-2S, C-3 and Planned Unit Development.

(Ord. No. 2499, § 3, 1-28-19)