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Loudonville City Zoning Code

CHAPTER 1258

Signs

1258.01 PURPOSE.

    The purpose of these sign regulations is to promote and protect the public health by regulating existing and proposed outdoor signs of all types. It is intended to protect property values, create a more attractive economic and business climate, enhance and protect the physical appearance and preserve the scenic and natural beauty of the Village, reduce sign advertising distraction and obstructions that may contribute to traffic accidents, provide more open space, and generally curb the deterioration of the natural environment.
(Ord. 19-83. Passed 4-4-83; Ord. 75-96. Passed 11-18-96.)

1258.02 SIGNS PERMITTED IN ALL DISTRICTS; NO PERMIT REQUIRED.

   (a)    The following types of signs shall be permitted in all districts within the Village according to the limits specified:
      (1)    Signs advertising the sale, lease, or rental of the premises upon which the sign is located, not exceeding thirty square feet in area.
       (2)    Professional nameplates or home occupation signs not exceeding six square feet in area and not exceeding one sign per home or business.
      (3)    Signs denoting the name and address of the occupants of the premises, not exceeding four square feet in area and not exceeding one sign per home.
      (4)    Farm signs for farms or orchards over five acres, denoting the name and address of the occupants, denoting advertising for produce or merchandise grown on such farms, and denoting
membership in organizations, not to exceed twenty-five square feet of sign face area per farm or orchard.
      (5)    Signs or bulletin boards customarily incidental to places of worship, libraries, museums, social clubs, or societies, the total area of which signs or bulletin boards shall not exceed forty square feet, and which signs and bulletin boards shall be located on the premises of such institutions.
      (6)    Entrance and exit signs containing only directional information.
      (7)    Temporary signs announcing special public or institutional events or the erection of a building, or signs for similar uses. Such signs shall be removed within two weeks of the completion of the event or project.
      (8)    Signs advertising garage sales, which signs are only permitted on the property where the sale is taking place or on other private property when the owner or person in charge of the property grants permission. Such sign(s) shall not be placed on public rights-of-way, utility poles, traffic signs, or street signs. Garage sale signs shall not exceed four square feet per side. Garage sale signs improperly placed on private property may be removed by the owner of such property. Such signs placed on public property may be removed by an authorized official of the Village.
      (9)    Political signs, provided such signs shall be removed within two weeks of the completion of the event or project.
      (10)    Existing signs which are in place or under construction at the time of adoption of this Zoning Code.
   (b)    Existing signs, as defined above, are permitted to continue and to be maintained as they existed at the time of adoption of this Zoning Code. However, replacement signs shall meet all requirements of this Zoning Code.
   (c)    A zoning permit is not required for the above defined signs.
(Ord. 19-83. Passed 4-4-83; Ord. 75-96. Passed 11-18-96.)

1258.03 SIGNS PERMITTED FOR BUSINESS AND INDUSTRIAL USES; PERMIT REQUIRED.

   (a)    The following shall be permitted for business and industrial use:
      (1)    Each business or industry shall be permitted one on-premises wall sign or one projecting sign for each face of the building facing a street. Projecting signs shall not exceed four feet measured from the face of the building nor more than twelve square feet on any one face of the sign. Wall signs shall not exceed an area equivalent to one and one-half square feet of sign area for each linear foot of building frontage, but in no case shall they exceed a maximum area of 100 square feet.
      (2)    In addition to the above each business or industry shall be permitted one on- premises ground sign on the premises, provided that all parts of the sign shall be set back five feet from the street right of-way or thirty feet from the street centerline, whichever is greater. The maximum area of such sign shall be thirty square feet on any face of the sign.
      (3)    In addition to the above each business or industry shall be permitted two small on-premises free standing or portable advertising signs not exceeding eight feet in height or twelve square feet on any face of the sign. Such signs shall not be located in any street right-of-way.
      (4)    In lieu of the permitted ground signs, as permitted in paragraph (a)(2) hereof, groups or establishments of four or more businesses shall be permitted one larger ground sign for all businesses. Such sign shall not exceed eighty square feet on any face nor exceed thirty feet in height and shall be set back at least ten feet from the street right-of-way.
      (5)    Larger signs or advertising devices for businesses or industries adjacent to interstate and primary highways, as regulated by Ohio R.C. Chapter 5516 and Section 5531.07, as amended, shall be
permitted in accordance with those State laws. Such signs shall not be subject to the above regulations but shall require a permit from the Village Zoning Inspector, and the owner or agent of such a sign must show proof of having obtained the required State of Ohio approval.
      (6)    Interior lighting of signs and protrusions of signs over the sidewalk are strictly prohibited in the Architectural Review District.
   (b)    A zoning permit shall be required for all signs listed in this section that are erected after the adoption of this Zoning Code. The zoning permit may be included as part of the zoning permit approving the erection or alteration of a structure. However, any change in signs or additional signs constructed after issuance of the initial zoning permit shall require another permit before such changes or additions are made.
   (c)    Any application for a zoning permit to authorize a sign to be constructed or altered shall include a written application and a diagram showing the size of the sign, its location on the property, and the name and address of the owner and/or agent of the sign.
(Ord. 19-83. Passed 4-4-83; Ord. 75-96. Passed 11-18-96.)
 

1258.04 OUTDOOR ADVERTISING DISPLAYS AND/OR BILLBOARDS.

   (a)    Existing outdoor advertising displays and billboards shall be permitted to continue as they existed at the time of adoption of this Zoning Code unless voluntarily discontinued for at least two years. However, any expansion of such displays or signs shall meet the following regulations.
   (b)    Outdoor advertising displays or billboards shall not be located in the Village except by permission of Village Council, after a public hearing (unless determined unnecessary by Council), and when the following requirements are met:
      (1)    Such displays or signs must be in one of the following districts: R-2 Rural Residential; C-1 Restricted Commercial; C-2 General Commercial; or I Industrial. Other locations such as ball diamonds or similar locations where advertising is often located may be considered.
      (2)    Such displays or signs must not impose a nuisance or blighting effect on any residential, public or semi-public property.
      (3)    Such displays or signs shall not be located within twenty feet of any street right-of-way.
      (4)    Such displays or signs shall not be located so as to interfere with the visibility and safe operation of vehicles entering or leaving the premises or intersecting street.
      (5)    Such displays or signs shall not exceed 100 square feet on one face and/or 200 square feet on two or more faces, and in no case shall more than 100 square feet of display or sign area be visible from any one point. However, these size limitations may be increased by 100 percent in commercial and industrial areas upon approval by the Council.
      (6)    Such displays or signs shall in no other way adversely affect the public health, safety, or welfare.
   (c)    A zoning permit is required for all advertising displays and/or billboards, but shall not be granted by the Zoning inspector until after approval by Council.
   (d)    Larger advertising devices adjacent to interstate and primary highways, as regulated by Ohio R.C. Chapter 5516 and Section 5531.07, as amended, may be permitted in accordance with those State laws. However, Council approval and a zoning permit are also required.
(Ord. 19-83. Passed 4-4-83; Ord. 75-96. Passed 11-18-96.)

1258.05 VIOLATIONS.

   Any violation of this chapter shall be deemed a violation of this Zoning Code and shall be subject to the penalties as set forth herein. (Ord. 19-83. Passed 4-4-83;
Ord. 75-96. Passed 11-18-96.)

1258.06 SIGNS PROHIBITED IN ALL DISTRICTS.

   The following signs are prohibited in all districts.
   (a)   Signs or advertising erected or maintained on trees, or painted or drawn upon rocks or other natural features.
   (b)   Signs or advertising devices which, in the opinion of the Zoning Inspector, are traffic hazards or a danger to the safety of the traveling public.
   (c)   Signs or advertising devices which prevent the driver of a vehicle from having a clear and unobstructed view of official signs and approaching or merging traffic.
   (d)   Signs or advertising devices illuminated so as to interfere with the effectiveness of an official sign, signal or device, or so as to obscure the same.
   (e)   Signs or advertising devices which attempt, or appear to attempt, to direct the movement of traffic, or which interfere with, imitate or resemble an official sign, signal or device.
   (f)   Signs or advertising, except public signs, in the right of way of any street or road.
   (g)   Signs not mentioned in this chapter, unless determined by the Board of Zoning Appeals to be permitted as an exception.
   (h)   Trailer mounted signs or similar portable signs.
      (Ord. 75-96. Passed 11-18-96.)

1258.07 BANNERS.

   (a)   Banners erected in the Village which are within the street right of way, above the street pavement, including sidewalks, shall be required to obtain a zoning permit per Section 1258.03, Signs Permitted for Business and Industrial Uses; Permit Required, before said banner or sign is installed or erected. Notwithstanding any other provision of Section 1258.03, all zoning permit applications for banners shall be reviewed and approved by and at the sole discretion of Village Council.
   (b)   All banners prepared for display above and across the street right of way shall conform to the following specifications:
      (1)   A banner must have a continuous rope sewn into the top and bottom of the banner with five (5) feet of rope extending beyond the banner at each corner.
      (2)   Each banner must have eyelets spaced every three (3) feet across the top and bottom of the banner.
      (3)   Each banner must have air flaps cut into it.
      (4)   Banner size shall be between 18 feet and 22 feet long, and between 24 inches and 36 inches high.
      (5)   Banner must be delivered to the office of the Fiscal Officer no later than three (3) working days prior to the approved installation date.
      (6)   The sign/zoning permit application must include the dates during which a banner is to be displayed, as well as the exact wording and graphics to be displayed on the banner.
   (c)   Only non-profit organizations may display banners in the downtown business district of the Village subject to the provisions of this section.
   (d)   There shall be no fee charged for the sign/zoning permit required by this section.
(Ord. 34-2008. Passed 6-16-08.)