Princeton City Zoning Code

ARTICLE 1365

Signs

1365.01 PURPOSES.

The purpose of this article as more specifically set forth herein, is:

(a) To maintain and enhance the aesthetic environment of the City;

(b) To improve pedestrian and traffic safety;

(d) To establish a permit system to allow a variety of types of signs in commercial and industrial zones and a limited variety of signs in residential zones, subject to the standards and the permit procedures of this article;

(e) To allow certain signs that are small, unobtrusive, and incidental to the principal use of the respective lots on which they are located, subject to the substantive requirements of this article, but without the requirements for a permit;

(f) To provide for small temporary signs without commercial messages in limited circumstances in the public right-of-way;

(g) To prohibit all signs not expressly permitted by this article;

(h) To establish a reasonable permit fee; and

(i) To provide for the fair and consistent enforcement of the provisions of this article.

(Passed 1-6-97.)

1365.02 APPLICABILITY.

A sign may be erected, placed, established, painted, created, or maintained in the City only in conformance with the standards, procedures, exemptions, and other requirements of this article.

(Passed 1-6-97.)

1365.03 INTERPRETATIONS.

Words and phrases used in this article shall have the meanings set forth in Section 1365.04. For purposes of this article, paragraphs 43 through 46, inclusive, of Section 1335.01 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Princeton are hereby superseded and repealed by this article and shall be inapplicable to the provisions hereof. All other words and phrases shall be given their common, ordinary meaning, unless the context clearly requires otherwise. Section headings or captions are for reference purposes only and shall not be used in the interpretation of this article.

(Passed 1-6-97.)

1365.04 DEFINITIONS.

For the purposes of this article, the following terms, phrases, words, and their derivations shall have the meanings given herein:

(a) “Building Inspector” means an agent of the City of Princeton authorized to permit, inspect, approve, or deny construction within the City and an authorized government representative on sign issues.

(b) “Commercial Message” means any sign wording, logo, or other representation that, directly or indirectly, names, advertises, or calls attention to a business, product, service, sale, or sales event or other commercial activity.

(c) “Display Surface Area” means the net geometric area enclosed by the display surface of the sign including the outer extremities of all letters, characters, and delineations; provided, however, that display surface area shall not include the structural supports for free standing signs.

(d) “District or Zoning District” means a section or sections of the incorporated area of the City of Princeton for which the then effective Zoning Ordinance governing the use of buildings and land are uniform for each class of use permitted therein.

(e) “Erect” means to build, construct, attach, hang, place, suspend, or affix and shall also include the painting of wall signs.

(f) “Flag” means any fabric, banner, or bunting containing distinctive colors, patterns, or symbols used as a symbol of a government, political subdivision, or other entity.

(g) “Lease” means an agreement by which a property owner conveys, usually for a specified rent, permission to other persons to erect and maintain an advertising sign upon his property.

(h) “Lot” means any piece or parcel of land or a portion of a subdivision, the boundaries of which have been established by some legal instrument of record, that is recognized and intended as a unit for the purpose of transfer of ownership.

(i) “Mall” means any concentration of retail stores and/or service establishments which share customer parking areas and are located within an enclosure having public walkways; whereby, a customer in one (1) store or establishment may walk to another store or establishment without leaving the enclosure.

(j) “Mansard Roof” means any roof that has an angle greater than forty-five (45) degrees, which derives part of its support from the building wall, and is attached to (but not necessarily a part of) a low slope roof and which extends along the full length of the front building wall or three-quarters of the length of a side building wall. For purposes of this definition, a low slope roof shall mean any roof with a pitch less than three (3) inches rise per twelve (12) inches horizontal.

(k) “Person” means and includes any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company, or organization either singular or plural.

(l) “Principal Building” means the building in which is conducted the principal use of the zone lot on which it is located. Zone lots with multiple principal uses may have multiple principal buildings, but storage buildings, garages, and other clearly accessory uses shall not be considered principal buildings.

(m) “Public Event” means any event that is authorized by the City of Princeton whether funded in part, total, or not at all by the City.

(n) “Setback” means the distance from the property line to the nearest part of the applicable building, structure, or sign as measured perpendicularly to the property line.

(o) “Shopping center” means any combination of two (2) or more retail stores and/or service establishments sharing customer parking areas, regardless of whether said stores and/or establishments occupy separate structures or are under separate ownerships.

(p) “Sign” means and includes every device, frame, letter, figure, character, mark, plane, point, design, picture, logo, stroke, stripe, trademark, or reading matter which is used or intended to be used to attract attention or convey information when the same is placed out-of-doors in view of the general public. The term "sign" shall also include any of the above which is not placed out-of-doors, and is placed near the inside surface of a window in such a way as to be in view of the general public and used or intended to be used to attract attention or convey information to motorists.

(1) “Animated Sign” means any sign that uses movement or change of lighting, either natural or artificial, to depict action or create a special effect of scene.

(2) “Area Identification Sign” means a sign to identify a common area containing a group of structures, or a single structure on a minimum site of five (5) acres, such as a residential subdivision, apartment complex, industrial park, or shopping center, located at the entrance or entrances to the area.

(3) “Banner” means any sign of lightweight fabric or similar material that is mounted to a pole or building at one or more edges. National flags, state or municipal flags, or the official flag of any institution or business shall not be considered banners.

(4) “Beacon” means a stationary or revolving light which flashes or projects illumination, single color or multi-colored, in any manner which is intended to attract or divert attention.

(5) “Building Marker” means any sign indicating the name of a building, date of construction, and incidental information about its construction which is cut into a masonry surface or made of bronze or other permanent material.

(6) “Building Sign” means any sign attached to any part of a building, as contrasted to a freestanding sign.

(7) “Bulletin Board” means any sign erected by a public body or a charitable, educational, or religious institution which is placed upon the same property as said institution, for the purpose of announcing events which are held on the premises and contains no commercial message.

(8) “Canopy Sign” means any sign that is a part of or attached to an awning, canopy, or other fabric, plastic, or structural protective cover over a door, entrance, window, or outdoor service area. A marquee is not a canopy.

(9) “Changeable Copy Sign/Reader Board” means a sign or portion thereof with characters, letters, or illustrations that can be changed or rearranged without altering the face or the surface of the sign. A sign on which the message changes more than eight times per day shall be considered an animated sign and not a changeable copy sign for purposes of this article. A sign on which the only copy that changes is an electronic or mechanical indication of time or temperature shall be considered a "time and temperature" portion of a sign and not a changeable copy sign for purposes of this article.

(10) “Directional Sign” means a sign of a noncommercial nature which directs the reader to the location of public or educational institutions, or to the location of historical structures or areas, or to the location of public parks or buildings.

(11) “Flashing Sign” means an illuminated sign on which artificial or reflected light is not maintained stationary and constant in intensity and color at all times when in use.

(12) “Freestanding Sign” means a sign which is attached to or a part of a completely self-supporting structure. The supporting structure shall be set firmly in or below the ground surface and shall not be attached to any building or any other structure whether portable or stationary.

(13) “Garage/Yard Sale Sign” means a sign for a private sale of personal property used to dispose of personal household possessions.

(14) “Identification and Informational Sign” means signs of an identification or of informational nature bearing no advertising.

(15) “Illuminated Sign” means any sign which has characters, letters, figures, designs, or outline illuminated by electric lights or luminous tubes and in which the lights or tubes are located within the interior of the sign as a part of the sign proper.

A. “Illumination Direct” means illumination which is so arranged that the light is directed into the eyes of the viewer from the light source.

B. “Illumination Indirect” means illumination so arranged that the light is reflected from the sign to the eyes of the viewer.

C. “Spot Light Illumination” means illumination which comes from lamps, lenses or devices designed to focus or concentrate the light rays of the source.

(16) “Incidental Sign” means a sign, generally informational, that has a purpose secondary to the use of the lot on which it is located, such as "no parking,""entrance," "loading only," "telephone," and other similar directives. No sign with a commercial message legible from a position off the lot on which the sign is located shall be considered incidental.

(17) “Joint Identification Sign” means a sign which serves as common or collective identification for a group of persons or businesses operating on the same zone lot such as a shopping center or office complex. Such sign may name the persons or businesses included, but shall carry no other advertising matter.

(18) “Marquee” means any permanent roof-like structure projecting beyond a building or extending along and projecting beyond the wall of the building, generally designed and constructed to provide protection from the weather.

(19) “Nonconforming Sign” means a sign existing at the effective date of the adoption of this article which could not be built under the terms of this article.

(20) “Off-Site Sign” means a sign which directs attention to a business, commodity, service, entertainment, or attraction sold, offered, or existing elsewhere than upon the same lot where such sign is displayed. The term off- site sign shall include an outdoor advertising sign (billboard) on which space is leased or rented by the owner thereof to others for the purpose of conveying a commercial or noncommercial message.

(21) “On-Site Sign” means a sign which directs attention to a business, commodity, service, entertainment, or attraction sold, offered, or existing on the same lot where such sign is displayed; provided, an on-site sign may also display a noncommercial message.

(22) “Outdoor Menu Board” means an outdoor sign, associated with restaurants with drive-through windows, or curb service which gives a detailed list of foods served that are available at a restaurant.

(23) “Pennant” means any lightweight plastic, fabric, or other material, whether or not containing a message of any kind, suspended from a rope, wire, or string, usually in series and designed to move in the wind.

(24) “Portable Sign” means any sign not permanently attached to the ground or other permanent structure, or a sign designed to be transported, including, but not limited to, signs designed to be transported by means of wheels; signs converted to “A” or “T” frames; menu and sandwich board signs; balloons used as signs; umbrellas used for advertising; and signs attached to or painted on vehicles parked and visible from the public right-of-way, unless said vehicle is used in the normal day-to-day operations of the business.

(25) “Portable Temporary Attraction Sign Board” means a single or double surface painted or poster panel type sign or some variation thereof, which is temporary in nature, usually mounted on wheels, easily moveable.

(26) “Projecting Sign” means any sign that shall be affixed at an angle or perpendicularly to the wall of any building in such a manner to read perpendicularly or at an angle to the wall on which it is mounted.

(27) “Real Estate Sign” means a temporary sign placed upon property for the purpose of advertising to the public the sale or lease of said property.

(28) “Residential Sign” means any sign located in a district zoned for residential use that contains no commercial message, except advertising for goods or services legally offered on the premises where the sign is located, if offering such service at such location conforms with all requirements of the City of Princeton.

(29) “Roof Sign” means any sign erected and constructed wholly on and over the roof of a building, supported by the roof structure, and extending vertically above the highest portion of the roof.

(30) “Roof Sign, Integral” means any sign erected or constructed as an integral or essentially integral part of a normal roof structure of any design, such that no part of the sign extends vertically above the highest portion of the roof and such that no part of the sign is separated from the rest of the roof by a space of more than six (6) inches.

(31) “Suspended Sign” means a sign that is suspended from the underside of a horizontal plane surface and is supported by such surface.

(32) “Temporary Sign” means any sign that is used only temporarily and is not permanently mounted.

(33) “Wall Sign” means any sign that shall be affixed parallel to the wall or printed on the wall of any building in such a manner as to read parallel to the wall on which it is mounted; provided, however, said wall sign shall not project above the top of the wall or beyond the end of the building. For the purpose of this article, any sign display surface that is affixed flat against the sloping surface of a mansard roof shall be considered a wall sign. Any sign that is affixed to the building marquee, building awning, or a building canopy shall be considered a wall sign.

(34) “Window Sign” means any sign, pictures, symbol or combination thereof, designed to communicate information about an activity, business, commodity, event, sale, or service, that is placed inside a window or upon the window.

(q) “Streets and Sidewalks” means a strip of land or access way subject to vehicular traffic and/or pedestrian traffic that provides direct or indirect access to property, including, but not limited to alleys, avenues, boulevards, courts, drives, highways, lanes, places, roads, sidewalks, terraces, trails, or other thoroughfares.

(r) “Street Frontage” means the distance for which a lot line of a zone lot adjoins a public street, from one lot line intersecting said street to the furthest distant lot line intersecting the same street.

(s) “Zone Lot” means a parcel of land in single ownership that is of sufficient size to meet minimum zoning requirements for area, coverage, and use and that can provide such yards and other open spaces as required by the Zoning Regulations.

(t) “Zoning Official” means an administrative officer of the City of Princeton charged with the duty of enforcing the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance and an authorized government representative on sign issues.

(Passed 1-6-97.)

1365.05 GENERAL INFORMATION.

(a) The information contained in this section shall apply in all other sections of this article. However, if the information contained in this section conflicts or contradicts the information in other chapters, articles or sections then the information in other chapters, articles or sections shall control with respect to those chapters, articles or sections.

(b) The Building Inspector and Zoning Official of the City of Princeton are charged with the issuance of permits and enforcement of this article. Areas of conflict and interpretation may be addressed through the City Clerk for resolution, in coordination with the Zoning Board of Appeals, the Princeton Planning Commission and/or the Princeton City Council.

(1) Computation of area of individual signs. The area of a sign face (which is also the sign area of a wall sign or other sign with only one face) shall be computed by means of the smallest square, circle, rectangle, triangle, or other combination thereof, that will encompass the extreme limits of the writing, representation, emblem, color, or other display together with any material or color forming an integral part of the background of the display or used to differentiate the sign from the backdrop or structure against which it is placed, but not including any supporting framework, bracing, or decorative fence or wall when such fence or wall otherwise meets the City Building Code requirements and is clearly incidental to the display itself.

(2) Computation of area of multi-faced signs. The sign area for a sign with more than one face shall be computed by adding together the area of all sign faces visible from any one point. When two identical sign faces are placed back to back, so that both faces cannot be viewed from any point at the same time, and when such sign faces are part of the same sign structure and are not more than 42 inches apart, the sign area shall be computed by the measurement of one of the faces.

(3) Computation of maximum total permitted sign area for a zone lot. The permitted sum of the area of all individual signs on a zone lot shall be computed by applying the formula in the appropriate section of this article.

(d) Removal of Certain Signs. In the event a business ceases operation for a period of time in excess of thirty (30) days, the sign owner, property owner, or any lessee shall immediately remove any sign identifying or advertising said business or any product sold thereby; provided, however, this requirement shall not apply where under the provisions of this Ordinance an existing conforming sign may be altered to advertise a new business or product sold thereby, and there is evidence that a new business will be in operation on the premises within six (6) months. For the purpose of this Section, the word "remove" shall mean:

(1) The sign face, along with posts, columns, or supports of freestanding signs shall be taken down and removed from the property.

(2) The sign face and supporting structures of "projecting," "roof," or "wall signs" shall be taken down and removed from the property, and the building repaired or returned to its original condition prior to the installation of the sign.

(3) The sign face of painted wall signs shall be removed by painting over the wall sign in such a manner as to completely cover up and hide from sight the sign in question.

(e) Non-Conforming Signs. For the purpose of this section, a nonconforming sign shall be defined as a sign existing at the effective date of this article which could not be built under the terms of this article. All on-site, non-conforming signs not otherwise prohibited by the provisions of this article shall be removed or shall be altered to conform to the provisions of this article:

(1) When the nature of the business conducted on the premises changes and the sign is changed or modified either in shape, size, or legend or

(2) When the name of the business changes and the sign is changed or modified either in shape, size, or legend.

(f) Signs Not to Constitute Traffic Hazard. No sign or other advertising structure as regulated by this Ordinance shall be erected at or near any street or any public right-of-way in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision; or at any location where, by reason of the position, shape, or color, the sign may interfere, obstruct the view, or be confused with any authorized traffic control device.

(g) Placing Signs on Public Property. No signs other than signs approved by the Princeton City Council or its authorized representative shall be erected on any public property.

(h) Placing Signs on Trees and Rocks. No signs shall be placed or painted on any tree or rock.

(i) Placing Signs on Utility Poles or Signs. No signs shall be placed on any utility pole, light pole, telephone pole, stop signs, traffic signs, etc., except for utility identification or similar purposes.

(j) Spot Lights and Beacons Prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person to continue in operation or erect any attraction device or sign which contains a beacon of any type and/or contains a spot light focused directly into the eyes of the public.

(k) Use of Vehicle as Sign. It shall be unlawful to use a vehicle or trailer as a sign in circumvention of this article.

(l) Portable Temporary Signs. Portable temporary signs shall be allowed without a permit for not more than ten (10) days on any zone lot. However, a permit shall be required upon expiration of the ten (10) days or immediately upon the sign becoming no longer portable.

(m) Signs Exempt From Regulation Under This Article. The following signs shall be exempt from regulation under this article:

(1) Any public notice or warning required by a valid and applicable federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance.

(2) Any sign inside a building, not attached to a window or door, that is not legible from a distance of more than three (3) feet beyond the lot line of the zone lot on which such sign is located.

(3) Holiday lights and decoration on residential zone lots with no commercial message.

(4) Traffic control devices placed by any government entity.

(n) Access. No projecting sign shall be erected or maintained so as to prevent free ingress and egress from any door, window, sidewalk, street, or fire escape, or so as to prevent free access from one part of a roof to any other part. No sign of any kind shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.

(o) Other Signs Prohibited Under This Article. All signs not expressly permitted under this Ordinance or exempt from regulation hereunder are prohibited in the City.

(Passed 1-6-97.)

1365.06 RESIDENTIAL AND MISCELLANEOUS SIGNS.

No signs are allowed in Zoning Districts R-1, R-2, or R-3 except as specifically set forth below. These exceptions shall not be construed as relieving the owner of such signs from the responsibility of complying with other applicable provisions of this Ordinance or the Princeton Planning and Zoning Code in general.

(a) No sign permit shall be required for the erection of the following signs in a residential zoning district, unless otherwise required:

(1) House or Building Identification (such as address) and any building marker, having no more than four (4) square feet and attached to the referenced building.

(2) Personal Messages such as announcing of births, anniversaries, and birthdays of a size not to exceed six (6) square feet and posted for no longer than fourteen (14) days.

(3) Flags.

(4) Banners shall be prohibited except banners used solely for decoration and displaying no commercial message.

(5) Temporary Subdivision Signs. One (1) temporary subdivision identification sign indirectly illuminated, not to exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in total area may be erected at any principal entrance (not to exceed two (2) entrances) to a subdivision, provided that in no event shall such sign remain for more than six (6) months.

(6) Political signs are permitted to be placed on private property, subject to the following conditions:

A. A political sign may be erected no sooner than sixty (60) days before said election and said sign shall be removed within five (5) days following the final election to which it applies. The owner of the property on which said sign is placed shall be responsible for its removal.

B. Political signs may not be erected or placed on public property, nor on rocks, trees, public fences, sign posts, light poles, utility poles, etc.

(7) Construction Signs. One (1) on-site building construction sign may be displayed having a total display surface area not to exceed sixteen (16) square feet for residential lots. Before the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy the builder/contractor shall be responsible for removing all construction signs.

(8) Home Improvement Signs. One (1) on-site home improvement sign may be displayed in a yard where said improvements are being made. Home improvement signs shall be freestanding and not exceed sixteen (16) square feet. Home improvement signs may be placed during construction; however, the builder/contractor shall be responsible for removing all home improvement signs no later than fourteen (14) calendar days after construction is complete.

(9) Real Estate Signs. One (1) real estate sign shall be permitted having a total display surface area not to exceed eight (8) square feet.

(10) Garage/Yard Sale Signs. The following regulations shall control garage/yard sale signs:

A. All signs shall be no larger than eight (8) square feet.

B. No garage/yard sale sign shall be placed, affixed, stapled, glued, taped to any utility pole, street sign, tree, stop sign, fence, or rock. No garage/yard sale sign shall be placed in any public right-of-way or in a manner as to interfere with traffic both vehicular and pedestrian, or to interfere with any residential, commercial or industrial property. (See City Code Article 711/Yard Sales.)

(b) A sign permit shall be required for the erection of the following residential signs:

(1) Permanent Subdivision Signs. Permanent subdivision signs may be placed at all major entrances to the subdivision and shall be erected under the following conditions:

A. All signs shall be placed in an acceptable location authorized for signs, not on public right-of-way

B. No more than one (1) sign per entrance

C. Display surface area shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet

(2) Home Occupations. One sign on the property not to exceed 16 square feet.

(3) Bed and Breakfast Inns. One sign on the property not to exceed 16 square feet.

(4) Church Signs. All signs for churches shall be subject to the requirements as set forth in Section 1365.07 .

(Passed 1-6-97.)

1365.07 COMMERCIAL SIGNS.

No signs are allowed in Zoning Districts C-1, O-I, C-2, or C-R except as specifically set forth below. These exceptions shall not be construed as relieving the owner of such signs from the responsibility of complying with other applicable provisions of this Ordinance or the Princeton Planning and Zoning Code in general.

(a) Roof Signs. Roof signs shall not be permitted.

(b) Freestanding Signs. Freestanding signs shall be permitted subject to the following:

(1) On-site freestanding signs subject to the following:

A. Only one on-site freestanding sign shall be permitted on a lot.

B. Display surface area shall not exceed the following:

Mall, Shopping Center, Strip Center (Larger signs will be brought before the Planning Commission for review and approval)	1000 sq. ft.
Single business with less than 10,000 sq. ft. of floor space	120 sq. ft.
Single business with 10,000 sq. ft. or more of floor space	300 sq. ft.

C. The sign may be illuminated.

D. The closest part of any sign shall be an least (3) three feet from the property line and (50) fifty feet from any R-1, R-2, or R-3 zoning district.

(1) Off-site projecting signs are prohibited.

(2) On-site projecting signs subject to the following:

A. Only one on-site projecting sign shall be permitted on a building.

B. Display surface area shall not exceed the following:

Single business with less than 10,000 sq. ft. of floor space	60 sq. ft.
Single business with 10,000 sq. ft. or more of floor space	150 sq. ft

C. The sign may be illuminated.

D. The farthest protruding section of a projecting sign shall be set back four (4) feet from any existing street right-of-way and fifty (50) feet from any R-1, R-2, R-3, or C-R zoning district.

(d) Wall Signs. Wall signs shall be permitted subject to the following:

(1) Wall signs shall not project more than eighteen (18) inches from the surface upon which they are mounted; provided, the upper edge of a wall sign mounted on a mansard roof may project more than eighteen (18) inches so long as the sign is perpendicular to the ground.

(2) Where a building houses more than one business, wall signs shall be limited in number to one wall sign per business on each wall with a limit of two (2) wall signs per business per building. No wall signs shall cover wholly or partially any wall to which it is attached. All wall signs may not exceed 100 square feet or five percent 5% of any wall which ever is greater.

(3) Where a building houses only one (1) business, a maximum of three (3) wall signs may be placed on one wall, but no more than four (4) wall signs may be placed on the entire building. The display surface area of all wall signs on any one wall shall not exceed five percent (5%) of the wall on which they are located or 100 square feet whichever is greater.

(4) The sign may be an illuminated sign.

(5) Off-site wall signs are prohibited.

(e) Area Identification Signs.

(1) The size and location of the wall, or other structure which will contain the area identification sign, must be approved by the Building Inspector, who will approve such structure based on the City Building Code.

(2) The maximum display surface area of all area identification signs shall not exceed sixty (60) square feet.

(f) Portable Swinger, "A" Frame, Sandwich, Attraction Sign Boards Prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person to display or erect any portable swinger, "A" frame, sandwich or temporary attraction sign board in the City, except under the following conditions: One "A" frame type sign may be allowed. The sign may be no larger than 3 feet by 5 feet on each side and must be placed off public property and only on the property where the business is located.

(g) Barber Poles. Nothing contained in this article shall prohibit or restrict on-premises barber poles.

(h) Freestanding Bulletin Boards. A freestanding bulletin board shall be set back a minimum of fifteen (15) feet from street right-of-way. No freestanding bulletin board shall exceed sixteen (16) square feet in display surface area.

(i) Signs Painted on Windows or Doors. Signs painted on, or affixed to, glass surfaces of windows or doors, and letters on awnings and canopies pertaining to the lawful business conducted therein shall be allowed without a Permit.

(j) Directional, Identification and Informational Signs. Directional, identification and information signs provided such signs shall be limited to wall and freestanding signs with a maximum of four (4) square feet of display surface area. Notwithstanding restrictions on the location and number of freestanding signs prescribed by Section 1365.07, one informational sign shall be permitted at each entrance or exit on a lot or parcel to identify said entrance or exit, provided such sign does not constitute a traffic hazard.

(k) Banners. Banners shall be prohibited except when used as follows:

(1) Public Events. Public event banners are permitted, provided the public event banner shall be removed within forty-eight (48) hours following the event to which the banner applies.

(2) Private Sale Event. Private sale event banners may be placed on private property for advertising a special sales event for no more than fifteen (15) consecutive days and for no more than fifteen (15) days in any one (1) calendar month.

(3) Banners hung on utility poles are permitted with permission from the appropriate utility.

(l) Building Marker. Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings and date of erection when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of bronze or other incombustible materials.

(m) Outdoor Menu Board. Outdoor menu boards are only allowed under the following conditions:

(1) Only one outdoor menu board shall be permitted, per order window.

(2) Display surface area shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet.

(3) The sign may be illuminated.

(4) The outdoor menu board lettering may not be legible from any distance off the zoned lot for which it is approved.

(n) Political Signs. Political Signs shall be restricted per Section 1365.06 (a)(6).

(o) Off Premises Signs. Off premises signs such as signs on benches, buggy caddies, etc. and free standing signs not to exceed 100 square feet are allowed in commercial areas with Special Use Permit.

(p) One sign per business may be animated as long as no safety problem is created.

(q) Changeable temporary copy board signs are allowed on private property without a permit as long as they do not create a danger to the public.

(Passed 1-6-97.)

1365.08 INDUSTRIAL SIGNS.

No signs are allowed in Zoning District I except as specifically set forth below. These exceptions shall not be construed as relieving the owner of such signs from the responsibility of complying with other applicable provisions of this Ordinance or the Princeton Planning and Zoning Code in general.

(a) Roof Signs. Roof signs shall not be permitted.

(b) Freestanding Signs. Freestanding signs shall be permitted in the City subject to the following:

(1) Off-site freestanding signs are permitted, but must meet all Federal and State regulation.

(2) On-site freestanding signs subject to the following:

A. Only one on-site freestanding sign shall be permitted on a lot.

B. Display surface area shall not exceed 400 square feet.

C. The sign may be illuminated.

D. The closest part of any sign shall be set back three (3) feet from the property line and fifty (50) feet from any R-1, R-2, R-3, C-R, C-1, C-2, or O-I zoning district.

(1) Off-site projecting signs are prohibited.

(2) On-site projecting signs subject to the following:

A. Only one on-site projecting sign shall be permitted on a building.

B. Display surface area shall not exceed 400 square feet.

C. The sign may be illuminated.

D. The farthest protruding section of a projecting sign shall be set back four (4) feet from any existing street right-of-way and fifty (50) feet from any R-1, R-2, R-3, C-R, C-1, C-2, or O-I zoning district.

(d) Wall Signs. Wall signs shall be permitted subject to the following:

(2) Where a building houses more than one business, wall signs shall be limited in number to one wall sign per business on each wall with a limit of two (2) wall signs per business per building. All wall signs shall not exceed 100 square feet or five percent (5%) of any wall which ever is greater.

(4) The sign may be an illuminated sign.

(5) Off-site wall signs are prohibited.

(e) Area Identification Signs.

(2) The maximum display surface area of area identification signs shall not exceed sixty (60) square feet.

(f) Signs Painted on Windows or Doors. Signs painted on, or affixed to, glass surfaces of windows or doors, and letters on awnings and canopies pertaining to the lawful business conducted therein are allowed without a permit.

(g) Directional, Identification and Informational Signs. Directional, identification and informational signs provided such signs shall be limited to wall and freestanding signs with a maximum of four (4) square feet of display surface area. Notwithstanding restrictions on the location and number of freestanding signs prescribed by Section 1365.08 (b), one (1) informational sign shall be permitted at each entrance or exit on a lot or parcel to identify said entrance or exit, provided each sign does not constitute a traffic hazard.

(h) Building Marker. Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings and date of erection when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of bronze or other incombustible materials.

(i) One sign per business may be animated as long as no safety problem or nuisance is caused.

(j) Changeable temporary copy board signs are allowed on private property without a permit as long as they do not cause a danger to the public.

(k) Political Signs. Political signs shall be restricted per Section 1365.06 (a)6.

(Passed 1-6-97.)

1365.09 PERMITS AND FEES.

(a) General Permit Procedures. If a sign requiring a permit under the provision of this Ordinance is to be placed, constructed, erected, or modified on a zone lot, the owner of the lot shall secure a sign permit prior to the construction, placement, erection, or modification of such a sign.

(1) No sign permit of any kind shall be issued for an existing or proposed sign unless such sign is consistent with the requirements of this Ordinance (including those protecting existing signs) in every respect.

(2) The following procedures shall govern the application for, and issuance of all sign permits under this article.

(b) Applications. All applications for sign permits of any kind shall be submitted to the Zoning Official.

(c) Fees. Each application for a sign permit shall be accompanied by the applicable fees, which shall be established by the governing body of the City of Princeton.

FEE SCHEDULE

The fees for sign permits shall be as follows:

0 to $199	No charge
$200.00 to $1,000	$10.00
$1,000 to $10,000	$10.00 + $7.50/each thousand over one thousand
$10,000 to $50,000	$77.50 + $5.00/each thousand over ten thousand
$50,000 to $100,000	$277.50 + $2.00/each thousand over fifty thousand
over $100,000	$377.50 + $1.00/each thousand over one hundred thousand

(d) Completeness. The Zoning Official and Building Inspector shall review all applications for a sign permit. If the application is found to be complete, the application shall then be processed. If the application is found to be incomplete, the Zoning Official shall, notify the applicant of the specific defects in the application.

(e) Action. Within seven (7) days of the submission of a complete application for a sign permit, the Zoning Official and Building Inspector shall either:

(1) Issue the sign permit, if the sign(s) that is the subject of the application conforms in every respect with the requirements of this article.

(2) Or, reject the sign permit if the sign(s) that is the subject of the application fails in any way to conform with the requirements of this article.

(f) Permits to Construct or Modify Signs. Signs shall be erected, installed, or created only in accordance with a duly issued and valid Sign Construction Permit (permit) from the Zoning Official. Such permit shall be issued only in accordance with the following requirements and procedures:

(1) Inspection. The Building Inspector shall timely inspect the zone lot for which each permit for a new sign or for modification of an existing sign is issued. If the sign construction is complete and in full compliance with this article and with the Building and Electrical Codes, the Building Inspector shall identify the sign as complete and acceptable on the permit. If the sign construction is substantially complete but not in full compliance with this article and applicable Codes, the Building Inspector shall give the owner or applicant notice of the deficiencies, and if not corrected within a reasonable time, the Building Inspector may issue a citation or take other action available to him pursuant to the City Code.

(g) Design, Construction and Maintenance. All signs shall be designed, constructed, and maintained in accordance with the following standards:

(1) All signs shall comply with applicable provision of the Building and Housing Code of the City of Princeton. The Building Inspector may require the permittee to supply any and all information necessary to insure that the sign is being built, or is to be built, erected or constructed in a safe and lasting manner.

(2) All signs shall be maintained in good structural condition, in compliance with all Building and Housing Codes, and in conformance with this article, at all times.

(h) Sign Maintenance.

(1) Unsafe and unlawful signs. If the Building Inspector shall find that any sign or other advertising structure regulated herein is unsafe or insecure, is a menace to the public, is abandoned or maintained in a dilapidated condition, or has been constructed or erected or is being maintained in violation of the provisions of this article, he may proceed to issue a citation or other enforcement provision of the Building and Housing Code of the City of Princeton.

(Passed 1-6-97.)

1365.10 BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS.

(a) Board of Zoning Appeals. The word "Board" when used in this section shall be construed to mean the Board of Zoning Appeals. The Board shall have jurisdiction to hear appeals from decisions of the Zoning Official regarding all issues arising from this Sign Ordinance.

(b) Appeals. Upon refusal by the Zoning Official to grant a sign permit, an appeal may be filed with the Board of Zoning Appeals pursuant to the procedures of the City Planning and Zoning Code, Section1339.06 .

(Passed 1-6-97.)

1365.11 VIOLATIONS, ENFORCEMENT AND REMEDIES.

Enforcement provision of Planning and Zoning Code.