A.   This Part is enacted:

      (1)   To control the erection, location and maintenance of outdoor signs in a manner designed to protect the public health, safety and morals, and to promote the public welfare.

      (2)   To promote economic development, but in a way that avoids conflicts between advertising signs themselves and between advertising signs and traffic-regulating devices.

      (3)   To provide equality in displaying identification signs by establishing regulations on size and location of such signs.

      (4)   To seek that official traffic-regulating devices be easily visible and free from such nearby visual obstructions as blinking signs and excessive number of signs, or signs in any way resembling official signs.

      (5)   To avoid uncontrolled erection and maintenance of large signs that could seriously detract from the enjoyment and pleasure of the natural scenic beauty and historic character of the City.

      (6)   To recognize that the ability of a community to attract and keep residents and desirable businesses and industries could be seriously impaired by the uncontrolled proliferation of signs.

   B.   Therefore, this Part is enacted to provide for fair and equal treatment of sign users. This Part shall apply to the design, quality of materials, construction, location, electrification, illumination and maintenance of all signs and sign structures located within the City. Within a Historic District, an additional approval may be required concerning the design of a sign.

   C.   Scope. This Part regulates outdoor signs located within a building, or signs that are arranged, intended or designed, used or placed for exterior observance.

   A.   Sign standards are based on the following concepts:

      (1)   The primary purpose of signs is to identify principal uses and/or services available at such premises.

      (2)   Uncontrolled use of signs interferes with this primary purpose of signs for identification.

      (3)   It is necessary to protect residential neighborhoods from the destruction of residential atmosphere that results from the glare and confusion that the uncontrolled proliferation of signs.

   B.   Only signs as prescribed herein shall be permitted to be erected or maintained on a lot located in the specified zoning district. Where a building, lot or parcel of land is bounded by two or more streets, the number of signs permitted on each street frontage shall be as established herein.

   C.   When a single business exists on lots separated by a street or a public alley, each lot shall be treated separately for sign purposes.

   D.   Permits. A zoning sign permit shall be required for any sign with a sign area of more than two square feet, except such limit shall be 10 square feet for a temporary sign that is posted less than 60 days per year and no permit is required for nonilluminated temporary signs placed inside a window.

   E.   PennDOT approval. Where a sign along a state road is required to have a PennDOT

approval, the applicant shall submit evidence of such approval to the Zoning Administrator.

In these districts, signs should be designed for pedestrians or for vehicles moving at 25 miles per hour. The following signs shall be permitted on properties located within areas designated as R-1A, R-1, R-2, and R-3 Districts, within the following regulations:

   A.   Lighting. See §§ 600-1714 and 600-912.

   B.   Allowed signs.

      (1)   Wall signs shall be located no higher than the height of the building wall to which the sign is attached. Maximum horizontal projection from a building for a wall sign shall not exceed 18 inches. A sign shall not be located as so to obscure the cornice, windows, transom or similar architectural features of the building.

      (2)   Roof signs and off-premises signs are prohibited in any residential district unless specified otherwise by this Part.

      (3)   Signs for a home occupation shall be limited to one non-internally illuminated name plate. Such name plate shall not exceed 1.5 square feet in surface area and shall be a flat wall sign. Home occupations, including offices, are permitted to erect a projecting sign or ground sign, not to exceed three square feet in total surface area, in lieu of a wall sign. A ground sign shall have a maximum height of six feet.

      (4)   Each multiple-family dwelling property containing 10 or more dwelling units (including rental, condominium or cooperative apartments, or rental, condominium or cooperative townhouses) shall be limited to one identification sign not exceeding 32 square feet in total surface area (per side if double-faced). Such sign shall be either ground-mounted, extending not more than eight feet above grade, or a flat wall sign.

      (5)   New development signs. The following signs shall be permitted in conjunction with proposed new development involving more than 10 dwelling units or more than five business establishments:

         (a)   Signs announcing the subdivision and improvement of property, when located on the property to be improved, shall be single-faced, with a maximum surface area for each sign of 64 square feet. The maximum height of such development signs shall be eight feet.

         (b)   Development signs shall not be erected until zoning approval and subdivision approval, if required, have been given by the City. Such signs may be maintained for a period of one year from the date of erection of such signs. If the development is not completed within one year after erection of the sign, the sign permit may be renewed for periods not exceeding one year, provided the sign is maintained in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

         (c)   Signs not located on the advertised property, which are a maximum six square feet in area or less, may be allowed during construction and for a period of 30 days thereafter, upon application to the Zoning Administrator. Other off- premises advertising signs are prohibited.

   C.   Off-premises signs shall be prohibited in residential districts, except for signs that are specifically allowed by this Part 17.

   D.   Public, semipublic and private recreational uses shall be limited to one sign not exceeding 20 square feet in surface area per sign face. Such sign shall be either ground-mounted with up to two sides, to extend not more than six feet above grade, or a flat wall sign.

   E.   Lawful principal commercial, public utility or industrial use in a residential district shall be limited to one of the following:

      (1)   One wall sign not to exceed 32 square feet in surface area.

      (2)   One pole-mounted sign not to exceed 12 square feet in area (per side if double faced), contained totally within the property line, and placed no more than 10 feet above grade.

      (3)   One projecting sign not to exceed 12 square feet in area (per side if double faced), and placed no higher than the uppermost portion of the second floor of the building to which attached and which meets the minimum vertical clearance of Chapter 180, Construction Codes.

   F.   A lawful principal nonresidential use may also include directional signs of up to four square feet each, as required for the safe and orderly flow of traffic on the property. These signs, if freestanding, shall not extend more than four feet above grade.

   G.   If one or more retail stores are located in a building built for a principal industrial use, each such store may have, along each street upon which the building fronts, one identity sign which may be projecting, V-shaped, or a flat wall sign. Such sign may have no more than two faces and no single face may exceed 20 square feet in surface area, except for an overall identity sign described in the next subsection.

      (1)   There shall be no sign projecting above the second floor occupancy area as defined in § 600-2205. Below such point, signs may project in the following manner: A sign projection may occupy the vertical space created by drawing an imaginary line four feet from and parallel to the vertical building walls.

      (2)   If four or more stores occupy a single building, such building may contain one overall identity wall sign per street front, in addition to the individual identity signs just described. Each overall identity sign face shall not exceed 40 square feet in surface area.

   H.   Private parking lots shall have no signs except for directional signs, warning signs, and one identification sign not exceeding 12 square feet in surface area for each fronting street. Such sign shall be a wall sign or a ground-mounted sign not to extend into the public right- of-way.

   I.   Window identity signs are permitted in commercial storefronts located in all residential zones given the following conditions:

      (1)   Signs on show window glass shall be limited to 30% of the glass area, or 600 square inches, whichever is greater.

      (2)   Temporary signs on window glass (e.g., "sale") shall be limited to 35% of the glass area, or 700 square inches, whichever is greater, for a thirty-day maximum.

   J.   Each principal building of a college or university may have a wall sign area of 40 square feet per building side. A college or university may include the following ground-mounted signs with a maximum height of six feet each, provided the signs are not internally illuminated:

      (1)   One sign at each major entrance to the campus with a maximum sign area of 60 square feet on each of two sides.

      (2)   One sign of 20 square feet per street frontage for each principal building.

   K.   See also additional signs allowed under § 600-1712, such as signs for places of worship, and under § 600-1711, such as temporary signs.

In the R-PO District, signs should be designed for pedestrians or for vehicles moving at 25 miles an hour. It is the intent that businesses in a residential area should be treated in a manner to make them as nearly compatible as possible with their surrounding residential environment.

   A.   General. Section 600-1703A and B(1) and (2) shall also apply to the R-PO District.

   B.   Signs.

      (1)   Permitted signs. Each principal nonresidential use is permitted one wall-mounted sign not to exceed eight square feet.

      (2)   Each principal nonresidential lot is allowed one freestanding sign. The total surface area for freestanding or ground-mounted signs shall not exceed 12 square feet on each of two sides.

      (3)   No signs shall extend into the public right-of-way. No sign shall exceed six feet in total height above grade level. All ground-mounted and freestanding signs are subject to landscape requirements as specified in § 600-1713B of this Part.

      (4)   Wall signs exceeding eight square feet, roof signs, marquee signs, projecting signs, off-premises signs, and portable signs are not permitted in the R-PO District.

      (5)   Signs allowed by § 600-1703 shall also be allowed in the R-PO District.

Sign heights, locations and dimensions are generally based on the visibility needs of pedestrians and of traffic moving at approximately 20 miles per hour.

   A.   Allowed signs.

      (1)   Sign surface area. The total surface area of all faces of all wall signs shall not exceed three square feet for each lineal foot of building wall to which the signs are attached. Maximum horizontal projection from a wall should not exceed 18 inches, except it may extend six feet if integrated with an awning. Signs shall not be located so as to obscure the windows, cornice, transom or other historic architectural features of the building.

      (2)   Projecting signs. One projecting sign is permitted on each separate street frontage of a lot, provided such signs shall not exceed the height of the attached building wall, and shall meet the minimum clearance above the adjacent sidewalk or grade line as provided in Chapter 180, Construction Codes. Signs shall have a total surface area not in excess of 24 square feet (per side if double-faced). Signs shall be configured to form an angle of 90° to the building face and projection from the building face shall be limited to six feet. No sign shall project within two feet of a street curbline or driveway.

      (3)   Marquee signs. Marquee signs are permitted for theaters, performing arts centers and hotels. The surface area of marquee signs shall be considered as part of the total allowable wall sign surface area. The marquee sign shall be located a minimum of two feet from a street curbline, provided a City encroachment permit is approved.

      (4)   Under-marquee signs. Under-marquee signs are permitted, provided such signs shall not project more than 12 inches below an allowed marquee, and shall not be less than the clearance above the sidewalk or grade line required by Chapter 180, Construction Codes. The surface area of under-marquee signs shall not be considered as part of the total allowable sign surface area.

      (5)   Ground-mounted and freestanding signs. In place of an allowed projecting sign, one ground-mounted or freestanding sign is permitted on each separate street frontage. Such signs shall have a surface area not in excess of one square foot per every lineal foot of property frontage, or a maximum of 36 square feet (per side if double-faced). Such sign shall not be higher than four feet from grade and may be located no closer than four feet from any property line and shall not be located within a street right-of- way.

      (6)   Window identity signs are permitted in commercial storefronts located in all Commercial Core and Commercial Residential zones given the following conditions: [Added 12-16-2013 by Ord. No. 83-2013]

         (a)   Signs on show window glass shall be limited to 30% of the glass area, or 600 square inches, whichever is greater.

         (b)   Temporary signs on window glass (e.g., "sale") shall be limited to 35% of the glass area, or 700 square inches, whichever is greater, for a thirty-day maximum.

   B.   Off-premises signs. Off-premises signs are not permitted, except for signs posted by the City of Reading or PennDOT within a street right-of-way.

   C.   In addition to other signs, one sandwich board sign shall be allowed for each lot occupied by a commercial use. Such sign shall not exceed two feet in width and four feet in height, shall not obstruct the main pedestrian pathway, and shall be moved inside when the business is not open.

   D.   See also additional signs allowed under § 600-1712, such as signs for places of worship.

The following signs shall be permitted on properties located within the C-N District:

   A.   General. Section 600-1703A and B(1) and (2) shall also apply to the C-N District unless specified otherwise.

      (1)   Neither roof signs nor off-premises signs are permitted in the C-N District unless specified otherwise.

      (2)   Signs allowed by § 600-1703 shall also be allowed in the C-N District.

   B.   See also additional signs allowed under § 600-1712, such as signs for places of worship.

   C.   Public, semipublic and private recreational uses shall be limited to one single-faced sign not exceeding 20 square feet in surface area. Such sign shall be either ground-mounted, to extend not more than six feet above grade, or a flat wall sign.

   D.   Allowed principal commercial, public utility or industrial uses, other than uses listed separately, shall be limited to wall signs not to exceed a total of three square feet of sign area per each linear foot of building wall to which the signs are attached. Part or all of the wall sign area may be integrated with an awning that extends a maximum of six feet from the building. In addition, one of the following signs is allowed per lot per street frontage: one freestanding sign not to exceed 32 square feet in area (per side if double- faced), contained totally within the property line, and placed no more than 16 feet above grade, or one projecting sign not to exceed 12 square feet in area (per side if double- faced), and placed no higher than the wall of the building to which attached and extending a maximum of six feet from the building wall.

   E.   As needed, a principal nonresidential use may include, at each point of ingress or egress, one directional sign not to exceed six square feet (per side if double-faced). An allowed drive-through may also include lane and window directional signs, and ATM designation signs, as required for the safe and orderly flow of traffic on the property. These directional signs, if freestanding, shall not extend more than four feet above grade.

   F.   Private parking lots shall have no signs except for directional signs, warning signs, and one identification sign not exceeding 12 square feet in surface area for each fronting street. Such sign shall be a ground-mounted sign not extending more than four feet above ground or a wall sign and shall not extend into the public right-of-way.

   G.   Window identity signs are permitted in commercial storefronts given the following conditions:

      (1)   Signs on window glass shall be limited to 30% of the glass area, or 600 square inches, whichever is greater.

      (2)   Temporary signs on window glass (e.g., "sale") shall be limited to 35% of the glass area, or 700 square inches, whichever is greater, for a thirty-day maximum.

   H.   Off-premises signs and roof signs shall not be permitted.

   I.   In addition to other signs, one sandwich board sign shall be allowed for each lot occupied by a commercial use. Such sign shall not exceed two feet in width and four feet in height, shall not obstruct the main pedestrian pathway, and shall be moved inside when the business is not open.

C-H District signs are generally related to automobiles approaching at higher speeds, in excess of 30 miles per hour.

   A.   Sign area. The total surface area of all signs, except freestanding signs, shall not exceed three square feet of surface area for each lineal foot of building wall of the wall to which the signs are attached. Signs on window glass shall be limited to 30% of the glass area.

   B.   Sign height. No part of any sign shall be higher than 25 feet from grade. A sign attached to a building shall not exceed the height of the attached building wall.

   C.   Freestanding signs. Each lot shall be permitted one freestanding sign structure per street frontage, provided that such sign area shall include a maximum of 60 square feet for a lot occupied by one establishment and 100 square feet for a lot occupied by two or more establishments (per side if double-faced). All portions of any such sign shall be contained within the property lines of the property. Sign area shall not be less than the minimum clearance above the sidewalk required by Chapter 180, Construction Codes, or obstruct a sight triangle.

      (1)   In addition, restaurants with drive-through service shall be allowed to have menu boards, provided the text is not readable from a street or dwelling, and each menu board has a maximum sign area of 60 square feet.

      (2)   In addition, gas stations may have an additional sign area of 60 square feet that can be used for freestanding sign area or signs on a canopy.

   D.   Projecting signs. A projecting sign with a maximum sign area of 12 square feet on each of two sides may be used in place of a freestanding sign. Such sign shall not extend more than six feet from the building wall.

   E.   Roof signs. No roof signs shall be permitted in the C-H District.

   F.   Marquee signs. Marquee signs and under-marquee signs may be erected in compliance with the provisions of the C-C District.

   G.   Billboard signs and other off-premises signs. Section 600-1717 shall apply.

   H.   Portable signs. Portable signs are permissible only in the C-H Zone. Signs are not to exceed 20 square feet and must be located within established setback areas. No portable sign may be located within the public right-of-way at any time and no sign shall obstruct sight triangles. Such sign shall not be illuminated.

   I.   See also additional signs allowed under § 600-1712, such as signs for places of worship.

   J.   Signs allowed by § 600-1703 shall also be allowed.

Within the H-M and M-C Districts, the same sign regulations shall apply as within the C- H District except the maximum height of a freestanding sign shall be 16 feet, and except as provided in § 600-1717.

No signs shall be permitted in the Preservation District except those specified in § 600-1712B and signs erected by the City of Reading or PennDOT.

After proper notice and hearing, the Zoning Hearing Board may, by special exception, authorize the following signs:

   A.   Time, temperature and/or public information signs may be erected in any zoning district without regard to regulations governing occupancy, height projections or movement, except that all such signs shall conform to §§ 600-1713 through 600-1715, if it is shown to the satisfaction of the Board that such sign, which may also be an identity sign, has the primary function of informing the public. Such signs may also be erected by right if they conform to the regular sign requirements.

   B.   Other signs which do not lend themselves to the ordinary processes of measurement, because they are integrated in the design of the building structure, or signs designed for a special purpose which makes strict application of this Part difficult or signs that re-create landmark historic signs, may be permitted by the Board when the Board finds such signs to be in conformity with the intent of this Part and appropriate to the type of development or structure to which they are related.

The following types of signs, if not located within a street right-of-way, are allowed in addition to other allowed signs. Such signs shall not be illuminated:

   A.   Announcing signs. One sign announcing the names of architects, engineers, financing entities and/or contractors of a building under construction, alteration or repair, and signs announcing the character of the building, enterprise or the purpose for which the building is intended; provided such signs shall not exceed eight square feet of surface area for a one- or two-family dwelling and 32 square feet in surface area in other circumstances. Flat- wall signs or freestanding signs may have a maximum height of eight feet above grade. Such signs may have a maximum surface area of 64 square feet, if combined with the sign permitted in Subsection B hereof. Signs on show window glass shall be limited to 30% of the glass area.

   B.   Real estate signs and room and board signs. Signs not exceeding six square feet in surface area, advertising the sale, rental or lease of the premises on which displayed in the residential districts; 16 square feet in the C-N Districts; and 32 feet for the C-C, C-R, C-H, H-M, and M-C Districts. Such signs may be freestanding or wall-mounted, with a maximum height of eight feet above grade.

   C.   Political campaign signs. Signs or posters that each do not exceed 32 square feet in surface area, announcing candidates seeking political office or providing an opinion on a political matter, may be erected. Political campaign signs do not need a zoning permit if they are less than 32 square feet in sign area. Such signs shall be removed within two weeks after the election for the office sought. Such signs shall:

      (1)   Be wall-mounted or freestanding.

      (2)   Not be located within any public area, public park or street right-of-way, except as allowed outside a polling place on election day.

      (3)   Not be affixed in any manner to any tree. See also Chapter 485, Part 1, Political Campaign Matter.

   D.   Directional signs. Up to three signs may direct persons to a real estate open house auction, and similar temporary occasions, not exceeding six square feet in surface area. Such signs shall not be posted more than 10 days per year, and shall be removed within one day after the event.

[Amended 2-14-2011 by Ord. No. 8-2011]

The following signs are allowed in addition to other allowed signs. The following signs do not need a zoning permit, except for signs of more than two square feet each that are allowed by Subsection A below.

   A.   Institutional signs. A maximum of one wall sign per building side and one freestanding sign for a cemetery, governmental use, primary or secondary school, hospital, place of worship or similar charitable or religious institution, when located on the premises of such use, provided each such sign shall not exceed 32 square feet in surface area, and is not internally illuminated in a residential district. A maximum of one freestanding sign shall be allowed per street frontage. Freestanding signs shall have a maximum height of six feet.

   B.   Public signs. Signs of a public, noncommercial nature, which shall include safety signs, danger signs, no-trespassing signs, and signs indicating scenic or historical points of interest, shall be allowed if erected by a public officer in the performance of a public duty.

   C.   Traffic-directing signs. Directional signs shall be allowed that indicate traffic movement onto a premises, or within a premises, not exceeding six square feet of surface area for each sign face, with two sign faces allowed per entrance to the premises. Such signs shall not exceed four feet in height.

   D.   Memorial signs and tablets. Nonilluminated memorial signs, cornerstones or tablets indicating the name of a building or date of erection, not exceeding two square feet in surface area, which are part of the building construction, or are attached as wall signs.

   E.   Name plates and directories. Nonilluminated name plates and building directories relating only to the use or occupancy of the building to which attached and not exceeding 12 square feet of surface area, which are part of the building construction, or are attached as wall signs.

   F.   Seasonal decorations. See § 600-912.

   G.   Temporary signs. One sign per lot of up to 30 square feet on each of two sides announcing parades or other special events, grand openings of businesses, special sales or the like, may be permitted. Such temporary signs shall be permitted for a total of only 60 days per calendar year, unless special exception approval is granted from the Zoning Hearing Board for a longer period.

   H.   Murals. An artistic mural that does not serve a commercial purpose shall be allowed and shall not be regulated as a sign.

   A.   Floral arrangements or other landscape designs which depict a symbol, device, name or the like shall not be considered signs and shall not be governed by any regulations contained within this chapter.

   B.   Except within the CC District, all freestanding and billboard signs that are more than 60 square feet in sign area shall be surrounded by a minimum 12 square feet of area beneath the sign that is landscaped with shrubs and vegetative ground cover.

All signs and other illumination within the City shall be subject to the following restrictions upon illumination:

   A.   See also § 600-912.

   B.   Flashing, blinking, electronically moving, or animated lighting of signs shall be prohibited.

An electronic sign shall not change its message more than once every six seconds, except a changeable message sign of more than 100 square feet shall not change more than once every 10 seconds. This subsection shall not apply to theaters, arenas or visual or performing arts centers in the C-C District. If a sign has a sign area of more than 20 square feet, it shall not have a scrolling message.

   C.   No sign will be permitted which is not effectively shielded so as to prevent beams or rays of light from being directed at any portion of any public street or which is of such intensity or brilliance as to cause glare or to impair the vision of the driver of any vehicle, or which interferes with any driver's operation of a motor vehicle.

   D.   No sign shall be so illuminated that it interferes with the effectiveness of or obscures an official traffic sign, device or signal.

   E.   Signs which contain, include or are illuminated by any flashing, intermittent or moving light(s) are prohibited, except those giving public service information such as time, date, temperature, weather or similar public service information.

   F.   Where a LED or an internally illuminated sign is allowed in a residential district (such as for a place of worship), such illuminated sign area shall not exceed 20 square feet on each of two sides.

   G.   The aggregate output of the light sources from any sign shall not exceed 500 initial lumens per square foot of sign face per side. LED sign surfaces or other internally illuminated sign faces shall not be allowed if they exceed 100 square feet per side and are located within 400 feet of a residential district. Off-premises signs with LED or other internally illuminated sign faces that are within 300 feet from a residential district and that face onto that residential district shall not be internally illuminated between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

   A.   A sign shall not project horizontally more than 18 inches from a building, except for allowed projecting, awning and marquee signs.

   B.   Only an official sign, projecting sign or marquee sign shall be allowed to intrude into a street right-of-way. Any allowed projecting sign or marquee sign shall not project within less than two feet of any curb or driveway line. This regulation shall take precedence over any other regulation in this Part governing sign projection.

No sign shall be constructed, erected or maintained:

   A.   Which bears or contains statements, words or pictures of an obscene, indecent or immoral character, such as will offend public morals or decency.

   B.   Which purports to be, or is an imitation of, or resembles an official traffic sign or signal, which bears the words "STOP," "GO," "SLOW," "CAUTION," "DANGER," "WARNING" or similar words.

   C.   Which, by reason of its size, location, movement, content, coloring or manner of illumination, may be confused with or construed as a traffic control device, or which hides from view any traffic or street sign or signal.

   D.   Which advertises or publicizes an activity, business, product or service not conducted on the premises upon which such signs are maintained, except as specified otherwise in this chapter.

   E.   Which rotates or has a rotating or moving part or parts that revolve.

   F.   Which consists of ribbons, streamers, strings of light bulbs, spinners or elements creating sound or smell which are signs defined by this Part, except seasonal decorations as per § 600-1712F.

   G.   Which shall be located so as to obstruct two-thirds of the view of a sign on adjoining property when viewed from a distance of 200 feet at a point four feet above the roadway grade of the traffic lane closest to the street property line.

   A.   General. See the definition of "off-premises signs" in § 600-2205.

      (1)   No part of any billboard or other off-premises sign shall be located more than 100 feet from the nearest street line of any traffic route and no billboard or other off-premises sign shall be oriented primarily toward any street other than a traffic route as defined herein.

   B.   Regulations. Billboards and other off-premises signs, including those painted on building walls, shall conform to the following regulations, in addition to other applicable requirements:

      (1)   Exemptions. A sign that includes occasional public service messages shall not by itself be considered an off-premises sign. Signs that are authorized by PennDOT or the City of Reading to direct persons to visitor attractions shall not be considered off- premises signs.

      (2)   Location.

         (a)   Billboards and other off-premises signs shall be permitted only along "traffic routes," as defined in § 600-2205 in the MU, H-M and C-H Zoning Districts. An off-premises sign in the C-H, MU and H-M Districts shall not exceed 300 square feet on each of a maximum of two sides.

         (b)   Billboards and other off-premises signs shall be located to conform with all yard and special setback requirements of this chapter.

         (c)   Any such sign located adjacent to a building, on another lot, containing windows facing such billboard or other off-premises sign shall be located a minimum of 50 feet from such windows. Any billboard or off-premises sign that is illuminated or more than 50 square feet in sign area shall be located a minimum of: 300 feet from an existing dwelling in a residential district; and 500 feet from any City-recognized Historic Preservation District or any public park, primary or secondary school or hospital in any direction.

         (d)   No billboard structure shall be located on or over the roofs of buildings situated on the same lot. No billboard structure shall be located on or adjacent to another billboard structure at the same site, with the exception of two billboard sign areas that are approximately back-to-back.

      (3)   (Reserved)

      (4)   Height. The maximum height of any off-premises free standing sign shall be 35 feet above grade. When the topography is such that the point at which a billboard must be erected is lower in grade than the fronting street or highway, the elevation of the street or highway shall be considered grade.

      (5)   No two billboard sign structures shall be spaced less than 1,200 feet apart along any City street. The distance between sign structures shall be measured along the nearest edge of the pavement between points directly opposite the signs along the same side of traveled way. The spacing requirement applies to signs located on both sides of the street. The distance between billboard signs shall be measured radially from the base of the sign structure nearest to the base of any other billboard sign structure along the same street, regardless of whether the relevant sign structures are on the same or opposite sides of the street.

      (6)   Lighting. See § 600-1714.

      (7)   Billboards and other off-premises signs may be single-faced, double-faced, or V- shaped structures. Double-faced and/or V-shaped billboard structures shall not exceed 300 square feet per display area regardless of street frontage or length of building wall.

   C.   Landscaping requirements.

      (1)   Single-faced billboards with the rear viewable from a public right-of-way or other public property shall have three equally spaced eight-foot tall evergreen trees planted in the rear of the billboard and the reverse side of the sign shall be of one color.

      (2)   All landscaping surrounding signage shall be maintained in a neat, attractive and clean condition.

   D.   Other off-premises sign provisions. In addition to the provisions of Subsection B hereof, the following provisions shall apply to other off-premises signs:

      (1)   A business may have one directional off-premises sign within one mile distance from its business location, provided such sign contains not over 32 square feet of surface area which shall be included within the surface area permitted by Subsection B hereof, and is located in either the CH, M-C or H-M Zones.

      (2)   Any off-premises sign exceeding 32 square feet in surface area shall be deemed a billboard.

The following signs and operations shall not require a sign permit or fee, but shall conform to all other applicable provisions of this chapter:

   A.   Advertising copy or message on a painted or printed sign or a billboard sign or on a theater or marquee and similar signs specifically designed for the use of replaceable copy.

   B.   Painting, repainting, cleaning and normal maintenance and repair of a sign or sign structure, including electrical equipment, unless a structural change is made, except that signs painted on walls which are made nonconforming by this Part shall not be repainted unless such repainting is done to eliminate that sign. No new sign shall be painted in its place.

   C.   Signs as provided by §§ 600-1711 and 600-1712, other than § 600-1712A.

   D.   See permit requirements in § 600-1702D.

Signs for which a permit is required shall be inspected by the Zoning Administrator for conformance with the requirements of this chapter.

All signs, together with all of their supports, braces, guys, anchors and electrical equipment, shall be kept fully operable, in good repair and maintained in safe condition and in a neat, clean and attractive condition. The display surfaces of all signs shall be kept neatly painted or posted.

[Amended 2-14-2011 by Ord. No. 8-2011]

If the Zoning Administrator finds that any sign or structure by reason of its condition presents an immediate and serious danger to the public, he or she may order its immediate removal or repair depending upon the degree of danger, the Zoning Administrator may grant an extension, specifying a reasonable period of time to complete the repair or removal. The Zoning Administrator may remove or authorize others to remove the sign, in the event that the person responsible for the sign cannot be found, or if the persons, after notification, refuse to repair or remove it within the specified time.

Any person who owns or leases a sign shall remove the sign within 30 days after notification by the Zoning Administrator when either the business it advertises has discontinued business in the City, or the business it advertises is no longer conducted in or upon the premises on which the sign is located. If the person who owns or leases the sign fails to remove it as provided in this section, the Zoning Administrator shall give the owner of the building, structure or premises on which the sign is located, 30 days' written notice to remove it. If the owner of the building, structure or premises on which the sign is located fails to remove the sign within 30 days after receipt of written notice from the Zoning Administrator, the Zoning Administrator may remove the sign or cause it to be removed. The following signs need not be removed in accordance with this section:

   A.   Billboards, where a person has merely leased or contracted advertising space thereon.

   B.   Signs which the successor to a person's business location or business agrees to maintain, as provided in this Part.

Upon notice from the Zoning Administrator, any person who owns or leases any sign following the enactment of this section and in violation of this Part shall have 30 days' written notice to remove it. Failure to remedy the violation within that period by the owner of the building, structure or premises upon which the sign is located may cause the Zoning Administrator, or his duly authorized representative, to remove the sign from the premises.

Whenever the Zoning Administrator or his or her representative removes or causes to be removed a sign pursuant to §§ 600-1721 to 600-1723, the cost of such removal shall be paid by the owner of the property on which such sign is or was located. The cost of removal shall be certified to the Managing Director. Upon filing of such certification, the City Clerk shall cause

30 days' written notice to be given by certified mail to the person or persons against whose property an assessment has been made. The notice shall state the amount of the assessment and the time and place of payment, and shall be accompanied by a copy of the certificate. The expense of such notice shall be borne by the City. The amount assessed against the real estate shall be a lien from the time of filing of the certificate with City Council and, if not paid within the time stipulated, a claim may be filed and collected in the same manner as municipal claims are filed and collected.

The Zoning Hearing Board is empowered to grant special exceptions in order to prevent or to lessen such practical difficulties and unnecessary physical or economic hardships inconsistent with the objectives of this Part as would result from a strict or literal interpretation and enforcement of certain of the regulations herein prescribed. A practical difficulty or unnecessary physical hardship may result from the size, shape or dimensions of a site or the locations of existing structures thereon; from geographic, topographic or other physical conditions on the site or in the immediate vicinity; from population densities, street locations or traffic conditions in the immediate vicinity; or from the location or height of the sign in question. The power to grant a special exception does not extend to an economic hardship related to the cost, size or location of a new sign, or to the convenience of the applicant; nor is it intended to extend to the convenience of regional or national businesses that wish to use a standard sign, when it does not conform to the provisions of this chapter.

In the RR Riverfront Redevelopment Overlay Zone, signs shall meet the requirements that apply in the C-C District, except that the Planning Commission may approve modifications to sign provisions under the PRD provisions, in response to a written request from the applicant. In no case shall more than one freestanding sign be allowed per building per street frontage. In addition, a professional sports stadium may also include one 200 square feet freestanding sign with up to two sides. Signs that are not readable from a street and from beyond the property line are not regulated by this section.