Richwood City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 1161
Signs
1161.01 INTENT.
The purpose of this chapter is to promote and protect the public health, welfare and safety by regulating existing and proposed outdoor advertising, outdoor advertising signs and outdoor signs of all types. It is intended to protect property values, create a more attractive economic and business climate, enhance and to protect the physical appearance of the community.
1161.02 GOVERNMENTAL SIGNS EXCLUDED.
For the purpose of this Ordinance, the definition of "signs” does not include signs erected and maintained pursuant to and in discharge of any governmental function, or required by any law, ordinance, or governmental regulation.
1161.03 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL SIGNS AND DISTRICTS.
The regulations contained in this section shall apply to all signs and all districts.
(a) Any illuminated sign or lighting device shall employ only light emitting a light of constant intensity, and no sign shall be illuminated by or containing flashing, intermittent, rotating, or moving light or lights. In no event shall an illuminated sign or lighting device be placed or directed so as to permit the beams and illumination therefrom to be directed or beamed upon a public thoroughfare so as to cause glare or reflection that may constitute a traffic hazard or nuisance.
(b) All wiring, fittings, and materials used in the construction, connection, and operation of electrically illuminated signs shall be in accordance with the provisions of the local electric code in effect, if any.
(c) No hanging signs nor signs horizontal to the building shall be erected or maintained at more than two-thirds the distance to the curb (not closer than two (2) feet from the curb) and the bottom of the sign shall be at a height of ten (10) feet (at a minimum of ten (10) feet) from the sidewalk.
(d) No sign shall be placed on the roof of any building, except those signs whose supporting structure is screened so the sign appears to be a continuance of the face of the building.
(e) No portable or temporary sign shall be placed on the front or face of a building or upon any of the premises except as provided in Section 1161.07 herein.
(f) No sign except as provided in Section 1161.07, or part thereof shall contain or consist of banners, posters, pennants, ribbons, streamers, spinners, or other similar moving devices. Such devices, as well as strings of lights, shall not be used for the purpose of advertising or attracting attention when not a part of a sign.
(g) No permanent sign erected or maintained in the window of a building, visible from any public or private street or highway, shall occupy more than twenty percent (20%) of the window surface.
(h) No sign of any classification shall be installed, erected, or attached in any form, shape, or manner to a fire escape or any door or window giving access to any fire escape.
(i) All sign hung and erected shall be plainly marked with the name of the person, firm or corporation responsible for maintaining the sign.
(j) Should any sign be or become unsafe or be in danger of falling, the owner thereof or the person maintaining the same, shall upon receipt of written notice from the Zoning Inspector proceed at once to put such sign in a safe and secure condition or remove the sign.
(k) No sign shall be placed in any public right of way except in the Central Business District where subsection (c) applies. Publicly owned signs, and directional signs, and signs directing and guiding traffic and parking on private property but bearing no advertising matter shall be permitted on any property.
1161.04 MEASUREMENT OF SIGN AREA.
The surface area of a sign shall be computed as including the entire area within a regular, geometric form or combinations of regular, geometric forms comprising all of the display area of the sign and including all of the elements of the matter displayed. Frames and structural members not being advertised matter shall not be included in computation of surface area.
1161.05 AWNINGS WITH SIGNS.
(a) Permanent type awnings that are a part of the building structure with no posts or supports shall be a minimum height of eight (8) feet.
(b) Roll down awnings attached to buildings are permitted if kept at a minimum height of seven (7) feet when rolled down. They shall also be maintained in a good state of repair.
(c) Signs, when a part of the awning (permanent or roll down) are permitted, the size of such signs is covered under Section 1161.06.
1161.06 SIGNS PERMITTED.
(a) Signs advertising the sale, lease, or rental of the premises upon which the sign is located, shall not exceed twelve (12) square feet in area, except in all residential districts where the area of the sign shall not be more than eight (8) square feet.
(b) Professional name plates not to exceed two (2) feet by three (3) feet in area.
(c) Signs denoting the name and address of the occupants of the premises, not to exceed four (4) square feet in area.
(d) Signs or bulletin boards customarily incidental to places of worship, schools, libraries, social clubs, or societies, which ground signs or bulletin boards shall not exceed fifteen (15) square feet in area and which shall be located on the premises of such institution.
(e) Any sign advertising a commercial enterprise, including real estate developers or subdividers, in a district zoned residential shall not exceed twelve (12) square feet in area and shall advertise only the names of the owners, trade names, products sold and/or the business or activity conducted on the premises where such sign is located.
(f) Real estate developers and subdividers may erect on premises, signs not to exceed fifty (50) square feet.
(g) In a business or manufacturing district, each business shall be permitted one flat or wall on-premises sign. Projection of wall signs shall not exceed two (2) feet measured from the face of the building. The area of all permanent on-premises signs for any single business enterprise may have an area equivalent to one and one half (1 ½) square feet of sign area for each lineal foot of building width, or part of a building, occupied by such enterprise but shall not exceed a maximum area of one hundred (100) square feet.
(h) In a business or manufacturing district, two off-premises signs with a total area not exceeding three hundred (300) square feet may be permitted at a single location. No off-premises sign shall exceed three hundred (300) square feet, nor shall off-premises signs visible to approaching traffic have a minimum spacing of less than two hundred (200) feet. Off premises signs shall conform to all applicable yard and height regulations for the appropriate zoning district.
1161.07 TEMPORARY SIGNS.
(a) Temporary signs not exceeding sixty-four (64) square feet in area, announcing special public or institutional events, the erection of a building, the architect, the builders, or contractors may be erected for a period of sixty (60) days plus the construction period. Such temporary signs shall conform to the general requirements listed in Section 1161.06, the setback requirements in Sections 1161.11 to 1161.13 and, in addition such other standards seemed necessary to accomplish the intent of this chapter as sated in Section 1161.01.
(b) Special Displays. Special decorative displays used for holidays, public demonstrations or promotion of civic, welfare or charitable purposes on which there is no commercial advertising, provided the Village is held harmless for any damage resulting therefrom, in writing.
1161.08 FREE STANDING SIGNS.
Free standing on-premises signs not over thirty (30) feet in height, having a maximum total sign area of one hundred (100) square feet per display area and located not closer than ten (10) feet to any street right of way line and not closer than twenty (20) feet to any adjoining lot line may be erected. Free standing signs shall have a minimum height of eight (8) feet to the bottom of the sign.
1161.09 WALL SIGNS PERTAINING TO NONCONFORMING USES.
On premises wall signs pertaining to a nonconforming use shall be permitted on the same premises of such use, provided the area of such sign does not exceed twelve (12) square feet.
1161.10 POLITICAL SIGNS.
No political sign shall be posted more than forty-five (45) days before an election in any place nor in any manner that is destructive to public property upon posting or removal. All candidates for public office, their campaign committees, or other persons responsible for the posting on public property of campaign material shall remove such material within one week following election day.
1161.11 SIGN SETBACK REQUIREMENTS.
1161.12 INCREASED SETBACK.
For every square foot by which any on premises signs exceeds fifty (50) square feet, the setback shall be increased by one-half (1/2) foot but need not exceed one hundred (100) feet.
1161.13 SETBACKS FOR PUBLIC AND QUASI-PUBLIC SIGNS.
Signs and bulletin boards for a church, school, or any other public, religious, or educational institution may be erected not less than ten (10) feet from the established right of way line of any street or highway provided such sign or bulletin board does not obstruct traffic visibility at street or highway intersections.
1161.14 SPECIAL YARD PROVISIONS.
On premises signs where permitted shall be erected or placed in conformity with the side and rear yard requirements of the district in which located, except that in any residential district, on premises signs shall not be erected or placed within twelve (12) feet of a side or rear lot line. If the requirements for a single side yard in the appropriate zoning district is more than twelve (12) feet, the latter shall apply.
1161.15 CONFORMANCE.
Nonconforming signs in residential areas shall be brought into conformity within three (3) years after the passage of this Ordinance or be removed.
1161.16 VIOLATIONS.
In case any sign shall be installed, erected, constructed, or maintained in violation of any of the terms of this Ordinance, the Zoning Inspector shall notify in writing the owner or lessee thereof to alter such sign so as to comply with this Ordinance. Corrective action must be taken within thirty (30) days and completed within sixty (60) days. Failure to comply with any of the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed a violation and shall be punishable under Section 1141.99.