Sharonville City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 1123
Signs
1123.01 PURPOSE AND INTENT.
It is the purpose and intent of this chapter to establish reasonable regulations which preserve the public health, safety, convenience, comfort, prosperity and general welfare of the public, while protecting each person's constitutional right to freedom of speech, as indicated by the following objectives:
(a) To prohibit signs which pose an unreasonable risk to the public safety;
(b) To limit the visual dominance of signs without unconstitutionally restricting the information conveyed;
(c) To provide for reasonable and appropriate methods for locating goods, services, and facilities in all zoning districts by relating the size, type and design of signs to the size, type and design of the uses and districts;
(d) To control the design of signs so that their appearance shall be aesthetically harmonious with an overall urban design for the area;
(e) To promote traffic safety by preventing obstructions within public rights-of-way, minimizing visual distractions to motorists, ensuring that sign size and height are appropriate to their location and preventing conflicts with public safety signs and police and fire protection;
(f) To promote the most desirable developments and economic activity in accordance with the objectives of the Comprehensive Plan; and
(g) To promote the public right to receive religious, political, economic, social, philosophical and other First Amendment protected messages.
The City does not intend to infringe on the rights of free speech as protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article I, §11 of the Ohio Constitution. All regulations in this chapter are to be construed, whenever possible, in favor of vigorous political debate and accommodation of the rights of persons to speak freely.
(Ord. 2022-22. Passed 5-10-22.)
1123.02 APPLICABILITY.
(a) It shall hereafter be unlawful for any person to erect, place, relocate, expand, modify, maintain or otherwise alter a sign in the City except in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
(b) The construction, erection, safety and maintenance of all signs shall be in accordance with the applicable building code.
(c) Unless otherwise provided, this chapter shall apply to any sign over which the City has authority to regulate. Additionally, this chapter shall apply to any sign, in any zoning district, that is visible from the public right-of-way or from property other than the property on which the sign is located.
(d) Unless otherwise specifically stated, a certificate of zoning approval shall be required for all permanent signs.
(e) A certificate of zoning approval is required for sign face changes including where the sign structure is designed with interchangeable panels and one of the panels is replaced even if such sign panel change does not alter the total sign structure,
(f) Any sign already established on the effective date of this chapter or future amendment thereto, and which sign is rendered nonconforming by the provisions herein, shall be subject to the nonconforming sign regulations of Section 1123.11.
(g) All signs shall require the issuance of a certificate of zoning approval, as established in Section 1129.12, unless otherwise noted below or as specifically stated in other sections of this chapter.
(h) Certificate of Zoning Approval Exemptions. The following signs are subject to the requirements of this chapter and are allowed in all districts but do not require a certificate of zoning approval. Additionally, any sign area for these signs do not count toward the sign area allowances specified in this chapter for all other permitted signs. Permit-exempt signs, or the structures they are attached to, may still be subject to building code or other applicable code requirements.
(1) Signs and/or notices issued by any court, officer or other person in performance of a public duty. Any such sign shall be removed no later than seven (7) days after the last day it is required to be displayed;
(2) Signs that are an integral part of the original construction of vending or similar machines, fuel pumps, automated teller machines, or similar devices that are not of a size or design as to be visible from a street or by any person other than those using the machine or device;
(3) Any sign that is located completely inside a building and that is not visible from the exterior (See also the definition of "window sign".);
(4) Signs that are located within a stadium, open-air theater, park, arena or other outdoor use that are not intended to be visible from a public right-of-way or adjacent property, and can be viewed only by persons within such stadium, open-air theater, park, arena or other outdoor use;
(6) No more than four flags located on flagpoles or on wall-mounted posts provided that the following shall apply:
A. The maximum height of flag poles shall not exceed the maximum building height for structures in the subject zoning district, and a maximum sign area of area of forty (40) square feet for any individual flag attached to the pole.
B. For wall-mounted flags, the maximum projection of the post is six (6) feet and a maximum sign area is fifteen (15) square feet per flag.
C. There shall be a maximum of one flag pole and two-wall mounted posts permitted on each lot.
D. Flag poles may be subject to building permit regulations.
(7) A single wall sign, mounted flush on the facade of an individual dwelling unit, that is not illuminated and does not exceed two (2) square feet in area;
(8) Signs that are an integral part of the historic character of a structure that has been designated an official landmark or historic structure by any agency or body of the governments of the United States, State of Ohio, Butler or Hamilton Counties, or the City of Sharonville;
(9) Any signs located on umbrellas, seating or similar patio furniture provided they are located outside of the right-of-way and comply with any other applicable standards of this chapter;
(10) Any sign on a truck, bus or other vehicle that is used in the normal course of a business (e.g., deliveries or fleet vehicles for contractors), for transportation (See also Section 1123.03.), or signage required by the State or Federal government;
(11) Signs installed or required by a governmental agency including the City of Sharonville, Butler or Hamilton Counties, the State of Ohio, and the United States, including local and regional transit agencies;
(12) Any warning signs or traffic safety signs required by public utility providers;
(13) Hand-held signs not set on or affixed to the ground;
(14) Any address numbers required by the City of Sharonville or the U.S. Post Office;
(15) Changes of copy on signs with changeable copy;
(16) Any signs, including illuminated signs, or related decorations erected in observance of religious, national or state holidays which are not intended to be permanent in nature and which contain no advertising material; and
(17) General maintenance, painting, repainting, cleaning and other normal maintenance and repair of a sign or any sign structure unless a structural change is made.
(Ord. 2022-22. Passed 5-10-22.)
1123.03 PROHIBITED SIGN TYPES.
The following types of signs are specifically prohibited within the City:
(a) Unless otherwise specifically allowed, signs that are applied to trees, utility poles, benches, trash receptacles, fences or walls, newspaper vending machines or boxes, or any other unapproved supporting structure, or that are otherwise placed in the public right-of-way;
(b) Any sign or sign structure which, in the opinion of the Director of Community Development after consultation with the Building Official, is structurally unsafe, or constitutes a hazard to safety or health by reason of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, or abandonment;
(c) No sign shall be installed, erected, or attached in any shape, manner, or form to block any fire escape or any door or window that is required ingress and egress for fire safety;
(d) Pennants, streamers and other similar type devices;
(e) Signs that employ any parts or elements which revolve, rotate, whirl, spin or otherwise make use of motion to attract attention, except for electronic message centers permitted in accordance with this chapter;
(f) Balloon signs and air-activated graphics;
(g) Laser lights, beacons and searchlights, except for emergency purposes;
(h) Motor vehicles, tractor trailers, or similar vehicles with signs painted on, attached to, supported by, or otherwise affixed to the vehicle shall not be parked or stored for a time period exceed forty-eight (48) hours;
(i) Any signs that utilize illumination by means of bare bulbs, flames, or both;
(j) Any signs which imitate or resemble official traffic or governmental signs that are designed or used in a manner as to interfere with, mislead, or confuse drivers along streets;
(l) Any sign located in a public right-of-way, except as specifically provided for in the chapter;
(m) Blade or feather signs;
(n) Roof signs;
(o) Any other sign type that is not specifically allowed by this chapter.
(Ord. 2022-22. Passed 5-10-22.)
1123.04 GENERAL REGULATIONS.
Unless otherwise specifically stated, the following regulations shall apply to all signs within the City:
(a) All signs shall be professionally manufactured, or of equivalent quality. Permanent signs shall be fabricated with rigid materials that are of good quality and good durability.
(b) The construction, erection, safety, and maintenance shall comply with all applicable building and electrical codes. In the event there is a conflict between the provisions of this section and the provisions of any applicable building or electrical codes, the provisions of the more restrictive code shall govern.
(c) No sign or sign structure shall be placed on private or public property without the consent of the owner or agent thereof.
(d) The lowest component of all signs that project (or are supported on posts that project) shall not be less than eight (8) feet above the finished grade of a sidewalk or any other pedestrian way. If located over a pavement used for vehicular traffic or within eighteen (18) inches of the vertical projection of the edges of such pavement, the lowest component of the sign shall not be less than fifteen (15) feet above the finished pavement.
(e) Signs shall be anchored to prevent any lateral movement that would cause wear on supporting members or connections.
(f) All signs shall be subject to the intersection visibility standards established in Section 1113.02.
(g) Permitted permanent signs should be designed so as to be similar in character with regard to materials, color and size to signs designed or located on the same building and on adjoining buildings in order to equalize the attention they are meant to attract, and to produce an overall unified effect, and shall also be designed in accordance with the standards set forth in this section.
(h) The back side of all permanent signs that do not contain a second sign face or structural supports shall be completely enclosed.
(i) Signs in Rights-of-Way.
(1) Signs shall be prohibited in the right-of-way with the exception of:
A. Signs installed by the City of Sharonville, Butler or Hamilton Counties, the State of Ohio, federal government, or public transit agencies;
B. Any warning signs or traffic safety signs required by public utility providers; or
(2) The Director of Community Development or Public Works may remove or cause to be removed any unlawful sign in the public right-of-way.
(j) Illumination. In all zoning districts except residential districts, signs shall be permitted to be illuminated in compliance with the following:
(1) Where illuminated signs are permitted, such illumination may be through internal or external lighting sources.
(2) Light sources shall be shielded from all adjacent buildings and streets and shall be focused exclusively on the sign.
(3) Lights shall not be of such brightness so as to cause glare that is hazardous to pedestrians or motorists, or will cause reasonable objection from adjacent residential districts.
(4) An illuminated sign or lighting device shall employ only light of constant intensity.
(5) In the NLO District, internally illuminated signs that have a translucent background shall be avoided. Applicants shall utilize an opaque background with translucent text.
(6) Electronic message centers are a permitted form of illuminated signs that are allowed as part of permitted signs. See Section 1123.08(a)(4)J for specific standards related to electronic message centers.
(Ord. 2022-22. Passed 5-10-22.)
1123.05 CALCULATION AND MEASUREMENTS.
(a) Sign Setback. All required setbacks for signs shall be measured as the distance in feet from the applicable lot line, or other stated point of measurement, to the closest point on the sign structure.
(b) Sign Height.
(1) The height of a sign shall be computed as the distance from the base of the sign at normal grade (average grade at the base of the sign) to the top of the highest attached component of the sign. Normal grade shall be construed to be the newly established grade after construction, exclusive of any filling, berming, mounding, or excavating solely undertaken for the purpose of locating or increasing the height of sign.
(2) The filling of a hole or depression to create an average grade the same level as that surrounding the hole or depression is permitted, provided such filling is allowed by other ordinances.
(3) In cases where the normal grade is below grade at street level, sign height shall be computed on the assumption that the elevation of the normal grade at the base of the sign is equal to the elevation of the nearest point of the crown of a public or private street. See Figure 1123-A.
Figure 1123-A: Illustration of the measurement of sign height when the grade at the bottom of the sign is below the grade of the adjacent street.
(c) Sign Area. The surface of a sign to be included when computing maximum allowable square footage of sign area shall be calculated as established in this section. For the purposes of calculating sign area, one of the following shapes may be used: circle, ellipse, triangle, square, rectangle, trapezoid, pentagon or hexagon.
(1) The calculation of sign area shall not include any supporting framework, bracing or decorative fence or wall unless such structural support is determined to constitute an integral part of the sign design by means of text or other commercial message, as determined by the Director of Community Development. See Figure 1123-B.
(2) For sign copy mounted or painted on a background panel, cabinet or surface that is distinctively painted, textured, lighted or constructed to serve as the background for the sign copy, the sign area shall be computed by means of the single smallest permitted shape that encompasses the extreme limits of the background panel, cabinet or surface. See Figure 1123-B and Figure 1123-C.
Figure 1123-B: Illustration of sign area calculation for a freestanding sign with a copy on a distinct, rectangular cabinet. The brick structural support is not included in the sign area calculation.
Figure 1123-C: Illustration of computing the sign area for wall signs with a
background panel or cabinet.
(3) For sign copy where individual letters or elements are mounted on a building facade or window where there is no background panel, cabinet or surface that is distinctively painted, textured, lighted or constructed to serve as the background for the sign copy, the sign area shall be computed by means of the single smallest permitted shape that encloses all of the letters or elements associated with the sign. See Figure 1123-D.
Figure 1123-D: Illustration of sign area calculation for wall signs with individual letters.
(4) In cases where there are multiple elements of sign copy on the same surface, any areas of sign copy that are within two (2) feet of one another shall be calculated as a single sign area that shall be computed by means of the smallest permitted shape that encloses all sign copy within two (2) feet of one another, otherwise the sign area shall be computed for each separate piece of sign copy. See Figure 1123-E.
Figure 1123-E: Illustration of sign area calculations for multiple sign areas on a window sign.
(5) When two identically sized, flat sign faces are placed back-to-back with no more than twelve (12) inches in separation, so that both faces cannot be viewed from any one point at the same time, the sign area shall be computed by the measurement of one of the sign faces. The twelve (12)-inch separation distance shall not apply in cases where the two (2) faces are part of a single sign cabinet or structure that is fully enclosed. If the two (2) faces are unequal, the sign area shall be calculated based on the larger of the two (2) faces.
(6) In the case of a three-dimensional sign, where the sign faces are not mounted back-to-back, the sign area shall be calculated by the single smallest permitted shape that encompasses the profile of the sign message. The profile used shall be the largest area of the sign message visible from any one point.
(Ord. 2022-22. Passed 5-10-22.)
1123.06 SIGNS PERMITTED IN PUD DISTRICTS.
(a) All development in a PUD District shall be subject to the standards of this article unless otherwise modified through the PUD review and approval process. In general:
(1) Single-family residential uses and public and institutional uses in a PUD shall comply with the sign requirements of the R-1A District.
(2) Multi-family residential uses in a PUD shall comply with the sign requirements of the RM-D District.
(3) Commercial and office uses in a PUD shall comply with the sign requirements of the GB District.
(4) Industrial uses in a PUD shall comply with the sign requirements of the GI District.
(b) This section shall apply to both permanent and temporary signs.
(Ord. 2022-22. Passed 5-10-22.)
1123.07 PERMANENT SIGNS IN RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS.
Two (2) wall signs or one permanent freestanding monument sign may be permitted for any subdivision or multi-family dwelling development that contains twenty-five (25) units/lots or more provided that the signs meet the following requirements:
(a) General Standards.
(1) Each sign may have a maximum sign area of thirty (30) square feet.
(2) No such sign or any portion of the structure shall exceed six (6) feet in height.
(3) The sign may only be illuminated through an external light source.
(b) Monument Sign.
(1) A maximum of one freestanding monument sign may be permitted for each entrance to the subdivision or development on a public collector or arterial street, as determined by the Director of Community Development.
(2) In all cases, the sign shall be set back a minimum of ten (10) feet from any rights-of-way and twenty (20) feet from any lot lines.
(3) The monument sign shall have a maximum of two sign faces, mounted back-to-back.
(4) If an applicant proposes to use a monument sign, no wall signs, as allowed in Section 1123.07(c), below, shall be permitted.
(5) For entrances to multi-family dwelling developments, a post and panel sign may be permitted instead of the monument sign.
(c) Wall Signs on Entry Fences or Walls.
(1) A maximum of two (2) wall signs may be permitted for each entrance to the subdivision or development on a public collector or arterial street, as determined by the Director of Community Development.
(2) If two (2) wall signs are utilized, the signs shall be separated by a minimum of fifty (50) feet.
(3) The signs shall be mounted to a decorative wall or fence that generally runs parallel with the street.
(4) If an applicant proposes to use wall signs, no monument sign, as allowed in Section 1123.07(b), above, shall be permitted.
(Ord. 2022-22. Passed 5-10-22.)
1123.08 PERMANENT SIGNS IN NONRESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS.
The following standards apply to signs on lots in nonresidential zoning districts:
(a) Building and Freestanding Signs.
(1) Maximum Sign Area for All Building and Freestanding Signs.
A. Table 1123-1 establishes the total maximum sign area allowed for the aggregate sign area of all building and freestanding signs on a lot as established in this section.
B. The maximum sign area in Table 1123-1 does not include the sign areas of the following sign types that might also be located on the lot including:
i. Temporary signs;
ii. Window signs;
iii. Drive-through facility signs; and
iv. Driveway signs.
C. Building signs and freestanding signs shall be subject to the sign type standards of this section.
D. Where a building has a primary and secondary facade as determined in Section 1123.08(a)(2), the signage allowed on the primary facade may not be placed on the secondary facade and vice versa.
TABLE 1123-1: MAXIMUM BUILDING AND FREESTANDING SIGN AREA | |
District | Maximum Sign Area Allowance |
PF | 50 square feet of freestanding sign and 0.50 square feet of building signage for each lineal foot of primary and secondary facade width |
LB | Primary Facade Signage: 1.20 square feet of signage for each lineal foot of primary facade width + 30 square feet. Secondary Facade Signage: 0.45 square feet of signage for each lineal foot of secondary facade width. |
OB, GB, CBD, and SM-D | Primary Facade Signage: 1.50 square feet of signage for each lineal foot of primary facade width + 40 square feet. Secondary Facade Signage: 0.60 square feet of signage for each lineal foot of secondary facade width. |
CS | Primary Facade Signage: 1.25 square feet of signage for each lineal foot of primary facade width. Secondary Facade Signage: 0.50 square feet of signage for each lineal foot of secondary facade width. |
GI and ITC | Primary Facade Signage: 1.50 square feet of signage for each lineal foot of primary facade width. Secondary Facade Signage: 0.60 square feet of signage for each lineal foot of secondary facade width. |
E. Standards for Building and Freestanding Signs in the NLO District:
i. For signs in the NLO District, where the sign requirements for the NLO District are more restrictive than the underlying base zoning district standards above, the NLO District standards shall apply.
ii. Signs shall utilize a style, materials, and colors that complement the building facade.
iii. Building signs consisting of wall signs, canopy signs, and projecting signs shall be permitted at a ratio of one and one-half (1½) square feet per lineal foot of the primary facade length, not to exceed the following:
a) 150 square feet on buildings that do not have individual, separate building units, including office buildings where all access to the individual office spaces is located internally;
b) Seventy-five (75) square feet per building unit on multi-tenant buildings. See also Figure 1123-G.
iv. In addition to the building signs allowed above, awning signs shall be permitted provided that the sign copy is limited to a maximum of twenty-five percent (25) of the total exterior surface of the awning. The awning shall be attached to the building so that no part of the awning or awning support structure is located within eight (8) feet or more than twelve (12) feet from the surface of the established grade under the sign. Such awning signs shall not project more than five (5) feet from the wall on which it is attached.
v. For buildings in the NLO District that are taller than forty-five (45) feet in height, one signature wall sign shall be permitted in addition to all other signs allowed above, in accordance with the following:
a) The signature wall signs shall be located on a building wall that is visible from Interstate 75.
b) The signature wall sign shall not exceed one square foot per lineal foot of lot frontage along Chester Road, with a total sign area not to exceed 220 square feet.
c) The signature wall signs shall be mounted within fifteen (15) feet of the roofline of the building on which it is attached and shall not extend above the said roofline.
vi. Freestanding signs are permitted in the NLO District in accordance with the following:
a) The freestanding sign shall be a monument sign that will consist of a decorative mounting structure and one or more message panels. The mounting structures will complement the design of existing or proposed buildings and development themes in the NLO District. The freestanding signs shall be designed to be modular, updateable and removable as the district uses evolve.
b) The maximum sign area of the freestanding monument sign shall be equal to seventy-five hundredths (0.75) square feet for every one lineal foot of lot frontage along Chester Road, up to a maximum of 150 square feet.
c) The freestanding monument signs shall have a maximum height of ten (10) feet and shall be set back a minimum of five (5) feet from the front lot line. Such signs are only permitted in the front yard, along Chester Road.
d) There shall be a maximum of two (2) freestanding monument signs on any lot, regardless of the number of street frontages. Such freestanding monument signs shall be separated by 150 feet.
e) The freestanding monument signs shall be subject to all other general standards applicable to freestanding signs in Section 1123.08(a)(4).
(2) Facade Measurements.
A. When calculating the permitted sign area based on the width of any facade, such calculation shall be based on viewing the facade from a 90-degree angle (i.e., straight on) from the adjacent street, regardless of facade insets, offsets or angles. See Figure 1123-F.
Figure 1123-F: Illustration of facade width measurement on varied facade shapes.
B. For multi-tenant buildings, the portion of a building that is owned or leased by a single occupant or tenant shall be considered a building unit. See Figure 1123-G.
Figure 1123-G: The above image shows independent buildings (1 and 4) as well as a
multi-tenant building in between The multi-tenant building has two building units as identified
as 2 and 4 in the image.
C. The primary facade shall include any facade that has frontage along a street and any facade that serves as the main access point to a building or building unit. All other facades shall be considered to be secondary facades for the purposes of this chapter provided such facades do not face a residential zoning district. See Figure 1123-H.
Figure 1123-H: Examples of the location of primary and secondary facades.
D. When a site has primary and secondary facades as defined herein, the Director of Community Development shall determine which facades shall be the primary building facades and which facades shall be the secondary building facades, as may be applicable.
(3) Building Signs.
A. There is no maximum number of permitted building signs.
B. Building signs shall include the total amount of all wall, awning, canopy, and projecting signs attached to the building. Standards for each individual building sign type are established in this section.
C. Building signs may not be attached to mechanical equipment, roof screening, or detached accessory structures.
D. Building signs shall not include electronic message centers unless approved as a conditional use and in compliance with the standards of Section 1123.08(a)(4)J. Messages can only change once every twenty-four (24) hours for electronic message centers on building signs.
E. Wall Sign Standards. Any wall sign shall comply with the following standards:
i. Wall signs shall be mounted on or flush with a wall and shall not project more than eighteen (18) inches from the wall or face of the building to which it is attached.
ii. A wall sign may be mounted on the facade wall or mounted on a raceway or wireway.
iii. No wall sign shall cover or obscure any wall opening.
iv. Wall signs shall be set back a minimum of three (3) feet from the end of the building or party wall.
v. Wall signs shall not project above the parapet, coping, or eaves of any building.
vi. Wall signs shall not exceed 150 square feet in the PF, LB, OB, GB, CBD, or SM-D Districts.
vii. Wall signs shall not exceed twenty percent (20%) of the total gross area of signage allowed in Table 1123-1 or 200 square feet, whichever is smaller, in the CS, LI, GI, or ITC Districts.
viii. Wall signs shall not be painted directly onto a building in the NLO District.
F. Awning or Canopy Sign Standards. Any canopy sign shall comply with the following standards:
i. Signage shall not cover more than sixteen (16) square feet of any individual awning or canopy.
ii. Signage may be mounted above any canopy that extends over a customer entrance provided that the maximum sign height over the canopy shall be eighteen (18) inches as measured from the top of the canopy to the top of the sign. Signage may also be mounted below the canopy provided the maximum height of the sign copy shall not exceed twelve (12) inches and the clearance requirements of Section 1123.07(a) are maintained to the bottom of the sign copy.
iii. Only the area of the sign may be illuminated internally on an awning or canopy. The remainder of any awning canopy shall not be illuminated or may be illuminated by an external source such as gooseneck lighting.
G. Projecting Sign Standards. Any projecting sign shall comply with the following standards:
i. Only one projecting sign shall be permitted for each tenant.
ii. A projecting sign shall be perpendicular to the wall of the building to which it is attached and shall not extend more than four (4) feet from the facade wall to which it is attached.
iii. Projecting signs shall be set back a minimum of three (3) feet from the end of the building or party wall.
iv. In the CBD and SM-D Districts, projecting signs shall not project more than seven (7) feet from the lot line and in no case shall it be closer than three (3) feet to the inside of the curb line.
v. In the CBD District, the minimum clearance from the grade to the bottom of the sign shall be ten (10) feet and the maximum height of the sign shall be fourteen (14) feet.
vi. Decorative supporting structures for projecting signs are encouraged and shall not count toward the maximum square footage of sign area allowed, however, in no case shall the supporting structure exceed six (6) square feet in area.
vii. The maximum sign area for a projecting sign shall be twenty-four (24) square feet.
viii. Projecting signs shall not be internally illuminated.
ix. Projecting signs may encroach into the right-of-way provided they comply with the clearance standards of Section 1123.07(a) and all portions of the sign are set back a minimum of two (2) feet from the back of the curb.
(4) Freestanding Signs.
A. Freestanding signs include pole, ground, and monument signs.
B. Only one freestanding sign is permitted per street frontage unless the street frontage is longer than 150 feet, in which case up to two (2) freestanding signs are permitted on the frontage where such signs are separated by 150 feet.
C. The maximum height of a ground or monument sign shall be fifteen (15) feet.
D. The maximum height of a pole sign shall be seventy (70) feet if the sign is located within 400 feet of the edge of pavement for Interstate 75 or Interstate 275. The maximum height of all other pole signs shall be thirty (30) feet.
E. Table 1123-2 establishes the minimum setback and maximum height and sign area for freestanding signs in zoning districts.
TABLE 1123-2: FREESTANDING SIGN STANDARDS FOR NONRESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS | |||
Zoning Districts | Minimum Setbacks from Street R-O-W and Adjacent Lots in Nonresidential Zoning Districts | Minimum Setbacks from Lots in Residential Zoning Districts | Maximum Sign Area |
CBD and SM-D | 15 Feet | 50 Feet | 50 Square Feet |
LB, OB, GB, and PF | 15 Feet | 50 Feet | 50 Square Feet [1] |
CS and LI | 25 Feet | 50 Feet | 100 Square Feet [1] |
GI and ITC | 25 Feet | 100 Feet | 100 Square Feet [1] |
NOTE: [1] A pole sign located within 400 feet of the edge of pavement for Interstate 75 or Interstate 275 may have a maximum sign area of 200 square feet. | |||
F. All freestanding signs shall be located in a landscaped area equal to or larger than the total sign area of the applicable sign. Such landscaped area may be an area that fulfills any landscaping requirements of this code. The landscaped area shall include all points where sign structural supports attach to the ground.
G. Freestanding signs shall not be located in a side or rear yard unless the side or rear yard is adjacent to lots in the GB, CS, LI, GI, or ITC Districts.
H. Exposed sign foundations shall be constructed with a finished material such as brick, stone, or wood.
J. Freestanding signs may contain changeable copy (manual changes or electronic message centers). Electronic message centers shall be subject to the following:
i. The sign area of the electronic message center shall not exceed ninety percent (90%) of the total sign area.
ii. The signs shall only be allowed if approved as a conditional use.
iii. All electronic message centers shall be set back a minimum of 200 feet from a residential dwelling unit.
iv. Any message changes shall be a static, instant message change.
v. Messages can only change once every eight seconds or longer.
vi. The transition time between messages shall be less than one second.
vii. All electronic message centers shall contain a default mechanism that will cause the sign to revert immediately to a black screen if the sign malfunctions.
viii. The electronic message center shall come equipped with an automatic dimming photocell, which automatically adjusts the display's brightness based on ambient light conditions.
ix. Illumination shall not exceed 0.3 footcandles over ambient lighting conditions when measured at fifty (50) feet in any direction from an electronic message center sign.
x. Audio emissions from electronic message center signs shall be prohibited.
(b) Window Signs.
(1) Window signs shall not require a certificate of zoning approval but must comply with the requirements of this section.
(2) Window signs shall not occupy more than fifty percent (50%) of the window area in all nonresidential zoning districts.
(3) Window signs that are attached to the exterior of a window or door are prohibited in the NLO District.
(4) Window signs may be temporarily or permanently attached to the window surface.
(5) The sign area of window signs shall not be counted as part of any other sign allowance in this chapter.
(6) Window signs are not permitted in any window of a space used for residential uses or purposes unless allowed as a temporary sign in accordance with Section 1123.09.
(7) Window signs shall not be illuminated except when illuminated by an external lighting source.
(8) Decorative edging or other window treatments that are not an integral part of the sign copy shall not be considered a part of the sign for the purposes of this chapter. See Figure 1123-E.
(9) The sign area is based on the total window area, regardless of the presence of an awning. Window areas separated by piers, architectural elements, or similar features that are not glass or window framing or support shall be considered separate and distinct window areas. See Figure 1123-I.
Figure 1123-I: The window area is illustrated within the dashed line area for the
two storefronts in the above image.
(c) Drive-Through Facility Signs.
(1) Drive-through facility signs are only permitted as an accessory to a permitted drive-through facility.
(2) One drive-through facility sign shall be allowed for each stacking lane in a drive-through facility, provided the total aggregate sign area of all freestanding signs associated with each drive-through facility does not exceed seventy-two (72) square feet. In no case shall a single drive-through facility sign exceed thirty-six (36) square feet in sign area.
(3) Such signs shall be oriented so as to only be visible to occupants of vehicles in the stacking lanes of the drive-through facility.
(4) No drive-through facility sign under this section shall exceed six (6) feet in height measured from the grade of the adjacent driving surface to the top of the sign.
(5) Drive-through facility signs may be internally or externally illuminated. Up to one hundred percent (100%) of each sign may be an electronic message center if they comply with the following standards:
A. Any message change shall be a static, instant message change.
B. Only Light Emitting Diodes (LED) technology or similar quality signs shall be permitted for electronic message centers.
C. The electronic message center shall come equipped with an automatic dimming photocell, which automatically adjusts the display's brightness based on ambient light conditions.
D. The electronic message center shall be turned off during the hours when the related business is closed.
(6) There shall be no maximum drive-through facility sign area in instances where the signs are fully screened from view of any public street or adjacent residential use.
(7) The sign area of drive-through facility signs shall not be counted as part of any other sign allowance in this chapter.
(8) Drive-through facility signs attached to a wall of building shall be calculated as part of the building signage allowance in Section 1123.08(a).
(d) Driveway Signs.
(1) A maximum of two (2) signs shall be permitted for any one driveway.
(2) Driveway signs shall be set back at least five (5) feet from all lot lines but in no case shall the sign be set back more than twenty-five (25) feet from the edge of the driveway where it intersects with the public street.
(3) Each driveway sign shall not exceed four (4) square feet in area and three (3) feet in height.
(4) Driveway signs may be internally or externally illuminated.
(5) The sign area of driveway signs shall not be counted as part of any other sign allowance in this chapter.
(Ord. 2022-22. Passed 5-10-22.)
1123.09 TEMPORARY SIGNS.
The following are the types of temporary signs allowed in the City of Sharonville, including any applicable regulations for each type of sign.
(a) Standards Applicable to All Temporary Signs.
(1) Temporary signs shall not be mounted, attached, affixed, installed or otherwise secured in a manner that will make the sign a permanent sign.
(2) No temporary sign shall be mounted, attached, affixed, installed or otherwise secured so as to protrude above the roofline of a structure.
(3) All temporary signs shall be secured in such a manner as to prevent swinging or other significantly noticeable movement resulting from the wind that could pose a danger to people, vehicles or structures.
(4) Unless otherwise specifically stated, temporary signs shall not be illuminated.
(5) No temporary sign shall require a foundation, support, wiring, fittings, or elements that would traditionally require a building permit or electrical permit.
(6) Temporary signs shall not be affixed to any permanent sign or permanent structure except when a banner sign is permitted to cover a permanent sign in accordance with this section or when such sign is attached to the principal building as permitted in this chapter.
(7) No streamers, spinning, flashing, windblown devices or similarly moving devices shall be allowed as part of, or attachments to, temporary signs.
(8) Where a temporary sign is designed to have two sign faces (portable signs or temporary yard signs), such sign faces shall be of the same size and mounted back-to-back. In the cases of an A-frame portable sign, the sign faces shall be mounted back-to-back but may have an angular separation between faces to form the A-frame shape.
(9) For certificate of zoning approval applications related to the establishment of a new use or change of use within an existing building, where there is existing permanent sign, a banner sign may be approved for up to sixty (60) consecutive days to cover the existing permanent signs. Such banner sign shall not exceed the sign area of the permanent sign and shall require a certificate of zoning approval.
(10) Temporary signs shall be constructed of a material that is substantial enough to withstand typical winds and weather for the duration of the placement.
(11) Because of the nature of materials typically used to construct temporary signs and to avoid the unsightliness of deteriorating signs and all safety concerns which accompany such a condition, temporary signs shall be removed or replaced when such a sign is deteriorated.
(12) Temporary signs shall not be located in the right-of-way. Where the right-of-way is unknown, the temporary sign shall be set back a minimum of ten (10) feet from the edge of any street pavement.
(b) Temporary Sign Allowances.
(1) Table 1123-3 establishes the allowances for temporary signs in all zoning districts. All sign types are subject to the general provisions above and the sign-type standards that follow the table.
TABLE 1123-3: TEMPORARY SIGN ALLOWANCES | |||
Zoning Districts | Residential | Nonresidential | Nonresidential |
Time Limit | Unrestricted | Unrestricted | 30 Days per Quarter [1] |
Maximum Number or Area per Lot [2] | Unlimited | 32 Square Feet | 20% of Permanent Building Signage Allowed or 50 Square Feet, Whichever is Less |
Maximum Sign Area per Sign [2] | 16 Square Feet | 16 Square Feet | |
Maximum Height | 4 Feet | 6 Feet | 6 Feet |
Permitted Sign Types | Banner, Window, or Yard | Banner, Portable, or Yard | Banner, Feather, or Yard |
Certificate of Zoning Approval Required | No | No | Yes |
NOTES: [1] A quarter shall be defined as evenly timed quarter of the calendar year (January to March, April to June, July to September, and October to December). [2] The provisions of this requirement are as stated in the table unless otherwise allowed for in the applicable sign type standards below. | |||
(2) Sign Type Standards.
A. Banner Signs.
i. Banner signs shall not be subject to the maximum height requirements of this section provided they are not attached above any roofline.
ii. Banner signs can be affixed to a building but not to a fence, unless such fence is enclosing an outdoor dining area adjacent to the building.
B. Feather Signs.
i. Only one feather sign shall be permitted for any lot. If a lot has more than 100 feet of lot frontage along a public street, one additional feather sign shall be permitted at the same time as the initial feather sign.
ii. The maximum height of a feather sign may exceed the maximum height in the temporary sign allowance table but in no case shall exceed ten (10) feet in height.
C. Portable Signs.
i. Only one portable sign is allowed for each building unit.
ii. The portable sign shall be limited to an A-frame portable sign or a T-frame portable sign.
iii. There shall be no time limitation for portable signs with the exception that the sign shall only be placed outside during the hours of the establishment's operation.
iv. Portable signs shall not exceed six (6) square feet in area with a maximum height of four (4) feet.
v. The sign shall not be placed on pavement used for vehicles (e.g., driveways and parking lots).
vi. When placed on a public or private sidewalk, the width and placement of the sign shall be such so that there shall be a minimum width of four (4) feet of clear and passable sidewalk or walkway for pedestrians.
vii. The sign must be freestanding and shall not be affixed, chained, anchored, or otherwise secured to the ground or to any pole, parking meter, tree, tree grate, fire hydrant, or other structure.
viii. The sign must not obstruct access to parking meters, bicycle racks and other features legally in the right-of-way.
ix. The sign must not interfere with the opening of car doors in legal spaces, or with the operation of wheelchair lifts and ramps, cab stands, loading zones or bus stops.
x. The sign shall be internally weighted so that it is stable and windproof.
xi. The City of Sharonville shall be held harmless from any liability resulting from accident or injury caused by the placement and/or maintenance of such sign.
(3) Window Signs. Temporary window signs shall not be affixed permanently to the window.
(4) Yard Signs. Temporary yard signs are prohibited in the right-of-way and shall be set back a minimum of ten (10) feet from adjoining lot lines.
(Ord. 2022-22. Passed 5-10-22)
1123.10 MAINTENANCE OF SIGNS AND SIGN STRUCTURES.
(a) All signs shall be maintained in a safe and good condition at all times to avoid becoming a deteriorated sign, including, but not limited to, the replacement of defective bulbs, parts or materials, painting, repainting, cleaning and other acts required for the maintenance of said sign and accessory landscaping.
(b) All signs and sign structures shall be maintained in a safe and attractive condition in accordance with the adopted version of the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC), the Ohio Building Code (OBC), or both, as applicable.
(c) It shall be the responsibility of the property owner, or other entity having legal control or interest of the property, to maintain all signs and sign structures in accordance with this code.
(d) Notice to responsible party for maintenance of signs and sign structures shall be provided in accordance with Section 107 of the IPMC.
(e) Signs shall be maintained in a manner that prevents the exposure of any internal elements through the removal of the sign face or the replacement of broken panels or elements.
(f) Failure to maintain a sign in accordance with this section shall be a violation of this code, subject to Chapter 1133: Enforcement and Penalties.
(Ord. 2022-22. Passed 5-10-22.)
1123.11 NONCONFORMING SIGNS AND SIGN STRUCTURES.
(a) Any sign that was lawfully in existence at the time of the effective date of this code, or amendment thereto, that does not conform to the provisions herein, shall be deemed a legal nonconforming sign and may remain on a lot of record except as qualified in this subsection. No legal nonconforming sign shall be enlarged, extended, structurally altered, or reconstructed in any manner, except as allowed for in this section, and the nonconforming structure regulations in Chapter 1131: Nonconformities shall not apply.
(b) Legal nonconforming signs shall be maintained in good condition pursuant to Section 1123.10 and may continue until such sign is required to be removed as set forth in this chapter.
(c) A nonconforming sign shall immediately lose its nonconforming designation and must be brought into compliance with these regulations or be removed if:
(1) The sign is structurally altered or replaced, but not including the changing of a sign face when the sign is specifically designed for changeable sign faces or when a message is changed on a changeable copy sign or electronic message center;
(2) The sign is relocated, except signs that are required to be moved because of public right-of-way improvements;
(3) The sign is a legally nonconforming temporary sign that is still in place more than one calendar year from the effective date of this code;
(4) The sign is damaged to an extent of greater than fifty percent (50%) of the estimated replacement value;
(5) The sign is not repaired within sixty (60) days after it is damaged or such sooner period as may be required if the damage presents an immediate hazard; or
(6) The sign creates a hazard to vehicular or pedestrian traffic, or to adjoining properties.
(d) Nothing in this section shall relieve the owner or user of a nonconforming sign or owner of the property on which the nonconforming sign is located from compliance with the provisions of these regulations regarding safety, maintenance, and repair of signs, provided however, that any repainting, cleaning and other normal maintenance or repair of the sign or sign structure shall not modify the sign structure in any way. All nonconforming signs shall be maintained properly and shall be subject to Section 1123.11.
(Ord. 2022-22. Passed 5-10-22.)
1123.12 REMOVAL OF SIGNS AND SIGN STRUCTURES.
(a) In the event that a sign, sign structure, or both are deemed by the Building Official as a serious hazard, such hazard shall be abated in accordance with the adopted versions of the International Property Maintenance Code, the Ohio Building Code, or both, as applicable.
(b) The Building Official shall determine the level of risk and set deadlines for compliance accordingly. In the event of a determination of imminent threat to life-safety, the Building Official may cause such sign, sign structure, or both to be removed summarily and without notice. The person, firm, or corporation having property ownership or other legal control of the sign, sign structure, or both, shall be individually and separately liable for the expense incurred in the removal of such sign, sign structure, or both.
(c) The provisions of this section shall not be construed to prevent the repair or restoration to a safe condition of such hazardous conditions subject to safeguards and approvals by the Building Official in accordance with applicable codes.
(Ord. 2022-22. Passed 5-10-22.)