Trenton City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XVIII
Signs
Section 400.850 Purpose.
[R.O. 2011 §400.850; Ord. No. 04-25 §1, 7-26-2004]
It is the intent of this Article to permit business signs wherever they are moderate in size and design and consistent with the public safety and the welfare of surrounding areas.
Section 400.855 Permit Required.
[R.O. 2011 §400.855; Ord. No. 04-25 §1, 7-26-2004]
Except as otherwise specifically authorized, no sign shall be located, erected, moved, reconstructed, extended, enlarged or structurally altered within the City until a permit has been issued by the City Zoning Administrator. No permit shall be issued for a sign not in conformity with the size, type, number, location and use regulations affecting each zoning district.
Section 400.860 Exceptions.
[R.O. 2011 §400.860; Ord. No. 04-25 §1, 7-26-2004]
A.
A permit shall not be required for the following classes of signs:
Section 400.865 Prohibited Characteristics of Signs.
[R.O. 2011 §400.865; Ord. No. 04-25 §1, 7-26-2004]
A.
No sign shall resemble, imitate or approximate the shape, size, form or color of railroad or traffic signs, signals or devices.
B.
No sign shall be so located as to interfere with the visibility or effectiveness of any official traffic sign or signal or with driver vision at any access point or intersection.
C.
No sign shall be erected, relocated or maintained so as to prevent free ingress or egress from any door, window or fire escape and no sign shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.
D.
No sign shall contain any rotating or moving parts or be illuminated by flashing lights.
E.
No sign shall exceed the maximum height limitation of the district in which it is located.
F.
No sign shall be located on a lot so as to reduce the required dimensional setback and side yard requirements of the district in which it is located.
G.
Illuminated tubing or strings of lights that outline property line, sales areas, doors, windows or similar areas are subject to City Administrator approval and do not apply to temporary signs erected in connection with the observance of holidays.
Section 400.870 Classification of Sign Requiring Permit - Class "C" Signs.
[R.O. 2011 §400.870; Ord. No. 04-25 §1, 7-26-2004; Ord. No. 2013-42 §1, 10-28-2013; Ord. No. 2014-7 §1, 2-24-2014]
A.
On-premises signs which advertise a business activity or service performed on the property.
1.
Type 1: signs advertising a permitted home occupation or professional office. Such signs shall not exceed four (4) square feet in area and not be illuminated. No more than one (1) such sign for each use located on the premises shall be permitted. All signs advertising a home occupation shall be affixed flat (horizontal) to the structure upon which they are located. However, one (1) additional freestanding sign not to exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in area and seven (7) feet total height may be allowed with a conditional use permit along highway frontage property on Highway 6, also known as "Main Street," "East 10th Street" and "9th Street," but any such sign may not be illuminated.
2.
Type 2: signs or bulletin board for public, charitable or religious institutions. Such signs shall not exceed twelve (12) square feet in area, and no more than one (1) such sign for each highway or street upon which the property faces shall be permitted. Such signs may be placed at the right-of-way of the highway or street.
3.
Type 3: signs advertising a business activity or a service available in a business or industrial zone district. Such signs shall not exceed two hundred (200) square feet in gross area per business. No more than one (1) such sign for each story may be attached to a building facade, and no sign may project more than three (3) feet beyond a building when attached thereto or be higher than four (4) feet above the top roofline. Freestanding signs shall not exceed twenty (20) feet in height from the ground. The owner of a property zoned mixed use (M-U) may apply for and obtain a conditional use permit for a sign described herein.
4.
Type 4: signs advertising the sale of farm products produced on the premises. Such signs shall not exceed twenty-four (24) square feet in area, and no more than three (3) non-lighted signs advertising produce may be erected within one hundred (100) feet of the stand.
5.
Type 5: signs advertising a resort or recreational business activity or product available. Such signs shall not exceed twenty (20) square feet in area, and no more than one (1) such sign for each highway upon which the property faces shall be permitted.
Section 400.875 Class "D" Signs.
[R.O. 2011 §400.875; Ord. No. 04-25 §1, 7-26-2004]
Signs or billboards which advertise a general brand of product, an area of interest, a business activity or service available which is not in direct relation to the use of the premises on which it is located. Such signs shall not exceed three hundred (300) square feet in area. Freestanding signs shall be erected outside a line parallel to and fifty (50) feet from the highway right-of-way, shall not exceed twenty (20) feet in height above the ground or be located within three hundred (300) feet of an existing residence.
Section 400.880 Class "E" Signs.
[R.O. 2011 §400.880; Ord. No. 04-25 §1, 7-26-2004]
A.
Off-premise director signs in the specific interest of the traveling public which advertise a business activity, an area of interest or a service available at a specific location within twelve (12) air miles of the premises on which it is located.
1.
Type 1 — recreational directory signs indicating the direction to a cottage, resort, residence or similar use. Such signs shall not exceed four (4) square feet in area. When a common posting is provided, all such signs shall be attached thereto. Recreational directory signs may be placed at the right-of-way line of the highway provided they are not within three hundred (300) feet of an existing residence. Information on such signs may be of reflective materials.
2.
Type 2 — signs advertising a business or activity conducted, area of interest or service available. Such signs shall not exceed twelve (12) square feet in area and no more than two (2) such signs relating to any one (1) use shall be permitted in the approaching direction along any one (1) highway. A larger number of signs and a greater distance from the premises may be permitted by the Planning Commission by a conditional use permit finding it necessary for directing the traveling public.
Section 400.885 Class and Type of Signs Permitted in Various Zoning Districts.
[R.O. 2011 §400.885; Ord. No. 04-25 §1, 7-26-2004; Ord. No. 2013-43 §1, 10-28-2013; Ord. No. 2014-8 §1, 2-24-2014]
Class and Type of Sign | Zoning District | |
|---|---|---|
Class A signs | All | |
Class B signs | All | |
Class C signs | ||
Type 1 | "R-1", "R-2", "R-3", "I-1", "I-2", "B-1", "B-2", "B-3", "B-4", "M-U" | |
Type 2 | All | |
Type 3 | "I-1", "I-2", "B-1", "B-2", "B-3", "B-4" | |
Type 4 | All | |
Type 5 | All | |
Class D signs | "I-1", "I-2", "R-3", "R-4" | |
Class E signs | ||
Type 1 | All | |
Type 2 | All | |
Section 400.890 Non-Conforming Signs.
[R.O. 2011 §400.890; Ord. No. 04-25 §1, 7-26-2004]
Non-conforming signs shall be subject to the provisions of Article VII.