§ 501.060. Standards For Permitted Signs.

Signs that are subject to the City standard sign permit approval process must comply with the following standards. Signs that are subject to a limited sign permit approval, and exempt signs, must comply with the standards established in Section 501.070.

A. Awning/Canopy (Building)
1. Definition	2. Illustration
Awnings and canopies are roof-like covers that are projected from the wall of a building for the purpose of shielding a doorway, walkway or window from the elements. Awnings are often made of fabric or flexible plastic supported by a rigid frame, and may be retracted into the face of the building. Canopies may also be freestanding, such as a covering over service station islands. Awning and canopy signs are attached to awnings or canopies.
3. Measurements	a. Maximum sign size shall not exceed coverage of one-half (1/2) of the face of the canopy or awning.
	b. Shall be included within the maximum sign area total for use pursuant to Table 3.
4. Illumination	Permitted pursuant to Section 501.050.
5. Additional Requirements	a. An awning or canopy sign must be an integral part of the awning or canopy to which it is attached.
	b. Awning or canopy signs may be placed only on first and second story building elevations, including those facing a parking lot or pedestrian way. Canopy signs on freestanding canopies (such as service station islands) may only be located on elevations facing public rights-of-way.
	c. No structural element of an awning or canopy shall be located less than eight (8) feet above finished grade.
	d. Awnings and canopies shall be constructed of durable material(s) and maintained in such a manner as to continue the original appearance.
	e. Awnings and canopies shall, wherever practicable, match the established under-clearance, height and projection of awnings and canopies that exist on abutting lots.
	f. Awnings and canopies shall be compatible with the architectural integrity of the building(s) to which they are attached.
	g. Canopies may be freestanding, such as coverings over service station service islands.

B. Banner (Building And Other) Permanent
1. Definition	2. Illustration
A sign having the characters, letters, illustrations or ornamentations applied to cloth, paper, fabric or other lightweight material, with only such material for a backing. The definition of banner does not include flags. See Section 501.070(D).
3. Measurements	Banner measurement shall be included within the maximum sign area total for use pursuant to Table 3.
4. Setback	Banners on buildings: Not applicable.
	Other: As required by zoning ordinance setback for use or structure to which banner is attached.
5. Illumination	Permitted pursuant to Section 501.050.
6. Additional Requirements	a. Banners must be mounted to permanent structures and may not be displayed on temporary mounting such as metal stakes, wood posts, trees or other improvised manner.
	b. All banners shall be regularly maintained. Deteriorated banners (torn, faded, sagging or in disrepair) shall not be displayed.

C. Billboard. See Section 501.090, Billboards.

D. Changeable Copy Sign
1. Definition	2. Illustration
A sign or portion thereof with characters, letters or illustrations that can be changed or rearranged manually without altering the face of the sign.
3. Measurement	a. Maximum total sign area for a freestanding sign forty (40) square feet.
	b. Shall not be included within the maximum signs area total for the use pursuant to Table 3.
4. Setback	Must meet required zoning setback for use.
5. Illumination	Permitted pursuant to Section 501.050.
6. Additional Requirements [Ord. No. 4559 § 1, 8-3-2015]	a. May only be ground mounted or wall mounted.
	b. A sign on which the only copy that changes is an electronic or mechanical indication of time or temperature shall not be considered a changeable copy sign.
	c. Limited to use by fast-food restaurants for drive-in and drive-through menu boards and automotive service stations as part of a monument sign (UDC § 411.020).
	d. Shall not create a sight distance issue with the traveling public per the latest edition of the AASHTO Green Book.
	e. Shall not interfere with any existing or planned utilities, or interfere with the normal use of any existing or planned roadway, traffic control, drainage, streetscape or other improvements.

E. Marquee (Building)
1. Definition	2. Illustration
A roof-like structure, often bearing a sign, projecting over an entrance, as to a theater. A marquee sign is any sign attached flat against the marquee or permanent sidewalk canopy of a building and not exceeding above the roof line.
3. Measurement	Marquee measurement shall be included within the maximum sign area total for use pursuant to Table 3.
4. Setback	Not applicable. Overhang over public right-of-way may be approved by permit.
5. Illumination	Permitted pursuant to Section 501.050.
6. Additional Requirements	a. Marquee signs may not extend above the roof line of the structure to which the sign is attached.
	b. Permitted only in the Central Business District.

F. Monument (Freestanding)
1. Definition	2. Illustration
A freestanding sign mounted on an enclosed, structural base which base length is equal to or greater than the length of the sign face and which base depth is not narrower than the structure containing the sign face or twelve (12) inches, whichever is greater.
3. Measurements	a. Non-residential maximum area seventy-five (75) square feet per sign face, maximum height eight (8) feet except as described in Subsection (F)(4)(c) below.
	b. Residential maximum area sixty (60) square feet per sign face, maximum height eight (8) feet except as described in Subsection (F)(4)(c) below.
	c. Monument sign measurements shall be included within the maximum sign area total for use pursuant to Table 3.
4. Setback	a. Non-residential: Ten (10) feet from property line, provided there are no sight restrictions.
	b. Residential: Ten (10) feet from property line, provided there are no sight restrictions.
	c. For each additional two (2) foot setback from the street right-of-way over ten (10) feet, one (1) additional foot may be added to the height of the sign, to a maximum of twelve (12) feet, and an additional four (4) square feet per face per two (2) foot setback may be added to the area of the sign, for a maximum of sixteen (16) square feet additional per sign face.
5. Illumination	Permitted pursuant to Section 501.050.
6. Additional Requirements [Ord. No. 4559 § 1, 8-3-2015]	a. Non-residential development may have one (1) monument sign per frontage from a public right-of-way.
	b. Residential development may have two (2) monument signs per entrance from a public right-of-way. The signs may contain only the name or logo of the development.
	c. A sign may be incorporated into a retaining wall or masonry wall designed to screen parking, loading or service areas.
	d. No monument sign shall be located within fifty (50) feet of any other freestanding sign (monument, pole, billboard) on the same lot, except at primary entrances to developments.
	e. The bottom edge of the sign face must be in continuous contact with the structural base and must be a minimum of twelve (12) inches above the ground.
	f. No monument sign located in a residential area or which is abutting or located in a residentially zoned zoning district may incorporate changeable copy unless it is associated with a Use that includes a building or buildings designed to attract and/or accommodate seventy-five (75) or more people at any given time and which also has adequate parking as required by the UDC. If allowed, the changeable copy portion of the monument sign is limited to 33% of the total sign area.
	g. Only monument signs located in commercially zoned districts may incorporate an Electronic Reader Board if allowed pursuant to 501.060 N
	h. Shall not create a sight distance issue with the traveling public per the latest edition of the AASHTO Green Book.
	i. Shall not interfere with any existing or planned utilities, or interfere with the normal use of any existing or planned roadway, traffic control, drainage, streetscape or other improvements.

G. Pole (Freestanding)
1. Definition	2. Regulation
A permanent, freestanding sign that is mounted on a pole(s) or other support(s) that is placed on, and anchored in the ground or on a base and that is independent from any building or other structure.	a. Pole signs are prohibited except through the alternative permit process.
	b. Certain signs, based on temporary nature or limited size, may be permitted pursuant to Sections 501.070(C), Construction/Future Tenant, 501.070(E), Informational, 501.070(H), Real Estate, 501.070(I), Special Event, and 501.070(J), Other Signs, upon the review and approval of Director of Community Development.

H. Portable (Freestanding)
1. Definition	2. Illustration
A detached movable sign.
3. Measurements	May not exceed forty (40) square feet. Portable sign measurements shall be included within the maximum sign area total for use pursuant to Table 3.
4. Illumination	Prohibited.
5. Additional Requirements	a. May be displayed by churches, not-for-profit institutions, quasi-public institutions, or governmental agencies for special events for a period of up to fifteen (15) days once every sixty (60) days.
	b. May be displayed on premises by users other than those described in Subsection (H)(5)(a) for one (1) continuous period not to exceed thirty (30) days. Use is limited to announcement of grand opening events and shall be permitted only within one hundred eighty (180) days of the date of opening.

I. Projecting (Building)
1. Definition	2. Illustration
A sign affixed to a wall of a building and extending more than one (1) foot from the surface of such wall, usually perpendicular to the wall surface. Any sign affixed to a building in such a manner that its leading edge extends more than twelve (12) inches beyond the surface of the building. Awnings and canopies are not considered projecting signs. See Section 501.060(A).
3. Measurement	a. Maximum total sign area thirty-two (32) square feet.
	b. Sign clearance must be at least eight (8) feet above finished grade.
	c. Projecting sign measurement shall be included within the maximum sign area total for use pursuant to Table 3.
4. Setback	a. May project over public right-of-way but must have three (3) foot setback from back of curb.
	b. May not project more than six (6) feet from the wall of the building to which the sign is attached.
5. Illumination	Permitted pursuant to Section 501.050.
6. Additional Requirements	a. Must be located on the vertical surface of a building.
	b. May not extend above top of the roof or parapet line.
	c. All movable parts, such as covers to service openings, shall be securely fastened.
	d. One (1) projecting sign per building for single-tenant buildings. One (1) projecting sign per tenant for multi-tenant buildings.
	e. Permitted only in Central Business District.

J. Roof (Building)
1. Definition	2. Illustration
Any sign erected or constructed as an integral or essentially integral part of a normal roof structure of any design.
3. Measurement	Roof sign measurement shall be included in the maximum total sign area calculation for the use pursuant to Table 3.
4. Setback	Not applicable.
5. Illumination	Permitted pursuant to Section 501.050.
6. Additional Requirements	a. Signs shall be installed in such a manner that there are no visible angle iron supports, guy wires, braces or secondary supports when viewing the sign from in front of the facade on which it is located.
	b. No part of the sign shall extend vertically above the highest part of the roof.
	c. Signs shall appear to be an architectural or integral part of the roof.
	d. Single-tenant buildings are permitted one (1) roof sign per frontage on a public right-of-way, or as permitted by Table 3.
	e. Multi-tenant buildings are permitted one (1) roof sign per tenant. Corner tenants may be permitted one (1) sign per frontage on a public right-of-way.

K. Suspended (Building)
1. Definition	2. Illustration
A sign that is supported from the underside of a horizontal plane surface and is supported by such surface.
3. Measurement	Maximum sign area of sixteen (16) square feet. Suspended sign measurement shall be included within the maximum sign area total for use pursuant to Table 3.
4. Setback	Not applicable.
5. Illumination	Permitted pursuant to Section 501.050.
6. Additional Requirements	a. May not extend beyond the edge of the horizontal plane surface to which the sign is attached.
	b. Maximum of one (1) sign per building entrance.
	c. There must be eight (8) feet of clearance from the bottom of the sign to finished grade.

L. Wall
1. Definition	2. Illustration
A non-projecting sign that is attached parallel to a wall or building.
3. Measurement [Ord. No. 4559 § 1, 8-3-2015]	a. May not exceed coverage of ten percent (10%) of facade upon which sign is located, which may be further limited by Table 3.
	b. May not project more than twelve (12) inches from wall to which attached, measured from the wall to the outer surface of the sign if mounted at least eight (8) feet from the bottom of the sign to finished grade, otherwise, four (4) inch protrusion maximum.
	c. Wall sign measurement shall be included within the maximum sign area total for use pursuant to Table 3.
4. Setback	Not applicable.
5. Illumination	Permitted pursuant to Section 501.050.
6. Additional Requirements	a. Wall signs may not overlap or cover doors, windows or architectural details.
	b. The sign must be confined within the limits of the building (e.g., wall, facade, parapet) unless otherwise permitted by this Sign Code.
	c. The sign must be supported by the wall of the building to which it is attached.
	d. Buildings exceeding three stories shall only be identified by the building, building complex, or development name.
	e. A non-projecting sign that is painted directly upon the exterior wall of a building. Permitted only in the Central Business District. Wall signs may not be painted directly on to any building surface except in the Central Business District as defined in Section 501.140(I)(2).

M. Window/Door (Building)
1. Definition	2. Illustration
Any sign, pictures, symbol or combination thereof, designed to attract off-premises readers and communicate information about on-premises activity, commodity, event, sale or service that is placed upon the exterior glass or pane of a window or door.
3. Measurement	Window and door signs shall be included within the maximum sign area total for use pursuant to Table 3.
4. Setback	Not applicable.
5. Illumination	Permitted pursuant to Section 501.050.
6. Additional Requirements	Signs attached to the inside of a window or door shall be exempt from permitting.

N. Electronic Reader Board (ERB) Signs
1. Definition	2. Illustration
A sign or portion thereof with a fixed or changing display/message composed of a series of lights which can be electronically changed or electronically rearranged without altering the face or the surface of the sign. Electronic Messaging Centers shall by any definition be the same as Electronic Reader Boards as defined in this Code. An Electronic Billboard is not an Electronic Reader Board and an Electronic Reader Board is not an Electronic Billboard.
3. Measurement	ERBs shall be limited to 33% of the total sign area of the sign to which the ERB is associated.
4. Setback	Not applicable.
5. Illumination	a. The digital sign may not display light of such intensity or brilliance to cause glare or otherwise impair the vision of the driver, or results in a nuisance to the driver.
	b. Digital sign light intensity exceeding the following intensity levels (NITS) constitutes "excessive intensity or brilliance": Intensity Levels (NITS) Color Daytime Nighttime Red Only 3,1501,125 Green Only 6,3002,250 Amber Only 4,6901,675
	c. Electronic Reader Board (ERB) signs shall not be set to exceed 0.3 footcandles above the ambient light conditions at the property line. An applicant proposing an ERB shall provide a photometric plan that provides illumination levels at night time, it will be assumed that the illumination will be increased during daytime hours but at no point shall the illumination be set to exceed 0.3 foot-candles above the ambient light conditions.
6. Additional Requirements [Ord. No. 4559 § 1, 8-3-2015]	a. ERB signs shall not be allowed as a separate, stand alone sign but rather shall be integrated with a permitted monument sign as provided in Section 501.060(F) and shall be limited to 33% of the total sign area of the sign to which the ERB is associated. ERB signs shall only be allowed in commercially zoned districts.
	b. ERB signs shall be limited to a single lighted color on a single, different colored background.
	c. The copy of an ERB sign shall not be changed more frequently than once per 6 seconds and the image, symbol or combination change shall be accomplished within 2 seconds and occur simultaneously. Once changed the symbol or image shall remain static until the next change.
	d. ERB signs must contain a default mechanism that freezes the sign in one position if a malfunction occurs and automatically adjusts the intensity of its display according to natural ambient light conditions.
	e. Prior to the issuance of a sign permit, the applicant shall provide written certification from the sign manufacturer that the light intensity has been factory pre-set not to exceed seven thousand (7,000) NITS and that the intensity level is protected from end-user manipulation by password-protected software or other method as deemed appropriate by the Director of Community Development.
	f. The ERB sign shall not be configured to resemble a warning or danger signal or to cause a driver to mistake the digital sign for a warning or danger signal.
	g. An ERB sign must not resemble or simulate any lights or official signage used to control traffic in accordance with the 2003 Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, Revision No. 1, published by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) or as amended or replaced.
	h. An ERB sign must be equipped with both a dimmer control and a photocell, which automatically adjusts the display's intensity according to natural ambient light conditions.
	i. Shall not create a sight distance issue with the traveling public per the latest edition of the AASHTO Green Book.
	j. Shall not interfere with any existing or planned utilities, or interfere with the normal use of any existing or planned roadway, traffic control, drainage, streetscape or other improvements.

R.O. 1996 § 501.060; Ord. No. 3221 § 3, 7-17-2000; Ord. No. 3559 §§ 1 — 6, 4-7-2003; Ord. No. 4013 §§ 2, 4 — 7, 12-18-2006; Ord. No. 4303 § 3, 7-7-2010; Ord. No. 4421 § 6, 12-17-2012