Neon signs are prohibited.

Sec. 106-34. General requirements.

(a) Permit required. It shall be unlawful for any person to erect or replace or modify the design of any sign, unless specifically exempt from permit requirements as listed in section 106-39, without first securing from the building official a written permit to do so. The applicant for such a permit shall provide the building official with specific information, including a sketch showing sizes, heights, and other pertinent information, so as to determine compliance with this article.

(b) Construction standards. In addition to complying with the requirements of this article, all signs must meet the structural and other standards regarding sign construction, erection, electrical wiring, etc., set forth in the building code. Plans for any pole or ground sign exceeding 32 square feet in area and/or eight feet in height shall be accompanied by foundation drawings signed and sealed by a licensed engineer in accordance with section 94-32(b) of this code of ordinances.

(c) Unified sign plan. For any parcel on which the owner and/or tenant(s) propose to erect two or more signs requiring a permit, the owner shall submit a unified sign plan to the building official. No permit shall be issued for an individual sign requiring a permit unless and until a unified sign plan for the parcel on which the sign will be erected has been approved in conformance with this section. The unified sign plan shall contain the following:

(1) An accurate site plan of the parcel, showing the location of all buildings, parking lots, driveways, and landscaped areas, and the location of all existing and/or future signage;

(2) Scaled elevations of the building(s) on the parcel, showing the location of any existing or future signage on the elevations; and

(3) Regulations defining consistent standards for all signage on the parcel, containing a minimum of any three elements from the following list:

a. Color(s);

b. Construction materials and type of construction;

c. Lettering or graphic style;

d. Location and placement of the signage on the building(s); and

e. Method of illumination.

(d) Sign illumination.

(1) Signs using exposed neon tubes are not permitted.

(2) Any lights used for external sign illumination shall be so designed as to concentrate the illumination upon the sign, and such lights shall not glare upon the street or upon adjacent property.

(e) Signs not to constitute traffic hazard or nuisance.

(1) No sign shall be erected or maintained at any location in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision at the intersection of any streets or other public ways.

(2) No sign shall be erected or maintained at any location where, by reason of position, illumination, shape or color, it may interfere with, obstruct the view of or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device; nor shall it make use of the word “stop,” “look” or “danger” or any other word, phrase, symbol or character in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic.

(f) Maintenance. All visible portions of a sign and its supporting structure shall be maintained in safe condition and neat appearance. If the sign is a lighted sign, all lights shall be maintained in working order and functioning in a safe manner. If the sign is a painted sign, the paint shall be kept in good condition. All signs will be kept in such manner as to constitute a complete sign at all times. The area immediately surrounding ground signs shall be kept clear of all unsightly vegetation or debris.

(g) Utility easements. No ground or pole sign shall be located within or permitted to encroach a utility easement.

Location Requirements Number Permitted Size
Pedestrian signs shall be located perpendicular to the building facade, and shall have a minimum clearance of eight feet above the pedestrian walkway. One sign per tenant adjacent to a covered pedestrian walkway. Six square feet maximum.

(4) Window signs: Window signs may be located on the interior of a window or painted on the window, and shall be limited to no more than 30 percent of a window up to a maximum of 12 square feet.

(d) Gas service stations. Only the following signs are permitted:

(1) One price sign per gasoline pump, which does not exceed 1.5 square feet in area, and which is permanently attached to and an integral part of the respective pump.

(2) One ground or pole sign, not to exceed 60 square feet in area, provided the sign advertises only a brand name and the products or services sold on the premises, and not the price of such products or services. Ground signs for service station properties shall be limited to ten feet in height; pole signs shall be limited to 20 feet in height and shall provide a pole cover that is between 25 percent and 100 percent of the overall sign width.

(3) Not more than one wall sign per street fronted upon, not to exceed 30 square feet in area per sign, provided the sign advertises only a brand name and the products or services sold on the premises.

(e) M and O zoning districts, and PD zoned properties intended to accommodate the same uses. Only wall or marquee signs are permitted, limited to the following requirements:

TABLE INSET:

Number Permitted Size
One sign per street fronted upon. Ten square feet maximum.

(Comp. Dev. Code 1990, § 8-1-5; Ord. No. 98-8167, § 1, 1-21-98)