layout: default title: “826.09 SIGNS PERMITTED IN COMMERCIAL SIGN DISTRICTS.”—
(a) Only the following functional classes of signs are permitted on a parcel, subject to the limitations stated below and elsewhere in this chapter:
(1) Advertising signs.
(2) Real estate signs. The sum of the message areas of all real estate signs shall not exceed thirty-two square feet for each street frontage.
(3) Real estate open house signs.
(4) New business signs.
(5) Street numbers.
(6) Political signs.
(7) Vending machine signs.
(8) Signs listed under Sections 826.06.
(Ord. 96-38. Passed 7-11-96.)
(b) Advertising Signs. Advertising signs in commercial districts shall meet the following requirements:
(1) Allowable message area.
A. Single frontage parcels. The allowable message area is one square foot for each linear foot of building frontal width, if the abutting street has a speed limit of less than forty MPH. The allowable message area is one and one-half square feet for each linear foot of building frontal width, if the abutting street has a speed limit of forty MPH or more.
B. Multiple frontage parcels. The allowable message area for the parcel is the sum of the message areas calculated for each of the building frontages. One square foot of message area is allowed for each linear foot of building frontal width facing a street with a speed limit of less than forty MPH. One and one-half square feet of message area is allowed for each linear foot of building frontal width facing a street with a speed limit of forty MPH or more.
(c) Limitations on Wall Signs. One wall sign per occupant space shall be permitted, except that where the occupant space fronts on more than one street, one wall sign shall be permitted on each side of the occupant space having such frontage.
(Ord. 02-55. Passed 11-7-02.)
Individual signs shall not exceed the following message areas:
(1) If the frontage has a ground sign:
Setback from Curb
Maximum Message Area
0 to 100 feet
35 square feet
101 to 250 feet
50 square feet
251 to 350 feet
75 square feet
351 feet and over
100 square feet
(2) If the frontage has no ground sign:
Setback from Curb
Maximum Message Area
0 to 100 feet
65 square feet
101 to 250 feet
80 square feet
251 to 350 feet
105 square feet
351 feet and over
130 square feet
(d) Limitations on Ground Signs. Ground signs shall maintain a minimum setback of eight feet. Only one ground sign is permitted on each side of the parcel with street frontage. No ground sign shall exceed thirty square feet in message area or six feet in height.
(Ord. 02-2. Passed 1-3-02.)
(1) Electronic Message Signs as defined in Section 826.03(a)(57), provided the following requirements and restrictions are met:
A. Only one (1) electronic message sign is permitted on any lot except for corner or through lots.
B. The message area for an electronic message sign shall not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the allowable message area for ground signs.
C. The message area shall remain consistent for a minimum of eight (8) seconds. The interval between messages shall be accomplished within one (1) second or less. No animation is permitted during the transition however fading or dissolving, as defined in Section 826.03, of the message is permitted during the transition.
D. Entire message to be shown at one time without the effect of an animated sign, the illusion of animation or the message being continued on another panel.
E. Light emitted from the electronic message sign shall be limited to a single illuminated color and a single, non-illuminated background color.
F. When illuminated the electronic message sign may yield a maximum intensity of 5,000 nits during between civil dawn and civil twilight but in no case more than thirty (30) minutes before sunrise and no more than thirty (30) minutes after sunset; otherwise the maximum intensity shall be 500 nits.
G. Except for properties with legal frontage or legal access to S.R. 73 or S.R. 741, in cases where electronic signs are located on lots directly adjacent to a residentially-zoned or residentially-used property, the electronic sign shall be operable before civil dawn or after civil twilight but in no case more than thirty (30) minutes before sunrise and no more than thirty (30) minutes after sunset.
H. Electronic message signs shall be entirely enclosed in a frame that is flush with the ground. The sign is entirely enclosed within the frame. Permitted exterior cladding materials for the frames for such signs are stone or brick.
I. Landscaping screening the base of such signs shall comply with the approved landscaping plan for the sign.
J. Electronic message signs to be equipped with intensity control technology or capability.
(Ord. 0-11-2. Passed 1-6-11.)
(e) Window Signs. Window signs shall not obscure more than fifty percent (50%) of the transparent window area facing street frontage, of any building on the parcel.
(Ord. 96-38. Passed 7-11-96.)
(f) Special event signs as defined in Section 826.03(a)(54), provided the following requirements are met:
(1) Only one permit shall be required for all special event signs erected within the City by a particular person or entity related to a particular special event. The permit shall indicate the name of the person or entity sponsoring the event; the name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address of the person responsible for the maintenance and removal of the signs; a list of addresses indicating the proposed locations of the signs; and the dates beginning and ending the period of approval.
(2) No more than two (2) special events may be advertised with special event signs during any calendar year. There shall be a minimum thirty (30) day separation between the periods of display of signs related to different events.
(3) No more than five (5) special event signs may be erected within the community under a single permit. This number may consist of the following at a maximum:
A. One (1) on-premise special event sign. This sign shall be a maximum of fifteen (15) square feet per side.
B. Four (4) off-premises special event signs. These signs shall be a maximum of nine (9) square feet per side.
(4) No sign shall be placed in any public right-of-way or public access easement or within eight (8) feet of any such right-of-way or easement. No sign may be located so as to materially impede vision between a height of two and one-half (2 1/2) and eight (8) feet above the centerline grades of intersecting streets or driveways, measured thirty (30) feet from the intersection of such streets and driveways, or in any other location which creates a hazard, in the opinion of the City Engineer.
(5) No sign shall be located on other public lands without the permission of the public agency having ownership of such lands.
(6) No sign may be affixed to a tree or other plant material, utility pole, public bench, street light, street sign, or object other than a building or structure.
(7) No sign shall be constructed of materials which are not substantial enough to resist wind damage and undue weathering during the period of display.
(8) No sign shall exceed six (6) feet in height.
(9) No sign shall be erected earlier than ten (10) calendar days prior to the event nor remain more than forty-eight (48) hours after the close of the event.
(10) No more than one (1) special event sign may be erected on a parcel.
(Ord. 02-2. Passed 1-3-02.)
(g) Banners. Banners shall be permitted provided the following provisions are met:
(1) The size of individual banners shall not exceed one-half (1/2) of the allowable message area for wall signs as provided in Section 826.09(b).
(2) The banner shall be securely mounted to a building. Banners shall be mounted flush with the portion of the building facade to which it is attached and shall be securely fashioned to avoid movement or the appearance of movement caused by wind. Banners may not project in any way from the building facade.
(3) Banners may be installed for a maximum of thirty (30) days in any one (1) evenly divided quarter (1/4) of a calendar year. Using this frequency and duration of installation, one (1) banner shall be permitted per street frontage per parcel.
(4) Banners shall be constructed of materials that are substantial enough to resist wind damage and undue weathering during the period of display.
(5) Banners shall not be illuminated.
(Ord. 07-6. Passed 2-15-07.)