Sec. 28-47. - Provisions applicable to nonresidential zoning districts.
(a) The number and size of signs allowed in nonresidential zoning districts are based on Tables 1 and 2 of this article and the street classification as specified in the major thoroughfare plan, article IV of the Unified Development Code and the definitions included in this chapter.
(b) Local streets.
(1) Freestanding signs.
a. One (1) freestanding sign per platted lot is permitted; provided, however, on lots with frontage on more than one (1) street, one (1) sign shall be allowed on each street on which the lot has frontage.
b. The sign shall be set back a minimum of five (5) feet from the street right-of-way and ten (10) feet from all interior side lot lines.
c. In addition to other authorized signs, businesses shall be allowed up to eight (8) square feet of sign area. If attached to a freestanding sign, the area of this sign shall be counted toward the allowable area for the freestanding sign.
(2) Attached signs. The aggregate area of all attached signs shall not exceed twenty-five (25) percent of a building facade or fifty (50) square feet for each occupancy that has a separate and distinct public entrance, whichever is greater.
(c) Arterials type A and B/Commercial collectors.
(1) Freestanding signs.
a. One (1) freestanding sign per platted lot is permitted; provided, however, on lots with frontage on more than one (1) street, one (1) sign shall be allowed on each street on which the lot has frontage. Additional freestanding signs are permitted with a minimum spacing of every one hundred fifty (150) linear feet. Additional freestanding signs shall not exceed seventy-five (75) percent of the allowable height and size set out in Tables 1 and 2 of this article.
b. Signs shall be set back a minimum of ten (10) feet from street rights-of-way if the height of the sign exceeds twenty-five (25) feet. Signs shall be set back a minimum of ten (10) feet from side or rear lot lines if the adjacent property is zoned residential or is used for residential.
(2) Attached signs. The aggregate area of all attached signs shall not exceed twenty-five (25) percent of a building facade or seventy-five (75) square feet for each occupancy that has a separate and distinct public entrance, whichever is greater.
(d) Expressways.
(1) Freestanding signs.
a. One (1) freestanding sign per platted lot is permitted; provided, however, on lots with frontage on more than one (1) street, one (1) sign shall be allowed on each street on which the lot has frontage. Additional freestanding signs are permitted with a minimum spacing of every one hundred fifty (150) linear feet. Additional freestanding signs shall not exceed seventy-five (75) percent of the allowable height and size set out in Tables 1 and 2 of this division.
b. Setback requirements follow subsection (c)(1)b. for arterials immediately above.
(2) Attached signs. The aggregate area of all attached signs shall not exceed twenty-five (25) percent of a building facade or one hundred (100) square feet for each occupancy that has a separate and distinct public entrance, whichever is greater.
(e) Special regulations for nonresidential zoning districts.
(1) Menu boards. Menu boards shall be oriented to internal vehicular traffic and shall not be directed to traffic on adjacent streets.
(2) Wall signs. All channel letter signs shall not extend more than eighteen (18) inches from the facade.
(3) Ground-mounted flag/feather type signs. In addition to other authorized signs, businesses shall be allowed ground-mounted flag/feather type signs on the non-residential lot provided all the following conditions listed below are met.
a. The ground-mounted flag/feather type sign is securely attached to the ground by an approved mounting system designed for its specific purpose and to ensure the safety of the sign and citizens.
b. No sign shall be so installed/located as to create an obstruction that would interfere with use of any public right-of-way or to create a visual obstruction/traffic hazard to motorists.
c. The sign is installed on non-residentially zoned and/or non-residentially used private property. It may not be located on the public right-of-way.
d. The sign has a maximum area of twenty (20) square feet and maximum height of twelve (12) feet measured from ground to top of the sign.
e. Each ground-mounted flag-feather type flag is spaced/separated from any other ground mounted flag/feather type sign a minimum of fifty (50) feet.
Exception: Up to three (3) ground-mounted feather type flags may be installed in a grouping with less than fifty (50) feet separation, so long as the grouping is separated from another individual and/or grouping of ground-mounted feather type flags.
Commentary: Note ground-mounted flag/feather type devices without lettering or symbols are not considered signs per this section are therefore are not regulated as such. Note that while these devices without letters or symbols are not considered signs they are still not permitted to be installed in the public right-of-way.
(4) Projecting signs.
a. Installation on a pipe. In instances where a building is set back from the property line, a projecting sign may be installed on a pipe overhanging the sidewalk provided that:
1. The pipe is set inside the property line unless the line is more than twenty-five (25) feet away from the street curb. In the latter instance, the pipe shall be set at the property side of the sidewalk, or if there is no sidewalk, no closer than ten (10) feet to the curb. If the pipe is set in an area that can be traversed by vehicles, it shall be surrounded by curbing as specified by the director.
2. Projecting signs must comply with the regulation clearances over sidewalks and distances from curb lines.
3. No wooden poles or timbers shall be used. Only sound straight, steel, galvanized, or iron pipes in good condition, free from all major flaws and defects, and painted with weatherproof paint, are authorized.
4. All pipes must be set at least three (3) feet in the ground and embedded in concrete; however, this subsection shall not apply to any existing sign hung under the auspices of a special permit which is still valid issued by the director of housing and inspections before April 11, 1940.
5. The cross arms of angle iron for side guys are to be bolted or welded to the pipes in a secure manner, and side guys are to be of galvanized cable.
6. The pipe must extend far enough above the top of the sign to provide space for a suitable headlift which must be of galvanized cable.
7. All pipes must be of sufficient diameter and strength to properly support the weight of the signs which are to be installed on them. The minimum size of the pipe in relation to the weight shall be as follows:
Weight in Pounds | Size in Inches
Up to 175 | 3
175—250 | 4
>250—325 | 5
>325—400 | 6
8. All pipes used for signs weighing in excess of one hundred (100) pounds must be of the well casing type or the equivalent. Lighter weight pipe may be used for signs weighing one hundred (100) pounds or less and situated entirely within the property lines. In no case may a sign be supported by a pipe less than three (3) inches in diameter.
b. Installation not on a pipe. In addition to section 28-41 above, projecting signs shall not be erected so as to overhang any street, alley, or plaza. Such signs may extend into the public right-of-way from the building facade provided the space is not used for, or designed to be used for, vehicular ingress and egress to a building for a maximum distance of eight (8) feet or a distance equal to two-thirds (⅔) the width of the abutting sidewalk, whichever distance is greater. However, the horizontal clearance between any portion of the sign and the curb line shall not be less than two (2) feet. Projecting signs shall not exceed one hundred fifty (150) square feet in sign area and shall be a minimum of eight and one-half (8½) feet above the adjacent sidewalk or grade.
(5) Awning and canopy signs. See section 28-41 of this chapter and specifically, Sections 3105 and 3106 of the International Building Code.
(6) Marquee signs. See section 28-41 of this chapter and specifically, Appendix H of the International Building Code.
(7) Incidental signs. Incidental signs may be erected on any platted lot without limit to number, provided the signs do not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in area or twelve (12) feet in height. These signs are not required to meet spacing requirements.
(8) Pole signs. A pole, post or standard used to support any sign or floodlight shall not be set in or upon any sidewalk, street or other public property. See section 28-41 for general construction requirements.
(9) Roof signs. See section 28-41. In addition:
a. Roof signs may be used for on-premises advertising only.
b. Roof signs, except electrical signs, shall not exceed thirty-two (32) feet in total height above that portion of the roof of the building, or structure, over which they are erected. All such signs hall be constructed of durable material and shall be set back a minimum of seven (7) feet from the inside line of the exterior wall of the building, the distance being measured at right angles to the line of the wall. An open space of not less than six (6) feet shall be maintained below the bottom of the sign and the roof, except for necessary vertical supports. Adequate provision shall also be made for grounding metallic parts of all roof signs as a protection against lightning. No roof signs shall be erected so as to extend over a sidewalk, street, or other public property.
c. All existing off-premises signs classified as roof signs and registered with the city by September 22, 1984 are awarded nonconforming status. This nonconforming status is valid so long as the sign is used solely for off-premises advertising. A change from off-premises to on-premises advertising revokes the nonconforming status of the sign immediately.
(Ord. No. 2017-05-04-0297, § 1(Att. 1), 5-4-17)
