System of regulation.
Columbus City Codes § 3375.04
in effect3375.04 - System of regulation.
This system is based on the concept of visual function and visual performance. It is intended to promote the use of functional graphics, as well as to encourage variety in design and usage, thereby protecting the rights and investment of individual owners as well as those of the general public.
A private graphic which encroaches upon any public right-of-way shall be regulated more restrictively than one situated entirely on private property. A private graphic situated on private property shall be regulated in a progressively less restrictive manner when:
1. Readable from an abutting street and located within 15 feet of the public right-of-way than when,
2. Readable from an abutting street and located more than 15 feet from the public right-of-way than when,
3. Not readable from any street or adjacent lot.
A. On-Premises, Off-Premises, Billboard. This Graphics Code distinguishes, from a land use standpoint, between the on-premises sign and the off-premises sign. The on-premises sign is considered an accessory use directly associated with the primary land use, or uses, on the lot. Those on-premises signs serving primary uses in residential districts are dealt with in Chapter 3376. Chapter 3377 deals with on-premises signs serving uses in institutional, commercial and manufacturing districts. The billboard is treated in the Zoning Code as a distinct land use not associated with any other primary use on the same lot. Chapter 3378 deals with permanent off-premises signs, including billboards.
B. Orientation. The system recognizes that signs need to be seen from two particular orientations, the motorist and the pedestrian. This Graphics Code emphasizes regulating signs readable by motorists operating in the public right-of-way, except in those areas designated as areas of special graphics control and architectural review commission areas which emphasize pedestrian orientation.
C. Size, Height, Placement. Specific reference is made in this Graphics Code to size, height and placement of all exterior signs.
These factors are regulated with respect to:
1. The character of the area and the road situation from which the sign is to be seen, to reflect existing zoning and the Columbus thoroughfare plan;
2. The distance a sign is set back from any abutting street right-of-way line and, in institutional, commercial and manufacturing districts, the mass of the associated building; and
3. The classification of streets and alleys set forth in C.C. 3375.06.
D. Mechanisms for Variance or Augmentation. In addition to the normal regulatory standards, this Graphics Code provides, or recognizes, five mechanisms for variation from or augmentation of these standards:
1. Variance. The graphics commission is empowered to grant a request to waive or reduce one or more requirements of the provisions of this Graphics Code in a specific situation where it is determined that a hardship exists.
2. Special Permit. The graphics commission is empowered to establish conditions for the approval of certain listed graphic applications in order to minimize problems of maintenance or of negative visual impact to the surrounding area.
3. Graphics Plan. The graphics commission is empowered to grant approval of a plan for the utilization of graphics, including signs, on a particular property, in response to and in support of a rezoning, variance or plan adopted by city council. Further, an approved graphics plan shall be required for certain sign applications named herein where it is shown that each resulting sign will be consistent with the purposes of this Graphics Code.
4. Repealed.
5. Architectural Review Commission Area. Standards adopted by city council and/or guidelines for any architectural review commission area.
(Ord. 2837-96 § 3 (part); Ord. No. 1200-2017, § 47, 6-12-2017)
Source: City of Columbus, City Codes and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/oh/columbus/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT33ZOCO_CH3375GEPR_3375.04SYREFetched: 10/27/2026