Sign Ordinance
Henrico County, Virginia

Sec. 24-104. Signs.
(a) Purpose. The general objectives of these standards are to regulate signs in the interest of promoting traffic safety, safeguarding the public health and welfare, facilitating police and fire protection, enhancing the community appearance, preventing overcrowding of land and protecting the character of the area in which they are located.
The regulations below are specifically designed to:
(1) Permit maximum legibility and effectiveness of signs and to prevent their overconcentration, improper placement and excessive height, bulk and area.
(2) Promote the safety of persons and property by requiring that signs do not create a hazard due to collapse, fire, collision, decay or abandonment, do not obstruct firefighting or police surveillance and do not create traffic hazards by confusing or distracting motorists or by impairing the drivers ability to see pedestrians, obstacles or other vehicles, or to read traffic signs.
(3) Promote the efficient transfer of information in sign messages by permitting busi-nesses and services to identify themselves, by permitting customers and other persons to locate a business or service to ensure that no group or person is arbitrarily denied the use of the sight lines from the public right-of-way for communication purposes, and to ensure that the general public is not overwhelmed by the number of messages presented.
(4) Protect the public welfare and enhance the aesthetic and economic value of the county.
(b) General regulations. The following regulations apply generally to all signs and are in addition to the regulations contained elsewhere in this section:
(1) Permits. No sign, unless herein excepted, shall be erected, constructed, placed, posted, painted, altered, located or relocated until a sign permit has been issued by the building official. Before any sign permit is issued, au application shall be filed and cer-tified for zoning conformance. For the purpose of certification for zoning compliance, the application shall be accompanied by plans which fully advise and acquaint the planning office with the size, location, construction, materials, manner of illumination, the number of signs applied for, the wording of the sign or advertisement to be carried on the sign, and au elevation drawing verifying the height of the sign. Each sign and/or outdoor advertising structure shall have the permit number, name of the person or firm placing the sign and the date of issuance affixed.
(2) Filing fee. A nonrefundable filing and administration fee shall accompany all sign permit applications. More than one sign on one building or grouping of buildings located on the same parcel of laud may be included in one application; provided, that all such signs be applied for at one time.
(3) Revocation of permit. Should a sign not be erected within six months following the issuance of a sign permit, the permit shall be void.
(4) Signs creating obstructions prohibited. No sign shall be erected, constructed, placed, posted, painted, altered, maintained, located or relocated so as to obstruct any window, door, fire escape, stairway, ladder or opening intended to provide light, air, ingress or egress for any building or structure.
(5) Unsafe, dangerous or misleading signs prohibited:
a. Whenever a sign becomes structurally unsafe or endangers the safety of a building or premises or endangers the public safety, the chief building official shall order that the sign be made safe or removed. Such order shall be complied with within five days of receipt thereof by the person, firm or corporation owning or using the sign or the owner of the building or premises on which the unsafe sign is affixed or erected.
All signs and sign supports shall be maintained in good repair and in operating condition, including the replacement of defective parts, paint, repainting, cleaning and other acts of required maintenance. Should the signs not be properly maintained, the director of planning may authorize notification to the person, firm or corporation owning or using the sign or the owner of the building or premises on which the sign is located to perform the required maintenance. Should the signs or supports not be maintained after notification, the director of planning may cause the removal of the sign in accordance with law.
b. No sign shall be erected which obstructs vision below a height of eight feet above the established curb grade within a sight distance triangle at any public or private street or driveway intersection. Supports for signs may be exempted by the director of planning when located within the sight distance triangle; provided, that this exemption shall not be construed to permit supports of such size or number as to violate the intent of this section and result in an obstruction to vision.
c. No sign shall be constructed, erected, used, operated or maintained in such a manner that, by reason of the position, shape or color, it may interfere with, obstruct the view of or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device, or which makes use of words including, but not limited to, "STOP," "CAUTION," or any other words, phrases, symbols or characters which may interfere with, mislead or confuse.
d. No sign shall be constructed, erected, used, operated or maintained which displays lights resembling or seeming to resemble lights customarily associated with danger or such as are customarily used by police, fire or emergency vehicles.
e. No sign shall contain wording which is misleading or false as to zoning or permitted use.
(6) Signs not requiring permits. The following signs may be constructed without a permit but shall be in accordance with the structural and safety requirements of the Uniform Statewide Building Code.
a. Official traffic signs, provisional warning signs, governmental agency signs, signs required to be maintained by law or governmental order, rule or regulation, with a total aggregate surface area not exceeding ten square feet and, if detached, not more than eight square feet in height on any lot or parcel, and temporary signs indicating danger.
b. Street address signs.
c. Temporary nonilluminated signs, not more than two square feet in area, advertising real estate for sale, rent or lease and located on the premises, one such sign for each street frontage.
d. Nonilluminated signs, not more than three square feet in area, prohibiting trespassers, solicitors, parking except in designated areas, or announcing posted property, crime watch areas, the towing of unauthorized vehicles, and similar type warnings or announcements.
e. Sign on a truck, bus or other vehicle while in use in the normal conduct of business. This section shall not be interpreted to permit the parking for display purposes of a vehicle to which a sign is attached or the use of such vehicle as a portable sign.
f. Holiday and seasonal decorations, provided no commercial sign area is displayed.
g. Handicapped parking signs.
h. Flags and insignias of any government except when displayed in connection with commercial purposes. One corporate flag may be permitted when displayed in a grouping with any governmental flag.
i. Botanical signs as permitted and regulated by this chapter.
j. Attention getting devices as permitted and regulated by this chapter.
(7) Prohibited signs. Any sign not specifically permitted is prohibited; provided, however, that any permitted sign is allowed to contain noncommercial speech in lieu of any other speech. Prohibited signs include, but are not limited to:
a. Portable signs.
b. Searchlights.
c. Reserved.
d. Any sign erected on public land, including street right-of-way, other than project identification signs approved and maintained as required by this section. Any such unlawfully erected sign is subject to immediate removal.
e. Any moving or sound-producing sign intended to attract attention regard
less of whether or not the sign has a written message content, of which Al or any part of the sign moves by any means, including rotating, Buttering or set in motion by movement of the atmosphere. This paragraph does not apply to the hands of a clock operating as such.
f. Any flashing sign displaying flashing or intermittent lights, lights of changing degrees of intensity or change of message.
g. Any sign displayed on a stationary vehicle when said vehicle is used primarily for the purpose of and serving the function of a mobile or portable sign; including, but not limited to, the parking of a vehicle for a period of more than 24 hours in such a manner that it is visible from the public right-of-way.
h. Any sign that violates any provision of any law of the state relating to outdoor advertising.
i. The placing of "sold," "rented," sunder contract" or "leased" signs or similar signs or placards on real estate signs.
j. Outdoor advertising signs.
(8) Required signs. Property numbering signs shall be placed on every business or resi-dence within the county. The numbers may be attached to the structure or be a de-tached sign. If illuminated, the sign shall be illuminated from within the sign structure. Property numbering signs shall be subject to the following regulations.
a. The property numbers shall be legible from the public or private right-of-way from which the property is numbered.
b. If only the property number is placed on a detached sign, the sign shall not exceed two square feet in area and the information on the sign shall indicate only the property number.
c. The property numbers and/or letters shall be large enough to be legible from the street.
d. The property number shall be properly maintained to ensure legibility. Such maintenance shall the responsibility of the owner, occupant or lessee of the property.
e. The property number shall be displayed prior to final certification of occupancy.
(9) Sign illumination. Signs may be illuminated in accordance with this section either internally or externally unless otherwise prohibited. The source of externally illuminated signs shall be installed so that it is concealed, arranged and/or screened and landscaped as to be directed away from and not shine, glare or otherwise adversely impact on adjacent property and streets.
(10) Sign landscaping. A landscaped planting area shall be provided around the base of any permanent detached business or project identification sign when the site is required to be landscaped by section 24-106.2 of this chapter. The location of any such sign(s) and other necessary sign details shall be included with the required landscaping plans. Existing landscaping which is removed or disturbed by installation of any such sign shall be relocated or replaced in approved locations.
(c) Nonconforming and illegal signs.
(1) Any sign not lawfully existing prior to the enactment of this section, and which could have not been erected in accordance with the provisions of the chapter then in effect, shall not be deemed to attain any legal status by the enactment of this section.
(2) Any sign erected without a permit, except as exempted above or by any previous chapter, either prior to or after the adoption of this section, is an illegal sign and shall be removed.
(3) Any sign lawfully existing prior to the adoption of this section, but which could not be erected in accordance with the requirements of this section, shall be deemed to be a nonconforming sign and may continue subject to subsection (c)(5) and the following conditions:
a. The sign must be properly maintained in a safe condition.
b. If a nonconforming sign is enlarged, changed or altered structurally, the sign must comply with all of the requirements of this section.
c. No nonconforming sign shall be repaired or refurbished at a cost in excess of 35 percent of the replacement cost of the total sign structure, unless it is brought into conformance with the requirements of this section. Normal maintenance and copy change of outdoor advertising signs shall not be deemed to be repair or refurbishing costs.
d. Nonconforming signs which are either destroyed or damaged to the extent of 50 percent or more of their original cost shall not be rebuilt or repaired except in conformance with this section.
(4) Any business which has ceased operations for 90 days or longer shall, for the purpose of this section, be considered abandoned. All signs associated with the abandoned business, which are considered to be nonconforming as stipulated in this
section, shall be removed by the owner of the property upon which they are located within 30 days of the date the business is considered abandoned. If such nonconforming, abandoned sign or signs are not removed as herein provided, the director of planning may authorize notification to the property owner to remove the sign or signs in accordance with law.
(5) All nonconforming signs existing on and after January 28, 1987, may remain in place after becoming nonconforming; provided, that they are maintained as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection; and provided further, that after a sign has been nonconforming for 12 years, it shall be removed or brought into compliance in ac-cordance with the following requirements:
a. The director of planning may cause the removal of any nonconforming sign for failure to comply with any of the above requirements, subject to the provisions below:
1. The director of planning or his designated agent shall give the owner of the nonconforming sign notice of the violation. The notice shall contain a brief statement of the particulars in which this section has been violated and the manner and time in which such violation is to be remedied.
2. Failure to correct such violation shall constitute a misdemeanor subject to section 24-110.
b. Notwithstanding any contrary provision in this chapter, no nonconforming sign is required to be removed solely by the passage of time if to so require is otherwise prohibited by state or federal law.
(d) Signs permitted in R-O, R-OA, R-1, R-1A, R-2, R-2A, R-3, R-3A, Rat, R-4A one-family residence districts, the R-5A general residence district, the RTH residential townhouse district and the RMP residential manufactured home park district.
(1) One sign not exceeding one square foot in area, identifying a dwelling, its occupant, its location or a customary incidental home occupation.
(2) A name sign or bulletin board not exceeding 20 square feet in total area for any permitted church, school or other public or semipublic institution. One additional sign, not exceeding 12 square feet in total area, shall be permitted for a child care or school facility located within any church building. Such signs may be illuminated and shall not be located within a sight distance triangle. The signs shall be no higher than 15 feet if detached or no higher than the roof line of the building if attached to the building.
(3) One marquee or event sign not exceed 50 square feet in total area for any school that is the sole principal permitted use on the property. Such sign may be illuminated, shall not be located within a sight distance triangle and no higher than ten feet if detached or no higher than the roof line of the budding if attached to the building.
(4) One temporary real estate sign, not exceeding 32 square feet in area or eight feet in height, advertising either the sale and/or rent, or the development of the property on which located. The sign shall not be less than 15 feet from any street or lot line, shall not be illuminated, shall be neatly painted and maintained and shall be removed promptly after the sale or rental or the development of the property.
(5) Temporary real estate signs, not exceeding two square feet in area or eight feet in height, directing the way to premises which are for sale or rent, provided the signs are properly printed or painted and maintained, and shall be removed promptly when the property has been sold or rented.
(6) Signs displayed on any farm for the purpose of identifying the farm. The signs shall be at least 15 feet from any lot line, shall not be located within a sight distance triangle and shall be neatly painted and maintained and shall not be illuminated. The aggregate total area of an signs shall not exceed 12 square feet.
(7) One temporary sign advertising the sale of farm products grown or produced on the premises; provided, that the sign shall not exceed 12 square feet in area, and shall not be less than 15 feet from any street or lot line. The sign shall not be illuminated, shall be neatly painted and maintained and shall be removed promptly at the end of each season.
(8) Directional signs not over three square feet in area, indicating the location of churches, schools, hospitals, parks, scenic or historic places or other places of general public interest. The and mountings shall not exceed five feet in total height and not more than one sign pertaining to a single place shall be displayed along any one street.
(9) Project identification signs for subdivisions limited to the name of the subdivision or community, and not to exceed two signs per subdivision. The signs shall not exceed 25 square feet in area and six feet in height. Project identification signs shall be placed on property within the development, on property owned and controlled in common by the individual owners of lots/units within the development, or may be placed within the street right-of-way at a principal entrance/intersection serving primarily the development; provided, that:
a. Prior to the issuance of any sign permit, the sign location and construction details including any illumination shall be approved in accordance with this section and any other applicable criteria or law by all appropriate governmental authorities having jurisdiction with respect thereto, including, but not limited to, the director of public works/ county engineer, chief budding official, director of planning or their designated agents.
b. The location of the sign, as determined by the director of public works/county engineer, does not interfere with the location or placement of any official traffic-control device(s) or with the Dow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic, and that such sign shall not impair any sight distance reasonably necessary for pedestrian or traffic safety.
c. The sign shall be properly maintained at all times in accordance with this section by the holder of the permit, their successors or assigns, and such sign shall be subject to removal from the right-of-way by the permit holder upon request at any time by the appropriate governmental authority having jurisdiction with respect thereto.
(10) Directional signs limited in area to three square feet each when necessary to direct traffic to a budding or other use on the same premises. The signs shall not contain advertising copy or identify any tenant in the project and the aggregate area of direc-tional signs on the premises of the project shall not exceed 30 square feet. Directional signs shall not be included in any computation of sign area.
(e) Signs permitted in the R-5 and R-6 general residence districts.
(1) R-5 district.
a. Generally. Any sign permitted and as regulated in the R-O through R-4A, R-5A, RTH and RMP districts.
b. Multifamily dwellings, townhouses for sale, and similar projects.
1. A multifamily, townhouse or similar type development may consist of separate phases or sections within the overall development. If the officially approved develop-ment plan, in accordance with section 24-106 of this chapter, so indicates, each phase or section within the officially approved development may be treated separately for purposes of signage. Project identification and other permitted signs may be allowed for each separate section or phase of the overall development if individually and separately identified and when such sections have frontage on or are separated by a public or private street serving as a principal means of access to a development or phase thereof and/or provided each section or phase as the case may be has been approved by the planning commission and/or director of planning pursuant to section 24-106 of this chapter.
2. Project identification signs, whether attached or detached, limited to the name of the development, section or phase if individually and separately identified, not to exceed two signs per development section or phase thereof unless otherwise permitted by this section. Each project identification sign shall not exceed 25 square feet in area. Detached signs shall not exceed 15 feet in height and attached signs shall not extend above the roofline of the building. Where there is frontage on more than one street, one detached sign for each street frontage is permitted if the signs are at least 100 feet apart, or two signs on one street are permitted provided the signs are a minimum of 500 feet apart. Notwithstanding the foregoing, two signs may be permitted at each principal entrance/intersection when the signs are attached to a decorative fence or wall constructed in accordance with the height requirements of this chapter, provided the total aggregate area of the two signs shall not exceed 30 square feet and when the entrances along any one street are at least 500 feet apart.
3. Project identification signs shah be placed on property within the development, on property owned and controlled in common by the individual owners of lots/units within the development, or may be placed within the street right-of-way at a principal entrance/intersection serving primarily the development, provided that:
i. Prior to the issuance of any sign permit, the sign location and construction details, including any illumination, shall he approved in accordance with this section and any other applicable criteria or law by ah appropriate governmental authorities having jurisdiction with respect thereto, including, but not limited to, the director of public works/county engineer, chief building official, director of planning or their designated agents.
ii. The location of the sign as determined by the director of public works/county engineer does not interfere with the location or placement of any official traffic-control device(s) or with the flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic, and that such sign shall not impair any sight distance reasonably necessary for pedestrian or traffic safety.
iii. The sign shall be properly maintained at all times in accordance with this section by the holder of the permit, their successors or assigns, and such sign shall be subject to removal from the right-of-way by the permit holder upon request at any time by the ap-propriate governmental authority having jurisdiction with respect thereto.
4. One botanical sign identifying the name of the development may be substituted for one of the otherwise permitted project identification signs, provided the sign is located on private property and has been approved as to size, location, height and materials by the planning commission as part of a development landscaping plan pursuant to section 24-106 of this chapter. The sign shall not be constructed in lieu of landscaping, buffers and/or screening otherwise required by this chapter, proffers of conditional rezoning or other planning commission actions, and hail be properly maintained.
5. Directional signs limited in area to three square feet each, when necessary and appropriate to direct traffic to or identify a budding or place within the development. A directional sign may contain an identifying mark, symbol or logo occupying not more than 25 percent of the area of the sign. A directional sign shall not identify any tenant in the development and the aggregate area of directional signs within the development, section or phase thereof shall not exceed 30 square feet. Directional signs shall not be included in any computation of sign area.
6. One temporary real estate sign, announcing the development, sale or rental of residential units, not to exceed 32 square feet in area or eight feet in height. The sign shall not be less than 15 feet from any street or lot line, shah be neatly painted and maintained and shall not be illuminated. Two temporary sign permits may be granted for such sign within a period of 12 calendar months. Each sign shall be permitted for a period not to exceed 30 days.
c. Other permitted uses:
1. A detached or attached sign, identifying the project, shall not exceed 20 square feet in area. The detached sign shall not exceed 15 feet in height. Where there is frontage on more than one public street, one sign for each street frontage is permitted if the signs are at least 100 feet apart; or two signs on one street are permitted provided the signs are a minimum of 500 feet apart, but the aggregate total for these signs shall not exceed 24 square feet.
2. Directional signs limited in area to three square feet each, when necessary to direct traffic to a budding on the same premises. The signs shall not contain advertising copy or identify any tenant in the project, and the aggregate area of directional signs on the premises of the project shall not exceed 30 square feet. Directional signs shall not be included in any computation of sign area.
3. One temporary real estate sign, not exceeding 32 square feet in area or eight feet in height, advertising the sale and/or rent to the development of the property on which the sign is located. The sign shall not be less than 15 feet from any street or lot line, shall not be illuminated, shall be neatly painted and maintained and shall be removed promptly after the sale or rental or the development of the property.
(2) R-6 district.
a. Generally. Any sign permitted and as regulated in the R-0 through R-5, R-5A, RTH and RMP districts.
b. Multifamily dwellings, townhouses for sale and similar projects:
1. A multifamily, townhouse or similar type development may consist of separate phases or sections within the overall development. If the officially approved develop-ment plan, in accordance with section 24-106 of this chapter, so indicates, each phase or section within the officially approved development may be treated as a separate development for purposes of signage. Separate project identification and other permitted signs may be allowed for each separate section or phase of the overall de-velopment if individually and separately identified and when such sections have frontage on or are separated by a public or private street serving as a principal means of access to a development or phase thereof and/or provided each section or phase as the case may be has been approved by the planning commission and/or director of planning pursuant to section 24106 of this chapter.
2. Project identification signs, whether attached or detached, limited to the name of the development, section or-phase if individually and separately identified, not to exceed two signs per development, section or phase thereof unless otherwise permitted by this section. Each project identification sign shall not exceed 30 square feet in area. Detached signs shall not exceed 15 feet in height and attached signs shall not extend above the roof line of the building. Where there is frontage on more than one street, one detached sign for each street frontage is permitted if the signs are at least 100 feet
apart, or two signs on one street are permitted provided the signs are a minimum of 500 feet apart. Notwithstanding the foregoing, two signs may be permitted at each principal entrance/intersection when the signs are attached to a decorative fence or wall constructed in accordance with the height requirements of this chapter, provided the total area of the two signs shall not exceed 36 Square feet and when the entrances along any one street are at least 500 feet apart.
3. Project identification signs shall be placed on property within the development, on property owned and controlled in common by the individual owners of lots/units within the development, or may be placed within the street right-of-way at a principal entrance/intersection serving primarily the development, provided that:
i. Prior to the issuance of any sign permit, the sign location and construction details, including any illumination , shall be approved in accordance with this section and any other applicable criteria or law by all appropriate governmental authorities having jurisdiction with respect thereto, including, but not limited to, the director of public works/county engineer, chief budding official, director of planning or their designated agents.
ii. The location of the sign as determined by the director of public works/county engineer does not interfere with the location or placement of any official traffic-control device(s) or with the flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic, and that such sign shall not impair any sight distance reasonably necessary for pedestrian or traffic safety.
iii. The sign shall be properly maintained at ah times in accordance with this section by the holder of the permit, their successors or assigns, and such sign shall be subject to removal from the right-of-way by the permit holder upon request at any time by the ap-propriate governmental authority having jurisdiction with respect thereto.
4. One botanical sign identifying the name of the development may be substituted for one of the otherwise permitted project identification signs, provided the sign is located on private property and has been approved as to size, location, height and materials by the planning commission as part of a development landscaping plan pursuant to section 24-106 of this chapter The sign shall not be constructed in lieu of landscaping, buffers and/or screening otherwise provided for by this chapter, proffers of conditional rezoning or other planning commission actions, and shall be properly maintained.
5. Directional signs Limited in area to three square feet each, when necessary and appropriate to direct traffic to or identify a budding or place within the development. A directional sign may contain an identifying mark, symbol or logo occupying not more than 25 percent of the area of the sign. A directional sign shall not identify any tenant in the development and the aggregate area of directional signs within the development, section or phase thereof shall not exceed 30 square feet. Directional signs shall not be included in any computation of sign area.
6. One temporary real estate sign, announcing the development, sale or rental of residential units, not to exceed 32 square feet in area or eight feet in height. The sign
shall not be less than 15 feet from any street or lot line, shall be neatly painted and maintained and shall not be Ruminated. Two temporary sign permits may be granted for such sign within a period of 12 calendar months. Each sign shall be permitted for a period not to exceed 30 days.
c. Other permitted uses.
1. A detached or attached sign, identifying the project, shall not exceed 24 square feet in area. The detached sign shall not exceed 15 feet in height. Where there is frontage on more than one public street, one sign for each street frontage is permitted if the signs are at least 100 feet apart; or two signs on one street are permitted provided the signs are a minimum of 500 feet apart, but the aggregate total area for these signs shall not exceed 30 square feet.
2. Directional signs limited in area to three square feet each, when necessary to direct traffic to a budding on the same premises. The signs shall not contain advertising copy or identify any tenant in the project, and the aggregate area of directional signs on the premises of the project shall not exceed 30 square feet. Directional signs shall not be included in any computation of sign area.
3. One temporary real estate sign, not exceeding 32 square feet in area or eight feet in height, advertising the sale and/or rent or the development of the property on which the sign is located. The sign shall not be less than 15 feet from any street or lot line, shall not be illuminated, shall be neatly painted and maintained and shall be removed promptly after the sale or rental or the development of the property.
(f) Signs permitted in RPN planned neighborhood district.
(1) Any sign permitted and as regulated in the R-5 and R-5A districts.
(2) No sign shall be higher than the roof line of any B-1 budding for which the sign is proposed. No sign shall project more than six inches from the budding. Any sign to be illuminated shall be by indirect lighting, behind solid letters or contained in translucent letters. Sign letters or numbers shall not exceed 14 inches in height. No flashing signs of any kind shall be permitted. The aggregate sign area of any business signs on any one lot shall not exceed one square foot for each one foot of budding frontage. One freestanding sign, indirectly lighted, not to exceed 25 feet in height or 25 square feet in area, may be used to identify the neighborhood shopping center at its major entrance.
(3) Directional nonilluminated, not to exceed 11/2 square feet in area or five feet ii height, will be permitted. No such sign shall give direction or distance to any specific business establishments.
(g) Signs permitted in office districts. (1) 0-1 district.
a. Generally. Any sign permitted and a, regulated in the R-0 through R-4A,
R-SA, RTH and RMP districts.
b. Office buildings.
1. A detached sign identifying the project. The sign shall not exceed 15 feet in height nor exceed 20 square feet in area. Where there is frontage on more than one public street, one sign for each street frontage is permitted if the signs are at least 75 feet apart but the aggregate total for these signs shall not exceed 24 square feet.
2. Attached signs, the area of which to be determined by either of the two methods below:
a. One attached sign for each budding, each sign not to exceed 12 square feet.
b. One sign for each tenant; provided, that the tenant's space has direct access from the exterior of the building. The signs shall not exceed four square feet of sign area per tenant.
3. In a coordinated office development of three or more buildings, each budding may have one detached sign in lieu of the attached signs herein permitted. Such detached signs shall not exceed 12 square feet in area, five feet in height, shell be located adjacent to the main entrance to the budding and shall be suitably landscaped.
4. Directional signs, limited in area to three square feet each, when necessary to direct traffic to a building on the same premises. The signs shall not contain advertising copy or identify any tenant in the project, and the aggregate area of directional signs on the premises of the project shall not exceed 30 square feet.
5. In a coordinated office development of five or more buildings with two or more streets, a project identification map sign shall be permitted in addition to the herein-permitted directional signs. The sign shall not exceed two square feet of area per budding or an aggregate total of 16 square feet, six feet in height, shall be suitably landscaped and shall have a vehicular turnout provided to permit the sign to be read from a vehicle stopped or parked off of the moving traffic lane.
6. One temporary real estate sign, not exceeding 32 square feet in area or eight feet in height, advertising the sale and/or rent or the development of the property on which the sign is located. The sign shall not be less than 15 feet from any street or lot line, shall not be illuminated, shall be neatly painted and maintained and shall be removed promptly after the sale or rental or the development of the property.
7. Attention getting devices as follows:
a. One display of attention getting devices per location per three-month period, January 1 through March 31, April 1 through June 30, July 1 through September 30, or October 1 through December 31. b. The display during the three month period must occur on
consecutive days and in no case exceed ten days during such three-month period. Each day that an otherwise permissible display of attention getting devices occurs at a location in excess of the ten consecutive days permitted per three-month period shall be counted against the number of days permitted in future three-month periods.
c. The display shall not occupy any required parking space, obstruct or deter ingress and egress to any business or be located in any sight distance triangle. Also, attention getting devices shall not be displayed upon public right-of-way or be connected or attached to any structure or appurtenance located upon public right-of-way.
d. The display shall be erected and placed so as to avoid any damage to required site landscaping.
c. Other permitted uses.
1. One detached or attached sign, identifying the project, shall not exceed 20 square feet in area. The detached sign shall not exceed 15 feet in height. Where there is front-age on more than one public street, one sign for each street frontage is permitted if the signs are at least 75 feet apart, but the aggregate total area for these signs shall not exceed 24 square feet.
2. Directional signs, limited in area to three square feet each when necessary to direct traffic to a budding on the same premises. The signs shall not contain advertising copy or identify any tenant in the project, and the aggregate area of directional signs shall not exceed 30 square feet.
3. One temporary real estate sign, not exceeding 32 square feet in area or eight feet in height, advertising the sale and/or rent or the development of the property on which the sign is located. The sign shall not be less than 15 feet from any street or lot line, shall not be illuminated, shall be neatly painted and maintained and shall be removed promptly after the sale or rental or the development of the property.
(2) O-2 district.
a. Generally Any sign permitted and as regulated in the 0-1 district.
b. Office buildings.
1. A detached sign identifying the project. The sign shall not exceed 15 feet in height nor exceed 24 square feet in area. Where there is frontage on more than one public street, one sign for each street frontage is permitted if the signs are at least 75 feet apart but the aggregate total for these signs shall not exceed 32 square feet.
2. Attached signs, the area of which to be determined by either of the two methods below:
a. One attached sign for each budding, each sign not to exceed 16 square feet.
b. One sign for each tenant; provided, that the tenant's space has direct access from the exterior of the budding. The signs shah not exceed four square feet of sign area per tenant.
3. Additional attached signs. In a coordinated office development of at least 25 acres, with joint access and/or parking, each budding may have an additional attached sign not exceeding 24 square feet. The sign shall only identify the name of the building or one principal occupant.
4. In a coordinated office development of three or more buildings, each building may have one detached sign in lieu of the attached signs herein permitted. Such detached signs shall not exceed 12 square feet in area, five feet in height, shall be located adjacent to the main entrance to the building and shall be suitably landscaped.
5. Directional signs, limited in area to three square feet each, when necessary to direct traffic to a building on the same premises. The signs shall not contain advertising copy or identify any tenant in the project, and the aggregate area of directional signs shall not exceed 30 square feet.
6. In a coordinated office development of five or more buildings with two or more streets, a project identification map sign shall be permitted in addition to the herein per-mitted directional signs. The sign shall not exceed two square feet of area per building or an aggregate total of 16 square feet, six feet in height, shall be suitably landscaped and shall have a vehicular turnout provided to permit the sign to be read from a vehicle stopped or parked off of the moving traffic lane.
7. One temporary real estate sign not exceeding 32 square feet in area or eight feet in height, advertising the sale and/or rent or the development of the property on which the sign is located. The sign shall not be less than 15 feet from any street or lot line, shall not be illuminated, shall he neatly painted and maintained and shall be removed promptly after the sale or rental or the development of the property.
8. Attention getting devices as follows:
a. One display of attention getting devices per location per three-month period, January 1 through March 31, April 1 through June 30, July 1 through September 30, or October 1 through December 31.
b. The display during the three month period must occur on consecutive days and in no case exceed ten days during such three-month period. Each day that an otherwise permissible display of attention getting devices occurs at a location in excess of the ten consecutive days permitted per three-month period shall be counted against the number of days permitted in future three-month periods.
c. The display shall not occupy any required parking space, obstruct or deter ingress and egress to any business or be located in any sight distance triangle. Also, attention getting devices shall not be displayed upon public right-of-way or be connected or attached to any structure or appurtenance located upon public right-of-way.
d. The display shall be erected and placed so as to avoid any damage to required site landscaping.
c. Other permitted uses:
1. One detached or attached sign, identifying the project, shall not exceed 24 square feet in area. The detached sign shall not exceed 15 feet in height. Where there is front-age on more than one public street, one sign for each street frontage is permitted if the signs are at least 75 feet apart, but the aggregate total area for these signs shall not exceed 32 square feet.
2. Directional signs, limited in area to three square feet each, when necessary to direct traffic to a building on the same premises. The signs shall not contain advertising copy or identify any tenant in the project, and the aggregate area of directional signs on the premises of the project shall not exceed 30 square feet.
3. One temporary real estate sign, not exceeding 32 square feet in area or eight feet in height, advertising the sale and/or rent or the development of the property on which the sign is located. The sign shall not be less than 15 feet from any street or lot line, shall not be illuminated, shall be neatly painted and maintained and shall be removed promptly after the sale or rental or the development of the property.
d. Project identification signs, as permitted by the primary zoning district of the development, identifying an office park or similar permitted planned development.
1. One sign not exceeding 50 square feet in area and 15 feet in height at each primary entrance/intersection to the development or for each 1,000 linear feet of street frontage, provided such signs are at least 1,000 feet apart and located at least 75 feet from any other detached business sign on the property; or
2. Two signs not exceeding 50 square feet in area in the aggregate when such signs are attached to a fence or wall constructed on private property in accordance with the height requirements of this chapter, and when located at each primary entrance/intersection, provided each entrance/intersection location is at least 1,000 feet apart and the signs are located at least 75 feet from any other detached business sign on the property.
3. Additional project identification signs, in accordance with this section, identifying the name of a contiguous group of individual lots/ buildings, being a subsection of a large project and at least 20 acres in the aggregate provided:
i. The signs shall not exceed 30 square feet in area and six feet in height.
ii. The signs shall be located at least 500 feet from any other project identification sign and 75 feet from any other detached business sign on the property.
4. The signs shall be placed on a lot within the development, on property which is owned and controlled in common by the individual owners of lots/buildings within the de-velopment, or may be placed within the street right-of-way at a principal entrance/intersection serving primarily the development provided:
i. Prior to the issuance of any sign permit, the sign location and construction details, in-cluding any illumination, shall be approved in accordance with this section and any other applicable criteria or law by all appropriate governmental authorities having jurisdiction with respect thereto, including, but not limited to, the director of public works/county engineer, chief building official, director of planning or their designated agents.
ii. The location of the sign, as determined by the director of public works/county engineer, does not interfere with the location or placement of any official traffic-control device(s) or with the flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic, and that such sign shall not impair any sight distance reasonably necessary for pedestrian or traffic safety.
iii. The sign shall be properly maintained at all Ames in accordance with this section by the holder of the permit, their successors or assigns, and such sign shall be subject to removal from the right-of-way by the permit holder upon request at any time by the ap-propriate governmental authority having jurisdiction with respect thereto.
(3) 0-3 district.
a. Generally. Any sign permitted and as regulated in the 0-2 district.
b. Office buildings.
1. A detached sign identifying the project. The sign shall not exceed 15 feet in height nor exceed 30 square feet in area. Where there is frontage on more than one public street, one sign for each street frontage is permitted if the signs are at least 75 feet apart, but the aggregate total for these signs shall not exceed 36 square feet.
2. Attached signs, the area of which to be determined by either of the two methods below:
a. One attached sign for each budding, each sign not to exceed 20 square feet.
b. One sign for each tenant provided, the tenant's space has direct access from the exterior of the budding. The signs shall not exceed four square feet of sign area per tenant.
3. Additional attached signs. In a coordinated office development of at least 25 acres, with joint access and/or parking, each building may have an additional attached sign not exceeding 30 square feet. The sign shall only identify the name of the budding or one principal occupant.
4. In a coordinated office development of three or more buildings, each building may have one detached sign in Ben of the attached signs herein permitted. Such detached signs shall not exceed 12 square feet in area, five feet in height, shall be located adjacent to the main entrance to the building and shall be suitably landscaped.
5. Directional signs, limited in area to three square feet each, when necessary to direct traffic to a budding on the same premises. The signs shall not contain advertising copy or identify any tenant in the project, and the aggregate area of directional signs on the premises of the project shall not exceed 30 square feet.
6. In a coordinated office development of five or more buildings with two or more streets, a project identification map sign shall be permitted in addition to the herein-permitted directional signs. The sign shall not exceed two square feet of area per budding or an aggregate total area of 20 square feet, or 15 feet in height, shall be suitably landscaped and shall have a vehicular turnout provided to permit the sign to be read from a vehicle stopped or parked off c f the moving traffic lane.
7. One temporary real estate sign, not exceeding 32 square feet in area or eight feet in height, advertising the sale and/or rent or the development of the property on which the sign is located. The sign shall not be less than 15 feet from any street or lot line, shall not be illuminated, shall be neatly painted and maintained and shall be removed promptly after the sale or rental or the development of the property.
8. Attention getting devices as follows:
a. One display of attention getting devices per location per three-month period, January 1 through March 31, April 1 through June 30, July 1 through September 30, or October 1 through December 31.
b. The display during the three-month period must occur on consecutive days and in no case exceed ten days during such three-month period. Each day that an otherwise permissible display of attention getting devices occurs at a location in excess of the ten consecutive days permitted per three-month period shall be counted against the number of days permitted in future three-month periods.
c. The display shall not occupy any required parking space, obstruct or deter ingress and egress to any business or be located in any sight distance triangle. Also, attention getting devices shall not be displayed upon public right-of-way or be connected or attached to any structure or appurtenance located upon public right-of-way.
d. The display shall be erected and placed so as to avoid any damage to required site landscaping.
c. Other permitted uses.
1. One detached or attached sign, identifying the project, shall not exceed 30 square feet in area. The detached sign shall not exceed 15 feet in height. Where there is frontage on more than one public street, one sign for each street frontage is permitted if the signs are at least 75 feet apart, but the aggregate total area for these signs shall not exceed 36 square feet.
2. Directional signs, limited in area to three square feet each when necessary to direct traffic to a building on the same premises. The signs shall not contain advertising copy or identify any tenant in the project, and the aggregate area of directional signs on the premises of the project shall not exceed 30 square feet.
3. One temporary real estate sign, not exceeding 32 square feet in area or eight feet in height, advertising the sale and/or rent or the development of the property on which the sign is located. The sign shall not be less than 15 feet from any street or lot line, shall not be illuminated, shall be neatly painted and maintained and shall be removed promptly after the sale or rental or the development of the property.
d. Project identification signs, as permitted by the primary zoning district of the development, identifying an office park or similar permitted planned development.
1. One sign not exceeding 75 square feet in area and 15 feet in height at each primary entrance/intersection to the development or for each 1,000 linear feet of street frontage, provided such signs are at least 1,000 feet apart and located at least 75 feet from any other detached business sign on the property, or
2. Two signs not exceeding 75 square feet in area in the aggregate when such signs are attached to a fence or wall constructed on private property in accordance with the height requirements of this chapter, and when located at each primary entrance/intersection, provided each entrance/intersection location at least 1,000 feet apart and the signs are located at least 75 feet from any other detached business sign on the property.
3. Additional project identification signs, in accordance with this section, identifying the name of a contiguous group of individual lots/ buildings, being a subsection of a larger project and at least 20 acres in the aggregate provided:
i. The signs shall not exceed 36 square feet in area and six feet in height.
ii. The signs shall be located at least 500 feet from any other project identification sign and 75 feet from any other detached business sign on the property.
4. The signs shall be placed on a lot within the development, on property which is owned and controlled in common by the individual owners of lots/buildings within the de-velopment, or may be placed within the street right-of-way at a principal entrance/intersection serving primarily the development provided:
i. Prior to the issuance of any sign permit, the sign location and construction details, in-cluding any illumination, shall be approved in accordance with this section and any other applicable criteria or law by au appropriate governmental authorities having jurisdiction with respect thereto, including but not limited to, the director of public works/county engineer, chief budding official, director of planning or their designated agents.
ii. The location of the sign, as determined by the director of public works/county engineer, does not interfere with the location or placement of any official traffic-control device(s) or with the flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic, and that such sign shall not impair any sight distance reasonably necessary for pedestrian or traffic safety.
iii. The sign shall be properly maintained at all Ames in accordance with this section by the holder of the permit, their successors or assigns, and such sign shall be subject to removal from the right-of-way by the permit holder upon request at any time by the ap-propriate authority having jurisdiction with respect thereto. e. Hospital complex signs:
1. Detached project identification signs displaying the name of the hospital complex may be erected and maintained as follows:
i. One sign not exceeding 75 square feet in area or 15 feet in height for each public street on which the hospital complex has frontage or one such sign for each primary entrance into the hospital complex, provided such entrances are at least 1,000 feet apart; or
ii. Two signs not exceeding 75 square feet in area in the aggregate when such signs are attached to a fence or wad constructed in accordance with the height requirements of this chapter and when located at a primary entrance, provided such entrances are at least 1,000 feet apart.
2. When emergency medical services are available to the public within the complex, an additional detached sign not to exceed Six in height or 20 square feet in area may be erected and maintained at any entrance from any public street when that entrance provides direct access to the emergency medical services area; provided, however, that no such additional detached sign for emergency medical services shall be permitted when there is a detached project identification sign at such entrance.
3. Directional signs:
i. Ten directional signs, detached or attached, may be erected and maintained at various locations within the complex to direct persons to their desired destination within
the complex. Each such sign shall not exceed five feet in height or ten square feet in area.
ii. Additional directional signs, detached or attached, may be erected and maintained at various locations within the complex if determined by the director of planning to be necessary to efficiently inform and direct persons to their desired destination within the complex. Each sign shall not exceed five feet in height or ten square feet in area. In making such determination regarding additional directional sign(s), the director of plan-ning shall consider the physical layout of the complex, signage already in existence, the distance between existing signage, traffic patterns, visibility of the existing signage, complexity of the site, changes in services or in the locations of services provided and such other factors that are appropriate to ensure that the public is efficiently informed and directed to the desired destinations within the complex.
4. Signs that identify a budding or structure in the complex shall not exceed 15 feet in height (if detached) or 20 square feet in area. If such identification sign is detached, it must be located within ten feet of the budding or structure. A budding or structure in the complex may have either an attached or a detached sign, but not both.
5. A master plan shall be filed for the hospital complex to show the signs for the complex. The master plan shall be reviewed for approval by the director of planning. If the owner wishes to make changes in the approved master plan for the complex, an amended master plan shall be filed setting forth the changes and the reasons for those changes. This amended master plan shall be submitted to the director of planning with plans depicting the locations and dimensions of any new signs.
(h) Signs permitted in the O/S office service district.
(1) Generally. No sign shall exceed 15 feet in height and, if lighted, the sign shall be internally ht so that there are no freestanding spotlights or any type of individual lighting structure. The sign message, if illuminated, shall be illuminated from within the sign structure.
(2) Signs permitted.
a. A freestanding sign identifying the project. The sign shall not exceed 50 square feet in area. Where there is frontage on more than one public street, two signs are permitted if the signs are at least 150 feet apart, but the aggregate total area for the two signs shall not exceed 75 square feet. In no case shall of the two signs exceed 50 square feet. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the street frontage exceeds 1,000 linear feet, one sign for each full 1,000 linear feet of road frontage shah be permitted; provided, that each sign does not exceed 50 square feet in area and that such signs are at least 1,000 feet apart.
b. Attached signs, two for each building, but the aggregate total area of these signs shall not exceed 48 square feet and each sign shall identify either the name of the
building or one principal occupant. In no case shall either of the two signs exceed 24 square feet. In lieu of the two signs above, one sign may be provided for each tenant if such tenant's space has direct access from the exterior of the building. Said signs shall not exceed 12 square feet in area for each tenant.
c. Directional signs, limited in area to three square feet each, when necessary to direct traffic to a budding on the same premises. Such signs shall not contain advertising copy or identify any tenant in the project. The aggregate area of Al such signs shall not exceed 45 square feet.
d. A project identification map sign shall be permitted in addition to the above directional signs. Such sign shall not exceed 24 square feet, shall be located only on a private road within the project and shall have a vehicular turnout provided to permit the sign to be read from a vehicle stopped or parked off of the moving traffic lane.
e. A temporary, nonilluminated sign at each vehicular entrance of the project. Each sign shall be limited in area to 32 square feet, advertising real estate for sale or lease or announcing contemplated improvements of real estate on which it is placed.
f. Two project identification signs not exceeding 50 square feet in area in the aggregate when such signs are attached to a fence or wall constructed on private property in accordance with the height requirements of this chapter, and when located at each primary entrance/intersection, provided each entrance/intersection location is at least 1,000 feet apart.
g. Project identification signs as permitted by this section shall be placed on a lot within the development, on property which is owned and controlled in common by the individual owners of lots/buildings within the development, or may be placed within the street right-of-way at a principal entrance/ intersection serving primarily the development, provided:
1. Prior to the issuance of any sign permit, the sign location and construction details including any illumination shall be approved in accordance with this section and any other applicable criteria or law by au appropriate governmental authorities having jurisdiction with respect thereto, including, but not limited to, the director of public works/county engineer, chief budding official, director of planning or their designated agents.
2. The location of the signs, as determined by the director of public works/county engineer, does not interfere with the location or placement of any official traffic-control device(s) or with the flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic, and that such sign shall not impair any sight distance reasonably necessary for pedestrian or traffic safety.
3. The sign shall be properly maintained at ah Ames in accordance with this section by the holder of the permit, their successors or assigns, and such sign shall be subject to
removal from the right-of-way by the permit holder upon a request at any time by the appropriate governmental authority having jurisdiction with respect thereto.
h. Attention getting devices as follows:
1. One display of attention getting devices per location per three month period, January 1 through March 31, April 1 through June 30, July 1 through September 30 or October 1 through December 31.
2. The display during the three-month period must occur on consecutive days and in no case exceed ten days during such three-month period. Each day that an otherwise permissible display of attention getting devices occurs at a location in excess of the ten consecutive days permitted per three-month period shall be counted against the number of days permitted in future three-month periods.
3. The display shall not occupy any required parking space, obstruct or deter ingress and egress to any business or be located in any sight distance triangle. Also, attention getting devices shall not be displayed upon public right-of-way or be connected or attached to any structure or appurtenance located upon public right-of-way.
4. The display shall be erected and placed so as to avoid any damage to required site landscaping.
(3) Signs permitted for projects exceeding the minimum district area of section 24-50.16 of this chapter.
a. Any sign permitted in subsection (h)(2) above for each development of at least 20 acres, except any project identification sign identifying the overall development shall not exceed 75 square feet in area.
(i) Signs permitted in the A-1 agricultural district. Any sign permitted and as regulated in the R-5 district.
(j) Signs permitted in the A-1 business district. No sign shall remain illuminated beyond the hours of operation permitted in the district.
(1) Any sign permitted and as regulated in the R-6 and 0-3 districts.
(2) The aggregate total sign area of au attached, detached and projecting business signs on any one lot shall be computed by the greater of either of the two methods as follows:
a. One and one-half square feet per front foot of budding; or
b. One-half square foot per front foot of lot, but not to exceed 75 square feet when measured under this subsection.
(3) One detached sign per store or business, limited in height to 25 feet with a maximum area of 75 square feet. When a site is located on more than one street, two signs shall be permitted, one for each street; provided, that the signs are at least 75 feet apart and the aggregate area of the two signs shall not exceed 75 square feet.
No detached sign shall be placed within 150 feet of any R district when the R district is located on the same side of and fronting on the roadway as the sign.
A group of two or more stores or businesses not classified as a shopping center pursuant to section 24-101, on the same lot or parcel and with common entrances or parking, shall combine permitted detached sign area to provide a single detached sign advertising the group with a total sign area not to exceed 75 square feet. When a site is located on more than one street, two signs shall be permitted, one for each street; provided, that the signs are at least 75 feet apart and the aggregate area of the two signs shall not exceed 75 square feet.
(4) Attached and projecting signs on any lot or parcel as follows:
a. Where the budding lot line adjoins an R district on the same side of the street, the attached sign(s) shall be placed flat against the budding and shall not face the adjacent lot located in the R district unless the sign(s) is located at least 150 feet from the R district.
b. Attached signs shall not extend above the roof line of the budding.
(5) In a shopping center, as defined in section 24-101, one, detached sign not exceeding 100 square feet in area, limited in height to 25 feet, identifying the shopping center and announcing only the name and/or location of the shopping center. When on a corner lot, two detached signs shall be permitted; provided, that the signs are at least 75 feet apart and the aggregate total of the two signs shall not exceed 150 square feet. In no case shall either of the two signs exceed 100 square feet.
No detached sign shall be placed within 150 feet of any R district when the R district is located on the same side of the street as the sign.
Attached and projecting signs in a shopping center as follows:
a. The aggregate total sign areas shall not exceed Liz square feet of sign area for each front foot of budding.
b. All individual business signs shall be attached to or made integral with the principal budding.
c. Where the budding lot line adjoins an R district, the attached sign(s) shall be placed flat against the budding and shall not face the adjacent lot located in the R district unless the sign(s) is located at least 150 feet from the R district.
d. Attached signs shall not extend above the roof line of the building.
Signs erected inside a completely enclosed shopping mad shall require sign permit approval but shall not be included in any computation of sign area, provided the signs are not visible from the outside.
(6) One detached menu order board for restaurants with drive-through facilities. The sign shall not exceed 24 square feet in area or eight feet in height. Further, the sign shall not have any logo(s) nor shall it face any public right-of-way.
(7) Directional signs shall be permitted as accessory signs and not included in any com-putation of sign area; provided, that there shah be only one sign per entrance or exit giving direction to motorists regarding the location of parking areas and access drives; and further provided, that each directional sign shall be limited to three square feet.
(8) A temporary, nonilluminated sign, limited in area to 32 square feet, advertising real estate for sale or lease or announcing contemplated improvements of real estate on which it is placed. The sign shall be removed immediately upon sale or lease of the property or when construction of the contemplated improvements begin.
(9) A temporary sign, limited in area to 32 square feet, erected in connection with new construction work and displayed on the premises only during such time as the actual construction work is in progress.
(10) Temporary, nonilluminated paper signs in windows, limited to 50 percent of the total glass area of the window(s) to which they are attached.
(11) A temporary sign, limited in area to 32 square feet, which is used to identify a new business in the event that the permanent signs have not been erected when the busi-ness opens. In any event, the display of the temporary sign shall not exceed 30 days or the erection of permanent signs, whichever occurs first.
(12) Attention getting devices as follows:
a. One display of attention getting devices per location per three-month period, January 1 through March 31, April 1 through June 30, July 1 through September 30, or October 1 through December 31.
b. The display during the three-month period must occur on consecutive days and in no case exceed ten days during such three-month period. Each day that an otherwise permissible display of attention getting devices occurs at a location in excess of the ten
consecutive days permitted per three-month period shall be counted against the number of days permitted in future three-month periods.
c. The display shall not occupy any required parking space, obstruct or deter ingress and egress to any business or be located in any sight distance triangle. Also, attention getting devices shall not be displayed upon public right-of-way or be connected or attached to any structure or appurtenance located upon public right-of-way.
d. The display shall be erected and placed so as to avoid any damage to required site landscaping.
(k) Signs permitted in the B-2 district.
(1) Any sign permitted and as regulated in the B-1 district, except that business signs may remain illuminated between 12:00 midnight and 6:00 a.m.
(2) The aggregate total sign area of all attached, detached and projecting business signs on any one lot shall be computed by the greater of either of the two methods as follows:
a. Three square feet per front foot of building; or
b. One square foot per front foot of lot, but not to exceed 150 square feet when measured under this subsection.
(3) One detached sign per store or business, limited in height to 30 feet with a maximum area of 150 square feet. When a site is located on more than one street, two signs shall be permitted, one for each street; provided, that the signs are at least 75 feet apart and the aggregate area of the two signs shall not exceed 150 square feet. One foot of set back from any property line or right-of-way line shall be provided for each one foot of height greater than 25 feet.
No detached sign shall be placed within 150 feet of any R district when the R district is located on the same side of and fronting on the street as the sign.
A group of two or more stores or businesses not classified as a shopping center pursuant to section 24-101, on the same lot or parcel and with common entrances or parking, shall combine permitted detached sign area to provide a single detached sign advertising the group with a total sign area not to exceed 150 square feet. When a site is located on more than one street, two signs shall be permitted, one for each street; provided, that the signs are at least 75 feet apart and the aggregate area of the two signs shall not exceed 150 square feet.
(4) Attached and projecting signs on any lot or parcel as follows:
a. Where the building lot line adjoins an R district on the same side of the street, the attached sign(s) shall be placed flat against the budding and shall not face the adjacent lot located in the R district unless the sign(s) is located at least 150 feet from the R district.
b. Attached signs shall not extend above the roof line of the budding.
(5) In a shopping center, as defined in section 24-101, one detached sign not exceeding 100 square feet in area, limited in height to 25 feet, identifying the shopping center and announcing only the name and/or location of the shopping center. When on a corner lot, two detached signs shall he permitted; provided, that the signs are at least 75 feet apart and the aggregate total of the two signs shall not exceed 150 square feet. In no case shall either of the two signs exceed 100 square feet.
No detached sign shall be placed within 150 feet of any R district when the R district is located on the same side of the street as the sign.
Attached and projecting signs in a shopping center as follows:
a. The aggregate total sign areas shall not exceed three square feet of sign area for each front foot of building.
b. All individual business signs shall be attached to or made integral with the principal building.
c. Where the building lot line adjoins an R district, the attached sign(s) shall be placed flat against the building and shall not face the adjacent lot located in the R district unless the sign(s) is located at least 150 feet from the R district.
d. Attached signs shall not extend above the roof One building.
Signs erected inside a completely enclosed shopping mall shall require sign permit approval but shall not be included in any computation of sign area, provided the signs are not visible from the outside.
(6) One detached menu order board for restaurants with drive-through facilities. The sign shall not exceed 24 square feet in area or eight feet in height. Further, the sign shall not have any logo(s) nor shall it face any public right-of-way.
(7) Directional signs shall be permitted as accessory signs and not included in any com-putation of sign area; provided, that there shall he only one sign per entrance or exit giving direction to motorists regarding the location of parking areas and access drives; and further provided, that each directional sign shall be limited to three square feet.
(8) A temporary, nonilluminated sign, limited in area to 32 square feet, advertising real estate for sale or lease or announcing contemplated improvements of real estate on
which it is placed. The sign shall be removed immediately upon sale or lease of the property or when construction of the contemplated improvements begin.
(9) A temporary sign, limited in area to 32 square feet, erected in connection with new construction work and displayed on the premises only during such time as the actual construction work is in progress.
(10) Temporary, nonilluminated paper signs in windows, limited to 50 percent of the total glass area of the window(s) to which they are attached
(11) A temporary sign, limited in area-to 32 square feet, which is used to identify a new business in the event that the permanent signs have not been erected when the busi-ness opens. In any event, the display of the temporary sign shall not exceed 30 days or the erection of permanent signs, whichever occurs first.
(12) Project identification signs, as permitted by the primary zoning district of the devel-opment, identifying an office and/or business park or similar permitted planned development.
a. One sign not exceeding 100 square feet in area and 15 feet in height at each primary entrance/intersection to the development or for each 1,000 linear feet of street frontage, provided such signs are at least 1,000 feet apart and located at least 75 feet from any other detached business sign on the property; or
b. Two signs not exceeding 100 square feet in area in the aggregate when such signs are attached to a fence or wall constructed on private property in accordance with the height requirements of this chapter, and when located at each primary entrance/inter-section, provided each entrance/ intersection location is at least 1,000 feet apart and the signs are located at least 75 feet from any other detached business sign on the property.
c. Additional project identification signs, in accordance with this section, identifying the name of a contiguous group of individual lots/buildings, being a subsection of a larger project and at least 20 acres in the aggregate, provided:
1. The signs shall not exceed 50 square feet in area and six feet in height.
2. The signs shall be located at least 500 feet from any other project identification sign and 75 feet from any other detached business sign on the property.
d. The signs shall be placed on a lot within the development, on property which is owned and controlled in common by the individual owners of lots/ buildings within the development, or may be placed within the street right-of-way at a principal bon serving primarily the development, provided:
1. Prior to the issuance of any sign permit, the sign location and construction details, including any illumination, shall be approved in accordance with this section and any other applicable criteria or law by an appropriate governmental authorizes having jurisdiction with respect thereto, including, but not limited to, the director of public works/county engineer, chief budding official, director of planning or their designated agents.
2. The location of the sign, as determined by the director of public works/county engineer, does not interfere with the location or placement of any official traffic-control device(s) or with the flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic, and that such sign shall not impair any sight distance reasonably necessary for pedestrian or traffic safety. 3. The sign shall be properly maintained at ad Ames in accordance with this section by the holder of the permit, their successors or assigns, and such sign shall be subject to removal from the right-of-way by the permit holder upon request at any time by the appropriate governmental authority having jurisdiction with respect thereto.
(13) Attention getting devices as follows:
a. One display of attention getting devices per location per three-month period, January 1 through March 31, April 1 through June 30, July 1 through September 30, or October 1 through December 31.
b. The display during the three-month period must occur on consecutive days and in no case exceed ten days during such three-month period. Each day that an otherwise permissible display of attention getting devices occurs at a location in excess of the ten consecutive days permitted per three-month period shall be counted against the number of days permitted in future three-month periods.
c. The display shall not occupy any required parking space, obstruct or deter ingress and egress to any business or be located in any sight distance triangle. Also, attention getting devices shall not be displayed upon public right-of-way or be connected or attached to any structure or appurtenance located upon public right-of-way.
d. The display shall be erected and placed so as to avoid any damage to required site landscaping.
(1) Signs permitted in the B-3 business districts.
(1) Any sign permitted and as regulated in the B-2 district.
(2) The aggregate total sign area of Al attached, detached and projecting business signs on any one lot shall be computed by the greater of either of the two methods as follows:
a. Four square feet per front foot of building; or
b. Two square feet per front foot of lot, but not to exceed 250 square feet when measured under this subsection.
(3) One detached sign per store or business, limited in height to 45 feet with a maximum area of 150 square feet. When a site is located on more than one street, two signs shah be permitted, one for each street; provided, that the signs are at least 75 feet apart and the aggregate area of the two signs shall not exceed 150 square feet. One foot of setback from any property line or right-of-way line shall be provided for each one foot of height greater than 25 feet.
No detached sign shall be placed within 150 feet of any R district when the R district is located on the same side of and fronting the roadway as the sign.
A group of two or more stores or businesses not classified as a shopping center pursuant to section 24-101, on the same lot or parcel and with common entrances or parking, shall combine permitted detached sign area to provide a single detached sign advertising the group with a total sign area not to exceed 150 square feet. When a site is located on more than one street, two signs shall be permitted, one for each street; provided, that the signs are at least 75 feet apart and the aggregate area of the two signs shall not exceed 150 square feet.
(4) Attached and projecting signs on any lot or
parcel as follows:
a. Where the building lot line adjoins an R district on the same side of the street, the attached sign(s) shall be placed flat against the budding and shall not face the adjacent lot located in the R district unless the sign(s) is located at least 150 feet from the R district.
b. Attached signs shall not extend above the roof line of the budding.
(5) In a shopping center as defined in section 24-101, one detached sign not exceeding 100 square feet in area, limited in height to 25 feet, identifying the shopping center and announcing only the name and/or location of the shopping center. When on a corner lot, two detached signs shall be permitted; provided, that the signs are at least 75 feet apart and the aggregate total of the two signs shall not exceed 150 square feet. In no case shall either of the two signs exceed 100 square feet.
No detached sign shall be placed within 150 feet of any R district when the R district is located on the same side of the street as the sign.
Attached and projecting signs in a shopping center as follows:
a. The aggregate total sign areas shall not exceed four square feet of sign area for each front foot of building.
b. All individual business signs shall be attached to or made integral with the principal building.
c. Where the budding lot line adjoins an R district, the attached sign(s) shall be placed flat against the budding and shall not face the adjacent lot located in the R district unless the sign(s) is located at least 150 feet from the R district.
d. Attached signs shall not extend above the roofline of the building.
Signs erected inside a completely enclosed shopping mad shall require sign permit approval but shall not be included in any computation of sign area, provided the signs are not visible from the outside.
(6) One detached menu order board for restaurants with drive-through facilities. The sign shall not exceed 24 square feet in area or eight feet in height. Further, the sign shall not have any logo(s) nor shall it face any public right-of-way.
(7) Directional signs shall be permitted as accessory signs and not included in any com-putation of sign area; provided, that there shall be only one sign per entrance or exit giving direction to motorists regarding the location of parking areas and access drives; and further provided, that each directional sign shall be limited to three square feet.
(8) A temporary, nonilluminated sign, limited in area to 32 square feet, advertising real estate for sale or lease or announcing contemplated improvements of real estate on which it is placed. The sign shall be removed immediately upon sale or lease of the property or when construction of the contemplated improvements begin.
(9) A temporary sign, ignited in area to 32 square feet, erected in connection with new construction and displayed on the premises only during such time as the actual construction work is in progress.
(10) Temporary, nonilluminated paper signs in windows, limited to 50 percent of the total glass area of the window(s) to which they are attached.
(11) A temporary sign, limited in area to 32 square feet, which is used to identify a new business in the event that the permanent signs have not been erected when the busi-ness opens. In any event, the display of the temporary sign shall not exceed 30 days or the erection of permanent signs, whichever occurs first.
(12) Attention getting devices as follows:
a. One display of attention getting devices per location per three-month period, January 1 through March 31, April 1 through June 30, July 1 through September 30, or October 1 through December 31.
b. The display during the three-month period must occur on consecutive days and in no case exceed ten days during such three-month period. Each day that an otherwise permissible display of attention getting devices occurs at a location in excess of the ten consecutive days permitted per three-month period shall be counted against the number of days permitted in future three-month periods.
c. The display shall not occupy any required parking space, obstruct or deter ingress and egress to any business or be located in any sight distance triangle. Also, attention getting devices shall not be displayed upon public right-of-way or be connected or attached to any structure or appurtenance located upon public right-of-way.
d. The display shall be erected and placed so as to avoid any damage to required site landscaping.
(m) Signs permitted in the M-I, M-2 and M-3 industrial districts.
(1) Any sign permitted and as regulated in the B-3 business district.
(2) For those industrial uses first permitted in the. district, one detached sign, limited in height to 35 feet with a maximum area of 100 square feet. When on a corner lot, two detached signs may be permitted; provided, that the signs are at least 75 feet apart and the aggregate total of the two signs shall not exceed 150 square feet. In no case shall either of the two signs exceed 100 square feet.
(3) Attached and projecting signs on any lot as follows: For those industrial uses first permitted in the district, the aggregate total sign area shall not exceed 4Y2 square feet of sign for each front foot of budding.
(4) Project identification signs, as permitted by the primary zoning district of the devel-opment, identifying an industrial park or similar permitted planned development.
a. One sign not exceeding 100 square feet in area and 15 feet in height at each primary entrance/intersection to the development or for each 1,000 linear feet of street frontage, provided such signs are at least 1,000 feet apart and located at least 75 feet from any other detached business sign on the property; or
b. Two signs not exceeding 100 square feet in area in the aggregate when such signs are attached to a fence or wad constructed on private property in accordance with the height requirements of this chapter, and when located at each primary entrance/inter-section, provided each entrance/ intersection location is at least 1,000 feet apart and the signs are located at least 75 feet from any other detached business sign on the property.
c. Additional project identification signs, in accordance with this section, identifying the name of a contiguous group of individual lots/buildings, being a subsection of a larger project and at least 20 acres in the aggregate, provided:
1. The signs shall not exceed 50 square feet in area and six feet in height.
2. The signs shall be located at least 500 feet from any other project identification sign and 75 feet from any other detached business sign on the property.
d. The signs shall be placed on a lot within the development, on property which is owned and controlled in common by the individual owners of lots/ buildings within the development, or may be placed within the street right-of-way at a principal entrance/intersection serving primarily the development, provided:
1. Prior to the issuance of any sign permit, the sign location and construction details, including any illumination, shall be approved in accordance with this section and any other applicable criteria or law by ad appropriate governmental authorizes having jurisdiction with respect thereto, including, but not limited to, the director of public works/county engineer, chief building official, director of planning or their designated agents.
a. The location of the sign, as determined by the director of public works/county engineer, does not interfere with the location or placement of any official traffic-control device(s) or with the flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic, and that such sign shall not impair any sight distance reasonably necessary for pedestrian or traffic safety.
3. The sign shall be properly maintained at ad Ames in accordance with this section by the holder of the permit, their successors or assigns, and such sign shall be subject to removal from the right-of-way by the permit holder upon request at any time by the appropriate governmental authority having jurisdiction with respect thereto.
(5) Attention getting devices as follows:
a. One display of attention getting devices per location per three-month period, January 1 through March 31, April 1 through June 30, July 1 through September 30, or October 1 through December 31.
b. The display during the three-month period must occur on consecutive days and in no case exceed ten days during such three-month period. Each day that an otherwise permissible display of attention getting devices occurs at a location in excess of the ten consecutive days permitted per three-month period shall be counted against the number of days permitted in future three-month periods.
c. The display shall not occupy any required parking space, obstruct or deter ingress and egress to any business or be located in any sight distance triangle. Also, attention getting devices shall not be displayed upon public right-of-way or be connected or attached to any structure or appurtenance located upon public right-of-way.
d. The display shall be erected and placed so as to avoid any damage to required site landscaping.
(n) Signs permitted in the C-l conservation district and the 1-1 institutional district. Any sign permitted as regulated in the A-1 agricultural district.
(Code 1980, § 22-104)