§ 20-27. DBD sign regulations.

All signs under this section require a permit. The standards and requirements of this section shall be in addition to city-wide standards and requirements. In the event of conflicting regulations, the standards and requirements of this section shall take precedence.

(1)

General regulations.

a.

Banners. No more than one (1) banner, not to exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in area, may be displayed at each place of business and shall be securely attached to the facade of a building. A registration permit is required, at no cost, and such banners shall be displayed for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days.

b.

Color. For all signs in the DBD district, fluorescent colors shall not be used. Such signs shall not contain more than five (5) colors, except in instance of an illustration.

c.

Freestanding signs. One (1) freestanding sign shall be allowed on each property frontage, not to exceed six (6) feet in height, and shall not exceed twenty-four (24) square feet in area. Electronic freestanding signs which exhibit animation, blink, change copy, display moving pictures or images, flash, contain light emitting diode (LED), and/or contain liquid crystal display (LCD) shall be prohibited.

d.

Pole banners. Such banners shall not exceed twelve and one-half (12-1/2) square feet in area; shall have a maximum width of two and one-half (2-1/2) feet and a maximum height of five (5) feet; shall have a minimum display height from the bottom edge of the banner to the ground of eight (8) feet; and shall have a maximum display height of twenty-five (25) feet measuring from the top edge of the banner to the ground. Such banners attached to public utility poles or light poles shall be approved by the appropriate city department prior to attachment.

e.

Projecting signs. A business shall be allowed to attach one (1) projecting sign to a building facade which fronts a public right-of-way with the following stipulations:

1.

The sign shall not exceed an area of six (6) square feet.

2.

The horizontal dimension of the sign shall not exceed three (3) feet.

3.

The sign shall be attached perpendicular to the building wall.

4.

The distance from the ground to the lower edge of the sign shall be a minimum of seven (7) feet over a sidewalk and a minimum of thirteen (13) feet over a street or driveway.

5.

The distance from the building wall to the sign shall not exceed six (6) inches.

6.

The height of the top edge of the sign shall not exceed the height of the wall from which the sign projects, if attached to a single story building, or the height of the sill or bottom of any second story window, if attached to a multi-story building.

7.

The sign may be directly or indirectly lighted, however, direct lighting shall be of the sign copy only. Animated illumination or effects, blinking, flashing, rotating, and/or scrolling projecting signs shall be prohibited.

f.

Wall signs.

1.

Wall signs shall have an aggregate area not to exceed two (2) square feet for each linear foot of building face, not to exceed two hundred (200) square feet in area. Canopy and awning signage shall be deducted from allocated wall sign area.

2.

No wall sign shall be closer than eighteen (18) inches to an adjacent property line and shall not be installed or extend over a party wall.

3.

Wall signs shall not obscure important architectural details or features such as windows, transom panels, sills, moldings and cornices.

4.

Wall signs shall be no greater than twenty-four (24) inches in height (excludes permanent window signage).

5.

Animated illumination or effects, electronic, blinking, flashing, rotating, and/or scrolling wall signs shall be prohibited.

g.

Window signs. Each ground level business having windows directly oriented to a street may use all of that glass area as one (1) allowable sign, but no single window shall be covered more than thirty (30) percent. Electronic window signs in the downtown business district (DBD) shall be no greater than four (4) square feet in area and shall only be stationary.

(2)

Maintenance and appearance of signs.

a.

All signs in the DBD zoning district shall be maintained in good condition, so as to present a quality and orderly appearance. The city finds that neglected or dilapidated signs in the DBD zoning district may adversely affect the public health, safety and welfare. Such signs may adversely affect the aesthetic characteristics of the city and may adversely affect public safety due to the visual impact of said signs on motorists and the structural characteristics of said signs.

b.

Signs shall be considered neglected or dilapidated signs if any of the following conditions are present: Rust or holes on or in the sign or sign structure; broken, missing, loose or bent parts; faded or flaking paint; nonoperative or partially nonoperative illuminating or mechanical devices; or missing letters in sign copy.

c.

The planning and development department, after due notice, may have any sign removed which shows gross neglect or becomes dilapidated. Said notice shall be given to the property owner and current tenant by first class mail, with proof of mailing obtained from the post office. Proof of mailing means either a first class "certificate of mailing" or a first class "certified mail" receipt; a proof of delivery is not required. Only an owner reflected on the records of the tax assessors as of January 1st of the applicable year shall be entitled to notice. The zoning administrator or designee shall give the owner thirty (30) days' written notice to correct the deficiencies or to remove the sign or signs. If the owner refuses to correct the deficiencies or remove the sign, the zoning administrator or designee may have the sign removed at the expense of the owner.

(3)

Prohibited signs in the DBD district in addition to section 20-22.

a.

Animated illumination or effects, electronic, and/or flashing signs, unless noted above.

b.

Billboards.

c.

Signs painted directly onto roofs, retaining walls, fences or building facades or walls. Commemorative wall signs of historical significance are exempt from this provision.

d.

Streamers.

(Ord. No. 26-12, 5-3-12; Ord. No. 01-15, § 8, 3-5-15)