[Ord. No. 464 §1, 5-20-2003]
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this Chapter,
shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this Section, except where
the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
A sign which no longer correctly directs or informs any person,
or advertises a bona fide business, lessor, owner, product or activity
conducted or product available on the premises where such sign is
displayed.
Any on-premises or on-property sign, to be distinguished
from off-site or off-premises signs or poster boards which constitute
a business unto themselves, and which are not accessory signs.
Any sign utilizing actual or apparent movement, change of
illumination intensity or direction, sound or any other means of attracting
attention mechanically.
A marquee, awning or other similar architectural projection
extending beyond the main floor areas of the structure with which
it is associated.
The entire area within a single continuous perimeter composed
of parallelograms, circles, ellipses, trapezoids, and triangles, or
combinations thereof, per sign panel which enclose the extreme limits
of the advertising message, display, illustration, or insignia. Embellishments
shall not be counted in sign area unless they exceed twenty percent
(20%) of the sign area. Supports or uprights to support the sign are
excluded from calculated area. Where a sign has two (2) or more faces,
the area of all faces shall be included in area determination except
that only one (1) face of a double- faced sign shall be considered
in determining sign area, providing both faces are parallel and the
distance between the two (2) faces does not exceed two (2) feet. Further,
where a sign consists only of individual letters, numerals, symbols,
or other similar components painted on or attached directly to the
wall of a building, and where such components are without an integrated
background definition and are not within a circumscribed frame area,
the total area of the sign shall be the sum of the areas of the squares
or rectangles surrounding each individual component.
Any sign which is fastened to or supported in whole or in
part by a building or other structure.
See "DROP AWNING".
A sign of fabric, plastic, paper, or other light pliable
material, not enclosed in a rigid frame.
See "OFF-SITE OR OFF-PREMISES SIGN".
A temporary sign used during construction of new buildings
or additions or remodeling of old buildings.
Any sign supported wholly by the ground.
A sign which is intended as a public convenience in directing
persons to places of public or semi-public accommodations such as
parks, playing fields, golf courses, airports and other public institutions,
highway markers and public transportation notices, but not including
commercial establishments.
A sign showing the locations of commercial establishments
within a shopping center or other multi-tenant development.
Any structure made of cloth, steel or any approved material
mounted on a rigid or collapsible frame.
The measured distance of a building, tract or other property
unit on a straight line parallel to the abutting street.
See "DETACHED SIGN".
A sign utilizing a fixed or moving display of letters and
numbers in which the illumination does not change in intensity during
uniform daylight or darkness.
A sign which advertises items other than the name of the
business and the principal product or service.
A sign directing attention to a business, commodity, service,
entertainment or the like not offered on the premises upon which the
sign is located. Billboards and poster boards are off-site or off-premises
signs by this definition.
A sign directing attention to a business, commodity, service
or entertainment conducted, sold or offered upon the premises as those
upon which the sign is maintained.
Any sign not permanently affixed to the ground or a structure
on the premises it occupies.
Any tract of land which is improved with a building or buildings
and accessory buildings or structures.
Any sign attached to a building or other structure which
projects more than one (1) foot from the building face and which is
constructed with the reading faces not parallel to the building face.
A sign pertaining to the sale, lease or rental of real estate.
The highest point of the main roof structure and not to include
cupolas, pylons, projections or minor raised portions or architectural
projections of the roof.
Any grouping of three (3) or more commercial buildings that
have and use common parking facilities.
Any device or structure erected to advertise or to convey
information or a direction.
The vertical distance measured from the nearest adjacent
public street grade or upper surface of the curb, whichever permits
the greatest height, to the highest point of such sign, excluding
embellishments.
Any sign, banner, pennant, valance or other advertising display
intended to be displayed for a short period of time only.
A sign mounted upon, painted upon, or otherwise erected on
a trailer, truck, automobile or other vehicle so that it shall be
visible from a public street or right-of-way.
A sign mounted flat against, or painted on the wall of a
building or structure with the exposed face of the sign in a plane
parallel to the face of such wall.
Any sign affixed to the interior or exterior of a window,
or any sign located inside a building within six (6) feet of the interior
side of the window and displayed so as to attract the attention of
persons outside the building.
[Ord. No. 464 §2, 5-20-2003]
A.Â
The provisions
of this Chapter shall not apply to:
1.Â
Flags
or pennants, or insignias of any nation, State, County, City or other
governmental unit and any not-for-profit organization;
2.Â
Temporary
decorations or displays celebrating the occasion of traditionally
accepted patriotic, religious or local holidays or events;
3.Â
The
erection, construction, and maintenance of official traffic, fire
and policy signs, signals and devices and markings of the State, County,
or City;
4.Â
Non-illuminated
directional or informational signs of a public or quasi-public nature;
5.Â
Political
signs or signs announcing political candidates or issues, but which
signs must be removed within two (2) weeks after the election, except
in the case of a general election following a primary election. For
successful candidates such signs may remain until two (2) weeks after
the general election;
6.Â
Residential
garage or patio sale signs not to exceed six (6) square feet;
7.Â
Animated
public message signs not exceeding six (6) square feet in area when
approved by the Building Commissioner.
[Ord. No. 464 §3, 5-20-2003]
No person shall place upon any building, fence, wall or public
place in this City, any printed, written, painted or other advertisement,
bill, notice, sign or poster without having first obtained the written
permission of the owner of such building, house, fence, wall or public
place. All such signs must comply with the provisions of this Chapter
and other ordinances of the City of Greendale.
[Ord. No. 464 §4, 5-20-2003]
A.Â
The Board
of Adjustment shall have the authority to grant a variance from the
provisions of this Chapter, provided there is sufficient evidence
to show that:
1.Â
There
are special circumstances or conditions applying to the land, building,
or use referred to in the applications;
2.Â
The
authorizing of the variance is necessary for the preservation and
enjoyment of substantial property right; and
3.Â
The
authorizing of the application will not be materially detrimental
to persons residing or working in the vicinity of the property, to
the neighborhood, or to the public welfare in general.
B.Â
No use
variance shall be granted. A use variance is one which would permit
a particular type of sign to be located in a zone in which it otherwise
is prohibited.
[Ord. No. 464 §5, 5-20-2003]
A.Â
Except
as otherwise provided in this Chapter, it shall be unlawful for any
person to construct, erect, alter or relocate or order a person in
his/her employ to construct, alter, erect or relocate a sign within
the City without first obtaining a permit or permits from the Building
Commissioner.
[Ord. No. 464 §6, 5-20-2003]
No sign shall be permitted which does not pertain solely to
the advertisement of the services rendered, business conducted, or
products sold on the premises on which such sign is located. No sign
shall be permitted in an area zoned residential which pertains to
the advertisement of services rendered, business conducted, or products
sold at any location.
[Ord. No. 464 §7, 5-20-2003]
A.Â
The aggregate
area of all on-premises signs shall not exceed one (1) square foot
of sign area for each linear front footage abutting a street and in
the case of a building located in a shopping center, the footage shall-be-based
on the linear frontage of the building. Permanent window signs shall
be included in the aggregate of all on-premises signs.
B.Â
Projecting
building signs shall not exceed one (1) square foot for each linear
foot of street frontage.
C.Â
On buildings
having more than one (1) street frontage, the maximum allowable number
and square footage of on-site signs is permitted for each building
frontage or occupancy. Such maximum allowance, however, is not transferable
either in whole or in part from one (1) building frontage to another
nor from one (1) occupancy to another occupancy.
D.Â
When
a sign is erected at the street intersection corner of a parcel or
at the intersection of a building front, and is situated at an angle
so as to be visible from both streets or both frontages, the sign
shall not exceed the maximum area allowed for the longest front footage
of building occupancy or street frontage.
[Ord. No. 464 §8, 5-20-2003]
A.Â
Attached Signs. Except as otherwise provided in this Chapter,
the height of an attached sign, including embellishments shall not
exceed that of the roof line of the supporting building.
B.Â
Ground Signs. The height of a ground sign shall be limited
to fifty (50) feet except within a distance of one thousand five hundred
(1,500) feet of the center line of an interstate highway on a line
parallel to the center line, in which case, the heights shall not
exceed sixty (60) feet.
[Ord. No. 464 §9, 5-20-2003]
A.Â
Not more
than one (1) accessory sign shall be erected on any one (1) premises.
B.Â
Directional
ground signs not to exceed six (6) square feet are not to be included
in the limitation restrictions on the number of ground signs allowed.
And not more than three (3) such directional ground signs shall be
allowed on each premises.
[Ord. No. 464 §10, 5-20-2003]
A.Â
Where
a group of businesses as in a shopping center or other commercial
location, agree to place their ground signage allotment on a common
structure with common architectural parameters, the area allowances
shall be increased by twenty-five percent (25%) of the allowed individual
detached signs, except that the maximum area of the combined signs
shall not exceed one hundred twenty-five (125) square feet.
B.Â
Copy
area of multiple copy signs shall not exceed forty percent (40%) of
the background to which applied.
[Ord. No. 464 §11, 5-20-2003]
A.Â
Contractor And Construction Signs. Signs designating the
contractor or subcontractor engaged in the construction or repair
of the building on each lot or parcel shall be permitted in all zoning
districts as follows:
1.Â
One
(1) non-illuminated sign is allowed per contractor or subcontractor.
The sign shall not exceed six (6) square feet in area and shall not
exceed a height of six (6) feet.
2.Â
The
sign shall be removed within ten (10) days of the completion of the
construction work.
3.Â
Contractor
signs may be consolidated on one (1) sign, in which case, the area
of this sign is to be calculated at six (6) square feet per contractor
with a maximum area of thirty-six (36) square feet for six (6) or
more contractors. This sign shall not exceed eight (8) feet in heights
or be located within twelve (12) feet of the public right-of-way.
B.Â
Development Signs. Signs indicating or identifying a proposed
future development shall be allowed in all commercial and industrial
zoning districts as follows:
1.Â
One
(1) single or double-faced detached sign is allowed per parcel proposed
for development.
2.Â
The
face area of each sign shall not exceed thirty-six (36) square feet
for the first acre or portion thereof. When the lot or parcel proposed
for development exceeds one (1) acre in size, the combined area of
the signs used may increase by six (6) square feet in area for each
additional acre, or portion thereof, up to a maximum of seventy-two
(72) square feet per face.
3.Â
Development
signs shall not be erected within twelve (12) feet of the public right-of-way
or exceed a height of twelve (12) feet.
4.Â
The
sign or signs shall be removed within ten (10) days after completion
of the proposed development.
C.Â
Subdivision Signs. Temporary subdivision signs may be located
in any zoning district in accordance with the following schedule:
|
|
No. of Lots
|
No. of Signs
|
|---|---|---|
|
|
Less than 50
|
1
|
|
|
50 to 299
|
2
|
|
|
300 or more
|
3
|
1.Â
The
signs may remain for a period of two (2) years or until all lots in
the subdivision are sold, whichever occurs first.
2.Â
Subdivision
signs shall be either single or double-faced and shall not exceed
seventy-five (75) square feet per sign face. Height shall not exceed
twelve (12) feet and no such sign shall be erected closer than twelve
(12) feet to the public right-of-way.
D.Â
Real Estate Signs. A sold or for sale sign on real estate
shall not exceed three (3) square feet in area.
[Ord. No. 464 §12, 5-20-2003]
A.Â
Any existing
sign in violation of the provisions of this Chapter and which sign
was approved for construction by the City shall be considered to be
legal but non-conforming. In the event of its removal or destruction
by whatever cause, a replacement sign must comply with the requirements
of this Chapter.
B.Â
In the
event of partial damage, the sign shall be deemed totally destroyed
for purpose of this Chapter as it relates to replacement when the
damage to the sign is either fifty percent (50%) or more of the original
cost of the sign or fifty percent (50%) or more of the structure of
the sign.
C.Â
Notwithstanding
any provision to the contrary in this Chapter, failure to notify the
owner of the property or the failure of the owner to receive such
notice shall not relieve such owner of the duty to comply with the
provisions of this Chapter.
[Ord. No. 464 §13, 5-20-2003]
A.Â
The following
signs and advertising devices are hereby declared to be unlawful:
1.Â
Animated
signs;
2.Â
Any
sign erected in a location prohibited by this Chapter;
3.Â
Any
sign erected in a public easement or right-of-way;
4.Â
Any
sign erected so as to prevent free ingress to or egress from any door
or window, or any other exitway required by the building or fire codes
of the City;
5.Â
Any
sign attached to any public utility pole, tree, fire hydrant, curb,
sidewalk or other surface located on public property;
6.Â
Any
sign erected in any location where, by reason of its location, will
obstruct the view of any authorized traffic sign, signal, or other
traffic control device. Nor may any sign, by reason of its shape,
position or color interfere with or be confused with any authorized
traffic signal sign or device. Further, no sign shall be erected in
a location where it will obstruct vision of the public right-of-way
to a vehicle operator during ingress to, egress from, or while traveling
on the public right-of-way;
7.Â
Any
on-premises sign advertising an article or product not manufactured,
assembled, processed, repaired or sold or a service not rendered upon
the premises upon which the sign is located;
8.Â
Any
sign or advertising devices such as banners and pennants affixed on
poles, wires, ropes or streamers, wind-operated devices and "A" frames
or other portable signs of like nature, and other similar contraptions
or techniques except that these devices may be used for a period of
thirty (30) days in any twelve-month period by permit from the Building
Commissioner.
9.Â
Vehicles
signs, except for standard advertising or identification markings
which are painted on or permanently attached to a business or commercial
vehicle;
10.Â
Off-site
or off-premises signs, including but not limited to billboards.
[Ord. No. 464 §14, 5-20-2003]
A.Â
Any sign
which is located on property which becomes vacant and unoccupied for
a period of three (3) months or more, or any sign which was erected
for an occupant or business unrelated to the present occupancy or
his/her business, or a sign which pertains to a time, event or purpose
which no longer applies, shall be deemed to have been abandoned.
B.Â
Permanent
signs applicable to a business temporarily suspended because of a
change of ownership or management of such business shall not be deemed
abandoned unless the property remains vacant for a period of six (6)
months or more. An abandoned sign is prohibited and shall be promptly
removed or treated so as to eliminate the sign message by the owner
of the sign or owner of the premises.
[Ord. No. 464 §15, 5-20-2003]
No person shall maintain or permit to be maintained on any premises
owned or controlled by him/her any sign which is in a dangerous or
defective condition. Any such sign shall be promptly removed or repaired
by the owner.
[Ord. No. 464 §16, 5-20-2003]
Each sign shall be maintained in a safe, presentable and good
condition including the replacement of defective parts, painting,
repainting, cleaning and other acts required for the maintenance of
the sign. The Building Commissioner shall require compliance or removal
of any sign determine by him/her to be in violation of this section.
