[Amended 2-11-2014 by Ord. No. 14-01; 5-13-2014 by Ord. No.
14-17; 11-14-2017 by Ord. No. 17-22]
The purpose and intent of this section is to establish reasonable
regulations on the size, height, area, bulk, location, erection, construction,
reconstruction, alteration, repair, maintenance, razing, and removal
of signs and the structures to which they are affixed. The section
applies to signs that are visible from the public rights-of-way and
those visible across property boundaries. These regulations are intended
to protect public health and safety, safeguard the public nature and
uses of the rights-of-way, preserve the scenic and natural beauty
of the City, and foster a community image that promotes economic growth,
all within the bounds of the United States Constitution.
A.
All signs shall comply with all provisions of this chapter, all applicable
provisions of the Building Code, and all state and federal laws and
regulations pertaining to the display of signage.
C.
Before a sign permit is issued, an application for a certificate
of zoning use and a certificate of appropriateness, as well as any
building or electrical permits required by the City, if applicable,
must be approved.
D.
A sign permit is void if any sign for which the permit was issued
is not installed in accordance with the permit, and all fees paid,
within six months of the date the permit was issued, unless the Zoning
Administrator, within the Administrator's sole discretion, grants
a permit extension. The City may revoke a sign permit if:
E.
The owner of any sign, other than a permitted off-premises sign,
located on commercial property where the use or business has ceased
operating shall, within 60 days of the cessation of use or business
operation, replace the sign face with a blank face until a use or
business has resumed operating on the property.
The signs listed in this section are allowed without a sign permit. However, any general requirements for a certificate of zoning use, certificate of appropriateness, building permit, or electrical permit still apply. All prohibitions in § 72-59.4 still apply. All regulations applicable to particular zoning districts still apply.
A.
Signs of a duly constituted governmental body.
B.
Up to four square feet of building-mounted signage within six feet
of any building entrance. This signage shall not be illuminated in
R and PD-R districts.
C.
Flags of up to 40 square feet.
D.
Address numbers signs that are not larger than one square foot in
R and PD-R districts; and not larger than two square feet in all other
districts.
E.
Seasonal displays and decorations.
F.
Temporary signs:
[Amended 6-8-2021 by Ord. No. 21-15]
(1)
In any Residential (R) and PD-R districts, and on residential use properties in other districts, one or more nonilluminated signs, totaling 32 square feet, is permitted. If freestanding, up to six square feet of signage may be up to six feet in height. The remaining 14 square feet is limited to four feet in height. The location of freestanding signs shall comply with § 72-59.5B. The height of building-mounted signs shall comply with § 72-82.8H.
(2)
In the C-D, Old and Historic Fredericksburg, and Gateway Overlay districts, except for residential use properties, one nonilluminated sign, up to 20 square feet in area, is permitted. Freestanding signs shall be no more than eight feet in height or the maximum height permitted for freestanding signs in §§ 72-59.6 and 72-59.7, whichever is less. The location of freestanding signs shall comply with § 72-59.5B. The height of building-mounted signs shall comply with § 72-82.8H.
(3)
In any other district, except for residential use properties, one nonilluminated sign, up to 20 square feet in area on lots with 150 feet of frontage or less, and up to 32 square feet in area on lots with more than 150 feet of frontage. Freestanding signs shall be no more than eight feet in height or the maximum height permitted for freestanding signs in § 72-59.6, whichever is less. The location of freestanding signs shall comply with § 72-59.5B. The height of building mounted signs shall comply with § 72-82.8H.
G.
Permanent ground or building-mounted signs of up to two square feet
when adjacent to parking lot entrances and exits and parking spaces.
H.
Normal maintenance and repair of a conforming sign.
I.
Change of advertised copy on a variable message board sign or marquee
designed and approved for replaceable copy.
J.
Public art.
K.
Signs that are illegible because their physical attributes do not
allow for the differentiation of words, letters, figures, designs,
symbols, or logos by an observer with 20/20 vision located in the
public right-of-way, on public property, or across a property boundary.
L.
Any sign applied directly and entirely to and flush with an asphalt,
concrete, or similar paved surface.
M.
Any sign within a building, if the sign does not display animation,
flashing or intermittent lights, or lights changing degrees of intensity,
have message changes that are on less than an eight-second cycle,
and if the sign is not in motion by any means, unless otherwise prohibited
by § 72-59.
All signs and sign structures that are not specifically exempted
or permitted by § 72-59 are prohibited, specifically including:
A.
Signs that violate any provision of United States or Virginia law.
B.
Signs that obstruct a door, fire escape, or building opening intended
for light, air or access to a building.
C.
All signs, including pennant strands, streamers, floating and stationary
balloons, strings of flags, sail/feather signs, inflated devices,
and signs held by persons, that are in motion by any means, including
fluttering or rotating.
[Amended 6-8-2021 by Ord. No. 21-15]
D.
Signs displaying animation, flashing or intermittent lights, or lights changing degrees of intensity, including electronic variable message signs except as otherwise permitted in § 72-59.5, Design standards.
E.
Signs that obscure a governmental sign, and signs likely to be mistaken
for governmental signs.
F.
Signs that are likely to cause a pedestrian or vehicular traffic
hazard.
G.
[1]Signs that are structurally unsafe or in poor, physically
deteriorated condition..
[Amended 6-8-2021 by Ord. No. 21-15]
H.
Portable signs.
I.
Signs that emit smoke, flame, scent, mist aerosol, liquid, gas, or
sound (other than a customer/business employee intercom).
J.
Any sign displayed on a motor vehicle or trailer when the vehicle
or trailer is used primarily for the purpose of and serving the function
of a portable sign, except when the vehicle or trailer is loading
or unloading or parked in an area that is not adjacent to a public
street.
[Amended 6-8-2021 by Ord. No. 21-15]
K.
Signs representing or depicting specified sexual activities, specified
anatomical areas, or sexually oriented goods, and signs containing
obscene text or pictures as defined by the Code of Virginia.
L.
Off-premises advertising signs, except as specifically permitted
by § 72-59 or another section of the City Code.
M.
Roof signs, except as permitted in the Creative Maker District under § 72-59.7.
[Amended 9-8-2020 by Ord. No. 20-17]
N.
Signs erected on public property, including rights-of-way, other
than those approved by an authorized City official in writing, required
by law, or permitted under Code of Virginia, § 24.2-310.
These signs may be immediately removed and disposed of by any authorized
official. Removal of the sign under this provision does not preclude
prosecution of the person responsible for the sign.
O.
Any sign or illumination that causes any direct glare into or onto
any building other than the building to which the sign is located.
P.
Any sign, except official notices required by federal, state, or
local law, which is nailed, tacked, posted or in any other manner
attached to any pipe or utility pole, whether on public or private
property of any description, or to any natural vegetation.
[Amended 6-8-2021 by Ord. No. 21-15]
Q.
[2]Any exterior permanent lighting either by exposed tubing
or strings of lights, either outlining any part of a building or affixed
to any architectural feature thereof.
[2]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection R, regarding signs extending
above the zoning district height limits, was repealed 6-8-2021 by Ord. No. 21-15. This ordinance also provided for the redesignation of
former Subsection S as Subsection Q.
The following regulations apply to all signs permitted or exempted
under § 72-59:
A.
Electronic Variable Message Signs.
[Amended 5-28-2019 by Ord. No. 19-23]
(1)
Shall only be permitted in the PD-C Zoning District, except
that:
(a)
Signs permitted under § 72-59.6A(2) for the stacking lanes of accessory drive-through uses may use electronic variable message displays.
(b)
Signs permitted under § 72-59.6A(2) in association with gasoline sales uses that are located on properties fronting on U.S. Route 1, Virginia Route 2 (south of the Blue Gray Parkway), and Virginia Route 3 (west of U.S. Route 1) may use electronic variable message displays.
(2)
Shall be limited to freestanding signs.
(3)
No more than 40% of permitted sign area may be an electronic
variable message display, except that:
(a)
Up to 100% of permitted sign area for signs permitted under § 72-59.6A(2) in association with a drive-through accessory use may be electronic variable message displays.
(b)
Up to three areas, each up to 15 inches in height and 36 inches in width, of signs permitted in association with a gasoline sales use under § 72-59.6A(2) may be electronic variable message displays.
(4)
Changes in display shall alternate on a not-less-than-eight-second cycle, except that signs permitted under § 72-59.6A(2) in association with a drive-through accessory use or gasoline sales use shall change no more than once per hour. Changes shall be instantaneous with no animation effects, including blurring, fading, wiping, or scrolling. All electronic variable message signs, regardless of current cycle time, shall conform to this subsection within one year of the date this section is adopted.
(5)
As part of the sign permit application, the display manufacturer
shall submit a letter certifying that the proposed sign will be programmed
to meet the code requirements upon installation and that all programmed
compliance features will be locked from future alteration.
(6)
Displays shall be turned off during a major failure or malfunction.
C.
Illumination. The following applies to all illuminated signs:
(1)
External lights of any technology may be installed, directed solely at the sign in a manner that does not illuminate surrounding areas, or signs may be illuminated by any technology with a brightness not exceeding the maximum illumination levels shown in § 72-58.2D.
(2)
The illumination of signs within 300 feet of and visible from
residential districts or PD-R shall be turned off at 10:00 p.m. or
within one hour after the closing of the business, whichever is later,
and shall be turned on no sooner than one hour before the business
opens.
A.
Residential, Planned Development-Residential, Commercial, and Industrial
Districts.
(1)
Building-mounted signs are permitted as follows:
[Amended 5-28-2019 by Ord. No. 19-23; 6-23-2020 by Ord. No. 20-12]
|
Building-Mounted Signs
| |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Zoning District
|
Residential and Planned Development - Residential
|
Commercial
|
Industrial
|
|
Maximum area
|
0.5 square feet of signage per linear foot of building front
(up to 50 square feet)
|
Nonresidential and Mixed-Use Buildings:
1.5 square feet of signage per linear foot of building front
(up to 250 square feet or 25% of the total building-mounted signage
allowed, whichever is greater, per building side); and
Additional 0.25 square feet of signage per linear foot of building
front for buildings with 3 or more stories
Residential Buildings:
0.5 square feet of signage per linear foot of building front
(up to 50 square feet)
|
1.5 square feet of signage per linear foot of building front
(up to 250 square feet or 25% of the total building signage allowed,
whichever is greater, per building side)
|
|
Illumination
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Maximum projection
|
42 inches from wall
|
42 inches from wall
|
42 inches from wall
|
|
Minimum clearance if projecting more than 6 inches
|
8 feet above pedestrian travel way, 15 feet above vehicle travel
path
| ||
|
Other
|
Only permitted for nonresidential uses permitted as a principal
use.
|
Each building containing a commercial use in C-D may have additional
building-mounted signage advertising off-premises nonresidential uses,
of up to 4 square feet per off-premises use and up to 16 square feet
total.
|
Three or more businesses that are not adjacent to an arterial
or collector road may jointly erect 1 freestanding sign off-site,
which shall not exceed 10 feet in height and 100 square feet in area.
The sign shall be located within 1,000 feet of the businesses being
advertised and be on property zoned I-1 or I-2.
|
(2)
Freestanding signs are permitted as follows:
[Amended 5-28-2019 by Ord. No. 19-23]
|
Freestanding Signs
| |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Zoning Districts
| |||||||
|
R
|
C-T
|
C-D
|
C-SC
|
C-H
|
I-1
|
I-2
| |
|
Maximum Number
| |||||||
|
Per parcel per street frontage
|
1, for non- residential uses permitted as a principal use
|
1
|
1
|
N/A
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
|
Per gasoline sales use
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
|
Per major entrance to an office park or retail center
|
N/A
|
1
|
N/A
|
1
|
1
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
|
Per major entrance to a shopping center
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
1
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
|
Per major entrance to an industrial park
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
1
|
|
Per major entrance to a neighbor- hood
|
2
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
|
Flagpole per parcel
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
|
Maximum Sign Area
(square feet)*
| |||||||
|
For each sign adjacent to a public street right-of-way > 70
feet
|
20
|
40
|
40
|
100
|
100
|
100
|
100
|
|
For each sign adjacent to a public street right-of-way < 70 feet
|
10
|
30
|
30
|
75
|
75
|
75
|
75
|
|
For gasoline sales uses
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
25
|
25
|
25
|
25
|
25
|
|
For major entrances listed above, adjacent to a public street
right-of-way > 70 feet
|
20 each
|
60
|
N/A
|
100
|
100
|
N/A
|
100
|
|
For major entrances listed above, adjacent to a public street
right-of-way < 70 feet
|
20 each
|
40
|
N/A
|
75
|
75
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
|
* Flag area counts toward maximum sign area.
| |||||||
|
Maximum Height
(feet)**
| |||||||
|
General
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
20
|
20
|
20
|
20
|
|
For major entrances listed above, adjacent to a public street
right-of-way > 70 feet
|
5
|
10
|
N/A
|
20
|
20
|
N/A
|
20
|
|
For major entrances listed above, adjacent to a public street
right-of-way < 70 feet
|
5
|
8
|
N/A
|
20
|
20
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
|
** Permitted flagpole height is equal to maximum permitted building
height as defined by Article III.
| |||||||
|
Illumination
| |||||||
|
For each sign adjacent to a public street right-of-way > 70
feet
|
Yes, only by direct white lighting illuminat- ing the face of
the sign
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
For each sign adjacent to a public street right-of-way < 70 feet
|
N/A
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Other
| |||||||
|
Two signs are permitted for each stacking lane of an accessory
drive-through use. The signs shall not be included in calculating
the number of freestanding signs or in calculating the total aggregate
sign area. One sign is limited to six feet in height and 30 square
feet in area. One sign is limited to six feet in height and 15 square
feet in area. Signs shall be installed within 10 feet of the drive-through
lane.
| |||||||
B.
Planned Development Districts. A signage design package is required
for all signs in PD-C, PD-MU, PD-MC Districts that will have multiple
land uses or multiple development phases.
(1)
The Zoning Administrator may approve minor amendments to a signage
design package. The Zoning Administrator has the sole discretion to
determine whether an amendment to a package is minor.
(2)
Signage design package review process.
(a)
The applicant shall submit a signage design package for approval
by the Zoning Administrator with either the final site design for
the first phase of development or before construction of the first
phase of lot or site development.
(b)
The Zoning Administrator shall review the proposed signage design
package within 60 days. The package may be returned to the applicant
for changes or modifications. A changed or modified package that addresses
departmental comments and is resubmitted shall be approved or denied
within 45 days. The applicant may file an appeal of the Zoning Administrator's
decision to the BZA.
(3)
A signage design package:
(a)
Shall contain only signs with consistent colors and fonts (excepting
business logos), lighting, and construction materials.
(b)
May contain any types of signs that the Zoning Administrator
deems to be consistent with the overall planned development district.
(c)
Specify the types of materials proposed for construction or
use on the project's various signs. Sign poles, supports, panels,
attachments, lettering and visible base materials must be identified.
Individual purchasers or lessees of project property may select sign
materials for their individual signs where the package so allows.
(4)
Upon approval of the signage design package by the Zoning Administrator,
all new signs within the boundaries of the PD-C, PD-MU, or PD-MC project
shall adhere to the standards of the approved signage design package.
(5)
All signage design packages shall be in conformance with all
sign permit requirements of § 72-59.
(6)
In addition to the general signage design package regulations,
the regulations in this section apply to signs in all PD-C districts.
(a)
In PD-C districts of at least 150 acres, PD-C development projects
will be permitted the following signs:
[Amended 6-23-2020 by Ord. No. 20-12
[1]
A freestanding sign not to exceed 1,000 square feet in sign
panel area or 150 feet in height, which may be illuminated.
[2]
A monument sign at a major entrance adjacent to a public street
right-of-way greater than 70 feet in width. The sign shall not exceed
60 feet in height (excluding architectural treatments). The sign shall
not exceed 200 square feet, except that up to 30 users in the development
may each have up to 130 additional square feet of space on the monument
sign as an off-premises sign.
[3]
A monument sign at each existing major intersection at the boundary
of the district, not to exceed 15 feet in height and 250 square feet
in sign area.
(b)
Individual parcels within a PD-C may be permitted:
[1]
Building-mounted signage.
[Amended 6-23-2020 by Ord. No. 20-12]
|
Non-Residential and Mixed-Use Buildings
|
Residential Buildings
|
|---|---|
|
Building-mounted signage of up to one square foot for each linear
foot of building perimeter (up to 250 square feet of total building-mounted
signage or 25% of the total building-mounted signage allowed, whichever
is greater, per building side); and
Additional 0.25 square feet of building-mounted signage per
linear foot of building front for buildings with three or more stories
|
Building-mounted signage of up to 0.3 square feet per linear
foot of building perimeter (up to 50 square feet of total building-mounted
signage per building side)
|
[2]
A monument sign up to 10 feet high and 100 square feet in area.
A monument sign identifying more than one user may be up to 150 square
feet in area.
[3]
An off-premises monument sign up to 10 feet high and 100 square
feet in area if the subject of the sign is on a site or lot of at
least 100,000 square feet that does not abut a four-lane major thoroughfare,
and the sign is located within 300 feet of the subject.
[4]
Two signs are permitted for each stacking lane of an accessory
drive-through use. The signs shall not be included in calculating
the number of freestanding signs or in calculating the total aggregate
sign area. One sign is limited to six feet in height and 30 square
feet in area. One sign is limited to six feet in height and 15 square
feet in area. Signs shall be installed within 10 feet of the drive-through
lane.
[Added 5-28-2019 by Ord.
No. 19-23]
(7)
In addition to the general signage design package regulations,
the regulations in this section apply to signs in all PD-MU and PD-MC
districts.
[Amended 5-28-2019 by Ord. No. 19-23; 6-23-2020 by Ord. No. 20-12]
(a)
Jn PD-MU and PD-MC districts of at least 20 acres, development
projects will be permitted the following signs:
[1]
A freestanding sign at a major entrance adjacent to a public street
right-of-way greater than 70 feet in width. The sign shall not exceed
30 feet in height. The sign shall not exceed 200 square feet. Up to
100 square feet of the total sign area can be used as off-premises
signs for uses within the district.
[2]
A freestanding sign at each existing major intersection at the boundary
of the district, not to exceed 15 feet in height and 100 square feet
in sign area.
(b)
Individual parcels within a PD-MU and PD-MC may be permitted:
[1]
Building-mounted signage.
|
Non-Residential and Mixed-Use Buildings
|
Residential Buildings
|
|---|---|
|
Building-mounted signage of up to one square foot for each linear
foot of building perimeter, up to 250 square feet of total building-mounted
signage or 25% of the total building-mounted signage allowed, whichever
is greater, per building side; and
Additional 0.25 square feet of building-mounted signage per
linear foot of building front for buildings with three or more stories
|
Building-mounted signage of up to 0.3 square feet per linear
foot of building perimeter, up to 50 square feet of total building-mounted
signage per building side
|
[2]
A freestanding sign up to 10 feet high and 100 square feet in area.
A freestanding sign identifying more than one user may be up to 150
square feet in area.
[3]
An off-premises freestanding sign up to 10 feet high and 100 square
feet in area if the subject of the sign is on a site or lot of at
least 100,000 square feet that does not abut a four-lane major thoroughfare,
and the sign is located within 300 feet of the subject.
[4]
Two signs are permitted for each stacking lane of an accessory drive-through
use. The signs shall not be included in calculating the number of
freestanding signs or in calculating the total aggregate sign area.
One sign is limited to six feet in height and 30 square feet in area.
One sign is limited to six feet in height and 15 square feet in area.
Signs shall be installed within 10 feet of the drive-through lane.
C.
Creative Maker Districts.
[Added 9-8-2020 by Ord.
No. 20-17]
(1)
Building-mounted signs are permitted as follows:
|
Building-Mounted Signs
| |
|---|---|
|
Creative Maker District
| |
|
Maximum area
|
1.5 square feet of signage per linear foot of building front
(up to 250 or 25% of the total building-mounted signage allowed, whichever
is greater square feet per building side); and
Additional 0.25 square foot of signage per linear foot of building
front for buildings with 3 or more stories
Residential Buildings:
0.5 square foot of signage per linear foot of building front
(up to 50 square feet)
|
|
Illumination
|
Yes
|
|
Maximum projection
|
42 inches from wall
|
|
Minimum clearance if projecting more than 6 inches
|
8 feet above pedestrian travelway; 15 feet above vehicle travel
path
|
|
Other
|
Each building containing a commercial use in CM-D may have additional
building-mounted signage advertising off-premises nonresidential uses,
of up to 4 square feet per off-premises use and up to 16 square feet
total.
|
(2)
Freestanding signs are permitted as follows:
|
Freestanding Signs
| ||
|---|---|---|
|
Maker Frontage B-C
|
Maker Frontage D-E
| |
|
Maximum Number
| ||
|
Per parcel per street frontage
|
1
|
1
|
|
Per gasoline sales use
|
1
|
1
|
|
Per major entrance to an office park or retail center
|
1
|
1
|
|
Per major entrance to a shopping center
|
1
|
1
|
|
Per major entrance to a neighborhood
|
1
|
1
|
|
Flagpole per parcel
|
1
|
1
|
|
Maximum Sign Area (square feet)*
| ||
|
For each sign adjacent to a public street right-of-way
> 70 feet
|
100
|
40
|
|
For each sign adjacent to a public street right-of-way < 70 feet
|
75**
|
30**
|
|
For gasoline sales uses
|
25
|
25
|
|
For major entrances listed above, adjacent to a
public street right-of-way > 70 feet
|
100
|
60
|
|
For major entrances listed above, adjacent to a
public street right-of-way < 70 feet
|
75
|
40
|
|
Maximum Height (feet)***
| ||
|
General
|
20
|
10
|
|
For major entrances listed above, adjacent to a
public street right-of-way > 70 feet
|
20
|
10
|
|
For major entrances listed above, adjacent to a
public street right-of-way < 70 feet
|
20
|
8
|
|
Illumination
| ||
|
For each sign adjacent to a public street right-of-way
> 70 feet
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
For each sign adjacent to a public street right-of-way < 70 feet
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Other
| ||
|
2 signs are permitted for each stacking lane of
an accessory drive-through use. The signs shall not be included in
calculating the number of freestanding signs or in calculating the
total aggregate sign area. 1 sign is limited to 6 feet in height and
30 square feet in area. 1 sign is limited to 6 feet in height and
15 square feet in area. Signs shall be installed within 10 feet of
the drive-through lane.
| ||
|
NOTES:
| |
|
*
|
Flag area counts toward maximum sign area.
|
|
**
|
Signs painted on the building facade in the Maker District may exceed this sign area in conjunction with § 72-59.6C(3).
|
|
***
|
Permitted flagpole height is equal to maximum permitted building
height as defined by Article III.
|
(3)
Additional rules for Creative Maker Districts:
(a)
Roof signs are permitted in the Creative Maker District in accordance
with the following:
[1]
Roof signs are only permitted along Frontages B, C, and E.
[2]
The roof sign shall be no taller than 25% of the height of the
existing building or 20 feet, whichever is greater.
[3]
The roof sign shall count as "building signage" and, together
with other building signs, shall not exceed the established square
foot limits.
(b)
Building signage painted onto the facade of the building may exceed the building-mounted signage square foot limits ascribed in § 72-59.6A(1) in accordance with the following:
[1]
The painted sign may sign may be 150 total square feet or the maximum amount of building-mounted signage permitted under § 72-59.6A(1), whichever is greater.
[2]
Painted signage shall count towards the total permitted building-mounted signage. If additional building-mounted signage is proposed, then together the signs shall not exceed the total amount of building-mounted square feet permitted under § 72-59.6A(1).
(c)
Electronic variable-message signs are prohibited in the Creative
Maker Districts.
A.
Historic Districts. In addition to the general regulations of § 72-59,
the regulations in this section apply to signs in all the Old and
Historic Fredericksburg District:
(1)
All signs to be located in the Old and Historic Fredericksburg
District shall be approved by the Architectural Review Board in accordance
with the provisions of the HFD Overlay District. The ARB may regulate
the area, height, placement, materials, color, lighting, graphics,
lettering, and architectural styling of signs, consistent with applicable
guidelines.
(2)
Electronic variable message signs are prohibited in all historic
districts.
B.
Gateway Overlay Districts. In addition to the general regulations
of § 72-59, all signs to be located in Gateway Overlay Districts
shall be approved by the Zoning Administrator in accordance with the
provisions of this overlay district. The Zoning Administrator may
regulate the area, height, placement, materials, color, lighting,
graphics, lettering, and architectural styling of signs, consistent
with applicable guidelines.
(1)
Cowan Boulevard Corridor and Fall Hill Avenue Corridor subdistricts.
(a)
Each site or development shall have an overall signage plan
reviewed as part of a sign permit, including a consistent style, size,
and color scheme for all signs on the property.
(b)
Materials used in both sign and support structures shall complement
the building being served by the sign.
(c)
The only signage allowed within the streetscape buffer in C-SC,
C-H, and C-T districts is one sign, which shall be ground-mounted,
monument-style, and not more than 10 feet in height or more than 60
square feet in surface area.
(d)
Sign illumination shall be by direct white lighting or backlighting
with a diffuse light source. Direct white lighting shall be shielded
so that it does not spill over into adjacent properties or into motorists'
eyes. Backlighting is permitted for signs with dark opaque backgrounds,
if light shines through only the letters, characters, or graphics
of the sign.
(e)
All sign colors shall be compatible and shall be consistent
with the color, scale, and style of the building or site.
(f)
Ground-mounted, monument-style signs shall include landscaping
around the base of the sign. The sign base shall be counted in the
ten-foot height limit set forth in this section and shall not exceed
30% of the overall sign height.
(2)
Electronic variable message signs are prohibited in the Lafayette
Boulevard Corridor Overlay District along Lafayette Boulevard and
the Princess Anne Street Corridor Overlay District along Princess
Anne Street.
Banners are permitted subject to the following:
A.
Banners shall be building-mounted. A maximum of one banner may be
displayed at any one time. The area of the banner is limited to 50%
of the aggregate area of permitted permanent building signage or 40
square feet, whichever is less.
[Amended 5-28-2019 by Ord. No. 19-22]
B.
Each permitted banner shall be displayed for no more than 30 consecutive
days, and each display shall be separated by a period of not less
than 30 days. No property shall display a banner more than four times
in any calendar year.
C.
Temporary signs shall be located on the same property as the sponsoring
business or organization.
