24.12 Detached Permanent Signs

The following detached permanent signs in all districts, except for the Historic Core Districts, require a sign permit and are subject to the requirements of this section and this Article. The Historic Core Districts are regulated by Section 24.13.  In addition, parking lot informational signs are exempt from needing a sign permit. 

Nov. 12, 2015, Zoning Docket 073-15, Ord. 26,684 MCS, §1

24.12.A Billboards   

Billboards are regulated by the provisions of Section 24.14 below.

24.12.B Bulletin Board Signs   

Bulletin board signs are permitted for open space, institutional, and governmental uses subject to the following:

1.  Bulletin boards are limited to twenty (20) square feet in area.

2.  Bulletin boards are limited to six (6) feet in height.

3.  Bulletin boards shall be setback five (5) feet from any lot line.

4.  Only one (1) bulletin board is permitted per lot.

5.  Bulletin boards may be internally or externally illuminated.

24.12.C Parking Lot Directional, Parking Area Identification, Menu Board Signs and Parking Lot Informational   

Adopted by Nov. 09, 2015, Zoning Docket 073-15, Ord. 26,684 MCS, 24.12.C, §1

24.12.C.1 Parking Lot Directional Signs   

24.12.C.1.a All Parking Lot Directional Signs   

i.  Parking lot directional signs may identify the use only by means of a logo, shape, or color with the exception of words such as ENTRANCE or EXIT. Directional signs shall be located entirely on the property to which they pertain and only identify restrooms, public telephone, walkways, parking lot entrances and exits, and features of a similar nature.

ii.  Parking lot directional signs may not encroach into the public right-of-way.

iii.  Parking lot directional signs may not be illuminated.

Adopted by March 23, 2016, Zoning Docket 003-16, Ord. 26,821 MCS, §2; October 20, 2017, Zoning Docket 058-17, Ord. 27,547 MCS, §1

24.12.C.1.b Parking Lot Directional Signs for Multi-Family Residential Use   

i.  A maximum of two (2) parking lot directional signs are permitted for the parking areas of multi-family residential uses.

ii.  Parking lot directional signs are limited to a maximum height of five (5) feet and a maximum sign area of five (5) square feet.

24.12.C.1.c Parking Lot Directional Signs for Non-Residential Uses   

i.  One (1) parking lot directional sign is permitted for each driveway access from a public street. One (1) additional directional sign is permitted for each intersection of driveways within a site, to identify traffic routing, entrances and services, such as drive-in lanes.

ii.  Parking lot directional signs are limited to a maximum height of six (6) feet and a maximum sign area of ten (10) square feet. 

24.12.C.2 Parking Area Identification Signs   

a.  A public parking area is permitted one (1) freestanding parking area identification sign per street frontage having a maximum height of fifteen (15) feet and a maximum sign area of fifteen (15) square feet. Accessory parking lots for principal uses that are not located on the same lot as the principles use are also permitted a parking area identification sign subject to these same requirements.

b.  Parking area identification signs may be internally illuminated only.

c.  No other sign for the parking area use is permitted.

d.  The contents of parking area identification sign are limited to the following information:

i. Name of parking lot operator, either by letter or symbol (logo) or both.

ii. Nature of parking lot (monthly, daily, hourly, etc.)

iii. Rate information, limited to thirty percent (30%) of sign area.

Adopted by Nov. 12, 2015, Zoning Docket 073-15, Ord. 26,684 MCS, §1

24.12.C.3 Menu Board Signs   

Drive-through establishments are permitted two (2) menu board signs per drive through lane, constructed as monument signs, no more than forty (40) square feet in sign area, no more than six (6) feet in height and no less than twenty (20) feet from any lot line. Menu boards may be internally illuminated or designed as an electronic message sign.

Adopted by Nov. 12, 2015, Zoning Docket 073-15, Ord. 26,684 MCS, §1

24.12.C.4 Parking Lot Informational Signs   

Signs such as "Reserved," "No Parking," and "Unauthorized users will be towed," are allowed, but shall be oriented to the parking lot and limited to two (2) square feet each.  Two (2) signs per street frontage or one (1) sign for every six (6) parking spaces along each street frontage, whichever is greater, are allowed.

Adopted by Nov. 12, 2015, Zoning Docket 073-15, Ord. 26,684 MCS, §1

24.12.D Freestanding Signs   

1. Freestanding signs are permitted for non-residential uses in the districts indicated in Table 24-2: Freestanding Signs. Table 24-2 also contains sign area and sign height maximums for freestanding signs. In certain districts, only monument signs may be permitted. Only one (1) freestanding sign is permitted per street frontage. Where bulletin board signs are permitted, such sign will count as a freestanding sign.

2. No part of a freestanding sign may project or otherwise encroach into a public right-of-way. All freestanding signs shall be setback five (5) feet from any lot line.

3.  Freestanding monument signs may be internally or externally illuminated. Freestanding pole signs may only be internally illuminated.

4. All freestanding pole signs shall be securely built, constructed and erected upon posts that are sunk below the natural surface in a manner that will prevent the sign from overturning.

Adopted by Ord. No. 27,697, §1, March 15, 2018, Zoning Docket 112/17; Technical Correction #12, 12-17-18; Ord. 29126 MCS, 8-4-22, ZD 16/22

24.12.E Residential Development Signs   

24.12.E.1 Multi-Family Identification Sign   

a.  One (1) multi-family identification sign is permitted per multi-family use identifying the name of the development and address, wall-mounted, or freestanding.

b.  Multi-family identification signs are limited to twenty-four (24) square feet in area.

c.  Freestanding signs are limited to six (6) feet in height. Monument signs are preferred when a freestanding structure is used. 

24.12.E.2 Residential Subdivision Identification Sign   

a.  One (1) residential subdivision identification sign is permitted per subdivision development of five (5) residential lots or more. Residential subdivision identification signs are permitted only in the Suburban Neighborhood Districts.

b.  Residential subdivision identification signs are limited to thirty-two (32) square feet in area and six (6) feet in height. Residential subdivision identification signs shall be located five (5) feet from any lot line.