24.11 Attached Permanent Signs

The following attached 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 Neighborhood is regulated by Section 24.13.

24.11.A Awning, Canopy, and Under-Gallery Signs   

Awnings and canopies that are considered an architectural feature of a structure and are not used for identifying the premises or the goods and/or services sold on the premises are not considered a sign. Awnings and canopies that only identify the address of the structure or are used as part of the front entrance treatment are not considered signs. Awnings and canopies used as signs are subject to the following regulations:

1.  Awning and canopy signs are permitted for multi-family residential and non-residential uses in any district.

2.   All awning or canopy signs shall maintain a minimum clearance of seven (7) feet. 

3.   Printing on any individual awning or canopy is limited to thirty percent (30%) of the surface of any side of an awning or canopy.

4.  Back-lit awnings and canopies are prohibited.

5.  Awning and canopy signs shall be securely attached to and supported by a building. All frames and supports shall be made of metal or similar rigid material. Frames and supports may not be made of wood or plastic.

6.  Under-awning, under-canopy, and under-gallery signs are permitted additions to awnings, canopies and galleries for non-residential uses, subject to the following regulations.

a.  Under-awning, under-canopy signs, and under-gallery signs shall be attached to the underside of an awning, canopy, or gallery and cannot project beyond the awning, canopy, or gallery.

b.  Under-awning, under-canopy signs, and under-gallery signs shall maintain a minimum clearance of seven (7) feet.

c.  A maximum of one (1) under-awning, under-canopy signs, and under-gallery sign is permitted per business establishment with frontage on the street where the awning, canopy, or gallery is installed.

d.  Under-awning, under-canopy signs, and under-gallery signs are limited to six (6) square feet.

e.  Under-awning, under-canopy signs, and under-gallery signs shall be securely fixed to the awning, canopy or gallery with metal supports.

7.  All awnings or canopies shall comply with the following design standards:

a.  Awnings and canopies shall be compatible in material and construction to the style and character of the structure and compatible with the overall color scheme of the façade.

b.  Awnings shall be generally aligned with others nearby in order to maintain a sense of visual continuity.

c.  Awnings and canopies shall fit the opening of the structure and positioned so that distinctive architectural features remain visible.

Adopted by Ord. 29126 MCS, 8-4-22, ZD 16/22

24.11.B Directory Signs   

Multi-tenant non-residential developments are permitted one (1) directory sign of no more than twelve (12) square feet in area, which shall be wall-mounted. No illumination is permitted.

 

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

24.11.C Marquee   

Marquee signs are permitted in the Commercial Center and Institutional Campus and Central Business District Districts subject to the following:

1.  No marquee may extend beyond the curb line.

2.  Marquees are limited to the width of the building entrance with an additional five (5) feet on each side of the entrance permitted.

3.  Marquees are permitted to construct a projecting sign above the roof of the marquee, subject to the requirements for a projecting sign in the applicable district.

4.  All marquees, including the anchor bolts, supports, rods, and braces, shall be designed by a structural engineer and approved by the Director of Safety and Permits. Marquees shall be supported solely by the building to which they are attached and no columns or posts are permitted as support.

5.  The roofs of all marquees shall be used for no other purpose than to form and constitute a roof. A marquee shall be a minimum of seven (7) feet above the sidewalk.

24.11.D Projecting Sign   

1.  Projecting signs are permitted for non-residential uses in the districts indicated in Table 24-1: Projecting Signs. Table 24-1 also contains sign area maximums for projecting signs. Projecting signs are permitted a maximum of two (2) sign faces. Only one (1) projecting sign is permitted per ground floor business establishment.

2.  Projecting signs shall not project more than two (2) feet from the curb line, as measured from the building to which they are attached. No projecting sign may project more than four (4) feet from the building face to which it is attached.

3.  The bottom of any projecting sign shall be at least seven (7) feet above the sidewalk. No projecting sign affixed to a building may project higher than the building height, including the sign support structure.

4.  No projecting sign may be secured with wire, strips of wood or nails and may not be hung or secured to any other sign. Any movable part of a projecting sign, such as the cover of a service opening, shall be securely fastened by chains or hinges.

 

Adopted by Ord. 29126 MCS, 8-4-22, ZD 16/22

24.11.E Multi-Family Identification Sign (Attached)   

One (1) multi-family identification sign is permitted per multi-family use identifying the name of the development and address, whether wall-mounted or freestanding. Multi-family identification signs are limited to twenty-four (24) square feet in area. 

24.11.F Wall Sign   

1.  Wall signs shall be safely and securely attached to the building wall no less than seven (7) feet above the ground. Wall signs shall be affixed flat against the building wall and shall not project more than eighteen (18) inches from the building wall.

2.   No wall sign affixed to a building, including sign support structure, may project beyond the ends or top of the wall to which it is attached. On existing structures, a parapet wall shall not be constructed for the sole purpose of increasing the allowable height of a wall sign. For new construction, when a sign is to be mounted on a parapet wall, that parapet wall shall be consistent with the architectural design of the structure, including building materials. Wall signs may not be attached to un-reinforced masonry parapets. Wall signs shall not cover windows, doors, or architectural features.

3.  Gooseneck reflectors or similar external lighting are permitted on all wall signs provided the reflectors concentrate the illumination upon the area of the sign face only. Wall signs may also be internally illuminated.

4.  The maximum size of a wall sign is established at one (1) square foot per linear foot of building frontage, subject to the following:

a.  For an interior lot, the maximum size of a wall sign is established as measured along the building frontage at the front lot line, with a minimum of twenty (20) square feet permitted.

b.  For a corner lot, the maximum size of a wall sign located on each building wall is measured along the building frontage along the front or corner side lot line of that building wall, with a minimum of twenty (20) square feet permitted for each sign. The size of a wall sign on each side of the building is limited to the square footage calculated on that side only. In no case may the square footage permitted for the building wall located along the front lot line and the square footage permitted for the building wall located along the corner side lot line be combined to create a larger sign on a wall other than that permitted on each individual wall.

c.  In a multi-tenant structure, the maximum size of a wall sign for each tenant is measured along each individual business frontage, with a minimum of twenty (20) square feet permitted for a wall sign for each tenant. In no case, may the total amount of wall signs on the structure exceed the multiplier times the linear foot of total business frontage or the sum total of twenty (20) square feet per tenant, whichever is greater. If a multi-tenant structure is located on a corner lot, the maximum size of the wall sign located along the corner lot line is measured along the building frontage along the corner lot line, with a minimum of twenty (20) square feet permitted. 

d.  Notwithstanding the above, any building twenty (20) stories or above in a CBD zoning district shall be permitted two (2) additional wall signs on opposing blockfaces, with a maximum of one-thousand (1,000) square feet per wall sign, to be located above the highest windows or floor containing windows.  Wall signs erected pursuant to this section may project beyond the top of the building by a maximum of twenty percent (20%) of the overall sign height.

Adopted by Ord. 28333 MCS, ZD 133/19, 4-15-20

24.11.G Window Sign (Permanent)   

1.  Window signs are permitted for all non-residential uses.

2.  All window signs, temporary or permanent, including neon window signs and neon tubing, are limited to ten percent (10%) of the surface of the total window area. Window area is counted as a continuous surface until divided by an architectural or structural element. Mullions are not considered an element that divides window area. 

24.11.H Security Signs   

All developments are permitted one (1) security sign of no more than six (6) square feet in area, which shall be wall-mounted, per street frontage.  No illumination is permitted.

Adopted by Ord. 29126 MCS, 8-4-22, ZD 16/22