§ 1411-39. Signs.

Signs located in any DD subdistrict must comply with the following regulations and with Chapter 718, Revocable Street Privileges, of the Municipal Code. Every sign erected, constructed, painted or maintained for which a permit is required, must be plainly marked with the name of the person erecting, painting and maintaining such sign, and must have affixed the number corresponding to the permit issued for the sign. The absence of a reference to a permit number is prima facie evidence that the sign or advertising structure is being displayed in violation of this section.

(a)

Prohibited Signs. The following signs are prohibited in the DD District:

(1)

Outdoor advertising signs.

(2)

Flashing signs, unless a marquee sign as provided below.

(3)

Portable signs.

(b)

Projecting Signs. (Refer to Figure 1411-39-A). Projecting signs must comply with the following unless located in a Historic District and approved by the Historic Conservation Board:

(1)

Location: Below the third story of a building and extend from the building facade.

(2)

Maximum Width: 3.5 feet.

(3)

Maximum Height: eight feet.

(4)

Required Clearance: A ten-foot clearance above the sidewalk must be maintained.

(5)

Lighting: Lighting must be integrated with the sign design and must complement the building.

(6)

Signs may not conceal any ornamental architectural elements.

(7)

A revocable street privilege is required for signs projecting into the public right-of-way.

Figure 1411-39-A Projecting Signs in DD Subdistricts

(c)

Street-Level Wall Signs. (Refer to Figure 1411-39-B). Street-level wall signs must comply with the following:

(1)

Maximum Width: contained within the horizontal limits of the business premises.

(2)

Maximum Height: 3.5 feet.

(3)

Maximum Display Area: 1-square foot for each one-foot of business frontage on the street to be faced by the sign.

(4)

Awning signs are considered street level wall signs included in (3) above.

(5)

Awning signs may not exceed 12 square feet of total surface area and letters may not exceed 12 inches in height.

(6)

The sign may not conceal any ornamental architectural elements and may not project above a parapet.

(7)

Signs painted on buildings and structures are deemed street-level wall signs.

(d)

Skywalk-Level Wall Signs. (Refer to Figure 1411-39-B). Skywalk-level signs must comply with the following:

(1)

Maximum Width: contained within the horizontal limits of the business premises.

(2)

Maximum Height: Two feet.

(3)

Maximum Area: 30 square feet or 0.5-square feet for each foot of business frontage on the skywalk to be faced by the sign, whichever is more restrictive.

Figure 1411-39-B Wall Signs in DD Subdistricts

(e)

Ground Signs. Ground signs must comply with the following:

(1)

Applicability: A building setback from the public right-of-way by more than 25 feet may be served by one ground sign; otherwise, a ground sign is not permitted.

(2)

Maximum Height: 16 feet.

(3)

Maximum Area: 60 square feet or one-half square foot for each front foot of the building.

(f)

Building Identification Signs. Building identification signs must comply with the following:

(1)

One trademark or building identification sign identifying the principal occupant as determined by the building owner of a building is allowed for each building facade, with a maximum of four signs for the building.

(2)

The trademark or the letters comprising the occupant name must be affixed directly to the building facade.

(3)

The building facade underlying the trademark or name may not be painted or otherwise differentiated from the remainder of the building facade merely to draw attention to the sign.

(4)

The top of the sign may not project above the parapet, nor may the parapet be enlarged to accommodate a sign.

(5)

The sign may be illuminated, but may not be a flashing sign.

(6)

The maximum size of the sign cannot exceed the width of the wall on which the sign is attached multiplied by one foot for each 30 feet the top of the sign is located above street grade or 1,800 square feet, whichever is less. For example, a sign whose top is 400 feet above street grade is proposed to be located on a wall that is 150 feet in width where the sign is to be located. The maximum size equals the lesser of 13 × 150 = 1,950 and 1,800. The maximum size is 1,800.

(g)

Marquee Signs. Marquee signs must comply with the following:

(1)

The sign must be accessory to a large-scale recreation and entertainment use, hotels or convention center.

(2)

The sign may not be attached to a roof structure and must be integrated architecturally into the primary structure.

(3)

The sign may contain copy or other images announcing on-premise events only.

(4)

The copy may be permitted to flash, move or otherwise change at intervals of more than one each six seconds.

(5)

The size and design of a marquee is subject to review and approval of the Zoning Administrator prior to issuance of a building permit.

(6)

A revocable street privilege is required for any marquee sign that extends into the public right-of-way.

(h)

Murals. Murals are regarded as a work of art and must demonstrate an artistic quality or theme as opposed to direct or indirect illustrative advertising. Murals must comply with the following:

(1)

Advertising copy and trademarks are prohibited.

(2)

One mural on one wall for every building.

(i)

Subdivision Real Estate or Construction Signs. Subdivision real estate and construction signs must comply with the following:

(1)

A maximum of one sign for every street frontage.

(2)

Total Surface Area: 64 square feet.

(3)

Temporary signs must be removed within 24 hours of the completion of the activity.

(j)

Temporary Message Sign (including banners). Temporary message signs must comply with the following:

(1)

Be made of cloth or other light fabric.

(2)

May not exceed 12 feet in any of its dimensions.

(3)

The message must pertain only to the business, commodity, service or entertainment conducted, sold or offered on the same premises as where the sign is maintained.

(4)

Temporary message signs may be installed for a period not to exceed 30 days for a maximum of four times for every calendar year with at least seven days between installations.

(5)

Temporary message signs may not cover any building openings such as windows and doors.

(Ordained by Ord. No. 15-2004, eff. Feb. 13, 2004; Emer. Ord. No. 141-2015, § 13, eff. July 1, 2015)