HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 12/04/2018 - SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 141, 2018, AMENDINAgenda Item 4
Item # 4 Page 1
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY December 4, 2018
City Council
STAFF
Noah Beals, Senior City Planner/Zoning
Chris Van Hall, Legal
SUBJECT
Second Reading of Ordinance No. 141, 2018, Amending Sections 3.8.7 and 5.1.2 of the Land Use Code Sign
Regulations.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This Ordinance, unanimously adopted on First Reading on November 20, 2018, updates the Land Use Code
(LUC), specifically the sign section, to improve overall legibility, address common requests, implement action
items from the adopted Downtown Plan, and provide standards for new technology.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends adoption of the Ordinance on Second Reading.
ATTACHMENTS
1. First Reading Agenda Item Summary, November 20, 2018 (w/o attachments) (PDF)
2. Ordinance No. 141, 2018 (PDF)
Agenda Item 11
Item # 11 Page 1
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY November 20, 2018
City Council
STAFF
Noah Beals, Senior City Planner/Zoning
Chris Van Hall, Legal
SUBJECT
First Reading of Ordinance No. 141, 2018, Amending Sections 3.8.7 and 5.1.2 of the Land Use Code Sign
Regulations.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this item is to update the Land Use Code (LUC), specifically the sign section, to improve overall
legibility, address common requests, implement action items from the adopted Downtown Plan, and provide
standards for new technology.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends adoption of the Ordinance on First Reading.
BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION
This Ordinance incorporates the changes to the sign code associated with phase 2 of the update. These changes
included:
• Overall legibility of the sign section:
o Layout changes
o Sign Graphics
• Common Requests:
o Vertical oriented signs
o Secondary roof signs
• Downtown Plan action items:
o Pedestrian Oriented signs
o Clear standards for a historic sign
• Standards for new technology:
o Increase in resolution requirements
o Allow full color electronic Message Centers
o Projected light signs
These changes have come out of the process that was started in 2017. This process has included public
meetings, coffee chats, online questionnaires, presentations to boards and commissions and work sessions with
Council. Overall, staff has received positive feedback on the changes included in this Ordinance.
Part of the process has included discussions on the digital billboards. This Ordinance does not include any
standards or changes related to digital billboards. This topic will come forward at a later date for Council
discussion.
ATTACHMENT 1
COPY
Agenda Item 11
Item # 11 Page 2
CITY FINANCIAL IMPACTS
The City of Fort Collins Zoning staff currently reviews applications and inspects the installation of signs/banners.
It is not anticipated that staff time dedicated to signs/banners will increase.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
The Planning and Zoning Board considered the changes to the sign code June 2018 (Attachment 1). At that
time the changes included those associated with digital billboards. The Planning and Zoning Board
recommended approval of the sign code update in a vote of 6 to 1. The one dissenting vote stated “if the changes
did not include a digital billboard then I would have voted in favor as well”.
The Landmark Preservation Committee (Attachment 2) also reviewed the sign code update June 2018.
However, its review only included the Restoration or Reconstruction of Historic Signs section. Its discussion
focused any redundancy of changes with standards already in place for historic buildings/structures. Therefore,
the changes included in this ordinance reflect this discussion.
The Economic Advisory Commission (EAC) (Attachment 3) received a presentation of the sign code update
June 2018. The EAC offered the following statement related to the changes in this ordinance:
The members of the EAC support the revisions to the City’s sign code and recommend that the city
revise the messaging surrounding the updated city sign code, so that the following points are made clear
to the entities:
(1) Clearly define while not reducing the allowable sign space allotted to each entity;
(2) Give more signage options and flexibility for entities as technologies arise.
PUBLIC OUTREACH
• Aug 14, 2018 City Council Work Session
• June 21, 2018 Planning and Zoning Board Hearing
• June 20, 2018 Landmark Preservation Commission Regular Meeting
• June 20, 2018 Economic Advisory Commission
• June 15, 2018 Planning and Zoning Board Work Session
• May 24, 2018 Public Meeting, Draft of the proposed changes to the Sign Code
• Mar 27, 2018 City Council Work Session
• Mar 22, Coffee Talks at 281 N College Ave
• Mar 15, 2018 Downtown Business Association, Member Meeting
• Mar 14, 2018 Landmark Preservation Commission, Work Session
• Mar 9, 2018 Planning and Zoning Board, Work Session
• Mar 9, 2018 Chamber of Commerce Local Legislative Affairs Committee
• Mar 7, 2018 Coffee Talks at Mugs Coffee Lounge
• Mar 7, 2018 Coffee Talks at 281 N. College Ave.
• Feb 15, 2018 Downtown Business Association, Member Meeting
• Feb 14, 2018 Downtown Business Association, Board Meeting
• Feb 7, 2018: Public Meeting Electronic Message Centers (EMCs), Projected Light Signs, Interactive Window
Signs, Billboards
• Feb 1, 2018: Public Meeting Historic Signs, Downtown Signs, Secondary Roof Signs
• Sep 15, 2017: City Staff Workshop
• Sep 7, 2017: City Staff Workshop
• Aug 25, 2017: City Staff Workshop
• Aug 15, 2017: City Council Second Reading of Interim Sign Code Update Ordinance
• July 27, 2017: Public Open House at the Foothills Activity Center Community Room (241 E Foothills
Parkway)
• July 20, 2017: Planning and Zoning Board Hearing for recommendation of the Interim Sign Code Update
COPY
Agenda Item 11
Item # 11 Page 3
• July 5, 2017: City Council First Reading of Interim Sign Code Update Ordinance
• Jun 30, 2017: Presentation at the Chamber of Commerce
• May 25 2017 City Council Work Session
• Jan 13, 2017: Public Round Table Meeting
• Dec 19, 2016: Public Round Table Meeting
ATTACHMENTS
1. Planning and Zoning Board Minutes June 21, 2018 (PDF)
2. Landmark Preservation Commission Minutes June 20, 2018 (PDF)
3. Economic Adviosory Commission Minutes June 20, 2018 (PDF)
COPY
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ORDINANCE NO. 141, 2018
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
AMENDING SECTIONS 3.8.7 AND 5.1.2 OF THE LAND USE CODE SIGN
REGULATIONS
WHEREAS, on December 2, 1997, by its adoption of Ordinance No. 190, 1997, the City
Council enacted the Fort Collins Land Use Code; and
WHEREAS, the Land Use Code contains regulations regarding signs within the City; and
WHEREAS, the 2015 United States Supreme Court case Reed v. Town of Gilbert and
subsequent lower court decisions applying Reed v. Town of Gilbert prompted a review of the City’s
sign regulations with regards to the issues of content and viewpoint neutrality; and
WHEREAS, the changes to the City’s sign code contained in this Ordinance comply with
Reed v. Town of Gilbert and related cases; and
WHEREAS, the City has legitimate, important, substantial, or compelling interests in:
1. Preventing the proliferation of signs that tends to result from property owners
competing for the attention of passing motorists and pedestrians (also known as
“sign clutter”), because of sign clutter:
a. Creates visual distraction and obstructs views, potentially creating safety
hazards for motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians;
b. May involve physical obstruction of streets, sidewalks, or trails, creating
public safety hazards;
c. Degrades the aesthetic quality of the City, making the City a less attractive
place for residents, business owners, visitors, and private investment; and
d. Dilutes or obscures messages on individual signs due to the increasing
intensity of competition for attention.
2. Protecting the health of its tree canopy, an important community asset that
contributes to the character, environmental quality, and economic health of the City
and the region and may be adversely impacted by sign clutter; and
3. Maintaining a high quality aesthetic environment to protect and enhance property
values and the public investment in streets, sidewalks, trails, plazas, parks, and
landscaping, and to enhance community pride; and
WHEREAS, the Council finds that:
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1. The regulations set out in this Ordinance are unrelated to the suppression of
constitutionally-protected free expression, do not relate to the content of protected
messages that may be displayed on signs, and do not relate to the viewpoint of
individual speakers;
2. Any incidental restriction on the freedom of speech that may result from the
regulation of signs pursuant to this Ordinance is no greater than is essential to the
furtherance of the important, substantial, and compelling interests that are advanced
herein;
3. Regulation of the location, number, materials, height, sign area, form, and duration
of display of signs is essential to preventing sign clutter, protecting the
environmental and economic health of the City; and
4. Signs may be degraded, damaged, moved, or destroyed by causes including wind,
rain, snow, ice, and sun, and after such degradation, damage, movement, or
destruction, such signs harm the safety and aesthetics of the City if they are not
removed; and
WHEREAS, the purpose and intent of this Ordinance is to establish reasonable regulations
for the design, location, installation, maintenance, and removal of signs in a manner that advances
the City’s legitimate, important, substantial, and compelling interests, while simultaneously
safeguarding constitutionally protected free speech; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that the Land Use Code sign regulations
contained in this Ordinance will promote the objectives and public purposes described above and
are in the best interests of the City and its citizens.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
COLLINS as follows:
Section 1. That the City Council hereby makes and adopts the determinations and
findings contained in the recitals set forth above.
Section 2. That Section 3.8.7 of the Land Use Code is hereby repealed in its entirety
and reenacted to read as follows:
3.8.7 - Signs
3.8.7.1 - Generally
(A) Title; Purpose and Intent.
(1) Title. Sections 3.8.7.1, 3.8.7.2, 3.8.7.3, 3.8.7.4, 3.8.7.5. and 3.8.7.6 may be
collectively referred to as the “City of Fort Collins Sign Code,” or the “Sign Code”.
Definitions related to the Sign Code are set out in § 5.1.2, Definitions.
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(2) Purpose and Intent. The purpose and intent of the Sign Code is to set out reasonable
regulations for the design, location, installation, display, operation, repair,
maintenance, and removal of signs in a manner that advances the City’s legitimate,
important, substantial, and compelling interests, while simultaneously safeguarding
the constitutionally protected right of free speech.
(B) Interests. The City has a legitimate, important, substantial, or compelling interest in:
(1) Preventing the proliferation of signs of generally increasing size, dimensions, and
visual intrusiveness (also known as “sign clutter”) that tends to result from property
owners competing for the attention of passing motorists and pedestrians, because
sign clutter:
(a) Creates visual distraction and obstructs views, potentially creating safety
hazards for motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians;
(b) May involve physical obstruction of streets, sidewalks, or trails, creating
public safety hazards;
(c) Degrades the aesthetic quality of the City, making the City a less attractive
place for residents, business owners, visitors, and private investment; and
(d) Dilutes or obscures messages on individual signs due to the increasing
competition for attention.
(2) Maintaining and enhancing the historic character of historic Downtown Fort
Collins, a unique historic resource of exceptional quality and vibrancy.
(3) Protecting the health of the City’s tree canopy, an important community asset that
contributes to the character, environmental quality, and economic health of the City
and the region.
(4) Maintaining a high quality aesthetic environment to protect and enhance property
values, leverage public investments in streets, sidewalks, trails, plazas, parks, open
space, civic buildings, and landscaping, and enhance community pride.
(5) Protecting minors from speech that is harmful to them according to state or federal
law, by preventing such speech in places that are accessible to and used by minors.
(C) Findings. The City finds that:
(1) Content-neutrality, viewpoint neutrality, and fundamental fairness in regulation and
review are essential to ensuring an appropriate balance between the important,
substantial, and compelling interests set out in § 3.8.7.1(B) and the constitutionally-
protected right to free expression.
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(2) The regulations set out in the Sign Code are unrelated to the suppression of
constitutionally-protected free expression, do not relate to the content of protected
messages that may be displayed on signs, and do not relate to the viewpoint of
individual speakers.
(3) The incidental restriction on the freedom of speech that may result from the
regulation of signs pursuant to the Sign Code is no greater than is essential to the
furtherance of the important, substantial, and compelling interests that are set out
in § 3.8.7.1(B).
(4) Regulation of the location, number, materials, height, sign area, form, and duration
of display of temporary signs is essential to prevent sign clutter.
(5) Temporary signs may be degraded, damaged, moved, or destroyed by wind, rain,
snow, ice, and sun, and after such degradation, damage, movement, or destruction,
such signs harm the safety and aesthetics of the City’s streets if they are not
removed.
(6) Certain classifications of speech are not constitutionally protected due to the harm
that they cause to individuals or the community.
(D) Applicability, exemptions, and permit exceptions.
(1) Applicability. The provisions of the Sign Code shall apply to the display,
construction, installation, erection, alteration, use, location, maintenance, and
removal of all signs within the City that are not specifically exempt from such
application.
(2) Sign Permits.
(a) No sign shall be displayed, constructed, installed, erected, refaced, or
altered within the City limits until the City has issued a sign permit, unless
the sign qualifies as an exception to the permit requirements.
(b) No permit is required for routine sign maintenance, painting, or replacing
light sources with lighting of comparable intensity (however, the
installation of a new manual changeable copy message center or electronic
message center does require a permit).
(3) Sign Regulation Exemptions. The Sign Code does not apply to:
(a) Signs of any type that are installed or posted (or required to be installed or
posted) by the Federal government, the State of Colorado, Larimer County,
the City, or a School District (collectively, “Governmental Entities”), on
property owned or controlled by a
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Governmental Entity.
(b) Required signs, posted in accordance with applicable law or regulations.
(4) Sign Regulation Partial Exemptions. The following signs are subject only to
subsections (E) through (L) of this Section 3.8.7.1, inclusive, and shall not require
a sign permit:
(a) Signs that are not visible from any of the following areas due to the
configuration of the building(s) or structure(s) or the topography of the site
upon which the signs are located:
1. Residential lots;
2. Adjoining property that is not under common ownership;
3. Public rights-of-way; or
4. Property that is located at a higher elevation than the property upon
which the sign is displayed.
(b) Signs that are not legible from adjoining property or rights-of-way due to
the configuration of the building(s) or structure(s) or the topography of the
site upon which the signs are located or the orientation or setback or
typeface of the sign, provided that:
1. One (1) such sign may have a sign area that is not more than thirty-
five (35) square feet, and if a sign area allowance applies to the site,
fifty (50) percent of the sign area of the sign is counted towards the
sign area allowance;
2. Other such signs may have a sign area that is not more than eight (8)
square feet, and are not counted towards any applicable sign area
allowance.
(c) Horizontal projected light signs that are projected onto private property,
provided that they are not projected onto required signs.
(5) Sign Permit Exceptions. The following signs may be displayed, constructed,
installed, erected, or altered without a sign permit, but are not exempt from other
applicable provisions of § 3.8.7.2 or § 3.8.7.3:
(a) One (1) optional residential sign per street-facing building elevation of a
residential building not exceeding four (4) square feet in area;
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(b) Flags that are hung from not more than three (3) rigid, straight, building-
mounted or ground-mounted flagpoles per one hundred (100) feet of
property frontage or fraction thereof, provided that:
1. No more than three (3) flags are flown from any one (1) flagpole;
2. No flag obstructs pedestrian, bicycle, or vehicular traffic, or a
required sight triangle; and
3. No flag exceeds thirty-two (32) square feet in area;
(c) Small signs, as follows:
1. Signs that are affixed to a building or structure, that do not exceed
two (2) square feet in sign area, provided that only one (1) such sign
is present on each elevation that is visible from public rights-of-way
or adjoining property; and
2. Signs that are less than one (1) square foot in area that are affixed to
machines, equipment, fences, gates, walls, gasoline pumps, public
telephones, or utility cabinets;
(d) Temporary seasonal decorations;
(e) Temporary signs (except feather flags and attached or detached temporary
banners and pennants, all of which require a sign permit); and
(f) Window signs that are less than six (6) square feet in area, provided that:
1. The total area covered by window signs:
a. Does not exceed twenty-five (25) percent of the area of the
architecturally distinct window in which they are located;
and
b. Does not exceed twenty-five (25) percent of the sign
allowance described in § 3.8.7.2(A); and
2. The window signs are not illuminated.
(E) Relationship to Other Regulations.
(1) In addition to the regulations set out in the Sign Code, signs may also be subject to
applicable State laws and regulations (e.g., State of Colorado, Department of
Highways, “Rules and Regulations Pertaining to Outdoor Advertising,” effective
January 1, 1984, as may be amended from time to time), Federal laws and
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regulations, and applicable adopted building and electrical codes. Exceptions to
the sign permit requirement do not constitute exemptions to other applicable codes
or permit requirements.
(2) Where any provision of the Sign Code covers the same subject matter as other
regulations of the City, the more specific regulation shall control the more general
one, unless the City determines that the more restrictive regulation is clearly
unenforceable as a matter of law.
(3) Where any provision of the Sign Code covers the same subject matter as other
regulations of the State of Colorado or the United States, the applicant is advised
that nothing in this Chapter shall be construed as a defense to a violation of
applicable state or federal law except as may be provided in the state or federal law.
(4) All signs within the Old Town Historic District within the Downtown District must
comply with the Old Town Historic District Design Standards except that the Old
Town Historic District Design Standards shall not be interpreted to limit the content
of the sign.
(5) The Downtown District shall be defined by the boundary exhibited in the 2017 Fort
Collins Downtown Plan.
(F) Measurements.
(1) Property Frontage. Property frontage is measured as the length of each property
boundary that abuts a public street right-of-way.
(2) Sign Area.
(a) Generally. In general, sign area is the area within a continuous polygon with
up to eight (8) straight sides that completely encloses the limits of text and
graphics of a sign, together with any frame or other material or color
forming an integral part of the display or used to differentiate the sign’s
contents from the background against which they are placed.
(b) Additions. The area of all freestanding and ground signs shall include the
area of the sign face(s) as calculated in subsection (F)(2)(a), together with
any portion of the sign structure which exceeds one and one-half (1½) times
the area of the sign face(s).
(c) Exclusions. The sign area does not include the structure upon which the sign
is placed (unless the structure is an integral part of the display or used to
differentiate it), but does include any open space contained within the outer
limits of the display face, or between any component, panel, strip, or figure
of any kind composing the display face, whether this open space is enclosed
by a frame or border or not.
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Figure (F)(2)(c)
Sign Area Measurement
(d) Multiple Sign Faces. Freestanding temporary signs may have multiple
faces. The area of such signs is measured using the vertical cross-section
that represents the sign’s maximum projection upon a vertical plane (e.g.,
for a sign with two (2) opposite faces on the same plane, the total cumulative
area of both faces is used for area calculation).
Figure (F)(2)(d)
Multiple Sign Faces
(e) Three-Dimensional Sign Faces. The area of signs that do not have a flat sign
face is measured using the vertical cross-section that represents the sign’s
maximum projection upon a vertical plane.
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Figure (F)(2)(e)
Three-Dimensional Sign Faces
(3) Sign Clearance. Sign clearance is the distance between the bottom of a sign or
related structural element that is not affixed to the ground and the nearest point on
the ground-level surface under it.
Figure (F)(3)
Sign Clearance
(4) Sign Height. Sign height is measured as:
(a) For ground-mounted signs:
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1. The distance between ground level at the base of the sign and the
top of the sign or sign structure, whichever is higher; or
2. If the average grade under the base of the sign is more than two (2)
feet lower than the average grade of the nearest adjoining street, then
the height of the detached sign shall be measured from the elevation
of the flowline of the street to the top of the sign or sign structure.
Figure (F)(4)(a)
Sign Height (Ground-Mounted Signs)
(b) For building-mounted signs, the greatest distance between the lowest part
of the sign or sign structure and the highest part of the sign or sign structure.
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Figure (F)(4)(b)
Sign Height (Building-Mounted Signs)
(5) Projection. Projection is the horizontal distance between a building wall or fascia
to which a sign is mounted and the part of the sign or sign structure that is most
distant from the wall or fascia, Measured perpendicular to the vertical plane of the
wall or fascia.
Figure (F)(5)
Projection
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(6) Setbacks Sign setbacks are measured perpendicularly from the property line that
defines the required setback to the nearest point on the sign or sign structure.
(G) Prohibited signs and sign elements.
(1) Generally. The prohibitions in this subsection (G) apply to temporary and
permanent signs in all areas of the City.
(2) Prohibited Signs. The following signs are not allowed, whether temporary or
permanent:
(a) Temporary signs, except as specifically permitted in § 3.8.7.3, Temporary
Signs;
(b) Portable signs, except as permitted in the Code of the City of Fort Collins
Chapter 24, Article IV;
(c) Wind-driven signs except flags, feather flags, banners, and pennants in
compliance with this § 3.8.7.3;
(d) Inflatable signs, and signs that are designed to appear as inflatable signs
(e.g., plastic balloons);
(e) Revolving or rotating signs;
(f) Permanent off-premises signs, except as provided in § 3.8.7.6;
(g) Billboards; and
(h) Abandoned signs.
(3) Prohibited Design Elements. The following elements shall not be incorporated as
an element of any sign or sign structure, whether temporary or permanent:
(a) Animated or moving parts, including any moving, swinging, rotating, or
spinning parts or flashing, blinking, scintillating, chasing, fluctuating, or
otherwise animated light; except as expressly allowed in this Sign Code;
(b) Cardboard, card stock, or paper, except when laminated or used as a window
sign located on the interior side of the window;
(c) Motor vehicles, unless:
1. The vehicles are operational, and either:
a. Automobile dealer inventory; or
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b. Regularly used as motor vehicles, with current registration
and tags;
2. The display of signage on the motor vehicle would not interfere with
the immediate operation of the motor vehicle (e.g., signs that are
held in place by an open hood or trunk are not allowed; signs that
cover windows are not allowed; and signs that would fall off of the
vehicle if the vehicle were in motion are not allowed); and
3. The motor vehicle is legally parked in a vehicle use area depicted on
an approved site plan.
(d) Semi-trailers, shipping containers, or portable storage units, unless:
1. The trailers, containers, or portable storage units are:
a. Structurally sound and capable of being transported,
b. Used for their primary purpose (e.g., storage, pick-up, or
delivery); and
c. If subject to registration, have current registration and tags;
and
2. The display of signage is incidental to the primary purpose; and
3. The semi-trailer, shipping container, or portable storage unit is
parked or placed in a designated loading area or on a construction
site in an area that is designated on an approved construction staging
plan.
Exception: This standard does not apply to shipping containers that are used as building
cores.
(e) Stacked products (e.g., tires, soft drink cases, bagged soil or mulch) that are
placed in unapproved outdoor storage locations;
(f) Materials with a high degree of specular reflectivity, such as polished metal,
installed in a manner that creates substantial glare from headlights, street
lights, or sunlight.
Exception: This standard does not prohibit retroreflective materials that comply with the
standards set forth in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
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(g) Rooftop signs and all other types of signs that project above the roof deck,
except that signs are allowed on parapet walls if the parapet wall was
constructed as a part of the building and the parapet wall includes a sign
band within which the sign is installed.
Exception: Secondary Roof signs as provided in subsection 3.8.7.2(F).
(4) Prohibited Obstructions. In no event shall a sign, whether temporary or permanent,
obstruct the use of:
(a) Building ingress or egress, including doors, egress windows, and fire
escapes;
(b) Operable windows (with regard to movement, not transparency); or
(c) Equipment, structures, or architectural elements that are related to public
safety, building operations, or utility service (e.g., standpipes, downspouts,
fire hydrants, electrical outlets, lighting, vents, valves, and meters).
(5) Prohibited Mounts. No sign, whether temporary or permanent, shall be posted,
installed, mounted on, fastened, or affixed to any of the following:
(a) Any tree or shrub;
(b) Any utility pole or light pole, unless:
1. The sign is a banner or flag that is not more than ten (10) square feet
in area;
2. The owner of the utility pole or light pole consents to its use for the
display of the banner or flag;
3. The banner or flag is mounted on brackets or a pole that extends not
more than thirty (30) inches from the utility pole or light pole;
4. The banner or flag is either situated above an area that is not used
by pedestrians or vehicles, or the bottom of the banner or flag has a
sign clearance of at least eight (8) feet; and
5. Any applicable City encroachment or banner permits are obtained;
or
(c) Utility cabinets.
(H) Prohibited Locations. In addition to applicable setback requirements and other restrictions
of this Sign Code, no sign shall be located in any of the following locations:
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(1) In or over public rights-of-way (which, in addition to streets, may include other
sidewalks, parkways, trails, multi-use pathways, retaining walls, utility poles,
traffic calming devices, medians, and center islands that are within public rights-
of-way), except:
(a) Signs painted on or affixed to transit shelters and bus benches as authorized
by the provider of the shelter or bench, but not extending beyond the
physical structure of the shelter or bench;
(b) Signs that are the subject of a revocable license agreement with the City,
installed and maintained in accordance with the terms of that agreement;
(c) Portable signs permitted pursuant to the Code of the City of Fort Collins,
Chapter 24, Article IV; or
(d) Signs posted by the City or jurisdiction that owns or maintains the right-of-
way; or
(2) Within any sight distance triangle, as provided in subsection (I), below.
(I) Illumination. The illumination of signs, where permitted, shall comply with the standards
of this subsection (I) and Land Use Code § 3.2.4, Site Lighting.
(1) Generally.
(a) In general, attached illuminated signs shall be turned off by 11:00 PM if
they located within three hundred (300) feet of property that is zoned, used,
or approved for residential use. However, signs may be illuminated in
Downtown, Commercial/Industrial, and Mixed-Use sign districts after
11:00 PM if:
1. The operating hours of the use to which the sign relates extend past
10:30 PM, in which case the sign shall be turned off not more than
thirty (30) minutes after the end of operating hours each day; and
the sign is dimmed by at least thirty (30) percent between midnight
and 6:00 AM; or
2. The lighting that illuminates the sign is used primarily for the
protection of the premises or for safety purposes, or
3. The sign is separated from residential uses by an arterial street.
(b) Illuminated signs shall avoid the concentration of illumination. The
intensity of the light source shall not produce glare, the effect of which
constitutes a traffic hazard or nuisance to adjoining property.
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(c) No sign or associated luminaire shall create light spillover of more than one
(1) lux at any property line that is zoned or used for single-family detached,
duplex, or townhome purposes.
(d) Every electric sign shall have affixed thereon an approved Underwriters'
Laboratories label, and all wiring connected to such sign shall comply with
all provisions of the National Electrical Code, as adopted by the City.
(e) Electrical service to freestanding signs shall be installed underground.
Electrical service to attached signs shall be provided from the building and
concealed from view.
(2) Internal Illumination.
(a) No internal sign lighting shall include any exposed light source, except that
neon or comparable tube lighting is permitted in locations where internal
sign illumination is allowed.
(b) During the time between sunset and the time an illuminated sign must be
turned off pursuant to subsection (I)(1)(a), above, internally lit signs
(including electronic message centers) shall not exceed six hundred (600)
nits of luminance.
(3) Indirect Lighting.
(a) All signs that use indirect lighting shall have their lighting directed in such
a manner as to illuminate only the face of the sign, and not to create glare
or sky glow.
(b) When indirect lighting is used to illuminate detached signs, the light source
must be concealed from view from on and off-site vehicular and pedestrian
use areas and from within existing buildings.
(c) Indirect lighting of signs shall not exceed the following illuminance:
1. Commercial/Industrial and Mixed-Use Sign Districts: six hundred
(600) lux
2. Downtown Sign District: five hundred (500) lux
3. All Other Sign Districts: four hundred (400) lux
(4) Off-Premises Signage. No new illumination may be added to existing off-premises
signage.
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(J) Message Centers.
(1) Manual Copy Message Centers.
(a) Design.
1. Manual changeable copy message centers shall appear integrated
into the sign face of a permanent sign that also includes text and
graphics that are not part of the manual changeable copy message
center.
2. No manual changeable copy message center may be constructed
using face or screen materials such as expanded metal or other types
of mesh; any type of corrugated plastic such as Filon, V3, or
Styrene; or other types of materials that are commonly used for
“portable” or “homemade” signs.
(b) Dimensions. No manual changeable copy message center shall occupy
more than eighty (80) percent of the sign area of a sign.
(c) Operation and Maintenance.
1. No changeable copy sign or portion of a sign may have changeable
copy that is nailed, pinned, glued, taped, or comparably attached.
2. If any part of the changeable copy portion of a sign or the track type
system or other method of attachment is absent from the sign, or
deteriorates so that it is no longer consistent with the style or
materials used in the permanent portion of the sign, or is altered in
such a way that it no longer conforms to the approved plans and
specifications, the sign shall be removed or repaired within fourteen
(14) days.
(2) Electronic Message Centers. Digital electronic message centers (“EMCs”) may be
incorporated into signs as provided in this subsection.
(a) Number, Design, Dimensions.
1. Not more than one (1) sign with an EMC component is allowed per
street frontage.
2. EMCs shall appear to be incorporated into the face of a permanent
sign that includes text or graphics that are not part of the EMC.
3. EMCs shall not have a pixel pitch that is greater than twelve (12)
mm.
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4. EMCs shall be integrated harmoniously into the design of the sign
face and structure, shall not be the predominant element of the sign,
and if located at the top of a sign, the sign must include a substantial
cap feature above the EMC, which consists of the same material,
form, color, and texture as is found on the sign face or structure.
5. Not more than fifty (50) percent of the sign area of a permitted sign
may be occupied by EMCs.
(b) Spacing, Prohibitions.
1. Signs with EMC components shall be separated from each other and from
property used or if the property is vacant but zoned for residential purposes
(except multi-family buildings with more than four [4] units) by a distance
of not less than one hundred (100) feet, measured in a straight line.
2. EMCs are not allowed on a freestanding pole sign except as provided in
Section 3.8.7.6.
3. In the Downtown (D) District, wall signs with electronic message centers
are not permitted on properties located within the boundaries of the Portable
Sign Placement Area Map, See Sec. 24-150, et seq., Fort Collins City Code.
(c) Operations.
1. The message displayed on an EMC shall not change more frequently than
once per sixty (60) seconds unless the EMC is subject to Section 3.8.7.6(F).
If a single sign includes multiple EMCs, they shall be considered a single
EMC for the purposes of this standard.
2. EMCs shall contain static messages only, and animated, dissolve, or fade
transitions are not allowed.
3. EMCs shall be controlled by dimming software and sensors to adjust
brightness for nighttime viewing and variations in ambient light. The
intensity of the light source shall not produce glare, the effect of which
constitutes a traffic hazard or is otherwise detrimental to the public health,
safety or welfare.
(d) Certification. Prior to acceptance of the installation by the City, the permit holder
shall schedule an inspection with a Zoning Inspector to verify compliance. The
permit holder and the business owner, business manager or property manager shall
be in attendance during the inspection.
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(K) Sight Distance Triangles. Signs that obstruct view within an area between forty-two (42)
inches and seventy-two (72) inches above the flowline of the adjacent street shall be set back from
the right-of-way line a distance as established in Table (K), Sight Distance Triangles.
Table (K)
Sight Distance Triangles1
Type of street Y distances (ft.)2 X distances (ft.) Safe sight distance (ft.)
Arterial
Right: 135
15 500
Left: 270
Collector
Right: 120
15 400
Left: 220
Local
Right: 100
15 300
Left: 150
Table Notes:
1 These distances are typical sight distance triangles to be used under normal conditions and may be modified by the Director of Engineering
in order to protect the public safety and welfare in the event that exceptional site conditions necessitate such modification.
2 See Figure (K) for illustration.
Figure (K)
Sight Distance Triangle Setbacks
(L) Content. Except as provided in this subsection (L), no sign shall be approved or
disapproved based on the content or message it displays.
(1) Prohibition on Certain Types of Unprotected Speech. The following content,
without reference to the viewpoint of the individual speaker, shall not be displayed
on signs:
(a) Text or graphics that is harmful to minors as defined by state or federal law;
(b) Text or graphics that are obscene, fighting words, defamation, incitement to
imminent lawless action, or true threats, as such words and phrases are
defined by controlling law;
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(c) Text or graphics that present a clear and present danger due to their potential
confusion with traffic control signs; or
(d) Signs that provide false information related to public safety (e.g., signs that
use the words “Stop,” “Yield,” “Caution,” or “Danger,” or comparable
words, phrases, symbols, or characters that are presented in a manner as to
confuse motorists or imply a safety hazard that does not exist).
(2) Severability. The narrow classifications of content that are prohibited from display
on signs by this subsection (L) are either not protected by the United States and
Colorado Constitutions, or are offered limited protection that is outweighed by the
substantial and compelling governmental interests in protecting the public safety
and welfare. It is the intent of the City Council that each provision of this
subsection (L) be individually severable in the event that a court holds one or more
of them to be inconsistent with the United States Constitution or Colorado
Constitution.
(M) Sign Districts.
(1) Generally. In recognition that the City is a place of diverse physical character, and
that different areas of the City have different functional characteristics, signs shall
be regulated based on sign district in which they are located.
(2) Sign Districts Created. The following sign districts are created: Downtown,
Commercial/Industrial, Multifamily, Single-Family, and Residential
Neighborhood. Sign districts shall correspond to zoning districts as provided in
Table (M), Sign Districts.
Table (M)
Sign Districts
Sign District Corresponding Zoning Districts
Downtown D; R-D-R
Commercial/Industrial T; C-C; C-C-N; C-C-R; C-G; C-S; C-L; H-C; E; I
Mixed-Use L-M-N; M-M-N; H-M-N; N-C
Multifamily N-C-M; N-C-B
Single-Family R-U-L; U-E; R-F; R-L; N-C-L; P-O-L; R-C
Residential Neighborhood Sign
District
See map on file at City Clerk’s office. To the extent of any geographic overlap with other sign
districts, the Residential Neighborhood Sign District supersedes the overlapped sign district.
3.8.7.2 - Permanent Signs
(A) Sign Area Allowance.
(1) Generally. The sign area allowance limits the total amount of sign area that may be
allocated to certain types of signs (listed in Tables (B) to (F)) on a site based on the
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location and use of the site. Sign area allowance is calculated as set out in Table
(A), Sign Area Allowance.
Table (A)
Sign Area Allowance
Location / Use
Calculation
For 1st 200 lf. of
bldg. frontage
+
For each lf. of bldg.
frontage in excess of 200
lf.
= But not less than
Generally
All Sign Districts1
2 sf. / lf. + 1 sf. / lf.
=
1 sf. / lf. of lot frontage
TABLE NOTES:
1 Sign allowance is calculated per building frontage and may only be applied to the frontage to which the calculations apply. No more than 3
building frontages shall be used for the purposes of the sign allowance calculations.
(2) Sites without Frontage on Public Streets. If a building does not have frontage on a
dedicated public street, the owner of the building may designate the one building
frontage for the purpose of calculating the sign area allowance.
(3) Allocation of Sign Area Allowance.
(a) If the only building frontage that fronts on a public street is a wall containing
no signs, the property owner may designate another building frontage on
the building on the basis of which the total sign allowance shall be
calculated, provided that no more than twenty-five (25) percent of the total
sign allowance permitted under this Sign Code may be placed on frontage
other than the building fascia which was the basis for the sign allowance
calculation.
(b) In all other cases, the sign allowance for a property may be distributed in
any manner among its building and/or street frontages except that no one
building, or street frontage may contain more sign area than one hundred
(100) percent of the sign area allowance.
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Figure (A), Sign Types
(B) Wall Signs. Wall signs are allowed according to the standards in Table (B), Wall Signs.
Table (B)
Wall Signs
Type of
Sign
Standards
Sign District
Outside of Residential Neighborhood Sign District1 Within Residential
Neighborhood Sign
Downtown District1
Commercial/
Industrial Mixed-Use Multifamily Single-Family
Applied or Painted Wall Signs
Max. # Not limited Not limited 1 per single-
family
dwelling unit
or duplex
building that
fronts on an
arterial; or
1 per
nonresidenti
al use
1 per single-
family
dwelling unit
or duplex
building that
fronts on an
arterial; or
1 per
nonresidential
use
1 per single-
family
dwelling unit
or duplex
building that
fronts on an
arterial; or
1 per
nonresidential
use
1 per single-family
dwelling unit or duplex
building that fronts on an
arterial; not limited for
nonresidential uses
Subject to
Sign Area
Allowance
Yes Yes Nonresidenti
al uses only
Nonresidentia
l uses only
Nonresidentia
l uses only
Yes
-23-
Table (B)
Wall Signs
Type of
Sign
Standards
Sign District
Outside of Residential Neighborhood Sign District1 Within Residential
Neighborhood Sign
Downtown District1
Commercial/
Industrial Mixed-Use Multifamily Single-Family
Max. Sign
Height
4.5 ft. if within 15 ft.
of elevation of
sidewalk below; 7 ft.
if above 15 ft. of
elevation of sidewalk
below but any
portion below fourth
story; 9 ft. if entirely
above fourth story.
7 ft. 7 ft. 7 ft. 7 ft. 2.5 ft. within
Neighborhood Service
Center or Neighborhood
Commercial Uses; 2 ft.
within Convenience
Shopping Center use; and
1.5 ft. for all other
Institutional, Business,
Commercial, or other
Nonresidential uses
Max. Sign
Width
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Tenant space 45,000 sf. or
less: lesser of 40 ft. or 75%
of width of tenant space;
Tenant space is larger than
45,000 sf.: 55 ft.
Allowed
Lighting
Indirect only Indirect only Indirect only Indirect only None Indirect only
Other
Standards
For flush wall signs
consisting of framed
banners, all banners
shall be sized to fit
the banner frame so
that there are no
visible gaps between
the edges of the
banner and the
banner frame.
For flush wall signs
consisting of framed
banners, all banners
shall be sized to fit
the banner frame so
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Applied or Painted Wall Signs – Vertically Oriented
Max. # 1 per building 1 per building 1 per building 1 per building 1 per building 1 per single-family
dwelling unit or duplex
building that fronts on
an arterial; 1 per
building for
nonresidential uses
Subject to
Sign Area
Allowance
Yes Yes Nonresidential
uses only
Nonresidential
uses only
Nonresidential
uses only
Yes
Max. Sign
Area
Limited by
sign area
allowance
Limited by sign area
allowance
Single-family or
duplex building:
4 sf.
Nonresidential
use: 35 sf.
Single-family or
duplex building:
4 sf.
Nonresidential
use: 35 sf.
Single-family
or duplex
building: 4 sf.
Nonresidential
use: 35 sf.
Limited by sign area
allowance, except if
tenant space does not
have outside wall, in
which case 30 sf.
Max. Sign
Height
10’ if within
15’ if
elevation of
sidewalk
below; 25 ft.
if above 15’ of
elevation of
sidewalk
below
25 ft. 25 ft. 25 ft. 25 ft. 25 ft.
Max. Sign
Width
2 ft. 2 ft. 2 ft. 2 ft. 2 ft. 2 ft.
-25-
Max. Sign
Area
Limited by
sign area
allowance
Limited by sign area
allowance
Limited by sign
area allowance
Limited by sign
area allowance
Limited by sign
area
allowance
Limited by sign area
allowance
Max. Sign
Height
4.5 ft. if
within 15 ft.
of elevation
of sidewalk
below; 7 ft. if
above 15 ft.
of elevation
of sidewalk
below but any
portion below
fourth story;
9 ft. if entirely
above fourth
story.
7 ft. 7 ft. 7 ft. 7 ft. 2.5 ft. within
Neighborhood Service
Center or Neighborhood
Commercial Uses; 2 ft.
within Convenience
Shopping Center use;
and 1.5 ft. for all other
Institutional, Business,
Commercial, or other
Nonresidential uses
Max.
Projection
1 ft. 1 ft. 1 ft. 1 ft. 1 ft. 1 ft.
Allowed
Lighting
Any Any Any None None Internal only
Other
Standards
Raceway
must be
finished to
match color
of wall;
raceway must
be not more
than 50% of
height of
-26-
Table (C)
Window Signs
Type of Sign
Standards
Sign District
Outside of Residential Neighborhood Sign District1 Within
Residential
Neighborhood
Downtown Commercial/Industrial Mixed-Use Multifamily Single-Family Sign District
Other
Standards
Window signs
that are not
exempt from
sign permits are
counted
towards sign
area allowance.
See subsection
(A), above, and
§
3.8.7.1(D)(5)(g)
Window signs that
are not exempt from
sign permits are
counted towards sign
area allowance. See
subsection (A), above,
and § 3.8.7.1(D)(5)(g)
Window signs that
are not exempt
from sign permits
are counted
towards sign area
allowance. See
subsection (A),
above, and §
3.8.7.1(D)(5)(g)
Not allowed
above the first
story of
nonresidential
buildings
Not allowed
above the first
story of
nonresidential
buildings
Not allowed
above the first
story of
nonresidential
buildings
(D) Projecting Signs. Projecting signs include awning signs, marquee signs, under-canopy
signs, and fin signs. Projecting signs are allowed according to the standards in Table (D),
Projecting Signs. Projecting signs shall not extend into the public right-of-way, except
that the City may grant a revocable license to allow projecting signs to encroach into the
right-of-way.
Table (D)
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Table (D)
Projecting Signs
Type of Sign
Standards
Sign District
Outside of Residential Neighborhood Sign District Within
Residential
Neighborhood
Downtown Sign District
Commercial/
Industrial Mixed-Use Multifamily Single-Family
Allowed
Lighting
Indirect; or
backlighting of
letters and graphics
is allowed if
background is
completely opaque
Indirect; or
backlighting of
letters and graphics
is allowed if
background is
completely opaque
Indirect; or
backlighting of
letters and graphics
is allowed if
background is
completely opaque
Indirect; or
backlighting of
letters and
graphics is
allowed if
background is
completely
opaque
For
nonresidential
uses only;
Indirect; or
backlighting of
letters and
graphics is
allowed if
background is
completely
opaque
Indirect; or
backlighting of
letters and
graphics is
allowed if
background is
completely
opaque
Other Standards Not allowed above
-28-
Table (D)
Projecting Signs
Type of Sign
Standards
Sign District
Outside of Residential Neighborhood Sign District Within
Residential
Neighborhood
Downtown Sign District
Commercial/
Industrial Mixed-Use Multifamily Single-Family
Other Standards Under-canopy sign
shall not project
above top of
canopy to which it
is mounted;
painted or applied
wall sign standards
apply if parallel to
building facade;
secondary fin sign
standards apply if
perpendicular to
building façade; not
allowed if
secondary fin sign is
present at same
entrance
Under-canopy sign
shall not project
above top of
canopy to which it
is mounted; painted
or applied wall sign
standards apply if
parallel to building
facade; secondary
fin sign standards
apply if
perpendicular to
building façade; not
allowed if
secondary fin sign is
present at same
entrance
Under-canopy sign
shall not project
above top of
canopy to which it
is mounted; painted
or applied wall sign
standards apply if
parallel to building
facade; secondary
fin sign standards
apply if
perpendicular to
building façade; not
allowed if
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Table (D)
Projecting Signs
Type of Sign
Standards
Sign District
Outside of Residential Neighborhood Sign District Within
Residential
Neighborhood
Downtown Sign District
Commercial/
Industrial Mixed-Use Multifamily Single-Family
Other Standards City may authorize up
to 48 in.
encroachment into
right-of-way by
revocable license if
total sign area for fin
signs is lesser of 1 sf.
per lf. building
frontage or 12 sf.
City may
authorize up
to 48 in.
encroachment
into right-of-
way by
revocable
license if total
sign area for
fin signs is
lesser of 1 sf.
per lf. building
frontage or 12
sf.
City may authorize
up to 48 in.
encroachment into
right-of-way by
revocable license if
total sign area for
fin signs is lesser of
1 sf. per lf. building
frontage or 12 sf.
City may
authorize up to
48 in.
encroachment
into right-of-way
by revocable
license if total
sign area for fin
signs is lesser of 1
sf. per lf. building
frontage or 12 sf.
City may
authorize up
to 48 in.
encroachment
into right-of-
-30-
Other
Standards
Must be
located above
entrance,
within 3 ft. of
top of door;
not allowed if
under-canopy
sign is present
at same
entrance
Must be located
above entrance,
within 3 ft. of top of
door; not allowed if
under-canopy sign is
present at same
entrance
Must be located
above entrance,
within 3 ft. of top of
door; not allowed if
under-canopy sign
is present at same
entrance
Must be located
above entrance,
within 3 ft. of
top of door; not
allowed if under-
canopy sign is
present at same
entrance
Must be
located above
entrance,
within 3 ft. of
top of door;
not allowed if
under-canopy
sign is present
at same
entrance
Must be
located above
entrance,
within 3 ft. of
top of door;
not allowed if
under-canopy
sign is present
at same
entrance
(E) Canopy Signs. Canopy signs are allowed according to the standards in Table (E),
Canopy Signs.
Table (E)
Canopy Signs
Type of Sign
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Table (F)
Secondary Roof Signs
Type of Sign
Standards
Sign District
Outside of Residential Neighborhood Sign District Within
Residential
Neighborhood
Downtown Commercial/Industrial Mixed-Use Multifamily Single-Family Sign District
Max. # 1 per building,
for
nonresidential
or mixed-use
property
1 per building, for
nonresidential or
mixed-use property
1 per building, for
nonresidential or
mixed-use
property
1 per building,
for
nonresidential or
mixed-use
property
1 per building,
for
nonresidential
or mixed-use
property
1 per building,
for
nonresidential
or mixed-use
property
Subject to Sign
Area
Allowance
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Max. Sign Area
(per sign)
Limited by sign
area allowance
Limited by sign area
allowance
Limited by sign
area allowance
Limited by sign
area allowance
Limited by
sign area
allowance
Limited by sign
area allowance
Max. Sign
Height
1st or 2nd story
secondary
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(G) Freestanding Permanent Signs. Detached permanent signs are allowed according to the
standards in Table (G)(1), Freestanding Permanent Signs.
Table (G)(1)
Freestanding Permanent Signs
Type of Sign
Standards
Sign District
Outside of Residential Neighborhood Sign District Within
Residential
Downtown Neighborhood
Commercial /
Industrial Mixed-Use Multifamily Single-Family
Primary Detached Signs
Max. # 1 per frontage1 1 per frontage1 1 per frontage for
nonresidential, mixed-
use, or multifamily
property1
1 per site for
nonresidential,
mixed-use, or
multifamily uses1;
1 per site for
single-family
detached or
duplex if the lot
fronts on an
arterial; 2 per
public vehicular
entry into
residential
subdivision or
multifamily site
(one single face
sign on each side
of entry)
1 per site for
nonresidential,
mixed-use, or
multifamily
uses1; 1 per site
for single-family
detached or
duplex if the lot
fronts on an
arterial; 2 per
public vehicular
entry into
residential
subdivision or
multifamily site
(one single face
sign on each side
of entry)
1 per site for
nonresidential,
mixed-use, or
multifamily
uses1; 2 per
public
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Table (G)(1)
Freestanding Permanent Signs
Type of Sign
Standards
Sign District
Outside of Residential Neighborhood Sign District Within
Residential
Downtown Neighborhood
Commercial /
Industrial Mixed-Use Multifamily Single-Family
Other
Standards
Location may be established by approved development plan;
Structure shall match primary finish and colors of associated buildings;
Pole style signs shall contain no more than thirty (30) percent (or forty [40] percent if located within the site
distance triangle) of free air space between the top of the sign and the ground, vertically and between the
extreme horizontal limits of the sign extended perpendicular to the ground. A base or pole cover provided to
satisfy this requirement shall be integrally designed as part of the sign by use of such techniques as color,
material and texture. Freestanding signs that existed prior to December 30, 2011, and that do not comply
with this requirement shall be removed or brought into compliance by December 31, 2019, provided that
such signs otherwise comply with § 3.8.7.4, Nonconforming Signs.
structure shall
match primary
finish and
colors of
associated
buildings; must
be monument
style
Secondary Detached Signs
Max. # 1 per vehicular
access point to
nonresidential,
mixed-use, or
multifamily
property
1 per vehicular
access point to
nonresidential,
mixed-use, or
multifamily
property
1 per vehicular access
point to
nonresidential, mixed-
use, or multifamily
property
1 per vehicular
access point to
nonresidential,
mixed-use, or
multifamily
property
1 per vehicular
access point to
nonresidential,
mixed-use, or
multifamily
property
-34-
Table (G)(1)
Freestanding Permanent Signs
Type of Sign
Standards
Sign District
Outside of Residential Neighborhood Sign District Within
Residential
Downtown Neighborhood
Commercial /
Industrial Mixed-Use Multifamily Single-Family
Setbacks
and Spacing
2ft from the right
of way; if the
sign faces out to
the right-of-way
10 ft.
2ft from the right of
way; if the sign
faces out to the
right-of-way 10 ft.
2ft from the right of
way; if the sign faces
out to the right-of-way
10 ft.
2ft from the right
of way; if the sign
faces out to the
right-of-way 10 ft.
2ft from the
right of way; if
the sign faces
out to the right-
of-way 10 ft.
2ft from the
right of way; if
the sign faces
out to the
right-of-way
10 ft.
Max.
Cabinets or
Modules
per Sign
Face
1 1 1 1 1 1
Other
Standards
Must be oriented
to the drive-thru
lane; if any part
of the sign
structure is
visible from
abutting
property or
right-of-way
additional
screening is
-35-
the area in which the portable sign permit may be issued is expanded to
include the following zoning districts: D, R-D-R, C-C-R, C-G, and N-C,
and all pedestrian-oriented shopping streets within the C-C and H-C zoning
districts.
(b) All horizontal projected light signs require a permit.
(c) The projected image of a horizontal projected light sign:
1. Shall be entirely within ten (10) feet of a building entrance;
2. Shall not exceed six (6) square feet in area;
3. Shall be projected onto a sidewalk or landscaped area;
4. Shall not project onto safety or traffic signage (e.g., crosswalk
markings, bicycle dismount signs, etc.); and
5. Shall comply with all applicable lighting standards.
(d) The projector shall be concealed from view and either:
1. Located entirely on private property; or
2. Hung under an awning, canopy, eave, or arcade that is allowed to
encroach over the right-of-way by way of a revocable license.
(e) A Horizontal projected light sign shall not be displayed on the public
sidewalk at the same time as a sidewalk sign.
(2) Vertical Projected Light Signs. Vertical projected light signs are not allowed as
permanent signs. See Section 3.8.7.3 for the temporary use of vertical projected
light signs.
(3) Operation. All projected light signs shall contain static messages only. Animated,
dissolve, or fade transitions are not allowed.
(I) Restoration or Reconstruction of Historic Signs. The provisions of this subsection apply to
buildings in the Downtown sign district that are fifty (50) years or older, whether or not
they are formally recognized as historic at the local, state, or national level, or whether they
are located within a designated historic district.
(1) A sign on a designated property, or a property determined to be eligible for
designation on the National Register of Historic Places, the State Register of
Historic Properties, or as a Fort Collins Landmark, that may not otherwise comply
with the strict provisions of this Sign Code and has been approved by the Landmark
-36-
Preservation Commission through a review of Chapter 14 of the City Code shall be
permitted and shall not be counted in sign area allowance for the property.
(2) A sign on a property which is not designated or individually eligible for designation
on the National Register of Historic Places, the State Register of Historic
Properties, or as a Fort Collins Landmark, that may not otherwise comply with the
strict provisions of this Sign Code and is inspired by a historic sign on the property
and does not require a review through Chapter 14 of the City Code by the Landmark
Preservation Commission shall be reviewed by the Director. In approving such
signs, the Director shall not condition approval on changes in content and must find
the following:
(a) The sign is not detrimental to the public good;
(b) The size and location of the sign are comparable to a historic sign of the
property and the deviation from the provisions of this Sign Code are
nominal and inconsequential with the context of the neighborhood;
(c) The sign is comparable to the quality, character and design of a historic sign
of the property;
(e) The sign shall not degrade the historic character of the neighborhood or
convey a false sense of history.
The Director may deny any sign application that does not meet all the standards of this
section. All signs approved through Section 3.8.7.2(I) shall count towards the sign area
allowance for the property.
3.8.7.3 - Temporary Signs
(A) Applicability. The regulations contained in this § 3.8.7.3 apply to temporary signs. The
standards of this Section are applied in conjunction with all other applicable standards (e.g.,
the standards set out in § 3.8.7.1).
(B) Standards for Attached Temporary Signs.
(1) Generally. The standards of this subsection apply to temporary signs that are
attached to buildings. Temporary signs that are not attached to buildings are subject
to the standards of subsection (C), below. Duration of display is limited by
subsection (D).
(2) Attached Temporary Banners and Pennants. Attached temporary banners and
pennants may only be displayed provided a permit is obtained pursuant to §
3.8.7.4(B)(2).
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(3) Temporary Sign Covers. Temporary sign covers are permitted in all sign districts,
provided that they are used during a period not to exceed forty (40) days in which
a new permanent sign or sign component is being fabricated and such sign or sign
component is permitted and installed in accordance with this Sign Code.
(4) Temporary Window Signs.
(a) Temporary window signs are allowed in all locations where permanent
window signs are allowed, provided that the standards of § 3.8.7.2(C) are
met as to the combination of temporary and permanent window signs.
(b) Temporary window signs shall be affixed to the window such that the
fastener (e.g., tape) is not highly visible, or shall be mounted vertically
inside of the building for viewing through the window.
(C) Standards for Detached Temporary Signs.
(1) Generally. The standards of this subsection apply to temporary signs that are not
attached to buildings. Temporary signs that are attached to buildings are subject to
the standards of subsection (B), above. Duration of display is limited by subsection
(D).
(2) Detached Temporary Signs. Detached temporary signs are allowed according to the
standards in Table (C), Detached Temporary Signs. Detached temporary sign types
that are not listed in Table C (including but not limited to inflatable signs) are not
allowed. Detached banners and pennants may only be displayed provided a permit
is obtained pursuant to subsection (E), below. Portable signs may only be displayed
provided a permit is obtained pursuant to the Code of the City of Fort Collins,
Chapter 24, Article IV.
Table (C)
Detached Temporary Signs
(sf. = square feet / ft. = linear feet / N/A = not applicable)
Type of
Sign
Standards
Sign District
Downtown Commercial-Industrial Multifamily/Mixed Use Single-Family
Yard Signs
Max. #
Single-Family and
Duplex Residential
Buildings: Not Limited
Single-Family and
Duplex Residential
Buildings: Not Limited
Single-Family and
Duplex Residential
Buildings: Not Limited
Residential Buildings:
Not limited
Multi-Family
Residential Buildings:
1 per 20 ft. of property
frontage or fraction thereof
All other uses: 2 per
vehicular access point
Multi-Family
Residential Buildings:
1 per 20 ft. of property
frontage or fraction
thereof
Nonresidential and
Residential Mixed Use
Buildings: 1 per 80 ft. of
property frontage or
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Table (C)
Detached Temporary Signs
(sf. = square feet / ft. = linear feet / N/A = not applicable)
Type of
Sign
Standards
Sign District
Downtown Commercial-Industrial Multifamily/Mixed Use Single-Family
Nonresidential and
Residential Mixed Use
Buildings: 1 per 80 ft.
of property frontage or
fraction thereof
Nonresidential and
Residential Mixed Use
Buildings: 1 per 80 ft.
of property frontage or
fraction thereof
Max. Sign
Area (per
sign)
6 sf. 8 sf. 8 sf. 6 sf.
Max. Sign
Height
4 ft. 4 ft. 4 ft. 4 ft.
Allowed
Lighting
None None None None
Setbacks
and Spacing
2 ft. from property
lines; 2 ft. from all
other signs
2 ft. from property
lines; 2 ft. from all
other signs
2 ft. from property
lines; 2 ft. from all
other signs
2 ft. from property
lines; 2 ft. from all
other signs
Other
Standards
Must be installed in
permeable landscaped
area.
Must be installed in
permeable landscaped area
that is at least 8 sf. in area
and 2 ft. in any horizontal
dimension, not more than 10
ft. from vehicular access point
Must be installed in
permeable landscaped area
that is at least 8 sf. in area and
2 ft. in any
horizontal dimension
Must be installed in
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Table (C)
Detached Temporary Signs
(sf. = square feet / ft. = linear feet / N/A = not applicable)
Type of
Sign
Standards
Sign District
Downtown Commercial-Industrial Multifamily/Mixed Use Single-Family
Other
Standards
Where allowed, site
signs shall be installed in
permeable landscaped
areas or
hardscaped areas other
than vehicular use areas
and sidewalks that are at
least 5 ft. in every
horizontal dimension and at
least 40 sf. in area
Where allowed, site
signs shall be installed in
permeable landscaped areas
or
hardscaped areas other than
vehicular use areas and
sidewalks that are at
least 5 ft. in every horizontal
dimension and at least 40 sf.
in area
Where allowed, site
signs shall be installed
in permeable
landscaped areas or
hardscaped areas other than
vehicular use areas and
sidewalks that are at
least 5 ft. in every horizontal
dimension and at least 40 sf. in
area
Where allowed, site
signs shall be installed in
permeable
landscaped areas or
hardscaped areas other
than vehicular use areas
and sidewalks that are at
least 5 ft. in every
horizontal dimension and at
least 40 sf. in area
Swing Signs
Max. # Not allowed Not allowed 1 per property frontage 1 per property frontage
Max. Sign
Area
N/A N/A 5 sf., including riders 5 sf., including riders
Max. Sign
Height
N/A N/A 5 ft. 5 ft.
Allowed
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(1) Generally. The purpose of temporary signs is to display messages for a temporary
duration. Temporary signs shall not be used as a subterfuge to circumvent the
regulations that apply to permanent signs or to add permanent signage to a property
in addition to that which is allowed by this Sign Code.
(2) Classification of Temporary Sign Materials. Temporary signs are constructed from
a variety of materials with varying degrees of durability. Common materials are
classified in Table (D)(1), Classification of Temporary Sign Materials.
Table (D)(1)
Classification of Temporary Sign Materials
Material
Material Class
1 2 3 4 5
Paper, card stock, foam core board, or cardboard ✓
Laminated paper or cardstock, polyethylene bags ✓
Cloth, canvas, nylon, polyester, burlap, flexible vinyl, or other flexible material of comparable durability ✓
Inflexible vinyl, hard plastic, composite, or corrugated plastic ("coroplast") ✓
Wood or metal ✓
(3) Duration of Display.
(a) In general, a temporary sign shall be removed as of the earlier of the date
that:
1. It becomes an abandoned sign; or
2. It falls into disrepair (see § 3.8.7.5); or
3. The number of days set out in Table (D)(2), Duration of Temporary
Sign Display by Material Class, expires.
Table (D)(2)
Duration of Temporary Sign Display by Material Class
Sign Type
Max. Duration for Individual Sign by Material Class
1 2 3 4 5 Max. Posting Days/Year
Yard Sign Not Allowed 45 days Not Allowed 60 days 180 days 180 days
Site Sign Not Allowed Not Allowed Not Allowed 60 days 180 days 180 days 1
Swing Sign Not Allowed Not Allowed Not Allowed 60 days 180 days 180 days 1
Window Sign 30 days per sign 30 days per sign 30 days per sign 30 days per sign 30 days per sign 30 days per sign
Feather Flags Not Allowed Not Allowed 20 days Not Allowed Not Allowed 20 days
Table Notes:
1 Alternatively, the sign type may be displayed for three hundred sixty (360) days every two (2) calendar years.
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(b) Temporary required signs shall be removed as required by the applicable
regulation.
(4) Administrative Interpretations. Materials for signage that are not listed in this
subsection (D) may be introduced into the market. When a material is proposed that
is not listed in this subsection (D), the Director shall determine the class of materials
with which the new material is most closely comparable, based on the new
material’s appearance, durability, and colorfastness. No temporary sign shall be
displayed for a longer period than a site sign constructed of class 5 material,
regardless of the durability material (although such a sign may be permissible as a
permanent sign under § 3.8.7.2).
(E) Banners and Pennants.
(1) Attached unframed banners, detached banners, and attached and detached pennants
are allowed in any zone district subject to the restrictions in below Table (E),
provided that a permit is obtained from the Director. The Director shall issue a
permit for the display of banners and pennants only in locations where such banners
and pennants will not cause unreasonable annoyance or inconvenience to adjoining
property owners or other persons in the area and on such additional conditions as
deemed necessary to protect adjoining premises and the public. All banners and
pennants shall be removed on or before the expiration date of the permit. If any
person, business or organization erects any banners or pennants without receiving
a permit, as herein provided, the person, business or organization shall be ineligible
to receive a permit for a banner or pennant for the remainder of the calendar year.
(2) Each business or non-profit entity or other organization, and each individual not
affiliated with an entity or organization, shall be eligible to display banners and
pennants pursuant to a valid permit for a maximum of forty (40) days per calendar
year. A permitted banner may exceed the forty (40) days when there is City
authorized construction work in the portion of public right-of-way abutting the
property, until such time as all applicable construction materials, equipment and
fencing is removed from the right-of-way.
(3) The Director shall review a banner or pennant permit application within two (2)
business days to determine completeness. If it is complete, the Director shall
approve or deny the application within three (3) business days after such
determination. If it is incomplete, the Director shall cause the application to be
returned to the applicant within one (1) business day of the determination, along
with written reasons for the determination of incompleteness.
(4) Notwithstanding the size and time limitations contained in Table E in the
Downtown sign district:
(a) In conjunction with a special event permit, three (3) banners larger in size
than forty (40) square feet may be displayed for fifteen (15) days.
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(b) The Director may approve a temporary banner permit application if it is
demonstrated that:
1. The banner display is not detrimental to the public good;
2. The banner does not project into the right-of-way;
3. The banner is attached to a building thirty (30) feet or greater in
height;
4. The banner is mounted flush with the building wall;
5. The banner is on the side of building that fronts a right-of-way or
public plaza;
6. There is no more than fifteen (15) square feet of permanent signage
on the side of the building on which the banner is to be displayed;
7. The banner does not cover more than one (1) architecturally
distinct window;
8. No feather flags are displayed on the property;
9. Only one (1) banner is displayed at a time;
10. The banner does not exceed six (6) feet in width and twenty-five
(25) feet in height; and
11. The banner is displayed no more than a four (4) consecutive month
period.
Table (E)
Banners and Pennants
(sf. = square feet / ft. = linear feet / N/A = not applicable)
Standard
Sign District
Downtown Commercial-Industrial Multifamily/Mixed Use Single-Family
Attached Banners and Pennants
Max. # on each
building elevation
1
1 per 300 ft. of
building elevation or
fraction thereof, but
not more than 3
banners per building
1
Residential
Buildings:
Not Allowed
Nonresidential
Buildings: 1
Max. Sign Area 40 sf. 40 sf. 40 sf.
Residential
Buildings: N/A
Nonresidential
Buildings: 40 sf.
Allowed Lighting None External None None
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Table (E)
Banners and Pennants
(sf. = square feet / ft. = linear feet / N/A = not applicable)
Standard
Sign District
Downtown Commercial-Industrial Multifamily/Mixed Use Single-Family
Max. Sign Height 7 ft. 7 ft. 4 ft. 4 ft.
Other Standards None
If more than one
banner is allowed on a
building elevation,
banners may be
clustered
None None
Detached Banners and Pennants
Max. #
Either framed or
unframed: 1 per
property frontage; or 1
per 100 ft. of property
frontage if secured to temporary
construction fencing related to
permitted construction (may be
clustered)
Either framed or
unframed: 1 per
property frontage; or 1
per 100 ft. of property
frontage if secured to
temporary
construction fencing
related to permitted
construction (may be
clustered)
Either framed or
unframed: 1 per
property frontage; or 1 per
100 ft. of property
frontage if secured to
temporary
construction fencing related to
permitted construction (may
be clustered)
Not allowed
Max. Sign Area (per
banner)
40 sf. 40 sf. 40 sf. 40 sf.
Allowed Lighting None None None None
Max. Sign Height
(applies to
freestanding banner
frames)
6 ft. 6 ft. 6 ft. 6 ft.
(5) For banners and pennants in all sign districts, the following shall apply:
(a) mounting hardware shall be concealed from view;
(b) banners shall be stretched tightly to avoid movement in windy conditions;
(c) all banners that are installed in banner frames shall be sized to fit the banner
frame so that there are no visible gaps between the edges of the banner and
the banner frame;
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include, but are not limited to, Art in Public Places events or Downtown
Development Authority Alley Enhancement Projects.
(2) The projected image of a vertical projected light signs is limited to nonresidential
and mixed-use properties, but is not limited by zoning district.
(3) The projected image shall not fall onto a surface with a high degree of specular
reflectivity, such as polished metal or glass. The image shall be positioned to
harmonize with the architectural character of the building(s) to which it is projected,
and shall avoid any projection, relief, cornice, column, window, or door opening.
(4) The projected image shall not exceed fifteen (15) square feet if any portion of it is
on a first story building wall or on a structure that is not a building, or thirty (30)
square feet if all of the image is above the first story of a building, except that a
projected image may occupy one hundred (100) percent of the side or rear wall area
of a building in the Downtown sign district, provided that the building is within the
Downtown Development Authority’s Alley Enhancement Project and the building
wall does not face a vehicular right-of-way.
(5) The path of the projection shall not cross public rights-of-way or pedestrian
pathways at a height of less than seven (7) feet.
(6) Vertical projected light signs shall contain static messages only, and animated,
dissolve, or fade transitions are not allowed.
(7) Vertical projected light signs are subject to the illumination standards of § 3.8.7.1(I)
unless the City determines that additional illumination will be permitted because it
will pose no material detrimental effects on neighboring properties or public rights-
of-way due to the location and/or timing of the display. Such determination, and
allowable illumination levels, shall be specified in the permit that allows the vertical
projected light sign.
3.8.7.4 - Nonconforming Signs and Administration
(A) Nonconforming Signs.
(1) Nonconforming signs shall be maintained in good condition and no such sign shall
be:
(a) Structurally changed to another nonconforming sign, although its content
may be changed;
(b) Structurally altered in order to prolong the life of the sign;
(c) Altered so as to increase the degree of nonconformity of the sign; or
(d) Enlarged.
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(2) Except as provided in subsection (A)(3), below, all existing nonconforming signs
located on property annexed to the City shall be removed or made to conform to
the provisions of this Article no later than seven (7) years after the effective date of
such annexation; provided, however, that during said seven (7) year period, such
signs shall be maintained in good condition and shall be subject to the same
limitations contained in subparagraphs (A)(1)(a) through (f), above. This
subsection shall not apply to off-premises signs that are subject to the just
compensation provisions of the Federal Highway Beautification Act and the
Colorado Outdoor Advertising Act.
(3) All existing signs with flashing, moving, blinking, chasing or other animation
effects not in conformance with the provisions of this Article and located on
property annexed to the City shall be altered so that such flashing, moving,
blinking, chasing, or other animation effects shall cease within sixty (60) days after
such annexation, and all existing portable signs, vehicle-mounted signs, banners,
and pennants located on property annexed to the City shall be removed or made to
conform within sixty (60) days after such annexation.
(4) Historic signs shall be considered conforming for the purposes of this Section. The
Director may designate a sign as an historic sign if:
(a) The applicant provides documentation that the sign has been at its present
location for a minimum of fifty (50) years.
(b) The sign is structurally safe or capable of being made structurally safe
without substantially altering its historic character. The property owner is
responsible for making all structural repairs and restoration of the sign to its
original condition.
(c) The sign is representative of signs from the era in which it was constructed
and provides evidence of the historic use of the building or premises.
Additionally, a sign shall be considered historic if the Landmark Preservation Commission
through a review of Chapter 14 of the City Code as approved the historic nature of the sign.
(B) Administration.
(1) All sign permit applications shall be accompanied by detailed drawings indicating
the dimensions, location, and engineering of the particular sign, plat plans when
applicable, and the applicable processing fee.
(2) The Director shall review the sign permit application within two business days after
receipt to determine if it is complete. If it is complete, the Director shall approve or
deny the application within three (3) business days after such determination. If it is
incomplete, the Director shall cause the application to be returned to the applicant
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within one (1) business day of the determination, along with written reasons for the
determination of incompleteness.
3.8.7.5 - Sign Maintenance
(A) Maintenance Standards. Signs and sign structures of all types (attached, detached, and
temporary) shall be maintained according to the following standards:
(1) Paint and Finishes. Paint and other finishes shall be maintained in good condition.
Peeling finishes shall be repaired. Signs with running colors shall be repainted,
repaired, or removed if the running colors were not a part of the original design.
(2) Mineral Deposits and Stains. Mineral deposits and stains shall be promptly
removed.
(3) Corrosion and Rust. Permanent signs and sign structures shall be finished and
maintained to prevent corrosion and rust. A patina on copper elements (if any) is
not considered rust.
(4) Damage. Permanent signs that are damaged shall be repaired or removed within
one (1) year, unless the damage creates a material threat to public safety, in which
case the Chief Building Official may order prompt repair or removal. Temporary
signs that are obviously damaged (e.g., broken yard signs) shall be removed within
twenty-four (24) hours.
(5) Upright, Level Position. Signs that are designed to be upright and level, whether
temporary or permanent, shall be installed and maintained in an upright and level
position. Feather flag poles shall be installed in a vertical position. Signs that are
not upright and level shall be removed or restored to an upright, level position.
(6) Code Compliance. The sign must be maintained in compliance with all applicable
building, electrical, and property maintenance codes (including any exceptions that
may apply to existing sign structures).
(B) Quality of Repairs. Repairs to signs shall be equal to or better in quality of materials and
design than the original sign.
(C) Altering or Moving Existing Signs.
(1) Any alteration to an existing sign structure (except for alterations to changeable
copy, replacement of a panel in a cabinet sign, replacement of a light source with a
comparably bright light source, application of paint or stain) shall require a new
permit pursuant to § 3.8.7.4(B) prior to commencement of the alteration.
Alterations requiring a new permit shall include, without limitation:
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(a) Changes to the area of manual changeable copy center on a sign, including
the installation of a new manual changeable copy center where one was not
previously present;
(b) Changing the size of the sign;
(c) Changing the shape of the sign;
(d) Changing the material of which the sign is constructed;
(e) Changing or adding lighting to the sign (except as provided above);
(f) Changing the location of the sign; or
(g) Changing the height of the sign.
(2) No sign permit is required for removal of sign displays from supporting structures
for maintenance, provided that they are replaced on the same support in the same
configuration and the maintenance did not involve work that requires a permit.
Section 3. That Section 5.1.2 of the Land Use Code is hereby amended by the addition
of the following new definitions which read in their entirety as follows:
Banner frame shall mean a type of wall sign composed of a frame that is secured to a
building wall and used to stretch banners such that they are tightly stretched and their
mounting hardware is hidden from view.
Billboard shall mean a type of freestanding sign that incorporates a sign face that is larger
than seventy (70) square feet, mounted on one or more pole structures, such that the lowest
part of the sign face is ten (10) feet or more above adjacent grade.
Illustrative Billboard
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Bulletin board shall mean a type of wall sign composed of a cork, letter board, white
board, or comparable surface that is within a secured, weather-resistant enclosure and
used for the display of temporary messages. Bulletin board does not include manual
changeable copy center.
Commercial speech shall mean expression by a speaker for the purposes of commerce,
where the intended audience is actual or potential consumers, and where the content of the
message is commercial in character. Commercial speech typically advertises a business or
business activity or proposes a commercial transaction.
Digital electronic message center shall mean a display surface that is composed of light
emitting diodes (LEDs) or comparable light sources that is capable of displaying variable
messages and graphics, which are generally created on a computer. Digital electronic
message centers are also known as EMCs.
Initial luminaire lumens shall mean the light output of the lamp or luminaire before any
light loss factors are considered.
Manual changeable copy message center shall mean a sign element in which letters,
numbers, or symbols may be changed manually without altering the face of the sign (e.g.,
by placement of letters into tracks that are enclosed within a cabinet structure). Manual
changeable copy centers are sometimes known as “readerboards.”
Monument style shall mean a style of freestanding sign characterized by a supporting sign
structure that is at least seventy (70) percent of the width of the sign face, and that contains
not more than two (2) sign faces.
Pole cover shall mean a durable, permanent decorative cover that encloses the structural
supports of a detached sign. The phrase “pole cover” does not include paints, stains, powder
coating, or other finishes that are applied directly to the structural supports.
Secondary roof shall mean a flat roof structure that is at least 10 feet lower than another
roof structure on the same building.
Sign, applied or painted shall mean a type of wall sign that is applied to or painted on a
building wall, such that the sign appears flush with, or within not more than one (1) inch
of, the surface of the wall.
Sign, cabinet shall mean a type of sign composed of a frame or external structure with a
box-like design that encloses a sign face and other functional elements of the sign,
including dimensional or electrical components.
Sign, dimensional wall shall mean a three-dimensional sign that is attached to building
wall, such that the elements of the sign do not extend more than eight (8) inches from the
building wall. Dimensional wall signs include but are not limited to channel lettering.
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Illustrative Dimensional Wall Sign
Sign, fin shall mean a projecting sign that is mounted on or affixed to a building wall, such
that the sign face is generally perpendicular to the building wall. In addition to the wall
mount or mounts, a fin sign may include ground-mounted support structures.
Illustrative Fin Signs
Sign, hanging shall mean a sign that is mounted under an awning or canopy as such terms
are defined above, or under a cantilevered portion of a building. Generally, hanging signs
are oriented perpendicular to the building wall.
Sign, interactive window shall mean one (1) or more illuminated screens that are displayed
inside storefront windows that can be programed to allow customers to navigate content
interactively from outside the window.
Sign, marquee shall mean a projecting sign that is designed as a canopy structure, which
includes a combination of permanent lettering or graphics and either manual changeable
copy or electronic message center components.
Sign, optional residential shall mean a wall sign, affixed to a residential building on a
street-facing elevation, with a single sign face that does not exceed four (4) square feet in
area.
Sign, primary detached shall mean a detached sign that is visually dominant over other
detached signs on the same property, due to its taller height and/or larger sign area.
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Sign, primary fin shall mean a fin sign that is visually dominant over other fin signs on the
same building, due to its taller height and/or larger sign area.
Sign, projected light shall mean any image, text, or other content that is projected onto an
outdoor surface (e.g., a building wall or sidewalk) by a laser projector, video projector,
video mapping, or other comparable technology, in a location such that the image, text, or
content is obviously visible from outside of the premises.
Sign, projecting shall mean a type of attached sign that extends from a building wall,
usually perpendicular to the wall’s surface. Projecting signs include awning signs, fin
signs, marquee signs, and hanging signs.
Sign, required shall mean a sign that is required by an applicable building code (e.g.,
address numbers) or health and safety regulations (e.g., the Occupational Safety and Health
Act (“OSHA”) or other laws or regulations, whether such sign is temporary or permanent.
Sign, roof shall mean a type of attached sign that is mounted onto a building’s roof
structure.
Sign, secondary detached shall mean a detached sign that is subordinate to a primary
detached sign in terms of height and/or sign area.
Sign, secondary fin shall mean a fin sign that is subordinate to a primary fin sign in terms
of height and/or sign area.
Sign, secondary roof shall mean a sign that is mounted upon the horizontal plane of a flat
roof structure of secondary roof of a building, which may include the roof of a canopy or
porte-cochère that is attached to a building.
Sign, wall shall mean a sign that is painted on, applied to, or affixed to a building wall.
Wall signs include applied or painted signs, bulletin boards, cabinet signs, and dimensional
wall signs.
Street-facing building elevation shall mean Building Elevation that is oriented toward a
public or private street that abuts the property.
Temporary seasonal decorations shall mean decorations and signs that are clearly
incidental, customary, and commonly associated with a holiday.
Window transparency shall mean the surface area of a window that is not covered or
obstructed by a sign, such that the visibility through the window in both directions is not
blocked by a sign.
Section 4. That the following definitions contained in Section 5.1.2 of the Land Use
Code are hereby amended to read as follows:
. . .
Banner shall mean a type of temporary sign that is painted or printed on cloth, vinyl, or
other flexible material, which is designed to be stretched between poles, fence posts or
wire, mounted in a free-standing frame, or hung on walls with ties, clips, rails, brackets,
hooks, or frames.
. . .
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Building elevation, for the purposes of Sections 3.8.7 only, shall mean the external face of
a building, projected onto a two-dimensional plane. For purposes of calculating allowed
sign area, the building elevation is the two-dimensional representation of the side of the
building upon which the sign is proposed.
. . .
Flag shall mean a flexible piece of fabric, that is attached along one (1) edge to a straight,
rigid flagpole (directly or with rope), and which is designed to move when the wind blows.
Flags are typically (but not necessarily,) rectangular in shape, and often (but not always)
include printed or embroidered insignia that symbolizes a nation, state, or organization, or
that display a graphic or message.
Flag, feather shall mean a flexible piece of fabric that is attached to a flexible pole along a
long edge such that the pole stretches the fabric taut regardless of wind conditions. Feather
flags are also commonly referred to as “teardrop banners,” “teardrop flags,” and “flutter
flags.”
Illustrative Feather Flags
. . .
Principal building entrance, for the purposes of Sections 3.8.7 only, shall mean a street-
level primary point of public pedestrian access into a building. The phrase “principal
building entrance” does not include doors used principally as emergency exits, or doors
that provide restricted access (e.g., for employees or deliveries).
. . .
Property, for the purposes of Sections 3.8.7 only, shall mean the real property owned or
controlled by the applicant for a sign permit or alternative sign program. Property may be
a single lot or parcel, or may be a combination of abutting lots or parcels that will be bound
by the approval.
Property frontage, for the purposes of Sections 3.8.7 only, shall mean the length of a front,
side, or rear property line that abuts a street right-of-way.
. . .
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Sign shall mean any writing (including letter, word or number), pictorial representation
(including illustration or declaration), product, form (including shapes resembling any
human, animal or product form), emblem (including any device, symbol, trademark, object
or design which conveys a recognizable meaning, identity or distinction) or any other
figure of similar character that is a structure or any part thereof or is written, painted,
projected upon, printed, designed into, constructed or otherwise placed on or near a
building, board, plate, or upon any material object or device whatsoever, that by reason of
its form, location, manner of display, color, working, stereotyped design or otherwise
attracts or is designed to attract attention to the subject or to the premises upon which it is
situated, or is used as a means of identification, advertisement or announcement. The term
sign shall not include the following:
(1) window of merchandise or products;
(2) works of art that do not include commercial speech;
(3) products, merchandise or other materials that are offered for sale or used in
conducting a business, when such products, merchandise, or materials are kept or
stored in a location which is designed and commonly used for the storage of such
products, merchandise or materials; and
(4) any display that would otherwise be considered a sign, but that has been found by
the Landmark Preservation Commission to be an integral part of a building that is
designated as an historic landmark, and the display is a contributing feature of the
historic character of such building. Sign face means the surface area of a sign that
is designed for placement of text, symbols, or images. The sign face does not
include the supporting structure, if any, unless the supporting structure is used for
the display of text, symbols, or images. For wall signs, the sign face is equal to the
sign area of the wall sign, or the area within any frame or color used to define,
differentiate, or mount the wall sign, whichever is larger.
Illustrative Sign Face
Sign, attached shall mean a flush wall sign, a window sign, a roof sign, or a projecting sign.
. . .
-53-
Sign, awning shall mean a sign that is painted on, integrated into, or attached to an awning.
For the purposes of this definition, an awning is a projection from the building that is
supported entirely from the exterior wall of the building, and that gives shelter from the
sun or weather over doors, windows, or storefronts. An awning is different from a canopy
in that an awning is covered with fabric or other flexible material.
Sign, canopy shall mean a type of sign with one face affixed to a canopy. For the purposes
of this definition, a canopy is an attached or detached structure, open on at least one side,
that is designed to provide overhead shelter from the sun or weather. Canopies include,
but are not limited to, service station canopies, carports, porte-cochères, arcades, and
pergolas. A canopy is different from an awning in that a canopy is not covered with fabric
or flexible material.
. . .
Sign, inflatable shall mean a sign that is constructed from an envelope flexible material
that is given shape and/or movement by inflation. The phrase inflatable sign does not
include balloons that are less than eighteen (18) inches in all dimensions.
. . .
Sign, permanent shall mean a durable sign that is mounted or affixed for long-term use, not
easily removed, and resistant to weather and other wear and tear.
Sign, portable shall mean a sign that is designed to be easily moved from one location to
another, and when placed, is neither fastened to a permanent structure or building, nor
staked or otherwise installed into the ground.
Illustrative Portable Sign
. . .
-54-
Sign, site shall mean a type of temporary sign that is constructed of vinyl, plastic, wood,
metal, or other comparable rigid material, that is displayed on a structure that includes at
least two (2) posts.
Illustrative Site Sign
. . .
Sign, yard shall mean a type of temporary sign that is constructed of paper, vinyl, plastic,
wood, metal or other comparable material, that is mounted on a stake or a frame structure
(often made from wire) that includes one (1) or more stakes.
Illustrative Yard Signs
Section 5. That the definition “Sign, election” contained in Section 5.1.2 of the Land
Use Code is hereby deleted.
Section 6. That the definition “Sign, ideological” contained in Section 5.1.2 of the
Land Use Code is hereby deleted.
Section 7. That the definition “Sign, for sale or rent” contained in Section 5.1.2 of the
Land Use Code is hereby deleted.
-55-
Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this 20th day of
November, A.D. 2018, and to be presented for final passage on the 4th day of December, A.D.
2018.
__________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________________
City Clerk
Passed and adopted on final reading on the 4th day of December, A.D. 2018.
__________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________________
City Clerk
(d) banners are not allowed if any of the following are present on the property:
feather flag, yard sign, site sign, or swing sign;
(e) any common line of pennants must be stretched tightly to avoid movement
in windy conditions.
(F) Vertical Projected Light Signs.
(1) Vertical projected light signs may be used in connection with a temporary special
event, during the term of the temporary special event. Such special events may
Lighting
N/A N/A None None
Setbacks
and Spacing
N/A N/A 2 ft. from all property lines 2 ft. from all property lines
Other
Standards
N/A N/A
Swing signs shall be
installed in permeable
landscaped areas that
are at least 4 ft. in
every horizontal
dimension and at least
20 sf. in area
Swing signs shall be
installed in permeable
landscaped areas that are
at least 4 ft. in every
horizontal
dimension and at least 20
sf. in area
Feather Flags
Max. #
1 per 100 ft. of
property frontage or
fraction thereof; may
be clustered
1 per 100 ft.
of property frontage or
fraction thereof; may be
clustered
1 per 100 ft. of
property frontage or
fraction thereof; may
be clustered
Residential Buildings:
Not Allowed
Nonresidential
Buildings: 1
Max. sign
area
40 sf. 40 sf. 40 sf. 10 sf.
Max. sign
height
15 ft. 15 ft. 15 ft. 10 ft.
Other
Standards
Not allowed if freestanding
banner is present
Must be installed in a
permeable landscaped area
with a radius that extends
not less than 3 ft. from the
flag pole
Not allowed if freestanding
banner is present
Must be installed in a
permeable landscaped area
with a radius that extends not
less than 3 ft. from the flag
pole
Must be installed in a
permeable landscaped area
with a radius that extends not
less than 3 ft. from the flag
pole
Must be installed in a
permeable landscaped area
with a radius that extends
not less than 3 ft. from the
flag pole
(D) Duration of Display of Temporary Signs.
permeable landscaped area
that is at least 8 sf. in area
and 2 ft. in any horizontal
dimension
Site Signs
Max. #
Residential Buildings:
Not Limited
1 per 600 ft. of
property frontage or
fraction thereof
1 per 600 ft. of
property frontage or
fraction thereof,
provided that the area
of the property is at
least 2 acres; properties
that are less than 2
acres shall not display site signs
1 per 600 ft. of
property frontage or
fraction thereof,
provided that the area of
the property is at least 2
acres; properties that are
less than 2 acres shall not
display
site signs
Nonresidential and
Residential Mixed Use
Buildings: 1 per
property
Max. Sign
Area
16 sf. 32 sf. 32 sf. 32 sf.
Max. Sign
Height
6 ft. 6 ft. 6 ft. 6 ft.
Allowed
Lighting
External, down
directional and
concealed light source
External, down
directional and
concealed light source
External, down
directional and
concealed light source
External, down
directional and
concealed light source
Setbacks
and Spacing
2 ft. from front
property lines
2 ft. from front
property lines
2 ft. from front
property lines
2 ft. from front
property lines
10 ft. from all other
property lines
10 ft. from all other
property lines
10 ft. from all other
property lines
10 ft. from all other
property lines
10 ft. from all other
signs
10 ft. from all other
signs
10 ft. from all other
signs
10 ft. from all other
signs
12 ft. from building
walls
12 ft. from building
walls
12 ft. from building
walls
12 ft. from building
walls
fraction thereof
required4
Must be oriented to
the drive-thru lane;
if any part of the
sign structure is
visible from
abutting property
or right-of-way
additional
screening is
required4
Must be oriented to
the drive-thru lane; if
any part of the sign
structure is visible
from abutting
property or right-of-
way additional
screening is required4
Must be oriented
to the drive-thru
lane; if any part of
the sign structure
is visible from
abutting property
or right-of-way
additional
screening is
required4
Must be
oriented to the
drive-thru lane;
if any part of the
sign structure is
visible from
abutting
property or
right-of-way
additional
screening is
required4
Must be
oriented to the
drive-thru
lane; if any
part of the sign
structure is
visible from
abutting
property or
right-of-way
additional
screening is
required4
Table Notes:
1 Frontages include the frontage of all properties that are part of a group of properties that are planned or developed with shared pedestrian or
vehicular access. Signs may not be allocated from one frontage to another.
2 Additional sign area and sign height are allowed as follows: (i) Convenience shopping centers: Max. sign area: 40 sf., Max. sign height 8 ft.;
(ii) Neighborhood service centers or neighborhood commercial districts: Max. sign area: 55 sf., Max. sign height: 10 ft.
3 A Drive-Thru Lane EMC may be 100% of the sign area if the display changes no more than three times in a 24hr. period.
4 For a Drive-Thru Lane Sign screening may be achieved through plants or other materials compatible to the primary building
Table (G)(2)
Setback for Primary Detached Signs based on Sign Height and Sign Area
Distance from Street
Right-of-Way Line (ft.)
Monument Style Sign Pole Style Sign
Max. Height (ft.) Max. Sign Area (per face) (sf.) Max. Height (ft.) Max. Sign Area (per face)
(sf.)
0 7 45 10 20
5 8.5 60 10 30
10 10 75 12 40
15 12 90 12 50
20 12 90 14 60
25 12 90 16 70
30 12 90 18 80
36+ 12 90 18 90
(H) Projected Light Signs.
(1) Horizontal Projected Light Signs.
(a) Horizontal projected light signs that are projected onto public sidewalks are
allowed only by portable sign permit, except that with respect to such signs,
1 per street
frontage of a
neighborhood
service center
or
neighborhood
commercial
district
Subject to
Sign Area
Allowance
Yes Yes Nonresidential uses
only
No No No
Max. Sign
Area
16 sf. 16 sf. 16 sf. 16 sf. 16 sf. 32 sf.
Max. Sign
Height
4 ft. 4 ft. 4 ft. 4 ft. 4 ft. 6 ft.
Allowed
Lighting
Any Any Any Indirect only Indirect only Any
Setbacks
and Spacing
2 ft. from right-
of-way; 10 ft.
from property
lines
2 ft. from right-of-
way; 10 ft. from
property lines
2 ft. from right-of-way;
10 ft. from property
lines
2 ft. from right-of-
way; 10 ft. from
property lines
2 ft. from right-
of-way; 10 ft.
from property
lines
2 ft. from
right-of-way;
10 ft. from
property lines
Max.
Cabinets or
Modules
per Sign
Face
1 1 1 1 1 1
Other
Standards
Same as primary
freestanding
sign; however,
pole style signs
are not allowed
Same as primary
freestanding sign;
however, pole style
signs are not
allowed
Same as primary
freestanding sign;
however, pole style
signs are not allowed
Same as primary
freestanding sign;
however, pole
style signs are not
allowed
Same as primary
freestanding
sign; however,
pole style signs
are not allowed
Same as
primary
freestanding
sign; however,
pole style signs
are not
allowed
Drive-Thru Lane Signs
Max. # 1 per drive
through lane
1 per drive through
lane
1 per drive through
lane
1 per drive
through lane
1 per drive
through lane
1 per drive
through lane
Subject to
Sign Area
Allowance
No No No No No No
Max. Sign
Area
30 sf. 3 30 sf. 3 30 sf. 3 30 sf. 3 30 sf. 3 30 sf. 3
Max. Sign
Height
6 ft. 6 ft. 6 ft. 6 ft. 6 ft. 6 ft.
Allowed
Lighting
Any Any Any Any Any Any
vehicular entry
into residential
subdivision or
multifamily
site (one single
face sign on
each side of
entry)
Subject to
Sign Area
Allowance
Yes Yes Yes, for nonresidential
or multifamily uses
No No Yes
Max. Sign
Area
Based on setback
and style, see
Table (G)(2),
below
Based on setback
and style, see Table
(G)(2), below
Based on setback and
style, see Table (G)(2),
below
Single-family
detached or
duplex building
with frontage on
arterial: 4 sf.
All other allowed
signs: 35 sf.
Single-family
detached or
duplex building
with frontage on
arterial: 4 sf.
All other allowed
signs: 35 sf.
32 sf.2
Max. Sign
Height
Based on setback
and style, see
Table (G)(2),
below
Based on setback
and style, see Table
(G)(2), below
Based on setback and
style, see Table (G)(2),
below
Single-family
detached or
duplex building
with frontage on
arterial: 5 ft.
Multifamily or
Nonresidential
use: 8 ft.
Single-family
detached or
duplex building
with frontage on
arterial: 5 ft.
Multifamily or
Nonresidential
use: 8 ft.
Multifamily or
Nonresidential
use: 5 ft.2
Allowed
Lighting
Any Any Any Indirect only None Any
Setbacks
and Spacing
See Table (G)(2),
below; 15 ft.
setback from
interior lot lines;
75 ft. spacing
between
freestanding
signs
See Table (G)(2),
below; 15 ft.
setback from
interior lot lines; 75
ft. spacing between
freestanding signs
See Table (G)(2),
below; 15 ft. setback
from interior lot lines;
75 ft. spacing between
freestanding signs
Not allowed if a
wall sign is
installed
Not allowed if a
wall sign is
installed
75 ft. from
adjacent
residential
zone or
existing or
approved
residential use
Max.
Cabinets or
Modules
per Sign
Face
3 3 3 3 3 3
roof: 3 ft
1st or 2nd story
secondary roof: 3 ft.;
1st or 2nd story
secondary roof: 3
ft.;
1st or 2nd story
secondary roof: 3
ft
1st or 2nd story
secondary
roof
1st or 2nd story
secondary roof:
3 ft
Allowed
Lighting
Any Any Any Any Any Any
Other
Standards
Distance
between
secondary roof
and bottom of
sign face shall
not exceed 6
in.; not
allowed above
2nd story
Distance between
secondary roof and
bottom of sign face
shall not exceed 6 in. ;
not allowed above 2nd
story
Distance between
secondary roof
and bottom of sign
face shall not
exceed 6 in. ; not
allowed above 2nd
story
Distance
between
secondary roof
and bottom of
sign face shall
not exceed 6in ;
not allowed
above 2nd story
Distance
between
secondary
roof and
bottom of sign
face shall not
exceed 6in. ;
not allowed
above 2nd
story
Distance
between
secondary roof
and bottom of
sign face shall
not exceed 6 in.
; not allowed
above 2nd story
Figure (F)
Secondary Roof Sign
Standards
Sign District
Outside of Residential Neighborhood Sign District Within
Residential
Neighborhood
Downtown Commercial/Industrial Mixed-Use Multifamily Single-Family Sign District
All Canopy Signs
Max. # 1 per canopy
elevation, for
nonresidential,
multifamily, or
mixed-use
property
1 per canopy
elevation, for
nonresidential,
multifamily, or mixed-
use property
1 per canopy
elevation, for
nonresidential,
multifamily, or
mixed-use
property
1 per canopy
elevation, for
nonresidential,
multifamily, or
mixed-use
property
1 per canopy
elevation, for
nonresidential,
multifamily, or
mixed-use
property
1 per street
frontage, on
canopy that
covers
vehicular use
area of
nonresidential,
multifamily, or
mixed-use
property
Subject to Sign
Area
Allowance
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Max. Sign Area
(per sign)
20 percent of
canopy fascia
on elevation to
which sign is
mounted
30 percent of canopy
fascia on elevation to
which sign is mounted
30 percent of
canopy fascia on
elevation to which
sign is mounted
15 percent of
canopy fascia on
elevation to
which sign is
mounted
10 percent of
canopy fascia
on elevation
to which sign
is mounted
12 sf. on
canopy that
covers
vehicular use
area
Allowed
Lighting
Internal only Internal only Internal only Internal only Internal only Internal only
Min. Sign
Clearance
By building
code
By building code By building code By building code By building
code
By building
code
Other
Standards
Canopy signs
shall not
project above
the top of the
canopy to
which they are
mounted.
Canopy signs shall not
project above the top
of the canopy to
which they are
mounted.
Canopy signs shall
not project above
the top of the
canopy to which
they are mounted.
Canopy signs
shall not project
above the top of
the canopy to
which they are
mounted.
Canopy signs
shall not
project above
the top of the
canopy to
which they are
mounted.
Not allowed on
a canopy that
covers a
vehicular use
area if an
under-canopy
sign is present.
(F) Secondary Roof Signs. Secondary roof signs are allowed according to the standards in
Table (F), Secondary Roof Signs.
way by
revocable
license if total
sign area for
fin signs is
lesser of 1 sf.
per lf. building
frontage or 12
sf.
Figure (D)
Fin Signs (Primary)
Fin Signs (Secondary)
Max. # 1 per public
building entry
1 per public building
entry
1 per public
building entry
1 per public
building entry
1 per public
building entry
1 per public
building entry
Subject to Sign
Area Allowance
Yes Yes Yes, but only for
nonresidential uses
No No Yes
Max Sign Area 4 sf. 4 sf. 4 sf. 4 sf. 4 sf. 4 sf.
Max. Projection 4 ft. 4 ft. 4 ft. 4 ft. 4 ft. 1 ft.
Min. Sign
Clearance
By building
code
By building code By building code By building code By building
code
By building
code
Allowed
Lighting
Indirect only Any Any Not allowed Not allowed Internal only
secondary fin sign is
present at same
entrance
Not allowed if
secondary fin
sign is present
at same
entrance
Not allowed if
secondary fin
sign is present
at same
entrance
Not allowed on
a canopy that
covers a
vehicular use
area if a canopy
sign is present;
not allowed if
secondary fin
sign is present
at same
entrance
Fin Signs (Primary)
Max. # 1 per street frontage
per nonresidential,
mixed-use, or
multifamily building
1 per street
frontage per
nonresidential,
mixed-use, or
multifamily
building
1 per street
frontage per
nonresidential,
mixed-use, or
multifamily building
1 per street
frontage per
nonresidential,
mixed-use, or
multifamily
building
1 per street
frontage per
nonresidential,
mixed-use, or
multifamily
building
1 per street
frontage per
nonresidential,
mixed-use, or
multifamily
building
Subject to Sign
Area Allowance
Yes Yes Yes, but only for
nonresidential,
mixed-use, or
multifamily
buildings
Yes, but only for
nonresidential,
mixed-use, or
multifamily
buildings
Yes, but only
for
nonresidential,
mixed-use, or
multifamily
buildings
Yes
Max Sign Area 12 sf. if within 15 ft. of
elevation of sidewalk
below; 25 sf. if
between 15 ft. and 45
ft. of elevation above
sidewalk below; 45 sf.
if entirely above 45 ft.
of elevation above
sidewalk below
15 sf. 15 sf. 15 sf. 15 sf. 7 sf.
Max. Sign
Height
7 ft. if within 15 ft. of
elevation of sidewalk
below; 10 ft. if 15 ft.
to 45 ft. of elevation
above sidewalk below;
18 ft. if entirely above
45 ft. of elevation
above sidewalk below
7 ft. 7 ft. 7 ft. 7 ft. 4 ft.
Max. Projection
(may project
into right-of-
way only by
revocable
license)
Entirely or partially
below third story: 3
ft.; entirely above
third story:.6 ft.; Not
more than 4 ft. within
right-of-way
6 ft.; not more
than 4 ft.
within right-of-
way
6 ft.; not more than
4 ft. within right-of-
way
6 ft.; not more
than 4 ft. within
right-of-way
6 ft.; not more
than 4 ft.
within right-
of-way
4 ft.; not more
than 4 ft. within
right-of-way
Min. Sign
Clearance
8 ft. 8 ft. 8 ft. 8 ft. 8 ft. 8 ft.
Allowed
Lighting
Any Any Any Any Any Internal only
first story; awning
must be installed
over window or
building entrance
Awning sign shall
not project above
top of awning or
beyond face of
awning
Not allowed above
first story; awning
must be installed
over window or
building entrance
Awning sign shall
not project above
top of awning or
beyond face of
awning
Not allowed above
first story; awning
must be installed
over window or
building entrance
Awning sign shall
not project above
top of awning or
beyond face of
awning
Not allowed
above first
story; awning
must be
installed over
window or
building
entrance
Awning sign
shall not
project above
top of awning
or beyond face
of awning
Not allowed
above first
story; awning
must be
installed over
window or
building
entrance
Awning sign
shall not
project above
top of awning
or beyond face
of awning
Not allowed
above first
story; awning
must be
installed over
window or
building
entrance
Awning sign
shall not
project above
top of awning
or beyond face
of awning
Under-Canopy Signs
Max. # 1 per building
entrance for
canopies that are
attached to
buildings; 1 per
elevation for
detached canopies
1 per building
entrance for
canopies that are
attached to
buildings; 1 per
elevation for
detached canopies
1 per building
entrance for
canopies that are
attached to
buildings; 1 per
elevation for
detached canopies;
1 per building
entrance for
canopies that
are attached to
buildings; 1 per
elevation for
detached
canopies
1 per building
entrance for
canopies that
are attached
to buildings; 1
per elevation
for detached
canopies
Under canopies
that cover
vehicular use
areas: 1 per
street frontage;
all others not
limited.
Subject to Sign
Area Allowance
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Max. Sign Area
(per face)
Not covering
vehicular use area:
4 sf.; Covering
vehicular use area:
12 sf.
Not covering
vehicular use area:
4 sf.; Covering
vehicular use area:
12 sf.
Not covering
vehicular use area:
4 sf.; Covering
vehicular use area:
12 sf.
Not covering
vehicular use
area: 4 sf.;
Covering
vehicular use
area: 12 sf.
Not covering
vehicular use
area: 4 sf.;
Covering
vehicular use
area: 12 sf.
Not covering
vehicular use
area: 4 sf.;
Covering
vehicular use
area: 12 sf.
Min. Sign
Clearance
8 ft. 8 ft. 8 ft. 8 ft. 8 ft. 8 ft.
Allowed
Lighting
Any Any Any Indirect only Indirect only Indirect only
Projecting Signs
Type of Sign
Standards
Sign District
Outside of Residential Neighborhood Sign District Within
Residential
Neighborhood
Downtown Sign District
Commercial/
Industrial Mixed-Use Multifamily Single-Family
Awning Signs
Max. # 1 per awning 1 per awning 1 per awning 1 per awning;
limited to
nonresidential
uses
1 per awning;
limited to
nonresidential
uses
1 per awning;
limited to
nonresidential
uses
Subject to Sign
Area Allowance
Yes Yes Nonresidential uses
only
Nonresidential
uses only
Nonresidential
uses only
Yes
Max. Sign Area Lesser of 35 sf. or
25% of total area of
the awning
Lesser of 35 sf. or
25% of total area of
the awning
Lesser of 35 sf. or
25% of total area of
the awning
Lesser of 35 sf.
or 25% of total
area of the
awning
Lesser of 10 sf.
or 10% of total
area of the
awning
Lesser of 35 sf.
or 25% of total
area of the
awning
Max. Projection
(may project
into right-of-
way with
revocable
license)
7 ft. 7 ft. 7 ft. 7 ft. 7 ft. 7 ft.
Min. Sign
Clearance
8 ft. to awning;
7 ft. to valance
8 ft. to awning;
7 ft. to valance
8 ft. to awning;
7 ft. to valance
8 ft. to awning;
7 ft. to valance
8 ft. to
awning;
7 ft. to valance
8 ft. to awning;
7 ft. to valance
attached
letters or
shapes
Raceway must be
finished to match
color of wall;
raceway must be not
more than 50% of
height of attached
letters or shapes
Raceway must
be finished to
match color of
wall; raceway
must be not
more than 50%
of height of
attached letters
or shapes
Raceway must
be finished to
match color of
wall; raceway
must be not
more than 50%
of height of
attached letters
or shapes
Raceway must
be finished to
match color of
wall; raceway
must be not
more than
50% of height
of attached
letters or
shapes
Raceway must be
finished to match color
of wall; raceway must be
not more than 50% of
height of attached
letters or shapes
(C) Window Signs. Window signs are allowed according to the standards in Table (C),
Window Signs.
Table (C)
Window Signs
Type of Sign
Standards
Sign District
Outside of Residential Neighborhood Sign District1 Within
Residential
Neighborhood
Downtown Commercial/Industrial Mixed-Use Multifamily Single-Family Sign District
All Window Signs
Max. # Not limited1 Not limited1 Not limited1 Not limited Not limited Not limited
Subject to Sign
Area
Allowance
Yes, except as
provided in
“other
standards,”
below
Yes, except as
provided in “other
standards,” below
Nonresidential
only, and except as
provided in “other
standards,” below
No No Yes
Max. Sign
Area2
Up to 50% of
area of
architecturally
distinct
window.
Up to lesser of 50% of
area of architecturally
distinct window or 80
sf.
Up to lesser of
50% of area of
architecturally
distinct window or
80 sf.
Nonresidential:
Up to lesser of
50% of area of
architecturally
distinct window
or 80 sf.;
Residential: 6 sf.
Nonresidential:
Up to lesser of
50% of area of
architecturally
distinct
window or 80
sf.; Residential:
6 sf.
Nonresidential:
Up to lesser of
25% of area of
architecturally
distinct
window or 80
sf.; Residential:
6 sf.
Max. Sign
Height
No Max. 7 ft. 7 ft. 3 ft. 3 ft. 3 ft.
Allowed
Lighting
Internal Internal Internal None None Internal
Allowed
Lighting
Indirect only Indirect only Indirect only Indirect only Indirect only Indirect only
Figure (B)(2)
Applied or Painted Wall Signs – Vertically Oriented
Cabinet Wall Signs or Dimensional Wall Signs
Max. # Not limited Not limited Not limited for
nonresidential
or mixed-use; 1
per building per
frontage for
multifamily
properties
Not limited for
nonresidential
or mixed-use; 1
per building per
frontage for
multifamily
properties
Not limited for
nonresidential
or mixed-use;
1 per building
per frontage
for multifamily
properties
Not limited for
nonresidential or mixed-
use; 1 per building per
frontage for multifamily
properties
Subject to
Sign Area
Allowance
Yes Yes Nonresidential
uses only
Yes Yes Yes
that there are no
visible gaps between
the edges of the
banner and the
banner frame.
Not allowed
if detached
sign is
installed
Not allowed if
detached sign
is installed
Not allowed if
detached sign
is installed
Location shall harmonize
with architecture of the
building(s) to which sign is
attached, (e.g., projection,
relief, cornice, column,
change of building
material, window or door
opening); Flush wall signs
shall align with other such
signs on the same building.
Figure (B)[(1)
Applied or Painted Wall Signs
Max. Sign
Area
In addition to sign
allowance, 6 sf. is
allowed on rear wall if:
(i) the wall includes a
public entrance; (ii) site
is within DDA Alley
Enhancement Project
area; and (iii) a
projecting sign is not
installed on the wall
Limited by sign area
allowance
Single-family
or duplex
building: 4
sf.
Nonresidenti
al use: 35 sf.
Single-family
or duplex
building: 4 sf.
Nonresidentia
l use: 35 sf.
Single-family
or duplex
building: 4 sf.
Nonresidentia
l use: 35 sf.
Limited by sign area
allowance, except if tenant
space does not have
outside wall, in which case
30 sf.