9.34.050 - Standards for Specific Types of Signs

1. Awning and canopy signs. Awning and canopy signs may be permitted only as an integral part of the awning or canopy to which they are attached or applied, as follows.

   1. Location. Signs may be placed only on awnings that are located on first- and second-story building frontages, including those fronting a parking lot or pedestrian way.

   2. Maximum area and height. Sign area shall comply with the requirements established by Section 9.34.030 (Sign Standards by Zoning District). No structural element of an awning or canopy shall be located less than eight feet above finished grade. An awning valance may be located up to seven feet above finished grade.

   3. Lighting. Awnings shall not be internally illuminated except as part of a creative sign. Lighting directed downwards that does not illuminate the awning is allowed.

   4. Required maintenance. Awning and canopy signs shall be regularly cleaned and kept free of dust and visible defects.

   	Figure 3-2		Figure 3-3
   	Canopy/Awning Sign		Blade/Bracket Sign

2. Blade/bracket signs.

   1. Location. Blade or bracket signs shall be placed only on a ground floor facade, except for businesses located above the ground level with direct exterior pedestrian access.

   2. Maximum area and height. The maximum sign area shall be four square feet. The lowest point of a blade or bracket signs shall be at least eight feet above finished grade.

   3. Sign structure. Sign supports and brackets shall be compatible with the design and scale of the sign.

3. Changeable copy signs.

   1. Limitations on use and sign area. Changeable copy signs may only be allowed:

      1. In conjunction with facilities used exclusively for the presentation of theatrical, cultural, or religious events subject to the approval of a comprehensive sign program (9.34.120) and limited to a maximum area of eight square feet; or

      2. To advertise products, services, and prices in conjunction with a retail business and limited to a maximum area of three square feet.

   2. Signs in windows or doors. Changeable copy signs located in windows/doors shall be included in the 25 percent maximum window/door coverage.

4. Freestanding bracket signs. A freestanding bracket sign may be allowed when the Director determines that a wall sign would not be easily seen from the street and there is sufficient area on the site to accommodate a freestanding sign.

   1. Location. The sign may be located only on a site frontage adjoining a public street.

   2. Maximum area and height. The area of the sign shall be counted towards the maximum allowable sign area for the use. The sign shall have a maximum height of three feet and the maximum area of four square feet.

   3. Sign mounting. The sign shall be mounted on one or more posts or have a solid monument-type base. Posts shall not have a diameter greater than 12 inches.

   	Figure 3-4		Figure 3-5
   	Freestanding Bracket Sign		Monument Sign

5. Monument signs. A monument sign may be allowed when the Director determines that a wall sign would not be easily seen from the street and there is sufficient area on the site to accommodate a freestanding sign.

   1. Location. The sign may be located only along a site frontage adjoining a public street.

   2. Maximum area and height. The sign shall comply with the height and area requirements established by Section 9.34.030 (Sign Standards by Zoning District).

   3. Design. The design of a monument sign shall be consistent with the overall scale of the building. The design and placement of the sign shall not obstruct traffic safety sight areas.

   4. Landscaping requirements. Landscaping shall be provided at the base of the supporting structure equal to twice the area of one face of the sign. For example, 20 square feet of sign area = 40 square feet of landscaped area. The Director may reduce or waive this requirement if it is determined that the additional landscaping would not contribute significantly to the overall aesthetic character of the project.

6. Time and/or temperature signs. A time and/or temperature sign may be permitted on a site in addition to the other signs allowed by this Chapter.

   1. Maximum area and height. The sign shall have a maximum area of 10 square feet, and shall comply with the height requirements established by Section 9.34.030 (Sign Standards by Zoning District).

   2. Design. The sign shall be designed in a manner that is compatible with other signs on the site and with the structure on which it is placed.

7. Wall signs. Where allowed by Tables 3-1 and 3-2, a wall sign shall comply with the following additional requirements.

   1. Location. The sign shall not be placed to obstruct any portion of a window, doorway, transom, or other architectural detail.

   2. Maximum area and height. The sign shall not project above the edge of the roof of a structure, and shall comply with the height requirements established by Section 9.34.030 (Sign Standards by Zoning District).

   3. Projection from wall. The sign shall not project from the surface upon which it is attached more than required for construction purposes and in no case more than 12 inches. See also 9.34.040.C.4 for three-dimensional elements on all signs.