Signs

Signs

A sign permit is required for the majority of permanent signs and temporary signs (see sections below). In addition, all applicants (including those installing portable temporary signs) must pay corresponding fees for the sign permit application. 

Visit the SIGN PERMITS PAGE for applications. For current fees, contact Planning and Development Services at (320)-235-8311.

D. General Sign Provisions.
E. Prohibited Signs
F. Special Signs.
G. Signs Not Requiring Permits.
H. Regulation of On-Premise Signs by Zoning Districts
 
  1. Signs to Conform to this Section. It shall hereafter be unlawful, and a violation of this Ordinance, to erect, place, or maintain a sign in the City of Willmar except in accordance with the provisions of this Section.
  2. Sign Requiring Permits.  Unless specifically exempted by a provision of this Section, or in instances where a Special Sign Permit is provided for, each sign shall require a Sign Permit, for which application shall be made on forms prepared by the Zoning Administrator and issued upon the fulfillment of all conditions for such Permit and upon the payment of the fees therefore prescribed by this Section.
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E. Prohibited Signs.
            
  1. The following signs are prohibited.
  • Abandoned signs.
  • Billboards.
  • Flashing signs.
  • Hazardous signs.
  • Signs imitating or resembling traffic signs or signals or government signs.
  • Signs are attached to trees, telephone or utility poles, public benches, or streetlights, or placed on any public property or street or highway right-of-way by a person other than one having authority from a government to place such sign.
  • Signs placed on vehicles or trailers which are parked or located for the primary purpose of displaying said signs.
  • Signs which obstruct access to fire escapes, exits, doors, standpipes, or ventilating systems, or which interfere with the view of traffic signs or signals by those to whom such signs or signals are directed.
  • Signs for which a permit is required under this Section, which were constructed before the permit was issued, and as to which no procedures provided by this Section have been initiated to bring such signs into compliance with the provisions of this Section.
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F. Special Signs.
                  
  1. The following signs are prohibited unless a Special Sign Permit is issued by the Zoning Administrator under the regulations herein set forth:
  • Off-premise directional signs.
  • Off-premise advertising signs.
  • Portable signs.
  • Temporary signs.
  • Bus signs.
  • Roof signs.
  • Banners, festoons, and pennants in place for more than three (3) days; and searchlights.
  • Any other signs not included under Section 5.E. of this Ordinance.

2. General Conditions for Obtaining Special Sign Permits. Any sign in Section 5.F.3. shall be generally prohibited, but may be permitted through the issuance of a Special Sign Permit by the Zoning Administrator upon the sign meeting the standards and rules set forth for one of the types of signs listed, and meeting one (1) of the following criteria:

  • The sign is necessary for the preservation of substantial property rights in the property to which the sign is directed;
  • There is no provision in this Section for the type of sign for which a Special Sign Permit is required; or
  • The sign may be beneficial to a substantial number of people.

3. Standards and Rules for Specific Types of Signs.

  • Off-Premise Directional Signs. Such signs shall be permitted only in those instances where the Zoning Administrator finds the sign necessary or convenient for a substantial number of people. The primary purpose of such a sign shall be to assist visitors to a facility that, because of its nature, tends to attract a large number of people. The primary purpose of such a sign shall be to assist visitors to a facility or to find it once they are in the area. The sign area on such signs shall not exceed twenty (20) square feet. Such signs shall not be permitted in any residential district, nor in the CD - Central Business District, and shall not carry any advertising.
  • Off-Premise Advertising Signs. Such signs shall be permitted only in the instances where they will benefit the traveling public, or where a business is not visible from any street or highway. They shall be limited, with respect to the instance that they are permitted for the benefit of the traveling public, to advertising public accommodations not located on the thoroughfare along which the sign is placed, advertising community events or those sponsored by nonprofit, civic, philanthropic education or religious organizations, or where a business is not visible from any street or highway (via portable not permanent signage), and shall conform to the regulations pertaining to on-premise signs in the district in which they are placed.  Such signs shall not be permitted in any residential district.
  •     Portable Signs. Such signs may be used only for special attractions, occasions, or events where their use will assist the public in the location of the event, attraction, or occasion, or the facility in which it is held. No such sign shall be permitted in any Residential district. No such sign shall be permitted in any residential district.  They shall be of such size and form as the Zoning Administrator in his discretion shall determine.  They shall be placed no earlier than five (5) days before the event or attraction and shall be removed promptly upon the termination of the event or conclusion of the attraction (not to exceed a total of twenty-eight {28} consecutive days per quarter year beginning on day permit is issued).  For persons or institutions having recurring events, the Zoning Administrator may at his discretion set forth one Special Sign Permit for such person or institution the recurring events to be covered by the Permit without the re-issuance of a Permit for such sign.
  • A $100 deposit for portable signs is required and will be returned only if the sign is removed by the date stated on the permit.  The applicant must reclaim the deposit when the sign is removed.  If the sign remains after the date specified on the permit, the City will utilize the deposit to remove the sign.
  • A $100 deposit for portable signs is required and will be returned only if the sign is removed by the date stated on the permit.  The applicant must reclaim the deposit when the sign is removed.  If the sign remains after the date specified on the permit, the City will utilize the deposit to remove the sign.
  • Temporary Signs.  No such signs shall be permitted in any Residential District.  The Zoning Administrator shall determine the conditions under which a Special Sign Permit is issued for such signs in the other districts and shall specify the length of time the sign may be maintained, which in any event shall not exceed 30 days.  Temporary signs located in commercial or industrial zoned districts may not exceed twelve (12) square feet in area provided that said signs are limited to two (2) signs per business.  Temporary signs shall be allowed by special sign permit only.  Permits shall not exceed a total of seven (7) consecutive days per quarter year beginning on the day the permit is issued.  
  • Bus signs shall only be permitted on public transit buses, and shall be regulated as follows:

    Maximum sign area shall not exceed fifteen (15) square feet per side or rear of the bus. Signs are to be flush-mounted or adhesive-backed.

  • A Special Sign Permit shall be required for each transit bus carrying such advertising. Each permit shall be valid for a period of one (1) year from the date of issuance.”

  • Roof Signs.  The City Council finds that, because of their increased exposure to high winds and storms and the difficulty of providing proper anchorage for them, roof signs tend to present conditions that are more hazardous to the public than other types of signs. It, therefore, in the interest of public safety, adopts the following special regulations for such signs as reasonable and necessary:
  1. Roof signs shall be allowed only in General Business districts.
  2. Sign area shall not exceed 0.75 square feet/lineal foot of roof or twenty (20) square feet, whichever is larger.
  3. The sign shall not exceed four (4) feet in height.
  4. The sign shall not extend higher than the roof peak.
  5. No wall signs will be allowed on the side of a building to which a roof sign is oriented.
  6. Signs shall not project horizontally beyond the edge of the roof upon which they are erected.
  7. Signs shall be structurally sound, properly anchored, and provide drainage around the sign structure.
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  • Festoons, pennants, and searchlights are prohibited in all residential districts. In business and industrial districts, such signs in place for more than three (3) days must have a Special Sign Permit, except a searchlight must have a Permit for any period it is used. Such signs are permitted only on the premises where the event is held.               
Such signs may be placed for only the following occasions and only for the period specified in each, as follows:
                  
  • Special events -- Fourteen (14) days.
  • Holiday observance -- Forty (40) days.
  • Grand Openings -- Fourteen (14) days.
  • Closing out, or going out, of business sales -- Fifty (50) days.

Banners are prohibited in all residential districts. In business and industrial districts, banners shall be regulated as follows:                      

  • General Businesses, Shopping Centers, and Industrial Districts. Two (2) banners allowed per property without a permit; not to exceed thirty (30) square feet each; for not more than thirty (30) days per banner.
  • Central Business and Limited Business Districts. One (1) banner allowed per property without a permit; not to exceed thirty (30) square feet each; for not more than thirty (30) days.
  • The thirty (30)-day time period may be extended upon the granting of a Special Sign Permit, but shall not exceed the maximum period specified as follows:

Product advertisement -- Sixty (60) days
Holiday observances -- Sixty (60) days
Closing/Going-out-of-business -- Ninety (90) days

  • All banners shall be securely mounted/hung, preferably flat against a wall or fence.
  • Banners advertising special events may be erected within a public right-of-way by a governmental unit or non-profit organization upon the granting of a Special Sign Permit and subject to the following conditions:                  
Size - Not to exceed thirty (30) inches by thirty (30) feet.
Height - Minimum of fifteen (15) feet above street grade.
Placement - to be placed only by Willmar Utilities, or others as approved by the City Engineer.
Maintenance - Banner shall contain air relief and shall be removed if torn.
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G. Signs Not Requiring Permits.
                              
  1. No permit shall be required for the following types of signs, provided that such signs shall be subject to all other applicable provisions of this Section.
  • Signs advertising garage, rummage, or household auction sales, and placed on the premises where the sale is held.
  • Real estate signs.
  • Construction signs of thirty-two (32) square feet or less.
  • Directional signs of two (2) square feet or less.
  • Nameplates of one-half (1/2) square foot or less.
  • Political signs.
  • Public signs or notices placed by any agency of government.
  • Emergency signs, or signs warning of hazards, whether placed by public or private persons or agencies.
  • Window signs.
  • Incidental signs.
  • Banners, festoons, and pennants are in place for three (3) days or less.                 
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H. Regulation of On-Premise Signs by Zoning District.
                              
  1. Signs are Permitted in All Districts.      
  • Signs not requiring permits under the provisions of Section 5.G.1. are permitted in all zoning districts, provided that such signs shall not advertise use in any district not permitted under this Ordinance, either directly or as nonconforming use under Section 7 of this Ordinance.
  • There shall be permitted, in lieu of the construction sign permitted as a sign not requiring a permit, one (1) additional construction sign for each street frontage of a project, not to exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in sign area. Such signs may be erected thirty (30) days prior to the beginning of construction and shall be removed fourteen (14) days following completion of construction.
  • There shall be permitted one (1) non-illuminated real estate sign for each property to be sold, rented, or leased, not to exceed six (6) square feet in sign area in residential districts and the Central Business District, and thirty-two (32) square feet in all other districts. Such signs must be removed within ten (10) days of the sale, rental, or lease.
  • Each occupancy shall be permitted one (1) attached nameplate, not to exceed two (2) square feet in the sign area.
  • Political signs, in such number as permitted by the owner of the premise, each not to exceed six (6) square feet in sign area in all districts except industrial districts, where signs thirty-two (32) square feet in sign area may be permitted, may be erected on private property, not more than thirty (30) days prior to the election or referendum to be voted upon and shall be removed within seven (7) days following the election or referendum. In a general election year, the size regulations for political signs will not be enforced during the period beginning August 1 and ending ten (10) days following the state general election.
  • There shall be permitted two (2) directional signs for each property not to exceed ten (10) square feet in sign area in the aggregate and each sign not to exceed four (4) feet in height.             
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2. Signs Permitted in All Residential Districts.

  • Electronic reader boards are permitted and shall follow the sign area requirement for wall or freestanding signs.  Electronic reader boards can be animated or scrolling, but they shall not flash or display rapid animation so as not to distract, or mimic any emergency vehicles.  Signs that face residential homes shall not illuminate their signs from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
  • Signs not requiring permits under the provisions of Section 5.G.1. are permitted in all residential zoning districts, provided that such signs shall not advertise use in any district not permitted under this Ordinance either directly or as a nonconforming use under Section 7 of this Ordinance.
  • There shall be permitted in all residential districts containing one (1) or more neighborhood subdivisions, one (1) or two (2) subdivision identification signs for each such subdivision, at the discretion of the person having control of the subdivision, not to exceed eighty (80) square feet in aggregate sign area for each subdivision.
  • There shall be permitted in residential districts containing one (1) or more apartment or condominium complexes, one (1) or two (2) identification signs for each such complex, at the discretion of the person having control of the complex, not to exceed forty (40) square feet in aggregate sign area.
  • Each church, synagogue, and school shall be permitted one (1) freestanding sign, not to exceed sixty-four (64) square feet in sign area, and wall signs not to exceed forty (40) square feet in aggregate sign area.
  • Each home occupation occupancy shall be permitted to erect and maintain one (1) freestanding or wall sign, not to exceed eight (8) square feet in the sign area.
  • The maximum height of all permitted freestanding signs shall be six (6) feet, and all signs shall have a minimum setback of ten (10) feet from any property line.           
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3. Signs Permitted in LB - Limited Business Districts.

  • Electronic reader boards are permitted and shall follow the sign area requirements for wall or freestanding signs.  Electronic reader boards can be animated or scrolling, but they shall not flash or display rapid animation so as not to distract, or mimic any emergency vehicles.
  • There shall be permitted in the LB-Limited Business Districts, signs as permitted under Sections 5.H.1. and 5.H.2., subject to restrictions as to use provided in this Ordinance, in addition to the signs permitted in this Subsection.
  • There shall be permitted for each premise one (1) freestanding sign, not to exceed one (1) square foot in sign area for each linear foot of principal street frontage up to a maximum of sixty-four (64) square feet in sign area. Such signs shall not exceed a height of eight (8) feet where the sign faces a residential district and sixteen (16) feet in all other placements.
  • Freestanding signs shall have a minimum setback of ten (10) feet from any property line and a minimum clearance of eight (8) feet over any vehicular use area and seven and one-half (7 1/2) feet over any pedestrian use area.
  • Up to six (6) percent of any wall area, computed by taking the width or length of the building times its height, or sixteen (16) feet, whichever is less, may be devoted to wall signs, provided that each wall sign must be located on the wall as to which its sign area is measured, and that each wall shall be entitled to a minimum sign area of forty (40) square feet, regardless of wall size.
  • Allocation of sign area for wall signs on multiple occupancy buildings shall be controlled by the building owner, who shall be directly responsible for obtaining the necessary permits for all signs, or for seeing that they are obtained, and for compliance with this Section.
  • Each premise, in lieu of a wall sign as herein permitted, shall be permitted to have one (1) projecting sign, provided that such sign shall not exceed twenty (20) square feet in sign area, shall not project more than three (3) feet from the building to which it is attached, and shall not project more than three (3) feet from the building to which it is attached, and shall not project over any property line.
  • Each occupancy having a canopy shall be permitted to maintain one (1) under-canopy sign, not to exceed five (5) square feet in sign area and to have a minimum clearance of seven and one-half (7 1/2) feet.
  • Each occupancy having an awning shall be permitted to maintain one (1) awning sign, not to exceed one (1) square foot in sign area per one (1) linear foot of awning.
  • Each occupancy having a marquee, or the building owner if the marquee is located so that it is shared by two(2) or more occupancies, shall be permitted to maintain a marquee sign on the front and each side of the marquee, the sign area in each case limited to one-half (1/2) square foot of sign area for each linear foot of marquee frontage or marquee extension on each respective side.
  • Each occupancy shall be permitted to have a maximum of two (2) incidental signs, not to exceed four (4) square feet in aggregate sign area.             
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4. Signs Permitted in GB - General Business, I-1 - Limited Industry, and I-2 - General Industry Districts.

  • Electronic reader boards are permitted and shall follow the sign area requirements for wall or freestanding signs.  Electronic reader boards can be animated or scrolling, but they shall not flash or display rapid animation so as not to distract, or mimic any emergency vehicles.
  • There shall be permitted in the GB - General Business, I-1 - Limited Industry, and I-2 - General Industry Districts, signs as permitted under Sections 5.H.1. and 5.H.2., subject to restrictions as to use provided in this Ordinance, in addition to the signs permitted under this Subsection.
  • There shall be permitted one (1) freestanding sign for each premise, provided that, where a premise has in excess of one hundred fifty (150) linear feet of principal street frontage, one (1) additional freestanding sign for each additional one hundred (100) linear feet or major fraction thereof shall be permitted. The sign area herein below provided for freestanding signs shall be the aggregate sign area for the freestanding signs on the premise and, in the event, more than one (1) freestanding sign is erected on the premise, the sign area shall be allocated to the signs as determined by the owner. If more than one (1) freestanding sign is located on the premises, they shall be placed at least seventy-five (75) feet apart. No sign shall be located closer to any property line than eight (8) feet.
  • On the following streets, a setback of at least two (2) feet from the right-of-way shall be required rather than a setback of eight (8) feet: First Street SW from Willmar Avenue to Litchfield Avenue, and Litchfield Avenue SW from First Street to Second Street and from Seventh Street to Eleventh Street.
  • The principal frontage street shall be, in the case of premises bounded by more than one street, that street which the owner elects to have considered as the principal frontage street, provided that the freestanding sign or signs must be erected with reference to the street and in conformity with the setback requirements herein provided with respect to the other street or streets.
  • The maximum sign area for freestanding signs shall not exceed eight-tenths (8/10) square foot for each linear foot of principal street frontage up to a maximum of two hundred (200) square feet with a minimum setback of eight (8) feet, nine-tenths (9/10) square foot for each linear foot of principal street frontage up to a maximum of two hundred twenty-five (225) square feet with a minimum setback of fifteen (15) feet, or one (1) square foot for each linear foot of principal street frontage up to a maximum of two hundred fifty (250) square feet with a minimum setback of twenty (20) feet.  Such signs shall not exceed a height of eight (8) feet where the sign faces a residential district.
  • The maximum height of freestanding signs shall be twenty (20) feet, provided that signs erected at a setback of twenty (20) feet or more shall be permitted to be erected and maintained to a height of twenty-five (25) feet.
  • Up to eight (8) percent of any wall area, computed by taking the width or length of the building times its height, or sixteen (16) feet, whichever is less, may be devoted to wall signs, provided that each wall sign must be located on the wall as to which its sign area is measured, and that each wall shall be entitled to a minimum sign area of sixty (60) square feet, regardless of wall size. For building walls that are more than two hundred fifty (250) feet from the principal street right-of-way, a maximum wall height of twenty (20) feet shall be used for the purpose of computing the maximum allowable wall sign area.
  • Allocation of sign area for wall signs on multiple occupancy buildings shall be controlled by the building owner, who shall be directly responsible for obtaining the necessary permits for all signs, or for seeing that they are obtained, and for compliance with this Section.
  • Each premise shall be permitted, in lieu of a wall sign as herein permitted, to have one (1) projecting sign, provided that such sign shall not project more than four (4) feet from the building to which it is attached when located in the GB-General Business District, nor more than six (6) feet from the building to which it is attached when located in an I - Industrial District, and shall not project over any property line.
  • Each occupancy having a canopy shall be permitted to maintain one (1) under-canopy sign, not to exceed six (6) square feet in sign area, and to have a minimum clearance of seven and one-half (7 1/2) feet.
  • Each occupancy having a canopy shall be permitted to maintain, in addition to the under-canopy sign herein permitted, one (1) canopy sign for each of the front, back, and sides of the canopy, the sign area of each sign not to exceed one-half (1/2) square foot of sign area for each linear foot of front, back, and sides, and to be limited by the linear feet on the respective front, back, or side on which the sign is placed.
  • Each occupancy having an awning shall be permitted to maintain one (1) awning sign, not to exceed one (1) square foot in sign area per one (1) linear foot of awning.
  • Each occupancy having a marquee, or the building owner if the marquee is located so that it is shared by two (2) or more occupancies, shall be permitted to maintain a marquee sign on the front and each side of the marquee, the sign area in each case limited to one-half (1/2) square foot of sign area for each linear foot of marquee or marquee extension on each respective side.
  • Each occupancy shall be permitted to maintain a maximum of two (2) incidental signs, not to exceed six (6) square feet in aggregate sign area.
  • All freestanding, projecting, awning, canopy, and marquee signs shall have a minimum setback of two (2) feet from any vehicle use area, a minimum clearance of fifteen (15) feet over any vehicle use area, and a minimum clearance of seven and one-half (7 1/2) feet over any pedestrian use area.
  • Each premise in a General Business District shall be permitted, in lieu of a wall sign as herein permitted, to have one (1) roof sign as herein permitted, to have one (1) roof sign as regulated in Section 5.F.3., as amended, of this Ordinance.               
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5. Signs Permitted in the CB - Central Business District

  • There shall be permitted for each street frontage for each apartment building and for each condominium building one (1) identification sign, each sign not to exceed eight (8) square feet in the sign area.
  • There shall be permitted in the CB - Central Business District, signs as permitted under Sections 5.H.1. and 5.H.2., subject to restrictions as to use provided in this Ordinance, in addition to the signs permitted under this Subsection.
  • Churches, synagogues, and non-profit organizations shall be permitted to maintain one (1) freestanding sign, not to exceed thirty (30) feet in sign area, and one (1) wall sign for each wall, each sign not to exceed forty (40) square feet in sign area.
  • Each business or professional occupancy shall be permitted to maintain one (1) freestanding sign, not to exceed fifty (50) square feet in sign area, not to exceed twenty (20) feet in height, and with a minimum setback of four (4) feet.
  • Wall signs for each building wall fronting on a street or alley shall be permitted with a sign area on each wall not to exceed one and one-half (1 1/2) square feet of sign area for each linear foot of the building's length or width, whichever may apply, or forty (40) square feet, whichever is greater, provided, that if individual or script cut-out letters are used with the walls as the background, the sign area for each wall shall not exceed three (3) square feet of sign area for each linear foot of length or width of the building, whichever applies, or sixty (60) square feet, whichever is greater.
  • Each premise shall be permitted, to have one (1) projecting sign, provided that such sign shall not exceed twenty (20) square feet in sign area, shall not project more than two (2) feet from the building to which it is attached, shall not project more than two (2) feet over any right-of-way, and shall not project over any property line which is a boundary line between separately owned properties.
  • Each occupancy having a canopy shall be permitted to maintain one (1) under-canopy sign per street frontage, each sign not to exceed five (5) square feet in sign area and to have a minimum clearance of seven and one-half (7 1/2) feet.
  • Each occupancy having an awning shall be permitted to maintain one (1) awning sign, not to exceed one (1) square foot in sign area per linear foot of awning.
  • Each occupancy having a marquee, or the building owner if the marquee is located so that it is shared by two (2) or more occupancies, shall be permitted to maintain a marquee sign on the front and each side of the marquee, the sign area in each case limited to one-half (1/2) square foot of sign area for each linear foot of marquee frontage or marquee extension on each respective side.
  • Each occupancy shall be permitted to have a maximum of two (2) incidental signs, not to exceed two (2) square feet in aggregate sign area.
  • Electronic reader boards are permitted and shall follow the sign area requirements for wall or freestanding signs.  Electronic reader boards can be animated or scrolling, but they shall not flash or display rapid animation so as not to distract, or mimic any emergency vehicles.
  • When applying for a sign permit, the applicant shall provide, in addition to a scaled drawing of the entire sign, a product sample, which may be one of the following: 

(1) If the sign will be fabricated by a reputable sign company, provide a small product sample of a similar sign design with similar materials and fabrication methods, or
(2) If the sign will be fabricated by a reputable sign company, provide full-color photos of similar signs the company has fabricated installed, or
(3) If the sign will be fabricated by an individual, provide a sample portion of the sign at full size and in full color.  For example, if the sign will be painted, provide several letters painted on the same surface as the final sign.

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6. Signs Permitted in Shopping Center Districts.

  • Electronic reader boards are permitted and shall follow the sign area requirements for wall or freestanding signs.  Electronic reader boards can be animated or scrolling, but they shall not flash or display rapid animation so as not to distract, or mimic any emergency vehicles.
  • There shall be permitted in the SC - Shopping Center Districts signs as permitted in Section 5.H.1., subject to restrictions as to use provided in this Ordinance, in addition to the signs permitted under this Subsection.
  • One (1) freestanding sign shall be permitted for each shopping center property. There shall be permitted on such freestanding sign structure a sign identifying the property, and additional signs identifying major tenants. The aggregate sign area of such freestanding sign structure shall not exceed three hundred fifty (350) square feet and shall not exceed (35) feet in height.
  • Where a premise has in excess of one hundred fifty (150) feet of principal street frontage, one (1) additional freestanding sign for each one hundred (100) linear feet or major fraction thereof shall be permitted, provided that no matter how many freestanding signs are permitted, provided that no matter how many freestanding signs are permitted under this formula the aggregate sign area of all signs shall not exceed five hundred fifty (550) square feet, and provided, further, if the linear front footage on such principal street frontage is less than three hundred fifty (350) feet, and aggregate sign area of three hundred fifty (350) square feet shall be permitted.
  • If a shopping center premise has frontage abutting a street other than the principal frontage street, one (1) additional freestanding sign shall be permitted on the other street frontage. The aggregate sign area for each linear foot of other street frontages, and no such sign shall have a sign area in excess of one hundred fifty (150) square feet.
  • All freestanding signs shall have a minimum setback of eight (8) feet to any property line, and may not be closer to another freestanding than eight (8) feet to any property line, and may not be closer to another freestanding sign than seventy-five (75) feet.
  • Freestanding signs on the principal street frontage other than the sign authorized in Section 5.H.6.b. shall have a maximum height of twenty (20) feet with a setback of less than twenty (20) feet. Signs with a setback of twenty (20) feet or more shall be permitted to be erected and maintained to a height of twenty-five (25) feet. Freestanding signs on other street frontages shall not exceed twenty (20) feet in height. Any freestanding sign on other street frontages that faces a residential district shall not exceed ten (10) feet in height and shall not have a sign area in excess of sixty-four (64) square feet.
  • Up to eight (8) percent of any wall area, computed by taking the width of the occupancy times the height of the building to a maximum of twenty (20) feet, whichever is less, may be devoted to wall signs. Allocation of area for wall signs on shopping center premises shall be controlled by the owner of the premises, who shall be directly responsible for obtaining necessary permits for all signs, or for seeing that they are obtained, and for compliance with this Section.
  • There shall be permitted one (1) entrance canopy sign not to exceed in sign area one (1) square foot for each linear foot of entrance canopy, provided that applications for entrance canopy signs are accompanied by written permission of the owner of the property.
  • Under-canopy signs shall be permitted under such rules as the owner of the premises may determine, provided that such signs may not exceed four (4) square feet in sign area and shall have a minimum clearance of seven and one-half (7 1/2) feet.
  • Each occupancy having an awning shall be permitted to maintain one (1) awning sign for each awning, each awning sign not to exceed one (1) square foot of sign area for each linear foot of awning.
  • Each occupancy having a marquee, or the building owner if the marquee is located so that it is shared by two (2) or more occupancies, shall be permitted to maintain a marquee sign or signs, the sign area of which shall not exceed in the aggregate one-half (1/2) square foot of sign area for each linear foot of marquee frontage and each linear foot on each side of marquee extension from the facade of the building to which it is attached, provided that no sign shall be constructed on the frontage or the sides of the marquee in sign area larger than what would be permitted measuring the front or the side on each side, as the case may be.
  • Incidental signs not to exceed two (2) square feet in aggregate sign area shall be permitted for each occupancy or each entrance for such occupancy.
  • Freestanding, awning, marquee, canopy, and under canopy signs shall have a minimum setback of two (2) feet from any vehicular use area, a minimum clearance of fifteen (15) feet over any vehicular use area, and a minimum clearance of seven and one half (7 1/2) feet over any pedestrian use area.            
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7. Signs Permitted in P - Park, G - Government/Institutional, and A - Agriculture Districts.

  • There shall be permitted in the P - Park, G - Government/Institutional, and A - Agriculture Districts, signs as permitted in Section 5.H.4., subject to restrictions as to use provided in this Ordinance, in addition to the signs permitted under this Subsection.
  • There shall be permitted on each premise in these districts one (1) freestanding identification sign with a maximum sign area of twenty (20) square feet, a minimum setback of ten (10) feet, and a maximum height of eight (8) feet.
  • Other signs not meeting these requirements must have Planning Commission approval.