§ 156.125. SIGN DESIGN STANDARDS.

(A) Construction standards generally. All signs shall be designed and constructed in a safe and stable manner in accordance with the township's adopted Building Code, Electrical Code and other applicable codes and ordinances. All electrical wiring associated with a freestanding sign shall be installed underground.

(B) Illumination.

(1) General requirements. Signs shall be illuminated only by steady, stationary, shielded light sources directed solely at the sign or internal to it. Signs and billboards shall be lit from above only. All illuminated outdoor advertising signs shall be equipped with an automatic time controller that prevents the operation of the lighting fixtures between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and sunrise.

(2) Non-glare, shielded lighting. Use of glaring, unshielded or unfiltered lights or bulbs shall be prohibited. Lights shall be shielded so as not to project onto adjoining properties or thoroughfares.

(3) Traffic hazards. Sign illumination that could distract motorists or otherwise create a traffic hazard shall be prohibited.

(4) Bare bulb illumination. Illumination by bare bulbs or flames is prohibited.

(5) Exceptions. Signs constructed of translucent material and lit wholly from within do not require shielding (dark backgrounds with light lettering are preferred).

(Ord. rev. 3-6-2001)

(C) Location.

(1) Within a public right-of-way. No sign shall be located within, project into or overhang a public right-of-way, except as otherwise permitted herein.

(2) Compliance with setback requirements. All signs shall comply with the setback requirements for the district in which they are located, except as otherwise permitted herein.

(3) Sight lines for motorists. Signs shall comply with the requirements for unobstructed motorist visibility in § 156.028.

(D) Measurement.

(1) Sign area. Sign area shall be computed as follows.

(a) General requirements. Where a sign consists of a generally flat surface or sign face on which lettering and other information is affixed, the sign area shall be computed by measuring the entire face of the sign. In the case of freestanding, ground, pedestal and cylindrical signs, the area of the sign shall include the entire structure (including posts or poles) upon which the sign is located. If the sign or sign structure has openings (for example, between the structure and the sign), the sign area shall be computed by measuring the area of the envelope required to enclose the entire sign and sign structure.

(Ord. rev. 3-6-2001)

(b) Individual letters. Where a sign consists of individual letters and logo affixed directly to a building, the area of the sign shall be computed by measuring the area of the envelope required to enclose the lettering and logo.

(c) Freestanding sign.

1. The area of a double-faced freestanding sign shall be computed using only one face of the sign; provided that:

a. The outline and dimensions of both faces are identical (i.e., the outlines of back-to-back faces shall be coterminous); and

b. The faces are back-to-back so that only one face is visible at any given time.

2. The area of a double-faced signs shall be computed using the area of the larger face if the two faces are of unequal area.

(d) Ground sign or pedestal sign. The area of a ground or pedestal sign shall be computed by measuring the entire vertical surface of a face upon which the letters and logo are attached. In the case of a multi-faced ground sign, the area of the sign shall be computed using only one face of the sign.

(e) Cylindrical sign. The area of a cylindrical ground sign shall be computed by multiplying the diameter of the cylinder by its height.

(2) Sign height. The height of a freestanding sign shall be measured from ground level at or beneath the midpoint of the face of the sign to the highest point of the sign or supporting structure. For the purposes of determining sign height, "ground level" shall be measured from the finished grade or, if there has been filling, from the native grade.

(3) Setback and distance measurements. The following guidelines shall be used to determine compliance with setback and distance measurements.

(a) The distance between two signs shall be measured along a straight horizontal line that represents the shortest distance between the two signs.

(b) The distance between a sign and a parking lot or building shall be measured along a straight horizontal line that represents the shortest distance between the outer edge of the parking lot or building.

(c) The distance between a sign and a building or property line shall be measured along a straight horizontal line that represents the shortest distance between the sign and the building or property line.

(E) Sign design features. The following standards shall apply to signs in office and commercial districts.

(1) Location. Signs shall not cover architectural details such as arches, transom windows, moldings, columns, capitals, sills, cornices and similar details.

(2) Material. Sign materials shall complement the construction materials and architectural style of the building facade.

(3) Lettering style. Lettering style shall be clean and simple to assure readability and shall be in harmony with the style of architecture of the building. No more than two different type styles shall be used on each sign.

(4) Colors. No more than three colors that are in harmony with the building color and architecture may be used per sign.

(Ord., § 7.06, passed - -)