§ 19.04. Permitted Signs

(a)

Except for menu boards, A-frame signs, sandwich boards, and similar unattached signs, the following signs require a permit under section 19.07. The number, display area, and height of signs within the non-residential zoning districts are provided in table 19.04 and its accompanying set of additional requirements.

Table 19.04
Specific Sign Requirements

Type of Sign	Max. Height	Max. Size (1)	Max. Number	Additional Requirements
Agricultural	12 ft.	32 sq. ft. per face	1 per farm
Awning	Must not exceed height of building	25% of awning up to a maximum of 50 sq. ft.	1 per awning	(2)
Billboard	30 ft.			(3)
Blade	3 ft.	8.5 sq. ft.	1 per façade facing a street or public right-of-way	(13)
Business Center	12 ft.	72 sq. ft. per face	1 per street frontage	(4)
Development and Subdivision Entry	4 ft.	20 sq. ft. per face	1 per entrance	(5)
Gasoline Price	12 ft.	12 sq. ft. per face	1 per street frontage	(6)
Home Occupation	—	3 sq. ft.	—	—
Marquee (Canopy)	—	Counted as part of allowed wall signage	1 per street frontage	(7)
Menu Boards (incl. A-frame; Sandwich Boards)	5 ft.	7 sq. ft. per side	1 per tenant or business	(12)
Monument or Ground	6 ft.	72 sq. ft. per side	1 per street frontage	(8)
Multiple family development signs	4 ft. unless on wall	12 sq. ft.
Parking lot	12 ft.	12 sq. ft. per side	1 per parking lot	—
Pole	30 ft.	72 sq. ft. per side	1 per street frontage	(9)
Real Estate: Development Signs	12 ft.	72 sq. ft.	1 per development	(10)
Wall	Must not exceed height of building	10% of wall up to a maximum of 100 sq. ft.	1 per facade facing a street or public right-of-way	(11)

 

(b)

Signs noted in Table 19.04 shall comply with the following requirements:

(1)

The BZA may permit a 15 percent increase in the allowable sign area where the site has shared access with an adjoining site in accordance with Section 18.05.

(2)

Awnings. Awnings may project over the public sidewalk, provided they are a minimum of eight feet above the sidewalk.

(3)

Billboard. Billboards shall only be permitted where in compliance with all of the following requirements:

a.

Districts Allowed. Billboards are allowed only in the following districts:

1.

For sites located in the unincorporated areas of the county outside of the boundaries of the cities, billboards shall be allowed in the business or industrial zoning districts within 1,000 feet of the right-of-way for I-90/I-80 and I-94/U.S. 30 Freeways.

2.

For sites located within the boundaries of the cities of La Porte and Michigan City, billboards shall be allowed in the B3, M1 and M2 zoning districts.

b.

Location. Billboards shall be constructed so that its principal view is fully screened from an interchange area involving merging traffic. Any billboard shall comply with the following:

1.

The billboard must be constructed in such a manner as to be viewed principally from the freeway(s) and not from auxiliary roadways, side road, traffic intersections, or residential areas.

2.

The premises must have a roadway easement to a non-freeway primary or secondary road such that the persons maintaining and servicing the sign may reach the site without danger.

c.

Size and Configuration. A billboard shall be constructed according to applicable building requirements, codes, and zoning regulations, including the following:

1.

The maximum height shall be 30 feet above the median ground level within a 500 feet radius of the site.

2.

The maximum sign surface area shall be 672 square feet, except within the City of La Porte the maximum sign surface area shall be 384 square feet.

3.

Billboards shall be back to back or a "v" design; for a "v" design maximum separation between sign ends shall be 20 feet.

4.

Side-by-side or deck/stacked structures shall not be permitted.

5.

Billboards shall be prohibited from:

a.

Extending above the tree line or horizon when viewed from any portion of the roadway that it faces.

b.

Being located on or over the roofs of buildings.

c.

Projecting over any public easement or right-of-way.

d.

Spacing and Separation. A billboard shall maintain all of the following spacing and setback requirements:

1.

Along the I-80/90 Toll Road and I-94, a minimum spacing of 1,000 feet, measured along the road in all directions, from any other billboard, including billboards in an adjacent municipality. Along all other highways a minimum spacing of 1,320 feet, measured along the road in all directions, from any other billboard, including billboards in an adjacent municipality.

2.

At least 500 feet from any residential zoning district, historic district or outdoor park/recreational facility.

3.

At least 300 feet from any park, school, church, hospital, cemetery, or government building.

4.

The application shall include a certified site plan showing compliance with the spacing and separation distances required by this subsection.

e.

Setbacks. Billboards shall comply with all setback requirements for a structure in the district in which they are located.

f.

Limitations on Movement. A billboard shall be prohibited from having moving, flashing, oscillating or other distracting parts visible to drivers or vehicles. Rotating signs shall not be permitted.

g.

Illumination. A billboard may be illuminated subject to all of the following requirements:

1.

Illumination must be directed in such a manner that all incidental light generated falls on the sign face.

2.

All lights must be shielded such that the light is not visible to traffic or surrounding homes or businesses.

3.

The use of animated electrical signage shall be prohibited.

4.

Billboards within 500 feet of any residential district may not be illuminated between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

h.

Non-use. Any billboard not in use shall have the unused surface display a scenic view, consistent with the area scenery or a public service display.

i.

Maintenance and Unsafe Conditions. Any billboard that collapses, topples or disintegrates shall be made safe within 30 days or the site shall be cleared of the debris.

j.

State Compliance Required. All billboards shall comply with applicable requirements and conditions the State of Indiana. A billboard permit shall be first obtained from the Indiana Department of Transportation prior to approval.

k.

Identification Plate. The framework, foundations or superstructure of the billboard shall have a metal identification plate, as defined, firmly attached thereto.

(4)

Business Centers. Each business center with at least 300 feet of major road frontage may be allowed one on-premises freestanding business center sign, subject to the following:

a.

May be directly or indirectly illuminated.

b.

May be double-faced.

c.

Shall not reduce the number of signs or sign area otherwise allowed for the premises included within the business center, but shall prohibit any other freestanding signs from being located within the business center.

(5)

Community, Neighborhood, Development or Subdivision Entry Signs.

a.

Freestanding signs of low profile design.

b.

May be directly or indirectly illuminated.

(6)

Gasoline Service Stations. Each gasoline service station may be allowed the following signs in addition to the signs otherwise allowed by this Article:

a.

Gasoline pump signs not exceeding three square feet per pump containing customary information regarding the brand, type of gasoline sold, and service provided.

b.

Signage on the canopy, which shall be counted toward determining compliance with the requirements for total allowable area of wall signs allowed on the parcel.

c.

May contain up to two pump island signs located on the structural supports identifying "self-serve" and "full-serve" operations, provided that there is no business identification or advertising copy on such signs and that such signs do not exceed four square feet in area.

(7)

Marquee Signs. Signs on marquees and canopies may be allowed, provided the display area of the sign on a marquee, or canopy shall be counted toward determining compliance with the requirements for total allowable area of wall signs allowed on the lot.

(8)

Monument or Ground Signs. Monument signs shall have a brick base and landscaping around the base of the sign.

(9)

Pole Signs. Pole signs shall be prohibited in the CBD1 and CBD2 districts.

(10)

Real Estate Development Signs. Permits for real estate development signs shall be issued for one year and may be renewed on annual basis.

(11)

Wall Signs.

a.

Sign shall not extend more than 18 inches perpendicular to the surface of the building wall area upon which it is painted, erected, or fastened. Wall signs may extend over a public sidewalk, provided they have a minimum ten-foot clearance from the sidewalk to the bottom of the sign.

b.

For businesses that face directly onto adjacent public street right-of-way, the maximum allowable wall sign area may be increased as indicated in the table below or ten percent of the wall area, whichever is less.

Distance of Sign from ROW Line	Allowable Sign Area
0—200 ft.	100 sq. ft.
200—300 ft.	125 sq. ft.
301 + ft.	150 sq. ft.

 

c.

Wall signs may be directly or indirectly illuminated.

(12)

Menu Boards. Menu boards, A-frame signs, sandwich boards, and similar unattached signs shall be permitted only if they meet the following:

1.

All such signs are limited to one sign board per tenant or business with the total area of the sign not exceeding seven square feet per side.

2.

All such signs shall be stationary and stable in structure, made of a material commonly used for sign construction and to convey information, and all information on the sign shall be presented in an artistic or aesthetic arrangement, in chalk, erasable marker, removable and reusable letters or images, or similar method.

3.

All such signs shall be limited to the advertisement and sale of merchandise or services available on or adjacent to the sign location site and shall be directly associated with the type of business on or adjacent to the sign location site.

4.

All such signs shall be permitted to be displayed on pedestrian walkways located adjacent or nearly adjacent to the entrance of a business or commercial establishment. Such signage shall not be placed in any drive or access area nor placed within any landscape area. Such signage shall not be used as a replacement for directional traffic signage.

5.

All such signage shall be located within ten feet of the public entrance to the business establishment associated with the sign. Sign placement shall also meet all requirements of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA).

6.

All such signage shall be brought inside at dusk or (if later) at the close of business each day, and at all times when the wind is alone strong enough to move the sign.

7.

Such signage shall not block or impede pedestrian rights-of-way and walkways.

8.

Such signage shall not be internally or externally directly illuminated.

9.

All such signs, if they conform to all of the above provisions, shall not require a permit under section 19.07.

(13)

Blade. A blade sign shall not extend more than 42 inches perpendicular to the surface of the building wall area upon which it is painted, erected, or fastened. Such signs may extend over a public sidewalk, provided they have a minimum 10-foot clearance from the sidewalk to the bottom of the sign. Blade signs shall not be internally illuminated. Cabinet or box style Blade signs shall not be permitted. The blade sign structure, including any bracket, shall not exceed 8.5 sq. feet on one side and shall not exceed 6" in depth. The display may be on both sides.

( Ord. No. 4328, §§ 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 6-16-2015 )