§ 18-503.1. Industrial zone sign standards.

(a)

General regulations.

(1)

Setback lines: Setback lines for signs in the I-1 and I-2 zones shall be zero (0) feet.

(2)

Illumination: Allowed but not greater than three hundred (300) total footlamberts of luminance.

(3)

Animation: Prohibited except for time-temperature signs.

(4)

Maximum area allowable:

a.

For lots less than two hundred fifty (250) feet wide, or lots having less than ten (10) acres, the total area for all signs on the premises pertaining to any one (1) business shall not exceed seven hundred eighty (780) square feet.

b.

For lots greater than two hundred fifty (250) feet wide, containing more than ten (10) acres, the total area for all signs on the premises pertaining to any one (1) business shall not exceed eighteen hundred (1,800) square feet.

c.

For lots greater than two hundred fifty (250) feet wide, containing more than forty (40) acres, the total area for all signs on the premises pertaining to any one (1) business shall not exceed three thousand (3,000) square feet.

(b)

Specific regulations.

(1)

Ground signs allowed.

a.

Area allowable: The greater of forty-eight (48) square feet, or one (1) square foot per lineal foot of total street frontage up to fifty (50) square feet per side and one hundred (100) square feet total for all sides at the setback line.

b.

Area allowable increase: For lots less than two hundred fifty (250) feet wide, for every foot that a sign sits behind the setback line add to area allowable one (1) square foot per side up to fifty (50) square feet per side and one hundred (100) square feet total for all sides.

For lots two hundred fifty (250) feet wide or greater, add one (1) square foot for each lineal foot over two hundred fifty (250) feet and each lineal foot that a sign sits behind the setback line, up to one hundred (100) square feet per side and two hundred (200) square feet for all sides.

c.

Frontage: One (1) sign per street frontage on lots less than two hundred fifty (250) front feet. On lots of two hundred fifty (250) or more front feet, a second sign is permitted so long as it is an identification sign, and the total area allowable is not exceeded.

d.

Height allowable: Twenty-five (25) feet at setback line.

e.

Height allowable increase: For every six (6) feet that a sign sits behind the setback line, add to allowable one (1) foot in height up to thirty-five (35) feet.

f.

Additional sign: For lots which are zoned Industrial, and lie within one thousand three hundred twenty (1,320) feet of the center line of the I-35 right-of-way, one (1) additional ground sign may be erected. Such sign must be located as near to the interstate highway as practicable, and must be oriented for interstate traffic. The extra sign can have a maximum height of eighty (80) feet and the bottom of the sign must be a minimum of twenty-five (25) feet from the ground. No such sign may be constructed closer to the boundary line of any residentially zoned property than a distance equal to four (4) times the height of the sign. The size of the sign shall be as follows:

Bottom of sign between twenty-five (25) and fifty (50) feet: Seventy-five (75) square feet per side (one hundred fifty (150) square feet total).

Bottom of sign above fifty (50) feet but below sixty-five (65) feet: One hundred (100) square feet per side (two hundred (200) square feet total).

Bottom of sign above sixty-five (65) feet: One hundred fifty (150) square feet per side (three hundred (300) square feet total).

The total amount of all signage, including this additional sign, shall not exceed the maximum area allowable specified in section l8-503.1(a)(4).

(2)

Wall signs allowed.

a.

Area allowable: The greater of forty-eight (48) square feet or one (1) square foot per lineal foot of total building frontage up to one hundred (100) square feet.

For lots greater than ten (10) acres: The greater of forty-eight (48) square feet or one (1) square foot per lineal foot of total building frontage up to five hundred (500) square feet.

For lots greater than forty (40) acres: The greater of forty-eight (48) square feet or one (1) square foot per lineal foot of total building frontage up to one thousand (1,000) square feet.

b.

Area allowable increase: For every foot the sign sits behind the setback line, add to area allowable one (1) square foot up to five hundred (500) square feet.

c.

Height allowable: The minimum height for wall signs which exceed two and one-half (2½) inches in thickness is eight (8) feet above a walkway and fifteen (15) feet above an alleyway. The maximum height allowable shall not be higher than the eave or rafter line (top) of the wall on which the sign is located, whichever is higher.

d.

Location: Wall signs shall be located on a vertical surface of the building (including other architectural projections).

e.

Projection: Maximum projection of wall signs from the building shall be no greater than fifteen (15) inches. The end panels of such signs shall contain no item of information and shall not be counted in the computed sign area.

(3)

Projecting signs. Only allowed if front of structure is within four (4) feet or less of right-of-way. They are not allowed if a wall sign is used.

a.

Area allowable: The greater of forty-eight (48) square feet or one (1) square foot per lineal foot of frontage up to one hundred (100) square feet per side and two hundred (200) square feet total for all sides.

b.

Area allowable increase: None.

c.

Frontage: One (1) sign per street frontage per business.

d.

Height allowable: The minimum height for projecting signs is ten (10) feet above a walkway and fifteen (15) feet above an alleyway. The maximum height allowable shall not be higher than the eave or rafter line, whichever is greater.

e.

Maximum projection allowable: Fifteen (15) inches from the face of the structure to the sign. The leading edge of the sign shall be no greater than eight (8) feet from the face of the structure and no less than two (2) feet from the face of the street curb.

f.

Thickness limitation: The distance measured between the principal sides of the sign shall not exceed eighteen (18) inches.

(4)

Suspended signs allowed.

a.

Area allowable: One (1) square foot per lineal foot of street frontage up to twenty (20) square feet per side, each sign having no more than two (2) sides.

b.

Frontage: One (1) sign per street frontage per business.

c.

Height allowable: Minimum height is eight (8) feet above a walkway. Maximum height shall be no higher than marquee, canopy, or architectural projection soffits to which they are attached.

d.

Projection allowable: Leading edge shall not project beyond object to which the sign is attached.

e.

Location: The face of suspended signs shall be perpendicular to the face of the structure to which it is attached, and the minimum horizontal distance between such signs shall be ten (10) feet. Must be located under marquees, canopies or other architectural projections.

(5)

Window signs allowed.

a.

Illumination: Allowed, but not greater than one hundred (100) footlamberts of luminance.

b.

Area allowable: Thirty-five (35) percent of total window area, not to exceed twenty-five (25) percent of the maximum sign area allowable.

c.

Exemptions: Temporary posters announcing or advertising events sponsored by noncommercial organizations shall be exempt from limitations for window signs.

(6)

Directional signs allowed. Private traffic directional signs guiding or directing vehicular or pedestrian traffic onto or off a lot or within a lot, when such signs do not contain any advertising other than trade name identification or logo. One (1) sign allowed per curb cut, plus one (1) additional sign on lot interior. Such signs shall not exceed four (4) square feet per face and eight (8) square feet total, and may be illuminated.

(7)

Joint identification ground signs. Allowed for businesses which use common facilities including, but not limited to, parking lots and buildings. When structures are platted under a single ownership, only the owner can request a joint identification ground sign and each lessee shall decide whether to use it. If a joint identification ground sign is used, there shall be no other ground signs permitted on the premises.

a.

Area allowable: The greater of forty-eight (48) square feet or two (2) square feet per lineal foot of frontage, up to one hundred (100) square feet per side and two hundred (200) square feet total for all sides at the setback line.

b.

Area allowable increase: For lots less than two hundred fifty (250) feet wide, for every three (3) feet that a sign sits behind the setback line, add to area allowable five (5) square feet per side up to one hundred (100) square feet per side and two hundred (200) square feet total for all sides.

For lots two hundred fifty (250) feet wide or greater, add three and thirty-four one-hundredths (3.34) square feet for each lineal foot over two hundred fifty (250) feet and each lineal foot that sign sits behind setback line, up to two hundred (200) square feet per side and four hundred (400) square feet for all sides.

c.

Maximum area allowable: For lots less than two hundred fifty (250) feet wide, the total area of joint identification signs shall not exceed four hundred (400) square feet. The sign area included in the joint identification sign shall be in addition to the maximum allowable area under wall signs, suspended signs, window signs, time-temperature-date signs, grand opening signs and address identification signs.

For lots two hundred fifty (250) feet or greater, the total area of joint identification signs shall not exceed six hundred (600) square feet. The sign area included in the joint identification sign shall be in addition to the maximum allowable area under wall signs, suspended signs, window signs, time-temperature-date signs, grand opening signs, and address identification signs.

d.

Frontage: One (1) sign per street frontage, on lots less than two hundred fifty (250) feet. On lots two hundred fifty (250) feet wide or greater, a second sign is permitted, so long as it is an identification sign, and the total area allowable is not exceeded.

e.

Height allowable: Twenty-five (25) feet at setback line.

f.

Height allowable increase: For every six (6) feet that a sign sits behind the setback line, add to allowable one (1) foot in height up to thirty-five (35) feet.

(8)

Temporary signs allowed; specific requirements.

a.

Construction signs: Signs advertising subdivision, development, construction or other improvements of a property shall be permitted in any zoning district and shall comply with the following:

1.

Such signs shall be limited to ground, wall or window signs, shall not exceed forty-eight (48) square feet per side on ten (10) acres or less, and up to one hundred (100) square feet per side on tracts greater than ten (10) acres, with the top of the sign no more than ten (10) feet off the ground.

2.

Construction signs shall be displayed only on the property to which the sign pertains. One (1) such sign shall be permitted per street upon which the property either has frontage or has an entrance from a major thoroughfare; provided that the minimum distance between signs on any singly development shall be on thousand (1,000) frontage feet.

3.

In the case of a subdivision, construction signs shall not be displayed prior to the date of official filing of the subdivision, and shall be removed within four (4) years from the date of issuance of the first building permit in the project, or within thirty (30) days from the time that seventy-five (75) percent of the lots or buildings in the pertinent subdivision or filing thereof have been sold, whichever time period is the least.

4.

In other cases, such signs may be displayed for the duration of construction, until issuance of a certificate of occupancy.

b.

Real estate signs allowed.

1.

Area allowable: Thirty-two (32) square feet per side; sixty-four (64) square feet total.

2.

Frontage: One (1) sign per street frontage.

3.

Height allowable: Ten (10) feet. Must be removed within seven (7) days after the premises are rented, leased or sold.

c.

Grand opening signs allowed.

1.

The sign or signs shall not be displayed more than ten (10) days.

2.

There shall be only one (1) grand opening allowed per business, and this grand opening must occur in conjunction with the time the business first opens to the public at a particular location.

3.

Signs otherwise prohibited may be allowed as temporary signs as long as they do not endanger the public health, safety, or welfare, subject to the approval of the Code Compliance Officer.

d.

Other temporary signs: Temporary signs not specifically regulated shall be displayed only in accordance with the following conditions:

1.

Such signs shall be limited to ground, window or wall signs only, shall not exceed one hundred (100) square feet in total surface area per lot, shall be comprised of no more than two (2) temporary signs (of the type which require permits) per frontage, and shall comply with the applicable height and setback regulations for the zoning district in which they are located. (Ord. No. 0-0001-22)

2.

Such signs shall remain in place no longer than sixty (60) days.

3.

In lieu of (1) and (2), a property owner may elect to erect a banner in a permanent location subject to the following restrictions:

[a]

The number of signs will be limited to two (2) per lot;

[b]

No single banner may be larger than thirty (30) square feet;

[c]

The banner must be contained in a permanent, noncorrosive aluminum or steel frame, and securely mounted onto the wall of the building or the framed affixed to the ground;

[d]

The sign may only advertise the business which occupies the lot;

[e]

The annual permit will cost one hundred dollars ($100.00) for each sign; and,

[f]

No other temporary signs may be erected on the premises.

(9)

Time-temperature-date signs allowed:

a.

Ten (10) square feet or less per side, in addition to the area otherwise allowable, if no advertising or identification is attached.

b.

All such signs must be maintained so as to ensure display of accurate time, temperature and date.

c.

Such signs may be either ground, wall or projecting signs. The are and height requirements are the same as whichever sign replaced. (See section 503.1(b)1 through 3.)

(10)

Roof signs: Prohibited.

(11)

Wind signs: Prohibited, except:

a.

Balloons up to a six-foot maximum diameter and pennants with no words or graphics be allowed for thirty (30) days as temporary signs with a twenty-five dollar ($25.00) permit;

b.

One (1) balloon, flag, or pennant may be attached to each vehicle offered for sale, provided the vehicle is legally parked on the property to which the permit is issued;

1.

Balloons, flags or pennants must be attached to the vehicle, and may not exceed eighteen (18) inches in greatest dimension, not extend more than seven (7) feet above ground level;

2.

May be displayed after 5:00 p.m. on Thursday and must be removed by close of business day on Saturday;

3.

An annual permit will cost fifty dollars ($50.00) for each separate lot.

c.

Feather flags may be permitted in lieu of temporary or annual banner signs for six (6) months with a twenty-five dollar ($25.00) fee per sign in accordance with the following:

1.

Location—Feather flags may only be on-premise signs. Must not be placed in the public right-of-way or in sight triangles. May not extend over public sidewalks, alleys, streets, obstruct the view of traffic signals or otherwise endanger the public.

2.

Size—Maximum height fifteen (15) feet. Maximum area thirty-two (32) square feet per face.

3.

Spacing—Minimum of fifteen (15) feet between feather flags.

4.

Setback—Must meet the setback of all signs in their zoning district. Minimum side yard setback shall be eight (8) feet.

5.

Illumination—Feather flags shall not be illuminated.

6.

Feather flags shall be secured in the ground.

7.

Number—No more than four feather flags allowed per tenant per street frontage.

8.

Maintenance—Feather flags are subject to the maintenance requirements of Section 18-708 and shall be removed as soon as torn or damaged.

(12)

Bulletin board signs: Prohibited.

(13)

Fence signs: Prohibited.

(14)

Off-premise signs: Allowed in I-2 zoning district only (see section 18-601).

(15)

Address identification signs allowed: Two (2) square feet per side or four (4) square feet total, one (1) per use.

(16)

Political signs allowed.

a.

Area allowable: Not regulated.

b.

Duration: Must be removed ten (10) days after election to which they pertain.

c.

Location: Not regulated when on private property. Political signs shall not be placed within any park, boulevard, street, parkway, median, public right-of-way, or easement under the control of or maintained by the City of Norman.

d.

Removal: Any political sign erected in violation of this section shall constitute a public nuisance endangering public safety and may be removed and disposed of by the City Manager or his designee.

(17)

Standard brand name signs allowed. Not more than twenty (20) percent of the total allowable sign area for any permitted use may be devoted to the advertising of a standard brand name commodity or service which is not the principal commodity or service being sold or rendered on the premises, or is not a part of the name of the business concern involved.

(18)

Buildings which constitute signs allowed: Any building or portion of a building which is proposed to be erected in an industrial zoning district and which is classified as a "sign" as defined herein shall be permitted only upon application for, and approval of, a special exception therefor in accordance with the procedure in article IX.

It shall be the responsibility of the Code Compliance Officer to determine whether or not such proposed building, or portion thereof, will be classified as a sign prior to the issuance of a building permit therefor, and to notify the owner or builder of the proposed building of such findings and of the provisions of article IX. No building permit shall be issued for any such building until approval for the building has been given in accordance with the provisions of article IX.

The owner or builder shall furnish, at the time of application for a building permit, building plans, elevations and details which are adequate to enable the Code Compliance Officer to make the necessary determination as to whether or not the building should be classified as a sign.

The owner or builder of any building which is classified as a sign by the Code Compliance Officer shall have the right to appeal such interpretation to the Board of Adjustment in the manner provided for in article IX.

(19)

Reserved.

(Ord. No. 0-9192-37; Ord. No. 0-9293-23; Ord. No. 0-9697-1; Ord. No. 0-9798-61; Ord. No. 0-9899-13; Ord. No. 0-0001-22; Ord. No. 0-0102-49; Ord. No. O-0708-43, § 1; Ord. No. O-0809-43, § 1; Ord. No. 0-1516-32, § 3)