Article 3 Specific Standards and Requirements by Sign Type

31.400 Awning Signs.

(1) The awning, whether existing or proposed, must be conforming to all applicable regulations.

(2) The awning, whether existing or proposed, must be made of an opaque material, unless lettering is incorporated into the awning’s valance (i.e., the vertical flap of the canopy) whereby the lettering itself may be translucent. The lettering area may not exceed 10 percent of the square footage of the entire awning.

(3) The awning must be located above the primary public access.

(4) An awning sign must complement the scale and proportion of the awning, and compliment the architectural style of the building on which it is to be attached.

(5) When located above a walkway, the bottom edge of the awning must be at least eight feet above the surface of the walkway.

(6) The sign shall only be placed on the valance (i.e., the vertical flap of the canopy) that is parallel to the face of the building. An awning sign containing lettering requires an awning permit.

(7) If the awning extends over public property (e.g., above a public sidewalk in a street right-of-way), the property owner must obtain a hold harmless agreement, or equivalent written approval, from the entity having jurisdiction over the public property.

(8) If an awning has internal light (e.g., to light the area below the awning), the awning material must be opaque to allow the internal light to project only through the translucent lettering, if applicable.

(9) The area of an awning is determined by multiplying the length by the height of the awning.

[Ord. 24-1121 § 3, 2024; Ord. 21-601 § 1, 2021]