SIGN REGULATIONS

 

Section 14.01 Application of Regulations to Signs

Section 14.02 Purpose

Section 14.03 Matrix

Section 14.04 Definitions

Section 14.05 General Requirements

Section 14.06 Signs Allowed in All Districts (Exempt Signs)

Section 14.07 Signs for Residential Districts

Section 14.08 Signs for Medical Campus Districts

Section 14.09 Signs for Education Districts

Section 14.10 Signs for Office-Institutional Districts

Section 14.11 Signs for Neighborhood Business Districts

Section 14.12 Signs for Community Business Districts

Section 14.13 Signs for Business Park and General Industrial Districts

Section 14.14 Non-Conforming Signs

Section 14.15 Prohibited Signs

Section 14.16 Illumination of Signs

Section 14.17 General Maintenance of Signs

Section 14.18 Permits and Fees

Section 14.19 Administration and Penalties

Section 14.20 Severability

 

SECTION 14.01. APPLICATION OF REGULATIONS TO SIGNS.

All signs within Oak Ridge shall be hereafter erected, constructed, or maintained in accordance with the provision of the sections below and applicable sections of the Oak Ridge building codes and only those signs that are permitted by these regulations shall be permitted within the City of Oak Ridge. A sign permit is required for all permitted signs.

 

SECTION 14.02. PURPOSE.
The purpose of this article is to provide sign standards and regulations which allow for the legitimate needs for identification of residential, office, commercial, industrial and other activities while at the same time to maintain and enhance the environment; promote signs which do not unduly detract from the overall character and aesthetics of the community; encourage signs which are compatible with adjacent land uses; provide for a reasonable system of control of signs; promote effective use of signs as a means of communication and economic growth through the regulation of such things as size, location, design, and illumination of signs; and to advance the safety and welfare of the community as it relates to signs.
If any portion of this article is found to be in conflict with any other provision of any City codes, such as zoning, building, fire, safety, or health ordinance, the provision that establishes the higher standard shall prevail.

 

SECTION 14.03. MATRIX. The following matrix will be used in determining sign districts:

 

ZONING DISTRICT	SIGN DISTRICT
R-1-A, R-1-B, R-1-A/B, R-1-C, R-2, R-4-A, R-4-B, R-4-C, RG-1, G, P	RESIDENTIAL
E	EDUCATION
O-1, O-2, R-3	OFFICE-INSTITUTIONAL
B-1	NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS
B-2, B-3, UB-2	COMMUNITY BUSINESS
IND-1, IND-2, IND-3, FIR	BUSINESS PARK AND GENERAL INDUSTRIAL
*Those properties as shown on the Medical Campus District Map	MEDICAL CAMPUS ‘

SECTION 14.04. DEFINITIONS.

 

Signs: Any object, device, display, or structure, or part thereof, which is used to advertise, identify, display, direct, or visually attract attention to an object, person, institution, organization, business, product, service, event, or location by any means, including words, letters, figures, design, symbols, fixtures, colors, illumination, or projected images.

 

Note: This definition shall not include festival or holiday decorations, the noncommercial use of a flag, emblem, insignia, or other display of any nation or political subdivision, traffic, safety or similar regulatory devices; legal notices; signs or tablets which are primarily memorials; emblems of religious institutions that are attached to buildings; or flags or similar emblems of political, civic, philanthropic, educational, or religious organizations.

Abandoned Sign: A sign that no longer correctly directs or exhorts any person, advertises a bona fide business, lessor, owner, project or activity conducted or product available on the premises where such sign is displayed; or a permitted temporary sign for which the permit has expired.

Advertising Sign: A sign that has as its purpose to promote, advertise, or sell a product or service obtainable on the premises upon which the sign is located, and not to identify the premises.

Animated (Moving) Sign: Any sign or permanent structure that uses movement, projection, or change of lighting or other electrical impulses to depict action or create a special effect. Variable display signs, beacons and electronic moving message boards are animated signs under this article.

Awning, Canopy or Marquee Sign: A non-illuminated sign that is mounted, painted, or attached to an awning, canopy, or marquee.

Banners, Pennants, Festoons, and Balloons: Any sign of cloth, paper, fabric or other flexible material that is mounted by a pole, enclosed in a frame, or otherwise mounted to allow movement caused by wind which, with or without insignia, attracts the attention of the general public to a location or business. Festoons shall include, but are not limited to, a string of ribbons, tinsel, or pinwheels. Flags are not banners under this article.

Billboard (Outdoor Advertising Display Sign): A sign that is affixed to or erected upon a free-standing framework that directs attention to a business, commodity, service, or entertainment conducted, sold or offered at a location other than the premises on which the sign is located. Note: This type of sign is also commonly referred to as an off-premise sign. Any sign that is not an on-premise sign, as defined herein, shall be an off-premises sign.

 

Business Sign: A sign which directs attention to a business or profession conducted, or a commodity or service, sold, offered, or manufactured, or to an entertainment on the premises upon which the sign is located, or to which it is affixed.

Changeable Copy Sign (Readerboard): A sign containing letters or numbers that can be changed at will to display different messages. Electronic moving message board signs are not changeable copy signs under this article.

Channel Letters: Letters comprised of a U-shaped aluminum channel, with plastic front faces. Letters can be lighted with neon or Light Emitting Diodes (LED). Neon letters can be left open without faces (open faced neon letters).

(Ord. No. 12-04 Revised Effective 5/14/04)

Civic Sign: A sign that identifies a nonprofit institution or organization on whose premises it is located, and which contains (a) the name of the institution or organization; (b) the name(s) of the person(s) connected with it; and/or (c) greetings, announcements of events or activities occurring at the institution, or similar messages.

Community Bulletin Board Sign: A publicly owned sign whose contents shall be in the nature of a directory listing several religious, educational, charitable, philanthropic, civic or professional organizations.

Community Identification Sign: A publicly-owned sign that states the logo, trademark, or other identifying symbol; address; or combination of the name, symbol, and address which communicates the identity of the city.

Construction Sign: A temporary sign located on the premises during the period of construction identifying the names of the architects, engineers, contractors, subcontractors, financial supporters and/or others associated with the construction and development of the project.

Dilapidated Sign: A sign that is structurally unsound, has defective parts, or is in need of painting or other maintenance.

Directional Sign: A sign whose message is exclusively limited to guiding the circulation and flow of vehicular and/or pedestrian traffic on the site such as signs that convey enter/entrance, exit, one-way, and drive-thru.

Directory Sign: A sign, other than an identification sign, listing the names, uses, or locations of the various businesses or activities conducted within a building or group of buildings, that is centrally located and intended to provide on-site direction.

Entry Sign: A type of a ground sign that is non-illuminated, reflective or indirectly illuminated, with the exception of Light Emitting diodes (LED) lit channel letters or halo lit LED letters, limited to a symbol and/or name identifying the development or site, and a numeric display of the site street address located at the main entrance. Such signs shall only apply to those sites with five (5) or more buildings, five (5) or more lots, or are located in a contiguous campus environment.

(Ord. No. 12-04 Revised Effective 5/14/04)

Exempt Sign: Any sign which is exempt from the permit requirements established herein, pursuant to Section 14.06 of this article.

Flag: Any fabric or bunting containing distinctive colors, patterns or symbols that is used as a symbol of a governmental, commercial or non-commercial entity.

(1) Commercial flag sign means any flag, which displays a commercial name, message, logo or symbol.

(2) Decorative flag means any flag which displays any holiday, season, design, or the like which does not include any commercial name, message, logo or symbol.

(3) Non-commercial/governmental/civic flag means any flag displaying a name, message, logo or symbol of any recognized governmental, religious, civic or non-profit agency.

Flashing Sign: Any sign which contains an intermittent or flashing light source, or which includes the illusion of intermittent or flashing light by means of animation, changes in the degree of light intensity, an externally mounted intermittent light source, or reflective metal strips.

Front Face:

The front elevation of a building that faces the front property line, as recorded on the plat and/or site plan. If a structure is located on a corner parcel, the side which includes the primary entrance shall be considered the front façade. If a structure located on a corner parcel contains more than one (1) primary entrance on more than one (1) side, the longer side with a primary entrance shall be considered the front façade. (See Display 1. Illustrations of Single Occupancy and Multi-Occupancy Buildings and Facilities)

Ground Sign: Any sign, other than a pole sign, which is independent of any other structure and in which the entire bottom of the sign is in contact with the ground or there is no more than thirty (30) inches clearance from the bottom of the sign to the ground below with the top of the sign not exceeding eight (8) feet from ground level; provided, however, that up to forty-eight (48) inches clearance from the bottom of the sign to the ground below shall be allowed for signs located in parking areas or immediately adjacent to parking areas.

(Ord No. 11-06 Revised Effective 8/03/06)

Halo Letters: A type of a ground sign that is non-illuminated, reflective or indirectly illuminated, with the exception of Light Emitting Diodes (LED) lit channel letters or halo lit LED letters, limited to a symbol and/or name identifying the development or site, and a numeric display of the site street address located at the main entrance. Such signs shall only apply to those sites with five (5) or more buildings, five (5) or more lots, or are located in a contiguous campus environment.

(Ord. No. 12-04 Revised Effective 5/14/04)

Hanging Sign: A freestanding sign supported by the extended arm of a single post, with the overall height of the sign face not exceeding eight (8) feet from ground level.

(Ord No. 8-05 Revised Effective 6/30/05)

 

Height of Sign: The vertical distance from normal grade to the highest point of the sign. Any berming, filling, or excavating solely for the purpose of locating the sign shall be included as a part of the sign height. Note: The height of a sign shall be computed as the distance from the base of the sign at normal grade to the top of the highest point of the sign face. Normal grade shall be construed to be the newly established grade after construction, exclusive of any filling, berming, mounding, or excavating solely for the purpose of locating the sign. In cases in which the normal grade of the sign is lower than the grade of the adjacent public/private street, normal grade shall be construed as the grade of the adjacent public/private street.

(Ord. No. 12-04 Revised Effective 5/14/04)

Identification Sign: A sign giving the nature, logo, trademark, or other identifying symbol; address; or any combination of the name, symbol, and address of a building, business, development or establishment on the premises where it is located and which sets forth no other advertisement.

Illegal Sign: Any of the following: (1) a sign erected without first obtaining a permit and complying with all regulations in effect at the time of its construction or use; (2) a nonconforming sign whose use has ceased because the business it identifies is no longer conducted on the premises; (3) a nonconforming sign for which the amortization period has expired; (4) a sign that was legally erected but which later became nonconforming and then was damaged to the extent of fifty percent (50%) or more of its current replacement value; (5) a sign that is a danger to the public or is unsafe; or (6) a sign that pertains to a specific event that has not been removed within five (5) days after the occurrence of the event.

Illuminated Sign:

1. Direct: A sign whose light source is either located in the interior of the sign so that the rays go through the face of the sign, or which is attached to the face of the sign and is perceived as a design element of the sign.

2. Indirect: Illumination of a sign that is affected by a source of light not contained within the sign itself and is not visible elsewhere on the plot or parcel where said illumination occurs.

Inflatable Sign: Any sign that is either expanded to its full dimensions or supported by gases contained within the sign, or sign parts, included but not limited to a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure.

Instructional (Informative) Sign: Any on-premise sign containing no other message, copy, announcement, or decoration other than instruction or direction to the general public. Such signs include but are not limited to the following: identifying rest rooms, public telephones, walkways, entrance and exit drives, freight entrances and traffic direction.

Moving Copy Sign: A sign which incorporates an electronically or mechanically generated changeable copy message within the sign frame, but which does not incorporate any mechanical movement of the sign itself or any use of pulsating or undulating copy message.

Multi-Occupancy Facility: A development including, but not limited to, shopping centers and office complexes, consisting of two (2) or more separate establishments with separate exterior entrances sharing a common or connected building, and common or connected parking areas, or common pedestrian access and common or connected parking areas.

(Ord. No. 11-06 Revised Effective 8/03/06)

Neon Sign: An illuminated sign containing a glass tube filled with neon or phosphors which is bent to form letters, symbols or other shapes.

Nonconforming Sign: A sign lawfully erected and maintained prior to the adopting of this article that does not conform with the requirements of this article.

Obsolete Sign: Any sign which identifies or advertises any product, accommodation, service, or business which is no longer available to the public at the location indicated on the sign.

Official Sign: A sign whose content denotes an official program authorized or recognized by the City Manager or his/her designee to meet a public objective. Such signs shall include, but not be limited to, public notices, neighborhood watch programs, etc.

Off-Premise Sign: A sign that directs attention to a business, commodity, service, or entertainment not exclusively related to the premises where such sign is located or to which it is affixed.

On-Premise Sign: Any sign identifying or advertising a business, person, activity, goods, products, or services, located on the premises where the sign is installed and maintained.

Painted Wall Sign: Any sign or display painted directly on any exterior surface, exclusive of window or door glass areas.

Pennant: See definition of “banners, pennants, festoons, and balloons”.

Pole Sign: A sign that is mounted on a freestanding support so that the bottom edge of the sign face is six (6) feet or more above grade.

Political Sign: Temporary signs announcing and urging voter support for a particular election issue, political party or candidate for public office.

Portable Sign: Any sign, by design or construction, intended to be easily and readily relocated, and not permanently affixed to the ground, a frame, a building or other structure. Portable signs shall include, but are not limited to, signs mounted upon a trailer, bench, wheeled carrier, or other nonmotorized mobile structure with or without wheels.

Projecting Sign: A sign wholly or partly projecting out from a building face or wall, generally at right angles to the building.

Real Estate Marketing Sign: A temporary sign that relates to the sale, rental, lease or marketing of property or buildings or to construction activities on or about which the sign is located.

Roof Sign: Any sign erected or maintained in whole or part upon or attached to a sloped or flat roof of a building or upon a false front or rooflike facade.

Sign Administrator: The person designated by the City Manager as the staff member assigned to oversee the enforcement and interpretation of this sign article or said staff’s designee.

Snipe Sign: Any sign that is tacked, nailed, posted, pasted, glued, or otherwise affixed to trees, utility poles, stakes, fences or other objects, where the message appearing thereon is not applicable to the present use of the premises upon which the sign is located.

Supergraphics: Any mosaic, mural, painting or graphic art or combination thereof which is professionally applied to a building that does not contain any brand name, product name, letters of the alphabet spelling or abbreviating the name of any product, company, profession, or business, or any logo, trademark, trade name, or other commercial message. Supergraphics are exempt.

Surface Display Area: The entire area within a continuous perimeter enclosing the extreme limits of the sign display which includes the writing, representation, emblem or any figure or similar character, together with any frame or other material or color forming an integral part of the display or used to differentiate this design from the background against which it is placed, excluding the necessary supporting framework or bracing that is clearly incidental to the display itself. The copy of signs composed of individual letters, numerals, or other devices shall be the sum of the area of the smallest rectangle or other geometric figure encompassing all of said letters or devices. Double-faced signs shall be constructed so that the perimeter of both faces coincide and are parallel and not more than twenty four (24) inches apart. If the two (2) faces of a double-faced sign are of unequal area, the area of the sign shall be taken as the area of the larger face. (See Display 2- Geometric Area Calculations)

Temporary Signs: A sign including, but not limited to, placards, banners, pennants, posters, or other outdoor advertising displays not intended to be permanently displayed.

Wall Sign: A sign containing letters and/or graphics, installed flat against the exterior wall of a building or structure in such a manner that the wall becomes the supporting structure for, or forms the background surface of the sign, has no connection to the ground, and does not project more than twelve (12) inches from such building or structure.

Window Sign: A sign posted, placed, affixed or painted on the interior of a window or door of a building exposed to public view. For the purpose of this Article, a temporary sign placed on the interior of a window for viewing from the exterior shall not be counted as a sign.

SIGN TYPES

SECTION 14.05. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS.

1. No sign shall constitute a traffic hazard. No sign shall be erected along any street or at any intersection in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision or to create a hazard by blocking a safe line of sight as defined in the City Code of Ordinance, Sections 20-35 and 20-36, or as hereafter amended. At corner lots, ground or pole identification signs shall be located a minimum of thirty five (35) feet from the intersection of the edge of an road’s right-of-way; or in the case where the right-of-way line is determined by a radius, thirty five (35) feet from the midpoint of that radius.

 

2. In the event more than one (1) ground sign is allowed on a single parcel, the ground signs shall be located a minimum of one hundred (100) feet apart from each other.

 

3. Temporary signs shall be allowed in all commercial office, and industrial districts only for temporary special events and are not to be displayed for more than fifteen (15) consecutive days or three (3) days after the end of the event, whichever is less. Special events shall include, but not be limited to, grand openings; business closings; and special promotional events such as seasonal sales. Only one (1) permit shall be issued for a given place of business during any four (4) month period. Temporary signs shall be non-illuminated and shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet of surface display area. No such signs shall be snipe signs.

(Ord. No. 20-03 Revised Effective 10/16/03)

 

4. Temporary signs, as defined in this article, shall be allowed in all other zoning districts only for special events such as, but not limited to, art and cultural events; recreation and sporting events; city, county or state sponsored events; and appertaining to campaigns, drives or events of civic, philanthropic, educational or religious organizations. This section shall also apply to all non-profit organizations in all zoning districts. Permits for such signs shall not exceed thirty (30) consecutive days. Such signs shall be allowed to be displayed the week prior to the individual special event and removed two (2) days after cessation of the individual special event. Signs may be interchanged to advertise individual activities throughout the thirty (30) day period. Temporary signs shall be non-illuminated and shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet of surface display area. One (1) temporary sign on-site and three (3) temporary off-site signs for special scheduled recreation and sporting events shall be allowed. Off-site signs shall not be placed within any public rights-of-way unless written permission is granted by the City and shall be removed the Monday following the scheduled event. Only one (1) permit shall be issued for a given place of business during any four (4) month period. Temporary signs for athletic facilities/fields are defined in Section 14.07.

(Ord. No. 20-03 Revised Effective 10/16/03)

5. The Sign Administrator shall determine the type, style and content of publicly owned community signs, and is responsible for their construction, placement and maintenance. One (1) non-illuminated or indirectly illuminated community bulletin board or community identification sign shall be allowed at the principal entrances of the City. Such signs shall not exceed one hundred and twenty (120) square feet of surface display area and shall not be higher than twenty (20) feet above ground level. Each organization is limited to three (3) square feet in size.

(Ord. No. 12-04 Revised Effective 5/14/04)

 

6. Commercial flags, which includes the company’s name, insignia, emblem, or logo on a flag, smaller than forty (40) square feet are allowed and shall not be counted against the maximum signage allowed. However if the commercial flag is larger than forty (40) square feet then it shall count against the maximum signage allowed. Flags are limited to a maximum of three (3) flags per lot, only one of which shall include the company’s name, insignia, emblem or logo.

(Ord. No. 20-03 Revised Effective 10/16/03)

SECTION 14.06. SIGNS ALLOWED IN ALL DISTRICTS (EXEMPT SIGNS).

The following signs shall be allowed in all zoning districts, provided that the following requirements are met or exceeded. A sign permit shall not be required for the following:

1. Official public notices and/or official signs posted by public officers in the performance of their duties. Official signs such as those designating a neighborhood watch service program shall be non-illuminated and shall not exceed three (3) square feet of surface display area.

2. No sign shall be allowed in the public rights-of-way, except for public signs which are erected by or on behalf of a governmental body to post legal notices, identify public property, convey public information; signs which direct or regulate pedestrian or vehicular traffic and which comply with the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices; and informational signs of a public utility regarding its poles, lines, pipes or facilities.

3. Flags or emblems of the United States, the state of Tennessee, or their political divisions.

4. Freestanding political signs supporting a candidate for election or a position on an issue which is the subject of a referendum, provided that: they do not exceed sixteen (16) square feet of surface display area and eight (8) feet in height above ground level; signs not to be erected more than thirty (30) days prior to the election to which the campaign pertains; signs must be taken down no more than five (5) days after the election to which the campaign pertains; not allowed to be snipe signs or to be placed on traffic signs, street name signs, sidewalks, subdivision entrance signs or parks; signs shall be allowed within the rights-of-way provided that the signs shall be located a minimum of fifteen (15) feet from the edge of pavement along arterial streets, not to be located in traffic islands or so as not to be located in areas which obstruct visibility pursuant to City Code of Ordinances, Sections 20-35 and 20-36, or as hereafter amended; and must meet the provisions set forth in Tennessee Code Annotated. A freestanding sign designed to be viewed from two (2) different directions shall be considered as one (1) sign, provided that the two (2) sign faces are parallel (back-to-back), mounted on the same support structures, and neither side exceeds 16 (sixteen) square feet. For all two-sided signs not mounted parallel (back-to-back), the total surface display area shall not exceed 16 (sixteen) square feet.

(Ord. No. 20-03 Revised Effective 10/16/03)

5. Address signs, not more than one (1) for each street frontage of each principal use on a lot and none exceeding seventy-two (72) square inches of surface display area, showing only the numerical address designations of the premises upon which they are situated. All address signs shall be prominently displayed and written in contrasting colors to the color of the structure or background against which said signs are placed in order to facilitate emergency identification for public service employees.

6. Decals, numerals, names, addresses, hours, credit card information, etc., attached to the doors or windows of the principal building and all of which occupy a total area of two (2) square feet or less.

7. Construction signs are allowed only during the construction and development phase of the project, and must be maintained and removed ten (10) days after issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy. A sign announcing an intended use of the premises in the immediate future may include only the project name, the nature of development (for example, professional office, apartments, condominiums, etc.), the name of the owner or agent, and one telephone number. Such sign shall be allowed pursuant to the issuance of a building permit and/or site review by City staff. Such sign shall be removed upon issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy for the project and prior to the issuance of a sign permit for the permanent signage.

(Ord. No. 8-05 Revised Effective 6/30/05)

8. Real estate marketing signs provided that only one (1) non-illuminated sign per lot except where the lot fronts two (2) or more streets, one (1) additional sign per lot per street frontage shall be allowed; the total surface display area not to exceed thirty-two (32) square feet for non-residential (commercial zoning districts), sixteen (16) square feet for office-institutional zoning districts and six (6) square feet for residential zoning districts; shall not be over eight (8) feet in height measured from the ground level; may remain on the property the length of the sale; and sign shall be maintained in good condition. Signs for advertising, including directional signs, for open houses shall be allowed three (3) days prior to the open house and removed the day after the open house. Note: Off-site directional signs are only allowed for the advertising of an open house and not for the sale of the house or place of business.

(Ord. No. 20-03 Revised Effective 10/16/03)

SECTION 14.07. SIGNS FOR RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS

1. Types, Size and Location of Signs Allowed:

a. Subdivision or Multifamily Development Entry Sign

(1) One (1) ground entry sign with either two (2) sides or two (2) one-sided signs on each side of the entrance shall be allowed at each principal entrance. Such sign(s) shall be permanent and can be either indirectly illuminated or non-illuminated, with the exception of Light Emitting Diodes (LED) lit channel letters or halo lit LED letters. Each sign face shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet of surface display area.

(Ord. No. 12-04 Revised Effective 5/14/04)

 

(2) The top of the entry sign shall be no higher than eight (8) feet above ground level. (See definition for Height of Sign)

(3) The developer or owner of land or property upon which the entry sign is located shall:

(a) Make provision for the establishment of a homeowners' association for the joint ownership and maintenance of the sign; or

(b) If no homeowners' association is provided for, the developer shall prepare an alternative proposal for ownership and maintenance of the sign(s), which shall be approved by the Planning Commission at the time of the final plat submittal.

b. Multi-family Identification Sign

One (1) Identification Sign, which is a permanent, indirectly illuminated or non-illuminated, wall sign announcing the identification of a multifamily dwelling shall be allowed per multifamily building. Such sign shall not exceed ten (10) square feet in surface display area.

 

c. Signs for Athletic Facilities/Fields

(1) Temporary signs for recreation and sporting events shall be allowed provided that the following criteria is met: temporary non-illuminated signs shall be allowed to remain for the length of the athletic season for which they are the primary users and/or scheduled times for use of the facility/fields but not to exceed four (4) consecutive months; a maximum of twenty (20) signs per athletic field shall be allowed; and a sign permit is required for each athletic field. Outdoor athletic fields with permanent seating for more than 5,000 persons shall be allowed a maximum of thirty (30) temporary signs per field. All signs covered for each sign permit shall be uniform in general design (size, color, and lettering). Individual temporary signs shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet of surface display area. Such temporary signs shall be installed inside of the park so not to be visible from public rights-of-way and must be maintained by the owner(s) of such signs.

(Ord. No. 12-04 Revised Effective 5/14/04)

(2) Sponsored scoreboards shall be allowed in athletic fields provided that the scoreboard(s) shall not exceed eighty (80) square feet in area and the advertising area is not to exceed thirty percent (30%) of the front face of the scoreboard. Outdoor athletic fields with permanent seating for more than 5,000 persons shall be allowed up to two (2) scoreboards of any size; however, in no event shall the advertising area on such scoreboard exceed fifty percent (50%) of the front face of the scoreboard. All sponsored scoreboards shall be permanently oriented toward the athletic field for visibility by attendees.

(Ord. No. 17-07 Revised Effective 8/30/07)

(3) Incidental signs, where the intent is to provide the public with information and in no way relates to a commercial activity, may be located throughout publicly owned parks and athletic facilities/fields. Incidental signs shall be allowed to identify appurtenances such as amenities and features in the parks and/or athletic facilities/fields that are secondary to the principal use of the parcel on which it is placed. These amenities and features may include, but are not limited to, The Friendship Bell, Secret City Commemorative Walk, Children’s Globe, walking trails, greenways, and names of individual fields. Permanent incidental signs for publicly owned parks and athletic facilities/fields shall be allowed provided that the following criteria are met:

(a) The sign shall be freestanding, unless otherwise stated.

(b) The incidental sign for publicly owned parks amenities and passive areas shall not exceed 12 square feet of surface display area and the signs for active play areas and athletic field/facilities shall not exceed eighteen (18) square feet of surface display area.

 

(c) The top of the sign for publicy owned parks amenities and passive areas and active play areas and athletic fields/facilities shall be no higher than five (5) feet from ground level. (See definition for Height of Sign).

(d) Only one sign per athletic field shall be allowed.

(e) In the event multiple fields are located in a complex setting, one ground sign shall be allowed designating the name of the complex. The ground sign for the complex shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet of surface display area and shall be no higher than eight (8) feet from ground level. Each athletic field shall be allowed one (1) incidental sign.

(f) In the event there is a freestanding enclosed building/structure, such as the Rowing Finish Line Tower, then a single sign shall be allowed but shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet of surface display area and shall be no higher than eight (8) feet from ground level; or two (2) signs shall be allowed (either one ground sign and one wall sign, or two wall signs) provided that the total of the two signs shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet of surface display area.

(Ord. No. 11-06 Revised Effective 8/03/06)

d. Signs for non-residential uses in residential districts

(1) One (1) indirectly illuminated or non-illuminated ground sign or hanging sign shall be allowed per principal building. Such sign can be changeable copy readerboards, which shall be an integral part of the ground sign. Such sign shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet, except changeable copy readerboards (double sided) surface display area can be thirty-two (32) square feet excluding the name of the non-residential use. Those letters are not to exceed eighteen inches (18”) in height. Surface display area of the changeable copy readerboards may be internally illuminated. The top of the ground sign shall be no higher than eight (8) feet from ground level. When a principal building has frontage on more than one (1) public/private street, one (1) additional ground or wall sign shall be allowed. In the event an additional sign is allowed, the additional sign shall not be located on the same street as the first sign. Additional signs shall not count against the maximum signage allowed.

(Ord. No. 8-05 Revised Effective 6/30/05)

(2) One (1) indirectly illuminated or non-illuminated wall sign shall also be allowed per principal building provided that the following requirements are met: the area of the wall sign is not to exceed two (2) square feet per linear foot of the front face of the principal building to which it is attached, as per Display 1 Illustrations of Single Occupancy and Multi-Occupancy Buildings and Facilities; wall signs shall be placed flat against the principal building; the name and/or logo located on an awning shall be considered part of the wall sign; and wall signs shall not project above the apparent roofline or cornice.

(Ord. No. 20-03 Revised Effective 10/16/03)

(3) Multi-Occupancy Facility Signs. In the event of two (2) principal uses (for example, church and school) one (1) additional ground sign shall be allowed for the second use. Such signs shall be at least five hundred (500) feet apart.

(4) Non-illuminated directional signs shall be allowed in off-street parking areas provided that the surface display area shall not exceed four (4) square feet, the height of the sign shall be no higher than four (4) feet above ground level and are limited to a maximum of five (5) signs. Directional signs shall not count against the maximum signage allowed.

SECTION 14.08. SIGNS FOR MEDICAL CAMPUS DISTRICTS.

The following section applies to those properties as designated on the Medical Campus District Map. The purpose of a designated Medical Campus Sign District is to acknowledge the need for a specific program of signs of a wayfinding nature in potentially urgent and/or life-threatening situations.

 

The objective is to provide clear, concise and uniform directional guidance to a variety of facilities within the campus; many of which provide urgent and/or emergency medical care and are therefore necessary for the health, safety and welfare of the public.

 

1. Signs Allowed in Medical Campus Districts

a. Primary Facility/Campus Directional Signs - signs providing basic directional information to destinations within the campus boundary. Legends shall be restricted to functional destination names (Emergency, Day Surgery, Visitor Parking, etc.) rather than named commercial destinations (Dr. Jones’ Office, etc.).

 

b. Secondary Campus Directional Signs - signs, located within the campus boundary, downstream in the message hierarchy from the Primary Directional Signs, providing more detailed directional information (e.g.: Visitor Parking vs. Staff Parking, etc.).

 

c. Site Identification Signs - a sign, located as close as practical to the vehicular entrance of a stand-alone site (medical office, clinic, etc.). The sign may display the operational name of the facility (XYZ Surgery Associates, P.C., etc). The sign must include the street address of the facility (numerals and name - 1234 Main Street).

d. Building Exterior Identification Sign - wall mounted signs, as identified above, which display the functional name of the facility.

e. Miscellaneous Campus Signs - signs, primarily located on the site, which convey specific circulation information (parking areas), pedestrian and/or accessible pathway directional information (walkways) or regulatory messages (accessible parking, one way, etc.).

2. Locations, Sizes and Quantities Allowed in Medical Campus Districts

Locations, sizes and quantities of the sign types discussed above are to be determined as identified in the Wayfinding Signs Size and Location Guidelines, explained hereinafter.

 

3. Approvals

Each wayfinding program, sign type, location or series of locations, along with the display design and message inventory, shall be submitted to, reviewed and approved by the City Manager, or his/her designee, prior to the filing of an application for a sign permit. Location of signs shall also be noted on site plans. In the case of a new or expanded district, the initial comprehensive package of signs shall also be submitted to, reviewed, and approved by the Oak Ridge Planning Commission.

4. Wayfinding Signs Size and Location Guidelines

a. Graphics

(1) Typography shall be restricted to sans-serif elements from one (1) of the following type family groups: Highway Gothic, Frutiger, Helvetica, Futura or Univers. Legends shall consist of initial upper case and lower case letterforms. Uniform display of the chosen typography and case-usage throughout the program is required.

(2) No more than six (6) destination legends indicating one (1) direction, nor three (3) destination legends indicating two (2) directions shall appear as a single display.

(3) Display of directional signs shall be “negative”, i.e. light color letterforms and graphic devices on a dark color background.