HomeMy WebLinkAbout#4 Visual Guide
City of Carmel Sign Ordinance
Visual Guide
Roof Sign
B
l
a
d
e
S
i
g
n
Wall Sign
Wall Sign
Projecting
Sign
Non
Awning Sign
Illuminated
Illuminated
Window Sign
Window Sign
100 Directory
Wall Sign
200 Company
300 Business
GROUND SIGN
Table of contents
Page 3Roof Signs..............................Page 16
Wall Signs...............................
- Channel Letter- Nameplate
- Raceway- Awning
- Cabinet-
Logo
- Directory
Projecting Signs......................Page 10Window Signs.........................Page 17
- Projecting- Non-Illuminated
- Blade- Illuminated
- Secondary Projecting
Tree/Sign Con! ict
Ground Signs..........................Page 13
Prevention...............................Page 19
- Ground
- Directory Ground
Suspended Signs.....................Page 15
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City of Carmel Sign Ordinance Visual Guide
Wall Signs
Channel Letter
A channel letter sign is composed of individually installed lett
Sign Area Width
that may be illuminated or non-illuminated. Types of illuminati
include external, internal, or back-lit/reverse (halo effect).
ABC Company
Sign Area Height
Each letter of a channel letter sign is installed directly to t
of a building. This type of sign is the most common and preferr
type of sign in the City of Carmel.
The area of a channel letter sign is measured as if a rectangle
drawn around all of the letters of the business name. The area
the sign is then based off of the height and width of this recta
Please refer to the drawing to the left for an example.
Please also see Zoning Ordinance Chapters:
25.07.02-01, 25.07.02-03 through 25.07.02-04
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City of Carmel Sign Ordinance Visual Guide
Wall Signs
Raceway
A raceway sign consists of individual letters mounted to a race
Sign Area Width
instead of directly to the fascia of a building. The raceway ac
support structure for the letters and electrical equipment. Rac
ABC CompanyABC Company
Sign Area Height
ABC Company
ABC Company
ABC Company
ABC Company
ABC Company
are bene! cial when the fascia material is dif! cult to repair.
Raceways vary in length and depth, but should never exceed the
height of the smallest letter or the length of the letters in th
A raceway should be painted to match the color of the building i
installed on, so that it blends into the fascia.
The area of a raceway wall sign is measured as if a rectangle we
drawn around all of the letters of the business name. The area
the sign is then based off of the height and width of this recta
Please refer to the drawing to the left for an example.
Please also see Zoning Ordinance Chapters:
25.07.02-01, 25.07.02-03 through 25.07.02-04
4
City of Carmel Sign Ordinance Visual GuideCity of Carmel Sign Ordinance Visual Guide
Wall Signs
Cabinet Sign
Sign Area Width
A cabinet sign has a metal box frame that is installed directl
the fascia of a building and is internally illuminated. The fac
the sign can be a ! exible plastic or aluminum with applied vinyl
Wall Sign
Sign Area Height
graphics.
A way of making a cabinet sign look more like a Channel Letter s
is to have the background of the sign opaque. This means no ligh
shines through the background, only through the copy of the sign
This practice is becoming more common in the City of Carmel.
The area for a cabinet wall sign will be determined based on the
area of the sign. Please refer to the drawing to the left when
lating the area of a Cabinet wall sign.
Please also see Zoning Ordinance Chapters:
25.07.02-01, 25.07.02-03 through 25.07.02-04
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City of Carmel Sign Ordinance Visual Guide
Wall Signs
Directory Wall Sign
A Directory wall sign is a small sign, typically placed on the w
the main entrances to a multi-tenant building. It identi! es te
the building, usually on the upper " oors.
The design of this sign should be a close match to the coloring
materials of the other main identi! cation signs for a building.
may be internally, externally, or non-illuminated.
100 Directory
Wall Sign
Sign Area Height
The area of a Directory wall sign is based off of the height and
200 Company
300 Business
of the entire sign. Please refer to the drawing to the left for
ample.
Please also see Zoning Ordinance Chapter:
25.07.02-04
Sign Area Width
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City of Carmel Sign Ordinance Visual Guide
Wall Signs
NamePlate
A Nameplate is a small Wall sign, typically placed on the wall b
main entrance to a Home Occupation or Boarding House. It identi
! es the name and occupation or profession of the occupant of th
premises on which the sign is located.
The design of this sign should be architecturally compatible wit
Sign Area Height
Ed Smith, Esq.
building on which it is placed. It shall not be illuminated.
The area of a Nameplate wall sign is based off of the height and
width of the entire sign. Please refer to the drawing to the le
an example.
Sign Area
Width
Please also see Zoning Ordinance Chapter:
25.07.02-02
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City of Carmel Sign Ordinance Visual Guide
Wall Signs
Awning Sign
An Awning sign is considered a secondary Wall sign or Identi! ca
tion sign. A business may have an Awning sign in addition to a
sign if the total area of both signs does not exceed the total a
square footage. An Awning sign may also serve as the primary Id
ti! cation sign.
Awning signs are useful when a tenant wants to display some of
their products. This is typically done on the skirt of an awn
Signs placed on the main or top part of the awning are typically
graphic logos. Awning signs may be externally illuminated or ind
rectly illuminated by building accent lights.
Please refer to the drawings to the left for an example.
Please also see Zoning Ordinance Chapters:
25.07.02-03 and 25.07.02-04
ABC Company
Valance Height
Text Height
8
City of Carmel Sign Ordinance Visual Guide
Wall Signs
Logos
A logo is a graphic image that is associated with a company name
Logo Area Width
We do not consider the entire company name a logo, only the
graphic image. The logo is usually placed in line with the comp
ABC Company
ABC Company
Logo Area
logo
name; either before, after, or in the middle of the name. This i
Height
to avoid creating dead space, or blank square footage for the
In a multi-tenant building, the area of a logo is limited to 25
cent of the total sign area for a Wall sign. The area of the lo
measured by the height and width of the entire logo. This is th
divided by the area of the entire sign, including the logo, to g
logo percentage.
This is required to create a continuity amongst the tenant signs
give all tenants in the building equal branding opportunity. Si
tenant buildings are not limited on their logo size.
Please also see Zoning Ordinance Chapter:
25.07.02-04
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City of Carmel Sign Ordinance Visual Guide
Projecting Signs
Projecting Sign
Sign Area Width
A Projecting sign is typically used in pedestrian friendly areas
should project outward from the building at a 90 degree angle.
Copy is typically placed on both sides of the sign. It usually
decorative support structure or arm. Creativity is encouraged w
designing this support structure.
The area of a Projecting sign is based off of the height and wid
Projecting
Sign Area Height the entire sign. A Projecting sign must measure a minimum dista
Sign
of eight feet from ground level to the bottom of the sign. The
may be internally, externally, or non-illuminated. Please refer
drawing to the left for an example.
Height of Sign
Please also see Zoning Ordinance Chapters:
(Minimum 8)
25.07.02-01, 25.07.02-03 through 25.07.02-04
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City of Carmel Sign Ordinance Visual Guide
Projecting Signs
Sign Area Width Blade Sign
A blade sign is a vertically oriented sign and is best used for
B
ing that is placed close to the street. It aids in direct visib
l
B
travelers from two directions. It is also commonly refered to a
a
L
d
Projecting sign.
Sign
A
Sign
e
D
Area
E
Area
Height
S
This type of sign is typically used on buildings two stories or
S
i
Height
for identi! cation of the main building tenant or the building n
I
g
G
It may be internally, externally, or non-illuminated.
n
N
The area of a blade sign is measured as if a rectangle were draw
around all of the letters of one side of the sign. The area of
Sign Area
Height of Sign
Widthis then based off of the height and width of this rectangle. Pl
(Minimum 8)
refer to the drawing to the left for an example.
Please also see Zoning Ordinance Chapters:
25.07.02-01, 25.07.02-03 through 25.07.02-04
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City of Carmel Sign Ordinance Visual Guide
Projecting Signs
Secondary Projecting Sign
A Secondary Projecting sign is used in pedestrian friendly areas
for identi! cation of a tenant space where the main Wall sign is
visible to the pedestrian.
This sign would typically be placed underneath an awning or
Sign Area Width
overhang. It could also be hung from a ceiling if there is not
overhang, so long as it aids pedestrian way ! nding. It may be
internally, externally, or non-illuminated.
Sign Area
The maximum allowable sign area is ! ve square feet. This is al-
Projecting
Sign
Height
lowed in addition to any other permanent sign for Multi-Tenant
Ground Floor tenants.
Please also see Zoning Ordinance Chapter:
Height of Sign
(Minimum 8)
25.07.02-04
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City of Carmel Sign Ordinance Visual Guide
ground Signs
Ground Sign
Sign Area Width
A Ground sign is used to identify a business when a Wall sign ma
not be practical. It is generally placed perpendicular to the r
the entry driveway so that it is visible to both directions of t
Ground signs should be constructed of durable materials of a per
Sign Height
GROUND SIGN
nent nature, such as brick, stone, aluminum or wood.
Sign Area Height
A Ground sign shall have a Landscaped Green Area that is equal t
the area of the sign. It may be internally, externally, or non-
nated. Please see the photos below for examples of well designed
and landscaped ground signs.
The area of a Ground sign is measured as if a rectangle were dra
around all of the letters of the sign. The area of the sign is
Sign
based off of the height and width of this rectangle. Please ref
the drawing to the left for an example.
Please also see Zoning Ordinance Chapters:
Area of required
landscaped green area
25.07.02-01, 25.07.02-03 through 25.07.02-04
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City of Carmel Sign Ordinance Visual Guide
Ground Signs
Directory Ground Sign
A Directory Ground sign is used to identify multiple businesses
the same building or complex. It helps direct people to the cor
100 Directory
business or building and generally displays the address or suite
Ground Sign
sociated with each business.
A Directory Ground sign is placed near the pedestrian entrance t
200 Business, Inc
the building in a Landscaped Green Area that is equal to the are
Sign Area Height
the sign. It may be internally, externally, or non-illuminated.
300 Company, LLC
(Maximum 6)
The area of a Directory Ground sign is based off of the height a
width of the entire sign. The maximum area allowed is 20 square
feet. Please refer to the drawing to the left for an example.
Please also see Zoning Ordinance Chapter:
25.07.02-04
Sign Area Width
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City of Carmel Sign Ordinance Visual Guide
Suspended signs
Suspended Sign
Suspended signs are primarily found in the Old Town Overlay Zone
along Range Line Road. They can also be found in various resi-
dential subdivisions around Carmel. These signs are constructed
of a post and decorative arm con! guration. The Identi! cation
hangs or is suspended from the arm.
The area for a Suspended sign is based off of the height and wi
of the entire sign. Please see the drawing to the left for an example.
The pictures below represent examples of well designed Suspended
signs. It may be internally, externally, or non-illuminated.
Please also see Zoning Ordinance Chapters:
25.07.02-01 and 25.07.02-03
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City of Carmel Sign Ordinance Visual Guide
Roof signs
Roof Sign
Sign Area Width
Roof signs are only encouraged when there is no space for a (tra
Roof Sign
tional) Wall sign. It is typically supported by a raceway and f
Sign Area Height
to ensure that the sign is vertically aligned with the building
The area for a Roof sign is measured as if a rectangle were draw
around all the letters of the business name. The area of the si
then based off of the height and width of this rectangle. Please
to the drawing to the left for an example.
Please also see Zoning Ordinance Chapters:
25.07.02-03 and 25.07.02-04
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City of Carmel Sign Ordinance Visual Guide
Window signs
Non-Illuminated Window Sign
Sign Area Width
Non-Illuminated Window signs can include letters or graphics tha
adhere to the window or even signs that are painted on the windo
and can be easily removed. These signs are allowed for business
Non
to advertise sales, specials, business name, and hours of operat
Sign Area
Illuminated
to name a few.
Height
Window Sign
The Non-Illuminated Window sign cannot cover more than 30 per-
cent of the total window area of a building facade. The area for
Non-Illuminated Window sign is measured as if a rectangle were
drawn around all of the letters of the sign. The area of the si
then based off of the height and width of this rectangle. Pleas
the drawing to the left for an example.
Please also see Zoning Ordinance Chapter:
25.07.02-05
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City of Carmel Sign Ordinance Visual Guide
Window signs
Illuminated Window Sign
Sign Area Width
Illuminated Window signs are signs that can be seen through a wi
dow and contain some type of lighting element, such as
tube or LED light. Businesses typically have an open sign as
permitted Illuminated Window sign. Only one Illuminated Window
sign is allowed per business.
Illuminated
Sign Area
The area for an Illuminated Window sign is based off of the heig
Height
Window Sign
and width of the entire sign. The maximum sign area is three sq
feet. Blinking or moving signs shall not be permitted. Please
the drawing to the left for an example.
Please also see Zoning Ordinance Chapter:
25.07.02-05
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City of Carmel Sign Ordinance Visual Guide
Tree Sign Con! ict Prevention
Plant in the Right Place
Source: Tree City USA Bulletin No. 11, National Arbor Day
Foundation, 2001.
19
City of Carmel Sign Ordinance Visual Guide
Tree Sign Con! ict Prevention
Prune to Aid visibility
Source: Tree City USA Bulletin No. 11, National Arbor Day
Foundation, 2001.
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City of Carmel Sign Ordinance Visual Guide
For More Information, Contact:
City of Carmel
Department of Community Services
Planning and Zoning Of! ce - 3rd Floor
One Civic Square
Carmel, Indiana 46032
317.571.2417
www.carmeldocs.com
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City of Carmel Sign Ordinance Visual Guide