HomeMy WebLinkAbout#2 Sign Ordinance Spring 2012 (clean copy)
CITY OF CARMEL ZONING ORDINANCE
CARMEL CITY CODE
CHAPTER 10: ZONING & SUBDIVISIONS
ARTICLE 1: ZONING CODE
CARMEL ZONING ORDINANCE
SECTION 25.07: SIGN ORDINANCE
25.07.01 General Provisions ..... 2
25.07.01-01 Definitions .. 2
25.07.01-02 Purpose and Intent ... 2
25.07.01-03 Administration and Enforcement . 2
25.07.01-04 Sign Maintenance 3
25.07.01-05 Exempted Signs ... 3
25.07.01-06 Prohibited Signs 4
25.07.01-07 Legal Non-Conforming Signs .. 5
25.07.02 Permitted Permanent Signs .... 6
25.07.02-01 Residential Complex ... 6-7
25.07.02-02 Home Occupation and Boarding House ...................................7
25.07.02-03 Single Tenant Building 7-8
25.07.02-04 Multi-Tenant Buildings ...8-11
25.07.02-05 Window Signs ..11
25.07.02-06 Drive-Thru Service Menu Signs .. 11
25.07.03 Temporary Signs 12
25.07.03-01 Construction Signs ...................... 12
25.07.03-02 Real Estate Signs 12-13
25.07.03-03 Political Campaign Signs 13
25.07.03-04 Signage for Temporary Uses .. 13
25.07.03-05 Model Home & Temporary Sales Office Identification Signs 13-14
25.07.03-06 Permitted Banners ... 14-15
25.07.03-07 Yard Sale & Open House signs ... 15-16
Sign Chart A: All locations .. 17
Sign Chart B: Address Number Chart ......18
Diagram 1: Sign Face Separation .18
Diagram 2: Public Event Sign Structure ...19
Page 1
Section 25.07: Sign Ordinance as adopted per Z-302; as amended per Z-365-01; Z-366-01; Z-369-02; Z-416-03;
Z-453-04; Z-461-04; Z-470-05; Z-478-05; Z-486-06
Spring 2012
CITY OF CARMEL ZONING ORDINANCE
25.07 Signs
.
25.07.01 General Provisions
.
25.07.01-01 Definitions.
Terms used in this Ordinance are defined in Chapter 3: Definitions.
25.07.01-02 Purpose and Intent
.
The purpose of this section is to regulate signs which can be viewed from the exterior of structures so as to
protect health, safety and morals and to promote the public welfare. The intent is to recognize the need for
adequate business identification to conduct business while promoting an attractive appearance throughout the
community through the use of regulation and permits, and by the application of reasonable guidelines
formulated to ensure compliance by all present and future signs with the ordinance. This ordinance is designed
to authorize signs which are:
a) Compatible with the objectives of proper design as stated in this Ordinance and zoning
amenities;
b) Established in such a way as to allow and promote optimum conditions for meeting the
sign users needs while at the same time promote the amenable environment required to
serve the public welfare;
c) Legible, readable and visible in the circumstances in which they are used; and
d) Respectful of the reasonable rights of other advertisers whose messages are displayed.
25.07.01-03 Administration and Enforcement
.
a)The Administrator is hereby authorized and directed to enforce and carry out all provisions
of this section both in letter and spirit, pursuant to state statute.
b)The Administrator is further empowered to delegate the duties and the powers granted to and
imposed upon him/her under this Ordinance. As used in this section, "Administrator" shall
include any authorized representative(s).
c)The Administrator is hereby empowered to enter or inspect any building, structure, or
premises in the jurisdictional area of this Ordinance, upon which, or in connection with
which a sign is located, for the purpose of inspection of the sign, its structural and electrical
connections, and to insure compliance with the provisions of this section. Such inspections
shall be carried out during business hours, unless an emergency exists.
d)Except as otherwise provided in this Ordinance, it shall be unlawful for any person to
establish any sign within the City of Carmel and/or Clay Township, without first obtaining a
Sign Permit for each such sign from the Administrator as required by this Ordinance.
e)No person shall Establish any sign upon any property or building without the consent of the
owner or person entitled to possession of the property or building if any, or their authorized
representative.
f)The Administrator may, in writing, suspend or revoke a permit issued under provisions of
this Section whenever the permit is issued on the basis of a misstatement of fact or fraud
after due notice by and hearing before the Administrator.
g)No permit for a sign issued shall be deemed to constitute permission or authorization to
maintain an unlawful sign nor shall any permit issued hereunder constitute a defense in an
action to abate an unlawful sign.
h)No new permit is required for signs which have permits and which conform to the
requirements of this ordinance on the date of its adoption unless and until the sign is altered
or relocated in violation of this Ordinance.
i)Permit fees shall be as stated in Section 29.06.05 of this Ordinance.
Page 2
Section 25.07: Sign Ordinance as adopted per Z-302; as amended per Z-365-01; Z-366-01; Z-369-02; Z-416-03;
Z-453-04; Z-461-04; Z-470-05; Z-478-05; Z-486-06
Spring 2012
CITY OF CARMEL ZONING ORDINANCE
25.07.01-04 Sign Maintenance
.
a)All signs and sign structures shall be kept and maintained in good repair and in a safe
condition.
b)A Sign Permit shall not be required for sign maintenance, i.e. the repainting, cleaning and
other normal maintenance or repair of a sign or sign structure for which a permit has
previously been issued.
c)However, any Sign Alteration shall require sign permit approval.
d)Landscaping around ground signs shall be maintained so that the sign may be visible at all
times and from all visual angles.
e)A Sign Permit will not be required for a change of copy for legal Changeable Copy or
otherwise allowed under this Ordinance.
f)All signs shall be subject to an inspection by the Administrator.
25.07.01-05 Exempted Signs
.
The following types of signs are exempted from all provisions of this section, but must be established and
maintained in such a manner as to not cause safety hazards. Signs which are included as part of a total sign
package may require approval by the Administrator, however, do not require fees. Otherwise, no procedures,
approvals, permits or fees are required for the following signs:
a) Dwelling Unit Signs
b) Holiday Signs
c) Integral Signs (three (3) square feet or less)
d) Parking Signs (three (3) square feet or less)
e) Private Traffic Directional Signs not exceeding three (3) square feet in sign area for any one
(1) sign; and not higher than three (3) feet above ground level. Standard traffic directional
signs, such as STOP and Yield signs, shall comply with the Manual for Uniform Traffic
Control Devises which can be found at www.mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov.
f) Municipal Building Signs
g) Public Signs
h) Corporate Flags when flown in conjunction with the Flag of the United States of America;
however, such Corporate flags shall be no larger than 24 square feet.
i) Soft Drink Dispensing Machines.
j) Barber poles at barber shops
k) Benches established on businesss premises they advertise - copy area one (1) square foot or
less.
l) Address Numbers (as per Sign Chart B).
m) ATM identification signage (three (3) square feet or less)
n) Parking lot row/area identifiers (three (3) square feet or less)
o) Gas pump identifying, regulatory, and advertising signs (three (3) square feet or less)
p) Significant Life Event signs
q) Additional signs in Residential zones to identify construction, renovation or repair
improvements on the property (six (6) square feet or less)
r) Umbrella advertising or identifying signs for outdoor seating (three (3) square feet or less)
Page 3
Section 25.07: Sign Ordinance as adopted per Z-302; as amended per Z-365-01; Z-366-01; Z-369-02; Z-416-03;
Z-453-04; Z-461-04; Z-470-05; Z-478-05; Z-486-06
Spring 2012
CITY OF CARMEL ZONING ORDINANCE
25.07.01-06 Prohibited Signs
.
The following types of signs are prohibited:
a) Signs which contain statements, words, or pictures of an obscene, indecent, or immoral
character, such as will offend public morals or decency.
b) Signs which contain or are in imitation of an official traffic sign or signal or contain the
words "stop", "slow", "caution", "danger", "warning" or similar words, or are of a size,
location, movement, content, coloring, or manner of illumination which may be confused
with or construed as a traffic or street sign or signal.
c) Off Premise signs, unless they are permitted specifically by other sections of this Ordinance
(See Section 25.07.03-07).
d) Signs with a Visible Light Source on the exterior of a Building unless they are permitted
specifically by other sections of this Ordinance (See Section 25.07.02-06).
e) Signs of the flashing, blinking, animated, or audible type, except those giving public service
information relating to road construction and weather advisories such as time, date, temp,
weather or similar info placed by the City of Carmel/Clay Township and/or the State of
Indiana. (The message can change no more than one time per 10 seconds.)
f) Signs which rotate, swing, inflate or move as a result of wind (natural or man-made), i.e.
banners, posters, pennants, ribbons, streamers, strings of light bulbs, spinners or similar
devices, unless they are permitted specifically by other sections of this Ordinance (See
Section 25.07.03-06).
g) Signs which are located in such a manner as to obstruct the view of the intersection of a
street, highway, or trail crossing.
h) Signs which are projected on, located upon, over, or in any street or highway right-of-way,
except for official highway and regulatory signs of the City of Carmel/Clay Township and
the State of Indiana.
i) Portable signs which are portable or moveable.
j) Signs which are established on trees, utility poles and fences, unless they are permitted
specifically by other sections of this Ordinance (See Section 25.07.03-06 A.).
k) Roof Signs on residences which have been converted to office, business and/or
manufacturing uses.
l) It shall be prohibited to park or use a vehicle in such a way as to function as a sign, defined
to include the parking of any vehicle, trailer or similar movable structure containing or
supporting any signage between the right-of-way line and any public street and the greater of
two distances: forward of the Front Line of Building of the Principal Building or 150 feet
from the public right-of-way, with the exception of:
1.Vehicles actively involved in construction on or serving of the site;
2.Vehicles delivering products to the site in designated loading areas;
3.Vehicles parked in designated truck parking areas of a development that have been
screened from or are not generally visible from the public right-of-way;
4.Vehicles parked on sites where parking is not available 150 feet or more from the
public right-of-way. In such cases, vehicles supporting signage shall be located as
far as possible from the public right-of-way, subject to determination by the
Director.
5.Passenger vehicles, pick-up trucks, and vans of a size that can fully fit within a
standard parking space, containing signs painted on or permanently affixed on the
doors or integral body panels that do not exceed 16 square feet in area.
Page 4
Section 25.07: Sign Ordinance as adopted per Z-302; as amended per Z-365-01; Z-366-01; Z-369-02; Z-416-03;
Z-453-04; Z-461-04; Z-470-05; Z-478-05; Z-486-06
Spring 2012
CITY OF CARMEL ZONING ORDINANCE
25.07.01-07 Legal Non-Conforming Signs
.
a)After the enactment of this amendatory Ordinance, the Administrator shall keep record of
those signs and any necessary proof that said signs are Legal Non-Conforming Signs and
record of such signs will be available to the general public by way of paper copy in the
Planning and Zoning Office and on the Citys webpage: www.carmel.in.gov.
b)The Administrator shall also use all reasonable efforts to notify the user or owner of the
property on which such sign is located of the signs non-conformity and whether it is legally
non-conforming or is illegal. Should any questions arise as a result of the Administrators
decision that a sign is a Legal Non-Conforming Sign or is illegal, the final determination of
such status shall be made by the Board as provided for in Section 28.06 of this Ordinance.
c)Where a non-conforming sign was legally existing on July 1, 2004, the Administrator
shall register such sign as a Legal Non-Conforming Sign, specifying on the registration
form the date of the erection or installation of such sign and, if applicable, the dates on
which the Board granted a variance and a Sign Permit was issued.
d)A non-conforming sign as described in Subsection (C) above which is duly registered shall
thereafter be deemed a Legal Non-Conforming Sign and may be continued without further
action.
e)If the Administrator determines that a non-conforming sign was not legally erected or
installed, the user or owner shall have the opportunity to appeal the Administrators
determination to the Board or to obtain a Variance from the Board allowing the sign to be
continued. If the Board has not reversed the Administrators determination or granted a
variance allowing the sign to be continued, it shall thereafter be deemed an illegal sign
and shall be immediately brought into conformance with this Ordinance or shall be
removed.
f)A Legal Non-Conforming Sign shall immediately lose its Legal Non-Conforming
designation if:
1.The sign is not kept in good repair and in a safe condition and the state of disrepair
or unsafe condition continues for six (6) months;
2.The sign is relocated;
3.The complete sign and sign structure are replaced; or
4.The Sign Permit or Variance under which the sign was allowed or permitted
expires.
g)On the happening of any one (1) of the above conditions the sign shall be immediately
brought into conformance with this Ordinance with a new Sign Permit secured therefore, or
shall be removed.
h)Nothing in this Ordinance shall relieve the owner or user of a Legal Non-Conforming Sign
or owner of the property on which the Legal Non-Conforming Sign is located from the
provisions of this ordinance regarding safety, maintenance and repair of signs.
Page 5
Section 25.07: Sign Ordinance as adopted per Z-302; as amended per Z-365-01; Z-366-01; Z-369-02; Z-416-03;
Z-453-04; Z-461-04; Z-470-05; Z-478-05; Z-486-06
Spring 2012
CITY OF CARMEL ZONING ORDINANCE
25.07.02 Permanent Signs
.
A.All signs require Sign Permit approval by the Administrator, except Ch. 25.07.02-05.
B.All Sign Permits require fees per Ch. 29.06.05 of the Zoning Ordinance.
C.No sign shall interfere with Vision Clearance per Ch. 3 of the Zoning Ordinance.
D.All permanent Ground signs require a Landscaped Green Area at its base equal to the Sign Area.
For example, ornamental grasses, shrubs and seasonal flowers.
E.Wall Signs are allowed provided that they fit within the horizontal and vertical elements of the
Building and do not obscure architectural details of the Building.
F.No Wall Sign shall be allowed to extend above the cornice line of a Building, beyond the edges of the
wall upon which it is mounted, nor above the roofline.
G.All sign types shall be designed to relate to the architectural style of the main Building or Buildings
upon the site.
H.All signs shall be installed a minimum of five (5) feet outside of the proposed Thoroughfare Plan
right-of-way. If a property owner installs a sign within the proposed Thoroughfare Plan right-of-way,
the property owner will be responsible for the expense of sign removal and relocation should
proposed right-of-way be taken for road improvements. Owner is responsible for obtaining Variance
approval from the Board of Zoning Appeals and Board of Public Works approval for sign location
through the Department of Engineering and shall also sign a commitment form and have it recorded
with Hamilton County. This commitment form must be turned in with the sign permit application.
25.07.02-01 Residential Complex.
a) SIGN CLASSIFICATION: Ground, Projecting, Suspended, or Wall.
b) NUMBER & TYPE:
1. Identification: One (1) sign per entrance.
a. Matching signs which border either side of one entrance into a
Residential Complex shall be treated as one (1) sign.
b. However, both Sign Faces shall be used to calculate the total Sign Area.
2. Clubhouse/leasing office: One (1) Identification sign.
c) MAXIMUM SIGN AREA:
1. Identification: 50 square feet.
2. Clubhouse/leasing office: 20 square feet.
3. Suspended: 12 square feet.
d) MAXIMUM HEIGHT OF GROUND SIGN: Six (6) feet.
e) LOCATION:
1. Identification: At vehicular entrance to Residential Complex; installed a
minimum of five (5) feet from proposed right-of-way per the Thoroughfare Plan
(See Ch. 25.07.02 H).
2. Clubhouse/leasing office: at pedestrian entrance to Building.
3. Projecting:
a.May be utilized only when the Building on which it is to be established
has a Front Yard with a depth of less than 15 feet.
b.Shall be located a minimum of two (2) feet behind the curb.
c.Shall measure a minimum distance of eight (8) feet from the bottom of the
sign to ground level.
d.May not extend more than five (5) feet from the face of the Building.
Page 6
Section 25.07: Sign Ordinance as adopted per Z-302; as amended per Z-365-01; Z-366-01; Z-369-02; Z-416-03;
Z-453-04; Z-461-04; Z-470-05; Z-478-05; Z-486-06
Spring 2012
CITY OF CARMEL ZONING ORDINANCE
f) COPY: As per definition of Identification sign.
g) ILLUMINATION: Permitted.
25.07.02-02 Home Occupation and Boarding House
.
a) SIGN CLASSIFICATION: Wall.
b) NUMBER & TYPE: One (1) Nameplate.
c) MAXIMUM SIGN AREA: Three (3) square feet.
d) LOCATION: As per definition of Wall Sign.
e) ILLUMINATION: Not permitted.
25.07.02-03 Single Tenant Building
.
a) SIGN CLASSIFICATION: Awning, Ground, Porch, Projecting, Roof, Suspended, or Wall
Sign.
b) NUMBER & TYPE:
1. One (1) Identification sign per Street Frontage, maximum three (3) signs.
2. A building owner with two (2) or more Street Frontages may elect to transfer a
permitted sign from one Street Frontage to another.
3. However, no more than two (2) signs may be oriented to one Street Frontage as
follows: one (1) Projecting, Roof, or Wall Identification Sign and one (1) Ground,
or Suspended Identification Sign.
c) MAXIMUM SIGN AREA:
1. Awning:
a. The area of any Awning graphic will be subtracted from the allowable
Sign Area of the sign type chosen.
b. If used as the primary business sign, the allowable Wall Sign Area
applies.
2. Porch: Six (6) square feet.
3. Suspended: 12 square feet.
4. All others: Per Sign Chart A.
d) MAXIMUM HEIGHT OF GROUND SIGN: Per Sign Chart A.
e) LOCATION:
1. Awning: Shall measure a minimum distance of eight (8) feet from the bottom of the
sign to ground level.
2. Ground:
a. Minimum five (5) feet from proposed right-of-way per the Thoroughfare
Plan (See Ch. 25.07.02 H).
b. Prohibited on residential structures that have been converted to
commercial or office uses.
3. Porch & Suspended: May be utilized only on residential structures that have been
converted to office or commercial uses.
4. Projecting:
a.May be utilized only when the building on which it is to be established
has a Front Yard with a depth of less than 15 feet.
b.Shall be located a minimum of two (2) feet behind the curb.
c.Shall measure a minimum distance of eight (8) feet from the bottom of the
Page 7
Section 25.07: Sign Ordinance as adopted per Z-302; as amended per Z-365-01; Z-366-01; Z-369-02; Z-416-03;
Z-453-04; Z-461-04; Z-470-05; Z-478-05; Z-486-06
Spring 2012
CITY OF CARMEL ZONING ORDINANCE
sign to ground level.
d.May not extend more than five (5) feet from the face of the building.
5. Roof & Wall: Prohibited on residential structures that have been converted to
commercial or office uses.
f) DESIGN:
1. Awning:
a. Text and/or graphics may not exceed 12 high on the front valance of a
fabric awning.
b. Valances cannot exceed 14 in height.
c. Text and or graphics may be placed on the top of the Awning for
Identification or decoration.
2. Wall sign: See Ch. 25.07.02 E-F.
3. All others: No restrictions.
g) COPY:
1. Per definition of Identification sign.
2. Any permitted Ground Identification sign may include Changeable Copy not to
exceed 50 percent of the Sign Area.
h) ILLUMINATION: Permitted.
25.07.02-04 Multi-Tenant Buildings
.
a) SIGN CLASSIFICATION: Awning, Directory, Multi-Tenant Building Complex Directory,
Complex Identification, Ground, Menu Board, Projecting, Secondary Projecting, Wall or
Roof Sign.
b) NUMBER & TYPE:
1. Multi-Tenant Ground Floor Building
a. Per Tenant:
1) One (1) Awning, Projecting or Wall Identification sign per
Street Frontage, maximum two (2).
2) One (1) Secondary Projecting sign per tenant Façade, maximum
two (2) for pedestrian identification along a sidewalk.
3) One (1) Wall sign for the rear parking lot Public Access
Entrance Facade if the building has a Front Yard with a depth of
less than 15 feet.
b. If a Building has more than one Street Frontage, One (1) Ground
Identification sign may also be installed, maximum three (3).
2. Multi-Tenant, Multi-Level Office Building
a. Per Building: One (1) Identification sign per Street Frontage, maximum
three (3).
b. A building owner may transfer Street Frontages for one (1) Wall and one
(1) Ground sign to face the same Street Frontage.
c. Buildings with more than one (1) Public Access Entrance and served by
separate parking lots are permitted one (1) Ground Directory Sign at each
of the Public Access Entrances.
3. Multi-Tenant Building Complex
a. One (1) Ground Complex Identification sign per Street Frontage,
maximum three (3) in addition to Roof or Wall Identification signs for
Page 8
Section 25.07: Sign Ordinance as adopted per Z-302; as amended per Z-365-01; Z-366-01; Z-369-02; Z-416-03;
Z-453-04; Z-461-04; Z-470-05; Z-478-05; Z-486-06
Spring 2012
CITY OF CARMEL ZONING ORDINANCE
Multi-Tenant, Ground Floor or Multi-Tenant, Multi-Level Office
Buildings.
b. One (1) Multi-Tenant Building Complex Directory Ground sign per Street
Frontage. Note: A Multi-Tenant Building Complex Directory Sign is not
counted against the total number of signs permitted for one Street
Frontage.
4. Multi-Tenant, Multi-Level, Mixed-Use Building
a. Per Building: One (1) Projecting or Wall Complex Identification sign per
Street Frontage.
b. Per ground floor tenant:
(i) One (1) Wall or Projecting sign per Street Frontage.
(ii) One (1) Secondary Projecting Sign per Façade, maximum two
(2) for pedestrian identification along a sidewalk (See Ch.
25.07.02-04 e) 8. b.).
(iii) One (1) Wall sign for the rear (parking lot entrance) Facade if
the building has a Front Yard with a depth of less than 15 feet.
(iv) Restaurants/cafes may have one (1) Menu Board sign mounted
to the wall to feature the actual menu as used at the dining table.
c. For upper level tenants:
(i) One (1) Wall Directory Sign per Building Façade at the ground
floor Public Access Entrance to upper floors to identify upper
level tenants.
(ii) One (1) Ground Directory Sign per Building at the rear Public
Access Entrance to the building to identify upper level tenants.
c) MAXIMUM SIGN AREA:
1. Awning:
a. The area of any Awning graphic will be subtracted from the allowable
Sign Area of the sign type chosen.
b. If used as the primary business sign, the allowable Wall Sign Area
applies.
2. Multi-Tenant, Multi-Level Mixed Use Building Wall Directory: Six (6) square feet.
3. Multi-Tenant, Multi-Level Mixed Use Building Ground Directory: 12 square feet.
4. All other Directory: 20 square feet.
5. Menu Board: Six (6) square feet.
6. Secondary Projecting: Five (5) square feet.
7. All others: See Sign Chart A.
d) MAXIMUM HEIGHT OF GROUND SIGN:
1. Directory: Six (6) feet.
2. All others: See Sign Chart A.
e) LOCATION:
1. Awning: Shall measure a minimum distance of eight (8) feet from the bottom of the
sign to ground level.
2. Directory: At or near the ground floor pedestrian Public Access Entrance to the
Building.
3. Ground, Multi-Tenant Building Complex Directory, and Complex Identification
(Ground):
Page 9
Section 25.07: Sign Ordinance as adopted per Z-302; as amended per Z-365-01; Z-366-01; Z-369-02; Z-416-03;
Z-453-04; Z-461-04; Z-470-05; Z-478-05; Z-486-06
Spring 2012
CITY OF CARMEL ZONING ORDINANCE
a.Minimum of five (5) feet from the proposed right-of-way per the
Thoroughfare Plan (See Ch. 25.07.02 H).
b.Located at or near the vehicular entrance to the complex.
c.Ground signs are not permitted on residential structures that have been
converted to office or commercial uses.
4. Porch & Suspended: May be utilized only on residential structures that have been
converted to office or commercial uses.
5. Projecting & Complex Identification (Projecting):
a.May be utilized only when the Building on which it is to be established
has a Front Yard depth of less than 15 feet.
b.Shall be located a minimum of two (2) feet behind the curb.
c.Shall measure a minimum distance of eight (8) feet from the bottom of the
sign to ground level.
d.May not extend more than five (5) feet from the face of the Building.
e.A Projecting sign installed on the corner of a Multi-Tenant, Multi-Level
Mixed Use Building will be considered facing two (2) Street Frontages.
6. Menu Board: The display case shall be attached to the Building at the Public
Access Entrance to the restaurant/café.
7. Roof: As per definition of Roof Sign.
8. Secondary Projecting:
a. May be installed under an awning or perpendicular to the Building façade
near the entrance to the tenant space.
b. If Projecting sign is selected as main sign type, a Secondary Projecting
sign may not be used on the same Façade.
9. Wall & Complex Identification (Wall):
a. Within the sign band area of the Building Street Frontage occupied by the
tenant.
b. Complex Identification located at or near the top of the Building.
f) DESIGN:
1. Awning:
a. Text and/or graphics may not exceed 12 high on the front valence of a
fabric awning.
b. Valences cannot exceed 14 in height.
c. Text and or graphics may be placed on the top of the Awning for
Identification or decoration.
2. Ground: The name of the Building/center must be most prominent and utilize 1\3
of the total sign area.
3. Menu Board: menu to be contained within a shallow wood or metal case and
visible through a clear front.
4. Wall: See Ch. 25.07.02 E-F.
5. All others: No restrictions.
g) COPY:
1. As per definition of Identification sign.
2. Any permitted Ground Identification sign may include Changeable Copy not to
exceed 50 percent of the Sign Area.
Page 10
Section 25.07: Sign Ordinance as adopted per Z-302; as amended per Z-365-01; Z-366-01; Z-369-02; Z-416-03;
Z-453-04; Z-461-04; Z-470-05; Z-478-05; Z-486-06
Spring 2012
CITY OF CARMEL ZONING ORDINANCE
3. A logo, if desired, representing the building, business or institutions on a sign in a
Multi-Tenant Building Complex is limited to 25 percent of the Sign Area.
h) ILLUMINATION: Permitted.
25.07.02-05 Window Signs
.
a) NON-ILLUMINATED:
1.NUMBER: One (1) or more Window signs per window or window pane subject to
maximum Sign Area for total Window Area.
2.MAXIMUM SIGN AREA: One (1) or more Window signs shall not exceed 30
percent of the total Window Area on which the signs are placed or through which
they are viewed.
3.LOCATION: As per definition of Window sign.
4.REQUIRED APPROVAL: ADLS approval is required for all permanent signs
that are established in a Zoning District and/or Overlay Zone requiring ADLS
approval.
b) ILLUMINATED:
1.NUMBER: One (1) sign per tenant/property owner and may be in addition to any
other permitted signs.
2.MAXIMUM SIGN AREA: Three (3) square feet.
3.LOCATION: As per definition of Window sign.
25.07.02-06 Drive-Thru Service Menu Signs
.
a)SIGN CLASSIFICATION: Ground Sign Menu Board and Preview Board.
b)NUMBER & TYPE: One Menu Board & One Preview Board per establishment.
c)MAXIMUM SIGN AREA:
1.Menu Board: 30 square feet.
2.Preview Board: 16 square feet.
d)MAXIMUM HEIGHT OF GROUND SIGN: Six (6) feet.
e)LOCATION: In line with the drive-thru lane and shielded from street view.
f)DESIGN:
1.May utilize Electronic Message Board, so long as the menu remains static.
2.Menu may change for different meal times of the day, i.e. breakfast, lunch or
dinner.
3.No other advertising is allowed.
g)ILLUMINATION: Permitted.
Page 11
Section 25.07: Sign Ordinance as adopted per Z-302; as amended per Z-365-01; Z-366-01; Z-369-02; Z-416-03;
Z-453-04; Z-461-04; Z-470-05; Z-478-05; Z-486-06
Spring 2012
CITY OF CARMEL ZONING ORDINANCE
25.07.03 Temporary Signs
.
A.All Temporary Signs require permit approval by the Administrator except Political Campaign
signs and Real Estate signs six (6) square feet or less.
B.All permits for Temporary Signs require fees except Institutional uses, Political, Real Estate, Yard
Sale, and Open House signs less than six (6) square feet.
C.No sign shall interfere with Vision Clearance per Ch. 3 of the Zoning Ordinance.
D.Temporary signs may not be illuminated unless otherwise noted (See Ch. 25.07.03-06 B & C).
E.Temporary sign permits can be issued for no more than one (1) years duration, but may be renewed,
unless otherwise prohibited (See Ch. 25.07.03-01).
25.07.03-01 Construction Signs
.
a) SIGN CLASSIFICATION: Ground.
b) NUMBER & TYPE: One (1) sign per Street Frontage. Subdivision Construction signs may
be in addition to any permanent subdivision Identification sign permitted by the terms of this
Ordinance.
c) MAXIMUM SIGN AREA: 32 square feet.
d) MAXIMUM HEIGHT OF GROUND SIGN: Eight (8) feet.
e) LOCATION: At entrance to construction site and shall be a minimum of five (5) feet from
the proposed right-of-way per the Thoroughfare Plan (See Ch. 25.07.02 H).
f) DESIGN: Sign face may be split up to 60 degrees and still be considered one (1) sign. See
Diagram 1.
g) COPY: All companies involved in the project should be represented on the sign, i.e.
financial, architect, engineer, contractor, leasing company, etc. Additional signs per
profession/company are not permitted.
h) TIME:
1.Shall not be established until Improvement Location Permit (ILP) is issued.
2.Must be removed at project completion or 18 months after erection, whichever
occurs first.
3.No time extensions will be granted.
25.07.03-02 Real Estate Signs
.
a) SIGN CLASSIFICATION: Ground Sign.
b) NUMBER & TYPE: One (1) Ground sign per Property Frontage.
c) MAXIMUM SIGN AREA:
1. Residential zones:
a. Lot size less than five (5) acres: Six (6) square feet.
b. Lot size five (5) acres and over: 20 square feet.
2. Business, Industrial, and Manufacturing Zones:
a. Non-highway: 12 square feet.
b. Highway: 32 square feet.
d) MAXIMUM HEIGHT OF GROUND SIGN:
1. Lot size less than five (5) acres: Five (5) feet.
2. Lot size five (5) acres or greater: Eight (8) feet.
Page 12
Section 25.07: Sign Ordinance as adopted per Z-302; as amended per Z-365-01; Z-366-01; Z-369-02; Z-416-03;
Z-453-04; Z-461-04; Z-470-05; Z-478-05; Z-486-06
Spring 2012
CITY OF CARMEL ZONING ORDINANCE
e) LOCATION:
1. Minimum of five (5) feet from the proposed right-of-way per the Thoroughfare
Plan (See Ch. 25.07.02 H).
2. For lots with more than one (1) Street Frontage, the distance between any two (2)
signs (including Construction signs) shall not be less than 15 feet at any point.
3. For Through Lots (fronting two parallel streets), two (2) signs may not face the
same street.
f) DESIGN: Sign face may be split up to 60 degrees and still be considered one (1) sign. See
Diagram 1.
g) COPY: May announce the sale, rental or lease of the premises, with specific details of how
much space is available and when it is available. It shall reflect no advertising or
promotional material other than to indicate the party listing the property for sale or lease.
h) TIME: Sign must be removed within seven (7) days of sale or lease or 12 months after
erection, whichever occurs first.
25.07.03-03 Political Campaign Signs
.
a) SIGN CLASSIFICATION: Ground.
b) NUMBER & TYPE: No restrictions.
c) MAXIMUM SIGN AREA: Sixteen (16) square feet total per Premises.
d) MAXIMUM HEIGHT OF GROUND SIGN: Five (5) feet.
e) LOCATION: Must be confined to private property and/or polling sites and setback a
minimum of five (5) feet from the proposed right-of-way per the Thoroughfare Plan (See
Ch. 25.07.02 H).
f) COPY: Names of candidates seeking public political office and other data pertinent thereto.
25.07.03-04 Signage for Temporary Uses
.
This section shall apply to those temporary uses established by Section 25.23 and Section 25.24 of this
Ordinance.
a) SIGN CLASSIFICATION: Wall or Ground.
b) NUMBER & TYPE: One (1) Identification sign.
c) MAXIMUM SIGN AREA: 32 square feet
d) MAXIMUM HEIGHT OF GROUND SIGN: Six (6) feet.
e) LOCATION: Must not interfere with Vision Clearance. Minimum of five (5) feet from
the proposed right of way per the Thoroughfare Plan (See Ch. 25.07.02 H).
f) DESIGN: No restrictions.
g) COPY: As per definition of Identification sign.
h) ILLUMINATION: Not permitted.
i) FEES: Required, except for local non-profit organizations applying under Section 25.24
of this Ordinance.
j) TIME: Limited to duration of Temporary Use permit.
Page 13
Section 25.07: Sign Ordinance as adopted per Z-302; as amended per Z-365-01; Z-366-01; Z-369-02; Z-416-03;
Z-453-04; Z-461-04; Z-470-05; Z-478-05; Z-486-06
Spring 2012
CITY OF CARMEL ZONING ORDINANCE
25.07.03-05 Model Home & Temporary Sales Office Identification Signs
.
a) SIGN CLASSIFICATION: Ground.
b) NUMBER & TYPE:
1. One (1) sales office Identification sign.
2. One (1) Identification sign per approved Model Home.
c) MAXIMUM SIGN AREA:
1. Sales office Identification sign: 30 square feet.
2. Model Home Identification sign: Six (6) square feet.
d) MAXIMUM HEIGHT OF GROUND SIGN:
1. Sales office Identification sign: Six (6) feet.
2. Model Home Identification sign: Three (3) feet.
e) LOCATION:
1. Sales office Identification sign: On the same Lot as the approved Temporary Sales
Office and shall be a minimum of five (5) feet from the proposed right-of-way per
the Thoroughfare Plan (See Ch. 25.07.02 H).
2. Model Home Identification sign: On the same Lot as the approved Model Home
and shall be a minimum of five (5) feet from the proposed right-of-way per the
Thoroughfare Plan (See Ch. 25.07.02 H).
f) DESIGN: No restrictions.
g) COPY: No restrictions.
h) REQUIRED APPROVAL: Either a Sign Plan showing the design of any sales office
Identification signs must be approved by the Commission as part of the Primary Plat
petition, or an ADLS application must be filed prior to the Establishment of the signs.
i) SIGN PERMIT: Required for signs with a Sign Area over six (6) square feet.
j) TIME:
1.Shall not be Established until either a temporary or final Certificate of Occupancy
has been issued for the Principal Building;
2.May remain until such time as the temporary sales office and/or Model Home
Temporary Use approval has expired, or until such time as the Principal Building is
sold for private occupancy, whichever is earlier.
25.07.03-06 Permitted Banners
.
A. Street Banners For Civic Events
.
A Banner for a Public Events may be applied for by a non-profit organization and those
organizations raising money or collecting goods for charity.
a)SIGN CLASSIFICATION: Banner.
b)NUMBER, TYPE & LOCATION:
1.Event must be taking place within the City of Carmel/Clay Township.
2.One (1) Banner at the intersection of Carmel Drive and Range Line
Road;
3.One (1) Banner at the intersection of Range Line Road and City Center
th
Drive/126 Street;
4.One (1) Banner on the property where the event is held.
5.Sign shall be a minimum of five (5) feet from the proposed right-of-way
Page 14
Section 25.07: Sign Ordinance as adopted per Z-302; as amended per Z-365-01; Z-366-01; Z-369-02; Z-416-03;
Z-453-04; Z-461-04; Z-470-05; Z-478-05; Z-486-06
Spring 2012
CITY OF CARMEL ZONING ORDINANCE
per the Thoroughfare Plan (See Ch. 25.07.02 H).
c)MAXIMUM SIGN AREA: 24 square feet (3 x 8 horizontal format)
d)DESIGN: See Diagram 2.
e)COPY: Shall include name, address, time and date of event and charity or
organization supported.
f)REQUIRED APPROVALS: Permit required.
g)TIME:
1.Shall be installed no more than two (2) weeks prior to the event.
2.Shall be removed no more than 24 hours after the event.
3.Recurring events may be advertised once per quarter.
h)FEES: Not required.
B. Business Opening/Closing
.
a)SIGN CLASSIFICATION: Banner.
b)NUMBER & TYPE: One (1) Banner for each approved Permanent sign.
c)MAXIMUM SIGN AREA: Not to exceed the area of the approved Permanent
sign.
d)LOCATION: Sign shall be a minimum of five (5) feet from the proposed right-
of-way per the Thoroughfare Plan (See Ch. 25.07.02 H).
e)DESIGN: No restrictions.
f)COPY: Limited to the name of company and the words Grand Opening,
Coming Soon or Store Closing listed on the banner. No other advertising is
allowed.
g)ILLUMINATION: Permitted.
h)REQUIRED APPROVALS: Permit required.
i)FEES: Not required.
j)TIME: Shall be erected no more than 14 days prior to the date the business first
opens/closes to the general public and shall be removed no more than seven (7)
days after the date the business first opens/closes.
C. Interim Signage
.
a) SIGN CLASSIFICATION: Banner.
b) NUMBER & TYPE: One (1) Banner for each approved Permanent sign.
c) MAXIMUM SIGN AREA: Not to exceed the area of the approved Permanent
sign.
d) LOCATION: Shall be placed in the location(s) of the not yet erected Permanent
sign(s).
e) DESIGN: No restrictions.
f) COPY: As per definition of Identification sign.
g) ILLUMINATION: Permitted.
h) REQUIRED APPROVALS: A sign permit for permanent signage must be
applied for before an interim Banner permit can be issued.
i) TIME:
1.An interim Banner shall not be displayed for more than 90 days
following the issuance of the temporary Banner permit.
2.An extension of time not to exceed 90 days may be granted. Such
extension request must be made in writing.
Page 15
Section 25.07: Sign Ordinance as adopted per Z-302; as amended per Z-365-01; Z-366-01; Z-369-02; Z-416-03;
Z-453-04; Z-461-04; Z-470-05; Z-478-05; Z-486-06
Spring 2012
CITY OF CARMEL ZONING ORDINANCE
25.07.03-07Yard Sale & Open House Signs
.
a) SIGN CLASSIFICATION: Ground.
b) NUMBER & TYPE:
1. Ground: One (1) per Street Frontage.
2. Off Premise sign: One per subdivision entrance, if applicable.
c) MAXIMUM SIGN AREA: Six (6) square feet.
d) MAXIMUM HEIGHT OF GROUND SIGN: Three (3) feet.
e) LOCATION:
1. Ground: On the same lot as the Yard Sale or Open House.
2. Off Premise sign:
a. Must not interfere with the Vision Clearance.
b. Shall not be located in the street Right-of-Way or on a public utility pole.
c. Must have permission from the land owner on which the sign is located.
3. Shall be a minimum of five (5) feet from the proposed right-of-way per the
Thoroughfare Plan (See Ch. 25.07.02 H).
f) DESIGN: No restrictions.
g) COPY: Shall include the address, date and time of sale or open house.
h) TIME: No more than two (2) days prior to the sale or open house, and shall be removed
within 24 hours of conclusion of the sale or open house.
Page 16
Section 25.07: Sign Ordinance as adopted per Z-302; as amended per Z-365-01; Z-366-01; Z-369-02; Z-416-03;
Z-453-04; Z-461-04; Z-470-05; Z-478-05; Z-486-06
Spring 2012
CITY OF CARMEL ZONING ORDINANCE
Sign Chart A:
SINGLE & MULTI-TENANT BUILDINGS
Distance of Sign from Street Building Maximum Maximum Height
*Frontage Sign Area of Ground Sign
Right-of-Way
(Tenant Unit)
(minimum of 5 feet)
5 50 feet under 50 feet 30 sq. ft. 6 feet
51 - 100 feet 45 sq. ft. 6 feet
101 - 150 feet 60 sq. ft. 6 feet
151 - 300 feet 75 sq. ft. 6 feet
51 - 100 feet under 50 feet 35 sq. ft. 6 feet
51 -100 feet 50 sq. ft. 6 feet
101 - 150 feet 65 sq. ft. 6 feet
151 -300 feet 80 sq. ft. 6 feet
101 200 feet under 50 feet 40 sq. ft. 6 feet
51 - 100 feet 55 sq. ft. 6 feet
101 - 150 feet 70 sq. ft. 7 feet
151 - 300 feet 85 sq. ft. 8 feet
201 - 300 feet under 50 feet 45 sq. ft. 7 feet
50 - 100 feet 60 sq. ft. 7 feet
101 - 150 feet 75 sq. ft. 7 feet
151 - 300 feet 90 sq. ft. 8 feet
300 + feet 105 sq. ft. 8 feet
* Street Right-of-Way, as designated in the Thoroughfare Plan.
Page 17
Section 25.07: Sign Ordinance as adopted per Z-302; as amended per Z-365-01; Z-366-01; Z-369-02; Z-416-03;
Z-453-04; Z-461-04; Z-470-05; Z-478-05; Z-486-06
Spring 2012
CITY OF CARMEL ZONING ORDINANCE
Sign Chart B: Address Number Chart
.
Distance of Numbers from Street Maximum Height
Right-of-Way* of Numbers
0 100 feet 4 - 6 inches
101 200 feet 6 12 inches
201 400 feet 12 18 inches
401 600 feet 18 24 inches
601 800 feet 24 30 inches
801 - 1,000 feet 30 36 inches
1,001 - 1,320 feet 36 42 inches
* Street Right-of-Way, as designated in the Thoroughfare Plan.
Diagram 1: Sign Face SeparationDiagram 2: Public Event Sign Structure.
.
8
3
BANNER
6
MESSAGE HERE
Removable post structure
Permanent underground
post supports
DIAGRAM 1: 60º maximum separation. DIAGRAM 2: For reoccurring events, a semi-
permanent structure may be created and installed to
display a banner message at the event site.
Underground support post holes may be installed. A
removable post structure may be installed with a
banner when a Public Event application has been
approved. The sign and structure must be removed no
more than 24 hours after the event concludes.
Page 18
Section 25.07: Sign Ordinance as adopted per Z-302; as amended per Z-365-01; Z-366-01; Z-369-02; Z-416-03;
Z-453-04; Z-461-04; Z-470-05; Z-478-05; Z-486-06
Spring 2012
CITY OF CARMEL ZONING ORDINANCE
SECTION 25.07: SIGNS
AMENDMENT LOG
Ordinance No. Docket No. Council Approval Effective Date Sections Affected
Z-365-01 76-01a OA November 5, 2001 November 27, 2001 25.07.02-07;
25.07.06
Z-366-01 76-01b OA n/a November 28, 2001 25.07.01-02;
25.07.01-04(l);
25.07.03-07
Z-369-02 160-01 OA April 1, 2002 April 1, 2002 25.07.01-02;
25.07.01-03(l);
25.07.01-04(q)
Summer 2002 v1
Z-416-03 40-02 OA November 17, 2003 November 18, 2003 25.07.01-02
Autumn 2003 v1
Z-453-04 150-02 OA August 16, 2004 August 16, 2004 25.07.02-14;
25.07.06; Sign
Charts A, B, C;
Diagram 4
Summer 2004 v1
Z-461-04 04070029 OA December 20, 2005 January 20, 2005 25.07.03-06
Winter 2005 v1
Z-470-05 04100026 OA February 21, 2005 February 21, 2005 25.07.02-03 thru 13;
25.07.03-04;
Diagram 3
Winter 2005 v2
Z-478-05 05050010 OA July 18, 2005 July 18, 2005 25.07.01-04; Sign
Chart A
Summer 2005 v1
Z-486-06 05120002 OA February 20, 2006 March 22, 2006 25.07.01-04;
25.07.02-13;
25.07.03-01;
25.07.03-03;
Page 19
Section 25.07: Sign Ordinance as adopted per Z-302; as amended per Z-365-01; Z-366-01; Z-369-02; Z-416-03;
Z-453-04; Z-461-04; Z-470-05; Z-478-05; Z-486-06
Spring 2012
CITY OF CARMEL ZONING ORDINANCE
25.07.04-03
Spring 2006 v1
Page 20
Section 25.07: Sign Ordinance as adopted per Z-302; as amended per Z-365-01; Z-366-01; Z-369-02; Z-416-03;
Z-453-04; Z-461-04; Z-470-05; Z-478-05; Z-486-06
Spring 2012