§ 714.08. Downtown Marietta Sign District.
A.
District Identified. The Downtown Marietta Sign District shall be delineated as that area shown on the Official Historic Map of Marietta as defined in Section 7-8-8-020. It will be deemed unlawful for any person to place, erect or maintain any sign display case of any type other than publicly maintained street and directional signs, within the special sign district except as provided for in this section.
B.
Permit Requirements. Any property owner, tenant, agent, or contractor must obtain a permit from the Department of Development Services prior to the erection, replacement, reconstruction, or relocation of a sign after approval by the Marietta Historic Board of Review. Said permit shall be required for all signs, except those specifically exempted within this division and shall be subject to the requirements set forth in Section 714.02.
C.
Marietta Historic Board of Review. The Marietta Historic Board of Review created in Article 7-8-8 shall:
1.
Establish guidelines for colors and design of signs that can be approved without review by Marietta Historic Board of Review.
2.
Review and approve all applications for signage within the Historic District in accordance with established, ascertainable standards.
3.
Grant variances and designate such conditions in connection therewith to those regulations for the Downtown Marietta Sign District set forth herein where strict application of such regulations would result in practical difficulty or unnecessary hardship; but only in harmony with the spirit and intent of these regulations and in such manner as to grant relief without substantial injury to the public interest and rights. Any person aggrieved by the decision of the Marietta Historic Board of Review regarding the grant or denial of a variance may appeal to city council by filing a written notice of appeal with the city clerk within ten days from the date of the decision.
D.
Restricted Signs. All signs in the Downtown Marietta Sign District shall comply with all other regulatory provisions of this division; provided that in the event of conflict between this Section 714.08 and any other provision, the regulations of this section shall prevail and be controlling. In addition, the following signs are prohibited within the Downtown Marietta Sign District unless permitted by the Marietta Historic Board of Review in accordance with established, ascertainable standards:
1.
Temporary banners, pennants and streamers across road rights-of-way.
2.
Signs erected on or located on any street or public right-of-way, curbs, curbstone, hydrant, lamppost, trees, barricade, temporary walk, public fence or on a fixture of a fire alarm or public system except public directory and information signs.
3.
Signs painted directly on the exterior walls or windows of a building or structure not including graphic design.
4.
Signs with revolving or rotating beams of light.
5.
Roof-mounted signs.
6.
Signs placed upon a structure in any manner so as to disfigure or conceal any window opening, door or significant architectural feature or detail of any building.
7.
Freestanding or detached signs.
E.
General Regulations. One principal use sign (either a wall sign or projecting sign) shall be permitted for each business establishment. Where a business fronts on more than 1 street or pedestrian walkway providing public access, 1 principal use sign for each such frontage shall be permitted; provided that the maximum sign area shall be computed for each individual street. If the linear frontage per public street exceeds 200 feet, 1 additional sign shall be permitted for each additional 100 feet of street frontage or a fraction thereof. Additionally, supplemental signs, not exceeding an aggregate sign area of 3 square feet, shall be permitted adjacent to each entrance of the principal use. Such supplemental signs shall be mounted or attached flat against the building. For the purpose of calculating the area of supplemental signs, the area of any sign attached to, the interior of a glass window or door shall not be included.
F.
Regulation by Sign Type.
1.
Wall Signs. Maximum size shall not exceed 15% of the square footage of each principal building front. Wall signs shall not extend above the parapet wall of the buildings or extend within 3 feet of the property line or common building line nor project out from the building facade more than 15 inches. The total permissible sign area for a single business may not exceed 15% of the building's facade and may be incorporated within wall, canopy, building identification, projecting or window signage provided that in aggregate, they do not exceed the 15% limit. No sign attached to, or painted upon, the interior glass window of door shall be included in the calculation of the 15% allowable area.
2.
Awning or Canopy Signs. Canopy signs may not extend above the parapet wall and shall maintain a clear height of 8 feet above the ground level while being securely fastened by metal supports to the building surface to meet all applicable building codes. Permissible sign area shall be calculated the same as wall signage and shall be considered inclusive of the total wall sign area allowance.
3.
Under Canopy Signs. In addition to other signs, 1 sign attached to the underside of the canopy or awning shall be permitted for each principal entrance providing access. The display area of such sign shall not exceed 6 square feet per sign face. Signs shall be at least 8 feet above the sidewalk and 1 foot from the outer edge of the canopy.
4.
Projecting Signs. Are permitted 1 square foot of display area per sign face per linear foot of frontage occupied by each principal use; provided that a maximum sign area of 45 square feet shall be permitted per sign face for each projecting principal use sign allowed. The outer edge of a projecting sign shall not extend more than 5 feet from the building to which it is attached. The height of a projecting sign shall not extend above the parapet wall of the building and the lowest point shall be at least 8 feet above the established grade. Permissible sign area shall be calculated the same as wall signage and shall be considered inclusive of the total wall sign area allowance.
5.
Marquee Signs. A motion picture theater marquee sign may be extended to the leading edge of a marquee if located on a marquee existing on the adoption date of this division; however, the total sign area of such sign shall not exceed a total of 90 square feet. No additional permit shall be required where a sign is affixed to or part of such marquee in accordance with this division until such marquee is replaced, remodeled, or altered. New or remodeled signs shall not extend farther than 8 feet from the facade of a building nor exceed a sign area of 45 square feet. The height of a new or remodeled marquee sign shall not extend above the parapet wall of the building, and the lowest point of the marquee sign shall not be less than 8 feet above the established grade.
6.
Building Markers. Building markers shall be permitted along each building facade. The maximum aggregate size of such signs shall not exceed an area of 75 square feet.
7.
Temporary Signs. Temporary signs shall be permitted through the Department of Development Services provided that:
a)
Exterior temporary signs shall be located on private property and may not exceed 50% of that permitted for a principal use fascia sign.
b)
Temporary signs shall be allowed for a period not to exceed 30 consecutive days and are further limited to 60 days annually at any location. A permit is required for all temporary signs.
c)
All temporary signs shall have the date it is first displayed written in the lower right-hand corner.
8.
Digital Signs. Digital signs shall be allowed when approved by the Marietta Historic Board of Review and subject to the standards set forth in Section 714.04F.4.a., c—l.
9.
A-frame Signs. A-frame signs shall be permitted by the Director of the Department of Development Services or the City Manager upon a City sidewalk or within any City rights-of-way according to the following conditions:
a)
An application for a sign permit shall be made to the Department of Development Services on a form deemed appropriate by the Department Director and must be approved annually. The applicant shall be notified of the decision on the issuance or denial of the permit not later than 30 days after the filing of a complete application.
b)
The sign must be within 10 feet of the front door of the place of business.
c)
Each storefront is allowed 1 sign and in no case shall a storefront be allowed more than 1 sign.
d)
The location of the sign must not block or restrict passageway along the sidewalk to less than 4 feet in width or block the ingress/egress to any building. In areas of congested pedestrian activity, a wider pedestrian path shall be required for the protection and welfare of the public. If the location of the sign is determined to be detrimental to the health, safety or welfare of the general public, the sign permit shall be denied, suspended or revoked and the sign shall be immediately removed from the public right-of-way.
e)
The sign is limited to a maximum area of 10 square feet and a maximum height of 4 feet.
f)
The sign must be adequately weighted and shall not be illuminated, animated, or electrically powered in any way. Signs must be made of durable materials designed to withstand exterior conditions.
g)
The sign is allowed only during the advertising entity's business hours and must be moved inside when the business is not open.
h)
The City Manager or designee is authorized to remove any A-frame sign without prior notice within the sole discretion of the City of Marietta, where such sign is impeding pedestrian traffic, is not well maintained or is otherwise utilized in a manner contrary to the public safety and welfare. The City shall not have any liability regarding the removal of such sign. The owner of the sign shall execute a release and indemnity agreement in favor of the City of Marietta prior to the erection of any A-frame sign, shall provide the City with a copy of the liability insurance policy in an amount not less than $1,000,000.00 and such policy shall show the City as an additional insured.
(Ord. No. 7867, 1/13/2016, § 1; Ord. No. 8061, 11/14/2018, § 1)