Purpose. The intent of these sign standards is to:
A. Accomplish the goals of the growth policies plan;
B. Avoid unnecessary proliferation of signs;
C. Provide developments with appropriate identification;
D. Create a consistent streetscape;
E. Maintain and enhance the aesthetic environment of the city and its planning jurisdiction;
F. Eliminate potential hazards to motorists and pedestrians resulting from sign clutter; and
G. Promote the health, safety, and welfare of the residents of the city of Bloomington and its planning jurisdiction.
This sign standards section applies to the following zoning districts:

(a) Permit Required. A sign permit shall be required for all signs located, erected, constructed, reconstructed, moved, or altered unless specifically exempted by this chapter.
(b) Nonconforming Signage. All existing nonconforming signage is subject to the provisions of Chapter 20.08, Nonconforming Lots, Sites, Structures and Uses.
(c) Sign Measurements. Sign height and sign area measurements shall be calculated as follows:
(1) The area of wall signs shall be calculated as the smallest regular geometric figure needed to circumscribe any logos, text, or other identifying trait placed on a structure.
(2) The area of freestanding signs shall be calculated as the smallest regular geometric figure needed to circumscribe the sign, exclusive of supporting structures.
(3) The height of a freestanding sign shall be measured from the grade beneath the sign or from the crown of the adjacent street, whichever is higher. The ground beneath a sign shall not be raised to artificially change the point at which the sign height is measured.
(d) Double-faced Signs. For all freestanding and projecting signs permitted by this chapter, a double-faced sign may be erected. Only the face area of one of the two sides shall be considered the face area of the entire sign. In such cases, the two sign faces shall be identical in area, shall be placed back to back, and shall be separated by a distance of no more than two feet.
(e) Maintenance. All signs and components thereof shall be kept in good repair and in safe, clean, neatly painted, and working condition.
(f) Abandoned Sign Structures. On any site where the use has been abandoned for a period of six months or greater, all sign structures, including all poles, frames, supports, and other structural, electrical, mechanical, and other elements, shall be removed by the owner of the premises upon which it is located.
(g) Miscellaneous Signs. The following signs are exempt from permit requirements:
(1) Public Signs. Public signs erected by or on the order of a public officer in the performance of public duty, such as signs to promote safety, no trespassing, or traffic signs; signs to indicate transit stops; memorial plaques; signs of historical interest; and signs directing people to public and quasi-public facilities or events.
(2) Private Signs. Any permanent sign of not more than one and one-half square feet in area.
(3) Flags. Flags of any nation, state, county, city, university, college, military organization, or place of worship.
(4) Murals. Murals without a commercial message.
(5) Window Signs. Window signs shall be subject to the following standards:
(A) Residential Uses. Window signs are not permitted for residential uses.
(B) Signage Allotment. Window signs shall not count toward the wall signage allotment of the use.
(C) Area. Window signage shall not exceed twenty-five percent of the glass area of any individual window pane.
(D) Location. Window signage shall not be installed in windows above the ground floor of a structure.
(6) Directional Signs. Directional signs shall be subject to the following standards:
(A) Area. Signs shall not exceed four square feet in area per side.
(B) Height. Signs shall not exceed forty-two inches in height above the ground.
(7) Construction Signs. Construction signs shall be subject to the following standards:
(A) Nonresidential, Multifamily, and Single-family Subdivision Projects. Signs shall not exceed twenty-four square feet in area per side.
(B) Individual Single-family Lots. Signs shall not exceed five square feet in area per side.
(C) Number. Individual contractors, developers, or financiers may have a maximum of one construction sign.
(D) Duration. Constructions signs may be displayed throughout the duration of construction and shall be removed upon completion of construction.
(8) Not-for-profit Signs. Signs advertising special events by a registered not-for-profit organization shall be subject to the following standards:
(A) Size. Signs shall not exceed five square feet in area per side.
(B) Location. Signs shall not be placed on a property unless permission is granted by the property owner.
(C) Duration. Signs shall be displayed no more than seven days prior to the special event and shall be removed within two days after the conclusion of the special event.
(9) Political Signs. Political signs shall not exceed five square feet in area per side and shall be removed within seven days of the subject event.
(10) Real Estate Signs. Real estate signs shall be subject to the following standards:
(A) Commercial. Signs advertising the sale or lease of a commercial property or the sale of a multifamily property with at least fifteen units shall be limited to a single sign of a maximum of thirty-two square feet in area per side.
(B) Residential. Signs advertising the sale or lease of single-family properties or multifamily properties with less than fifteen units shall be limited to a single sign of a maximum of five square feet per side.
(C) Open House Signage.
(i) Off-site signage directing the public to an open house is permitted on Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the event weekend.
(ii) Individual open house signs shall not exceed five square feet in area per side.
(iii) Signage must be placed with the owner’s permission.
(iv) Signs shall only be placed at corner locations.
(v) All open house signage shall be removed the same day that the event ends.
(11) Street Addresses. Every building shall have its numerical street address posted as follows:
(A) Single-Family Residential Structures:
(i) Street address displays shall consist of Arabic numerals (e.g., 1, 2, 3...) no less than three inches in height.
(ii) Street address displays shall be placed on the front of the structure and on the mailbox post where mailboxes are located along the street.
(B) Multifamily Structures:
(i) Street address displays shall consist of Arabic numerals (e.g., 1, 2, 3...) no less than five inches in height and no more than ten inches in height.
(ii) Street address displays shall be placed above all exterior entrances visible from a public street, private drive, or parking lot.
(C) Nonresidential Structures:
(i) Street address displays shall consist of Arabic numerals (e.g., 1, 2, 3...) no less than eight inches in height.
(ii) Street address displays shall be placed above all exterior entrances visible from a public street, private drive, or parking lot.
(D) Legibility. All street addresses shall contrast with the color of the surface on which they are mounted, shall consist of reflective materials, and shall be clearly visible and identifiable from the street.
(h) Prohibited Sign Types. The following signs are prohibited in all zoning districts unless specifically authorized by another section of this title:
(1) Animated Signs. Signs that utilize any motion picture, laser, or visual projection of images or copy in conjunction with any business or advertisement.
(2) Bench Signs. A sign located on the seat or back of a bench placed on or adjacent to a public right-of-way.
(3) Imitation of Official Signs. Signs that purport to be, are in imitation of, or resemble an official traffic sign or signal or which bear the words “Stop,” “Slow,” “Caution,” “Danger,” “Warning” or similar words.
(4) Off-premise Signs. Signs advertising goods, products, services, events or activities not located, sold or offered on the premises on which the sign is located.
(5) Vehicle Signs. Signs placed on inoperable or unlicensed vehicles parked on public or private property for the apparent purpose of displaying the sign. Prohibited signs do not include those displayed on vehicles parked for the purpose of lawfully making deliveries or random sales or service. Prohibited signs do not include those displayed on vehicles which are customarily used for transporting persons or properties, and on vehicles parked at a driver’s place of residence during nonbusiness hours or for incidental purposes.
(6) Intermittent Lights. Signs that have intermittent blinking, flashing, or fluttering lights, including any device which has a changing light intensity, brightness of color, or gives such illusion. Strobe lights shall be considered intermittent lights for the purposes of subsection (h)(6) of this section.
(7) Pole Signs. Signs that are mounted on a freestanding pole or other support that is not part of or attached to a building or structure.
(8) Temporary Signs. Any temporary sign not specifically permitted in Section 20.05.079, SI-02 (Sign standards--Temporary signs), including, but not limited to, pennants, streamers, balloons, inflatable signs, spinners, and banners, except when specifically permitted in Section 20.05.079: SI-02 (Sign standards--Temporary signs).
(9) Projecting Signs. Any sign that projects outward from the facade of a building in excess of twelve inches, except as provided in Section 20.05.083, SI-06 (Sign standards--Commercial limited) and Section 20.05.084, SI-07 (Sign standards--Commercial downtown).
(i) Prohibited Sign Locations. Signs shall not be installed at any of the following locations:
(1) Public Easement. In any public utility easement, unless authorized by the city.
(2) Public Right-of-way. In any public right-of-way, except as provided in subsection (g)(1), Public Signs above.
(3) Roofs. On the roof of a structure, or extending above the eave, roof line or parapet of a building.
(4) Vision Clearance Triangle. Within a vision clearance triangle as specified in this chapter.
(5) Miscellaneous. On any traffic control signs, highway construction signs, fences, utility poles, street signs, trees or other natural objects.
(j) Design Standards.
(1) Freestanding Signs. All freestanding signs shall be designed as follows:
(A) Setback. All freestanding signs shall be set back a minimum of two feet from the front property line.
(B) Mounting. All freestanding signs shall be permanently affixed to the ground.
(C) Base. Sign bases shall conform to the following standards:
(i) Sign bases shall have an aggregate width of at least forty percent of the total horizontal width of the sign; or have supports that are less than twenty five percent of the vertical height of the sign.
(ii) The base and exposed foundation of all freestanding signs shall be covered with a finished material such as brick, stone, metal, or wood.
(D) Cap. A decorative cap may extend up to eighteen inches above the height limit specified in this chapter. The decorative cap shall have no identifying text, logos, or identifying traits.
(E) Landscaping: For any new freestanding sign, a landscaped area located around the entire base of a freestanding sign is required. The landscaped area shall contain materials consisting of shrubs, spread no greater than three feet on center, and densely planted perennial ground cover. The landscaped area shall be greater than or equal to the freestanding sign face area.
(F) Illumination. Sign lighting shall abide by the light trespass regulations in this chapter.
(G) Changeable Copy. Freestanding signs may incorporate areas for changeable copy, provided that the changeable copy area does not exceed forty percent of the total sign area.
(2) Electronic Reader Boards. Electronic reader boards may be incorporated with freestanding or wall signage provided that the message is limited to display of time and temperature information. Time and temperature information may be displayed in increments of no less than twenty seconds.
(k) Waiver of Right to Damages.
(1) The plan commission, the board of zoning appeals, and the planning staff are each authorized to request waivers of the right to and receipt of damages pursuant to Indiana Code 22-13-2-1.5, Indiana Code 36-7-2-5.5, and Indiana Code 35-24, in connection with any application for a permit or other approval that may involve erection of a new sign or removal or alteration of a lawfully erected sign, including a lawful nonconforming sign.
(2) Waivers may be requested from the following:
(A) The applicant;
(B) The property owner;
(C) The sign owner; and
(D) Any other person with an interest in the site or the sign.
(3) The owner and/or the applicant shall be responsible for obtaining waivers from all persons listed in subsection (k)(2) of this section.
(4) An owner or applicant who fails to provide and/or to obtain waivers in accordance with this section may be denied a permit or approval seeking to alter or remove a lawfully erected sign unless the owner or applicant agrees to hold harmless and indemnify the city from any and all claims for damages pursuant to the statutes referenced in subsection (k)(1) of this section. (Ord. 06-24 § 3 (part), 2006).