20.06.06.01 Purpose and Intent.
These regulations are established for all signs located on any premises as a reasonable and impartial means to permit adequate communication, to control confusing sign displays which present a hazard to pedestrians and motorists along streets and at intersections, to insure light, air, and open space, to protect the natural beauty and environment of the city, to safeguard and enhance property values, to protect public and private investment in buildings and open spaces, and to protect the public health, safety, and general welfare.

20.06.06.02 Application of Regulations.
No sign shall be erected or altered except in conformance with this zoning ordinance.

20.06.06.03 Placement Prohibitions.
The following prohibitions shall apply in any district:
(a) No sign shall be erected or maintained in any form or at any location where it may obstruct or in any way interfere with the view of or be confused with any approved traffic-control device.
(b) Signs shall comply with the sight distance standards found in Section 20.06.01.03 of this zoning ordinance.

(c) No sign shall be placed in any public right-of-way except publicly owned traffic-control and transit signs.
(d) No sign except marquees, either freestanding or mounted on a building, shall project into the public right-of-way; except that a business sign mounted on a building may be permitted to project twelve inches from the face of a building. (See Table 20.07.16.03(f), Table 7-4, for regulations applying to marquees.)


(e) No sign shall be mounted on a roof or extend above the eave or parapet of a building wall.
(f) No sign shall be affixed to trees, fence posts, or utility poles.
(g) Off-premise signs are prohibited in any zoning district.

20.06.06.04 General Sign Regulations.
All signs shall conform to the following regulations:
(a) Illumination.
(1) Illuminated signs are permitted; however, signs which direct attention through the use of flashing, intermittent, or strobe effects are prohibited.
(2) The source of light for any sign should not be directed into any residential area or toward any oncoming traffic. The source of illumination by whatever means shall not reflect directly on residential property.
(3) In no instance shall any illuminated sign be located closer than twenty-five feet to any residential district.
(b) Temporary and Portable Signs.
(1) Temporary or portable business or product-for-sale signs and signs or devices consisting of a series of banners, streamers, pennants, balloons, propellers, strung light bulbs, or similar devices are prohibited. All signs which move by mechanical means or by the movement of air except for public information signs shall be prohibited in all districts.
(2) New businesses, seasonal businesses, grand openings or special events may display signs prohibited in subsection (b)(1) of this section, after having applied for and received a permit for fifteen days. This permit may be renewed for an additional fifteen days. Any business shall be limited to one such permit per year.
(c) Maintenance.
(1) All signs must be kept clean, neatly painted, and free from all hazards, such as, but not limited to, faulty wiring and loose fastenings, and must be maintained at all times in such safe condition so as not to be detrimental to the public health or safety.
(d) Total sign allocations based upon building mass and street frontage in business, industrial, and special zoning districts.
(1) Location, size, and variety of all signs existing upon a zoning lot are included in the total sign allocations.
(2) In all commercial, industrial, and special zoning districts, except CD, total sign area permitted for any business or industrial premises shall be one and six-tenths square feet of sign area for each one linear foot of building fronting on a public street, or eight-tenths square foot of sign for each one linear foot of property fronting a publicly maintained right-of-way, whichever is greater.




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1.6 × a or 1 × b

(3) In the CD district, one square foot of sign shall be permitted for each ten square feet of building face fronting on a public street or for each one linear foot of property fronting on a publicly maintained right-of-way, whichever is greater.








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ab OR 1 × c
10



(4) In any commercial, industrial, or special district, one ground sign shall be permitted for each street frontage. The maximum permitted square footage of sign surface is sixty square feet each side for a double-faced sign of more than ten feet in height, and seventy-two square feet for a ground sign of ten feet or less in height.
(5) Pole signs shall be permitted only as follows: In any commercial or industrial district where the property has frontage on an arterial or primary collector street, one pole sign shall be permitted for each street frontage, but only in the event that no ground sign is provided for that street frontage. The maximum permitted square footage of sign surface for a pole sign is sixty square feet each side of a double-faced sign.
(6) Notwithstanding other provisions of these regulations, no premises within any commercial or industrial zoning district may be restricted to less than seventy-five square feet of sign nor shall any premises be permitted to display more than six hundred square feet of sign, except as provided in Section 20.06.06.03(f), shopping centers.
(7) The area of signs shall be calculated as the smallest regular geometric figure needed to circumscribe the sign, exclusive of supporting poles below the sign face.

(e) Sign Allocations in Residential Districts. No sign shall be erected in the residential districts except for the following:
(1) Residential complex or subdivision signs, limited to sixty-four square feet, are permitted at the entrance to such areas.
(2) Home occupation signs shall be limited to one sign of a maximum size of two square feet, attached to the wall of the building.
(3) Public information signs, where permitted, shall be limited to twenty-four square feet.
(f) Height and Setback of Signs.
(1) No sign shall exceed twenty-five feet in height, measured from the base of the sign or from the crown of the road directly in front of the sign, whichever is higher.











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(2) Signs within ten feet of the street right-of-way shall be at least nine feet above the ground; vision beneath the sign must be clear except for supporting structure.
(3) All signs shall conform to the side and rear yard requirements for buildings as set forth in Chapter 20.07 of this zoning ordinance.
(4) Signs other than pole signs shall have a minimum street setback of ten feet less than the required building setback, but not less than ten feet from the property line.
(5) Street setbacks for pole signs shall not be required except that no portion of such a sign may extend above the public right-of-way, and no such sign may be located within the sight triangle.
(g) Special Regulations in any District.
(1) Political signs and signs offering the property on which they are situated for sale, lease, or rent shall not exceed five square feet and shall be removed within seven days of the subject event. Such signs may not be placed in the public right-of-way.
(2) Promotion of commercial properties or real estate subdivisions in accordance with subdivision regulations is permissible, but not in excess of sixty-four square feet of sign surface area. Pennants and banners are prohibited.
(3) Construction signs are not to exceed twenty-four square feet of sign surface area. These signs are permissible only for the duration of construction.
(4) One public information sign is allowed, not to exceed twenty-four square feet of sign surface area, and may be erected on the site of a special event not more than thirty days prior to the event. All such signs shall be removed within seven days after the conclusion of the event.
(5) Direction signs are not to exceed four square feet per sign; in addition, one sign defining conditions of use not exceeding twelve square feet in size is permitted.
(h) Shopping Centers. Regardless of the district in which it is located, the following regulations shall apply to property which is developed for or occupied by a shopping center.
(1) Signs for individual stores or business establishments within a shopping center must be located on the front wall of the building and are limited to one and six-tenths square feet of sign area for each one linear foot of building frontage.
(2) Independently placed buildings or buildings with corner locations are limited on each side or rear wall to one-half the amount of sign area permitted on the front wall, or to one and two-tenths square feet of sign area for each linear foot of building on the side or rear of the building, whichever is less.
(3) In addition to signs permitted for individual establishments within a shopping center, general shopping center signs bearing the name of the planned commercial development will be permitted on the basis of one sign for each fifty thousand square feet of gross building floor area within the development, with a total limit of four such signs. These signs must be limited to the name of the development, except that signs not exceeding thirty-six square feet may be allowed for individual commercial enterprises as part of the main sign. The total area of each such sign shall not exceed two hundred forty square feet in area or one hundred twenty square feet per side of a double-sided sign. Such signs shall not be in a required street setback, except that such signs may be so placed if they are reduced in size by fifty percent.
(i) Scenic/Gateway Corridors. For all districts, except CD, the following regulations shall apply to all signs which are placed within a defined scenic/ gateway corridor except as otherwise provided herein. The intent of this section is to enhance the economic vitality, improve the aesthetic appeal and encourage the orderly, and safe use of property through the regulation of signage along designated scenic and/or gateway corridors within Bloomington.
(1) Corridors. These sign regulations apply to all signs located within three hundred sixty linear feet of the street centerline of the public rights-of-way designated scenic/gateway corridors and new roadways classified as arterial and collector streets by the city master thoroughfare plan. The following street segments are designated either scenic and/or gateway corridors:
(A) Scenic Corridors.
1. Indiana SR 45/46 Bypass east of Indiana SR 37 to the East Third Street intersection.
2. The total length of Patterson Drive and Grimes Lane located west of Walnut Street to West Third Street.
3. Tapp Road / E. Winslow Road / W. Country Club Road located east of Indiana SR 37 to S. Henderson Street
4. Sare Road located south of Moores Pike to Rhorer Road
5. Adams Street located south of Kirkwood Avenue/5th Street to Tapp Road.
6. W. Kirkwood Avenue located west of N. College Avenue to N. Adams Street.
7. College Mall Road located south of Third Street and north of Moores Pike
(B) Gateway Corridors
1. Indiana SR 37 from the northern edge (Kinser Pike) to the southern edge (Fullerton Pike) of the Planning Jurisdiction Boundary.
2. S. Walnut Street Pike from S. Walnut Street to the southern edge of the Planning Area Boundary.
3. The total length of Walnut Street / Old State Road 37 from the northern edge of the Planning Jurisdiction Boundary to the southern edge of the Planning Jurisdiction Boundary.
4. 10th Street located east of SR45/46 to the edge (E. Ooley Avenue) of the Planning Jurisdiction Boundary.
5. W. Third Street located west of Adams Street to the edge of the Planning Jurisdiction Boundary.
6. Bloomfield Road / W. Second Street located west of Walnut Street to the edge (S. Curry Pike / S. Leonard Springs Road) of the Planning Jurisdiction Boundary.
7. E. Third Street located east of High Street to the edge (Knightridge Road) of the Planning Jurisdiction Boundary
8. College Avenue located south of N. SR 45/W. SR 46 to S. Walnut Street.
(C) Future Corridors.
1. All new arterial and collector (non-local) roadways shall be designated as either scenic and/or gateway corridors.
(2) Applicability. The following types of signs are subject to these scenic/gateway corridors provisions in addition to all other provisions of Section 20.06.06.00 Sign Regulations; provided, where these scenic/gateway provisions are more stringent than any other provisions of these sign regulations, the scenic/gateway provisions shall apply:
(A) Large nonresidential center ground signs;
(B) Small nonresidential center ground signs;
(C) Individual nonresidential use ground signs;
(D) Residential subdivision and complex ground signs;
(E) Wall signs.
Signage not listed above or prohibited by the following subsection shall be regulated by the appropriate portion of Section 20.06.06.00.
(3) Prohibited Signs. The following types of freestanding signs are prohibited in scenic/gateway corridors:
(A) Pole signs;
(B) Off-premises signs;
(4) Total Sign Allotment. In residential districts within a scenic/gateway corridor, home occupation and public information signs shall be governed by Section 20.06.06.04(e). Subdivision and residential complex signs shall be governed by Section 20.06.06.04(i)(5). In all nonresidential zoning districts within a scenic/gateway corridor, except CD, the aggregate sign area total permitted for any premise shall not exceed:
(A) Individual Nonresidential Use.

1. One and a half square feet of sign area for each one linear foot of a building fronting on a public street; or
2. Seventy-five hundredths square foot of sign area for each one linear foot of property fronting a public street, whichever is greater. Provided, however, no premises within any nonresidential (except CD) or special district may be restricted to less than seventy-five square feet of sign area nor shall any premises be permitted to display more than five hundred and forty square feet of sign area.
(B) Large and Small Nonresidential Centers.
1. One and a half square feet of sign area for each one linear foot of a building fronting on a public street; or
2. Seventy-five-hundredths square foot of sign area for each one linear foot of property fronting a public street, whichever is greater.
3. Provided, however, no center within any nonresidential (except CD) or special district may be restricted to less than seventy-five square feet of sign area.
(5) Freestanding Sign Development Standards. The height, bulk and density standards for freestanding signs in scenic/gateway corridors to be included in the total sign allotment are described in Table 6-4.
(6) Freestanding Sign Landscaping. A landscaped area located around the entire base of a freestanding sign located in a scenic/gateway corridor is required. The landscaped area shall contain living landscaped materials consisting of shrubs, spread no greater than three feet on center, and perennial ground cover densely planted (See Section 20.06.04.02 Tables C and D). The landscaped area shall be greater than or equal to eight-tenths of the freestanding sign face area. All sign landscaping shall be installed and maintained in accordance with Section 20.06.04.02(h). Freestanding sign landscaping shall be counted towards the overall premises landscaping requirements and shall not require additional D-value for the premises. When a development expansion, change in signage, change in use or street widening occurs for a premises, the above landscaping standards may be reduced by planning staff provided that no reasonable planting area or planting alternative exists.
(7) Design Standards and Sign Illumination. All signage within a scenic/gateway corridor shall be constructed of colors and materials compatible with the principal structure. All sign illumination shall be directed at the sign face, shall illuminate the sign face only, and shall not illuminate beyond the sign face. All sign illumination shall not exceed one foot-candle at any property line and shall not reflect directly or indirectly on residential property. All signage within a scenic/gateway corridor shall also comply with Section 20.06.06.04(a), Illumination.
(8) Lawful Nonconforming Signs. Any existing sign located within a scenic/gateway corridor which does not conform to this section and is designated lawfully nonconforming shall either be removed or brought into compliance with these requirements at such time as any new development, expansion, change in signage or change in use occurs on the property upon which the sign is located. In no case shall the replacement of individual tenant name panels on a multi-tenant center sign constitute the need to bring the multi-tenant center sign into compliance with these sign regulations. Any freestanding sign which requires physical relocation due to a scenic/gateway corridor street widening shall either be removed or brought into compliance with these requirements except where a lesser setback is allowed per Section 20.06.06.04(i)(5), or as provided in Section 20.06.06.08. Lawful nonconforming signs may not be relocated and may not be expanded, which includes any increase in height, or altered, except that ordinary maintenance is permitted, and shall include replacements of supports with different materials or design than the previous supports as long as the replaced supports are not enlarged.
Lawful nonconforming signs within a scenic/ gateway corridor which were approved by a variance shall be subject to Section 20.01.06.05 Transition Rules, Previously Granted Variances. If a lawful nonconforming sign was approved as part of a sign package for a planned unit development (PUD) that had the effect of establishing PUD specific signage standards different from the standards that otherwise would have applied in the underlying zoning district, then such PUD specific signage standards will continue to govern such sign, not withstanding the remainder of this provision, so long as the original PUD approval remains effective.
Incentive Provision to Convert to Ground Signs. Within two years of the adoption of this scenic/gateway corridor signage amendment, any property owner who voluntarily replaces a lawful nonconforming pole sign with a ground sign that otherwise complies with these scenic/gateway corridor signage regulations shall be entitled to the individual sign face maximum area that would have been allowed for that particular sign and property under the 1995 Zoning Ordinance (prior to the adoption of the scenic/gateway corridor signage amendment).

Notes:

(1) In the event of a street widening project which requires the relocation of a freestanding sign, the Planning Department may permit the relocation of a lawful nonconforming sign between the setback line and public right-of-way if (a) the lawful nonconforming sign is converted to an on-premises ground sign which complies with the area and height requirements of this section, (b) no location on the subject zoning lot exists which meets the Scenic/Gateway Corridor street setback requirements, and (c) all clear-sight triangle standards (Section 20.06.06.03.B) are met.

(2) New signs shall conform to the side yard requirements for buildings as set forth in Chapter 20.07 of this Zoning Ordinance.

(3) Authorized Nonresidential Uses in a Residential District may include lawful nonconforming nonresidential uses, permitted uses, and conditional uses.

(4) Property zoned I - Institutional Uses, M - Medical, AP - Airport, and Q - Quarries are Special Districts.

(5) Lawful nonconforming nonresidential uses shall be limited to their existing lawful nonconforming signage. Conditional nonresidential use sign area shall be determined by the Board of Zoning Appeals at the time of their Conditional Use approval but shall not exceed 32 square feet. Permitted uses shall be permitted 32 square feet of sign area.

(6) Outlots with Large and Small Nonresidential Centers shall be considered Individual Nonresidential Uses.

(7) Residential subdivisions and residential complex signs may be placed within the street median and entrance medians if clear-sight triangle standards (Section 20.06.06.03.B.) are met.

(j) Downtown Signs. The following regulations shall only apply to the downtown commercial, CD, district. The intent of this section is to enhance the economic vitality and aesthetic appeal of the CD district, and to encourage the orderly, safe use of property within the CD district.
(1) Restaurant Menu Signs. One restaurant menu sign per restaurant shall be permitted only when contained within a display box mounted on a building with:
(A) A maximum total sign area of six square feet;
(B) A clear face to protect the menus from the weather;
(C) A maximum extension of four inches from the building;
(D) A mounting of the sign between thirty-six inches and seventy-two inches (sixty inches encouraged) from the sidewalk;
(E) A location which shall not interfere with outward opening doors or windows; and
(F) A design which architecturally complements and coordinates with the building.
(2) Sandwich Board Signs. Sandwich board signs shall only be permitted in the CD district and shall conform to the following regulations.
(A) Sign Standards. Sandwich board signs shall meet the following design standards:
1. A maximum of one sandwich board sign per individual retail use/retail service business (including restaurants) is permitted.
2. Signs shall be permitted a maximum sign face area of five square feet per sign side (which shall count towards the total sign allotment for the business utilizing the sandwich board sign).
3. Signs shall be permitted a maximum sign face width of two and three-fourths feet measured from the sign legs.
4. Signs shall be permitted a maximum sign height of four and one half feet measured from the ground to the top of the sign.
5. Sign bases shall be weighted with a minimum ten pound ballast, colored solid black, to ensure sign stability in windy conditions.
6. Signs shall be placed a minimum of ten linear feet from the base of another sandwich board sign.
(B) Sign Placement. Sandwich boards shall meet the following placement criteria:
1. Signs must be truly portable and cannot be permanently affixed to any structure or sidewalk, and must be removed from the public right-of-way at the end of each business day.
2. Signs shall only be placed on sidewalks with a minimum width of seven feet.
3. Signs shall be placed either: (1) on the sidewalk a maximum of two feet from the advertised business’ building; or, (2) in the tree plot outside the sidewalk, to be determined by staff based on accessibility and safety standards including the following: location and proximity of door ways; width of tree plot; maximum distance between pedestrian obstacles; location of cross walks; and other physical features of the location that affect accessibility and safety.
4. Signs shall be placed a minimum of forty-eight inches from all obstructions within the sidewalk right-of-way including newspaper boxes, outdoor tables/seating, trees and tree grates, bicycle racks, trash receptacles and any other item impeding pedestrian or wheelchair movement. Sign placement shall also meet all Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.
5. Signs shall be placed a minimum of ten feet from a building corner or pedestrian crosswalk.
(C) Enforcement. All placement of sandwich board signs shall require permission from the Bloomington board of public works to allow the sign to encroach on public right-of-way, and a certificate of zoning compliance from the Bloomington planning department. Any violation of this section by a business shall be monitored by the Bloomington planning department. More than two violations in one calendar year shall result in the termination of the sandwich board sign permit and require removal of the sandwich board. A new sandwich board sign shall not be permitted for the business for at least twelve months from the date of the sign permit revocation.

20.06.06.05 Off-Premise Signs.
Off-premise signs are not permitted within the city planning jurisdiction.

20.06.06.06 Permits.
After the effective date of the ordinance codified in this title, and except as otherwise provided, no person shall erect any sign as defined herein without first obtaining a permit therefor from the city engineer.
(a) Application for Permit. Application for the permit shall be made in writing, in duplicate, upon forms prescribed and approved by the city engineer, to the city engineer and shall contain the following information:
(1) Name, address, and telephone number of applicant;
(2) Location of building, structure, or land on which the sign is to be erected;
(3) A scale drawing of the sign, showing the elevation of the sign, the face(s) composing the sign, the position of lighting or other extraneous devices, and any other components of the sign.
(4) A location plan showing the position of the proposed sign, as well as any existing signage, on any building or land and its position in relation to nearby buildings or structures and to any private or public street or highway right-of-way.
(5) Written consent of the owner of the building, structure, or land on which the sign is to be erected in the event the applicant is not the owner thereof.
(6) A copy of any required electrical permit issued for the sign or a copy of the application.
(b) Certificate of Zoning Compliance. The planning staff shall examine such plans, specifications, and other data submitted with the application, and, if necessary, the building or premises upon which it is proposed to erect the sign. If the proposed sign is in compliance with all the requirements of this zoning ordinance, a certificate of zoning compliance shall be issued.

20.06.06.07 Exemptions.
The following signs shall be exempted from the provisions of this chapter:
(a) Publicly owned traffic-control and transit stops;
(b) Any sign of not more than one and one-half square feet in area; provided, that no more than one such sign shall be permitted per premises;
(c) Any sign required by law or ordinance;
(d) Political signs and signs offering the property on which they are situated for sale, lease, or rent, subject to the provisions of Section 20.06.06.04 (g)(1).

20.06.06.08 Lawful Nonconforming Signs.
Any sign which does not conform to the regulations embodied in this chapter and which is designated lawfully nonconforming shall either be removed or brought into compliance with these requirements at such time as any new development, expansion, or change in use occurs on the property upon which the sign is located. Lawful nonconforming signs may not be expanded, which includes any increase in height, altered, or relocated except as follows:
(a) Ordinary maintenance is permitted, and shall include replacement of supports with different materials or design than the previous supports. The dimensions of replaced supports shall not be enlarged.
(b) Relocation of a lawful nonconforming on-premises sign shall not be permitted unless specifically permitted by a separate section of this ordinance.
(c) It is the express intent of this provision that allowing relocation of nonconforming signs hereunder is for the sole purpose of avoiding possible inverse condemnation in situations where a public body has not chosen or been able to purchase or condemn such property interests as may be involved. Relocation of a lawful nonconforming off-premises sign may be permitted by the Planning Staff in the event of a street widening provided each of the following criteria are satisfied:
(1) No public authority has offered an appraised value to purchase, or initiated eminent domain proceedings to obtain, permanent removal of the sign, and the street widening project is at such stage that all initial offers for right-of-way acquisition adjacent to the sign have been tendered.
(2) The off-premises sign is relocated on the same zoning lot as its original location.
(3) The relocated off-premises sign’s street setback shall not be decreased from the original street setback. The relocated off-premises sign’s side yard setbacks shall maintain the smaller (lesser) side yard setback along the same side of the zoning lot of the off-premises sign’s original location. The relocated off-premises sign’s rear setback shall meet the rear building setback requirement established elsewhere in this ordinance.
(4) All clear-sight triangle standards (Section 20.06.06.03.B) for the relocated off-premises sign are met.
(5) All other requirements of this section (20.06.06.08) are met, including but not limited to the prohibition on expansion, which includes increase in height, and alteration, of the sign. (Ord. 99-20 § 2, 1999; Ord. 99-22 § 2, 1999; Ord. 99-21 §§ 3, 4, 1999; Ord. 95-41 § 6, 1995; Ord. 95-21 § 3 (part), 1995).