CITY OF MARYSVILLE
ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD
The Marysville City Council established the
Architectural Review Board (ARB) in 1991.
The ARB consists of five members appointed by the mayor with consent of
City Council.
A Certificate
of Appropriateness is required to be approved by the ARB for any requested new
signs. The ARB is charged with the
viewing and approving applications through a public process that enhances,
protects, and promotes character and identity to the community. The Board attempts to review each
application within the context of the character of the building and surrounding
properties. The Board determines by a
vote of its members whether the application for a Certificate of
Appropriateness is approved.
A sign
ordinance is incorporated into the City of Marysville zoning ordinance for all
zoning districts. However, signs in the
Architectural Review District are required to conform to the color and material
standards of the Architectural Review Board.
Maximum total sign face area
of all permanent signs shall be related to the width of the building or
building unit. Maximum total permanent
sign face area shall be the frontage width of building multiplied by 1.8.
For each
building unit, not more than one identification sign shall be displayed as
either a wall sign, a canopy fascia sign or a window sign. Maximum size permitted for identification
sign is 20 sq. ft.
Canopy
identification sign is permitted – one per business; 6 sq. ft. maximum for
soffit and 20 sq. ft. maximum for fascia.
However, canopy or awning must conform to height restrictions as set
forth in 1139.13 which states canopies shall be considered part of the building
to which attached and shall not project into the required minimum front, side
or rear yard. In the ARB, any canopy
would be located in the City right of way and would require a variance from the
Board of Zoning Appeals.
Two
business signs per unit are permitted. Business
signs cannot be more that 20% of permitted total permanent sign area per sign.
Business
signs shall be displayed as either a wall sign or a window sign.
What is the difference between identification
sign and business sign?
Identification Sign: A sign which identifies or names a
business institution. Specifically,
such sign may indicate the name, owner, or manager and address of an existing
building, including the general type of goods sold or services rendered, but
without listing of numerous specific goods or services and without reference to
brand names, prices “sales” or telephone numbers.
Business Sign:
A sign which contains product advertisements or other detailed
information about the operation of a business.
Specifically, such sign is one which contains brand names of goods sold
and services rendered on the premises, a listing of numerous specific types of
goods and services, or special “sale” information, forms of payment accepted,
hours of operation, telephone number or other similar information. A business sign may also include items
permitted on an “identification sign.”
NOT PERMITTED:
·
Projecting Signs
·
Canopy business
signs
·
Freestanding signs
in the B-3 zoning district
SIGNS IN THE ARCHITECTURAL
REVIEW DISTRICT
A sign shall be consistent with the
architectural characteristics of the building upon which it is placed. A sign shall not in any way obstruct or
destroy unique architectural features of the building upon which it is placed
nor of surrounding buildings. The
following guidelines address the major design issues for the two types of signs
permitted in the Architectural Review District.
The size of the buildings, 0’ setback,
and relatively low traffic speeds suggest the need for small signs within the
district. Large signs are often erected
on the theory “bigger means more business”.
This marketing approach is not appropriate for the district as with time
the goal of this district is to have all signs appropriate to each building in
scale with the surrounding buildings and street.
The information on signs should
identify a business in a simple and straightforward manner. The message should be easy to read and
direct. Too much information on a sign
or group of signs is difficult or impossible for a viewer to absorb. Identification signs should limit text to
the name of the business and perhaps a secondary item such as a principal
product or idea. A simple graphic is
often the best way to convey a product or service.
WALL SIGN
A wall sign is a sign that is placed
parallel to any exterior wall of a building.
Painted or carved wood signs are most appropriate given the
architectural character of the area.
Other materials may be used only if the “flavor” and character of the
wood sign is maintained. No more than
two or three colors should be used.
Colors used for the sign should match either the background or the trim
color of the structure which it serves.
This would link the sign to the business.
Wall signs shall not extend above the
wall or surface to which they are attached.
Wall signs shall be set back from the ends of the building and party
wall lines a minimum distance of three feet.
Content: If the wall sign is the primary identifier of the business (identification
sign), the information should be limited to the name and function of the
business. If the wall sign is a small
secondary sign (business sign), more detailed information such as store hours,
products, and services may be included.
This information should be placed so that it can be read by people
entering the establishment.
Size:
Maximum size is 20 sq. ft.; height of letters not to exceed 8”. Limit of three colors.
Lighting:
The source of lighting for the wall sign should be shielded or concealed
from direct view.
WINDOW SIGN
A window sign is painted on or attached
to the inside surface of a window.
Windows provide an excellent area for signs which do not affect the
overall appearance of the structure.
Window signs are particularly appropriate for buildings with large
display windows. Window signs are the
preferred type of sign in the Architectural Review District.
Content:
The window sign should simply state the name and function of the
business. Windows should not be covered
with long lists of products, prices, and other information, as this creates a
cluttered and unattractive appearance.
The information and design used for window signs should not be confused
with temporary advertising signs, which should be avoided.
Size:
Size shall be measured to include the surface area of the smallest
rectangles enclosing the words, characters, logo and designs of the sign but
not the individual letters of the sign.
Maximum size is 20 sq. ft.; height of letters shall not exceed 8”. Preferred choice of color of vinyl letters
are white, off-white (tan) or gold.
Different colors may be approved by the ARB if appropriate with
building.
Contact the City of
Marysville Zoning Inspector for questions regarding applications for new signs
(937) 642-6015.