Gainesville › Unified Land Development Code
Article 14 — Signs, Chapter 14-7 — INTERPRETATIONS, MODIFICATIONS AND VARIANCES
§ 14-7-1
Computation of Sign Face and Sign Structure Areas
The area of a sign face and sign structure shall be computed as follows:
(a)The area of a “sign face” shall be computed as the area within the smallest rectangle enclosing the limits of a sign face, or the combination of the areas of all such rectangles delimiting each sign face module, together with any material, texture, or color forming an integral part of the sign face or used to differentiate the sign face from the structure upon which it is placed.
(b)The computation of the area of a sign face shall not include the structure, supports or uprights on which the sign face is placed or any portions of a sign structure that are not intended to contain any message or idea and are purely structural or decorative in nature, other than those portions contained within the rectangle that delimits the sign face or a sign face module.
(c)Any sign on which the words, letters, figures, symbols, logos, fixtures, colors, or other design elements routinely change or are intended to be changed from time to time, the sign face area shall include the entire area within which any words, letters, figures, symbols, logos, fixtures, colors, or other design elements may be placed, together with any material, texture, or color forming an integral part of the sign face or used to differentiate the sign face from the freestanding structure or building face upon which it is placed.
(d)The area of a sign structure of a freestanding sign shall be computed as the area within the sign face plus all portions of the sign structure and all open or solid areas within the total area of the sign structure (i.e., tallest height x widest width).
(e)For multi-faced signs, when the sign face surfaces are parallel (back-to-back), or where the interior angle formed by the faces is 45 degrees or less, the area of the sign shall be taken as the area on the largest side. For all other multi-faced signs, the area of the sign shall be the total area on all sides that can be viewed at one time from any angle.
§ 14-7-2
Modification of Monument Signage Requirement
The Director, during design review of a sign application, is authorized to modify the strict terms of this Article as they pertain to monument signs. For good cause shown (including but not limited to equal or better aesthetics and compatibility with the building architecture or the character of the district in which the sign is located), the Director may authorize a pylon or pole sign (see definition in Chapter 14-2).
§ 14-7-3
Signs in Planned Unit Development (PUD) Zoning Districts
For signs in the PUD zoning district each development shall conform to the sign regulations established as part of the zoning approval for the Planned Development. If no such regulations exist, each portion of a Planned Development existing on the effective date of this ULDC shall conform to the regulations of this Article for the zoning district most comparable to that portion of the Planned Development, as determined by the Director.
§ 14-7-4
Uniform Sign Plans
(a)A uniform sign plan is required for any multi-tenant development, including mixed-use and master planned residential developments, before any sign may be erected on the property. The intent of this Section is to provide for compatibility of all signs within a particular development so that they conform to certain physical characteristics such as color, font, design of sign face, sign face module, sign structure, etc.
(b)Modifications to the restrictions on signage for a specific property or development may be requested for administrative approval by submitting to the Director a uniform sign plan for review and processing. The uniform sign plan shall not be considered or used as an alternative to the strict regulations of this Article, except that building sign requirements may be modified pursuant to a uniform sign plan for good cause shown and greater visual coherence and coordination within the development.
(c)Uniform sign plans shall at a minimum consist of the following:
(1)Drawings and specifications as may be required to clearly illustrate the location, materials, size, letter style, and color of all signs to be placed as freestanding and building signs within the development.
(2)Design standards such that signs of a similar type and function within the development shall have a consistency of size, lettering style, color scheme, and construction materials to present a unified design concept while respecting the differences between tenant types and occupancies.
(d)Following approval by the Director, a uniform sign plan shall be binding on the owner, and any lessees, subtenants, purchasers, or other occupants, until or unless the uniform sign plan is replaced with another approved uniform sign plan or the uniform sign plan is repealed. In such cases the strict terms of this Article shall apply.
§ 14-7-5
Variances
(a)A property owner or sign owner may apply for a variance from the provisions of this Article.
(b)The application shall be accompanied by an elevation drawing and/or plot plan, drawn to scale, showing the dimensions and arrangement of the proposed sign. An inventory of signs and sign areas and heights existing on the property shall also be submitted. The Community and Economic Development Department may require other information about the variance requested and its relationship to the surrounding properties. Variance applications shall be accompanied by a fee as established by resolution of the governing body of the City of Gainesville.
(c)Applications to vary the sign regulations in this article shall be filed, considered and decided subject to the procedures and notice requirements of Chapter 18-6 of this Unified Land Development Code.