A permit shall be required to erect any sign in the city. No sign shall be erected by any person until the proposed sign has been revised by the Planning Commission and approved by the City Council. Permit fees shall be as determined by the City Council.

(Ord. 164, passed 9-14-1982)

No sign shall be permitted:

(A)

In a location which would interfere with the view of any traveler on any roadway of approaching vehicles or of traffic-control devices or signs for a distance of 500 feet;

(B)

On rocks, trees or other perennial plant or on any public utility pole;

(C)

Containing a rotating beam or beam of light resembling an emergency vehicle;

(D)

All non-commercial signs of any size may be posted from August 1 in a state general election year until ten days following the state general election, and in the case of a special election, from 30 days before the special election to ten days after a special election;

(E)

Which casts a distracting or confusing ray of light on to or visible from a public roadway;

(F)

Which interferes with public utility facilities or the maintenance thereof;

(G)

Which obstructs any window, door, fire escape, stairway or opening essential to the provision of light, air, ingress or egress from any building;

(H)

Within 300 feet of a church or school structure along a public roadway;

(I)

Which contain more than two surface areas or facings; and

(J)

Within the right-of-way of any public road, except as erected by an official unit of government for the direction of traffic or necessary public information.

(Ord. 164, passed 9-14-1982)

Cross reference— Penalty, see § 153.999

The following signs will be permitted in all districts, subject to the specific standards indicated:

(A)

Real estate signs, not of exceed 16 square feet in area which advertise the sale, rental or lease of the premise upon which the sign is temporarily located;

(B)

Name, occupation and warning signs, not to exceed 16 square foot in area located on the premises;

(C)

Official signs, such as traffic control, parking restrictions, information and notices;

(D)

Political signs, allowed in any district on private property with the consent of the owner of the property; and (The signs must be removed within seven days following the date of the election or elections to which they applied.)

(E)

Construction signs, not exceeding 32 square feet in area shall be allowed in all zoning districts during construction. The signs shall be removed when the project is completed.

(Ord. 164, passed 9-14-1982)

The following signs shall be exempt from the provisions of this section:

(A)

Signs which advertise goods or services made and/or sold on the premises; provided, that they meet the set-back requirements established for the use, do not contain a total combined surface in excess of 250 square feet, limited to two in number and located within the plot limits of the use;

(B)

Farm product signs provided that they are located on the farm residence property and relate to farm product, merchandise or services sold, produced, manufactured or furnished on farms and provided further that no device shall exceed 20 square feet in area;

(C)

For sale or for rent signs upon real property and advertising the same as being for sale or for rent;

(D)

Directional signs, provided they are of such and meet specifications as the County Highway Department shall impose;

(E)

Signs which either identify personal property or residence and provided that they are affixed flat thereto and do not contain more than two square feet in area; and

(F)

Signs or posters of a miscellaneous character which advertise temporary events, provided they are self-supporting and not tacked, posted, painted or otherwise affixed to walls of buildings, trees, fences or poles. The signs shall be removed 48 hours after the culmination of the special event.

(Ord. 164, passed 9-14-1982)

Signs lawfully existing at the time of the adoption of this chapter may be continued although the use, size or location does not conform with the provisions of this chapter. However, it shall be deemed a nonconforming use.

(Ord. 164, passed 9-14-1982)

(A)

The owner of any sign shall be required to have the sign properly painted at least once every two years, if needed, including all parts and supports of the sign, unless the supports are galvanized or otherwise treated to prevent rust.

(B)

The owner or leaser of any sign or the owner of the land which the sign is located shall keep the grass, weeds or other growth cut and the area free from refuse between the sign and the street and also for a distance of six feet behind and at the ends of the sign.

(Ord. 164, passed 9-14-1982)

Any sign which no longer advertises a bona fide business conducted or a product sold shall be taken down and removed from the owner, agent or persons having the beneficial use of the building or land upon which the sign may be found within ten days after written notice from the Zoning Administrator.

(Ord. 164, passed 9-14-1982)

Any sign which becomes structurally unsafe or endangers the safety of the building or premises or endangers the public safety shall be taken down and removed by the owner, agent or persons having the beneficial use of the building, structure or land upon which the sign is located within ten days after written notification from the Zoning Administrator.

(Ord. 164, passed 9-14-1982)