This chapter, together with future amendments thereof, shall be known and may be cited as the City of Coweta Sign Code.

(Ord. No. 716, 4-4-2011)

The purpose and general intent of this chapter is as follows:

1. To provide for the appropriate use and location of signs in a manner that will not adversely affect or impact property values, compatibility of land use, community appearance and identity, and to otherwise promote the general welfare, public safety, convenience and order to the City.
2. To establish standards and guidelines for the design, erection and installation of signs and other visual communication devices so that the City may appear orderly and to prevent the needless clutter in appearance within the City by signs unreasonable in number, location, area and illumination.
3. To provide for the issuance, revocation, inspection and identification of signs within the City.
4. To provide for the removal of any sign that is in violation of or in nonconformance with the intent and purpose of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 716, 4-4-2011)

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

A-frame sign means any sign of a structural framework with steeply angled sides meeting at the top like the sides of the letter A. Such signs may also be known as sandwich board signs. There shall be a one-time permit fee per the fee schedule.

Abandoned sign means any sign that advertises a business, lessor, owner, product, service or activity that is no longer located on the premises where the sign is displayed.

Advertising devices means banners, streamers, wires, rope, wind-operated devices, flashing lights or other similar contrivances affixed to poles to highlight a sign.

Area marker means a sign that designates or identifies a subdivision or development.

Awnings means any structure made of cloth or metal with a metal frame attached to a building and not projecting over a public right-of-way when so constructed to permit its being lowered to a position not over the public right-of-way and to permit its being raised to a position flat against a building when not in use.

Billboard means a sign that is designed for changeable messages which advertises or directs attention to a business, commodity, service or entertainment conducted, sold or offered elsewhere than on the premises upon which the sign is located or to impart a public service message. The billboard sign is usually larger than eight feet by four feet in dimensions and may be owned by a commercial company that leases or rents the billboard space for advertising purposes.

Business sign means any display, device, figure, plaque, poster or sign maintained or used to advertise or to inform or to direct the attention of the public to a business or activity conducted upon the premises upon which such sign is located or to a product or service sold or rendered thereon.

Changeable copy sign means a sign designed to allow changing of copy manually.

Community kiosk sign means a City-provided informational sign structure with leased sign panels for the purpose of providing directional information for: single-unit and multi-unit residential developments, commercial developments, local businesses, not-for-profit agencies, and community facilities. The community kiosk sign is classified as an exempt sign in CCC 12-13-21.

Contractor sign means a sign that denotes the architect, engineer, contractor, lending institution or other related business when placed upon work under construction.

Copy means words, letters, numbers, figures, designs or other symbolic representations incorporated into a sign.

Double-face sign means an advertising structure with faces in opposing directions and using the same supports, hardware and frame.

Face means that area of a business sign containing the advertising information, painting, drawing or message intended or used to advise or inform and excludes trim and supports.

Face of building means the total area of the main wall of a building, including windows, doors and openings, that abuts the front yard of a building or walls that are located on the front property line. On corner lots, the face of the building shall include main walls facing the front yard and side yard or main walls fronting on all front and side property lines.

Flashing sign means any sign, the illumination of which is not constant in intensity when in use, except that illuminated signs, which indicate the date, time or temperature, or other public service information, shall not be considered flashing signs. Flashing signs are not permitted inside the City limits.

Garage sale sign means signs advertising garage sales or the sale of tangible personal property and include lawn sales, attic sales, flea market sales and similar sales of personal property. Said signs are allowed on-site only.

Ground sign means any business sign which is not attached to a building but is supported by braces, post, or by any other means than by attachment to a building support.

Height of sign means the vertical distance from ground level to the uppermost point of the sign.

Illegal sign means any of the following:

1. A sign erected without first obtaining a permit and complying with all regulations in effect at the time of its construction or use;
2. A sign that was legally erected but the use of which has ceased because the business it identifies is no longer conducted on the premises;
3. A nonconforming sign for which the amortization period has expired;
4. A sign that was legally erected which later became nonconforming and then was damaged to the extent of 50 percent or more of its current replacement value;
5. A sign that is a danger to the public or is unsafe; or
6. A sign that pertains to a specific event that has not been removed within five days after the occurrence of the event. This sign is subject to a fine per the fee schedule.

Inflatable means any sign or inflatable device of more than two cubic feet in capacity, designed to be filled with air or a gas lighter than air, used singly or in cluster, displayed to attract the attention of the public. This definition shall include balloons and balloon signs.

Marquee means a roof-like structure of a permanent nature that projects from the wall of a building and may overhang the public way. Changeable lettering may be a part thereof.

Maximum display surface means the area of the smallest geometric figure, or the sum of the combination of regular geometric figures, which comprises the face of the sign. The area of any double-sided or V-shaped sign shall be the area of the largest single face only. The area of a sphere shall be computed as the area of a circle. The area of all other multiple-sided signs shall be computed as 50 percent of the sum of the area of all faces of the sign.

Menu board sign means any sign which directs attention to a restaurant menu as an accessory structure to the restaurant with drive-through facilities. Such a sign may be illuminated and freestanding and contain a two-way communication system for the purpose of food ordering only.

Monument sign means a freestanding sign with a base affixed to the ground, where the length of the base is at least two-thirds the horizontal length of the monument.

Moving sign means any sign which moves or has moving parts other than parts which indicate time, temperature or other moving devices which provide needed public service information.

Nonconforming sign means an advertising structure or sign which was lawfully erected and maintained prior to the effective date of the ordinance from which this chapter is derived, and which has subsequently come under the requirements of this title but does not now completely comply.

Off-site advertising sign means any sign which directs the attention of the public, the business or activity conducted or product or service sold or offered at a location not on the same premises where such outdoor advertising sign is located.

Pole sign means a freestanding sign with a base supported from the ground by a pole or a similar support structure of narrow width.

Premises means an area under a single ownership or a single lease, no part of which is separated from the other by any land under a different ownership or lease agreement.

Projecting sign means any sign which is firmly attached to a building and extends outward therefrom.

Right-of-way means defined by the Coweta major street and highway plan. The actual street pavement, plus the defined distance for future expansion of individual streets and highways located within the City corporate limits.

Roof sign means any sign erected, constructed, or maintained upon the roof of any building.

Sign means an identification, description, illustration, or device which is affixed to or represented directly or indirectly upon a building, structure, or land and which directs attention to a product, place, activity, person, institution or business.

Sign area means the entire area of the actual message or copy area. It shall include decorative trim or embellishments but shall not include structural elements outside the limits of such display surface and not forming an integral part of the display. On all signs, all faces shall be counted in computing the sign area.

Special event means an event, activity, sale or service, or other occasion that is temporary or seasonal in nature, is limited in duration, and is not regularly repeated within the same calendar year. For the purposes of this definition, a special promotion or other similar occasion shall be deemed to be synonymous. A slogan (e.g., the store with the best bargains) shall not be deemed a special event. This shall be defined as once a year for less than 30 days at a time.

Street or highway frontage means the distance along any one side of any public street or highway, street or alley, measured along the right-of-way line or parallel to the normal right-of-way line where the right-of-way line is not affixed.

Temporary sign means any sign intended to be displayed for a limited period of time and capable of being viewed from any public right-of-way, parking area or neighboring property. Portable signs or any sign not permanently embedded in the ground, or not permanently affixed to a building or sign structure are considered temporary signs. 30 days or less.

Vehicle sign means a sign that is attached to or painted on a vehicle that is parked on or adjacent to any property, the principal purpose of which is to attract attention to a product sold or business located on the property.

Wall sign means any sign which is painted on or firmly attached to a wall of any building and which does not extend beyond the building more than 12 inches.

Window sign means a sign posted, painted, placed, or affixed in or on a window exposed to public view. An interior sign that faces a window exposed to public view that is located within three feet of the window is also considered a window sign.

(Ord. No. 716, 4-4-2011; Ord. No. 830, § 2, 2-3-2020)

Editor's note—See also CCC 12-2-2.

Sign Types

1. Permits required; exemptions.
   1. No signs, except for temporary real estate signs located on and offering property for sale or for rent, having six square feet or less of display surface, may be constructed or erected within the City without first receiving a sign permit.
   2. Regarding permits for banners, portable and promotional signs, see CCC 12-13-15.
   3. A sign permitted for use shall not be changed at a later time to a different use without receipt of a permit for the new intended use.
2. Application for permit. Applications for sign permits must include, but are not limited to, the following information:
   1. Proof of ownership or written permission of the owner of the lot upon which the proposed sign will be constructed.
   2. A detailed site plan of the property showing the proposed sign location and all structures and easements and driveways.
   3. The proposed dimensions of the sign and a description of the method of supporting the sign.
   4. The measurement of distances from the proposed signs to the designated state or federal highway, turnpike, street or relevant boundary of different zoning districts from the district in which the proposed sign is to be located.
   5. The name and business address of the licensed sign contractor and the licensed electrical contractor or licensed electrical sign contractor if the sign is electrically powered.
   6. The name and contact information of the sign owner.
   7. Type of sign requested: Ground/wall/projecting etc., permanent or temporary, illuminated or not illuminated.
3. Permit fees.
   1. Sign permit fees are as per the fee schedule as approved by the Coweta City Council.
   2. Included in the permit fee is an inspection that is required by the City. It is the responsibility of the owner/erector of the sign to contact the Community Development Department for an inspection upon completion of the installation of the sign.

(Ord. No. 716, 4-4-2011; altered in 2023 recodification)

All permanent signs which are permitted under this chapter, or any future amendments hereto, shall be installed by licensed sign contractors in accord with the locations and plans approved at the time of application for a sign permit.

(Ord. No. 716, 4-4-2011)

1. Street setback. No sign or portion thereof shall be permitted in the right-of-way of any street or area designated in the most recently adopted Coweta major street and highway plan as a future street under any circumstances except authorized traffic signals, signs or devices.
2. Intersection setback. No sign shall be located less than 35 feet from the intersection of the pavement of two streets or from the intersection of street pavement and a railroad track. The point of intersection shall be measured from the edge of the paving.
3. Traffic signal clearance. No sign shall be located in such a manner as to obstruct or obscure or in any manner interfere with any traffic signal light or public warning sign.
4. Obstruction of view. Signs, when located in such a manner so as to prevent any motorists from obtaining a clear view of approaching vehicles for a distance of 500 feet along any public right-of-way, are prohibited.
5. Business signs near residential districts or City parks. No business sign shall be located within 50 feet of an R district or City park if visible from such district or park.
6. Permanent ground signs.
   1. All permanent ground signs shall maintain a separation of 50 feet from any other ground sign.
   2. All permanent ground signs shall have a landscaped area at the base of the sign equal to the area of the sign if located outside the downtown historical district.
7. Signs attached to utilities and structures. No signage of any kind shall be affixed to any type of utility pole, line, fence, tree, wire, transformer, mailbox or similar device or structure.

(Ord. No. 716, 4-4-2011)

1. For the purpose of display surface area calculations, where a lot abuts more than one public street, that street frontage which is the larger shall be used.
2. Only one side of a double-faced sign shall be included in the computation of display surface area. Double-sided signs may be separated, as long as the interior angle formed by the intersection of the two display surfaces does not exceed 30 degrees.
3. Illumination, if any, shall be by constant light. No signs with flashing lights/strobes or similar features are permitted.
4. The following signs shall not be prohibited by this chapter if located outside the right-of-way, and further, will not be included in the computation of display surface area for other permitted signs:
   1. Nameplates attached to the face of the wall and not exceeding two square feet in surface area.
   2. On-site temporary real estate signs on the property, indicating that said property is for sale or rent.
   3. On-site temporary construction signs, which are faced to display along arterial street frontages, and not exceeding one-half square foot per linear foot of arterial street frontage; however, such temporary construction signs shall be restricted to 32 square feet of display area.
   4. Signs which are not visible from a public street.
   5. Tablets built into the wall of a building or other structure being used for inscriptions, memorials, or similar historic or dedicatory purposes.
   6. Noncommercial signs of warning, directive, or instructional nature erected by a public agency, franchised transportation, utility company, or governmental agency.
   7. Legal notices required by law to be posted.
   8. Election campaign signs may not exceed 16 square feet of display surface area.
   9. Signs which are attached by the manufacturer and function as labels.
   10. Signs located on accessory equipment or structures which identify the manufacturer, make or model, and which are limited to 15 square inches or less for each piece of equipment or structure. By way of example, such equipment may include, but not be limited to, satellite dishes, air conditioners, fence components and similar items.
   11. Street address numbers painted on the structure or curb at the property owners' discretion, not less than four inches in height with a minimum stroke width of one-half inch and shall be made of a reflective material, or may be lighted, or have a contrasting color, so that they can easily be seen during the day and readable from the abutting street.
       
       Editor's note—See also CCC 11-7-3.
   12. Sign painted or posted on the glass surface of windows or doors and pertaining to the business conducted therein.
   13. Signs containing facsimiles of traffic control devices of any sort within 100 feet of the point of intersection of two or more public streets.
   14. Revolving red or blue lights.
   15. Signs containing light exceeding an illumination of seventy 70 footcandles as measured at a two-foot distance from the source of illumination.

(Ord. No. 716, 4-4-2011; Ord. No. 840, § 1, 12-7-2020)

The following are use conditions for the agriculture district.

1. Principal use signs. Signs as a principal use are not allowed in the agriculture district.
2. Accessory use signs. Signs as an accessory use are subject to the following conditions:
   1. Business signs may only be erected on a lot upon which a business is located, advertising products or services available on the property where the sign is located. All signs erected on such lots shall be oriented to be read from such highways and meet all state and federal regulations.
   2. The maximum display surface of ground signs shall be limited to an aggregate of one square foot of display area per each linear foot of street frontage, provided that no single sign shall exceed 300 square feet.
   3. A minimum of 500 feet spacing shall be maintained between signs except in the case of back-to-back signs, V-shaped signs subject to CCC 12-13-8B, or signs separated by a building or other obstruction.
   4. 
      
      1. A ground sign shall not exceed three feet in height, measured from the mean curb level of the lot upon which it is erected, unless, in addition to the minimum setbacks prescribed in CCC 12-13-7, the sign is set back one foot for each foot of height exceeding 30 feet, provided the sign shall not exceed 50 feet regardless of setback.
      2. Within 100 feet of the right-of-way of an abutting elevated street, a ground sign may be erected to a height 15 feet above the elevation of the street if the sign is designed to be viewed primarily from the elevated street and the sign does not exceed 60 feet.
   5. One bulletin board may be erected on each street frontage of an educational, religious, institutional, or similar use requiring announcement of its activities. The bulletin board shall not exceed 20 square feet in area nor ten feet in height.
   6. One identification sign may be erected on each street frontage of a permitted nonresidential use. The sign shall not exceed 32 square feet in surface area or 15 feet in height.
   7. A real estate sign advertising the sale, rental, or lease of the premises may be erected on each street frontage of the premises. The sign shall not exceed 80 square feet in surface area or 15 feet in height.

(Ord. No. 716, 4-4-2011)

The following are use conditions for the residential district.

1. Principal use signs. Signs as principal uses are not allowed in residential districts.
2. Accessory use signs. Signs as accessory uses are subject to the following conditions:
   1. One bulletin board may be erected on each street frontage of an educational, religious, institutional, or similar use requiring announcement of its activities. The bulletin board shall not exceed 12 square feet in area nor ten feet in height.
   2. One subdivision identification sign may be erected on each street frontage of a permitted nonresidential use. The sign shall not exceed 32 square feet in surface area nor ten feet in height.
   3. During the period of construction, a temporary sign advertising the construction of improvements on the premises may be erected on each perimeter street frontage of the development. The sign shall not exceed 64 square feet in surface area nor 15 feet in height, and illumination, if any, shall be by constant light. All such signs must be removed upon completion of construction or revocation of the building permits being issued on more than 75 percent of the lots in the subdivision will occur.
   4. A temporary real estate sign advertising the sale, rental, or lease of the premises may be erected on each street frontage of a lot. The sign shall not exceed six square feet in surface area and shall not be illuminated in any way.
   5. No signs are permitted for home occupations per CCC 12-5-4G or neighborhood group homes per CCC 12-5-5C.
3. Temporary directional real estate signs. No signage shall be placed or maintained on any public right-of-way or easements. In addition to other allowed signage, one temporary direction sign may be placed on private property, with the consent of the property owner, provided that:
   1. Such sign shall not exceed four square feet in area per side and 42 inches in height;
   2. Such sign shall remain in place only from 9:00 a.m. Friday until 9:00 a.m. Monday;
   3. Such sign directs traffic to property in the district.
4. Garage/yard sale signs. Garage/yard sale signs shall be exempt, provided that:
   1. The sign shall not exceed four square feet in surface area if the sign is single-faced or eight square feet in surface area if the sign is double-faced.
   2. Only one sign shall be permitted for each lot where the garage/yard sale is being held; provided, however, that one sign shall be permitted along each side of a lot abutting a public street up to a maximum of two signs per lot.
   3. The sign shall not exceed five feet in height from grade.
   4. The sign shall be placed on private property on the premises of the sale and set back from any public right-of-way.
   5. Any garage sale sign not picked up by the operator of the garage sale, the City Code Enforcement Officer will consider it a nuisance and will follow that procedure.
   6. Two temporary off-site garage sale signs are permitted at the closest major intersections to the site of the garage sale, provided the follow conditions are met:
      1. A sign permit application is submitted and approved by the Community Development Department.
      2. Written permission is obtained and submitted with the sign application to the Community Development Department from the landowner of the property on which the off-site sign is placed.

(Ord. No. 716, 4-4-2011; altered in 2023 recodification)

Editor's note—See also CCC 4-7-3C.

The following are use conditions for the office district.

1. Principal use signs. Signs as a principal use are not allowed in the office district.
2. Accessory use signs. Signs as accessory uses are subject to the following conditions:
   1. One business sign not exceeding 32 square feet in surface area may be erected on each street frontage of a lot. Ground signs shall not exceed the height of the building in which the principal use is located or 15 feet in height, whichever is lower.
   2. During the period of construction, a temporary sign advertising the construction of improvements on the premises may be located on each street frontage of the development. The sign shall not exceed 32 square feet in surface area nor 15 feet in height.
   3. A temporary real estate sign advertising the sale, rental or lease of the premises may be erected on each street frontage of a lot. The sign shall not exceed 32 square feet in surface area nor ten feet in height.

(Ord. No. 716, 4-4-2011; altered in 2023 recodification)

The following are use conditions for the commercial and industrial districts:

1. Principal use signs. Signs as a principal use are not allowed in the commercial and industrial districts.
2. Accessory use signs. Signs as accessory uses are subject to the following conditions:
   1. Height requirements.
      1. 
         
         1. A ground sign shall not exceed 20 feet in height, measured from the mean curb level of the lot upon which it is erected, unless, in addition to the minimum setback prescribed in CCC 12-13-7, the sign is set back one foot for each foot of height exceeding 20 feet, provided the sign shall not exceed 50 feet regardless of setback.
         2. Within 100 feet of the right-of-way of an abutting elevated street, a ground sign may be erected to a height of 15 feet above the elevation of the street if the sign is designed to be viewed primarily from the elevated street and the sign does not exceed 60 feet.
      2. A roof sign shall not extend more than 12 feet above the mean roof level of the structure to which it is affixed.
      3. A projecting sign shall not extend more than nine feet above the mean roof level of the structure to which it is affixed.
   2. Display surface area requirements.
      1. The maximum display surface area of ground signs shall be limited to an aggregate of one square foot of display area per each linear foot of street frontage.
      2. The maximum display surface area for wall, canopy, roof and projecting signs shall be limited to one square foot per each linear foot of building wall to which the sign or signs are attached.
      3. Signs are permitted as accessory uses in the CN Neighborhood Commercial District, subject to the following conditions:
         1. All business signs shall not exceed an aggregate display surface area of one square foot of display area per each linear foot of street frontage.
         2. A ground sign shall not exceed 20 feet in height, measured from the mean curb level of the lot upon which erected.
      4. During the period of subdivision construction, a temporary sign advertising the construction of improvements on the premises may be located on each street frontage of the development. The sign shall not exceed 32 square feet in surface area nor ten feet in height.
      5. A temporary real estate sign advertising the sale, rental or lease of the premises may be erected on each street frontage of a lot. The sign shall not exceed 32 square feet in surface nor ten feet in height.

(Ord. No. 716, 4-4-2011; altered in 2023 recodification)

Signs in planned unit developments (PUD) shall be governed by this chapter but may be modified by the express terms of the PUD.

(Ord. No. 716, 4-4-2011)

Political campaign signs are allowed in any zoning district. No political campaign signs shall be permitted on public property, and they shall be permitted on private property only with the consent of the property owner; the display surface area of each political campaign sign located in R or O zoning districts shall not exceed 16 square feet in surface area; only one side of a double-faced sign shall be computed in the computation of display area. These signs shall not to be located in any public park or City-owned property.

(Ord. No. 716, 4-4-2011; Ord. No. 840, § 2, 12-7-2020)

1. A banner, portable or promotional sign shall be permitted only as provided herein, and such permits will be limited to not more than four per year for any single business. The banners, portable or promotional signs shall be used for a period of not more than 30 days on any one occasion. Permits issued under this chapter must be used within 12 months from the date the first permit is issued, are not transferable, and may not be renewed by the permit holder or by others for that location within one year.
2. Signs previously permitted or allowed shall not be exempt from this section.
3. All banners, portable or promotional signs shall conform to the zoning requirements for the location in which they are used, as well as those in CCC 12-13-5B, 12-13-7, 12-13-8, 12-13-13 and 12-13-16 through 12-13-19.
4. Banners, portable and promotional signs shall be located only on privately owned or leased property, advertising products or services available on the property where the sign is located.
5. The banner, portable or promotional sign designation does not apply to business identification signs on company vehicles used in the daily operation of the business.
6. Vehicles with signage may not be parked off-site or on-site for the principal use of advertising.
7. No portable sign shall be placed unless such sign is anchored at each support by a steel rod driven at least 18 inches into the ground, or unless said sign is attached by a steel chain having at least three-fourths inch links or by a steel cable of at least one-half inch diameter to a building or to a permanent ground sign, or similar upright supporting structure. Regardless of any other provisions to the contrary, all signs and other advertising structures shall be designed and constructed to withstand a wind pressure of not less than 40 pounds per square foot of area or of materials which are unlikely to become dangerous projectiles when propelled by windstorms.
8. Real estate signs are regulated in the usage guidelines for the zoning district in which they are located.
9. The permit fee for banners, portable and promotional signs shall be per the fee schedule per a 30-day permitted time period, plus an additional fee per the fee schedule if the sign requires an electrical connection. If electricity is required, the installation shall conform to the current building and electrical codes and be installed by a licensed electrical contractor who holds a current City contractor's license. See CCC 11-1-1 and 11-4-1, respectively, of this Code.
10. Signs for temporary fireworks stands must follow the same permit procedure as a permanent sign.
11. Permanent banner signs are permitted in nonresidential zoning districts. One sign is permitted per street frontage, per lot of record.

(Ord. No. 716, 4-4-2011)

All signs, together with all their supports, braces, guys and anchors, shall be kept in good repair and in a proper state of preservation. The Code Enforcement Officer may order the removal of any sign that is not maintained in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 716, 4-4-2011)

1. Signs that have not been issued a sign permit by the City shall not be located in any zoning district of the City, provided that signs which were legally permitted by the previous sign regulations prior to the effective date of the ordinance from which this chapter is derived, or signs which were permitted by the county under previous regulations prior to annexation may continue to exist and receive ordinary maintenance unless and until the use of the sign is discontinued for a period of two years, or the structure of the sign is damaged or destroyed in excess of 50 percent of its value, at which time, such sign must fully comply with the requirements of this chapter. Banners, portable and promotional signs are covered in CCC 12-13-15.
2. A lawful sign that was erected with a sign permit before the effective date of the ordinance from which this chapter is derived shall not be rebuilt, refurbished, revised or relocated without conforming to the requirements set forth herein.

(Ord. No. 716, 4-4-2011; altered in 2023 recodification)

1. The following signs shall be prohibited within the City:
   1. Off-site advertising signs.
   2. Billboard signs regulated by other sections of this chapter.
   3. Signs erected in violation of this chapter, the City's Building and Electrical Codes, or other applicable local regulations.
      
      Editor's note—See CCC 11-1-1 and 11-4-1, respectively.
   4. Illuminated signs being powered by extension cords.
   5. Signs erected in violation of federal or state law.
   6. Portable signs and plastic arrow signs, except as allowed as temporary signage or in the downtown district.
   7. Animated flashing, rotating or revolving signs. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to prohibit time and temperature or other public interest electronic message signs which otherwise conform to the provisions of this chapter.
   8. Signs on vehicles used or intended to be used as an on-premises sign. It shall be prima facie evidence that a sign is used as an on-premises sign if a vehicle is parked on site for a continuous period exceeding 48 hours.
   9. Temporary off-site signs including portable and portable flashing arrow signs and banners.
   10. Any inflatable sign.
   11. Any advertising flag, except as provide for special events.
   12. Any obsolete sign, if not deemed historical by the City Council.
2. Additional prohibitions.
   1. It shall be unlawful for any person to display upon any sign or other advertising structure any obscene, indecent or immoral matter.
   2. No placards, leaflets, handbills or other similar signs shall be placed on the exterior wall or window of any building or public property in any district. All persons placing such materials, and all occupants and owners of buildings upon which such materials are placed, shall be responsible for violation of this chapter and punishable as per CCC 12-13-23.
   3. Permanent use of a temporary portable sign shall not be allowed in any zoning district.

(Ord. No. 716, 4-4-2011; altered in 2023 recodification)

1. Any unlawful sign (without a sign permit) in the City and those signs which no longer advertise a bona fide business being conducted or a product being sold shall, within 30 days after written notification from the Code Enforcement Officer, be taken down and removed by the owner, agent or person having the beneficial use of the building or structure upon which such sign may be found. See CCC 12-13-23D for penalty provisions.
2. For unlawful signs located on City property, the right-of-way shown on the Coweta major street and highway plan and/or City easements, including signs in violation of this chapter, the City Code Enforcement Officer, or other employee designated by the City Manager, shall have the authority to immediately remove such signs. In addition to the penalty provisions set forth in CCC 12-13-23D, any person seeking to retain custody of an unlawful sign removed from City property, City right-of-way, or City easements, shall pay to the City an administrative storage fee per the fee schedule. After at least ten days of storage, the City shall have the sign either recycled or otherwise properly disposed.

(Ord. No. 716, 4-4-2011)

1. General criteria. The City Board of Adjustment may grant a variance to the requirements of this chapter only if the applicant demonstrates compliance with the following criteria:
   1. That the variance is necessary due to extraordinary or peculiar circumstances related to the size, shape, topography, or location of the subject property.
   2. That the extraordinary or exceptional conditions of the subject property are not a direct result of the actions of the applicant.
   3. That the variance, as granted, represents the least deviation from the prescribed regulations necessary to accomplish the purpose for which the variance is sought and which is consistent with the stated intent of this chapter.
   4. That the granting of the variance shall result in greater convenience to the public in identifying the business location for which a variance from this chapter is sought.
   5. That the granting of the variance will not be detrimental to the public welfare, will not constitute a public nuisance or adversely affect public safety.
   6. That the granting of the variance will not interfere with the location and identification of adjacent businesses, buildings or activities.
2. Variance for off-site advertising. The City Board of Adjustment may grant a variance to the regulations of this chapter only if the applicant demonstrates complete compliance with the following criteria:
   1. All requests for off-site advertising shall be submitted to the Board of Adjustment for approval. The request must contain a detailed drawing of the sign, the requested location for the sign and a statement of hardship as to why off-site signage is a must for the business. Any sign approved for off-site advertising must meet the following requirements:
      1. No off-site advertisement will be allowed that is not approved by the City Board of Adjustment. For any sign that is constructed off-site from the business without prior approval granted by the Board of Adjustment, there will be assessed a $200.00 fine.
      2. There will be a minimum separation of 400 feet between all off-site signs.
      3. No sign will be placed closer than 65 feet from centerline of the roadway and no closer than 25 feet from any railroad tracks and not within the public right-of-way.
      4. No sign shall be placed closer than 125 feet from the corner of any intersection.
      5. Any sign to be placed on private property must have a lease agreement from the property owner submitted with the request package.
      6. All signs will be permitted for 12 months and, at the end of the permit period, a reapplication and issuance of a permit, without costs, will be required to ensure compliance. For any sign that is deemed out of compliance, there will be given 14 business days to fix any and all problems or the sign will be removed. For any sign that is removed by the City for failure of compliance, there will be assessed a $50.00 fine for removal.
   2. Design and construction requirements are as follows:
      1. Signs shall be professionally designed and constructed to compliment the community.
      2. Signs placed near intersections will be no larger than eight feet by eight feet.
      3. Signs placed in between intersections will be one of three sizes, but no larger than four feet by eight feet or four feet by six feet and no smaller than four feet by four feet.
      4. All signs may be two-sided advertising and may be shared by separate businesses. If not, then the back side must be encased with MDO board, white in color. No other color will be allowed.
      5. All signs must be built to withstand wind loads and cannot have any braces placed to support the sign other than the poles used to place the sign in the ground.
      6. No sign will have metal poles to support the sign in order to prevent breakaway ability.
      7. All signs shall be made of one-half inch, pre-finished MDO board and framed with four-inch by four-inch, five-inch by five-inch or six-inch by six-inch treated lumber, which must be encased with finished white MDO board. No other color for encasement will be allowed.
      8. The bottom of all signs will be no higher than 24 inches and no lower than 12 inches from the ground surface.
   3. Side street directional off-site sign requirements are as follows:
      1. Any side street business may request directional signs by submitting a request through the Board of Adjustment and must follow the same requirements as outlined above.
      2. Directional signs placed on buildings, at an alley or intersection to direct traffic to businesses down a side street and/or alleys may be permitted if permission is granted by the building owner. This permission must be in writing and submitted with the request.
      3. All signs shall be two feet by three feet and shall be professionally designed and constructed and must compliment the colors and material of the building to which it is applied.

(Ord. No. 716, 4-4-2011; altered in 2023 recodification)

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

1. Official notices authorized by a court, public body or public safety official.
2. Directional, warning or informational signs authorized by the federal, state, or municipal government.
3. Memorial plaques, building identification signs and building cornerstones when cut or carved into a masonry surface or when made of noncombustible material and made an integral part of the building or structure.
4. The flag of a government or noncommercial institution such as a school.
5. Religious symbols and seasonal decorations within the appropriate public holiday season.
6. Works of fine art displayed in conjunction with a commercial enterprise where the enterprise does not receive direct commercial gain.
7. Street address signs and combination nameplate and street address signs that contain no advertising copy and which do not exceed four square feet in area.
8. Community kiosk sign, as further discussed in CCC 12-13-22.

(Ord. No. 716, 4-4-2011; Ord. No. 830, § 3, 2-3-2020)

1. City community kiosk signs, with sign panels for annual lease, may be authorized for the purpose of providing directional information for single-unit and multiple-unit residential developments, commercial developments, local businesses, not-for-profit agencies, and community facilities. A community kiosk sign may be single or double faced.
2. Maximum sign height for a kiosk sign structure shall be 12 feet, maximum sign width shall be six feet. Leasable sign panels shall be 19.5 inches by 50 inches.
3. Sign panels shall be located on designated City-owned kiosk structures within the public right-of-way, or, upon finding that such location will not permit adequate directional information, kiosk structures may be approved on private property (with a sign easement designating the City as a third party beneficiary) with the written permission of the property owner. Such permission shall include the consent of the property owners to allow the City, in the event of noncompliance, to enter said property and remove the sign.
   1. Each City community kiosk sign panel may contain only the name of the subdivision or builder or new multifamily development, commercial development, local business, not-for-profit agency, community facility, the corporate logo, and a directional arrow.
   2. No kiosk sign shall be placed within 100 feet of another except when they are on opposite sides of the same street.
   3. Any directional sign panels shall conform to colors and design standards (set forth or approved) by the City.
   4. Any sign panel approved for a particular development project within the City shall not be changed to another project without prior approval of the City.
4. Community kiosk sign submittal and permit requirements.
   1. Community kiosk sign panel permit is required for inclusion in the kiosk program. Permit applications shall be made in writing on forms provided by the City. The following information shall be required as part of the community kiosk sign panel permit application and approval process:
      1. Copy/wording/logo for sign panel.
      2. Location of project, for directional purposes.
      3. Designation of community kiosk sign location.
   2. One copy of all information listed above shall be submitted with the application for each sign panel. One application per applicant, for more than one sign panel to be located on the same kiosk structure is allowed.
   3. Before issuing any the permit required by this code, the City shall collect fees in accordance with a current fee schedule established by the City Council.
   4. Once reviewed and approved, the City will order the sign panel and have them installed per the approved permit.

(Ord. No. 830, § 4(18.17), 2-3-2020)

1. The installation of any sign without obtaining the required permit is punishable under CCC 1-4-1 and shall be subject to double the permit fees per the fee schedule.
2. In addition to available penalties, violation of any portion of the zoning title may be abated as a public nuisance upon the order of the City Manager or designees. However, the City Manager shall provide an appropriate hearing after contacting the sign owner no later than 14 days following the abatement, and the sign shall be preserved by the City until after the hearing. In the event the abatement of a sign is determined to be proper at the hearing, or if the hearing is waived, the costs of abatement may be assessed in accordance with state law.
3. Based upon the determination of the Community Development Department, if a sign was erected inside the City limits without a sign permit, after the effective date of the ordinance from which this chapter is derived, the owner shall pay twice the normal sign permit fee.
4. 
   
   1. The violation of any provision of this chapter shall be a municipal offense and shall be subject to a minimum $500.00 fine. Every day of violation shall be a separate and distinct offense.
   2. If a City Code Enforcement Officer, or other employee designated by the City Manager to enforce provisions of this chapter, shall find that any sign or other advertising structure regulated by this chapter is unsafe or insecure, or is a nuisance to the public or has been constructed or erected or is being maintained in violation of this chapter, he or she shall have the authority to issue a notice to appear citation.
   3. In addition to the issuance of a notice to appear citation, the City shall have the authority to cause the removal of the unlawful sign and to have the reasonable costs of such removal, and related administrative cost, assessed against the property where the unlawful sign was located.

(Ord. No. 716, 4-4-2011; altered in 2023 recodification)