A. The following standards shall apply to any sign in the AG-I zone:

1. Number.

a. Each development shall have no more than one business identification sign. The sign may be single-faced or double-faced and may be a freestanding, window, wall, roof, fence or projecting type of sign. A business located on a corner lot may have one sign facing each intersecting road, or one sign with two faces at up to 90 degrees from one another, and installed in a manner that provides visibility from both roads. One industrial or business park sign is permitted per contiguous park,

b. All signs shall be on-premises and refer directly to the business, goods and services provided; off-premises signs advertising a commercial or industrial development shall not be permitted;

2. Area.

a. Business identification signs of the window, wall, roof, fence or projecting types shall be no larger than 10 percent of the front face of the primary business structure, provided that such signs may be a minimum of 35 square feet per face. Permitted directional signs shall be no larger than six square feet in area per sign,

b. An industrial or business park sign shall be no larger than 150 square feet in area per face;

3. Height. Wall, projecting or roof signs shall be no higher than 10 feet above the roof or parapet line of the building and in no case greater than 45 feet in height. Exception: Business identification signs may be greater in height if attached flush to auxiliary industrial structures such as water tanks, towers, exhaust stacks and storage elevators. Freestanding signs shall be a maximum of 25 feet in height for any light or heavy industrial use, or the height of the primary structure, whichever is greater. Signs for tourist commercial or regional commercial uses in the unzoned, unincorporated area shall not exceed 45 feet in height;

4. Freestanding signs and other signs not attached to a building shall be set back a minimum of 15 feet from all property lines, or 15 feet from the road right-of-way or easement line. In calculating the setback, the road right-of-way or easement shall be deemed to be 30 feet from the centerline of the road right-of-way or easement, or the actual half-width of the road right-of-way or easement, whichever is greater. No sign may violate the sight distance requirements of CCC 18.10.569;

5. Sign Illumination.

a. The light from any illuminated sign shall be shaded, hooded, shielded or directed so that the light does not cast glare into residential areas, and does not endanger public safety by creating conflicts with traffic or traffic controls,

b. No sign shall have rotating, flashing or blinking lights, or other illuminating devices which change in light intensity, brightness or color. Beacon and search lights are not permitted, except at airports, or as provided in subsection D of this section;

6. Any existing, nonconforming sign shall become conforming at the time the sign is replaced; provided, any existing signs on trees or utility poles shall be removed by December 31, 1993.

B. The following signs are exempt from the standards listed in subsection A of this section:

1. Signs required or authorized by law;

2. Official public notices;

3. The U.S. flag and the flag of any government or noncommercial institution such as a school;

4. Plaques, tablets or inscriptions indicating the name of a building, its date of erection, or other commemorative information, which are an integral part of the building structure or are attached flat to the face of the building, which are nonilluminated, and which do not exceed three square feet in surface area;

5. “No trespassing,” “no dumping,” “no parking,” “private,” and other information or warning signs, which shall not exceed four square feet in surface area;

6. One business or private establishment flag per business premises;

7. Public service directional signs for public buildings such as public schools, libraries, hospitals and similar public services facilities placed within public rights-of-way;

8. Temporary signs, not larger than 32 square feet, for the purpose of endorsing political candidates or ballot propositions, or for advertising fairs, rodeos or similar temporary activities, provided such signs are removed within 15 days following cessation of the activities for which the sign was posted;

9. A single sign for the purpose of advertising a particular lot, building or premises for sale or lease. The sign may not exceed six square feet in area. A corner lot may have two such signs;

10. A temporary agricultural sign that provides directional information to a business offering for sale seasonal agricultural products on the property where the sale is taking place, provided the sign is removed at the end of the agricultural product’s season.

C. Signs – Construction – Content – Maintenance. The following requirements apply to all signs:

1. All signs shall meet the construction and operations standards of the Uniform Sign Code and the National Electrical Code, latest editions and amendments as appropriate. Where conflicting standards between this section and the codes exist, the more stringent shall apply;

2. All signs, including signs installed before the effective date of the ordinance codified in this section, shall be constantly maintained to ensure a state of security, safety and repair. If any sign is found not so maintained or is insecurely fastened or otherwise dangerous, it shall be the duty of the owner or occupant of the premises on which the sign is fastened to repair or remove the sign within five days after receiving notice from the Director or Building Official. The premises surrounding a freestanding sign shall be kept free of rubbish;

3. All freestanding signs shall be designed to prevent automobiles from hitting the sign-supporting structure. Landscaping, curbs or other means may be used to accomplish this.

D. Prohibited Signs. The following signs are not permitted, except as indicated. Prohibited signs are subject to removal at the owner’s expense after appropriate notification by the Director, Building Official or other county official.

1. Signs which are animated, rotate, move, are audible, or illuminated by any intermittent, flashing or scintillating source of light or sound. Signs and displays utilizing banners, pennants, streamers, twirlers or propellers, strings of light, beacon or search lights, flares, balloons and similar devices are permitted only for a maximum of 15 days for grand openings or special sales. The movement of the hands of a clock or digital changes indicating time and temperature are permitted;

2. Signs affixed to or painted on trees, rocks, or other natural features or on utility poles, bridge abutments and other public structures, unless otherwise permitted as official signs;

3. Window signs containing material unrelated to the merchandise for sale or service performed by the person or business on whose property the sign is located; provided, however, on-premises signs may call the attention of the public to public holidays or community events, the time and temperature;

4. Unofficial signs that, for advertising purposes, imitate or resemble an official traffic sign or signal, or bear the words, “stop,” “caution,” “danger,” “warning” or similar words;

5. Signs which, by reason of their size, location, movement, content, coloring or manner of illumination may be confused with or construed as a traffic control sign, signal or device, or the light of an emergency or radio equipment vehicle; or which obstruct the visibility of any traffic or road sign or signal device;

6. Signs that promote an illegal activity. [Ord. 94-005, § 36, 1-3-94.]