(a)

The purpose of this article is to promote proper signage that provides a strong visual character in the County and promotes the public health, safety and welfare by providing standards to ensure against signs which:

(1)

Unduly distract or obstruct the vision of motorists and pedestrians;

(2)

Are structurally unsafe; and

(3)

By their location, design or materials, create hazardous conditions for the public.

(b)

This article shall govern and control the erection, remodeling, enlarging, moving, maintenance and operation of all exterior signs within all zoning districts established by this chapter. This article shall be applicable only to those signs that are visible from public rights-of-way and adjoining properties. All applicants for sign permits shall adhere to the design standards for signs furnished by the County Administrator's office.

(Ord. No. 15-04, 9-2-2015)

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

Banner sign means any sign intended to be hung either with or without frames, possessing characters, letters, illustrations or ornamentations applied to paper, plastic or fabric of any kind. National flags, flags of political subdivisions, and symbolic flags of any institution or business shall not be considered banners for the purpose of this article.

Canopy sign means a sign affixed to any roof-like projection attached to a building.

Changeable copy sign means a sign that is designed so that characters, letters or illustrations can be changed or rearranged without altering the face or surface of the sign. Changeable copy signs may include signs with copy changed manually, or signs that contain internal lighting that changes to vary the contents of signs. Electronic changeable copy signs that have a cycle time of more than four (4) seconds are not considered animated signs.

Directional sign means any designed and located to mark a site feature, assist in traffic operations, or assist in locating a thing or place.

Freestanding sign means any sign which is supported by structures or supports in or upon the ground and independent of support from any building.

Identification sign means a sign not exceeding sixteen (16) square feet of sign area identifying only the name and address of the dwelling, farm, subdivision or planned development and/or dwelling owner or manager.

Menu board means a free-standing sign oriented to the drive-through lane for a restaurant that advertises the menu items available from the drive-through window.

Off-premise sign means a sign which directs attention to a profession, business, commodity, service or entertainment other than one conducted, sold or offered upon the premises where such sign is located, or on the building to which such sign is affixed.

Project identification sign means a sign identifying a residential, industrial, commercial or public development project, its occupants, or both.

Roof sign means any sign erected or constructed wholly upon and over the roof of any building and supported solely on the roof structure, as that term is defined and illustrated in the international zoning code.

Sign means any exterior display of letters, words, numerals, figures, devices, emblems, pictures or any parts or combinations, by any means whereby the sign is made visible for the purpose of making anything known, whether such display is made on, attached to, or as a part of a structure, ground, any rock, tree or other natural object, which display is visible beyond the boundaries of the parcel of land on which the same is made. A display of less than one (1) square foot in area is excluded from this definition.

Sign area means the surface upon, against or through which the sign copy is displayed or illustrated, not including structural supports, architectural features of a building or sign structure, nonstructural or decorative trim, or any areas, that are separated from the background surface upon which the sign copy is displayed by a distinct delineation, such as a reveal or border.

Street banner sign means any banner sign which is stretched across and hung over a public right-of-way, with the exception of any sign used in conjunction with County, state or federally sponsored events or activities.

Temporary sign means any sign, banner, pennant or other advertising medium intended to be displayed for a short period of time as regulated by the provisions of this chapter.

Wall or fascia sign means any sign attached to and supported by the exterior surface of the wall of a building or structure in a place substantially parallel to that of the supporting wall, and projecting no more than eighteen (18) inches from the wall or fascia.

Yard sale sign means any sign advertising a yard sale by property owners or their lessees.

(Ord. No. 15-04, 9-2-2015)

The following regulations shall apply to all signs in the County:

(1)

Unless specifically exempted, a sign permit issued through the Zoning Administrator's office shall be required for the erection, alteration or reconstruction of any sign, not including temporary signs.

(2)

No sign shall be erected or maintained unless it is in compliance with the regulations of this chapter.

(3)

Signs shall be constructed of durable materials maintained in good condition and not permitted to become dilapidated.

(4)

No signs, except as otherwise specified, shall exceed the height limit for structures of the district in which they are located.

(5)

Any sign which advertises any activity, business, product or service which has ceased operation or production shall be removed within six (6) months of the discontinuance of such activity.

(6)

Any business sign may be illuminated by indirect lighting, the source of which is not directed toward the public right-of-way or adjoining properties, or by interior diffused lighting.

(7)

Notwithstanding any provisions in this section to the contrary, the location, size or construction of all signs shall comply with all applicable state and federal laws, rules and regulations and compliance with state and federal laws shall be shown on sign permit applications.

(8)

No wall sign shall extend or be mounted above or beyond the wall of the building.

(9)

Off-premise signs are allowed in any district, and subject to the same regulations as on-premise signs.

(Ord. No. 15-04, 9-2-2015)

(1)

Street banner signs shall be prohibited except as used in connection with civic, patriotic or religious holidays or events.

(2)

Signs shall not be posted on utility poles or street signs.

(Ord. No. 15-04, 9-2-2015)

The following type of signs do not require a permit, but they shall be established in accordance with the structural and safety requirements of the building code:

(1)

Plaques or tablets denoting names of buildings or dates.

(2)

Traffic or other signs erected and maintained by the state department of transportation, the county or other governmental agencies, legal notices and all other similar signs required by law to be posted.

(3)

Painted, magnetic or adhesive affixed signs on any duly licensed, operable vehicle. This section shall not be interpreted to permit parking for display of any vehicle to which signs are constructed as a separate structure and attached, or any inoperable or unlicensed vehicle for the purpose of advertising.

(4)

Yard sale signs are allowed in all zoning districts. Such signs shall be placed at least one foot from the right-of-way and shall not obstruct the view of traffic. No yard sale sign shall remain for longer than 48 hours past the end of the sale.

(5)

No trespassing, no hunting and no fishing signs, or signs of similar nature, shall not require sign permits.

(6)

Temporary signs. No temporary or portable sign may be used for a period exceeding 30 days.

(Ord. No. 15-04, 9-2-2015)

All signs established prior to the effective date of the ordinance from which this article derives, and not in conformance with the provisions of this article, shall be allowed to remain subject to the following conditions:

(1)

No such nonconforming sign may be enlarged or altered in a way which would increase its nonconformity, but any structure or portion may be altered to decrease its nonconformity.

(2)

Should such sign structure be moved for any reason, it shall thereafter conform to the regulations for signs.

(3)

Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, non-conforming signs shall be maintained in good condition in accordance with section 74-623(3).

(Ord. No. 15-04, 9-2-2015)

(a)

Front yard. No portion of any sign other than a freestanding pole type sign shall be located within eight feet of the right-of-way of any public road. Freestanding pole type signs may be located within five feet of the right-of-way of any public road if:

(1)

The structure's sign face is at least seven feet high from grade, and

(2)

The pole and any pole skirt do not exceed 18 inches in width or diameter.

(b)

Side yard. No portion of any sign shall be located within five feet of a side property line.

(c)

Rear yard. No portion of any sign shall be located within five feet of a rear property line.

(Ord. No. 15-04, 9-2-2015)

The following signs shall be permitted in R-1, R-3 and R-MH districts subject to the restrictions stated in this subsection: one or more identification signs, the total square footage of which shall not exceed 16 square feet. Identification signs contain only the name and address of the dwelling owner or occupant or the name of the home and do not require a permit.

(Ord. No. 15-04, 9-2-2015)

The following signs shall be permitted in the R-2, A-1, and A-2 districts subject to the restrictions stated in this subsection:

(1)

One or more directional signs, the total square footage of which shall not exceed six square feet, provided any such signs are located no closer than two feet from any road, street, highway or right-of-way.

(2)

One or more identification signs, the total square footage of which shall not exceed 16 square feet. Identification signs contain only the name and address of the dwelling owner or occupant or the name of the home and do not require a permit.

(3)

One or more freestanding signs, the total square footage of which shall not exceed 36 square feet in sign area. The height limit for freestanding signs shall be 20 feet.

(4)

One or more wall signs, the total square footage of which shall not exceed 16 square feet in sign area.

(Ord. No. 15-04, 9-2-2015)

The following signs shall be permitted in the B-1, B-2, B-3, M-1, and M-2 districts subject to the restrictions stated in this subsection:

(1)

Directional signs of up to six square feet each, provided any such signs are located no closer than two feet from any road, street, highway or right-of-way.

(2)

One or more freestanding signs, the total square footage of which shall not exceed 60 square feet in sign area. The height limit for freestanding signs shall be 35 feet.

(3)

One or more wall or roof signs, the total square footage of which shall not exceed 60 square feet in sign area.

(4)

One or more canopy signs, the total square footage of which shall not exceed 40 square feet in sign area.

(5)

One menu board of up to 30 square feet in sign area.

(6)

One or more banner signs, the total square footage of which shall not exceed 100 square feet in sign area.

(Ord. No. 15-04, 9-2-2015)

All landlord or single-owner controlled multiple-occupancy development complexes on parcels exceeding eight acres in size, such as shopping centers or planned industrial parks shall be permitted to have project identification signs, in addition to individual business signs otherwise allowed by this chapter. Every multiple-occupancy development complex shall be entitled to one free-standing sign per street front, at the maximum size permitted for business identification freestanding signs to identify the development complex.

(Ord. No. 15-04, 9-2-2015)