No sign shall hereafter be located, erected, moved, reconstructed, extended, enlarged, converted or structurally altered within the county until a land use permit has been issued by the county zoning administrator, except those signs excepted below and without being in conformity with the provisions of this article.

(Code 1987, § 17.15)

All signs are prohibited in the RR-1 and W-1 Districts except the following:

(1)

Signs over show windows or doors of a nonconforming business establishment announcing without display or elaboration only the names and occupation of the proprietor and not to exceed two feet in height and ten feet in length.

(2)

Real estate signs not to exceed eight square feet in area which advertise the sale, rental or lease of the premises upon which such signs are temporarily located.

(3)

Name, occupation and warning signs not to exceed two square feet located on the premises.

(4)

Bulletin boards for public, charitable or religious institutions not to exceed 20 square feet in area located on the premises.

(5)

Memorial signs, tablets, names of buildings and date of erection when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of metal and affixed flat against a structure.

(6)

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

(7)

Temporary signs or banners when authorized by the county zoning committee.

(Code 1987, § 17.16)

Signs are permitted in the C-1, RR-1, A-1, I-1 and F-1 Districts subject to the following restrictions:

(1)

Wall signs placed against the exterior walls of buildings shall not extend more than six inches outside of a building's wall surface, shall not exceed 500 square feet in area for any one premises and shall not exceed 20 feet in height above the mean centerline street grade.

(2)

Projecting signs fastened to, suspended from or supported by structures shall not exceed 100 square feet in area for any one premises, shall not extend more than six feet into any required yard, shall not extend into any public right-of-way, shall not be less than ten feet from all side lot lines, shall not exceed a height of 20 feet above the mean centerline street grade and shall not be less than ten feet above the sidewalk nor 15 feet above a driveway or an alley.

(3)

Ground signs shall not exceed 20 feet in height above the mean centerline street grade, shall meet all yard requirements for the district in which they are located, and shall not exceed 100 square feet on one side nor 200 square feet on all sides for any one premises.

(4)

Roof signs shall not exceed ten feet in height above the roof, shall meet all yard and height requirements for the district in which they are located, and shall not exceed 300 square feet on all sides for any one premises.

(5)

Window signs shall be placed only on the inside of commercial buildings and shall not exceed 25 percent of the glass area of the pane upon which the sign is displayed.

(6)

Signs or billboards which advertise a general brand of product, an area of interest, a business activity or a service available which is not in direct relation to the use of the premises on which they are located shall not exceed 300 square feet in area. Freestanding signs shall be erected outside a line parallel to and five feet from the highway right-of-way, shall not exceed 20 feet in height above the ground or be located within 300 feet of an existing residence.

(7)

Recreational directory signs indicating the direction to a cottage, resort, residence or similar use shall not exceed four square feet in area. When a common posting is provided, all such signs shall be attached thereto. Recreational directory signs may be placed at the right-of-way line of the highway provided they are not within 100 feet of an existing residence. Information on such signs may be of reflective material.

(8)

Signs advertising a business or activity conducted, area of interest or service available within 12 air miles of the premises on which they are located shall not exceed 20 square feet in area, and no more than two such signs relating to any one use shall be permitted in the approaching direction along any one highway. A larger number of signs and a greater distance from the premises may be permitted by the zoning committee by a conditional use permit on a finding of necessity for directing the traveling public.

(9)

Combinations of any of the above signs shall meet all the requirements for the individual sign.

(Code 1987, § 17.17; Ord. No. 97-37, 5-27-1997)

Signs shall not resemble, imitate or approximate the shape, size, form or color of railroad or traffic signs, signals or devices. Signs shall not obstruct or interfere with the effectiveness of railroad or traffic signs, signals or devices. No sign shall be erected, relocated or maintained so as to prevent free ingress to or egress from any door, window or fire escape and no sign shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape. No sign shall be placed so as to obstruct or interfere with traffic visibility. No sign shall contain any rotating or moving parts or be illuminated by flashing light.

(Code 1987, § 17.18)

A sign lawfully existing at the time of the adoption or amendment of this article may be continued although the use, size or location does not conform with the provisions of this article. However, it shall be deemed a nonconforming use or structure and the provisions of section 50-268 shall apply.

(Code 1987, § 17.19)