The Mayor and Council find that signs provide an important medium through which individuals may convey a variety of messages. However, left completely unregulated, signs can become a threat to public safety as a traffic hazard and detriment to property values and the City's overall public welfare and economic growth as an aesthetic nuisance. See, e.g., Scenic America, Billboards & Sign Control available at http://www.scenic.org.

By enacting this ordinance, the Mayor and Council intend to:

a.

Balance the rights of individuals to convey their messages through signs and the right of the public to be protected against the unrestricted proliferation of signs;

b.

Protect the public health, safety, and welfare;

c.

Improve traffic and pedestrian safety;

d.

Maintain and enhance the visual image of the City;

e.

Protect property values by minimizing the possible adverse effects and visual blight caused by signs;

f.

To promote the purposes stated in this section by regulating signs based on objective standards, including, but not limited to height and size, and without regard to the content of the sign message;

g.

Promote economic development; and

h.

Ensure the fair and consistent enforcement of sign regulations.

14.1-1

The City also finds the following.

a.

There is a substantial difference between signs erected by public authority and signs erected by private citizens or businesses. Signs erected by public authority are virtually all erected for the purpose of maintaining the public safety either through direct control of traffic or through provision of such type signage as street signs which enable the traveling public to know where they are located and to find where they are going. As such, with the exception of signs identifying government buildings, virtually all government signs are erected purely for public safety purposes. Moreover, their use in the public right-of-way is necessary to ensure their visibility to the motoring public. The City finds that public utility signs are frequently of the same nature as those signs erected by governmental entities in that they provide necessary information to safeguard the public from downed power lines and from street excavations. Even where signs serve a propriety purpose, such as identifying markings on utility poles, those signs are marked primarily for the purpose of benefiting the public generally through identification of locations where there may be temporary losses of power.

b.

Some signage has a single targeted function and identification of such signage by description is impossible without referring to its function. For instance, address numerals are used for the sole purpose of locating addresses, which is of benefit to persons looking for those addresses and is essential to public safety personnel responding to emergencies. While such signage is referenced based upon the function it serves within the context of this chapter, the provisions of this chapter are unrelated to the content of the speech provided and allow maximum expressive potential to sign owners.

(Ord. No. 11-2012, 11-26-2012; Ord. No. 05-2013, 6-10-2013)

"Abandoned sign" shall mean any sign that contains or exhibits broken panels, visible rust, visible rot, damaged support structures, or missing letters or which is otherwise dilapidated, unsightly, or unkempt, and for which no person accepts maintenance responsibility.

"Aggregate sign area" shall mean the area of all signs on a parcel, excluding the area of one face of all double-faced signs.

"Animated sign" shall mean a sign with action, motion, or changing colors which requires electrical energy. This definition includes any signs that electronically change the sign face, whether by substitution of copy or scrolling. An electronic sign that maintains a steady sign face without change for no less than six (6) hours is not considered an animated sign. However, any deviation from the minimum six (6) hour change of unchanged copy results in the sign being considered an animated sign.

"Area of a sign/sign area" shall mean the smallest square, rectangle, triangle, circle, or combination thereof, which encompasses one face of the entire sign, inclusive of any border and trim but excluding the base, apron, supports, and other structural members.

"Awning sign and hanging canopy sign" shall mean a sign located on a roof-like cover extending before a place as a shelter and which may be used in lieu of a wall sign.

"Billboard sign" shall mean any sign with a sign area exceeding 300 square feet.

"Double-faced sign" shall mean a sign which has two (2) display areas placed back to back against each other or where the interior angle formed by the display areas is sixty (60) degrees or less, where one face is designed to be seen from one direction and the other face from another direction.

"Flag" shall mean any fabric or bunting containing colors, patterns, or symbols used to signify a government or other entity or organization.

"Freestanding sign" shall mean a sign securely affixed to a support structure which is permanently attached to the ground and wholly independent of any building for support, such as monument or stanchion signs.

"Illuminated sign" shall mean a sign that has light cast upon the sign from a source either internal to the sign or from an external light source directed primarily toward such sign.

"Monument sign" or "ground sign" shall mean a freestanding sign mounted directly upon the ground. Such sign may not be attached to or be a part of or supported by the building in or to which the sign applies.

"Nonconforming sign" shall mean any sign which does not conform to the provisions of this ordinance that was legal at the time of its erection.

"Parcel" shall mean a separate tax unit of real property on county real estate records.

"Portable sign" shall mean a sign which is not permanently affixed to the ground or to a structure, including but not limited to signs on trailers or signs mounted or painted on vehicles which are parked in such a manner as to serve the purpose of a sign.

"Roof sign" shall mean a sign attached to or supported by the roof of a building which extends above the immediately adjacent roof line of the building.

"Sign" shall mean a device or representation for visual communication which is used for the purpose of bringing the subject thereof to the attention of others.

"Stanchion sign" or "pole sign" shall mean a freestanding sign mounted on one or more steel poles set in the ground and of sufficient strength and size to support the advertisement portion of such structure which rests upon or is supported by such poles.

"Wall sign" shall mean a sign fastened, placed or painted upon or parallel to the exterior wall of the structure itself, whether front, rear or side of the structure.

"Window sign" shall mean a sign installed flush with or on a window and intended to be viewed from the outside.

(Ord. No. 11-2012, 11-26-2012; Ord. No. 05-2013, 6-10-2013)

The location of signs shall confirm with State law. (See O.C.G.A. §§ 32-1-21; 32-50-51; 21-1-1, et at.) In general, except for government signs as allowed by State law, all signs shall be located on private property.

(Ord. No. 11-2012, 11-26-2012; Ord. No. 05-2013, 6-10-2013)

14.4-1.

Corner Visibility Clearance. In any district no sign or sign structure (above a height of three (3) feet) shall be maintained within fifteen (15) feet of the intersection of the right-of-way lines of two (2) streets, or of a street with a railroad right-of-way. However, a sign structure not more than ten inches in diameter, if located on a corner lot where services are provided to the motoring public, may be located within the required corner visibility area if all other requirements of this article are met and the lower elevation of the sign surface is at least ten (10) feet above ground level.

14.4-2.

Lighting Restrictions.

a.

Lighted, neon or luminous signs giving off light resulting in glare, blinding or any other adverse effect on traffic shall not be erected.

b.

The light from illuminated signs shall be established in such a way that adjacent properties and roadways are not adversely affected and that no direct light is cast upon adjacent properties and roadways.

c.

No internally illuminated ground or pole signs shall be erected within fifty (50) feet of any dwelling within a residential district.

d.

No sign shall be erected if it contains, or is illuminated by any flashing intermittent or moving light or lights except an electronic message board sign.

e.

No sign shall be erected which simulates an official traffic control or warning sign so as to confuse or mislead the traffic or hide from view any traffic or street sign or signal.

14.4-3.

Other Restrictions.

a.

No sign shall be erected, attached, or maintained which obstructs any fire escape, any means of egress or ventilation or which prevents free passage from one part of a roof to any other part thereof.

b.

No sign shall be erected, attached, painted or drawn on any tree, rock or other natural feature, retaining wall or utility post along the public right-of-way.

(Ord. No. 11-2012, 11-26-2012; Ord. No. 05-2013, 6-10-2013)

The following sign standards apply to all districts except as specified elsewhere in this Article. If any other standards in this ordinance conflict with the standard in this article the stricter regulation shall apply.

14.5-1

Pole Signs. Pole signs shall not extend over a public right-of-way. All signs abutting the right-of-way line shall have the display area ten (10) feet or more above ground level measured from the grade at the right-of-way line. Signs with any portion of the display area less than ten (10) feet above ground level must be erected ten (10) feet from the right-of-way line. If the location of the sign structure is below the grade of the road, the height of the sign shall be measured from the nearest adjacent roadway. Within a commercial or industrial district, the maximum height shall be twenty (20) feet.

14.5-2

Ground Signs. Ground signs less than three (3) feet high shall be setback at least three (3) feet from the right-of-way line. Otherwise, such signs shall be setback ten (10′) feet from the right-of-way line. The maximum area of a ground sign shall be forty (40) square feet.

14.5-3

Wall Signs and Flush Mounted Canopy Signs. Wall signs and flush mounted canopy signs (including signs attached flat against the wall or canopy and painted signs) shall be securely fastened by metal supports to the building surface along the sign's greatest dimension. They may project from the building up to twelve (12) inches; however, if they project more than four (4) inches from the building surface, they shall maintain a clear height of eight (8) feet above ground level. Wall signs may not extend more than four (4) feet above the parapet wall.

a.

Individual Business. The total number of wall signs or canopy signs on all facades of a building is counted as one (1) sign, and the total sign display area of each wall shall not exceed ten (10) percent of the wall area up to a maximum of two hundred (200) square feet.

b.

Multi-Business/Shopping Center. The maximum display area of wall signs or canopy signs for each business shall not exceed ten (10) percent of the front facade of each individual business.

14.5-4

Hanging Canopy Signs. All hanging canopy signs shall not exceed six (6) square feet in size and the lowest extremity of the sign shall not be less than eight (8) feet above the ground.

14.5-5

Roof Signs.

a.

Roof signs shall not project beyond the face of the exterior wall of the building on which they are located.

b.

The highest point of a roof sign shall not exceed the ridge line of the roof.

c.

Roof signs shall not be erected on building or structures with a flat roof.

d.

The maximum size of a roof sign shall not exceed sixty-four square feet.

14.5-6

Window Signs. Each ground level business having glass directly orientated to a street may use all of that glass area as one (1) allowable sign, but no single window shall be covered more than twenty-five (25) percent. Window signs on or above the second floor are prohibited except when a business has no ground floor frontage.

14.5-7

Banners. The maximum size of a banner shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet.

14.5-8

Projecting or overhanging signs. In addition to any other signs authorized by this division, any such property may contain not more than one projecting or overhanging sign. No projecting or overhanging sign shall be greater than 16 square feet in area. No projecting or overhanging sign shall protrude more than six feet from the wall to which it is anchored, and none shall project past any property line (other than the public sidewalk) nor onto any driveway. No projecting or overhanging sign shall hang lower than 80 inches from the ground at its lowest point. No projecting or overhanging sign shall be installed without adequate mounting and assembly approved by the zoning official, and plans shall be submitted for this purpose, prior to approval. All projecting or overhanging signs shall be required to meet the standards of ANSI and ADA.

14.5-9

A-frame or easel signs. In addition to any other signs authorized by this division, any such property may contain not more than one A-frame or easel sign per street frontage, for which each face shall have an area of not more than ten square feet. No A-frame or easel sign shall be placed on any public sidewalk so as to leave less than five feet of clearance for pedestrians. No A-frame or easel sign shall remain on any public sidewalk adjacent to any business at a time when the business is closed to the public. All A-frame or easel signs shall be adequately weighted or otherwise anchored to prevent accidental movement of the sign and obstruction of any public street.

(Ord. No. 11-2012, 11-26-2012; Ord. No. 05-2013, 6-10-2013; Ord. No. 05-2014, § 1, 6-9-2014)

14.6-1

Business Signs. Business signs are permanently mounted signs that are permitted in all districts allowing business activity. Except as specified below, all business signs shall meet the standards according to Section 14.5. The maximum number of business signs for an establishment or development is listed in 14.1.

Table 14.1. Maximum Number of Business Signs

X - Permitted by Right

(1) - Maximum of one sign of this type is permitted per establishment.

Sign Standards refer to Section 14.5: Sign Types and Standards

14.6-2

Non-Business Signs. Non-business signs are permanently mounted signs that are permitted in all districts and shall meet the requirements as shown on Table 14.2: Maximum Number of Non-Business Signs:

a.

Announcing Signs. Announcing signs are signs used to announce activities to be held at any noncommercial place of public assembly. These signs may be ground or wall signs.

b.

Commemorative Signs. Commemorative signs are tablets or plaques which identify a person, event, structure or a site of memorable public interest. These may be ground or wall signs.

c.

Directional Signs. Directional signs are permanent off-premise, non-illuminated ground signs erected only by churches, government agencies and nonprofit organizations which provide direction to such church, organization, agency or related facility.

d.

Identification Signs. Identification signs bear only the names or addresses of occupants of the premises and bearing no commercial message other than that of the use identified. These signs may be wall or ground signs.

e.

Instructional Signs. Signs exclusive of any commercial messages except the business name and/or logo, which conveys instructions to the public such as entrance, exit, no trespassing, no dumping, no hunting, height clearance, etc. These signs may be wall or ground signs.

Table 14.2. Maximum Number of Non-Business Signs

Permitted Sign Types: Ground, wall or canopy signs only.

14.6-3

Temporary Signs. Temporary signs shall be permitted in all districts.

a.

Temporary Construction Signs. Signs erected on the premises where construction is taking place which indicate the names of individuals or firms having a role or interest with respect to the construction of the structures or project.

1.

Temporary construction signs may be pole, ground or wall signs.

2.

Only one (1) sign shall be allowed per street frontage.

3.

The maximum sign display area of each sign shall not exceed forty (40) square feet.

4.

The period of existence of such signs shall be one (1) month prior to commencement of construction through one (1) month following completion.

b.

Temporary Political Signs. Signs which announce or support political candidates or issues in connection with any national, state or local election. The following requirements shall apply:

1.

A temporary sign permit is required according to Section 14.9-2 prior to the erection of such signs.

2.

All signs shall be ground or pole signs and shall be setback ten (10) feet from the street right-of-way.

3.

The maximum height of each sign shall not exceed eight (8) feet measuring from the grade level of the sign. The sign area shall not exceed sixteen (16) square feet.

4.

Signs shall not be erected prior to the date that the candidate qualifies for the election, or the filing of the issue for certification of the ballot.

5.

Signs shall be removed within seven (7) days after the election including any run-off which the sign is intended to influence.

6.

Signs shall not be erected without the permission of the property owner.

7.

At any time, the City of Grantville is empowered to remove or cause removal of all signs not conforming with the provisions of this Article without notice to the candidate whose signs create the nonconformity.

c.

Temporary Real Estate Signs. Signs erected by the owner, or his agent, advertising the real property upon which the sign is located for rent, lease or sale. Such signs shall be removed within fourteen (14) days of the sale, rental of lease of the property advertised; however, the use of a "SOLD" attachment to a sign pending the completion of a sales transaction shall not be construed as a sale.

1.

All temporary real estate signs may be pole, ground, window or wall signs.

2.

Under no circumstances shall the display area of a temporary real estate sign exceed the following size:

d.

Temporary Real Estate Directional Signs. Off-premise signs which provide directions to properties for sale, lease or rent.

1.

All temporary real estate directional signs shall be ground signs only.

2.

The display area of each sign shall not exceed eight (8) square feet.

e.

Temporary Garage Sale Signs.

1.

Temporary garage sale signs shall be ground signs only and their maximum size shall not exceed four (4) square feet.

2.

Signs may be erected two (2) days prior to sale and shall be removed no later than midnight on the last day of sale.

f.

Special Event Signs. special event signs which announce special civic activities, events or shows to be held in the near future. special event signs shall be banner signs or any permitted temporary signs provided that a temporary sign permit is obtained according to Section 14.9-2(b) prior to the erection of such signs.

1.

Sponsorship advertisement banner signs associated with annual non-profit temporary events may be placed within the property boundary of the event area. Sponsorship banners or other types of signs may be attached to fences or other man-made structures for the duration of the temporary event. Sponsorship signs are limited to a maximum of 32 square feet surface area per sign. When sponsorship signs are used, the non-profit organization is required to obtain a temporary sign permit which is applicable for all sponsorship signs regardless of the number of signs installed for the temporary event.

(Ord. No. 11-2012, 11-26-2012; Ord. No. 05-2013, 6-10-2013; Ord. No. 05-2014, § 1, 6-9-2014)

Any sign that will pose public safety hazards are prohibited. Existing prohibited signs shall be removed one hundred eighty (180) days after the effective date of this ordinance. The following types of signs and displays, as they are defined herein, are unlawful to erect or maintain in all zoning districts:

a.

Abandoned Signs. Signs that advertise an activity, business, product or service no longer being conducted or available on the premises on which the signs are located. The signs must be removed upon notification to and order of the Codes Enforcement Officer.

b.

Animated Signs. Animated, series, lines or rows or electric, neon signs that involve motion.

c.

Bench Signs. Benches, including courtesy benches, trash cans and similar devices, on which advertising is displayed.

d.

Portable signs. All portable signs as defined herein, including hot air balloons and gas/air inflatable signs, but excluding A-frame or easel signs as permitted by Section 14.5-9;

e.

Temporary Signs. Except as otherwise permitted by or exempted from these regulations.

f.

Moving Signs.

g.

Pendants and Streamers.

h.

Banners. Except as permitted in special events.

i.

Signs on public rights-of-way other than publicly owned or maintained signs or A-frame or easel signs as permitted by Section 14.5-9;

j.

Signs which contain words, pictures, or statements which are obscene, as defined by the O.C.G.A. § 16-12-80;

k.

Signs which simulate an official traffic control or warning sign or hide from view any traffic or street sign, signal or public service sign;

l.

Signs which emit or utilize in any manner any sound capable of being detected on any traveled road or highway by a person with normal hearing;

m.

Signs which interfere with road or highway visibility or obstruct or otherwise interfere with the safe and orderly movement of traffic; and

(Ord. No. 11-2012, 11-26-2012; Ord. No. 05-2013, 6-10-2013; Ord. No. 05-2014, § 1, 6-9-2014)

14.8-1

State Codes. All billboards shall conform with O.C.G.A. § 32-6-70 (GA. Law 196, p.426, Section 1; GA. Law 1971, ex. sess., p. 5 Section 1; GA. Law 1973, p. 947, Section 1; GA. Law 1979, p. 1086, Section 1; GA. Law 1980, p. 1017, Section 1) through O.C.G.A. § 36-6-97 (GA. Law 1971 ex. sess., p. 5, Section 20; GA. Law 1973, p. 947 Section 1) on the erection of outdoor advertising, etc., in areas adjacent to right-of-way of roads in the State highway system, and shall meet all Federal and State requirements necessary to obtain a permit under the full reference provisions. Any billboard that advertises an activity, business, product or service which has ceased operation or production shall be removed within six (6) months of the discontinuance of said activity, business, product or service.

14.8-2

Location.

a.

Billboards shall be permitted only in the General Commercial (GC) Light Industrial (LM), and General Industrial (GI) districts.

b.

No billboard shall be erected within three hundred (300′) feet of the nearest property line of any public park, public playground, public school, recreational area, historic site, church or similar institution. No billboard shall be placed within one hundred (100′) [feet] of a residential district.

14.8-3

Size and Number. No single billboard (display area and attached trim) shall exceed three hundred (300) square feet (12′ × 25′) in size. No more than one (1) sign per sign structure will be allowed to face the same direction.

14.8-4

Linear Spacing. No billboard shall be erected within one thousand (1,000) feet of another billboard on the same side of the street as measured along a line parallel to such street.

14.8-5

Setback and Height. All billboards shall be setback ten (10) feet from the right-of-way line of any street or highway and shall be ten (10) feet or more above the adjacent pavement level of the street or highway to which it is oriented. The total height of the billboard(s) shall not be greater than twenty-five (25) feet when measured from the grade level of the adjacent street or highway or at the grade of the sign site if such grade is above the grade of the street.

14.8-6

Extrusion Prohibited. Extrusions beyond the face of the sign, excluding aprons, are prohibited.

14.8-7

Illumination. All illuminated signs shall use base mounted fluorescent or mercury vapor lights and shall be activated by photo electric cells. Additional lighting, including but not limited to neon, animation and running lights are prohibited.

(Ord. No. 11-2012, 11-26-2012; Ord. No. 05-2013, 6-10-2013)

14.9-1

Construction and Maintenance.

a.

All signs for which a permit is required, together with all their supports, braces, guys, and anchors shall be kept in constant repair and unless constructed of galvanized or non-corroding metal, shall be periodically given a protective coating. The area immediately in front of all freestanding signs shall be maintained free of high weeds and debris.

b.

The provisions and regulations of this ordinance shall not apply to the ordinary servicing, repairing, cleaning or changing of the message without a change in structure.

14.9-2

Sign Permit.

a.

General Requirements.

1.

A sign permit is required before a sign may be erected or attached to, suspended from or supported on a building or structure; and before an existing sign may be enlarged, relocated or materially improved to an extent of sixty (60%) percent of its total replacement value. Listed below are signs that require a permit:

Business Signs.

Billboards.

Special Event Signs (Temporary Permit).

Temporary Political Signs (Temporary Permit).

2.

A sign permit shall be issued by the Codes Enforcement Officer when the plans, specifications and intended use of the applied sign or part thereof conforms to the applicable provisions of this ordinance and the Building Code as certified by the Codes Enforcement Officer. The application shall be accompanied by plans which identify the locations of signs and other applicable information that the Enforcement Officer may require in the exercise of sound discretion in acting upon the application.

3.

Each application shall contain an agreement to indemnify and hold the City of Grantville harmless of all damages, demands or expenses of every character which may in any manner be caused by the sign or sign structure.

4.

A sign permit shall become null and void if the sign for which the permit was issued has not been completed within a period of six (6) months after the date of issuance.

b.

Temporary Permit.

1.

Special Event Signs. The Enforcement officer is hereby authorized to issue temporary permits for special event signs to be placed along the streets of the City of Grantville whereby the public will be informed about an upcoming event or directed to the location of an event. Special event signs may be posted no earlier than thirty (30) days prior to the event.

2.

Seasonal Temporary Event Signs. The Enforcement Officer is hereby authorized to issue temporary permits for advertising non-profit seasonal temporary event signs to be placed along the streets of the City of Grantville whereby the public will be informed about an upcoming event or directed to the location of an event. In addition the Enforcement Officer is hereby authorized to issue temporary permit sponsorship signs to be placed on the property where the seasonal non-profit temporary event occurs. Seasonal temporary event signs and sponsorship signs may be posted no earlier than thirty (30) days prior to the event.

3.

Temporary Political Signs. The Enforcement Officer is hereby authorized to issue a temporary permit for political signs to be placed along the streets of the City of Grantville whereby the public will be informed about a candidate or directed to a political event. No political signs shall be erected prior to the candidates qualifying day as established by applicable Federal, State or Local Law.* ^[6]

14.9-3

Permit Fee.

a.

No permit shall be issued until an application accompanied with a sign plan is approved by the Enforcement Officer and fees paid as posted in City Hall in the City of Grantville.

b.

A permit fee shall be paid to the City of Grantville for each permit required by this ordinance. The fee shall be increased in direct relation to the increase in the dollar value of the sign and type of sign, according to the rate schedule in City Hall in the City of Grantville.

(Ord. No. 11-2012, 11-26-2012; Ord. No. 05-2013, 6-10-2013)

a.

All signs for which a permit is required under this ordinance shall be constructed and maintained in accordance with the provisions of the city building code.

b.

Signs for which a permit is not required under this ordinance that are constructed of degradable material may be posted for a maximum of sixty (60) days unless replaced with another sign of the same material. Any such replacement signs may be posted for a maximum of sixty (60) days.

(Ord. No. 11-2012, 11-26-2012; Ord. No. 05-2013, 6-10-2013)

Refer to Article 15 of this ordinance.

(Ord. No. 11-2012, 11-26-2012; Ord. No. 05-2013, 6-10-2013)

a.

Variances shall be limited to the minimum relief necessary to overcome the hardship. No variance shall be granted to allow a greater number of signs than would be allowed if the hardship did not exist. A variance from compliance with the sign regulations of this ordinance shall be limited to the following hardship situations:

b.

Standards.

1.

Where visibility of a conforming sign from the public street and within fifty (50) feet of the proposed sign would be substantially impaired by existing trees, plants, natural features, signs, existing buildings or structures on a different lot; and

2.

Placement of the sign elsewhere on the lot would not remedy the visual obstruction; and such visibility obstruction was not created by the owner of the subject property; and the variance proposed would not create a safety hazard to traffic.

3.

Where the maximum size of a non-business directional sign as provided for by section 14.6-2(c) of this article would not accomplish the agency or organization's need to provide adequate direction to its facility.

c.

Variance applications shall be submitted to the City Council and shall be heard under the same time frames and rules governing appeals under this ordinance.

(Ord. No. 11-2012, 11-26-2012; Ord. No. 05-2013, 6-10-2013; Ord. No. 2023-14, § 1, 6-26-2023)

a.

The following types of signs shall be exempt from the permit requirements of Section 14.9 and shall not count towards the maximum aggregate sign area limits provided in Sections 14.5 and 14.6:

1.

Numerals displayed for purposes of identifying property location and not exceeding four (4) inches in height in residential districts and ten (10) inches in height in nonresidential districts.

2.

Seasonal displays located outside of the public right-of-way that are erected for a maximum period of thirty (30) days no more than twice a year.

b.

Every parcel may display no more than two (2) flags that shall not count toward the maximum aggregate sign area limits provided in Sections 14.5 and 14.6 without obtaining a permit. Flagpoles in residential zoned districts shall not exceed twenty-five (25) feet in height or the height of the primary structure, whichever is less. Flagpoles in commercial or industrial zoned districts shall not exceed sixty (60) feet in height. The dimensions of any flag shall be proportional to the flagpole height such that the hoist side of the flag shall not exceed fifty (50) percent of the vertical height.

(Ord. No. 11-2012, 11-26-2012; Ord. No. 05-2013, 6-10-2013)

14.14-1

Violation. If any sign is erected or maintained in violation of the provisions of this ordinance, the Enforcement Officer shall have the power to give the owner thereof written notice of such violation. The notice shall include a brief statement of the particulars in which such violation is to be remedied. If a sign has been registered with the Enforcement Officer, notice to the registered owner or the person or firm receiving the permit shall be sufficient. If a sign has not been registered and the owner is not known, affixing a copy of the notice to the sign, graphic structure or building for a period of ten (10) days shall be sufficient.

14.14-2

Penalties. If such violation is not remedied within thirty (30) days after such notice, the owner shall remove the sign immediately or be subject to a one hundred dollar ($100.00) a day fine for each day, with each act or omission considered a separate violation.

14.14-3

Removal. If the sign is not removed by the owner, the Enforcement Officer shall have the right to remove such sign at the expense of the owner thereof and to destroy or otherwise dispose of the sign. In addition to the above provisions, the Enforcement Officer may cause the sign or structure to be removed which:

a.

Is structurally unsafe;

b.

Constitutes a hazard to safety or health by reasons of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation or abandonment;

c.

Is not kept in good repair; or

d.

Is capable of causing electrical shock, to be removed following notice of twenty-four (24) hours to the owner at the expense of the owner and to destroy or otherwise dispose of the same.

(Ord. No. 11-2012, 11-26-2012; Ord. No. 05-2013, 6-10-2013)

a.

In the event any section, subsection, sentence, or word of this ordinance is declared and adjudged to be invalidated or unconstitutional, such declaration or adjudication shall not affect the remaining portions of this article, which shall remain in full force and effect as if such portion so declared or adjudged unconstitutional were not originally part of this article. The City Council declares that it would have enacted the remaining parts of this article if it had known that such portion thereof would be declared or adjudged invalid or unconstitutional.

b.

If any part of this chapter is found to be in conflict with any other ordinance of this City or any state or federal statute, the most restrictive or highest standard shall prevail. If any part of this sign ordinance is explicitly prohibited by state or federal statute, that part shall not be enforced.

(Ord. No. 11-2012, 11-26-2012; Ord. No. 05-2013, 6-10-2013)