The purpose of this chapter is to promote and protect the public health, welfare and safety by regulating existing and proposed outdoor advertising, outdoor advertising signs and outdoor signs of all types. It is intended to protect property values, create a more attractive economic and business climate, enhance and protect the physical appearance of the community and preserve the scenic and natural beauty of designated areas. It is further intended to reduce sign or advertising distractions and obstructions that may contribute to traffic accidents, reduce hazards that may be caused by signs overhanging or projecting over public rights of way, provide more open space, curb the deterioration of the natural environment and enhance community development. (Ord. 341, 9-10-1996)

For the purpose of this chapter "sign" does not include signs erected and maintained pursuant to and in discharge of any governmental function, or required by any law, ordinance or governmental regulation. (Ord. 341, 9-10-1996)

The regulations contained in this section shall apply to all signs and all use districts:

   A.   Any illuminated sign or lighting device shall emit a light of constant intensity, and no sign shall be illuminated by or contain flashing, intermittent, rotating or moving light or lights. In no event shall an illuminated sign or lighting device be placed or directed to permit the beams and illuminations therefrom to be directed or beamed upon a public thoroughfare, highway, sidewalk or adjacent premises or to cause glare or reflection that may constitute a traffic hazard or nuisance;

   B.   No sign shall employ any parts or elements which revolve, rotate, whirl, spin or otherwise make use of motion to attract attention. This subsection and subsection A of this section shall not apply to any sign performing a public service function indicating time, temperature, stock market quotations or similar services;

   C.   All writing, fittings and materials used in the construction and operation of electrically illuminated signs shall be in accordance with the provisions of the local electrical code in effect, if any;

   D.   No projecting sign shall be erected or maintained from the front or face of a building a distance of more than two feet (2'), including those projecting from the face of any theater, hotel or motel marquee. In general, projecting signs are not encouraged;

   E.   No sign shall be placed on the roof of any building, except those signs whose supporting structure is screened so the sign appears to be a continuation of the face of the building;

   F.   No portable or temporary sign shall be placed on the front or face of a building or on any premises, except as herein provided;

   G.   No sign or part thereof shall contain or consist of banners, posters, pennants, ribbons, streamers, spinners or other similar moving devices. Such devices, as well as strings of lights, shall not be used for the purpose of advertising or attracting attention when not part of a sign;

   H.   No sign erected or maintained in the window of a building, visible from any public or private street or highway, shall occupy more than twenty percent (20%) of the window surface;

   I.   No sign of any classification shall be installed, erected or attached in any form, shape or manner to a fire escape or any door or window giving access to any fire escape;

   J.   All signs hung and erected shall be plainly marked with the name of the person responsible for maintaining the sign;

   K.   Should any sign be or become unsafe or be in danger of falling, the owner thereof or the person maintaining the same shall, upon receipt of written notice from the commission, proceed at once to put such sign in a safe and secure condition or remove the sign;

   L.   No sign shall be placed in any public right of way except publicly owned signs, i.e., traffic control signs and directional signs. Signs directing and guiding traffic and parking on private property but bearing no advertising matter shall be permitted on any property; and

   M.   Signs along primary highways shall conform to the Idaho state transportation department regulations. (Ord. 341, 9-10-1996)

The following signs may be permitted upon the issuance of a zoning certificate by the commission:

   A.   Signs advertising the sale, lease or rental of the premises upon which the sign is located shall not exceed twelve (12) square feet in area, except in all residential districts where the area of the sign shall not be more than six (6) square feet;

   B.   Professional nameplates not to exceed four (4) square feet in area;

   C.   Signs denoting the name and address of the occupants of the premises, not to exceed two (2) square feet in area;

   D.   Temporary signs not exceeding fifty (50) square feet in area announcing special public or institutional events, the erection of a building, the architect, the builders or contractors may be erected for a period of sixty (60) days plus the construction period;

   E.   On premises wall signs pertaining to a nonconforming use shall be permitted on the same premises of such use, provided that the area of such sign does not exceed twelve (12) square feet; and

   F.   Political signs, provided that, such signs shall not be posted in any place or in any manner that is destructive to public property upon posting or removal. No political sign shall be posted in a public right of way nor shall such sign be posted on a utility pole. No political sign shall be posted more than sixty (60) days before an election. All candidates for public office, their campaign committees or other persons responsible for the posting on public property of campaign material shall remove such material within two (2) weeks following election day. (Ord. 341, 9-10-1996)

Off premises signs shall not be erected in front of the required setback line for the appropriate zoning district, except for the following:

   B.   Real estate signs and bulletin boards for a church, school or any other public, religious or educational institution within residential zoning districts may be erected not less than ten feet (10') from the established right of way line of any street or highway provided such sign or bulletin board does not obstruct traffic visibility at a street or highway intersection; and

   C.   On premises signs where permitted shall be erected or placed in conformity with the side and rear yard requirements of the district in which it is located, except that in any residential district, on premises signs shall not be erected or placed within ten feet (10') of a side or rear lot line. (Ord. 341, 9-10-1996)

In case any sign shall be installed, erected, constructed or maintained in violation of any of the terms of this chapter, the commission shall notify, in writing, the owner or lessee thereof to alter such sign to comply with this chapter. Political signs posted in violation of this chapter are subject to removal by the commission after five (5) days written notice of violation. (Ord. 341, 9-10-1996)