The purpose of this article is to permit signs that will not, by their size, location, construction or manner of display, endanger the public safety of individuals; confuse, mislead or obstruct the vision necessary for traffic safety; or otherwise endanger public health, safety, or welfare; and to permit and regulate signs in such a way as to support and complement objectives set forth in this article.

(Ord. No. 80-100, § 13.1, 1-12-1999)

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

(Ord. No. 80-100, § 13.2, 1-12-1999)

(a)

Corner visibility clearance. In any district no sign or sign structure (above a height of three feet) shall be maintained within 15 feet of the intersection of the right-of-way lines of two 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 feet above ground level.

(b)

Lighting restrictions. Lighting restrictions shall be as follows:

(1)

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

(2)

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.

(3)

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

(4)

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

(5)

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.

(c)

Other restrictions. Other restrictions shall be as follows:

(1)

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.

(2)

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. 80-100, § 13.3, 1-12-1999)

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

(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 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 feet above ground level must be erected ten (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 20 feet.

(2)

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

(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 12 inches; however, if they project more than four inches from the building surface, they shall maintain a clear height of eight feet above ground level. Wall signs may not extend more than four 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 sign, and the total sign display area of each wall shall not exceed ten percent of the wall area up to a maximum of 200 square feet.

b.

Multibusiness/shopping center. The maximum display area of wall signs or canopy signs for each business shall not exceed ten percent of the front facade of each individual business.

(4)

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

(5)

Roof signs. Roof signs requirements shall be as follows:

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 ridgeline 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 64 square feet.

(6)

Banners. The maximum size of a banner shall not exceed 32 square feet.

Table 46-353: Maximum Number of Signs in Commercial or Industrial Districts

Note—X permitted by right.

(Ord. No. 80-100, § 13.4, 1-12-1999)

Temporary signs shall be permitted in all districts. For sign standards refer to section 46-353, pertaining to sign types and standards.

Table 46-354: Maximum Number of Residential District Signs

Note—X permitted by right.

(Ord. No. 80-100, § 13.5, 1-12-1999)

(a)

Any sign that will pose public safety hazards are prohibited. Existing prohibited signs shall be removed 180 days after the effective date of the ordinance from which this section is derived.

(b)

The following types of signs and displays, as they are defined herein, are unlawful to erect or maintain in all zoning districts:

(1)

Abandoned signs. Any sign that is abandoned must be removed upon notification to and by order of the codes enforcement officer.

(2)

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

(3)

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

(4)

Projecting signs. Signs that project more than 12 inches from the building surface.

(5)

Portable signs. All portable signs, including hot air balloons and gas/air inflatable signs.

(6)

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

(7)

Moving signs.

(8)

Pendants and streamers.

(9)

Banners. Except as permitted in special events.

(Ord. No. 80-100, § 13.6, 1-12-1999)

(a)

State codes. All billboards shall conform with section 32-6-70 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (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 section 36-6-97 of the O.C.G.A. (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.

(b)

Discontinued product or service. Any billboard that advertises an activity, business, product or service which has ceased operation or production shall be removed within six months of the discontinuance of said activity, business, product or service.

(c)

Location. Locations where billboards shall and shall not be permitted.

(1)

Permitted. Billboards shall be permitted only in the general commercial (GC) and industrial (I) districts.

(2)

Prohibited. No billboard shall be erected within 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 100 feet of a residential district.

(d)

Size and number. No single billboard (display area and attached trim) shall exceed 300 square feet (13 feet by 25 feet) in size. No more than one sign per sign structure will be allowed to face the same direction.

(e)

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

(f)

Setback and height. All billboards shall be setback ten feet from the right-of-way line of any street or highway and shall be ten feet or more above the adjacent pavement level of the street or highway to which it is oriented. The total height of the billboard shall not be greater than 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.

(g)

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

(h)

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

(Ord. No. 80-100, § 13.7, 1-12-1999)

Construction and maintenance of signs shall be as follows:

(1)

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

(2)

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

(Ord. No. 80-100, § 13.8, 1-12-1999)

For nonconforming signs, refer to article XIII of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 80-100, § 13.8, 1-12-1999)

(a)

Violation. If any sign is erected or maintained in violation of the provisions of this article, 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.

(b)

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

(c)

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:

(1)

Is structurally unsafe;

(2)

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

(3)

Is not kept in good repair; or

(4)

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

(Ord. No. 80-100, § 13.9, 1-12-1999)