(a)

It shall be unlawful for any person to erect, move, alter, change, repair, place, suspend or cause or permit to be erected, moved, altered, changed, repaired, placed, suspended or attached any sign in violation of this article.

(b)

It shall be unlawful for any person to fasten, paste, place, post, paint or attach in any way any sign, handbill, poster, advertisement or notice of any kind or sort, whether political or otherwise, or to cause the same to be done, in or upon any curbstone, lamp post, telephone, telegraph or electric light pole, tree or bridge.

(c)

It shall be unlawful to paste, place, paint or attach any sign on any building, street or property of the city; provided, however, that any property owner or the occupant of any property abutting on any public street in the city or the planning area may paint or stamp the address of such property upon the curbing directly in front of the building or to have the same painted thereon.

(Code 2000, § 16-18-10; Ord. No. 839, § 800.01, 1986; Ord. No. 1022, § 1, 2000)

Signs shall be permitted in the various districts as follows:

(1)

Sign regulations for A-L, E-A, O-E, R-1, R-2, R-3 and M-H Districts.

a.

Unilluminated nameplates are subject to the following restrictions:

1.

The nameplate shall not exceed one square foot in area;

2.

The nameplate shall show only the name and/or address of the occupant;

3.

There shall be no more than one nameplate for each dwelling unit; and

4.

The nameplate shall be affixed to the principal building and flat against the wall.

b.

Unilluminated "For Sale" and "For Rent" single-faced or double-faced business signs are subject to the following regulations:

1.

Only one sign shall be permitted per lot;

2.

No sign shall exceed five square feet in area;

3.

Signs shall be located no closer than five feet from any property line and shall not obstruct the view of traffic approaching a street intersection;

4.

When said sign is affixed to a building, it shall not project higher than ten feet above the ground level; and

5.

Ground signs shall not project higher than four feet above ground grade.

c.

Bulletin boards and signs for churches and other public institutions are subject to the following regulations:

1.

One sign or bulletin board shall be permitted on each street side if located on the same site as the principal building;

2.

If the sign or bulletin board is illuminated, the lights shall be directed away from adjoining residential uses;

3.

No sign or bulletin board shall exceed 24 square feet in area;

4.

No sign shall be located closer than eight feet from any side or rear property line;

5.

A sign or bulletin board located in the front yard shall be no closer to the street line than one-half the required front yard;

6.

A sign or bulletin board affixed to a building shall not project higher than ten feet above the ground level;

7.

Ground signs shall be permanently anchored to the ground and shall not exceed a height of six feet above normal grade;

8.

Buildings constructed on the property line prior to the effective date of the ordinance from which this chapter is derived shall be allowed one identification sign, providing said sign is a flat wall sign and permanently attached to the building; and

9.

On corner lots, no sign shall be constructed or located that will obstruct the view of traffic approaching the street intersection.

(2)

Sign regulations for the C-1 District. Where buildings or structures are established or are hereafter established on the property line, in the C-1 District, advertising and business signs shall conform with the following requirements, provided that they are constructed and maintained in accordance with the building code:

a.

The advertising or business sign shall be allowed to be affixed flat against the face of the building, be affixed to the front edge of a marquee parallel to a road, street or highway right-of-way or be affixed so as to extend over a road, street or highway right-of-way. An advertising or business sign that extends over a road, street or highway right-of-way must meet all of the following requirements:

1.

Before erecting the sign, the owner of the sign obtains written permission and approval from the city administrator or his or her designee.

2.

The sign does not restrict pedestrian traffic and is not a safety hazard to pedestrians of the motoring public.

3.

No portion of the sign shall be less than eight feet above the level of the sidewalk, road, street or highway right-of-way.

4.

The sign shall not extend beyond a point two feet inside the curbline of the road, street or highway right-of-way.

5.

The sign shall not extend any farther away than four feet from the building, pole or structure.

b.

Where a sign is illuminated by light directed upon it, the direct rays of light shall not beam upon any part of any existing residential district;

c.

Lighted signs in direct vision of traffic shall not be in red, green or amber illumination;

d.

Flashing signs shall be allowed only upon approval of the building official, provided that it is first determined that the sign will in no way create a traffic hazard or confusion with traffic lights or with lights on emergency vehicles;

e.

The gross surface area, in square feet, on one side of an advertising or business sign shall not exceed three times the lineal feet of separate frontage of the lot occupied by the building. Each side of the lot which abuts upon a street shall be considered as a separate frontage, and the gross surface area of all signs located on each side of a building shall not exceed three times the lineal feet in the separate frontage. The total surface area shall not exceed 400 square feet for each face of the sign. Individual letters, with no background, shall be measured by the minimum rectangular area necessary to encompass such letter or by a combination of rectangles as are necessary to encompass letters of irregular dimensions; and

f.

Any sign located within three feet of a driveway or parking area, or within 50 feet of the intersection of two or more streets, shall have the lowest elevation at least ten feet above the curb level.

(3)

Sign regulations for the C-2 and C-3 Districts. Business signs (single-faced or double-faced) shall be allowed in the C-2 or C-3 Districts subject to sign regulations set forth in the building code.

a.

Flashing signs are not permitted in C-2 Districts within 500 feet of a residential district zone.

b.

Non-flashing signs shall be permitted, provided that said sign is illuminated only during business hours or until 11:00 p.m., whichever is later, when said sign is located adjacent to a residential district; further provided that where the sign is illuminated by a light reflected upon it, direct rays of light shall not beam upon any residential building, into any residential district or into any street. Clocks and/or thermometers installed for public convenience and information are exempt from the time limitation.

c.

Lighted signs in direct vision of a traffic signal shall not be in red, green or amber illumination.

d.

The gross surface area, in square feet, on one side of any business sign on a lot shall not exceed three times the lineal feet of frontage of the building; each side of a lot which abuts upon a street shall be considered as a separate frontage, and the gross surface area of all signs located on each side of a structure shall not exceed three times the lineal feet in the separate frontage. The total surface area shall not exceed 400 square feet for each face of the sign. Individual letters with no background shall be measured by the minimum rectangular area necessary to encompass such letter, or by a combination of rectangles as are necessary to encompass letters of irregular dimensions.

e.

Any sign located within three feet of a driveway or parking area, or within 50 feet of the intersection of two or more streets, shall have its lowest elevation at least ten feet above curb level.

f.

Signs within 50 feet of a residential district shall be affixed to or be a part of the building.

g.

A maximum of two signs shall be allowed for a business or profession conducted on the premises (only one shall be allowed on a facade).

h.

The advertising or business sign shall be allowed to be affixed flat against the face of the building, be affixed to the front edge of a marquee parallel to a road, street or highway right-of-way or be affixed so as to extend over a road, street or highway right-of-way. An advertising or business sign that extends over a road, street or highway right-of-way must meet all of the following requirements:

1.

Before erecting the sign, the owner of the sign obtains written permission and approval from the city administrator or his or her designee.

2.

The sign does not restrict pedestrian traffic and is not a safety hazard to pedestrians or the motoring public.

3.

No portion of the sign shall be less than eight feet above the level of the sidewalk, road, street or highway right-of-way.

4.

The sign shall not extend beyond a point two feet inside the curbline of the road, street or highway right-of-way.

5.

The sign shall not extend any farther away than four feet from the building, pole or structure.

i.

Sandwich board signs may be allowed, provided that said sign is permanently affixed to the surface on which it rests.

(4)

Sign regulations for the I-1, I-2 and I-P Districts.

a.

Advertising and business signs (single-faced or double-faced) shall be allowed in I-1, I-2 and I-P Districts, subject to the following regulations, and subject to construction standards set forth in the building code or other city regulations:

1.

Flashing signs shall be permitted only upon approval of the building official, provided that it is first determined that the location and colors will in no way create a traffic hazard, or confusion with traffic lights and with lights on emergency vehicles, and that the direct rays of the sign will not be directed into any residential district.

2.

Non-flashing signs shall be permitted, provided that where the sign is illuminated by a light reflected upon it, direct rays of light shall not beam upon any residential building, into any residential district or into any street.

3.

Lighted signs in direct vision of a traffic signal shall not be in red, green or amber illumination.

4.

The gross surface area in square feet on one side of any business sign on a lot shall not exceed three times the lineal feet of frontage of the lots; each side of a lot which abuts upon a street shall be considered as a separate frontage, and the gross surface area of all signs located on each side of a lot shall not exceed three times the lineal feet in the separate frontage. Individual letters, with no background, shall be measured by the minimum rectangular area necessary to encompass such letter, or by a combination of rectangles as are necessary to encompass letters of irregular dimensions.

5.

Any sign located within three feet of a driveway or parking area, or within 50 feet of the intersection of two or more streets, shall have its lowest elevation at least ten feet above curb level.

6.

Signs within 50 feet of a residential district shall be affixed to or be a part of the building.

7.

A maximum of two signs shall be allowed for a business or profession conducted on the premises (only one shall be allowed on a facade).

8.

The advertising or business sign shall be allowed to be affixed flat against the face of the building, be affixed to the front edge of a marquee parallel to a road, street or highway right-of-way or be affixed so as to extend over a road, street or highway right-of-way. An advertising or business sign that extends over a road, street or highway right-of-way must meet all of the following requirements:

(i)

Before erecting the sign, the owner of the sign obtains written permission and approval from the city administrator or his or her designee.

(ii)

The sign does not restrict pedestrian traffic and is not a safety hazard to pedestrians or the motoring public.

(iii)

No portion of the sign shall be less than eight feet above the level of the sidewalk, road, street or highway right-of-way.

(iv)

The sign shall not extend beyond a point two feet inside the curbline of the road, street or highway right-of-way.

(v)

The sign shall not extend any farther away than four feet from the building, pole or structure.

9.

Sandwich board signs may be allowed, provided that said sign is permanently affixed to the surface on which it rests.

b.

Billboards will be permitted in I-1, I-2 and I-P Districts if they conform to the following provisions:

1.

The owner shall agree, at the time of issuance of the permit, to place and maintain on such billboard the name of the person owning, in charge of or in control of said billboard.

2.

No billboard shall be erected, altered, constructed, reconstructed or moved until an application and plans shall have been filed with the building official, and shall have been approved by the building official as to size, location and construction.

3.

Billboards shall not exceed 20 feet in height above ground.

4.

The owner, lessee and manager of such billboard, and the owner of the sign, shall maintain and keep the ground area around the sign clean, sanitary, inoffensive and free and clean of weeds and noxious substances.

5.

Plans for billboards in the fire limits shall be referred to the fire department for review and recommendation.

6.

No billboard shall project beyond the front, side or rear building line established for the district as set forth in this chapter.

7.

No billboard shall exceed 500 square feet in area (on a single face).

8.

It shall be unlawful to construct or maintain, or cause to be constructed or maintained, any billboard in such a manner as to:

(i)

Obstruct the view of street crossings or railroad crossings;

(ii)

Be unable to stand a pressure of at least 40 pounds per square foot of advertising surface;

(iii)

Be dangerous to the public by falling or blowing down;

(iv)

Increase the danger of loss by fire or to increase fire insurance rates; and/or

(v)

Approach nearer than five feet from any building, unless attached to the building.

9.

Billboards hereafter erected, constructed, reconstructed, altered or moved in the city and the planning area shall be constructed in such a manner and of such material that they shall be safe and substantial;

10.

Billboards supported by the ground shall have all posts set in concrete.

(5)

Unilluminated subdivision or development signs. Unilluminated subdivision or development signs will be permitted in all zoning districts subject to the following regulations:

a.

Only one sign shall be permitted per development.

b.

No sign shall exceed 40 square feet in surface area, or six feet in height above normal grade.

c.

No sign shall be located closer than eight feet from any side or rear lot line.

d.

No sign shall be located closer to the front lot line than one-half the required front yard.

e.

It shall be unlawful to construct or maintain, or cause to be constructed or maintained, any sign in such a manner as to:

1.

Obstruct the view of street crossings or railroad crossings;

2.

Be unable to stand a pressure of at least 40 pounds per square foot of surface;

3.

Be dangerous to the public for any reason; and/or

4.

Approach nearer than ten feet from any building.

f.

All signs shall be designed and maintained in such a manner as to ensure visual compatibility with surrounding development.

g.

Plans for all subdivision or development signs shall be submitted for review and comment by the planning and zoning commission prior to issuance of a permit for construction.

(6)

Unilluminated temporary construction company signs. Unilluminated temporary construction company signs will be permitted in all zoning districts, subject to the following regulations:

a.

Only one sign shall be permitted per construction location.

b.

Sign display shall be permitted only for the actual construction period.

c.

Signs shall be located no closer than five feet from any property line and shall not obstruct the view of traffic approaching a street intersection or create other hazards of any kind.

d.

Signs shall not project higher than six feet above the surrounding ground level.

e.

Signs shall not exceed eight square feet in surface area.

(Code 2000, § 16-18-20; Ord. No. 839, § 800.02, 1986; Ord. No. 1022, § 1, 2000; Ord. No. 1093, §§ 1—3, 2006)

(a)

All cloth awnings built, constructed or placed upon, in conjunction with or appurtenant to any building, which shall project over any sidewalk, shall be built, constructed or placed so that the same shall be, when lowered, seven feet above the surface of such sidewalk, and the outer edge of the same shall be, when lowered, nine feet from the lot line of the building to which such awning is appurtenant, provided that the requirements of this section shall not apply to awnings built, constructed or placed for the protection of windows on any but the first or ground floor of buildings.

(b)

All other awnings which require supports from the sidewalk upon which built, constructed or placed in conjunction with or appurtenant to any building which shall project over any sidewalk, shall have metal roofs. The supports thereof shall be of brick, concrete, stone or iron. No such awning shall be built without the plans and specifications being first exhibited to the city council and an order obtained permitting the awning to be erected. Such order shall be duly entered upon the records of the city council after having been adopted by the city council.

(c)

If any person shall construct or cause to be constructed any awning projecting over any sidewalk in the city in violation of the provisions of this article, the public works department shall be authorized to cause any such awning to be removed at the expense of the person owning the same.

(Prior Code, § 22-5; Code 2000, § 11-1-50; Ord. No. 166, §§ 1—3; Ord. No. 1022, § 1, 2000)

(a)

A permit shall be required for the erection, construction or alteration of any sign in the city and the planning jurisdiction.

(b)

Application for permits by persons other than the property owner shall be accompanied, in each instance, by either a letter authorizing the placement of a sign on the land or building, signed by the owner or his or her duly authorized agent, or by a lease showing the right of the applicant. Such application shall conform to the regulations herein provided. No signboard shall be erected or painted on any area until the application is acted upon and granted.

(c)

A charge shall be made for each permit granted.

(d)

If a sign for which a permit is granted is not erected within 60 days from the date of the permit, the permit shall, unless renewed, become void.

(e)

Advertising painted or placed on a structure shall be deemed subject to these regulations if permanent and over 12 square feet in area.

(f)

All signs shall be constructed, located and placed in accordance with local ordinances and state laws.

(g)

Permits are issued for the life of the sign so long as it is kept in good condition and changing conditions do not make it a hazard or undesirable to adjoining property owners. In such case, the city or county, whose jurisdiction shall apply, may direct its removal.

(Code 2000, § 16-18-30; Ord. No. 839, § 800.03, 1986)

(a)

All advertising and business signs in zoning districts C-l, C-2, C-3, I-1 and I-P established and constructed after the effective date of the initial ordinance from which this chapter is derived shall conform to applicable city, state and federal regulations for said signs.

(b)

All advertising and business signs established and constructed after the effective date of the initial ordinance from which this chapter is derived in zoning districts other than those enumerated in subsection (a) of this section shall conform to all sign regulations applicable to the zoning district in which the sign is located.

(Code 2000, § 16-18-40; Ord. No. 893, § 1, 1991; Ord. No. 1022, § 1, 2000; Ord. No. 1089, § 1, 2006; Ord. No. 1093, § 4, 2006)

Signs located on vacant buildings shall be removed by the property owner or his or her authorized agent within 15 days after said sign has been determined to be a threat to the safety of the public by the building official or his or her designated appointee.

(Code 2000, § 16-18-50; Ord. No. 839, § 800.05, 1986; Ord. No. 1048, 2002)