Any sign shall, by definition, be a structure. No land or building or structure shall be used for sign purposes except within the stipulated districts listed in the sign use regulations specified herein. All signs legally existing at the time of passage of these regulations may remain in use under the conditions of legal nonconformance. Signs in legal nonconformance may be enlarged, moved, lighted, reconstructed, replaced, maintained, repaired or remodeled, however, the change of advertising display shall not be restricted except as previously stated. After the effective date of this regulation, no sign or encroachment shall be erected, enlarged, constructed, otherwise installed or permitted to exist without a permit therefor having been first received, and a permit shall be legally issued only when in compliance with this regulation. All signs shall be constructed in such a manner and of such material that they shall be safe and substantial. Scale drawings of the sign and manner of supports shall be furnished to the zoning administrator in application for a sign permit for all signs.

(Ord. No. 1088, exh. A(7.10), 10-4-1982; Ord. No. 1330, § 4, 3-1-1999)

7.21.

Functional types.

1.

Advertising sign. A sign which directs the attention of the public to any goods, merchandise, property, business, service, entertainment or amusement conducted or produced which is bought or sold, furnished, offered or dealt in elsewhere than on the premises where such sign is located or to which it is affixed.

2.

Bulletin board sign. A sign that indicates the name of an institution or organization on whose premises it is located and which contains the name of the institution or organization, the name or names of persons connected with it, and announcement of persons, events or activities occurring at the institution. Such sign may also present a greeting or similar message.

3.

Business sign. A sign which directs attention to a business or profession conducted, or to products, services or entertainment sold or offered upon the premises where such sign is located, or to which it is affixed.

4.

Construction sign. A temporary sign indicating the names of the architects, engineers, landscape architects, contractors and similar artisans involved in the design and construction of a structure, complex or project only during the construction period and only on the premises on which the construction is taking place.

5.

Identification sign. A sign giving the name and address of a building, business, development or establishment. Such signs may be wholly or partly devoted to a readily-recognized symbol.

6.

Name plate sign. A sign giving the name and/or address of the owner or occupant of a building or premises on which it is located and, where applicable, a professional status.

7.

Real estate sign. A sign pertaining to the sale or lease of a lot or tract of land on which the sign is located, or to the sale or lease of one or more structures, or a portion thereof on which the sign is located.

8.

Encroachments. The word "encroachment" when used in this ordinance shall mean and include any sign, awning, canopy, marquee, billboard or other advertising device, merchandise stand or display, building or other structure, or other use for private purposes of any character which exists in or rests upon or projects above the right-of-way or any portion thereof of a public street.

7.22.

Structural types.

1.

Awning, canopy or marquee sign. A sign that is mounted on, painted on, or attached to, an awning, canopy or marquee. No such signs shall project above, below or beyond the awning, canopy or marquee.

2.

Ground sign. Any sign placed upon, or supported by, the ground independent of the principal building or structure on the property, where the bottom edge of the sign is less than six feet above the ground.

3.

Pole sign. Any sign placed upon, or supported by, the ground independent of the principal building or structure on the property where the bottom edge of the sign is six feet or more above the ground level.

4.

Projecting sign. A sign that is wholly or partly dependent upon a building for support and which projects more than 12 inches from such building.

5.

Wall sign. A sign fastened to or painted on a wall of a building or structure in such a manner that the wall becomes merely the supporting structure or forms the background surface, and which does not project more than 12 inches from such building.

6.

Roof sign. A sign totally supported on the roof of a structure. Roof signs shall not project more than 12 inches beyond the face of the building.

(Ord. No. 1088, exh. A(7.20—7.22), 10-4-1982; Ord. No. 1330, §§ 5, 6, 3-1-1999)

7.31.

Gross area of sign.

1.

Gross area shall include the entire area within a single continuous perimeter enclosing the extreme limits of the sign, exclusive of the base on which it is mounted or from which it is suspended. If more than one side of a sign is utilized as a sign, then only the largest side shall be computed and shall be counted as a portion of the gross area. On lots where more than one sign is located, the total gross area of all the signs shall not exceed the maximum gross area permitted by this regulation.

2.

For computing the gross area of any wall sign which consists of letters mounted or painted on a wall, the area shall be deemed to be the area of the smallest rectangular figure which can encompass all of the letters.

7.32.

Sign height. Sign height shall be measured from the ground elevation at the base of the sign to the highest element of the sign.

7.33.

Illuminated signs. A sign designed to give forth artificial light or designed to reflect light derived from any source:

1.

Illuminated signs shall be designed as to reflect or direct light away from any residential dwelling district.

2.

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

7.34.

Flashing or moving signs. Any illuminated sign on which the artificial light is not constant in intensity and color at all times. For the purpose of this regulation, any revolving, rotating, moving animated, signs with moving lights or signs which create the illusion of movement shall be considered as a flashing sign.

1.

Flashing or moving signs will be a permitted use in zones A-1, agricultural district; zone A-2, agricultural district urban fringe; C-1, highway business district; C-2, office business district; C-3, central business district; I-1, light industrial district; and, I-2, heavy industrial district. Signs shall not in any case exceed 32 square feet in lighted area.

2.

Flashing or moving signs will be a conditional use in zones R-S, suburban residential district; R-1, single-family residential district; R-2, two-family residential district; R-3, multi-family residential district; and, R-4, mobile home park residential district. Signs shall not in any case exceed 32 square feet in lighted area.

7.35.

Accessway or window. No sign shall block any required accessway or window.

7.36.

Signs on trees or utility poles. No sign shall be attached to a specific tree or utility pole whether on public or private property.

7.37.

Metal signs. Signs constructed of metal and illuminated by any means requiring internal wiring or electrically-wired accessory fixtures attached to a metal sign shall maintain a free clearance to grade of nine feet. Accessory lighting fixtures attached to a non-metal frame sign shall also maintain a clearance of nine feet to grade. No metal ground sign shall be located within eight feet vertically and four feet horizontally of electric wires or conductors in free air carrying more than 48 volts, whether or not such wires or conductors are insulated or otherwise protected.

7.38.

Traffic safety.

1.

No sign shall be maintained at any location where by reason of its position, size, shape or color, it may obstruct, impair, obscure, interfere with the view of, or be confused with any traffic or railroad control sign, signal or device, or where it may interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic.

2.

Any sign located within three feet of a driveway or within a parking area shall have its lowest elevation at least ten feet above the curb level; however, in no event shall any sign except wall signs and awnings, canopy or marquee signs be placed so as to project over any public right-of-way.

3.

Under no circumstances shall any sign be placed in the sight triangle as defined by this regulation.

7.39.

Lineal street frontage. In those districts where gross sign area is allocated based on lineal street frontage and the tract or parcel is adjacent to more than one street, the lineal street frontage shall be computed as follows:

1.

For those tracts or parcels located on major streets as designated in the major street plan of the comprehensive plan, the lineal street frontage shall be the distance of that property line abutting the major street.

2.

For those tracts or parcels not located on a major street, the lineal street frontage shall be one-half the sum of all the street frontages.

(Ord. No. 1088, exh. A(7.30—7.39), 10-4-1982; Ord. No. 1534, § 2, 7-18-2011)

7.41.

Total exemptions. The following signs shall be exempt from the requirements of this article, except for the provisions of sections 7.30 through 7.39:

1.

Flags or emblems of a governmental or of a political, civic, philanthropic, educational or religious organization, displayed on private property.

2.

Signs of a duly constituted governmental body, including traffic or similar regulatory signs, legal notices, warnings at railroad crossings and other instructional or regulatory signs having to do with health, safety, parking, swimming, dumping, etc.

3.

Memorial signs and tables displayed on public or private property.

4.

Small signs, not exceeding three square feet in area, displayed on private property for the convenience of the public, including signs to identify entrance and exit drives, parking areas, one-way drives, restrooms, freight entrances, and other similar signs.

5.

Scoreboards in athletic stadiums.

6.

Placement of political signs during election period. No city or county shall regulate or prohibit the placement of or the number of political signs on private property or the unpaved right of way for city streets or county roads on private property during the 45-day period prior to any election and the two-day period following any such election. Cities and counties may regulate the size and set back distance for the placement of such signs so as not to impede sight lines or sight distance for safety reasons.

7.

Temporary signs for the sale of household goods at a residence (garage sales) for a period not to exceed three days.

7.42.

Exemptions from sign permit. The following signs are exempt from the sign permit section of this article, but shall comply with all of the other regulations imposed by this article:

1.

Name plate signs not exceeding two square feet in gross area necessary to a single-family or two-family dwelling.

2.

Bulletin board signs not exceeding 100 square feet in gross area accessory to a church, school or public or nonprofit institution.

3.

Business signs when located on property used for agricultural purposes and pertaining to the sale of agricultural products produced on the premises.

4.

Real estate signs not exceeding eight square feet in area.

5.

Construction signs not exceeding eight square feet in area.

(Ord. No. 1088, exh. A(7.40—7.42), 10-4-1982; Ord. No. 1599, § 2, 5-6-2019)

7.51.

"A-1" Agricultural District.

1.

Functional types permitted:

a.

Advertising signs.

b.

Bulletin board signs.

c.

Business signs, pertaining only to the sale of agricultural products produced on the premises and home occupations.

d.

Construction signs.

e.

Identification signs.

f.

Name plate signs.

g.

Real estate signs.

2.

Structural types permitted:

a.

Pole signs.

b.

Wall signs.

3.

Number of signs permitted: One sign per 660 feet of frontage.

4.

Maximum gross area:

a.

Advertising signs: 700 square feet per sign.

b.

Bulletin board and identification signs: 24 square feet.

c.

Business signs, home occupations: two square feet; agricultural: 20 square feet.

d.

Construction signs: 20 square feet.

e.

Name plate signs: two square feet.

f.

Real estate signs: 12 square feet.

5.

Maximum height: 50 feet.

6.

Required setbacks: None, except that advertising signs shall observe a setback of 100 feet or more if required by state or federal law.

7.

Illumination: Advertising signs and bulletin board and identification signs that do not exceed 12 square feet on one face for churches, hospitals, police stations, fire stations and other similar public facilities.

7.52.

"A-2" Agricultural District—Urban Fringe, "R-1" Single-Family Residential District, "R-2" Two-Family Residential District, "R-3" Multi-Family Residential District, and "R-4" Mobile Home Park District.

1.

Functional types permitted:

a.

Business signs pertaining to a home occupation and subject to the sign requirements of the home occupation section of this regulation.

b.

Bulletin board signs.

c.

Construction signs.

d.

Identification signs.

e.

Name plate signs.

f.

Real estate signs.

2.

Structural types permitted:

a.

Ground signs.

b.

Wall signs.

3.

Number of signs permitted: One sign per zoning lot.

4.

Maximum gross area:

a.

Business signs - home occupations: two square feet.

b.

Bulletin board and identification signs: 100 square feet.

c.

Construction signs: 20 square feet.

d.

Name plate signs: two square feet.

e.

Real estate signs: six square feet, provided that one sign not more than 100 square feet in area announcing the sale of lots and/or houses in a subdivision may be located on said development. Said sign shall be removed at the end of three years or when 75 percent of the lots have been sold, whichever occurs sooner.

5.

Maximum height: 15 feet.

6.

Required setback: No sign shall be placed closer to the front property line than one-half the distance of the front yard.

7.

Illumination: Bulletin boards and identification signs may be indirectly illuminated with incandescent or fluorescent lighting.

7.53.

"C-1" Highway Business District, "C-2" Office Business District, and "C-3" Central Business District.

1.

Functional types permitted:

a.

Advertising signs.

b.

Bulletin board signs.

c.

Business signs.

d.

Construction signs.

e.

Identification signs.

f.

Name plate signs.

g.

Real estate signs.

2.

Structural types permitted:

a.

Awning, canopy or marquee signs.

b.

Ground signs.

c.

Pole signs.

d.

Projecting signs.

e.

Wall signs.

3.

Number of signs permitted:

a.

Awning, canopy or marquee signs and wall signs: No limitations.

b.

Ground signs and pole signs: Two per zoning lot.

c.

Projecting and advertising signs: One per zoning lot in "C-1" and "C-2" and districts; none in "C-3" district.

4.

Maximum gross surface area: four square feet for each lineal foot of street frontage, provided no single sign shall exceed a gross surface area of 300 square feet.

5.

Maximum height:

a.

All signs: 30 feet in the "C-2" and "C-3" districts; 60 feet in the "C-1" district.

6.

Required setback: None except that advertising signs shall maintain the same setback that is required for principal structures.

7.

Illumination: Illuminated signs shall be permitted.

7.54.

"I-1" Light Industrial and "I-2" Heavy Industrial District.

1.

Functional types permitted:

a.

Advertising signs.

b.

Bulletin board signs.

c.

Business signs.

d.

Construction signs.

e.

Identification signs.

f.

Name plate signs.

g.

Real estate signs.

2.

Structural types permitted:

a.

Awning, canopy or marquee signs.

b.

Ground signs.

c.

Pole signs.

d.

Projecting signs.

e.

Wall signs.

f.

Roof signs.

3.

Number of signs permitted: Two per zoning lot.

4.

Maximum gross surface area: four square feet per lineal foot of street frontage, provided no single sign exceeds a gross surface area of 700 square feet.

5.

Maximum height:

a.

Roof signs: 20 feet above the highest point of the structure on which the sign is located.

b.

All other signs: 60 feet.

6.

Required setback: None, except that advertising signs shall maintain the same setback that is required for principal structures.

7.

Illumination: Illuminated signs shall be permitted.

(Ord. No. 1088, exh. A(7.50—7.54), 10-4-1982)