The purpose and intent of this article is to established a set of standard[s] for the fabrication, erection and use of signs, symbols, markings or advertising devices within Marion County. These standards are designed to protect and promote the health and safety of persons within the county and to aid and assist in the promotion of business and industry to providing regulations which allow and encourage creativity, effectiveness and flexibility in the design and use of such devices, while avoiding an environment that encourages visual blight. Nonconforming signs are hereby declared public nuisances and should be abated to protect the public interest and welfare.

Any sign, display or device allowed under this article may contain, in lieu of any other copy, any otherwise lawful noncommercial message in accordance with the size, height, light, number and spacing requirements of this article.

All signs in Marion County shall henceforth be erected, constructed or maintained in accordance with the provision of the sections below and applicable sections of the Marion County Building Code and only those signs that are permitted by these regulations shall be erected within the county.

No sign shall be erected or continued that:

A.

Obstructs the sight distance along a public right-of-way.

B.

Would tend by its location, color or nature, to be confused with or obstruct the view of traffic signs or signals, or to be confused with a flashing light of an emergency vehicle.

C.

Would by its nature or moving parts tend to confuse traffic or create any potential hazard to traffic.

D.

Uses admonitions such as "slow," "danger," etc., which might be confused with traffic directional signals.

No sign shall be attached to or painted on any telephone pole, light pole, telephone pole, or any tree, rock or other natural object. No signs other than signs erected by public governmental agencies or signs required by law, shall be placed so as to overhang any portion of public right-of-way or other public properties.

Illumination devices such as, but not limited to, flood or spot lights, shall be so placed and so shielded as to prevent the rays or illumination therefrom being cast into neighborhood dwellings and/or approaching vehicles.

The following signs shall not require a permit:

A.

Signs to regulate traffic.

B.

Signs required to be posted by law.

C.

Warning signs and no trespassing signs.

D.

Signs established by governmental agencies.

E.

Signs indicating bus stops, taxi stands and similar transportation facilities.

F.

Signs not exceeding ten square feet in area giving information concerning the location of use, accessory off-street parking facilities or loading and unloading facilities.

G.

Temporary real estate signs on a residentially zoned piece of property not exceeding ten square feet in size, and temporary real estate signs in any zones other than residential not exceeding 32 square feet in size.

H.

Any sign not exceeding ten square feet in area other than advertising, separate use, or signs requiring electrical wiring.

I.

Temporary signs on private land involved in campaigns of religious, charitable, civic, fraternal, political and similar organizations.

J.

Point of business sign not exceeding 64 square feet.

A.

The maximum area of a point of business sign, an incidental use signs or an identification sign shall be 150 square feet. In R-1 and R-2 zones all signs shall be no larger than ten square feet in area and shall not be illuminated directly or indirectly.

B.

The maximum area of an off-site advertising sign (billboard) shall be 750 square feet, exclusive of any border or trim.

C.

The maximum area of a portable sign shall be 40 square feet.

D.

A temporary sign for a nonconforming business shall not exceed a maximum of 32 square feet.

E.

Construction signs and temporary subdivision signs should not exceed a maximum of 50 square feet.

A.

Location where allowed: Off-site advertising signs (billboards) shall be allowed only in the following zoning districts:

1.

C-2 (highway commercial).

2.

I (industrial).

B.

Off-site advertising sign requirements:

1.

Sign surface area: Maximum - 750 square feet per face.

2.

Maximum number of signs: Two signs per sign structure which may be single or double-faced, provided that each side shall have no more than 750 square feet.

3.

Height: maximum:

a)

Arterial street location - 45 feet.

b)

All other locations where allowed - 18 feet.

4.

Minimum clearance required under sign will be ten feet.

5.

Minimum setback: Five feet from the nearest right-of-way line; and ten feet from the right-of-way line intersection point measured at any angle.

6.

Minimum spacing: Three hundred feet on the same side of the road from another off-site sign.

C.

Priority of signs: Where the location of two or more off-site advertising signs conflicts under the requirements of this chapter [appendix], the sign meeting the requirements of this chapter [appendix] and having the earliest dated permit for its erection shall have priority over other signs in conflict herewith.

D.

Off-site advertising signs shall not be established at any location having principal frontage on any street within 100 feet of any church, school, cemetery, public park, public playground or residential districts including, AG, R-1, R-2 zones.

E.

No revolving or rotating beam or beacon of light that resembles or simulates any emergency light device shall be permitted as part of any sign. Illuminated signs which indicate customary public information, such as time, date, temperature or other similar information shall be permitted. (Within 30 days from the effective date of this chapter [appendix] is provision must be complied with.)

F.

External lighting, such as floodlights, thin line and goose neck reflectors, are permitted, provided the light source is directed on the face of the sign and is effectively shielded so as to prevent beams or rays of light from being directed into any portion of the thoroughfare. Within 30 days from the effective date of the chapter [appendix], this provision must be complied with.

G.

The illumination of any sign within 100 feet of an AG, R-1, R-2 lot line shall be defused or indirect in design to prevent direct rays of light from shining into those adjoining zones. Within 30 days from the effective date of this chapter [appendix], this provision must be complied with.

A.

Issuance of permits: No sign, except those listed in section 21.06 shall be erected, hung, or placed or structurally altered without a permit from the zoning administrator.

B.

Filing procedure: Application for permits to erect, hang or place a sign shall be submitted on forms obtainable from the zoning administrator. Each application shall be accompanied by plans showing the area of the sign, size, and character and the method of illumination, if any, the exact location proposed for such sign, and in the case of a projecting sign the proposed method of fastening said sign to the building structure, the vertical distance between such sign and the finished grade, and the horizontal distance' between such sign and the street right-of-way line.

C.

Additional information: Each applicant shall upon the request of the zoning administrator, submit any additional information deemed necessary by said administrator.