No sign shall hereafter be located, erected, moved, reconstructed, extended, enlarged, converted, or structurally altered except so as to comply with the provisions of this section. It shall be unlawful for any person to locate, erect, construct, enlarge or structurally modify a sign or cause the same to be done within the city without first obtaining a sign permit for each sign from the zoning administrator, unless specifically exempted by this section.

(Ord. No. 2017-1092, § 1, 4-11-2017)

(a)

Address numbers. Address numbers are required for each principal residential commercial and industrial building located on each lot in the city. Specifications for numbers shall be as follows:

(1)

The numbers shall be black on white or other color-contrasting combinations that can easily be read from the street. The numbers shall be no smaller than two and a half inches. Roman numerals and script are not acceptable.

(2)

If the number is not readily visible from the street in this location then it shall be placed in such a location that it is readily visible.

(3)

In the case of buildings under construction, the number and the building permit shall be placed on a temporary post or tree in front of the construction where it is visible from the street. When the building is completed, the number shall be moved to the permanent location specified in this subsection.

(4)

Numbers shall be required as follows:

a.

No permit for the construction of a building shall be issued until an address number has been assigned.

b.

No permit for the repair or alteration of a building shall be issued unless the proper number is affixed to the building in accordance with this section.

(b)

Conflicts. In the case of conflicting sign requirements and limitations, the more stringent shall apply.

(c)

Advertising. Other than political signs and temporary signs as permitted by this Section, signs shall advertise only those locations, products, goods, or services available upon the same premises as the sign.

(d)

Installation. All signs shall be properly secured, supported and braced. Signs shall not be fastened to window frames. Every sign and its framework, braces, anchors and other supports shall be constructed of such material and with such workmanship as to be safe and satisfactory to the zoning administrator or building inspector.

(e)

Maintenance. All signs, including supports and attachments, shall be kept in reasonable structural condition and shall be kept clean and well painted at all times.

(f)

Blanketing. Blanketing of signs shall not be allowed.

(g)

Illumination. When permitted, both indirect and directly illuminated signs shall concentrate light only upon the area of the sign. Light sources shall be shielded as necessary to prevent glare upon the street or adjacent properties.

(h)

Pylon signs. All supporting columns shall be enclosed in a decorative material which shall be integrated into the sign as a whole. Bare wooden posts or poles shall not be permitted.

(i)

Downtown design overlay district. Development within the downtown design overlay must conform to the requirements of both the standard zoning district and the downtown design district, and if the two zones are inconsistent, then the development shall comply with the requirements of the more restrictive of the two zones.

(Ord. No. 2017-1092, § 1, 4-11-2017; Ord. No. 2023-2060, 10-10-2023)

The following definitions and sign requirements shall apply to all signs. Refer to section 114-259 for regulations specific to each zoning district.

Advertising displays means any temporary sign or device, e.g., festoons, pennants, banners, pinwheels, inflatable devices and similar devices, erected by a commercial or industrial use, intended to advertise a particular business, product, service or event, at a special price, rate, size or quantity, for a limited time.

Area of sign means the entire area within a single perimeter enclosing the extreme limits of a sign, not including any structural elements. The area of a multiple-faced or irregular-shaped sign shall be computed on the basis of the smallest area of the sign that can be enclosed by two contiguous rectangles. Only one side of a double-faced sign shall be used in computing the area of a sign, provided that the information on both sides is the same.

Awning means a hood or cover that projects from the wall of a building, which can be retracted, folded or collapsed against the face of a supporting structure.

Billboard (off-premises advertising signs) means a sign which directs attention to a business, commodity, service, or entertainment conducted, sold, or offered elsewhere than upon the premises where the sign is displayed. Off-premises signs include signs commonly referred to as billboards. Off-premises signs do not include temporary business signs.

Blanketing means the unreasonable obstruction of view of a sign caused by the placement of another sign.

Building sign means a sign attached to, painted on or made a part of a wall or a projection of a wall on a building, or erected upon or over the roof or parapet of any building. For the purposes of this section, there are four types of building signs.

(1)

Awning/canopy/marquee sign. Any sign attached to or made part of an awning, canopy or marquee, including any sign hanging from underneath the awning, canopy or marquee. Hanging signs may not be lower than eight feet above a walkway or public sidewalk.

(2)

Wall sign. Any sign attached to, erected on or painted on the wall of a building or structure and projecting not more than 12 inches from such wall.

(3)

Projecting sign. Any sign extending more than 12 inches, but no more than five feet from the face of a wall or building. Projecting signs may not be lower than eight feet above a walkway or public sidewalk.

(4)

Roof sign. Any sign erected upon or over the roof or parapet of any building. The highest point of the sign may not be more than 15 feet above the roof surface or the coping of the building. The combined height of the building and the sign shall not exceed the height requirement for the zoning district in which it is located.

Building frontage means the horizontal width of a building where it is oriented towards the right-of-way. On a corner lot, each face of the building facing a right-of-way is considered a separate building frontage.

Canopy (or marquee) means a shelter attached to or connected with a building to provide cover over a door, entrance, window or outdoor service area.

Directly illuminated sign means any sign designed to give artificial light directly through a transparent or translucent material from a source of light originating within or upon such sign.

Directional sign means any sign which provides instruction or direction and is located entirely on a property to which it pertains, does not exceed eight square feet in area and does not include any logo or does not otherwise advertise a business in any way. This includes, but is not limited to, such signs as those identifying entrances and exits, drive-through windows, restrooms, telephones, and parking areas.

Electronic message unit sign means any sign on which the message may be changed by an electronic process, including such messages as copy, art, graphics, time, date, temperature, weather or information concerning civic and charitable events or the advertising of products or services available on the premises. This also includes traveling or segmented message displays.

Flashing elements means portions of any directly or indirectly illuminated sign (except for electronic message unit signs) which contain artificial light which is not maintained stationary and constant in intensity and/or color at all times when in use. Where signs with flashing elements are permitted, the intensity of any single bulb or other light-emitting source cannot exceed 25 watts. Bare reflecting-type bulbs of any kind are not allowed as flashing elements unless they are properly shaded so as not to interfere with surrounding properties. No more than 25 percent of the area of any sign may contain flashing elements.

Freestanding sign means free-standing signs: a self-supporting sign resting on or supported by means of poles, standards, or any other type of base on the ground, the sole purpose of which is to support the sign. There are two types of free-standing signs: monument signs and pylon signs.

(1)

Monument sign means a type of freestanding sign whose bottom edge is located within one foot of a ground-mounted pedestal and whose top edge is located no more than six feet high.

(2)

Pylon sign means a type of freestanding sign whose bottom edge is located more than one foot above a ground-mounted pedestal or whose top edge is located more than six feet high. Considerations for pylon sign height include: impact on neighboring properties, proximity to principal structure versus street, and height of surrounding structures.

Height of sign.

(1)

The distance measured from the established grade at the ground level of the sign to the top-most element of the sign structure.

(2)

The height of all free-standing signs shall be determined by calculating the height of the sign above a point on the centerline of the street or highway closest to the sign. The point on the centerline shall be located by drawing an imaginary line from the base of the sign to the centerline so that the line intersects the centerline at a 90 degree angle. The intersection of this imaginary line and the centerline of the nearest street or highway shall be the point from which the height of the sign shall be calculated, except when a sign is located on the corner of two intersecting streets or highways, the height of the sign shall be measured from the point where the centerlines of the two streets or highways intersect.

Indirectly illuminated sign means a sign that is illuminated from a source outside of the actual sign, which is directed at the sign and is installed for the purpose of sign illumination.

Interstate signs means a type of on-premises freestanding pylon sign intended to identify the location of a business in the city to motorists traveling on Interstate 90/94. Such signs shall be established by conditional use.

Interstate unified business center signs means a type of freestanding pylon sign displaying the collective name of a group of uses defined as a unified business center, and/or the names and/or logos of individual occupants of the unified business center.

Movable board sign means a two-sided sign designed to be temporarily placed on the sidewalk outside of a business that advertises goods or services available therein. A movable board sign may not be fixed in a permanent position and may not be illuminated. The city accepts no liability for any movable board sign placed on a public right-of-way. Also known as poster board signs or sandwich board signs.

Multi-family complex sign means a freestanding sign that displays the name of a multi-family apartment complex and related information (such as the phone number, vacancy status, etc.).

Nonconforming sign means any sign which does not conform to the regulations of this section.

Occupant frontage means in a multi-tenant building, the horizontal width of the business occupancy parallel to the front of the building or to its main entrance. In the case of an end unit with a wall face that faces a street right-of-way, each wall face may be considered a separate occupancy frontage.

Portable sign means any sign mounted to a rigid structure which is not permanently affixed to the ground and which can be moved from one location to another, not including a moveable board sign.

Real estate sign means any sign that are used to offer for sale lease or rent the property upon which the sign is placed.

Sign means a sign shall include anything that promotes, calls attention or invites patronage (or anything similar to the aforementioned) to a business, location, individual, or product.

Sign setback means the distance from any property line to the plane formed by the nearest edge or element of the sign structure, extended to the ground.

Street frontage means the distance measured along the lot line adjacent to a public right-of-way. Each separate street adjacent to a lot is considered a separate street frontage. When multiple signs are allowed, each sign shall use the frontage along which it is intended to be viewed as its street frontage for the purposes of determining sign area.

Temporary sign means any sign intended to be displayed for a short period of time, including banners publicizing a special event, decorative-type displays or anything similar to the aforementioned. Temporary signs shall be erected so as not be loosened as a result of wind or weather.

Window sign means any sign that is visible to the public located completely within a window, or attached to or painted upon the surface of a window of a building.

(Ord. No. 2017-1092, § 1, 4-11-2017)

(a)

The term "sign" does not include the following:

(1)

Flags or emblems of any nation, organization of nations, state, city, religious, fraternal, or civic organization;

(2)

Merchandise and pictures or models of products or services incorporated into a window display;

(3)

Works of art which do not identify a product;

(4)

Scoreboards located on athletic fields, provided the advertising thereon does not exceed 50 percent of the size of the scoreboard area; and

(5)

Signage located within an outdoor athletic facility's walls or fences, provided:

a.

The sign is mounted upon the walls or fences;

b.

The sign does not extend above or beyond the height or width of the wall or fences to which it is affixed; and

c.

The sign is designed to be viewed by persons sitting in the area designed for spectators.

(Ord. No. 2017-1092, § 1, 4-11-2017)

The following signs are exempt from the requirement that a permit be obtained and, unless otherwise stated, are permitted in all zoning districts:

(a)

Address numbers and name plates not exceeding two square feet in area for each residential, institutional, business or industrial building.

(b)

Construction signs. Two per site, not exceeding 32 square feet in area each, confined to the site of construction, and removable 30 days after completion of construction or prior to occupancy, whichever is sooner.

(c)

Directional signs, in the business and industrial districts.

(d)

Emblems or insignia of any nation or political subdivision, or non-profit organization, provided such signs shall not be illuminated nor exceed two square feet in area.

(e)

Government or official signs for the control of traffic and other regulatory purposes, danger signs, railroad crossing signs and signs of public utilities indicating danger, wayfinding signs, and aids to service or safety which are erected by or on the order of a public officer in the performance of his duty. Such signs shall be subject to approval by the department of public works and the building inspector.

(f)

Home-based professional office signs, home occupation identification signs, bed and breakfast establishment signs when located on the same premises as an approved conditional use. Such signs may not be illuminated and are limited to four square feet in area.

(g)

Interior signs. Signs located within the interior of any building or structure which are not visible from the public right-of-way. This does not, however, exempt such signs from the structural, electrical or material specifications of this or any other applicable code, statute, or ordinance.

(h)

Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings and date of erection, inscriptions or emblems, which are cut into masonry surface or inlaid so as to be part of a building or when constructed of bronze or other non combustible material not more than four square feet in area and affixed flat against the structure.

(i)

Municipal signs. Signs erected by the city upon municipal property, buildings, parks or public recreational facilities.

(j)

No trespassing and no dumping signs, not to exceed one and one-half square feet in area.

(k)

Official notices posted by public officers or employees in the performance of their duties.

(l)

Political and campaign signs on behalf of candidates for public office or measures on election ballots, provided that such signs are subject to the following regulations:

(1)

Such signs may be erected not earlier than 45 days prior to the primary election and shall be removed within seven days following the general election.

(2)

Such signs may not be erected on any public right-of-way or other public property.

(m)

Real estate signs.

(n)

Religious symbols, commemorative plaques of recognized historic agencies, or identification emblems of religious orders or historical agencies.

(o)

Temporary public announcement and public service signs, provided the size, character, quality and message on each sign is specifically approved by the common council and further provided that prior to erection, an individual or group shall indicate to the common council that he/she or it shall be responsible for the maintenance of such sign. Such signs may be of a type, size and character approved by the common council, notwithstanding any regulations or restrictions contained in this chapter.

(p)

Window signs. Signs attached or affixed to the surface of a window.

(Ord. No. 2017-1092, § 1, 4-11-2017)

(a)

Prohibited signs.

(1)

Business closings. Closed businesses must remove their signs within 60 days of closing.

(2)

Flashing signs. No sign shall be illuminated by or contain any flashing, intermittent, or moving lights. Flashing signs are those which change their appearance more than once every 60 seconds. Electronic message center signs and time/temperature signs are permitted with a conditional use permit. Chasing lights shall not be allowed.

(3)

Inflatable signs. No inflatable signs shall be permitted, except as temporary signs.

(4)

Mobile signs. No mobile signs shall be permitted.

(5)

Moving signs. Except for sequin-like eye catcher devices and temporary signs, no fluttering, undulating, swinging, rotating, animated or otherwise moving signs or other moving decorations shall be permitted.

(6)

Off-premises advertising signs. Off-premises advertising signs are not permitted in the city. Existing off-premises advertising signs made nonconforming by this article shall be permitted to continue as legal, nonconforming structures. However, such signs may not be relocated, structurally modified, or replaced if damaged over 50 percent.

(7)

Portable signs. Portable signs are prohibited.

(8)

Roof signs. Roof signs are prohibited.

(9)

Signs on natural objects. No sign shall be attached to or painted on natural objects, such as trees or rocks.

(10)

Signs containing any obscene, indecent, or immoral matter.

(11)

Traffic interference. No sign shall use any word, phrase, symbol, shape, form, lighting or character in such manner as to interfere with or create confusion for moving traffic, including signs which incorporate typical street-type and/or traffic control-type signage designs and colors, and signs which are illuminated by lights which shine into drivers' eyes.

(12)

Traffic visibility. No sign shall be erected or placed so that it obstructs, impedes or confuses visibility for safe pedestrian and/or vehicular traffic.

(13)

Vehicle signs. No persons shall park any vehicle or trailer on a public right-of-way or on any private property so as to be seen from a public right-of-way, which has attached thereto or located thereon any sign or advertising device which advertises products or directs people to a business activity. Licensed business vehicles and trailers which contain typical business signage and which are actively driven or towed on a daily basis for business purposes are exempt from this prohibition.

(14)

Wall painted signs. Signs painted directly on a wall or other portion of an exterior surface of a building is not permitted.

(b)

Sign location regulations.

(1)

Public property. Privately owned signs shall not be placed, grounded, anchored or allowed to project over any public property, easement or road right-of-way, except that projecting signs and awning signs may project over a public sidewalk in the NB, PB, and CB zoning districts, provided that projecting signs are at least ten feet above the sidewalk and awning signs are at least eight feet above the sidewalk, and further provided that both awning and projecting signs do not project more than four feet from the building. Owners must hold harmless the city from any damages.

(2)

Freestanding signs. Except where another distance is specifically provided in this chapter, freestanding signs shall be located a minimum of eight feet from property lines, except that on-premises directional signs less than 36 inches tall may be located a minimum of one foot from a property line.

(3)

Awnings made only of cloth or cloth-like materials are permitted. Such awnings may use backlighting and may contain signs. Such awnings, when located over pedestrian ways, shall be a minimum of seven and one-half feet for the fabric, and eight feet for the frame.

(Ord. No. 2017-1092, § 1, 4-11-2017)

(a)

Zoning district regulations table.

Table 114-259—Zoning District Regulations Table

^* In the case of a multi-tenant building, one and a half square feet per each linear foot of occupant frontage. Multiple building signs are permitted, but the total area of all signs may not exceed the maximum area stated above.

^** One per street frontage; however, for lots where a street frontage is 200 feet or more, one additional sign is permitted along that frontage; however, the aggregate area of all signs may not exceed the maximum area noted above.

^*** Industrial districts allow for one additional entry sign.

^**** Monument signs have a six foot height limitation.

(b)

Additional regulations.

(1)

Interstate or interstate unified business signs.

a.

Minimum setback. No sign shall be located in the front yard, minimum 50 feet from all side and rear lot lines, but if 50 feet is not practically feasible, the location shall be established by conditional use.

b.

The location of the sign must be within 1,750 feet of the centerline of any exit or entrance ramp serving Interstate 90/94 or within 1,750 feet of the centerline between the closest pair of Interstate 90/94 traffic lanes, whichever is greater.

c.

The location of the sign shall not be within the front yard of the lot, with preference for the rear or side yard closest to the interstate.

d.

The location of the sign shall not be within 400 feet of any residentially zoned lot. Refer to the interstate sign map on file with the zoning department.

e.

All businesses located on the sign must be located within the interstate sign area.

f.

All other signs located on the lot must be in conformance with the regulations of this chapter.

g.

Interstate signs cannot be a changeable copy sign unless a special exception is granted by the city council as part of the conditional use approval.

(2)

Electronic message unit (EMU) signs. EMU signs are allowed in the CB, PB, GI, and HI districts with the following regulations:

a.

The maximum area dedicated to an electronic message unit shall be 50 percent of the sign area or 35 square feet (whichever is larger) per sign face and shall be inclusive of the maximum area permitted for the sign structure.

(3)

Illumination.

a.

All signs in the GB, PB, GI, and HI districts may be illuminated (except movable board signs and temporary signs).

b.

All signs in the CB districts may be illuminated (except movable board signs and temporary signs).

c.

Light box signs are prohibited in the CB district.

d.

Flashing elements (except for electronic message unit signs) are prohibited.

e.

Flashing elements are permitted in the PB district; however, flashing elements that may create a hazard as determined by the zoning administrator are prohibited.

(Ord. No. 2017-1092, § 1, 4-11-2017; Ord. No. 2018-2010, 1-22-2019)

(a)

All signs that are in existence as of the adoption of the ordinance from which this section is derived and that do not conform to this section shall be considered as non-conforming and are subject to the requirements of section 114-116 (nonconforming use, structures, and lots).

(b)

Signs that are legal but non-conforming under this section may not be enlarged, heightened, altered in shape, or moved. The copy on such signs may be altered, but only within the existing area of the sign.

(Ord. No. 2017-1092, § 1, 4-11-2017)

(a)

[Removal.] All signs shall be removed by the owner or lessee of the premises upon which the sign is located when a business which it advertises has not been conducted for a period of 12 months or when, in the judgment of the building inspector, such sign is so old, dilapidated or has become so out of repair as to be dangerous or unsafe, whichever occurs first. If the owner or lessee fails to remove it, the building inspector may remove the sign at the cost of the owner, following adequate written notice. The owner may appeal the zoning administrator or building inspector's decision to the board of appeals.

(b)

Alterations. Any sign that was erected before the adoption of this sign article shall not be enlarged, rebuilt or relocated without conforming to all of the requirements of this section.

(c)

Violations. All signs constructed or maintained in violation of any of the provisions of this article are hereby declared public nuisances within the meaning of this Code. In addition to the above penalty provisions for violation of this chapter, the building inspector may bring an action to abate the nuisance in the manner set forth in the state statutes.

(Ord. No. 2017-1092, § 1, 4-11-2017)