1.

Display surface area. That area of sign including the entire area within a regular geometric shape or combination of regular geometric shapes enclosing all of the elements of informational or representational matter displayed, including blank masking of any surface shape intended to convey ideas, information, or meaning. Frames or structural members not bearing informational or representational matters shall not be included in computation of display surface area. Only one side of a double-faced sign shall be included in calculating the display surface area.

2.

Marquee. A permanent roofed structure attached to and supported by a building.

3.

Sign. Any device designed to inform or attract the attention of persons not on the premises on which the device is located, including within limitation, signs, canopies, awnings, marquees, and similar structures; provided, however, that the following shall not be included in the application of the regulations herein.

(1)

Signs not exceeding one square foot in area in bearing only property numbers, post box numbers, names of occupants of premises, or other identification of premises not having commercial connotations.

(2)

Flags and insignia of any government except when displayed in connection with commercial promotion.

(3)

Legal notices, identification, informational, or directional signs erected or required by governmental bodies; historical markers.

(4)

Integral decorative or architectural features of buildings except letters, trademarks, moving parts, or moving lights.

(5)

Signs directing and guiding traffic on private property, but bearing no advertising matter.

4.

Sign, advertising. Any sign which is related in its subject matter to products, accommodations, services, or activities sold or offered elsewhere than upon the premises on which sign is located. Advertising signs include, but are not limited to, those signs commonly referred to as outdoor advertising signs, billboards, or poster boards.

5.

Sign, business. Any sign which related in its subject matter to the promises on which it is located, or to products, accommodations, services, or activities offered, sold or engaged on the premises.

6.

Sign copy. All words, letters, numbers, figures, characters, artworks, symbols, or insignia that are used on a display surface area.

7.

Sign, freestanding. A sign which is permanently affixed to the ground and which is not a part of a building or other structure.

8.

Sign, mobile. A sign which may be moved from one location to another, is not permanently affixed to the ground and is differentiated from a portable sign in that it may be equipped for transporting by motor vehicle or other mechanical means and including signs referred to as trailer signs.

9.

Sign, portable. A sign which is movable by a person without aid of a motor vehicle or other mechanical equipment.

10.

Sign, projecting. Any sign, other than a wall sign, which projects from and is supported by a building.

11.

Sign, wall. Any sign attached flat and parallel to exterior wall or surface of a building or other structure and which projects not more than 18 inches from that wall or surface.

7-2.1.

Signs in required front yard setbacks. Signs may be located within required front yard setbacks, provided that such signs do not obstruct vision within the required front yard setback between the height of 2½ feet and a height of 10 feet measured vertically from the finished ground level at the location of the sign's supporting structure, and further provided that signs erected in required front yard setbacks shall not be erected in a manner which materially impedes visibility of moving automobiles or visibility from moving automobiles in or off the premises or visibility of pedestrians on or off the premises.

7-2.2.

Conditions of signs. All signs shall be maintained in sound structural and aesthetic condition. The general area of the vicinity of any sign shall be kept free and clear of any unnecessary or discarded materials. No sign shall be allowed to deteriorate to a condition in which it is unsightly in appearance or to a condition in which it requires repairs or renovations in an amount which exceeds 50 percent of its current replacement costs. Signs which deteriorate to such a condition are deemed to be in violation of this ordinance, and as such must either be removed or improved (if permitted) by the person responsible for maintaining the sign.

7-2.3.

Electric or illuminated signs. Electric or illuminated signs shall be installed in strict conformity with the Building code of the Town [City] of Moundville. No electric wire or cable serving such sign shall be laid on the surface of the ground.

7-2.4.

Location of signs and other structures in public areas. No sign, canopy, awning, marquee or like structure shall be erected in or project into, or over, any public right-of-way, street, highway, sidewalk, park, or other public property; provided, however, that the following may be permitted by special exception:

(1)

In Neighborhood Commercial District only, a permanent canopy or marquee may be installed over a public sidewalk provided the owner erects and maintains it in a safe condition. On structures constructed with no front yard in a Neighborhood Commercial District, a sign mounted flush on the face of such structure may project not more than 18 inches over the sidewalk or into the public right-of-way.

(2)

In the RS-1, RS-2, MHP, and PUD districts, residential development identification signs subject to the following minimum conditions and safeguards:

a.

The sign must be placed in a designated curbed median away from the street corner. Street corners are reserved for street and traffic control signs.

b.

The sign must be constructed of a durable material such as brick.

c.

The developer must indicate the location of sign on a site plan and provide construction details for review and approval with the Board of Adjustment.

d.

No utilities shall be involved with the sign, except upon approval of the Board of Adjustment.

e.

If the sign is ever damaged by natural or human causes the sign will not be repaired or replaced at the expense of the Town [City], nor shall it be allowed to remain in a damaged condition.

f.

The developer's engineer must certify that site distance around the sign meets the minimum requirements established by the town [city] engineer.

7-3.1.

Signs imitating traffic or emergency signals. No sign shall be permitted which imitates an official traffic sign or signal, or contains words or symbols displayed in a manner which might mislead or confuse drivers of shape or order of lights customarily used in traffic signals or on emergency vehicles or on law enforcement vehicles, except as a part of a permitted private or public traffic control signal.

7-3.2.

Signs upon natural features. Signs shall not be erected or maintained upon trees, or painted or erected upon rocks or other natural features.

7-3.3.

Portable and mobile signs. All portable and mobile signs are prohibited regardless of whether such signs are permanently attached to the ground or a structure.

7-3.4.

Signs employing confusing, distracting, or intense illumination. No sign shall be permitted which utilizes flashing (strobe type) lights, flashing or blinking lights, any type of pulsating or moving light which may impair the vision, or confuse, distract, or unduly divert the attention of drivers of vehicles. The use of chaser light utilizing individual light bulbs rated at 15 watts or less, or the use of neon tubing having pulsating or flashing characteristics is permitted, provided that such lighted portion of the sign is not less than ten feet above the finished ground level and not less than 25 feet from any property line, measured at ground level nearest such lighted incandescent bulb with wattage exceeding 20 watts, except as a shielded, indirect light source.

Non-illuminated temporary signs may be erected in any district in addition to signs permitted otherwise, subject to the following provisions:

7-4.1.

Temporary subdivision signs. Temporary signs announcing a land subdivision development may be erected on the premises provided that such signs do not exceed 50 square feet in area, are spaced at least 300 feet apart, and are removed not more than 30 days from such time as 75 percent of the lots are conveyed.

7-4.2.

Craftsmen's signs. Signs of craftsmen, artisans, house painters, contractors, or subcontractors may be erected and maintained during the period that such persons are performing repair, remodeling, repainting, or improvement work on the premises on which such signs are erected, provided that the size of such signs is not in excess of 12 square feet and that such signs are removed immediately upon completion of the work.

7-4.3.

Contractors' signs on buildings under construction. One sign displaying the names of the building, contractors, architects, engineers, and similar information is permitted upon the premises of any work of major repair or improvement, provided that the sign does not exceed 60 square feet in area and the sign is removed within seven days after completion of the work.

7-4.4.

Real estate signs. Signs offering real estate for sale, rent, or lease are permitted provided that combined display surface area of all such signs does not exceed four square feet for every 100 feet of street frontage and that total display surface area shall not be required to be less than four square feet on any individual lot. Signs may be placed only on land owned by the seller. Open house signs shall be placed two days prior and removed day after open house.

7-4.5.

Political campaign signs. Signs announcing candidates seeking public office or in relation to any election or public referendum shall be permitted in all districts, subject to the following provisions:

(1)

Such signs are confined wholly to placement on private property.

(2)

Such signs are removed within seven days after the election or referendum for which they were prepared has been decided.

(3)

The regulations of this section do not prohibit the purchase of advertising space on permitted advertising signs in addition to the signs permitted by this section.

Signs are permitted in the RS-1, RS-2, RS-3, RG-1, RG-2 and PUD districts, subject to the following regulations:

7-5.1.

Signs excluded from regulation by definition. Those signs excluded from regulations by section 7-1.3 (page 92) are permitted.

7-5.2.

Temporary signs. Temporary signs permitted in all districts as provided in Section 7-4 (page 95) shall be permitted.

7-5.3.

Home occupation signs. One non-illuminated sign shall be permitted for each approved home occupation provided that the display surface area of such sign does not exceed two square feet in area and that such sign is mounted flat against the wall of the building in which such home occupation is conducted or flat against the wall of the principal structure.

7-5.4.

Permanent subdivision signs. Permanent signs displaying no information other than the name of the residential land subdivision in which they are located shall be permitted provided that such signs do not exceed 20 square feet in area, do not encroach upon vision clearance established in this code and are maintained in a safe and sound structural and aesthetic condition.