A. Purpose: The purpose of this chapter is to promote the health, safety and public welfare of the city.

B. Interpretations: In interpreting and applying the provisions of this chapter, the sign requirements contained herein are declared to be the maximum allowable for the purpose set forth. Where this chapter imposes a greater restriction upon signs and the location thereof, or requires or imposes conditions other than those required or imposed by other laws, ordinances or restrictions, the provisions of this chapter shall control.

C. Conflict: This chapter shall not nullify the more restrictive provisions of covenants, agreements, other ordinances or laws, but such provisions which are less restrictive are repealed insofar as they conflict with the provisions set forth in this chapter.

A-FRAME SIGN: A temporary and/or movable sign constructed with two (2) sides attached at the top so as to allow the sign to stand in an upright position.

ADVERTISING SIGN: See definition of Off Premises Sign.

ALTERATIONS: As applied to a sign, means change or rearrangement in the structural parts or its design, whether by extending on a side, by increasing in area or height, or in moving from one location or position to another.

ANIMATED SIGN: A sign which involves motion or rotation of any part by mechanical or artificial means, or which displays flashing or intermittent lights, excluding time, temperature and electronic type message centers.

AWNING: A roofed structure constructed of fabric or metal placed so as to extend outward from the building providing a protective shield for doors, windows and other openings with supports extending back to the building, supported entirely by the building.

BILLBOARD SIGN: An off premises advertising sign.

BUILDING LINES: A vertical surface intersecting the ground along a line at which the front of the building occupies the lot on which it is constructed.

BUSINESS SIGN: See definition of On Premises Or Business Sign.

CANOPY: A roofed structure constructed of fabric or other material placed as to extend outward from the building providing a protective shield for doors, windows and other openings, supported by the building and supports extending to the ground directly under the canopy.

CORNER LOT: A lot abutting on two (2) intersecting or intercepting streets where the interior angle of intersection or interception does not exceed one hundred thirty five degrees (135°).

ELECTRONIC MESSAGE CENTER: A mechanism or device which uses a combination of lights or lighted panels which are controlled electrically and electronically to produce words, symbols or messages which may flash, travel or scintillate within a given panel area.

FLAT SIGN: A sign erected parallel to and attached to the outside wall of a building and extending not more than twenty four inches (24") from such wall with messages or copy on the face side only.

FLOODLIGHTED SIGN: A sign made legible in the absence of daylight by devices which reflect or project light upon it.

FRONT LINE OF BUILDING: The line of that face of the building or structure nearest the front line of the lot. This face includes sun parlors, bay windows, covered and/or uncovered porches, whether enclosed or unenclosed, but does not include uncovered steps less than four feet (4') above grade and eaves overhanging less than two feet (2').

FRONT YARD:

GROUND SIGN: A sign supported by a fixed permanent frame or support in the ground.

ILLUMINATED SIGN: A sign which has characters, letters, figures, designs or outlines illuminated by electric lights or luminous tubes as a part of the sign proper.

INTERIOR SIGN: A sign located within a building so as to be visible only from within the building in which the sign is located.

LOW PROFILE SIGN: On premises or identification signs having a maximum height of four feet (4'), incorporated into some form of landscape design scheme or planter box.

MARQUEE: A permanent roofed structure designed to meet all provisions of the building code and other specifications as outlined in this chapter. Where specifications as outlined in this chapter are different from the provisions of the building code, the more restrictive shall apply.

NAMEPLATE SIGN: A sign indicating the name and/or occupation of a person or persons residing on the premises or legally occupying the premises, or indicating a home occupation legally existing on the premises.

NONCONFORMING SIGN OR SIGN STRUCTURE: A sign or sign structure, or portion thereof, lawfully existing on March 8, 1983, the date the ordinance codified in this chapter became effective, which does not conform to all height, area and yard regulations prescribed in the zone in which it is located.

OFF PREMISES SIGN: An advertising sign which directs attention to a use, product, commodity or service not related to the premises.

ON PREMISES OR BUSINESS SIGN: A sign which directs attention to use conducted, product or commodity sold or service performed upon the premises on which it is located.

PEDESTAL SIGN: A temporary and/or movable sign supported by a column and a base so as to allow the sign to stand in an upright position.

PROJECTING SIGN: A sign attached to a building or other structure and extending in whole or in part more than twenty four inches (24") beyond any wall of the building or structure.

PROPERTY SIGN: A sign related to the property upon which it is located and offering such property for sale or lease, or advertising contemplated improvements or announcing the name of the builder, owner, designer or developer of the project or warning against trespassing.

PUBLIC NECESSITY SIGN: A sign informing the public of any danger or hazard existing on or adjacent to the premises.

REAR YARD: A space on the same lot with a building, between the rear line of the building (exclusive of steps) and the rear lot line, and extending the full width of the lot.

ROOF SIGN: A sign erected partly or wholly on or over the roof of a building and supported by the roof or the building structure.

SERVICE SIGN: A sign which is incidental to the use lawfully occupying the property upon which the sign is located and which sign is necessary to provide information to the public, such as for sale for subdivisions; direction to parking lots; location of restrooms; or sale of agricultural products upon the premises, and which bear, as an incidental part of the sign, the name, address or trademark of persons furnishing such sign to the owner of the premises.

SIDE YARD: An open, unoccupied space, except as otherwise provided in this chapter, on the same lot with the building and between the side line of the building and the side lot line, and extending from the front yard to the rear yard.

SIGN: Means and includes every advertising message, announcement, declaration, demonstration, display, illustration, insignia, surface or space erected or maintained in view of the observer thereof for identification, advertisement or promotion of the interests of any person, entity, product or service. The definition of "sign" also includes the sign structure, supports, lighting system and any attachments, ornaments or other features used to draw the attention of observers. This does not include any flag, badge or insignia of any government or governmental agency.

SIGN AREA: The area of a sign that is used for display purposes, excluding the minimum frame and supports. In computing sign area, only one side of a back to back or double face sign covering the same subject shall be computed when the signs are parallel or diverge from a common edge by an angle of not more than forty five degrees (45°). In relation to signs that do not have a frame or a separate background, "sign area" shall be computed on the basis of the least rectangle, triangle or circle large enough to frame the display.

SIGN MAINTENANCE: Signs shall be maintained in a safe, presentable and good condition, including the replacement of defective parts, repainting, cleaning and other acts required for the maintenance of the sign.

SNIPE SIGN: A sign for which a permit has not been obtained which is attached to a public utility pole, light pole, service pole or supports for another sign.

STRUCTURE: Anything constructed or erected which requires location on or below the ground or attached to something having location on or below the ground, including signs and billboards, but not including fences or walls used as fences which are six feet (6') or less in height.

TEMPORARY SIGN: As regulated by this chapter, means and includes any sign, banner, pennant, valance or advertising display constructed of paper, cloth, canvas, light fabric, cardboard, wallboard or other light materials, with or without light frames, intended to be displayed out of doors for a short period of time.

TIME AND TEMPERATURE DEVICE: Any mechanism that displays the time and/or temperature, but does not display any commercial advertising or identification.

WALL SIGN: A sign that is either painted on a wall or its facing, or is painted in such a way that it gives the visual appearance of being painted on a wall or facing by not having a frame or separation from the wall or facing.

WINDOW SIGN: A sign either attached to a window or door or located within a building so as to be visible through a window or door by people outside of the building.

YARD: An open unoccupied space on a lot, other than a court, which is unobstructed from the ground upward by buildings or structures, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.

ZONING ADMINISTRATOR: The appropriate officer employed by the city and authorized as the officer charged with the enforcement of this chapter, but the city council by resolution or ordinance may, from time to time, entrust such administration in whole or in part to any other officer of city government without amendment to this chapter.

A. Plot Plan Requirements: Specifically, the plot plan shall show the size of the sign and its location in relationship to the following features of the site:

B. Elevation Drawing Requirements: Specifically, the elevation drawing shall show the following information:

C. Plot Requirements For Lighted Signs: Plot requirements for lighted signs shall include:

A. Building Code: Each permitted sign shall be installed in accordance with the requirements of the building code, together with the requirements imposed by the zoning administrator in conformity with the code.

B. Electrical, Sign Codes: All signs hereinafter erected in the city, shall comply with the current standards of the uniform sign code and national electrical code, adopted by reference, and all provisions of this chapter and the zoning ordinance of the city. All component parts shall be equal to underwriters labeled products.

A. Issue permits to construct, alter or reconstruct signs which conform to the provisions of this chapter;

B. Ascertain that all signs and construction, and all reconstructions or modifications of existing signs, are built or constructed in conformance to this title and the building restrictions and building code with reference thereto; and

C. Issue citations and/or complaints against violators of this title.

A. Authority: The zoning administrator shall be empowered to institute any appropriate action or proceeding in any case where any sign is erected, constructed, reconstructed, altered, repaired, converted or maintained, or in any case where any sign is used in violation of any city ordinance, including, but not limited to, those ordinances established to accomplish the following purposes:

B. Notice Requirements; Abatement:

A. Ground Signs: Ground signs shall maintain a maximum height of twenty five feet (25'). The height of ground signs shall be measured from the grade of the front property line or sidewalk, but in no instance shall exceed the allowable sign height for the zoning district in which the sign is located.

B. Projecting Signs: Projecting signs will be allowed to extend even with the roofline or wall of the building.

C. Flat Signs: Flat signs against buildings or other structures will be allowed to extend two feet (2') above the rooflines or parapet wall of a building.

A. Signs which project from buildings, other than "flat signs", as defined in MPMC 10.34.010.2, shall not be allowed in the historic commercial zone.

B. On premises signs, whether they are ground signs or attached to a building or other structure, shall be allowed to project a maximum of four feet (4') into any required front yard area.

C. Flat signs attached flat on the face of the building, which building is located on the property line, with no copy visible from the sides, may be allowed to extend two feet (2') into public rights of way. No ground signs shall be allowed to project over the property line.

D. In a general commercial or industrial zoning district where a building is on or near the property line, one projecting nonanimated identification sign, indicating the name of the building or tenant having street frontage, shall be allowed to project up to four feet (4') across the front property line, but not closer than three feet (3') to the face of the curb and gutter, provided the sign is not over thirty feet (30') in area. Where a building is near the property line, a four foot (4') projection will be allowed from the front line of the building only.

A. Professional, Commercial And Industrial Zones: Low profile on premises or identification signs will be allowed in all professional, commercial and industrial zoning districts; provided, that these signs:

B. Residential Zones: Low profile identification signs will be allowed in residential zoning districts as conditional uses, subject to city council approval; provided, that these signs:

A. Time Limit For Use: Any sign, other than a temporary sign, which is not properly located in a fixed position on the property such as an A-frame, trailer sign or pedestal type sign, may be utilized for a period of time not to exceed seventy two (72) hours in any thirty (30) day period without obtaining a sign permit; provided, that such use does not create an impediment to lot or vehicular traffic. In the event such a sign is to be used on a recurring basis in such a manner that it would be displayed in excess of seventy two (72) hours in any ten (10) day period, special permission must be received from the city council and an appropriate fee paid.

B. Alterations: A nonconforming sign shall not be raised, moved, placed, extended, enlarged or otherwise altered, except as otherwise provided in this title unless the sign is changed so as to conform to all provisions of this chapter. Alterations shall also mean the changing of the text or message that the sign is conveying from one use of the premises to another use of the premises, and the changing of the ownership of the sign when that ownership necessitates a change in the text or message of the sign. Alterations shall not be interpreted to include changing the text or copy of off premises advertising signs, theater signs, outdoor bulletin or other similar signs which are designed to accommodate changeable copy.

C. Restoration: Nonconforming signs which have been allowed to deteriorate or which have been damaged by fire, explosion, act of God or act of public enemy, or damaged by any other cause, may be restored to their original condition and size. If any alterations are made in such restoration, the sign must be brought into compliance with the provisions of this chapter.

A. Time Period Of Approval: Service signs shall be permitted in new developments for a period to be approved by the city council. The period shall not exceed two (2) years without renewal by the city council.

B. Maximum Size: The size of service signs in a new development shall not exceed eight feet by twenty feet (8' x 20') maximum.

C. Compliance With Other Provisions: Service signs shall comply with all other provisions of this chapter relating to height, lighting, etc., for the zone in which they are located.

A. "Wall signs" as defined in MPMC 10.34.010.2, are prohibited in all residential zones and neighborhood commercial zones, except by conditional use permit from the city council.

B. No sign, handbill, poster, advertisement or notice of any kind or sort shall be fastened, placed, posted, painted or attached in any or upon any utility pole; except signs owned and erected by the city or erected by permission of any authorized public agency as required by law.

C. Outlining of a building by means of exposed neon tubing, exposed incandescent lighting or other artificial lighting, or an equivalent effect, shall be prohibited except by conditional use permit from the planning commission.