The intent of this title is to provide for and regulate the location and safe construction of signs in a manner to ensure that signs are compatible with surrounding land uses, are well maintained, and express the identity of individual proprietors and the city as a whole. (Ord. 2001-2, 6-12-2001)

No sign shall hereafter be located, erected, moved, reconstructed, extended, enlarged, converted or structurally altered without conforming with the provisions of this chapter. For sign types that are not included herein (e.g., provisions for multi-tenant buildings, wall murals, etc.), the sign design shall be reviewed and approved by the planning commission. (Ord. 2001-2, 6-12-2001)

The following signs are permitted in all zoning districts, without a permit, subject to the following regulations:

   A.   Real Estate Signs: Real estate signs are not to exceed eight (8) square feet in area which advertise the sale, rental, or lease of the premises upon which said signs are temporarily located.

   B.   Name And Warning Signs: Name and warning signs are not to exceed two (2) square feet located on the premises.

   C.   Home Occupation And Professional Home Office Signs: Home occupation and professional home office signs are not to exceed four (4) square feet in area.

   D.   Rummage Sale And Garage Sale Signs: Rummage and garage sale signs; provided that no such signs shall be erected or placed within a public right of way and further provided that such signs are removed within twenty four (24) hours following the sale.

   E.   Bulletin Boards: Bulletin boards for public, charitable or religious institutions not to exceed eight (8) square feet in area located on the premises.

   F.   Building Identification Signs: Memorial signs, tablets, names of buildings, and date of erection when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of metal and affixed flat against a structure.

   G.   Flags: Flags of any nation, state, county, city or other governmental unit and any not for profit organization.

   H.   Temporary Holiday Displays: Temporary decorations or displays celebrating the occasion of traditionally accepted patriotic, religious or local holidays or events.

   I.   Traffic Signs: The erection, construction and maintenance of official traffic, fire and police signs, signals and devices and markings of the state, county or city.

   J.   Directional Sign: Nonilluminated directional or informational signs of a public nature.

   K.   Political Signs: Political signs or signs announcing political candidates or issues, provided they are erected not more than three (3) months before an election and are removed within seven (7) days after the election. The foregoing limitation shall not apply to a successful candidate in any primary election, provided such signs are removed within fourteen (14) days following the general election.

   L.   Hospital Directional Signs: Informational or directional signs designating hospital emergency room entrances or drives.

   M.   Construction Signs: Construction signs not more than one sign per street frontage not exceeding thirty two (32) square feet in size per face. Signs identifying contractor, electricians, plumbers, architects, engineers and similar artisans and workmen which are on the site or attached to or on trailers on the site of construction shall be permitted provided that upon completion of the project the sign or the trailer to which it is attached must be removed within one month. (Ord. 2001-2, 6-12-2001)

The following signs are permitted in any residential district and are subject to the following regulations:

   A.   Permanent Real Estate Development Signs: Permanent real estate development signs placed at the entrance to a subdivision or development shall contain only the name of the subdivision or development and shall meet all the yard requirements of the district in which it is located. The planning commission shall determine the appropriate size of the sign based on the design of the sign and its compatibility with adjacent land uses.

   B.   Temporary Development Signs: Temporary development signs for the purpose of designating a new building or development, or for promotion of a subdivision may be permitted for a limited period of time provided that the sign shall not exceed forty eight (48) square feet in area and shall meet all the yard requirements of the district in which it is located. The planning commission shall specify the period of time the sign may remain based on the size of the development allowing a reasonable time to market the development. (Ord. 2001-2, 6-12-2001)

Signs are permitted in all nonresidential districts subject to the following restrictions:

   A.   Wall Signs: Wall signs placed against the exterior walls of buildings shall not extend more than six inches (6") outside of a building's wall surface, shall not exceed fifty (50) square feet in area for any one premises, and shall not extend above the roofline of the building. In multitenant buildings, sign structures and faces shall have a unified design.

   B.   Projecting Signs: Projecting signs fastened to, suspended from, or supported by structures shall not exceed twenty (20) square feet in area for any one premises; shall not extend more than six feet (6') into any required yard; shall not extend more than three feet (3') into any public right of way; shall not be less than ten feet (10') from all side lot lines; shall not exceed a height of twenty feet (20') above the mean centerline street grade and shall not be less than ten feet (10') above the sidewalk nor fifteen feet (15') above a driveway or an alley.

   C.   Pole Signs: Pole signs shall not exceed twenty feet (20') in height above the mean centerline street grade, shall meet all yard requirements for the district in which they are located, and shall not exceed thirty two (32) square feet on one side nor sixty four (64) square feet on all sides per sign for any one premises. Every pole sign shall include a street address number or range of address numbers it identifies. All numbers shall be at least four inches (4") high.

   D.   Ground Signs:

      1.   Shall not exceed fifteen feet (15') in height above the mean centerline street grade and shall meet all yard requirements for the district in which they are located.

      2.   Shall not exceed thirty two (32) square feet on one side nor sixty four (64) square feet on all sides per sign for any one premises.

      3.   All signs shall be externally illuminated, except for backlit or internally illuminated individual letters.

      4.   All external light sources shall be totally screened from view so as not to impede pedestrian or vehicular traffic. (Ord. 2001-2, 6-12-2001)

      5.   For every ground sign, there shall be located on the building an address number for "911" locations at least four inches (4") high unless multiple businesses are using the same sign, then the address for "911" location shall be at least four inches (4") high on the ground sign. (Ord. 2003-4, 8-12-2003)

      6.   The area surrounding the base of the sign shall be kept cleared of unsightly debris. Landscaping is encouraged in the area immediately surrounding the base of the sign. (Ord. 2001-2, 6-12-2001)

      7.   Sidewalk signs are restricted to the central business district between Bluff and Barnett Streets on Mulholland Street and shall be located no more than thirty inches (30") from the business building. (Ord. 2008-6, 12-9-2008)

   E.   Marquee, Awning, Or Canopy Signs: Marquee, awning, or canopy signs affixed flat to the surface of the marquee, awning, or canopy are permitted providing that the sign does not extend vertically or horizontally beyond the limits of said marquee, awning, or canopy. A marquee, awning, or canopy may extend to within one foot (1') of the vertical plane formed by the curb. A name sign not exceeding two (2) square feet in area located immediately in front of the entrance to an establishment may be suspended from a canopy provided that the name sign shall be at least ten feet (10') above the sidewalk.

   F.   Roof Signs: Roof signs are prohibited in the city of Nauvoo. (Ord. 2001-2, 6-12-2001)

   G.   Window Signs: Window signs, except for painted signs and decals, shall be placed only on the inside of commercial buildings and should not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the glass area.

   H.   Billboards: Billboards are prohibited in the city of Nauvoo corporate limits. All billboards in existence at the time of adoption of the zoning ordinance, being June 12, 2001, are allowed to remain in existence as long as they are being used on an annual basis and are in good repair. Billboards that become vacant for three (3) consecutive months are no longer exempt from the prohibition and must be removed within thirty (30) days of notice to the owner.

   I.   Combination Of Signs: Combinations of any of the above signs shall not exceed the requirements for an individual sign. The total surface area of all signs on any premises shall be two (2) square feet of signage per linear foot of frontage with a maximum of two hundred fifty (250) square feet of total signage. (Ord. 2003-4, 8-12-2003)

The city council may permit the temporary use of a portable sign for advertising purposes in any district provided that the portable sign will not be located in any public right of way, will not be located closer than ten feet (10') to an adjacent property, and will not cause a hazard to traffic or adjoining properties. Portable sign permits shall not be granted for a period of more than sixty (60) days in any three hundred sixty five (365) day period. The permit required in section 10-5-10 of this chapter shall be required for portable signs. Banners are portable signs. (Ord. 2001-2, 6-12-2001)

Signs shall not resemble, imitate, or approximate the shape, size, form, or color of railroad or traffic signs, signals, or devices. Signs shall not obstruct or interfere with the effectiveness of railroad or traffic signs, signals, or devices. Signs shall not be erected, relocated, or maintained so as to prevent free ingress to or egress from any door, window, or fire escape; and no signs shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape. Signs shall not be placed so as to obstruct or interfere with traffic visibility, nor be lighted in such a way as to cause glare or impair driver visibility upon public ways. Signs may be illuminated but nonflashing and shall further comply with the city's outdoor lighting ordinance. Illuminated signs are permitted only for businesses located within the city and shall be illuminated only during the hours the business they advertise is open for business. Signs shall not be revolving or animated, however, copy on time and temperature devices may be cyclical. Signs in residential districts may be illuminated only with planning commission approval. (Ord. 2001-2, 6-12-2001)

   A.   Wind Pressure And Dead Load Requirements: All signs and other advertising structures shall be designed and constructed to withstand wind pressure of not less than forty (40) pounds per square foot of area; and shall be constructed to receive dead loads as required in the current building codes adopted by the city.

   B.   Protection Of The Public: The temporary occupancy of a sidewalk or street or other public property during construction, removal, repair, alteration or maintenance of a sign is permitted, provided the space occupied is roped off, fenced off, or otherwise isolated.

   C.   Maintenance: The owner of any sign shall keep it in good maintenance and repair which includes restoring, repainting, or replacement of a worn or damaged legally existing sign to its original condition; and shall maintain the premises on which the sign is erected in a clean, sanitary, and inoffensive condition, free and clear of all obnoxious substances, rubbish, weeds, and grass.

   D.   Supporting Members Or Braces: Supporting members or braces of all signs shall be constructed of galvanized iron, properly treated wood, steel, copper, brass, or other noncorrosive incombustible material. Every means or device used for attaching any sign shall extend through the walls of the building should the building inspector determine that the safe and permanent support of such sign so requires and shall be securely anchored by wall plates and nuts to the inside of the walls in accordance with instructions given by the building inspector. Small flat signs containing less than ten feet (10') of area may be attached to a building by the use of lag bolts or other means to the satisfaction of the building inspector.

   E.   Fire Escape, Fire Ladder: No signs or any part thereof or sign anchors, braces, or guide rods shall be attached, fastened, or anchored to any fire escape, fire ladder, or standpipe and no such sign or any part of any such sign or any anchor, brace, or guide rod shall be erected, put up, or maintained so as to hinder or prevent ingress or egress through such door, doorway, or window or so as to hinder or prevent the raising or placing of ladders against such building by the fire department, as necessity therefor may require. (Ord. 2001-2, 6-12-2001)

   A.   Nonconforming Signs: Signs lawfully existing at the time of the adoption or amendment of this title may be continued although the size or location does not conform to this chapter. However, all nonconforming signs shall be deemed to have exhausted their economic life after ten (10) years from the time they became a nonconforming use upon the adoption of this title. Nonconforming signs after this ten (10) year period shall either be made to conform to the terms of this title, shall be removed by the owner, agent or person having beneficial use of the property, or be replaced with a new sign of similar dimensions and style. Nonconforming signs, during the ten (10) year grace period, shall be kept in good repair, but the cost of maintenance shall not be considered grounds for their continued use beyond the ten (10) year period. The building inspector shall, after the ten (10) year grace period, notify the owner, agent or person having beneficial use of the property, of the expiration of the grace period. After thirty (30) days, if the sign has not been made to conform to this chapter or removed, the building inspector shall initiate appropriate punitive action. Signs which are not repaired, painted or maintained pursuant to written notification or orders by the building inspector shall also be subject to punitive action.

Portable signs and/or temporary arrow signs lawfully existing at the time of the adoption or amendment of this title may be continued although the size and location does not conform to this title. However, all nonconforming temporary signs shall be deemed to have exhausted their economic life after five (5) years from the date they become a nonconforming use upon the adoption of this title. Within the five (5) year grace period, a permanent replacement sign will be allowed in the place of the temporary sign. (Ord. 2003-4, 8-12-2003)

   B.   Enlargement: No nonconforming sign shall be enlarged, expanded or extended to occupy a greater square footage or height than was occupied on the date of adoption or amendment of this title.

   C.   Relocation: No nonconforming sign shall be moved in whole or in part to any other portion of the lot, parcel or building not so occupied on the date of adoption of this title, except that any such sign which is hereafter required to be moved by a governmental body for the purpose of construction, relocation, widening or improvement of a street, highway or other public purpose, may be relocated once and allowed to be maintained and used as before.

   D.   Destruction: Should any nonconforming sign be damaged or destroyed by any means to an extent of up to fifty percent (50%) of its surface area or structure, it shall not be reconstructed, except in conformance with the requirements of this title. (Ord. 2001-2, 6-12-2001)

Application for a sign permit shall be made on forms provided by the building inspector or city clerk and shall contain or have attached thereto the following information: (See section 10-5-12, "Sample Form", of this chapter, for informational purposes only.)

   A.   Applicant Information; Location: Name, address, and telephone number of the applicant. Location of building, structure, or lot to which or upon which the sign is to be attached or erected.

   B.   Name Of Party Erecting Sign: Name of person, firm, corporation, or association erecting the sign.

   C.   Scale Drawing: A scale drawing of such sign indicating the display surface, the dimensions, the materials to be used, the type of illumination, if any, and the method of construction and attachment.

   D.   Location And Position Of Sign: A scale drawing indicating the location and position of such sign in relation to nearby buildings or structures, height above grade and distance from lot lines.

   E.   Additional Information: Additional information as may be required by the building inspector or planning commission.

   F.   Sign Permit Applications: Sign permit applications shall be filed with the building inspector, who shall review the application for its completeness and accuracy and approve or deny, in writing, the application within thirty (30) days of receipt from the applicant unless the time is extended by written agreement with the applicant. For sign types that are not included herein, or for more complex sign designs, the design shall also be reviewed and approved by the planning commission. A sign permit shall become null and void, if work authorized under the permit has not been completed within six (6) months of the date of issuance.

   G.   Insurance: Any person, firm or corporation engaged in the business of erecting, repairing, maintaining or relocating any sign shall maintain in effect at all times a policy of liability insurance for sufficient bodily injury and property damage protection. Proof of insurance shall be presented to the building inspector before the sign permit is granted.

   H.   Inspection: The applicant shall, upon completion of the installation, relocation or alteration of the sign, notify the building inspector who will assure the sign complies with the regulations of this chapter and applicable provisions of the current building codes adopted by the city. Every sign shall be inspected and approved by the building inspector within thirty (30) days after it is erected or altered.

   I.   Appeals: The building inspector may, at any time for a violation of this chapter, revoke a permit or require changes so the sign conforms with this chapter. The holder of a revoked permit shall be entitled to an appeal before the zoning board of appeals. Any person, firm or corporation aggrieved by any permit denial or decision by the building inspector relative to the provisions of these sign regulations may appeal and seek review of such decision of the zoning board of appeals.

   J.   Fee: The applicant for a sign permit shall pay a fee to the building inspector as follows:

Temporary signs: Ten dollars ($10.00).

Permanent signs: Thirty dollars ($30.00).

(Ord. 2001-2, 6-12-2001)

In calculating the area of a sign to determine whether it meets the requirements of this chapter, the building inspector shall include the entire background area of a sign face upon which the sign copy could be placed. See section 10-1-3, "Definitions", of this title, for sign definitions and attachment C for graphics on sign types and sign areas. (Ord. 2001-2, 6-12-2001)

(Ord. 2001-2, 6-12-2001)