To carry out this general purpose, the regulations set forth herein are intended to:

A sign that is required or authorized by any law, Statute or ordinance, is designed to identify any public area or installation that gives notice of danger in connection with a public project or hazard.

Any sign in the nature of a cornerstone or commemorative or historical tablet or landmark designation plaque erected by a public or non-profit body or organization.

Any sign that identifies by name or number of each individual building within any institutional or residential building complex and that does not exceed one and one-half (1½) square feet in area.

Any sign in the nature of a decoration, identification or direction incidentally and customarily associated with any national or religious holiday or any civic festival, fair or similar gathering held during a period of ten (10) days or less in any year, provided such sign shall not differ substantially from the requirements set forth in this Article.

Any sign (window sign, see definition) in a display window of a business establishment that is incorporated into a display of merchandise or a display relating to service offered on the premises.

A sign not to exceed four (4) square feet in size displayed for a period of not more than forty-eight (48) hours at one time and no more than twice in any one (1) year period. Three (3) residential garage sale signs will be permitted; two (2) may be off-property with permission of the property owner where the sign is displayed. These signs may be displayed only during the hours that the advertised activity is to take place and must be a self-supporting type sign.

Traffic directional signs, (on private property) that are designed to provide direction and do not in any way advertise a business and are not more than three and one-half (3½) square feet in area, shall be located a minimum of one (1) foot from the right-of-way of any street and shall not exceed three (3) feet above the existing grade (immediate surrounding grade) or visual barrier but in no case more than seven (7) feet in height. The number of traffic direction signs shall be limited to one (1) per driveway.

Landscape features, such as plant materials, berms, boulders, fencing and similar design elements, incorporated in conjunction with freestanding, ground-mounted signs are encouraged and shall not be counted as part of the allowable sign area.

All exempt signs must meet the requirements of Section 405.310(E) — Restrictions.

It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, corporation or organization to place, erect, alter or relocate within the City any sign, as defined in this Article, without first obtaining a permit and paying the required fee therefor, unless exempt or excepted herein.

Permits shall not be required for a change of copy on a changeable copy sign nor for the repainting, cleaning and other normal maintenance and repair of any sign and its structure if the sign copy does not change.

Permits shall be subject to all applicable fees adopted by the Board of Aldermen.

Notwithstanding any provision of this Unified Development Code to the contrary, no permit shall be required for a public election or referenda sign, as defined in Section 405.280(F), that does not exceed sixteen (16) square feet.

Name, address and telephone number of the applicant, owner (or owner's authorized representative) and the person, firm, corporation or association erecting the sign.

A plot plan, dimensioned, showing the location of the building, structure and lot that the proposed sign is to be attached to or erected on.

Photographs showing the location of the proposed sign and its relationship to the building that it is to be mounted on or the surrounding area if it is not a wall sign.

One (1) drawing of the proposed sign showing the message to be displayed and method of construction, landscaping and attachment to the building or ground.

A colors sketch showing the proposed color combination of the sign with proposed and existing surrounding materials.

Written consent of the owner (or the authority to act on behalf of such owner) of the building, structure and land that the sign is to be erected on.

A description of all electrical equipment and attachments if the sign is to be lighted or illuminated.

Applications for temporary permits, as defined herein, shall include a written statement that the sign will be displayed for a period of time not exceeding twenty-one (21) days.

The Zoning Officer, or his/her designee, upon the filing of an application for a sign permit, shall examine the application within fourteen (14) days from the date of submittal. If the Zoning Officer determines that the application is complete, the sign complies with the requirements of this Article and all other ordinances of the City, the Zoning Officer shall issue a sign permit.

If the Zoning Officer denies the permit, the reasons for denial shall be stated in writing to the applicant and the applicant may appeal the determination of the Zoning Officer to the Planning Commission. The process for appeal to the Planning Commission shall be the same as Section 405.075, General Requirements for All Applications. The Planning Commission shall review all applications within forty-five (45) days of submittal and approve, conditionally approve or disapprove the application. Any decision of the Planning Commission may be appealed to the Board of Zoning Adjustment by making application for a variance. A sign permit fee paid in accordance with Section 405.305 shall be applied towards the fee necessary to appear before the Board of Zoning Adjustment.

In the event that a permit is issued but the sign authorized by the permit is not attached or erected within six (6) months after the issuance of the permit, the permit shall expire and be null and void.

Any signage affixed to a building should be dimensioned and located in such a manner that it fits the building's architectural features and proportions.

All signs should be designed to fit the zoning and status character of the surrounding area. Special consideration should be made where proposed signage is located on or adjacent to locally identified historic structures or publicly owned recreation and conservancy areas. Signage in planned district or planning areas, such as downtown, will be required to conform to the planned or existing dominant architectural theme of the area. Signage in or abutting residential properties should be designed and located so as not to create a residential nuisance.

As a general guideline and where feasible, ground-mounted, freestanding signs larger than six (6) square feet shall be located at least one hundred (100) feet apart.

Signs illuminated by floodlight or spotlights must be positioned in such a manner that none of the light spills over onto an adjoining property or glares or shines into the eyes of motorists or pedestrians and may not exceed three (3) foot-candles at the lot line.

As a general guideline, the colors and materials should be kept to a minimum and shall be consistent with adjacent signage and architecture.

Landscape features will be encouraged as part of all ground-mounted signs. Landscape plantings or other landscape materials will not be counted as part of the allowable signage.

Signs affixed to the exterior of a building shall be compatible with the style, composition, materials, colors and details of the building, as well as with other signs used on the buildings in close proximity to the new sign.

Signs shall be mounted so that the method of installation is concealed. Signs applied to masonry surfaces shall be mechanically fastened to mortar joints only and not directly into brick or stone. Drilling to provide electrical service shall follow the same rule.

No sign shall be suspended by chains or other devices that will allow the sign to swing due to wind action. Signs shall be anchored to prevent any lateral movement that would cause wear on the sign face or supporting members of connections.

All permanent signs and their supporting members shall be constructed of non-combustible materials.

Sign material shall be compatible with the design of the face of the facade where they are placed and should contribute to the legibility of the sign.

All signs shall comply with the appropriate detailed provisions of the City's adopted building codes and the Unified Development Code as related to the design, structural members and connections.

Monument sign structures shall be constructed utilizing the materials and colors of the primary structure on the site or other compatible material as approved by the Zoning Official.

All permanent signs shall be designed and constructed using a licensed and bonded sign company. All permanent signs shall use appropriate materials and shall not be constructed using the following materials:

Limitations On Purposes. All signs shall be limited to the owner's, tenant's or occupant's name or business name, logo and registered trademark, profession or trade, approved art work (such as seals, symbols or crests), as well as the principal services offered or products sold within the building or on the premises that the sign is to be attached to or to be erected on, except exempt signs.

Safety Regulations — Attachment — Location. No sign or any part thereof or anchor, brace or guide rod shall be attached, fastened or anchored to any fire escape, fire ladder or standpipe, and no sign or any part thereof or anchor, brace or guide rod shall be erected or maintained that may cover or obstruct any door, doorway or window of any building and that may hinder or prevent ingress or egress through such door, doorway or window or that may hinder or prevent the raising or placing of ladders against such building in the event of fire.

Safety Regulations — Dead Loads — Live Loads. All signs, except flat signs and those signs weighing less than ten (10) pounds, shall be designed and constructed to withstand a wind pressure of not less than thirty (30) pounds per square foot of area and shall be constructed to adequately support the dead load and any anticipated live loads (e.g. ice, snow or wind) of the sign.

Roof Signs — Limitations. No sign shall be mounted upon any roof of any building or structure in any district other than "B-2" and "M-1" zones and then only upon issuance of a variance, except a sign painted on the roof of a building or structure that is designed to provide information to air traffic.

Restrictions. No person shall paste or otherwise fasten any paper or other material, paint, stencil or write any number, sign, name or any disfiguring mark within any street right-of-way, on any sidewalk, curb, gutter, street, post, fire hydrant, pole or tree, any other sign, building, fence or other structure, nor shall any of said objects be defaced in any manner.

Flashing, Lighted Signs — Regulations. No flashing, alternating, rotating or swinging flood, spot, strobe or beacon light is permitted for the purpose of illuminating any sign. This shall not apply to electronic changeable copy or messenger center signs. No flashing, alternating, rotating or swinging flood, spot, strobe or beacon light illuminating any sign shall be located in such manner as to permit its beam or a glare of light to be directed onto surrounding premises or roadways. Each illuminated sign shall comply with the Electrical Code of the City.

Pole Signs.

Moving Signs Or Signs With Moving Parts. Sign structures may not move or rotate. The Planning Commission may approve plans for sign permits in which parts or elements of the sign move. Before approval of the permit, the Planning Commission shall find that the proposed moving parts of the sign shall not be a distraction to the public that creates a safety hazard or nuisance.

Prohibited Signs. The following signs are expressly prohibited in the City of Oak Grove:

All sign types have been designated in Table 1 according to their appropriate use with specific categories of land use. Any sign or use not included or specifically provided for in Table 1 may be assigned to Table 1 through interpretation by the Director of Community Development.

The purpose of Table 1 is to provide basic information about the distribution of sign types. All of the types identified in Table 1 are also subject to the other regulatory provisions.

All of the sign types are further described in Standards for Permitted Signs, Standards for Limited Permit and Exempt Signs and Definitions.

Table 1 identifies the types of signs that may be appropriate for each type of land use. In Table 1, signs are indicated as either: (A) allowed with an administrative sign permit; (S) allowed with a standard sign permit; (E) exempt from permit requirements; or (N) not allowed, except through alternative sign permit approval process. The purpose of this table is only to identify overall sign types that may be appropriate for individual uses. All signs, even those allowed with a limited sign permit, are subject to additional regulations such as number, size, location and design.

Table 2 contains more than one (1) measurement standard per use. These are expressed in terms of:

Notwithstanding Section 405.320(A) above, all existing non-residential lots shall be permitted a minimum of fifty (50) square feet of signage, except in the central business district which shall be permitted a minimum of twenty-five (25) square feet, all of which at any location may be subject to standard or limited sign permit approval.

Lots fronting on two (2) or more streets or having one (1) or more public entrances on different sides of the building are allowed the permitted sign area for each frontage/side; however, the total sign that is oriented toward a particular street/side may not exceed the portion of the lot's total sign area allocation that is derived from the lot or wall frontage on that street. The Planning and Zoning Commission may allow additional signage on any side of newly constructed buildings.

A "use" shall include all purpose or activities for which the land or buildings are arranged, designed or intended or for which land or buildings are occupied or maintained.

Any measurement not specifically provided for in Table 2 may be assigned to Sign Code Table 2 through interpretation by the Director of Community Development.

The maximum sign size for individual tenant wall signs in multi-tenant developments shall be the same as the maximum size for individual uses, unless the size is restricted through a master sign plan or otherwise restricted in Table 2, such as through the size of a wall sign for an individual tenant in an office part would be two hundred (200) square feet, provided the building facade is of a sufficient size to permit the full two hundred (200) square feet of signage (wall signs are limited to ten percent (10%) of building facade). Where the facade is too small to allow the full two hundred (200) square feet of wall signage or where a master sign plan places other restrictions on tenant sign size, the more restrictive wall sign measurement will prevail.

Maintenance. All outdoor signs and supports shall be weather resistant and shall be maintained in good repair and structural condition, in compliance with all Building and Electrical Codes, and in conformance with this Sign Code. Broken panels, missing letters, flaking or peeling paint, visual damage or other maintenance issues as identified by the Director of Community Development or designee shall be repaired within thirty (30) days of notice to repair.

Removal. Signs and sign structures that no longer serve the purpose for which they are intended or that are not maintained or that have been abandoned shall be removed by the owner or the owner of the premises after notice by the Director of Community Development or designee. Such owner or owner of the premises shall complete the removal within thirty (30) days after the Director of Community Development or designee mails notice by registered mail. In the event that such sign is not removed within the time herein provided, the Director of Community Development or designee shall cause the sign to be removed and the cost thereof assessed to the owner or the owner of the premises. Failure to reimburse the City within thirty (30) days shall cause the cost to be entered on the tax roll as a special charge against the real estate.

Whenever a non-conforming sign is damaged by fire, flood, explosion, earthquake, war, riot or act of God, it may be reconstructed and used as before if it be reconstructed within three (3) months after such calamity, unless the damage to the sign is fifty percent (50%) or more of its replacement value, in this case the reconstructed sign shall comply with the provisions of this Article.

Whenever it is desired to change or alter the structural elements of an existing non-conforming sign, such as the supports, size of the sign area, shape of the sign area or lighting, such alteration shall constitute a major change and the sign shall be made to conform and comply with the provisions of this Article within six (6) months after the application for a permit to alter the sign has been filed with the Building Inspector. Changes in the size or shape of an existing non-conforming sign in excess of ten percent (10%) shall constitute a major change and the sign shall be made to conform and comply with the provisions of this Unified Development Code. A change in shape from one corporate logo to another or one shape to another shall not constitute a major change and is not required to come into conformance with the provisions of the Unified Development Code as long as the change does not increase the overall size of the sign in excess of ten percent (10%).

Non-Conforming Sign Inventory. The Building Inspector shall make an investigation of all signs in the City and shall prepare an inventory of all non-conforming signs, identifying their location and ownership.

It is recognized that circumstances may exist from time to time where strict application of the size, location and type of sign standards hereinafter specified for the various zoning districts may be unreasonable or that literal enforcement of the regulations may work a hardship on the applicant. Variations from the standards may, therefore, be permitted by issuance of a variance by the Board of Zoning and Adjustment in accordance with Section 405.115.

It is likewise recognized that in certain situations, such as on lands of churches, schools, other public bodies and real estate developments, signing needs cannot reasonably be anticipated. In such situations, signs shall be permitted upon application for and issuance of a variance, provided that in issuing such permit the Board of Zoning and Adjustment shall not authorize a substantial variance from the size, location and type standards applicable to signs in similar but specifically regulated situations.

It shall be unlawful and a violation of this Article for any person to maintain any prohibited sign, to perform or order the performance of any act prohibited by this Article, or to fail to perform any act that is required by the provisions of this Section. In the case of any such violation, each twenty-four (24) hour period that such violation exists shall constitute a separate violation.

Any and all signs erected, altered or maintained in violation of this Section or any of the clauses or provisions of the same or in violation of any of the laws or ordinances of the City are and each of them is declared to be a public nuisance and subject to enforcement. The Director of Community Development or designee shall abate any such signs so erected, altered or maintained contrary to law as a common nuisance.