The purpose of this article is to provide standards to safeguard the public welfare by regulating the design, area, number, construction, location, and installation of all signs referred to hereafter. The provisions of this article are intended to encourage well-maintained and attractive signs that meet the needs of business identification, advertising, and communication, and signs that are well designed and compatible with the surroundings.

(Ord. No. 2852, § 1(8.900), 2-25-2013)

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Awning means a roof-like cover that projects from the wall of a building for the purpose of shielding a doorway, walkway or window from the elements.

Billboard means a tall, large sign located along a highly traveled highway, interstate, or road, that directs attention to a business, commodity, service, or entertainment, conducted, sold or offered at a location other than the premises on which the sign is located.

Building sign means a sign that is fastened to, projects from, or is placed on or painted upon the exterior wall, window, door or roof of a building in any manner. The term "building sign" includes, but is not limited to:

Awning sign means a sign imposed or painted on an awning.

Incidental sign means an announcement or other display providing information about occupancy or conduct of business permitted on the premises, such as logos, credit cards accepted, hours and similar information.

Marquee sign means any sign attached flat against the marquee or permanent sidewalk canopy of a building and not extending above the roofline.

Projecting sign means a sign affixed to a wall of a building and extending more than one foot from the surface of the wall.

Roof sign means any sign that is mounted upon or otherwise structurally supported by the roof of a building.

Under-canopy sign means a sign display attached to the underside of a marquee sign and protruding over public or private sidewalks or rights-of-way.

Wall sign means a sign that is fastened directly to or is placed or painted directly upon the exterior wall of a building.

Window sign means a sign that is placed on or behind a windowpane and intended to be viewed from the outside of a building.

Construction sign means a sign identifying the contractors, engineers, architects, or financial institutions involved in the construction.

Directional sign means a sign at the entrance or exit of a property.

Electronic message board means a sign that presents its message through illumination of flashing, intermittent, or moving lights forming letters, numbers, or the symbols of the message.

Freestanding sign means a sign permanently attached to the ground and that is wholly independent of any building or other structure. The term "freestanding sign" includes, but is not limited to, the following:

Ground sign means a freestanding sign other than a pole sign, in which the bottom of the sign face is less than six feet above the ground, but not directly in contact with the ground.

Monument sign means a freestanding sign in which the entire bottom of the sign is in contact with the ground, providing a solid and continuous background for the sign face from the ground to the top of the sign.

Pole sign means a sign that is mounted on a freestanding pole or other support so that the bottom edge of the sign face is above grade so as to expose the pole or support structure.

Illuminated sign means any sign that is illuminated internally over its entire area by use of electricity or other artificial light. Illuminated signs shall be oriented so as not to cast light onto residential properties or cause issues with motorists or traffic.

Nonconforming sign means a sign legally established prior to the effective date of this ordinance from which this article is derived that do not conform with the sign regulations of the city's Code of Ordinances are referred to as nonconforming signs. This includes the sign framework and supports.

Portable sign means a sign that is not permanently affixed to one location and has the capability of being moved from one site to the next means also called an A-frame.

Sign area means the area or display surface used for the message.

Temporary event means an activity, other than a special event having a specific duration or end lasting less than 12 months. Such activities include but are not limited to holiday lights, offering of a property for sale, political campaigns or ballot propositions as part of any governmental entity, and construction of a development or renovation, remodel, or rehabilitation of a building.

(Ord. No. 2852, § 1(8.903), 2-25-2013)

Violations of this article are misdemeanors punishable as provided in section 1-12.

(Ord. No. 2852, § 1(8.912), 2-25-2013)

Appeals from any decision related to this article shall be made before the planning and zoning commission.

(Ord. No. 2852, § 1(8.912), 2-25-2013)

(a)

It is unlawful to place, erect, alter or relocate within the city, any non-exempt sign regulated under this article, without first obtaining a building permit and paying the required fee; provided, however, that no permit is required for a change of copy on a changeable copy sign or for the repainting, cleaning, and other normal maintenance of any sign if its copy does not change. Sign permit fees shall be as provided in the city fee schedule.

(b)

The following signs are exempt from the permit requirement of this section; provided, however, that no such sign is permitted within city rights-of-way:

(1)

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

(2)

A sign denoting a historical landmark designation or plaque erected by a public or nonprofit body or organization.

(3)

A sign that identifies by name or number each individual building within any institutional or residential building complex, and that does not exceed 1.5 square feet in area.

(4)

A sign in nature of a decoration, identification or direction incidentally and customarily associated with any national or religious holiday, civic festival, fair, or similar gathering held during a period of 45 days or less, provided that the sign shall not differ substantially from the general requirements of this article.

(5)

A sign in a display window of a business establishment that is incorporated into a display of merchandise or service offered at the premises.

(6)

Garage sale signs no larger than two feet by two feet, provided that such signs may not be mounted on municipal poles.

(7)

Subdivision real estate signs not exceeding 64 square feet.

(8)

Real estate agent "for sale" signs and "for sale by owner" or "for rent by owner" signs.

(9)

Signs advertising temporary events.

(Ord. No. 2852, § 1(8.901), (8.902), 2-25-2013)

(a)

Application for a sign permit shall be made in writing on a form approved by the board of aldermen and shall be submitted to the city zoning officer together with the prescribed fee and:

(1)

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;

(2)

A drawing of the proposed sign showing the message to be shown and the method of construction, landscaping, and attachment to the building or ground; and

(3)

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

(b)

An application for a temporary sign permit shall disclose the period of time during which the sign will be displayed, which period shall not exceed 12 months.

(Ord. No. 2852, § 1(8.904), 2-25-2013)

(a)

The zoning officer or his designee shall review the application and all required supporting documents within seven days from the date of submittal. If the application is complete and the sign permissible under this article, the permit shall be issued.

(b)

If the permit is denied, written notice thereof shall be provided to the applicant, including the specific reason for denial, and the applicant may appeal the denial in accordance with section 50-673.

(Ord. No. 2852, § 1(8.904), 2-25-2013)

If the sign approved by a permit issued under this article is not constructed and erected within 180 days of the date of the permit, the permit shall expire.

(Ord. No. 2852, § 1(8.904), 2-25-2013)

All signs shall be designed to fit the overall character of the surrounding area and shall be subject to the following restrictions:

(1)

A sign affixed to a building shall be sized and located in such a manner that it harmonizes with the building architectural features and proportions.

(2)

Special consideration should be given to signs to be located in or adjacent to historic structures or publicly owned recreation and conservancy areas.

(3)

Signage proposed in planned districts shall conform to the planned architectural theme of the area.

(4)

Signage in or abutting residential areas shall be designed so as not to create a residential nuisance.

(5)

Signs illuminated by floodlight or spotlight shall be positioned in such a manner that none of the light spills over onto an adjacent property or glares or shines into the eyes of motorists or pedestrians.

(6)

Sign colors should be kept to a minimum and shall be consistent with adjacent signage and architecture.

(7)

Landscape features are to be encouraged as part of all ground-mounted signs.

(8)

Signs affixed to the exterior of a building shall be compatible with the style, materials, and details of the building.

(Ord. No. 2852, § 1(8.905), 2-25-2013)

All signs shall comply with city building and zoning provisions in addition to the following:

(1)

Signs applied to masonry surfaces shall be fastened to mortar joints only and not directly into brick or stone.

(2)

No sign shall be suspended by chains or other devices that will allow the sign to swing due to wind action.

(3)

Signs shall be anchored to prevent any lateral movement.

(4)

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

(5)

All glass used in signs shall be shatter resistant or covered by a shatter-resistant material.

(6)

No sign or any part thereof shall hinder or prevent the ingress or egress through any doorway or window.

(7)

All signs, except flat signs and those signs weighing less than ten pounds, shall be designed and constructed to withstand wind-load restrictive standards of city building codes and shall be constructed to support the dead load and any anticipated live load (i.e., snow, ice).

(8)

No sign shall be mounted on any roof top of any building in any district except industrial zones.

(9)

All signs involving internal lights or other electrical devices shall be certified by manufacturer or design engineer that the electrical components and wiring comply with the city's current adopted electrical codes.

(10)

Clearance from all electrical lines shall conform to the city's electrical code standards.

(Ord. No. 2852, § 1(8.905), (8.906), 2-25-2013)

In addition to the design, construction and installation requirements generally applicable to signs in the city, the following type-specific restrictions shall apply:

(1)

Freestanding signs. Each freestanding sign shall be located at least 75 feet from any other freestanding sign on the same side of the street. The distance may be reduced upon appeal and approval from the board of adjustment. The maximum height of the sign shall not exceed 22 feet, and the maximum sign area shall not exceed 70 square feet. Sign area and height may be increased upon appeal to and approval by the board of adjustment. Only one freestanding sign is permitted per lot.

(2)

Projecting and under-canopy signs. Projecting signs shall not project more than 5.5 feet beyond the face of the building and the bottom of the sign shall be a minimum of ten feet above the level of any sidewalk. Under-canopy signs shall be rigidly mounted, with a minimum of 8.5 feet of clearance between the base of any sign and the sidewalk.

(3)

Entrance and exit signs. Entrance and exit signs may be located at driveways that provide access into or from a property. A maximum of two signs per driveway, have a length no greater than six feet and height no greater than 2.5 feet, is permitted.

(4)

Residential subdivision monuments. The height of residential subdivision monuments shall be not less than three feet and not more than six feet. The sign face of the monument shall be not greater than 12 square feet. The monument shall be located at least six feet from the nearest curb edge or property line.

(5)

Commercial monuments. Commercial monuments shall have a height of not less than three feet and not more than 15 feet and a maximum sign face of 24 square feet. There shall be no more than one such monument per lot.

(6)

Portable A-frame signs. The sign face area of portable A-frame signs shall not exceed 12 square feet per side.

(7)

Wall signs. Wall signs shall not extend more than 12 inches from the surface upon which they are mounted. The sign face area of wall signs shall not exceed 100 square feet.

(8)

Address signs. Address signs shall have Arabic numbers or alphabet letters and shall have a maximum height of four inches.

(Ord. No. 2852, § 1(8.907), 2-25-2013)

Obscene signs, signs that emit sound or smoke, portable signs other than A-frame signs in the downtown district, inflatable signs, roof signs and billboards are prohibited in the city. Signs mounted or painted on vehicles or trailers, positioned for the primary purpose of acting as signs rather than for purposes of sign transport, are also prohibited.

(Ord. No. 2852, § 1(8.908), 2-25-2013; Ord. No. 2931, § 1(8.908), 4-24-2017)

All signs and their supports, braces, guys, and anchors shall be kept in good repair, and, unless constructed of galvanized or non-corroding metal, shall be given a protective coating as necessary to maintain a clean appearance and safe condition. All sign locations shall be maintained and kept free of rubbish and weeds.

(Ord. No. 2852, § 1(8.909), 2-25-2013)

(a)

The building inspector may order removal of any sign that fails to comply with the requirements of this chapter, any abandoned sign, and any sign that has become a public hazard due to lack of maintenance. A notice shall be provided by the building inspector to the owner of the sign, or the building or lot upon which the sign is located, directing that the sign be removed or brought into compliance with this article.

(b)

Upon failure of the owner to comply, the building inspector shall cause the removal of the sign, and costs shall be assessed to the owner of the property on which the sign is located and collected in the same manner as an ordinary debt or in the same manner as taxes. Costs assessed under this section shall constitute a lien on the property.

(Ord. No. 2852, § 1(8.910), 2-25-2013)

It is the policy of the city to encourage all signs in the city to be brought into compliance with the requirements of this article to the extent possible as soon as practicable; nevertheless, a sign which was lawfully erected prior to effective date of the ordinance from which this article is derived but which does not comply in one or more respects with the requirements of this article may remain in use, subject to the following limitations:

(1)

Existing institutional bulletin boards and signs, building markers, directional signs, subdivision entrance signs and incidental signs shall not be affected by this article unless and until they are removed, replaced or substantially altered, in which event they shall be brought into conformity with this article.

(2)

Change of sign copy or the substitution of panels or faces on nonconforming signs shall be permitted. Repair and maintenance of nonconforming signs, such as repainting, electrical repairs and neon tubing, shall be permitted.

(3)

It is unlawful to enlarge or structurally alter any existing sign except in accordance with the provisions of this article.

(4)

A nonconforming sign that ceases to be used or leased for a continuous period of six months shall not be reused for sign purposes until it is brought into full compliance with the requirements of this article.

(5)

A nonconforming sign that pertains to a business or institution that ceases operation for a period of six months or more shall not be reused for sign purposes until it is brought into full compliance with the requirements of this article.

(Ord. No. 2852, § 1(8.911), 2-25-2013)