This section is established to protect and promote health, safety, general welfare, and order within the City through the establishment of comprehensive and uniform standards, regulations, and procedures governing the type, numbers, size, structure, location, height, lighting, erection, use, or display of devices, signs, or symbols serving as a visual communications media to persons situated within or upon public rights-of-way or private properties. The provisions of this section are intended to encourage opportunity for effective, aesthetically compatible, and orderly communications by reducing confusion and hazards resulting from unnecessary or indiscriminate use of communications facilities. Hereafter no sign shall be erected, constructed, altered, or modified except as regulated by the provisions of this section.

1.   Definitions. The following terms, for the purposes of this section, have the meaning stated herein:

   A.   “Address sign: means a sign communicating street address only, whether written or in numerical form.

   B.   “Animated sign” means any sign or part of a sign which changes physical position by any movement or rotation or which gives the visual impression of such movement or rotation.

   C.   “Billboard sign” means a sign which 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.

   D.   “Campaign sign” means a temporary sign promoting the candidacy of a person running for a governmental office or promoting an issue to be voted upon at a governmental election.

   E.   “Construction sign” means a temporary sign erected on the premises on which construction is actively taking place, during the period of such construction, indicating the names of the architects, engineers, landscape architects, contractors or similar artisans, and the owners, financial supporters, sponsors, and similar individuals or firms having a role or interest with respect to the structure or project. One sign shall be permitted for each major street the project abuts.

   F.   “Directional sign” means a sign erected on public or private property which bears the address and name of a business, institution, church, or other use or activity plus directional arrows or information on location.

   G.   “Flashing sign” means any illuminated sign that has artificial light or color which is not maintained at a constant intensity or color when such sign is in use. A sign providing public service information, such as time, weather, date, temperature or similar information, shall not be considered a flashing sign.

   H.   “Free-standing sign” means any immovable sign not affixed to a building.

   I.   “Governmental sign” means a sign which is erected by a governmental unit.

   J.   “Information sign” means any sign giving information to employees, visitors or delivery vehicles, but containing no advertising or identification.

   K.   “Joint identification sign” means a free-standing sign which identifies a subdivision, a multiple residential complex consisting of three or more structures, a shopping center consisting of three or more separate business concerns, an industrial area, an office complex consisting of three or more structures, or any combination of the above.

   L.   “Nonconforming sign” means a sign which lawfully existed at the time of the passage of the ordinance codified in this chapter or amendments thereto but which does not conform to the regulation of this chapter.

   M.   “Projecting sign” means a sign that is wholly or partly dependent upon a building for support and which projects more than 12 inches from such building.

   N.   “Real estate sign” means a business sign placed upon a property advertising that particular property for sale, for lease or for rent.

   O.   “Roof sign” means a sign that is mounted on the roof of a building or which is wholly dependent upon a building for support and which projects above the point of a building with a flat roof, the eave line of a building with a gambrel, gable or hip roof or the deck line of a building with a mansard roof.

   P.   “Sign” means the use of any words, numerals, pictures, figures, devices, or trademarks by which anything is made known, such as are used to show an individual, firm, profession, or business, and are visible to the general public.

   Q.   “Sign area” means, in the case of messages, figures, or symbols attached directly to a part of a building, that area which is included in the smallest connecting geometric figures which can be made to circumscribe the message, figure, or symbol displayed thereon.

      (1)   In all other cases, that entire area of the surface which bears the advertisement, excluding any sign structure.

      (2)   In any case, only changeable copy areas of marquee or canopies shall be considered in determining the total sign area.

   R.   “Sign structure” means the supports, uprights, bracing, and framework for a sign, excluding sign area.

   S.   “Temporary sign” means any sign which is erected or displayed for a specified period of time. The temporary use of portable or moveable signs, search lights, banners, pennants, and similar devices shall be allowed in excess of and in addition to the sign limitations of this section for continuous periods of 10 consecutive days. No business proprietor shall be allowed more than three such periods in any calendar year.

   T.   “Wall sign” means a sign fastened to or painted on the wall of a building or structure in such a manner that the wall becomes the supporting structure for, or forms the background surface of, the sign and which does not project more than 12 inches for such building or structure.

2.   Requirements. Billboards and signs in conjunction with principal permitted uses are allowed subject to the following regulations. Only signs specifically permitted shall be allowed in the various districts.

   A.   C-1 (General Commercial) District.

      (1)   Only one permanent type sign intended to be read from off the premises will be allowed for each principal use;

      (2)   Maximum height of sign shall not exceed 35 feet from street grade.

      (3)   The following sign types are permitted:

         a.   Address Signs (Sign area not to exceed 1 square foot);

         b.   Campaign Signs (Sign area not to exceed 8 square feet);

         c.   Construction Sign (Sign area not to exceed 24 square feet).

         d.   Directional Signs;

         e.   Government Signs;

         f.   Informational Signs (Sign area not to exceed 2 square feet);

         g.   Joint Identification Signs.

         h.   Projecting Signs (Sign area not to exceed 9 square feet);

         i.   Real Estate Signs (Sign area not to exceed 24 square feet);

         j.   Roof Signs (Sign area not to exceed 1 square foot for each linear foot of building frontage.

         k.   Temporary Signs (Sign area not to exceed 9 square feet);

         l.   Wall Signs (Sign area not to exceed 1 square foot for each linear foot of building frontage);

   B.   C-2 (Highway Commercial) District.

      (1)   Free-standing signs must not impair sight distance or create a traffic hazard;

      (2)   Free-standing signs must be located no more than 150 feet from the business, product or service advertised on said sign;

      (3)   Only two permanent type signs will be permitted per development;

      (4)   Maximum height of sign shall not exceed 35 feet from street grade.

      (5)   The following sign types are permitted:

         a.   Address signs (Sign area not to exceed 1 square foot);

         b.   Campaign Signs (Sign area not to exceed 8 square feet);

         c.   Construction Signs (Sign area not to exceed 24 square feet).

         d.   Directional Signs;

         e.   Free-Standing Signs (Sign area not to exceed 100 square feet).

         f.   Government Signs;

         g.   Informational Signs (Sign area not to exceed 2 square feet);

         h.   Joint Identification Signs (Sign area not to exceed 12 square feet).

         i.   Projecting Signs (Sign area not to exceed 16 square feet);

         j.   Real Estate Signs (Sign area not to exceed 24 square feet);

         k.   Temporary Signs (Sign area not to exceed 9 square feet);

         l.   Wall Signs (Sign area not to exceed 1 square foot for each linear foot of building frontage)

   C.   R-1, R-2, R-3, and RS-1 (Residential) Districts.

      (1)   Maximum height of sign shall not exceed 35 feet from street grade.

      (2)   The following sign types are permitted:

         a.   Address signs (Sign area not to exceed 1 square foot);

         b.   Campaign Signs (Sign area not to exceed 6 square feet);

         c.   Construction Signs (Sign area not to exceed nine square feet).

         d.   Government Signs;

         e.   Joint Identification Signs (Sign area not to exceed 12 square feet);

         f.   Real Estate Signs (Sign area not to exceed 6 square feet);

   D.   A-1 (Agricultural/Conservation) and I-1 (Light Industrial) Districts

      (1)   Free-standing signs may be located no more than 100 feet from the business, product or service advertised on said sign;

      (2)   Maximum height of sign shall not exceed 35 feet from street grade.

      (3)   The following sign types are permitted:

         a.   Address Signs (Sign area not to exceed 1 square foot);

         b.   Campaign Signs (Sign area not to exceed 16 square feet);

         c.   Construction Signs (Sign area not to exceed 25 square feet).

         d.   Free-Standing Signs (Sign area not to exceed 100 square feet);

         e.   Directional Signs;

         f.   Government Signs;

         g.   Joint Identification Signs (Sign area not to exceed 36 square feet).

         h.   Real Estate Signs (Sign area not to exceed 24 square feet);

         i.   Wall Signs (Sign area not to exceed 1 square foot for each linear foot of building frontage);

3.   Special Exceptions. Any sign type may be granted special exception status after review by the Board of Adjustment and subject to any conditions deemed by the Board to be appropriate.

4.   Additional Regulations. In all districts, signs and billboards shall adhere to pertinent State regulations and other local ordinances.

5.   General Sign Provisions.

   A.   Hazardous Signs: No sign permitted by this chapter shall, by reason of its location, lighting, size, color or intensity, create a hazard to the safe, efficient movement of vehicular or pedestrian traffic. No private sign shall contain words which might be construed as traffic controls, such as “stop”, “caution”, “warning”, etc., unless such sign is intended to direct traffic within the premises.

   B.   Sign Maintenance: All signs and sign structures shall be properly maintained and kept in a safe, orderly condition. In addition, all parts and supports shall be properly painted. Any sign or sign structure which is rotted, unsafe, deteriorated, defaced, or otherwise altered, shall be repainted, repaired, or replaced by the property owner or agent of the owner of the property upon which the sign is located, after written notice by the City.

   C.   Interference: No sign, nor any guys, stay or attachment thereto shall be erected, placed or maintained by any person on rocks, fences, or trees; nor in such a manner as to interfere with the effective use of firefighting equipment or personnel, or any electric light, power, telephone, telegraph or TV cable wires or supports thereof.

   D.   Signs in Right-of Way: No signs other than government signs shall be erected or temporarily placed within any public rights-of-way except as may be specifically provided herein.

   E.   Clearance: All signs located over public rights-of-way or any public or private access route (sidewalk, mall, etc.) shall be located a minimum of 15 feet above grade level.

   F.   Safe Ingress and Egress: No sign or part thereof shall be erected or maintained so as to prevent or deter free ingress and egress from any door, window, or fire escape. No sign or sign structure shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.

   G.   Signs Required by Law: All signs required by law shall be permitted in all districts.

   H.   Back to Back Signs: If a free-standing sign or sign structure is constructed so that the faces are not back to back, the angle shall not exceed 30 degrees. If the angle is greater than 30 degrees, the total area of both sides added together shall be the calculated sign area. Back to back signs (when less than 30 degrees) shall be considered as one sign when debited against the total number of signs permitted on one zoning lot.

   I.   Obsolete Signs: Obsolete signs which advertise an activity, business product or service which is no longer produced or conducted on the premises shall be removed within 90 days from date of notice provided by the City. The owner of the property on which the sign is located shall have 90 days from date of notice to remove any such sign. If after the expiration of the 90-day period, the sign has not been removed, the City may cause the sign to be removed and any expenses may be charged back to the property owner.

   J.   Illumination: All externally illuminated signs shall be constructed so as to direct the source of light away from adjacent properties or public streets.

   K.   Animated Signs: Animated signs may be allowed as a special exception requiring a hearing before the Board of Adjustment.

   L.   Double Frontage: Lots having frontage on two streets or on a street and an alley shall be permitted to provide the maximum number and square footage of signs on each of the opposite ends of said lot, provided however, that not more than the maximum number of square feet of signs per frontage may be viewed simultaneously.

   M.   Permit Required: No sign except permitted signs as identified herein shall be erected, altered, constructed or modified without first receiving a valid sign permit from the City.

   N.   Sign Permit Application: The application for a sign permit shall contain such information as may be deemed necessary for the proper enforcement of this chapter.

   O.   Permit Fees: To defray administrative costs of processing requests for sign permits, the applicant for a sign permit shall pay to the City Clerk, a fee in the amount established by the City Council.

6.   Permitted Signs. The following signs are allowed without a permit but shall comply with all other applicable provisions of this chapter.

   A.   Campaign Signs: Signs or posters announcing the candidate seeking political office, advertising political issues or the data pertinent thereto. These signs shall remain for no longer than 45 days prior and one day after the election for which they were intended and shall be removed by the owner of the property on which they are located. All signs shall be confined to private property and shall not be attached to trees, utilities or rocks.

   B.   Construction Signs: A non-illuminated sign announcing the names of architects, engineers, contractors, future use, and other individuals or firms involved with the construction, alteration, or repair of such building (but not including any advertisement of any product). Such signs shall be confined to the site of the construction, alteration or repair and shall be removed within two years of the date of issuance of the first building permit or when the particular project is completed, whichever is sooner. One sign shall be permitted for each major street the project abuts.

   C.   Directory Signs: A wall sign which identifies the business, owners, manager, or resident occupant and sets forth the occupation or other address information but contains no advertising. There may be one directory sign per zoning lot not to exceed two square feet of area per business or resident occupant.

   D.   Government Signs: Signs of a public, non-commercial nature to include safety signs, danger signs, trespassing signs, traffic signs, signs indicating scenic or historical points of interest, memorial plaques and the like, when signs are erected by or on order of a public officer or employee in the performance of official duty.

   E.   Integral Signs: Name of buildings, date of construction, commemorative tablets and the like, which are of the building or structure.

   F.   Parking Signs (on site): On-site directional and parking signs intended to facilitate the movement of vehicles and pedestrians upon which the sign is located. Such signs shall not exceed six square feet of area.

   G.   Real Estate Signs: Any on-site sign announcing the owner, manager, realtor or other person directly involved in the sale or rental of the property. Signs shall not measure more than six square feet in the residential districts nor 24 square feet in the other districts. Only one real estate sign may be allowed per zoning lot.