It shall be unlawful to erect, alter, maintain, enlarge, use, or display any sign or sign feature except in accordance with the provisions of this article.

9-3(a)

Prohibited Signs. Unless exempted from regulation by this article, the following types of signs shall be prohibited in all zones:

(1)

Abandoned signs.

(2)

Illegal signs.

(3)

Signs that imitate or resemble official traffic signs, signals, devices or other official signs, but are not authorized by government.

(4)

Signs, other than specifically permitted portable signs, that are displayed on vehicles or trailers which are parked or located for the primary purpose of displaying said signs.

(5)

Signs that are erected on the surface of any tree, rock or other natural feature.

(6)

Signs that emit any noise, odor or visible matter for the purpose of attracting attention.

9-3(b)

Signs Subject Only to Lighting Provisions. The following signs are generally outside the scope of this article and therefore shall be required to comply only with the general provisions of this article relating to lighting:

(1)

Signs authorized to be erected under local, state, or federal law which identify streets, address numbers, or public facilities, describe historic sites or districts, accommodate the delivery of mail, announce and promote special community events, or communicate public information.

(2)

Illuminated decorative lighting strings, spotlighting, or similar lighting sources on building exteriors or in yards (excluding temporary traditional displays above), which do not primarily illuminate copy but which are visible from any public right-of-way.

(3)

Works of fine art, commemorative plaques, grave markers, and similar devices that in no way depict, identify, or advertise a product or business.

(4)

Noncommercial symbols, flags, pennants or insignia of governments, or of religious, civic, fraternal, or educational institutions (except that such symbols used in connection with commercial promotions or as advertising devices shall comply with applicable regulations of this article).

(5)

Signs and other displays located inside a building window and intended to communicate a message or to attract the attention of people moving about public rights-of-way.

(6)

Signs attached and incidental to retail product dispensers.

(7)

Signs displayed on and incidental to vehicles that are for sale, provided that the primary purpose of such a vehicle is not for the display of signs.

9-3(c)

Sign Permits. A sign permit and payment of fees shall be required for the following types of signs and activities:

(1)

All off-premises signs: to erect, relocate, rewire, or enlarge any part of such signs, or to alter structural supports;

(2)

Portable signs that exceed ten (10) square feet in area: to erect or relocate such signs;

(3)

On-premises permanent signs that are electrical and/or exceed ten (10) square feet in area: to erect, relocate, rewire, or enlarge any part of such signs, or to alter structural supports, or to repaint or otherwise reface any such existing sign so that its copy relates to a new principal occupant on the premises (refer to provisions in this article for nonconforming signs).

For permit procedures, refer to provisions in this article for administration and enforcement. Permits and fees shall not be required for signs that are not listed above. For signs listed above, permits and fees shall not be required to maintain such signs in good condition, including the refacing of existing display modules, so long as such work does not include any activity requiring a permit above.

9-3(d)

Sign Location on Property. Unless otherwise specifically provided, signs may be attached to buildings (building signs) or may be freestanding (yard signs).

(1)

Temporary sign locations. Temporary signs, with the exception of construction, real estate, political signs, civic and church signs in accordance with Section 9-5(f), and [with the exception of] building signs attached to the principal or accessory structures, shall be limited to two (2) signs per individual lot. Signs may be located within the property boundary a minimum of ten (10) feet from the back of curb or pavement, but in no case shall be located on public right of way. Temporary signs shall not exceed forty (40) square feet in size.

9-3(e)

Signs and Public Rights-of-Way. No sign shall be erected on or overhanging the edge of any public right-of-way unless specifically provided in this article.

9-3(f)

Signs and Traffic Visibility. All signs erected near street and driveway intersections shall comply with the dimensional requirements of traffic visibility sight triangles, as specifically provided in Article III of this zoning ordinance.

9-3(g)

Lighting. Any sign may be illuminated. The following provisions shall apply to all illuminated signs:

(1)

Flashing signs shall be prohibited, unless otherwise specified in this article.

(2)

Light sources shall be located and/or shielded in a fashion that minimizes to the greatest possible extent the direct rays of any bulb that exceeds one hundred (100) watts from shining into the eyes of motorists on vehicular rights-of-way.

(3)

Light sources shall be located and/or shielded in a fashion which minimizes to the greatest possible extent the direct rays of such light sources penetrating into any adjoining property located in a residential or manufactured housing park zone or used for residential purposes.

9-3(h)

Changeable Copy. Any sign may include manual changeable copy. No sign shall include electronic changeable copy unless specifically provided in this article. The changing of such copy on permitted signs shall not require a permit, unless otherwise provided by this article.

9-3(i)

Animation. No sign shall be animated unless specifically provided in this article.

9-3(j)

Construction and Safety Standards. All signs shall be erected in accordance with all applicable requirements of locally enforced building, fire, electrical and safety codes.

9-3(k)

Maintenance. All signs shall be properly maintained. Exposed surfaces shall be clean and painted if paint is required. Defective parts shall be replaced. The Zoning Administrator shall have the right to order the repair or removal of any sign that is defective, damaged, or substantially deteriorated.

(Ord. No. 37-2009, § 2, 10-20-2009)