It is the purpose of this subchapter to permit those signs that will not, by reason of their size, location, construction, or manner of display, endanger life or limb, confuse or mislead traffic, obstruct vision necessary for traffic safety, or otherwise endanger public morals, health, or safety; and further to regulate permitted signs in a manner as to prevent them from causing an annoyance or disturbance to the residents and visitors of the city.

(Ord. 14-1986, passed 12-1-86)

   On-premise signs are permitted as follows:

   (A)   Residential zoning districts. Ground pole and wall signs are permitted subject to the following:

      (1)   Nameplate signs shall not exceed two square feet in total area.

      (2)   Identification signs for institutional use shall not exceed 32 square feet in total area.

      (3)   Nonconforming business signs in residential zones shall not aggregate more than 150 square feet in area.

      (4)   Professional office district permitted signs may have two identification signs that do not exceed 24 square feet each.

      (5)   Real estate sales signs are permitted provided there is only one sign for each individual property for sale. These signs should be removed upon sale of the property. These signs shall not exceed 12 square feet in area or four feet in height.

   (B)   Commercial and industrial zoning districts. The following contains the on-premise sign regulation for commercial districts. Those on-premise signs that are directed and situated so as to identify the business to interstate traffic may exceed the limitations, as herein established, only to the extent that the height and area can be made visible from the interstate and only as permitted by the Board of Zoning Adjustment.

(Ord. 14-1986, passed 12-1-86) Penalty, see § 152.999

   The following signs are prohibited:

   (A)   Permanent signs that incorporate in any manner any flashing or moving lights, except time and temperature signs.

   (B)   Banners, pennants, spinners, and streamers except where the Board of Zoning Adjustment authorizes a temporary variance for a promotion or public benefit.

   (C)   String lighting or any unshielded light that is visible by the public from a public street, and is used in connection with commercial premises for commercial purposes, other than Christmas decorations.

   (D)   Any sign which has any visible moving part, visible revolving parts, or visible mechanical movement.

   (E)   Any sign which obstructs or detracts from the visibility of any traffic sign or traffic-control device on public streets and roads, by reason of size, location, coloring, or illumination.

   (F)   Any sign or sign structure which is structurally unsafe; constitutes a hazard to safety or health by reason of inadequate maintenance, dilapidated condition, or abandonment; is not kept in good repair; or is capable of causing electrical shock to persons who may come into contact with it.

   (G)   Signs which make use of words such as "stop", "look", "danger", "yield", or other similar words, phrases, symbols, or characters in such a manner as to imply the need or requirement of stopping or the existence of danger.

   (H)   Portable signs, folding signs, or any other similar free- standing signs not permanently anchored or secured to either a building or the ground. These type signs may be permitted upon being granted a temporary variance if the sign is to be used for a public benefit.

   (I)   Free-standing signs that extend or are built over public property.

   (J)   Temporary window feature signs using more than 50% of a window in a commercial district.

   (K)   Wall signs painted on the side of a building.

   (L)   Any sign extending more than 40 feet above the base of a structure.

   (M)   Any sign other than governmental traffic-control signs or devices that is or would be located in the right-of-way of any street or highway.

   (N)   Any poster, including political campaign posters, on public property including utility poles.

(Ord. 14-1986, passed 12-1-86) Penalty, see § 152.999