(a)

No sign shall hereafter be located, erected, moved, reconstructed, extended, enlarged, converted or structurally altered without being in conformance with the provisions of this article. The sign shall also meet all the structural requirements of all city codes.

(b)

Signs lawfully existing at the time of the adoption or amendment of the ordinance from which this article is derived may be continued although the use, size, or location does not conform with the provisions of this article. However, it shall be deemed a nonconforming use or structure.

(Prior Code, § 17.65)

The following table provides the types of signs permitted in particular zoning districts. (See section 46-368 for a description of each type of sign.)

SIGNS PERMITTED BY ZONING DISTRICT

(Prior Code, § 17.66)

(a)

Type 1. Directory signs advertising a business or activity conducted, an area of interest, or a service available, at a specific location. Such signs shall be not more than 12 square feet in gross area. There shall be not more than two such signs relating to any one such use in the approaching direction along any one highway. No such sign shall be more than ten miles away from the location to which it relates. Such signs may not be placed closer than 25 feet to the right-of-way line of the highway. A larger number of signs may be permitted as a conditional use by the city council if the council shall find it necessary for directing the traveling public.

(b)

Type 2. Signs advertising a customary home occupation or professional office. Such signs shall not exceed six square feet in gross area, and shall not be lighted.

(c)

Type 3. Signs advertising the sale, rent, or lease of the property on which the sign is placed. Such sign shall not exceed eight square feet in gross area and may be placed at the right-of-way line of the highway.

(d)

Type 4. Signs advertising a general brand or product; an area of interest; a business conducted; or a service available. Such signs shall not be more than 400 square feet in gross area and erected outside a line parallel to and 50 feet from the highway right-of-way.

(e)

Type 5. Roof, wall, awning, and facade signs attached to commercial and industrial buildings advertising a business conducted or a service available on the premises. No sign shall be higher than four feet above the top of the roof line or exceed the maximum height limitation permitted in the district, and shall not exceed 400 square feet in gross area.

(f)

Type 6. On-premise signs advertising a public or semi-public use. Such signs shall not exceed 12 square feet in gross area. There shall be no more than one sign for each highway upon which the property faces. Such signs may be placed at the right-of-way line of the highway.

(g)

Type 7. Recreational directory signs indicating the direction to a cottage, resort, residence, or similar use. Such signs shall not be more than four square feet in gross area. Where a common posting standard is provided, all such signs shall be attached to the standard recreational directory. Signs may be placed at the rights-of-way lines of highways, except freeways or expressways.

(h)

Type 8. Signs advertising the location of a garage sale. Such sign shall not exceed three square feet. No more than three such signs shall be placed, and only on the days the sale occurs.

(i)

Type 9. Political signs may be erected only in compliance with Wis. Stats. § 12.04.

(j)

Type 10. Signs advertising the sale of farm products produced on the premises not to exceed eight square feet.

(k)

Type 11. Official signs, such as traffic control, parking restrictions, information and notices; temporary signs or banners when authorized by the city council; memorial signs, tablets, names of buildings, and date of erection when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of metal and affixed flat against a structure.

(l)

Type 12. Signs advertising bed and breakfast services and beauty salon/barber shops not exceeding eight square feet in area.

(Prior Code, § 17.67)

(a)

No sign shall be so placed as to interfere with the visibility or effectiveness of any official traffic sign or signal, or with driver vision at any access point or intersection.

(b)

No sign shall contain, include, or be illuminated by flashing lights, except for time and temperature signs. No sign will be permitted that resembles the size, shape, form, or color of official traffic control signs, signals, or devices; and no sign shall be placed so as to obstruct or interfere with traffic visibility.

(c)

No sign shall contain, include, or be composed of any conspicuous animated or moving part, except for time and temperature signs.

(d)

No sign shall contain more than 400 square feet in gross area.

(e)

No sign shall be painted directly on the building walls, except water towers which may display the name or symbol of the owner or operator.

(f)

No person shall erect or maintain a sandwich sign, movable sign or keep an abandoned sign, except that two double-faced sandwich or movable signs are permitted when meeting all other applicable requirements and when their use is limited to 30 days of a 90-day period. Such signs shall be set back at least five feet from the street property line and shall be not larger than eight square feet per face except that the area of one such sign may be increased by one square foot for each three lineal feet of frontage over 50 feet on a street to a maximum of 24 square feet per face.

(g)

This section shall not prohibit "for sale" signs on vehicles for sale provided the vehicle is not parked on a public right-of-way.

(Prior Code, § 17.68)