Sioux Falls City Zoning Code

ON-PREMISES SIGN

REGULATIONS

§ 160.570 PURPOSE AND INTENT.

(a) Signs use private land and the sight lines created by public rights-of-way to inform and persuade the general public by a message. The purpose of this subchapter is to prevent the uncontrolled use of signs.

(b) These regulations provide standards for the erection and maintenance of on-premises signs. The principal feature of this section is the restriction on the total sign area permissible per site. All signs shall be erected and maintained in accordance with the following standards:

(1) Substitution of noncommercial message.

A. The owner of any sign which is otherwise allowed by this sign ordinance may substitute noncommercial copy in lieu of any other commercial or noncommercial copy. This substitution of copy may be made without any additional approval or permitting. The purpose of this provision is to prevent any inadvertent favoring of commercial speech over noncommercial speech or favoring of any particular noncommercial message over any other noncommercial message. This provision prevails over any more specific provisions to the contrary.

B. All noncommercial messages are considered on-premises signs and are entitled to the privileges that on-premise signs receive under this Code.

1. Noncommercial message: Messages not classified as commercial messages, which include, but are not limited to, messages concerning political, religious, social, ideological, public service, and informational topics.

2. Commercial message: Speech or graphics advertising a business, provision, commodity, service, or entertainment.

(2) Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this sign ordinance is for any reason held to be invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this sign ordinance. The city council hereby declares that it would have adopted the sign ordinance in each section, subsection, sentence, or phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses, or phrases be declared invalid.

(c) The general objectives of these standards are to promote safety, welfare, communication, and quality and to achieve the following:

(1) Safety. To promote the safety of persons and property by providing that signs:

A. Do not create a hazard due to collapse, fire, collision, decay, or abandonment.

B. Do not create traffic hazards by confusing or distracting motorists; or by impairing the driver's ability to see pedestrians, obstacles, or other vehicles; or to see and interpret any official traffic sign, signal, or device.

C. Do not create a nuisance to persons using the public rights-of-way.

D. Do not constitute a nuisance to occupancy of adjacent and contiguous property by their brightness, size, height, or movement.

(2) Communications efficiency. To promote the efficient transfer of information, consistently and predictably, by providing that:

A. Businesses and services may identify themselves.

B. Customers and other persons may locate a business or service.

C. No person or group is arbitrarily denied the use of the sight line from public rights-of-way for communication purposes.

D. Signs are sized based upon the adjacent streets’ class and speed; roadways with higher speeds need to provide information to people in a shorter amount of time, generally warranting more sign allowance.

(d) Landscape quality and preservation. To protect the public welfare and to enhance the appearance and economic value of the landscape by providing that:

(1) Similar development "forms" retain the same sign standards.

(2) Sign standards represent how the land is developed, consisting of structure form, corridor form, and zoning districts.

(1992 Code, App. B, § 15.57.010) (Ord. 42-83, passed 6-27-1983; Ord. 9-13, passed 3-19-2013)

Cross-reference:

Signs and outdoor advertising, see ch. 155

§ 160.571 SIGN STANDARDS.

(a) The sign standards shall apply to every zoning district for the city and its extraterritorial jurisdiction. Sign terminology shall be defined within § 160.005.

(b) Measurement standards.

(1) Sign height shall be measured from the grade (as defined) immediately below the sign.

(2) Sign area shall be measured by the area of the largest single face of the sign within a perimeter which forms the outside shape, including any frame which forms an integral part of the display, but excluding the necessary supports or uprights on which the sign may be placed. If the sign consists of more than one section or module, all areas will be totaled.

(c) Sign faces. Sign faces that are erected back to back and do not exceed a forty-five-degree (45°) angle are considered one sign. Sign faces which exceed a forty-five-degree (45°) angle are considered two signs.

(1992 Code, App. B, § 15.57.020) (Ord. 42-83, passed 6-27-1983; Ord. 9-13, passed 3-19-2013; Ord. 79-14, passed 10-14-2014)

§ 160.572 ALLOWED AND UNAUTHORIZED SIGN TYPES IN EACH DISTRICT.

(a) Only signs described as allowed herein shall be issued a permit in the following districts [§ 155.030 Permits required]. Except as otherwise provided within the title, it shall be unlawful for any person to erect, alter, relocate, or maintain any sign without first obtaining a sign permit from the department of planning and building services.

(b) The sign area and height set forth shall apply to all signs on the premises except as provided in § 160.576 [Exemptions]. The signs shall also comply with the requirements of § 160.573 [Regulations and limitations of temporary signs] and § 160.575 [Regulations and limitations for identification signs]. Prohibited signs as described herein, § 160.578 [Prohibited signs], will not be granted sign permits.

(1) Open Space, UT [1-2], BCF [4], WM [3] Forms.

A. The following signs are allowed within the district:

1. Building sign area of one square foot for each two lineal feet of building frontage.

2. Freestanding signs in conformance with the provisions below:

a. Freestanding signs shall not exceed 40 square feet and eight feet in height per street frontage for lots with street frontage of 100 feet or less and 60 square feet and eight feet in height per street frontage for lots with street frontage exceeding 101 feet.

b. One sign shall be allowed per street frontage.

i. Freestanding signs shall be located only in a front or side yard.

ii. Freestanding signs shall not be located within the vision clearance area, [§ 160.517] or Driveway vision clearance area [§ 160.518] and Signs upon, over public ways [§ 155.001].

iii. Freestanding signs shall not rotate.

3. Allowed temporary and nonpermanent signs are as follows when in conformance with the provisions of § 160.573 [Regulations and limitations of temporary signs] and § 160.574 [Regulations and limitations of changeable signs]:

a. Banners.

b. Portable signs.

4. Identification signage when in conformance with the provisions of § 160.575 [Regulations and limitations for identification signs]: Public institution.

B. The following signs are unauthorized within the district:

1. Roof signs.

2. Projecting signs.

3. Window signs.

(2) AD [1-4] and DD [1-7] Forms.

A. The following signs are allowed within the district:

1. a. Each dwelling unit: A one-square-foot wall sign.

b. Bed and breakfast establishment: Signage shall be no more than four square feet in area (either wall or freestanding signage), not to exceed six feet in height, and shall not be illuminated.

2. Identification signage when in conformance with the provisions of § 160.575 [Regulations and limitations for identification signs]:

a. Public institution.

b. Residential tract.

B. The following signs are unauthorized within the district:

1. Roof signs.

2. Projecting signs.

3. Nonresidential identification signs.

4. Portable signs.

5. Window signs.

6. Banners.

(3) NF [1-2] and MD [1-3] Forms.

A. The following signs are allowed within the district:

1. Wall sign area not to exceed total sign area of 50 square feet per frontage.

2. Freestanding sign area not to exceed total sign area of 50 square feet, six feet in height, and in conformance with the provisions below:

a. One sign shall be allowed per street frontage. A second freestanding sign will be allowed for a lot with two or more frontages.

b. Freestanding signs are spaced no less than 100 feet apart.

c. When a premises has two 88-foot frontages and elects to erect only one freestanding sign, the sign area may be increased by 20%.

d. Freestanding signs shall be located only in a front or side yard.

e. Freestanding signs shall not be located within § 160.517 [Intersection vision clearance area] or § 160.518 [Driveway vision clearance area].

f. Freestanding signs shall not rotate.

a. Portable signs.

b. Banners.

4. Identification signage when in conformance with the provisions of § 160.575 [Regulations and limitations for identification signs]:

a. Residential tract.

b. Nonresidential tract.

c. Public institution.

B. The following signs are unauthorized within the district:

1. Roof signs.

2. Projecting signs.

3. Window signs.

4. Joint tenant.

(4) BCF [1-2] and RE1 Forms.

A. The following signs are allowed within the district:

1. Building signs in conformance with the provisions below:

a. Wall, roof, and projecting. Building sign area of one square foot for each two lineal feet of street frontage or one square foot for each lineal foot of building frontage shall be allowed. When a building has multiple frontages, an additional sign area of one square foot for each three lineal feet of street frontage or one square foot for each two lineal feet of building frontage shall be allowed for other street frontages. Allowable sign area is not transferable from one frontage to another.

b. Additional building sign standards:

i. Projecting sign.

(A) May project no more than five feet from the building face.

(B) Shall have a minimum clearance of ten feet above grade level above any yard or sidewalk and 16 feet above any road, alley, or drive.

(D) Shall not project over public rights-of-way.

ii. Roof sign.

(A) Shall rise no higher than five feet above the top of a parapet or roof.

(B) Shall be limited to a maximum of 32 square feet in sign area.

c. Freestanding signs in conformance with the provisions below:

i. Freestanding signs shall not exceed a total sign area of 40 square feet and eight feet in height for lots with street frontage of 100 feet or less and 60 square feet and eight feet in height for lots with street frontage exceeding 101 feet.

ii. In addition to the allowable signage, one additional freestanding sign will be allowed for each additional 300 linear feet of the street frontage.

iii. Monument signs will be permitted a 15% increase in the allowed sign area.

iv. Freestanding signs shall be spaced no less than 100 feet apart.

v. When a premises has two 88-foot frontages and elects to erect only one freestanding sign, the sign area may be increased by 20%.

vi. Freestanding signs shall be located only in a front or side yard.

vii. Freestanding signs shall not be located within § 160.517 [Intersection vision clearance area] or § 160.518 [Driveway vision clearance area].

viii. Freestanding signs shall not rotate.

d. Allowed temporary and nonpermanent signs are as follows when in conformance with the provisions of § 160.573 [Regulations and limitations of temporary signs] and § 160.574 [Regulations and limitations of changeable signs]:

i. Portable signs.

ii. Window signs.

iii. Banner.

E. Allowed identification signs are as follows when in conformance with the provisions of § 160.575 [Regulations and limitations for identification signs]:

i. Public institution.

ii. Nonresidential tract.

iii. Joint tenant.

iv. Residential tract.

(5) RE [2-5] & MU [1-3] Forms.

A. The following signs are allowed within the district:

1. Building signs in conformance with the provisions below:

a. Wall, roof, and projecting. A building sign area of one square foot for each one lineal foot of street frontage or two square feet for each one lineal foot of building frontage shall be allowed. Allowable sign area is not transferable from one frontage to another.

b. On any RE2, RE3, RE4, MU1, MU2, or MU3 form where multiple tenant strip malls have a building depth over two and a half times the building frontage (width), and the lot has only one street frontage, the building signage will be based on the depth rather than the width, of the building.

c. Additional building sign standards:

i. Projecting sign.

(A) May project no more than five feet from the building face.

(B) Shall have a minimum clearance of ten feet above grade level above any yard or sidewalk and 16 feet above any road, alley, or drive.

(D) Shall not project over public rights-of-way.

ii. Roof sign.

(A) Shall rise no higher than five feet above the top of a parapet or roof.

(B) Shall be limited to a maximum of 32 square feet in sign area.

B. Freestanding signs in conformance with the provisions below with a maximum permitted sign area and height as set forth below:

Street Frontage	1-50'	51-100'	101-150'	151-200'	201-250'	251-299'	300'
Sign area	32	64	96	128	160	192	200
Sign height	20	25	25	25	30	30	30

1. Freestanding signs shall be limited to one per street frontage, except that businesses on frontages of 264 feet or more may erect two freestanding signs. However, the total sign area of both signs may not exceed that allowed for the street frontage.

2. In addition to the allowable signage, one additional freestanding sign will be allowed for each additional 300 linear feet of the street frontage.

3. Freestanding signs shall be spaced no less than 100 feet apart.

4. When a premises has two 88- foot frontages and elects to erect only one freestanding sign, the sign area may be increased by 20%.

5. Freestanding signs shall be located only in a front or side yard.

6. Freestanding signs shall not be located within § 160.517 [Intersection vision clearance area] or § 160.518 [Driveway vision clearance area], herein.

7. Freestanding signs shall not rotate.

C. Allowed temporary signs are as follows when in conformance with the provisions of § 160.573 [Regulations and limitations of temporary signs]:

1. Window signs.

2. Banners.

3. Portable signs.

D. Allowed identification signs are as follows when in conformance with the provisions of § 160.575 [Regulations and limitations for identification signs]:

1. Nonresidential tract.

2. Joint tenant.

3. Public institution.

4. Residential tract.

(6) RE6 Form.

A. The following signs are allowed within the district:

1. Building signs in conformance with the provisions below:

a. Wall, roof, and projecting. Building sign area of three square feet for each one lineal foot of street frontage shall be allowed. When a parcel has multiple frontage, an additional sign area of one square foot for each additional one lineal foot of street frontage shall be allowed for other street frontages. No more than three square feet of sign area for each one lineal foot of street frontage shall face any one frontage.

b. Additional building sign standards:

i. Projecting sign.

(A) May project no more than five feet from the building face.

(B) Shall have a minimum clearance of ten feet above grade level above any yard or sidewalk and 16 feet above any road, alley, or drive.

(D) Shall not project over public rights-of-way except in the downtown RE6 Form.

ii. Roof sign.

(A) Shall rise no higher than five feet above the top of a parapet or roof.

(B) Shall be limited to a maximum of 32 square feet in sign area.

c. Freestanding signs. With a maximum permitted sign area and height as set forth below:

Street Frontage	1-100'	101-150'	151-200'	201-300'	300'
Sign area	32	48	64	80	100
Sign height	18	18	18	18	18

i. Freestanding signs shall be limited to one per street frontage, except that businesses on frontages of 264 feet or more may erect two freestanding signs. However, the total sign area of both signs may not exceed that allowed for the street frontage.

ii. Freestanding signs shall be spaced no less than 100 feet apart.

iii. When a premises has two 88-foot frontages and elects to erect only one freestanding sign, the sign area may be increased by 20%.

iv. Freestanding signs shall be located only in a front or side yard.

v. Freestanding signs shall not be located within § 160.517 [Intersection vision clearance area] or § 160.518 [Driveway vision clearance area], herein.

vi. Freestanding signs shall not rotate.

vii. In addition to the allowable signage, one additional freestanding sign will be allowed for each additional 300 linear feet of the street frontage.

B. Allowed temporary signs are as follows when in conformance with the provisions of § 160.573 [Regulations and limitations of temporary signs]:

1. Portable signs (including sandwich signs) [§ 117.066 Objects allowed in the right-of-way upon notice].

2. Banners.

3. Window.

C. Allowed identification signs are as follows when in conformance with provisions of § 160.575 [Regulations and limitations for identification signs]:

1. Nonresidential.

2. Public institutional.

(7) WM [1-2] Form.

A. The following signs are allowed within the district:

1. Building signs in conformance with the provisions below:

a. Wall, roof, and projecting. Building sign area of one square foot for each three lineal feet of street frontage shall be allowed. When a parcel has multiple frontage, an additional sign area of one square foot for each additional four lineal feet of street frontage shall be allowed for other street frontages. No more than one square foot of sign area for each three lineal feet of street frontage shall face any one frontage.

b. Additional building sign standards:

i. Projecting sign.

(A) May project no more than five feet from the building face.

(B) Shall have a minimum clearance of ten feet above grade level above any yard or sidewalk and 16 feet above any road, alley, or drive.

(D) Shall not project over public rights-of-way.

ii. Roof sign.

(A) Shall rise no higher than five feet above the top of a parapet or roof.

(B) Shall be limited to a maximum of 32 square feet in sign area.

2. Freestanding signs. With a maximum permitted sign area and height as set forth below:

Street Frontage	1-100'	101-150'	151-200'	201-300'	300'+
Sign area	37	55	92	107	115
Sign height	18	18	18	18	18

a. Freestanding signs shall be limited to one per street frontage except that businesses on frontages of 264 feet or more may erect two freestanding signs. However, the total sign area of both signs may not exceed that allowed for the street frontage.

b. Freestanding signs shall be spaced no less than 100 feet apart.

c. When a premises has two 88-foot frontages and elects to erect only one freestanding sign, the sign area may be increased by 20%.

d. Freestanding signs shall be located only in a front or side yard.

e. Freestanding signs shall not be located within the § 160.517 [Intersection vision clearance area] or § 160.518 [Driveway vision clearance area], herein.

f. Freestanding signs shall not rotate.

3. Allowed temporary signs are as follows when in conformance with the provisions of § 160.573 [Regulations and limitations of temporary signs]:

a. Portable signs.

b. Banners.

4. Allowed identification signs are as follows when in conformance with the provisions of § 160.575 [Regulations and limitations for identification signs]:

a. Nonresidential tract.

b. Public institution.

B. The following signs are unauthorized within the district:

1. Window.

2. Joint tenant.

(8) BCF3 Form.

A. The following signs are allowed and authorized within the district:

1. Building signs in conformance with the provisions below:

a. Wall, roof, and projecting. Building sign area 1 square foot for each 2 lineal feet of street frontage or 1 square foot for each lineal foot of building frontage shall be allowed. BCF3 forms where multiple tenants have a building depth over two and a half times the building frontage (width), and the lot has only one street frontage, the building signage will be based on the depth rather than the width of the building. When a building has multiple frontages, an additional sign area of 1 square foot for each 3 lineal feet of street frontage or 1 square foot for each 2 lineal feet of building frontage shall be allowed for other street frontages. Allowable sign area is not transferable from one frontage to another.

b. Projecting sign.

i. May project no more than 5 feet from the building face.

ii. Shall have a minimum clearance of 10 feet above grade level above any yard or sidewalk and 16 feet above any road, alley, or drive.

iii. May project no more than 5 feet above the top of a parapet or roof.

iv. Shall not project over public rights-of-way.

c. Roof sign.

i. Shall rise no higher than 5 feet above the top of a parapet or roof.

ii. Shall be limited to a maximum of 32 square feet in sign area.

2. Freestanding signs in conformance with the provisions with a maximum permitted sign area and height as set forth below:

Street Frontage	1-100'	101-150'	151-200'	201-300'	300'+
Sign area	48	64	80	100	120
Sign height	20	20	25	25	25

b. In addition to the allowable signage, one additional freestanding sign will be allowed for each additional 300 linear feet of the street frontage.

c. Freestanding signs shall be spaced no less than 100 feet apart.

d. When a premises has two 88-foot frontages and elects to erect only one freestanding sign, the sign area may be increased by 20%.

e. Freestanding signs shall be located only in a front or side yard.

f. Freestanding signs shall not be located within § 160.517 [Intersection vision clearance area] or § 160.518 [Driveway vision clearance area].

g. Freestanding signs shall not rotate.

a. Portable signs.

b. Window signs.

c. Banner.

4. Allowed identification signs are as follows when in conformance with the provisions of § 160.575 [Regulations and limitations for identification signs]:

a. Public institution.

b. Nonresidential tract.

c. Joint tenant.

d. Residential tract.

B. The following signs are unauthorized with this form: Signs prohibited by this code as noted in § 160.578.

(1992 Code, App. B, § 15.57.030) (Ord. 42-83, passed 6-27-1983; Ord. 29-87, passed 5-4-1987; Ord. 37-87, passed 6-1-1987; Ord. 72-88, passed 8-1-1988; Ord. 94-90, passed 10-1-1990; Ord. 5-91, passed 1-7-1991; Ord. 83-91, passed 11-4-1991; Ord. 39-94, passed 5-2-1994; Ord. 81-94, passed 9-6-1994; Ord. 28-94, passed 4-4-1994; Ord. 94-95, passed 7-3-1995; Ord. 68-96, passed 6-3-1996; Ord. 45-98, passed 5-4-1998; Ord. 119-98, passed 11-9-1998; Ord. 14-00, passed 3-6-2000; Ord. 88-01, passed 10-1-2001; Ord. 21-03, passed 3-3-2003; Ord. 9-13, passed 3-19-2013; Ord. 33-18, passed 5-2-2018; Ord. 37-19, passed 4-2-2019; Ord. 16-21, passed 2-2-2021; Ord. 114-22, passed 10-4-2022; Ord. 30-23, passed 5-2-2023)

§ 160.573 REGULATIONS AND LIMITATIONS OF TEMPORARY SIGNS.

(a) The regulations and limitations of temporary signs shall be as follows.

(1) Permits are required for the following temporary signs. Permit fees will cover inspection costs necessary to administer the temporary nature of these signs, on-site inspections and confirming their condition, and that they have been removed within the permitted time frames. Additional inspections will result in citations and fines.

(2) Temporary signs shall be maintained in a legible condition and secured on each end and shall be in compliance with § 160.517 [Intersection vision clearance area] and § 155.001 [Signs upon, over public ways].

(3) Temporary signs presently in use that do not comply with these ordinance provisions shall be removed within 30 days of the effective date of this ordinance.

(b) Portable signs.

(1) Generally.

A. Except as otherwise provided in this section, portable signs may only be allowed in the UT [1-2], BCF [1-4], NF [1-2], MD [1-3], RE [1-6], MU [1-3], and WM [1-3] Forms. Based upon the lot sizes, setbacks, and impacts to adjacent properties, portable signs are not authorized within the single-family district/form and neighborhood commercial.

1. Portable signs shall be limited to no more than 32 square feet.

2. Portable sign permits are allowed up to 60 permit days per calendar year at any one business location. Separate permits shall be required for each sign. Permits may be issued for terms of either 15 or 30 days, and permit holders will be charged with the full term of which the permit is issued. Subsequent permits shall not be issued until 30 days have elapsed following the expiration of 15-day permits and 60 days following a 30-day permit. Permits for two or more portable signs may be issued at a particular business location if the permits are of equal duration and run concurrently.

3. [Portable] inflatable signs. High-flying, helium, ground, and roof inflatable signs may be displayed under the following conditions.

a. Sign area exception: The maximum size of a ground-mounted inflatable will be 15 feet by 30 feet. The maximum size of a roof- mounted inflatable will be 25 feet wide by 30 feet high. The maximum volume of a high-flying inflatable will be 500 cubic feet.

b. Inflatable permits are allowed up to 60 permit days per calendar year at any one business location. Separate permits shall be required for each sign. Permits may be issued for terms of seven days, and permit holders will be charged with the full term of which the permit is issued. Subsequent permits shall not be issued until 30 days have elapsed following the expiration of seven-day permits. Permits for two inflatable signs may be issued at a particular business location if the permits are of equal duration and run concurrently.

c. Cabling, tie-downs, or tether lines will not be located on or across public property.

d. High-flying inflatables will not be located in any airport approach zone and will not interfere with utility lines, antennas, or towers.

4. [Portable] noninflatable signs. Noninflatable signs (including but not limited to windfeathers and nongovernmental flags) may only be displayed under the following conditions:

a. Shall not exceed 32 square feet in total area per sign.

b. Noninflatable permits are allowed up to 60 permit days per calendar year at any one business location. Separate permits shall be required for each sign. Permits may be issued for terms of either 15 or 30 days, and permit holders will be charged with the full term of which the permit is issued. Subsequent permits shall not be issued until 30 days have elapsed following the expiration of 15-day permits and 60 days following a 30-day permit. Permits for two noninflatable signs may be issued at a particular business location if the permits are of equal duration and run concurrently.

(1992 Code, App. B, § 15.57.040) (Ord. 42-83, passed 6-27-1983; Ord. 29-87, passed 5-4-1987; Ord. 16-88, passed 3-7-1988; Ord. 81-94, passed 9-6-1994; Ord. 68-96, passed 6-3-1996; Ord. 71-97, passed 10-6-1997; Ord. 45-98, passed 5-4-1998; Ord. 15-02, passed 3-4-2002; Ord. 9-13, passed 3-19-2013; Ord. 33-18, passed 5-2-2018; Ord. 114-22, passed 10-4-2022; Ord. 30-23, passed 5-2-2023)

§ 160.574 REGULATIONS AND LIMITATIONS OF CHANGEABLE SIGNS.

The regulations and limitations of permitted signs shall be as follows:

(a) Permits are required for the following changeable signs: banners exceeding 100 square feet per business location whether on building or freestanding sign, and window signs exceeding the 25 square feet exempt by ordinance.

(b) Permit fees will cover inspection costs necessary to administer the nature of these signs, on-site inspections, and confirming their condition, location, and size. Additional inspections will result in fines.

(c) Permits are for the sign area and sign location, not for the sign content. Therefore, sign content may change within the same permit based upon approved area and location.

(d) Changeable signs shall be maintained in a “legible condition” and secured on each end and shall be in compliance with § 160.517 [Intersection vision clearance area], § 155.001 [Signs upon, over public ways], and § 160.518 [Driveway vision clearance area].

(e) Changeable signs presently in use that do not comply with these ordinance provisions shall be removed within 30 days of the effective date of this ordinance.

(1) Changeable signs: Banner.

A. Banners shall be permitted under the following conditions in the Open Space, UT [1, 2], MD [1-3], NF [1-2], BCF [1, 2, 3, 4], WM [1-3], MU [1-3] and RE [1-6] Forms:

1. Permits are not required for banners on a building or freestanding sign, as long as the total square footage area of all the banners at the business location do not exceed 100 square feet.

2. Banners shall only be attached to freestanding signs, building walls, parking lot lights, or streetlights in the RE 6 form [downtown central business zoning district].

3. Banners exceeding a total square footage of 100 square feet will be counted towards the allotted sign area allowed. Freestanding banners will be counted towards freestanding signage and building banners will be counted towards building signage. A sign permit is required for each banner.

4. If a banner is attached to a light pole, it is restricted to 13 square feet per banner; two banners per pole.

5. Banners which exceed the total square footage of 100 square feet per business location and up without obtaining a sign permit will result in citations and fines.

(2) Changeable signs: Window.

A. Window signs shall be permitted under the following conditions in the BCF [1-2], MU [1-3], and RE [1-6] Forms:

1. Permits are not required for window signage up to 25 square feet of area per business location. A sign permit shall be required for window signage exceeding the 25 square feet maximum area.

2. Window signage exceeding a total square footage of 25 square feet will be counted towards the allotted building signage allowed and require sign permits.

3. Window signage which exceeds the total 25 square footage and without obtaining a sign permit will result in citations and fines.

(3) Changeable signs: Drive-through signs.

A. Drive-through signs shall be permitted under the following conditions in the MU [1-3] and RE [1-6] Forms:

1. Permits are not required for drive-through signage up to 48 square feet of area per order station. A sign permit shall be required for drive-through signage exceeding the 48 square feet area.

2. Drive-through signage exceeding a total square footage of 48 square feet per order station will be counted toward the allotted freestanding signage allowed and require sign permits.

3. Drive-through signage which exceeds the total square footage of 48 square feet per order station and without obtaining a sign permit will result in citations and fines.

(4) Changeable signs: Motor vehicle service stations.

A. Motor vehicle service station signs shall be permitted under the following conditions in the MU [1-3] and RE [2-5] Forms:

1. Permits are not required for motor vehicle service station signage up to 12 square feet of area per frontage. A sign permit shall be required for motor vehicle services station signage exceeding the 12 square feet area.

2. Motor vehicle service station signage exceeding a total square footage of 12 square feet per frontage will be counted toward the allotted freestanding signage allowed and require sign permits.

3. Motor vehicle service station signage which exceeds the total square footage of 12 square feet per order station and without obtaining a sign permit will result in citations and fines.

(Ord. 9-13, passed 3-19-2013; Ord. 33-18, passed 5-2-2018; Ord. 114-22, passed 10-4-2022; Ord. 30-23, passed 5-2-2023)

§ 160.575 REGULATIONS AND LIMITATIONS FOR IDENTIFICATION SIGNS.

(a) Permits are required for the following: Residential tract identification sign. [in the AD, DD, MD forms]

(1) Shall be limited to 48 square feet in area and 8 feet in height.

(2) A residential tract sign will be allowed only along arterial street frontages at the intersection of the arterial street and collector street and must be in compliance with § 160.517 [Intersection vision clearance area] and § 155.001 [Signs upon, over public ways].

(b) Permits are required for the following: Nonresidential tract identification signs. [in the RE, BCF1, BCF3, WM & MU forms]

(1) Shall be limited to 100 square feet in area and 10 feet in height.

(2) Signs will not be allowed on lots less than ten acres in size.

(c) Permits are required for the following: Public institution identification sign. [BCF1, BCF2, BCF3 forms] Places of worship, schools, day care centers, institutional, and public uses.

(1) Shall be limited to 48 square feet in area and 8 feet in height.

(2) Subject to:

A. Two signs per institution.

B. Hours of sign illumination shall be from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

C. Conformance with § 160.577 [Illumination].

D. Use of this subsection prohibits other freestanding signs permitted under § 160.575(b) above.

(d) Permits are required for the following: Joint tenant tract identification sign. Joint tenant identification signs shall be permitted under the following conditions in the MMU1, MMU2, MMU3, C-4, S-2, PO-PUD, DT-PUD, and V-PUD districts (with the RE5, RE4, RE3, BCF 3 forms).

(1) Additional joint tenant identification signs are limited to alternative sign plans per § 160.602.

(2) Joint tenant shall not exceed 200 square feet and 30 feet in height.

(3) An additional sign will be allowed for each ten acres of subdivision up to a total of four joint signs. Acres calculated within commercial subdivision or subarea.

(4) Allowed on common property.

(Ord. 9-13, passed 3-19-2013; Ord. 33-18, passed 5-2-2018; Ord. 114-22, passed 10-4-2022; Ord. 30-23, passed 5-2-2023)

§ 160.576 EXEMPTIONS.

The following signs may be allowed in addition to the signs permitted in § 160.572 [Allowed and unauthorized sign types in each district]. Exempt signs do not require the issuance of a sign permit, but must be in conformance with all other state laws and local ordinances.

(a) Integral signs. Integral to the building structure, the sign shall be allowed up to 3 square feet in area.

(b) Pennants. Pennants shall be limited to a maximum sign area of 1 square foot per pennant. Pennants are allowed up to 60 days per calendar year at any one business location.

(1) Signs directing traffic movement onto and out of a commercial, industrial, institutional, office, recreational, apartment, town houses [in the AD 3-5 forms], and manufactured home park uses may have one 9-square-foot sign, 6 feet in height at each vehicular entrance onto a public way (street or alley). These uses may have two interior traffic directional signs of 6 square feet and 4 feet in height. One additional interior traffic directional sign may be added for each 43,560 square feet of lot area up to a maximum of six interior traffic directional signs.

(2) Fifty percent of the sign area of each sign shall be used for traffic information.

(d) Public signs. Signs of a noncommercial nature and in the public interest erected by or on the order of a public officer in the performance of his or her duties shall be allowed through public works based upon the adopted edition of the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices.

Signs of a noncommercial nature and in the public interest erected by the property owner and on the owners property, shall be limited to 6 square feet.

Where a federal, state, or local law requires a property owner to post a sign on the owner's property to warn of a danger or to prohibit access to the property either generally or specifically, the owner must comply with the federal, state, or local law to exercise that authority by posting a sign on the property.

(e) Public utility signs. Public utility equipment including, but not limited to, utility boxes and utility service equipment, may have attached to them signs not exceeding a total area of 6 square feet, provided the signs do not materially obstruct the vision at any street intersection.

(f) Home occupations. A one-square-foot wall sign.

(g) Signs in parks. Signs may be located on parks property [Open 1, Open 2]. Signs shall not exceed a total of 100 square feet.

(h) Noncommercial yard signs. Noncommercial signs shall not exceed 9 square feet per sign in any residential parcel [DD1-7; AD1-4; MD1-3]. Signs shall not exceed 32 square feet and 8 feet in height in any nonresidential parcel [NF1-2; BCF1-4; RE1-6; MU1-3, WM1-4]. Signs shall be outside of the public right-of-way (see § 155.001 "Signs upon, over public ways"). Each sign may be displayed for up to 90 days per calendar year per property.

(i) Commercial yard signs. Commercial signs shall not exceed 100 square feet and 8 feet in height per nonresidential parcel [NF1-2; BCF1-4; RE1-6; MU1-3, WM1-4]. Signs shall not exceed 32 square feet and 8 feet in height in any multifamily parcel [MD1-4]. Signs shall not exceed a total of 9 square feet in any residential parcel [DD1-7; AD1-4]. Signs shall be mounted as adhesive wall, freestanding or portable, and maintained in a legible manner as well as secured against overturning and shall be removed upon the completion of the project. The signs may be displayed 60 days prior to and 7 days after the event for which they are intended.

(j) Construction fencing screening. For new construction, remodeling or other modifications during which there is no occupancy of the building and for which fencing of the construction site is provided, screening attached to the fence may bear images of the proposed project along with commercial messages related to the sale, rental leasing or construction of the project, provided that text and numbers shall occupy no more than the larger of the following area:

(1) Forty percent of the area of the screening on the construction fence along each street frontage.

(1992 Code, App. B, § 15.57.060) (Ord. 42-83, passed 6-27-1983; Ord. 66-85, passed 7-29-1985; Ord. 29-87, passed 5-4-1987; Ord. 74-92, passed 8-3-1992; Ord. 40-94, passed 5-2-1994; Ord. 81-94, passed 9-6-1994; Ord. 138-95, passed 11-6-1995; Ord. 94-96, passed 9-3-1996; Ord. 10-97, passed 2-3-1997; Ord. 22-97, passed 4-7-1997; Ord. 56-97, passed 8-4-1997; Ord. 71-97, passed 10-6-1997; Ord. 45-98, passed 5-4-1998; Ord. 35-99, passed 3-15-1999; Ord. 82-99, passed 8-2-1999; Ord. 87-01, passed 10-1-2001; Ord. 21-03, passed 3-3-2003; Ord. 141-06, passed 11-6-2006; Ord. 9-13, passed 3-19-2013; Ord. 33-18, passed 5-2- 2018; Ord. 7-20, passed 1-21-2020; Ord. 16-21, passed 2-2-2021; Ord. 30-23, passed 5-2-2023)

§ 160.577 ILLUMINATION.

Regulations regarding the illumination of signs shall be as follows.

(a) Shading. The light from any illuminated sign shall be so shielded, shaded, or directed so that the light intensity shall not adversely affect surrounding or facing premises or safe vision of operators of vehicles on public or private roads.

(b) Electronic message sign.

(1) Electronic message sign displays shall be limited to displays which are gradual movements, including, but not limited to, dissolve, fade, scrolling, or traveling. However, sudden movement is prohibited, including, but not limited to, blinking and flashing.

(2) All electronic message center signs in a NF1 Form shall require additional standards as indicated below.

A. Electronic message center portion of the sign shall be shut off between the hours of 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.;

B. The electronic message center portion of the sign shall be no more than 30 percent of the total allowable square footage of the wall or freestanding sign;

C. All freestanding signs shall be monument in style;

D. Freestanding sign faces that include an electronic message center shall be located perpendicular to an arterial or collector street;

(3) Any permitted signs may be, or may include as an individual component of the total sign area, electronic message signs.

(4) Electronic messages or graphic displays may be changed at periodic intervals by gradual entry and exit display modes, provided that messages and animation shall be displayed at periodic intervals by various modes, such as fade, dissolve, scrolling or traveling.

(5) All electronic message signs shall come equipped with automatic dimming controls that automatically adjust the sign's brightness in direct correlation with ambient light conditions.

(6) No electronic message sign shall exceed a brightness level of 0.3 foot candles above ambient light as measured using a foot candle (Lux) meter at a preset distance depending on sign area, measured as follows:

Area of Sign	Measurement
(sq. ft.)	Distance (ft.)
10	32
15	39
20	45
25	50
30	55
35	59
40	63
45	67
50	71
55	74
60	77
65	81
70	84
75	87
80	89
85	92
90	95
95	97
100	100

For signs with an area in square feet other than those specifically listed in the table (e.g., 12 sq. ft., 400 sq. ft., etc.), the measurement distance may be calculated with the following formula:

Measurement Distance = (Area of Sign Sq. Ft. x 100).

(1992 Code, App. B, § 15.57.070) (Ord. 42-83, passed 6-27-1983; Ord. 118-89, passed 11-20-1989; Ord. 5-91, passed 1-7-1991; Ord. 02-07, passed 1-2-2007; Ord. 9-13, passed 3-19-2013; Ord. 33-18, passed 5-2-2018)

§ 160.578 PROHIBITED SIGNS.

The following signs are prohibited and shall be removed within the time periods specified:

(a) Miscellaneous signs and posters. The tacking, pasting, or otherwise affixing of signs of a miscellaneous character, visible from a public way, located on walls of buildings, barns, sheds, trees, poles, posts, fences, or other structures is prohibited, and the sign shall be removed upon notice.

(b) Painted wall signs. Painted wall signs shall be prohibited except that existing signs may remain, provided the signs are maintained. Signs that are not maintained shall be removed or renovated within 60 days upon notice.

(c) Parking of advertising vehicles prohibited. No person shall park any vehicle or trailer on a public right-of-way, or public property, or on private property so as to be visible from a public right-of-way, which has attached thereto or located thereon any sign or advertising device for the basic purpose of providing advertisement of products or directing people to a business or activity located on the same premises or any other premises. This is not intended to prohibit any form of vehicular signage such as a sign attached to a bus or lettering on a motor vehicle.

(d) Nuisance signs. Signs that imitate an official traffic sign or signal or that are of a size, location, movement, content, coloring, or manner of illumination that may be confused with or construed as a traffic control device or that hide from view any traffic, street sign, or signal shall be removed upon notice. Signs that cause a safety or health issue to the public, including creating unsafe traffic conditions by confusing or distracting motorists; or by impairing the driver's ability to see pedestrians, obstacles, or other vehicles; or health concerns to occupants of adjacent and contiguous property by their brightness, size, height, or movement.

(1992 Code, App. B, § 15.57.080) (Ord. 42-83, passed 6-27-1983; Ord. 1-00, passed 1-3-2000; Ord. 9-13, passed 3-19-2013; Ord. 38-21, passed 4-6-2021)

§ 160.579 NONCONFORMING SIGNAGE.

Any sign existing on the date of adoption of this chapter that does not conform with the provisions of this Code is eligible for characterization as a "legal nonconforming sign" and is permitted to remain except as specified below.

(a) The sign has been altered in a fashion exceeding the allowed maintenance standards in subsection (d) below or relocated.

(b) The sign has been brought into compliance with this subchapter.

(d) Nonconforming signs may be maintained, altered, modified, or reconstructed provided that such changes do not increase the overall sign area or height. Nonconforming signs or portions thereof may be removed for maintenance, modifications, or reconstruction so long as they are replaced in their original positions and orientations upon completion of the work. The alteration of a sign via the addition of changeable copy or the addition of an electronic message center shall not constitute a change to the sign structure so long as the overall sign area is not enlarged; a new sign permit will be required for inspection purposes.

(1992 Code, App. B, § 15.57.090) (Ord. 42-83, passed 6-27-1983; Ord. 37-87, passed 6-1-1987; Ord. 9-13, passed 3-19-2013)

§ 160.580 SIGN MAINTENANCE.

Signs shall be maintained in a safe and legible condition at all times, including the replacement of defective or damaged parts, painting, repainting, cleaning, and other services required for maintenance of the signs. Unsafe signs shall be removed or brought into compliance immediately upon written notice.

(1992 Code, App. B, § 15.57.100) (Ord. 42-83, passed 6-27-1983; Ord. 37-87, passed 6-1-1987; Ord. 9-13, passed 3-19-2013)

§ 160.581 ABANDONED SIGNS.

Abandoned signs shall be removed or brought into compliance within 90 days of written notice from the director of planning and building services.

(1992 Code, App. B, § 15.57.110) (Ord. 42-83, passed 6-27-1983; Ord. 37-87, passed 6-1-1987; Ord. 9-13, passed 3-19-2013)

§ 160.582 PERMITTING PROCESS.

(a) Right to approval of permits for conforming signage. If a sign that is the subject of a sign permit complies with all applicable regulations of this Code, the city must issue a permit for the sign.

(b) Appeal from denial. Denial of any request for a sign permit is an administrative decision and is appealable in accordance with the provisions of § 160.583 [Appeals] of this Code.

(Ord. 9-13, passed 3-19-2013)

§ 160.583 APPEALS.

Appeals to the board of adjustment may be taken by any person aggrieved or by any officer, department, board, or bureau of the municipality affected by any decision of the administrative officer. Such appeal shall be taken within a reasonable time, as provided by the rules of the board, by filing with the officer from whom the appeal is taken, and with the board of adjustment a notice of appeal specifying the grounds thereof.

(Ord. 9-13, passed 3-19-2013)