It is the intent of this chapter to regulate the construction, use and maintenance of signs of all types within the community.

   All signs erected, repaired, altered, relocated or maintained within the City shall comply with the provisions of this chapter.

   1.   In any residential district, one real estate advertising sign is permitted, when limited to advertising for sale, rental or lease of the premises, lot or tract on which it is located, provided such sign is distant as far as possible from abutting property and at least 25 feet from any street line or not more than five feet in front of any principal building which is set back less than 30 feet from the street line. The area of any such sign shall not exceed eight square feet.

   2.   In any residential district, announcement signs or bulletin boards are permitted, provided such signs or boards do not exceed or total more than 20 square feet in area and are erected upon the premises of a charitable, religious or public institution for its own use and are not erected within 20 feet of a street lot line or not more than five feet in front of the main building. Only one such sign shall be permitted on any lot or tract.

   3.   The signs which are permitted in Subsections 1 and 2 of this section may be illuminated but shall not be of an intermittent flashing type.

   4.   Professional nameplates and occupational signs denoting the name and profession or occupation of an occupant in a commercial building, public institutional building or dwelling house shall not exceed two square feet in area.

   5.   Signs which provide direction or instruction and do not in any way advertise a business, such as signs identifying rest rooms, public telephones, walkways, parking entrances and exits, and others of similar nature, shall not exceed four square feet in area.

   6.   Signs shall not be located at the intersection of any streets in such a manner as to obstruct clear and adequate vision. Signs shall not be located where, by reason of the position, shape or color, they may interfere with, obstruct the view of or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device.

   7.   No signs shall be painted on, attached to or affixed to any trees, rocks or similar organic or inorganic natural matter, or on any power line or telephone pole.

   The following signs are expressly prohibited in all zoning districts:

   1.   Abandoned Signs. Such business signs that advertise an activity, business, product or service no longer conducted or available on the premises on which the sign is located are prohibited, and such abandoned signs shall be removed within 90 days of the date of abandonment.

   2.   Moving Signs. No sign or any portion thereof is permitted which moves or assumes any motion constituting a non-stationary condition.

   3.   Swinging Signs. Swinging signs are prohibited.

   4.   Banners, Pennants, Etc. Banners, ribbons, pennants, balloons or other similar devices are permitted in a business or industrial district for a period not to exceed 30 days in conjunction with the opening of a business, or in a residential district in conjunction with an open house or model home demonstration for a period commencing two days before and ending two days following such demonstration, the total period of use not to exceed 30 days.