It is the general intent of this ordinance to prohibit signs of commercial nature from districts in which commercial activities are barred; to limit subject matter on signs in business districts to products, accommodations, services or activities on the premises and to control the number, type and area of all signs in business areas and certain other districts. Signs required or erected by governmental agencies shall be exempt from the requirements of this article.

All signs, except those permitted in section 5.41, shall not be erected until an improvement location permit is issued by the zoning inspector.

5.31

Location, height and area.

5.31-1

No sign or sign structure shall be placed on private or public property without the written consent of the owner or agent thereof.

5.31-2

No sign or sign structure other than official highway markers shall be placed upon any street or highway right-of-way.

5.31-3

Sign structures or columns shall be set back a minimum of ten feet from the right-of-way line.

5.31-4

Roof signs or sign structures, when permitted, shall not exceed the maximum height limit of structures in the district in which they are located, nor extend beyond or overhang any exterior wall of the building upon which secured.

5.31-5

Signs, clocks or other advertising devices erected upon standards or separate supports shall be placed so as to be entirely within the property lines of the premises upon which they are located, nor shall the surface of any such sign exceed an area of 200 square feet, except as permitted in 5.51-4.

5.31-6

Any sign or sign structure located on a lot which abuts a residentially zoned lot shall be set back so as to meet the side, rear and front setback requirements of said abutting residential district if such residential setback requirements exceed those of the district. In any event, no sign facing the side or rear lot line of an abutting residentially zoned lot shall be located within 50 feet of such side or rear lot line.

5.32

Illumination and motion.

5.32-1

A sign whereon the time and/or temperature is indicated by intermittent lighting shall not be deemed to be a flashing sign if the lighting changes are limited to the numerals indicating the time and/or temperature and are not more frequent than every ten seconds.

5.32-2

Flags, pennants or bunting shall not be permitted except to announce the opening of a new business or industry. A permit for such display shall be issued by the zoning inspector. Such display shall be limited to a period not to exceed 30 days.

5.32-3

No sign or sign structure shall be erected at any location where it may interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device. No rotating beam, beacon or flashing illuminations resembling an emergency light shall be used in connection with any sign display.

5.32-4

No sign or sign structure shall be located in such a manner as to materially impede the view of any street or highway intersection; or in such a manner as to materially impede the view of the intersection of a street or highway with a railroad grade crossing.

5.33

Marquees, canopies, and awnings.

5.33-1

A sign or signs located on a marquee or canopy shall be affixed flat to the surface thereof and further that no such sign shall extend vertically or horizontally beyond the limits of said marquee or canopy except that individual, freestanding letters may project to a height not to exceed 24 inches above same.

5.33-2

A sign or signs located on awnings shall be affixed flat to the surface thereof and shall indicate only the name and address of the establishment on the premises. Further, no such sign shall extend vertically or horizontally beyond the limits of said awning.

5.34

Integrated development signs. For integrated developments under single ownership or under unified control, including shopping centers, manufacturing districts, apartment developments and including the Central Business District, one additional illuminated sign may be erected facing each street providing they do not exceed 125 square feet each in gross surface area and contain only the name and location of the development, the name or type of business of the occupants of the development; such sign may have a bulletin area for advertising special features therein. Signs in a residential area shall not be illuminated. Signs shall be set back at least 25 feet from each street right-of-way and the bottom edge of such sign shall be at least ten feet above ground level.

5.35

Temporary signs.

5.35-1

Residential districts. One nonilluminated temporary sign announcing construction, remodeling or rebuilding, sale, lease or rental shall be permitted for each lot frontage not exceeding 12 square feet; or on tracts of 20 acres or more up to two temporary signs may be erected having a total gross area not to exceed 320 square feet and may be illuminated by indirect lighting.

5.35-2

Business and manufacturing districts. Temporary signs announcing construction, remodeling, or rebuilding, sale, lease, or rental shall be permitted for each lot frontage. One temporary sign not exceeding 64 square feet shall be permitted for each lot frontage of 50 feet or less. On lots having a frontage greater than 50 feet, not more than one temporary sign shall be permitted per frontage and the total sign surface area thereof shall not exceed an amount equal to 1¼ square feet in area for each lineal foot of street frontage, nor a total gross area to exceed 320 square feet, whichever is less.

5.35-3

Duration. All temporary signs permitted under the provisions of this section shall be removed within one year after securing a permit from the zoning inspector.

5.36

Design and maintenance. The structural design and maintenance of the sign or signs and supporting members shall conform in all respects to the local ordinances regulating same.

Signs shall be permitted in these districts only as follows:

5.41

One indirectly illuminated nameplate not exceeding one square foot in area for each dwelling unit indicating only name, address and occupation;

5.42

One indirectly illuminated identification sign for multifamily dwellings and offices not exceeding five square feet in area indicating only name, address, management name, and management address;

5.43

One indirectly illuminated identification sign at each entrance to subdivisions not exceeding five square feet;

5.44

One indirectly illuminated sign designating each entrance to or exit from a parking area not exceeding five square feet in area and indicating conditions of use;

5.45

One nonflashing church bulletin board sign not exceeding 18 square feet in area;

provided signs do not project into the public right-of-way, and the top of the sign shall not be higher than 15 feet or one story above curb level, whichever is less, and that on a corner lot two signs, one facing each street, shall be permitted for [subsections] 5.42 and 5.45 above.

5.51

B-1 Business District.

5.51-1

Area. The gross area in square feet of all signs of a business shall not exceed three times the lot frontage in lineal feet nor exceed 30 percent of the area of the front wall of the building up to a maximum of 500 square feet. No business shall have more than two signs.

5.51-2

Information. All signs shall restrict subject matter to products, accommodations, services, or activities on the premises.

5.51-3

Location and height. The sign or signs shall front the principal street, a parking area or, in the case of a corner building, on that portion of the side street wall within 50 feet of the principal street. The top of such sign or signs shall be no higher than 20 feet above curb level and in no case shall a wall-mounted sign project above the parapet line.

5.51-4

Projection. No sign shall project more than 16 inches across the property line into the public way, except as provided for awnings, marquees, and canopies in this article.

5.51-5

Illumination and motion. Any sign or signs as permitted in this district may be illuminated; however, no flashing, rotating, moving or animation of any sign or its components shall be permitted.

5.52

B-2 Business District.

5.52-1

Area. The gross area in square feet of all signs of a business shall not exceed three times the lot frontage in lineal feet nor exceed 40 percent of the area of the front wall of the building up to a maximum of 300 square feet.

5.52-2

Information. All signs shall restrict subject matter to products, accommodations, services or activities on the premises.

5.52-3

Location and height. The sign or signs shall front the principal street, a parking area or, in the case of a corner building, on that portion of the side street wall within 50 feet of the principal street. The top of such sign or signs shall be no higher than 30 feet above curb level and in no case shall a wall-mounted sign project above the parapet line.

5.52-4

Projection.

a.

Signs suspended from a building may project provided they extend no more than eight feet beyond the building line and not beyond the property line. The bottom of such signs shall not be less than ten feet above the finished grade.

b.

Any sign projecting more than 16 inches, suspended from a building, shall not exceed 15 feet in height.

5.52-5

Illumination and motion. Any sign or signs permitted may be illuminated; however, no flashing, rotating, moving or animation of any sign or its components shall be permitted in any B-2 Business District.

5.61

Manufacturing districts.

5.61-1

Area. The gross area in square feet of all signs of business shall not exceed three times the lot frontage in lineal feet nor exceed 30 percent of the front wall of the building, up to a maximum of 300 square feet.

5.61-2

Information. All signs shall restrict subject matter to products, accommodations, services, or activities.

5.61-3

Location and height. The sign or signs shall front the principal street, a parking area or, in the case of a corner building, on that portion of the side street wall within 50 feet of the principal street. The top of such sign or signs shall be no higher than 30 feet above curb level and in no case shall a wall-mounted sign project above the parapet line.

5.61-4

Projection.

a.

Signs suspended from a building may project provided they extend no more than eight feet beyond the building line and not beyond the property line. The bottom of such signs shall not be less than ten feet above the finished grade.

b.

Any sign projecting more than 16 inches, suspended from a building, shall not exceed 15 feet in height.

5.61-5

Illumination and motion. Any sign or signs permitted may be illuminated; however, no flashing, rotating, moving, or animation of any sign or its components shall be permitted in any manufacturing district.