(a) Political Signs. A political sign shall be deemed to be any sign defined as a political sign in Section 1154.03(a)(17) and/or any sign concerning any candidate, political party, issue, levy, referendum or other matter whatsoever eligible to be voted upon in any general, primary, or special election; or any sign advocating any type of political action or promulgating any political view or views. Political signs placed in residential districts shall be non-illuminated and have a maximum area of sixteen square feet per face and a maximum height of four feet. Political signs shall not be placed upon street signs, utility poles, within treelawns or within the dedicated right-of-way of any public street in the City of Ashtabula. Political signs shall not be placed in such a fashion as to create a significant obstruction of a driver’s view of approaching traffic at intersections. (Ord. 2012-133. Passed 8-6-12.)
(b) Garage Sale Signs. Any sign classified as a garage sale sign shall be no greater in size than three by three feet. No sign shall be placed on a public right-of-way or upon utility poles. No lighted sign shall be used. The sign shall be removed when the use for which the sign has been erected is completed. Signs are to be erected seventy-two hours prior and removed twenty-four hours after. Persons responsible are designated by address on the sign.
(c) Real Estate and Development Signs. Real estate signs and development signs shall be permitted as temporary, nonilluminated signs located on the subject property provided that such signs are displayed in compliance with the following regulations. Unless otherwise noted, such signs are permitted as ground, wall or window signs.
(1) Real estate signs; one- and two-family dwellings. One real estate sign advertising the sale or rental of property shall be permitted for each dwelling or vacant lot provided that such sign exceeds neither six square feet in area nor six feet in height. For attached single-family dwellings, such signs shall be restricted to window signs.
(2) Real estate signs: nonresidential uses. One real estate sign advertising the sale or rental of property shall be permitted for each nonresidential establishment provided that such sign exceeds neither twelve square feet in area nor six feet in height. For establishments which lack direct and exclusive ground floor access, such signs are permitted only as window signs.
(3) Development signs: one- and two-family dwellings. For subdivisions of seven lots or more and for attached single-family development of seven units or more, one sign announcing the development or availability of properties under construction shall be permitted provided that the sign exceeds neither twenty square feet in area nor eight feet in height and is set back at least five feet from each street right-of-way line. However, such sign may be a maximum of thirty-two square feet in area if set back at least fifteen feet from each street right-of-way line.
(4) Development signs; nonresidential and multi-family uses. One sign announcing the development or opening of multi-family or non-residential uses under construction shall be permitted for each lot provided that such sign exceeds neither twelve square feet in area nor six feet in height. Setback is ten feet from property line.
(5) Permit requirements. Permits for development signs shall be issued for a period not exceeding one year. Such permits may be renewed by the Planning Commission if construction is being diligently pursued and the sign is being well maintained.
(d) Temporary Signs on Public Property. Temporary signs, banners, etc., may be suspended over or placed upon public property by special permission of the City Manager. The purpose of such temporary signs shall be for civic or community affairs of a public or semi-public nature and not for private gain. A surety bond in an amount as may be determined by the City Manager and conditioned on the faithful observance of the provisions of this chapter, and which shall indemnify and save harmless the City from any and all judgments, costs or expenses which the City may incur or suffer by permitting the erection of any temporary signs as hereinbefore mentioned, may be required by the City Manager from the person desiring to erect or suspend such temporary sign. Alternatively, the City Manager may require a liability insurance policy, issued by an insurance company authorized to do business in the State, in lieu of such bond.
(2004 Code)