The regulations contained in this Chapter shall apply to all signs in the City of Bedford Heights.
(a) Signs shall be erected, established, painted, altered, reconstructed, moved or maintained, in whole or part, in accordance with the standards, procedures, exemptions, type, design, size, location, illumination and other provisions set forth in this Chapter and in accordance with other applicable codes and regulations of the City.
(b) Architectural features that are either part of the building or structure are not considered signs and are exempt from these regulations. Architectural features include any construction attending to, but not an integral part of the sign, and which may consist of landscaping, building or structural forms that enhance the site in general. An architectural feature means ornamentation or decorative elements attached to, incorporated into, or projection from the exterior of a building. Architectural features include, but are not limited to, doors, windows columns, cornices, eaves, gutters, belt courses, sills, lintels pediments, bay windows, chimneys, trim details and decorative ornaments.
(c) Noninterference with Other Codes. The provisions of this Chapter shall not amend or in any way interfere with any other code, rule or regulation governing traffic or other signs erected by public authority within the City.
(d) Signs Prohibited within Public Right-of-Way. No signs, other than traffic or other signs erected by public authority within the City, shall be permitted to be erected within the public right-of-way. Any unauthorized signs erected or placed within the public right-of-way are hereby declared to be public nuisances and may be abated as such by the City. The Director of Public Service and/or the Building Official of the City or their authorized agents or any City police officer are hereby authorized to remove and destroy any such unauthorized signs so erected within the public right- of-way.
(e) The following signs and displays are exempt from the regulations of this Chapter:
(1) Public Signs. A public regulation and information sign, municipal, and traffic signs, and a sign displaying a public notice or warning required by federal, state, or local law, ordinance, or regulation;
(2) Flags of any nation or government;
(3) Decorations pertaining to religious or secular holidays when displayed during the appropriate time of the year.
(4) Signs conforming to the Ohio Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices and other government signs for traffic control, public safety and other regulatory purposes.
(5) Any sign in a building, not attached to a window or door that is not legible from a distance of more than three (3) feet beyond the building in which such sign is located.
(6) Any outdoor sign that is not in any way visible from any adjacent public right-of-way or from any adjacent property.
(Ord. 2024-052. Passed 6-18-24.)