Subject to other applicable requirements and permits, the following signs are authorized without a sign permit.
(A) Governmental signs. Governmental signs are permitted, including signs and banners erected or approved by a governmental entity to dispense information to the community regarding matters of community interest including festivals, special projects, events and celebrations.
(B) Directional signs. Signs used exclusively for traffic direction, on private streets or in parking areas, not exceeding ten square feet in area. There shall be not more than two entrance/exit directional signs per legal driveway. Such signs shall be placed so as not to cause traffic or pedestrian hazards. Such directional signs shall not exceed the height of five feet above uniform street grade, and shall not exceed ten square feet in area.
(C) Hours and addresses. Hours and business numbers identifying the address of a parcel of land.
(D) Interior or exterior window signs. Non-electric signs on a window or inside buildings that are visible from the outside, and all other signs inside buildings that are not visible from the outside. Credit card signs or stickers affixed to windows. Non-electric, temporary signs placed in windows of buildings with commercial or industrial uses that advertise sales, specials, or close-outs shall be restricted to illumination by normal lighting of the building. Such signs shall be removed upon termination of the sale, special or close-out.
(E) Public, religious, charitable, and organizations. Community information signs advertising events or promotions sponsored by religious, charitable, or other associations and organizations if such signs are located on the premises of the religious, charitable, or other association. Said signs shall not be over 32 square feet in area and shall be set back a minimum of ten feet from all property lines.
(F) Flags. No more than three flags bearing the official design of a nation, state, municipality, educational institution, or non-profit organization are permitted per parcel. A flag pole may not exceed 30 feet above ground level.
(G) Warning signs. Signs exclusively devoted to warning the public of dangerous conditions and unusual hazards such as drop offs, high voltage, fire danger, and explosives, are permitted. Warning signs may not exceed three square feet.
(H) Historical site and memorial signs. A sign erected by a government agency that exclusively denotes a government-recognized historical site is permitted. This sign shall not exceed three square feet unless otherwise provided by state or federal law. Historical and memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings, date of erection, and descriptions of the history of the buildings or location, are permitted.
(I) Special event signs. Community special event signs that are approved by the Common Council of the city.
(J) Garage and yard sale signs. Temporary signs that advertise garage sales, yard sales, rummage sales and similar sales on residential real estate shall be restricted to one sign that is not more than six square feet in area, and shall be located on said premises for no more than seven days in a calendar year. Such signs shall be located on the premises and shall be located not less than ten feet from any street right-of-way.
(K) For sale or rent signs (less than two acres). Temporary signs that advertise real estate for sale, rent or lease, or advertise a subdivision being developed shall be restricted to one sign that is not more than six square feet in area when located on residentially-zoned property of less than two acres, end shall be removed within seven days of the completion of the sale, rent or lease of the property or sale of all lots in the subdivision. Such signs shall be located on the premises and shall be located not less than ten feet from any street right-of-way.
(L) For sale or rent signs (more than two acres). Temporary signs that advertise real estate for sale, rent or lease, or advertise a subdivision being developed, shall be restricted to one sign that is not more than 64 square feet in area when located on property of two or more acres. Said signs shall be located on the premises, shall be located not less than ten feet from any street right-of-way lines and shall be removed within seven days of the sale, rent, lease or the property or sale of all lots in the subdivision.
(M) Contractor signs. Temporary signs that advertise contractors, engineers, architects, lenders, etc. for a building being constructed shall be restricted to a total area of six square feet in area, not less than ten feet from any street right-of-way line or in conformance with the setback regulations of the zoning district in which it is located, whichever is least restrictive. There shall at no given time be located upon a parcel more than three contractor signs, plus one sign as set forth in division (J) or (K) above. Such signs shall be removed upon completion of the construction and issuance of an occupancy permit.
(N) Political signs. Temporary signs may be erected pertaining to the candidacy of federal, state and local elected officials or other voting issues. Such signs shall not exceed six square feet per face in residential zoning districts and 32 square feet in other zoning districts. Said signs may be erected not more than 45 days preceding the election and shall be removed within three days after the election.
(O) Decorative signs. Signs such as coats of arms and shields that represent and portray a family's genealogical roots, or identification with Swiss cantons and/or Swiss or American national or state affiliation, or traditional, historical and/or famous quotations, verses or proverbs of wisdom or philosophy.
(P) Restaurant menus. A restaurant's menu, being restricted to one such sign that is not more than six square feet in area, may be posted on the outside surface of the restaurant building.
(Ord. 570, passed 2-26-07)