All provisions of this chapter shall be enforced and administered by the City Building Inspector or other personnel designated by the City Manager.
(A) Applicability. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, it shall be unlawful for anyone to erect, construct, enlarge, move, convert or place any sign in the city without first obtaining a sign permit for each such sign from the City Building Inspector. This chapter shall not be construed to require a permit for a change to the copy on any sign.
(1) The application for a permit shall be in writing and accompanied by the following information:
(a) A site plan and elevation drawing of the proposed sign;
(b) Type and size of sign, including wind-load specifications and calculations;
(c) The material with which the sign is to be constructed;
(d) The height of the sign; and
(e) The information to be contained on the sign.
(2) The City Building Inspector shall approve sign permits in writing. Approval shall be entered upon the original permit application and maintained in the files of the City Building Inspector.
(3) Before a permit is issued, the applicant shall pay to the City Clerk a fee as prescribed.
(4) The fee shall not be refunded upon the revocation of a permit pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
(5) Unless otherwise specified by the City Building Inspector approved sign permits shall expire 180 days after the date issued.
(B) The following signs shall not require the issuance of a sign permit. The signs must comply with all other building, structural and electrical codes of the city and with the requirements contained herein:
(1) One construction sign per construction project not exceeding 32 square feet in area in residential districts or 64 square feet in area in commercial or industrial districts; (The signs shall not be erected more than five days prior to the beginning of construction for which a building permit has been issued, shall be located on the site of construction, and shall be removed prior to the City Building Inspector issuing a certificate of occupancy.);
(2) Signs providing direction or instruction, which are located entirely on the lot which they serve, do not in any way advertise a business, and do not exceed four square feet in area;
(3) The flags, emblems, of insignia or any government;
(4) Signs of a non-commercial nature and in the public interest, which are required by law, or which are erected by or on the order of a public officer in the performance of his or her public duty, including but not limited to safety signs, danger signs, trespassing signs, memorial plaques, signs of historical interest;
(5) Memorial signs or tablets which are made an integral part of building names of buildings, or dates of erection, when cut into any masonry surface, inlaid to be part of the building or when cast in bronze or other metal;
(6) Political signs, provided:
(a) The signs shall not be erected more than 45 days prior to the election; and
(b) The signs shall be removed within 15 days following the election.
(7) One real estate sign on any lot frontage provided the sign is located on the lot to which the sign applies, is not illuminated and does not exceed six square feet in area; (Signs up to 64 square feet may be erected on lots abutting major thoroughfares or expressways.) Real estate signs for sale, rent, or lease are to be removed within ten days of sale, rented, or leased.
(8) Signs not exceeding three square feet in area advertising garage sales, provided:
(a) The garage sale permit number is displayed on the sign face;
(b) The signs are not posted more than four days before the sale and are removed no more than two days after the sale; and
(c) The signs are not posted on any curb, sidewalk, utility post or pole, hydrant, bridge, tree or other surface located on public property or any public right-of-way.
(d) Verbal permission to place sign in any lot or yard is to be granted before placing the sign.
(9) Community promotional banners erected on street light standards within the public right-of-way pursuant to specific authorization issued by the City Manager, meeting the following criteria:
(a) All banners shall be of uniform size and shape to install on standard brackets owned, located, and installed by the city.
(b) The maximum time any banner may be displayed shall be specified in the authorization granted by the City Manager.
(c) The wording of the banners must be specified in the authorization granted by the City Manager, and such wording shall be messages of general public benefit to the city and its citizens, including but not limited to advertisement of special public events or promotions of the community.
(d) Any commercial sponsorship of the banners may be indicated thereon, provided all commercial logos or wording shall not exceed 25% of the total surface area per side of the banners.
(e) The banners shall be constructed in a workmanlike manner of materials capable of withstanding wind and to resist deterioration from natural elements.
(f) The city shall have the right to prohibit or restrict the location of banners on utility poles and the right-of-way where necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public.
(g) The signs shall be maintained in good condition by the applicant and the city reserves the right to withdraw the limited license upon notice to applicant if the banner is not maintained.
(Ord. 1974, passed 8-6-19)