A. Applicability: Except as otherwise specifically provided in this chapter, the regulations set forth in this article shall apply to the construction, erection, and maintenance of each sign within the city. The provisions of this chapter are not intended to prevent the use of any material, method of construction, size, shape, or location of any sign not specifically prescribed provided any such alternate has been approved. The building official or the architectural commission may approve any such alternate provided the material method, size, shape, or location offered is found, for the purpose intended, to be at least the equivalent of that prescribed in this article.
B. Exemptions: Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the following shall not be deemed to be included within the definition of a "sign" for purposes of this chapter:
1. Signs of a duly constituted governmental body, including traffic or similar regulatory devices, legal devices, or warnings at railroad crossings;
2. Signs required to be maintained by law or governmental order, rule, or regulation provided that the total surface area of all such signs on any one lot or parcel does not exceed ten (10) square feet;
3. Signs placed by a public utility for the safety, welfare, or convenience of the public, such as signs identifying high voltage, public telephone, or underground cable;
4. Signs upon a vehicle provided that any such vehicle and signs thereon are not conspicuously parked or left standing for advertising purposes so as to constitute a device or other type of sign pursuant to the definition of a sign, except when being used for bona fide delivery and other vehicular purposes away from a fixed place of business;
5. Signs not more than two (2) in number and noticing or soliciting the sale, lease, or hire of a vehicle to which such signs are attached if such signs are nine inches by twelve inches (9" x 12") or less; and
6. Promotional displays or devices located inside a building or structure and otherwise defined as a "sign" where such displays or devices are either: a) not lighted or illuminated, set on a wall, partition or display structure at least five feet (5') away from and perpendicular to the street or courtyard frontage of the business or structure; or b) lighted or illuminated, set back from the street or courtyard frontage of the business a distance greater than half the width of the ground floor street or courtyard frontage of the business or fifteen feet (15'), whichever is less, and higher than the top of the windows on the ground floor frontage occupied by the business.
Except as otherwise specifically provided in this chapter, the regulations set forth in this article shall apply to the construction, erection, and maintenance of each sign within the city. The provisions of this chapter are not intended to prevent the use of any material, method of construction, size, shape, or location of any sign not specifically prescribed provided any such alternate has been approved. The building official or the architectural commission may approve any such alternate provided the material, method, size, shape, or location offered is found, for the purpose intended, to be at least the equivalent of that prescribed in this article. (Ord. 80-O-1775, eff. 12-5-1980; amd. Ord. 00-O-2345, eff. 5-19-2000)