1260.01 Purpose.
1260.02 Definitions.
1260.03 Sign approvals; permit requirements and exemptions.
1260.04 General provisions.
1260.05 District requirements.
1260.06 General provisions for temporary signs.
1260.07 District requirements for temporary signs.
1260.08 “A” frame signs.
1260.09 Nonconforming signs.
1260.10 Variances.
1260.11 Unsafe and unsightly signs.
1260.12 Revocation of permits.
1260.13 Removal of signs.
1260.14 Canvas awnings.
1260.15 Violations; equitable remedy.
1260.99 Penalty.
The purpose of this Sign Code is to promote the general safety and welfare of the citizens of the City through a comprehensive system of reasonable, effective, consistent, content-neutral, and non-discriminatory sign standards and requirements. The purposes also include the preservation and promotion of traffic safety, preserve and promotion of the aesthetic appeal of the City, reduction in visual clutter, and ensuring all signs installed in the City are compatible with the unique character and environment of the City and in compliance with the provisions of City ordinances and the following specific purposes:
(a) To require all graphics, including signs, to be properly constructed, installed and maintained and to prevent property damage, personal injury and litter from signs which are improperly constructed, poorly maintained, or of inadequate or flimsy materials;
(b) To encourage signs that are readable;
(c) To balance public and private objectives by allowing adequate avenues for both commercial and non-commercial messages. To permit public and private signs that are compatible with their surroundings, aid orientation, identify activities, advertise or promote the interests of persons, products or services, express local history and character, allow for freedom of expression, or to serve educational purposes;
(d) To recognize free speech rights by regulating signs in a content-neutral manner;
(e) To encourage public and private signs that are appropriate to the zoning districts in which they are located;
(f) To reduce visual clutter by controlling the number, size and location of signs;
(g) To regulate signs so that they do not obstruct vision or interfere with the functions of drivers and to promote the free flow of traffic and protect pedestrians and motorists from injury and property damage caused by, or which may be fully or partially attributable to, cluttered, distracting and/or illegible signage;
(h) To protect the aesthetic beauty of the City's environment;
(i) To protect property values, the local economy, and the quality of life by preserving and enhancing the appearance of the streetscape.
(Ord. 29-16. Passed 11-15-16.)
(a) "Awning Sign" means a sign directly applied to the canopy or fabric overhang of a building awning.
(b) "Freestanding sign" means a sign supported by or suspended from posts, pillars, columns, or other structures which are not a building or portion thereof, excluding ground-mounted or "monument" style signs.
(c) "Ground-mounted sign" means a monument sign with a continuous vertical plane extending from the ground to the top of the sign.
(d) "Incidental sign" means a sign having an above-grade height of not more than twenty-four inches or a total area of not more than eight square feet containing no advertising and typically erected to identify entrances, exits, operational instructions, public utility locations, etc.
(e) "On-premise sign" means a sign identifying or advertising a business, person, activity, goods, products, or services, located on the premises where the sign is installed and maintained.
(f) "Off-premise sign" means a sign used to identify, advertise or promote any person, product or service available principally at locations other than at the location of the sign.
(g) "Owner" means any person who alone or jointly or severally with others, has charge, care or control of any property, as the holder of any estate or interest therein, or as an agent of the owner, or as an executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, or who is in possession of property by right, with the power of control. Any such person thus representing the actual owner shall be bound to comply with the provisions of this chapter to the same extent as if he were the owner.
(h) "Projecting sign" means any sign projecting more than twelve inches from the wall of a building and includes all signs mounted perpendicular to the building face.
(i) "Sign" means every sign, billboard, ground sign, freestanding sign, wall sign, roof sign, illuminated sign, projecting sign, temporary sign, pole sign, marquee, awning, canopy, announcement, declaration, demonstration, display, illustration, insignia or similar device used to communicate the interests of any person or business when the same is placed out of doors in view of the general public or is visible to the general public from out of doors.
(j) "Sign area" means the entire area within a continuous perimeter forming a basic geometric figure which encloses the message or display along with any frame or other material, color, internal illumination or other feature which forms an integral part of the sign and is used to differentiate such sign from the wall or supporting structure upon which it is placed. The necessary supports or uprights on which the sign may be placed are excluded from the sign area if they give the visual appearance of a single color and do not exceed eighteen inches in width and/or depth. For wall-mounted signs which consist of individually mounted letters, numbers or other symbols on a wall or fascia, the area of the sign shall be the area of a rectangle circumscribed around the letters, numbers or other symbols.
(k) "Temporary sign" means a banner, pennant, or poster constructed of cloth, canvas, plastic sheet, cardboard, wallboard or other like material and displayed for a period not to exceed thirty days.
(l) "Wall sign" means any sign attached to, painted on or erected against the exterior wall of a building or structure with the exposed face of the sign in a plane parallel to the plane of such wall, building or structure.
(m) "Window area" means all glass facing a street.
(n) "Window sign" means a sign visible from the exterior of a building that is attached to, painted on, etched in, or within three feet of the inside of a building's transparent surfaces. "Window sign" does not include merchandise on display.
(o) "Temporary window sign" means any temporary sign applied to or erected within three feet of a window so as to be visible from any public place for a period not to exceed thirty days.
(Ord. 29- 16. Passed 11-15-16; Ord. 08-20. Passed 7-14-20.)
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