(a) The City Council finds that allocating public funds and staff resources to those signs that present the most public safety and aesthetic problems will better achieve the overall purposes of this sign code. Requiring a permit for every type of sign in the city would unduly tax staff resources, thus diluting the overall enforcement of this sign code. Therefore, the City Council finds that the following sign types shall be regulated pursuant to this sign code but shall be exempt from the requirement of obtaining a sign permit and from the payment of a permit fee, provided the sign meets all other applicable requirements of this sign code. These exemptions do not override any more restrictive terms in contracts or leases between owners and tenants or between common-interest communities and owners, tenants, members, or occupants.
(1) Access door signs. One sign, two square feet or less in area, is allowed per door.
(2) Balloons 24 inches or less in diameter.
(3) Flags:
(A) Noncommercial flags. Up to three noncommercial flags are allowed per lot or site. Additional noncommercial flags are allowed at a rate of three flags per acre in lot or site area above one acre rounded down to the nearest acre.
(B) Commercial flags. Two commercial flags per site, provided:
(i) The lot or site must be at least three acres (130,680 square feet) in area to have commercial flags; and
(ii) Each commercial flag must not exceed 25 square feet each in area.
(C) Flagpoles. Flagpoles must be no taller than 12 feet above the highest outside wall of the tallest building on the lot or site, maintain a side and rear yard setback not less than the height of the flagpole, and be setback a minimum of 15 feet from any public right-of-way.
(D) Illumination. Flags may be illuminated by a light source placed below the flag, providing all flag lighting complies with § 21.301.07.
(4) Temporary signs exempt from permit requirement by § 21.304.13(b).
(5) Government signs.
(6) Handheld signs held or located outside of the public right-of-way.
(7) Historical or landmark markers, up to a maximum of 20 square feet in area.
(8) Public signs.
(9) Public utility signs.
(10) Signs that exclusively express noncommercial speech, subject to the following:
(A) Residential lots or sites. Residential lots or sites are allowed a maximum number of three signs per lot or site, except that one unit in a multi-unit site is also allowed that number of signs. Each sign may be a maximum of six square feet in area and a maximum height of four feet.
(B) Nonresidential lots or sites. Nonresidential lots or sites are allowed a maximum number of three signs per lot or site. Each sign may be a maximum of six square feet in area and a maximum of four feet in height.
(C) Election period exemption. Notwithstanding any provision of this sign code, noncommercial signs of any size in any number may be posted as follows:
(i) For state general election years, beginning 46 days prior to the state primary date, until ten days following the state general election.
(ii) For years other than state general election years in which elections (including any primaries or votes on ballot questions) are scheduled, beginning 46 days prior to the election or until ten days following the election date.
(iii) At all other times, the provisions of this sign code regulate the size and number of noncommercial signs.
(11) Traffic control devices.
(12) Directional and incidental signs. Directional and incidental signs are exempt from the permit requirement, subject to the following:
(A) Size. Signs may not exceed eight square feet when freestanding and 12 square feet when mounted on a building.
(B) Height. Signs may not exceed six feet in height when freestanding and 12 feet in height when mounted on a building.
(C) Location. Freestanding signs must be set back a minimum of ten feet from public streets or right-of-way and five feet from side and rear lot lines.
(D) Identification. Business, project, or site identification as part of a directional or incidental sign must not exceed one square foot.
(13) Window signs consistent with the standards specified in § 21.304.17.
(14) One sign, not exceeding one and one-half square feet in area, for each residential building, located at least ten feet from any public right-of-way. This type of sign is typically used as a residential name plate or to identify a home business.
(15) Signs located within a sports stadium or athletic field, or other outdoor assembly area which are intended for viewing by persons within the facility. The signs must be placed to be oriented towards the interior of the facility and the viewing stands.
(16) Signs displayed on a bus or light rail vehicle owned by a public transit agency.
(17) Signs not visible from the public right-of-way or private streets.
(18) One sign, not exceeding one square foot in total sign area, located at least ten feet from any public right-of-way. This type of sign is typically used as a sign to announce a home security system or feature.
(19) Pump island signs up to a maximum of two square feet in area.
(Ord. 2024-4, passed 2-26-2024)