(A) It shall be the responsibility of the permit holder, and of the owner and lessee of the property and structure upon which any sign is located, to:
(1) Keep the ground around any sign free of weeds and litter;
(2) Immediately repair or remove any sign or sign structure which becomes unsafe, in a state of disrepair, insecure, or a menace to the public following written notice of the condition from the city;
(3) All permanent signs shall comply with the maintenance sections of the State Building Code, as it may be amended; and
(4) When electrical signs are installed, the installation shall be subject to the State Building Code, as it may be amended.
(B) (1) Except in the Central Business District, no sign or sign structure shall be placed on, or protrude over, the public right-of-way, except wall (maximum protrusion 12 inches), canopy, awning, or marquee structures shall not exceed 12 inches in height. Canopy, awning, or marquee structures and signs shall be setback three feet from the curbline.
(2) In the Central Business District, no sign structure shall be placed on the public right-of-way. All signs must be set back three feet from the curbline, and meet all other zoning regulations.
(C) All signs located over the public right-of-way, or over a public or private access route shall be located a minimum of eight feet over walking surfaces, and 17 feet and four inches over vehicle-related access routes, based on the State Building Code Chapter 32, and Highway Department Regulations.
(D) The temporary use of search lights and similar devices shall require a permit. The permit shall be prominently displayed during the period of validity.
(E) All height restrictions on signs shall include the height of the sign structure, and be measured from the nearest finished grade.
(F) Any sign now or hereafter existing which no longer advertises or identifies a bona fide business conducted, or a service rendered, or a product sold, shall be removed by the owner, agent, or person having the beneficial use and/or control of the building or structure upon which the signs may be found, within ten days after written notice from the city.
(G) The top edge of a wall sign shall not extend above the main level of the roof, except where there is a mansard roof, in which case the sign shall then not exceed the height of the mansard.
(H) Where a building contains more than one business, the allowable sign area for any single business is its portion of the gross square footage of the building applied as a percentage to the allowable sign of the entire building.
(I) Permanent pylon or permanent free standing signs where permitted will be limited to one per commercial establishment. MULTI-ESTABLISHMENT BUILDINGS are herein defined as a single commercial establishment, except shopping centers, and are limited to one free standing or pylon sign.
(J) In shopping centers, shopping center identification signs shall be limited to locations adjacent to the major entrances, and limited to one per abutting arterial street.
(K) Signs shall conform to the building setback regulations for the zoning district in which they are located, except as may be otherwise specified in this subchapter.
(L) Signs are allowable as an accessory use in all districts except where prohibited by this subchapter.
(Ord. 199, passed 2-7-2000; Ord. 261, passed 3-3-2009)