(A) Intent. The regulations and requirements as set forth in this subchapter are intended to preserve the character of the town by controlling the size, location and use of signs within the town. It is further intended to protect property values and to create a more attractive, economic, and business friendly climate through the reinforcement and encouragement of graphic excellence and to reduce conflicts between signs. It is the goal of the town to promote the town's interest in aesthetics, to reduce urban clutter, to eliminate nuisance forms of advertising and to promote traffic safety by the avoidance of distractions to motorists by objectionable signage.
(B) Substitution of copy. It is not the intent of this subchapter to regulate or control the copy, content, or viewpoint of signs. Nor is it the intent of this subchapter to afford greater protection to commercial speech than to noncommercial speech. Any sign, display or device allowed under this subchapter may contain, in lieu of any other copy, any otherwise lawful noncommercial message that complies with all other requirements of this subchapter. The noncommercial message may occupy the entire sign area or any portion thereof and may substitute for or be combined with the commercial message. The sign message may be chanced from commercial to noncommercial, or from one noncommercial message to another, as frequently as desired by the sign's owner, provided that the sign is not prohibited, and the sign continues to comply with all requirements of this subchapter.
(C) Scope.
(1) The provisions of this subchapter shall govern the number, size, location, and character of all signs which may be permitted under the terms of this subchapter. No signs shall be permitted in the town except in accordance with the provisions of this subchapter.
(2) This subchapter does not regulate the following:
(a) Government signs on government property, including but not limited to town signs on easements or property, including public or private easements, owned or controlled by the town, the county, or the State of Florida.
(b) Wayfinding, directional, hazard, life safety, traffic control device, construction control, and similar signs authorized, required or installed by a government agency on private property.
(c) Notices required to be posted by law or ordinance on private property.
(D) Regulations strictly enforced. It shall be unlawful for any persons to post, display, change, or erect a sign or sign structure that requires a permit without first having obtained a permit therefor in accordance with this subchapter. Signs not in conformance with this subchapter shall be deemed in violation of the town's Code of Ordinances and it shall be mandatory to obtain a permit, if required, comply with the town's codes, or remove the sign immediately. All signs not expressly permitted by this subchapter are strictly prohibited.
(E) Severability. If any part, paragraph, subparagraph, sentence, phrase, clause, term, or word of this subchapter is declared unconstitutional by the final and valid judgment or decree of any court of competent jurisdiction, such declaration of unconstitutionality or invalidity shall not affect any other part, paragraph, subparagraph, sentence, phrase, clause, term, or word of this subchapter.
(Ord. 1-90, passed 1-31-1991; Ord. 01-2021, passed 5-27-2021)