(A) Permitted signs. The following signs are allowed without a permit:
(1) Public signs. Signs of a public, noncommercial nature, including safety signs, directional signs to public facilities, trespassing signs, traffic signs, signs indicating scenic or historical points of interest, memorial plaques and the like, when erected by or on behalf of the city or its employees;
(2) Identification signs. Identification signs not exceeding three square feet;
(3) Informational signs. Informational signs not exceeding 16 square feet;
(4) Directional signs.
(a) On-premise signs. On-premise signs shall not be larger than four square feet. The number of signs shall not exceed four unless approved by the Council; and
(b) Off-premise signs. Off-premise signs shall be limited to situations where access is confusing and traffic safety could be jeopardized or traffic could be inappropriately routed through residential streets. The size of the sign shall be approved by the Council and shall contain no advertising.
(5) Campaign signs.
(a) All noncommercial signs of any size may be posted in any number from 46 days before the state primary in a state general election year until ten days following the state general election subject to the applicable provisions of M.S. § 211B.045, as it may be amended from time to time. The signs shall conform with the provisions of § 152.352.
(b) Campaign signs posted in connection with elections held at times other than as regulated by M.S. § 211B.045, as it may be amended from time to time, are subject to the following:
1. Campaign signs in commercial, industrial and institutional zones not exceeding eight square feet and in all residential zones not exceeding four square feet;
2. The sign shall contain the name and address of the person responsible for the sign and that person shall be responsible for its removal; and
3. The signs shall remain for no longer than 75 days in any calendar year.
(6) Holiday signs. Signs or displays which contain or depict a message pertaining to a religious, national, state or local holiday and no other matter and which are displayed for a period not to exceed 75 days in any calendar year;
(7) Construction signs. A non-illuminated construction sign confined to the site of the construction, alteration or repair. The sign shall be removed within two years of the date of issuance of the first building permit on the site or when the particular project is completed, whichever is sooner. One sign shall be permitted for each street the project abuts. No sign may exceed 32 square feet in residential districts, or 64 square feet in business, industrial and institutional districts;
(8) "For Sale" and "To Rent" signs. "For sale" and "to rent" signs shall be permitted subject to the following regulations:
(a) Residential dwelling units, regardless of number of units.
1. No more than one sign per lot, except on a corner lot, two signs, shall exceed 16 square feet in area or be illuminated;
2. Each sign shall be devoted solely to the sale or rental of the property being offered and shall be removed immediately upon the sale or rental of the property; and
3. Each sign shall be placed only upon the property offered for sale or rent.
(b) Commercial, industrial or institutional property. In the event of the sale or rental of commercial, industrial or institutional property, there shall be permitted one sign facing each public street, providing access to the property being offered. Each sign shall not exceed 32 square feet in area and shall be devoted solely to the sale or rental of the property being offered and must be removed immediately upon the sale or rental of the last property offered at that location. The sign may be located within the front yard setback provided it is on private property.
(9) Rummage (garage) sale signs. Rummage sale signs shall not be posted until the day before the sale and shall be removed within one day after the end of the sale and shall not exceed four square feet. Rummage sale signs shall not be located in any public right-of-way, or on utility poles, public signs, traffic signals or equipment. The city shall have the right to remove and destroy signs not conforming to this chapter.
(B) Prohibited signs. The following signs are prohibited:
(1) Advertising signs (off-premises). With the following exceptions:
(a) Signs advertising nonprofit organizations are permitted subject to the restrictions imposed within the zoning district in which the sign is located; and
(b) A real estate development sign advertising lots or property for sale may be located off-premises by permit. The permit shall be renewable annually and conditioned upon documentation allowing the sign or structure by the property owner upon which it is to be located. The sign shall conform to the size restriction of signs imposed within the respective district in which the sign is located.
(2) Advertising or business signs on or attached to equipment such as semi-truck trailers where signing is a principal use of the equipment on either a temporary or permanent basis;
(3) Motion signs and flashing signs, except time and temperature signs and barber poles;
(4) Projecting signs except as provided for in § 152.355 of this subchapter;
(5) Roof signs, except that a business sign may be placed on the fascia or marquee of a building and provided:
(a) The sign does not extend above the highest elevation of the building, excluding chimneys;
(b) The sign is thoroughly secured and anchored to the frames of the building over when they are constructed and erected; and
(c) No portion of the sign extends beyond the periphery of the roof.
(6) Business signs which advertise an activity, business, product or service no longer produced or conducted on the premises upon which the sign is located. Where the owner or lessor of the premises is seeking a new tenant, the signs may remain in place for not more than 30 days from the date of vacancy.
(Prior Code, § 11-24-4) (Ord. 258, passed 5-4-2006; Ord. 303, passed 5-18-2010)