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All signs shall be subject .to inspection by the Building Official. Footing inspections may be required by the Building Official for all signs having footings. All signs containing electrical wiring shall be subject to the provisions of the Electrical Code, and the electrical components used shall bear the label of an approved testing agency. The Building Official may order the removal of any sign that is not maintained in accordance with the provisions of Section 156.09. All signs may be reinspected at the discretion of the Building Official.
If the Building Official shall find that any sign or other advertising structure regulated hereunder is unsafe or not securely fastened or is a menace to the public, or has been constructed or erected or is being maintained in violation of the provisions of this chapter, the Building Official shall give written notice thereof to the permit holder. Such notice shall include a statement explaining the alleged violations and deficiencies, an order to repair or remove said sign, and an explanation of the consequences of failure to comply with said order. If the permit holder fails to remove or alter said sign so as to comply with the order within ten days after such notice, said sign or other advertising structure may be removed or altered to comply by the Building Official at the expense of the permit holder or owner of the property on which it is located. The permit holder may appeal the order of the Building Official to the Council, and, if such an appeal is on file, the ten-day compliance period shall be extended until ten days following the Council’s decision on the matter. If, however, the Building Official finds that any sign or other advertising structure poses a serious and immediate threat to the health or safety of any person, the Building Official may order the removal of such sign summarily and without notice to the permit holder. Such an order may be appealed to the Council, and if the Council reverses, it shall order restitution at the City’s expense.
Any permit holder who fails to comply with a valid order of the Building Official within the allotted time period, or who fails to pay reasonable removal or repair expenses assessed under the preceding section, shall have the permit as to such sign or signs revoked, and another permit for the erection or maintenance of such sign or signs shall not be issued to said permit holder for a period of one year from the date of revocation.
All signs and other advertising structures shall be designed and constructed to withstand a wind pressure of not less than twenty-five (25) pounds per square foot of area and shall be constructed to receive dead loads as required in the Building Code or other ordinances of the City.
Any sign now or hereafter existing which no longer advertises a bona fide business conducted or a product sold, shall be taken down and removed by the owner, agent, or person having the beneficial use of the building or structure upon which such sign may be found within ten (10) days after written notification from the Building Official, and, upon failure to comply with such notice within the time specified in such order, the Building Official is hereby authorized to cause removal of such signs, and any expense incident thereto shall be paid by the owner of the building or structure to which such sign is attached.
The provisions and regulations of this chapter shall not apply to the following signs; provided, however, said signs shall be subject to the provisions of Section 156.11:
1. Real estate signs not exceeding six square feet in area which advertise the sale, rental, or lease of the premises or part of the premises on which the signs are displayed. Such signs shall be non-illuminated and may not be located in or upon the street right-of-way. When property advertised for sale is five (5) acres or more in size, the sign advertising sale may be up to 50 square feet in size providing it is not closer than 100 feet to any home. Only one sign shall be allowed per subdivision and the sign must be removed when unsold property totals less than five acres.
2. Construction signs identifying the architects, engineers, contractors, and other individuals involved in the construction of a building or project, and such signs announcing the character of the building enterprise or the purpose for which the building is intended but not including product advertising. One such non-illuminated sign not to exceed 60 square feet shall be permitted. Such sign shall not extend higher than 12 feet above grade level or be closer than 20 feet to any property line unless located on the wall of a building on the premises or on a protective barricade surrounding the construction site. Such signs shall be removed within one week following completion of construction.
3. Political campaign signs announcing candidates seeking public office or pertinent political issues. Such signs shall be confined to private property and shall be removed within 48 hours following the election to which they pertain.
4. Street banners advertising a public event providing that specific approval is granted under regulations established by the Council.
5. Seasonal decorations pertaining to recognized national holidays and national observances under regulations established by the Council.
6. Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings, and date of erection when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of bronze or other noncombustible materials.
7. Traffic or other municipal signs, legal notices, railroad crossing signs, danger, and such temporary, emergency, or non-advertising signs as may be approved by the Police Chief and/or the Council.
8. Signs which are accessory to the use of any kind of vehicle, providing the sign is painted or attached directly to the body of the vehicle.
9. Insignia, flags, and emblems of the United States, the State of Iowa, and municipal and other bodies of established government, or flags which display the recognized symbol of a nonprofit and/or non-commercial organization.
10. Signs which are displayed inside of a window or within a building, provided however, that neon window signs shall be permitted only in B-1, B-2, B-3, I-1, or 1-2 zoning districts.
11. Public signs. Signs of a non-commercial nature and in the public interest, erected by or upon order of a public officer in the performance of a public duty, such as safety signs, danger signs, trespassing signs, memorial plaques, signs of historical interest, and all other similar signs, including signs designating hospitals, libraries, schools, parks, airports, and other institutions or places of public interest or concern.
12. Gasoline pump price signs which are affixed to a building or other permanent sign standard. However, any freestanding, ground, wall, or roof sign advertising gasoline pump price shall be governed by the provisions of this chapter. Standard signs appearing as an integral part of gasoline pumps shall be exempt. Decals which constitute standard signs and which are normally affixed after installation of gasoline pumps shall be exempt. Any such signs shall not be located in or over any street right-of-way.
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