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.