§ 155.07 BILLBOARDS AND BANNERS.
   (A)   In the Business B District and the Business B-1 District, billboards are prohibited, except for the following:
      (1)   Billboards erected prior to September 1, 1997;
      (2)   Billboards which are erected with a properly issued permit on or after September 1, 1997, to replace a billboard which is in existence on September 1, 1997; or
   (B)   No person shall construct a billboard without first removing a billboard sign equal in face area and the number of faces. In order to administer this provision, the Building Commissioner shall issue a replacement permit to any person who permanently removes a lawfully existing outdoor advertising sign and any supporting structure that has been inspected pursuant to this chapter and found to fully comply with this chapter and all other applicable codes. The Commissioner shall note on the replacement permit the number of faces and face area, up to a maximum of 672 square feet, and the zone district in which the sign was located for every sign face removed. Replacement permits may be transferred. No new billboard sign construction permit shall be issued unless the applicant tenders for cancellation replacement permits with a total face area and number of faces noted of at least the area and number of the sign or signs to be replaced.
   (C)   As used in this section, BILLBOARD means a type of off-premise sign classified as a business use, which is generally a rigidly assembled sign, display, or device, usually freestanding, that is affixed to the ground or to a building, the primary purpose of which is to display advertising posters. Such signs, commonly referred to as BILLBOARDS or POSTER PANELS are generally designed so that the copy or poster on the sign can be changed and the advertising space may be leased. Billboards are greater than 300 square feet in surface area and do not include painted wall signs and other signs prohibited under other sections of the Cheviot Code of Ordinances. This section shall not be construed to permit off- premises signs which do not meet the strict definition of BILLBOARD.
   (D)   A banner over Harrison Avenue roadway, near the intersection of Harrison and Glenmore Avenues, is permitted subject to the following restrictions:
      (1)   No banner shall be in place for a period exceeding 30 days during any calendar year.
      (2)   No banner shall be for the advertisement, support, or endorsement of any political candidate, political party, or ballot issue.
      (3)   No banner shall be for the advertisement of any commercial product or service. Banners shall be limited to the advertisement of events and accomplishments of non-profit or governmental organizations.
      (4)   No banner may be erected without first obtaining a permit from the Safety-Service Director. No fee shall be required for the permit. The permit shall be in a form prescribed by the Safety-Service Director, and copies of all current and pending permits shall be made available for inspection upon request.
      (5)   Permits shall be issued on a “first come, first served” basis. No permit shall be applied for or issued more than 90 days before the first day of the display of the banner.
      (6)   All costs of erection, removal, and liability insurance shall be borne by the person or organization receiving the permit.
(Ord. 06-14, passed 10-3-06)