(A) Purpose. This section is intended to provide reasonable standards for signs utilized for identification of an owner’s business or industry while discouraging their proliferation, disrepair or garishness.
(B) Placement.
(1) A sign means an identification description, display or illustration which is affixed to, painted or represented directly or indirectly on a building or land and which directs attention to product, person, business or service associated or offered as the primary use, business or activity on the premises.
(2) A sign may not be erected or placed in any district with the exception of those signs listed in division (C) below, until a zoning use permit has been issued by the Plan Commission.
(a) Items needed for a zoning use permit:
1. Plot plans showing the exact location of the sign; and
2. Frontal elevation showing size of sign and height above street elevation.
(b) Each sign requiring a permit shall display the permit number.
(c) Signs erected prior to this subchapter shall have six months from the effective date of this code to comply with this section.
(3) The minimum setback of freestanding signs from street right-of-way shall not be less than those given in the County Chart for On-Premises Signs. Setbacks shall be measured to the nearest point of the sign to the edge of the right-of-way.
(4) The area of a sign shall be determined by the smallest circle, triangle, or rectangle that can be used to enclose the sign, exclusive of supporting members that bear no message.
(5) No sign shall be erected higher than 60 feet above ground level unless a height variance is granted by the Board of Zoning Appeals.
(C) Exemptions.
(1) The following signs are exempt from the requirements of this chapter:
(a) Signs not exceeding two square feet in area which identify the names and addresses of occupants but do not denote commercial activity;
(b) Flags and insignias of a governmental unit, church or non-profit organization except in connection with a commercial promotion;
(c) Legal notices, identification, informational, warning, trespassing or directional or architectural features of buildings;
(d) Memorial plaques and historical markers;
(e) Integral decorative or architectural features of buildings;
(f) One real estate sign for each frontage, not exceeding six square feet, indicating the sale, rental or lease of the premises. These signs shall be removed within two weeks after the sale, rental or lease; and
(g) Traffic or directional signs placed by a municipality of state.
(2) An exempt sign may be illuminated but may not be flashing or animated.
(D) Maintenance and removal.
(1) When the product, person, business or service that is advertised on a sign is abandoned or altered, the sign must be removed within 60 days or altered to depict an existing product, business or service on the premises. The owner and tenant of the land are equally responsible for removal or alteration of the sign.
(2) A sign is considered not to be functional when its essential elements are no longer readable, when it is materially obstructed from view, or when a condition of dilapidation exists.
(3) The Building Commissioner has the right of entry to inspect signs to determine whether they are functional. If the Building Commissioner determines that a sign is not functional, he or she shall send written notice to the owner of the sign to remove, alter or repair the sign. If the owner does not comply within 60 days, the Building Commissioner shall order removal of the sign at the owner’s expense.
(E) Temporary sign permits.
(1) The following signs are permitted only with the issuance of a temporary sign permit:
(a) Signs advertising a special event. Issuance of the permit shall be for a maximum of ten days;
(b) One sign for each street frontage of premises of buildings that are being constructed, demolished or remolded to announce the character of the building enterprise. This sign may not exceed 64 square feet in area. Issuance of the permit shall be for period of the construction, demolition or remodeling;
(c) One sign not to exceed ten square feet in area for each street entrance to a subdivision to advertise the sale, rental or lease of real property. The sign may not be erected until the subdivision has been recorded and approved. Issuance of the permit shall be for 12 months;
(d) One sign not to exceed six square feet in area for each model home, temporary office or model apartment in subdivision. The sign must be solely for direction or for promotion of the use. Issuance of a permit shall be for six months with renewal by the Plan Commission for a three-month period; and
(e) Portable, folding or moving signs. Issuance of the permit shall be for a maximum of 30 days. A portable sign may not be placed closer than ten feet to a street or highway right-of-way or where it blocks traffic vision.
(2) All temporary signs must conform to the requirements of this chapter and are subject to the inspection, removal and penalties provided by this chapter.
(F) Prohibited signs. The following signs are prohibited:
(1) Signs or posters affixed to telephone and utility poles, trees or other structures on public right-of-way;
(2) A sign placed over or in a public street or highway right-of-way;
(3) A sign erected at a location where it may interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with a traffic or railroad sign or signal, or oncoming traffic, or where it would present a traffic hazard as determined by the County Highway Engineer;
(4) Display lights resembling danger or emergency lights;
(5) Use of the words, “stop”, “danger”, “look” or any other word which would confuse traffic;
(6) Rotating or revolving beams of light;
(7) Placement or projection of a sign nearer than 24 inches to a street or highway right-of-way line;
(8) Flashing, moving or intermittent lights except white of low intensity; and
(9) Strobe lights.
(G) Provisions for theaters.
(1) Attraction boards located on the premises of a theater shall not be included in the calculation of the 40% maximum coverage requirements set forth in the County On-Premises Sign Chart.
(2) Use of the words, “stop”, “danger” and “look”, may be used only when they are part of attraction title, but may not be used in such a way that they simulate official traffic warnings.
(H) Permitted signs by district.
(1) In any district, a sign conveying only instructions related to the premises on which it is maintained may be erected so long as the area of the sign does not exceed three square feet and the sign is located at least six feet from any curb, and they must not be creating a traffic hazard.
(2) In all districts, identification and instructional signs may not be erected or maintained unless they conform to the requirements shown on the County Chart for On-Premises Signs.
Clark County Chart for On-Premises Signs | ||||
District | C1, A1, R1, R2, RP | R3, B1, PUD | B2, B3 | M1, M2, M3 |
Clark County Chart for On-Premises Signs | ||||
District | C1, A1, R1, R2, RP | R3, B1, PUD | B2, B3 | M1, M2, M3 |
Maximum area | 2 sq. ft. | 100 sq. ft. | 200 sq. ft. | 500 sq. ft. |
Distance from right-of-way line | Applies to all districts* 5 sq. ft. or less: 2 feet 5.1 sq. ft. to 14.9 sq. ft.: 10 feet 15 sq. ft. or more: 25 feet | |||
*Provided, however, that no sign may be placed in any location or in anyway as to obstruct the safe sight lines of a person operating a vehicle upon a public roadway. | ||||
Number of signs per street frontage | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
Illumination | Yes, indirect all signs but not flashing | Yes, indirect all signs but no flashing | Yes, all signs | Yes, all signs |
Special restrictions | None | Bed and breakfast and boarding house limited to maximum 6 sq. ft. sign; if lighted must be externally illuminated | Flat signs - maximum coverage of wall area 40%; Canopy signs - maximum extension above canopy 6 feet | None |
(Ord. 17-2007, passed 12-18-2007)