A. Allowed In Any Zone: The following signs are allowed in any zone (except on public property) without a sign permit:
1. Directional Or Instructional Signs: Signs which provide direction or instruction and are located entirely on premises and which do not in any way advertise a business shall not exceed four (4) square feet in area or four feet (4') in height. These signs may identify restrooms, public telephones, and walkways; or shall provide direction such as parking lot entrance and exit signs and those of a similar nature.
2. No Trespassing Or No Dumping Signs: "No trespassing" or "no dumping" signs shall not exceed sixteen (16) square feet in area for a single sign or four (4) signs at four (4) square feet for each lot unless the Planning and Zoning Administrator finds more signs are required to prevent violation.
3. Plaques: Plaques or nameplate signs not more than two (2) square feet that are fastened directly to the building.
4. Symbols Or Insignia: Religious symbols, commemorative plaques of recognized historical agencies, or identification emblems of religious orders or historical agencies, provided that no such sign shall exceed eight (8) square feet in area; and provided further that all such signs be placed flat against the building.
5. Residential Neighborhood Identification Signs: In any zone, a sign, masonry wall, landscaping and other similar materials or features may be combined to form a display for neighborhood identification, provided that the legend of such sign or display shall consist of only the neighborhood name and/or address.
6. Institutional Uses: Churches, public schools, public utility companies, libraries, governmental buildings, parks, public golf courses, etc., are allowed one monument sign of thirty two (32) square feet. If the institution has more than one frontage and is located on an arterial street, then an additional sign of the same size is allowed. Wall signs for institutional uses shall be regulated as per subsection 11-15-8E of this chapter.
7. Flags: The flags, emblems, or insignia of any nation or political subdivision. Corporation flags may not exceed twelve (12) square feet and may be flown in tandem with the State or national flag. Large flags flown in high wind may cause a noise nuisance and are subject to removal upon investigation.
8. Public Necessity Signs: Signs installed by a unit of the government for control of traffic and other regulatory purposes; including street signs, danger and warning signs, railroad crossing signs, hospital signs, directional or warning signs for public service companies, utilities or institutions, or signs erected by or on the order of a public officer in the performance of his public duty.
9. Memorial Signs: Memorial signs or tablets with the names of buildings and date of erection cut into any masonry surface or inlaid so as to be part of the building.
10. Notice Bulletin Boards: Notice bulletin boards not over thirty two (32) square feet in area for medical, public, charitable or religious institutions. Such signs shall be located on the premises of such institutions and be oriented solely to the interior of the property and not used to direct exterior pedestrian or vehicular attention to any product or service of the institution.
11. Holiday Decorations: Noncommercial signs of a primarily decorative nature, clearly incidental, customary and commonly associated with any national, local, or religious holiday. Such signs may be of any type, number, area, and shall be contained entirely within the boundaries of the lot or premises on which they are erected and should be placed so as to avoid confusion with authorized traffic lights and signals and shall conform to traffic safety standards. They shall be removed within fourteen (14) days after the holiday.
12. Changing Copy: The changing of the message on a permitted sign that has an approved marquee, reader board, electronic message center, or other replaceable copy area. (Ord. 2009-45, 11-24-2009)
13. Municipal Field Signs: Interior signs shall be allowed at approved playing fields located at Steed Park and Fisher Park. A Municipal field sign located at Steed Park or Fisher Park shall be intended for those attending or participating in the activity occurring within the Municipal field the sign is located on within the park. If a Municipal field sign located within Steed Park or Fisher Park is visible to those not attending or participating in the activity taking place at the Municipal field, such visibility must be ancillary to the sign's intent, as determined by the City.
14. Political Or Campaign Signs: In addition to signage otherwise authorized by this chapter, political or campaign signs on behalf of candidates for public office or measures on election ballots are allowed as follows:
a. Political or campaign signs shall not be erected earlier than thirty (30) days prior to the mailing of ballots for a primary election, or in such cases where no primary election is held, no earlier than thirty (30) days prior to the mailing of ballots for the general election. All political or campaign signs shall be removed by the Monday following a general election. Candidates who lose a primary election shall remove signs by the Monday following the primary election. Signs relating to elections on special issues may be installed and must be removed on the same basis.
b. Any one political or campaign sign shall not exceed thirty two (32) square feet in aggregate area and, if freestanding, shall not exceed eight feet (8') in height. Such sign shall not be erected in a manner as to constitute a roof sign. Signs may not be placed on public property, in a public right-of-way, or in any place that would impede traffic visibility or safety. Signs along unimproved roadways may not be placed closer than ten feet (10') to the edge of the travel surface.
c. Political or campaign signs shall not be placed closer than one hundred fifty feet (150') to a building where any official voting station is located. (Ord. 2017-13, 7-25-2017)
B. Allowed In Residential Zones: The following signs shall be allowed in residential zones without a permit as prescribed herein:
1. On Premises Development Identification Signs:
a. Individual Lots: One sign announcing the name of the construction/development company is allowed. The area of the sign shall not exceed sixteen (16) square feet or six feet (6') in height. The sign shall not be erected more than five (5) days prior to the beginning of construction for which a valid building permit has been issued. It shall be removed before final occupancy.
b. Subdivisions: One development promotional sign may be placed on the premises at each entrance of a development having five (5) or more lots or approved unit sites in any residential zone. The size allowed for the sign depends on the number of lots to be developed:
5 - 24 units (lots) | 64 square feet |
25 - 49 units | 96 square feet |
50 or more units | 128 square feet |
Maximum height | 12 feet |
Such signs shall be removed within five (5) years of the issuance of the first building permit in the project; or, if the lots are sold out before five (5) years, the sign shall be removed immediately upon sale of the last lot.
One balloon shall also be allowed for each subdivision or residential development having five (5) or more lots or approved unit sites in any residential zone. The balloon shall not exceed two hundred feet (200') in height, and shall only be displayed during daylight hours.
2. On Premises Real Estate Signs:
a. Signs advertising the sale, rent, or lease of property shall be limited to one real estate sign on each lot. Each such sign shall not exceed six (6) square feet in size and six feet (6') in height.
b. One real estate sign per street frontage is allowed for any multiuse residential or professional office building or lot intended for such. Each sign shall not exceed thirty two (32) square feet in area or eight feet (8') in height. If the parcel is over two (2) acres in size, the sign shall not exceed sixty four (64) square feet in area or ten feet (10') in height.
c. Model home signs shall not exceed sixteen (16) square feet in area or six feet (6') in height, and shall be placed entirely upon the premises of the model.
3. Open House Real Estate Signs: Up to six (6) open house real estate signs shall be allowed for each open house. Open house signs shall not exceed six (6) square feet in area and four feet (4') in height, and shall only be placed on private property. Open house real estate signs shall be displayed only during those hours and day(s) that the house is open for actual inspection.
4. On Premises Signs For Home Occupations: Home occupations with a valid business license from the City shall be permitted to display one nonilluminated, flat wall sign no greater than three (3) square feet in area that identifies the name of the business.
5. Special Event Signs: Signage for noncommercial special events, such as a birth, anniversary, or homecoming, may be displayed on premises for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days.
C. Allowed In Commercial And Manufacturing Zones: The following signs shall be allowed in Commercial and Manufacturing Zones without a permit as prescribed herein:
1. On Premises Development Identification Signs: One sign announcing or identifying the future development of nonresidential property shall be allowed along each public or private street frontage for the parcel(s) to be developed. The sign(s) shall not be erected before the proposed development has received site plan approval, and shall be removed before final inspection of the building or before permanent signs are installed. Each sign shall not exceed sixty four (64) square feet in area or fifteen feet (15') in height.
2. On Premises Real Estate Signs: One on premises real estate sign per street frontage shall be allowed for any commercial or manufacturing building or lot intended for such. Each sign shall not exceed thirty two (32) square feet in area or eight feet (8') in height, except on parcels larger than two (2) acres, for which each sign may be up to sixty four (64) square feet in size.
3. Window Signs: Window signs shall be allowed, provided that no more than thirty percent (30%) of any window or group of windows is occupied by a sign or combination of signs.
4. Menu Boards: Menu boards for restaurants shall be allowed. The location of menu boards for drive-in restaurants shall be subject to review by the Planning Commission through the site plan process. The following standards shall apply:
a. Only two (2) menu boards are allowed per site. Each sign shall be located behind the front landscaped setback area.
b. No menu board shall exceed thirty five (35) square feet in area or six feet (6') in height. (Ord. 2009-45, 11-24-2009)