Signs use private land and the sight lines created by the public rights-of-way to inform and persuade the general public by publishing a message. Except as provided in Section 51A-7.207, this article provides standards for the erection and maintenance of private signs. All private signs not exempted as provided below shall be erected and maintained in accordance with these standards. The general objectives of these standards are to promote health, safety, welfare, convenience and enjoyment of the public, and, in part to achieve the following:
(a) SAFETY: To promote the safety of persons and property by providing that signs:
(1) do not create a hazard due to collapse, fire, collision, decay or abandonment;
(2) do not obstruct fire fighting or police surveillance; and
(3) do not create traffic hazards by confusing or distracting motorists, or by impairing the driver’s ability to see pedestrians, obstacles, or other vehicles, or to ready traffic signs.
(b) COMMUNICATIONS EFFICIENCY: To promote the efficient transfer of information in sign messages by providing that:
(1) businesses and services may identify themselves;
(2) customers and other persons may locate a business or service;
(3) no person or group is arbitrarily denied the use of the sight lines from the public right-of-way for communication purposes; and
(4) persons exposed to signs are not so overwhelmed by the number of messages presented that they cannot find the information they seek, and are able to observe or ignore messages, according to the observer’s purpose.
(c) LANDSCAPE QUALITY AND PRESERVATION: To protect the public welfare and to enhance the appearance and economic value of the landscape, by providing that signs:
(1) do not interfere with scenic views;
(2) do not create a nuisance to persons using the public rights-of-way;
(3) do not constitute a nuisance to occupancy of adjacent and contiguous property by their brightness, size, height, or movement;
(4) are not detrimental to land or property values; and
(5) contribute to the special character of particular areas or districts within the city, helping the observer to understand the city and orient himself with it. (Ord. Nos. 19455; 22061)