(A) Purpose. The purpose of this subchapter is to protect the public safety, enhance the City's physical appearance and promote orderly development of the community through the regulation of signs and sign structures.
(B) Regulation. All signs hereafter constructed, erected, or otherwise established, moved, altered or changed shall comply with the regulations contained herein. Signs shall be specifically regulated by this subchapter on the basis of the following factors:
(1) The Zoning District in which the sign is displayed,
(2) The type of sign,
(3) The size of the sign,
(4) The height of the sign from the ground,
(5) The spacing between signs,
(6) The illumination and animation of a sign,
(7) The classification of the sign as either an on-premise or off-premise sign.
(C) Conformance to codes. Any sign hereafter erected shall conform to the provisions of this chapter and the provisions of the adopted building code and of any other applicable ordinance or regulation of the City.
(D) General sign types. Sign types allowed shall be as described within this subchapter and depicted in Appendix C, attached to and made a part of this chapter.
(E) Computation of sign area. The area of a sign face shall be computed by determining the area of the smallest convex geometric figure that can encompass the sign, together with any material or color forming an integral part of the background of the display or used to differentiate the sign from the backdrop or structure against which it is placed, but not including any supporting framework or bracing. The computation of sign area is illustrated for various sign types in Appendix C of this chapter. For the purposes of computing sign area, a sign with two facings shall be computed as a single sign face if the two facings are erected at no greater than a 45 degree angle, for a v-type sign, or the distance between the backs of each facing does not exceed three feet for a double sided sign.
(F) Computation of sign heights. The height of a sign shall be computed by determining the distance from the top of the highest portion of the sign or structure to the grade at the foundation of the sign or the average grade of the lot, whichever is less. This is illustrated for various sign types in Appendix C.
(G) Computation of lot frontage. If a lot contains walls facing more than one property line or encompasses property frontage bounded by more than one street, the sign area for each building wall or property frontage will be computed separately. The sign area thus calculated shall be permitted to then be applied to permitted signs placed on each separate wall or property line frontage.
(H) Setbacks for freestanding signs. All pylon and monument style freestanding signs shall be setback a minimum of five feet from all property lot lines.
(I) Signs in public right-of-way. No sign, other than an official traffic sign or similar sign, shall be erected in a public right-of-way or encroach onto a public right-of-way, unless specifically authorized by other ordinances or regulations of the City or by specific authorization of the Zoning Administrator.
(J) Projections over public right-of-way. Signs projecting over public right-of-way shall be permitted to do so only in compliance with the projections and clearance limits set forth in § 150.107.
(K) Traffic visibility. No sign or sign structure shall be erected at the intersection of any streets in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision, nor at any location where by its position, shape, or color it may interfere with or obstruct the view of or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device.
(L) Maintenance and repair. Every sign permitted by this chapter shall be kept in good condition and repair. When any sign becomes insecure, in danger of falling or is otherwise deemed unsafe by the Zoning Administrator, the owner or user of the sign shall make such sign conform to the provisions of this chapter or shall remove it within 15 days of a written notification from the Zoning Administrator.
(M) Removal of abandoned signs. Any sign that no longer advertises or identifies a use conducted on the property on which said sign is erected must have the sign copy removed and replaced with a blank white face within 30 days of a written notification from the Zoning Administrator. Any freestanding sign that is non-conforming and that no longer advertises or identifies a use conducted on the property on which said sign is erected must have all sign copy and the sign structure, in its entirety, removed within 30 days of a written notification from the Zoning Administrator.
(N) Noncommercial signs and messages. Any sign that can be displayed under the provisions of this subchapter may contain a noncommercial message.
(Ord. 8612, passed 12-2-08; Am. Ord. 9060, passed 7-19-16)