The following signs are exempt from the provisions of this chapter:
(a) Construction Signs. One construction sign per construction project, not exceeding 32 square feet in sign area in Residential Districts or 64 square feet in Commercial Districts or Industrial Districts, provided that such signs shall be erected no more than five days prior to the beginning of construction for which a valid building permit has been issued, shall be confined to the site of construction and shall be removed five days after completion of construction and prior to occupancy;
(b) Memorial Signs. Memorial signs or tablets, or names of buildings and the date of erection when cut into any masonry surface or inlaid so as to be part of the building, or when constructed of bronze or other incombustible material;
(c) Notice Bulletin Boards. Notice bulletin boards not over 24 feet in area for medical, public, charitable, or religious institutions, where such signs are located on the premises of such institutions;
(d) No Trespassing or No Dumping Signs. No trespassing or no dumping signs, not to exceed 216 square inches in area per sign and not exceeding four in number per lot, except that special permission may be obtained from the Building Official or his or her designee for additional signs under proven special circumstances;
(e) Permanent Window Signs. Except in residential zones, for each ground floor occupancy of a building, not more than two permanent signs painted on or otherwise displayed from the inside surface of any window, showcase, or other similar facility. Such signs shall be in addition to those signs permitted under the other provisions of this chapter. The total copy area of such signs shall not exceed 25% of the total window area, or one square foot per linear front foot of the premises occupied, whichever is less.
(f) Symbols or Insignia. Religious symbols, commemorative plaques of recognized historical agencies or identification emblems of religious orders or historical agencies, provided that no such symbol, plaque or identification emblem shall exceed four square feet in area, and provided further that all such symbols, plaques and identification emblems shall be placed flat against a building;
(g) Temporary Signs. Temporary signs not exceeding four square feet pertaining to drives or events of civic, philanthropic, educational or religious organizations, provided that such signs are posted only during such drives or not more than 30 days before such events and are removed not more than 15 days after an event;
(h) Neighborhood Identification Signs. In any zone, a sign, masonry wall, landscaping and other similar materials or features combined to form a display for neighborhood or tract identification, provided that the legend of such sign or display shall consist only of the neighborhood or tract name;
(i) Directional or Instructional Signs. Signs which provide direction or instruction, are located entirely on the property to which they pertain, do not in any way advertise a business and do not exceed four square feet in area; signs identifying rest rooms, public telephones or walkways; and signs providing direction, such as parking lot entrance and exit signs and those of a similar nature;
(j) Flags. The flags, emblems, or insignia of any nation or political subdivision or a corporate flag;
(k) Governmental Signs. Governmental signs for the control of traffic and other regulatory purposes, street signs, danger signs, railroad crossing signs and signs of public service companies indicating danger and aids to service or safety, which signs are erected by or on the order of a public officer in the performance of his or her public duty;
(l) Holiday Decorations. Signs of a primarily decorative nature, clearly incidental and customarily and commonly associated with any national, local or religious holiday, provided that such signs shall be displayed for a period of not more than 60 consecutive days nor more than 60 days in any one year;
(m) Public Notices. Official notices posted by public officers or employees in the performance of their duties;
(n) Public Signs. Signs required or specifically authorized for a public purpose by any law, statute or ordinance. Such signs may be of any type, number, area, height above grade, location, illumination or animation required by the law, statute or ordinance under which the signs are erected;
(o) Real Estate Signs. One real estate sign on any lot or parcel, provided such sign is located entirely within the property to which the sign applies, is not directly illuminated, does not exceed eight square feet in area and is removed within seven days after the sale, rental, or lease has been accomplished;
(p) Signs in Display Windows. Signs in the display window of a business use which are incorporated with a display of merchandise or a display relating to previously listed services herein this section; and
(q) Warning Signs. Signs warning the public of the existence of danger, but containing no advertising material, of a size as may be necessary, to be removed upon the subsidence of danger.
(Res. 24-95. Passed 2-13-95; Ord. 2002-05. Passed 6-24-02; Ord. 2007-04. Passed 10-8-07.)