16-15-1: PURPOSE:

The purpose of this chapter is to provide minimum standards to safeguard life, health, property and public welfare by regulating and controlling the design, quality of materials, construction, location, electrification and maintenance of all signs and sign structures not located within a building. The provisions of this chapter set forth the comprehensive regulations, conditions and limitations under which signs may be permitted in the city. This chapter is intended:

   A.   To permit and regulate signs in the least burdensome way that will carry out the purposes of these regulations and to support and complement the land use objectives set forth in the comprehensive plan and this title.

   B.   To provide minimum standards for regulating and controlling the design, quality of materials, construction, location, electrification and maintenance of all signs and sign structures not located within a building.

   C.   To ensure compatibility of signs with surrounding land uses and preserve the value of surrounding properties.

   D.   To allow sign users to communicate their messages, products, services and facilities to patrons, customers and visitors.

   E.   To ensure that signs are designed, constructed and installed so as to not compromise public safety.

   F.   To prevent visual clutter caused by the proliferation of signage that may reduce the effectiveness of individual signs.

   G.   To preserve views of special and unique natural and architectural features and historic landmarks.

   H.   To prevent the installation of a sign in such a manner as to confuse or obstruct the view or interpretation of any official traffic sign, signal, or device. (Ord. 52-09, 10-19-2009)

16-15-2: APPLICABILITY:

   A.   A sign may be erected, placed, established, painted, created, or maintained within the city only in conformance with the standards, procedures, exemptions and other requirements of these sign regulations unless otherwise required or permitted in other portions of this title.

   B.   Signs in existence at the time of the adoption of this title may have their existing use continued, if such sign was legal at the time of adoption of this title; provided that proof of insurance as required in section 16-15-4-4 of this chapter is filed with the building official.

   C.   All existing signs and sign support structures, together with all of their supports, braces, guys and anchors, shall be kept in repair and in a proper state of preservation. The display surfaces of all signs shall be kept neatly painted or posted at all times.

   D.   Signs moved into or within the city shall comply with the provisions of this title for new signs.

   E.   This chapter shall not be construed so as to permit any violation of the provisions of this title or any other lawful ordinance. (Ord. 52-09, 10-19-2009)

16-15-3: ENFORCEMENT:

   A.   Building Official: The building official is hereby authorized and directed to enforce all the provisions of this title. For such purposes the building official shall have the powers of a law enforcement officer.

   B.   Right Of Entry: Whenever necessary to make an inspection to enforce any of the provisions of this title, or whenever the building official or authorized representative has reasonable cause to believe that there exists in any building or upon any premises any condition or code violation which makes such building or premises unsafe, dangerous or hazardous, the building official or authorized representative may enter such building or premises at all reasonable times to inspect the same or to perform any duty imposed upon the building official by this title; provided, that if such building or premises be occupied, the building official or authorized representative shall first present proper credentials and request entry; and if such building or premises be unoccupied, there shall first be made a reasonable effort to locate the owner or other persons having charge or control of the building or premises and request entry. If such entry is refused, the building official or authorized representative shall have recourse to every remedy provided by law to secure entry.

   C.   Violation; Penalty: It shall be unlawful for any person to erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, remove, improve or maintain any sign or sign structure or cause or permit the same to be done in violation of this title. The doing of any act, or the omission of any act, declared to be unlawful by this title, or any code or ordinance herein adopted by reference shall be deemed a separate offense for each and every day or portion thereof during which any such unlawful act is committed, continued or permitted. The penalty herein provided shall be cumulative with and in addition to the revocation, cancellation or forfeiture of any license or permit elsewhere in this title provided for violation thereof. (Ord. 52-09, 10-19-2009)

16-15-4: SIGN INSTALLER'S LICENSE:

16-15-4-1: LICENSE REQUIRED:

No person shall erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, remove or improve any sign or sign structure covered by this title, or cause or permit the same to be done unless licensed by the city. (Ord. 52-09, 10-19-2009)

16-15-4-2: EXCEPTION:

No license shall be required of a person to erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, remove or improve any sign or sign structure exempted from the requirement to obtain a permit as specified in section 16-15-6 of this chapter. (Ord. 52-09, 10-19-2009)

16-15-4-3: LICENSE FEE:

Before a license is granted to any applicant under this section and before a license is renewed, the applicant shall pay the required city sign fee as adopted by the city council. (Ord. 52-09, 10-19-2009)