(A) Sign permits shall not be required for the signs listed in this division (A). These exempt signs shall not be included in the determination of the total allowable number of signs or total allowable sign area for a site.
(1) Official flags.
(a) Flags of incorporated nonprofit organizations or service clubs, provided that the pole height shall not exceed 25 feet above finished grade within five feet of the pole if located on the ground or ten feet if located on a roof. The length of the flag shall not exceed one-quarter of the height of the pole. No more than three flags per use shall be allowed.
(b) Flags of the United States, the State of Oklahoma, the City of Durant, the Choctaw Nation, foreign nations having diplomatic relations with the United States, and any other flag sanctioned by the City Council, provided that such a flag does not pose a safety or health hazard and are not within the public right-of-way. The flag shall not exceed 500 square feet in area and shall not be flown from a pole the top of which is more than 100 feet in height. Flags must be flown in accordance with protocol established by the Congress of the United States for the Stars and Stripes. Any flag not meeting any one or more of these conditions shall be considered a banner sign and shall be subject to regulations as such.
(2) Permanent signs without size limitations.
(a) Official signs. Official and legal notices required by a court or governmental agency.
(b) Government signs. A sign erected by a federal or state agency or the city.
(c) Signs in the public right-of-way. Off-site signs that are part of an accessory to pay phones, trash receptacles, and other similar street furniture located in the public right-of-way and installed by the city or in compliance with an agreement with the city. This includes banners attached to streetlights and other similar structures.
(3) Permanent signs with size and number limitations.
(a) Affiliation signs. Signs that provide notices of services (for example, trade affiliations, credit cards accepted) provided the signs are attached to the structure. Signs or notices shall not exceed one-half square foot in area for each sign, and no more than three signs are allowed for each business.
(b) Changeable copy signs. Signs with readily changeable copy/text (for example, chalkboard) limited to one sign per business not to exceed four square feet in area.
(c) Gasoline pumps signs. Signs identifying the brand, types, and octane rating, provided the signs do not exceed two square feet for each pump face. Also includes equivalent signs for alternative fuel/electric vehicle recharging stations.
(d) Name plaques. Commemorative plaques, tables, dates of construction, and the like when carved in stone, concrete, or similar materials or made of bronze, aluminum, or other similar permanent material. Signs shall not exceed two square feet in area.
(e) Neighborhoods watch signs. Signs located in residential neighborhoods that are designated official neighborhood watch areas and limited to three square feet in area.
(f) Off-site directional signs. Signs located off-site and providing directions to publicly-owned facilities or emergency facilities and limited to 12 square feet in area.
(g) Portable parking lot and valet parking signs. One freestanding portable sign at each parking lot entrance limited to 12 square feet in area. The sign shall not cause any hazard to pedestrian movement.
(h) Inside buildings. Any sign inside a building including on the windows.
(i) Murals or works of arts. City Manager-approved murals or works of art that do not include a commercial message.
(j) Site address. Limited to two for each street address, subject to the following standards:
1. The total aggregate sign area shall not exceed 72 square inches. Individual numbers and letters shall not exceed a height of six inches; and
2. The sign shall be placed in an area adjacent to or near the primary entrance of the structure or property frontage and face the street curb in front of the structure.
(k) Time and/or temperature signs. Time and/or temperature signs when provided in compliance with § 158.08(F) of this chapter.
(4) Vehicle-oriented safety and directional signs. Signs solely for the purpose of guiding traffic, parking, and loading on private property. One safety or directional sign on each site may include the name of the business within a maximum area of two square feet. No other advertising copy or logos shall be allowed.
(5) Temporary signs limited by size and period of display. The temporary signs listed below are exempt from sign permit requirements in compliance with the provisions of this chapter:
(a) City-installed signs or signs installed in compliance with a city agreement;
(b) Holiday lights and decorations with no commercial message;
(c) Political campaign signs five feet from the curb or edge of the street and not located in the sight triangle for a period of 45 days prior and seven days following the associated election;
(d) A temporary sign, other than a commercial sign, posted to advertise a civic event sponsored by a public agency, school, church, civic-fraternal organization, or similar noncommercial organization; and
(e) A sign that states the name of the developer and contractor(s) working on the site and any related engineering, architectural, or financial firms involved with the project. Maximum size of 32 square feet and must be removed 15 days after the construction has been finished.
(B) Real estate and political campaign signs shall comply with the following requirements:
(1) The signs are allowed on private property only subject to the owner’s permission. Real estate signs shall not be placed at an off-site location;
(2) The signs shall be non-illuminated. The signs shall be constructed of durable, rigid material suitable to their location and purpose. Only interior window signs may be made of non-rigid material; and
(3) Real estate signage shall be located on the actual property for sale, lease or rent. Signs shall be located at least five feet from the curb or edge of the street and not in the sight triangle.
(C) No signs shall be allowed in the public right-of-way, except for the following:
(1) Permanent public signs. Permanent public signs erected in the public right-of-way by or on behalf of a governmental body to post legal notices, identify public property, convey public information, convey community pride, and direct or regulate pedestrian or vehicular traffic;
(2) Informational signs. Signs placed in the public right-of-way by a public utility regarding its poles, lines, pipes, or facilities; or
(3) Emergency signs. Emergency warning signs erected in the public right-of-way by a governmental agency, a public utility company, or a contractor doing authorized or permitted work within the public right-of-way.
(D) All signs exempt from regulation shall comply with the applicable provisions of the adopted Building, Electrical, and Mechanical Code of the city at all times.
(E) Any sign installed or placed on public property, except in conformance with the requirements of this section, shall be forfeited to the public and subject to confiscation. In addition to other remedies hereunder, the city shall have the right to recover from the owner or person placing such a sign the full cost of removal and disposal of such sign.
(Prior Code, § 159.14) (Ord. 1870, passed 12-11-2018; Ord. O-2021-04, passed 2-9-2021; Ord. O-2023-05, passed 4-11-2023)