(A) Generally prohibited signs. The following signs and street graphics in this section are in general prohibited, however the city recognizes continuing advances in technology that may make previously prohibited materials viable for future application in the community. Sign applicants may request the Land Use Administrator review when considering use of prohibited materials and technology. Some devices are specifically allowed under special circumstances as described in this chapter.
(1) Signs that employ any searchlights, strobe lights, or rotating, pulsating, or oscillating beacons of light; lights that constitute a nuisance or hazard due to the intensity of light; pulsating, flashing, traveling, or blinking lights; animated features (except on changeable electronic variable message signs); varying intensity; pennants, tinsel, streamers, fringe, fluttering devices, propellers, discs, rotating or spinning parts; mirrors, glaring objects, holograms, fluorescent or dayglow paint are generally prohibited.
(2) Signs and street graphics that are greater than 220 square feet of total combined signage requiring a city permit on lots 2,200 square feet or larger and signs and street graphics that exceed 10% of the square footage of a lot that is less than 2,200 square feet without a comprehensive signage plan and Land Use Administrator Review. Billboards that exceed 200 square feet; and off-premise signs that exceed 48 square feet are generally prohibited.
(B) Expressly prohibited signs. The following signs are expressly prohibited.
(1) Signs that may be confused with or construed as a traffic control sign, signal or device, or the light of an emergency vehicle or road equipment by reason of their size, location, movement, content, coloring or manner or illumination;
(2) Signs that shield from view any traffic control device, sign, signal or other government sign;
(3) Signs on residential property except for: (1) home occupation signs as described in each residential district’s regulations; and (2) signs that are otherwise exempt within this chapter;
(4) Signs that emit smoke, visible vapors, particles, pyrotechnics, or odors;
(5) Signs, displays, or other similar advertising structures which:
(a) Display any obscene language or images;
(b) Advertise activities that are illegal under federal, state, or local laws or regulations;
1. Exception: Cannabis advertisements, which are regulated by the state; or
(c) Are intended to provoke and will likely lead to an immediate, violent breach of the peace.
(6) Vehicular billboards. Signs for attention getting, identification, or advertising purposes attached or painted on motor vehicles, recreational vehicles, trailers, boats, or other movable device parked and visible from the right-of-way are expressly prohibited where the primary purpose of the vehicle is to advertise merchandise, equipment, a product, or business or to direct people to a business or activity either on or off-premise. No person shall park an advertising vehicle or trailer on a public right-of-way or on public property for more than four hours without a city permit. For purposes of this chapter advertising signs, logos, identification, and markings painted on, permanently attached, wrapped or magnetically attached to licensed commercial delivery, service vehicles, business vehicles, buses, and taxis not consistently parked in a fixed location and primarily used in normal day-to-day business operations are permitted and not considered vehicular billboards;
(7) Roof signs in residential zones;
(8) Signs projecting in or on any public property or public right-of-way except as otherwise authorized by this chapter;
(9) Graffiti; and
(10) Snipe and bandit signs, posters, fliers, handbills. Any signs placed on or affixed to any public property, utility poles, street furniture, benches, bus stops, trees or other natural vegetation, or rocks, or placed in a right-of-way without a city permit or compliance with other provisions of City Code.
(Ord. 132, passed 2-13-2012; Am. Ord. 181, passed 3-20-2019; Am. Ord. 197, passed 8-18-2021; Am. Ord. 208, passed 5-24-2023)