(a) The overall purpose of this chapter is to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare through reasonable, consistent, and non-discriminatory sign standards. The sign regulations in this chapter are not intended to censor speech or to regulate viewpoints, but instead are intended to regulate the adverse secondary effects of signs. The sign regulations are especially intended to address the secondary effects that may adversely impact aesthetics and traffic and pedestrian safety. This chapter is designed to serve substantial governmental interests and, in some cases, compelling governmental interests such as traffic safety and warning signs of threats to bodily injury or death. This chapter is not intended to extend its regulatory regime to objects that are not traditionally considered signs for purpose of government regulation.
(b) To preserve and promote the City as a desirable community in which to live, visit, work, play, and do business, a pleasing, visually attractive and safe environment is of primary importance. The regulations of signs within the City is an important tool by which to achieve this desired end. Further, it continues to be the purpose of this chapter to promote optimal conditions for serving sign owners' needs and respecting their rights to identification while balancing the safety interests of the community. The regulation of signs within the City is necessary and in the public interest, and these regulations have been prepared with the intent of enhancing the visual environment of the City and promoting its continued well-being, and are intended more specifically to address the interests of aesthetics, traffic and pedestrian safety, economic development, effective communication, identification of goods and services, compatibility with surroundings, reduction of visual clutter, zoning district considerations, scale and design considerations, maintenance and safety, property values, and enforcement concerns.
(Ord. 18-01. Passed 2-27-18.)