CHAPTER 6
COMMUNITY SIGNAGE

SECTION:

11-6-1: Intent

11-6-2: Purpose

11-6-3: Applicability And Scope

11-6-4: Definitions

11-6-5: Sign Type Definitions, Regulations, And Prohibitions

11-6-6: Sign Related Activities Permitted In All Zones

11-6-7: Prohibited Signs

11-6-8: Nonconforming Signs

11-6-9: Design Standards And General Provisions

11-6-10: Procedure For Sign Permit Approval

11-6-11: Construction Specifications And Indemnification

11-6-12: Liability

11-6-13: Violations

11-6-14: Right Of Appeal/Variance

11-6-15: Enforcement, Notice And Penalties

11-6-1: INTENT:

The intent of this chapter is to provide a comprehensive system of reasonable, effective, consistent, content neutral, and nondiscriminatory sign standards. (Ord. 139, 5-24-2015)

11-6-2: PURPOSE:

The purpose of this chapter is to establish requirements, and to encourage good design, that meet the identification and information needs of all land uses and reflect the special character of Ennis. A basic tenet in adopting and applying these regulations is that unrestricted signs do not benefit either the private business owner or the community at large. Toward this end, the town commission finds that the town of Ennis is a unique historic agricultural community that depends on a tourist economy. Tourists are attracted to the visual quality and character of the town. Sign regulations are intended to:

   A.   Recognize that signs are a necessary means of useful communication for the convenience of the public.

   B.   Maximize the value of signage as a means of locating and identifying businesses and properties.

   C.   Protect, preserve, and enhance the unique character beauty, and small town charm of Ennis and its surrounding areas as a place to live, vacation, and to conduct business that encourages the continued development of tourism.

   D.   Promote signs that are of appropriate scale and integrated with the surrounding buildings and landscape to further the community's desire for quality development.

   E.   Promote clear views of the natural surroundings by minimizing visual clutter, reducing the competition for air space, and encouraging the construction of signs of natural looking materials, which are compatible with the historic, cultural and natural surroundings.

   F.   Protect the public from hazardous conditions that can result from signs that are structurally unsafe, obscure the vision of motorists, create dangers to pedestrian traffic, or which compete or conflict with necessary traffic signals and warning signs.

   G.   Eliminate distracting lighting, excessive glare, and light pollution by reasonably limiting the illumination of signs and buildings to subdued, adequately shielded, or concealed light sources.

   H.   Impose reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions while not interfering with the free exercise of rights granted under the first amendment of the constitution of the United States Of America.

   I.   Meet the identification and information needs of all land uses.

   J.   Reflect the important aspect of signs in our community, while maintaining our heritage. The lack of signage creates a hardship on merchants and visitors who rely on effective signing to identify businesses and services. (Ord. 139, 5-24-2015)