A. Purpose: Sign regulations are intended to promote and protect the public safety and welfare by regulating existing and proposed outdoor advertising signs and signs of all types. The purpose of this section is to protect property values, create a more attractive economic and business climate, enhance and protect the physical appearance of the community, and preserve the scenic and natural beauty of designated areas by regulating existing and proposed outdoor advertising signs, and outdoor signs of all types. It is further intended to reduce sign or advertising distraction and obstructions that may contribute to traffic accidents, reduce hazards that may be caused by signs overhanging or projecting over public rights of way, provide more open space, curb the deterioration of the natural environment and enhance community development. Nothing in this regulation is intended to interfere with constitutional rights related to free speech.
B. Signs Permitted In All Districts Without A Permit: The following signs are permitted in all zoning districts and do not require a permit:
1. Signs advertising the sale, lease or rental of the premises upon which the sign is located, and which do not exceed twelve (12) square feet in area, except in all residential districts where the area of the sign shall not be more than six (6) square feet.
2. Signs bearing only property numbers, post box numbers, names of occupants of premises, or other identification of premises not having commercial connotations.
3. Flags and insignia of any government except when displayed in connection with commercial promotion.
4. Legal notices, identification, information or directional signs erected or required by governmental bodies.
5. Integral decorative or architectural features of buildings, except letters, trademarks, moving parts, or moving lights.
6. Signs directing and guiding traffic and parking on private property, but bearing no advertising matter.
7. Bulletin boards for churches, schools, or other public, religious or educational institution provided the sign is located a minimum of ten feet (10') from the established right-of-way line of any street or highway and does not obstruct traffic visibility at street or highway intersections.
8. Political or campaign signs erected temporarily and removed no later than fifteen (15) days following the election.
C. Regulations For On-Site Signs: All on-site signs permitted as accessory uses in business and industrial districts are subject to the following provisions:
1. Setback: No on-site freestanding sign may be located within the required front, side or rear yard area for the district. No sign may be erected or placed closer than fifty feet (50') from a side or rear lot line abutting a residential district.
2. Height: No freestanding sign shall exceed seventy five feet (75') in height.
3. Height Clearance: Signs that extend over a sidewalk or walkway shall have a vertical clearance of at least eight feet (8').
4. Number Of Signs Permitted: In business and industrial districts, each use is permitted one wall sign. In addition, one freestanding sign is permitted for each building, regardless of the number of businesses or industrial uses conducted in the building.
5. Permitted Surface Area: The total surface area of all signs is limited to two (2) square feet of sign for each lineal foot of front width of the business or industrial building, provided that the maximum total surface area for all signs does not exceed one hundred (100) square feet.
D. Regulation Of Off-Site Signs Requiring A Permit:
1. Setback: No off-site freestanding sign may be located within the required front, side or rear yard area for the district. No sign may be erected or placed closer than fifty feet (50') from a side or rear lot line abutting a residential district.
2. Lighting: Any illuminated sign or lighting device may employ only light emitting a light of constant intensity, and no sign may be illuminated by or contain flashing, intermittent, rotating, or moving lights. An illuminated sign or lighting device may not be placed or directed so that the beams and illumination therefrom cause glare or reflection that may constitute a traffic hazard or nuisance. All wiring, fittings and materials used in the construction, connection and operation of electrically illuminated signs shall be in accordance with the provisions of the state electrical code.
3. Area: No off-site sign may exceed thirty two (32) square feet in area.
4. Height: No off-site sign shall exceed thirty five feet (35') in height as measured from the normal grade at the sign. (Ord. 2000-03, 9-13-2000)