The following signs are exempted from the requirements of this article and may be erected or constructed without a permit:
(a) Signs on vehicles or trailers, provided, however, signs on vehicles or trailers that are parked or located for the primary purpose of displaying the sign are prohibited pursuant to § 6.405;
(b) Temporary signs, as follows:
(1) Temporary decorative flags; and
(2) Temporary signs erected in accordance with temporary banner policy administered by the transportation and public works department for signs in the public right-of-way, large banner policy administered by the park and recreation department for signs on park property, policy governing erection of banners on Main Street, and other temporary banner policies administered by city departments or their designees.
(3) a. One temporary sign is permitted per business during its business hours subject to the following conditions:
1. The sign shall be displayed on private property within ten feet of the front door of the business or tenant space;
2. The sign shall not exceed eight square feet;
3. The sign shall not exceed 42 inches in height;
4. The sign shall be constructed of rigid weather resistant materials, and be kept in good condition;
5. The sign shall not be illuminated;
6. The sign shall not contain any moving elements;
7. The sign may not be located in the public open space easement (P.O.S.E.); and
8. The sign shall not impede, obstruct or interfere with the flow of pedestrian traffic on a sidewalk or access to entrance of a business.
b. Provided however, a temporary sign may be displayed in the public right-of-way without the necessity of obtaining city council approval under the following conditions:
1. There is not adequate space on the private property to place the sign;
2. The front door of the business is less than ten feet from the sidewalk edge or the curb, whichever is the closest to the business; and
3. The sign meets all of the criteria listed in subsection (b)(3)a.2. through (b)(3)a.8. above.
(c) Warning, security and directional signs for parking or vehicle access;
(d) Government signs, flags, insignia, legal notices or informational, directional or traffic signs;
(e) Political signs referring to the candidates or issues involved in a public election, subject to the following conditions:
(1) The sign is located on private real property with the consent of the property owner;
(2) The sign does not exceed eight feet in height;
(3) The sign may not have an effective area greater than 36 square feet;
(4) The sign shall not be illuminated; and
(5) The sign shall not contain any moving elements.
(f) Signs in windows subject to the following:
(1) Window signs may occupy a maximum of 25% of the window area on each building facade. However, signs exceeding 10% of the window area shall be included in the calculation of the maximum square footage of on-premise signage allowed as described in § 6.408(f);
(2) Window signs shall be limited to the first floor of a multi-story building; and
(3) Window area shall be calculated as described in § 6.406(c).
(g) Other than electrical, all signs not visible from off the property;
(h) Nameplate and street address signs not exceeding one square foot in area;
(i) One non-illuminated real estate sign, temporary in nature, advertising the sale or lease of real property on which the sign is located or announcing contemplated improvements of real property on which the sign is located; provided, however, that said sign shall not exceed eight square feet in area in any one- or two-family dwelling district or 60 square feet in area and eight feet in height in any other district; provided, further, however, on corner lots and through lots, one such sign, shall be allowed for each street on which the lot has frontage. The sign shall be removed within 30 days after the sale or occupancy of the property;
(j) One non-illuminated estate or garage sale sign, not to exceed two square feet in area, temporary in nature, advertising the sale of items on property for which a garage sale permit has been obtained. The sign shall be removed within 24 hours after the sale ends;
(k) One construction sign, not exceeding four square feet in area in any one- or two-family dwelling district or 40 square feet in area and 12 feet in height in any other district, denoting the owner, architect, financial institution, general contractor, subcontractor or any statement pertaining to the project on the real property on which the sign is located; provided, however, on corner lots and through lots, one such sign shall be allowed for each street on which the lot has frontage. The sign shall be removed within 30 days after completion of the project;
(l) “No Dumping,” “No Trespassing,” and “No Solicitation” signs;
(m) Noncommercial residential signs. In addition to the other noncommercial signs permitted by this article, a maximum of four signs not exceeding a total of 16 square feet in area may be erected on any lot used for residential purposes and may contain noncommercial copy. No one sign shall exceed eight square feet in area;
(n) Signs depicting or relating to a national, local or religious holiday or season if installed maintained or displayed for not more than 45 consecutive days;
(o) Signs designed and used in conjunction with aircraft;
(p) Signs of not more than two square feet with a ground clearance of not more than four feet within 20 feet of a driveway or other ingress/egress to private property which restricts parking on said property. Corners of this type of sign shall be mitered or rounded corner signs; and
(q) Signs erected by a public utility or transportation organization operating pursuant to a franchise agreement with the city, where such signs are erected or displayed for the purpose of public instruction, traffic control and similar uses incidental to the public interest.
(Ord. 17872-11-2007, § 1, passed 11-6-2007; Ord. 18745-08-2009, § 3, passed 8-4-2009; Ord. 19227-07-2010, §§ 1, 2, passed 7-13-2010)