(A) Signs.
(1) General sign regulations.
(a) No sign shall be erected or maintained at any location where by reason of its position, wording, illumination, size, shape, or color it may obstruct, impair, obscure, interfere with the view of, or be confused with, any authorized traffic control sign, signal, or device.
(b) No sign shall contain or make use of any word, phrase, symbol, shape, form, or character in such a manner as to interfere with, or confuse traffic.
(c) No sign shall be placed in any public right-of-way, except publicly owned signs, such as traffic control signs and directional signs.
(d) No sign shall be attached to any tree or utility pole.
(e) All temporary signs shall be removed within five days after completion of the activity being advertised.
(f) All signs placed upon private property must have the written consent of the owner or his or her agent.
(2) Signs permitted in all zones. The following signs are permitted in all zones and no permit is necessary for erection:
(a) Signs necessary for the identification, operation, or protection of a public utility installation, signs required for a legal process, or necessary to the public safety or welfare.
(b) One unlighted real estate sign not over six square feet in area located on the premises being advertised for sale or for rent.
(c) One unlighted sign not over six square feet in area identifying home occupations permitted as a conditional use on the premises.
(d) One sign not more than 12 square feet in area identifying any public or semi-public building or use permitted as a conditional use on the premises.
(e) One unlighted sign not more than six square feet in area identifying rooming and boarding houses for the lodging of tourists on the premises.
(f) Temporary signs for architectural, engineering, construction, or other similar firms engaged in the work on a construction site. Such signs shall be removed within five days of completion of construction.
(g) Temporary yard sale signs are permitted on the day before and the day of the actual sale. No yard sale sign shall be attached to a tree, fence, or public utility pole. All yard sale signs must be removed within five days of the sale.
(h) Any official sign, or any information, directional signs, or historic marker erected by a public agency.
(i) Temporary real estate sales or rental sign indicating only sales or rental of the premises are allowed.
(j) Political campaign signs provided they are kept on private property, shall be removed within 14 days after the election. Signs must be limited to 32 square feet and with the bottom of the sign no higher than two feet from ground level. Placement of campaign signs on public property owned by the city or on utility light poles or buildings is prohibited and if found, will be removed at the cost of the candidate.
(k) The flag, pennant, or insignia of any nation, state, or city.
(l) Temporary signs associated with community festivals or events of a cultural or educational nature, not to be displayed more than 14 consecutive days prior to the beginning date of the event.
(m) Temporary signs advertising the date and location of an auction are allowed. The signs can only be erected for a period of 14 days prior to the event. The signs are to be removed within 24 hours of the completion of the auction.
(B) Bills, cards, placards, and posters. No bills, cards, placards, posters or other forms of advertisement shall be posted on or affixed to any public or private utility or streetlight poles or meter posts along any of the public ways in the city. This section shall not apply to any judicial, legislative or administrative notice which may, by law, be required to be posted in public places in the city. Each separate bill, card, placard, poster or other advertisement so posted or affixed shall constitute a separate offense.
(C) Penalty. It shall be unlawful for any person to violate or fail to comply with any provision of this section, and a violation shall be a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of at least $100, but not exceeding $500. Each day any violation continues shall constitute a separate offense. Placement of signs that do not comply with the regulations of this section may be removed and any associated cost of removal shall be borne by the owner of the sign.
(1977 Code, § 19-6) (Ord. passed 6-6-1955; Ord. 2018-04, passed 8-27-2018)