No permit is required for the following signs.
(A) Incidental signs to direct and inform the public, such as signs identifying entrances, exits, parking and no parking areas, restrooms, public telephones, walkways and similar features or facilities, as well as regulatory signs such as "no trespassing" and "no hunting." Such signs shall not exceed three square feet.
(B) Flags, as defined in § 154.015; or flag signs, used to indicate whether a business is open, on commercial use properties except for businesses with a Main Street facade. Commercially used flags, other than those defined in § 154.015, shall be limited to 15 square feet in area and shall not have garish colors. Such flags shall be placed so that they do not block, or interfere with, any sidewalk or public spaces.
(C) Decorations clearly incidental and customary and commonly associated with a national, local or religious holiday provided they shall be displayed for a period of not more than 60 days for each holiday.
(D) Public signs such as traffic-control signs, informational signs erected or required by governmental bodies, railroad crossing signs, legal notices, safety signs, signs indicating the location of underground cables, and the like.
(E) Identification signs that include the house number and name of occupant located on the lot to which the sign pertains. Such signs shall not exceed two square feet.
(F) Integral signs carved into stone or inlaid so as to become part of the building and containing such information as date of erection, name of building and memorial attributes.
(G) Interior signs located in the interior of any building or within an enclosed lobby or court of any building or group of buildings, provided such signs are not visible from the exterior of the buildings.
(H) Utility company signs that serve as an aid to public safety or that show the location of public telephones, underground cables, and the like.
(I) Temporary window signs such as, but not limited to, posters and advertisements for on-premises activities or sales, and community educational, cultural or entertainment events. The temporary window signs shall not be displayed for periods of longer than 30 days and shall not exceed the window coverage requirements of § 154.806(A) by more than 25%.
(J) Reserved.
(K) Window decals or emblems such as, but not limited to, those that represent membership in a civic, political, professional, commercial, charitable, philanthropic or religious organization, none exceeding 36 square inches.
(L) Incidental signs posted in conjunction with doorbells or mail boxes, none exceeding 16 square inches.
(M) Signs not visible beyond the boundaries of the lot or parcel upon which they are situated or from any public thoroughfare or right-of-way.
(N) Portable signs located in commercial zoning districts within the Historic District and when located within the legal boundaries of the commercial property and not on a public right-of-way. Such signs are intended to identify only the name of the business and the activities conducted on the premises where said signs are located and shall in no way obstruct pedestrian traffic or access to the premises. Such signs shall be constructed and painted in a workmanlike manner, utilize historic colors and earth tones, and shall be compatible with their surroundings in the Historic District. Portable signs shall not exceed six square feet in area, six feet in height, nor shall there be more than two portable signs displayed at a business at any given time.
(O) Minor supplemental signs such as, but not limited to, those pertaining to real estate sales, garage/yard sales, political campaigns, construction sites and development sales offices. Such signs shall be limited to a single sign per property. Freestanding signs may be attached to a simple metal frame bracket. Permanent installation of the minor supplemental sign is not required. For residential uses in the LA, CSR, LDR and MDR Districts, such signs shall be limited to six square feet. For nonresidential uses in the LA, CSR, LDR, and MDR Districts and all uses in all other districts, such signs shall be limited to 12 square feet. No part of any freestanding sign shall intrude into or project over any public right-of-way. All structural supports of any freestanding sign shall be situated at least ten feet from the public right-of-way.
(P) Developer's signs.
(1) Developer's sign shall mean an on-premise sign erected by the legal or beneficial owner or owners of a lot or of any land included in a proposed development including the holder of an option or contract to purchase, or other persons having enforceable proprietary interests in such land.
(2) Developer's signs shall be permitted only from time of project approval until construction is complete or the project is 90% occupied, whichever comes first. If after five years, the project is not 90% occupied, the developer shall review the need for the sign with the Zoning Administrator.
(3) The sign design and size shall be reviewed by the Zoning Administrator prior to construction and installation.
(4) The sign shall be no larger than the maximum sizes allowed below, and shall be no higher than 12 feet above ground level.
(5) There shall be no more than one sign per development tract unless the development is abutting two streets, then two separate signs shall be permitted.
(6) Maximum sizes allowed are:
(a) Residential and Limited Agricultural Districts: 32 square feet;
(b) Commercial, Planned Office and Planned Unit Development Districts: 64 square feet; and
(c) Industrial and Planned Industrial Districts: 100 square feet.
(7) No part of any freestanding sign shall intrude into or project over any public right-of-way. All structural supports of any freestanding sign shall be situated at least ten feet from the public right-of-way.
(Ord. O-05-04, passed 4-11-05; Am. Ord. O-05-39, passed 11-28- 05; Am. Ord. O-09-18, passed 8-24-09; Am. Ord. O-16-16, passed 10-24-16)