(A) Intent and applicability.
(1) The following regulations shall govern the locations, areas, heights, and types of signs permitted within the zoning jurisdiction of this chapter.
(2) All signs hereafter constructed, erected, printed or otherwise established, moved, altered, or changed shall comply with these regulations.
(3) After the effective date of this chapter, no sign shall be erected, enlarged, constructed, or otherwise installed without first obtaining a sign permit. A sign permit shall be legally issued only when in compliance with these regulations.
(4) No necessary sign, advertising display or structure, poster, or device shall be erected, moved, enlarged, maintained, or reconstructed except as expressly permitted by this section; provided, however, that state, county, and municipal signs and traffic signs installed for public purposes are exempt from these requirements.
(5) Nonconforming signs existing at the time of enactment of this chapter may be repaired or maintained, but may not be otherwise established, moved, altered, or changed except in compliance with the provisions of this chapter.
(B) On- and off-site on interstate or federal-aid primary highways. The erection or maintenance of any advertising sign, display, or device which is visible to the traveled way of the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, and the system of federal-aid primary roads of the state as defined by the State Department of Roads, is hereby prohibited unless in compliance with the regulations set forth in Rules and Regulations Relating to the Control of Advertising in Areas Adjacent to the Interstate and Federal Aid Primary Highways, as amended. Primary highways within zoning jurisdiction are highways.
(C) Prohibited signs. Signs shall not be erected or maintained in a manner so as to obscure, or otherwise physically interfere with, an official traffic sign, signal, or device, or in a manner so as to obstruct or interfere with a driver's view of approaching, merging, or intersecting traffic. This shall also mean pedestrian traffic on sidewalks. All road signs shall be maintained in a neat and presentable condition.
(D) District regulations.
(1) AG and Agriculture AG 1 Agriculture District. No regulations apply other than those outlined herein.
(2) R-1 (under permitted special uses § 152.020(D)), R-2, R-3, and R-4 Residential Districts.
(a) Signs permitted in the R-2, R-3 and R-4 districts shall be attached to or within five feet of the main structure or building.
(b) Only one sign, not illuminated, less than four by eight or 32 square feet in area for each dwelling.
(c) Only one sign, not illuminated, may be approved by special use permit advertising a home occupation under § 152.075.
(d) Any temporary sign, not illuminated, less than six square feet in area, advertising the sale, lease, or rental of the property.
(3) C-1 Central Business District.
(a) Illuminated or nonilluminated signs identifying the character of the establishment. No one sign which lies flat or across the face of a building shall exceed 100 square feet in area.
(b) Signs which protrude outward from a building must do so at a 90 degree angle from the face of the building for a distance not to exceed six feet, and shall not exceed 24 square feet in area.
(4) C-2 Highway Commercial District. Illuminated or nonilluminated signs identifying the character of the establishment. No one sign which is freestanding and not attached to a building or structure shall exceed 100 square feet in area. Protruding signs must be at a 90 degree angle from the face of the building for a distance not to exceed eight feet, and shall not exceed 50 square feet in area.
(5) Industrial Districts (I-1 and I-2). In I-1 and I-2 Districts, identification and advertising signs are permitted, except that each sign shall be limited to 250 square feet in area, and the sign shall only identify the industry and be on property where the industry is located.
(6) Bed and breakfast guest houses.
(a) Only one sign per establishment.
(b) Sign shall be nonilluminated.
(c) Sign face shall not exceed four square feet.
(d) Sign shall be located no closer than five feet from any property line, and shall not obstruct the view of traffic approaching a street intersection nor extend onto public right-of-way.
(e) A wall or projecting sign affixed to a building shall not have the top of the sign project higher than ten feet from grade.
(f) Freestanding or pole signs shall not exceed four feet in height from the top of the sign to grade.
(E) Temporary signs. Temporary, freestanding signs are authorized in any zoning district for a period not to exceed 30 days. The sign must not be permanently attached to a structure or fence and may not exceed a height of five feet, or a width of three feet. No temporary sign shall be placed in a location that obstructs the vision of a driver of an automobile or truck. A permit shall not be required for a temporary sign. No temporary signs shall be permitted on the public street right-of-way, parks, alleys, or other public areas.
(F) Discontinuation of use. In the event the use or need of a sign shall cease, the sign shall be removed promptly and the area restored to a condition free from refuse and rubbish. After 30-days notice and failure to do so, the city shall remove the sign and assess the charges to the owner.
(G) Sign permits.
(1) No sign shall be constructed, erected, remodeled, relocated, or expanded until a sign permit for the sign has been obtained, authorized, and signed by the Zoning Administrator, excluding general maintenance. The requirement shall pertain to permanent signs only. A fee, to be set by the City Council, shall be required to process the sign permit application. In addition, information pertinent to sign characteristics and dimensions must be presented to the Zoning Administrator with sufficient time to determine compliance with the chapter.
(H) Awnings and/or canopies.
(1) Awnings and/or canopies extending into the city right-of-way shall be permitted as a part of sign permit.
(2) Any awnings and/or canopies extending into the city right-of-way shall follow the code reference of §30.134 of this code, as amended from time to time.
(Ord. 905, passed 1-20-2015)