The following general requirements shall apply to signs in all zoning districts, except as otherwise specifically permitted, approved or exempted in this chapter.
(a) Prohibited Signs:
(1) Signs in the Right of Way and/or Sight Triangle.
Exceptions: A-Frame signs installed in the Historic District.
Signs otherwise approved by the Municipal Administrator or designee.
(2) Pennants, streamers, or balloons/inflatables displayed for commercial purposes.
Exceptions: Signs permitted and approved by the Municipal Administrator or designee.
(3) Animated signs.
(4) Feather signs.
(5) Billboards and off-Premise/site signs.
Exceptions: Signs installed on municipality owned property and/or approved by the Municipal Administrator or designee.
Civic, religious or educational signs installed with the permission of the property owner and approved by the Municipal Administrator or designee.
(6) Portable and/or wheeled signs that are free standing and not permanently anchored, affixed or secured to either a building or to the ground.
(7) Obstructing signs which due to size, location, coloring, or manner of illumination, obstruct or detract from the visibility or effectiveness of any traffic sign or control devise on a public street: signs that obstruct sidewalks or the free ingress or egress from a fire escape, door, window, or other entrance or exit way.
(8) Signs imitating traffic control devices that imitate, interferes with, obstructs the view of, or can be confused with any authorized traffic control sign, signal, or other device.
(9) Signs on natural objects that are painted, attached to, or supported by a tree, stone, cliff, or other natural object or living vegetation.
(10) Bench signs.
(11) Roof signs.
(12) Trailer signs.
(13) Signs on parked vehicles (other than advertising decals or murals) that are placed or affixed to vehicles or trailers that are parked on a public right-of-way, public property, or private property so as to be visible from a public right-of-way where the apparent purpose is to advertise a product or direct people to a business or activity located on the same or nearby premises.
(b) Building Frontage: Wall sign area calculations corresponding to building frontage, shall be measured along the building face nearest parallel to the street line. In the case of a corner lot, either building frontage may be used, but the primary sign shall be erected on the face of the building used in computing the business frontage.
(c) Illumination: No illuminated sign or lighting device used in conjunction with a sign, shall be placed or directed so as to permit the illumination there from to be directly beamed upon a public thoroughfare, highway, sidewalk, or adjacent premises so as to cause a direct glare or reflection that may constitute a hazard to public safety or create a nuisance. No sign illuminated directly or indirectly shall be maintained within fifty (50) feet of, or facing property in a residential district. Lighting used to illuminate the sign shall be shielded and/or arranged to reflect light away from adjoining properties or public streets.
(d) Placement on Buildings: Signs shall be erected, constructed or maintained so as not to obstruct any window, door or other opening used as a means of normal ingress and egress for legally required light or air ventilation or any fire escapes and other openings for emergency purposes or so as to prevent free passage.
(e) Clearance: Signs shall be erected, constructed or maintained with a minimum eight (8) foot clearance over/above any sidewalk, walkway, aisle or other area used or intended for pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
(f) Construction of Signs: Where applicable, all wiring, fittings, and materials used in the construction, connection and operations of electrically illuminated signs shall be in accordance with the provisions of the State of Ohio Building Code. All electrical feeds to freestanding signs must be underground.
(g) Maintenance and Enforcement: All signs shall be maintained in a safe/secure, clean, attractive and structurally sound condition in accordance with the following provisions;
(1) Should any sign be or become unsafe, or be in danger of falling, the owner thereof or the person maintaining the same, shall proceed immediately to put such a sign in a safe and secure condition or remove the sign.
(2) If the Municipal Administrator or designee finds that any sign is unsafe or hazardous, or has been constructed or is being maintained in violation of the provisions of this chapter, he/she shall give immediate written notice to the person for whom or by whom the sign is erected, or to the owner of the property on which the sign is located. If the person fails to remove, repair or alter the sign so as to comply with the provisions of this chapter within ten (10) working days after such notice, such sign may be removed, repaired or altered by the Municipality at the expense of that person.
(3) The Municipal Administrator or designee may cause any sign which is of immediate peril to persons or property, or erected, or placed in violation with the provisions of this chapter to be summarily removed without notice.
(4) All signs shall be maintained in a clean, safe, attractive, and structurally sound condition at all times and must be free from peeling or missing paint, burned out light bulbs, holes, or broken, cracked, bent, warped, rotted, discolored, sagging, worn, torn, rusted, defective, or missing material parts. If the face of the sign is removed, a blank opaque panel must be installed until such time that new graphics are approved and installed.
(h) Abandonment: If any business or firm discontinues operations for a period of six (6) months or more, such discontinuance shall be considered conclusive evidence of intent to abandon the business or operation. All signs erected in conjunction with the business or operation that has become abandoned are declared to be unnecessary and a nuisance and shall be removed. Whenever any business or firm has been abandoned within the meaning of this section, notice shall be given in the same manner as service of summons on civil cases; or by certified mail addressed to the owner of record of the premises at the last known address; or to the address to which tax bills are sent; or by any combination of the above methods, to remove all signs and other media from the premises within thirty (30) days after receipt of such notice. If the business or firm fails to remove such signs, so as to comply with the provisions of this chapter, the Municipality may remove them at the owner's expense.
(i) Public Safety: No sign shall obstruct pedestrian or vehicle visibility or otherwise interfere with the safe operation of vehicles or the safety of pedestrians.
(j) Interstate Highway Advertising: When conflict arises between the requirements of this chapter and those of the State of Ohio (Ohio Revised Code Chapter 5516) regarding the placement of signs adjacent to the State highways, the more restrictive regulation shall govern.
(Ord. 19-011. Passed 4-22-19.)