(A) Signs in all districts. Nameplate and business signs are a permitted accessory use in all use districts subject to the following regulations.
(1) Signs are prohibited within the public right-of-way or easements except that the City Council may grant a conditional permit to locate signs and decorations on or within the right-of-way for a specified time not to exceed 60 days.
(2) Illuminated signs or flashing signs shall not be permitted within the residential districts.
(3) Illuminated signs or devices giving off an intermittent or rotating beam consisting of a collection or concentration of rays of light shall not be permitted in any district.
(4) For purpose of selling, renting or leasing property, a sign not in excess of 25 square feet per surface may be placed within the front yard of the property to be sold or leased. The signs shall not be less than 15 feet from the right-of-way line unless flat against the structure.
(5) For purpose of selling or promoting a residential project (ten or more units), a commercial area (three acres or more) or an industrial area (ten acres or more), one sign not to exceed 240 feet of surface may be erected upon the project site. The sign shall not remain after 90% of the project is developed.
(6) Signs existing on the effective date of this chapter which do not conform to the regulations set forth are a nonconforming use and must be brought into conformity within 15 months from the date of this chapter.
(7) No sign shall be erected that, by reason of position, shape or color would interfere in any way with the proper functioning or purpose of a traffic sign or signal.
(8) Signs shall not be painted directly on the outside wall of a building, nor be painted on a fence, rocks or similar structure or feature in any district. Paper and similar signs shall not be attached directly to a building wall by an adhesive or similar means.
(9) No advertising signs shall be located within 200 feet of the intersection of right-of-way lines of township, county and state roads and highways.
(10) No advertising signs shall be permitted in residential or scenic areas.
(11) The name and address of the owner shall appear on the surface of the advertising sign or billboard.
(12) Any advertising sign or billboard which is not kept in a reasonable state of repair shall be removed by the City of Harris after notice to the owner of the sign or billboard and like notice to the property owner and a hearing thereon.
(B) Permitted signs in R-1 and R-2 Districts.
(1) One nameplate sign for each dwelling, not to exceed one square foot in area per sign.
(2) One nameplate sign for each dwelling group of three or more units not to exceed three square feet in area per sign.
(C) Permitted signs in B Districts. Nameplate, business and advertising signs are permitted subject to the following.
(1) The aggregate square footage of sign space per lot shall not exceed the sum of two square feet per front foot of building, plus one square foot for each front foot of lot not occupied by the building which fronts on a public right-of-way 50 feet or more in width.
(2) The least width of a lot for purposes of this chapter shall be the front.
(3) No individual sign surface shall exceed 100 square feet.
(D) Permitted signs in I Districts. Nameplate signs, business signs, and advertising signs shall be permitted, provided:
(1) That no sign in an I District shall be located nearer than 250 feet from a residential dwelling; and
(2) That the aggregate square footage of sign space per lot shall not exceed the sum of four square feet per front of building, plus one square foot per front foot of property not occupied by a building. No individual sign surface shall exceed 250 square feet except advertising signs. Advertising signs permitted as an accessory shall not exceed 250 square feet of surface. Advertising signs permitted as a principal use shall not exceed 450 square feet per lot and the distance between the signs on the same side of the right-of-way shall be no less than 660 feet.
(Prior Code, § 601.17) (Am. Ord. 2005-02, passed 6-27-2005) Penalty, see § 10.99