A. Nothing in this chapter shall be interpreted as prohibiting or excluding such signs as are required by law, including legal notices and advertisements posted by a lawful officer or agent.
B. No sign shall be constructed which resembles any official marker erected by the city, state or any governmental agency, or which by reason of position, shape or color would conflict with the proper functioning of any traffic sign or signal.
C. All signs shall be maintained by the owner and kept in good repair and appearance. The surface of the ground under and about any sign shall be kept clear of weeds, rubbish and flammable waste materials.
D. All signs shall have a minimum vertical clearance of eight feet (8') where there is pedestrian traffic beneath them and all signs shall have a minimum vertical clearance of fourteen feet (14') where they extend over any vehicular driveway or parking area.
E. Signs shall be installed so that there is a minimum of two feet (2') between any portion of the sign and the adjacent property or street right of way line; or to the curb line in the case of projecting signs. In the case of a projecting sign, an encroachment contract documenting the extent of intrusion of the sign into the right of way must be completed and filed by the sign permit applicant with the Lewis and Clark County clerk and recorder's office following review and approval of the sign encroachment by the city.
F. Projecting signs shall not extend more than ten feet (10') measured at a right angle between the outer extremity of the sign and the wall or structure to which it is attached or as limited by subsection E of this section. The sign shall appear to be free of any extra bracing, angle iron, guy wires, cables, etc., and sign supports shall appear to be an architectural feature and integral part of the building. A projecting sign shall not extend more than six inches (6") above the parapet, eave or facade of the building to which it is attached.
G. A roof sign shall appear to be free of any extra bracing, angle iron, guywires, cables, etc. The supports shall appear to be an architectural feature and integral part of the building. Supporting columns of round, square, or shaped steel members may be erected if the required bracing that is visible to the public is minimized or covered. The sign height shall not exceed eight feet (8') measured from the lowest point of attachment to the roof nor exceed the allowable height of a structure for the underlying zoning.
H. The area of wall signs shall not exceed thirty percent (30%) of the building facade or elevation upon which they are placed. In no case shall the number of signs comprising the sign area, or the sign area itself, exceed individually or in aggregate, the number of signs or area permitted for the underlying zoning in which they are located unless having first obtained approval from the board of adjustment or through other appropriate administrative action.
I. Illuminated signs shall be illuminated in such a manner that the light therefrom shall shine only on the sign or on the property on which it is located and shall not shine onto any other property, in any direction, except by indirect reflection. No lighting arrangement shall be permitted which, by reason of brilliance or reflected light, is a detriment to surrounding properties or prevents the reasonable enjoyment of residential uses or interferes with traffic safety.
J. Directional signs shall be limited to no larger than six (6) square feet in area and to no more than four feet (4') in height. Logo identification shall be limited to not more than twenty five percent (25%) of the sign area.
K. The area for double faced or multiple faced signs shall be the aggregate area of all the sign faces visible from any one direction at any one time.
L. No animated sign may revolve at a rate exceeding eight (8) revolutions per minute, nor may any changeable copy sign alter or interrupt the presentation of its message more than eight (8) times in one minute.
M. Signs constructed on awnings or marquees conforming to the projection limitations of subsection E of this section shall not extend beyond the main structure of the awning or marquee. Awning signs shall not exceed in size, on either the side or on the front of the marquee, a rectangle three feet (3') high by ninety percent (90%) of the length of such side or front, or the allowable marquee sign area for the district, whichever is less. (Ord. 2813, 10-20-1997)