(A) Regulations. Business and advertising signs that are permitted by the zoning ordinance are subject to the following regulations:
(1) A permit must be obtained from the city for all advertising signs. Permit fees may be established by resolution of the City Council. Business signs on the business premises do not require a permit;
(2) Business signs are considered an accessory use for all businesses other than home occupations or other businesses permitted in residential districts;
(3) No sign shall be permitted within 15 feet of any property line that abuts any class of residential district;
(4) The total surface area of all business and advertising signs on a lot shall not exceed the sum of two square feet per lineal foot of lot frontage or 15% of the building surface area, or 75 feet in area, whichever is greater; nor shall two or more smaller signs be so arranged and integrated as to create a surface area in excess of these limitations. In the case of corner lots, such signs may be on both street sides of the building facing; however, the least width of a corner lot shall be the front for purposes of this chapter. Such signs may be illuminated;
(5) Business signs may be placed on the roof of a covered walk or marquee of a building provided that they do not extend above the roof or parapet line of said building and provided that they do not exceed the area maximum set forth for this district, and business signs may be hanging below such covered walk or marquee provided they are at least eight feet from the walk or ground grade line, and provided they do not exceed six square feet in surface area, and provided further that all marquees or signs shall be at least two feet inside all curb lines;
(6) Advertising sign structures shall be limited to not more than one for a lot of 100 foot frontage or less, and to only one per each additional 100 feet of additional lot frontage. Such structure may not contain more than two signs per facing nor exceed 55 feet in total length. No advertising sign may be erected within 100 feet of an adjoining residential district. Such signs may be illuminated;
(7) No sign shall project higher than six feet above the height of the building, or 32 feet above grade at the base of the sign, whichever is greater; and
(8) Once a permit from the city is obtained, no further permits from the city shall be required for that sign unless and until the physical structure or location of that sign is changed, modified, or altered.
(B) Portable signs. Portable signs are allowed provided:
(1) The sign shall not exceed 54 square feet per side, except that inflatable signs used for promotions may exceed this square foot limitation;
(2) A permit must be obtained from the city for all portable signs. Permit fees may be established by resolution of the City Council;
(3) The sign is not located in the public right-of-way;
(4) The sign may be illuminated, but, shall not contain any strobe or rotating lights;
(5) Only one portable sign shall be allowed per lot of record or business; and
(6) Inflatable signs and balloon signs shall not be used for a period of more than ten days.
(Ord. 5-6, passed 7-8-2002) Penalty, see § 152.99