(A) Permitted uses. Signs are a permitted accessory use in all districts, subject to the following regulations.
(1) A sign is a structure or a part of a structure for the purpose of applying height regulations.
(2) Except for traffic control, all signs are prohibited within the public right-of-way or easements, except that the city may grant a license or a conditional use permit to locate signs and decorations on or within the right-of-way for a specified time.
(3) Except as may be allowed in the B-1 District, signs attached to buildings abutting the right-of-way and parts of the superstructure thereof may extend into the right-of-way a distance not to exceed 18 inches. All signs shall be building face surface mounted signs.
(4) Illuminated signs shall not be permitted within residential districts, with the exception of churches or public facilities.
(5) 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.
(6) One sign not to exceed six square feet per surface may be placed within the front yard of the property to be sold or leased. The sign shall not be less than five feet from the property line unless flat against the structure.
(7) One sign not to exceed 32 square feet in area may be placed along the public right- of-way adjoining a development of five lots or residential units. All signs shall be removed when 75% of all lots or units in the new development are either sold or built upon.
(8) Signs existing on the effective date of this chapter that do not conform to the regulations set forth in this chapter are a nonconforming use.
(9) The area of a sign within the frame shall be used to calculate the square footage except that width of a frame exceeding 12 inches shall constitute advertising space, or should the letters or graphics be mounted directly on a wall or fascia or in a manner as to be without a frame, the dimensions for calculating the square footage shall be in the area extending six inches beyond the periphery formed around the letters or graphics in a plane figure, bound by straight lines connecting the outermost points thereof, and each surface utilized to display a message or to attract attention shall be measured as a separate sign. Any symbols, flags, pictures, wording, figures or other forms of graphics painted on or attached to windows, walls, awnings, freestanding structures, suspended by balloons or kites or on persons, animals or vehicles shall be considered a sign.
(10) Signs shall not be attached by an adhesive nor painted on a building or fence but shall be on a separate frame or attached to a permanent fixture.
(11) The source of light for any illuminated sign shall not be directed into any street or property used or zoned for residential purposes.
(12) Election signs are permitted in all districts; however, they shall be removed within two weeks following election day.
(B) Signs in residential districts.
(1) Signs in residential districts shall be permitted but subject to the following regulations:
(a) One sign for each dwelling and the sign shall not exceed two square feet in area per surface, and no sign shall be so constructed as to have more than two surfaces;
(b) One nameplate sign for each dwelling group of three or more units, and the sign shall not exceed six square feet in area per surface and no sign shall be so constructed as to have more than two surfaces; and
(c) One nameplate sign for each permitted principal use or use by conditional use permit other than residential and the sign shall not exceed 30 square feet in area per surface.
(d) Symbols, statues, sculptures and integrated architectural features on nonresidential buildings may be illuminated by floodlights provided the direct source of light is not visible from the public right-of-way or adjacent residential property.
(e) No commercial advertising shall be allowed in residential districts. Home occupations legally operating in a residence shall not have identification of the commercial use as a part of the allowed signage on residential property.
(C) Signs in other districts. Name plate signs and business signs are permitted subject to the following regulations:
(1) In the B-1 and B-2 Districts, the square footage of wall sign space per building shall not exceed 15% of the wall area facing the public right-of-way. In the case of a multiple frontage lot, the two greatest walls facing public rights-of-way may be counted;
(2) In the B-1B and B-2 Districts, one freestanding sign may be allowed:
(a) No part of such sign may be closer than five feet to any property line;
(b) No such sign shall exceed 100 square feet per sign face; and
(c) No such sign shall exceed 25 feet in height, measured from the natural grade on which it is located;
(3) In the PI, I-1 and I-2 Zoning Districts, the square footage of wall sign space per building shall not exceed 10% of the wall area facing the public right-of-way. In the case of a multiple frontage lot, the two greatest walls facing public rights-of-way may be counted;
(4) In the PI, I-1 and I-2 Zoning Districts, one freestanding sign may be allowed:
(a) No part of such sign may be closer than five feet to any property line. No such sign shall exceed 100 square feet per sign face; and
(b) No such sign shall exceed 25 feet in height, measured from the natural grade on which it is located;
(5) In the B-1 District projecting signs may be permitted provided the following standards are met:
(a) The projecting sign shall count as one of the permitted wall signs;
(b) Only one projecting sign is allowed per store front;
(c) The projecting sign is hung at a right angle from the building face;
(d) The Building Official shall approve the sign frame and supports;
(e) The sign shall not project from the building face more than five feet and must be setback a minimum of two feet from the face of curb or street surface;
(f) The bottom on the projecting sign shall provide a minimum of eight feet of clearance from the sidewalk surface; and
(g) The projecting sign shall not extend over the top of the building roof line or highest parapet.
(D) Sign maintenance.
(1) The owner of any sign shall be required to have the sign properly painted and maintained.
(2) The owner or lessee of any sign or the owner of the land on which the sign is located shall keep the grass, weeds and other growth cut and the area free from refuse between the sign and the street, and also for a distance of six feet behind and at the ends of the sign.
(E) Obsolete signs. Any sign which no longer advertises a bona fide business conducted or a product sold shall be taken down and removed by the owner, agent or person having the beneficial use of the building, structure or land upon which the sign may be found within 30 days after written notice from the Zoning Administrator. The Zoning Administrator may grant an exception to this requirement for a sign designated as an historical sign by the Planning Commission.
(F) Unsafe or dangerous signs. Any sign which becomes structurally unsafe or endangers the safety of a building or premises, or endangers the public safety shall be taken down and removed by the owner, agent or person having the beneficial use of the building, structure or land upon which the sign is located within ten days after written notification from the Zoning Administrator.
(Ord. 583, passed 8-26-2019)