A sign shall be designed, erected, altered, reconstructed, moved and maintained with accordance in the provisions of this article unless specifically modified by another section of this Ordinance.
(a) Permits Required. A sign permit shall be required for the construction, erection, relocation or alteration of any sign, unless as specifically exempted by this Ordinance. A sign shall comply with all City zoning, building, electrical and fire codes.
(c) Maintenance of Signs. Every sign, whether requiring a permit or not, shall be maintained in a safe, presentable and good structural condition at all times, including replacement of defective parts and painting and cleaning of said sign.
(d) Removal of Dangerous or Defective Signs. The Mayor or an appointed designee may immediately remove or cause to be removed any sign deemed to be a danger or defective or which in the opinion of the Mayor may be dangerous to persons or property.
(e) Removal of Unlawful Signs in the Public Right of way. The Mayor may remove, or cause to be removed any unlawful sign in the public right of way.
(f) Sign Location with Respect to Frontages. Sign area permitted by virtue of premises having lot frontage or building frontage shall be located only along that frontage which generates the permitted sign area.
(g) Commercial Messages. All commercial information conveyed by any sign permitted under this Ordinance must pertain to the premises on which the sign is located, except as specifically approved under subsection (j) hereof.
(h) Sign Spacing Requirements. No ground, pole or freestanding sign shall be located within fifty (50) feet of another ground, pole or freestanding sign.
(i) Duration of Temporary Signs. Temporary signs as permitted by this Ordinance may be erected for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days, except as otherwise dictated in this article. Extensions to the sixty-day limitation may be permitted by the Mayor upon application and demonstration of reasonable justification by the agent or owner of the temporary sign.
(j) Exception to Off Premises Sign Prohibitions. Upon application and approval by the Board of Zoning Appeals, an off premise sign(s) may be permitted for a specified period of limited duration and subject to renewal or removal at the discretion of the Board of Zoning Appeals.
(k) All signs within the Historic District Overlay Zone requiring a permit are subject to approval by the Historic Landmarks Commission.
(Passed 2-15-94.)