The following types of signs shall be permitted in all zoning districts in the Municipality without a Sign Permit:
(a) Traffic control, directional or other similar regulatory notices; emergency notices or warnings or other such public notices erected and maintained by governmental body, or public utility, authorized contractor or survey crew.
(b) Signs, markers or banners erected and/or maintained by the Municipality of Lexington, Richland County, the State of Ohio or other local governmental entities which are erected for the convenience or safety of the public or provide information of general community interest.
(c) Nameplates or signs denoting only the name, profession and address of an occupant of a building or dwelling subject to the following specifications:
(1) One (1) nameplate for each occupancy.
(2) Maximum sign area – two and one-half (2.5) square feet.
(3) Unlighted signs only.
(d) Seals, flags, banners or pennants of the United States, the State of Ohio, or other political unit.
(e) Memorial, historical or commemorative plaques or markers or signs subject to the following specifications:
(1) One (1) sign per each street frontage.
(2) Maximum sign area - eight (8) square feet.
(3) Unlighted only in residential districts.
(f) Clocks, thermometers and other similar instruments displayed for the convenience of the public and displaying no advertising message.
(g) Real Estate Signs, advertising only the sale or lease of the premises on which they are displayed, subject to the following specifications:
(1) R-1 and R-2 One and Two-Family Residential District and CBD.
A. One (1) real estate sign per each 150 feet of street frontage.
B. Maximum sign area - eight (8) square feet, and any side shall not be greater than twice the dimensions of any other side.
C. Maximum height - six (6) feet to the top of the sign or supporting posts.
(2) All other districts.
A. One (1) real estate sign per each 150 feet of street frontage.
B. Maximum sign area – Thirty-Two (32) square feet, and any side shall not be more than twice the dimension of any other side.
C. Maximum height - 8 feet to the top of the sign or supporting posts.
D. Unlighted signs only.
(3) Real estate signs shall be allowed to remain in place for up to five working days after the closing of a sale.
(4) Real estate open house and open house directional signs subject to the following conditions:
A. Real estate open house signs may be placed within the public right- of-way, only on the day of the open house, and between the hours of 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Mon. - Sat. and 12:01 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Sunday.
B. Only one real estate open house or directional sign may be placed at any intersection for any particular property.
C. Maximum sign area for real estate open house or directional signs - 4 square feet.
D. Maximum height - 3 feet.
E. No real estate open house or directional signs may be posted at the Village Square or the intersection of U.S. Rt. 42/S.R. 97/Short Street at any time.
(5) Unlighted signs only.
(h) Political campaign signs or posters of a temporary nature which must be removed no later than ten (10) days after such election at which the candidate or issue appears on the ballot. Candidates shall be held responsible for removal of their signs. Political campaign signs shall not be posted within the public right-of-way or on public property.
(i) Garage sale signs not to exceed three (3) square feet in area. Signs shall be removed on the final day of such sale. Garage sale signs may not be posted within the public right-of-way or on public property.
(j) One Ground sign identifying churches, synagogues or other religious institutions, service clubs, organizations and schools shall be permitted on each street frontage of sixty (60) feet or more. The maximum size of permitted signs shall be forty- eight (48) sq. ft. In addition, incidental signs which contain no advertising messages not exceeding four (4) square feet each and up to sixteen (16) square feet in total area shall be permitted.
(k) Product promotional signs may be displayed on the inside of building windows only. Maximum window coverage shall not exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of the total window area, including any permanent window signs.
(l) Other signs posted within the interior of the building that are not attached to a window or door with advertising or messages not legible beyond the property lines of that building.
(m) Construction signs denoting the name and nature of the project, the name of the builder or developer, architect or engineer, general contractor and project Financier, subject to the following specifications:
(1) R-1 and R-2 Single-Family Residential Districts and CBD.
A. One sign per each street frontage, plus one additional sign if street frontage exceeds 1,000 feet.
B. Maximum sign area - 32 square feet.
C. Maximum sign height - eight feet to the top of the sign or supporting posts.
(2) All other districts.
A. One sign per each street frontage, plus one additional sign if street frontage exceeds 1,000 feet.
B. Maximum sign area - 32 square feet, or 64 square feet if the setback from the right-of-way is 20 feet or greater.
C. Maximum height - 8 feet to the top of the sign or supporting posts.
(3) Unlighted signs only.
(4) Maximum display time - two years or the duration of construction activity on the site, whichever is less.
(n) Development Identification signs - Such signs shall be limited to ground signs or wall signs only and shall be made from materials such as brick, stone, or wood, and shall not exceed 24 sq. feet in size for single family Subdivisions. Other districts- Max. size shall not exceed 24 sq. ft.
(Ord. 07-32. Passed 7-2-07.)