(A) Billboards. For the purpose of this chapter, BILLBOARDS shall be defined as a freestanding sign advertising a business, commodity, service, activity or entertainment not taking place on the premises upon which the billboard is located.
(B) Signs.
(1) Setbacks. All signs, unless other wise specified in this chapter, shall be set back from the established right-of-way of any road or highway at least as far as three-quarters of the required front yard depth for the principal building in the zone in which it is located.
(2) Real estate signs. No sign, other than real estate signs advertising the sale, rental or leasing of the premises, shall be permitted in any residential zone except as provided in § 154.187. Said real estate signs shall not exceed two feet by three feet in area, with the exception of the sign at the sale site which shall not exceed four feet by six feet; said signs shall be displayed at least ten feet from all lot lines.
(3) Projecting signs. No projecting sign shall be erected or maintained from the front or face of any building for a distance greater than two feet, including those projecting from the face of any theater, hotel or motel marquee. No sign shall be placed on the roof of any building. Awnings shall be construed as part of the building to which they are attached and a sign may be mounted flush thereto.
(4) Banners and pennants. No sign or part thereof shall contain or consist of banners, posters, pennants, ribbons, streamers, spinners or other similar moving devices.
(5) Window signs. No sign of any classification shall be installed, erected or attached in any form, shape or manner to a fire escape or any door or window giving access to any fire escape nor shall any sign be erected or maintained in the window of a building, visible from any public or private street or highway, shall occupy more than 20% of any window surface.
(6) Wall signs. No building wall shall be used for display of advertising except that pertaining to the use carried on within such building.
(C) Illuminated signs.
(1) Any illuminated sign or lighting device shall employ only light emitting a constant intensity. In no event shall an illuminated sign or lighting device be placed or directed so as to permit the beams or Summation to be directed or beamed upon a public street, highway, sidewalk or adjacent premises so as to cause glare or reflection that may constitute a traffic hazard or nuisance nor shall any sign be erected or maintained which would involve lighting or motion resembling traffic or directional signals or warnings or display words such as “stop” or “danger.”
(2) All wiring, fittings and materials used in construction, connection and operation of the electrically illuminated signs shall be in accordance with the provisions of the National Electric Code or the local electric code in effect.
(D) Temporary signs. All temporary signs must be set back a minimum of 10 feet from the edge of the pavement and may not be located in any public right-of-way. Political and yard sale signs shall not exceed four feet by eight feet in size and must abide by all regulations regarding visibility at intersections in § 154.128. Under no circumstances shall political or yard sale signs be posted on utility poles. All violations of these requirements will be penalized as per § 154.024. Provisions regarding the regulation of other temporary signs apply as required in other sections of this subchapter.
(E) Government signs. Any official informational or directional sign or historic marker erected by a governmental agency is permitted in all zones and does not require a location or building permit
(F) Sign area. The surface area of a sign shall be computed as including the entire area within a regular geometric form or combinations of regular geometric forms comprising all of the display area of the sign and including all of the elements of the matter displayed. Frames and structural members not being advertising matter shall not be included in computation of surface area.
(G) Lack of conflict. In no way shall the provisions of this subchapter be taken to be in conflict with and state or federal regulations regarding obstructions or the placement of structures in state or federal rights-of-way. In all cases, the most restrictive provision will apply.
(Ord. passed 1-11-2005) Penalty, see § 154.999