(1) Purpose and intent. It is not the purpose or intent of this sign chapter to regulate the message displayed on any sign; nor is it the purpose or intent to regulate any building design or any display not defined as a sign, or any sign with a message that cannot reasonably be viewed from off the property on which the sign is displayed. Rather, the sign chapter is intended to establish a comprehensive and balanced system of sign control that accommodates the need for a well-maintained, safe and attractive community, and the need for effective communications. It is the intent of this chapter to promote the health, safety, general welfare, aesthetics, and image of the community by regulating signs that are intended to communicate to the public and to use signs that meet the city’s goals by authorizing:
(a) Permanent signs which establish a high standard of aesthetics;
(b) Signs which are compatible with their surroundings;
(c) Signs which are designed, constructed, installed and maintained in a manner that does not adversely impact public safety or unduly distract motorists;
(d) Signs which are large enough to convey the intended message and to help citizens find their way to intended destinations;
(e) Signs that are proportioned to the scale of, and are architecturally compatible with, principal structures;
(f) Permanent signs which give preference to the on-premise owner or occupant; and
(g) Temporary commercial speech signs and off-premise signs that provide an opportunity for special events while restricting signs which create continuous visual clutter and hazards at public right-of-way intersections.
(2) Findings. The City of Lino Lakes finds it is necessary for the promotion and preservation of the public health, safety, welfare and aesthetics of the community that the construction, location, size and maintenance of signs be controlled. Further, the city finds:
(a) Permanent and temporary signs have a direct impact on and relationship to the image of the community;
(b) The manner of installation, location and maintenance of signs affects the public health, safety, welfare and aesthetics of the community;
(c) An opportunity for viable identification of community businesses and institutions must be established;
(d) The safety of motorists, cyclists, pedestrians and other users of public streets and property is affected by the number, size, location and appearance of signs that unduly divert the attention of drivers;
(e) Installation of signs suspended from, projecting over or placed on the tops of buildings, walks or other structures may constitute a hazard during periods of high winds and an obstacle to effective firefighting and other emergency service;
(f) Uncontrolled and unlimited signs adversely impact the image and aesthetic attractiveness of the community and thereby undermine economic value and growth;
(g) Uncontrolled and unlimited signs, particularly temporary signs which are commonly located within or adjacent to public right-of-way or are located at driveway/street intersections, result in roadside clutter and obstruction of views of oncoming traffic. This creates a hazard to drivers and pedestrians and also adversely impacts a logical flow of information;
(h) Commercial speech signs are generally incompatible with residential uses and should be strictly limited in residential zoning districts;
(i) The right to express noncommercial opinions in any zoning district must be protected, subject to reasonable restrictions on size, height, location and number; and
(j) Light pollution creates negative impacts on the community, particularly in residential and rural areas.
(Am. Ord. 09-14, passed 11-10-2014; Am. Ord. 01-23, passed 3-27-2023)