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(1) Nonconforming signs. It is recognized that signs exist within the zoning districts that were lawful before this sign chapter was enacted, which would be prohibited, regulated or restricted under the terms of this chapter or future amendments. It is the intention of this sign chapter that nonconforming signs shall be allowed to continue to exist, but they shall not be enlarged upon, expanded or extended, nor be used as the grounds for adding other signs or uses prohibited elsewhere in the same district. It is further the intent of this sign chapter to permit legal nonconforming signs existing on the effective date of this sign chapter, or amendments thereto, to continue as legal nonconforming signs provided the signs are safe, are maintained so as not to be unsightly, and have not been abandoned or removed subject to the following provisions:
(a) No sign shall be enlarged or altered in a way which increases its nonconformity;
(b) Should the sign or sign structure be destroyed by any means to an extent greater than 50% of its replacement cost and no building permit has been applied for within 180 days of when the property was damaged, it shall not be reconstructed except in conformity with the provisions of this chapter;
(c) Should the sign or sign structure be moved for any reason for any distance whatsoever, it shall thereafter conform to the regulations for the zoning district in which it is located after it is moved;
(d) No existing sign devoted to a use not permitted by the zoning code in the zoning district in which it is located shall be enlarged, extended or moved except in changing the sign to a sign permitted in the zoning district in which is it located; and
(e) When a structure loses its nonconforming status, all signs devoted to the structure shall be removed and all signs painted directly on the structure shall be repainted in a neutral color or a color which will harmonize with the structure.
(Am. Ord. 09-14, passed 11-10-2014; Am. Ord. 01-23, passed 3-27-2023)
The following types of signs are prohibited in all districts:
(2) Signs within public right-of-way, affixed to public structures or public utility poles or boxes or other public equipment, or on other public property except signs erected or placed by a government entity with proper authority or control. A special exception may be granted by the City Council if road improvements or other public projects include the elimination of an access to a private property. In these cases, a sign giving directions to the new access may be allowed in the right-of-way.
(3) Signs painted on, attached to or affixed to any trees, rocks or other similar organic or inorganic natural matter.
(4) Any sign, signal, marking or device which purports to be or is an imitation of or resembles any official traffic control device or railroad sign or signal, or emergency vehicle signal, or which attempts to direct the movement of traffic or which hides from view or interferes with the effectiveness of any official traffic-control device or railroad sign or signal. Further, no sign shall be installed, which by reason of position, shape or color would conflict with proper function or interpretation of any traffic sign or signal.
(5) Signs with revolving beacons, flashing signs, zip flashers or similar lighted devices.
(6) Signs that obstruct any door, fire escape, stairway or other access of any building or structure.
(7) Portable signs, except as otherwise permitted in § 1010.007.
(8) Projecting signs that extend over public property, except with an encroachment agreement, which the city may agree to at the city’s discretion.
(9) Roof signs including signs mounted on a roof surface or projecting above the roof line of a structure if either attached to the structure or cantilevered over the structure.
(10) Abandoned signs or signs, other than temporary off-premise signs, that advertise an activity, business, product or service no longer available on the premises on which the sign is located.
(11) Pennants or stringers.
(12) Any sign displaying obscene, indecent, immoral, or offensive content.
(13) Any signs not specifically allowed by this chapter.
(Am. Ord. 09-14, passed 11-10-2014; Am. Ord. 01-23, passed 3-27-2023)
(1) Signs erected or placed by a government entity with proper authority or control within a public right-of-way, affixed to public structures or public utility poles or boxes or other public equipment, or on other public property are allowed in all zoning districts without a permit and are not subject to the limits or restrictions stated in this sign chapter.
(2) All permanent signs shall be constructed in conformance with the provisions of the Minnesota State Building Code, as amended, and Chapter 1003 of City Code.
(3) Signs in windows in the interior of buildings are exempt from this chapter, except that no more than 75% of any window may be covered by signage and no dynamic display signs shall be allowed to be displayed in windows. No signs may be attached to the exterior of windows.
(4) "No hunting” and "No trespassing" signs are allowed as regulated by M.S. § 97B.001, as it may be amended from time to time. No permit is required.
(5) Illuminated signs are allowed in all zoning districts. The source of light for any illuminated sign must be controlled so as not to shine directly upon or light adjacent property or public right-of-way. Signs that are not internally illuminated shall have light fixtures and sources screened from view.
(6) Dynamic display signs. No more than 32 square feet of the allowable sign area provided for in § 1010.008 shall be used for dynamic display signs, except that in Rural and Residential zoning districts dynamic display signs shall only be allowed for non-residential uses. The minimum display period for any message shall be eight seconds. No dynamic display signs may be placed in windows.
(7) Signs, including individual letters and symbols, must be detachable from the building and attached to the exterior building surface by adhesive or mechanical fasteners. Signs shall not be painted directly on any exterior building surface.
(8) Signs in election years. In state general election years, the provisions of M.S. § 211B.045, as amended, shall apply. Notwithstanding other provisions of this chapter regulating the allowed size or number of signs, in city election years all temporary noncommercial signs of any size may be posted in any number without a permit from 30 days before the city election until ten days following the city election. Other requirements of this chapter, including those regarding the location of signs, shall continue to apply.
(9) Directional signs up to four square feet are allowed up to six feet above grade without a permit.
(10) The exposed uprights, superstructure or back side of all signs must be a neutral color such as light blues, grays, greens or browns, unless the part of the sign is integral to the overall design of the sign.
(11) Multi-occupancy business and industrial buildings. When a single principle building is devoted to three or more businesses or industrial tenants, a comprehensive sign plan for the entire structure shall be submitted and shall be of sufficient scope and detail to permit a determination as to whether or not the plan is consistent with the following regulations. The plan shall be subject to the approval of the City Council. No permit shall be issued for an individual tenant except upon a determination that it is consistent with the approved comprehensive sign plan.
(a) The maximum individual tenant sign sizes shall not exceed the maximum provisions for single occupancy structures in the same zoning district.
(b) Multiple occupancy structures may display a unified ground sign consistent with the applicable district provisions. At least 25% of the ground sign must identify the entire site to assist with navigation to the site. Individual tenants shall not display ground signs.
(c) Except as provided in this chapter, individual tenants of multiple occupancy structures shall not display separate wall signs unless the tenants' business has an exclusive exterior entrance. The number of signs shall be limited to one per building facade that the tenant occupies, and each sign shall be limited to the maximum wall size sign permitted per building facade for single occupancy structures in the same zoning district.
(d) In any multiple occupancy structure qualifying as a mall type shopping center, one sign not exceeding 50 square feet shall be permitted for each common public entrance and shall be located within 50 feet of the common public entrance being served.
(12) Street addresses required to comply with address ordinances or building codes do not require a sign permit.
(13) Flags.
(a) Non-commercial flags are not regulated by this sign chapter.
(b) One commercial flag is allowed per property without a permit. Additional commercial flags shall be regulated as permanent signage, subject to the permitting requirements and sign area limits set by this chapter.
(Am. Ord. 09-14, passed 11-10-2014; Am. Ord. 01-23, passed 3-27-2023)
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