(A) Findings. The City Council hereby finds as follows:
(1) Exterior signs have a substantial impact on the character and quality of the environment.
(2) Signs provide an important medium through which individuals may convey a variety of messages.
(3) Signs can create traffic hazards, aesthetic concerns and detriments to property values, thereby threatening the public health, safety and welfare.
(4) Over the years the city's zoning regulations have included the regulation of signs in an effort to provide adequate means of expression and to promote the economic viability of the business community, while protecting the city and its citizens from a proliferation of signs of a type, size, location and character that would adversely impact the aesthetics of the community and threaten the health, safety and welfare of the community. The regulation and enforcement of the physical characteristics of signs within the city has had a positive impact on traffic safety and the appearance of the community.
(B) Purpose and intent. It is not the purpose nor the intent of this sign section to regulate the message displayed on any sign; nor is it the purpose or intent of this section to regulate any building design or any display not defined as a sign, or any sign which cannot be viewed from outside a building. The purpose and intent of this section is to:
(1) Regulate the number, location, size, type, illumination and other physical characteristics of signs within the city in order to promote the public health, safety and welfare.
(2) Maintain, enhance and improve the aesthetic environment of the city by preventing visual clutter that is harmful to the appearance of the community.
(3) Improve the visual appearance of the city while providing for effective means of communication, consistent with constitutional guarantees and the city's goals of public safety and aesthetics.
(4) Provide for fair and consistent enforcement of the sign regulations set forth herein under the zoning authority of the city.
(5) Provide for the safety of the traveling public by limiting distractions, hazards and obstructions.
(6) Provide for adequate expression of ideas.
(C) Definitions. For the purposes of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ABANDONED SIGN. Any sign and/or its supporting sign structure which remains without a message or whose display surface remains blank for a period of one year or more, or any sign which pertains to a time, event or purpose which no longer applies, shall be deemed to have been abandoned. Signs applicable to a business temporarily suspended because of a change in ownership or management of such business shall not be deemed abandoned unless the property remains vacant for a period of one year or more. Any sign remaining after demolition of a principal structure shall be deemed to be abandoned. Signs which are present because of being legally established nonconforming signs or signs which have required a conditional use permit or a variance shall also be subject to the definition of ABANDONED SIGN.
ADMINISTRATOR. The City Administrator of the City of Lonsdale or his or her designee. The person designated by the City Council to administer this subchapter.
AWNING. A roof-like cover, often of fabric, plastic, metal or glass designed and intended for protection from the weather or as a decorative embellishment, and which projects from a wall or roof of a structure primarily over a window, walk, or the like. Any part of an awning which also projects over a door shall be counted as an AWNING.
AWNING SIGN. A building sign or graphic printed on or in some fashion attached directly to the awning material.
BALLOON SIGN. A sign consisting of a bag made of lightweight material supported by helium, hot, or pressurized air which is greater than 24 inches in diameter.
BILLBOARD. A flat surface or board greater than 32 square feet, usually placed outdoors along major corridors or on the sides of buildings, on which advertisements or notices are posted.
BLADE SIGN. Any freestanding sign with its sign face mounted on the ground or mounted on a base which has a height exceeding its width.
BUILDING SIGN. Any sign attached to or supported by any structure used or intended for supporting or sheltering any use or occupancy.
CABINET SIGN. Any wall sign that is not of channel or individually mounted letter construction.
CANOPY. A roof-like cover, often of fabric, plastic, metal, or glass on a support, which provides shelter over a doorway.
CANOPY SIGN. Any sign that is part of or attached to a canopy, made of fabric, plastic, or structural protective cover over a door or entrance. A CANOPY SIGN is not a marquee and is different from service area canopy signs.
CHANGEABLE COPY SIGN. A sign or portion thereof with characters, letters, or illustrations that can be changed or rearranged without altering the face or the surface of the sign. CHANGEABLE COPY SIGNS do not include signs upon which characters, letters or illustrations change or rearrange only once in a 24-hour period.
COMMERCIAL SPEECH. Speech advertising a business, profession, commodity, service or entertainment.
DIRECTIONAL SIGN. A sign designed to provide direction to pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
DYNAMIC BILLBOARD SIGN. A motion sign or a digital flat panel/screen motion sign greater than 32 square feet on which outdoor advertisements or notices are displayed.
DYNAMIC SIGN. A motion sign or a digital flat panel/screen that can display video or other moving images. Said sign shall not exceed 32 square feet per surface with a maximum of two surfaces.
ELECTRONIC VARIABLE MESSAGE. A sign that uses electronics or mechanics to vary the visual word, number, or symbolic display. Said signs shall not exceed 32 square feet per surface with a maximum of two surfaces.
ELEVATION. The view of the side, front, or rear of a given structure(s).
ELEVATION AREA. The area of all walls that face any lot line.
ERECT. Activity of constructing, building, raising, assembling, placing, affixing, attaching, creating, painting, drawing or any other way of bringing into being or establishing.
FLAG. Any fabric or similar lightweight material attached at one end of the material, usually to a staff or pole, so as to allow movement of the material by atmospheric changes and which contains distinctive colors, patterns, symbols, emblems, insignia, or other symbolic devices.
FLASHING SIGN. A directly or indirectly illuminated sign which exhibits changing light or color effect by any means, so as to provide intermittent illumination which includes the illusion of intermittent flashing light by means of animation. Also any mode of lighting which resembles zooming, twinkling, or sparkling.
FREESTANDING SIGN. Any sign which has supporting framework that is placed on, or anchored in, the ground and which is independent from any building or other structure.
GROUND SIGN. Any freestanding sign with its sign face mounted on the ground or mounted on a base at least as wide as the sign and which has a total height not exceeding eight feet.
HEIGHT OF SIGN. The height of the sign shall be computed as the vertical distance measured from the base of the sign at grade to the top of the highest attached component of the sign.
ILLUMINATED SIGN. Any sign which contains an element designed to emanate artificial light internally or externally.
INTERIOR SIGN. A sign which is located within the interior of any building, or within an enclosed lobby or court of any building, and a sign for and located within the inner or outer body, court or entrance of any theater.
ISSUING AUTHORITY. City of Lonsdale.
LEGALLY ESTABLISHED NONCONFORMING SIGN. Any sign and its support structure lawfully erected prior to the effective date of this subchapter which fails to conform to the requirements of this subchapter. A sign which was erected in accordance with a variance granted prior to the adoption of this subchapter and which does not comply with this subchapter shall be deemed to be a legal nonconforming sign. A sign which was unlawfully erected shall be deemed to be an illegal sign.
MARQUEE. Any permanent roof-like structure projecting beyond a building or extending along and projecting beyond the wall of that building, generally designed and constructed to provide protection from the weather.
MARQUEE SIGN. Any building sign painted, mounted, constructed or attached in any manner, on a marquee.
MONUMENT SIGN. Any freestanding sign with its sign face mounted on the ground or mounted on a base at least as wide as the sign and which has a height exceeding eight feet.
MULTIPLE TENANT SITE. Any commercial or industrial site, building, or complex which has more than one tenant.
NON-COMMERCIAL SPEECH. Dissemination of messages not classified as Commercial Speech which include, but are not limited to, messages concerning political, religious, social, ideological, public service and informational topics.
OFF-PREMISE SIGN. A commercial speech sign which directs the attention of the public to a business, activity conducted, or product sold or offered at a location not on the same premises where such business sign is located.
ON-PREMISE MESSAGES. Identify or advertise an establishment, person, activity, goods, products or services located on the premises where the sign is installed.
PARAPET (WALL). That portion of building wall that rises above the roof level.
POLE SIGN. See Pylon Sign.
PORTABLE SIGN. Any sign which is manifestly designed to be transported, including by trailer or on its own wheels, even though the wheels of such sign may be removed and the remaining chassis or support is converted to another sign or attached temporarily or permanently to the ground since this characteristic is based on the design of such a sign.
PORTE COHERE. A roofed structure or roof-like cover, extending from the entrance of a building and which provides shelter over a doorway.
PROJECTING SIGN. Any sign which is affixed to a building or wall in such a manner that its leading edge extends more than two feet beyond the surface or such building or wall face.
PROPERTY OWNER. Legal owner of property as officially recorded by Rice County.
PUBLIC NOTICES. Official notices posted by public officers, employees or their agents in the performance of their duties, or as directed by such officers, employees or agents.
PYLON SIGN. Any freestanding sign which has its supportive structure(s) anchored in the ground and which has a sign face elevated above ground level by pole(s) or beam(s) and with the area below the sign face open.
READER BOARD SIGN. A sign on which copy is designated so that it can be changed manually. This may include but is not limited to a panel on which individual letters or pictorials are mounted, or displayed.
RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT. Any district zoned for residential uses.
ROOF. The exterior surface and its supporting structure on the top of a building or structure. The structural make-up of which conforms to the roof structures, roof construction and roof covering sections of the Uniform Building Code.
ROOF LINE. The upper-most edge of the roof or in the case of an extended facade or parapet, the upper-most height of said facade.
ROOF SIGN. Any sign erected and constructed wholly on and above the roof of a building, supported by the roof structure, and extending vertically above the highest portion of the roof.
ROOF SIGN, INTEGRAL. Any building sign erected or constructed as an integral or essentially integral part of a normal roof structure of any design, so that no part of the sign extends vertically above the highest portion of the roof and so that no part of the sign is separated from the rest of the roof by a space of more than six inches.
ROTATING SIGN. A sign or portion of a sign which turns about on an axis.
SANDWICH BOARD SIGN. A freestanding temporary sign, with no moving parts or flashing lights, no larger than eight square feet total sign size per side (no taller than four feet from grade); displayed outside an establishment during business hours. It is not intended as permanent business signage.
SHIMMERING SIGNS. A sign which reflects an oscillating sometimes distorted visual image.
SIGN. Any letter, word or symbol, poster, picture, statuary, reading matter or representation in the nature of advertisement, announcement, message or visual communication, whether painted, posted, printed, affixed or constructed, including all associated brackets, braces, supports, wires and structures, which is displayed for informational or communicative purposes.
SIGN FACE. The surface of the sign upon, against, or through which the message of the sign is exhibited.
SIGN STRUCTURE. Any structure including the supports, uprights, bracing and framework which supports or is capable of supporting any sign.
STRINGER. A line of string, rope, cording, or an equivalent to which is attached a number of pennants.
SUSPENDED SIGN. Any building sign that is suspended from the underside of a horizontal plane surface and is connected to this surface.
TEMPORARY SIGN. Any sign, balloon, banner, blimp, flag, free-standing sign, pennant, poster, reader board, or advertising display which is intended to be displayed for a limited period of time. Signs other than temporary signs shall be considered permanent signs.
TOTAL SITE SIGNAGE. The maximum permitted combined area of all freestanding and wall identification signs allowed on a specific property.
VISIBLE. Capable of being seen by a person of normal visual acuity (whether legible or not) without visual aid.
WALL. Any structure which defines the exterior boundaries or courts of a building or structure and which has a slope of 60 degrees or greater with the horizontal plane.
WALL SIGN. Any building sign attached parallel to, but within two feet of a wall, painted on the wall surface of, or erected and confined within the limits of an outside wall of any building or structure, which is supported by such wall or building, and which displays only one sign surface.
WINDOW SIGN. Any building sign, pictures, symbol, or combination thereof, designed to communicate information about an activity, business, commodity, event, sale, or service, that is placed inside a window or upon the window panes or glass and is visible from the exterior of the window.
(D) Permit required.
(1) No sign shall be erected, altered, reconstructed, maintained or moved in the city without first securing a permit from the city. The content of the sign shall not be reviewed or considered in determining whether to approve or deny a sign permit. Application for a permit shall be in writing addressed to the issuing authority and shall contain the following information:
(a) Names and addresses of the owners of the display structure and property;
(b) The address at which any signs are to be erected;
(c) The lot, block and addition at which the signs are to be erected and the street on which they are to front;
(d) A complete set of colored plans showing the necessary elevations, distances, size and details to fully and clearly represent the construction and place of the signs;
(e) The market value of the sign;
(f) Type of sign (such as building sign, monument sign, and the like);
(g) Certification by applicant indicating the application complies with all requirements of the sign subchapter;
(h) If the proposed sign is within federal, state, or county right-of-way, the application shall be accompanied by proof that the applicant has obtained a permit from the state for the sign; and
(i) Such other information as the Administrator shall require to show full compliance with this subchapter and all other laws and ordinances of the city.
(2) The application is not complete until all of the foregoing information is provided along with the payment of all applicable fees. It shall be the duty of the Administrator or his or her designee, upon the filing of an application for a permit, to examine such plans, specifications and other data and the premises upon which it is proposed to erect the sign. If it appears that the proposed sign is in compliance with all the requirements of this subchapter and all other laws and ordinances of the city, the permit shall be issued. An applicant can appeal a denial of the sign permit to the City Council.
(E) Exemptions. The following signs shall not require a permit. These exemptions, however, shall not be construed as relieving the owner of the sign from the responsibility of its erection and maintenance and its compliance with the provisions of this section or any other law or ordinance regulating the same.
(1) Signs erected by authorized governmental agencies.
(2) The changing of the display surface on a painted, printed, or changeable copy sign/reader board signs only.
(3) Signs six square feet or less in size per surface as permitted in this section.
(4) Window signage as permitted in the general standards.
(5) Temporary and portable signage as permitted in this section.
(F) Sign area calculations.
(1) The area of a sign shall be computed by means of the smallest circle, rectangle or triangle that will encompass the extreme limits of the writing, representation, emblem, or other display, together with any material of color forming an integral part of the background of the display or used to differentiate the sign from the space around the sign or building face against which it is placed, but not including any supporting framework, pole, or bracing. Unless specified in this subchapter, each surface utilized to display a message or to attract attention shall be measured as a separate sign and shall be calculated in the overall sign area. Symbols, flags, pictures, wording, figures or other forms of graphics painted on or attached to windows, walls, awnings, free-standing structures, suspended by balloons, or kites or on persons, or animals are considered a sign and are included in calculating the overall sign area.
(2) For monument, ground, and blade signs, the method in the previous section shall be used. Only the face that is specifically intended to be used for signage shall be included when computing the sign area. Any base or other supporting structure, along with all adjoining structures such as fences or walls shall not be included when computing the sign area.
(G) Fees. Sign permit fees shall be established by ordinance.
(H) Violations. Violation of this section is a misdemeanor. Each day that the violation continues is a separate offense.
(I) Maintenance; inspections.
(1) Maintenance. All signs, together with all their supports, braces, guys, and anchors, shall be kept in repair and in proper state of preservation. The display surfaces of all signs shall be kept neatly painted or posted at all times. Every sign and the immediate surrounding premises shall be maintained by the owner or person in charge thereof in a clean, sanitary, and inoffensive condition and free and clear of all obnoxious substances, rubbish, and weeds. Notice shall be given to the administrator of any change in the sign user, sign owner or owner of the property on which the sign is located.
(2) Inspection. All signs for which a permit is required shall be subject to inspection by the administrator and his/her designee. The administrator or his or her designee is authorized to enter upon any property or premises to ascertain compliance with this subchapter. Such entrance shall be made during business hours unless an emergency exists. The administrator may order the removal of any sign that is not maintained in accordance with the maintenance provisions of this section.
(J) Sign removal.
(1) Any sign legally existing at the time of the passage of this section that does not conform to the provisions of this section shall be considered a legal nonconforming sign and may be continued through repair, replacement, restoration, maintenance or improvement but not including expansion. "Expansion" shall be defined as any structural alteration, change or addition that is made outside of the original sign structure, sign area, or design.
(2) Nothing in this section shall prevent the return of a sign structure that has been declared unsafe by the city's Building Inspector to a safe condition.
(3) When any legal nonconforming sign is discontinued for a period of more than one year or is changed to a conforming sign, any future sign shall be in conformity with the provisions of this subchapter. Any legal nonconforming sign shall be removed and shall not be repaired, replaced, or rebuilt if it is damaged by fire or similar peril to the extent of greater than 50% of its market value at the time of destruction and no sign permit or building permit has been applied for within 180 days of the date of destruction. The city’s Building Inspector shall be responsible for making the determination of whether a nonconforming sign has been destroyed greater than 50% at the time of destruction. In making the determination the Building Inspector shall consider the market value of the entire sign at the time prior to the destruction and the replacement value of the existing sign. In the event that a building permit or sign permit is applied for within 180 days of the date of destruction, the city may impose reasonable conditions upon the building permit in order to mitigate any newly created impact on adjacent properties.
(K) Prohibited signs.
(1) Signs exceeding 250 square feet in area.
(2) Signs within the sight triangle. No sign, except for authorized signs, shall be erected within a corner lot sight triangle so that clear visibility of approaching vehicular or pedestrian traffic can be maintained. Such sight triangle means that triangular area defined as follows: beginning at the point of intersection of the right-of-way of two intersecting streets, thence 30 feet along one right-of-way line, thence diagonally to a point on the other right of way line 30 feet from the point of beginning, thence to the point of beginning. Exception: signs within the Central and Limited Business Zoning District may erect signage within the sight triangle that does not obstruct a driver's view or hamper pedestrian traffic.
(3) Signs within the city right-of-way, easements or publicly owned land. Exception: signs posted by authorized government officials, signs approved by the City Council, sandwich board signs located within the Central and Limited Business Districts, temporary signs per subsection (O), and projecting signs per subsection (L).
(4) Off-premise signs. Exception: signs posted by authorized government officials, signs approved by the City Council, sandwich board signs located within the Central and Limited Business Districts, and temporary signs per subsection (O).
(5) Billboard and dynamic billboard signs.
(6) Signs interfering, by reason of position, shape or color, in any way with the proper functioning or purpose of a traffic sign or signal.
(7) Signs that are painted, attached, or in any manner affixed to trees, utility posts, or other similar supports.
(8) Signs attached to or placed upon a building in such a manner that obstructs any window or door for fire escape.
(L) General standards. Signs are a permitted accessory use in all districts subject to the following regulations:
(1) Sign permits are required for all signs unless otherwise stated in this section. The fee for sign permits shall be established by Council subchapter. All signs shall conform to the requirements of this section whether or not a sign permit is required. All signs shall be constructed in a matter and of such material that they shall be safe and substantial. All signs shall be properly secured, supported and braced and shall be kept in good repair so that public safety and traffic safety are not compromised.
(2) Non-commercial speech signs. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this sign section, all signs of any size containing non-commercial speech may be posted from August 1 in any general election year until ten days following the general election and 13 weeks prior to any special election until ten days following the special election. One non-commercial speech sign is allowed on each lot outside of the above specified time period on all properties.
(3) Substitution clause. The owner of any sign which is otherwise allowed by this sign section may substitute non-commercial speech signs in lieu of any other commercial speech sign or other non-commercial speech sign. The purpose of this provision is to prevent any inadvertent favoring of commercial speech over non-commercial speech, or favoring of any particular non-commercial speech over any other non-commercial speech. This provision prevails over any more specific provision to the contrary.
(4) Every home or structure having an official address shall display an address sign that is visible from the street. Address signs shall follow the requirements stated in § 150.03. Address signs shall not count towards the overall permitted signage on a building.
(5) Signs may be illuminated. Symbols, statues, sculptures, and integrated architectural features on buildings may also be illuminated. Illuminated signs shall be subject to the electrical requirements of the Electrical Code of the State of Minnesota. Illuminated signs shall have a shielded light source. Where a sign is illuminated, the beam of light shall not shine directly upon any part of a residence or into the street.
(6) The owner of any sign located within city right-of-way shall be liable for any related bodily injury or property damage caused by the sign or sign's location and shall indemnify and save harmless the city its agents and representatives from any and all loss or damages.
(7) Freestanding signs shall be set back at least ten feet from the property line, except freestanding signs within the Central and Limited Business Zoning District shall be set back at least two feet from the property line. Freestanding signs shall not encroach into a drainage or utility easement unless an easement agreement is approved by the City Administrator.
(8) Building signs shall only be located on the principal building on the lot.
(9) Projecting signs. Wall signs shall be considered building signs and may project up to two feet away from the wall. Canopies, awnings, and marquees shall be considered an integral part of the structure to which they are attached. If signs are attached to a canopy, awning, or marquee, the canopy, awning or marquee shall be considered a part of the wall area used. Canopies, marquees, and awnings shall not project greater than five feet away from the wall. Projecting signs shall maintain a ground clearance of at least ten feet.
(10) Window signage is permitted and shall be counted towards the overall permitted signage on a building. The total window area on a building between ground level and a height of eight feet shall not exceed 75% window coverage.
(11) Up to four flags may be displayed upon a lot. Each flag may not exceed 100 square feet in size per surface, with a maximum of two surfaces.
(12) Any additional, unique or other signage not stated in this section shall require City Council approval.
(M) Signs permitted in residential districts.
(1) Individual dwelling units (not part of a dwelling group of six or more units). One wall and/or freestanding sign for each dwelling not to exceed two and one-half square feet per surface. Said freestanding sign shall not exceed four feet in height above average grade level. No sign shall be so constructed as to have more than two surfaces.
(2) Dwelling group of six or more units. One wall and/or freestanding sign for each dwelling group of six or more units not to exceed 12 square feet per surface. Said freestanding sign shall not exceed six feet in height above average grade level. No sign shall be so constructed as to have more than two surfaces.
(3) One wall and/or freestanding sign not to exceed 32 square feet per surface for permitted non-residential uses or use by conditional use permit. Said freestanding sign shall not exceed ten feet in height above average grade level. No sign shall be so constructed as to have more than two surfaces.
(4) One freestanding residential development/neighborhood identification sign per entrance. Said sign shall not exceed 75 square feet.
(5) One building and/or freestanding sign per entrance for schools and churches/places of worship. Said sign shall not exceed 75 square feet.
(6) Temporary signs per subsection (O).
(7) Park and playground signs.
(N) Signs permitted in commercial/business and industrial districts.
(1) One freestanding sign per street frontage per lot or multi-tenant site.
(a) Type. Monument, blade, ground, double pole sign, multi-tenant signs.
(b) Size. Freestanding signs shall not exceed 150 square feet per surface, except signs within the Central and Limited Business Districts shall not exceed 50 square feet.
(c) Height. Freestanding signs shall not exceed 30 feet from average grade, except signs within the Central and Limited Business Districts shall not exceed 15 feet from average grade.
(d) Design. All freestanding signs shall be constructed of at least 50% brick (or brick veneer), stone (or stone veneer), pre-cast concrete, rock-faced block or other similar masonry.
(2) One building sign per wall per street frontage.
(a) Type. Wall, window, projecting, canopy, awning, marquee and multi-tenant signs.
(b) Size. Sign area is limited to 30% of the building face.
(c) Height. Building signs shall not extend more than two feet above the highest outside wall or parapet of any principal building.
(d) Multi-tenant signs. Each tenant within a multi-tenant site may erect a building sign limited to 30% of its wall.
(3) One electronic variable message sign or dynamic sign per street frontage. Such signs shall be integrated into the design of the free-standing sign or building.
(4) One permanent reader board/changeable copy sign per street frontage. Said signs shall not exceed 32 square feet per surface with a maximum of two surfaces. Such signs shall be integrated into the design of the free-standing sign or building.
(5) Fuel service stations may have one fuel canopy sign located upon the canopy per canopy side not exceeding 30% in size.
(6) Drive-through restaurant menu signage shall be approved by the City Administrator.
(7) Temporary signs per subsection (O).
(O) Temporary and portable signs.
(1) Temporary and portable signage is allowed over and above the typical signage limit allowed on a property for permanent signage. Under no circumstances shall temporary and portable signs be used in place of permanent signage.
(2) All temporary and portable signs shall be kept in good repair and not create visual clutter.
(3) No more than four temporary and/or portable signs shall be allowed per lot within business and industrial districts. Temporary and portable signs shall not exceed 32 square feet in size per surface with a maximum of two surfaces.
(4) All temporary and portable signs shall meet federal and state regulations.
(5) Sandwich board signs.
(a) Sandwich board signs shall be allowed in all zoning districts within the city, except that in residential districts sandwich board signs will be permitted only for non-residential uses and uses by conditional use permit.
(b) There shall be only one sandwich board sign allowed for each entity.
(c) Sandwich board signs shall be considered temporary signage.
(d) Sandwich board signs shall not exceed eight square feet in size per surface area with a maximum of two surfaces.
(e) Bordering property owners may place a sandwich board sign on a public sidewalk or within the public right-of-way directly next to their property. If placed on a sidewalk, a sandwich board sign shall not take up more than two feet of sidewalk width and shall not be placed in the middle of the sidewalk. Said signs shall not be located in the roadway or interfere with vehicular or pedestrian circulation or visibility.
(f) Sandwich board signs may be removed by the city if they interfere with any city or neighboring activities (such as snow removal, maintenance of the surrounding area, and the like).
(g) Public sidewalk sandwich board signs shall be displayed only during the times that the entity is open. No public sidewalk sandwich board sign shall be displayed overnight or when there has been any snow accumulation.
(h) Sandwich board signs shall be weighed down.
(i) Sandwich board signs that do not comply with the regulations stated above may be removed and disposed of by the city.
(6) Garage sale, rummage sale, and yard sale signs.
(a) No more than one on-premise sign is permitted per sale event. No more than two off-premise directional signs are permitted per sale event.
(b) Size. Signs shall not exceed six square feet per side with a maximum of two sides per sign.
(c) Location. On-premise signs shall be located entirely on the property of the sale (typically about ten feet from the back of curb). All signs shall not interfere with vehicular or pedestrian circulation or visibility. All off-premise signs shall require written permission from the property owner (state, county, city, private property owner).
(d) Time period. Signs may be erected beginning on Thursday at 8:00 a.m. to the following Sunday at 8:00 p.m.
(e) Parcels may have no more than four sale events per year.
(f) Signs that do not comply with the regulations stated above may be removed and disposed of by the city.
(7) Private party and celebration signs (wedding, graduation, birthday, religious, or similar event) are permitted only during the day of the event.
(8) Community event and public information (non-commercial) signs are permitted. Said signs shall not be located in the roadway or interfere with vehicular or pedestrian circulation or visibility. All off-premise signs shall require written permission from the property owner (state, county, city, private property owner).
(9) Real estate signs.
(a) Real estate signs for the purpose of selling or leasing individual lots, units, or buildings are permitted provided the signs do not exceed ten square feet for residential property and 32 square feet for other property and provided that only two signs are permitted for each property. Said signs shall be removed within ten days following the lease or sale.
(b) One sign per building for the purpose of leasing dwelling units in buildings containing two or more units provided the signs are limited to five square feet in area.
(c) Temporary real estate offices and model homes within residential districts may erect up to four temporary signs per lot not exceeding 32 square feet.
(d) Off-premise directional open house signs may be erected only during public visitation hours. Said signs shall be limited to six per street intersection.
(e) Off-premise parade of home signs may be erected from Thursday at 8:00 a.m. to Monday at 8:00 a.m. only during the Parade of Home's officially advertised five-week period.
(f) Off-premise directional for sale signs are prohibited.
(g) Real estate signs that do not comply with the above requirements may be removed and disposed of by the city.
(h) Temporary development signs. New residential developments of 20 or more dwelling units/lots or commercial/industrial projects four or more units/lots may erect up to two signs with a commercial message not exceeding 75% square feet per side, with a maximum of two sides. Said signs shall be removed once 75% of the subdivision is developed.
(10) New construction projects. New construction worksites may erect one sign with a commercial message not exceeding 75 square feet. Said signs shall be removed ten days after construction is complete.
(11) Upon written request to the City Administrator, additional temporary or portable signs may be allowed in appropriate circumstances. The number of additional temporary signs shall be subject to City Administrator approval and the City Administrator may place reasonable restrictions on the use and placement of such signs.
(Ord. passed 2-29-1996; Am. Ord. 2008-220, passed 4-24-2008)