(a) Signs constitute a separate and distinct use of the land upon which they are placed and affect the use of adjacent streets, sidewalks and other places open to the public. The purpose of this chapter is to establish reasonable, consistent, content-neutral, and nondiscriminatory requirements and standards which encourage creativity and flexibility in the design, erection, and effective use of signs, symbols, markings, and/or advertising devices as a means of communication within the City. These standards are designed to protect and promote the public health, safety, and general welfare of persons within the community by minimizing potential hazards to pedestrians and vehicular traffic, to minimize the possible adverse effect of signs on nearby public and private property, to enable the fair and consistent enforcement of these sign requirements, to protect property values, to aid in the development and promotion of business and industrial growth, enhance and protect the physical appearance of the community and further preserve the scenic and natural beauty of designated areas. It is further intended to reduce sign or advertising distraction and obstructions that may contribute to traffic accidents, reduce hazards that may be caused by signs overhanging or projecting over public right of way, provide more open space, curb the deterioration of the natural environment, enhance community development, and complement land-use objectives as set forth in the UDO.
(b) No provision or definition in this chapter shall be interpreted as requiring, prohibiting, or otherwise regulating, or making regulatory distinctions based on, the sign content, as defined herein, of any sign except where clearly indicated otherwise for purposes of public safety or administrative efficiency.
(c) Furthermore, the purpose of this chapter is to prevent accidents caused by careless construction, erection and maintenance of signs.
(d) Whenever the boundaries of a district are changed, either by annexation or by transfer of an area from one district to another of a different classification, the provisions of the newly adopted district shall apply.