The signs listed in this section are not subject to the sign permit requirements set forth in this chapter. Exempt signs must still satisfy all other applicable permitting requirements (such as building permits).
(A) Addresses. Street number and/or name signs not exceeding two square feet per sign for single-family or duplex structures and four square feet per sign for all other uses. One sign per street frontage shall be allowed. This shall include signs which identify the location of the office of the manager of the property;
(B) Auto for sale signs. Private party automobile for sale signs, affixed to the interior window(s) of the vehicle for sale when placed in a way to allow safe and sane operation of the vehicle consistent with applicable law, to a maximum of four square feet total.
(C) Commemorative plaques. Memorial signs and tablets approved under site plan review, building names and/or erection dates when cut into a permanent surface or constructed on noncombustible materials, and religious symbols and similar emblems when submitted with the design of the building and approved under the zoning provisions to a maximum of four square feet;
(D) Community activity signs. On-site signs associated with religious, charitable, cultural, civic, or educational organization not exceeding 16 square feet in size. Such signs shall be temporary and non-illuminated, located on private property only, and shall not create a site visibility hazard;
(E) Construction announcement signs. Signs placed on real property upon which construction is to take place, which signs contain information regarding the individuals and firms directly connected with the construction project, including the name of the contractor, the subcontractors, the real estate licensee, and future tenants. Signs for sites less than two acres shall be limited to a maximum size of 32 square feet (four feet by eight feet). Signs for sites of two acres or greater shall not exceed 128 square feet (eight feet by 16 feet). Such signs shall not be displayed in advance of application for site plan review and/or building permits for the project. Time extensions may be granted by the Planning Director. Construction announcement signs shall be removed within 30 days after the issuance of the certificate of occupancy for a majority of the development;
(F) Credit cards, debit cards, ATM, and association membership. Credit cards accepted, debit cards accepted, ATM availability, and association membership signs when not exceeding one-half square foot per window sign and one and one-half square feet per hanging sign and a total of four in number;
(G) Directional signs. Signs bearing no advertising message and located on the site may be erected when necessary to facilitate circulation within the site or facilitate egress and ingress. Such signs shall not be counted against the site’s allowed sign area. The size, number, and placement of directional signs may be limited by the Planning Director;
(H) Flags. Flags of any nation, political subdivision, or fraternal or religious organization and those flags determined by the Planning Commission to be of a noncommercial, nonprofit civic character provided the pole height does not exceed 24 feet and the height of the flag is not more than one-fourth the height of the pole. A sign application may be submitted to the Planning Commission for a flagpole higher than 24 feet or a flag which exceeds 1/4 the height of the pole where the applicant can show that the proposed flag and/or pole is consistent with the intent and purpose of this chapter. This section is not intended to allow the clustering or display of flags for the purpose of commercial attraction as determined by the Planning Commission;
(I) Informational signs for the safety and convenience of the public. Signs such as “open/closed,” “rest rooms,” “telephone,” “danger,” “impaired clearance,” “no smoking,” and other signs of a similar nature (“parking in rear,” “drive-in window,” and parking facility signs) may be allowed up to four square feet in area under this section;
(J) Interior signs. Signs located in the interior of any building or within an enclosed lobby or court of any building or group of buildings, and which are not visible from any public right-of-way, shall not be subject to the size and location criteria within this chapter. However, signs which require electrical connections or engineered supports shall be required to obtain all required permits. Window signage is not applicable to this exemption;
(K) Murals. When consistent with the purpose and intent of this sign ordinance, and applied to a wall surface with the consent, endorsement, and/or approval of the city, a mural shall not be considered an on-building sign or billboard, and shall be exempt from the provisions of this chapter.
(L) Nonprofit, cultural, and promotion posters. Temporary display posters in connection with nonprofit civic and cultural events and with noncommercial health, welfare, and safety campaigns (such as Red Cross, United Crusade, Heart Fund, performing arts, and the like). Such posters shall be removed within seven days after the termination of the event;
(M) Official signs. Official signs posted pursuant to, and in the discharge of, any governmental function by public officials in the performance of their duties (including traffic and street name signs, as well as notices, emblems, or other forms of identification and signs required by law);
(N) Political signs. Signs associated with a candidate for an elected office, political party, or ballot measure or which make a political statement, not exceeding 32 square feet in area per candidate or issue per site, subject to the following:
(1) Any such sign shall be erected not earlier than the closing date of the filing for candidacy and shall be removed within seven days after such election. However, those candidates who continue as such after the primary election may continue to display their signs until seven days after the applicable subsequent election.
(2) No political or campaign sign shall be attached to trees, fence posts, or utility poles, except on private property where signs may be attached to trees and fence posts with the permission of the property owner.
(3) No political or campaign sign shall be attached and erected on public property or within the public right-of-way.
(4) Political or campaign signs placed upon private property shall not be erected in a manner which, in whole or in part, would create a hazardous condition to pedestrian or traffic alike, either by obstructing the free use of exits; building or site; or by creating visual distraction, whether by color, glare, or representing a traffic control device.
(5) In cases where political or campaign signs are not removed within the specific time period, the city shall cause to be removed those signs which remain, and the cost and expense of such activity shall be paid by the candidate;
(O) Real estate signs. Real estate signs subject to the following:
(1) For sale, rent, or lease. On-site or on-building signs.
(a) Single-family residential and duplex sites: on-site or on-building signs not exceeding four square feet, plus an additional two square foot allowance for real estate rider signs such as Pool & Spa, Owner Financed, Four Bedroom and the like, not to exceed a total sign area of six square feet.
(b) Multiple-family, business, and industrial sites: on-site or on-building signs not exceeding 16 square feet for sites of two acres or less in area. On-site or on-building signs not exceeding 32 square feet for sites of two acres or larger, and one in number per street frontage;
(2) Open house; on-site. On-site or on-building signs, posted between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. daily, not exceeding four square feet per sign and one in number per site or structure; and
(3) Open house; off-site. Open house signs posted between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 7:00p.m. daily, not exceeding four square feet per sign and one in number in the neighborhood of sales; not to be located in any center median of a public road or in a sidewalk right-of-way; and directional arrows with addresses not exceeding four in number in the neighborhood of sales;
(P) Residential nameplates. A nameplate not exceeding two square feet in area and one in number and displaying only the (1) name of the premises upon which it is displayed; and (2) the name of the owner or lessee of such premises; and (3) the address of such premises. Such nameplates shall be affixed flush to the building in which any home occupation is located and shall not be illuminated;
(Q) Seasonal decorations. Holiday greetings, decorations, and displays, such as relate to Christmas, Thanksgiving, the Fourth of July, and the like, such that said seasonal decorations are removed within 14 days after the appurtenant holiday event, and excluding advertising signs disguised as seasonal decorations;
(R) Signs required by law. Signs displayed by private individuals when required by law or regulations of any governmental agency or law; and
(S) Window signs. Temporary window signs (non-internally illuminated) announcing special sales, a change in management, individual product and/or price signs, or similar information and designed to be viewed from adjacent streets, sidewalks, public rights-of-way or parking for a period not exceeding 30 days. This section is not intended to allow additional permanent signs. Window signs which are painted on, or temporarily affixed to the window surface may cover not more than 60% of any single window or series of windows, nor more than 30% of the entire surface area of available windows, and shall not be so affixed as to block clear view of exits or entrances or to create a safety hazard to persons exiting or entering. The total area of window signs shall not be greater than the permanent on-building sign area allowed for the business/use. Window signs which are not covered by the temporary sign provisions, shall only be allowed as permanent signs with the approval of the required sign permit.
(T) Yard sale signs. Yard sale signs subject to the following:
(1) One on-site sign not to exceed four square feet, posted for no more than two days, and removed no later than one hour after the end of the event.
(2) Up to four off-site direction signs not to exceed two square feet each, posted for no more than two days, and removed no later than one hour after the end of the event.
(3) All such signs shall be consistent with the provisions of this chapter.
(4) Yard sale signs are not allowed in public places, including the public right-of-way.
(Ord. 864 C.S., passed 11-4-09)