The purpose and intent of the Sign Code is to set out reasonable regulations for the design, location, installation, display, operation, repair, maintenance, and removal of signs in a manner that advances the county's legitimate, important, substantial, and compelling interests, while simultaneously safeguarding the constitutionally protected right of free speech.
(A) Conflicts between traffic control signs and signals and various private signs resulting in vehicular and pedestrian safety problems.
(B) Signs are sometimes placed in locations or constructed in a manner that creates a danger to the public during periods of high winds or inclement weather.
(C) The uncontrolled use of signs defeats the sign's informational or advertising functions as competitors escalate sign size and expense in an effort to fairly attract attention.
(D) The uncontrolled use and proliferation of signs create visual pollution that destroys the beauty of the county, the attractiveness of commercial areas, and the ability of the public to safety and quickly interpret the intended messages.
(E) The owner of any sign which is otherwise allowed by this sign ordinance may substitute non-commercial copy in lieu of any other commercial or non-commercial copy. This substitution of copy may be made without any additional approval or permitting. 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 message over any other non-commercial message. This provision prevails over any more specific provision to the contrary.
(Ord. 2014-18, passed 4-16-2014; Am. Ord. 2016- 02, passed 2-16-2016; Am. Ord. 2020-02, passed 1-16-2020)