1339.04 EXCEPTIONS.

   The provisions of Section 1339.03 shall not apply to the following types of signs:

   (a)   Temporary Signs.

      (1)   Real estate signs not over ten square feet in area which advertise only the sale, rental or lease of the premises upon which the sign is located.

      (2)   Bulletin boards not over twenty square feet in area for public, charitable or religious institutions when such bulletin board is located on the premises of such institutions.

      (3)   Signs denoting the architect, engineer or contractor, when placed upon work under construction, and not exceeding forty square feet in area.

      (4)   Advertising copy or message on a painted, printed or changeable letter sign.

      (5)   Repainting, cleaning or repair maintenance which does not involve an alteration or change in the structural members of the sign or an increase in the total advertising area of the sign.

      (6)   Any sign denoting only the name and profession of an occupant in a commercial building, public institution, other building or dwelling and not exceeding three total square feet in area.

(7)   Projecting signs not more than one and one-half total square feet in area.

      (8)   Non-electric signs six square feet or less which are mounted on a building or six square feet or less mounted in the ground with a maximum height of six feet.

   (b)   Temporary Signs which require a permit:

      (1)    "Sunflower" or other rented changeable letter signs.

      (2)    Any other temporary sign not covered under Paragraph (a).

   (c)   General Provisions.

      (1)   All temporary signs under paragraph (a) which promote a special sale or event may be placed not more than thirty (30) days before the initial date of the sale or event and shall he removed not more than five (5) days after such special sale or event. Temporary signs requiring a permit shall be placed not more than thirty (30) days from date of permit and shall be removed not more than live (5) days after the expiration of such permit.

      (2)   No banners or pennants shall be allowed unless used as a temporary business/announcement sign.

      (3)   All temporary signs which existed prior to the date of the revised ordinance, shall be removed within 30 days of the date that this new ordinance is adopted.

      (4)   All temporary signs shall further comply with the provision of Section 1339.23.

   (d)   Historic Preservation. Signs and marquees which (1) maintain and enhance the distinctive character of historical areas and properties, or (2) safeguard the heritage of the City by preserving sights, structures or portions thereof which reflect elements of the City's cultural, social or architectural heritage, upon application to and approval by the Chief of the Bureau of Buildings, Inspections, Licenses and Permits and the City Engineer as to the applicant's proposed location, construction and erection thereof.

      (Ord. 94-185. Passed 9-6-94.)

1339.05 SIGN PERMIT REQUIRED.

   Before erecting, converting, enlarging, reconstructing, structurally altering or rearranging any sign, application shall be made in writing upon a form furnished by the Bureau of Buildings, Inspections, Licenses and Permits of the City. The application shall include the following information:

   (a)   Name and address of the property owner and the licensed sign erector.

   (b)   The location by street and number, dimensions, height and design of the sign.

   (c)   Plans showing the definite dimensions, method of construction, installation and support.

   (d)   Substantiating evidence that the sign erector is licensed, as defined in Section 1339.02.

   (e)   Another pertinent data as may be required by the Bureau to determine and provide for the enforcement of the chapter.

   (f)   No fee shall be charged for the replacement, rehanging, or redisplay of a sign face orianel which constitutes a conforming use. However, application for permit and a drawing must still be submitted to inform the Bureau of such change. If the sign structure is altered a permit will be required.

   (g)   A letter of consent from and signed by the owner of a building or parcel of land shall be submitted at the time of the application for all off-premise billboard signs. (Ord. 94-185. Passed 9-6-94.)

1339.06 ERECTION REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL SIGNS.

   Loads, allowable stresses and materials for all signs shall be as follows:

   (a)   Pressure. For the purposes of determining wind pressure all signs shall be designed and constructed to withstand wind pressures specified in Section 1112.0 of the Ohio Basic Building Code as may be amended from time to time.

   (b)   Projected Exposed Area. The exposed area subjected to wind pressure shall be the total area of all parts of the sign including structural framing on a plane perpendicular to the direction of the wind. In determining the stress in any member the wind shall be assumed to flow from the horizontal direction, and from that inclination from the vertical (but not to exceed twenty degrees above or below the horizontal) which produces the maximum stress in that member.

   (c)   Allowable Stresses and Materials. In all signs the allowable stresses, materials and details of design shall render all signs safe to person, property and the movement of traffic along all streets and public thoroughfares. All signs shall be designed, constructed and installed in conformity with the provisions of this chapter and applicable statutes of the State. All signs shall be supported by sign structures which are made of wood, concrete or steel, designed and constructed to resist wind pressures and dead and lateral loads in accordance with the following specifications:

      (1)   For steel sign structures. American National Standards Institute, Inc. Building Code requirements for structural steel. Secondary members in contact with or directly supporting the facing may, in all types of signs, be formed of light gauge steel, provided such members are designed in accordance with the Light Gauge Steel Design Manual of the American Iron and Steel Institute.

      (2)   For wood. National Design specifications for Stress Grade Lumber and its fastenings, recommended by the National Lumber Manufacturers Association.

      (3)   The working stress of chains, wire, ropes and steel guy rods and their fastenings shall not exceed one-quarter of their ultimate strength.

         (Ord. 94-185. Passed 9-6-94.)

1339.07 APPROVED PLASTICS FOR SIGNS.

   Approved plastics as defined and approved by the Bureau of Buildings, Inspections, Licenses and Permits may be used as the display surface material and for the letters and decorations and facings on signs and outdoor display structures provided that the structure on which the plastic is mounted or installed is noncombustible.

(Ord. 94-185. Passed 9-6-94.)

1339.08 APPROVED MATERIALS FOR TRIM.

   Nonstructural trim may be made of metal, wood or approved plastics or any combination thereof. Facings, letters and decorations of all types of signs may be made of metal or approved plastics. Facings, letters and decorations of signs other than electric signs may be made of wood. (Ord. 94-185. Passed 9-6-94.)

1339.09 SIGNS NOT TO CONSTITUTE A TRAFFIC OR SAFETY HAZARD.

   No sign shall be erected at the intersection of any street or public way in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision or at any location where by reason of the position, shape or color it may interfere with, obstruct the view or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device; or which makes use of the words "stop", "look", "drive in", "danger" or any other word, phrase or symbol in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse the movement of traffic on any street or public way.

   Signs shall be erected, constructed or maintained so as not to obstruct any fire escape, window, door or other opening; or so as to prevent free passage from one part of a roof to any other part thereof. No sign shall be attached in any form, shape or manner to a fire escape, or shall be so placed as to interfere with an opening which is required for legal ventilation.

(Ord. 94-185. Passed 9-6-94.)

1339.10 CLEARANCE FROM HIGH VOLTAGE POWER LINES.

   (a)    Signs shall be located not less than six feet horizontally or twelve feet vertically from overhead electric conductors which arc energized in excess of 750 volts. "Overhead conductors", as used in this chapter, means any electrical conductor, either bare or insulated, installed above the ground, except such conductors as are enclosed in iron pipe or other material covering of equal strength.

   (b)    Projection Over Alleys. No sign or sign structure shall project into any public alley below a height of fourteen feet above grade, nor project more than twelve inches where the sign structure is located fourteen feet to sixteen feet above grade. The sign or sign structure may project not more than thirty-six inches into the public alley where the sign or sign structure is located more than sixteen feet above grade.

(Ord. 94-185. Passed 9-6-94.)