1. Signs Permitted in All Zoning Districts. Signs hereinafter designated are permitted in all zoning districts.
A. Temporary Signs.
(1) Real Estate Signs. Signs advertising the sale, rental, or lease of the premises or part of the premises on which the signs are displayed. One non-illuminated sign, not to exceed eight (8) square feet, shall be permitted on each premises in all districts except the A-1 district which shall be permitted to have a non-illuminated sign not to exceed fifty (50) square feet. Such signs shall not extend higher than four (4) feet above grade level or be closer than ten (10) feet to any property line unless located on the wall of a building. Such signs shall be removed within seven (7) days after the disposition of the premises.
(2) Construction Signs. Signs identifying the architect, engineer, contractor or other individuals involved in the construction of a building and such signs announcing the character of the building enterprise or the purpose for which the building is intended but not including product advertising. One non-illuminated sign not to exceed fifty (50) square feet shall be permitted per street frontage. Such sign shall not extend higher than ten (10) feet above grade level or be closer than 10 feet to any property line unless located on the wall of a building on the premises or on a protective barricade surrounding the construction. Such signs shall be removed within one week following completion of construction.
(3) Political Campaign Signs. Signs announcing candidates seeking public political office or pertinent political issues. Such signs shall be confined to private property and shall be removed within one week following the election to which they pertain.
(4) Street Banners. Signs advertising a public event providing that specific approval is granted under regulations established by the Board of Supervisors.
(5) Seasonal Decorations. Signs pertaining to recognized national holidays and national observances.
B. Directory Signs. Signs without names or logos, existing solely to direct vehicle or pedestrian traffic to a business location, provided signs are no larger than eight (8) square feet per face, no taller than three (3) feet tall, and at least five (5) feet from public right-of-way. Directory Signs shall be on premises signs, with no more than five (5) such signs per property.
C. Public Signs. Signs of a non-commercial nature and in the public interest, erected by or upon the order of a public officer in the performance of public duty, such as safety signs, danger signs, trespassing signs, traffic signs, memorial plaques, signs of historical interest and other similar signs, including signs designating hospitals, libraries, schools and other institutions or places of public interest or concern.
D. Integral Signs. Signs for churches or temples, or names of buildings, dates of erection, monumental citations, commemorative tablets and other similar signs when carved into stone, concrete or other building material or made of bronze, aluminum, or other permanent type of construction and made an integral part of the structure to which they are attached. Integral signs shall not use color to increase visibility from the public right-of-way.
E. Window Signs. Such signs which are displayed inside of a window or within a building, provided however, that lighted window signs shall be permitted only in those districts where lighted signs are permitted.
2. Signs Permitted Based on Zoning. Signs hereinafter designated shall be permitted only in the designated zoning district, with size and height restrictions specified for each district.
Signs Permitted Based On Zoning | ||||||||
District | Building | Freestanding | Development Identification | Highway High Rise | ||||
Max. Area (sf/lf) | Max. Height (ft) | Max. Area (sf) | Max. Height (ft) | Max. Area (sf) | Max. Height (ft) | Max. Area (sf) | Max. Height (ft) | |
Signs Permitted Based On Zoning | ||||||||
District | Building | Freestanding | Development Identification | Highway High Rise | ||||
Max. Area (sf/lf) | Max. Height (ft) | Max. Area (sf) | Max. Height (ft) | Max. Area (sf) | Max. Height (ft) | Max. Area (sf) | Max. Height (ft) | |
A-1 | - | - | 10 | 12 | - | - | - | - |
C-A | 2 | 10 | 50 | 25 | - | - | 750 | 50 |
A-R R-1,2,3 | - | - | - | - | 50 | 12 | - | - |
R-4 | - | - | - | - | 50 | 12 | - | - |
C-1 | 2 | 10 | 50 | 25 | - | - | 750 | 50 |
C-2 | 2 | 15 | 200 | 30 | - | - | 750 | 50 |
M-1,2 | 2 | 15 | 200 | 30 | - | - | 750 | 50 |
A. Building signs include: building signs, awning signs, identification signs, projecting signs not prohibited herein, roof signs not prohibited herein. Maximum building sign area shall be based on linear feet of building frontage being occupied by the premises. Building signs shall be situated on building walls facing the street. In no case shall building signs be visible from an adjacent residential district; building signs shall not be located on a wall facing an adjacent “R” district, projecting signs shall not be permitted on buildings adjoining residential district. However, building signs shall be permitted across the street from residential districts.
B. Freestanding signs include: pole signs, ground signs, monument signs and identification signs. Freestanding signs do no include highway high rise signs. Freestanding signs shall not be located in any side or rear yards adjacent to residential districts. Maximum freestanding sign area shall be per face, with a maximum of two faces per sign. Pole signs shall not be less than 12 feet above the sidewalk or 10 feet above the surface of the ground on which it is erected. Ground signs shall not be more than 10 feet tall. Freestanding sign faces shall be no more than nine 9 feet wide or tall.
C. Highway High Rise. Highway High Rise signs shall not be permitted in any residential district. Such signs shall be situated no more than 1,200 feet from the centerline of a State or county highway and no closer than 500 feet from the nearest other Highway freestanding sign. Maximum highway freestanding sign shall be per face, with a maximum of two faces per sign.
D. Development Identification Signs include development identification signs and development off-premises signs provided such off-premises signs do not exceed 32 square feet in area.
E. Miscellaneous Signs. Miscellaneous signs shall be a type of sign that is permitted in all zoning districts. Such signs must not be temporary signs nor prohibited signs as defined by this Zoning Code. Miscellaneous signs shall only be placed in front yards and cannot be larger than 10 square feet in area and cannot be higher than 12 feet above the ground. Miscellaneous signs may be free standing or affixed to a structure or fence. Miscellaneous signs do not include building signs, highway high rise signs, development identification signs, or any other sign defined by this Zoning Code.
3. Prohibited Signs. Signs hereinafter designated shall be prohibited in all zoning districts.
A. Obsolete Signs. Signs that advertise an activity, business, product or service no longer conducted on the premises on which the sign is located.
B. Banners, Balloons, Posters, etc. Signs which contain or consist of banners, balloons, posters, pennants, ribbons, streamers, spinners, or other similarly moving devices, except as specifically provided herein. These devices when not part of any sign are also prohibited.
C. Off-Premises Signs on Public Property. Off-premises signs located on public property.
D. Flashing Signs. No flashing, blinking, or rotation lights shall be permitted for either permanent or temporary signs.
E. Moving Signs. No sign shall be permitted any part of which moves by any mechanical or electronic means.
F. Painted Wall Signs. Off-premises signs painted on building walls.
4. General Sign Regulations.
A. Conformance Required. Except as may be hereinafter specified, no sign shall be erected, placed, maintained, converted, enlarged, reconstructed, or structurally altered which does not comply with all of the regulations established by this chapter.
B. Maintenance. All signs shall be maintained in a good state of repair, including, but not limited to, the structural components, the lighting if any, the portion attaching the sign to the ground or structure, and the surface features.
C. Nonconforming Signs. Where a sign exists at the effective date of adoption or amendment of the Zoning Ordinance that could not be built under the terms of this chapter by reason of restrictions on area, use, height, setback, or other characteristics of the sign or its location on the lot, such sign may be continued so long as it remains otherwise lawful, subject to the following provisions:
(1) No such sign may be enlarged or altered in a way which increases its nonconformity; however, reasonable repairs and alterations may be permitted.
(2) Should such sign be destroyed by any means to an extent of fifty percent (50%) or more of its replacement cost at time of destruction, it shall not be reconstructed except in conformity with the provisions of this chapter.
D. Permit Required. A sign permit, approved by the Zoning Administrator, shall be required before the erection, construction, alteration, placing, or locating of all signs conforming with this chapter.
E. Permit Not Required. A permit shall not be required for temporary signs, repainting without changing permanent wording, composition, or colors; or for non-structural repairs.
F. Plans. A copy of plans and specifications shall be submitted to the Zoning Administrator for each sign regulated by this chapter. Such plans shall show sufficient details about size of the sign, location and materials to be used and such other data as may be required for the Zoning Administrator to determine compliance with this chapter.
G. Appeal. Any person or persons aggrieved by the decision of the Zoning Administrator to approve or disapprove a sign permit, as provided by this chapter, may appeal such decision to the Board of Adjustment as provided in this chapter.