(A) Permit required. Except as otherwise provided in this article, it shall be unlawful for any person to erect, construct, enlarge, move, or convert any sign within the city, or cause the same to be done, without first obtaining a sign permit issued in accordance with Subsec. 156.J.004.4, Sign Permit.
(B) Actions not requiring a permit. The following actions do not require a sign permit:
(1) Maintenance. Routine maintenance, not involving structural changes to the sign;
(2) Message. Changes of message, either manually or electronically, on an electronic message sign or changeable copy sign, subject to limitations of § 156.G.004(K), Changeable Copy, on the frequency of message changes.
(C) Signs not requiring a permit. The following signs are exempted from the permit requirements of this article, but shall be in compliance with all other applicable codes and ordinances:
(1) ATM sign. Signs incorporated into and designed as part of an automatic teller machine (ATM) shall be exempt, provided the sign is limited to the term "ATM" and the financial institution's name and logo.
(2) Ancillary signs. Three or less ancillary signs when:
(a) No trespassing signs less than four square feet;
(b) Placed on the door or exterior wall or window of the premises; and
(c) No larger than four square feet in total sign area.
(3) Art and murals. Art and murals, provided such signs do not contain any commercial messaging. Murals within the Urban Core, UC zoning district shall be exempt provided that the mural is not on a primary facade.
(4) Athletic field signs. Signs located on the field side of scoreboards and fences of athletic fields provided each sign does not exceed 32 square feet in area.
(5) Flags. Flags shall be permitted without a permit ensuring they not exceed 15 square feet, but not including painted or printed images of flags otherwise constituting a sign.
(6) Ghost signs. Ghost signs or rehabilitated ghost signs.
(7) Government signs.
(a) Any traffic sign erected at the authorization of either the county, state, or federal government.
(b) Any sign providing emergency notifications on a temporary basis lasting no more than 90 days erected at the authorization of the county, state, or federal government.
(c) Any sign erected by the city pursuant to and in the discharge of any governmental function.
(d) Public notices and other signs erected by government agencies or utilities.
(e) All government signs other than those listed in this division (C)(7)(a) through (d) of this section shall be subject to the permitting requirements of this chapter.
(f) All government signage is exempt from any fee charged related to permits issued.
(8) Grave markers, statues, or sculptures. Grave markers, statues, or sculptures that are not commercial in nature.
(9) Holiday signs. Holiday signs, as defined in this chapter, provided that they are installed no more than 35 days prior to the holiday for which they are customarily dedicated. Such signs shall be removed no later than 15 days after the holiday for which they are customarily dedicated.
(10) Interior signs. Signs located within a structure and not visible from a public or private street.
(11) Mailboxes and addresses.
(a) Addresses and names printed in a standard size on a mailbox provided that the address information on the side of a residence or business shall not exceed four square feet.
(b) Street markings indicating address information only containing address information painted on curbsides which shall not exceed four square feet.
(12) Menu board. Any permanently mounted accessory sign displaying the items for sale of a drive-in or drive-through restaurant shall be allowed provided that:
(a) A maximum of two menu boards are permitted per drive aisle of a drive-through establishment.
(b) The menu board shall not exceed 50 square feet.
(c) The audio component of a menu board is limited to communication between customers and employees, and may not exceed a volume of five decibels over ambient sound as measured from the nearest property line.
(13) Plaques. Plaques, tablets or names of buildings and date of erection when cut into any surface of when such sign is attached flush to the building or commemorative plaques or monuments placed by historical organizations.
(14) Private traffic control signs. Signs on private property containing no advertising that direct the movement of traffic, warn of obstacles or overhead clearances, or control parking, including entrance and exit signs provided they do not exceed six square feet in area and shall not exceed four feet in height. Signs in the PI, REC district shall not be limited in area or height.
(15) Property identification signs. Any sign erected at the entrance of acreage or residential property that identifies the property by name or by name of the owner.
(16) Railway signs. Any sign on property owned by a railroad placed or maintained in reference to the operation of the railway.
(17) Recreational signs. Any sign approved by the city in a city park or city recreational area.
(18) Sidewalk signs. Sidewalk signs in the Urban Core (UC) and Mixed Use (MU) districts shall not require a permit or advance approval but shall conform to the following requirements:
(a) The sign shall be removed after business hours;
(b) The sign may not contain changeable letters on tracks;
(c) The sign shall be properly anchored or weighted against the wind;
(d) The sign placement shall maintain a minimum sidewalk clearance width of four feet to provide accessibility;
(e) The sign shall be no larger than eight square feet per side and no taller than five feet.
(19) Temporary signs. Temporary signs as described in § 156.G.006, Temporary Signs.
(20) Transit shelter sign. Authorized signs attached to a transit shelter sign shall be exempt from any permit as long as the sign does not exceed 12 square feet. All signs shall be non-electrical. Only one sign/sign face per shelter shall be allowed.
(21) Utility pole banners. Banners on utility poles in the public right-of-way approved by the Director of Public Works.
(22) Utility and hazard signs. Safety signs, such as warnings of high voltage, explosives, hazardous materials and other dangerous situations.
(23) Vehicle signs. Signs applied directly onto the body of a car, truck, bus, trailer, or another vehicle if such vehicle is operated in the normal course of a business and such vehicle is not used primarily to display such sign.
(D) Nonconforming signs. Refer to § 156.K.005, Nonconforming Signs.
(E) Code compliance.
(1) Generally.
(a) All signs and sign structures requiring electrical connections must meet all requirements set by the City Electrician and applicable codes and ordinances of the city.
(b) The construction, installation, erection, anchorage, and maintenance of all signs shall be subject to the applicable codes and ordinances of the city.
(2) Wind load requirements. Signs erected or placed in accordance with this section shall withstand wind load pressures as specified in the International Building Code.
(Ord. 15039, passed 4-11-2022)