1. Exempt Signs from Sign Permit and Fee. A sign permit and fee shall not be required for any of the following signs. The exemption shall apply only to the requirement for obtaining a sign permit and paying the fee, and shall not be construed as relieving the owner of such sign from the responsibility for erection, for maintaining it in a safe condition and from being in conformance with the applicable requirements states in this Part:
A. Address sign.
B. Private sale or event sign.
C. Construction sign.
D. Driveway or trespassing sign.
E. Home occupation sign.
F. Memorial signs, tablets or plaques depicting the National Register of Historic Places, the name of the building and date of erection when cut into a masonry surface or when constructed of bronze or other noncombustible material. Any sign which has been authenticated as historically significant and accurate for its specific location, whether original or a replica shall be exempt from the regulations of this Part.
G. Political signs.
H. Real estate signs.
I. United States, State and municipal flags.
J. Works of art that do not included a commercial message.
2. Prohibited Signs.
A. Flashing or animated signs. (Flashing or animated signs that are clocks, time or temperature signs or barber poles shall not be considered as a prohibited sign if it complies with the other provisions of this Part.)
B. Signs on vehicles permanently parked or intended as directional signs. Temporary portable or trailer signs in or on a vehicle are prohibited.
C. Signs that violate or advertise activities that violate Federal, State or local laws, regulations or ordinances.
D. Signs which by reason of size, location, movement, content, coloring or manner of illumination obstruct the vision of drivers leaving or entering a public street from another street or driveway and/or obstruct or detract from the visibility or effectiveness of any traffic control device or traffic sign on a public street.
E. Signs which make use of words such as “stop,” “look,” “one-way,” “danger,” “yield,” “go slow,” “caution,” or any similar words, phrases, symbols, lights or characters in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic or which imitate an official traffic sign or signal.
F. Signs which advertise an activity, business, product or service no longer produced or conducted. In such case, such sign shall be removed within 30 days after the activity, business, product or service is discontinued.
G. Signs which are placed or located within the public right-of-way except signs erected at the direction of municipal, State, Federal or other governmental agency.
H. Signs painted on, pasted or attached to or supported by utility poles, trees, a stone, cliff or other natural object.
I. String lights around signs.
J. Signs which obstruct free ingress to or egress from a fire escape, door, or other exit way.
K. Signs which are structurally unsafe or in a state of disrepair.
L. Roof signs, except integral roof signs.
M. Inflatable signs.
N. Signs that emit smoke, visible vapors, particles, sound or odor.
O. Signs that incorporate or employ open flames.
P. Illuminated signs which adversely affect: (1) safe vision of operators of vehicles moving on public or private streets or parking areas; (2) any residential district or any part of a building or property used for residential purposes.
(Ord. 462, 8/14/1995; as amended by Ord. 551, 4/12/2004)