The following types of permanent and temporary signs, and no others, are permitted in the City:
(a) Permanent Signs. Permanent signs include building wall signs, including fascia, and free-standing wall signs (ground).
(1) Changeable copy may be installed on permanent signs pursuant to the provisions and restrictions set forth below:
A. As part of a directory sign. A directory sign may contain changeable copy if located within the signable area of the building wall and within six feet of the building entrance door. Letters within the sign shall be no more than five inches in height.
B. As part of a place of worship identification sign. Changeable copy may be permitted as part of a place of worship identification sign, whether installed as a monument or a wall sign. Letters within the sign shall be no more than five inches in height.
C. As part of a governmental sign. Changeable copy may be permitted as part of a governmental sign, whether installed as a monument or a wall sign. Letters within the sign shall be no more than five inches in height.
D. As part of an educational institution identification sign. Changeable copy may be permitted as part of an educational institution identification sign, whether installed as a monument or a wall sign. Letters within the sign shall be no more than five inches in height.
E. As part of a gasoline service station's identification sign. Changeable, non-digital copy may be permitted only indicating the price of gasoline products sold therein, installed as a permitted monument sign only. Such changeable copy shall not exceed three lines of information. Letters or numbers within the sign shall be no more than five inches in height.
(Ord. 2013-17. Passed 11-25-13.)
(2) No signs shall be permitted in the public right-of-way, except for the following:
A. Public signs erected by or on behalf of a governmental body, when approved by the City, to post legal notices, identify public property, convey public information and direct or regulate pedestrian or vehicular traffic;
B. Bus stop signs erected by a public transit company;
C. Information signs of a public utility regarding its poles, lines, pipes or facilities; and
D. Awning, marquee and projecting signs projecting over a public right-of-way in conformity with the conditions set forth in Section 1191.06.
(Ord. 1997-21. Passed 8-6-97.)
(3) Such permanent signs shall be constructed of either burnt clay brick, stone or precast panels and/or other suitable materials as approved by the Architectural Board of Review.
(Ord. 1999-8. Passed 4-12-99.)
(b) Temporary Signs.
(1) Window signs in U-4 or U-4-A District. Inside window signs in a U-4 or U-4-A District shall be permitted, provided, however, that if such signs are neon-illuminated, tubing shall not exceed one-half inch in diameter. Such signs shall contain no opaque or translucent backing and shall not exceed thirty percent coverage of the display window as determined by measurement of the entire sign area.
(2) Window signs in residential districts. Temporary signs in residential districts installed or placed as window signs shall be no greater than six square feet in area. The combined total surface area of all temporary window signs shall be no greater than twelve square feet.
(3) Lawn signs.
A. Size. Temporary signs in residential districts installed as lawn signs shall be no greater than six square feet in area and no greater than four feet in height. The combined total surface area of all temporary lawn signs shall be no greater than twelve square feet.
B. Location. Temporary lawn signs in residential districts shall be located a minimum of five feet from the nearest edge of the sidewalk and shall not be placed within the side yard setback. No temporary signs shall be permitted in the public right-of-way.
C. Height and location exceptions. If, due to the topography, the existing foliage or another similar condition existing as to a particular property, conformance with the size and height regulations set forth herein would impair the visibility of a temporary lawn sign as observed from the street, then the Director of Buildings may grant exceptions to the size and location regulations set forth above, pursuant to the following:
1. The height area requirements above may be increased by a factor of no greater than fifty percent.
2. A lawn sign may be placed within twenty feet of the sidewalk or within the side yard setback.
In determining whether to grant an exception, the sole standard to be used by the Director of Buildings is the visibility of the sign from the street. No sign shall exceed that height, area or distance which is reasonably necessary to render the sign visible when observed from the street.
D. Political signs. Temporary political signs shall be permitted in residential districts as follows:
1. No political sign shall be placed in a lawn prior to thirty days from the date of the election for which the sign is intended.
2. On any residential property, there shall be a limitation of one political sign per candidate and/or one political sign per issue appearing on the ballot.
3. All political signs in residential districts shall be displayed for no more than ten days after the election, after which time they must be removed.
E. Temporary availability signs. Temporary availability signs shall be permitted as follows:
1. Temporary availability signs, which include signs such as "for sale," "vacancy," "for rent" or "for lease" signs, may be permitted to announce the sale, rental or lease of the lot on which the sign is displayed, or to announce the sale, rental or lease of one or more structures or a portion thereof located on the lot. Such signs may indicate the owner, realty agent, telephone numbers or open house information. Such signs shall:
a. Not exceed twelve square feet in area;
b. Be located on the lawn, or upon or within any building or portion of a building occupied or to be occupied by any single business enterprise;
c. Only advertise the rental, lease or sale of such building or portion thereof; and
d. Meet or exceed the front yard setback established within the zoning district.
Parcels which abut a highway with an "I" designation will be permitted to post a sign in the rear yard, as well as a sign in the front yard, in compliance with the regulations stated herein.
2. All availability signs shall be removed upon the sale, lease or rental of the property or premises. The sale of the property shall be deemed to have concluded when title transfers or when the property is withdrawn from the market. Signs indicating that the premises have been sold or leased and/or rented shall not be displayed in any fashion following the successful sale or lease of the property, including, but not limited to, an overlay on the "for sale," "for lease" or "for rent" sign.
(Ord. 1997-21. Passed 8-6-97.)
F. Illumination. No window sign or lawn sign, as permitted in this section, shall be illuminated in any manner or contain any blinking or flashing lights.
G. Yard sale and garage sale signs. All yard sale or garage sale signs shall be displayed for a maximum of four days. All yard sale or garage sale signs shall be removed within twelve hours after the sale is concluded.
H. Special occasion signs. Religious and other holiday lights and decorations containing no commercial message are exempt from the above regulations and shall be permitted during the appropriate time of the year. Portable temporary signs containing a special greeting message, such as "Happy Birthday" or "Congratulations," shall be permitted as long as the signs comply with Articles 305 and 600 of the National Electrical Code. Such a portable sign shall be permitted to be posted for a period of time not to exceed twenty-four hours.
(Ord. 1997-21. Passed 8-6-97.)
(4) Political signs in nonresidential districts. Temporary political signs shall be permitted in nonresidential use districts as follows:
A. A political sign may be displayed only during a period beginning thirty days prior to the date of the election for which the sign is intended and ending ten days after the date of such election.
B. Political signs shall be displayed only inside of windows and shall be no greater than six square feet in area, with a combined total area of all temporary political signs on any parcel being not greater than twelve square feet.
C. Political signs shall not be displayed without prior permission of the property owner or tenant.
(Ord. 1998-20. Passed 7-20-98.)
(5) Maintenance and repair. All temporary signs must be maintained and kept in good repair.
(c) For Sale, For Rent or For Lease Signs.
(1) A "for sale" sign, a "for rent" sign, a "for lease" sign, or any combination thereof, shall be permitted in all use districts.
(2) In other than U-1, U-2 and U-7 Districts, a "for sale" sign, a "for rent" sign, a "for lease" sign, or any combination thereof, shall be permitted to be displayed inside a window at the first floor level. If that is not possible, a sign may be permitted on the building wall, not higher than eight feet above the existing grade. No such sign shall exceed four square feet in area.
(3) In vacant lots, in all use districts, one sign parallel to the right-of-way and not closer to the property line than 25 feet shall be permitted to be erected. No sign shall be higher than eight feet above the existing grade or exceed 12 square feet in area.
(4) In U-7 districts, one "for sale" sign, "for rent" sign, "for lease" sign, or any combination thereof shall be permitted to be displayed. The sign shall not be higher than six feet above grade or exceed 12 square feet; the sign shall be placed no closer than 25 feet from the right-of-way and 25 feet from intersecting roads, access roads and/or any driveways.
(d) Temporary, Special Event and Grand Opening Banners.
(1) Banners announcing grand openings of new businesses, special events and holiday decorations, occasions or events shall be permitted in all districts, with the exception of U-1 and U-2 Districts.
(2) Prior to the implementation of said banner, a request for approval of the display of said banner shall be filed with the Building Department.
(3) The applicant will provide evidence that public liability insurance in the minimum amount of one million dollars ($1,000,000) per person / three million dollars ($3,000,000) per occurrence has been obtained, with the City being named as an additional insured.
(4) The Building Director will determine whether the event proposed by the applicant falls within the parameters of grand openings, special events or holiday occasions. The Building Director's decision may be appealed to the Board of Zoning Appeals.
(5) The size of the proposed banner shall never exceed two square feet per lineal foot of store frontage.
(6) The proposed banner shall be permitted for up to 30 days, three times per calendar year, or until the special event/holiday has ceased, whichever occurs first.
(Ord. 1997-21. Passed 8-6-97; Ord. 2006-35. Passed 11-27-06; Ord. 2009-14. Passed 4-27-09; Ord. 2014-19. Passed 9-8-14.)