(a) The following signs are hereby designated as exempt signs and, as such, are subject only to the regulations contained in this section:
(1) Signs used for safety purposes relating to the repair or maintenance of streets, sidewalks or utilities in a public right-of-way, provided such signs do not exceed a size mandated by State law or regulation.
(2) Nameplates, not to exceed one square foot in area, placed not less than ten feet from any lot line.
(3) Address numbers, not to exceed two square feet in area, placed a minimum of ten feet from any lot line or painted on the curb.
(4) Paper notices placed on information kiosks maintained by governments.
(5) Signs and public notices erected or required by governmental bodies or authorized for a public purpose by law, statute or ordinance. Such public signs may be of any type, number, area, height, location or illumination as authorized by law, statute or ordinance.
(6) Public information signs identifying telephones, rest rooms and similar facilities, not to exceed two square feet.
(7) Parking control signs and fire lane signs intended to prohibit or impose conditions upon parking, pursuant to the Traffic Code or State law, not to exceed four square feet.
(8) Memorial plaques and cornerstones, not to exceed two square feet in area, designed, intended or used to preserve the memory of a person, place or event, including landmark plaques and historical plaques, which must be constructed of noncombustible material and permanently affixed to the building or premises to which they relate.
(9) Matter appearing on gasoline pumps, newspaper vending boxes, automatic teller machines and other vending machines, as purchased or installed.
(10) Matter appearing on or adjacent to entry doors, including the words "push," "pull," "open" or "closed," not exceeding one square foot in area per establishment.
(11) Matter appearing on display windows or doors to retail service establishments, denoting the hours of operation, credit cards accepted and similar information, not exceeding a cumulative total of one square foot in area per establishment.
(12) For residential dwelling units, safety and/or security signs, in addition to the permitted nameplate, as follows:
A. On the inside of a window or the glass portion of a door, or in the front yard of a dwelling, one sign not more than 144 square inches in area, containing a brief statement directly relating to the physical safety and security of the occupants of the premises, examples of such a statement being "block watch," "beware of dog," or "protected by electronic security system," provided that no sign shall be placed within the minimum front yard setback. No security sign that is placed within the front yard of a dwelling shall have a height, including the supporting stake or pole, that exceeds thirty inches.
B. On the inside of a window or the glass portion of a door, a sign of not more than sixteen square inches in area, containing a basic statement directly relating to the physical safety and security of the occupants of the premises, examples of such a statement being "block watch," "beware of dog" and "protected by electronic security system." Only one sign shall be affixed to each door or window. The signs authorized by this paragraph shall be permitted in addition to the single sign permitted above.
(b) The following signs are hereby designated as prohibited signs in all districts:
(1) Signs painted directly on an exterior wall, fascia, parapet or chimney of a building or on a fence.
(2) Roof signs.
(3) Signs which imitate traffic signs. Signs which use the words "stop," "look," "danger," "go slow," "caution" or "warning" are deemed to be within this category, unless such words are part of the name of a business. This category does not include signs which are accessory to parking lots.
(4) Portable or wheeled signs, except for temporary one-day special greeting signs as permitted in this chapter.
(5) Signs placed on parked vehicles or trailers where the apparent purpose is to advertise a product or to direct people to a business or activity located on the same or nearby property.
(6) Inflatable images, such as balloons, beer cans, etc.
(7) Pole signs.
(Ord. 1997-21. Passed 8-6-97.)