The purpose of this section is to establish regulations for the control of signs. The regulations further seek to ensure the safety of the motorists in the community by reducing the distracting influence of uncontrolled signage. Further, it is not the intent of this chapter to regulate any sign based upon content.
(A) Definitions for this section. The following words and terms shall have the meaning as hereinafter defined unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
(1) SIGN. Any name, identification, description, display, illustration, or device which is affixed to or represented directly or indirectly upon a building, structure or land, in view of the general public, and which directs attention to a product, place, activity, person, institution, or business or otherwise provides information to the public.
(2) TEMPORARY SIGN. Any sign, banner, or advertising display constructed of cloth, canvas, light fabric, cardboard, or other light material, intended or customarily expected to be displayed for a limited period of time only, not to exceed 30 days. Temporary signs may be as large as 16 square feet. There shall be no more than one temporary sign for every 40 feet of road frontage.
(3) OFF-PREMISE SIGN. Any sign advertising a business, person, activity, goods, products, or services not located on the site where the sign is installed.
(B) General regulations.
(1) No sign shall be erected or maintained at any location where, by reason of its position, working, illumination, size, shape, or color, it may obstruct, impair or otherwise interfere with the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic-control sign, signal, or device.
(2) No sign shall be placed in any public right-of-way, except governmental regulatory signs for public good and use that direct and control traffic.
(3) No sign shall be placed in such a manner as to reduce visibility at driveways, access points, and intersections.
(4) Signs shall be adequately maintained.
(5) Changeable and electronic signs shall display each message for at least eight seconds and changeovers cannot take more than two seconds.
(6) Changeable and electronic signs must possess and utilize a light-sensing device, with automatic dimming capabilities to adjust the brightness of the sign, so that the maximum luminescence level is not more than three-tenths foot candles over ambient light, measured at a distance of:
Sign Face Size
|
Distance Measurement |
300 square feet or smaller | 150 feet |
Larger than 300 square feet, but equal or less than 378 square feet | 200 feet |
Larger than 378 square feet, but equal or less than 672 square feet | 250 feet |
Larger than 672 square feet (up to maximum sign face size of 1,000 square feet) | 350 feet |
(C) Off-premise signs. Off-premise signs are permitted in AG, C, ML, and MH zones.
(1) Off-premise signs must be 500 feet apart in all zones except C zones.
(2) Off-premise signs may be double-faced (front and back or v-shaped), but may not be stacked (top and bottom) unless specifically permitted in a particular zone.
(D) Regulations by district without receiving a variance from the Board of Adjustment.
Zone | Maximum Size | Maximum Height Above Average Grade | Number of Signs Allowed Per Parcel* | Stacked or V-Shaped | Digital |
AG | 400 square feet | 40 feet | 1 | No | No |
RR | 6 square feet | 6 feet | 1 | No | No |
UR | 6 square feet | 6 feet | 1 | No | No |
C | 700 square feet per sign | 60 feet | 1 per 300 feet of road frontage | Yes | Yes |
ML | 700 square feet | 40 feet | 1 | No | Yes |
MH | 400 square feet | 40 feet | 1 | No | Yes |
* Nothing in this section shall prevent or limit the number of temporary signs one can post. | |||||
(E) Signs permitted in all zones.
(1) Signs located wholly within a building or structure.
(2) Signs affixed to a properly-licensed motor vehicle operating upon public thoroughfares.
(3) Any sign erected by a governmental agency.
(F) Signs prohibited in all zones.
(1) Flashing or blinking signs and devices. This does not apply to scrolling LED boards or electronic signs whose display changes on a regular schedule.
(2) Signs attached to stationary vehicles.
(Ord. 2017-07, passed 11-27-2017; Ord. 2022-11, passed 1-9-2023)