(A) This chapter is intended to establish a comprehensive and balanced system of sign control that accommodates the need for a well-maintained, safe and attractive community, and the need for effective communications including business identification. The city finds it is necessary for the promotion and preservation of the public health, safety, welfare, image and aesthetics of the community that the construction, location, size and maintenance of signs be controlled.
(B) Further, the city finds that:
(1) Permanent and temporary signs have a direct impact on and relationship to the image and aesthetics of the city;
(2) The manner of installation, location and maintenance of signs affects the public health, safety, welfare and aesthetics of the city;
(3) An opportunity for viable identification of residences, businesses and institutions in the city must be established;
(4) The safety of motorists, cyclists, pedestrians and other users of public streets and property is affected by the number, size, location and appearance of signs that create hazards for drivers and unduly divert the attention of drivers;
(5) Installation of signs suspended from, projecting over or placed on the tops of buildings, walks or other structures may constitute a hazard during periods of high winds and an obstacle to effective firefighting and other emergency service;
(6) Uncontrolled and unlimited signs and sign types, particularly moving signs and signs with dynamic displays, adversely impact the image and aesthetic attractiveness of the city and thereby undermine economic value and growth;
(7) Uncontrolled and unlimited signs, particularly temporary signs which are commonly located within or adjacent to public right-of-way or are located at driveway/street intersections, result in roadside clutter and obstruction of views of oncoming traffic. This creates a hazard to drivers and pedestrians and also adversely impacts a logical flow of information;
(8) Signs are generally incompatible with residential uses and should be strictly limited in residential zoning districts; and
(9) The right to express opinions in any zoning district must be protected, subject to reasonable restrictions on size, height, location and number.
(C) The city does not intend to, nor does it propose to, regulate the message on any sign.
(D) The city intends to protect the public from the dangers of unsafe signs.
(Prior Code, § 1008.01) (Ord. 679, passed 05-29-2001; Ord. 769, passed 05-08-2006; Ord. 816, passed 01-22-2009)