A. Sign Permit Required. Unless otherwise stated in this chapter, all signs shall require a sign permit.
B. Sign Permit Exemptions. The following signs are subject to the requirements of this chapter but do not require a sign permit and do not require zoning approval. Permit-exempt signs may still be subject to building code or other applicable code requirements.
1. Signs and/or notices issued by any court, officer or other person in performance of a public duty. Any such sign shall be removed no later than seven days after the last day it is required to be displayed;
2. Signs that are an integral part of the original construction of vending or similar machines, fuel pumps, automated teller machines or similar devices that are not of a size or design as to be visible from a street or by any person other than those using the machine or device;
3. Any sign that is located completely inside a building that is not visible from the exterior (see also definition of window sign);
4. Signs that are located within a stadium, open-air theater, park, arena or other outdoor use that are not visible from a public right-of-way or adjacent property, and can be viewed only by persons within such stadium, open-air theater, park, arena or other outdoor use;
5. Sign face changes where the sign structure is designed with interchangeable panels and one of the panels is replaced without changing the structure, including any changes to the total sign face area, height or alteration of the sign cabinet;
7. A single wall sign placed on the façade of an individual dwelling unit that is not illuminated and does not exceed two square feet in area.
8. Signs which are an integral part of the historic character of a structure that has been designated an official landmark or historic structure by any agency or body of the governments of the United States, State of Ohio, Cuyahoga County or City of North Olmsted;
9. Any signs located on umbrellas, seating or similar patio furniture provided they are located outside of the right-of-way and comply with any other applicable standards of this chapter;
10. Ground signs and markings located completely within the interior of a lot used for a cemetery where such signs are not designed to be visible from a public street;
11. Signs that are part of a public art installation. For the purposes of this chapter, public art shall include any artwork commissioned, sponsored or endorsed by the North Olmsted Arts Commission;
12. Any sign on a truck, bus or other vehicle that is used in the normal course of a business (e.g., deliveries or fleet vehicles for contractors) for transportation (see also Section 1163.06.Q), or signage required by the State or Federal government;
13. Signs installed or required by a governmental agency including the City of North Olmsted, Cuyahoga County, State of Ohio and United States, including local and regional transit agencies;
14. Any warning signs or traffic safety signs required by construction contractors and public utility providers;
15. Hand-held signs not set on or affixed to the ground;
16. Any address numbers required by the Section 1351.01 of the Codified Ordinances;
17. Changes of copy on signs with changeable copy;
18. Any signs, including illuminated signs, or related decorations erected in observance of religious, national or state holidays which are not intended to be permanent in nature and which contain no advertising material; and
19. General maintenance, painting, repainting, cleaning and other normal maintenance and repair of a sign or any sign structure unless a structural change is made.
(Ord. 2020-79. Passed 11-17-20.)