(A) The purpose of this chapter is to meet requirements of state and federal regulations in regulating exterior signs so as to protect values, to protect the character of various use areas of the city, to protect the health, safety and public welfare of the citizens of the city and to protect and promote the aesthetic integrity of the city.
(B) The principal features are the restriction of advertising to the business or use of the premises on which the sign is located unless otherwise permitted and the restriction of the total sign area permissible per site. Any sign placed on land or on a building for the purposes of identification or for advertising a use conducted therein or thereon shall be deemed to be accessory and incidental to the land, building or use. It is intended that the display of signs will be appropriate to the land, building or use to which they are appurtenant and be adequate, but not excessive, for the intended purpose of identification or advertisement. With respect to signs advertising business uses, it is specifically intended, among other things, to avoid excessive competition and clutter among sign displays in their demand for public attention. It is further intended that in commercial areas now in existence, and more so in proposed commercial and industrial areas, all signs within 1 complex be coordinated with the architecture in such a manner that the overall appearance is harmonious in color, form and proportion.
(C) It is also intended by this chapter that all temporary signs erected for directional purposes, for public information, or to call attention to special events shall be confined to those that are of general public interest and that the signs shall be limited to the giving of information.
(Ord. 3680, § 1, 3-6-2007)