The following provisions shall apply to all signs.
(a) Signs shall be permitted in each use district and regulated as to type, size and location as provided in this zoning code.
(b) Area of a sign. The area of a sign shall be measured within a continuous perimeter enclosing the extreme limits of such sign including all text and graphics and any device used to attract attention provided, however, that structural elements lying outside the limits of such sign and not forming an integral part of the display shall not be included as sign area.
(c) Free-standing signs shall be limited to a maximum of two faces. If the two faces of a free-standing sign are oriented 180 degrees (or back to back) to one another, the area of the sign shall be the area of the larger of the two faces. Otherwise, the area shall be the sum of the areas of the two faces.
(d) Height. The height of a free-standing sign shall be measured from the finished grade at the base of the sign to the highest point or element of the sign.
(e) Frontage. For the purposes of calculating permitted sign area, the frontage of a building shall be the number of linear feet of the facade facing the principal street or the facade containing the main entrance, and the frontage of a lot shall be the number of linear feet that the lot abuts on the principal street.
(f) Illumination. Signs in Residential Districts shall not be illuminated, except as specifically provided herein. Signs in Business and Industrial Districts may be illuminated. Where illuminated signs are permitted, they shall conform to the following requirements:
(1) All illuminated signs shall comply with the requirements of the National Electric Code.
(2) Electrical wiring serving any sign shall be installed underground or on or within the structure to which the sign is attached.
(3) Illumination shall not be of excessive brightness and shall be shielded so as to prevent direct light or glare from being cast into any adjoining residential area or at vehicles traveling on a public right-of-way. Such lighting shall be shielded so as to prevent view of the light source from any adjoining residence or residential district and/or vehicles approaching on a public right-of-way from any direction.
(4) Flashing, moving or intermittent illumination shall not be permitted.
(5) The colors red or green, whether in direct illumination or reflection, shall not be used where such use may interfere with the sight lines of a traffic signal.
(g) Prohibited locations. The following prohibitions apply to all signs:
(1) No signs shall be attached to utility poles, street signs, or traffic control poles.
(2) No signs shall be located within or shall obstruct any public right-of-way, traffic control device, or street identification signs at intersections.
(3) No sign shall be located so as to obstruct sight distances for vehicles entering or exiting any property or traveling on a public street.
(4) No sign shall be erected or maintained in such a manner that any portion of its surface or its supports will interfere in any way with the free use of access to any fire lane, exit or standpipe, or so as to obstruct any window so that light or ventilation is reduced below minimum standards required by any applicable law or building code.
(h) Prohibited signs. Unless otherwise specifically permitted herein, the following signs are prohibited in all districts:
(1) Mobile, portable, or wheeled signs; (See Section 1289.06(b)(4))
(2) Signs placed on parked vehicles or trailers for the purpose of advertising a product or business located on the same or adjacent property, excepting an identification sign which is affixed to a licensed vehicle regularly operated in the pursuance of day-to-day business or activity of an enterprise;
(3) Signs placed, inscribed or supported upon a roof or upon any structure which extends above the roof line of any building;
(4) Inflatable images;
(5) Signs containing flashing, moving, intermittent, or running lights or which imitate traffic control devices;
(6) Signs which employ any part or element which revolves, rotates, whirls, spins or otherwise makes use of motion to attract attention;
(7) Beacons or searchlights;
(8) Signs which hang less than eight and one-half feet above a pedestrian walkway or less than 14 feet above a vehicular path.
(i) Any owner, part owner, tenant or lessee who allows a sign to remain on the property shall be deemed to have knowledge of the erection and nature of the sign. All signs of any nature shall be maintained in a state of good repair. No sign shall be allowed to remain which becomes structurally unsafe, hazardous or endangers the safety of the public or property. Upon determining that a sign is structurally unsafe, hazardous or endangers the safety of the public or property, the Zoning Inspector shall order the sign to be made safe or removed. The owner of the sign, the occupant of the premises on which the sign or structure is located, or the persons or firm maintaining the same shall, upon receipt of written notice from the Zoning Inspector or the Inspector's designated agent, forthwith in the case of immediate danger and in any case within five days, secure, repair or remove said sign or structure in a manner approved by the Zoning Inspector. If said person or firm fails to comply with such order within five days, the Zoning Inspector may remove the sign at the expense of the owner or lessee.
(j) The Zoning Inspector shall order the removal or modification of any sign erected without a permit or found to be in violation of these regulations. The owner of the sign, the occupant of the premises on which the sign or structure is located, or the person or firm maintaining the same shall, upon written notice of such violation from the Zoning Inspector or the Inspector's designated agent, within five days, remove or modify the sign or structure in a manner approved by the Zoning Inspector or the Inspector's designated agent. If such sign is not removed or brought into compliance as directed in the notice of violation within five days, the Zoning Inspector or designated agent may, in addition to other remedies provided by law, institute injunction, mandamus, abatement, or any other appropriate action or proceeding to prevent, enjoin, abate, or remove such violation.
(Ord. 68-2005. Passed 10-11-05.)