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(a) A sign which was in existence on or before March 26, 2001, and which is nonconforming to the requirements of this chapter by reason of its size, height, location, design, or construction shall be grandfathered under this chapter by applying for and being issued a sign permit, except for temporary signs which is covered by the following paragraph.
(b) Except as otherwise provided herein, the owner of any zone lot or other premises on which exists a sign that does not conform with the requirements of this chapter or for which there is no current and valid sign permit shall be obligated to remove such sign or, in the case of a nonconforming sign, to bring it into conformity with the requirements of this chapter. (Ord. 01-04. Passed 3-26-01.)
(a) No temporary or permanent signage shall be permitted to be placed off-premises except as specified in subsection (b) through (d) hereof and no temporary or permanent signage shall be permitted to be placed in any Village right of way.
(b) In addition to any permitted on-premises signage, no more than two temporary signs may be placed off-premises on private property with the permission of the owner or person having the right to possession of the property, for those temporary sign functions specified in Chapter 1171 and such temporary off-premises signs shall conform to all applicable specifications for permitted on-premises signage set forth in Chapter 1171.
(c) In addition to any permitted on-premises signage, an unlimited number of temporary signs may be placed off-premises on private property with the permission of the owner or person having the right of possession of the property, for temporary election signs as specified in Section 1171.05(d). Such temporary off-premises election signs shall conform to all applicable specifications for permitted on- premises signage set forth in Section 1135.07.
(d) Upon application to the Planning Commission, the Planning Commission may approve a special permit for permanent off-premises commercial signage, if the applicant proves all of the following to the satisfaction of the Planning Commission:
(1) A substantial negative impact on the viability of the commercial enterprise is created by the lack of off-premises signage;
(2) Because of the unusual nature of the location of the premises;
(3) As related to the type of commercial enterprise conducted on or proposed for the premises.
(Ord. 03-21. Passed 12-8-03.)
(a) Generally. The Planning Commission shall have the power and duty to:
(1) Hear and decide appeals by the sign permit applicant from a decision of the Village Clerk denying, or failing to grant a sign permit within thirty days of application;
(2) Hear and decide appeals of determination by the Safety-Service Director that a sign must be removed for noncompliance with this chapter;
(3) Hear and decide appeals with petition for variance as set forth in this chapter;
(b) Appeals.
(1) Appeals without petition for variance. In appeals to the Planning Commission from decisions of the Safety-Service Director denying a sign permit in connection with which no petition for variance has been filed, the Commissions scope of review shall be limited to determining whether or not the Safety-Service Director’s decision is in accordance with the requirements of this chapter and accordingly, affirm or reverse the Safety-Service Director’s decision. If the Safety-Service Director’s decision is reversed, the Commission shall direct the Clerk to issue the permit within five days in accordance with its decision.
(2) Appeals with petition for variance. Appeals with petition for variance shall be heard by the Planning Commission.
(c) Variances.
(1) Petitions for variances. Petitions for variances shall be submitted to the Village Clerk on a petition form in accordance with specifications published by the Clerk.
(2) Fees. Each petition for a variance shall be accompanied by the application fee, which shall be established by the Village Council from time to time by ordinance.
(3) Action. Within sixty days from the submission of petition for variance, the Planning Commission shall either grant the petition and rule that the Clerk issue the permit within seven days or reject the petition in entirety.
(Ord. 01-04. Passed 3-26-01.)
(a) Size. The maximum allowable size for a billboard is "poster" size which is 11' x 22'.
(b) Placement.
(1) Billboards are permitted to be located along premises officially designated as a federal or state highway. It is unlawful for any person to construct, install, or place a billboard on top of a building or in residential zone or other zones that are predominantly residential.
(2) Billboards must be located no closer than 250 feet apart to include both sides of said federal or state highway within the downtown business district which is defined as the area between Sugar and Cox Streets between Second and Fourth Streets. Within the Village corporation limits along federal or state highways; billboards must be located no closer than 1,320 feet apart to include both sides of the highway.
(3) No billboard or part of any billboard shall encroach on or into the right-of-way.
(c) Variances. Any person needing a variance for the construction, installation or placement of a billboard shall be directed to Council rather than the Planning Commission as directed in Section 1125.04 of the Codified Ordinances. .
(d) Lighting. All billboard lighting must be directionally controlled.
(Ord. 18-13. Passed 7-23-18.)
(a) Any of the following shall be a violation of this chapter and shall be subject to the enforcement remedies and penalties provided by this chapter and the Zoning Ordinance:
(1) To install, create, erect, or maintain any sign in a way that is inconsistent with permit governing such sign or the zone lot on which the sign is located;
(2) To install, create, erect, or maintain any sign requiring a permit without such a permit;
(3) To install, create, erect, or maintain any sign in a way that is inconsistent with any permit governing such sign or the zone lot on which sign is located;
(4) To fail to remove any sign that is installed, created, erected, or maintained in violation of this ordinance, or for which the sign permit has lapsed; or
(5) To continue any such violation. Each such day of a continued violation shall be considered a separate violation when applying the penalties set forth of this chapter.
(b) Violations of the provisions of this chapter of failure to comply with any of its requirements shall constitute a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. Any person who violates this chapter or fails to comply with any of its requirements (including violations of conditions of and safeguards established in connection with conditions) shall upon conviction thereof be fined or imprisoned as provided by the laws of the State of Ohio. Each day such violation continues shall be considered a separate offense. Nothing herein contained shall prevent the Village of Ottawa from taking such other lawful action as is necessary to prevent or remedy any violations.
(Ord. 01-04. Passed 3-26-01.)