1151.02 ADMINISTRATION.

   (a)    Interpretation and Enforcement. The Zoning Administrator shall interpret and enforce this chapter. Appeal from the decision of the Zoning Administrator may be made to the Board of Zoning Appeals.

   (b)   Nonconforming Signs. Legal nonconforming signs are regulated at Chapter 1137, Nonconformities, Section 1137.10, Nonconforming Signs.

   (c)   Zoning Inspections. The Zoning Administrator is authorized to inspect any sign for compliance with this Code at any time.

   (d)   Installation and Maintenance. All signs shall be installed in a workmanlike manner and shall not be allowed to exist in a state of disrepair, which includes dysfunctional lighting, broken glass and plastic, rotted wood, peeling paint or vinyl, missing parts, rust, illegibility, and the like. The Zoning Administrator shall order the removal or repair of any sign that does not meet this standard after giving proper notice.

   (e)   Construction.

      (1)   No sign shall be constructed of highly flammable materials.

      (2)   Any glass other than that contained in incandescent bulbs, fluorescent bulbs or neon tubing which form part of any sign shall be comprised of glass approved by the building official for use in the particular application.

   (f)    Penalties for Violation. Any person, firm, or corporation violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor pursuant to Oxford Code Section 501.99. Each day's continuance of a violation shall be considered a separate offense.

   (g)   Identification of Permanent Signs. Every permanent sign for which a permit is issued according to these regulations shall be plainly marked with the name of the responsible party and the permit number for the sign. Except for legal nonconforming signs, failure to display such information as required is prima facie evidence that the sign is a violation of this Code.

   (h)   Invalid Signs. A sign, whether conforming or nonconforming, that displays a commercial message that applies to an entity no longer in operation or to goods or services no longer provided shall be completely removed or the sign face replaced with a blank face within 45 days of such discontinuation of operation, sales, or service. The sign, sign structure, and mounting hardware must be removed in its entirety if a legal operation, sales, or service is not reinstated or established within 2 years of the original date of such discontinuation.

   (i)   Applications and Permits.

      (1)   The application requirements, permitting procedure, and issuance of a permit shall be as determined by the Zoning Administrator in accordance with this code.

      (2)   Temporary signs require obtaining a building and zoning permit unless specifically exempted below and shall be issued no sooner than 7 days from the date of application.

      (3)   A permit is required for all signs permitted in this Chapter except as specifically exempted below.

      (4)   The following signs do not require obtaining a permit but must comply with all applicable regulations in this chapter:

         A.   Street addresses as required by Oxford Code.

         B.   Public signs.

         C.   Nonresidential land use name plate signs.

         D.   Nonresidential land use direction signs.

         E.   Self-service facilities signs.

         F.   Structure identification signs.

         G.   Associations signs

         H.   Real estate signs.

         I.   Construction signs.

         J.   Flags.

         K.   Noncommercial and political signs.

         L.   Window signs.

         M.   Special Event Signs.

         N.   Building identification signs.

   (j)   Fees. Permit fees for signs shall be as set forth by City Council.

   (k)   Measurement.

      (1)   All sign face area shall be counted towards any total sign area regulation provided in this Code. Signs that are exempted from the permit requirement of this Code are not counted towards the total sign area permitted for a site or nonresidential occupant.

      (2)   Where this Code regulates the total sign area or the sign face area of a sign based upon the site or structure relative to an adjacent public right-of-way, the following provisions apply:

         A.   If a site abuts only one public right-of-way, the area regulations are based upon only that right-of-way.

         B.   If a site abuts more than one public right-of-way, the number and area regulations are based upon all rights-of-way, however, the sign number and area permitted based upon each right-of-way shall only be oriented towards the right-of-way upon which the permitted sign area is based.
(Ord. 3365. Passed 8-16-16.)

1151.03 GENERAL REGULATIONS.

   (a)    Proposals for signs on properties within the Historic District Overlay, regardless of zoning district, shall consult the guidelines provided by the Historical Architecture Preservation Commission and shall follow the procedures for approval contained therein.

   (b)   No signs are permitted other than those specifically permitted in this Code.

   (c)   The time, place, and manner of signs shall be regulated to protect the public health, safety, and general welfare as follows, unless specifically provided elsewhere in this chapter.

   (d)   Design.

      (1)   Signs shall only describe or direct attention to a nonresidential occupant, business, commodity, service, person, product, service, or entertainment produced, provided, conducted, sold, offered, or performed on the same premises on which the sign is displayed.

      (2)   No sign shall approximate the design or effect of public traffic control sign.

      (3)   No sign shall be painted directly upon a residential structure.

      (4)   No wall sign shall project more than 1 inch from the side of a building or structure that is adjacent to a public alley.

      (5)   The following signs are specifically prohibited: moving signs, flashing or animated signs, balloons, gas or other inflated signs, portable signs, searchlights, streamers, spinners, pennants, flags (except as specifically permitted in this Chapter), and the like.

   (e)   Location.

      (1)   No freestanding sign shall be closer to a lot line or the public right-of-way than the height of the sign, except as specifically exempted in this Chapter.

      (2)   No sign shall be attached to a standpipe, fire escape, utility pole, utility cabinet, or other utility or safety device.

      (3)   No sign shall be attached to a tree or other natural vegetation.

      (4)   No sign shall be upon or project above a roof line.

      (5)   Any wall sign that extends more than 3 inches from the surface to which it is attached shall be a minimum of 8 feet above the adjacent ground.

      (6)   No sign or sign structure shall be attached in a place that is likely to restrict the view of any street intersection, railroad crossing, or pedestrian crosswalk.

      (7)   No sign shall be attached in a place or manner that is likely to restrict free ingress or egress from any door, window, or fire escape.

   (f)   Illumination.

      (1)   Sign shall be only naturally illuminated unless specifically permitted to be direct or indirect illumination elsewhere in this Chapter.

      (2)   No sign illumination shall be permitted that casts light towards a right-of-way or that casts light into an adjoining residential zoning district or where a light source is directly visible from off of the site.

         (Ord. 3365. Passed 8-16-16.)

1151.04 PUBLIC PROPERTY.

   For the purposes of this section, public property includes the property of any public governmental entity located in the City of Oxford including the City, Butler County, the State of Ohio, Miami University, the Lane Public Library, and the Talawanda City School District.

   (a)   Public Signs. Public signs and signs serving a public interest are permitted at any time, in any place, and in any manner deemed appropriate by the City Manager for the benefit of the public interest.

   (b)   Private Signs Over Public Property.  

      (1)   No privately owned signs may be affixed to or placed within the public right-of-way or on other public property, except as provided for in this Code. Wall signs attached to nonpublic structures that project into the public right-of-way are subject to the same provisions regulating signs that are on private property.

      (2)   The owners of all signs installed in the airspace of or directly on or in a public right-of-way or other public property in accordance with this Code shall be required to maintain insurance protecting The City of Oxford, Ohio from any claims of liability relative to personal injury or property damage in the right-of-way or other public property resulting from such sign. Failure to maintain such insurance shall be cause to revoke a sign permit and shall be a violation of this Code.

   (c)    Sandwich Board Signs. On the public right-of-way, in the GB, UP, NB, and RO zoning districts each nonresidential occupant shall be permitted 1 free-standing sandwich board sign as follows:

      (1)   The sign shall have a maximum total area of 16 square feet. The sign may have a maximum of two sign faces. The maximum area per sign face shall be no more than 12 square feet.

      (2)   The sign shall not extend more than five feet into the right-of-way.

      (3)   The sign shall not result in less than five feet of unimpeded sidewalk area adjacent to the sign.

      (4)   The City is authorized to require removal of such signs at any time deemed appropriate for the convenience and protection of the public health, safety, and general welfare.
(Ord. 3365. Passed 8-16-16.)