The following signs and message devices shall be expressly prohibited in all zoning districts, except as otherwise authorized by this chapter:
(A) Signs are prohibited in all districts unless:
(1) Constructed pursuant to a valid building permit when required under this code; and
(2) Authorized under this code.
(B) The following signs are strictly prohibited:
(1) Spectacular or animated and intensely lighted signs. No sign shall be permitted which is animated by means of flashing, scintillating, blinking or traveling lights or any other means not providing constant illumination, with the exception of public information message centers showing time and temperature.
(2) Streamers, balloons and twirling signs. Streamers, balloons or twirling signs shall not be permitted, except as may be otherwise authorized by in this chapter.
(3) Rotating signs. No rotating signs and message devices having rotating or spinning parts and no signs with moving copy shall be permitted.
(4) Signs in public areas. No sign shall be placed or permitted to be placed on any curb, sidewalk, post, pole, hydrant, bridge, tree or any other surface located on public property or right- of-way or over or across any street or public thoroughfare, except as may otherwise be authorized by this chapter. Signs shall be considered litter and removed by the town without notice.
(5) Swinging signs. No sign shall be suspended by chains or other devices that will allow the sign to swing.
(6) A-frame signs. A-frame or sandwich board signs shall be prohibited.
(7) Marquee signs. Marquee signs shall be prohibited in the town.
(8) Unclassified signs. The following signs having no distinct classification shall be prohibited:
(a) Signs which bear or containing statements, words or pictures of an obscene or pornographic character or which contain advertising matter which is obviously untruthful;
(b) Signs painted or attached to any fence or wall which is not a part of a building, except as may otherwise be authorized by this chapter;
(c) Signs which operate or employ any motion picture projection or media in conjunction with any advertisements or have visible moving parts or any portion which moves or which give the illusion of motion, except as may be otherwise authorized by this chapter;
(d) Signs which emit audible sound, odor or visible matter; and/or
(e) Signs which purport to be or are an imitation or resemble official traffic signs or signals or which bear the term “stop,” “go slow,” “caution,” “danger,” “warning” or similar term or which because of their size, location, movement, content, coloring or manner of illumination may be confused with or construed as traffic control signs, signals or devices or the light of an emergency or road equipment vehicle or which hide from view any traffic or street sign, signal or device.
(9) Pennants, banners and the like. Pennants, banners and the like shall be limited to no more than two permanent displays per property frontage and must be separated by a minimum of 50 feet. Additional commercial pennants, banners and the like can be permitted on a temporary basis as long as all displays are separated by a minimum of 50 feet. The total area of permanent signs shall not exceed 18 square feet. The total square feet of each temporary display shall not exceed 18 square feet. The cumulative total of the display areas shall not exceed 100 square feet per property. Pennants, banners and the like shall not be attached to any building. Fourteen days per permit, maximum six permits per year.
(10) Roof signs. No roof signs shall be permitted.
(11) Off-site signs. Except as may be otherwise authorized by this chapter, off-site signs are prohibited.
(12) Billboards. Except as may be otherwise authorized by this chapter, billboards are prohibited.
(13) Flags. Flags used to attract the attention of the public shall be prohibited, except those adopted as an official symbol of government.
(a) A maximum of three flagpoles shall be permitted per each minimum parcel of land on a public street displaying no more than one government approved flag each.
(b) Flag size shall be in relation to the height of the flagpole. The maximum height of any flag or combination of flags shall be 25% of the total height of the flagpole.
(c) The maximum height of a flagpole shall be 32 feet.
(d) Flagpoles shall maintain a 15-foot setback from all property lines and a 25-foot setback from any intersection.
(Ord. 2007-01, passed 1-23-2007; Ord. 2016-02, passed 4-26-2016) Penalty, see § 153.999