(A) Purpose. The intent of this section of the chapter is to promote and protect the public health, welfare and safety, and create a more attractive appearance by preserving the scenic and natural beauty of the county by regulating outdoor signs.
(B) Safety considerations; requirements. All freestanding billboards or advertising sign boards shall be 15 feet or more from any public right-of-way line, to avoid confusion and reduce view obstruction.
(C) Aesthetic considerations; guidelines.
(1) Freestanding signs are appropriate where a building is set back from the street; the architecture of the building is not conducive to a sign; or several businesses are located in one building.
Hanging signs are appropriate where buildings are most visible from an angle or when buildings are close together. Hanging signs should have consistent placement, size and materials, and should be located below the level of the second floor windows.
(2) Signs attached to buildings should define or enhance architectural elements of the building, not obscure or obliterate them. Signs should stay within the architectural frames provided for them by the buildings.
(3) Where feasible, sign letters should be attached directly to the building without superfluous back-facing, particularly when a “sign band” or cornice is a part of the building facade. Signs should not be placed on surfaces which were not intended for signs.
(4) All signs not currently in conformance with these guidelines due to renovations should be removed. Signs can be attractively printed on store windows, particularly where the sign band is insufficient or there are multiple businesses in one building. Roof signs and general advertising signs are inappropriate.
(D) Development standards.
(1) In the agricultural districts: signs accessory to roadside stands shall be limited to two signs per lot with no sign larger than ten square feet and set back at least ten feet from any right-of-way.
(2) In the agricultural and residential districts:
(a) Small announcement or professional signs shall not exceed ten square feet; and
(b) One name plate shall not exceed ten square feet for each dwelling.
(3) In the commercial districts, advertising signs are permitted if they advertise only the services, articles or products offered or in use within the buildings, subject to the following requirements:
(a) The aggregate area of signs on any building site should not exceed 5% of the building facade to which the sign is oriented or 300 square feet whichever is less;
(b) All signs shall be attached to the main building and shall not project more than four feet perpendicular from the building nor project more than five feet above the roof; and
(c) The aggregate area of signs in the Commercial General District shall not exceed two 200 square feet.
(4) In the commercial and industrial districts, advertising signs and billboards are permitted, subject to the following conditions:
(a) The aggregate area of advertising signs shall not exceed 500 square feet in area;
(b) The structure supporting the signs, and not attached to buildings, shall be located at least 15 feet from the property line where oriented towards collector or local streets, 40 feet for freeways and 30 feet for arterial streets. No self-supporting sign or parts thereof shall project over a street right-of-way. Subject to INDOT approval;
(c) The aggregate size of billboards shall not exceed 600 square feet; and
(d) There shall be at least 500 feet between billboards with no more than two located within any designated 1,500 foot distance. No billboard shall violate the Federal Highway Beautification Act, being 23 U.S.C. § 131.
(5) In all districts:
(a) Temporary real estate signs and construction or contractor’s signs shall not exceed two in number per lot or be more than six square feet; and
(b) Billboards are prohibited in all districts except the CG and I Districts.
(E) Permits and fees required.
(1) Sign permits shall be obtained to erect, construct, enlarge, move or convert any sign.
(2) Application for permits shall be made to the County Plan Commission, and shall include the following information:
(a) Name and address of the owner of property on which the sign is located or is to be located;
(b) Name and address of the owner of the sign; and
(c) A drawing and description of the sign. Dimensions, construction supports, electrical wiring and components, materials of the sign, and method of attachment must be shown. If required by the Plan Commission, certified engineering data shall also be shown.
(3) The application and permit fee shall be filed with the County Plan Commission. If any sign is installed prior to obtaining a permit, the application fee shall be doubled. Signs must be constructed or installed within 90 days of receipt of the permit, in order for it to remain valid. Permits are not required for residential signs, signs indicating type of crop planted, or temporary real estate signs.
(F) Enforcement.
(1) (a) The County Plan Commission may order the removal of any sign in violation of this section, upon giving 30 days’ written notice to the owner/operator of the sign.
(b) Signs considered to present an immediate threat to public safety may be removed immediately without written notice.
(2) Signs removed by the Plan Commission shall be held by the county for redemption by the owner. To redeem, the sign owner shall pay all costs incurred by the county for removal, within 30 days of its removal. Signs not redeemed within 30 days may be disposed of by the county.
(G) Maintenance. All signs must be kept in good condition and must be safe, neat, clean and attractive. When a sign advertises a business no longer located on the property on which the sign is located, the owner must remove the sign within three months. Such removal is considered part of maintenance. Failure to properly maintain a sign could result in automatic revocation of the permit after proper notification has been made.
(Ord. passed 7-20-1992; Ord. 2012-11-5-2, passed 11-5-2012)