(a) The regulations contained in this Chapter shall apply to signs outside of the public right-of-way, except when specifically stated otherwise.
(b) A sign may only be erected, established, painted, created, or maintained in Rocky River in conformance with the standards, procedures, exemptions and other requirements of this Chapter.
(c) Architectural features that are either part of the building or part of a freestanding structure are not considered signs and are thus exempt from these regulations. Architectural features include any construction attending to, but not an integral part of the sign, and which may consist of landscape or building or structural forms that enhance the site in general.
(d) The following signs and displays are exempt from the regulations of this Chapter:
(1) Public Signs. Any sign displaying a public notice or warning required by a valid and applicable federal, state, or local law, ordinance, or regulation;
(2) Building Marker. Any sign displaying the name of a building and date and incidental information about its construction. Such sign is typically cut into the façade of the building.
(3) Flags of any nation; government or non-commercial organization;
(4) Any sign inside a building that is not attached to the window or door and is not legible from a distance of more than three feet beyond the lot on which the sign if located;
(5) Any work of art that does not display a commercial message;
(6) Any religious symbol that does not display a commercial message;
(7) Any traffic control sign, such as "STOP" or "YIELD," located on private property that meets applicable governmental standards pertaining to such signs and does not display a commercial message.
(8) Instructional signs shall be exempt provided such signs comply with the following:
A. Instructional signs shall be clearly intended, designed and located for instructional purposes, as determined by the Zoning Administrator;
B. Each sign shall not be larger than necessary to serve the intended instructional purpose;
C. The sign is not in a location and does not possess design characteristics that constitute or serve the purposes of an identification sign.
D. If the Zoning Administrator determines that the proposed sign(s) does not serve instructional purposes, it shall be considered a freestanding or wall sign, as applicable, and subject to the pertinent regulations in this Chapter.