The following types, numbers, sizes and features of signs are allowed in all commercial zoning districts of the city.
(A) Free-standing signs.
(1) Maximum height of any free-standing sign shall be 35 feet from grade to highest point on the sign or structure.
(2) One free-standing sign is permitted per site; provided, the sign can be placed at least 50 feet from the nearest previously existing free-standing sign of an adjacent business sign.
(3) The maximum sign area for any free-standing sign shall be 48 square feet. A double faced sign may have 48 square feet of sign area on each side.
(4) A shopping center or business complex sign or other sign that combines several sign allowances into a single multiple-copy sign for design or aesthetic purposes may be allowed a total sign area of 64 square feet per side in order to maximize the sign's efficiency and reduce the actual number of free-standing signs.
(5) Any free-standing signs of a temporary nature shall be anchored in place, shall not be within any public right-of-way or on a public sidewalk, shall be no larger than five square feet in sign area and shall extend no higher than 42 inches above the grade.
(B) Signs attached to buildings.
(1) If there is a free-standing sign on the site, then the maximum allowable additional sign area for that site shall be no greater than one and one-half square feet for each linear foot of business frontage.
(2) If the site has no existing free-standing sign, then the maximum allowable sign area for that site shall be no greater than two square feet for each linear foot of business frontage.
(3) Regardless of the total size of the building wall area, any sign attached or painted on to a building, shall not exceed 100 square feet of wall area on the face of any side.
(4) No sign that is attached to a building shall extend above the highest point of the building.
(5) There is no limit on the number of individual signs; provided, the above-stated limitations are maintained for square footage of sign area.
(6) Incidental signs, including directional sign, hours of operation and the like shall not be included in all sign area calculations.
(C) Other provisions.
(1) Signs in any commercial district may be illuminated directly, indirectly or internally; provided, the lighting is directed away from any residences or light-sensitive land uses and away from on-coming traffic.
(2) Moving, rotating, flashing, animated or other similar signs including "tube dancers" are prohibited in the city.
(3) Reader-board or electronic message signs shall be permitted only if no part of the sign is continuously moving and the messages or other parts of the sign change no more frequently than once every 15 seconds.
(4) Wall graphics, as defined, are exempt from sign requirements.
(5) One A-frame/sandwich board/sign on wheels not to exceed eight-square feet in area per side for each business entrance is allowed. The edges of each sign face shall not be more than 36-inches apart. The sign may not be lighted or powered by any means.
(a) The sign may be located within the public right-of-way (sidewalk) if placed directly in front of the business displaying the sign.
(b) The sign must be placed to allow a minimum of four feet of clearance on the sidewalk.
(c) In no case may the sign be displayed when a business is closed.
(Ord. 225, passed 10-20-1994, § 29.9; Ord. 269, passed 9-18-2014; Ord. 291, passed 6-6-2019)