(a) Exemptions from Zoning Ordinance. The following shall not be subject to the provisions of this ordinance: signs of a duly constituted governmental body, including traffic or similar regulatory devices, legal notices or warnings at railroad crossings.
(b) Exemptions from Building Permit Requirements. The following signs shall not necessitate a building permit: for-sale or for-rent signs not larger than four square feet in area, advertising only the property upon which they are located; signs on taxicabs and buses and identification signs painted on or affixed to moving vehicles.
(c) Banners, Pennants, Spinners and Streamers. Banners, pennants, spinners and streamers shall be allowed where in the opinion of the City Engineer or his designated agent, after considering the size, height, area and location, among other considerations of the proposed banner, pennant, spinner or streamer, may decide to allow such for the promotion of charitable, nonprofit public benefits for a maximum period of thirty days.
Banners, pennants, spinners and streamers promoting for-profit events and/or enterprises shall be permitted on the premises when, in the opinion of the City Engineer or his designated agent, they do not represent a safety hazard. Monthly permits shall be required and issued through the City Engineer's office. Such permits shall require a ten dollar ($10.00) fee and shall be valid thirty days from the date of issue. Plans showing the size, height and location of the banner, pennant, spinner or streamer shall be submitted with the fee. Each permit may be renewed for one period of thirty days during the calendar year for a renewal fee of ten dollars ($10.00). No more than one on-premise banner, pennant, spinner or streamer per place of business shall be allowed.
In addition, no such banner, pennant, spinner or streamer promoting for profit events shall be placed upon or over a public right of way, but shall be entirely on private property. Each sign shall be a maximum size of forty-eight square feet.
Further, placing a banner, pennant, spinner or streamer promoting for profit events without acquiring a permit, or failure to remove such sign after the relevant permit has expired, shall be an offense, punishable by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100.00) nor greater than five hundred dollars ($500.00), and each day that such violation continues shall constitute a separate offense.
(d) Portable Signs, Folding Signs, etc. Portable signs, folding signs, "A" frame signs, "T" shaped or any other similar freestanding signs not permanently anchored to either a building or the ground shall be permitted on premises when, in the opinion of the City Engineer or his designated agent, they do not represent a safety hazard. Monthly permits shall be required and issued through the City Engineer's office. Such permits shall require a thirty dollar ($30.00) fee and shall be valid thirty days from the date of issue. Each permit may be renewed for one period of thirty days for a renewal fee of thirty dollars ($30.00) during any calendar year. No more than two on-premise signs per place of business shall be allowed.
In addition, no such sign shall be placed upon or obstruct a public right of way; each sign shall be a maximum size of twelve square feet, with two faces permitted for a total display area of twenty-four square feet; no sign shall be closer than fifteen feet from any street intersection or corner; and each sign shall visibly carry on its face, at the user's expense, the appropriate permit number, as well as the date of issue of the permit.
Further, placing a portable sign without acquiring a permit, or failure to remove such sign after the relevant permit has expired, shall be an offense punishable by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100.00) nor greater than five hundred dollars ($500.00), and each day that such violation continues shall constitute a separate offense.
(e) Temporary Signs. Directional signs for houses of divine worship, within one year of the establishment's location, shall be permitted subject to the following conditions and limitations:
Application for such sign including a diagram of the proposed sign, shall be submitted to the office of the City Engineer, who shall consult with the Chief of Police regarding erection and location of the sign; the sign may not be larger than four square feet and is not to be illuminated; the sign is to be located entirely on private property and is not to be within 500 feet of another directional sign for the same establishment; the sign may, upon approval, be erected for a maximum period of six months, and the applicant shall be responsible for removing the sign at the end of this six month period. Further, the sign shall conform to all other applicable sign regulations, as determined by the City Engineer or his designated agent.
(f) Special Exemptions. Directional and identification signs for houses of divine worship, governmental buildings, historical areas and public park areas shall be permitted subject to the following conditions and limitations:
Application for such sign, including a diagram of the proposed sign, shall be submitted to the office of the City Engineer, who shall consult with the Chief of Police regarding erection and location of the sign; the sign may not be larger than four square feet and may not be illuminated; the sign shall be located on its own metal ground-pole. Only one such sign shall be permitted per building or area, and all such signs shall be kept in good repair at all times, or shall be removed.
(Ord. 1889. Passed 12-21-95.)