Any sign or other street graphic not expressly permitted by this section shall be prohibited within the corporate limits of the city.
(A) Calculation of sign area. The area of every sign shall be calculated as follows.
(1) If a sign is enclosed by a box or outline, the total area (including the background) within that outline shall be deemed the sign area.
(2) If a sign consists of individual letters, parts or symbols, the area of the one imaginary square or rectangle which would completely enclose all the letters, parts or symbols shall be deemed the sign area.
(3) In calculating sign area, only one side of any double-faced sign shall be included.
(4) The area of signs of unusual shapes, such as globes, cylinders or pyramids, shall be computed as one-half of the total of the exposed surfaces.
(B) Sign area allowance.
(1) Within the limitations and restrictions as further provided in this section, the total of the areas of all signs which a particular establishment is permitted to display shall be computed in accordance with the following formula: one and one-half square feet of sign area per one foot of lineal street frontage for the first 100 feet of the frontage, plus one additional square foot of sign area per one foot frontage in excess of 100 feet. Except as otherwise provided herein, no establishment in any zoning district shall display more than 400 square feet of signs.
(2) (a) If any establishment has frontage on two or more streets, each side having frontage shall be considered separately for purposes of determining compliance with the provisions of this section. However, the sign area allowances shall not be aggregated so as to allow any establishment to display on any one frontage a greater area of signs that this section would otherwise permit.
(b) The side of an establishment adjacent to an off-street parking area shall not be deemed frontage unless the establishment has no other frontage.
(C) Movement permitted. Any sign or other street graphic that revolves, rotates or mechanically moves in any manner shall not obstruct pedestrian or vehicular traffic in any fashion and shall not be constructed so as to be unsafe in any manner.
(D) Illumination. Illumination of signs and other street graphics is permitted, subject to the following requirements.
(1) Only white light is permitted in residential zoning districts and within 200 feet thereof.
(2) No red, yellow, green or other color light shall be used at any location in such a manner as to confuse or interfere with vehicular traffic.
(3) No sign shall have blinking, flashing or fluttering lights or other illuminating devices which have a changing light intensity, brightness or color; provided that, this section shall not apply to any message on any electronically operated changeable copy sign. Beacon lights and illumination by flame are prohibited.
(4) The light from any illuminated sign or other street graphic shall be shaded, shielded or directed so as to avoid the creation or continuation of any nuisance or traffic hazard.
(5) No exposed reflective type bulb, and no strobe light or incandescent lamp which exceeds 15 watts, shall be used on the exterior surface of any sign in such a manner as to expose the face of the bulb, light or lamp to any public street or to adjacent property.
(E) Street signs and graphics not to be hazardous.
(1) No sign or other street graphic shall be erected, relocated or maintained so as to prevent free access or egress from any door, window, fire escape or driveway of any establishment.
(2) No sign or other street graphic shall be erected or maintained in such a manner that it interferes with, obstructs the view of or is likely to be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device. Accordingly, no street graphic shall contain the words “stop”, “go”, “caution”, “danger”, “warning” or similar words.
(F) Structural and maintenance requirements.
(1) Every sign or other street graphic shall be designed and constructed in conformity with the applicable provisions of this chapter.
(2) The electrical component of any illuminated sign or other street graphic shall conform to the applicable requirements of this chapter and to all requirements of the National Electrical Code, the International Building Code (2006) and the International Property Maintenance Code (2006).
(3) Every sign or other street graphic shall be maintained in a neat and attractive condition by its owner. The street graphic supports shall be kept painted/treated in order to prevent rust or deterioration.
(4) Except as provided for portable signs, any free-standing sign shall be made permanent and anchored by screw-in bolts and/or by a concrete footing to a depth of not less than 30 inches below the soil surface.
(1994 Code, § 155.130) (Ord. 429, passed 1-11-1993; Ord. 96-10, passed 7-8-1996)