(A) Signs excluded from regulation. The following signs are exempt from regulation under this section:
(1) Sign sizes. Signs not exceeding four square feet in area that are customarily associated with a residential use, and are not of a commercial nature, such as:
(a) Signs giving property identification names or numbers, or names of occupants;
(b) Signs on mailboxes, or newspaper tubes; and
(c) Signs posted on private property relating to private parking, or warning the public against trespassing, and are not of a commercial nature.
(2) Legal notices, and other signs authorized by a governmental body. Signs erected by, or authorized by, a governmental body, including legal notices, identification and informational signs, and traffic, directional, or regulatory signs;
(3) Identification and informational. Signs erected by service organizations, including identification and informational signs, and are not of a commercial nature. Signs may not exceed 16 square feet;
(4) Public utilities. Official signs of a non-commercial nature erected by public utilities;
(5) Governmental, or nonprofit, signs. Flags, pennants, or insignia of any governmental, or nonprofit, organization when not displayed in connection with a commercial promotion, or as an advertising device;
(6) Directional, traffic signs. Signs directing, and guiding, traffic on private property that do not exceed four square feet each, and that bear no advertising matter;
(7) Church signs. Church bulletin boards, church identification signs, and church directional sign but do not exceed one per abutting street, do not exceed 25 square feet in area, and may be internally illuminated; and
(8) Non-commercial messages. Signs proclaiming religious, political, or other non-commercial messages (unless specifically regulated elsewhere), not exceeding one per abutting street, do not exceed 16 square feet in area, and are not internally illuminated.
(B) Temporary signs; permit exemptions and regulations. The following temporary signs are permitted without a sign permit. The signs shall conform to the requirements set forth below, as well as all other applicable requirements of this section:
(1) Real estate for sale, lease, or for rent signs (including buildings). The signs may not exceed 16 square feet in area, and shall be removed immediately after sale, lease, or rental. A single sign on each street frontage is permitted;
(2) Construction site identification signs that identify the project, owner, or developer, and the like (may contain information relating to sale, lease, or rent). Not more than one such sign may be erected per site, and it may not exceed 32 square feet in area. The sign shall be removed when construction, and landscaping, activities are completed;
(3) Signs erected in connection with elections or political campaigns. Such signs shall be permitted 30 days prior to the election, and must be removed within ten days following the election, or conclusion of the campaign. No such sign may exceed 16 square feet in surface area; and
(4) Signs indicating a special event (grand opening, fair, carnival, circus, festival, and the like) to take place on lot where the sign is located. The signs may be erected no sooner than two weeks before the event, and must be removed no later than three days after the event.
(5) Other temporary signs. Temporary signs not covered in the foregoing categories, so long as the signs meet the following restrictions:
(a) No more than one such sign may be located on any lot;
(b) The signs are not tacked, posted, painted, or otherwise affixed to walls of buildings, trees, fences, or poles;
(c) No such sign may exceed four square feet in surface area, unless otherwise stated; and
(d) The signs may not be displayed for longer than three consecutive days, nor more than ten days out of any 365 day period, unless otherwise stated.
(C) Permit required for signs. A permit shall be required to erect any sign in the city, unless exempted above. No sign shall be erected by any person until the plan for the proposed sign has been received by the Planning and Zoning Commission, and approved by the Council. Permit fees shall be determined by the Council. If a person begins work on any sign for which a permit is required without having secured the necessary permits therefor, either previous to or on the date of commencement of such work, they shall, when subsequently securing the permit, pay double the fee provided for such permit or shall be subject to the penalty provisions of this code.
(D) Determining the number of signs. A two sided, or multi-sided, sign shall be regarded as one sign so long as:
(1) V-type signs. With respect to a V-type sign, the two sides are, at no point, separated by a distance that exceeds five feet;
(2) Double-faced signs. With respect to double faced (back to back) signs, the distance between the backs of each face of the sign does not exceed three feet; and
(3) Sides of double-faced signs. Each side of a double faced sign shall count towards the overall sign surface threshold calculation.
(E) Total sign surface area (on-premises signage).
(1) Total surface area; exceeding limitations. Unless otherwise provided in this section, the total surface area devoted to all signs on any lot shall not exceed the limitations set forth in this section, and all signs, except temporary signs, shall be included in this calculation.
(2) Maximum sign surface area; residential districts. Unless otherwise provided in this section, the maximum sign surface area permitted on any lot in any residential district is four square feet.
(3) Maximum sign surface area; business districts. Subject to the other provisions of this section, the maximum on-premises sign surface area permitted on any lot in any business district shall be determined as follows:
(a) The total sign surface area allowed shall be two square feet per linear foot of lot street frontage, or 10% of the building frontage area, or 75 square feet in area, whichever is greater. Only one face of a double faced, or V-type, sign shall be considered in determining the display surface area;
(b) For uses on corner lots, the frontage measurement to be used in the signage area calculation shall be the smallest dimension. In this case, the business owner shall be permitted to have two equivalent signs, one facing each street, subject to other regulations contained herein; and
(c) The maximum on-premises sign surface area on any lot in any business district shall be 200 square feet, unless specified differently in other sections.
(4) Maximum sign surface area; industrial districts. Subject to other provisions of this section, the maximum sign surface area on any lot in any industrial district shall be determined by multiplying the number of linear feet of street frontage of the lot by three feet, or 20% of the building frontage, or 300 square feet, whichever is greater.
(5) Sign surface area; wall of structure. The sign surface area of any sign located on a wall of a structure may not exceed 50% of the total surface area of the wall on which the sign is located.
(F) Number of freestanding signs (on-premises).
(1) Number of freestanding signs. Except as authorized below, no development may have more than one freestanding sign.
(2) Development on corner lot. If a development is located on a corner lot that has at least 100 feet of frontage on each of the two intersecting public streets, then the development may have no more than one freestanding sign along each side of the development bordered by such streets.
(3) Development bordered by two public streets. If a development is located on a lot that is bordered by two public streets that do not intersect at the lot’s boundaries, then the development may have no more than one freestanding sign on each side of the development bordered by such streets.
(G) Location and height requirement; freestanding signs.
(1) Setback requirements. Freestanding signs shall observe the setback requirements set forth within each district, and shall not encroach upon any road right-of-way.
(2) Anchoring of freestanding signs. Freestanding signs shall be securely fastened to the ground, or to some other substantial supportive structure, so that there is virtually no danger that either the sign, or the supportive structure, may be moved by the wind or other forces of nature, and cause injury to persons, or property.
(3) Height in business districts. No part of a freestanding sign may exceed a height, measured from ground level, of 32 feet in the B-2 and B-3 Business Districts, and both industrial districts, no more than 45 feet in the B-4 Highway Commercial Business District, and no more than 15 feet in residential districts.
(4) Roofs and parapets. No sign may extend above any parapet, or be placed upon any roof surface.
(5) Building walls. No sign attached to a building may project more than 12 inches from the building wall.
(H) Off-premises sign regulations.
(1) Permit; Highway Commercial Business District. This type of signage may only be established in the B-4 Highway Commercial Business District through the issuance of a special use permit.
(2) Total sign area. The total area of any off-premises sign shall not exceed 700 square feet, computed on the basis of one side of any double-faced sign.
(3) Total sign height. The sign, and its supporting structure, shall not exceed 45 feet in height.
(4) Residential zoning districts. Off-premises signs shall not be located within 100 feet of a residential zoning district park, playground, or school.
(5) Separation. Signs on the same side of a street, or highway, shall have a separation of 400 lineal feet.
(6) Setback standards. Signs shall be required to meet all setback standards of the zoning district.
(7) Illumination. The source of light for the purpose of illumination may be indirect, or direct, and shall not be directed in any way except onto the advertising copy.
(8) Color of exposed uprights. The exposed uprights, or superstructure, shall be painted a neutral color.
(9) Ground supports. All ground supports shall meet appropriate building codes.
(10) Roof tops. Off-premises signs shall not be permitted on roof tops.
(11) Wall-mounted signs. Wall-mounted off-premises signs shall be on a separate frame, shall not extend beyond 12 inches from the wall surface, and shall not exceed 50% of the square footage of the wall it occupies, or 700 square feet, whichever is less.
(I) Subdivision development entrance signs. At any entrance to a residential subdivision development, there may be no more than two signs identifying the subdivision, or development. A single side of any such sign may not exceed 16 square feet, nor may the total surface area of all such signs located at a single entrance exceed 32 square feet.
(J) Sign illumination and signs containing lights.
(1) General. Unless otherwise prohibited by this section, signs may be illuminated if the illumination is in accordance with this section.
(2) Lighting. Lighting directed toward a sign shall be shielded so that it illuminates only the face of the sign, and does not shine directly into a public right-of-way or residential premises.
(3) Illuminated tubings, or strings of light. Illuminated tubings, or strings of lights, that outline property lines, sales areas, roof lines, doors, windows, or similar areas are prohibited.
(4) Flashing lights. No sign may contain, or be illuminated, by flashing or intermittent lights, or lights of changing degrees of intensity, except signs indicating the time, date, or weather conditions.
(K) Signage prohibitions.
(1) Streets. No sign may be located so that it substantially interferes with the view necessary for motorists to proceed safely through intersections, or to enter onto, or exit from, public streets or private roads for a distance of 500 feet.
(2) Signs that revolve are prohibited. Without limiting the foregoing, banners, streamers, animated display boards, pennants, and propellers are prohibited, but signs that only move occasionally because of wind are not prohibited if their movement:
(a) Is not a primary design feature of the sign;
(b) Is not intended to attract attention to the sign; and
(c) Is not specifically excluded elsewhere in this section.
(3) Confusion with signs erected by governmental agencies. No sign may be erected so that by its location, color, size, shape, nature, or message it would tend to obstruct the view of, or be confused with, official traffic signs, or other signs erected by governmental agencies.
(4) Affixation of signs. No sign may be affixed, or painted, on rocks, trees, or other perennial plants, or on any public utility pole.
(5) Rotating beams, light. No sign may contain a rotating beam, or beam of light, resembling an emergency vehicle.
(6) Simulation of state, county, municipality, or other governmental sign. No sign may simulate any official, directional, or warning sign that is typically erected, or maintained, by the state, county, municipality, or other governmental subdivision, nor may any sign be erected which incorporates, or makes use of, light simulating, or resembling, traffic signals or control signs.
(7) Distracting signs. No sign may be erected which casts a distracting, or confusing, ray of light onto, or visible from, the public roadway.
(8) Interference. No sign may interfere with public facilities, or the maintenance thereof.
(9) Obstructions. No sign may obstruct any window, door, fire escape, stairway, or opening essential to the provision of light, air, ingress, or egress from any building.
(10) Multiple surface areas. No sign may contain more than two surface areas or facings.
(11) Rights-of-way. No sign is permitted within the right-of-way of any public road, except as erected by an official unit of government for the direction of traffic, or necessary public information.
(12) Motion signs. Motion signs and flashing signs are prohibited, except time and temperature signs depicting a constant message as contrasted to a moving message.
(13) Private signs. No private sign shall be erected that resembles any official marker, or sign, erected of a governmental agency, or shall display such words as “Stop” or “Danger” unless so specified by this chapter, or the city code.
(14) Projecting signs. Projecting signs are prohibited.
(15) Roof signs. Roof signs are prohibited.
(16) Expired business signs. Signs which advertise an activity, business, product, or service no longer produced, or conducted, on the premises upon which the sign is located shall be removed immediately upon termination of use. Where the owner, or lessor, of the premises is seeking a new tenant, such signs may remain in place for not more than 30 days from the date of vacancy.
(17) Advertising or business signs. The signs on, or attached to, equipment, such as semi-truck trailers, where signing is a principal use of the equipment on either a temporary, or permanent, basis is prohibited.
(L) Maintenance of signs.
(1) State of repair. All signs, and all components thereof, including, without limitation supports, braces, and anchors, shall be kept in a state of good repair. With respect to freestanding signs, components not bearing a message shall be constructed of materials that blend with the natural environment, or shall be painted a neutral color to blend with the natural environment.
(2) Abandoned signs. If a sign, other than a billboard, advertises a business, service, commodity, accommodation, attraction, or other enterprise or activity that is no longer operating, or being offered or conducted, that sign shall be considered abandoned and shall, within 60 days after the abandonment, be removed by the sign owner, owner of the property where the sign is located, or other party having control over such sign.
(3) Message of a sign. If the message portion of a sign is removed, leaving only the supporting “shell” of a sign, or the supporting braces, anchors, or similar components, the owner of the sign, or the owner of the property where the sign is located, or other person having control over the sign shall, within 180 days of the removal of the message portion of the sign, either replace the entire message portion of the sign, or remove the remaining components of the sign.
(4) Debris around sign. The area within ten feet in all directions of any part of a freestanding sign shall be kept clear of all debris and all undergrowth more than six inches in height.
(M) Non-conforming signs.
(1) Increasing extent of non-conformity. No person may engage in any activity that causes an increase in the extent of non-conformity of a non-conforming sign. No non-conforming sign may be enlarged, or altered, in a manner as to aggravate the non-conforming condition, nor may illumination be added to any non-conforming sign.
(2) Moved or replaced. A non-conforming sign may not be moved, or replaced, except to bring the sign into conformity with this section.
(3) Destroyed or damaged. If a non-conforming sign is destroyed, or damaged, more than 50% of its value, it may not be repaired, reconstructed, or replaced except in conformity with all provisions of this section, and the remnants of the former sign structure shall be cleared from the land.
(4) Message of non-conforming sign. The message of a non-conforming sign may be changed so long as this does not create any new non-conformities.
(5) Repaired or renovated. Subject to other provisions of this section, non-conforming signs may be repaired, and renovated, so long as the cost of the work does not exceed 50% of the sign’s value within any 12-month period.
(6) Advertising. If a non-conforming sign, other than a billboard, advertises a business, service, commodity, accommodation, attraction, or other enterprise, or activity, that is no longer operating or being offered, or conducted, that sign shall be considered abandoned, and shall be removed within 60 days after such abandonment by the sign owner, owner of the property where the sign is located, or other party having control over such sign.
(N) Monument signs.
(1) Definition. A freestanding sign, in which the entire base of the sign structure is in contact with the ground, providing a solid, and continuous, background for the sign face that is the same width as the sign from the ground to the top of the sign. The base of the sign shall be constructed of a permanent material, such as concrete block or stone, shall be considered a MONUMENT SIGN.
(2) Metal shroud. A piece of metal which is used to conceal, and screen, the support structure of a monument sign.
(3) Monument sign area. The advertising area of a monument sign.
(4) Prohibited signs. The following signs are prohibited by this section:
(a) Signs that resemble any official marker erected by a government agency by reason of position, shape, or color, which interferes with the proper function of a traffic sign, signal, or be misleading to vehicular traffic;
(b) Signs within a public right-of-way or easement, except for signs installed by governmental entities;
(c) Signs attached to rocks, trees, fences, or utility poles. Signs on fences denoting safety hazards will be allowed;
(d) Signs of a rotating beam or flashing illumination;
(e) Signs advertising by letters, words, or figures painted upon any sidewalk within the city;
(f) Advertising signs painted on any exterior building surface;
(g) Rotating signs;
(h) Signs painted, or attached, to vehicles where the vehicle is parked on a property, and not intended to be moved for a period of 48 hours, or more. At all times, vehicles containing advertising and/or signage shall not be parked along the property frontage;
(i) Roof signs;
(j) Temporary signs which advertise a business, product, or service which is not produced, or conducted, on the zoning lot upon which the sign is located; and
(k) Signs which project over the public right-of-way.
(5) Construction of monument signs. Monument signs shall be constructed with the entire bottom of the sign structure in contact with the ground. The bottom two feet of the sign shall either be Kasota stone, precast concrete, brick, or landscaping masonry blocks that are earth tone colors, unless otherwise provided for. A solid, continuous background area should be provided from the ground to the top of the sign via a combination of either Kasota stone, precise concrete, brick, stone, landscaping blocks, or metal shroud which matches the appearance, and color, of the principal building.
(6) Ground area. The ground area around the base, or base of the sign, of the monument in ground/pylon sign shall be landscaped with shrubs and ground cover equal to the area of 50% of the sign base. The landscaping shall consist of shrubs and ground covers that can withstand the environmental conditions of the site, and will provide season interest.
(7) Business and industrial districts. Monument signs will be permitted in business and industrial districts within the city when in compliance with all other zoning provisions and regulations. The maximum total signage area of all signs and franchise architecture should not exceed more than two times the front lineal footage of the lot.
(8) Dimensions, placement of monument signs.
(a) Monument signs greater than eight feet in height shall be constructed with the entire bottom of the sign structure in contact with the ground. The bottom two feet of such signs shall be Kasota stone, precast concrete, brick, or landscaping masonry blocks that are earth tone colors. A solid continuous background area should be provided from the ground to the top of the sign either in combination of Kasota stone, precise concrete, brick, stone, landscaping blocks, or metal shroud which matches the appearance, and color, of the principal building.
(b) Monument sign height may be 10% of the front lineal frontage of a lot with not less than ten feet required, or more than 15 feet permitted.
(c) No more than one monument sign shall be permitted per zoning lot except through lots.
(d) The square foot area of the sign shall not exceed the front lineal frontage of the zoning lot.
(e) The sign face shall occupy at least 50% of the monument sign.
(f) A landscaping area shall be provided around the base of the sign in accordance with this section.
(g) The sign shall not encroach upon any road right-of-way, and monument signs shall observe the setback regulations set forth within each zoning district.
(h) Multi-tenant business centers will be allowed to have one joint identification monument sign.
(Prior Code, § 11.70) (Ord. 165, second series, passed 7-5-2000; Ord. 207, second series, passed 9-4-2007; Ord. 26, third series, passed 9-18-2012; Ord. 024, fourth series, passed 5-21-2024)