(A) In any zoning district where signs are allowed, a sign permit shall be required unless otherwise stated.
(B) In addition to all applicable state and federal regulations, any sign erected within the city shall be required to conform to the following regulations.
(1) A sign permit shall be required for any new on-premise or off-premise sign installation, including temporary signs. At the time of installation, the new sign must conform to all requirements of the zoning ordinance at the time of installation. All off-premises signs require a conditional use permit. All off-premises sign permits must be renewed annually.
(a) The owner of any sign requiring a permit must apply for and obtain a valid permit as per state law and this chapter before construction or placement of the sign occurs.
(b) A sign erected or maintained without a permit is a public nuisance and subject to abatement by the state’s Department of Transportation or the city, as the case may be.
(3) No off-premises sign shall be erected or placed closer than 1,500 feet from any residential district and/or dwelling unit without an approved conditional use permit.
(4) Off-premises signs shall be located no closer than 1,500 feet from all other off-premises signs.
(5) No illuminated sign shall be permitted within 1,500 feet of any dwelling unit or residential district without an approved conditional use permit. All illuminated signs shall be installed and maintained so as to minimize spillage of light outside of the sign face.
(6) Off-premises signs shall not exceed a height of 40 feet. The maximum display area of any off-premises sign located adjacent to a two or more lane highway shall not exceed 250 square feet on each face. The maximum display area of any off-premises sign located on the interstate shall not exceed 400 square feet on each face. The height of the off-premises sign shall be measured from the road surface.
(7) All off-premises and on-premises signs shall be placed or erected in conformity with all applicable side and rear yard setback requirements for structures. The minimum front yard setback requirement for on-premises or off-premises signs shall be five feet from any property line.
(8) No sign, including political signs, are allowed to be located in any public right-of-way or public or private access easement. All signs issued by the city for public notice of proposed land use changes are exempt from this requirement.
(9) There shall be a 250-foot separation between a new off-premises sign and an existing freestanding on-premises sign. The separation restrictions shall not apply to new freestanding on-premises sign and an existing off-premises sign.
(10) All on-premises and off-premises sign structures shall be painted and maintained in muted colors as to blend into the natural surroundings. Colors shall include, but not be limited to, brown, black, or tan. Wood sign structures may remain unpainted and be allowed to have a natural patina. At no time shall bright or neon colors be used for either wood or metal sign structures.
(11) No debris, including, but not necessarily limited to, wood material, posts, metal, paper, plastic, cardboard, or other materials from the construction or maintenance of a sign, shall be left at the location or vicinity of a sign. Any violation of this section is hereby declared a nuisance and subject to abatement.
(12) Freestanding on-premises signs shall not exceed a height of 30 feet. The maximum display area of any freestanding on-premises sign shall not exceed 250 square feet on each side. The height of the freestanding on-premises sign shall be measured from the road surface.
(13) Banner signs shall be approved by the Planning Official for size and location and must substantially conform to the regulations of this chapter. A banner sign permit may be renewed annually upon review of the Planning Official. Banner signs may be changed without the need for a new permit provided the dimensions of the banner sign do not change.
(14) Approved temporary signs related to an event are only allowed to be erected 30 days prior to the event and must be removed within ten days of the conclusion of the event. Temporary signs shall be approved by the Planning Official for size and location and must substantially conform to the regulations of this chapter. All non-event temporary sign permits are issued for 30 days, renewable twice for a maximum of 90 days. The temporary sign must be removed following the expiration of the temporary sign permit.
(15) On-premises signs which advertise or direct attention to a home occupation shall not exceed six square feet in area and shall be limited to one such sign per approved home occupation. A home occupation shall be allowed to have one wall sign or one freestanding sign. The freestanding sign shall be located at least five feet from the property line and have a maximum height of five feet. A conditional use permit may allow for a larger size sign, if appropriate to the area.
(16) Each subdivision that has been approved in accordance with the regulations of Chapter 155 shall be allowed one on-premises sign per entrance, not exceeding 75 square feet in area, advertising the name of such subdivision. The subdivision sign shall be set back at least five feet from the property line. The signs should be aesthetically pleasing and blend into the surroundings.
(17) In residential zoning districts, the following signs shall be allowed without a permit but must comply with the criteria set forth below:
(a) Real estate sale, political campaign, and other noncommercial speech signs that do not exceed nine square feet in total and, if freestanding, five feet in height. No more than one such sign per street frontage. Political campaign signs may be erected 60 days prior to the scheduled date of the primary election and must be removed not later than seven days after the candidate is unsuccessful, withdraw, or the general election, whichever comes first;
(b) Businesses working at a residentially zoned lot, such as landscapers or window treatment installers, may post an identifying sign only when they are physically at the residence, and the sign shall be removed immediately when the working party leaves the property. Such sign shall not exceed nine square feet in total area and, if freestanding, shall not exceed five feet in height. No more than one such sign per street frontage per lot is allowed; and
(c) Under construction signs. For construction on or development of lots, not more than three signs with a combined total area of 70 square feet, stating the names of contractors, engineers, or architects, is allowed during the time that construction or development is actively underway.
(18) In all other zoning districts, the following signs shall be allowed without a permit but must comply with the criteria set forth below.
(a) Parking area signs. For each permitted or required parking area that has a capacity of more than four cars, one sign, not exceeding four square feet in area, may be allowed at each entrance to or exit from such parking area. In addition, one sign, not exceeding nine square feet in area, is allowed for identifying or designating the conditions of use of such parking area.
(b) For sale or for rent signs. Not more than one non-illuminated for sale or for rent sign is allowed for the purpose of advertising the sale, rental, or lease of the premises on which the sign is located. Such sign shall not exceed nine square feet in size, shall be no more than five feet high, and shall be at least five feet from the property line.
(c) Under construction signs. For construction on or development of lots, not more than three signs with a combined total area of 70 square feet, stating the names of contractors, engineers, or architects, is allowed during the time that construction or development is actively underway.
(d) Emergency 911 signs. Residential locator or E-911 signs.
(e) Political campaign signs. Political campaign signs that are temporarily placed on the ground pending an election shall not exceed nine square feet in size, shall be no more than five feet high, and shall be at least five feet from the property line. Political campaign signs may be erected 60 days prior to the scheduled date of the primary election and must be removed not later than seven days after the candidate is unsuccessful, withdraw, or the general election, whichever comes first.
(f) Directional signs. Directional signs shall not exceed 20 square feet.
(19) Applications for a sign permit shall be made in writing upon forms furnished by the city. No permit shall be issued until each sign application is approved by the Planning Committee and the Board of Commissioners. At a minimum, the following complete information shall be provided before an application is considered:
(a) Name and address of the sign owner and the contractor;
(b) Name and address of the property owner where the sign is to be located;
(c) The legal description of the proposed sign location;
(d) Clear and legible drawing of the proposed sign to scale with description of the sign showing construction type and lighting;
(e) Site plan showing the location and setbacks on the property where the sign is to be located;
(f) The property owner’s signature; and
(g) Other such data and information deemed necessary by the Planning Committee.
(20) No off-premises or on-premises sign shall be constructed which resembles any official marker erected by a governmental entity or which by reason of position, shape, or color would conflict with the proper functioning of any official traffic control device, sign, or marker.
(21) Owners of on-premises and off-premises signs are encouraged to allow public service announcements to be located on signs that display no advertisement for more than 30 calendar days.
(22) A vehicle or trailer of any form or type, whether licensed or not, or in working condition or not, intended to be used as or in conjunction with an on-premises or off-premises sign, shall not be located adjacent to any public right-of-way or on private or public property so as to be visible from the public right-of-way. Vehicles or trailers whose primary use is other than outdoor advertising shall be exempt from this section.
(Ord. #10, passed 5-17-2007)