No sign shall be erected, relocated or enlarged until the plan for such sign has been approved and a permit issued by the CDD or designated planning staff member. Nameplates, property signs, service signs, and temporary signs conforming to the provisions of this title may be erected without such approval or permit.
A. Number Of Freestanding Signs:
1. Lots with less than three hundred feet (300') of street frontage on one street shall be allowed one freestanding sign.
2. Lots with more than three hundred feet (300') of street frontage on one street shall be allowed two (2) freestanding signs.
B. Location Of Freestanding Signs: Freestanding signs shall be set back at least five feet (5') from any property or right of way line.
C. Size Of Signs:
1. One square foot of sign area shall be permitted for every five feet (5') of continuous linear building frontage upon which such sign is mounted, up to a maximum of thirty (30) square feet.
2. Freestanding signs shall not exceed forty (40) square feet.
D. Lighting Of Signs: No spotlight, floodlight, luminous tubes or lighted sign shall be installed in any way which will permit the direct rays of such light to penetrate into any residential zone or onto any property used for residential purposes.
E. General Restrictions: No light, sign or other advertising structure shall be erected at the intersection of any streets in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision or at any location where, by reason of the position, shape or color, it may interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device; or which makes use of the words "stop", "look", "danger", or any word, phrase, symbol, or character in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic.
F. Signs On Public Property: No sign shall be erected on or project over publicly owned land, except signs erected by a public agency for the direction and safety of the general public.
G. Real Estate Signs: No real estate sales sign shall be located within thirty feet (30') of the edge of an adjacent road surface or no closer than an existing fence line that is parallel to the road, whichever distance is less. (Ord. 708, 12-10-2008)
H. Campaign Signs: Campaign signs are exempt from obtaining a sign permit; however, they must still comply with the following guidelines. Campaign signs shall not exceed three (3) square feet of area and four feet (4') in height, measured from the top of the sign to the grade directly below the sign. Campaign signs are permitted in any zone district, provided they are located a minimum of ten feet (10') back from the edge of the curb or edge of pavement, where there is no curb on the street which the sign fronts. If the ten foot (10') distance would be within a structure, the sign may be within three feet (3') of the front of the structure. Illumination of campaign signs is prohibited. These signs shall only be permitted on private property with the permission of the property owner and are not permitted in the public right of way. County personnel may remove and impound these signs if notice to remove the signs has been sent to the property owner or candidate and they have failed to comply with that notice. (Ord. 730, 12-2-2009)
I. Off Premises Signs Prohibited: No sign shall be erected or maintained on a parcel, lot or project area other than the specific lot or parcel on which the use or activity advertised on the sign is located.
J. Nonconforming Signs: Nonconforming signs, excluding billboards, shall be required to conform or be removed as follows. On the happening of any of the events described below, or where any of the following conditions apply, the sign or signs shall be brought into compliance within one year after the effective date hereof, and a new permit shall be secured therefor, or shall be removed.
1. The cost of the nonconforming sign is valued at less than one hundred dollars ($100.00). Sign value shall be determined based on an actual sales receipt for the sign or a cost estimate for the replacement cost provided by a qualified professional.
2. When a nonconforming sign is destroyed or damaged to an extent in excess of fifty percent (50%) of the sign value.
3. The sign is relocated in any manner.
4. If the sign is altered structurally, or if more than fifty percent (50%) of the copy, as measured by the sign area, is altered, except for changeable copy signs and maintenance.
5. If the business or service for which the nonconforming sign was installed is expanded or modified. All improvements to a single business or use within any twelve (12) month period shall be treated cumulatively in the administration of this subsection.
6. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to prohibit the County from removing a billboard without providing just compensation in accordance with the procedures set forth in this subsection if the Board of County Commissioners provides reasonable notice of the proceedings and, following a public hearing, finds:
a. The applicant made a false or misleading statement in any application to the County necessary to establish or change the billboard;
b. The billboard is unsafe or presents a hazard to persons or property;
c. The billboard is in a state of disrepair; or
d. The billboard has been abandoned for at least twelve (12) months. (Ord. 708, 12-10-2008; amd. Ord. 730, 12-2-2009)