§ 155.001 TITLE OF CHAPTER.

   This chapter shall be known and cited as the “Sign Regulations”.

(1998 Code, § 98-1) (Ord. 93-69, passed 11-17-1993)

§ 155.002 PURPOSE OF CHAPTER.

   The purpose of this chapter is to establish reasonable regulations for the design, construction, installation and maintenance of all exterior signs in the city in order to:

   (A)   Balance the right of individuals to identify their businesses and convey their messages and the right of the public to be protected against the unrestricted proliferation of signs;

   (B)   Further the objectives of the Comprehensive Plan;

   (C)   Protect the public health, safety and welfare;

   (D)   Reduce traffic hazards;

   (E)   Facilitate the creation of an attractive and harmonious community;

   (F)   Protect property values;

   (G)   Promote economic development; and

   (H)   Preserve the right of free speech exercised through the use of signs containing non-commercial messages.

(1998 Code, § 98-2) (Ord. 93-69, passed 11-17-1993)

§ 155.003 DEFINITIONS.

   For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.

   BANNER. Any sign constructed of cloth, canvas, light fabric or other light material, and shall include advertising balloons.

   ERECT. To build, construct, attach, hang, place, suspend or affix, and shall also include the painting of signs.

   FACING and SURFACE. The surface of the sign upon, against or through which the message is displayed or illustrated on the sign.

   ILLUMINATED SIGN. Any sign which has characters, letters, fixtures, designs or outlines illuminated externally by electric lights or internally by luminous tubes.

   INCOMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL. Any material which will not ignite at or below a temperature of 1,200°F and will not continue to burn or glow at that temperature.

   MONUMENT SIGN. Any freestanding sign having a low profile and made of masonry, metal, routed wood planks or beams, durable plastic or similar materials, including individual lettering, which repeats or harmonizes with the architecture of the establishment it serves. MONUMENT SIGNS must be built on a monument base as opposed to a pole base. Message boards and electronically displayed time and temperature may not occupy more than 24 square feet of the area of the sign face.

   OTHER ADVERTISING STRUCTURE. Any marquee, canopy, awning or street clock.

   PERMITTEE. A person receiving an erection permit pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.

   POLE SIGN. Any sign supported by one or more columns, poles, uprights or braces anchored in or on the ground and not attached to any building and as defined by the Standard Building Code.

   PORTABLE SIGN. Any sign designed or constructed to be easily moved from one location to another, and mounted upon or designed to be mounted upon a wheeled carrier or other framed structure.

   SIGN. Any structure, part thereof or device or inscription which is located upon, attached to, or painted or represented on any land or on the outside of any building or structure, or on an awning, canopy, marquee or similar appendage, or displayed or shown so as to be seen from the outside of the building or structure, and which displays or includes any numeral, letter, word, model, banner, emblem, insignia, symbol, device, monogram, heraldry, light or other representation used as or in the nature of an announcement, advertisement, attention arrester, direction, warning, or designation of any person, firm, group, organization, corporation, association, place, commodity, product, service, business, profession, enterprise, industry, activity or any combination thereof. When the word SIGN is used herein without further modification, the same shall be understood to embrace all regulated signs.

   SIGN AREA. The total square footage of all sign facing, including that portion of the supporting structure or trim which carries any wording, symbols, identifying colors or pictures; provided, however, in the case of double-faced signs, only one face shall be computed to determine SIGN AREA .

   STRUCTURAL TRIM. The molding, battens, cappings, nailing strips, latticing and platforms which are attached to the sign structure.

(1998 Code, § 98-3) (Ord. 93-69, passed 11-17-1993; Ord. 99-28, passed 5-5-1999; Ord. 00-55, passed 9-20-2000)

§ 155.004 PERIODIC INSPECTION.

   The Building Inspector shall inspect periodically, or whenever deemed necessary, each sign or other advertising structure regulated by this chapter for the purpose of ascertaining whether the structure is unsafe, in need of repair, not in conformance with the permit application or otherwise in violation of the provisions of this chapter.

(1998 Code, § 98-4) (Ord. 93-69, passed 11-17-1993)

§ 155.005 VARIANCES.

   Within 30 days after denial of a sign permit by the Building Inspector, a request for variance may be filed with the Board of Adjustments. The Board of Adjustments may grant a variance if it finds that the unusual shape, topography or characteristics of the property in question prevent signage allowable under the provisions of this chapter from adequately identifying the business or other activity located on such property.

(1998 Code, § 98-5) (Ord. 93-69, passed 11-17-1993)

§ 155.006 CERTAIN INFORMATION TO BE POSTED ON SIGNS; MINIMUM CLEARANCE.

   (A)   Every permitted sign or other advertising structure shall display in a conspicuous place, in letters no less than one inch in height, the date of erection, the permit number and the voltage of any electrical apparatus used.

   (B)   All signs and sign structures shall have a minimum clearance of 14 feet vertically, and shall have a clearance equal to the sign’s height from any transmission line carrying 750 volts or greater.

(1998 Code, § 98-6) (Ord. 93-69, passed 11-17-1993)

§ 155.007 TEMPORARY BUSINESS SIGNS.

   (A)   Definition. The term TEMPORARY BUSINESS SIGN , as used in this chapter, shall mean any sign, banner, pennant or other advertising display constructed of cloth, canvas, light fabric, cardboard or other light materials, with or without frames, with or without words, intended to be displayed for a limited period of time on the property of the business.

   (B)   Size and weight limitations.

      (1)   Size limitation. No temporary business sign of combustible material shall exceed four feet in one of its dimensions or 60 square feet in area.

      (2)   Weight limitation. Temporary business signs weighing in excess of 50 pounds must be approved by the Building Inspector as conforming to the safety requirements of the Building Code of the city.

   (C)   Projection over public property. No temporary business sign shall extend over or into any street right-of-way, alley, sidewalk or other public thoroughfare.

   (D)   Anchorage and support. Every temporary business sign shall be attached with wire or steel cables. No strings, ropes or wood slats for anchorage or support purposes shall be permitted.

   (E)   Maximum display period. Temporary business signs shall not be allowed to remain for a period exceeding 15 days in a six-month period.

   (F)   Permitted advertising. The advertisement contained on any temporary business sign shall pertain only to the business, industry or pursuit conducted on or within the premises on which such sign is erected or maintained. This provision shall not apply to signs of a civic, political or religious nature.

(1998 Code, § 98-7) (Ord. 93-69, passed 11-17-1993) Penalty, see § 155.999