(A) Permitted signs. The following signs, when complying with the structural and safety requirements herein, may be permitted anywhere within the city where such signs are approved, as provided, herein and shall not require a permit:
(1) Development: construction signs identifying the architect, engineer, contractor, owner and other individuals or firms involved, but not including any advertisement of any product, provided said signs shall be removed within 14 days following the completion of construction of any project.
(2) Public signs of a noncommercial nature and in the public interest, erected by or on the order of a public officer in the performance of the officer’s public duty, including safety, traffic, memorial and historical signs, are hereby exempt from all of the provisions of this chapter, except for structural and safety regulations.
(B) Prohibited signs. Signs which are strictly prohibited are those which:
(1) Contain statements, words or pictures of an obscene, indecent or immoral character that will offend public morals or decency;
(2) Contain and or imitate an official traffic sign or signal or contain the words “stop”, “go”, “go slow”, “caution”, “danger”, “warning” or similar words of which could cause regulation of public traffic flow;
(3) Are of a size, shape, location, movement, content, coloring or manner of illumination which may be confused with or construed as a traffic control device or which hides from view any traffic or street sign or signal;
(4) Are not permanently or adequately attached to a building, an approved sign pole, or a structure, other than a portable sign with a special use permit as provided for herein;
(5) Have a revolving beam or beacon of light resembling any emergency vehicle;
(6) Advertise the sale of alcoholic beverages. This shall not prohibit use of established trade names of establishments (e.g., “Steak and Ale”);
(7) Advertise drink promotions (offering drinks for sale at a price reduced from the customary price during a specific period of the day such as “Happy Hour” for promotional purposes);
(8) Partially or completely obstruct the view of any signal light, traffic control sign, or other such device from any point in a moving traffic lane within 50 feet of and approaching such traffic control; and/or
(9) Constitutes, in the determination of the Chief of Police, an obstruction to view of operators of motor vehicles on public streets or entering such streets from private property.
(Ord. 2008-01, passed 7-17-2008)