All signs requiring permit approval shall comply with the following standards and regulations, and these standards and regulations shall be considered minimum requirements in reviewing all applications for sign permits.
A. Traffic Hazard: Signs shall not:
1. Be erected at the intersection of any streets, thoroughfares or driveways in such 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
2. Make use of the words "stop", "drive-in", "danger" or any other words, phrases, symbol or character in such manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse vehicle operators.
B. Clearances And Setbacks:
1. Signs less than three feet (3') in height may be placed in the clear view area.
2. Signs more than three feet (3') in height must have a front setback that shall be the same as for buildings in that zoning district, or a front setback of at least eighteen inches (18") from the front property line as measured from the leading edge of the sign, whichever is greater. Signs shall also meet clear view requirements as detailed in sign definitions.
3. Signs over pedestrianways shall have a clearance between the ground and the lowest portion of any such sign of not less than eight feet (8').
4. Signs over driveways for vehicular traffic shall have a minimum clearance of not less than fourteen feet (14').
C. Sign Standards:
1. Colors: Sign background shall be lighter, neutral colors. White is allowed only for lettering. No more than ten percent (10%) of the background sign area shall be bright, high chroma, highly saturated primary or secondary colors.
a. Primary colors are red, yellow and blue.
b. Secondary colors are green, orange and purple.
c. Fluorescent colors and reflective metal surfaces are not allowed except in logos. Logos shall be confined to a maximum of twenty five percent (25%) of the total sign area, unless otherwise approved by the planning commission.
2. Materials: Signs may be constructed of painted, stained or carved wood; brick or stone; metal which is painted or anodized, or otherwise treated to prevent reflective glare, except for theater marquees, where plastic, polymers or glass may be used only for text and may not be used for the background or noncopy portions of the sign. Wood signs shall be solid wood or plywood, MDO grade or equivalent.
3. Illumination: Signs may be unlighted, lighted internally or lighted externally. Internally lighted signs must be designed in such manner that the light source cannot be seen. Except for theater marquees, internal sign lighting shall be used only to light text. Background or noncopy portions of the sign may not be internally lighted. Light sources for externally lighted signs shall be placed to illuminate only the sign surface and shall not be visible beyond the premises. Special care shall be taken in the design of external sign lighting to ensure that the source is not visible. Fluorescent or sodium, metal halide, neon and mercury light sources are not permitted for exterior lighting. Internally lighted signs may use any light source desired, providing the sign meets the other criteria specified in this chapter.
D. Signs On And Over Public Property: No sign shall be located on publicly owned land or inside street rights of way, except signs required and erected by written permission of the city council. No projecting sign attached to a building shall project over public property except by written permission of the city council. Ground signs may not project over public property.
E. Prohibited Signs: Signs not specifically allowed by this chapter are prohibited. The following signs are specifically prohibited:
1. Abandoned signs.
2. Advertising devices which move in the wind, including, but not limited to, balloons and balloon signs or other gas filled figures, pennants, pinwheels and stringers.
3. Animated signs.
4. Beacons and searchlights.
5. Billboards, outdoor advertising and off site signs designed or intended to direct attention to a business, product or service that is not provided, sold, offered or existing on the property where the sign is located and not specifically allowed under this chapter.
6. Changeable signs on which copy or sign panels may be changed manually or electronically or electrically controlled "time and temperature", message center or reader board where copy changes automatically, except as specifically provided in this chapter for service stations, theaters and restaurants.
7. Intensely lighted or exposed luminary sources, such as exposed bulbs or tubes, shall be prohibited. Exposed neon signs shall be prohibited except for "open", "now serving" and "vacancy/no vacancy" signs.
8. Snipe signs.
9. Signs that rotate, move or assume any motion constituting a nonstationary or nonfixed condition.
10. No sign shall be painted on or affixed to any natural object in its natural location, such as, but not limited to, boulders, trees or cliff faces.
11. A-frame, sandwich board, sidewalk, curb or any sign not permanently affixed to the ground or to a structure on the site it occupies.
12. Signs made wholly or partially of highly reflective material.
13. Signs affixed upon a vehicle, trailer or the like, parked or located conspicuously for the primary purpose of displaying said sign.
14. Signs which bear or contain statements, words or pictures of an obscene or pornographic character, as defined by the United States supreme court in Miller v. California, 413 U.S. 15, 24 (1973), and anything that demeans or otherwise degrades religions, races or ethnic groups.
15. Signs which emit audible sound, odor or visible matter.
16. Miscellaneous signs and posters. The tacking, posting or otherwise affixing of signs of a miscellaneous character, visible from a public way, located on the walls of buildings, bars or sheds, on trees, poles, posts, fences or other structures, except to identify a residence or residence structure by means of posting the name of the occupant or structure and the street address, unless specifically permitted by this chapter. Miscellaneous signs may be permitted on a temporary basis, in certain locations, with prior written approval of city staff.
F. Anchoring:
1. No sign shall be suspended by nonrigid attachments that will allow the sign to swing in the wind.
2. All freestanding signs shall have self-supporting structures erected on or permanently attached to an acceptable foundation as determined under the building codes adopted by the city.
3. All portable signs on display shall be braced or secured to prevent motion.
G. Additional Construction Specifications:
1. No sign shall be erected, constructed or maintained so as to obstruct any fire escape, required exit, window or door opening used as a means of egress.
2. No sign shall be attached in any form, shape or manner which will interfere with any opening required for ventilation, except that signs may be erected in front of and may cover transom windows when not in violation of the provisions of the city building or fire prevention codes.
3. Signs shall be located in such way as to maintain horizontal and vertical clearance with all overhead electrical conductors in accordance with electrical code specifications, depending on voltages concerned.
4. All signs must be inspected and approved by the building official upon completion.
H. Temporary Signs: Permits for any temporary sign shall not exceed thirty (30) days in a calendar year. It shall be the responsibility of the applicant to remove temporary signs upon expiration of the permit period.
I. Maintenance: Every sign shall be kept in good condition as to maintenance and repair, including the replacement of defective parts, repainting and cleaning. The ground space within a radius of ten feet (10') from the base of any ground sign shall be kept free and clear of all weeds, rubbish and inflammable material. In addition to any other remedy provided in this chapter, city staff shall have the authority to order the painting, repair, alteration or removal of signs which become dilapidated, are abandoned or which constitute physical hazard to the public safety at the expense of the person having charge, control or benefit of such signs.
J. Sign Removal: Signs identifying a discontinued use on the property shall be removed from the property within thirty (30) calendar days of the time the use was discontinued. A sign remaining thereafter shall be considered abandoned.
K. Repair Of Building Facade: A damaged building facade as the result of the removal, repair, replacement or installation of any signs shall be repaired by the property owner within thirty (30) calendar days of the time the building facade was damaged.
L. Nonconforming Sign: A nonconforming sign may not be moved to a new location, altered, enlarged or replaced unless it be made to comply with the provisions of this chapter. (Ord. 2012.04, 1-18-2012)