(a) Purpose. The purpose of this sign section of the Zoning Ordinance is to protect the public health, safety, convenience, comfort, prosperity and general welfare.
(b) Objectives. This Section 1141.27 regulates the time, place, and manner in which signs are displayed to achieve, the following:
(1) Permit signs, which do not create a potential hazard to the public safety;
(2) Permit commercial signs appropriate to the land use and/or zoning classification of each property within the City.
(3) To create a more aesthetically-pleasing City;
(4) To eliminate visual clutter within the City.
(c) Definitions.
(1) Building Frontage:
Building frontage shall mean the maximum horizontal width of the ground floor of a building that approximately parallels and faces an adjacent public right-of-way of at least fifty (50) feet in width. In the case of a building where an individual occupant would have no building frontage, the maximum horizontal width of the portion of the building where that occupant's main entrance is located shall be considered that occupant's separate and distinct building frontage. In the case where the ground floor of a building is occupied by two (2) or more different tenants, the portion of the building frontage occupied by each tenant shall be considered a separate and distinct building frontage. Corner lots and through lots shall be considered to have only one (1) distinct and separate building frontage.
(2) Sign: A sign shall mean any visual communication device utilizing a letter, a word, a number, a symbol, a picture, an object, color, illumination or motion, the major function of such device being to convey visual information to or attract the visual attention of the public.
A. Ground Signs: A ground sign is a sign not attached to a building.
B. Projecting Sign: A projecting sign is a sign supported by a building wall or column and extending a distance exceeding twelve (12) inches from the wall.
C. Wall-Sign: A wall sign, which is located on or formed by the surface of the wall of a building. A mansard roof façade on a building shall be considered part of the wall.
(3) Sign Area:The sign area shall mean the total area in square feet of all the visible information-conveying surface area(s) of a sign including all localized backgrounds, but excluding all materials not conveying significant visual information and whose major function is providing structural support for the sign. An irregular shaped sign surface area shall be measured by calculating the surface area of a simple plane or solid geometric shape, which approximates the size and shape of the sign surface area. The area of individual elements of a sign placed against a non-localized background (such as letters placed against a wall or window) shall be measured by calculating the area of the smallest single rectangle which would completely enclose all elements of the sign.
(4) Sign Face:The sign face is the largest portion, in square feet, of a sign's area, that is visible; measured at the location where the largest amount of the sign's area can be viewed by the eye at one point in time.
(5) Sign Height:Sign height shall mean the maximum vertical height in feet that the highest part of a ground sign extends above the surface of the ground underneath the sign. Any material whose major function is providing structural support for the sign shall be considered part of the sign.
(6) Sign - Permanent:A permanent sign is a sign permitted by this Ordinance to be located on a premises which is permanently anchored for an unlimited period of time and requires a permit.
(7) Sign - Temporary:A temporary sign permitted by this Ordinance to be located on a premises for a limited period of time and requires a permit.
(d) Exempted Signs: The following signs are not subject to the provisions of this Zoning Ordinance:
(1) Governmental: A governmental sign for traffic or for other regulatory purposes, or a public service company sign indicating danger, aid to service or safety.
(2) Civic Events:Signs advertising annual civic events may be permitted by the Zoning Inspector and may be erected one month prior to the special event and shall be removed five (5) days after the event.
(3) Real Estate Signs:In addition to any other temporary sign permitted elsewhere in this Zoning Ordinance on a premises, one (1) additional temporary sign per lot frontage shall be permitted which complies with the following requirements: Conveys information which pertains only to the for sale, for lease, or for rent status of the premises on which the sign is located.
(4) Political Signs: Political signs are to be allowed on private residential or business property. Signs are not permitted to be placed in a public right-of-way. Signs in residential zones may not exceed a total of six (6) square feet and in other zoning districts, signs may not exceed a total of sixteen (16) square feet. Signs shall not be permitted to be placed or erected any sooner than thirty (30) days prior to the date of the election for which the candidate or issue is being voted on. Signs shall be removed no later than seven (7) days after an election.
(e) Prohibited Signs and Sign Characteristics:
(1) Any sign or part thereof which is erected across or within a public right of-way is prohibited. In addition no sign shall be posted on or erected on or in curb strips, power poles or utility poles of any type, stop signs, trees in curb strips or any structure within a curb strip or public right-of-way.
(2) Any sign erected at or near any intersection of any street in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision, or at any location where by reason of 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 the word "stop"; "look"; or "danger"; or other word phrase or symbol in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic shall be prohibited.
(3) Any sign utilizing an artificial illumination device, which radiates an intensity, beam spread, glare, or color which interferes with the vision of persons not located on the premises shall be prohibited.
(4) Any sign utilizing a fixed or mobile beacon, strobe light, search light, signaling light, spot light, or similar apparatus, equipment or device, which is directed above or outside of a premises in such a manner so as to attract an unusual amount of visual attention of persons not located on the premises shall be prohibited.
(5) Any sign or part thereof which utilizes flame as a source of light shall be prohibited.
(6) Any sign utilizing an energized lamp bulb where the surface of the bulb is directly visible to persons not located on the premises shall be prohibited.
(7) Any sign conveying misleading or unlawful commercial information shall be prohibited.
(8) Any sign which conveys visual information that is obscene, indecent, or immoral shall be prohibited.
(g) General Provisions: A sign shall be designed, erected, altered, reconstructed, moved, and maintained in accordance with the provisions of this section of this Zoning Ordinance unless specifically modified by another section of this Zoning Ordinance.
(1) Permits Required:A Zoning Permit shall be obtained for erection, construction, relocation, or alteration of any permanent or temporary sign unless exempted by this Zoning Ordinance. A sign shall comply with all City zoning, building, electrical and fire codes.
(2) Non-Conforming Signs:See: Non-Conforming Uses of Land, Non-Conforming Structures; Non-Conforming Uses of Structures and Premises and Non-Conforming Characteristics of Use Section 1141.28 of this Zoning Ordinance.
(3) Removal of Unlawful Sign in the Public Right-of-way: The Police Department and/or Director of City Services may remove or cause to be removed any unlawful sign in the public right-of-way.
(h) Signs Permitted for Residential Zones: Single or Two Family Residential Zones:
(1) General:
A. A sign permit for any permanent or temporary sign in this section shall be required.
B. No sign may be illuminated.
C. Projecting signs shall be prohibited.
(2) Ground Signs (Temporary):
A. Only temporary ground signs shall be permitted. Permanent ground signs shall be prohibited with the exception of churches and schools in residentially zoned districts. Criteria for this type of sign shall follow all applicable provisions of Section 1141.27 of this Zoning Ordinance.
B. A temporary ground sign, including one advertising a garage sale to be held on the premises, shall be displayed for a period of time not to exceed five (5) days maximum in any one (1) evenly divided quarter (1/4) of a calendar year for that premises.
C. The sign face shall not exceed six (6) square feet in area and the sign area shall not exceed twelve (12) square feet.
D. The sign height shall not exceed four (4) feet.
E. The sign shall be located outside any public right-of-way but shall not be subject to the general ground sign setback provision.
(Ord. 13-12. Passed 8-9-12.)