The following types of signs are exempt from the permit requirements of this chapter, but must be in conformance with all other requirements of this chapter:
(a) Signs used by churches, synagogues or other civic organizations not exceeding sixteen square feet in area. Larger signs must be approved by the Board of Zoning Appeals.
(b) Religious or community event decorations displayed for less than forty-five consecutive days.
(c) Memorial plaques, historic markers and graphic murals, monuments, tablets and cornerstones displayed on private property to include names of buildings, construction dates, monumental citations and historic notations, and commemorative tablets up to twelve square feet in area, when attached, applied to or made a permanent and integral part of a structure, in accordance with the City's Building Code. Such markings exceeding twelve square feet may be attached or applied only with the approval of the Board of Zoning Appeals.
(d) Nameplates of two square feet or less.
(e) Unlighted real estate signs seven square feet or less.
(f) Directional/information signs of eight square feet or less.
(g) Banners, pennants and other notice signs displayed for less than forty-five consecutive days announcing educational, charitable, civic, religious or like events. Such signs shall not exceed thirty-two square feet in area. However, when erected in residentially zoned areas or in the Harbor Town Historic District, such signs shall not exceed six square feet in area. Placement of any such sign over, upon or within a public right of way shall require the prior written approval of the Mayor.
(h) One construction sign or tract development sign for each street frontage of a construction project. Such signs shall not exceed thirty-two square feet, shall be erected not more than sixty days prior to the beginning of construction and shall be removed not later than two years after the date of issuance of the original permit for the construction.
(i) Window signs.
(j) Incidental signs.
(k) Political signs, subject to the following restrictions:
(1) Signs shall not exceed six square feet in area.
(2) A double-faced sign (e.g. front and back) shall not exceed six square feet in area per face (side).
(3) Multiple signs may not be placed so as to create a group or series of signs that serve to form a larger sign that exceeds the area herein permitted.
(4) A maximum of two single or double-faced signs per candidate or issue shall be permitted on any premises that are separately occupied or, if unoccupied, that are separately owned.
(5) Signs may not be posted in a manner that they may be destructive to public property or create a public health or safety hazard. No sign may be posted on any public utility pole, tree, highway, overpass or bridge abutment, within any public right of way or on any existing sign.
(6) All signs must be erected so that the maximum height of any sign or part thereof shall not exceed forty-two inches.
(7) Signs may not be erected more than thirty days before the date of the election which is the subject of such sign and must be removed not later than five days after the date of such election.
(8) Temporary commercial sign permits may not be used for placement of a political sign.
(9) The candidate or the chairperson of the committee for the issue which is the subject of the sign will be responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable provisions of this subsection.
(10) A political sign that violates any provision of this subsection may be immediately removed by the City, and the cost of such removal shall be charged to the candidate or issue committee as applicable.
(11) No other provision of this Zoning Code shall be interpreted to permit noncompliance with any provision of this subsection.
(Ord. 97-51. Passed 7-7-97.)