(a) The regulations contained in this chapter shall apply to signs outside of the public right-of-way, except when specifically stated otherwise.
(b) A sign shall only be erected, established, painted, created, or maintained in Walton Hills in conformance with the standards, procedures, exemptions and other requirements of this chapter. Where a change is made to the sign other than routine maintenance, the sign and its structure shall conform to the regulations in this chapter, as provided for in subsection 1296.10 (d), Termination.
(c) Architectural features that are either part of the building or part of a freestanding structure are not considered signs and are thus exempt from these regulations. Architectural features include any construction attending to, but not an integral part of the sign, and which may consist of landscape or building or structural forms that enhance the site in general.
(d) The following signs and displays are exempt from the regulations of this chapter:
(1) Public regulation and information signs;
(2) Building marker;
(3) Flags of any nation or government;
(4) Any sign inside a building that is not attached to the window or door and is not legible from a distance of more than three feet beyond the lot on which the sign is located;
(5) Any work of art that does not display a commercial message;
(6) Any religious symbol that does not display a commercial message;
(7) Any traffic-control sign, such as "STOP" or "YIELD", located on private property that meets applicable governmental standards pertaining to such signs and does not display a commercial message.
(8) Signs integral to and not extending beyond the structural edges of a vending machine, fuel pump, etc.;
(9) Holiday decorations displayed for reasonable and customary durations of time; and,
(10) Instructional signs provided such signs comply with the following:
A. Instructional signs shall be clearly intended, designed and located for instructional purposes, as determined by the Zoning Administrator;
B. Each sign shall not be larger than necessary to serve the intended instructional purpose;
C. The sign is not in a location and does not possess design characteristics that constitute or serve the purposes of an identification sign; and,
D. If the Zoning Administrator determines that the proposed sign(s) does not serve instructional purposes, it shall be considered a freestanding or wall sign, as applicable, and subject to the pertinent regulations in this chapter.
(Ord. 2009-17. Passed 9-15-2009.)