1315.09 TEMPORARY SIGNS
   (a)   All Zoning Districts: No Permit Required. Unless otherwise indicated, the temporary signs listed below may be erected in any zoning district and shall not require a permit.  Such signs shall only be located on the premises to which they apply and shall not be illuminated.
(Ord. 14-07.  Passed 8-28-07.)
      (1)   Real estate signs (residential zoning districts).
         A.   R-1 and R-2 Residential Zoning Districts with Existing Structures.  A sign offering real estate for sale or rent or indicating that the same has been sold provided that such sign shall not have a sign area in excess of six square feet and shall not exceed six feet in height above ground level.  The sign shall be set back at least 15 feet from the edge of any street.
         B.   All Residential Zoning Districts Not Included in Division A Above.  A sign offering real estate for sale or rent or indicating that the same has been sold, provided that such sign shall not have a sign area in excess of 32 square feet and shall not exceed eight feet in height above ground level.  The sign shall be set back at least 15 feet from the edge of any street.
         C.   Temporary real estate signs shall be removed within ten days of the sale or lease of the premises for which the sign was erected.
         D.   No more than one of the above-mentioned signs may be erected or displayed on any lot or parcel at the same time; provided, however, that where the lot or parcel abuts two or more streets, one sign shall be permitted along each abutting street.
         E.   In addition to the above, a sign indicating that the house or building is open for inspection may be displayed on the lot or parcel, but only when the agent or owner is present and only during the actual time that the building is available for inspection.  Off-premises “open house” signs may also be displayed, but only during the actual time that the building is open for inspection.
            (Ord. 28-16.  Passed 11-14-16.)
      (2)   Real estate signs (nonresidential zoning districts). Temporary real estate signs may be erected in any nonresidential zoning district.  Such signs may be located in any required yard but shall not extend over any lot line and shall not be placed upon the lot in a position that would obstruct the vision of any driver entering or exiting the lot or traveling on a public street that abuts the lot.  Such signs shall be subject to the same restrictions as provided in division (a)(1) above, except the number, size and height requirements shall be modified as follows:
         A.   A real estate sign located in a C-1 or C-2 commercial zone may have a sign area of up to 20 square feet and a height of up to ten (10) feet above ground level.
         B.   A real estate sign located in any nonresidential zoning district except a C-1 or a C-2 zone may have a sign area of up to 32 square feet and a height of up to 15 feet above ground level.  If the premises to which the sign applies contains frontage on a roadway with a posted speed limit of 45 miles per hour or greater, the real estate sign may have a sign area of up to 64 square feet and one additional real estate sign may be erected for each 500-feet of frontage on said roadway in excess of the first 500 feet.
            (Ord. 04-13.  Passed 3-25-13.)
      (3)   Construction signs. A temporary construction or improvement sign identifying the parties involved in the construction or improvement may be erected on the premises where the construction or improvement will take place.
         A.   A construction or improvement sign for a premises located in a residential zoning district shall be subject to the same size, height, setback, and quantity restrictions as provided in subsection (a) (1) above.  Such sign shall not be erected prior to the commencement of the construction or improvement and shall be removed within ten days following the completion of the construction or improvement.
         B.   A construction or improvement sign for a premises located in a nonresidential zoning district shall be subject to the same size, height, setback, and quantity restrictions as provided in subsection (a)(2) above.  Such sign shall be erected no more than 60 days prior to the commencement of the construction or improvement and shall be removed within ten days following the completion of the construction or improvement.
         C.   Signs on trucks and construction trailers as defined in Section 1315.03 shall be considered construction signs subject to the conditions of subsection (a)(3)A. and B. above.
      (4)   Grand opening signs. A new commercial or industrial enterprise celebrating a grand opening may display a banner on the outside of the building in which the enterprise is located.  Said banner shall only contain the words "grand opening” or similar text approved by the Municipal Administrator, and shall be displayed for a period not exceeding 15 days.
      (5)   Garage sale signs. Garage sale, yard sale, and other similar signs may be erected during the days that such garage or yard sale is being conducted, provided that no such sign may be displayed for longer than 72 consecutive hours.  Not more than three off-premises signs and one on-premises sign may be displayed for any garage or yard sale, and such signs shall not exceed four square feet in area or contain any advertising material unrelated to the sale.  No such sign shall be attached in any way to any utility pole, traffic or street signpost, or tree in or along any street right-of-way within the Municipality.
      (6)   Signs Temporarily Placed while Permanent Sign Prepared or Constructed.  Temporary business signs may be placed while permanent business signs are prepared or constructed provided such sign shall not have an area exceeding thirty-two (32) square feet and shall not exceed six feet above ground level.  The sign shall be set back at least 6 feet from any street.
         A.   Temporary signs shall be removed at the time of installation and completion of a permanent business sign.
         B.   No more than one of the above-mentioned signs may be erected or displayed on any lot or parcel at the same time; provided, however, that where the lot abuts two or more streets, one sign shall be permitted along each abutting street.
         C.   In no case shall such temporary sign be in place more than 120 days. 
            (Ord. 14-07.  Passed 8-28-07.)
   (b)    Temporary Event Signs - Nonresidential Districts: Permit Required.  Unless otherwise indicated, the Temporary signs listed below may only be erected in the nonresidential zoning districts and shall require a permit, but the fee for the permit shall be waived.  Such signs shall only be located on the premises to which they apply and shall not be illuminated.
      (1)    Temporary event signs announcing a campaign, drive, activity, or event of a civic, philanthropic, educational, or religious organization for noncommercial purposes shall be permitted in accordance with the provisions of this section.  The permitted number, area, height, location, and construction of the signs shall be determined by the Municipal Administrator, with consideration given to the public safety and the signage reasonably necessary and appropriate for the intended purpose.
      (2)    Any such sign that is permitted by the Municipal Administrator to extend over or onto a public right-of-way shall be erected and maintained in such a manner so as not to interfere or obstruct access or vision along the right-of-way.
      (3)    An organization may display a temporary event sign for not more than four (4) non-successive twenty-one (21) day periods in a calendar year.  A separate permit shall be required for each display period.
   (c)    Special Business Events - Permit Required.  Existing businesses may erect a banner advertising a special event related to the business on the premises.  Such banners shall require a permit, but the fee for the permit shall be waived.  Such banners shall conform to the following regulations:
      (1)    Number.  A business shall not display more than one banner at a time pursuant to this section.
      (2)    Area.  The maximum area of a banner shall be thirty (30) square feet with a maximum length of twenty (20) feet.
         (Ord. 17-09.  Passed 7-27-09.)
      (3)    Location.  The banner must be attached tightly against a flat surface such as the wall of a building or a ground sign in a way that supports the entire banner in an uninterrupted manner.  The banner must be located on the premises of the business related to the special event.
         (Ord. 40-10.  Passed 1-24-11.)
      (4)    Time limit.  A business may display a banner for not more than four (4) non-successive twenty-one (21) day periods in a calendar year.  A separate permit shall be required for each display period.
      (5)    Illumination.  There shall be no illumination specifically for the banner.
         (Ord. 17-09.  Passed 7-27-09.)
   (d)   Temporary Banners.  Temporary banners containing messages strictly limited to activities related to community nonprofit organizations serving Waterville may be installed by the City at locations on City-owned property or within public rights-of-way.  Such temporary banners shall meet the guidelines specified by the Municipal Administrator.
(Ord. 4-12.  Passed 4-23-12.)