(A) In general.
(1) Unless otherwise provided in this section, permits are required for the display of temporary signage.
(2) In all districts, temporary signage must be displayed on-premises, be well maintained, and be secured in a manner to prevent being blown uncontrollably by the wind.
(B) Exceptions from permitting.
(1) Temporary signs, unless otherwise required to be permitted in this section, shall be allowed in each zoning district as outlined in this chapter and in Chapter 153, provided the signs comply with the below criteria. It is not the intent of this section to allow the display of temporary signage as a means to circumvent the sign regulations for the zoning district in which the property is located.
(a) In R Districts, temporary signage up to ten square feet is allowed. The total cumulative area of all temporary signage located on the same lot, or premises, counts toward the total, cumulative gross area of ten square feet allowed for all signs on a lot or premises in R Districts.
(b) In R Districts, no temporary sign, unless otherwise specifically allowed in this code, may stand taller than 36 inches in height above grade.
(C) Temporary signs for the purposes of commercial speech in business and industrial districts.
(1) All signs must be located on the permittee’s property and must refer only to the business, industry or pursuit conducted on or within the premises on which the sign is erected or maintained.
(2) Signs must be safely and securely anchored and supported.
(3) Sign permits may be issued, provided:
(a) A maximum of two temporary sign permits may be issued to each business establishment each calendar year for up to 30 days each.
(b) For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:
EXISTING BUSINESS. A business that is not a new business.
NEW BUSINESS. A business that has been in existence at the location requested for 12 months or less.
RE-OPENING OF AN EXISTING BUSINESS. A business that has been under new ownership for 12 months or less.
(c) The maximum area of the sign shall be 48 square feet and the maximum height of a temporary sign shall be eight feet.
(d) No more than two temporary signs may be located on any one lot or premises for the same purpose at any one time.
(e) All signage must be removed within 24 hours after the expiration of the permit.
(D) Temporary signs for the purposes of selling or leasing real property in business and industrial districts.
(1) New construction. Temporary signs advertising new construction are permitted subject to the following requirements:
(a) One sign is allowed per street frontage;
(b) Sign(s) may not be erected until construction begins;
(c) Sign(s) must be removed if property is sold or leased, or removed within 12 months after commencement of construction, whichever occurs first;
(d) The maximum area shall be 48 square feet;
(e) The maximum height shall be eight feet;
(f) Sign(s) shall be freestanding or wall mounted;
(g) All free-standing signs shall be setback a minimum of ten feet from all property lines and properly secured into the ground as determined by the Zoning Administrator.
(2) Existing buildings. Temporary signs for existing buildings are permitted by means of one of the following options:
(a) Freestanding sign.
1. One sign is allowed per street frontage;
2. The maximum area of the sign shall be determined by the gross square footage of the building(s) as follows:
Building(s) Gross Square Footage | Sign Area |
Less than 20,000 | 12 square feet |
20,000 - 100,000 | 16 square feet |
Greater than 100,000 | 18 square feet |
3. The maximum height shall be eight feet and maximum width shall be six feet, subject to the size requirements outlined above;
4. The sign(s) shall be secured into the ground as determined by the Zoning Administrator; and
5. The minimum setback shall be ten feet from all property lines.
(b) Wall mounted sign.
1. One or two story buildings:
a. One wall sign is allowed per property;
b. The maximum size of the sign shall be determined by the gross square footage of the building(s) as follows:
Building(s) Gross Square Footage | Sign Area |
Less than 20,000 | 12 square feet |
20,000 - 100,000 | 16 square feet |
Greater than 100,000 | 18 square feet |
c. The sign shall be directly anchored to the building wall.
(3) Real estate or leasing signs up to 32 square feet in size will be permitted until the property is sold or leased instead of Option 2 or Option 3 above if the standards in either divisions (B)(3)(a) or (B)(3)(b) below are met:
(a) Business or industrial property directly abutting Highway 52; or
(b) The principal structure is greater than four stories.
(E) Optional signs.
(1) As used in this section, OPTIONAL SIGNS are signs petitioned by area residents for installation along streets or alleys and include all notice and warning signs. OPTIONAL SIGNS do not include signs deemed necessary or required by the city for traffic regulations, control or public notice.
(2) All optional signs requested by area residents, but not deemed necessary or required by the Public Works Director, will be installed upon order of the City Council and upon payment in an amount established by City Council resolution.
(2001 Code § 415.13) (Ord. 14-01A, passed 1-13-2014; Ord. 23-009, passed 6-26-2023)