Signs that comply with all regulations of this section are allowed without a sign permit and are not counted as signs for the purpose of calculating the number and amount of signage on a site, unless otherwise expressly stated. Unless otherwise expressly stated, such signs may not be illuminated. All illuminated signs allowed by this ordinance require a sign permit
(A) Governmental/institutional signs, flags, emblems and plaques. The following signs are allowed without a sign permit:
(1) Signs established by, or by order of, any governmental agency;
(2) Flags, emblems or insignia of any nation or political subdivision, provided they contain no commercial message;
(3) Commemorative plaques and memorial signs up to six square feet in area.
(B) Directional signs.
(1) One directional sign may be installed at each vehicle entrance and exit. Such signs may be illuminated, but they may not exceed four square feet in area or five feet in height. Commercial messages may comprise no more than 50% of the area of a directional sign.
(2) Off-street parking areas with a capacity of more than four vehicles may display signs that do not exceed nine square feet in area or ten feet in height. Such signs are intended to direct and inform patrons and visitors about parking rates and rules, the location of stairways and elevators, pedestrian routes, restrooms, telephones, and other facilities. Such signs may not be illuminated and may not contain any commercial messages.
(C) Temporary signs. The following temporary signs are allowed without a sign permit.
(1) Sale/lease signs. One "For Sale," "For Rent" or similar real estate sign is allowed per street frontage. Such signs must be removed within seven days after the sale, rental, or lease has been accomplished.
(a) "For Sale" or "For Rent" signs on lots containing a single-family dwelling unit or zoned for single-family residential development are limited to a maximum area of nine square feet per sign.
(b) "For Sale" or "For Rent" signs on lots containing agricultural, multi-family, public/ quasi-public, commercial, or industrial use or that are zoned for such use may not exceed the greater of 32 square feet or 0.25 square feet of sign area per each linear foot of street frontage for the first 150 feet of street frontage and 0.10 square feet of sign area for each linear foot of street frontage for street frontage in excess of 150 feet. These area calculations must be based on the street frontage to which the sign is oriented. No such sign may exceed 150 square feet in area.
(2) Construction signs. One construction sign is allowed per street frontage during the time that construction or development activity is occurring on the subject lot, as follows:
(a) Construction signs on a lot containing a single dwelling unit or a lot zoned for single-family residential development may not exceed 24 square feet in area.
(b) Construction signs on a lot containing multiple dwelling units, public/quasi- public, commercial or industrial uses or a lot zoned for such uses may not exceed may not exceed the greater of 32 square feet or 0.25 square feet of sign area per each linear foot of street frontage for the first 150 feet of street frontage and 0.10 square feet of sign area for each linear foot of street frontage for street frontage in excess of 150 feet. These area calculations must be based on the street frontage to which the sign is oriented. No such sign may exceed 150 square feet in area.
(c) Construction signs for new residential subdivisions or planned unit developments consisting of fewer than 100 dwelling units may not exceed 100 square feet. For subdivisions or planned unit developments of more than 100 dwelling units, up to two signs totaling no more than 200 square feet are permitted.
(d) Construction signs must be removed within two weeks of completion of the construction or development.
(3) Campaign signs. Temporary campaign (candidate or ballot issue) signs are allowed for a period of not more than 60 days before an election, referendum, or similar voting event. Temporary campaign signs must be removed no later than six days after the voting event. The total copy area for all campaign signs allowed without a sign permit may not exceed 32 square feet per lot and campaign signs allowed without a sign permit may not exceed six feet in height.
(4) Special event (temporary) signs. Temporary signs and banners may be allowed for on-site special events such as grand openings, festivals, special promotions and similar events located on the site on which the sign is located. These signs may be in place no more than 21 days per calendar year.
(5) Window signs. Temporary window signs are allowed when a sale of goods or services is being conducted by a business establishment located on the premises. Such signs are allowed in addition to all other authorized signs, provided they do not exceed 33% of the area of the window to which they are affixed. Temporary window signs may not exceed 64 square feet in area, regardless of the size of the window to which it is affixed, and no establishment may have more than 100 square feet of temporary window signs displayed at any one time. No temporary window sign may be affixed to the exterior of any window, wall or other exterior surface of the structure. Temporary window signs that advertise or pertain to sales or events that have already occurred or that are substantially tattered, discolored, frayed, ripped, or otherwise in a state of visible disrepair are prohibited and must be removed.
(6) Holiday decorations. Holiday decorations on private property clearly incidental, customary, and commonly associated with national, local or religious holidays are allowed, provided they are displayed for a period of not more than 60 days for each holiday.
(7) Agricultural test plot signs. Signs used to mark test plot areas within a farm field, including seed test areas are allowed without a permit. Such signs may not exceed 32 square feet in area.
(D) Other signs. The following additional signs are allowed without a sign permit and are not counted as signs for the purpose of calculating the number and amount of signage on a site:
(1) Signs that are not legible from any public right-of-way or from beyond the boundaries of the lot or parcel;
(2) Signs within completely enclosed buildings that contain no commercial message;
(3) Wall signs identifying allowed home occupations, provided the sign conforms to the regulations identified in § 155- 10.10(D), Home Occupations;
(4) Address signs and name plates not exceeding two square feet in area;
(5) "No trespassing," "no dumping" and similar warning/security signs, including the warning of beekeeping on premises, that do not to exceed four square feet in area; and
(6) Non-illuminated awnings with no more than six square feet of sign (copy) area on the border of the awning.
(7) Signs on scoreboards, fences and walls associated with sports fields and recreation and entertainment venues if such signs are primarily oriented and visible to participants and spectators within the venue.
(8) Non-illuminated murals on side and rear building facades and on fences and walls if such murals do not contain a commercial message. Illuminated murals and murals containing a commercial message are regulated as signs and require a permit.
(Ord. effective 10-1-2012; Am. Ord. 15-202, passed 7-16-2015; Ord. 18-1, passed 1-18-2018; Ord. 18-192, passed 10-23-2018; Ord. 18-241, passed 9-20-2018)