(A) Signs use private land and the sight lines created by the public rights-of-way to inform and persuade the general public by publishing a message. This subchapter provides standards for the erection and maintenance of private signs. All private signs not exempted as provided in this subchapter shall be erected and maintained in accordance with these standards. The general objectives of these standards are to promote health, safety, welfare, convenience and enjoyment of the public, and in part to achieve the following:
(1) Safety. To promote the safety of persons and property by providing that signs do not:
(a) Create a hazard due to collapse, fire, decay or abandonment;
(b) Obstruct fire fighting or police surveillance; and
(c) Create traffic hazards by confusing or distracting pedestrians, creating visual obstacles to other vehicles or to reading traffic signs.
(2) Communications efficiency. To promote the efficient transfer of information in sign messages provided that:
(a) Those signs which provide messages and information most needed and sought by the public are given priorities;
(b) Businesses and services may identify themselves;
(c) Customers and other persons may locate a business or services;
(d) No person or group is arbitrarily denied the use of the sight lines from the public right-of-way for communication purposes;
(e) Persons exposed to signs are not overwhelmed or confused by the number of messages presented;
(f) Persons are able to exercise freedom of choice to observe or ignore such messages, according to the observer's purpose;
(g) Preservation of the right of free speech is exercised through the use of signs containing non-commercial messages; and
(h) Community events may be identified to the public at large, at strategic locations throughout the city, as approved by the Administrative Official.
(3) Landscape quality and preservation. To protect the public welfare and to enhance the appearance and economic value of the landscape, by providing that signs:
(a) Do not create a nuisance to persons using the public rights-of-way;
(b) Do not create a nuisance to occupants of adjacent and contiguous property by their brightness, size, height or movement;
(c) Are not detrimental to land or property values;
(d) Do not contribute to visual blight or clutter; and
(e) Are architecturally compatible and harmonious with the structure to which they pertain and to neighboring structures.
(Ord. 12-0515A, passed 5-15-2012; Ord. 21-0720B, passed 7-20-2021)