[Ord. No. 2480, 5-8-2023]
A. It is the intent and purpose of these Sign Regulations to qualify,
supplement, or define the allowable uses of the several types of signs
allowed in the district regulations appearing elsewhere in this Regulation;
and to accomplish the following intent:
1.
To encourage the reasonable, orderly and effective display of
signs;
2.
To enhance the physical appearance of the City;
3.
To reduce visual clutter;
4.
To prevent blighting influences;
5.
To protect property values;
6.
To provide minimum standards to safeguard life, health and property
by regulating and controlling the size, height, design, quality of
materials, construction locations, electrification and maintenance
of all signs and sign structures; and
7.
To authorize the use of signs which are compatible with their
surroundings.
[Ord. No. 2480, 5-8-2023]
Any sign shall, by definition, be a structure. No land or building
or structure shall be used for sign purposes except within the stipulated
districts listed in Sign Use Regulations specified herein. All signs
legally existing at the time of passage of these Regulations may remain
in use under the conditions of legal non-conformance. Signs in legal
non-conformance shall not be enlarged, moved, lighted, or reconstructed;
however, the change of the advertising display shall not be restricted
except as previously stated. After the affective date of this Regulation,
no sign shall be erected, enlarged, constructed, or otherwise installed
without first obtaining a sign permit, and a sign permit shall be
legally issued only when in compliance with this Sign Regulation.
All signs shall be constructed in such a manner and of such material
that they shall be safe and substantial. Scale drawings of the sign
and manner of supports shall be furnished to the City Clerk in application
for a sign permit for all signs.
[Ord. No. 2480, 5-8-2023]
A. Functional Types.
1.
Billboard Sign. A sign which directs the attention of the public
to any goods, merchandise, property, business, service, entertainment,
or amusement conducted or producted which is bought or sold, furnished,
offered, or dealt in elsewhere than on the premises where such sign
is located or to which it is affixed.
2.
Bulletin Board Sign. A sign that indicates the name of an institution
or organization on whose premises it is located and which contains
the name of the institution or organization, the name or names of
persons connected within, and announcement of persons, events, or
activities occurring at the institution. Such sign may also present
a greeting or similar message.
3.
Business Sign. A sign which directs attention to a business
or profession conducted, or to products, services, or entertainment
sold or offered upon the premises where such sign is located, or to
which it is affixed.
4.
Construction Sign. A temporary sign indicating the names of
the architects, engineers, landscape architects, contractors, and
similar artisans involved in the design and construction of a structure,
complex or project only during the construction period and only on
the premises on which the construction is taking place.
5.
Flashing Or Moving Signs. Any illuminated sign on which the
artificial light is not constant in intensity and color at all times.
For the purpose of this Regulation, any revolving, rotating, moving,
animated, signs with moving lights, or signs which create the illusion
of movement shall be considered as a flashing sign.
6.
Identification Sign. A sign giving the name and address of a
building, business, development, or establishment. Such signs may
be wholly or partially devoted to a readily recognized symbol.
7.
Logo Sign. A distinctive company signature, trademark, or service
mark as used by a manufacturer, dealer or supplier of services to
distinguish a product or service from those competitors, and usually
registered and protected by law. The logo sign shall not exceed twelve
(12) square feet. A permit shall be required for each logo sign as
defined, and a permit fee and annual permit fee shall be required.
8.
Name Plate Sign. A sign giving the name and/or address of the
owner or occupant of a building or premises on which it is located
and, where applicable, a professional status.
9.
Real Estate Sign. A sign pertaining to the sale or lease of
a lot or tract of land on which the sign is located, or to the sale
or lease of one (1) or more structures or a portion thereof on which
the sign is located.
B. Structural Types.
1.
Awning, Canopy, Or Marquee Sign. A sign that is mounted or painted
on or attached to an awning, canopy, or marquee. No such signs shall
project above, below, or beyond the awning, canopy, or marquee.
2.
Banner Sign. Any sign of lightweight fabric or similar material
that is mounted to a pole or a building at one (1) or more edges.
National flags, state or municipal flags, or the official flag of
any institution or business shall not be considered banners.
3.
Ground Sign. Any sign placed upon, or supported by, the ground
independently of the principal building or structure on the property,
where the bottom edge of the sign is no greater than six (6) feet
above the elevation of the ground, and where the width of the support
structure for the sign is no less than one-half (1/2) the width of
the display surface area, and shall be solid in appearance.
4.
Pole Sign. Any sign placed upon, or supported by, the ground
independently of the principal building or structure on the property
where the bottom of the sign is six (6) feet or more above the ground
level.
5.
Portable Sign. Any sign not permanently attached to the ground
or other permanent structure, or a sign designed to be transported,
including, but not limited to, signs designed to be transported by
means of wheels; signs converted to "A"- or "T" -frames; menu and
sandwich board signs; balloons used as signs; umbrellas used for advertising;
and signs attached to or painted on vehicles parked and visible from
the public right-of-way, unless said vehicle is used in the normal
day-to-day operations of the business.
6.
Portable Swinger Sign And "A"-Frame Or Sandwich Sign. An advertising
device which is ordinarily in the shape of an "A" or some variation
thereof, located on the ground, easily movable, not permanently attached
thereof, and which is usually two-sided.
7.
Portable Temporary Attraction Sign Board. A single or double
surface painted or poster panel type sign or some variation thereof,
which is temporary in nature, usually mounted on wheels, easily movable,
not permanently attached thereto.
8.
Projecting Sign. A sign that is wholly or partly dependent upon
a building for support and which projects more than twelve (12) inches
from such building.
9.
Reader Board Sign. A portion of a ground sign designed to give
information relative to the business where it is located, which information
may change frequently; and a free-standing informational sign not
exceeding fifty (50) feet, in conjunction with drive-in services designed
to display information that may change frequently.
10.
Roof Sign. A sign totally supported on the roof of a structure.
Roof signs shall not project more than twelve (12) inches beyond the
face of the building.
11.
Roof Sign, Integral. Any sign erected or constructed as an integral
or essentially integral part of a normal roof structure of any design,
such that no part of the sign extends vertically above the highest
portion of the roof, and such that no part of the sign is separated
from the rest of the roof by a space of more than six (6) inches.
12.
Wall Sign. A sign fastened to or painted on a wall of a building
or structure in such a manner that the wall becomes merely the supporting
structure or forms the background surface, and which does not project
more than twelve (12) inches from such building, nor above the roof
of the building.
13.
Window Sign. Any sign, pictures, symbol, or combination thereof,
designed to communicate information about an activity, business, commodity,
event, sale or service, that is placed inside a window or upon the
window.
C. Definitions of Sign-Related Terms, Phrases and Words.
As used in this Article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
COMMERCIAL MESSAGE
Any sign wording, logo, or other representation that, directly
or indirectly, names, advertises, or calls attention to a business,
product, service, sale or sales event or other commercial activity.
DISPLAY SURFACE AREA
The net geometric area enclosed by the display surface of
the sign, including the outer extremities of all letters, characters
and delineations; provided, however, "display surface area" shall
not include the structural supports for free-standing signs.
ILLUMINATED, DIRECT
Illumination which is so arranged that the light is directed
into the eyes of the viewer from the light source.
ILLUMINATED, INDIRECT
Illumination so arranged that the light is reflected from
the sign to the eyes of the viewer.
NON-CONFORMING SIGN
A sign existing at the effective date of the adoption of
this Regulation which could not be built under the terms of this Regulation.
OFF-SITE SIGN
A sign which directs attention to a business, commodity,
service, entertainment or attraction sold, offered, or existing elsewhere
than upon the same lot where such sign is displayed. The term off-site
sign shall include an outdoor billboard sign on which space is leased
or rented by the owner thereof to others for the purposes of conveying
a commercial or non-commercial message.
ON-SITE SIGN
A sign which directs attention to a business, commodity,
service, entertainment or attraction sold, offered or existing on
the same lot where such sign is displayed; provided, an on-site sign
may also display a non-commercial message.
SHOPPING CENTER
Two (2) or more retail stores and/or service establishments,
or one (1) retail store and one (1) service establishment, sharing
customer parking areas, regardless of whether said stores and/or establishments
occupy separate structures or are under separate ownerships.
STREET FRONTAGE
The distance for which a lot line of a zone lot adjoins a
public street, from one (1) lot line intersecting said street to the
furthest distance lot line intersecting the same street.
[Ord. No. 2480, 5-8-2023]
A. Prohibited Signs.
1.
Portable Temporary Attraction Signs On Wheels. Under no circumstances
will portable temporary attraction signs be allowed, whether mounted
on vehicles, wheels, platforms, or freestanding.
2.
Signs On Public Property. Any sign installed or placed on public
property, except in conformance with the requirements, shall be forfeited
to the public and subject to confiscation, except that logo signs
on public athletic fields shall be allowed. In addition to other remedies
hereunder, the City shall have the right to recover from the owner
or person placing such a sign the full costs of removal and disposal
of such sign.
3.
Obscene Or Indecent Advertisement. No person shall display upon
any sign or other advertising structure any obscene, indecent or immoral
matter.
4.
Flashing Signs. Flashing signs shall not be permitted. A sign
whereon the current time and/or temperature is indicated by intermittent
lighting shall not be deemed as a flashing sign if the lighting changes
are limited to the numerals indicating the time and/or temperature
and are not more frequent than every fifteen (15) seconds.
5.
Off-Site Signs. (Billboard signs.)
[Ord. No. 2480, 5-8-2023]
A. The following signs shall be exempt from the requirements of this
Article:
1.
Flags or emblems of a governmental or of a political, civic,
philanthropic, educational, or religious organization displayed on
private property.
2.
Signs of a duly constituted governmental body, including traffic
or similar regulatory signs, legal notices, warnings at railroad crossings,
and other instructional or regulatory signs having to do with health,
hazards, parking, swimming, dumping, etc.
3.
Memorial signs and tablets displayed on private property.
4.
Small signs, not exceeding three (3) square feet in area, displayed
on private property for the convenience of the public, including signs
to identify entrance and exit drives, parking areas, one-way drives,
restrooms, freight entrances, and other similar signs.
5.
Score boards in athletic stadiums.
B. The following signs are exempt from the sign permit section of this
Article, but shall comply with all of the other regulations imposed
by this Article:
1.
Name plate signs not exceeding two (2) square feet in gross
area accessory to a single-family or two (2) family dwelling.
2.
Bulletin board signs not exceeding fifteen (15) square feet
in gross area accessory to a church, school, or public or non-profit
institution.
3.
Temporary signs for the sale of household goods at a residence
(garage sale) for a period not to exceed three (3) days.
4.
Real estate signs not exceeding six (6) square feet in area
for the sale of the property on which it is located.
5.
Construction signs not exceeding sixteen (16) square feet in
area only during the period of construction.
6.
Political campaign signs, not exceeding four (4) square feet
in area, displayed during no more than an eight (8) week period preceding
and a one (1) week period following an election.
[Ord. No. 2480, 5-8-2023]
A. Requirement. No person shall erect, repair, structurally alter, relocate
or maintain within the City any sign or other advertising structure
as defined in this Regulation without first obtaining a permit from
the enforcement agency and making payment of the fee, with the exception
that repairs and changes in the painted or printed copy are permitted
on conforming and non-conforming signs, as long as such repairs and
changes do not alter the structure, and with the exception that structural
alterations involving minor extensions shall require a permit based
on the square footage of the extension. All such repairs and changes
shall be done under the supervision of the enforcement agency.
B. Application For Permanent Sign. Application for permits shall be
made on forms provided by the enforcement agency, and shall contain
or have attached thereto the following information:
1.
Name, address and telephone number of the applicant.
2.
Location of building, structure or lot to which or upon which
the sign or other advertising structure is to be attached or erected.
3.
Position of the sign or other advertising structure in relation
to nearby buildings or structures.
4.
Two (2) blueprints or ink drawings of the plans and specifications
and method of construction and attachment to the building or in the
ground.
5.
Copy of the stress sheets and calculations showing the structure
is designed for dead load and wind pressure in any direction in the
amount required by this and all other laws of the City.
6.
Name of person erecting structure.
7.
Written consent of the owner of the building, structure or land
to which or on which the structure is to be erected.
8.
Any electrical permit required and issued for the sign.
9.
Insurance policy or bond as required.
10.
Such other information as the enforcement agency shall require
to show full compliance with this and all other laws of the City.
C. Application For Temporary Sign.
1.
Permits for temporary signs erected for sales or special occasions
or purposes shall be authorized for a period not to exceed thirty
(30) consecutive days, with further restrictions of three (3) temporary
permits issued per calendar year. One (1) temporary sign per business
site shall be allowed at any one (1) time.
2.
Permits for temporary signs erected to provide identification
of construction projects or new building may be authorized for a six-month
period and, upon application to the enforcement agency, may be renewed
for successive six (6) month periods; provided, that no additional
fee shall be required for renewal of such permits.
D. Term Of Permit. The enforcement agency shall, upon filing of an application
for a permit, examine such plans and specifications and other data
and the premises upon which it is proposed to erect the sign or other
advertising structure, and if it shall appear that the proposed structure
is in compliance with all of the requirements of this Regulation and
all other laws of the City, the enforcement agency shall issue the
permit. The applicant must commence work authorized under an erection
permit within sixty (60) days of the date of issuance or the permit
shall become null and void. Work authorized under the permit shall
proceed in a diligent and workmanlike manner until work authorized
under the permit is completed.
E. Revocation.
1.
All rights and privileges acquired under the provisions of this
Regulation or any amendment thereto are mere licenses revocable for
cause at any time by the City Council, and all such permits shall
contain this provision.
2.
The enforcement agency is hereby authorized to recommend the
revocation of any permit upon failure of the holder thereof to comply
with any provision of this Regulation.
F. Fee Schedule. Each application for a sign permit or for approval
of a Master Signage Plan shall be accompanied by the applicable fees,
which shall be established by the City Council from time to time by
resolution.
1.
Fee Schedule. The fees for sign permits and plans for the period
beginning with this Regulation shall be as follows:
Master Signage Plan, application fee
|
$50.00
|
Sign permit, initial, including inspection, per zone lot
|
$25.00 plus
$0.25 per square feet
$0.25 per square feet
|
Additional fee (initial and continuing) for signs
extending over public right-of-way, per sign
|
$50.00 annually and a $10,000.00 liability policy
|
Non-conforming sign repair
|
None
|
G. Penalties. Any person erecting, constructing or altering any sign
structure without obtaining a permit or paying the permit fee as required
in this Regulation shall, in addition to the payment of such permit
fee, pay an additional penalty fee of $50.00.
[Ord. No. 2480, 5-8-2023]
A. Existing Sign Maintenance. All signs shall be designed, constructed,
and maintained in compliance with applicable provisions of the Building
Code and the Electrical Code of the City. Except for banners, flags,
temporary signs, and window signs conforming in all respects with
the requirements of this Regulation, all signs shall be constructed
of permanent materials and shall be permanently attached to the ground,
a building, or another structure by direct attachment to a rigid wall,
frame, or structure.
B. Removal Of Unsafe Or Illegal Signs. If the enforcement agency shall
find that any sign or other advertising structure regulated herein
is unsafe or insecure, or is a menace to the public, or has been constructed
or erected, or is being maintained in violation of the provisions
of this Regulation, it shall give written notice to the permittee
thereof. If the permittee fails to remove or alter the structure so
as to comply with the standards herein set forth within ten (10) days
after such notice, such sign or other advertising structure may be
removed or altered to comply by the enforcement agency at the expense
of the permittee or owner of the property upon which it is located.
The enforcement agency shall refuse to approve a permit to any permittee
or owner who refuses to pay costs so assessed. The enforcement agency
may cause any sign or other advertising structure which is an immediate
peril to persons or property to be removed summarily and without notice.
C. Sign Maintenance Enforcement.
1.
All signs within the City shall be maintained in a safe condition
and in such a manner that they shall not become a visual detriment
to the community at large. The designated official shall be charged
with the responsibility and authority to inspect all signs within
the City and direct the maintenance of said signs. Maintenance of
signs is defined as keeping sign structures in a safe condition, free
of rust, with broken glass or plastic replaced, electrical lights
and other electrical operations in operable condition, letters and
other sign components in the equivalent condition as on the sign permit
or as approved.
2.
Should the enforcement agency find a non-maintained sign as
defined above, it shall cause the owner of said sign to be notified
as to the deficiency and the corrective action that needs to be taken.
3.
Should the owner fail to exhibit evidence of compliance within
thirty (30) days after the mailing of the letter of notification,
the enforcement agency shall cause the owner to be cited for violation
of this Regulation.
D. Painted Sign Maintenance. The owner of any sign as defined and regulated
by this Regulation shall be required to have properly painted at least
once every two (2) years all parts and supports of the sign, unless
the same are galvanized or otherwise treated to prevent rust.
[Ord. No. 2480, 5-8-2023]
A. For the purpose of this Section, a non-conforming sign shall be defined
as a sign existing at the effective date of this Regulation which
could not be built under the terms of this Regulation or under the
terms of other City Regulations.
1.
Signs which are non-conforming, as provided in this Regulation,
shall not be repaired, altered or moved unless it be made to comply
with the provisions of this Regulation. No alteration of non-conforming
signs shall be undertaken without the issuance of a permit. No fee
will be charged for the permit, provided the alterations do not substantially
alter the basic design or concept of the sign.
2.
Should any non-conforming sign be damaged by any means to an
extent of more than fifty percent (50%) of its replacement cost at
the time of damage, it shall not be reconstructed except in conformity
with the provisions of this Regulation.
[Ord. No. 2480, 5-8-2023]
A. "A-G" Agricultural and "R-S" Residential Suburban Districts.
1.
Functional types permitted:
b.
Business signs pertaining only to the sale of agricultural products
produced on the premises and home occupations.
2.
Structural types permitted:
3.
Number of signs permitted: one (1) sign per zoning lot.
4.
Maximum gross area:
a.
Bulletin board and identification signs: sixteen (16) square
feet.
b.
Business signs, home occupations: two (2) square feet; agricultural:
twenty (20) square feet.
c.
Construction signs: sixteen (16) square feet.
d.
Name plate signs: two (2) square feet.
e.
Real estate signs: six (6) square feet.
5.
Maximum height: eight (8) feet.
7.
Illumination: bulletin board and identification signs that do
not exceed twelve (12) square feet on one (1) face for churches, hospitals,
police stations, fire stations, and other similar public facilities
may be indirectly illuminated.
B. "R-1" Single-Family Dwelling Districts, "R-2" Two-Family Dwelling
Districts, And "R-3" Multiple-Family Dwelling Districts.
1.
Function types permitted:
a.
Business signs pertaining to a home occupation and subject to
the sign requirements of the home occupation Section of this Regulation.
2.
Structural types permitted:
3.
Number of signs permitted: one (1) sign per zoning lot.
4.
Maximum gross area:
a.
Business signs, home occupations: two (2) square feet.
b.
Bulletin board and identification signs: six (6) square feet.
c.
Construction signs: twenty (20) square feet.
d.
Name plate signs: two (2) square feet.
e.
Real estate signs: six (6) square feet, provided that one (1)
sign not more than one hundred (100) square feet in area announcing
the sale of lots and/or houses in a subdivision may be located on
said development. Said sign shall be removed at the end of three (3)
years or when seventy-five percent (75%) of the lots have been sold,
whichever occurs sooner.
5.
Maximum height: eight (8) feet.
6.
Required setback: no sign shall be placed closer to the front
property line than one-half (1/2) the distance of the front yard.
7.
Illumination: bulletin boards and identification signs may be
indirectly illuminated with incandescent or fluorescent lighting.
C. "M-P" Manufactured Home Park District.
1.
Functional types permitted:
2.
Structural types permitted:
3.
Number of signs permitted: one (1) sign per home space.
4.
Maximum gross area: sixteen (16) square feet.
5.
Maximum height: eight (8) feet.
6.
Required setbacks: no sign shall be placed closer to the front
property line than one-half (1/2) the distance of the front yard.
7.
Illumination: Signs may be illuminated indirectly.
D. "C-1" Central Business District.
1.
Functional types permitted:
2.
Structural types permitted:
a.
Awning, banners, canopy, or marquee signs.
3.
Number of signs permitted:
a.
Awning, canopy, marquee or wall signs: no limitation.
b.
Projecting signs: one (1) per zoning lot.
4.
Maximum gross surface area: signs shall not exceed a gross surface
of two hundred (200) square feet; except projecting signs shall not
exceed twelve (12) square feet.
5.
Maximum height: not applicable.
7.
Illumination: illuminated signs shall be permitted.
E. "C-2" General Commercial District.
1.
Functional types permitted:
2.
Structural types permitted:
a.
Awning, banners, canopy, or marquee signs.
3.
Number of signs permitted:
a.
Awning, canopy, marquee or wall signs: no limitation.
b.
Ground signs: one (1) per zoning lot.
c.
Projecting signs: one (1) per zoning lot.
4.
Maximum gross surface area: signs shall not exceed a gross surface
area of two hundred (200) square feet; projecting signs shall not
exceed twelve (12) square feet; ground signs shall not exceed fifty
(50) square feet if set back no more than ten (10) feet from a property
line; and may be increased ten (10) square feet in surface area and
two (2) feet in height for each two (2) feet in additional setback;
up to a maximum of sixty-five (65) square feet in surface area and
ten (10) feet in height.
5.
Maximum height: ten (10) feet; ground signs six (6) feet, except
as otherwise provided.
6.
Required setback: none, except that any sign that exceeds one
hundred (100) square feet in gross surface area shall be setback ten
(10) feet from the front property line, unless otherwise specified,
and ground signs shall be set back no less than ten (10) feet.
7.
Illumination: illuminated signs shall be permitted.
F. "I-1" Light Industrial District.
1.
Functional types permitted:
2.
Structural types permitted:
a.
Awning, canopy, or marquee signs.
3.
Number of signs permitted:
a.
Ground signs: one (1) per zoning lot.
b.
Others: two (2) per zoning lot.
4.
Maximum gross surface area: no single sign shall exceed a gross
surface area of three hundred (300) square feet.
a.
Ground signs: same as in "C-2" District, except that sign height
may be increased to twenty (20) feet and surface area to one hundred
(100) square feet.
5.
Maximum height:
a.
Wall signs: not above the highest point of the structure on
which the sign is located.
b.
All other signs: ten (10) feet.
6.
Required setbacks: none, except that advertising signs shall
maintain the same setback that is required for principal structures
and shall be no farther from a dedicated State highway right-of-way
than one hundred (100) feet, and shall be no closer than five hundred
(500) feet to another advertising sign.
7.
Illumination: illuminated signs shall be permitted.