[CC 1997 §23A-1; Ord. No. 286 §25.010, 7-20-1970]
For the purposes of this Chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this Section:
ADVERTISING DEVICE
Includes banners and pennants affixed on poles, wires, ropes or streamers, wind-operated devices and other similar advertising devices or techniques of any kind.
ADVERTISING SIGN
A structure, building wall or other outdoor surface used for the display of lettered, pictorial or other matter intended to make known or to aid, directly or indirectly, in the sale of a commodity or service, excluding "identification", "real estate", name plates and political signs, all as hereinafter defined.
BILLBOARD POSTER PANEL
See "Advertising sign".
CHURCH BULLETIN BOARD
A sign attached to the exterior of a church, or located elsewhere on the church premises, used to indicate the services or activities of the church and including its name, if desired.
CIVIC ACTIVITY SIGN
Decorative displays or signs used for holidays, public events, promotion of civic causes or for charitable or not-for-profit purposes and on which there is no commercial advertising.
CONSTRUCTION SIGNS
Temporary signs used during construction of new buildings or reconstruction of or additions to old buildings.
DIRECTIONAL SIGN
A sign intended as a public convenience in directing persons to places of public or semi-public accommodation such as parks, playing fields, golf courses, airports and other public institutions but not including commercial establishments; including any highway markers and public transportation notices.
GROUND SIGN
A sign supported by one (1) or more upright structural members set in the ground surface.
IDENTIFICATION SIGN
A sign, building wall or other outdoor surface used to display and identify the name of the individual, business, profession, organization or institution occupying the premises upon which it is located.
INSIDE SIGN
Signs erected within a building.
MOVABLE SIGN
A sign designed to be moved about from one place to another rather than set in or fixed to the ground or other surface.
MUNICIPAL SIGN
A sign erected by the City for street or other purposes.
NAME PLATE
A one (1) square foot or less lettered plate or sign indicating the name and profession or business of the occupant of the premises upon which it is located.
POLITICAL SIGNS
A sign made of paperboard or other material advocating or opposing any political propositions or candidate for public office.
PROJECTING SIGN
A sign which is attached directly to a building wall or other upright surface and which projects more than twelve (12) inches from the face of the wall or surface.
REAL ESTATE SIGN
A sign pertaining only to the prospective rental, lease or sale of the property on which it is located and only during the period of time the property is for rent, lease or sale.
SIGN
Any panel or surface, whether painted, printed, illuminated or otherwise illustrated, advertising or announcing to the public the name of a person, firm, product, service, meeting, cause or candidate for office.
SPECIAL SIGNS
Signs not otherwise classified herein, including group commercial or special commercial promotional uses.
WALL SIGN
A sign which is painted on or attached to a building wall and which does not extend more than twelve (12) inches from the face of the wall
[CC 1997 §23A-2; Ord. No. 286 §25.020, 7-20-1970]
A. 
The outside, extreme or greatest dimension of the printed or lettered or painted or other area of all faces of signs, name plates and other advertising boards will be considered part of the allowable sign area.
B. 
Except as provided by Section 525.040(D), no sign shall hereafter be erected, constructed or altered unless the permit required by this Chapter has first been obtained therefor. All signs shall comply with the construction details of the City Building Code.
C. 
No advertising sign shall be permitted which does not pertain solely to the advertisement of the services rendered, business conducted or products sold on the premises on which such sign is located. No sign, commonly known as a "billboard", shall be permitted to exist within the City.
D. 
No sign shall exceed the height of the regulations of the district in which it may be located.
E. 
Except as otherwise herein provided, the aggregate of all signs shall not exceed two (2) square feet for each one (1) linear foot of street frontage of the premises on which the sign is permitted to exist. If the premises are on a corner lot, in computing the maximum sign area, the frontage on the street upon which the sign faces shall determine the number of linear feet for such computation; the two (2) street frontages shall not be combined for any one (1) sign unless such sign is located at the corner point.
[CC 1997 §23A-3; Ord. No. 286 §25.030, 7-20-1970]
A. 
Ground Signs.
1. 
Ground signs may have more than one (1) face but shall not be erected so that the bottom of any face provides less than seven (7) feet six (6) inches clearance above the ground level, except municipal signs. The clearance herein required shall not apply to real estate, political or civic activity ground signs.
2. 
All ground signs shall be erected so that all parts of the sign shall be at least three (3) feet from the street curb line, except municipal signs.
3. 
The total sign area of any such sign, computing the total area of all of its sides, shall be considered as part of the aggregate sign area and shall in no event exceed such total aggregate area as calculated under the provisions of Section 525.020(E).
4. 
No one (1) face ground sign shall exceed fifty percent (50%) of the total allowable sign area.
5. 
No more than one (1) ground sign shall be permitted upon any premises, unless such premises are upon a corner lot or at an intersection, in which event one (1) sign may face upon each such street.
B. 
Projecting Signs. No such sign shall extend more than eight (8) feet from the wall of any building. In no case shall any such sign project to within three (3) feet of the curbline, nor have clearance of less than seven (7) feet six (6) inches from ground level.
C. 
Movable Signs. Such signs shall contain not more than twelve (12) square feet per side and there shall not be more than one (1) such sign on any premises unless such premises are upon a corner lot or at an intersection, in which event two (2) signs are permitted, one (1) facing upon each street.
D. 
Traffic Control Signs. Those identifying entrances or exits of parking areas shall not exceed three (3) square feet of surface area. Adjacent to Federally designated highways of four (4) or more lanes, in addition to all other allowable sign area, traffic control signs of twelve (12) square feet or less identifying entrances, exits and the name of the business conducted on the premises may be permitted.
[CC 1997 §23A-4; Ord. No. 286 §25.050, 7-20-1970; Ord. No. 717 §2, 6-14-2006]
A. 
Prior to the issuance of any required permit for the erection of a sign or outdoor display structure, an application therefor shall be filed with the Building Commissioner, which such application shall, when required by the Building Commissioner, include the plans and specifications for such sign, including the dimensions, materials and required details of construction, including weights and methods of anchorage.
B. 
The application shall be accompanied by the written consent of the owner or lessee of the premises upon which the sign is to be erected. Before the issuance of each required sign permit, a fee of one hundred dollars ($100.00) for the permit and thirty dollars ($30.00) per inspection shall be paid in advance to the City at the time their application is filed.
C. 
No sign shall be enlarged or relocated except in conformity with the provisions of this Chapter for new signs, nor until a permit has been issued. The changing of movable parts of an approved sign, that is designed for such changes or repainting or reposting of display matter, shall not be deemed an alteration; provided, that the conditions of the original approval and the requirements of this Chapter are not violated.
D. 
Except as hereinafter provided, no permit shall be required for the signs hereinafter listed; provided however, that such exemption shall not relieve the owner of the sign from responsibility for its erection and maintenance in a safe manner, from responsibility from compliance with all provisions of this Chapter or from responsibilities for damages or injuries to property or persons:
1. 
Construction signs. Construction signs, engineers' and architects' signs and other similar signs authorized by the Building Commissioner in connection with construction operations. The type, size, number and design of such signs shall be approved by the Building Commissioner and may be ordered and removed by him/her provided there is no substantial work on the project within a sixty (60) day period.
2. 
Identification signs. Not larger than three (3) square feet and which are not animated or illuminated, except that in the case of such signs for public or semi-public buildings, the Mayor may authorize same in excess of the aforementioned area limitation where, in his/her opinion, such larger sign area is necessary or desirable.
3. 
Municipal signs.
4. 
Civic activity signs. Any person or organization desiring to erect a civic activity sign shall notify the Mayor who shall have authority to deny permission for the installation and maintenance of such civic activity sign if, in his/her opinion, the proposed display or sign will adversely affect the neighborhood or create a nuisance in the area surrounding the proposed location of the sign or signs. If the Mayor or designated representative does not, within five (5) days after receipt of such notice, deny permission, the sign may be erected in any zone, without public hearing, for a period not exceeding thirty (30) days.
5. 
Political signs. Political signs shall not be erected or affixed on or to any public property or utility poles and in no event may political signs be erected or affixed by any person other than the owner or his/her agent on or to any property without the written consent, filed with the City, of the owner of such property. No such sign shall be erected or affixed more than thirty (30) days prior to the election with which the contents of such sign are concerned or to which such sign relates and must, in any event, be removed within five (5) days after the election to which such sign is related. Such total sign area shall not exceed sixteen (16) square feet.
6. 
Real estate signs. Real estate signs shall be unlighted, twelve (12) square feet or less, made of paperboard or other material.
[CC 1997 §23A-5; Ord. No. 286 §25.060, 7-20-1970]
A. 
The following signs and advertising devices are hereby declared to be unlawful and a public nuisance and, upon written notice from the Building Commissioner to the owner or lessee of the property upon which the sign or advertising device is located, shall be reconstructed or removed forthwith:
1. 
An illuminated sign of the flashing, blinking, revolving, rotating beacon or animated type, except as provided in Section 525.080(B); provided further, that rotating signs in existence, as of the adoption of this Chapter, may be permitted, so long as such rotating part shall be no less than fifteen (15) feet from the surface of the ground immediately below such a sign.
2. 
A sign advertising an article or product not manufactured, assembled, processed, repaired or sold upon the premises upon which the sign is located, advertising any unlawful activity whatever or containing scurrilous, scandalous or obscene matter.
3. 
A sign relating to the lease, hire or sale of a building or premises other than the building or premises upon which the sign is displayed.
4. 
A sign advertising a service not rendered on the premises upon which the sign is located.
B. 
The following signs are hereby declared to be unsafe and dangerous signs:
1. 
When any sign becomes insecure, in danger of falling or otherwise unsafe or if any sign or advertising device shall be unlawfully installed, erected or maintained in violation of the provisions of this Chapter, the Building Commissioner shall give written notice thereof to the owner or the person or firm maintaining same requiring the correction of such condition. If the sign or advertising device constitutes an immediate danger to the public health, safety or welfare, the Mayor or his/her duly designated representative shall order immediate correction or removal. In all other cases, the owner or persons or firm maintaining such sign or advertising device shall be required to correct the deficiencies or remove the sign or advertising device within ten (10) days of receipt of such notice from the Building Commissioner. If, within ten (10) days, the order is not complied with, the Mayor may remove such sign or advertising device and the expense for removing same may be assessed against the owner or occupant of the property upon which the sign or advertising device is located.
2. 
Advertising devices such as banners and pennants affixed on poles, wires, ropes or streamers, wind-operated devices and other similar advertising devices or techniques of any kind are, because of the hazard of falling, pulling loose, becoming entangled upon live wires and noise and clatter and similarity to traffic signs, distracting to the public, declared to be dangerous and a public nuisance and are prohibited, except for a limited period of time not to exceed two (2) weeks for openings, announcements and the like and then only after approval of the Mayor or his/her duly designated representative. Only non-metallic supports shall be used for such signs.
[CC 1997 §23A-6; Ord. No. 286 §25.070, 7-20-1970]
A. 
All signs for which a permit is required, together with all their supports, braces, guys and anchors, shall be kept in repair in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter and the Building Code.
B. 
All signs which are not galvanized or constructed of approved corrosion-resistive, non-combustible materials shall be painted whenever, in the opinion of the Building Commissioner, it is necessary to prevent corrosion.
C. 
It shall be the duty and responsibility of the owner or lessee of every sign to maintain the immediate premises occupied by the sign in a clean and sanitary condition.
D. 
All wiring and electrical connections shall be in accordance with the Electrical Code of the City and all other laws or ordinances controlling wiring and electrical connections within the City.
[CC 1997 §23A-7; Ord. No. 286 §25.080, 7-20-1970]
A. 
No sign heretofore approved and erected shall be repaired, altered or moved, nor shall any sign or any substantial part thereof, which is blown down, destroyed or removed, be re-erected, reconstructed, rebuilt or relocated unless it is made to comply with all applicable requirements of this Chapter; provided however, that nothing herein shall be construed to prevent the repair or restoration, as directed by the Building Commissioner, of any part of an existing sign when damaged by storm or other accident.
B. 
All movable signs shall be brought into compliance with the provisions of this Chapter within one (1) year after its adoption and all other signs, except those exempted herein, shall be brought into compliance with the provisions of this Chapter within three (3) years after its adoption. Those signs and devices declared herein to be unlawful or a public nuisance shall be removed immediately upon passage of this Chapter. Signs or devices not brought into compliance or removed within the time herein specified may be removed by the City and the cost thereof charged to the owners or occupants of the property on which the signs are located.
C. 
Any sign which is moved to another location, either on the same or to other premises, shall be deemed a new sign and a permit shall be secured for any work performed in connection therewith as required by this Chapter.
[CC 1997 §23A-8; Ord. No. 286 §25.090, 7-20-1970]
A. 
A sign, including group commercial or special commercial promotional uses, not otherwise classified herein shall be designated a special sign and may only be constructed, erected, located and maintained in accordance with this Chapter and the rules and regulations as may be promulgated by the Building Commissioner from time to time with approval of the Mayor.
B. 
Signs that rotate or are animated or illuminated with flashing or blinking lights, meeting all of the other requirements of this Chapter, will be permitted only after the issuance of a special use permit. The Plan Commission shall determine, before the issuance of any such permit, that the sign or display:
1. 
Will not adversely affect the character of the neighborhood;
2. 
Will not create a safety or traffic hazard; and
3. 
Will not become a nuisance to others in the area.
[CC 1997 §23A-9; Ord. No. 286 §25.100, 7-20-1970]
Any person, firm or corporation feeling itself aggrieved by any decision of the Building Commissioner may file an appeal with the Building Commissioner directly to the Board of Adjustment of the City and the Board of Adjustment shall have the power to affirm, modify or reverse the decision of the Building Commissioner.