[Zoning Regs. §18.010; Ord. No. 1014 §3, 6-12-1998; Ord. No. 1084 §2(18.010), 4-13-1999; Ord.
No. 1454 §9(18.010), 1-11-2006; Ord. No. 1636 §1, 10-13-2009]
A.
Sign Permit Required. No sign, unless exempt from the permit
requirement pursuant to this Chapter, shall hereafter be erected within
the City without first obtaining a sign permit and all required building
permits. Applicants for a sign permit shall provide the information
necessary for a proper determination that the proposed sign conforms
to the requirements established in this Chapter. Application forms
can be obtained from the Building Department.
B.
Procedure And Fee. Upon returning the sign permit application
form to the zoning enforcement person, the application shall be reviewed
and the zoning enforcement person shall either approve or disapprove
the application. Upon approval, the sign permit fee shall be paid
in the amount of one dollar twenty-five cents ($1.25) per square foot
of area of sign or fraction thereof with the minimum charge of one
hundred dollars ($100.00) and then a sign permit shall be issued.
C.
Permit Void For Failure To Erect. If a sign for which a
permit is granted is not erected within ninety (90) days from the
date of issuance of said permit, it shall, unless renewed, be deemed
void.
D.
Signs Not Requiring Permits. Painting, repainting or cleaning
of an advertising structure or the changing of the advertising copy
or message thereon, unless a structural change is made, shall not
require a permit nor shall the following signs require a permit:
(NOTE: These exceptions shall not be construed as relieving
the owner of the sign from responsibility for its erection and maintenance
and its compliance with the provisions of this Chapter or any other
law or ordinance regulating the same.)
1.
Inside signs and vehicle signs. Any sign placed
or painted on the inside of a building or outside of any vehicle.
2.
Ownership and lessee signs. Any sign painted or
lettered directly on the wall of any building which advertises the
owner, lessee or sublessee of the building or any such sign painted
on the surface of any window or door of such building.
3.
Name plates and professional signs. Any name plate
or professional sign attached directly to a wall of a building or
other structure.
4.
Public information signs. Municipal signs, legal
notices, trespassing signs or signs to aid safety.
5.
Information or direction signs. These signs must
not contain any advertising copy.
6.
Real estate signs. Any sign advertising the sale,
rental or lease of the premises upon which it is located. However,
the following conditions shall apply:
a.
The designated sign shall not exceed twenty-five (25) square feet
per side with a maximum of two (2) sides.
b.
Illuminated signs shall be illuminated with an indirect source of
non-colored light,
c.
Signs must be located at least ten (10) feet from any property line.
d.
Signs shall not exceed eight (8) feet in height.
e.
Signs must be removed within thirty (30) days after the sale or rental
of the premises is effectuated.
f.
The construction and appearance of the sign shall be professional.
Appearance and finish are subject to the zoning enforcement person's
judgment.
7.
Commemorative signs. A tablet constructed of bronze,
brass, stone or other incombustible materials which is built into
or attached to the walls of a building, provided that such tablet
bears only the name of the owner, the name or use of the building
or reading material commemorating a person or event.
8.
Construction signs. Signs announcing the name of the architect, engineer or contractors of a building under construction, alteration or repair and signs announcing the character of the building enterprise or the purpose for which the building is intended. These signs shall comply with the same regulations set forth in Subsection (D)(6)(a — f).
9.
Civic signs. Signs to advertise public or civic
welfare or charitable enterprises placed on posts, poles or buildings.
Signs are not to exceed six (6) square feet in size and are to be
placed on private property unless otherwise specifically approved
by the Board of Aldermen.
E.
Revocation Of Sign Permits.
1.
Inappropriate signage. The Board of Aldermen will
consider to be legal only those signs which are legible, which are
not neglected and which have not been allowed to deteriorate. Any
sign not satisfying these rules and those described in this Chapter
are subject to being removed and having the sign permit revoked.
2.
Power to revoke. The Board of Aldermen shall have
the power to revoke any sign permit which violates any provision of
this Chapter, which is habitually unused, which is secured by subterfuge
or which has been issued by mistake, misunderstanding or error by
the City.
3.
Fee non-refundable. if a permit is revoked or canceled
or the application is withdrawn, the applicant is not entitled to
a refund of the fee.
4.
Permits not transferable. Permits are not transferable
either between signs or between applicants.
5.
Business termination. When a business officially
"terminates operations" or "goes out of business", the sign permit
is considered invalid and the holder shall have thirty (30) days from
the date that the business was last open to the public to perform
the following tasks:
6.
Failure to comply. Non-compliance with any provision above will result in the zoning enforcement person following the procedures set forth in Section 405.585(B) below.
[Zoning Regs. §18.020; Ord. No. 1014 §3, 6-12-1998; Ord. No. 1084 §2(18.020), 4-13-1999; Ord.
No. 1454 §9(18.020), 1-11-2006]
A.
Property. The owner of any property on which any sign is
placed and the person maintaining the sign shall be equally responsible,
individually and jointly, for the condition of the area in the vicinity
of the sign and shall be required to keep it clean, sanitary and free
from obnoxious or offensive substances.
B.
Notice Of Violation. If any sign herein regulated is or
becomes insecure or in danger of falling or otherwise unsafe or violates
any provision of this zoning ordinance, the zoning enforcement person
shall notify the owner of the realty upon which the sign is situated
or the owner of the sign or the permit holder or the person maintaining
the same by serving a written notice or sending it by certified mail
to one (1) of the above indicated people to remove the same within
three (3) days. If the sign is not removed or altered to comply with
this Chapter within three (3) days, then such sign or advertising
structure, poster or device may be removed or altered by the zoning
enforcement officer at the expense of the owner of the sign or permit
holder or owner of the realty or person maintaining the sign.
C.
Immediate Danger. When any sign is in such dangerous condition
as to be immediately dangerous to the safety of the public, the Director
of Public Safety is hereby authorized to take such action as in the
opinion of said Director of Public Safety shall be necessary to protect
the public or property.
[Zoning Regs. §18.030; Ord. No. 1014 §3, 6-12-1998; Ord. No. 1084 §2(18.030), 4-13-1999; Ord.
No. 1454 §9(18.030), 1-11-2006]
A.
Roof Signs. Roof signs which exceed ten percent (10%) of
the building height are prohibited.
B.
Animated Signs. Animated signs are prohibited.
C.
Marquee Signs. Marquee signs may be placed on, attached
to or constructed in a marquee.
D.
Use Of Temporary Signs Limited Or Prohibited. No temporary
sign or banner shall be used or erected except as specifically permitted
by the provisions of this Chapter.
E.
Electrically Energized Signs. All electrically energized
signs shall be in conformance with the National Electrical Code.
F.
Copy Area. Copy area of a building face shall not exceed
forty percent (40%) of the background face to which it is applied.
Copy area of multi-copy signs are not to exceed forty percent (40%)
of the background to which applied. Principal identification signs
are not subject to any limitation of copy area to background.
G.
Freestanding Signs. Freestanding signs may not project over
property lines.
H.
Revolving Signs. No signs shall revolve more than four (4)
rpm.
I.
Background Area. Background area of wall signs shall not
exceed thirty percent (30%) of the building facade or four (4) square
feet per lineal foot of the elevation upon which they are placed,
whichever is greater.
J.
Signs Constituting A Nuisance. No sign shall be erected
or maintained which constitutes a nuisance because of glare, flashing
or any other reason. If a sign becomes a hazard or nuisance, the City
shall direct its removal.
K.
Site Triangle. No private sign or its supporting structure
shall interfere with the line of vision between motorists and any
official traffic sign or signal or other vehicles approaching any
street intersection. A determination as to such sign interference
with traffic safety shall be based on APWA standards or other engineering
standards with the ultimate determination resting with the City.
L.
Flashing Lights. No private sign shall display flashing
intermittent lights resembling those customarily used by emergency
vehicles or traffic signals and shall use no dominating or emphasizing
word that might be misconstrued to be a public safety warning, traffic
sign or signal.
M.
Federal And State Regulations. No permit shall be issued
for signs on Federal and State highways which violate Federal or State
Statutes or regulations.
N.
Right-Of-Way. No sign of any type shall be located within
City, State or Federal road rights-of-way unless allowed under specific
conditions spelled out in other Sections of this Chapter.
O.
Easements. No sign shall be located within a public easement.
P.
Authority To Remove Signs. Any sign, including the structural framing now or hereafter existing which no longer advertises a bona fide business conducted or product sold, shall be taken down and removed by the owner, agent or person having the beneficial use of the building or structure within thirty (30) days from the date that the business was last open to the public or the product was sold. Failure to remove the sign and perform the tasks set forth in Section 405.580(E)(5) will result in the zoning enforcement person sending a written notification of failure to comply. Failure to comply with such written notification within ten (10) days after the notification is postmarked and sent by certified mail will give the zoning enforcement person the authority to have the sign removed and any expense incident thereto shall be paid by the owner of the building or structure to which such sign is attached.
Q.
Off-Premises Outdoor Advertising Signs Permitted. Off-premises outdoor advertising signs as defined in Section 405.045 of this Chapter shall be permitted provided that any such sign may only be erected within one hundred (100) feet of the right-of-way of the interstate highway system, shall not be erected within one thousand five hundred (1,500) feet of any existing off-premises outdoor advertising sign and shall only be erected with the face of the sign positioned so that the communications set forth thereon are directed toward the traffic using the interstate roadway. For purposes of measurement of the aforementioned one thousand five hundred (1,500) foot spacing requirement, the distance measured shall be along the long axis of the interstate roadway from any existing off-premises outdoor advertising sign irrespective of the side of the interstate roadway on which such existing sign is located. Off-premises outdoor advertising signs not specifically authorized by this Section shall not be permitted, however, any off-premises outdoor advertising sign lawfully constructed and maintained prior to the date of enactment of these provisions shall not constitute a violation of this Section. The provisions of this Section regarding permitted off-premises outdoor advertising signs are enacted in the interest of minimizing visual distracters on the roadways of the City which may pose traffic safety hazards and are enacted in the interest of preserving the aesthetic appeal of the City.
R.
Off-premises outdoor advertising signs permitted under this Section shall conform to the requirements of Section 405.590 of this Code. Signs shall not exceed eight hundred (800) square feet in size, inclusive of copy area and background as defined in Section 405.045 and border and trim but excluding the base or apron, supports and other structural members. Dimensions of signs shall not exceed thirty (30) feet in height or seventy-two (72) feet in width, inclusive of copy area and background as defined in Section 405.045 and border and trim but excluding the base or apron, supports and other structural members. Signs shall not have more than two (2) sides and shall not exceed seventy-five (75) feet in height above ground level. The minimum clearance from the bottom of said sign to ground level shall be at least fifteen (15) feet. The maximum size limitations required by this Section shall apply to each side of a sign structure and signs may be placed back to back, double faced or in V-type construction with not more than two (2) displays to each facing, but such sign structure shall be considered as one (1) sign.
[Zoning Regs. §18.040; Ord. No. 1014 §3, 6-12-1998; Ord. No. 1084 §2(18.040), 4-13-1999; Ord.
No. 1454 §9(18.040), 1-11-2006]
A.
Signs
permitted in Districts "A-1", R-1"s, "R-2", "R-3", "R-4" and "RCD"
shall be limited to the following:
1.
Resident signs. One (1) name plate sign mounted
on the building not more than two (2) square feet in area, announcing
the name and/or location of occupants of a residence.
2.
Real estate signs. One (1) non-illuminated "for sale" or "for rent" sign following the requirements set forth in Section 405.580(D)(6).
3.
Religious institution signs. One (1) monument sign per church in accordance with Section 405.600 (2) indicating activities and services thereon provided.
4.
Construction signs. One (1) non-illuminated sign per building in accordance with Section 405.580(D)(8) showing the names of architects, engineers, builders, tenants or agents on the premises of a building being constructed; provided that such sign shall be removed upon completion of the building.
5.
Under development sign. Pole or ground sign displaying
information pertinent to a developing subdivision, provided that no
such sign be located closer than two hundred (200) feet to an occupied
dwelling, shall be located entirely on private property and shall
be removed upon completion of the subdivision. No development sign
shall have an area greater than fifty (50) square feet per side with
no more than two (2) sides per sign.
6.
Subdivision or development sign. Up to two (2) monument
signs denoting the name of a subdivision or the name of a development
may be allowed at the primary entrance(s) of the development. The
sign shall comply with the regulations spelled out in Section 405.600(2)
and shall be approved by the Planning Commission.
7.
Apartment development sign. For each apartment,
development there shall be permitted one (1) monument sign in accordance
with Section 405.600(2) on private property.
8.
Apartment rental sign. For apartments there may
be located not more than two (2) non-illuminated ground signs advertising
the rental or lease of the premises, each sign not exceeding four
(4) square feet in area.
10.
Other signs. Signs containing any otherwise lawful,
non-commercial message, including any political message, that do not
direct attention to a business operated for profit or to a commodity
or service for sale and that comply with all other requirements of
this Chapter.
[Zoning Regs. §18.050; Ord. No. 1014 §3, 6-12-1998; Ord. No. 1084 §2(18.050), 4-13-1999; Ord.
No. 1454 §9(18.050), 1-11-2006; Ord. No. 1511, 11-29-2006; Ord. No. 1636 §2, 10-13-2009]
A.
Commercial
signs permitted in Districts "C-1", "CCD", "C-2", "M-1" and "M-2"
shall be limited to the following:
1.
Pole signs.
a.
Lots within three hundred (300) feet of Interstate 29. For platted lots of which any portion is located within three hundred
(300) feet of the nearest edge of Interstate 29 right-of-way, there
shall be allowed one (1) pole sign which may direct attention to all
of the businesses, commodities, services, entertainment or attractions
conducted, sold, offered or existing upon the same platted lot where
such sign is displayed, provided such platted lot has at least one
hundred (100) feet of street frontage and ten thousand (10,000) square
feet of total lot area. Said signs shall not exceed two hundred (200)
square feet in size nor have more than two (2) sides and shall not
exceed seventy-five (75) feet in height. The minimum clearance from
the bottom of said sign shall be at least fifteen (15) feet above
the elevation of the nearest public street.
b.
Lots not within three hundred (300) feet of Interstate 29. For platted lots not within three hundred (300) feet of the nearest
edge of the Interstate 29 right-of-way, there shall be allowed one
(1) pole sign which may direct attention to all of the businesses,
commodities, services, entertainment or attractions conducted, sold,
offered or existing upon the same platted lot where such sign is displayed,
provided such platted lot has at least one hundred (100) feet of street
frontage and ten thousand (10,000) square feet of total lot area.
Said signs shall not exceed one hundred fifty (150) square feet in
size nor have more than two (2) sides and shall be of no greater height
than the maximum allowed height of the zoning district.
c.
Shopping centers. Shopping centers on platted lots over fifteen (15) acres in size shall be allowed two (2) pole signs, subject to the size and height restrictions set forth above in Subsection (1)(a — b) of this Section, as may be applicable based upon the shopping center's proximity to Interstate 29.
2.
Monument signs. Upon any platted lot upon which the erection of a pole sign is permissible under this Section, there may instead be erected a monument sign which may direct attention to the businesses, commodities, services, entertainment or attractions conducted, sold, offered or existing upon the same platted lot where such sign is displayed, which shall be erected no closer than ten (10) feet from any property line, with a maximum height of eight (8) feet and a maximum square footage of one hundred (100) feet per side with no more than two (2) sides. The erection of both a monument and a pole sign upon the same platted lot is prohibited unless the platted lot is entitled to two (2) signs under Subsection (1)(c) of this Section, in which case monument signs may be substituted for either or both pole signs.
3.
Ground signs. Ground signs, not to exceed ten (10)
square feet, containing advertising directing attention to the businesses,
commodities, services, entertainment or attractions conducted, sold,
offered or existing upon the same platted lot where such sign is displayed
or containing traffic or parking directions or other instructions
are permitted on the following basis:
a.
Quantity. Except as otherwise provided, there shall
be not more than two (2) ground signs per entrance on each platted
lot.
b.
Shopping centers.
(1)
For shopping centers located on a platted lot containing an
area greater than five (5) acres but less than ten (10) acres, there
shall be allowed not more than ten (10) ground signs.
(2)
For a shopping center located on a platted lot in excess of
fifteen (15) acres, not more than fifteen (15) ground signs.
c.
In addition to other signs. The ground signs allowed
under this Section are permitted in addition to any other permitted
signs on the property. All signs must be placed on private property
and at least five (5) feet behind the right-of-way line.
4.
Wall signs.
a.
Allowed areas and coverage. Wall signs shall be
permitted on the wall or fascia, including mansard, of each side of
a building which may direct attention to the businesses, commodities,
services, entertainment or attractions conducted, sold, offered or
existing upon the same platted lot where such sign is displayed, which
shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of the area of each wall and which
may project above the top of the wall or fascia a distance not to
exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of the vertical dimension of the
sign or three (3) feet.
b.
Projections. No wall sign shall have a projection
beyond the wall on which it is located or beyond a legal setback line,
greater than the distance set forth in the table below.
|
Clearance Above Grade
|
Maximum Projection from Wall or Over Setback Line
| |
|---|---|---|
|
Less than 8'
|
Not permitted
| |
|
8'
|
1'
| |
|
8' to 16'
|
1' plus 6" for each foot of clearance in excess of 8'
| |
|
Over 16'
|
5'
|
5.
Light pole signs. Signs may be placed on light
poles within a business owner's parking area provided that said signage
and permanent fixtures are included in the lighting site plan.
[Zoning Regs. §18.070; Ord. No. 1014 §3, 6-12-1998; Ord. No. 1084 §2(18.070), 4-13-1999; Ord.
No. 1248 §1(18.070), 7-22-2002; Ord. No. 1454 §9(18.070), 1-11-2006; Ord.
No. 1636 §3, 10-13-2009]
A.
Temporary
banners complying with this Section shall be permitted in all zoning
districts subject to all other restrictions and requirements set forth
in this Chapter.
1.
TEMPORARY BANNER
Definition. As used in this Section, the following
term shall have this prescribed meaning:
A sign having the characters, letters, illustrations or ornamentation
applied to cloth, paper, fabric or other lightweight material with
only such material for a backing.
2.
General requirements for temporary banners.
a.
Frequency, time period and permit fee. Two (2) types
of temporary banner permits are available.
(1)
Temporary banners may be displayed for a maximum of one hundred
twenty (120) days cumulatively during one (1) calendar year. Copy
area of said banner may be changed during the permitted time period.
The fee for a one hundred twenty (120) day permit shall be one hundred
twenty-five dollars ($125.00).
(2)
Temporary banners may be displayed for a maximum of two hundred
forty (240) days cumulatively during one (1) calendar year. Copy area
of said banner may be changed during the permitted time period. The
fee for a two hundred forty (240) day permit shall be two hundred
fifty dollars ($250.00).
b.
Number of temporary banners on display. Only one
(1) temporary banner may be on display at any one time by the same
business owner. Multiple temporary banners may be on display if approved
by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
c.
Permit required. No temporary banner shall be erected
unless a permit has been issued.
d.
Measurement. Banner measurement shall not exceed
a maximum of seventy (70) square feet. Temporary banner may exceed
maximum square footage if approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
e.
Setback. Shall meet the required setbacks for a
principal building in the zoning district which the banner is to be
located.
f.
Quality/maintenance/appearance. All temporary banners
shall be of professional quality. All banners shall be regularly maintained.
Deteriorated banners (torn, faded, sagging or in disrepair) shall
not be displayed.
g.
Passive display elements. Balloons, stringers, flagpoles
and streamers may be used in conjunction with, or for, the temporary
banner, if approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
h.
Distracting display elements. No animated, flashing,
blinking or revolving sign shall be allowed in conjunction with a
temporary banner.
i.
Temporary banner shall meet all the other requirements of this Chapter.
3.
Application procedure. Upon completing an application
and paying the sign permit fee, temporary banner permits may be granted
at the discretion of the zoning enforcement person.
4.
Exceptions. The following temporary signs do not need to comply with the temporary banner provisions set forth in Subsection (2)(b — d): garage sale, yard sale, moving sale, auction signs, direction signs for party, reunions, weddings, sale promotions, etc., provided however:
a.
All such signs are located on private property, and
b.
All such signs do not pose a health or safety hazard, and
c.
All such signs shall not be erected more than three (3) days prior
to said event, and
d.
All such signs shall be removed within three (3) days after such
event, and
e.
All such signs shall not exceed nine (9) square feet per side with
no more than two (2) sides.
6.
Municipal signs. A sign advertising a City-related
function is not considered a temporary banner.
[Zoning Regs. §18.090; Ord. No. 1014 §3, 6-12-1998; Ord. No. 1084 §2(18.090), 4-13-1999; Ord.
No. 1454 §9(18.090), 1-11-2006]
The zoning enforcement person is hereby authorized and directed
to enforce all the provisions of this Chapter. All appeals, not otherwise
designated, shall be to the Board of Aldermen.
