[Ord. No. 1383 §700, 1-6-2003]
The purpose of this Article is to provide standards to safeguard life, health and property and to promote the public welfare by regulating the design, area, number, construction, location and installation of all signs referred to hereunder.
The Board of Aldermen and the City Planning Commission of the City of Oak Grove recognize that the visual environment has an effect on the welfare of the citizens of Oak Grove and that careful control of signage can preserve and enhance the community.
A. 
To carry out this general purpose, the regulations set forth herein are intended to:
1. 
Encourage well-maintained and attractive sign displays that meet the need for adequate business identification, advertising and communication.
2. 
Protect the public from hazards that result from signs that are structurally unsafe, obscure the vision of motorists and/or compete or conflict with necessary traffic signals and warning signs.
3. 
Limit the proliferation of those signs that are accessory or carry messages other than the name or principal product or service located on the premises.
4. 
Encourage signs that are well designed and compatible with the surroundings and with the buildings that they are attached to or mounted on.
[Ord. No. 1383 §701, 1-6-2003; Ord. No. 1397 §1, 3-21-2003; Ord. No. 1565 §1, 4-2-2007]
Exempt sign means any of the following (however, in no case shall the following signs be allowed within the public right-of-way):
A. 
A sign that is required or authorized by any law, Statute or ordinance, is designed to identify any public area or installation that gives notice of danger in connection with a public project or hazard.
B. 
Any sign in the nature of a cornerstone or commemorative or historical tablet or landmark designation plaque erected by a public or non-profit body or organization.
C. 
Any sign that identifies by name or number of each individual building within any institutional or residential building complex and that does not exceed one and one-half (1½) square feet in area.
D. 
Any sign in the nature of a decoration, identification or direction incidentally and customarily associated with any national or religious holiday or any civic festival, fair or similar gathering held during a period of ten (10) days or less in any year, provided such sign shall not differ substantially from the requirements set forth in this Article.
E. 
Any sign (window sign, see definition) in a display window of a business establishment that is incorporated into a display of merchandise or a display relating to service offered on the premises.
F. 
A sign not to exceed four (4) square feet in size displayed for a period of not more than forty-eight (48) hours at one time and no more than twice in any one (1) year period. Three (3) residential garage sale signs will be permitted; two (2) may be off-property with permission of the property owner where the sign is displayed. These signs may be displayed only during the hours that the advertised activity is to take place and must be a self-supporting type sign.
G. 
Traffic directional signs, (on private property) that are designed to provide direction and do not in any way advertise a business and are not more than three and one-half (3½) square feet in area, shall be located a minimum of one (1) foot from the right-of-way of any street and shall not exceed three (3) feet above the existing grade (immediate surrounding grade) or visual barrier but in no case more than seven (7) feet in height. The number of traffic direction signs shall be limited to one (1) per driveway.
H. 
Landscape features, such as plant materials, berms, boulders, fencing and similar design elements, incorporated in conjunction with freestanding, ground-mounted signs are encouraged and shall not be counted as part of the allowable sign area.
I. 
All exempt signs must meet the requirements of Section 405.310(E) — Restrictions.
[Ord. No. 1383 §702, 1-6-2003; Ord. No. 1397 §2, 3-21-2003]
A. 
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, corporation or organization to place, erect, alter or relocate within the City any sign, as defined in this Article, without first obtaining a permit and paying the required fee therefor, unless exempt or excepted herein.
B. 
Permits shall not be required for a change of copy on a changeable copy sign nor for the repainting, cleaning and other normal maintenance and repair of any sign and its structure if the sign copy does not change.
C. 
Permits shall be subject to all applicable fees adopted by the Board of Aldermen.
D. 
Notwithstanding any provision of this Unified Development Code to the contrary, no permit shall be required for a public election or referenda sign, as defined in Section 405.280(F), that does not exceed sixteen (16) square feet.
[Ord. No. 1383 §703, 1-6-2003]
Any person, firm, corporation or organization desiring to place, erect, alter or relocate a sign, as herein defined, except an exempt sign, shall make application to the Building Inspector and shall provide in writing the following information:
A. 
Name, address and telephone number of the applicant, owner (or owner's authorized representative) and the person, firm, corporation or association erecting the sign.
B. 
A plot plan, dimensioned, showing the location of the building, structure and lot that the proposed sign is to be attached to or erected on.
C. 
Photographs showing the location of the proposed sign and its relationship to the building that it is to be mounted on or the surrounding area if it is not a wall sign.
D. 
One (1) drawing of the proposed sign showing the message to be displayed and method of construction, landscaping and attachment to the building or ground.
E. 
A colors sketch showing the proposed color combination of the sign with proposed and existing surrounding materials.
F. 
Written consent of the owner (or the authority to act on behalf of such owner) of the building, structure and land that the sign is to be erected on.
G. 
A description of all electrical equipment and attachments if the sign is to be lighted or illuminated.
H. 
Applications for temporary permits, as defined herein, shall include a written statement that the sign will be displayed for a period of time not exceeding twenty-one (21) days.
[Ord. No. 1383 §704, 1-6-2003; Ord. No. 1515 §11, 6-5-2006]
A. 
The Zoning Officer, or his/her designee, upon the filing of an application for a sign permit, shall examine the application within fourteen (14) days from the date of submittal. If the Zoning Officer determines that the application is complete, the sign complies with the requirements of this Article and all other ordinances of the City, the Zoning Officer shall issue a sign permit.
B. 
If the Zoning Officer denies the permit, the reasons for denial shall be stated in writing to the applicant and the applicant may appeal the determination of the Zoning Officer to the Planning Commission. The process for appeal to the Planning Commission shall be the same as Section 405.075, General Requirements for All Applications. The Planning Commission shall review all applications within forty-five (45) days of submittal and approve, conditionally approve or disapprove the application. Any decision of the Planning Commission may be appealed to the Board of Zoning Adjustment by making application for a variance. A sign permit fee paid in accordance with Section 405.305 shall be applied towards the fee necessary to appear before the Board of Zoning Adjustment.
C. 
In the event that a permit is issued but the sign authorized by the permit is not attached or erected within six (6) months after the issuance of the permit, the permit shall expire and be null and void.
[Ord. No. 1383 §705, 1-6-2003; Ord. No. 1637 §2, 6-1-2009]
The following sign review guidelines shall be used by the Planning Commission in acting on sign permit applications as required in Section 405.290 above and by the Board of Zoning and Adjustment acting on variances.
A. 
Any signage affixed to a building should be dimensioned and located in such a manner that it fits the building's architectural features and proportions.
B. 
All signs should be designed to fit the zoning and status character of the surrounding area. Special consideration should be made where proposed signage is located on or adjacent to locally identified historic structures or publicly owned recreation and conservancy areas. Signage in planned district or planning areas, such as downtown, will be required to conform to the planned or existing dominant architectural theme of the area. Signage in or abutting residential properties should be designed and located so as not to create a residential nuisance.
C. 
As a general guideline and where feasible, ground-mounted, freestanding signs larger than six (6) square feet shall be located at least one hundred (100) feet apart.
D. 
Signs illuminated by floodlight or spotlights must be positioned in such a manner that none of the light spills over onto an adjoining property or glares or shines into the eyes of motorists or pedestrians and may not exceed three (3) foot-candles at the lot line.
E. 
As a general guideline, the colors and materials should be kept to a minimum and shall be consistent with adjacent signage and architecture.
F. 
Landscape features will be encouraged as part of all ground-mounted signs. Landscape plantings or other landscape materials will not be counted as part of the allowable signage.
G. 
Signs affixed to the exterior of a building shall be compatible with the style, composition, materials, colors and details of the building, as well as with other signs used on the buildings in close proximity to the new sign.
H. 
Signs shall be mounted so that the method of installation is concealed. Signs applied to masonry surfaces shall be mechanically fastened to mortar joints only and not directly into brick or stone. Drilling to provide electrical service shall follow the same rule.
I. 
No sign shall be suspended by chains or other devices that will allow the sign to swing due to wind action. Signs shall be anchored to prevent any lateral movement that would cause wear on the sign face or supporting members of connections.
J. 
All permanent signs and their supporting members shall be constructed of non-combustible materials.
1. 
All glass used in signs shall be shatter-resistant or covered by a shatter-resistant material.
2. 
All plastic signs that are internally illuminated shall conform to the City's adopted building codes.
K. 
Sign material shall be compatible with the design of the face of the facade where they are placed and should contribute to the legibility of the sign.
L. 
All signs shall comply with the appropriate detailed provisions of the City's adopted building codes and the Unified Development Code as related to the design, structural members and connections.
M. 
Monument sign structures shall be constructed utilizing the materials and colors of the primary structure on the site or other compatible material as approved by the Zoning Official.
N. 
All permanent signs shall be designed and constructed using a licensed and bonded sign company. All permanent signs shall use appropriate materials and shall not be constructed using the following materials:
1. 
Wood;
2. 
Lightweight cloth or canvas, except approved canopies or awnings;
3. 
Paper;
4. 
Cardboard; or
5. 
Any other material that has not been approved by the City for construction of a permanent sign.
[Ord. No. 1383 §706, 1-6-2003]
The applicant shall pay a permit fee in an amount established by the City's standard fee schedule.
[Ord. No. 1383 §707, 1-6-2003; Ord. No. 1565 §§2 — 4, 4-2-2007; Ord. No. 1637 §§3 — 4, 6-1-2009]
A. 
Limitations On Purposes. All signs shall be limited to the owner's, tenant's or occupant's name or business name, logo and registered trademark, profession or trade, approved art work (such as seals, symbols or crests), as well as the principal services offered or products sold within the building or on the premises that the sign is to be attached to or to be erected on, except exempt signs.
B. 
Safety Regulations — Attachment — Location. No sign or any part thereof or anchor, brace or guide rod shall be attached, fastened or anchored to any fire escape, fire ladder or standpipe, and no sign or any part thereof or anchor, brace or guide rod shall be erected or maintained that may cover or obstruct any door, doorway or window of any building and that may hinder or prevent ingress or egress through such door, doorway or window or that may hinder or prevent the raising or placing of ladders against such building in the event of fire.
C. 
Safety Regulations — Dead Loads — Live Loads. All signs, except flat signs and those signs weighing less than ten (10) pounds, shall be designed and constructed to withstand a wind pressure of not less than thirty (30) pounds per square foot of area and shall be constructed to adequately support the dead load and any anticipated live loads (e.g. ice, snow or wind) of the sign.
D. 
Roof Signs — Limitations. No sign shall be mounted upon any roof of any building or structure in any district other than "B-2" and "M-1" zones and then only upon issuance of a variance, except a sign painted on the roof of a building or structure that is designed to provide information to air traffic.
E. 
Restrictions. No person shall paste or otherwise fasten any paper or other material, paint, stencil or write any number, sign, name or any disfiguring mark within any street right-of-way, on any sidewalk, curb, gutter, street, post, fire hydrant, pole or tree, any other sign, building, fence or other structure, nor shall any of said objects be defaced in any manner.
F. 
Flashing, Lighted Signs — Regulations. No flashing, alternating, rotating or swinging flood, spot, strobe or beacon light is permitted for the purpose of illuminating any sign. This shall not apply to electronic changeable copy or messenger center signs. No flashing, alternating, rotating or swinging flood, spot, strobe or beacon light illuminating any sign shall be located in such manner as to permit its beam or a glare of light to be directed onto surrounding premises or roadways. Each illuminated sign shall comply with the Electrical Code of the City.
G. 
Billboards.
1. 
Conditional use. Billboards shall be allowed only if reviewed and approved as a conditional use pursuant to the Oak Grove Unified Development Code and in compliance with the following standards:
a. 
Billboards may be located only on lots contiguous to the right-of-way of Interstate Highway 70.
b. 
Billboards shall not be located within one thousand (1,000) feet of any land zoned for residential purposes.
c. 
Billboards shall not be erected within one thousand four hundred (1,400) feet of any other billboard located on the same side of Interstate Highway 70. Such minimum spacing distance shall be measured along the centerline of the interstate highway from a point opposite any edge of a billboard and perpendicular to the centerline of the highway.
d. 
Billboards shall not be erected within one thousand (1,000) feet of any highway interchange as measured from the centerline of the intersecting street along the centerline of the interstate highway and no sign shall be located in such manner as to obstruct or otherwise physically interfere with the effectiveness of an official traffic sign, signal, or device or obstruct or physically interfere with a motor vehicle operator's view of approaching, merging, or intersecting traffic.
e. 
Billboards shall not be erected within a five hundred (500) foot radius of any billboard located on the opposite side of the Interstate Highway 70 right-of-way.
2. 
Size. The maximum area for any one (1) sign shall be eight hundred (800) square feet with a maximum height of thirty (30) feet and a maximum length of seventy-two (72) feet, inclusive of the border and trim but excluding the base or apron, supports, and other structural members.
3. 
Location. No billboard shall be attached to the roof or wall of any building.
4. 
Face. No new billboard shall be erected having more than one (1) viewable sign face that is directed toward the same lane of traffic.
5. 
Illumination. Billboards may be illuminated by electrical lighting of the surface of the sign face; however, no flashing, blinking or intermittent lighting of billboard sign faces shall be allowed. No revolving or rotating beam or beacon of light that simulates any emergency light or device shall be permitted as part of any sign. No sign shall be illuminated so that it interferes with the effectiveness of, or obscures, an official traffic sign, device or signal.
6. 
Structure. A billboard is a structure for the purposes of the Unified Development Code, and all intensity, setback and other zoning district regulations shall apply to the structure. The maximum height of the sign structure may not exceed forty-five (45) feet above the elevation of the roadway of Interstate 70 as measured from the nearest point of the sign to the road. The maximum height of a sign structure may be increased by up to an additional ten percent (10%) upon approval by the Board of Aldermen.
7. 
Service drives. All billboards must be accessible by a paved access drive that is internal to the lot or parcel on which the sign is located.
8. 
Certifications. All billboards must have the certification of a professional engineer stating that the soil and subsurface is capable of accepting the projected load of the sign, that the electrical components are constructed pursuant to all codes, and that the structural strength of the sign is sufficient. All applications for billboards will be accompanied by a certified boundary survey prepared by a registered land surveyor that identifies the location of the proposed billboard and establishes that it complies with all required setbacks and distance requirements.
9. 
Financial security. All applications for billboards will require a bond, letter of credit or other form of financial security to ensure removal of signs that are not validly permitted or that constitute a nuisance in the amount of fifty percent (50%) of the construction value of the sign. The following types of billboards are defined to constitute a nuisance:
a. 
Abandoned Billboard: A billboard which has carried no message for more than one hundred eighty (180) days or which no longer identifies a bona fide business, lessor, service, owner, product, or activity, date or time of past event, and/or for which no legal owner can be found.
b. 
Damaged Billboard: A billboard which becomes damaged or dilapidated to fifty percent (50%) or more of its physical structure or economic value.
c. 
Structurally Unsound Billboard: A billboard which is no longer adequately supported by the structure for which it was designed.
H. 
Pole Signs.
1. 
Conditional Use. Pole signs shall be allowed only if reviewed and approved as a conditional use pursuant to the Oak Grove Unified Development Code and in compliance with the following standards:
a. 
Pole signs shall be located within five hundred (500) feet of the right-of-way of Interstate Highway 70.
b. 
Pole signs shall be located within one hundred fifty (150) feet of the right-of-way of Broadway between North 4th Street and South 5th Street.
c. 
Pole signs shall be located within three hundred (300) feet of the right-of-way of SE 4th Street between Broadway and SE Brandon Court.
[Ord. No. 1910, 7-2-2018]
2. 
Size. The maximum gross area of the signboard face of any pole sign shall not exceed one hundred fifty (150) square feet, and the height of any part of the signboard face may not exceed fifteen (15) feet in height measured vertically from the lowest part of the signboard face.
3. 
Location. No pole sign shall be attached to the roof or wall of any building.
4. 
Illumination. Pole signs may be illuminated by electrical lighting of the surface of the sign face; however, no flashing, blinking or intermittent lighting of pole sign faces shall be allowed.
5. 
Structure. A pole sign is a structure for the purposes of the Unified Development Code, and all intensity, setback, and other zoning district regulations shall apply to the structure. The maximum height of the sign structure may not exceed sixty (60) feet above the elevation of the roadway of Interstate 70 when located within five hundred (500) feet of the right-of-way of Interstate 70. The maximum height of the sign structure may not exceed thirty (30) feet above the elevation of the roadway of Interstate 70 when located within three hundred (300) feet of the right-of-way of SE 4th Street between Broadway and SE Brandon Court as measured from the nearest point of the sign to the road.
[Ord. No. 1910, 7-2-2018]
6. 
Certifications. All pole signs must have the certification of a professional engineer stating that the soil and subsurface is capable of accepting the projected load of the sign, that the electrical components are constructed pursuant to all codes, and that the structural strength of the sign is sufficient.
7. 
Financial Security. All applications for pole signs will require a bond, letter of credit or other form of financial security to ensure removal of signs that are not validly permitted or that constitute a nuisance.
I. 
Portable (Freestanding) Signs.
1. 
Size. May not exceed twenty (20) square feet.
2. 
Illumination. Portable signs may not be illuminated.
3. 
Additional requirements.
a. 
May be displayed by churches, not-for-profit institutions, quasi-public institutions or governmental agencies for special events for a period of up to thirty (30) days once per quarter of each calendar year with a temporary sign permit free of charge.
b. 
May be displayed on the premises by users other than those described in Subsection (I)(3)(a) above for not more than thirty (30) days. Use is limited to once per quarter of each calendar year with a temporary sign permit.
J. 
Banners And Balloons.
1. 
The use of any banner, pennant, flag, streamers, propeller, bunting or similar articles for advertising of a product, service, show, property or carnival is prohibited except by a temporary sign permit for specific events not to exceed thirty (30) days per issuance. Under no circumstances shall such a permit be granted for any premises more than once per quarter of each calendar year.
2. 
Balloons (hot air or cold air) and inflatable signs shall be limited to one (1) time per year for specific events not to exceed ten (10) days per issuance and require an area safety inspection before issuance of a temporary sign permit.
K. 
Height And Setback Requirements.
1. 
In zoning districts where setbacks are required for building construction, no part of any sign shall extend over the property line. In zoning districts where no front yard setbacks are required, a sign must be attached to the building and shall project no more than four (4) feet over the abutting public sidewalk or established street grade. No part of such sign shall be more than eighteen (18) feet in perpendicular height above the nearest established street grade. Any signs projecting over sidewalks shall have a minimum of eight (8) feet of clearance, including awnings.
2. 
The following setbacks shall be required for all billboards and other sign structures:
a. 
On Broadway north of I-70 and south of 21st Street, sixty (60) feet from the centerline as it presently exists.
b. 
On Broadway south of I-70 and north of 21st Street, fifty (50) feet from the centerline as it presently exists.
c. 
On the I-70 frontage roads (both north and south of I-70), ninety (90) feet from the centerline of the frontage road as it now exists.
d. 
On secondary arterial streets as designated on the City of Oak Grove master street plan, forty (40) feet from the centerline.
e. 
On collector streets as designated on the City of Oak Grove master street plan, thirty (30) feet from the centerline.
L. 
Moving Signs Or Signs With Moving Parts. Sign structures may not move or rotate. The Planning Commission may approve plans for sign permits in which parts or elements of the sign move. Before approval of the permit, the Planning Commission shall find that the proposed moving parts of the sign shall not be a distraction to the public that creates a safety hazard or nuisance.
M. 
Prohibited Signs. The following signs are expressly prohibited in the City of Oak Grove:
1. 
Off-premise signs. Any sign, except billboards approved pursuant to Section 405.310(G) advertising or announcing any place, product, goods, services, idea or statement or whose subject is not available or located at or on the lot where the sign is erected or placed.
2. 
Signs in the public right-of-way, except signs legally erected for informational purposes by or on behalf of a government agency.
3. 
Snipe signs. Signs attached to any public utility pole or structure, street tree, fence, fire hydrant, bridge, curb, sidewalk, park bench or other location of public property.
4. 
Vehicle signs. Signs that are attached to or painted upon a parked motor vehicle or trailer that is positioned for the primary purpose of acting as a sign exposed to the public and is not in use in the ordinary course of carrying out the transportation function of the vehicle.
5. 
Vehicle signs. Signs attached to or painted on motor vehicles or trailers that are operated on or parked adjacent to a public street for the primary purpose of presenting a message or symbol offering or supporting the sale, rent, lease, loan, or other availability of any property, product or service, and is not otherwise in use in the normal course of transporting people, merchandise or freight.
6. 
Vehicle signs. A sign, pole or any other device mounted on the top of, in the bed of, on the front or rear of, or attached to the sides of any vehicle for the specific purpose of presenting a message or symbol offering or supporting the sale, rent, lease, loan or other availability of any property, product, or service or for the purpose of attracting attention to a product sold or a business located on the property, not include vehicle sales which are licensed by the City.
7. 
Non-compliance. Any other sign that does not comply with the terms, conditions or provisions of this sign code.
N. 
Temporary Event Signs.
1. 
Definition. For purposes of this Subsection (N), "temporary event" shall mean any activity having a specific duration or the end of which is related to a specific action, usually lasting for less than twelve (12) months at a time. Temporary events include such activities as:
a. 
Each political campaign, referendum or ballot proposition put to the voters as part of City, State or Federal governance.
b. 
The offering of a property or premises for sale or lease.
c. 
The construction of a building or development project, or the rehabilitation, remodeling or renovation of a building.
2. 
Regulations. Temporary event signs shall be allowed in all zoning districts under the conditions noted for each type of sign. Signs for a temporary event as defined in this Subsection must comply with the following:
a. 
Duration. The sign may be placed upon initiation of the temporary event, and must be removed within ten (10) working days of the termination of the event. Initiation and termination of particular events shall be interpreted as follows:
(1) 
Election. Initiation upon the last day of qualification of candidates or certification of a ballot question and termination upon the election of a candidate to office or resolution of a ballot question.
(2) 
Real estate sale or lease. Initiation upon the actual availability of the property or premises for sale or lease, and termination upon execution and acceptance of a final contract for the real estate transaction. Off-property directional signs may be displayed only during the hours that the advertised activity is to take place and must be a self-supporting type sign. When directional signs will be displayed for thirty (30) or more consecutive days, a special permit must be obtained from the City.
(3) 
Building construction or remodeling. Initiation upon issuance of a building permit and termination upon issuance of the certificate of occupancy or approval for connection to electric power for the work authorized by the building permit.
b. 
Size.
(1) 
Single- and two-family. Temporary event signs located on properties occupied by or zoned for single-family or duplex residences shall not exceed six (6) square feet in area and five (5) feet in height.
(2) 
Multi-family and non-residential. Temporary event signs located on properties occupied by or zoned for multi-family, office, commercial, industrial or other non-residential uses shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in area and eight (8) feet in height.
c. 
Number.
(1) 
Election. No limitation.
(2) 
Real estate sale or lease. Five (5) signs are permitted for the premises at any one time, either with not more than two (2) signs erected on the premises for sale or rental, provided one (1) is a flat sign; or not more than three (3) off-property directional signs. Said off-property directional signs shall be for the purpose of directing traffic to "open houses" only and must have the knowledge and consent of the property owner on whose property the sign is to be placed. Real estate signs advertising sites of five (5) acres or more are allowed one (1) sign per street frontage and shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in area per sign.
(3) 
Construction. One (1) temporary event sign per building lot.
[Ord. No. 1383 §708, 1-6-2003]
The type of signs that may be permitted for each category of property use are described in Table 1 Permitted Signs by Use, at end of this Chapter. The purpose of Table 1 is to provide an overview of potential signs, each of the described sign types have additional regulations described elsewhere in the Sign Code.
A. 
All sign types have been designated in Table 1 according to their appropriate use with specific categories of land use. Any sign or use not included or specifically provided for in Table 1 may be assigned to Table 1 through interpretation by the Director of Community Development.
B. 
The purpose of Table 1 is to provide basic information about the distribution of sign types. All of the types identified in Table 1 are also subject to the other regulatory provisions.
1. 
The sum of the area of all building and freestanding signs for the use by lot must conform with the maximum sign area established in Table 2 at the end of this Chapter.
2. 
The size, location and number of signs for the use (regardless of the type of permit required) must conform with the requirements established in Table 2 and else where in the Sign Code.
3. 
The characteristics and design of all signs (regardless of the type of permit required) must conform with the requirements of the Sign Code, except as permitted under the alternative sign permit process.
C. 
All of the sign types are further described in Standards for Permitted Signs, Standards for Limited Permit and Exempt Signs and Definitions.
D. 
Table 1 identifies the types of signs that may be appropriate for each type of land use. In Table 1, signs are indicated as either: (A) allowed with an administrative sign permit; (S) allowed with a standard sign permit; (E) exempt from permit requirements; or (N) not allowed, except through alternative sign permit approval process. The purpose of this table is only to identify overall sign types that may be appropriate for individual uses. All signs, even those allowed with a limited sign permit, are subject to additional regulations such as number, size, location and design.
[Ord. No. 1383 §709, 1-6-2003; Ord. No. 1565 §8, 4-2-2007]
Each use permit in the City is limited to a specific amount of signage. Table 2 Maximum Sign Area by Use describes the appropriate measurements for determining the maximum signage allowed by any particular use.
A. 
Table 2 contains more than one (1) measurement standard per use. These are expressed in terms of:
1. 
Maximum number of signs;
2. 
Sign area permitted as a function of linear front footage of a lot; and/or
3. 
Maximum sign size. The maximum total sign area may not exceed the most restrictive (lesser) of the standards for measurement identified in Table 2.
B. 
Notwithstanding Section 405.320(A) above, all existing non-residential lots shall be permitted a minimum of fifty (50) square feet of signage, except in the central business district which shall be permitted a minimum of twenty-five (25) square feet, all of which at any location may be subject to standard or limited sign permit approval.
C. 
Lots fronting on two (2) or more streets or having one (1) or more public entrances on different sides of the building are allowed the permitted sign area for each frontage/side; however, the total sign that is oriented toward a particular street/side may not exceed the portion of the lot's total sign area allocation that is derived from the lot or wall frontage on that street. The Planning and Zoning Commission may allow additional signage on any side of newly constructed buildings.
[Ord. No. 1822, 8-3-2015]
D. 
A "use" shall include all purpose or activities for which the land or buildings are arranged, designed or intended or for which land or buildings are occupied or maintained.
E. 
Any measurement not specifically provided for in Table 2 may be assigned to Sign Code Table 2 through interpretation by the Director of Community Development.
F. 
The maximum sign size for individual tenant wall signs in multi-tenant developments shall be the same as the maximum size for individual uses, unless the size is restricted through a master sign plan or otherwise restricted in Table 2, such as through the size of a wall sign for an individual tenant in an office part would be two hundred (200) square feet, provided the building facade is of a sufficient size to permit the full two hundred (200) square feet of signage (wall signs are limited to ten percent (10%) of building facade). Where the facade is too small to allow the full two hundred (200) square feet of wall signage or where a master sign plan places other restrictions on tenant sign size, the more restrictive wall sign measurement will prevail.
[Ord. No. 1383 §710, 1-6-2003]
A. 
Specific Construction Requirements.
1. 
Live load. All signs shall be designed, constructed and anchored to withstand a horizontal wind pressure, ice, snow of not less than thirty (30) pounds per square foot of exposed area.
2. 
Dead load. All sign structures shall be designed, constructed and fastened to adequately support the dead load of any sign.
3. 
Footings. All footings for supports of detached signs erected on the ground shall be not less than thirty (30) inches below the finished grade.
4. 
Attachment. Projecting signs that are permitted to extend beyond building or parapet walls shall be attached to brackets fastened to such walls or roofs by any accepted methods but shall not be attached to any part of an unbraced wall above a point of bearing of the roof rafters.
5. 
Materials. All signs shall be constructed of materials suitable for the intended purpose of this Unified Development Code.
6. 
Letters, decorations and embellishments. Letters, decorations and embellishments in cutout or irregular form, maintained in conjunction with, attached to or superimposed upon any sign, shall be safely and securely built or attached to the sign structure.
B. 
Electrical Sign Requirements.
1. 
The application for a permit for the erection of a sign that electrical wiring and connections are to be used shall be submitted to the Electrical Inspector. The Electrical Inspector shall examine the plans and specifications for the sign which are submitted and may require additional information relating to the proposed electrical installation from the applicant. His/her inspection shall determine if the proposed installation complies with the ordinances of the City relating to electrical wiring and construction, and he/she shall approve said application if the plans and specifications as finally submitted comply therewith. After action by the Electrical Inspector, the application shall be resubmitted to the Building Inspector for final approval of the sign permit.
2. 
All electrical signs, other than those bearing the label of approval of a recognized testing laboratory, shall be inspected and approved by the Electrical Inspector on the site prior to actual erection of the sign. No sign shall be erected, despite issuance of a permit, until the Electrical Inspector has made the site inspection and the sign permit initialed by him/her to show approval.
3. 
All electrical signs shall be equipped with a watertight safety switch. The switch shall be located where the electrical supply enters the sign. A chain or hinges shall securely fasten any movable part of a sign, such as the cover of a service opening.
[Ord. No. 1383 §711, 1-6-2003]
A. 
Maintenance. All outdoor signs and supports shall be weather resistant and shall be maintained in good repair and structural condition, in compliance with all Building and Electrical Codes, and in conformance with this Sign Code. Broken panels, missing letters, flaking or peeling paint, visual damage or other maintenance issues as identified by the Director of Community Development or designee shall be repaired within thirty (30) days of notice to repair.
B. 
Removal. Signs and sign structures that no longer serve the purpose for which they are intended or that are not maintained or that have been abandoned shall be removed by the owner or the owner of the premises after notice by the Director of Community Development or designee. Such owner or owner of the premises shall complete the removal within thirty (30) days after the Director of Community Development or designee mails notice by registered mail. In the event that such sign is not removed within the time herein provided, the Director of Community Development or designee shall cause the sign to be removed and the cost thereof assessed to the owner or the owner of the premises. Failure to reimburse the City within thirty (30) days shall cause the cost to be entered on the tax roll as a special charge against the real estate.
[Ord. No. 1383 §712, 1-6-2003]
Any non-conforming sign may continue to be displayed, except as hereinafter provided:
A. 
Whenever a non-conforming sign is damaged by fire, flood, explosion, earthquake, war, riot or act of God, it may be reconstructed and used as before if it be reconstructed within three (3) months after such calamity, unless the damage to the sign is fifty percent (50%) or more of its replacement value, in this case the reconstructed sign shall comply with the provisions of this Article.
B. 
Whenever it is desired to change or alter the structural elements of an existing non-conforming sign, such as the supports, size of the sign area, shape of the sign area or lighting, such alteration shall constitute a major change and the sign shall be made to conform and comply with the provisions of this Article within six (6) months after the application for a permit to alter the sign has been filed with the Building Inspector. Changes in the size or shape of an existing non-conforming sign in excess of ten percent (10%) shall constitute a major change and the sign shall be made to conform and comply with the provisions of this Unified Development Code. A change in shape from one corporate logo to another or one shape to another shall not constitute a major change and is not required to come into conformance with the provisions of the Unified Development Code as long as the change does not increase the overall size of the sign in excess of ten percent (10%).
C. 
Non-Conforming Sign Inventory. The Building Inspector shall make an investigation of all signs in the City and shall prepare an inventory of all non-conforming signs, identifying their location and ownership.
[Ord. No. 1383 §713, 1-6-2003; Ord. No. 1565 §12, 4-2-2007]
A. 
It is recognized that circumstances may exist from time to time where strict application of the size, location and type of sign standards hereinafter specified for the various zoning districts may be unreasonable or that literal enforcement of the regulations may work a hardship on the applicant. Variations from the standards may, therefore, be permitted by issuance of a variance by the Board of Zoning and Adjustment in accordance with Section 405.115.
B. 
It is likewise recognized that in certain situations, such as on lands of churches, schools, other public bodies and real estate developments, signing needs cannot reasonably be anticipated. In such situations, signs shall be permitted upon application for and issuance of a variance, provided that in issuing such permit the Board of Zoning and Adjustment shall not authorize a substantial variance from the size, location and type standards applicable to signs in similar but specifically regulated situations.
[Ord. No. 1383 §714, 1-6-2003]
A. 
It shall be unlawful and a violation of this Article for any person to maintain any prohibited sign, to perform or order the performance of any act prohibited by this Article, or to fail to perform any act that is required by the provisions of this Section. In the case of any such violation, each twenty-four (24) hour period that such violation exists shall constitute a separate violation.
B. 
Any and all signs erected, altered or maintained in violation of this Section or any of the clauses or provisions of the same or in violation of any of the laws or ordinances of the City are and each of them is declared to be a public nuisance and subject to enforcement. The Director of Community Development or designee shall abate any such signs so erected, altered or maintained contrary to law as a common nuisance.