[Readopted effective 6/23/2007 by JMZO Ord. 2007, adopted 6/18/2007.]
The objectives of this Article are to establish requirements for placing, installing and maintaining signs, in order to preserve and protect the health, safety, welfare and general well-being of the community's citizens. Just as regulations for the placement, construction and maintenance of buildings and structures through zoning is a valid use of the law so are regulations for the placement, installation and maintenance of signs a valid use of the law, because signs, in the literal sense, must be considered structures, and, in a practical sense, are capable of producing many of the same nuisances as buildings produce.
Sign regulations are further justified by the primary purpose of a sign: to draw attention to its content. However, since signs can distract drivers or obstruct views, the very nature of a sign can be a potential hazard to the safety of the motoring public. Therefore, it is the intent of this Ordinance to regulate the location of signs in such a way that they can fulfill their purpose without causing unsafe conditions for motorists.
Finally, it is the objective of this Article to protect and preserve the visual character of the community by regulating the placement, installation and maintenance of signs. Because signs are intended to command visual contact this gives them an important role in the overall visual character of a community. This visual impact is an economic fact that affects the value of property, as well as its enjoyment. Therefore, the regulation of signs can work to conserve the value of property and encourage the most appropriate use of land throughout a municipality. Good planning requires a community's residents to plan the physical surroundings in such a way that visual clutter is minimized.
With this purpose in mind, it is the intention of this Article to authorize only those uses of signs which are: