Signs are recognized as important means of communication and reasonable mode of advertising, and therefore constitute a significant and specific use of land. Standards for the construction of signs are herein provided for the purpose of protecting places and areas of historical and cultural importance; to increase safety and lessen congestion in the streets; to conserve the value of buildings and land; to preserve residential values; and, to encourage the most appropriate use of land.
(2005 Code, sec. 17.10.01)
Advertising sign.
A sign which is a primary use of land (not an accessory use) and which directs attention to a business, product, activity or service which is not necessarily conducted, sold, offered or located on the premises where the sign is located. This term shall include billboards.
Flashing sign.
A sign or part thereof operated so as to create flashing; changes in light intensity, color or copy; or intermittent light impulses more frequent than one in every four (4) seconds.
Lighting.
The illumination of a sign face by a light source exterior to and not a part of such face or a source of light not exposed to the eye.
Required setback.
The distance from the property line or right-of-way line of all streets adjacent to the premises on which a sign is located.
Sign structure.
Any part of a sign, including the base, supporting columns or braces, display surface, or any other appendage thereto.
(2005 Code, sec. 17.10.02)
All signs erected, maintained or displayed within the city shall comply with the schedule of sign standards contained in table 14.02.423 of this division.
TABLE 14.02.423. SCHEDULE OF SIGN STANDARDS
Sign Type
Districts Permitted
Max. Area (in square feet)
Max. Height (in feet)
Construction Type
Setback
Spacing
Duration
Note
Nameplate
All
1
None
G, W, P
None
None
Permanent
–
Real estate
All
12
6
G, W, P
None
1/street frontage
Temporar y
5
Institution
All
60
20
G, W, P
15'
1/street frontage
Permanent
1
Construction
All
100
20
G, W, P
None
1/street or site
Temporar y Until constructi on completed
 
Development
All
200
20
G, W, P
None
1/street entrance
Temporar y See note 6
6
Apartment
MF
50
None
W
None
1/street
Permanent
1
 
 
20
18
G, P
15'
1/street
Permanent
2
Advertising
B-3
600
None
G, P
Behin d front yard
1/500 ft.
Per permit
3
General business
B-2 B-3
Note 8
None
W
None
1/bldg. face
Permanent
8
General business
B-2 B-3 LI
50
30
G, P
15'
1/100'
Permanent
4
 
B-2 B-3 LI
50
None
M
None
1/use/stre et frontage
Permanent
 
Notes to schedule of sign standards:
1.
Permitted on face of fence or wall in required front yard.
2.
Building identification only.
3.
Permit required from city council; duration not more than two years. Measurement shall be along centerline of roadway and shall apply to signs on both sides of street.
4.
Shopping centers (multi-unit developments in B-2, B-3 and LI) may substitute one directory sign of 50' maximum height, 50 square feet sign face per tenant, but no other ground or pole signs shall be permitted on the property.
5.
Permitted only on the property being offered for sale or rent.
6.
Development sign duration is temporary: (1) Residential - Until 90% complete but not longer than one year. (2) Nonresidential - Until complete. For sign duration of more than one year, special exception is required under division 8 hereof.
7.
Permit required from city council. For corner property, one sign face visible from both streets may be permitted, with a maximum area of 100 square feet.
8.
A wall sign shall not exceed 0.75 square feet for each horizontal linear foot of the building face, with a maximum area of 200 square feet.
(2005 Code, sec. 17.10.03)
(a) 
The standards and regulations prescribed in this section shall apply to those signs classified and defined in the building code of the city. For the purposes of the schedule of sign standards, the designations therein contained shall have the following meanings:
G - Ground sign
W - Wall sign
M - Marquee sign
P - Pole sign
PR - Projecting sign
(b) 
The provisions of this section shall be applicable to the location, size, and placement of signs and shall otherwise be considered supplementary to the building code of the city. No provisions specified herein shall be construed to otherwise amend or nullify any provision of the building code or any ordinance or regulation of the city pertaining to the erection, use, maintenance or operation of signs.
(c) 
Any sign used in conjunction with a nonconforming use of land or buildings, if such sign is not in accordance with the provisions of this section, shall be deemed a separate nonconforming use of land.
(d) 
A sign in direct line of vision of any signal light, traffic-control sign or other such device from any point in a moving traffic lane within one hundred (100) feet of and approaching such traffic control shall not be permitted.
(e) 
No revolving beam or beacon light resembling any emergency vehicle light shall be permitted as part of a sign display in any zoning district, nor shall any sign be located so as to obstruct the vision or sight distance of motor vehicle operators or pedestrians at any street intersection, street crossing or other point of traffic concentration.
(f) 
No high-intensity light shall be permitted as part of a sign display visible from an adjacent street in any zoning district; and in this regard, no reflectorized lights shall be permitted which shall exceed the intensity of a twenty-five (25) watt frosted-face bulb, except general informational type signs such as time or temperature signs.
(g) 
Notwithstanding any provisions of this section, no sign shall be erected which constitutes an obstruction to view of operators of motor vehicles on public streets or entering such streets from private property.
(h) 
The sign standards herein provided shall apply to signs situated on the lot, tract, parcel or premises on which there is also situated the primary use or purpose to which such sign refers. No sign shall be permitted which is not situated on the same premises as the use or activity which it describes or to which it refers - i.e., no off-premise sign shall be permitted, except as follows:
(1) 
An advertising sign when authorized as provided in the schedule of sign standards; or
(2) 
A development sign for a residential subdivision, provided that any such sign shall be situated on premises which are a part of such subdivision and shall otherwise comply with the schedule of sign standards.
(2005 Code, sec. 17.10.04)