The following words, when used in this article, shall have the meaning respectively ascribed:
Abandoned sign.
Any sign lawfully erected and maintained that advertised a business which has ceased to exist or to occupy the premises.
Garage sale/estate sale sign.
Signs advertising the sale by the homeowner of items of personal property and containing only the words, "garage sale," "yard sale," or "estate sale."
Ground sign.
A sign supported by uprights or braces in or upon the ground, including portable signs.
Institutional sign.
Any signs relating to schools, churches, hospitals, universities, or similar institutions.
Lost pet sign.
A sign indicating the loss of a pet giving a description thereof and the address and phone number of the owners.
Off-premises sign.
Any sign that advertises products, goods, services, business entities, or other items, entities, or activities that are not located within the city limits and/or the extraterritorial jurisdiction of the city.
Permanent sign.
A permanent sign is any sign advertising a permanent business which is permanently attached to a building or a sign supported by uprights or braces in or upon the ground, including portable signs. A ground sign is a permanent sign.
Political sign.
A temporary sign indicating the name and/or picture of an individual seeking election or appointment to a public office, or relating to a forthcoming public election or referendum, or pertaining to the advocating by persons, groups, or parties of political views or policies.
Portable sign.
Any sign designed or constructed to be easily moved from one location to another, including signs mounted upon or designed to be mounted upon a trailer, wheeled carrier or other nonmotorized mobile structure; a portable sign that has its wheels removed shall still be considered a portable sign. Trailer signs are portable signs.
Temporary sign.
Any sign constructed of cloth, canvas, vinyl, light fabric, cardboard, wallboard, or other light materials.
(1982 Code, ch. 3, sec. 16(A); Ordinance 266 adopted 3/2/2004; Ordinance 338, sec. A, adopted 3/12/2013; Ordinance adopting 2015 Code)
Any person, firm or corporation in violation of any of the provisions of this sign code shall, upon conviction in municipal court, be fined not less than $50.00 and not more than $2,000.00. Each day such violation exists shall constitute a separate offense. The city building official or his or her designee shall have the authority to issue citations or file complaints in municipal court ten (10) days after owner notification to begin corrective measures for violations of this code, said authority being in addition to any other remedy available under any other applicable ordinance or statute.
(1982 Code, ch. 3, sec. 16(D); Ordinance 266 adopted 3/2/2004; Ordinance 338, sec. D, adopted 3/12/2013)
(a) 
All pre-existing temporary signs, portable signs, abandoned signs, real estate signs, garage sale signs, estate sale signs, lost pet signs, temporary political signs and banners shall be immediately affected and governed by this code.
(b) 
All signs shall be immediately affected and governed by the "number of signs per business" section of this code [section 3.07.005(b)].
(c) 
All pre-existing off-premises signs which are not permanently affixed and mounted shall be immediately affected and governed by this code.
(d) 
All pre-existing off-premises signs which are permanently affixed and mounted shall be exempt from this code until such time that such signs are judged abandoned.
(1982 Code, ch. 3, sec. 16(E); Ordinance 266 adopted 3/2/2004; Ordinance 338, sec. E, adopted 3/12/2013)
(a) 
Any person, firm or corporation wishing to appeal any requirement specified within this article may submit an application for a waiver to the city secretary.
(b) 
Upon receipt of an application for waiver, the mayor can present such application along with recommendations and extenuating circumstances to the city council during the regular monthly meeting for consideration of the authorization for waiver.
(Ordinance 338, sec. F, adopted 3/12/2013)
(a) 
Off-premises signs (also commonly known as "billboards").
No off-premises signs shall be erected within the city limits, excepting institutional signs only. It is hereby understood that all existing off-premises signs, which are permanently affixed and mounted, shall be grandfathered in and allowed to remain so long as the sign is not judged abandoned. Damage to off-premises signs by nature or accident/vandalism shall be repaired within sixty (60) working days or such signs shall immediately be subject to the entirety of this article. In unusual circumstances, the mayor and city building official will use their discretion.
(b) 
Number of signs per business.
No more than six (6) permanent business name signs shall be allowed per business. Product signs and product banners are not included. All product signs and product banners shall be permanently affixed to a business building or to a permanent business sign pole or frame.
(c) 
Size limitations for new signs.
New sign installations/construction shall not exceed an area of 100 square feet or a height greater than 20 feet without first applying for and receiving a waiver from the city council. New signs are subject to permit fees at the time of installation only. Permit fees are not yearly fees.
(d) 
Portable and temporary signs.
All signs which have changeable lettering shall be kept in good repair at all times and shall be positioned and mounted so as to minimize the danger of said sign being affected by high winds. Permit fees apply. The permit fee does not apply to replacement signs or damaged signs by accident/vandalism or nature.
(e) 
Temporary and portable construction, project and contractor signs.
Temporary and portable construction, project and contractor signs shall be allowed for the time of construction only. No permit fee for construction, project and contractor signs.
(f) 
Alarm company signs.
Alarm company signs shall be permanently affixed to home or business buildings. No permit fee for alarm company signs.
(g) 
Ground signs.
Ground signs shall be permitted provided they meet all applicable elements of this code. Every ground sign shall provide rigid construction to withstand wind action in all directions. Permit fees apply.
(h) 
Banners.
A banner may not be used as a permanent business sign. Banners may be used as a permanent product advertisement providing that such banner is securely affixed and mounted. Community event banners may be placed and remain as necessary to adequately advertise the event. No permit fees for a banner of any kind. Product, services or contract banners may be used as needed to satisfy contractual or pricing obligations.
(i) 
Garage sale, yard sale, estate sale and lost pet signs.
Garage sale, estate sale, and lost pet signs shall be permitted on private property only. Garage sale and estate sale signs shall be permitted for the period during which any such sale is actually occurring, and lost pet signs shall be permitted for a maximum of seven (7) days. Yard sale, garage sale, and estate sale signs shall not be permitted for permanent businesses. Garage sale and estate sale signs shall be lettered with the name, address, and telephone number of the sale holder. No permit fees.
(j) 
Temporary political signs.
Temporary political signs shall not be counted as permanent business signs. No permit fees.
(k) 
Subdivision signs.
Signs erected at the entrance to or within a subdivision or other development for the purpose of decoration and subdivision or development identification shall be allowed. Signs intended to be permanent shall be limited to two (2) signs per subdivision entrance. Signs that are intended to be temporary shall not exceed sixty-four square feet in area and ten feet in height. Temporary subdivision signs shall be authorized only as long as there is continuous new home building activity in the subdivision and shall be removed within ten (10) days from the cessation of said new home building activity. Only one (1) temporary subdivision sign may be authorized per entrance for each subdivision. Such signs shall be subject to standard sign permit fees.
(l) 
Real estate signs.
Real estate signs shall not exceed thirty-two square feet in area. The off-premises sign section shall not apply to signs advertising property listed for sale by realtors. Permit fees shall not apply to real estate signs advertising property listed for sale by realtors or owners. Standard permit fees shall apply to real estate business signs located at realtor offices.
(m) 
Abandoned signs.
Any sign lawfully erected and maintained that advertised a business which has ceased to occupy the premises is declared to be in violation of this code, and the owner, permittee or property owner shall restore to use or remove the sign within 120 days after notice by the city building official of that violation. If the owner, permittee or property owner fails to restore the sign structure to use or remove the abandoned sign within the specified 120 days, the owner, permittee or property owner that received a permit for the sign shall be deemed to be in violation of this code. This section does not apply to supporting sign structures.
(n) 
Extenuating circumstances.
In unusual circumstances, the mayor and city building official may use their discretion.
(o) 
Permit required.
Any individual, business or contractor must complete an application for permit, pay any permit fees and receive such permit prior to construction, erecting or placing of a sign within the city limits.
(1982 Code, ch. 3, sec. 16(B); Ordinance 266 adopted 3/2/2004; Ordinance 338, sec. B, adopted 3/12/2013; Ordinance adopting 2015 Code)
(a) 
General standards.
(1) 
Supports.
The supports for all signs or sign structures shall be placed in or upon private property and shall be securely built, constructed and erected in conformance with the requirements of the city building code.
(2) 
Materials.
The materials for construction of all signs and sign structures shall be of the quality and grade as specified for buildings consistent with the city fire code.
(3) 
Nonstructural trim and portable display surfaces.
Nonstructural trim and portable display surfaces may be of wood, metal, approved plastics, approved vinyl or any combination consistent with the city fire code.
(4) 
Anchorage.
Members supporting unbraced signs shall be so proportioned that the bearing loads imposed on the soil in either direction, horizontal or vertical, shall not exceed the safe values stated in the safe values section. All ground signs shall be anchored to resist wind action in all directions. Anchors and supports shall be designed for safe bearing loads on the soil and for an effective resistance to pull-out amounting to a force twenty-five percent (25%) greater than the required resistance to overturning.
(5) 
Signs attached to masonry, concrete or steel.
Signs attached to masonry, concrete or steel shall be safely and securely fastened by means of metal anchors, bolts, or approved expansion screws of sufficient size and anchorage to support safely the loads applied.
(6) 
Attachment to unbraced parapet wall.
No anchor or support of any sign will be connected to or supported by an unbraced parapet wall, unless such wall is designed in accordance with the requirements for parapet walls specified in the city building code.
(7) 
Display surfaces.
Display surfaces in all types of signs may be made of metal, wood, glass, vinyl, or approved plastics, unless otherwise prohibited by the city fire code.
(8) 
Size and height.
Size and height of signs shall be determined by the business owner in accordance with the type of business, the size of the building and property, and distance from intended viewers, but shall not obstruct motorists' or pedestrians' view and may not endanger the entrance or exit of any business. See section 3.07.005(c) for limitations.
(b) 
Electrical requirements.
(1) 
All electrical fixtures, equipment and appurtenances installed in conjunction with a sign shall be designed and installed in accordance with the city building code.
(2) 
All electrical signs shall be limited to one hundred fifty watts per bulb for bulbs located in the face of the sign. Signs shall have electrical circuits limited to the normal voltage used in most commercial buildings.
(3) 
No strobe lights of any kind are permissible.
(4) 
Every electric sign shall have affixed thereon an approved Underwriters' Laboratories label, and all wiring connected to such sign shall comply with all provisions of the code of the city relating to electrical installations.
(c) 
General conditions.
Any person, including the owner, lessee or any other person, using private or public property on which to construct or place a sign of any kind shall keep such premises and signs clean, sanitary, inoffensive and free and clear of all obnoxious substances, vulgarity, profanity, pornography and unsightly conditions on the premises of and on said sign. The city building official is hereby empowered to govern all sign premises and signs by this standard.
(d) 
Permit fee.
A flat fee per permanent business sign, as set from time to time by the city council and listed in the fee schedule maintained in the city offices, with existing business signs being grandfathered. This will be effective at the time of passage of this article. This is per sign, not side.
(e) 
Unsafe signs.
If any sign in the opinion of the city building official becomes unsecure or in danger of falling or otherwise unsafe, the city building official shall give written notice of the condition of the sign to the person owning, leasing, or responsible for the sign. The person notified shall correct the unsafe condition of the sign in a manner approved by the city building official and in conformity with the provisions of this code.
(f) 
Unlawful signs.
If a developer installs, erects, constructs, or maintains a sign in violation of any of the terms of this code, the city building official shall give written notice to the owner, lessee or person to alter the sign to comply with this code or to remove the sign.
(1982 Code, ch. 3, sec. 16(C); Ordinance 266 adopted 3/2/2004; Ordinance 338, sec. C, adopted 3/12/2013; Ordinance 371 adopted 10/10/2017; Ordinance 373 adopted 10/10/17; Ordinance 380 adopted 10/9/2018; Ordinance adopting 2026 Code)