The signs listed below in this division shall be erected and maintained under the conditions and exceptions listed in the following sections.
(Ordinance 1002, sec. 14-8-1, adopted 3/15/11)
(a)
Residential property.
Permission is granted to owners or occupants for the erection of non-illuminated real or personal property sale signs to be erected in the required front yard of platted property zoned AG, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5 and MF until the ownership has been transferred. On lots where a sidewalk exists within the street right-of-way, signs shall be located between the sidewalk and the house but no closer than three (3) feet from the sidewalk. On lots where no sidewalk exists within the street right-of-way, the sign shall be located at least fifteen (15) feet from the edge of the street (not in the right-of-way). Lots that abut streets where sidewalks exist shall locate the signs no closer than fifteen (15) feet to any street curb line. Lots shall be limited to three (3) such real or personal property signs not exceeding six (6) square feet each. No permit or permit fee is required.
(b)
Business property.
Permission is granted to owners or occupants of business zoned property for the erection of non-illuminated real estate sale signs until the ownership has been transferred. Such signs shall not exceed six (6) square feet and shall be located no closer than fifteen (15) feet from any property line. No more than one (1) sign shall be located for every 2 acres in a tract of land or portion thereof. No permit or permit fee is required.
(c)
Political signs.
Political signs shall conform to the following requirements. Political signs may be erected at dwelling premises with no limitation as to their number. On lots where a sidewalk exists within the street right-of-way, the sign shall be located at least fifteen (15) feet from the edge of the street (not in the right-of-way). Signs must be removed within ten (10) days of the completion of the election. Political signs that are located on a dwelling premises shall not exceed thirty-six (36) square feet in effective area per side. No permit or permit fee is required for these signs.
(Ordinance 1002, sec. 14-8-2, adopted 3/15/11)
(a)
Sale of land.
Temporary signs advertising the sale of the land upon which the sign is located may be erected on tracts of land fronting Interstate 45, provided that the area of the property is a minimum size of two (2) acres. Such signs (which may be two-sided) shall not exceed two hundred (200) square feet in effective area and shall be limited to one sign per tract. Permits allowing such signs shall be limited to a period of one year from the date that the permit is issued. Businesses or properties will not be eligible to erect signs under this section once 75% of the property has been rented or leased. Signs allowed under this subsection shall be deemed a privilege of ownership and the right to erect any such signs shall be in the owner rather than any particular sales agent. Authorization by the owner to an agent, to erect such a sign, shall be dated and signed by the owner. Signs erected under the provisions of this subsection shall be located a minimum of fifteen feet from all property lines.
(b)
Subdivision identification signs.
Permission is granted to property owners of property zoned R-1, R-2, R-3, and R-4 for the erection of signs to identify new subdivisions, developers and builders, as well as builders’ phone numbers and new home price information. Only one sign per subdivision is allowed and such signs shall not exceed 36 square feet in effective area. Signs allowed under this subsection shall be deemed a privilege of ownership and the right to erect any such sign shall be with the owner rather than any particular sales agent. Signs erected under the provisions of this subsection shall be located a minimum of 15 feet from all property lines. Height of such signs shall be limited to 15 feet. Permits allowing such signs shall be issued for a period of one year from the date of permit issuance subject to renewal upon approval of the city secretary. These signs must be removed by the time 75% of the subdivision is permitted.
(Ordinance 1002, sec. 14-8-3, adopted 3/15/11)
Permission is granted to builders and developers to erect one (1) temporary construction sign, except on property zoned R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, [or] MF, designed to identify contractors, financiers, architects, engineers, or to advertise the coming of a new business on the premises [where] the sign is located. Such signs shall not be erected prior to the issuance of a building or utility construction permit for the property the sign pertains to. The sign must be removed prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy, final inspection or letter of acceptance of the utility construction work from the city. Such signs shall conform to the following provisions:
(1)
Maximum size: 100 square feet.
(2)
Maximum height: 15 feet.
(3)
Setback: 15 feet from the street right-of-way.
(Ordinance 1002, sec. 14-8-4, adopted 3/15/11)
Permission is granted to developers and homeowners’ associations to erect subdivision signs. Subdivision signs must either be detached monument signs or attached signs placed on a screening or a decorative wall at the entry to the subdivision. Subdivision signs must be approved by the city council. The effective area of subdivision signs shall be limited to thirty-six (36) square feet. The effective area of subdivision signs shall be calculated by drawing the largest possible rectangle around the entire message of words including artistic designs and logos. Subdivision signs that are placed in the median are exempt from section 4.06.063(11).
(Ordinance 1002, sec. 14-8-5, adopted 3/15/11)
Builders, developers and real estate agents are granted permission to erect temporary off-premises signs as outlined below:
(1)
Subdivisions.
Builders and developers may erect temporary off-premises signs which refer to a subdivision only. A subdivision shall be defined as a tract of land platted by the city that is zoned R-1, R-2, R-3, and R-4. Separate sections or phases of a subdivision shall not constitute a new and separate subdivision. Such signs shall not list or refer to any individual or group of builders or developers and shall be erected only between the hours of 12:00 noon Friday and 12:00 noon Monday. Such signs shall not exceed six (6) square feet in effective area and may be placed in the city right-of-way provided that they do not project out over the street or sidewalk. No sign shall be allowed to be placed within any street median. No more than ten (10) such signs per subdivision may be placed within the city and shall refer only to subdivisions that are located within the city. No permit or permit fee is required.
(2)
Open house real estate signs.
Real estate agents may erect temporary off-premises signs which refer to open houses and the listing agency. Such signs shall be erected only between the hours of 12:00 noon Friday and 12:00 noon Monday and shall contain the words “Open House.” Signs shall not exceed six (6) square feet in effective area and may be placed within the city right-of-way provided that they do not project out over a street or sidewalk. No sign will be allowed within any street median. Signs are to refer only to real property that is located within the city. No permit or permit fee is required.
(3)
Real estate companies to be notified of changes in regulations.
If any change is made to this section the city secretary will notify the real estate companies that have current listings in the city.
(Ordinance 1002, sec. 14-8-6, adopted 3/15/11; Ordinance adopting 2023 Code)
Temporary lights and holiday decorations shall be exempt from the terms of this code. All temporary holiday decorations must be removed within 30 days of the holiday.
(Ordinance 1002, sec. 14-8-7, adopted 3/15/11)
Contractors may advertise their work at a customer’s premises with the property owner’s approval. The contractor should obtain a sign permit when the building permit is requested. A single sign may be placed at the building permit location during construction and for thirty (30) days after completion of construction.
(Ordinance 1003 adopted 4/19/11)