The following signs are permitted in all zones of the city, provided that such signs are otherwise not prohibited or regulated by other ordinances of the city:
(a) 
All signs not requiring permits as provided in section 130-60.
(b) 
One construction sign for each street frontage of a construction project, not to exceed 24 square feet in sign area in residential zones or 64 square feet in sign area in all other zones. Such signs may be erected 30 days prior to beginning of construction and shall be removed 15 days following completion of construction.
(c) 
One nonilluminated real estate sign per lot per street frontage, not to exceed 32 square feet in sign area. Such signs must be removed 15 days following sale, rental or lease.
(d) 
Political candidate signs, provided that, except for exempt political signs, such signs shall not be erected earlier than the first day upon which a person may file to become a candidate for office or the day that the election is called by the authority holding the election, whichever is earlier, and shall be removed seven days following such election or referendum.
(e) 
Political issue signs, provided that, except for exempt political signs, such signs shall not be erected before the date on which the authority holding the referendum elections calls the referendum election, and shall be removed seven days following such election on the referendum.
(f) 
One directional/information sign per entrance or exit to a structure or building, not to exceed eight square feet in sign area or eight feet in height.
(g) 
One development sign for each street frontage of a development site not to exceed 32 square feet in sign area in residential zones or 450 square feet in sign area in all other zones. Such signs must be removed upon completion of the development.
(h) 
One identification sign per entrance not to exceed ten feet in height and 70 square feet in sign area in residential zones or 150 square feet in sign area in all other zones.
(i) 
Sign benches shall be allowed at bus stop locations designated by the city through license agreements.
(1966 Code, § 25½-55; Ordinance 1997-107, § VI, adopted 11/24/1997; Ordinance 2000-65, § II, adopted 8/14/2000; Ordinance 2004-15, § 4, adopted 2/9/2004)
For the purposes of this article, the reference to zoning districts, residential zoning district, neighborhood commercial zones, etc., shall have the meaning contained in and shall refer to the city zoning ordinance and the zoning map of the city, as amended. No person may erect and maintain any type of sign in any zone unless expressly authorized under this article.
(1966 Code, § 25½-56)
(a) 
The following signs are permitted in all single-family and multifamily zoning districts:
(1) 
All signs as permitted in section 130-106.
(2) 
For permitted and otherwise lawful nonresidential uses, including churches and synagogues, one freestanding sign, not to exceed 48 square feet in sign area.
(3) 
One subdivision identification sign per entrance per neighborhood, subdivision or development, not to exceed 16 square feet in sign area. One identification sign per entrance per apartment or condominium complex, not to exceed 16 square feet in sign area.
(b) 
Special regulations for residential zones are as follows: All allowed freestanding signs shall have a maximum height limit of 15 feet and shall have a setback of zero feet from the property line or ten feet from the back of curb, whichever is greater.
(1966 Code, § 25½-57)
The following signs are permitted in neighborhood commercial and office building zoning districts:
(a) 
All signs as permitted in sections 130-106 and 130-108.
(b) 
One freestanding sign per premises; provided that an additional sign shall be permitted for each 150 feet of frontage for a premises, not to exceed two square feet in sign area for each linear foot of primary street frontage, up to a maximum of 200 square feet. Such signs may not exceed a height of 35 feet.
(c) 
One under-canopy sign per occupancy, not to exceed eight square feet in sign area.
(d) 
One projection or flag mount not to exceed the top edge of the building and two square feet in sign area for each linear foot of an occupancy's building frontage, up to a maximum of 200 square feet.
(e) 
(Reserved)
(1966 Code, § 25½-58; Ordinance 1997-107, § VII, adopted 11/24/1997; Ordinance 2001-14, § 4, adopted 2/13/2001)
The following signs are permitted in general business and industrial zoning districts:
(a) 
All signs as permitted in sections 130-106, 130-108 and 130-109.
(b) 
One freestanding sign per premises; provided that an additional sign shall be permitted for each 150 feet of frontage for a premises, not to exceed three square feet in sign area for each linear foot of primary street frontage up to a maximum of 300 square feet. Such signs shall not exceed a height of 35 feet, except where such signs are within 600 feet of Expressway 83, they may have a maximum height of 80 feet.
(c) 
Wall signs.
(d) 
One awning sign per occupancy.
(e) 
One under-canopy sign per occupancy, not to exceed eight square feet in sign area.
(f) 
One projection or flag mount not to exceed the height of the top edge of the building and two square feet in sign area for each linear foot of an occupancy's building frontage, up to a maximum of 200 square feet.
(g) 
Changeable electronic variable message signs ("CEVMS").
(1) 
Time.
A sign permit is required. A sign permit shall not be issued to erect, install or place a CEVMS sign on a property until after the issuance of a building permit for a building on the property.
(2) 
Place.
CEVMS signs shall be permitted only along minor arterials or greater as designated in the city's thoroughfare plan, as it currently exists or as may be amended.
(3) 
Manner.
The maximum brightness of a CEVMS shall not exceed 5,000 candelas per square meter during daylight hours and 500 candelas per square meter) between dusk to dawn. The sign must have an automatic dimmer control which produces a distinct illumination change from a higher allowed illumination level to a lower allowed level for the time period between one-half hour before sunset and one-half hour after sunrise. User must submit documentation of this capability and compliance with sign permit application.
a. 
CEVMS colors shall not include the red, yellow or green color spectrum used for traffic control devices. No CEVMS signs may be of such intensity or brilliance as to interfere with the effectiveness of an official traffic sign, device or signal. CEVMS signs shall not produce glare or other lighting nuisances.
b. 
CEVMS shall not display a message or picture that scrolls, fades, blinks, bursts, flashes, travels, or by any other means that does not provide constant illumination. Every message or picture display must remain static for a minimum of eight seconds and must accomplish a change in display within two seconds or less.
c. 
All approved CEVMS signs shall be made available for usage for Amber Alerts and other emergency community notifications as deemed necessary by the chief of police or emergency management coordinator.
(h) 
(Reserved)
(1966 Code, § 25½-59; Ordinance 1998-08, § I, adopted 1/12/1998; Ordinance 2001-14, § 4, adopted 2/13/2001; Ordinance 2009-77, § I, adopted 11/23/2009)
The following signs are permitted in agricultural zoning districts:
(a) 
(Reserved)
(b) 
One freestanding sign per premises; provided that an additional sign shall be permitted for each 600 feet of street frontage for a premises, not to exceed three square feet in sign area for each linear foot of primary street frontage up to a maximum of 300 square feet. Such signs shall not exceed a height of 35 feet except within 600 feet of the expressway, where the maximum height shall be 80 feet.
(c) 
Wall signs.
(d) 
Of those portable signs granted nonconforming status, only one portable sign per occupancy per street frontage. Such signs must have a minimum setback of one foot from the property line or ten feet from the back of the curb or pavement, whichever is greater.
(e) 
One projection or flag mount not to exceed the height of the top edge of the building and two square feet in sign area for each linear foot of an occupancy's building frontage, up to a maximum of 200 square feet.
(f) 
Accessory signs as required, not to exceed 32 square feet in sign area. Such signs shall not exceed a height of ten feet. Accessory signs shall have a minimum setback of ten feet from the property line or 20 feet from the back of the curb, whichever is greater.
(1966 Code, § 25½-60; Ordinance 1997-107, § VIII, adopted 11/24/1997; Ordinance 2001-14, § 4, adopted 2/13/2001)
The following special regulations and allowances shall apply in neighborhood commercial, office, commercial, industrial and agricultural zoning districts:
(a) 
Freestanding signs shall have a setback of zero feet from the property line or ten feet from the back of the curb, whichever is greater.
(b) 
Where a premises is on a corner or has more than one street frontage, one additional freestanding sign will be allowed on the additional frontage, not to exceed the size of the allowed freestanding sign on the primary street frontage.
(1966 Code, § 25½-61)