A. Purpose
The use of signs to identify uses, advertise business and
provide general orientation in the City is a recognized
need and right of property owners within appropriately zoned
districts. It is the purpose of this Section to provide
a balanced system of signage to facilitate communication
between people and their environment and to avoid visual
clutter that is potentially harmful to traffic safety, property
values, community appearance and the economic vitality of
the city.
B. Prohibited Signs
The following signs are prohibited in all districts:
1. Flashing Signs
2. Strings of pennants, propellers, pinwheels, streamers,
balloons, and similar small objects except as temporary
signs.
3. Signs imitating or resembling official traffic or government
signs or signals.
4. Signs attached to trees, rocks or natural formations
or public property including but not limited to utility
poles, benches, trash containers and parking meters, except
as specifically authorized by the City.
5. All signs not specifically identified within this Zoning
Ordinance.
6.
Any sign which for ninety (90) consecutive days has directed
attention to a product, place, activity, person, institution,
or business which is no longer in operation.
7. Roof-mounted signs
8.
Inflatable Displays (as amended per Ordinance No. 4431
on July 23, 1999)
9. Animated message boards, (as amended per Ordinance
No. 4462 on January 13, 2000)
10.
Signs that contain moving parts, including signs that
spin or rotate. (as amended per Ordinance No. 4462 on
January 13, 2000)
11.
All signage located in the public right-of-way excepting
public information, directional, emergency, and traffic
signs as approved by the City Engineer or his/her duly
authorized agent. (as amended per Ordinance No. 4683 July
10, 2002)
C.
Illumination of Signs
1.
Sign illumination shall be designed and placed to not
cause glare which may result in traffic hazards or which
may interfere with the customary use of nearby residences
in accordance with Section 26.6 of this Ordinance.
2.
In residential districts, only nameplates and bulletin
boards may be illuminated. In non-residential districts,
all signs may be illuminated provided they meet the other
provisions established in this Ordinance.
3.
The following restrictions shall apply to signs located
in, adjacent to or across a street or alley from a residential
zoning district:
No
commercial or industrial sign shall be illuminated between
the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. except for:
a.
Those businesses open to the public during that time,
in which case, illumination shall cease upon closing.
b. Apartment complex, subdivision and mobile home park
signs.
c. Signs for hospitals and emergency health care facilities.
d.
Off-premise signs may be illuminated except between
the hours of 12:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.
(as
amended per Ordinance No. 4542 dated December 4, 2000)
D.
General Location Standards
1.
All on-premise signs, except wall, marquee and awning
signs, shall be located no closer than five (5) feet from
any right-of-way.
2.
Signs shall be erected so as not to obstruct sight lines
along any right-of-way or so as to obstruct sight lines
to traffic control lights, street name signs at intersections,
or signals at railroad grade crossings.
RIGHT-OF-WAY
Land
which is subject to use by the general public for general
transportation purposes or conveyance of utilities including
but not limited to streets, alleys, boulevards, highways,
roads and other easements, whether or not in fact improved
or actually used for such purposes.
(This
will include grassy areas adjacent to the pavement up to
the property owner's property line.)
Signage
must be placed on property owned by the resident, not the
City.
