Chapter 5 · Business Regulations

Article 2. Sign Regulations

Sections 5-201 to 5-210 · 10 sections

5-201 Permit; application.

No sign, except those specifically exempted within this article, shall be constructed, remodeled, enlarged or relocated on any land or structure without obtaining a permit from the Planning and Zoning Board. Application for sign permits shall be in the form of a letter in which the location, size, color and other details of the proposed sign are described and illustrated. Applications for sign permits shall be accompanied by letters, leases or other documented evidence showing that the applicant has permission or other established right to place the sign in the proposed location.

(Ord. 919)

5-202 Non-conforming signs.

Signs not conforming to this regulation which were existing at the time of the adoption of this regulation and were permitted under previously issued sign permits or were a lawful non-conforming use may remain in existence as a lawful on-conforming use provided they are maintained in accordance with the provisions herein.

(Ord. 919)

5-203 Damaged signs.

A lawful non-conforming sign which is damaged by any reason, beyond 50% of its assessed value, shall not be reconstructed until a new sign permit has been applied for and issued.

(Ord. 919)

5-204 Definitions.

For purposes of this article the following terms shall be used to identify and classify various types of signs.

Advertising Sign — a sign which directs attention to a business, product or service sold or offered at a location other than the lot or structure upon which the sign is located.

Bulletin Board Sign — A sign which gives the name of the institution or organization on whose premises it is located and which may include the names of persons associated with the institution or organization and announcements and messages pertaining to activities thereof.

Business Sign — A sign which directs attention to a business or service sold or offered at the location of the lot or structure upon which the sign is located.

Identification Sign — A sign denoting only the name and address of a building or establishment upon whose premises the sign is located or a sign denoting only the name of a neighborhood or development wherein the sign is located.

Nameplate Sign — A sign giving the name and address of the occupant of a building or premise on which it is located.

Real Estate Sign — A sign pertaining to the sale or lease of land or structures on which it is located.

(Ord. 919)

5-205 Condition of signs.

All signs, whether new or existing, shall be kept adequately painted and in good structural repair at all times. The area under and adjacent to a post-mounted sign shall be kept neatly mowed and otherwise maintained. Non-compliance with these requirements may result in remedial action taken by the City.

(Ord. 919)

5-206 Signs interfering with traffic safety.

No sign shall be so located, designed, colored or lighted so as to be confused with or obscured or obstruct any traffic control sign or otherwise tend to confuse or mislead traffic.

(Ord. 919)

5-207 Illuminated signs.

Illuminated signs shall have the light shaded so as to prevent the casting of direct light on any residential property or trafficway. No flashing, rotating or otherwise moving signs and no signs lighted in such a was as to create the illusion of movement, shall be located in any residential district. Any illuminated sign located within 150 feet of an existing dwelling or residential district shall not be lighted between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

(Ord. 919)

5-208 Exemptions.

The following signs shall be exempt from all regulations in this Section:

(a)Flags or emblems of a governmental, civic, philanthropic, educational or religious agency when displayed on private property.

(b)Traffic, regulatory, instructional and safety signs of a governmental agency.

(c)Address numerals and any other sign required by law or governmental regulation.

(d)Information and directional signs not more than 5 square feet in area used to direct the public to entrances, exists, parking lots, restrooms, etc. on private property.

(e)Scoreboards on athletic fields.

(Ord. 919)

5-209 When permit is not required.

The following signs may be erected without obtaining a sign permit but shall comply with all regulations herein:

(a)Nameplate signs not exceeding two (2) square feet in area accessory to single family or two-family dwellings.

(b)Identification signs not exceeding 40 square feet in area accessory to a multiple family dwelling.

(c)Bulletin board signs not exceeding 40 square feet in area accessory to churches, schools or public or non-profit institutions.

(d)Business signs located on land used for agricultural purposes pertaining to the sale of products produced on that land.

(e)Real estate signs and signs pertaining to a structure under construction, all of a temporary nature, located on private property. Maximum sign area shall be 40 square feet.

(Ord. 919)

5-210 Permitted signs.

The following signs are permitted within the district as stated below, subject to all requirements and regulations stated within this article and further subject to all applicable State and Federal regulations and controls:

Residential District:

(1)One sign per lot or dwelling

(2)Bulletin board sign, maximum 40 square feet

(3)Nameplate sign, maximum 8 square feet

(4)Identification sign, maximum 40 square feet

(5)Real estate sign

(6)Temporary construction sign

(7)Minimum setback from any lot line is 15 feet

(8)No sign illumination except indirect lighting of bulletin board signs.

Commercial District:

(1)Two signs per lot or business

(2)Any sign defined herein except Advertising Signs

(3)Sign area shall not exceed one square foot per lineal foot of lot facing street or in shopping center district, 50 square feet

(4)No minimum setback but sign must be located on private property.

Industrial Districts:

(1)Any sign defined herein

(2)No maximum number of signs but a minimum of 400 feet shall be maintained between signs

(3)Minimum setback from any lot line is 15 feet.

Agricultural and Floodplain Districts:

(1)Any sign defined herein

(2)No maximum number of signs but a minimum of 400 feet shall be maintained between signs.

(3)Minimum setback from any lot line or right-of-way line is 15 feet.

Planned Use Development Districts:

All matters pertaining to signs shall be included in and approved as a part of development plan.

(Ord. 919)