Division 26. Sign Ordinance.

Section 26.20. Adoption of zoning regulations.

The boundaries of the various districts shown upon the official zoning map and the regulations of the comprehensive zoning ordinance contained in Land Development Code, governing the use of land and buildings and other matters set forth therein are made part of this division. Except as provided in this division, no sign shall be erected, enlarged, reconstructed or structurally altered which does not comply with all the district regulations established by this division for the zoning district in which it is located.

Section 26.21. Freestanding signs.

(a) Freestanding signs shall be set back at least two feet from any property line.

(b) Freestanding signs shall have a minimum sight clearance from three feet above grade to seven feet above grade when located within ten feet of a public right-of-way.

(c) Freestanding signs shall not be permitted within any required side yard adjacent to property in an RU-1, RU-2, RLM-1 or RLM-2 district or within a required front yard established for protection of a right-of-way corridor.

(d) Freestanding signs shall not be located within any visibility triangle established for the intersections of public streets or the intersections of driveways providing ingress and egress from a property to a public street.

Section 26.22. Setback measurement.

Required setbacks for signs in all zoning districts shall be measured from the property line to the nearest part of the sign.

Section 26.23. Double-faced signs.

Double-faced signs shall be permitted in all zoning districts, provided the signs are designed and constructed such that the two sign faces are back to back and directionally oriented 180 degrees from each other. The maximum sign area allowed shall be permitted for each sign face.

Section 26.24. Illumination.

The following conditions and restrictions shall apply to illuminated signs: Except as hereinafter provided in this section, illuminated signs, or illumination in show windows, display windows, in or upon any building shall have the source of light concealed from view from the exterior of the building or structure, except that where channel letters or figures are used for any sign the illumination thereof may be visible if recessed within the depth of the channel.

Illuminated signs are subject to the following maximum illumination intensity levels:

Illuminated signs located within five hundred (500) feet of a residential zone, and which are visible from such residential zone shall be turned off not later than 11:00 p.m. each night. No intermittent or flashing illumination will be permitted.

Section 26.25. Time and temperature signs.

Time and temperature signs may be utilized as part of an otherwise allowed freestanding or attached sign in RFM and CG-1 zoning districts; otherwise they are prohibited.

Section 26.26. All districts.

The regulations in this division apply in every zoning district in the city, except where otherwise specified or indicated. Sign permits are not required for signs and sign-types described and identified in this section, below.

(a) Street address signs. For each parcel within the city, one street address sign may be displayed. For parcels in residential use, the street address sign shall not exceed two square feet in sign area. For each parcel in non-residential use, the street address sign shall not exceed six square feet in sign area.

(b) Nameplate signs or occupant identification signs. For each residence, business or other occupancy within the city, one nameplate sign may be displayed. For residences the nameplate or occupant identification signs shall not exceed two square feet in sign area. For any non-residential use, the nameplate or occupant identification sign shall not exceed six square feet in sign area.

(c) Noncommercial onsite directional signs. Noncommercial onsite directional signs, not exceeding four square feet in sign area, shall be allowed on each parcel within the city.

(d) Noncommercial onsite parking space signs. Noncommercial onsite parking space number signs, not exceeding one square foot of sign face per sign, shall be allowed on each parcel in noncommercial use having multiple parking spaces onsite. One such sign shall be allowed for each parking space.

(e) Noncommercial onsite marina slip number signs. Noncommercial onsite marina slip number signs, not exceeding one square foot of sign face per sign, shall be allowed for each marina having marina slips. One such sign shall be allowed for each marina slip.

(f) Free expression signs. For each parcel within the city and for each residential unit within a multifamily residence, one free expression sign not exceeding three square feet in sign area may be displayed. The free expression sign may be displayed as an attached sign or as a freestanding sign; if displayed as a freestanding sign, the free standing sign shall not exceed three feet in height. A free expression sign is in addition to any other sign permitted under this Code and is permitted in any zoning district. Only one such sign shall be permitted on each such parcel or each residential unit. The sign must be located within six feet of a building located on the lot or parcel; or if there is no building on the lot or parcel, the sign must be located at least 15 feet from any street.

(g) Election signs. For each parcel within the city, one election sign for each candidate and each issue may be displayed. An election sign may be displayed as an attached sign or as a freestanding sign. On parcels that are in residential use, the election sign shall not exceed three square feet in sign area; and, if the election sign is displayed as a freestanding sign on the parcel, the election sign shall not exceed three feet in height. On parcels that are in non-residential use, the election sign shall not exceed 12 square feet in sign area; and, if the election sign is displayed as a freestanding sign on the parcel, the election sign shall not exceed six feet in height. Freestanding election signs shall be set back at least three feet behind the sidewalk or, if there is no sidewalk, 10 feet from the edge of pavement. An election sign shall be removed within seven calendar days following the election to which it pertains.

(h) Artwork. Artwork is allowed in all districts.

(i) Flagpoles. One flagpole is allowed for each parcel in the city. Flagpoles in residential districts shall not exceed twenty feet in height, and flagpoles in nonresidential districts shall not exceed thirty feet in height.

(j) Flags. For each detached dwelling unit in a residential district, one flag not greater than fifteen square feet in sign area may be displayed. For each parcel in a multi-family residential district and in a non-residential district, three flags not greater than twenty-four square feet in sign area (each) may be displayed.

(k) Warning signs and safety signs. Warning signs and safety signs, not exceeding four square feet in sign area, shall be allowed in all districts.

(l) Machinery and equipment signs. Machinery and equipment signs shall be allowed in all districts.

(m) Construction signs. One construction sign shall be allowed on each parcel within the city. Construction signs shall not exceed three square feet in sign area for residential properties, and sixteen square feet in sign area for nonresidential properties.

(n) Real estate signs.For each parcel within the city, one real estate sign may be displayed on each parcel of land or part thereof that is for sale, lease, or rent; however, when more than one dwelling unit or non-residential space on a parcel of land is for sale, lease, or rent, there may be one real estate sign for each such unit or space. Real estate signs shall not exceed three square feet in sign area for residential properties, and sixteen square feet in sign area for nonresidential properties. The real estate sign shall be removed immediately upon the sale, lease or rent of the real estate that was offered for sale, lease, or rent.

(o) Temporary garage-yard sale signs. For each parcel with a lawful residential use, one temporary garage-yard sale sign may be displayed. A temporary garage-yard sale sign shall not exceed four square feet in sign area. A temporary garage-yard sale sign may not be displayed for a period longer than two days during any calendar month and shall be removed upon the conclusion of the sale.

(p) Temporary grand opening signs.For each new business or business name change, one temporary grand opening sign shall be permitted for thirty days after the issuance of an occupational license for the new business or the business name change. A temporary grand opening sign shall not exceed twelve square feet in sign area. A temporary grand opening sign may be a temporary covering, such as a toaster cover, sign boot, or sign sock, which covers an existing permitted attached or freestanding sign.

(q) Temporary window signs. For each parcel within the city, one or more temporary window signs may be displayed. On parcels that are in residential use, the temporary window sign(s) shall not exceed an aggregate of three square feet in sign area. On parcels that are in non-residential use, the temporary window sign(s) shall not exceed an aggregate of more than twenty-five percent of any window surface.

(r) Temporary holiday and seasonal decorations. Temporary holiday and seasonal decorations shall be allowed in all districts.

(s) Temporary valet parking station signs. One temporary valet parking station sign no more than four square feet in sign area shall be allowed on each parcel. The temporary valet parking station sign shall only be visible during hours that the valet is operating.

(t) Bus stop information signs. Bus stop informational signs up to three square feet in area shall be allowed in all districts.