§ 44-355. Exempted signs.

The following types of signs are exempted from all provisions of this chapter, except for construction and safety regulations and the following standards:

(1)

Signs of a noncommercial nature and in the public interest, erected by, or on the order of a public officer in the performance of a public duty, such as directional signs, regulatory signs, warning signs, and informational signs including electronic message signs (LED) used for right-of-way or public utility improvements.

(2)

Names of brands, manufacture's labels and logos, date of erection, monument citations, commemorative tablets, and the like, when carved into stone, concrete, metal, or similar material or made of permanent type construction and made an integral part of the structure.

(3)

Historic signs designating sites recognized by the state historical commission or local government body or agency.

(4)

Signs directing traffic on private property, but bearing no advertising matter except logos not exceeding one square foot in area.

(5)

Signs displayed for the direction or convenience of the public, including signs which identify restrooms, location of public telephones, public entrances, freight entrances, or the like, with a total surface area not to exceed six square feet per sign on any lot or parcel.

(6)

Yard sale signs, provided that no person shall in any way attach posters, notices or advertisements to utility poles, meter posts, or trees in or along any street right-of-way within the city, and that no person shall put up any notice upon any building, wall or fence or other property of another person without having first obtained the consent of the owner of such property. The maximum time limit for all yard sale signs is three consecutive days.

(7)

Gasoline price signs; provided the total sign area is less than five square feet. These signs may include light-emitting diode (LED) signs subject to section 44-362

(8)

At gasoline stations, corporate identification signs of less than ten square feet each, attached directly to a canopy providing coverage to pump islands.

(9)

Wall murals and similar graphics containing no direct advertisement, subject to the review and approval of the planning commission.

(10)

Real estate signs advertising the single parcel of land on which the sign is located, provided such signs are smaller than nine square feet for residential sales and 32 square feet for commercial sales.

(11)

Home security signs and welcome signs not exceeding two square feet in area.

(12)

In all districts, one sign for each public street frontage advertising a recorded subdivision or development shall be permitted. Each sign shall not exceed 25 square feet in area. Each sign shall be removed within one year after the sale of 70 percent of all lots or units within said subdivision or development.

(13)

Temporary signs announcing any public, charitable, educational or religious event or function, located entirely within private premises as approved by the zoning administrator, shall be permitted. Maximum sign area for all signs shall not exceed 25 square feet. Signs advertising not more than two events per year shall be allowed for a period not to exceed 14 consecutive days for each event. If building mounted, signs shall be flat wall signs and shall not exceed six feet in height. Signs shall be set back a minimum of one-half the front yard requirements as measured from the street right-of-way line.

(14)

Portable signs are permitted in WF, HSC, LI and I districts for a period not to exceed 14 consecutive days and not more than two times in any calendar year. Maximum sign area shall not exceed 25 square feet. Such signs and objects shall not obstruct pedestrian or vehicular view.

(15)

Political campaign signs announcing candidates seeking public political office and other data pertinent thereto, providing that these signs shall be removed within 24 hours after the date of the election for which they were posted, and shall not exceed nine square feet in area.

(16)

One "for rent" or "vacancy" sign may be placed on each public street frontage of a rental residential development, provided that such sign shall not exceed nine square feet in area and is incorporated into the identification sign. Signs shall be located behind the right-of-way line of any public street.

(17)

One unlighted nameplate identifying the name of the occupant, not to exceed two square feet in area. The sign shall be attached flat against the front wall of the building.

(18)

Drive-through restaurant menu boards, not to exceed 48 square feet in area or 8½ feet in height.

(19)

Temporary electronic message sign/LED announcing any public, charitable, educational or religious event or function, located entirely within private premises as approved by the zoning administrator shall be permitted. Maximum sign areas for all signs shall not exceed 25 square feet. Signs advertising not more than two events per year shall be allowed for a period not to exceed 14 consecutive days for each event.

(Code 1992, § 24-343; Ord. No. 304, § 1003, 6-2-2003; Ord. No. 313, 7-5-2005; Ord. No. 317, 2-4-2008; Ord. No. 321, 8-17-2009)