156.01 PURPOSE.
The purpose of this chapter is to provide that signs shall be safely constructed and kept in a safe condition and that signs shall not be located so as to cause a safety hazard.
Municipal Code
Chapter 156 – Signs
Regulations governing the permitting, construction, maintenance, safety, removal, and dimensional standards for signs within the City, including ground, wall, roof, and projecting signs.
Chapter 156
Signs
Chapter Contents
156.01 Purpose
156.12 Exemptions
156.02 Definitions
156.13 Obstruction to Doors, Windows or Fire Escapes
156.03 Permits Required
156.14 Signs Not to Constitute a Traffic Hazard
156.04 Application for Permit
156.15 Face of Sign
156.05 Permit Issued
156.16 Goose Neck Reflectors
156.06 Permit Fees
156.17 Spotlights and Floodlights Prohibited
156.07 Unsafe and Unlawful Signs
156.18 Ground Signs
156.08 Permit Revocation
156.19 Wall Signs
156.09 Painting Required Every Two Years
156.20 Roof Signs
156.10 Wind Pressure and Dead Load Requirements
156.21 Projecting Signs
156.11 Removal of Certain Signs
156.22 Removal Upon Abandonment of Use
156.02 DEFINITIONS.
For use in this chapter, the following terms are defined:
1. "Erect" means to build, construct, attach, hang, suspend or affix, and also includes the painting of wall signs.
2. "Facing" or "surface" means the surface of the sign upon, against or through which the message is displayed or illustrated on the sign.
3. "Ground sign" as regulated by this chapter means any sign supported by uprights or braces placed upon the ground and not attached to any building.
4. "Illuminated sign" means any sign which has character, letters, figures, designs or outline illuminated by electric lights or luminous tubes as a part of the sign proper.
5. "Incombustible material" means any material which will not ignite at or below a temperature of 1200 degrees Fahrenheit and will not continue to burn or glow at that temperature.
6. "Projecting sign" means any sign which is attached to a building or other structure and extends beyond the line of said building or structure or beyond the surface of that portion of the building or structure to which it is attached. All projecting signs shall be illuminated signs, as defined by this chapter.
7. "Roof sign" means any sign erected, constructed and maintained wholly upon or over the roof of any building with the principal support on the roof structure.
8. "Sign" means and includes every sign, billboard, ground sign, wall sign, roof sign, illuminated sign, projecting sign and temporary sign, and includes any announcement, declaration, demonstration, display, illustration or insignia used to advertise or promote the interests of any person when the same is placed outdoors in view of the general public.
9. "Street line" means the place where the public sidewalk begins and the private property line ends.
10. "Structural trim" means the molding, battens, cappings, nailing strips, latticing and platforms which are attached to the sign structure.
11. "Wall sign" means all flat signs of solid face construction which are placed against a building or other structure and attached to the exterior front, rear or side wall of any building or other structure.
156.03 PERMITS REQUIRED.
It is unlawful for any person to erect, repair, alter, relocate or maintain within the City any sign or other advertising structure as defined in this chapter without first obtaining a permit and making payment of the fee required by Section 156.06.
156.04 APPLICATION FOR PERMIT.
Application for a permit shall be made upon forms provided by the City and shall contain or have attached thereto the following information:
1. Name, address and telephone number of the applicant.
2. Location of building, structure or lot to which or upon which the sign or other advertising structure is to be attached or erected.
3. Position of the sign or other advertising structure in relation to nearby buildings or structures.
4. One blueprint or ink drawing of the plans and specifications and method of construction and attachment to the building or in the ground.
5. Copy of stress sheets and calculations showing the structure is designed for dead load and wind pressure in any direction in the amount required by this chapter and all other ordinances of the City.
6. Name of person erecting the structure.
7. Written consent of the owner of the building, structure or land on which the structure is to be erected.
8. Such other information as is required to show full compliance with this chapter and all other ordinances of the City.
156.05 PERMIT ISSUED.
It is the duty of the Zoning Administrator, upon the filing of an application for a permit, to examine such plans and specifications and other data and the premises upon which it is proposed to erect the sign or other advertising structure, and if it appears that the proposed structure is in compliance with all the requirements of this chapter and all other ordinances of the City, the Zoning Administrator shall then issue the permit. If the work authorized under a permit has not been completed within six (6) months after date of issuance, the permit shall become null and void.
156.06 PERMIT FEES.
Every applicant, before being granted a permit, shall pay to the Clerk the annual permit fee, for each such sign or other advertising structure regulated, of five cents ($.05) per square foot, provided that, in no event shall the minimum fee for each sign be less than one dollar ($1.00).
156.07 UNSAFE AND UNLAWFUL SIGNS.
If the Zoning Administrator finds that any sign or other advertising structure regulated hereunder is unsafe or insecure or is a menace to the public, or has been constructed or erected or is being maintained in violation of the provisions of this chapter, the Zoning Administrator shall give written notice thereof to the permit holder. Such notice shall include a statement explaining the alleged violations and deficiencies, an order to repair or remove said sign, and an explanation of the consequences of failure to comply with said order. If the permit holder fails to remove or alter said sign so as to comply with the order within ten (10) days after such notice, said sign or other advertising structure may be removed or altered to comply by the Zoning Administrator at the expense of the permit holder or owner of the property on which it is located. The permit holder may appeal the order of the Zoning Administrator to the Council, and if such an appeal is on file, the ten-day compliance period shall be extended until ten (10) days following the Council's decision on the matter. If, however, the Zoning Administrator finds that any sign or other advertising structure poses a serious and immediate threat to the health or safety of any person, the Zoning Administrator may order the removal of such sign summarily and without notice to the permit holder. Such an order may be appealed to the Council, and if the Council reverses, it shall order restitution at the City's expense.
156.08 PERMIT REVOCATION.
Any permit holder who fails to comply with a valid order of the Zoning Administrator within the allotted time period, or who fails to pay reasonable removal or repair expenses assessed under the preceding section, shall have the permit as to such sign or signs revoked, and another permit for the erection or maintenance of such sign or signs shall not be issued to said permit holder for a period of one year from the date of revocation.
156.09 PAINTING REQUIRED EVERY TWO YEARS.
The owner of any sign as defined and regulated by this chapter shall be required to have it properly painted at least once every two (2) years, including all parts and supports of the said sign, unless the same are galvanized or otherwise treated to prevent rust.
156.10 WIND PRESSURE AND DEAD LOAD REQUIREMENTS.
All signs and other advertising structures shall be designed and constructed to withstand a wind pressure of not less than forty (40) pounds per square foot of area; and shall be constructed to receive dead loads as required by the City.
156.11 REMOVAL OF CERTAIN SIGNS.
Any sign now or hereafter existing which no longer advertises a bona fide business conducted or a product sold shall be taken down and removed by the owner, agent or person having the beneficial use of the building or structure upon which such sign may be found within ten (10) days after written notification from the Zoning Administrator, and upon failure to comply with such notice within the time specified in such order, the Zoning Administrator is hereby authorized to cause removal of such signs and any expense incident thereto shall be paid by the owner of the building or structure to which such sign is attached.
156.12 EXEMPTIONS.
The provisions and regulations of this chapter shall not apply to the following signs; provided however, said signs shall be subject to the provisions of Section 156.09:
1. Real estate signs not exceeding eight (8) square feet in area which advertise the sale, rental or lease of the premises upon which said signs are located only.
2. Signs painted on the exterior surface of a building or structure; provided, however, if said signs have raised borders, letters, characters, decorations or lighting appliances, they shall be subject to the provisions of Section 156.19 and all applicable provisions of this chapter.
3. Bulletin boards not over eight (8) square feet in area for public, charitable or religious institutions when the same are located on the premises of said institutions.
4. Signs denoting the architect, engineer or contractor when placed upon work under construction and not exceeding sixteen (16) feet in area.
5. Occupational signs denoting only the name and profession of an occupant in a commercial building, public institutional building or dwelling house and not exceeding two (2) square feet in area.
6. Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings and date of erection when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of bronze or other incombustible materials.
7. Traffic or other municipal signs, legal notices, railroad crossing signs, danger and such temporary emergency or non-advertising signs as may be approved by the Council.
156.13 OBSTRUCTION TO DOORS, WINDOWS OR FIRE ESCAPES.
No sign shall be erected, located or maintained so as to prevent free ingress or egress from any door, window or fire escape. No sign of any kind shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.
156.14 SIGNS NOT TO CONSTITUTE A TRAFFIC HAZARD.
No sign or other advertising structure as regulated by this chapter shall be erected at the intersection of any street in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision, or at any location where by reason of the position, shape or color it may interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device; or which makes use of the words "STOP," "LOOK," DRIVE IN," "DANGER" or any other word phrase, symbol or character or be so lighted or lights operated in such manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic. No sign or other advertising structure as regulated by this chapter shall have posts, guides or supports located within the right-of-way of any alley or street.
156.15 FACE OF SIGN.
All signs or other advertising structures which are constructed on street lines, or within five (5) feet thereof, shall have a smooth surface and no nails, tacks or wires shall be permitted to protrude therefrom, except electrical reflectors and devices which may extend over the top and in front of the advertising structures.
156.16 GOOSE NECK REFLECTORS.
Goose neck reflectors and lights shall be permitted on ground signs, roof signs and wall signs; provided, however, the reflectors shall be provided with proper glass lenses concentrating the illumination upon the area of the sign so as to prevent glare upon the street or adjacent property.
156.17 SPOTLIGHTS AND FLOODLIGHTS PROHIBITED.
It is unlawful for any person to maintain any sign which extends over public property which is wholly or partially illuminated by floodlights or spotlights.
156.18 GROUND SIGNS.
1. All ground signs for which a permit is required under this chapter shall have a surface or facing of incombustible material; provided however, combustible structural trim may be used thereon.
2. All letters, figures, characters or representations in cut-out or irregular form, maintained in conjunction with, attached to, or superimposed upon any sign shall be safely and securely built or attached to the sign structure.
3. It is unlawful to erect any ground sign whose total height is greater than twenty (20) feet above the level of the street upon which the sign faces, or above the adjoining ground level, if such ground level is above street level.
4. Ground signs shall have an open space not less than two (2) feet between the base line of said sign and the ground level. This open space may be filled in with a platform or decorative lattice work which does not close off more than one-half of the square footage of such open space. No ground sign shall be nearer than two (2) feet to any other sign, building or structure.
5. No ground sign shall be nearer the street than the building line.
6. All ground signs shall be securely built, constructed and erected upon posts and standards sunk at least three and one-half (3½) feet below the natural surface of the ground, and shall be supported and braced by timbers or metal rods in the rear thereof, extending from the top thereof to a point in the ground at least a distance equal to one-half the height of such sign, measured along the ground, from the posts or standards upon which the same is erected.
7. All posts, anchors and bracing of wood shall be treated to protect them from moisture by creosoting or other approved methods when they rest upon or enter into the ground.
8. All ground signs and the premises surrounding the same shall be maintained by the owner thereof in a clean, sanitary and inoffensive condition, and free and clear of all obnoxious substances, rubbish and weeds.
156.19 WALL SIGNS.
1. All wall signs for which a permit is required under this chapter shall have a surface or facing of incombustible material; provided, however, combustible structural trim may be used thereon.
2. No wall sign shall cover wholly or partially any wall opening or project beyond the ends or top of the wall to which it is attached and any one wall sign shall not exceed an area of five hundred (500) square feet.
3. No wall sign shall be permitted to extend more than six (6) inches beyond the building line, and shall not be attached to a wall at a height of less than ten (10) feet above the sidewalk or ground.
4. All wall signs shall be safely and securely attached to the building wall by means of metal anchors, bolts or expansion screws of not less than 3/8-inch in diameter embedded in said wall at least five (5) inches; provided, however, such signs may rest in or be bolted to strong, heavy, metal brackets or saddles set not over six (6) feet apart, each of which shall be securely fixed to the wall as herein provided. In no case shall any wall sign be secured with wire, strips of wood or nails.
5. All wall signs shall conform to the requirements of Section 156.10 of this chapter.
156.20 ROOF SIGNS.
1. Every roof sign, including the upright supports and braces thereof, shall be constructed entirely of incombustible materials; provided, however, incombustible structural trim may be used thereon.
2. No roof sign shall have a surface or facing exceeding three hundred (300) square feet or have its highest point extended more than twenty (20) feet above the roof level.
3. No roof sign shall be erected or maintained with the face thereof nearer than five (5) feet to the outside wall toward which the sign faces.
4. All roof signs shall have a space at least five (5) feet in height between the base of the sign and the roof level, and have at least five (5) feet clearance between the vertical supports thereof.
5. No roof sign shall be placed on the roof of any building or structure in such manner as to prevent free passage from one part of said roof to another part thereof or interfere with openings in said roof and shall comply with Section 156.14 of this chapter.
6. Every roof sign shall be thoroughly secured to the building by iron or other metal anchors, bolts, supports, rods or braces. When erected upon buildings which are not constructed entirely of fireproof material, the bearing plates of said sign shall bear directly upon masonry walls and intermediate steel columns in the buildings. No roof sign shall be supported or anchored to the wood framework of a building.
7. All roof signs shall conform to the requirements of Section 156.10 of this chapter.
156.21 PROJECTING SIGNS.
1. Every projecting sign, including the frames, braces and supports thereof, shall be designed by a structural engineer or manufacturer, shall be approved by the Zoning Administrator, shall be constructed of incombustible materials, shall be illuminated, and shall be two-faced.
2. The reflectors shall be provided with the proper glass lenses concentrating the illumination upon the area of the sign and preventing glare upon the street or adjacent property, and no floodlight or spotlight or reflectors of the goose neck type shall be permitted on projecting signs.
3. The lettering or advertising designs to be illuminated may be composed of glass or other transparent or semi-transparent incombustible material. Any glass forming a part of any sign shall be safety glass or plate glass at least ¼-inch thick and in case any single piece or pane of glass has an area exceeding three (3) square feet, it shall be wired glass. One section, not exceeding three (3) square feet in area, constructed of wire glass or safety glass shall be permitted on each side of a sign.
4. Any movable part of a projecting sign such as the cover of a service opening shall be securely fastened by chains or hinges.
5. Projecting signs shall be limited in area as follows:
A. Horizontal projecting signs – fifty (50) square feet each side. "Horizontal projecting sign" means any sign which is greater in width than in height.
B. Vertical projecting signs – one hundred (100) square feet each side. "Vertical projecting sign" means any sign which is greater in height than in width.
6. The distance measured between the principal faces of any projecting sign shall not exceed eighteen (18) inches.
7. Every projecting sign shall be placed at least twelve (12) feet above the public sidewalk over which it is erected, and of a distance not greater than two (2) feet nor less than one (1) foot from the face of the wall to which it is attached, measuring from the point of the sign nearest thereto. Every projecting sign erected over public driveways, alleys and thoroughfares shall be placed not less than fifteen (15) feet above the level of same.
8. Every projecting sign shall be erected in full compliance with Sections 156.14 and 156.15 of this chapter.
9. Projecting signs exceeding ten (10) square feet in area or fifty (50) pounds in weight shall not be attached to or supported by frame buildings or the wooden framework of a building. Said signs shall be attached to masonry walls with galvanized expansion bolts at least 3/8-inch in diameter, shall be fixed in the walls by means of bolts extending through the wall, and shall contain proper size metal wash or plate on the inside of the wall.
10. No projecting sign shall be secured with wire, strips of wood or nails, nor shall any projecting sign be hung or secured to any other sign.
11. V-shaped signs, consisting of two (2) single-faced signs erected without a roof or ceiling are not permitted.
156.22 REMOVAL UPON ABANDONMENT OF USE.
It is the responsibility of the owner of the sign to remove such sign when its advertising or other commercial use is abandoned.