§ 28-260. Prohibited signs.

Unless otherwise permitted by this chapter, it shall be unlawful for any person to erect, structurally alter, restore, or relocate any of the following signs:

(a)

A sign which copies or imitates or in any way approximates an official highway sign or any word phrase, symbol or character in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic; any sign which obscures a sign displayed by a public authority for the purpose of giving traffic instruction or direction or other public information; or any sign that is erected in such a manner as to interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with an authorized traffic sign, signal or device.

(b)

Any sign that has been unlawfully erected, structurally altered, or relocated in violation of any of the provisions of this chapter or of any other chapter of the City Code shall be prohibited and removed in accordance with the provisions of section 28-130.

(c)

A sign which displays flashing or intermittent lights or lights of changing degrees of intensity, or a sign that moves either by mechanical means or reaction to air currents, other than as noted in this chapter.

(d)

A sign that obstructs any window or door opening used as a means of egress or a sign that interferes with an opening required for legal ventilation.

(e)

A sign or illumination that causes any direct glare into or upon any building other than the building to which the sign is accessory.

(f)

Off-premises signs and billboards, except as otherwise specified in this chapter.

(g)

Swinging signs, except in the C-3 District.

(h)

Abandoned signs (see section 28-5).

(1)

Any text or images displayed upon the face(s) of an abandoned sign must be removed or replaced with blank faces.

(2)

Abandoned nonconforming signs, including the structure, shall be removed immediately.

(3)

The zoning administrator shall require the removal of other abandoned signs which have fallen into disrepair.

(i)

Signs which contain statements, words, or pictures of an obscene or pornographic nature.

(j)

Signs which emit audible sound.

(k)

Exterior string lights including rope lights, fiber optics or other similar types of lights intended to draw attention to a sign.

(l)

Non-regulatory signs (e.g., posters, notices, advertisements, etc.) placed in any public right-of-way, attached to a utility pole, meter posts or affixed to a tree in or along any street right-of-way within the city.

(m)

Portable signs, as defined, unless otherwise provided for in this chapter.

(n)

Signs affixed to a parked vehicle or truck trailer which is being used principally for advertising purposes and parked in a location that is selected for that purpose (e.g., a vehicle parked close to a street in a large commercial parking lot, etc.).

(o)

Banners, balloons, pennants, festoons, spinners, or streamers, unless specifically permitted in this chapter.

(p)

Inflatables.

(q)

Roof signs.

(r)

Shingled roof signs.

(s)

Any sign which:

(1)

Is structurally unsafe;

(2)

Is constructed of a material that is determined by the permit issuing authority to be temporary in nature or a weak material such as oriented strand board (OSB), tarp, canvas, large balloon, banner, or plastic;

(3)

Constitutes a hazard to safety or health by reason of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, or abandonment;

(4)

Constitutes a hazard to safety or health by reason of blocking views;

(5)

Is capable of causing electric shock to a person who comes in contact with it;

(6)

Is located in public street or utility right-of-way, except where expressly permitted herein; or

(7)

Is not kept in good repair, such that it has broken or missing parts, missing letters or panels, or nonoperational lights.

(8)

Is attached to a tree or other vegetation.

(Ord. No. 2016.07, § 2, 3-29-16)