§ 53-5. Prohibited signs.
Any sign or attention-attracting device not specifically permitted is prohibited, and any permitted sign is allowed to contain noncommercial speech in lieu of any other speech. Unless otherwise specifically provided in this chapter, prohibited signs and attention-attracting devices include, but are not limited to:
(1)
Snipe signs. Signs or attention-attracting devices attached to trees, shrubs, telephone poles, benches, street lights or placed on any public property or right-of-way, except warning signs issued by public utility companies, signs erected by public authorities for public purposes.
(2)
Portable signs. Portable signs (except sandwich board signs) or attention-attracting devices.
(3)
Signs posing traffic or pedestrian hazards. Any sign that constitutes a traffic hazard or is a detriment to traffic safety by virtue of its size, location, movement, content, coloring or method of illumination. Any sign that obstructs the vision between vehicles and pedestrians using the public right-of-way, including but not limited to those not meeting the visibility requirements of this article. Specifically prohibited are signs or attention-attracting devices using:
a.
Lights or illuminations that flash, move, rotate, scintillate, blink, flicker or vary in intensity or color, except for time/temperature, date, stock market or similar brief informational displays. Electronic message signs may change copy, but the copy shall not flash or blink.
b.
Signs that are of such intensity or brilliance as to cause glare or impair the vision of motorists, cyclists or pedestrians.
c.
Bare bulbs, except for time/temperature devices using bulbs of up to 25 watts.
d.
Words and traffic control symbols so as to interfere with, mislead, confuse traffic, such as "stop," "look," "caution," "slow."
(4)
Abandoned signs. Business signs, attention-attracting devices, or portions thereof, that advertise any activity, business, product or service no longer conducted or available on the premises where the sign is located. Abandoned signs shall be removed within three months after meeting the above definition, and any damage to walls, landscaping or other areas shall be repaired to their original condition.
(5)
Moving signs. Signs with visible moving, revolving or rotating parts or visible mechanical movement of any description or other apparent visible movement achieved by electrical, electronic or mechanical means, or with the optical illusion of movement by means of a design that presents a pattern capable of giving the illusion of motion or changing of copy.
(6)
Roof signs. Roof-mounted signs.
(7)
Off-site sign. Any sign that directs attention to a business, commodity, service, product or activity not conducted, sold, offered or available on the premises where the sign is erected or to which it is affixed.
(8)
Attention-attracting devices. Attention-attracting devices in general, unless otherwise approved under this article.
(9)
Illegal signs. Any sign otherwise prohibited by law.
(10)
Vehicles used as signs. Vehicles used in such a way as to function as a sign, including vehicles, trailers or similar movable structures containing or supporting any signage within 150 feet of the right-of-way line of any public street, except:
a.
Vehicles actively involved in construction on or the serving of the site.
b.
Vehicles delivering products to the site in designated loading areas.
c.
Vehicles parked in designated truck parking areas of business park districts that have been screened from or are not generally visible from the public right-of-way.
d.
Passenger vehicles, pick-up trucks and vans of a size that can fit fully within a standard parking space, containing signs painted on or permanently affixed on the doors or integral side body panels that do not exceed 16 square feet in area.
(Code 1967, § 5-92; Ord. No. 1366, § 1, 9-27-1999; Ord. No. 1492, § 1, 11-22-2004; Ord. No. 1748 , § 2, 4-11-2016)