ARTICLE XVII: SIGNS

17.10   Purpose:  It is the intent of this ordinance to permit business signs where they are moderate in size and design and consistent with the public safety and the welfare of surrounding areas.

17.20   Permit Required:  Except as otherwise specifically authorized, no sign shall be located, erected, moved, reconstructed, extended, enlarged, or structurally altered within the city until reviewed by the planning commission.  No permit shall be issued for a sign not in conformity with the size, type, number, location and use regulations affecting each zoning district.

17.30   Exceptions:  A permit shall not be required for the following classes of signs:
A.         Class A Signs:  Official traffic control signs, and informational notice erected by federal, state, or local units of government.
            B.         Class B Signs:  On-premise real estate signs, residential identification warning and similar signs not greater than six (6) square feet in area.
            C.         Temporary Signs:  Shall not be erected to stand a period of greater than seventy-two (72) hours.  Political signs must follow state regulations.

17.40   Prohibited Characteristics of Signs:
A.         No sign shall resemble, imitate, or approximate the shape, size, form or color of railroad or traffic signs, signals or devices.
            B.         No sign shall be so located as to interfere with the visibility of effectiveness of any official traffic sign or signal, or with driver vision at any access point or intersection.
            C.         No sign shall be erected, relocated or maintained so as to prevent free ingress or egress from any door, window, or fire escape, and no sign shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.
            D.         No sign shall contain any rotating or moving parts, or be illuminated by flashing light so as to unduly distract the motoring public.
            E.         No sign shall be located on a lot so as to reduce the required dimensional setback and side yard requirements of the district in which it is located.

17.50   Classification of Signs Requiring Permit:
            A.         Class C Signs:  On premise signs which advertise a business activity of service performed on the property.
                                    1.         Type 1:  Signs advertising a permitted home occupation or professional office.  Such signs shall not exceed six (6) square feet in area, and if illuminated shall be indirectly lighted.  No more than one such sign for each use located on the premises shall be permitted.
                        2.         Type 2:  Signs or bulletin boards for public, charitable or religious institutions.  Such signs shall not exceed twelve (12) square feet in area, and no more than one such sign for each highway upon which the property faces shall be permitted.  Such signs may be placed at the right-of-way of the highway.
                        3.         Type 3:  Signs advertising a business activity in a C-1 District or a service available in any other district other than in a C-2 District.  Such signs shall not exceed eighty (80) square feet in area when non-lighted, and if illuminated shall not exceed forty (40) square feet in area.  No sign may project more than six feet beyond a building when attached, thereto, or be higher than four (4) feet above the top roof line.  Free standing signs shall not exceed twenty (20) feet in height from the ground.
                        4.         Type 4:  Temporary signs advertising the sale of farm products produced on the premises.  Such signs shall not exceed twenty (24) square feet in area, and no more than three (3) non-lighted signs advertising produce may be erected within one hundred (100) feet of the stand.
                        5.         Type 5:  Signs in a C-2 District shall require a permit to be issued by the planning commission.
            B.         Class D Signs:  Signs or billboards which advertise a general brand of product, an area of interest, a business activity or service available which is not in direct relation to the use of the premises on which it is located.  Such signs shall not exceed three hundred (300) square feet in area.  Free standing signs shall be erected outside a line parallel to and fifty (50) feet from the highway right-of-way, shall not exceed twenty-six (26) feet in height above the ground or be located within three hundred (300) feet of an existing residence.
C.         Class E Signs: Off premise directory signs in the specific interest of the traveling public which advertise a business activity, an area of interest or a service available at a specific location within 12 air miles of the premises on which it is located.
                        1.         Type 1:  Recreational directory signs indicating the direction to a cottage, resort, residence, or similar use.  Such signs shall not exceed four (4) square feet in area.  When a common posting is provided, all such signs shall be attached thereto.  Recreational directory signs may be placed at the right-of-way line of the highway provided they are not within one hundred (100) feet of an existing residence.  Information on such signs may be of reflective materials.
                        2.         Type 2:  Signs advertising a business or activity, conducted area of interest, or service available.  Such signs shall not exceed twelve (12) square feet in area, and no more than two (2) such signs relating to any one use shall be permitted in the approaching direction along any one highway.  A larger number of signs and a greater distance from the premises may be reviewed by the planning commission by a conditional use/variance permit finding it necessary for directing the traveling public.

17.60   Class and Type of Signs Permitted in Various Zoning Districts:
                        Class and Type of Sign                        Zoning District
                        Class A                                                Any
                        Class B                                                Any
                        Class C, Type 1                                    R-1, R-2, R-3, I-1, I-2
                        Class C, Type 2                                    Any
                        Class C, Type 3                                    I-1, I-2, C-1, C-2
                        Class C, Type 4                                    R-1, C-1, C-2
                        Class C, Type 5                                    C-2 (only)
                        Class D                                                Any
                        Class E, Type 1                                    Any
                        Class and Type of Sign                        Zoning District
            Class E, Type 2                                    Any
                        Temporary                                Any

17.70   Non-Conforming Signs:  Non-conforming signs shall be reviewed by the planning commission and approved by the city council.

17.80   Inactive Signs:  Signs for inactive businesses or organizations must be removed within ninety (90) days.