My HomeTown

Back to full document

Section 12.01

General Regulations – Signs in All Districts

No sign shall be erected or used except in conformity with this Ordinance and only after site plan review and approval by the Zoning Administrator or his/her designee.
No signs or other advertising devices shall be permitted which:
1. Contain statements, words or pictures of any obscene, indecent or immoral character, such as will offend public moral or decency.
2. Contain or imitate any official traffic sign or signal or contain the words: "stop," "go slow," "Caution," "danger," "warning,” or similar words, except for officially issued governmental signs.
3. Are of size, location, movement, content, coloring, or manner of illumination which may be confused with or constructed as a traffic control device or which hide from view any traffic or street sign or signal, except for official governmental signs.
4. Turn, revolve or have moving parts, have flashing lights, have exposed illumination, or are portable in nature; provided however, that permanent electronic changeable copy signs are permitted provided they meet the requirements of this ordinance and do not change displays more frequently than once every twenty (20) seconds. The electronic elements shall be of an intensity that the brightness and motion shall not adversely affect surrounding or facing premises, nor adversely affect safe vision of pedestrians or operators of vehicles on public or private streets, driveways or parking areas.
5. Are not maintained in good condition and repair and kept clear and free from obnoxious and offensive substances, weed, rubbish, and flammable materials at all times.
6. Project into a public right-of -way or easement, constitute a traffic hazard or a detriment to traffic safety by obstructing the vision of drivers necessary to safely operate a vehicle or by reflecting light so as to be a safety hazard to drivers.
7. Exceed Twenty (20) feet above grade in height.
8. Are located within the public right-of-way, except for:
  1. signs erected by or on behalf of a governmental agency post legal notices, identify public property, convey public information, and direct or regulate traffic;
  2. bus signs erected by a public transit company;
  3. informational signs of a public utility regarding poles, lines, pipes, or facilities; and

4) emergency warning signs created and installed by a governmental agency or other entity authorized to do work in the public right-of-way. 3. The owner of any property on which any sign is placed and the person or entity maintaining the sign shall be equally responsible for the condition of the sign and the area in the vicinity thereof.