§ 202-8. Signs prohibited throughout City.

The following signs are prohibited throughout the City, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this chapter:

A. 

Animated or moving signs: signs that revolve, are animated or that utilize movement or apparent movement to attract attention, except signs indicating the time, date or temperature or barber poles.

B. 

Flashing signs: signs which are illuminated by or in any manner incorporate lights that flash, twinkle, move, or give the appearance of movements.

C. 

Banners, streamers, etc.: exterior banners, pennants, spinners, other than a banner or pennant used as a permitted sign under §§ 202-10 and 202-11.

D. 

String lights: Exterior string lights used in connection with a commercial premises are not permitted other than for holiday decorations.

E. 

Unsafe signs: any sign which is structurally or electrically unsafe or is not kept in good repair such that it has broken parts, missing letters or nonoperational lights.

F. 

Signs on utility poles and landscaping: any sign erected on a utility pole, directional signpost, or tree or any other landscaping which is not erected by the City, county, state or federal government or a public transit agency.

G. 

Signs on closed businesses: any business sign or sign structure now or hereafter existing which advertises a business conducted or a product sold which no longer exists, is no longer sold, or is no longer in business on the premises on which the sign is located. Such sign shall be considered nonconforming and abandoned and shall, within 30 days after such abandonment, be removed by the sign owner, the owner of the property where the sign is located, or other party having control over such sign.

H. 

Portable, nonexempt and nonanchored signs: portable signs, signs that appear to be freestanding but are not permanently anchored or secured to either a building or the ground in compliance with the Building Code, are prohibited, except as otherwise permitted or excepted herefrom.

I. 

Signs on vehicles: signs displayed on vehicles, trailers or containers when the subject vehicle, trailer or container is parked with the sole intent to attract attention to a certain business, service, or commodity either on or off the premises on which the vehicle, trailer or container is located. This does not include for sale signs of the vehicle itself, or logos, names and addresses of companies on the doors or panels of commercial vehicles. It applies to trucks, trailers or containers without the cab or vans left on a premises to advertise a service or product in order to avoid the application of the City's sign ordinance.

J. 

Sign structures without signs: The owner of any sign support structure or frame no longer containing a sign shall, within 30 days of the removal of the message portion of the sign, either replace the entire message portion of the sign or remove the structural components of the sign. This subsection shall not be construed to prevent the changing of the message of the sign or interfere with the sale or change of ownership of the property on which the sign is located. The new sign shall be completed within 30 days of taking down the old message or from the sale of the property.

K. 

Roof-mounted signs: No roof-mounted signs shall be allowed in the City.

L. 

Projecting signs: No projecting signs shall be permitted in the City.

M. 

Public rights-of-way: No sign, temporary or permanent, or any pole or support cable of any nature for any sign, except those established and maintained by the City, county, state or federal governments, shall be located in, project into, or overhang a public right-of-way or dedicated public easement between the edge of the street and the public sidewalk if there is one, unless otherwise authorized in this chapter except for the public right-of-way along Fort Street, which may be available for use with administrative approval.

N. 

Traffic interference. No sign shall be erected or maintained which simulates or imitates in size, color, lettering, or design any traffic sign or signal or in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead, confuse or obstruct the view of or be confused with an authorized traffic signal or device.

O. 

Other. Any signs not expressly permitted in this chapter shall be prohibited.