§ 25.5-2. Applicability—Effect.

All signs shall be subject to the regulations provided herein except where otherwise provided for in this chapter or other ordinances pertaining to sign usage and erection. The effect of this chapter, as more specifically set forth herein, is to:

(1)

Establish a permit system to allow a variety of signs in commercial and industrial zones, and a limited variety of signs in other zones, subject to the standards and permit procedures of this chapter;

(2)

Enable the identification of places of residence and business;

(3)

Lessen hazardous situations, confusion and visual clutter caused by proliferation, improper placement, illumination, animation and excessive height, area and bulk of signs which compete for attention of pedestrian and vehicular traffic;

(4)

Enhance the attractiveness and economic well-being of the county as a place to live, vacation and conduct business;

(5)

Protect the public from the dangers of unsafe signs;

(6)

Permit signs that are compatible with their surroundings and aid orientation, and preclude placement of signs in a manner that conceals or obstructs adjacent land uses or signs;

(7)

Encourage signs that are appropriate to the zoning district in which they are located and consistent with the categories of land use in which they are located or to which they are proximate;

(8)

Curtail the size and number of signs and sign messages to the minimum reasonably necessary to identify a residential or business location and the nature of any such business or to allow expression of commercial, noncommercial or political viewpoints, while permitting the maximum amount of speech consistent with land use compatibility, aesthetics, and public health, safety and welfare;

(9)

Establish sign size in relationship to the type of land use, and to the scale of the lot and building and roadway classification on which the sign is to be placed or to which it pertains;

(10)

Regulate signs in a manner so as to not interfere with, obstruct vision or distract motorists, bicyclists or pedestrians;

(11)

Require signs to be constructed, installed and maintained in a safe and satisfactory manner;

(12)

To allow certain signs that are small, unobtrusive and incidental to the principal use of the respective parcels or lots on which they are located, subject to the substantive requirements of this chapter, but without a requirement for permits;

(13)

Narrowly tailor sign regulations to balance the interests of citizens in free speech with the compelling government interests in compatibility of uses, aesthetics, and the health, safety and welfare of the public;

(14)

Prohibit all signs not expressly permitted by this chapter; and

(15)

Provide for the enforcement of the provisions of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 2008-03, § 2, 2-5-08)