§ 167.03 Exempt Signs

A. Prohibited Signs and Prohibited Conditions

1. No sign may be erected or maintained at any location whereby reason of its position, wording, illumination, size, shape, or color it may interfere with any authorized traffic control device.

2. No sign may use any word, phrase, symbol, shape, form, or character in such manner as to interfere with moving traffic.

3. No illuminated or indirectly illuminated sign may be permitted within 50 feet of property in any residential zone, unless the illumination of the sign is designed not to shine light directly onto any adjacent property or into any street.

4. No part of any sign attached to a building may be erected to a height greater than that permitted for the building. Freestanding signs may not exceed 30 feet in height, unless modified by other sections of this Ordinance.

5. The owner, lessee, or manager of a ground sign, and the owner of the land where the same is located, msut keep grass or weeds and other growth cut and debris and rubbish cleaned up and removed from the lot where the sign is located.

6. Advertising signs, business signs, and identification signs that may become rotted, unsafe, or unsightly must be repaired or removed by the licensee or owner of the sign on notice of the Zoning Officer.

7. No part of any sign may extend into the public right-of-way, except those signs established by, or by order of, any governmental agency.

8. No single face sign or other sign where the exposed sign structure would be generally within public view will be permitted unless appropriate screening or a decorative cover is provided.

9. Unless specifically permitted elsewhere in this Ordinance, no sign is permitted that includes flashing lights, moving parts, or noise emissions.

10. No sign over two square feet may be suspended by chains, ropes, or other means that readily permit the sign to swing or move freely.

11. No sign may be affixed directly to a tree, utility pole, light pole, traffic control device, barn, shed, or roof of a building or structure.

12. No sign may be attached or painted onto an inoperable or unlicensed motor vehicle in view of the public right-of-way. No sign may be attached to a licensed vehicle that is maintained in full view of the right-of-way or on the property where the sign refers for more than seven consecutive days.

13. No portable signs are permitted including, but not limited to, signs on trailers, A-frame or sandwich board signs are prohibited unless permanently attached to the ground or firmly attached to a permanent structure so that they are not readily portable. Paper or cardboard signs wrapped around or fastened to support poles or forms that are readily portable and not permanently attached to the ground or a building are also prohibited.

14. Unless permitted under other sections of this Sign Ordinance or unless granted under the Special Use Procedures of the Tiffin Zoning Ordinance, special attention attracting devices, such as banners, pennants, searchlights, balloons or other gas-filled figures, propellers, spinners, streamers, reflectors, strobe lights, flashing lights, strings of lights, and similar devices that attract attention are prohibited. This restriction includes signs used in store-front windows. For special occasions, such as grand openings, special promotions, or other similar special occasions not exceeding seven days and not occurring more than two times annually for any one zoning lot. Banners, pennants streamers and balloons, less two feet in diameter are permitted on private property if they are not a harmful to the health and safety of the general public.

15. No sign may be painted directly on the wall, roof , or on a fence or other accessory structure or directly on any paved surfaces other than required traffic control information.

16. No sign may be located at the rear of premises facing residential property.

17. Obsolete business signs that advertise an activity, business, product or service no longer available on the premises where the sign is located or signs no longer in use are prohibited and must be removed within 14 days after written notification from the Zoning Administrator.

18. Neon tubing, outside of a Sign Area and independent of any information conveyed by a sign permitted under this Section, which is used as an architectural element or a feature of a building or other structure, is prohibited from being affixed directly to any building or structure, except as a special use in the C/B-2 and C/S-2 zoning districts.

B. Exempt Signs: Signs are permitted for the following uses and purposes without a permit unless otherwise stated.

1. For each permitted or required parking area that has a capacity of more than five cars, one sign, not more than two square feet in area, designating each entrance or exit; and one sign, not more than nine square feet in area, designating the conditions of use of the parking area.

2. One "For Sale" or "For Rent" sign per zoning lot, not more than nine square feet in area. Corner lots may have one (1) additional sign. Such signs must be removed within seven days after the sale, rental or lease has been accomplished.

3. Signs established by, or by order of, any governmental agency.

4. For construction on or development of a lot, one sign not more than twelve square feet in area, indicating the name of the contractors, engineers, or architect, or products being used in the construction of a building, but only during the time that construction or development is actively underway; up to a period of three months. In this case no permit is required.

5. For an event of public interest such as a horse show or church affair, one sign, not over forty-eight square feet in area, located upon the site of the event. The sign may not be erected more than 30 days before the event and must be removed immediately after the event. Also directional signs, not more than four (4) square feet in area, showing only a directional arrow and the name of the event. The signs must not be erected more than seven days before the event and mustl be removed immediately after the event.

6. Temporary political signs may be permitted for a period of not more than 60 days before and five days after an election without obtaining a permit. No sign may be located within 15 feet of the public right-of-way at a street intersection, nor over the right-of-way.

7. For each real estate subdivision that has been approved in accordance with the Tiffin Subdivision Regulations, there may be one sign located on some portion of the property being offered for sale. This sign may not be more than 300 square feet in area. One additional similar sign may be permitted for each one 100 lots in the subdivision in the zone where they are located. These signs may be permitted only during the time some portion of the land offered for sale remains unsold and an active sales program is underway. Permits for such signs are required and may be issued for a one year period and may be renewed for additional one year periods to allow time for reasonable display.

8. Signs not visible from any public thoroughfare or right-of-way or from beyond the boundaries of the lot or parcel where they are located.

9. Signs within completely enclosed buildings and not visible from the outside of the building.

10. Directional and instructional non-electric signs that provide instruction or direction and are located entirely on a property to which they pertain and do not exceed eight square feet each in area and that do not advertise a business. This includes, but is not limited to, such signs as those identifying restrooms, telephone, parking areas, entrances and exits.

11. Non-illuminated emblems or insignia of any nation or political subdivision, profit or non-profit, organization.

12. Home occupation signs associated with a home occupation as defined in the Zoning Ordinance provided such signs are non-illuminated wall signs that do not exceed two square feet in area.

13. In residential zones, the house numbers and names used may be as large as possible yet fit within a sign that is not less than nor more than two square feet in total area. In commercial or industrial zones, the building numbers and letters may be as large as possible yet fit within a sign that is no less than four square feet nor exceeds four square feet in total area.

14. Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings and date of erection, that are cut into masonry surface or inlaid so as to be part of a building or when constructed of bronze or other non-combustible material not more than four square feet in area.

15. No trespassing and no dumping signs that exceed four square feet in area per sign.

16. When a sale of goods or services is being conducted by a business establishment, a non-illuminated sale sign may be permitted on the interior surface of a glass show window as a temporary window promotional sign. The sign may be in addition to all other authorized signs, and may not exceed 50 square feet in size. No promotional or sale signs are permitted to be affixed to the exterior of any window, wall or exterior surface of the structure.

17. A non-illuminated sign painted or lettered directly on a window for the specific purposes of identifying the proprietor or name of the business to the passerby. Such a sign may be in addition to all other authorized signs, and may not exceed 25% of total glass area of the window or glass door on that it is located. The sign may not be construed to be a window promotional sign.

18. Religious symbols, commemorative plaques of recognized historic agencies, or identification emblems of religious orders or historic agencies are permitted as on-premise symbols or insignias.

19. Vehicular signs on a truck, bus, trailer or other vehicle, while operating in the normal course of business, which is not primarily the display of signs.

20. Neighborhood identification signs in any zone including a sign, masonry wall, landscaping, or other similar material and feature may be combined to form a display for neighborhood or subdivision identification provided that the legend of such sign or display must consist only of the neighborhood or subdivision name.

21. Awnings with signs consisting of one (1) line of copy upon the border of the awnings not exceeding six (6) square feet of copy area.

22. Warning signs placed in areas of danger that are accessible to the public by utility companies or others.

23. Holiday decorations on private property clearly incidental and customary, and commonly associated with national, local or religious holidays are permitted, provided they must be displayed for a period of not more than thirty (30) days for each holiday.

24. Building details that are an integral part of the overall architectural design of a building or works of art that are not so located that their primary purpose is attract attention to a commercial solicitation.

The following regulations and provisions are applicable to all signs within the City regardless of zoning district.

1. No sign shall be erected or maintained at any location whereby reason of its position, wording, illumination, size, shape, or color it may interfere with any authorized traffic control device.

2. No sign shall use any word, phrase, symbol, shape, form, or character in such manner as to interfere with moving traffic.

3. No illuminated or indirectly illuminated sign shall be permitted within 50 feet of property in any residential zone, unless the illumination of the sign is designed not to shine light directly onto any adjacent property or into any street.

4. No part of any sign attached to a building shall be erected to a height greater than that permitted for the building. Freestanding signs shall not exceed 30 feet in height, unless modified by other sections of this Code.

5. The owner, lessee, or manager of a ground sign, and the owner of the land where the same is located, must keep grass and weeds and other growth cut and debris and rubbish cleaned up and removed from the lot where the sign is located.

6. Business signs and identification signs that are rotten, unsafe, or unsightly shall be repaired or removed by the licensee or owner of the sign on notice of the Zoning Administrator.

7. No part of any sign shall extend into the public right-of-way, except those signs established by, or by order of, any governmental agency.

8. No single face sign or other sign where the exposed sign structure would be generally within public view shall be permitted unless appropriate screening or a decorative cover is provided.

9. Unless specifically permitted elsewhere in this Zoning Code, no sign is permitted that includes flashing lights, moving parts, or noise emissions.

10. No sign over two square feet shall be suspended by chains, ropes, or other means that readily permit the sign to swing or move freely.

11. No sign shall be affixed directly to a tree, utility pole, light pole, traffic control device, barn, shed, or roof of a building or structure.

12. No sign shall be attached or painted onto an inoperable or unlicensed motor vehicle in view of the public right-of-way. No sign shall be attached to a licensed vehicle that is parked in full view of the right-of-way or on the property where the sign refers for more than seven consecutive days.

13. No portable signs including, but not limited to, signs on trailers, A-frame or sandwich board signs are prohibited unless permanently attached to the ground or firmly attached to a permanent structure so that they are not readily portable. Paper or cardboard signs wrapped around or fastened to support poles or forms that are readily portable and not permanently attached to the ground or a building are also prohibited.

14. Unless permitted under other sections of this Sign Code or unless granted under the special use procedures of the Zoning Code, special attention attracting devices, such as banners, pennants, searchlights, balloons or other gas-filled figures, propellers, spinners, streamers, reflectors, strobe lights, flashing lights, strings of lights, and similar devices that attract attention are prohibited. This restriction includes signs used in store-front windows or for special occasions, such as grand openings, special promotions, or other similar special occasions not exceeding seven days and not occurring more than two times annually for any one zoning lot. Banners, pennants, streamers, and balloons, less two than feet in diameter are permitted on private property if they are not harmful to the health and safety of the general public.

15. No sign shall be painted directly on the wall, roof , fence, or other accessory structure or directly on any paved surfaces other than required traffic control information.

16. No sign shall be located at the rear of premises facing residential property.

17. Obsolete business signs that advertise an activity, business, product, or service no longer available on the premises where the sign is located or signs no longer in use are prohibited and shall be removed within 14 days after written notification from the Zoning Administrator.

18. Neon tubing, outside of the sign area and independent of any information conveyed by a sign permitted under this chapter, which is used as an architectural element or a feature of a building or other structure, is prohibited from being affixed directly to any building or structure, except as a special use in the C-1B and C-2 Districts.

19. Advertising signs are not permitted.

20. For each real estate subdivision that has been approved in accordance with Chapter 165 located on some portion of the property being offered for sale. This sign shall not be more than 300 square feet in area. One additional similar sign may be permitted for each 100 lots in the subdivision. These signs may be permitted only during the time some portion of the land offered for sale remains unsold and an active sales program is underway. Permits for such signs are required and may be issued for a one year period and may be renewed for additional one year periods to allow time for reasonable display.

Signs are permitted for the following uses and purposes without a permit unless otherwise stated.

1. For each permitted or required parking area that has a capacity of more than five cars, one sign, not more than two square feet in area, designating each entrance or exit; and one sign, not more than nine square feet in area, designating the conditions of use of the parking area.

2. One “for sale” or “for rent” sign per zoning lot, not more than nine square feet in area. Corner lots may have one additional sign. Such signs must be removed within seven days after the sale, rental, or lease has been accomplished.

3. Signs established by, or by order of, any governmental agency.

4. For construction on or development of a lot, one sign not more than 12 square feet in area, indicating the name of the contractors, engineers, or architects, or products being used in the construction of a building, but only during the time that construction or development is actively underway; up to a period of three months.

5. For an event of public interest such as a horse show or church affair, one sign, not over 48 square feet in area, located upon the site of the event. The sign may not be erected more than 30 days before the event and must be removed immediately after the event. Also directional signs, not more than four square feet in area, showing only a directional arrow and the name of the event. The signs shall not be erected more than seven days before the event and must be removed immediately after the event.

6. Temporary political signs shall be permitted for a period of not more than 60 days before and five days after an election without obtaining a permit. No sign shall be located in the public right-of-way.

7. Signs not visible from any public thoroughfare or right-of-way or from beyond the boundaries of the lot or parcel where they are located.

8. Signs within completely enclosed buildings and not visible from the outside of the building.

9. Directional and instructional non-electric signs that provide instruction or direction and are located entirely on a property to which they pertain provided they do not exceed eight square feet each in area and do not advertise a business. This includes, but is not limited to, such signs as those identifying restrooms, telephone, parking areas, entrances, and exits.

10. Non-illuminated emblems or insignia of any nation or political subdivision, or profit or non-profit organization.

11. Home occupation signs associated with a home occupation as defined in the Zoning Code provided such signs are non-illuminated wall signs that do not exceed two square feet in area.

12. In residential zones, the house numbers and names used may be as large as possible yet fit within a sign that is not less than nor more than two square feet in total area. In commercial or industrial zones, the building numbers and letters may be as large as possible yet fit within a sign that is no less than four square feet nor exceeds four square feet in total area.

13. Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings, and date of erection, that are cut into masonry surface or inlaid so as to be part of a building or when constructed of bronze or other non-combustible material not more than four square feet in area.

14. No trespassing and no dumping signs that do not exceed four square feet in area per sign.

15. When a sale of goods or services is being conducted by a business establishment, a non-illuminated sale sign may be permitted on the interior surface of a glass show window as a temporary window promotional sign. The sign may be in addition to all other authorized signs, and shall not exceed 50 square feet in size. No promotional or sale signs are permitted to be affixed to the exterior of any window, wall, or exterior surface of the structure.

16. A non-illuminated sign painted or lettered directly on a window for the specific purposes of identifying the proprietor or name of the business to the passerby. Such a sign shall be in addition to all other authorized signs, and shall not exceed 25 percent of total glass area of the window or glass door on which it is located. The sign may not be construed to be a window promotional sign.

17. Religious symbols, commemorative plaques of recognized historic agencies, or identification emblems of religious orders or historic agencies are permitted as on-premise symbols or insignias.

18. Vehicular signs on a truck, bus, trailer, or other vehicle, while operating in the normal course of business, which is not primarily the display of signs.

19. Neighborhood identification signs in any zone including a sign, masonry wall, landscaping, or other similar material and feature may be combined to form a display for neighborhood or subdivision identification provided that the legend of such sign or display shall consist only of the neighborhood or subdivision name.

20. Awnings with signs consisting of one line of copy upon the border of the awnings not exceeding six square feet of copy area.

21. Warning signs placed in areas of danger that are accessible to the public by utility companies or others.

22. Holiday decorations on private property clearly incidental and customary, and commonly associated with national, local, or religious holidays are permitted, provided they shall be displayed for a period of not more than 30 days for each holiday.

23. Building details that are an integral part of the overall architectural design of a building or works of art that are not so located that their primary purpose is to attract attention to a commercial solicitation.