Ordinances-2019-446 - Zoning Code Amendment - Section 1 & Section 6 - Disallow Ad Signs

SECTION 6 SIGN REGULATIONS 6.01 INTENT This section provides an administrative framework for controlling the establishment and maintenance of signs in the City and for the enforcement of the standards and regulations. It intends to provide maximum safety for motorists using the streets and for the pedestrians using public ways. This section intends to allow necessary identification with reasonable, orderly, and effective display of signs and outdoor advertising and to avoid the "canceling out" effect of conflicting adjacent signs and to conserve property values. It intends to support the general purpose of the City of Tiffin Zoning Ordinance and Comprehensive Future Land Use Plan of the City. It intends to prevent wasteful use of natural resources and to assure the continued attractiveness of the community. 6.02 DEFINITIONS For the purpose of this Ordinance, the following terms have the meaning indicated in this Section. Sign is any identification, description, illustration, or device illuminated or non-illuminated that is visible from any public place or is located on private property and exposed to the public. A sign directs attention to a referent. A sign includes any emblem, painting, banner, pennant, placard, temporary sign, lights, balloons or other device designed to attract attention, advertise, identify, or convey information. A sign includes its supporting structures. Sign, Advertising: A sign that advertises or solicits for a referent that is not located on the premises where such sign is located, or within the building to which the sign is affixed. Sign, Business: A sign that directs attention to a commercial use and the sign is located on or in the building where the commercial use is located. Sign, Construction is any sign identifying individuals or companies involved in a construction project where the sign is placed on the premises while the project is ongoing. Sign, Flashing is any illuminated sign where the artificial light or lights are not maintained stationary or constant in intensity and color at all times when such sign is illuminated. A sign that displays the time, temperature, or other written message by intermittent lighting is not a flashing sign; such a sign requires a Special Use Permit. Sign Face: The surface area of a plane that covers a sign when viewed from one side or direction. When more than one sign is located on the same sign structure or building and is separated by less than five feet, the sign face includes the total surface area of the plane that covers all signs when viewed from a single direction. The total sign face area must not exceed the restrictions for Maximum Sign Size Per Sign Face as presented in Table 1 of this Sign Regulations Section of the Ordinance. Sign Area is the area of the smallest square or rectangle that encloses the sign face, or if a sign has more than one (1) face, the total area of all faces. Trim, molding, supports, or screening that does not serve to attract attention is not included in the sign area calculation. Peripheral sign elements that serve to attract attention to the sign, such as lights and arrows, intended to focus special attention to the sign, are included in the sign area calculations. Sign, Ground is any sign or other advertising structure placed upon the ground and not attached to any building.