§ 13-1. Purpose and intent.

(a)

The purpose of this chapter is to regulate signs and billboards so as to promote traffic safety; safeguard public health and comfort; facilitate police and fire protection; prevent adverse community appearance and overcrowding of land; and protect the character of the area, particularly the natural resources, in which such signs and billboards are located.

(b)

The regulations are designed to permit the maximum legibility and effectiveness of signs while preventing their over-concentration, improper placement, and excess height, bulk, and area.

(c)

In general, it is intended that signs of a general commercial nature be prohibited in areas where commercial activities are prohibited and that signs in less restrictive business and industrial areas be regulated to the extent necessary to protect the character of the area and to conserve property values. Further, the aesthetic value of the total environment does affect economic values of the community and the unrestricted proliferation of signs can and does detract from the economic value of the community; therefore, it is the intent of this chapter to provide limiting controls, where necessary, to preserve community, scenic, economic and aesthetic values.

(d)

It is the further intent of this chapter that new billboards are prohibited. A replacement billboard that is erected to substitute for a non-conforming outdoor billboard advertising sign is permitted, if the replacement sign becomes conforming by meeting all of the provisions of this chapter, except for the spacing requirements of subsection 13-8 billboard location requirements.

(Ord. of 1-13-14(1))