Sign Standards Amended
9.6600 Purpose of Sign Standards.
The purpose of sections 9.6600 through 9.6680 is to establish standards for the design, quality of materials, construction, size, number, location, electrification, illumination, installation and maintenance of all signs and sign structures not located within a building. The regulations are not intended to, and do not restrict, the content of sign messages. The primary basis for the sign standards are.
(1) Private signs make use of a public resource by seeking to communicate with persons using the public right-of-way. It is necessary to regulate such signs to assure that they do not interfere with other uses of the public right-of-way.
(2) It is necessary to the public safety that official traffic regulation devices be easily visible and free from nearby visual obstructions and distractions, such as flashing signs, an excessive number of signs, or signs in any way resembling official signs.
(3) It is necessary to regulate the number, type and location of signs to implement the comprehensive plan, such as preserving views of natural land features, waterways, and distinct local and neighborhood areas. Proliferation of signs seriously detracts from the pleasure of observing the natural scenic beauty and the human environment of the city.
(4) It is necessary to protect residential neighborhoods from the adverse impact that signs may have on the residential atmosphere.
(5) It is necessary to regulate the size, type and location of signs to encourage the effective use of signs as a means of communication and to provide equality and equity among sign owners and those who wish to use signs.
(6) It is necessary to provide regulations that can be administered to allow sign owners and sign users the opportunity to realize the value of their investment and make as many of their own choices as possible while protecting the needs of the public.
(7) The cumulative effect of numerous signs close to each other has a detrimental impact which can not be addressed in any way other than by limiting the number and size of all signs.