§ 15.17. Erection, etc., of signs; permit required; exceptions.

1.

No person or company shall erect, repair, alter, relocate or maintain a sign in the city without first obtaining a permit therefor from the building department, with the exception of the following:

a.

Professional nameplates not exceeding one square foot in area;

b.

The changing of advertising material or copy on a properly licensed sign and the maintenance or repair thereof;

c.

Bulletin boards not over 20 square feet in area for public, charitable or religious institutions when the same are located on the premises of such institutions; provided, however, that if such signs are electrically illuminated, an electrical permit must be obtained;

d.

Occupational signs denoting only the name and profession of an occupant in a commercial, public or institutional building and not exceeding two square feet in area;

e.

Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings and the date of erection when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of bronze or aluminum; and,

f.

Traffic or other municipal signs, legal notices, railroad crossing signs, "danger" and such temporary emergency or nonadvertising signs as may be approved by the city manager or his designee.

2.

Except as otherwise provided in subsections 1.a. through f. above, all permanent signs shall be designed and installed in a workmanlike manner, utilizing standards commonly recognized and accepted by the sign industry. All signs, including temporary signs, shall be painted and lettered in accordance with commonly accepted sign manufacturing standards and practices, utilizing stencils, and templates as necessary to ensure a neat and aesthetically appealing appearance.