§ 27-580. Exempt signs.

(a)

Within all nonresidential zoning districts, the following signs shall be considered as permitted signs and shall be exempt from the requirement to obtain a sign permit as set forth within article VI of this chapter if they are not in conflict with section 27-581:

(1)

Decals, limited to those as required by law, which are affixed to or painted upon store windows, store equipment, fuel pumps or other types of vending equipment used for dispensing retail products.

(2)

Lettering only, for the purpose of providing ownership, licensing and emergency contact information, when placed upon doors and windows of lawfully licensed businesses, with letters not exceeding three (3) inches in height and limited to a maximum area of two (2) square feet.

(3)

Signs within a building that are not visible from the exterior of the building. This shall not include window signs affixed to the interior of windows, which are visible from the exterior.

(4)

Building signs, historical markers, memorial signs, tablets or plaques, or the name of a building and the date of erection, when the same are cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of bronze or other similar noncombustible material.

(5)

Professional nameplates for physicians, surgeons, dentists, lawyers, architects, teachers and other like professional persons placed on the premises occupied by the person(s), not exceeding one (1) square foot in sign face area, provided such professional has a valid occupational license as may be required for the particular profession to operate on those premises.

(6)

Signs denoting only the name and profession of an occupant of a building, placed flat against the exterior surface of the building and not exceeding three (3) square feet in sign face area, and provided such occupant has a valid occupational license as may be required to operate on those premises.

(b)

Within all zoning districts, the following signs shall be considered as permitted signs and shall be exempt from the requirement to obtain a sign permit as set forth within article VI of this chapter if they are not in conflict with section 27-581:

(1)

Not more than one (1) real estate sign advertising the sale, rental or lease of only the premises on which the sign is located. Such signs shall not exceed six (6) square feet in area, and five (5) feet in height. Signs advertising the sale, rental or lease of property exceeding this size and height shall not be considered as exempt signs.

(2)

Signs noting the architect, engineer or contractor for a development project when placed upon work under construction, provided the sign shall be removed within fifteen (15) days of completion of construction. Such signs shall not exceed six (6) square feet in size or eight (8) feet in height.

(3)

Signs as required by law to display building permits or other similar required public notices.

(4)

Traffic signs, street name signs, legal notices of public meetings, danger signs and temporary emergency, when erected by city, county, state or federal authorities.

(5)

No trespassing and private property signs not exceeding two (2) square feet in area. Such signs shall not be displayed from or attached to trees, utility poles or any type of utility structure or equipment, including lift stations, fire hydrants and the like.

(6)

Vacancy or no vacancy signs not exceeding two (2) square feet in area.

(7)

Temporary political campaign signs announcing the candidacy of a candidate for public office not exceeding four (4) square feet in area in residential zoning districts and thirty-two (32) square feet in all other zoning districts may be placed wholly within the boundaries of any property, at the discretion or consent of the legal owner and/or occupant of the property, provided such signs conform with all traffic, electrical, maintenance, fire and safety regulations of the city.

a.

The placing of political campaign signs on city property, other public property or on public rights-of-way shall be prohibited. Political campaign signs displayed within motor vehicles conducting routine business activities on city or other public property shall not be prohibited, provided that no such vehicle shall be parked on city property, other public property or on public rights-of-way for the sole purpose of displaying political campaign signs.

b.

Illegally placed political campaign signs shall be removed by the code enforcement officer without notice to the candidate or abutting property owner or occupant. Political campaign signs shall be removed within seventy-two (72) hours after the last election. If such signs are not removed within this period of time, the city may remove such signs and may charge the candidate the actual cost for such removal. Collected funds shall be deposited into the city's general revenue. Failure to remove signs is a violation of this Code and is enforceable pursuant to F.S. Ch. 162, Code Enforcement.

(8)

Personal expression signs limited to one (1) per lot or parcel, or in the case of multifamily uses, one (1) per dwelling unit, expressing personal views or opinions not exceeding four (4) square feet in area, providing such signs are otherwise in compliance with applicable local, state and federal laws. A personal expression sign can include a pole flag no larger than twenty (20) square feet on a pole no taller than twenty-five (25) feet.

(9)

Religious symbols.

(10)

Garage sale signs or open house signs within residential zoning districts, not exceeding four (4) square feet in size, limited to two (2) per site and located only at the location of such event. Such signs may be displayed one (1) day before the garage sale or open house and shall be removed immediately after conclusion of the event. No garage sale sign or open house sign may be erected upon any public right-of-way.

(11)

Signs placed within interior courtyards, the inside fence line of recreational fields and on golf courses, provided such signs are visible only to those persons visiting such place and are otherwise in compliance with this chapter.

(12)

Address and street number signs not exceeding two (2) square feet.

(13)

Holiday and seasonal decorations shall not be construed as signs, providing that these contain no commercial advertising message.

(Ord. No. 2005-12, § 1, 6-6-05)