§ 24-5. Purpose.

Signs use private land and the sign lines created by the public rights-of-way to inform and persuade the general public by publishing a message. This chapter provides standards for the erection and maintenance of private signs. All private signs not exempted, as provided below, shall be erected and maintained in accordance with these standards. The general objectives of these standards are to promote health, safety, welfare, convenience and enjoyment of the public, and, in part, to achieve the following:

(1)

Safety. To promote the safety of persons and property by providing that signs:

a.

Do not create a hazard due to collapse, fire, collision, decay or abandonment;

b.

Do not obstruct firefighting or police surveillance; and

c.

Do not create traffic hazards by confusing or distracting motorists, or by impairing the driver's ability to see pedestrians, obstacles, or other vehicles, or to read traffic signs.

(2)

Communications efficiency. To promote the efficient transfer of information in sign messages by providing that:

a.

Those signs which provide messages and information most needed and sought by the public are given priority;

b.

Businesses and services may identify themselves;

c.

Customers and other persons may locate a business or service;

d.

No person or group is arbitrarily denied the use of the sightlines from the public right-of-way for communication purposes; and

e.

Persons exposed to signs are not overwhelmed by the number of messages presented, and are able to exercise freedom of choice to observe or ignore said messages, according to the observer's purpose.

(3)

Landscape quality and preservation. To protect the public welfare and to enhance the appearance and economic value of the landscape by providing that signs:

a.

Do not interfere with scenic views;

b.

Do not create a nuisance to persons using the public right-of-way;

c.

Do not constitute a nuisance to occupancy of adjacent and contiguous property by their brightness, size, height or movement;

d.

Are not detrimental to land or property values; and

e.

Contribute to the special character of particular areas or districts within the town, helping the observer to understand the town and orient himself within it.

(Code 1991, § 9-5; Ord. of 1-1-1979(2), § 2-0)