Laserfiche WebLink
Chapter 13 Zoning <br />1360 Signage <br />1360.01 Introductory Provisions <br />Subd. 1 Purpose and Findings. <br />A.The purpose and findings of this Chapter are as follows: <br />1.Purpose. This Sign Code is intended to establish a comprehensive and balanced system of sign <br />control that accommodates the need for a well-maintained, safe, and attractive community, and <br />the need for effective communications, including business identification. It is the intent of these <br />sign regulations, to promote the health, safety, general welfare, aesthetics, and image of the <br />community by regulating signs that are intended to communicate to the public in all areas of the <br />City. It is not the purpose or intent of this Chapter to regulate the message displayed on any <br />sign. The purpose of this Chapter is to authorize: <br />a.Permanent signs which establish a high standard of aesthetics and are appropriate for the <br />character of the community; <br />b.Signs which are compatible with their surroundings; <br />c.Signs which are designed, constructed, installed and maintained in a manner that does not <br />adversely impact public safety or create a hazard to motorists, pedestrians, or cyclists; <br />d.Signs that are proportioned to the scale of, and are architecturally compatible with, principal <br />structures; <br />e.Permanent signs which give preference to the on-premise owner or occupant; <br />f.Temporary commercial signs and advertising displays which provide an opportunity to <br />advertise, while restricting signs that create visual clutter and hazards at public right-of-way <br />intersections; <br />g.Minimize adverse effects on nearby property; and, <br />h.Provide for fair and consistent enforcement of the sign regulations set forth herein under the <br />authority of the City. <br />B.Findings. The City finds it is necessary for the promotion and preservation of the public health, <br />safety, welfare, and aesthetics of the community to control the construction, location, size, and <br />maintenance of signs. Further, the City finds: <br />1.Permanent and temporary signs have a direct impact on and relationship to the image and <br />aesthetic of the community; <br />2.The manner of installation, location and maintenance of signs affects the public health, safety, <br />welfare and aesthetics of the community; <br />3.An opportunity for viable identification of community businesses, residences, and institutions <br />must be established; <br />4.The safety of motorists, cyclists, pedestrians and other users of public streets and property is <br />affected by the number, size, location and appearance of signs that create a hazard for drivers, <br />particularly from dynamic display signs; <br />5.Installation of signs suspended from, projecting over, or placed on the tops of buildings, walks or <br />other structures may constitute a hazard during periods of high winds and an obstacle to <br />effective fire-fighting and other emergency service; <br />6.Uncontrolled and unlimited signs and sign types, adversely impact the image and aesthetic <br />attractiveness of the community and thereby undermine economic value and growth; <br />7.Commercial signs are generally incompatible with residential uses and should be strictly limited <br />in residential zoning districts; and <br />8.The right to express noncommercial opinions in any zoning district must be protected, subject to <br />reasonable restrictions on size, height, location and number. <br />Subd. 2 Scope of Regulations. <br />A.The sign regulations set forth in this Chapter shall apply to all structures and all land uses. <br />1