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Code of Ordinances

Sec. 38-24. Weeds.

The following things are hereby declared to be weed nuisances in violation of this section, and are hereafter prohibited:

  1. Reptiles and rodents. Weeds and/or grass, or other uncultivated plants in the city, which grow in such rank profusion as to harbor reptiles or rodents, or create a fire hazard.
  2. Height. Weeds and/or grass, or other uncultivated plants on any premises in the city, which are permitted to, or do, attain a greater height than 12 inches on the average. Any owner, or his agent, or any occupant of any premises on which a weed nuisance exists shall be liable under this section and subject to the rules, regulations and restrictions promulgated in article IV of chapter 50 of this Code.

(Code 1987, § 15-4)

DIVISION 3. JUNKED VEHICLES

Sec. 86-156. Public nuisance.

A junked vehicle, including a part of a junked vehicle, that is visible from a public place or public right-of-way:

  1. Is detrimental to the safety and welfare of the public;
  2. Tends to reduce the value of private property;
  3. Invites vandalism;
  4. Creates a fire hazard;
  5. Is an attractive nuisance creating a hazard to the health and safety of minors;
  6. Produces urban blight adverse to the maintenance and continuing development of the municipalities; and
  7. Is a public nuisance.

(Code 1987, § 12-3(A))

Section 31. Off-street parking and loading requirements.

31.1 Purpose:

To secure safety from fire, panic, and other dangers; to lessen congestion on public streets; to facilitate the adequate provision of transportation; to conserve the value of buildings; and to encourage the most appropriate use of land. Minimum off-street parking and loading shall be provided as set forth in the following schedules and provisions.

31.2 Residential districts (except MF districts)--Special off-street parking provisions:

  1. Required off-street parking shall be provided on the same site as the use it is to serve.
  2. No required parking shall be allowed except on a paved concrete or asphalt parking space. All driveways and approaches to required parking spaces shall be similarly paved except in the SF-40 district on lots two acres or larger. Required parking on grass or other permeable surface is not permitted.
  3. No parking space, garage, carport, or other automobile storage space shall be used for the storage of any commercial tractor/trailer, farm equipment or other commercial heavy load vehicle (see definitions for heavy load vehicle). Parking areas for recreational vehicles and trailers are permitted on a paved surface behind the front building line but shall not be counted as parking spaces for required parking.
  4. In all subdivisions platted after the effective date of this ordinance, garages shall not face or be in view from a public street unless located at least 40 feet from the front property line. A driveway equal to the width of the garage entrance is required for a distance of 20 feet from the garage entrance to the front property line (see illustration 20). Garages which face or are in view of a public street may be permitted by planned development designation. The PD shall show the floor plan and typical garage orientation.

15.5 Other regulations:

  1. No permanent use of temporary dwellings, such as recreational vehicles, travel trailers or mobile homes, may be used for on-site dwelling purposes.
  2. Electrical fencing and barbed wire are prohibited as perimeter fencing except for containment of farm animals on one acre or larger.
  3. Outside storage is prohibited (except for materials for the resident's personal use or consumption, i.e., firewood, garden materials, etc., and screened from public view. Public view shall be deemed from a public street.).
  4. As established by sections 30 through 38

33.7 Residential zoning district sign requirements:

  1. Application of division. The provisions of this article apply to all signs in any residential district, and also to signs, which are within 25 feet of a residential district boundary.
  2. Illuminated signs. No illuminated signs are permitted except in the multi-family district and entryway signs into a subdivision, or as approved by the city council as part of the site plan approval process. Governmental entities and other nonresidential uses permitted in residential zoning districts may have one externally lighted sign not to exceed six feet in height or 32 square feet per side. Illuminated signs in the multi-family district and nonresidential uses allowed in residential districts shall be externally lit and conform to the criteria established in section 33.5(H) and shall be approved by city council as part of the site plan approval process.
  3. Political and other special purpose on-premises signs. An occupant in residential zoning districts may erect only political signs, incidental private signs, special purpose on-premises signs, which include movement control signs, protective signs, or on-premises signs.
  4. Detached on-premises signs; multi-family only. Multi-family developments may have detached on-premises monument signs subject to the following restrictions:
    1. Number of signs. Each premises may have no more than one detached premises sign provided, however, that lots with more than 750 feet of frontage along a public street, other than an alley, may have not more than one additional detached sign. Each premises may display not more than one detached special purpose sign.
    2. Setback, effective area, and height. No detached monument sign shall exceed 32 square feet per side or six feet in height (see illustration 10). The monument sign must set back at least three feet from the street right-of-way or property line.
  5. E. Attached on-premises signs; multi-family only. Attached signs are permitted for multi-family developments subject to the following restrictions:
    1. All attached signs shall be for building identification only (address or building numbers).
    2. All signs erected pursuant to this section shall be limited to two per building.
    3. All signs and their words shall be mounted parallel to the building surface to which they are attached. No signs or words shall be over 18 inches in height. Signs shall not be mounted on roofs and shall not project above the roof.
    4. Temporary signs (such as "for lease" banners) are permitted pursuant to section 33.5(T).
  6. Detached premises signs; single-family or duplex lot. A single-family or duplex residential premises may display one detached temporary sign (corner lots may have two signs) referring to the sale or lease of the premises, and may display detached political signs provided that the political signs conform to all the restrictions set forth in this section (also see section 33.8). Detached signs advertising home occupations are prohibited.
  7. Attached signs; single-family or duplex structure. A single-family or duplex residential structure may display one attached sign referring to the sale or lease of the premises. This sign must conform to all restrictions set forth in this section.
  8. Garage sale signs. Residents may erect up to two signs not exceeding three square feet each advertising a garage or yard sale for one week up to two times a year. No off-site signs are permitted in rights-of-way or easements.
  9. Incidental private signs. Property owners may erect incidental, temporary private signs such as, but not limited to, lost pet, birth announcements, birthdays, graduation, school activity signs, contractor signs, and anniversaries. No permit or fee is required.

33.5 Provisions for all zoning districts:

  1. Building code. No sign shall be erected in violation of the building code of the city.
  2. Changeable messages signs. Signs with changeable messages are prohibited. Exceptions include churches, schools and other sites where, in the opinion of the city council, a changeable message sign is appropriate.
  3. Construction and development signs. One temporary on-site construction or development sign per development phase is allowed. Temporary construction signs are signs designed to identify contractors, financier, architects, engineer, and to advertise the coming of new business on the premises to which the sign pertains. Such signs shall not be erected prior to the issuance of the building permit of the project and/or final plat to which the sign pertains, and must be removed prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy. Such signs shall comply with the provisions of this chapter with the exception that no sign shall contain more than 32 square feet per side or exceed six feet in height. A permit is required for construction signs.

    Temporary off-site construction or development signs shall be permitted for residential subdivisions and must be removed at the direction of the building official. Developers may have one temporary off-site development sign until 80 percent of the lots in the advertised subdivision are occupied. Off-site signs shall not exceed six feet in height or 32 square feet per side. This requirement also applies to nonresidential properties, such as lease space being 80 percent occupied. A permit is required.
  4. Government signs. Nothing in this ordinance shall be construed to prevent the display of a national flag or state flag, or to limit flags, insignia, legal notices, or informational, directional, or traffic signs which are legally required or necessary to the essential functions of government agencies (state, federal, and the city). Signs indicating a zoning change has been requested are permitted on subject property. Flags are permitted in all districts except that each flag shall not exceed 60 square feet in effective area or pole exceed 30 feet in height.
  5. Community event signs. Bonafide nonprofit organizations, including educational, civic, charitable, philanthropic or local government agencies, may erect temporary off-premises signs, which refer to an activity or function of the organization. The function or activity must occur within the city or adjacent city. Such signs shall not be erected for more than ten days. No more than 15 such signs shall be placed within the city, which refer to the activity or function. Signs shall not exceed six square feet in effective area. No sign will be allowed within any street median. No temporary community event sign shall be converted to a permanent sign. A permit containing information on the location of signs and dates to be erected and removed shall be required; however, no permit fee is required. Written permission from the property owner authorizing placement of signs on private property is required.
  6. Holiday lights and decoration. Temporary lights and holiday decorations shall be exempt from the provisions of this section.
  7. Hazardous or nuisance signs. No sign shall be illuminated to an intensity to cause glare or brightness to a degree that could constitute a hazard or nuisance. Moving, flashing, intermittently lighted, changing color, beacons, revolving or similarly constructed signs are not allowed. Under no circumstances shall a sign constitute a traffic hazard.
  8. Luminance (or brightness).
    1. No sign shall be illuminated to such intensity or in such a manner as to cause a glare or brightness to a degree that it constitutes a hazard or nuisance. Signs shall not exceed a brightness of 200 footcandles at the property line.
    2. No lighted sign shall be erected within 150 feet of a residential building unless the lighting is shielded from view of the residential development.
  9. Movement and directional control signs. Movement control signs may be erected on any occupancy or any premises, other than a single-family or duplex premises, may be attached or detached, and may be erected provided that such signs shall comply with all other applicable requirements of this ordinance. The occupant of a premises who erects a movement control sign shall comply with the following requirements:
    1. Each sign must be stationary and not exceed six square feet in effective area.
    2. If a sign is an attached sign, the words must not exceed four inches in height.
    3. Each sign must convey a message, which directs vehicular or pedestrian movement within or onto the premises on which the sign is located.
    4. The signs must contain no advertising or logo.
  10. Moving or flashing signs. Strobe lights and rotating beacons are prohibited.
  11. Political signs. Political signs may be erected provided such signs comply with the following:
    1. Signs are not allowed to be put up until the day following the filing deadline for political office and must be removed within 24 hours after the election polls close on election day.
    2. Signs shall be allowed on residential property only when placed a minimum of ten feet from adjacent edge of curb or pavement and shall not exceed 36 square feet in size.
    3. Signs shall not be placed within public rights-of-way, medians, in city parks, on city owned properties. On election day political signs may be located on city hall property any time after 12:01 a.m. the day of the election and in compliance with state laws pertaining to distance from the polling place.
    4. Signs located on undeveloped residentially or undeveloped non-residentially zoned property shall not exceed 36 square feet per sign face and shall not exceed eight feet in height.
    5. Signs located on undeveloped property require written permission from the property owner be on file with the city.
    6. See subsection 7.C. herein for other political sign requirements in residential areas.
    7. Signs are not allowed on Corps of Engineer property or on railroad right-of-way property.
  12. Portable signs. Portable signs are not permitted in any zoning district.
  13. Protective signs. The occupant of a premises may erect not more than two protective signs, in accordance with the following provisions.
    1. Each sign must not exceed one square foot in effective area.
    2. Detached signs must not exceed two feet in height.
    3. Letters must not exceed four inches in height.
  14. Restricted language or wording. Signs shall not display gestures or words, which are obscene, profane, or pornographic in nature as stated in Section 33.3 J. Obscene signs.
  15. Searchlights. Searchlights are limited to a 72-hour operation period. Consecutive permits are not allowed for continuous use and shall be limited to the initial opening of a business located in a nonresidential zoning district.
  16. Sign on fence, wall, etc. No person shall paint a sign or attach a sign, other than a nameplate and address (showing a street number), to the outside of a fence, railing or a wall which is not a structural part of a building in or facing a residential zoning district, whether or not on the property line, unless otherwise stated herein. The two exceptions are as follows:
    1. Name of the company, which constructed the fence, is also permitted but not exceeding one square foot in size.
    2. Political signs which comply with the provisions of section 33.5 K. Off-site advertising signs shall be allowed to be placed on the field side of the outfield (non-foul line) fences surrounding regulation, lighted baseball fields at Unity Park.

      Each sign shall be uniform, four feet in height and eight feet in length and be constructed of 10-mil coreplast. The sign face shall display graphics on a white background and the sign back shall be dark green. Installation of the signs shall be according to the city specifications and shall be approved by the parks and recreation department prior to installation. The city may remove any sign not in compliance herewith at any time. All other forms of advertising such as signage placed on awnings, fences, score boards, dugouts or other structures associated with city-owned property or a city-owned park shall be allowed by conditional use permit only. The procedure for consideration shall be as outlined in section 12, Conditional use permits.
  17. Sign on sidewalk, street, etc. No person shall attach any sign, paper, or material, or paint, stencil, or write any name, number (except house or street address numbers) or otherwise mark on any sidewalk, curb, gutter, or street.
  18. Sign on tree, pole, or structure. No person shall attach or maintain any sign upon any tree or public utility pole or structure.
  19. Signs over or in the right-of-way. Signs over or in public rights-of-way are prohibited. No sign shall be erected in the right-of-way except movement control, traffic control devices, street signs, or directional signs placed by the city or state or unless otherwise allowed by section 33.5 E.
  20. Temporary banners (general). A temporary banner, for example, may contain language such as, but not limited to, "now leasing", "grand opening", or "now enrolling", is permitted on a temporary basis for a maximum 15 days and two times per year per business. Maximum size shall be 50 square feet. A banner must be attached to a building or self supported. Banners are prohibited from being attached to trees or utility poles. A permit containing the language as stated on the banner, location and date to be erected and removed shall be required. A permit fee is required.
  21. Temporary (Unity Park). Temporary off-site advertising signs shall be allowed to be placed on the field side of the outfield (non-foul line) fences surrounding regulation, lighted baseball fields at Unity Park. Signs shall be four feet in height and eight feet in length, be constructed of 10-mil coreplast, and to the extent possible, evenly spaced within the approved area. The sign face shall display graphics on a white background and the sign back shall be dark green. The signs and the installation thereof shall be according to city specifications and shall be approved the park and recreation department prior to installation. Approval is purely discretionary and no organization or individual has a vested right to erect any signs on public athletic fields. The city may remove any sign not in compliance herewith at any time. Applications for temporary signs shall be submitted annually prior to April 1st. Approved signs shall be attached prior to April 1st and removed prior to November 1st. Any sign remaining after November 1st shall be subject to immediate removal. Score boards shall be allowed by conditional use permit only.
  22. Vehicular signs. Vehicular signs shall conform to the following restrictions:
    1. It shall be unlawful to attach any sign advertising anything, other than the name or a company and the service it provides, to a trailer, skid, or similar mobile structure or vehicle, where the primary use of such structure is to provide a base for such sign or constitute the sign itself. This provision does not restrict the identification signs on vehicles used for any bona fide business activity.
    2. Exempt signs: Temporary construction trailers on construction sites and advertisement of any company. Emergency vehicle signs and political signs are exempt from this ordinance.

Sec. 38-42. Construction nuisances.

(Ord. No. 95-685, § III, 3-27-1995)