§ 102-92. Prohibited signs.

The following types of signs are prohibited in all districts:

(1)

Any sign placed on public property, including the right-of-way, unless authorized by the city commission.

(2)

Any sign which obstructs a fire escape or window, door or opening used as a means of ingress or egress or which prevents free passage across a roof; and no sign shall be attached in any manner to a fire escape nor shall any sign be placed in a manner that will interfere with any opening required for ventilation.

(3)

Signs which simulate emergency vehicles, traffic control signals or devices, or which simulate directional, informational and warning signs erected by government or a governmental agency, or by any railroad, public utility or similar agency.

(4)

Billboards, billboard signs, and digital billboards regardless of zoning district; provided digital billboards may be allowed as expressly authorized in section 102-94 of this chapter. Those billboard signs legally erected in the city prior to June 11, 1987, or legally erected within the unincorporated county prior to annexation into the city will be allowed to remain as nonconforming signs which cannot be rebuilt, moved, relocated or replaced if greater than 50 percent of the sign structure or value is destroyed. When the cost of materials to repair, move, relocate, or replace the sign exceed 50 percent of the physically depreciated value of the structural materials in the sign immediately prior to the destruction, the criteria of this subsection will be deemed to have been met, and the sign may not be replaced, moved, relocated, or repaired except as provided in section 102-94. This subsection shall not apply to billboard signs and structures preexisting along federal aid primary highways in the city. However, if a federal aid primary highway is later converted to a nonfederal aid highway, this subsection shall apply to billboards along such highway, becoming effective the first day upon which the highway becomes a nonfederal aid primary highway. No new billboard signs or structures shall be erected in the city. Notwithstanding the preceding, the city commission shall have the authority to grant a special exception to this subsection subject to the requirements of section 102-94 and sections 118-96 through 118-102 in those instances where at least two existing legally nonconforming billboard signs are being eliminated and being replaced with a single billboard sign or a single digital billboard that the city commission finds less obtrusive, improves the aesthetic character of the city, provides other benefits to the city, and is placed in a more desirable location. The city commission shall perform all functions of the planning and zoning board relating to the requirements of sections 118-96—118-102 for this subsection, and the planning and zoning board shall not have jurisdiction therefore. The city commission may simultaneously approve a special exception to this subsection and the related relocation and reconstruction agreement.

(5)

The use of scroll, travel and/or dynamic frame effect in changeable and/or electronic message centers signs as defined in section 102-1, in an area zoned commercial or industrial, excluding digital billboards.

(6)

Animated signs and flashing signs, this is not intended to prohibit changeable signs, as defined in section 102-1.

(7)

Signs affixed to unlicensed motor vehicles where the vehicle is parked in a location visible from a public right-of-way.

(8)

Signs of any type wherein such signs obstruct in any way ingress or egress to or from a structure.

(9)

Signs projecting over a street or road, except for special events when approved by the city commission.

(10)

Additional signs on any property containing a sign that does not conform to this article.

(11)

All other signs not identified in this chapter.

(12)

The tacking, pasting or otherwise affixing of signs of a miscellaneous character to the walls of buildings, on trees, poles, posts, fences or other structures.

(13)

No sign, permanent or temporary, shall be erected or placed so that it interferes with a clear sight triangle distance per Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) design standards.

(14)

Portable signs.

(15)

Signs on trailer frames with or without mounted wheels.

(16)

Vehicle signs or signs on or attached to vehicles which have a total copy area in excess of ten square feet, when the vehicle is not regularly used in the conduct of the business and (a) is visible from a street right-of-way within one hundred feet of the vehicle, and (b) is parked for more than two consecutive hours within one hundred feet of any street right-of-way. A vehicle shall not be considered "regularly used in the conduct of the business" if the vehicle is used primarily for advertising, or for the purpose of advertising.

(17)

Flashing, animated, rotating, moving or revolving signs, whirligig devices, inflatable signs and tethered balloons, pennants, ribbons, streamers, spinners, and other similar types of attention-getting devices except for changeable signs when in compliance with the applicable regulations of this chapter.

(18)

Signage used on bus transit shelters within the right-of-way.

(19)

Any sign located on the seat or back of a bench or seat placed on or adjacent to a public right-of-way.

(20)

Traffic sign replica.

(21)

Snipe signs.

(22)

Banner signs used as permanent signage.

(23)

Commercial off-premises signs, excluding billboards and digital billboards that have been approved by the city pursuant to a relocation and reconstruction agreement in accordance with the provisions of sections 102-94 and 118-96 through 118-102.

(24)

Neon signs, luminous tube lights, light-emitting tubes and/or neon type signs. The planning director may review and approve the use of neon signs, luminous tube lights, light-emitting tubes and/or neon type signs for properties or buildings located within a commercial district on a case by case basis where substantial historical evidence of the application of neon signs, luminous tube lights, light-emitting tubes and/or neon type signs has been provided.

(Ord. No. 13-19, § 1, 5-23-13; Ord. No. 15-49, § 2, 5-28-15; Ord. No. 15-70, § I, 12-10-15)