§ 19.01. Intent

This article is intended to regulate signs and to minimize outdoor advertising in order to protect public safety, health and welfare; minimize abundance and size of signs to reduce visual clutter, motorist distraction, and loss of visibility; promote public convenience; preserve property values; and enhance the aesthetic appearance and quality of life of the community. The requirements contained herein are intended to be content neutral. The following objectives are accomplished by establishing the minimum amount of regulations necessary concerning the size, placement, construction, illumination, and other aspects of signs in the county and cities in order to:

(a)

Protect the public right to receive messages, including religious, political, economic, social, philosophical and other types of information protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

(b)

Recognize that the proliferation of signs is unduly distracting to motorists and non-motorized travelers, reduces the effectiveness of signs directing and warning the public, causes confusion, reduces desired uniform traffic flow, and creates potential for crashes.

(c)

Maintain and improve the image of the community by encouraging signs of consistent size which are compatible with and complementary to related buildings and uses, and harmonious with their surroundings.

(d)

Recognize that the principal intent of commercial signs, to meet the purpose of these requirements and serve the public interest, should be for identification of an establishment on the premises, and not for advertising special events, brand names or off-premise activities, as these can be advertised more appropriately by other methods.

(e)

Eliminate potential conflicts between business signs and traffic control signs, thereby minimizing the potential for confusion and hazardous consequences.

(f)

Enable the public to locate goods, services and facilities without undue difficulty and confusion by restricting the number and placement of signs.

(g)

Prevent placement of signs which will conceal or obscure signs of adjacent uses.

(h)

Prevent off-premise signs from conflicting with other land uses.

(i)

Prevent signs that are potentially dangerous to the public due to structural deficiencies or disrepair.

(j)

Prohibit portable commercial signs in recognition of their significant negative impact on traffic safety and aesthetics.