§ 21-241. General regulations.

(a)

These sign regulations are intended to complement the requirements of the adopted building and electrical codes. In case of an inconsistency between these regulations and the building or electrical code, the more stringent requirement shall apply. Unless otherwise provided in this article, the regulations herein apply to all signs in the City.

(b)

It is unlawful for any person to display untrue, false or misleading statements upon signs, billboards, or other public places, calculated to mislead the public as to anything sold, any services to be performed, or information disseminated. The fact that any such sign or display shall contain words or language, sufficient to mislead an ordinary person in reading the same, shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this section by the persons displaying such sign, or permitting same to be displayed at their residence, establishment or place of business.

(c)

All signs shall be required to have a permit indicating compliance with this chapter. No sign shall be constructed, altered or extended until such permit has been issued by the building division. Temporary signs for special events, temporary window signs, real estate signs and political signs do not require a permit.

(d)

Street address numbers are assigned by the post office and are required for all buildings. The numbers shall be at least three (3) inches high and visible from the public thoroughfare.

(e)

No sign shall be above the highest point of the roof line of the building to which it is attached, except on U.S. 17. In no case shall the height of a sign or sign structure, exceed the height limit for buildings and structures in the zoning district in which it is located. Every sign and sign structure shall be setback from the front property line a minimum of three (3) feet. This shall be measured from the edge of the sign or sign structure, nearest the front property line.

(f)

These regulations shall not apply to vending machines, gasoline pumps, telephone booths, newspaper racks, "take-out" or "pick-up" windows and menus posted for reading in drive-in restaurant parking lots. No placement of such equipment or machines shall create or cause a safety hazard for either pedestrian or vehicular traffic.

(g)

Newspaper racks, vending machines and any facility dispensing merchandise or a service should be confined within a space that is part of or adjacent to a building so as to be an aesthetic asset to the building and the neighborhood.

(h)

These regulations do not regulate the content of the message of the sign. It is recommended that the content of the sign identify the business rather than advertise its products. Product names or trade names should not be permitted within a sign unless the trade name is part of the occupant's name or the product identified constitutes over twenty-five (25) percent of the total business done on the premises.

(i)

Reader boards or price signs with removable copy may be allowed, providing the readerboard is included in the allowed sign area, does not constitute more than one-third ( 1/3 ) of the allowed sign area of any one (1) side of the sign and is architecturally integrated into the sign.

(j)

All signs must be legible, well painted, in good repair, properly maintained and sturdy enough to permit those persons working on the signs to do so in safety. All signs, including their supports, braces, guys and anchors, electrical parts and lighting fixtures, and all painted and display areas, shall be maintained in accordance with the building and electrical codes adopted by Winter Haven, and shall present a neat and clean appearance. The vegetation around, in front of, behind, and underneath the base of ground signs for a distance of ten (10) feet shall be neatly trimmed and free of unsightly weeds, and no rubbish or debris that would constitute a fire or health hazard shall be permitted under or near the sign.

(k)

It is recommended that all signs be removable so as to minimize potential expense to the owner.

(l)

Signs exceeding thirty-two (32) square feet must be designed by a professional engineer for structural integrity reasons. The sealed engineering plans must accompany the request for a permit.

(Ord. No. O-00-09, Art. 4 (4.01.00), 4-24-00; Ord. No. O-01-30, § 1, 5-14-01)