Chapter 8 Sign Regulations Part 5 Portable Signs

8.5.1 Portable Signs

In addition to the freestanding signs allowed under Section 8.3.3, portable signs that include such signs as small freestanding business signs, temporary business signs, temporary banners and special event signs shall be allowed as permitted under this part. For purposes of KRS 100.253 portable signs shall be regarded as personal property unattached to the real property on which they are placed and such signs are not structures and no non-conforming land use rights shall attach to them.

8.5.2 Small Freestanding Business Signs

NOTE: Examples of small freestanding business signs are: sandwich boards and 'A' frame signs.

One small freestanding business sign shall be allowed on each lot located in the C-N, C-1, C-2 and C-M Zoning Districts.
The small freestanding business sign shall not exceed twelve (12) square feet of surface area per face and there shall be no more than two (2) faces. The sign shall not extend more than four (4) feet above the ground on which it is placed.
The small freestanding business sign shall advertise only the business, profession, trade or occupation lawfully practiced on site and/or the generic or brand name products or services lawfully available on site, or religious, charitable or other non-commercial messages. Display of small freestanding business signs shall be limited to the hours of operation of the business, profession, trade or occupation lawfully practiced on site.
Small freestanding business signs shall not be illuminated or contain any electrical component.
No small freestanding business sign shall be allowed within the public right-of-way or public easement, unless all required permits have been issued therefore and it shall be a condition of all such permits that the sign shall be removed from the public right of way or easement when the business is closed.
No small freestanding business sign shall be constructed and placed so as to interfere with vehicular traffic by obstructing sight lines for streets, pedestrian right-of-way and driveways.
Any code enforcement officer or peace officer who finds a small freestanding business sign so placed on private property that the sign as located causes an obstruction to pedestrian or vehicular traffic or restricts the vision of drivers of vehicles on abutting streets or on the subject property may cause the sign to be removed to a safe location on the subject property. Any code enforcement officer or peace officer may remove any sign located on the public right-of-way and dispose of same.
All small freestanding business signs shall be kept in good repair and in a proper state of preservation.
Every small freestanding business sign and the premises immediately surrounding the sign shall be maintained by the owner or person in charge thereof in a clean, sanitary and inoffensive condition, and free and clear of all obnoxious substances, rubbish and weeds.

8.5.3 Temporary Freestanding Business Signs

One temporary freestanding business sign shall be permitted in lieu of a permanent freestanding business sign with a permit from the appropriate building department for a period not to exceed one hundred twenty (120) days within the C-1, C-2, C-M, M-1, M-2, M-3, EZ-1 Zoning Districts. Only one permit shall be issued for a property within a year. Sites with shared business signs shall not be permitted to have a temporary freestanding business sign. The expiration date shall be affixed to the sign at all times when the sign is within public view. A copy of the permit shall be available on the business premises and shall be made available for inspection by the Director or his/her designee.
The temporary freestanding business sign shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet of surface area per face and there shall be no more than two (2) faces. The sign shall not extend more than six (6) feet above the ground on which it is placed.
The temporary freestanding business sign shall advertise only the business, profession, trade or occupation lawfully practiced on site and/or the generic or brand name products or services lawfully available on site, or religious, charitable or other non-commercial messages.
Temporary freestanding business signs may not be illuminated, or contain any electrical component unless UL approved and unless connected to a ground fault interrupter. All illuminated temporary freestanding business signs shall be non-flashing and any illumination shall be constant in intensity and color. All components of a small freestanding sign shall be non-moving and stationary.
No temporary freestanding business sign shall be allowed within the public right-of-way or public easement
No temporary freestanding business sign shall be constructed and placed so as to interfere with vehicular traffic by obstructing sight lines for streets, pedestrian right-of-way and driveways.
Any code enforcement officer or peace officer who finds a temporary free¬standing business sign so placed on private property that the sign as located causes an obstruction to pedestrian or vehicular traffic or restricts the vision of drivers of vehicles on abutting streets or on the subject property may cause the sign to be removed to a safe location on the subject property. Any code enforcement officer or peace officer may remove any sign located on the public right-of-way and dispose of same.
All temporary freestanding business signs shall be kept in good repair and in a proper state of preservation.
Every temporary freestanding business sign and the premises immediately surrounding the sign shall be maintained by the owner or person in charge thereof in a clean, sanitary and inoffensive condition, and free and clear of all obnoxious substances, rubbish and weeds.
Property in the C-1, C-2, C-M, M-1, M-2, M-3, EZ-1 Zoning Districts and located in a Suburban Marketplace Corridor Form District may have a temporary freestanding business sign in accordance with the provisions of this Section 8.5.3. The temporary freestanding sign shall be in addition to permanent freestanding business signs as allowed in this Chapter. No site shall have more than one temporary freestanding sign. Temporary signs shall be displayed for no more than 120 days in a calendar year. The expiration date shall be affixed to the sign at all times when the sign is within public view. A copy of the permit shall be available on the business premises and shall be made available for inspection by the Director or his/her designee.

8.5.4 Temporary Banner Signs

In addition to the permanent attached signs allowed within Section 8.3.2, temporary banner signs (cloth, plastic or other soft material) are allowed in the C-N, C-1, C-2, C-3, C-M, EZ-1, M-1, M-2 and M-3 Districts upon the issuance of a permit by the Director. Only one such temporary banner shall be allowed on any business premises. The area of such a banner shall not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the sign area allowed for permanent attached business signs on the building façade adjacent to the banner sign pursuant to paragraph Section 8.3.2B. No person shall be allowed to place a temporary banner sign on property owned by him or on property upon which he owns or operates a business, profession, trade or occupation without having received the permit required hereby. Said permit shall be issued by the Director or his deputy upon written request therefore, for a period not to exceed thirty (30) consecutive days and for cumulative periods not to exceed ninety (90) days in any calendar year. Immediately upon expiration of the permit, said temporary banner shall be removed. At all times while the banner is in public view the expiration date of the sign shall be affixed to the sign. The permit for the banner sign shall be kept on the business premises and shall be available for inspection by the Director or his/her designee. Temporary banners shall be attached to permanent structures only.

8.5.5 Special Event Sign

One special event sign shall be permitted for institutional uses with a permit from the appropriate building department for a period not to exceed 120 days within a calendar year. The expiration date of the permit shall be affixed to the sign at all times when the sign is within public view. A copy of the permit shall be located on the property and shall be made available for review upon request.
The special event sign shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet of surface area per face and there shall be no more than two (2) faces. The sign shall not extend more than six (6) feet above the ground on which it is placed.
The special event sign shall advertise only the activity lawfully practiced on site, related special events including fund raising activities, or religious, charitable or other non-commercial messages.
Special event signs may not be illuminated, or contain any electrical component unless UL approved and unless connected to a ground fault interrupter. All illuminated temporary freestanding business signs shall be non-flashing and any illumination shall be constant in intensity and color. All components of a small freestanding sign shall be non-moving and stationary.
No special event sign shall be allowed within the public right-of-way or public easement.
No special event sign shall be constructed and placed so as to interfere with vehicular traffic by obstructing sight lines for streets, pedestrian right-of-way and driveways.
Any code enforcement officer or peace officer who finds a special event sign so placed on private property that the sign as located causes an obstruction to pedestrian or vehicular traffic or restricts the vision of drivers of vehicles on abutting streets or on the subject property may cause the sign to be removed to a safe location on the subject property. Any code enforcement officer or peace officer may remove any sign located on the public right-of-way and dispose of same.
All special event signs shall be kept in good repair and in a proper state of preservation.
Every special event sign and the premises immediately surrounding the sign shall be maintained by the owner or person in charge thereof in a clean, sanitary and inoffensive condition, and free and clear of all obnoxious substances, rubbish and weeds.
Small special event signs not to exceed four (4) square feet in area each shall be allowed without a permit. Said signs shall not include any electrical or mechanical components and shall be removed from the property within three (3) days after the completion of the advertised event.