§ 17.60.2.010. Prohibited signs and exceptions.

The following signs are prohibited within the City of Great Falls except as exempted in 17.60.2.020 of this code:

A.

Signs located on public property, except light pole banners for community events and authorized Central Avenue banners. Sandwich boards are allowed on public sidewalks which are more than eight (8) feet wide and are adjacent to the business being advertised, adjoining properties to a commercial land use, and approved bench signs and transit shelters permitted through Title 12.4.040.

B.

Portable changeable-copy signs.

C.

Signs that flash, spin, rotate or have similar motion-based devices. This includes signs with moving parts, flashing lights of any kind and/or sound, but does not prohibit permanent electronic message boards or permanent electronic changeable copy signs as long as they do not flash. The display on electronic message boards must be synchronized so that any flashing or alternating text or image must remain for a minimum of three (3) seconds.

D.

Light beams, holograms and rotating beacons or signs that simulate traffic signals or emergency response equipment or cause a traffic distraction.

E.

Roof signs which extend more than half way up the roof to the ridge line. (See Exhibit 60-1 of this chapter.)

F.

Signs advertising a product, service or business that are carried, worn or otherwise supported by a person or animal except during licensed parades and community events. This does not apply to uniforms and corporate wear.

G.

Signs on City trees, utility poles, street lights, traffic control boxes or other public property. This does not apply to official government signs.

H.

A Vehicle or trailer existing for the primary purpose of advertising is prohibited. Such vehicle signs are not permitted in public rights-of-way, on public property or on private property where such objects are visible from the public right-of-way. This restriction shall not be construed to prohibit normal advertising on commercial vehicles, e.g. firm name, telephone number, business address, major enterprise, principal products or services. This restriction shall not be construed to limit political signs mounted on vehicles. Commercial transportation vehicles that are licensed, self-propelled, in compliance with State and City statute and/or ordinance requirements and are operating in the function for which they are primarily intended are not subject to this prohibition.

(Ord. 3139, 2016)