§ 9-106. Exempt signs.

(a)

Construction signs: One (1) construction sign per construction project not exceeding sixty-four (64) square feet in sign area in business and industrial districts or thirty-two (32) square feet in sign area in residential districts provided that such signs shall be erected no more than thirty (30) days prior to the beginning of construction for which a valid building permit has been issued, shall be confined to the site of construction, and shall be removed thirty (30) days after completion of construction and prior to occupancy.

(b)

Directional or instructional signs: Nonelectrical signs which provide instruction or direction and are located entirely on the property to which they pertain and do not exceed four (4) square feet in area, signs identifying restrooms, public telephones, walkways, or signs providing direction such as parking lot entrances and exit signs and those of a similar nature.

(c)

Governmental signs: Property owned by or under the control of the United States of America or the State of Mississippi and which is not subject to the police power of the city and property owned by or under the control of the city are hereby declared to be exempt from all sign regulations set forth in the city's Sign Ordinance (Section 9-76, et seq.). In addition, governmental signs for control of traffic and other regulatory purposes, street signs, danger signs, railroad crossing signs, and signs of public service companies indicating danger and aids to service or safety which are erected by or on the order of a public officer in the performance of his public duty.

(d)

Holiday decorations: Signs of a primarily decorative nature, clearly incidental and customary and commonly associated with any national, local or religious holidays.

(e)

House numbers and nameplates: House numbers and nameplates not exceeding two (2) square feet in area for each residential building.

(f)

Interior signs: Signs located within the interior of any building or stadium, or within an enclosed lobby or court of any building, and signs for and located within the inner or outer lobby, court or entrance of any theater. This does not, however, exempt such signs from the structural, electrical, or material specifications as set out in this article.

(g)

Memorial signs: Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings and date of erection when cut into any masonry surface or inlaid so as to be part of the building or when constructed of bronze or other incombustible material.

(h)

Notice bulletin boards: Notice bulletin boards not over thirty-two (32) nominal square feet in area for medical, public, charitable or religious institutions where the same are located on the premises of such institution.

(i)

No trespassing or no dumping signs: No trespassing or no dumping signs not to exceed one and one-half (1½) square feet in area per sign and not exceeding four (4) in number per lot, except that special permission may be obtained from the building inspector for additional signs under proven special circumstances.

(j)

Occupant signs: One (1) sign for each dwelling unit not to exceed two (2) square feet in area indicating the name of the occupant, location or identification of a home professional office.

(k)

Plaques: Plaques or nameplate signs not more than four (4) square feet in area which are fastened directly to the building.

(l)

Public notices: Official notices posted by public officers or employees in the performance of their duties.

(m)

Public signs: Signs required or specifically authorized for a public purpose by any law, statute or ordinance which may be of any type, number, area, height above grade, location, illumination, or animation, required by the law, statute or ordinance under which the signs are erected.

(n)

Symbols or insignia: Religious symbols, commemorative plaques of recognized historical agencies, or identification emblems of religious orders or historical agencies, provided that no such symbol, plaque, or identification emblem shall exceed four (4) square feet in area, and provided further that all such symbols, plaques and identification emblems shall be placed flat against a building.

(o)

Temporary signs: Temporary signs not exceeding four (4) square feet in area pertaining to drives or events of civic, philanthropic, educational or religious organizations, provided that such signs are posted only during such drive or not more than thirty (30) days before the event and are removed no more than fifteen (15) days after an event.

(p)

Warning signs: Signs warning the public of the existence of danger, but containing no advertising material, of a size as may be necessary, to be removed upon subsidence of danger.

(q)

Neighborhood identification signs: In any zone, a sign, masonry wall, landscaping and other similar materials or features may be combined to form a display for neighborhood or tract identification, provided that the legend of such sign or display shall consist only of the neighborhood or tract name. All freestanding signs shall be placed within a landscaped area.

(r)

Political campaign signs:

(1)

Such signs may be placed on private property with consent of the owner or tenant thereof, in all zoning districts within the city.

(2)

The face of such signs on private property shall not exceed six (6) square feet in area, and no more than one (1) such sign shall be located on the same side of the street on a single lot or parcel.

(3)

Such signs shall not be tacked, nailed, painted, posted, or affixed in any manner on trees, utility poles, fences, rocks, and other such supporting structures.

(4)

Such signs shall not be located on public property or public right-of-way.

(5)

Candidates who qualify for any election shall remove their signs no later than seven (7) days after any election is certified as being official by the secretary of state or any political party, whichever first occurs.

(6)

In the event of violation of this subsection, the political candidate will be held responsible. The penalty will be set forth in section 9-78.

(s)

Real estate signs: One (1) real estate sign on any lot or parcel, provided such sign is located entirely within the property to which the sign applies, is not directly illuminated, does not exceed six (6) square feet in area, and is removed within seven (7) days after the sale, rental, or lease has been accomplished.

(Ord. No. 1764, § 7.2, 3-17-87; Ord. No. 2518, § 10, 2-6-07; Ord. No. 2837, § 2, 10-6-15 )

State law reference

Determination of elections generally, Miss. Code Ann. 1972, § 23-15-605; determination of municipal elections, Miss. Code Ann. 1972, § 23-15-611.