Why the county regulates outdoor signs

(a) The council finds and declares that: (1) The people of the County have a primary interest in controlling the erection, location, and maintenance of outdoor signs in a manner designed to protect the public health, safety, and morals and to promote the public welfare and convenience; encourage and promote the visitor industry; and foster sightliness and physical good order; (2) The natural beauty of the County constitutes an attraction for visitors, and a substantial source of income and revenue of the people of the County is derived from the visitor industry; (3) The indiscriminate erection and improper maintenance of large signs seriously detract from the enjoyment and pleasure of the natural scenic beauty of the County, which in turn injuriously affect the tourist trade and the economic well-being of the County; and (4) There has been a marked increase in the number and size of signs advertising business activities and products in the County; (5) The increased number and size of signs, coupled with the increased use of motor vehicles, make it imperative that the public streets and highways be kept free from signs which distract motorists’ attention while driving, and which detract from the attention which should be devoted to signs promoting traffic safety; (6) The indiscriminate erection, location, illumination, coloring, and size of outdoor signs constitute a significant contributing factor in increasing the number of traffic accidents on the public streets and highways by detracting from the visibility of official traffic lights and signals, and by tending to distract and divert the attention of drivers away from the flow of traffic movement; (7) The construction, erection, and maintenance of large outdoor signs suspended from, or placed on top of buildings, walls, or other structures constitute a direct danger to pedestrian traffic below the signs, especially during periods when winds of high velocity are prevalent; (8) The size and location of outdoor signs may, if uncontrolled, constitute an obstacle to effective fire-fighting techniques; (9) It is necessary for the promotion and preservation of the public health, safety, and welfare of the people of the County, that the erection, construction, location, and maintenance of signs be regulated and controlled; and (10) The people of the County expect stewardship of the land and protection of the natural beauty for future generations; along with conservation and development of the natural beauty of the County, as well as objects and places of historic and cultural interest. (b) The purpose of this chapter is to: (1) Encourage the effective use of signs as a means of communication in the County; (2) Maintain and enhance the aesthetic environment and the County’s ability to attract sources of economic development and growth; (3) Improve pedestrian and traffic safety; (4) Minimize the possible adverse effect of signs on nearby public and private property; and (5) Enable the fair establishment and consistent enforcement of these sign regulations. (2004, ord 04-142, sec 2.)3-1