§ 78-1. Findings and purpose.

The board of commissioners finds that signs provide an important medium through which persons may convey a variety of noncommercial and commercial messages. However, left completely unregulated, signs can become a threat to public safety as a traffic hazard and a detriment to property values and to the county's general public welfare, as well as create an aesthetic nuisance. By enacting this chapter, the board of commissioners intends to:

(1)

Balance the rights of persons to convey their messages through signs and the right of the public to be protected against the unrestricted proliferation of signs;

(2)

Protect the public health, safety, and welfare of the citizens and others within the county;

(3)

Reduce traffic hazards, pedestrian hazards, and other hazards;

(4)

Promote and maintain the aesthetic qualities of the county;

(5)

Protect property values by minimizing the possible adverse effects and visual blight caused by signs;

(6)

Promote economic development;

(7)

Ensure the fair and consistent enforcement of sign regulations;

(8)

Promote the stated purposes of the UDO, as amended, which are expressly incorporated herein; and

(9)

Promote the stated purposes of the building code, as adopted and modified by the county, which are expressly incorporated herein.

(Code 1994, § 86-100; Res. No. A-01-004, 8-28-2001)