In addition to the design, size, type and location of signs, all signs shall meet the following standards:
(a) Illumination. Signs shall be permitted to be illuminated as provided in the following:
(i) Source. Light sources to illuminate signs may be direct or indirect. Illuminated signs or lighting devices shall employ only a light of constant intensity.
(ii) Intensity. Illuminated signs or lighting devices shall employ only a light of constant intensity.
(iii) Location and Direction. In no event shall an illuminated sign or lighting device be placed, directed or beamed upon a public thoroughfare, highway, sidewalk or adjacent property so as to cause glare or reflection that may constitute a traffic hazard or nuisance.
(iv) No temporary sign shall be illuminated or have the potential to be illuminated.
(b) Location of Signs and Construction Standards.
(i) No sign shall be placed in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision of any traffic on public or private property. Such determination will be made by the Director of Public Safety and Services.
(ii) No sign shall be attached to a utility pole, tree, trash receptacle, bench, or any other structure not intended or approved as a sign support.
(iii) No sign shall be erected so as to project over and obstruct any window, door, fire escape, balcony, platform stairway, ladder, vent or other means of ingress into a building.
(iv) The construction, erection, safety and maintenance of signs shall comply with the Building Code.
(v) Signs shall be structurally sound and located so as to pose no threat to pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
(vi) Permanent signs shall be constructed and erected to withstand wind pressures of at least 30 pounds per square foot of surface, and shall be fastened, suspended or supported so that they will not be a menace to person or property.
(vii) Permanent signs shall be fabricated on and of materials that are of good quality and good durability.
(viii) Temporary signs shall be durable and weather-resistant and fastened or anchored sufficiently, whether attached to the building or positioned in the ground.
(c) Maintenance. All signs shall be maintained as follows:
(i) The property owner, occupant, or other person responsible for the sign shall maintain the sign in a condition fit for the intended use and he or she shall have a continuing obligation to comply with all building code requirements.
(ii) If the Administrative Official finds that any sign is unsafe, insecure, or a menace to the public, notice shall be given in writing by the Administrative Official to the owner. The owner of the business shall, within 48 hours of such notification, correct such unsafe condition or remove the sign. In the event of an immediate threat to the public health, safety or general welfare, the Administrative Official may take whatever actions deemed necessary to effect the immediate removal of such sign.
(iii) Whenever any sign, either conforming or non-conforming to these regulations, is required to be removed for the purpose of repair, refurbishing, or repainting, the same may be done without a permit or any payment of fees provided that all of the following conditions are met:
(1) There shall be no alteration or remodeling to the sign face, lettering (except as otherwise permitted for changeable copy), sign base, sign support(s) of the mounting of the sign itself.
(Ord. 35-07. Passed 3-19-07.)
(2) There shall be no enlargement or increase in any of the dimensions of the sign or its structure.
(3) The sign shall be accessory to a legally permitted, conditional, or nonconforming use.
(Ord. 45-09. Passed 9-8-09.)
(iv) The Administrative Official may order any sign to be painted or refurbished whenever needed to keep the sign in a neat and safe condition.