1. Lighting Regulations.
A. All illuminated signs shall have an indirect or diffused light source and be designed so as not to direct rays of light onto public streets or adjacent property, thereby creating a nuisance or safety hazard.
B. Electronic message boards used as changeable copy signs or reader boards shall be required to adjust in intensity related to ambient light levels.
C. There shall be no flashing signs or use of flashing messages or pictures of any type including electronic message signs and video signs permitted in any district. For the purpose of this section, electronic message signs with smooth transitions such as fading or slow scrolling would not be considered flashing. For the purpose of this section video signs which display consistent images without dramatic changes in either image or intensity intended specifically to draw attention to the sign would not be considered flashing.
2. Changeable Copy and/or Reader Boards. A maximum of one-half of the total copy area allowed for a freestanding sign may be used for changeable copy or reader board.
3. Placement of Signs on Driveway Island or Entrance. No permanent or temporary sign shall be located upon a driveway median for a distance of a minimum of ten feet from a public street right-of-way.
4. Change of Sign Message. Upon any change or replacement of more than a sign face within an existing cabinet, the sign will constitute a new sign, requiring a new initial fee, and issuance of a new permit. If the sign does not exceed the size requirement as provided in this chapter and the change is in content only, an application and drawings must be submitted, but the fee will not be required.
5. Nonconforming Signs; Continuation of Previously Permitted Signs. Existing signs, other than temporary signs, which were permitted under sign regulations in effect prior to enactment of the ordinance from which this chapter is derived may be kept as and where they were then located, even though they may not conform to these regulations. Upon replacement of any elements of the sign other than the sign faces within an existing cabinet, there must be compliance with these regulations, unless the replacement is for the purpose of repair and is 100% identical to the original.
A. New off premises advertising signs (billboards) are not permitted. Existing non-conforming billboards are allowed to be converted to digital advertising signs subject to the following criteria:
(1) For every one existing sign face converted from non-electronic to a digital advertising sign, two other existing non-electronic billboard sign faces must be removed. Sign faces shall be removed so that in no instance shall a sign face be left on a structure without another sign face backing up to it and consequently exposing the back side of the sign structure.
(2) The digital advertising sign may not exceed the height or size (sign area) of the existing sign being replaced.
(3) The digital advertising sign shall be supported by a monopole structure, unless otherwise approved by City staff or the Plan and Zoning Commission.
(4) The maximum brightness of the digital advertising sign shall not exceed a luminance of 5,000 NITS during daylight hours. The maximum brightness of the sign shall not exceed a luminance of 500 NITS during the period from dusk to dawn.
(5) The digital advertising sign shall have an automatic dimmer control or ambient light monitors to produce an illumination change from a higher illumination level to a lower one for the period of time from dusk to dawn.
(6) Any image or message displayed on the digital advertising sign must have a minimum duration time of eight seconds.
(7) The transition from one image to another shall appear instantaneous. The use of special effects or specialized transitions is prohibited.
(8) Each image must be static and not contain any type of motion, animation, scrolling of text, or sequential displays.
(9) Digital advertising signs shall not be within 1000’ of each other when facing the same way.
(10) All approved digital advertising signs shall be made available for usage for Amber Alerts and other Emergency Community Notifications as deemed necessary by appropriate Emergency and Law Enforcement Agencies and community information approved by the City Council and City staff.
(11) All digital advertising signs will be permitted only after obtaining all applicable permits from the City and payment of all permit fees, provided the standards and restrictions in this section, as well as all applicable requirements of all other adopted ordinances and regulations of the City, are met.
(Subsection 5 -Ord. 1736 – Oct. 12 Supp.)
6. Illegal Signs. When an illegal sign exists upon a parcel of land or business property, the City may refuse to issue a permit for any other sign on that property until the illegal sign is removed.
7. Exposed Structural Components. Exposed backs of all signs and the sign structure must be painted a neutral color and otherwise be maintained so as not to have an adverse effect upon the adjacent property.
8. Signs Which Interfere with Traffic Signs, Signals or Devices. No sign shall be installed or allowed to exist, which, by reason of position, shape, color, or wording, would interfere with the proper functioning of any official traffic sign, signal, or device.
9. Maintenance; Refuse and Removal.
A. All signs shall be maintained in good condition and the areas around them kept free from debris, bushes, and high weeds and from anything else which would be a nuisance.
B. All business signs shall be removed from the building and property by the owner of the property within ten days after business or use is terminated except for framework that is expected to be used for a future business sign.
C. All signs shall contain current information. Outdated signs or signs with outdated information shall be removed by the owner.
D. When any sign is removed, the enforcing officer shall be notified and the entire surrounding area shall be cleared of all debris and unsightly projections and protrusions.
E. Signs not in compliance with this chapter.
(1) When a sign placed on private property is not in compliance with this chapter and has not been removed by the owner or operator of a business, the City shall have the right to remove the sign, after ten days’ written notice, and charge the cost of removal to the owner or operator. Where a safety hazard exists, the City may remove the sign without notice.
(2) When a sign placed on public property is not in compliance with this chapter, the City shall have the right to remove the sign immediately and store the sign for not less than three days, whereupon the City may dispose of the sign in a manner similar to other abandoned property.
10. Table of Setback and Height Requirements. The minimum setbacks and maximum heights shall be required for all signs, as detailed in Appendix C to this chapter.