(A) Lighting regulations.
(1) 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 creating a public nuisance or safety hazard.
(2) There shall be no flashing signs permitted in any district, except for signs or traffic control devices in connection with roadway operations by the state, county or city.
(3) No illuminated sign shall change in either color or intensity of light except for signs or traffic control devices in connection with roadway operations by the state, county or city.
(4) Lighted, revolving signs shall be permitted, but the bottom of the sign surface shall be a minimum of 12 feet above the street grade and a minimum of 100 feet from the center of any public street intersection.
(5) Between sunrise and sunset, the maximum luminance of all illuminated signs shall be 7,500 nits, and between sunset and sunrise, the maximum luminance shall be 500 nits. Additionally, the sign shall not exceed 0.3 foot candles above ambient light levels 100 feet from the sign face. All signs with an electronic message or electronic graphic display must be equipped with an automatic dimmer control or other mechanism that automatically controls the sign’s brightness to comply with this requirement. These signs must also be equipped with a means to immediately turn off the display or lighting if it malfunctions, and the sign owner or operator must immediately turn off the sign or lighting when notified by the city that it is not complying with the standards in this section.
(B) Changeable copy. A maximum of two-thirds of the total area of sign allowed for a freestanding sign may be a changeable sign as permitted herein.
(C) 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 30 feet from a public street right-of-way.
(D) Change of sign. Upon any change or replacement of a sign or any portion thereof, including the sign’s structure, a new permit shall be required. If the sign does not exceed the size requirement as provided in this chapter and the change is in copy only, an application and drawings must be submitted, but the permit fee will not be required. This provision does not apply to the changing of copy on a changeable sign, but does apply to a changeable sign if the sign structure, design or method of changing copy is revised or replaced.
(E) 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 the sign, there must be compliance with these regulations, unless the replacement is 100% identical to the original.
(F) Illegal sign. When an illegal sign(s) 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(s) is removed.
(G) Exposed structural components; preventing adverse effect upon adjacent property. 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.
(H) Signs which interfere with traffic signs, signals or devices. No sign shall be installed, which, by reason of position, shape, color or wording would interfere with the proper functioning of any official traffic sign, signal or device.
(I) Maintenance; refuse and removal.
(1) All signs shall be maintained in good condition and the areas around them kept free from debris, bushes, high weeds and from anything else which would be a nuisance.
(2) 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.
(3) All signs shall contain current information. Outdated signs or signs with outdated information shall be removed by the owner.
(4) 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.
(5) Signs not in compliance with code.
(a) When a sign placed on private property is not in compliance with this code 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.
(b) When a sign placed on public property is not in compliance with this code, the city shall have the right to remove the sign immediately and store the sign for not less than 60 days, whereupon the city may dispose of the sign in a manner similar to other abandoned property.
(J) Table of setback and height requirements. The minimum setbacks and maximum heights shall be required for all signs, as detailed in Appendix D.
(‘81 Code, § 6-107) (Ord. 495, passed 9-20-90; Am. Ord. 501, passed 12-13-90; Am. Ord. 555, passed 5-13-93; Am. Ord. 958, passed 12-26-13)