(a) All signs shall be of substantial construction so as to withstand weather conditions, such as rain, snow, wind, and freezing and thawing, without deterioration of the sign or its structure. Cloth, paper, or any other temporary materials shall not be permitted on permanent signs.
(b) All signs shall be constructed, erected and maintained in accordance with the Village Building and Housing Code.
(c) All signs, including temporary signs, shall at all times be maintained in good condition and repair at all times. Upon determination that a sign is not being maintained, is in poor condition or repair, or is unsafe, the Building and Zoning Inspector or his designated agent may order such sign to be brought into compliance or removed within a specified time period. Should the property owner fail to bring the sign into compliance as directed, the Building and Zoning Inspector may remove (or cause to be removed) or maintain such sign at the expense of the person, firm or corporation who erected the sign or on whose premises it was erected, affixed or attached. Each such person, firm or corporation shall be individually and separately liable for the expense incurred in the removal of the sign. The Building and Zoning Inspector may also institute an injunction, mandamus, abatement, or other appropriate action or proceeding to prevent, enjoin, abate, or remove such violation.
(d) Illuminated signs are permitted pursuant to the following regulations:
(1) Signs may be internally illuminated with LED's or similar technology, provided that the sign shall be factory set so that the luminance of the sign shall not exceed a maximum of three (3) foot candles measured ten (10) feet from the sign's face at maximum brightness. Internally illuminated signs shall be equipped with a reduced intensity nighttime setting device activated by photocell or timer.
(2) External illumination of signs shall not be of excessive brightness and shall be designed and shielded so as to prevent glare and minimize light trespass onto adjacent properties and to prevent view of the light source from any adjoining residential property and/or vehicles traveling on public rights-of-way. In no instance shall the intensity of the light exceed twenty (20) foot candles at any point on the sign face.
(3) Signs may use back lighting or halo lighting subject to the approval of the Planning Commission.
(4) No sign shall be illuminated between the hours of 2:30 a.m. and 5:00 a.m., unless the activity displaying the sign is open for business during those hours. The Building and Zoning Inspector is authorized to grant an exception from the provisions of this section to any activity in which illumination of signs during the hours otherwise proscribed is necessary or desirable for the security and safety of the activity or for property in the custody of the activity.
(5) Electronic Message signs shall be subject to approval by the Planning Commission and City Council. They shall conform to the following standards:
A. Each message or copy shall remain fixed for at least ten (10) seconds.
B. Each such sign must be capable of regulating the digital display intensity, and the light intensity level of the display must automatically adjust to natural ambient light conditions.
C. No such sign shall be of such intensity as to create a distraction or nuisance for motorists (as defined by lumins).
D. Displays shall not emulate traffic control devices.
E. The changeable copy portion of any free-standing ground sign, wall sign or pole sign shall not exceed eighty percent (80%) of the total area of the sign.
(6) Temporary signs shall not be illuminated.
(e) Signs not visible from off the premises are exempt from these regulations.
(f) All permanent signs shall be erected entirely on private property with no part of said sign extending over the public street or right of way.
(Ord. 9740-19. Passed 11-18-19.)