(a) Illumination. Illuminated signs shall meet the following requirements:
(1) Light sources shall be shielded from all adjacent buildings and streets.
(2) Light sources to illuminate signs shall not be of excessive brightness or cause glare hazardous to pedestrians or automobile drivers on the roadways or be objectionable to adjacent residential districts. The colors red or green, either in direct illumination or reflection, shall not be used where they may interfere with Sign Regulations the sight lines of a traffic signal. Flashing, moving, or intermittent illumination and outline lighting shall not be permitted.
(3) Signs in the Residence districts shall not be illuminated, except for permanent, ground signs.
(b) Construction Standards.
(1) The construction, erection, safety, and maintenance of all signs shall comply with all applicable building codes.
(2) Signs shall be constructed of noncombustible materials, provided, however, that facings, letters, figures, decorations and structural trim thereof may be made of approved combustible materials.
(3) A sign shall be constructed in a good and workmanlike manner. Awnings, canopies, marquees, projecting signs, and sign structures more than six (6) feet in height, shall be designed by a registered professional engineer to support the applicable design loads as specified in Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) 4101:1-16 (Structural Design).
(4) A sign shall be located and secured in a manner to insure the safety of pedestrians and motorists.
(5) Permanent signs shall be fabricated with durable materials.
(6) Electrical signs and permanent signs involving structural requirements of the building code shall be installed, repa ired, altered, and serviced only by a contractor licensed to perform such tasks.
(7) No sign shall obstruct architectural trim or feature of a building including but not limited to a column or an arch; ventilating system; window; door; fire escape or window or door leading thereto; balcony, platform, stairway, ladder, vent, or any means of entry or exit. No sign shall be attached in any form, shape, or manner to a fire escape.
(8) No sign shall be attached to a utility pole, tree, trash receptacle, bench, or other structure not intended or approved as a sign support.
(9) Temporary signs shall be durable, weather-resistant, and fastened or anchored sufficiently, whether attached to the building or positioned in the ground.
(10) No sign shall be erected in a public right-of-way, or at the intersection of any streets, which obstructs free and clear vision; or at any location where, by reason of its position, shape or color, the sign may interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any traffic control sign, signal or device; or which includes the words "STOP", "LOOK", "DANGER" or any other like word, phrase, symbol or character which may be confused with a traffic or warning sign.
(11) Unless regulated otherwise in the Traffic Code, signs shall not be erected so as to obstruct traffic control light, signs at street intersections, sight lines within street lines or signals at railroad grade crossings.
(c) Maintenance. All signs shall be maintained in good repair in accordance with the following:
(1) The property owner, occupant, tenant and/or sign applicant shall maintain a sign so the sign content is visible, the sign is operable and the sign is in good repair, structurally sound and secure; and shall continue to comply with all building code requirements.
(2) If the Building Official determines that a sign is unsafe, insecure, or a public nuisance, the property owner, occupant, tenant and/or sign applicant shall be given written notice by the Building Official. Within forty-eight (48) hours of such notification, the violation shall be corrected or the sign removed. If the violation is not remedied within forty-eight (48) hours, the sign may be removed or repaired by the City to comply with these regulations at the expense of the owner, tenant and/or sign applicant of the premises upon which the sign is located. The Building Official may remove without notice any sign that creates an immediate danger to persons or property.
(3) The Building Official may order any sign to be painted or refurbished to keep the sign in a neat and safe condition. All sign supports, guys, braces, and anchors shall be maintained in a safe condition.
(d) Abandoned Signs and Failure to Maintain. An abandoned sign which fails to serve the purpose for which it was intended or a sign not properly maintained shall be removed by the owner, occupant, tenant and/or sign applicant within ten (10) business days after receipt of written notice by the Building Official. The sign area shall be replaced by a neutral, single background color panel or similar cover. If the sign is comprised of individually raised letters, the letters shall be removed and any holes in the building's facade shall be repaired. The Building Official is authorized to commence legal action for an order to remove the sign. All expenses incurred by the City to remove the sign shall be paid by the owner of the property on which the sign is located.
(e) Signs erected in violation of the Code shall be removed by the owner, tenant, occupant and/or sign applicant, or person having the beneficial use of the building, structure, or land upon which such sign is located, within ten (10) business days after receipt of written notice by the Building Official. Upon failure to remove the sign pursuant to such order, the Building Official is hereby authorized to commence legal action for an order to remove the sign. All expenses incurred by the City to remove the sign shall be paid by the owner of the property on which the sign is located.
(f) Prohibited Advertising. No sign advertising for promoting cigarettes or other tobacco products, alcoholic beverages and sexually-related materials shall be placed within 1,000
feet of the boundaries of any school premises or school building or on any billboard located within the City. The words "school", "school premises" and "school building" shall have the same meanings as set forth in Ohio R.C. 2925.01(Q), (R) and (S).
(Ord. 2024-052. Passed 6-18-24.)