(A) Location and design of light source. Whenever an external artificial light source is used for a sign, that source must be located, shielded, and directed so as not to be directly visible from any public street or private residence. No unshielded light or string or string of lights will be permitted. No sign will be internally illuminated except that:
(1) Signs in the Bl and B2 Districts may be internally illuminated, provided that only the lettering or logo, or both, on the sign is internally illuminated; and
(2) Ground signs serving automobile service stations and motor vehicle dealerships located in the Bl and B2 Districts may be fully internally illuminated.
(B) Level of illumination. All artificial illumination shall be designed, located, shielded, and directed to illuminate only the sign face or faces and to prevent the casting of glare or direct light upon adjacent property or streets. No artificial illumination shall exceed one-half foot candle at any residential lot line.
(C) Restriction on hours of illumination. Signs that are located in the Bl Districts on 25th Avenue between Washington Boulevard and Oak Street and Bellwood Avenue and in the B2 District on 25th Avenue between Grant Avenue and St. Charles Road and 25th Avenue between Washington Boulevard and Randolph Street may be illuminated only until (i) 11:00 p.m. or (ii) the time that the activity to which the sign pertains has closed for business, whichever is later.
(D) Flashing lights prohibited. No flashing, blinking, or intermittent lights, nor any illumination that has a change in light intensity, shall be permitted.
(E) Illumination of temporary signs prohibited. No temporary sign shall be illuminated.
(F) Exposed neon. The use of exposed neon shall be permitted only as a window sign that is intended to identify that a business is open for operation. Such signs shall not exceed a sign area of two square feet.
(Ord. 9-4, passed 2-25-09; Am. Ord. 19-11, passed 3-20-19)