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The following provisions shall govern the use of artificial light sources for all signs within the city.
(A) No illuminated signs shall be permitted in R-1 Districts, with the exception of institutional signs. Minimal illumination is permitted. Internally illuminated signs shall be permitted in the R-2 and R-3 Districts. Otherwise, signs illuminated with artificial light shall be permitted in accordance with the provisions of this section.
(B) All artificially illuminated signs shall use only that amount of artificial light as is needed to light the sign. Specifically, wattage and lumen output of all light sources shall be kept to the minimum necessary to accomplish the intended purpose. Glare or reflected light, which is a by-product of the light, also shall be considered artificial light, and similarly shall be kept to a minimum. Artificial light sources shall not be placed at any height taller than is essential to accomplish the intended purpose.
(C) Except for internally illuminated signs, artificial light source is fully enclosed by opaque materials and does not project beyond them, and that light may be transmitted in only one direction, except that incandescent light bulbs with a wattage of 50 watts or less need not be fully enclosed. Any diffusers must be flush mounted to the opaque fixture that no part of the light source, the diffuser itself, or the like, projects beyond the opaque portion of the fixture.
(D) All artificial light sources shall be contained in fully opaque fixtures which control the light that it is directed either straight down or straight up, or is located so close to the sign that there is no broadcast or glare of light beyond the sign. It is intended that the visibility of the light source itself be minimal.
(Ord. 199, passed 2-7-2000)
All signs, except temporary signs, existing upon the effective date of this subchapter shall be allowed to continue in the manner of operation, provided there is no change in use. All signs shall be in good repair and any alterations or repairs to the sign shall not increase the non-conformity. After a non-conforming sign has been removed, it shall not be replaced by another non-conforming sign. After the non-conforming use to which the sign relates has ceased for six months, the sign shall be removed.
(Ord. 199, passed 2-7-2000)
If the Zoning Administrator finds that any sign has been erected without the necessary permit(s), or any sign is being maintained in violation of any provision of this subchapter, he or she may give written notice of the violation to the installer of the sign, to the permit holder, and/or to the owner, lessee or manager of the property. If, after receiving the notice, the person fails to remove or alter the sign so as to comply with the provisions of this subchapter, the sign shall be deemed to be a nuisance and may be removed by the city under M.S. Chapter 429, as it may be amended from time to time. The cost of the removal, including administrative expenses and reasonable attorney’s fees, may be levied as a special assessment against the property upon which the sign is located.
(Ord. 199, passed 2-7-2000) Penalty, see § 154.999
An applicant for a sign permit or permit holder may appeal any order, requirement, decision, or determination made by the Zoning Administrator/Building Inspector in the enforcement of this subchapter by filing a letter of appeal with the Zoning Administrator/Building Inspector requesting a hearing before the Planning Commission and the City Council. The City Council shall decide all the appeals.
(Ord. 199, passed 2-7-2000)
NON-CONFORMING BUILDINGS, STRUCTURES, USES
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