The Planning and Zoning Administrator shall consider the proposed sign according to the following standards:
(a) Illumination. Signs shall be permitted to be illuminated in compliance with the following:
(1) Light sources shall be shielded from all adjacent buildings and streets.
(2) Lights shall not be of such brightness so as to cause glare that is hazardous to pedestrians or motorists, or cause reasonable objection from adjacent residential districts.
(3) Signs shall not include flashing, moving, or intermittent lighting in which any part of the message changes at a rate of more than once every twenty (20) seconds.
(4) The illumination of signs shall not obstruct traffic control or any other public informational signs. Signs visible from sight lines along streets shall not contain symbols or words, or red and green lights that resemble highway traffic signs or devices.
(5) In single-family residential districts, temporary signs shall not be illuminated. Permanent, freestanding signs shall only be externally illuminated.
(b) Construction Standards.
(1) The construction, erection, safety, and maintenance shall comply with all applicable building codes.
(2) All signs shall be constructed in a professional manner in conformance with the appropriate building code and other applicable requirements of the Municipality and shall be structurally sound to withstand wind pressures of at least thirty (30) pounds per square foot of surface area.
(3) All signs shall be located and secured so as to pose no threat to pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
(4) Permanent signs shall be fabricated on and of materials that are of good quality and good durability.
(5) Electric signs and all permanent signs involving structural requirements of the building code shall be installed, repaired, altered and serviced only by a contractor licensed to perform such tasks.
(6) No sign shall be erected so as to project over or obstruct any window, door, fire escape, balcony, platform, stairway, ladder, vent or other means of ingress of any building.
(7) No sign shall be attached to a utility pole, tree, trash receptacle, bench or other structure not intended or approved as a sign support.
(8) Temporary signs shall be durable and weather-resistant, and fastened or anchored sufficiently, whether attached to the building or positioned in the ground.
(9) No sign regulated by any of the provisions of this Chapter shall be erected in the right-of-way, in proximity to railroad crossings, or at the intersection of any streets in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision, or at any location where, by reason of the position, shape or color, it may interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device, or which makes use of the words "STOP", "LOOK", "DANGER" or any other word, phrase, symbol or character in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic.
(10) In the event there is a conflict between the provisions of this Section and the provisions of any applicable building codes, the provisions of the applicable building code shall govern.
(c) Maintenance. All signs shall be maintained in accordance with the following:
(1) The property owner, occupant, or other person responsible for the sign, shall maintain the sign in a condition fit for the intended use and he/she shall have a continuing obligation to comply with all building code requirements.
(2) If the Planning and Zoning Administrator finds that any sign is unsafe, insecure, a menace to the public, or constructed, erected, or maintained in violation of the provisions of this Code, notice shall be given in writing by the Planning and Zoning Administrator to the owner. The owner of the sign shall, within forty-eight (48) hours of such notification, correct such unsafe condition or remove the sign. If the correction has not been made within the allotted forty-eight (48) hours, the sign may be removed or altered by the Municipality to comply with these regulations at the expense of the owner or occupant of the property upon which the sign is located. The Planning and Zoning Administrator may cause any sign, which, in the Municipality's opinion, creates a danger to persons or property to be removed immediately and without notice.
(3) The Planning and Zoning Administrator may order any sign to be painted or refurbished whenever needed to keep the sign in a neat and safe condition. All supporters, guys, braces and anchors for such signs shall be maintained in a safe condition.
(4) Abandoned Signs and Failure to Maintain. The face of any permanent sign which advertises a business that has not been conducted on the premises for 180 consecutive days, or fails to serve the purposes for which it was intended, or evidences a lack of maintenance, shall be removed by the owner, agent, or person having the beneficial use of the building, structure, or land upon which such sign is located, within ten (10) business days after written notice by the Planning and Zoning Administrator, and 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. Upon failure to comply with such notice within the time specified in such order, the Planning and Zoning Administrator is hereby authorized to cause removal of such sign, and any expense incident thereto shall be paid by the owner of the property on which the sign is located.
(Ord. 8-13. Passed 5-14-13.)