(a) Illumination. Illuminated signs shall meet the following requirements:
(1) Light sources shall be shielded from all adjacent buildings and streets.
(2) Lights shall not cause glare that distracts pedestrians or motorists or causes glare on adjacent residences or residential districts.
(3) The illumination of signs shall not obstruct or distract attention from 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.
(4) In residential districts, temporary signs shall not be illuminated.
(b) Construction Standards.
(1) The construction, erection, safety, and maintenance of all signs shall comply with all applicable building codes.
(2) 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).
(3) A sign shall be located and secured in a manner to insure the safety of pedestrians and motorists.
(4) Permanent signs shall be fabricated on and made with sustainable and durable materials.
(5) Electric signs and 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 obstruct architectural trim or feature of a building including but not limited to a column or an arch; window; door; fire escape; balcony, platform, stairway, ladder, vent, or any means of entry or exit.
(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, weather-resistant, and fastened or anchored sufficiently, whether attached to the building or positioned in the ground.
(9) 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.
(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 Community Development Administrator 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 Community Development Administrator. 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 Community Development Administrator may remove without notice any sign which creates an immediate danger to persons or property.
(3) The Community Development Administrator 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 Community Development Administrator. 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 façade shall be repaired. The Community Development Administrator 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 business days after receipt of written notice by the Community Development Administrator. Upon failure to remove the sign pursuant to such order, the Community Development Administrator 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.
(Ord. 3273. Passed 5-9-24.)