(A) Number and placement requirements.
(1) A number of small signs with organized elements or cohesive design may be construed as a single sign. Where graphic material is displayed in a random manner without an organized relationship of elements, each element may be considered a single sign.
(2) No sign may extend above any parapet or be placed upon any roof surface, except that for purposes of this chapter, roof surfaces constructed at an angle of 75 degrees or more from horizontal shall be regarded as wall space.
(B) Computation of sign face area.
(1) The sign face area of a sign shall be computed by including the entire area within a single, continuous perimeter of a circle, triangle, rectangle or parallelogram enclosing the extreme limits of the writing, representation, emblem or other display, together with any material or color forming an integral part of the background of the display or used to differentiate the sign from the backdrop or structure against which it is placed, but not including any supporting framework or bracing that is clearly incidental to the display itself.
(2) If the sign consists of more than one section or module, all of the area, including that between sections or modules, shall be included in the computation of the sign face area.
(3) Subject to the provisions of § 153.208(B) of this chapter, the sign face area of two-sided, multi-sided or three-dimensional signs shall be computed by including the total of all sides designed to attract attention or communicate information.
(C) Sign height. The height of a sign shall be measured vertically from the ground level to the top of the sign, unless otherwise specified.
(D) Illumination and lighting.
(1) For the safety of the general public, no unshielded lights, or lights directed upward or horizontally at sign faces, flashing lights, scrolling or moving electronic lights, or other distractive devices may be used in conjunction with any sign or business.
(2) Each sign, which is artificially illuminated, shall have the light source shielded from the direct vision of individuals using adjacent roadways, properties, or sidewalks.
(3) Signs shall not emit light directly into the sky. The light source shall not be positioned so that the center of the light source exceeds more than 45 degrees from ground level.
(4) Illumination by bare bulbs or flames is prohibited.
(5) Underground wiring shall be required for all illuminated signs that are not attached to a building.
(6) External neon signs no larger than two square feet in sign face area are allowed in the GC (General Commercial), CBD (Central Business District) and CH (Commercial Hospitality) Zoning Districts only.
(E) Sign materials.
(1) Signs shall be constructed of durable materials.
(2) Natural or natural-like materials are encouraged. Earth tone colors are to be encouraged.
(3) It is recommended that the sign be constructed of materials compatible with the existing structure.
(Prior Code, § 5.102) (Ord. 789, passed 3-19-2018; Ord. 801, passed 4-15-2019) Penalty, see § 153.999