12-378: SIGN REGULATIONS:
   A.   The following provisions shall apply for all signs, in all Commercial and Industrial Zoning Districts, unless noted otherwise.
   B.   Digital LED display signs are permitted within all Commercial and Industrial Districts.
      1.   One digital sign is allowed per business, and may be all or part of any allowed ground or wall sign (but not both).
      2.   No digital sign shall be located within fifty feet (50') of the driving surface of a signalized intersection, measured in a straight line from the leading edge of the sign structure to the nearest edge of the pavement of intersecting roads/driving surfaces. Such sign may not be located closer than twenty feet (20') from the edge of any other intersecting roads/driving surfaces. Such signs must also comply with the setback provisions of the zoning district in which located which may result in greater setback requirements.
      3.   Digital signs shall only display a static message or messages. There shall be no effects of movement, blinking, animation, scrolling, flashing, or similar effects in the individual images.
      4.   Digital signs which display more than one static image shall do so sequentially, with each static message having a dwell time of no less than twelve (12) seconds and a transition time between static messages of no more than one second. Changes of image(s) shall be instantaneous as seen by the human eye, and shall not use blinking, fading, rolling, shading, dissolving, or similar effects as part of the change.
      5.   Digital signs shall not display an illuminative brightness exceeding three hundred (300) NITs at any time between one-half (1/2) hour before sunset until sunrise of the next day or five thousand (5,000) NITs between sunrise and until one-half (1/2) hour before sunset.
      6.   Digital signs shall not display an illuminative brightness of such intensity or brilliance that they impair the vision or endanger the safety and welfare of any cyclist or person operating a motor vehicle.
      7.   Digital signs shall not resemble any warning or danger signal, or any official traffic control device, sign, signal or light.
      8.   All digital signs shall have installed ambient light monitors or photo cells, and shall at all times cause such devices to automatically adjust the brightness level of the sign based on ambient light conditions. Each sign shall be equipped with a default mechanism that will automatically freeze the sign in one position or display a static message if a malfunction occurs.
      9.   If a digital sign is visible from a nearby Residential Zoning District, it shall be located no closer than two hundred feet (200') from the closest point of the Residential District, measured in a straight line from the nearest point of the sign structure to the nearest point of the Residential District.
   C.   The owner of any real estate upon which exists a sign which has deteriorated, become illegible, or has otherwise fallen into disrepair, shall, upon notice from the City, remove the deteriorated sign or cause it to be removed, or shall cover the deteriorated sign or cause it to be covered in a neutral shade.
   D.   Any advertising sign, billboard, commercial advertising structure, or statuary, which is lawfully existing and maintained at the time this section became effective, which does not conform with the provisions hereof, shall not be structurally altered; and all such nonconforming advertising signs, billboards, commercial advertising structures and statuary, and their supporting members shall be completely removed from the premises not later than seven (7) years from the effective date hereof. (Ord. 1789, 4-23-2019)