(B) Sign location. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, only governmental signs shall be located in, project or overhang into any public right-of-way or public dedicated easement.
(C) Clear vision. Signs shall not be permitted within a clear vision triangle upon any corner lot or within any clear vision triangle formed by the intersection of a street and a driveway, except for a directional sign that measures no more than 30 inches high.
(D) Measuring sign area.
(1) Sign area shall be measured as the square footage of the sign face and any frame or other material or color forming an integral part of the display or used to differentiate it from the background against which it is placed.
(2) When a sign consists solely of lettering or other sign elements printed, painted or mounted on a wall of a building without any distinguishing border, panel or background, the calculation for sign area shall be measured by enclosing the most protruding edges of the sign elements within a parallelogram or rectangle.
(3) The area of a double-faced freestanding sign shall be computed using only one face of the sign provided that the outline and dimensions of both faces are identical, and the faces are back to back so that only one face is visible at any given time.
(4) The maximum distance between parallel sign faces on a double-faced sign shall be 20 inches, with the exception of projecting sign, where the parallel sign faces shall be no more than six inches apart. Any double-faced sign exceeding this distance shall be considered to have separate sign faces.
(E) Measuring sign height.
(1) The permitted height of all signs supported by the ground shall be measured from the level of the ground, finished surface, adjacent to the sign.
(2) The permitted height of signs shall not be measured from an area of the ground that has been built-up or constructed to provide for a higher sign height than permitted by this chapter. Accordingly, the height of a berm shall be subtracted from the maximum height of a sign to be placed on a berm.
(F) Design and construction.
(1) Signs shall be designed to be generally compatible with the building and landscaping used on the property to promote an overall unified and aesthetic effect in accordance with the standards set forth in this chapter.
(2) Signs shall not be constructed from materials that are remnants of materials or structures manufactured for some other purpose; provided, atypical sign materials may be used for signs in the C-1 District upon approval of the Director of Public Works, if such materials are representative of the business to which the sign relates and/or the materials are sturdy and the sign will be in keeping with the character of the Gaslight District.
(3) The background of a business center signs, including individual sign panels within the sign, shall be one color. However, individual businesses may have different colored lettering or advertising.
(4) Ground signs shall be landscaped with a combination of low shrubbery and perennial/annual plantings.
(5) Every sign shall be constructed and maintained in a manner consistent with the city’s currently adopted Building Code provisions and maintained in good structural condition at all times. All signs shall be kept neatly painted, stained, sealed or preserved including all metal parts and supports.
(6) All signs erected, constructed, reconstructed, altered or moved shall be constructed to meet applicable state building standards.
(7) In no case, shall a projecting sign or a wall sign be allowed to project above the roof line.
(G) Illumination.
(1) Signs shall be illuminated only by steady, stationary, shielded light sources directed solely at the sign (i.e., front lit signs) or internal to it (i.e., back lit signs).
(a) The background of front lit signs (external illuminated signs) may be any color, provided they are not reflective at night. However, they may use light reflecting lettering and messaging.
(b) The background of back lit signs (internally illuminated signs) may be any color, provided the background is blacked out at night so that only the lettering and message is illuminated.
(2) Use of glaring undiffused lights or bulbs shall be prohibited.
(3) All lighting fixtures or light sources for lighted signs shall be positioned and/or shaded so that the light source is not visible from normal pedestrian areas or project onto adjoining properties or thoroughfares.
(4) Underground wiring shall be required for all illuminated signs not attached to a building.
(5) Lighting intensities for illuminated signs shall not exceed ten foot-candles, measured at four feet from any surface.
(6) The use of LED lights as part of a sign display or border shall be prohibited, except for approved electronic message signs.
(H) Electronic changeable message signs. An electronic message sign is permitted where specifically allowed in this chapter, subject to the following requirements:
(1) An electronic display is not permitted on a sign that has a reader board.
(2) The entire sign face shall only convey a single message at any one time.
(3) Message changes may occur no more frequently than once every six seconds and shall be instantaneous.
(4) The electronic display background, color tones, lettering, logos, pictures, illustrations, symbols and any other graphic or video display shall not blink, flash, rotate, scroll, change in illumination intensity (except as specifically required for changes in outdoor light levels), or otherwise change in outward appearance, except when the message or display is changed to another message or display.
(5) To reduce the potential negative effects of light and glare on nearby residential properties, the background of the electronic display portion of any sign located within 200 feet of a dwelling shall be muted color approved as part of the sign permit. In no case, shall white be used as the background color on any part of the electronic display portion of the sign.
(6) All electronic changeable message signs must be equipped with a default mechanism that will stop the messaging or freeze the image in one position when a malfunction in the electronic programming occurs.
(7) The electronic message sign must have an automatic dimmer control to produce a distinct illumination change from a higher illumination level to a lower level in relation to changes in the outdoor light levels.
(8) The electronic message sign shall not be illuminated between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
(Ord. effective 5-26-2017)