(a) Light sources to illuminate signs shall be shielded from all adjacent residential buildings and streets and shall not be of such brightness so as to cause glare hazardous to pedestrians or motorists or so as to cause reasonable objection from adjacent residential districts and shall be, in any event, concentrated on the area of the sign.
(b) Animated, blinking, flashing, fluttering, moving or outline illumination shall not be permitted in any district except that a permit may be granted for movement showing the date, the time and the temperature exclusively. Beacon lights and search lights are prohibited. No sign shall be constructed and/or operated to create an appearance of illusion of writing.
(c) No exposed reflective type bulbs shall be permitted. Neon tube illumination bent to form letters, symbols or other shapes for any sign, other than that used for permanent window signs not exceeding two in number for any building or use on a lot, or used other than to backlight silhouetted letters, or used for the internal illumination of plastic faced signs or letters, shall not be permitted. Strobe lights or incandescent lamps shall not be used on the exterior surface of any sign so as to expose the face of the bulb, light or lamp to any public street or adjacent property. Strings of lights are not permitted. Neon tubing except as otherwise provided herein shall not be visible to the eye and shall not be closer than one inch to the plastic face or letter of any sign.
(d) The methods of illumination permitted are colored light, illuminated surface colors, internal illumination (a light source concealed or contained within the sign, and which becomes visible in darkness through a translucent surface) and indirect illumination (a light source not seen directly), provided that within residential areas or within 500 feet thereof only white shall be permitted.
(e) Display signs illuminated by electricity, or equipped in any way with electric devices or appliances, shall conform in wiring and appliances to the provisions of the National Electrical Code, most current edition, and there shall be a lock-type switch.
(f) Subject to the regulations herein, all permanent signs in office building and business districts and bulletin boards for institutions may be illuminated. Signs in residential districts, other than nameplates and as otherwise specifically permitted, shall not be illuminated.
(Ord. 03-37. Passed 11-3-03.)