BILLBOARDS are off-premises signs bearing a commercial message not exclusively related to the premises where the sign is located, or to which it is affixed.
DYNAMIC DISPLAY BILLBOARD are off-premises signs bearing a commercial message not exclusively related to the premises where the sign is located, or to which it is affixed, that appear to have movement or appear to change, caused by any method other than physically removing and replacing the sign or its components, whether the apparent movement or change is in the display, the billboard structure itself, or any other component of the billboard. This includes a display that incorporates a technology allowing the sign face to change the image without having to physically or mechanically replace the sign face or its components. This also includes any rotating, revolving, moving, flashing, blinking or animated display and any display that incorporates rotating panels, LED lights manipulated through digital input, digital ink, or any other technology that allows the sign face to present a series of images or displays.
(A) Zoning. Billboards are allowed on properties in the B-2 and B-3 Zoning Districts only if they have direct frontage on Interstate 35 and conform to the conditions of this section.
(B) Existing billboards. Billboards along Interstate 35 that were in existence prior to the effective date of this section may be upgraded and modernized to the current technology for either a static or dynamic sign face(s) provided they can conform to the conditions of this section.
(C) Billboard permit. No billboard as permitted by this section shall be erected, altered, or relocated without first securing a permit from the city.
(1) The billboard sign permit application shall be signed by the applicant and the owner of the property, if different from the applicant.
(2) The submittal shall contain the following information:
(a) Plans and specifications and method of construction or attachment to the building or the ground, including all dimensions, all construction materials, a description of all light sources, wattage, types and color of lights, and details of any light shields or shades;
(b) Stress sheets and calculations, showing the structures as designed for dead load and wind velocity;
(c) Any electrical permit required; and
(d) Other information as may be required by the city.
(3) If the permit is for a dynamic display billboard, the applicant shall enter into an agreement providing the city with free time for public service announcements pursuant to division (G) below.
(4) The billboard shall meet the requirements of state and federal law before a permit is issued.
(5) If upgrading a billboard greater than 50% of its current market value, any existing exposed metal support columns must be concealed in accordance with the following standards:
(a) Support columns shall be concealed by materials that are primarily stone, brick, approved masonry or stucco panels, or similar materials;
(b) All updated billboard concealments should be a uniform shape, and uniform color scheme and design;
(c) Billboard shall have a sign bearing the words “Forest Lake” placed near the top of the support structure.
(D) Exceptions. The following operations do not require a billboard permit:
(1) Changing the advertising copy or message; or
(2) Painting, cleaning, and other maintenance and repair unless a structural change is made.
(E) Size, height, and distance requirements.
(1) The maximum size per face of a billboard shall be 672 square feet.
(2) Two faces per billboard shall be the maximum permitted, and double-faced signs shall be attached back-to-back or V-shape.
(3) The maximum height of a billboard is 40 feet above grade, measured to the top of the sign structure or from the elevation of the ground surface at the base of the sign to the top of the sign.
(4) The minimum distance between any two billboards shall be 1,300 feet, as measured in a 360 degree measurement, calculated as a straight line from one sign to another, including measurements across Interstate 35.
(5) The minimum setbacks for billboards shall be twice the billboard’s height from all property lines.
(F) Performance standards for dynamic display billboards.
(1) Contain a single dynamic image on each sign face that has no animation or moving parts.
(2) The minimum duration of the single dynamic image shall be at least eight seconds. No portion of the image may flash, scroll, change color, imitate movement in any manner or otherwise meet the characteristics of a flashing sign.
(3) Dynamic sign messages shall not change at intervals less than once every eight seconds. The duration of the transition of the electronic image message change shall be instantaneous and include no fading, scrolling, or other special effects.
(4) The image must contain a complete message and not be continued to a subsequent image.
(5) Shall be equipped and operated with an ambient light monitor or a mechanism that automatically adjusts the brightness level of the sign in response to light conditions.
(6) All electrical equipment and wiring shall be enclosed in a shroud or other equipment box that is visually integrated into the sign structure.
(7) Shall be equipped with the means to immediately turn off the display and lighting in the event of a malfunction. The owner or operator of the dynamic display billboard shall turn off the sign and all associated lighting within one hour or as soon as reasonably possible after receiving notification that the sign does not meet the standards of this section. A violation of this section is a misdemeanor.
(8) Shall not exceed a maximum brightness level of 0.3 foot-candles above ambient light, as measured using a foot-candle meter at a horizontal distance of 250 feet.
(G) Integrated public alert and warning systems (IPAWS) and community service and safety messages.
(1) Dynamic display billboards shall display messages created as part of applicable state and national Integrated Public Alert and Warning Systems (IPAWS). IPAWS shall override commercial content in accordance with state and national guidance.
(2) The City Council recognizes that dynamic display billboards along Interstate 35 can provide an important public service function by alerting the public to local matters of public safety, service, and community events. Therefore, each dynamic display billboard shall provide the city a minimum of five hours (2,250 eight-second spots) per month for public service announcements. These spots shall be at no cost to the city and shall be equitably scheduled throughout the month.
(Ord. 722, passed 3-27-2023)