The following general requirements shall apply to all signs covered in this chapter and are in addition to other specific requirements enumerated in the following sections:
(a) No illuminated sign or lighting device used in conjunction with a sign shall be placed or directed so as to permit the illumination therefrom to be directly beamed upon a public thoroughfare, highway, sidewalk or adjacent premises so as to cause a direct glare or reflection that may constitute a hazard to public safety or create a nuisance; no sign illuminated directly or indirectly shall be maintained within fifty feet of, or facing property in a residential district. Lighting used to illuminate the sign shall be shielded and arranged so as to reflect light away from adjoining property or public streets.
(b) Where applicable, all wiring, fittings and materials used in construction, connection and operations of electrically illuminated signs shall be in accordance with the provisions of the State of Ohio and local electrical codes in effect. All electrical feeds to freestanding signs shall be underground.
(c) Animated signs, flashing lights, and blinking lights are prohibited unless otherwise noted.
(d) Signs shall be erected, constructed or maintained as not to obstruct any window, door or other opening used as a means of normal ingress and egress for legally required to prevent free passage from any one part of a roof to any other part thereof.
(e) All signs shall be kept in a secure safe condition. Should a sign be or become unsafe, or be in danger of falling, the owner thereof or the person maintaining the same shall proceed immediately to put such a sign in a secure safe condition or remove the sign.
(f) No sign shall obstruct pedestrian or vehicle visibility or otherwise interfere with the safe operation of vehicle or the safety of pedestrians.
(g) When conflict arises between the sign and billboard requirements of this chapter and those of the State of Ohio (Ohio Revised Code Chapter 5516) regarding the placement of signs and billboards adjacent to the state highways, the more restrictive regulation shall govern.
(Ord. 7453-06. Passed 4-24-06.)