(A) Compliance with regulations. All signs shall comply with the general rules, regulations and requirements governing their placement, location, type, number and size as outlined and contained within the provisions of §§ 158.030.01 through 158.030.12.
(B) Obstruction of traffic signs, misleading or confusing signs.
No sign or sign structure shall be erected at any location where it may interfere with, obstruct the view of or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device. No rotating beam, beacon or flashing illumination resembling any emergency lights shall be used in conjunction with any sign display, nor shall any sign make use of the words "stop", "look", "danger", "caution" or any other word, phrase, symbol or character in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic. No sign shall emit any form of sound or sounds.
(C) Obstruction of visibility. No sign or sign structure shall be located or constructed in such a manner as to materially impede the view of any street or highway intersection, or in such a manner as to materially impede the view of the intersection of a street or highway that contains a railroad crossing. No sign shall be designed or placed as to confuse traffic information for pedestrians or drivers of motor vehicles. The determination of the reasonableness of the location of a sign or sign structure, with respect to that above, shall be made by the Director, whose decision shall be subject to appeal.
(D) Illumination.
(1) The light from an illuminated sign, whether an electronic sign, a sign illuminated from within the sign structure or through the use of directional or spot lighting, shall be so shaded, shielded or directed that the light intensity or brightness will not be reasonably objectionable as determined by the Director considering those affected thereby.
(2) The light from an illuminated sign, whether an electronic sign, a sign illuminated from within the sign structure or through the use of directional or spot lighting shall not exceed 75 foot-candles on the sign surface. Illumination shall not be more than one foot-candle in intensity when measured from lot lines.
(E) Maintenance and removal.
(1) All signs and sign structures, including but not limited to those signs for which permits are required, shall be kept and maintained in a good state of repair and safe condition. Including the replacement of defective parts, painting, cleaning and other acts required for maintenance.
(2) When any sign fails to comply with division (1) above, the owner of the sign or owner of the property upon which said sign is located shall remove or repair said sign.
(3) After giving the sign or property owner any required written notice that said sign is in disrepair, the Department or its authorized representative can cause the sign to be removed, repaired, or altered at the expense of the property owner in accordance with the provisions of the Huntington City Zoning Ordinance.
(F) Prohibited signs.
(1) The following types of signs are not permitted in any location under any circumstances unless otherwise specified in §§ 158.030.01 through 158.030.12. These signs may be subject to fines and penalties as provided for in §§ 158.030.01 through 158.030.12.
(a) Dynamic signs, including those of any size located in a window or intended to be viewed from the outside of a structure, as defined in §§ 158.030.01 through 158.030.12 unless explicitly permitted.
(b) Any sign which swings or otherwise noticeably moves as a result of wind pressure because of the manner in which they are suspended or attached and whose movement can be construed as dangerous by the Director.
(2) The following types of signs are not permitted in any location under any circumstances unless otherwise specified in §§ 158.030.01 through 158.030.12. These signs may be removed and or destroyed by the Director without any notification and as a result be subject to fines and penalties as provided for in §§ 158.030.01 through 158.030.12 once photographic documentation is taken for violation record purposes once they are found to be in violation.
(a) Any deteriorated, leaning, derelict or structurally unsafe signs, which constitute a public safety hazard as determined by the Director.
(b) Any signs placed on trees, public/municipal utility telephone or light poles, fences, on the surface of city streets or rights-of-way, railroad rights-of-way, alleys, sidewalks or projected electronically there on. Rights-of-way shall mean any local, state, federal, public, or private rights-of-way, platted as such and intended for the purpose of the construction, reservation, maintenance, or expansion of services or infrastructure intended to benefit the public
(c) Any sign obstructing ingress or egress points of access from a building door, window, fire escape or exit.
(d) Any sign which is located upon, over or in any street or highway rights-of-way, except for official traffic signs and signals unless otherwise specified.
(e) Any sign that is unlawful.
(Ord. 4-C-10, passed 4-13-10)