A. Construction: All signs, except for temporary signs, shall be designed and constructed to withstand a wind pressure of not less than thirty (30) pounds per square foot of area and loads as required by the building code. (Ord. 08-4319, 11-3-2008)
B. Minimum Clearance Height: The minimum clearance height is measured from ground level to the lowest point on the sign. The minimum clearance height for freestanding, banner, and time and temperature signs is ten feet (10'). For freestanding wide base signs, the bottom of the sign face must be a minimum of ten feet (10') above ground level, except if the sign is fifteen feet (15') or less in height. For these shorter wide based signs, the bottom of the sign face must be a minimum of three feet (3') above ground level. For storefront projecting signs and canopy signs, the minimum clearance height is eight feet (8'). Minimum clearance height is ten feet (10') for entranceway signs across driveways and eight feet (8') for entranceway signs across walkways. (Ord. 16-4685, 11-15-2016)
C. Maintenance: All signs shall be maintained in such a manner as to avoid becoming a hazardous sign.
D. Changeable Copy:
1. Copy Changed Manually: Any sign may contain copy that is changed manually, unless precluded by definition or specifically prohibited herein.
2. Copy Changed Electronically: Signs where the copy is changed by electronic means are only allowed as specified below:
a. The sign must be located in a commercial zone or in a public zone. However, electronic changeable copy signs are not allowed within one hundred feet (100') of a residential zone, except for allowed time and temperature signs, as defined in chapter 9, article C, "Sign Definitions", of this title. On properties zoned public, electronic changeable copy signs are not allowed where said sign would be visible from any adjacent residential zone. (Ord. 08-4319, 11-3-2008)
b. Electronic changeable copy is allowed on only one sign per lot. In the CH-1, CI-1, CC-2, CB-2, CB-5 and CB-10 zones, a "time and temperature sign", as defined in chapter 9, article C, "Sign Definitions", of this title, shall not count toward the one sign limit. (Ord. 08-4319, 11-3-2008; amd. Ord. 16-4685, 11-15-2016)
c. The changeable copy may not be animated. (See definition of "animated sign" in chapter 9, article C, "Sign Definitions", of this title.) The copy may be changed no more than once per hour, except for designation of the time and temperature, which may be changed more frequently.
d. The sign may not contain images or be of a brightness that will interfere with, obstruct the view of, or confuse traffic. The sign may not contain images that may be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device. The sign may not make use of the words, "stop", "go slow", "caution", "drive-in", "danger", or any other word, phrase, symbol or character in such a way as to interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic.
e. The sign must comply with the illumination standards as specified in subsection E of this section. (Ord. 08-4319, 11-3-2008)
f. In the MU, CO-1, and CN-1 zones, electronic changeable copy is only allowed on a time and temperature sign. (See definition of "time and temperature sign" in chapter 9, article C of this title.) The electronic changeable copy portion of the sign is limited to the display of the time and/or temperature and may not exceed forty percent (40%) of the area of the sign face. (Ord. 08-4319, 11-3-2008; amd. Ord. 16-4685, 11-15-2016)
g. In public zones and in CH-1, CI-1, and CC-2 Zones, electronic changeable copy is only allowed on time and temperature signs, freestanding signs, freestanding wide base signs, and monument signs. On time and temperature signs, the electronic changeable copy portion of the sign is limited to the display of the time and/or temperature and may not exceed forty percent (40%) of the area of the sign face. On freestanding and freestanding wide base signs, the electronic changeable copy portion of the sign may not exceed forty percent (40%) of the area of the sign face. For monument signs, the electronic changeable copy portion of the sign may not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the area of the sign face.
h. In the CB-2 and CB-5 Zones, electronic changeable copy is only allowed on time and temperature signs and monument signs. On time and temperature signs, the electronic changeable copy portion of the sign is limited to the display of the time and/or temperature and may not exceed forty percent (40%) of the area of the sign face. On monument signs, the electronic changeable copy portion of the sign may not exceed seventy five percent (75%) of the area of the sign face. (Ord. 08-4319, 11-3-2008)
i. In the CB-10 Zones, electronic changeable copy is only allowed on time and temperature signs and window signs as permitted for indoor recreational uses in section 14-5B-8, table 5B-4 of this article. (Ord. 16-4685, 11-15-2016)
E. Illumination Requirements: Illuminated signs must conform to the following requirements: (Ord. 08-4319, 11-3-2008)
1. Except for signs in the ID and Residential Zones, all permitted signs may be internally or externally illuminated. All signs permitted in the ID and Residential Zones may only be externally illuminated with white light, except that institutional uses in the PRM Zone may have one sign internally illuminated. (Ord. 18-4735, 1-2-2018)
2. Illumination through the use of exposed lamps or inert gas tubes is allowed, provided the exposed lamp does not exceed eleven (11) watts or that an inert gas tube does not draw more than sixty (60) milliamps. When inside frosted lamps or exposed lamps with a diffusing screen are used, no lamp shall exceed twenty five (25) watts.
3. Illumination through the use of LEDs is allowed only as specified for electronic changeable copy. All signs using LEDs must have installed ambient light monitors and must at all times allow such monitors to automatically adjust the brightness level of the electronic sign based on ambient light conditions. At no time shall the sign be operated at a brightness level greater than the manufacturer's recommended levels. The electronic changeable copy must be monochromatic. It must utilize a dark background with only the message or image lit in a single color.
4. Artificial external light sources used to illuminate a sign face must be located and shielded such that the bulb is not directly visible from any adjacent residentially zoned property or public right-of-way and must use a narrow cone of light that does not extend beyond the illuminated sign face.
5. Illumination on a property, including illumination from signs, must not exceed 0.5 initial horizontal foot-candle and 2.0 initial maximum foot-candles as measured at any point along a property boundary that is adjacent to or across the street from properties that are zoned residential, CN-1, or CO-1.
6. All illuminated signs are subject to the provisions of the Electrical Code, including any permit fees.
7. Permit applications for electronic changeable copy signs must include a copy of the manufacturer's operating manual, including any recommended standards for brightness and other display operations.
8. For electronic changeable copy signs, whether the sign is programmed from the site or from a remote location, the computer interface that programs the sign shall be made available to City staff for inspection upon request. If the computer interface is not immediately available, the sign shall cease operation until such program can be provided. (Ord. 08-4319, 11-3-2008)