(A) Sign Area: Changeable copy signage shall not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the permitted maximum sign area of a ground sign or Tollway ground sign.
(B) General Regulations:
1. Dwell Time
(a) The images and messages displayed on a changeable copy display must have a minimum dwell time of at least ten (10) seconds and shall not contain any movement, animation, audio, video, pyrotechnics or other special effects.
(b) The transition or change from one message to another must occur in one (1) second or less and involve no animation or special effects.
(c) The images and messages displayed must be complete in and of themselves within the required dwell time.
2. Changeable copy displays must be equipped with a default mechanism that freezes the display in one position or presents a static or blank display if a malfunction occurs.
3. Changeable copy displays shall not have a brightness of such intensity or brilliance that they impair the vision or endanger the safety and welfare of any pedestrian, cyclist, or person operating a motor vehicle.
4. Changeable copy displays must be equipped with a light detector / photocell that automatically adjusts the display’s brightness according to natural ambient light conditions.
5. Brightness
(a) The maximum brightness level of a changeable copy display shall not exceed 5,000 nits (candelas per square meter) during daylight hours or 250 nits between 30 minutes after sunset and 30 minutes before sunrise, as those times are determined by the National Weather Service (Actual Time).
(b) Brightness must be measured from the brightest element of the sign’s face. Before the issuance of a sign permit, the applicant must provide written certification from the sign manufacturer that the light intensity has been factory pre-set so that it will not exceed 5,000 nits (candelas per square meter).
(c) For the purpose of verifying compliance with maximum brightness level requirements, the Zoning Administrator will measure brightness levels with the changeable copy display sign set to run full white copy with a luminance meter positioned at a location perpendicular to the sign face center. When taking the luminance reading, the sign face must be the only subject visible in the viewfinder. If the measurement is more than the maximum allowed, the brightness level is in violation of this Section and must be adjusted downward. Failure to make such adjustments may result in other available enforcement actions to be taken by the Village.
(d) Light trespass from any changeable copy display shall not cause the light level along a property line adjoining any residentially zoned property, as measured at a height of 60 inches above grade in a in a plane at any angle of inclination, to exceed 0.1 foot-candles above ambient light levels at the property line adjoining the residentially zoned property. (Ord. 2021-4931, 11-15-2021)