A. Construction. All signs that require a sign permit shall comply with the provisions of this Article and the requirements of the building codes adopted by the County.
B. Illumination.
1. All sign illumination must be fully shielded, and located and directed to prevent the casting of glare or direct light upon roadways and surrounding properties.
2. The sign face of internally illuminated signs must function as a filter (i.e., prevent the direct exposure of any internal bulbs) for any illumination.
3. All external illumination must concentrate the illumination upon the printed area of the sign face.
4. The lighting intensity of any non-digital sign, whether internally or externally illuminated, is limited to a maximum of sixty (60) footcandles when measured with a standard light meter held at a distance of ten (10) inches from the sign face. The lighting intensity of digital signs is regulated under § 16.72.050C.5. (Digital Sign Message Controls) below.
C. Digital Sign Message Controls.
1. Each message or image displayed on a digital sign must be static and depicted for a minimum of ten (10) seconds before changing.
2. Blinking, flashing, scrolling, or strobe-light effects are prohibited.
3. Animation and/or streaming video of any type is prohibited.
4. A digital sign shall not be utilized to display an off-premises commercial advertising message without obtaining a conditional use permit for an off-premises commercial advertising sign as required by § 16.56.030EE. (Off-Premises Commercial Advertising Sign).
5. A digital sign must not exceed a maximum illumination of three-tenths (0.3) footcandles above the ambient light level when measured from a distance equal to the square root of the square footage of the sign multiplied by one hundred (100). (Measurement distance = sign area x 100). All digital signs must have ambient light monitors installed, which automatically adjust the brightness level based on ambient light conditions.
6. In response to complaints, the Zoning Enforcement Officer may require that the owner of a digital sign submit a certification demonstrating that the sign complies with the maximum illumination standards.
7. All digital signs must be programmed to automatically revert to a full black screen in the event of a malfunction.
D. Audio. No sign may emit sounds, including recorded messages and/or music.
E. Glass. Glass forming any part of a sign shall be safety glass, with the exception of neon.
F. Lettering. All letters, figures, characters, or representations in cut-out or irregular form, maintained in conjunction with, attached to, or superimposed upon any sign shall be safely and securely built or attached to the sign structure.
G. Identification Tag. Every sign or other advertising structure shall display the identification tag provided by the County, in a conspicuous place.
H. Sign and Premises Maintenance.
1. All signs, and the premises surrounding the sign, shall be maintained in a clean and safe condition.
2. If a sign is unsafe, unsecure, or erected or maintained in violation of the provisions of this Ordinance, the Zoning Enforcement Officer will give written notice to the sign permit holder. If sign permit holder fails to remove or alter the sign to comply with the standards of this Ordinance within 14 calendar days, the Zoning Enforcement Officer may order the sign removed at the property owner’s expense in accordance with the enforcement provisions of this Ordinance. The County may remove, without notice, any other sign that is an immediate peril to persons or property.
(Ord. O-201410-10-035, passed 10-14-2014; Ord. O-201601-ZBA-006, passed 1-19-2016; Ord. O-201603-ZBA-010, passed 3-17-2016, § 18.6; Ord. O-201803-ZBA-10-08, passed 3-19-2018; Ord. O-201808-10-033, passed 8-21-2018)