(A) Electronic changeable message signs (ECMS) shall be permitted for freestanding on-premises business identification signs subject to the following limitations and requirements:
(1) The ECMS shall be part of a freestanding business identification sign or be allowed in lieu thereof, but in no case shall the square footage of the ECMS exceed 50% of the total allowed sign face area for any such freestanding sign.
(2) ECMS on freestanding signs shall be allowed in commercial zoning districts.
(3) ECMS shall not be permitted on sites where existing freestanding signs are nonconforming unless such signs are made conforming to this chapter. ECMS is not permitted on off-premises advertising signs.
(B) In the G-B General Business District, an ECMS is permitted for theaters, and other public event facilities (spectator sports facilities, civic and conference facilities), whether publicly or privately owned; and the ECMS may be attached to the building or may be freestanding if at a location permitting a freestanding sign.
(C) No ECMS message (copy and/or image) shall be allowed to flash, animate, scroll, or otherwise move, or transition from one message to another in a moving manner. Transition between messages shall be instantaneous. Each message shall be continuously displayed for a minimum of ten seconds before changing to another message.
(D) Each ECMS or other sign employing the use of light emitting diodes (LEDs) for display shall be equipped with a control system that automatically adjusts the light emission level to ambient light conditions so as to not cause glare or excessive brightness. In no case shall the light level of any such sign exceed 500 NITS (candelas per square meter) between the time of sunset and sunrise, and 5,000 NITS at other times (daytime). If ambient light levels, day or night, in the area of the sign are significantly lower and the sign still produces glare or is excessively bright at the levels listed above, the sign light levels will be further reduced to eliminate the glare or excessive brightness. Focused or directed light shall be aimed away from passing traffic and residential occupancies.
(E) Any EMCS within or opposite a Residential (R) District as described above shall be operated or lit only between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.
(Ord. passed 4-1-2024)