1179.03 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL SIGNS AND DISTRICTS .

   The regulations contained in this Section shall apply to all signs and all use districts.

      A.   Signs shall not constitute a traffic hazard and shall not incorporate any word, language, symbol, or device or be so designed or otherwise located in such manner which might tend to mislead or confuse traffic.(A.O.)

      B.   Except as provided for in Section 1179.020, any illuminated sign or lighting device shall employ only light emitting a light of constant intensity, and no sign shall be illuminated by or contain flashing, intermittent, rotating, or moving light. A cutoff-type luminaire is required and in no event shall an illuminated sign or lighting device be placed or directed so as to permit the beams and illumination therefrom to be directed or beamed upon a public thoroughfare, highway, sidewalk, or adjacent premises so as to cause glare or reflection that may constitute a traffic hazard or nuisance. (Ord. 2021-041. Passed 11-2-21.)

      C.   No sign shall employ any parts or elements which revolve, rotate, whirl, spin, or otherwise make use of motion to attract attention. Subsections (A) and (B) of this Section shall not apply to any sign performing a public service function indicating time, temperature, stock market quotations, or similar services. Christmas lighting and decorations are excluded.

      D.   All wiring, fittings, and materials used in the construction, connection, and operation of electrically illuminated signs shall be in accordance with the provisions of the National Electric Code.

      E.   No projecting sign shall be erected or maintained from the front or face of a building a distance of more than two feet (2'), including those projecting from the face of any theater, hotel, or motel marquee.

      F.   No sign shall be placed on the roof of any building, except those signs whose supporting structure is screened so the sign appears to be a continuation of the face of the building.

      G.   Display signs placed against the exterior wall of buildings shall not extend more than six inches (6") or twelve inches (12") in the case of electrical signs outside of the wall surface. Such signs shall not extend beyond the top or ends of the wall surface on which they are placed.

      H.   No portable or temporary sign shall be placed on the front or face of a building or on any premises, except as provided in Section 1179.09, herein.

      I.   No sign or part thereof shall contain or consist of banners, posters, pennants, ribbons, streamers, spinners, or other similar moving devices. Such devices, as well as strings of lights, shall not be used for the purpose of advertising or attracting attention when not part of a sign.

      J.   No sign erected or maintained in the window of a building, visible from any public or private street or highway, shall occupy more than twenty percent (20%) of the window surface.

      K.   No sign of any classification shall be installed, erected, or attached in any form, shape, or manner to a fire escape or any door or window giving access to any fire escape.

      L.   All signs hung and erected shall be plainly marked with the name of the person, firm, or corporation responsible for maintaining the sign.

      M.   Should any sign be or become unsafe or be in danger of falling, the owner thereof or the person maintaining the same shall, upon receipt of written notice from the Zoning Inspector, proceed at once to put such sign in a safe and secure condition or remove the sign.

      N.   No sign shall be placed in any public right-of-way except publicly-owned signs, such as traffic control signs and directional signs. Signs directing and guiding traffic and parking on private property but bearing no advertising matter, shall be permitted on any property.

      O.   Signs and supporting structures shall be so designed to withstand a wind pressure of not less than forty pounds (40 lb.) per square foot area.

      P.   Prior to the issuance of any permit under this Section and prior to the erection of any temporary or portable sign, the applicant shall obtain certification from the Fire Chief certifying that sign, its wiring, and accessory electrical equipment conform to the requirements of the Ohio Basic Building Code fully incorporated by reference within this Section.