(A) Generally. The regulations contained in this section shall apply to all signs and all use districts.
(B) Regulations.
(1) 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 or lights. 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.
(2) No sign shall employ any parts or elements which revolve, rotate, whirl, spin or otherwise make use of motion to attract attention. Division (B)(1) and (B)(2) of this section shall not apply to any sign performing a public service function indicating time, temperature, stock market quotations or similar services.
(3) 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 local electric code in effect, if any.
(4) No projecting sign shall be erected or maintained from the front or face of a building a distance of more than two feet, including those projecting from the face of any theater, hotel, or motel marquee.
(5) 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.
(6) No portable or temporary sign shall be placed on the front or face of a building or on any premises, except as provided in § 153.417.
(7) 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.
(8) No sign erected or maintained in the window of a building, visible from any public or private street or highway, shall occupy more than 20% of the window surface.
(9) 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.
(10) 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 Administrator, proceed at once to put such sign in a safe and secure condition or remove the sign.
(11) 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.
(12) All signs shall be as designed and supported as to carry the weight of the sign, and shall comply with the local building code in effect.
(13) All signs shall be secured in such a manner as to prevent significant movement due to wind.
(14) No signs shall be attached to or supported by a tree, utility pole, trash receptacle, bench, vending machine, or public shelter.
(15) No sign shall be attached in such manner that it may interfere with any required ventilation openings.
(16) No sign shall be located on a vacant lot, except for the purpose of advertising the lot for sale or lease, or for such purpose as the notification of present danger or the prohibition of trespassing.
(17) No sign shall be located nearer than eight feet vertically or four feet horizontally from any overhead electrical wires, conductors, or guy wires.
(18) Residential Christmas display lighting shall be exempted from the requirements of this chapter.
(Ord. 8-96, § 701.03, passed 5-20-96; Am. Ord. 44-98, passed 2-1-99; Am. Ord. 33-99, passed 12-7-99; Am. Ord. 09-2022, passed 12-5-22) Penalty, see § 153.999