(a) All signs shall be of substantial construction so as to withstand weather conditions, such as rain, snow, wind, and freezing and thawing, without deterioration of the sign or its structure. Cloth, paper, or any other temporary materials shall not be permitted on permanent signs.
(b) No signs, except as herein provided, shall be permitted.
(c) No sign shall be audible or emit sounds of any type.
(d) No sign, except for changeable copy signs permitted hereunder, shall have:
(1) Flashing, moving, intermittent or blinking lights or other illumination; or
(2) Any moving parts.
(e) All signs, including temporary signs shall at all times be maintained in good condition and repair at all times. Upon determination that a sign is not being maintained or is in poor condition or repair, the Building Inspector or his designated agent may order such sign to be brought into compliance or removed within a specified time period. Should the property owner fail to bring the sign into compliance as directed, the Building Inspector may institute injunction, mandamus, abatement, or any other appropriate action or proceeding to prevent, enjoin, abate, or remove such violation.
(f) Where illuminated signs are permitted:
(1) Signs may be internally illuminated with LED's or similar technology, provided that the sign shall be factory set so that the luminance of the sign shall not exceed a maximum of three (3) foot candles measured ten (10) feet from the sign's face at maximum brightness. Internally illuminated signs shall be equipped with a reduced intensity nighttime setting device activated by photocell or timer.
(2) External illumination of signs shall not be of excessive brightness and shall be designed and shielded so as to prevent glare and minimize light trespass onto adjacent properties and to prevent view of the light source from any adjoining residential property and/or vehicles traveling on public rights-of-way. In no instance shall the intensity of the light exceed twenty (20) foot candles at any point on the sign face.
(3) Signs may use back lighting or halo lighting where the Planning Commission approves the use of such techniques.
(4) Temporary signs shall not be illuminated.
(g) Electronic changeable copy signs shall conform to the following standards:
(1) Each message or copy shall remain fixed for at least thirty (30) seconds. Messages shall not flash, include moving video displays or animation, or emit intermittent light.
(2) Changes to messages, copy, or images shall be accomplished in not more than three (3) seconds.
(3) Each such sign must be capable of regulating the digital display intensity and the light intensity level of the display must automatically adjust to natural ambient light conditions.
(4) No such sign shall be of such intensity as to create a distraction or nuisance for motorists or to exceed a maximum of 0.3 foot candles measured at a set distance from the sign's face as set forth in the following table:
Area of Sign Square Feet | Measurement Distance |
10 | 32 |
15 | 39 |
20 | 45 |
25 | 50 |
30 | 55 |
35 | 59 |
40 | 63 |
45 | 67 |
50 | 71 |
55 | 74 |
60 | 77 |
(5) Displays shall not emulate traffic control devices.
(6) Such signs shall contain a default design that will freeze the sign in one position or cause it to go dark if a malfunction occurs.
(7) The entire message shall change at once, without scrolling, animation, flashing, blinking or other movement or noise.
(8) An electronic changeable copy sign shall be a free-standing sign. No wall sign shall be an electronic changeable copy sign.
(h) The following signs shall be exempt from these regulations:
(1) Any public purpose/safety sign and any other notice or warning required by a valid and applicable federal, state or local law, regulation or resolution.
(2) Any sign inside a building, including those attached or near windows except as regulated in Section 1269.09(e).
(3) Signs which are not visible from off the premises.
(i) Free-standing signs which were legally in existence prior to the effective date of this Chapter, but which do not conform with the provisions hereof, may be continued as a matter of right provided such signs comply with all safety regulations and are maintained as required by this chapter. Normal maintenance and repairs, repainting, and/ or the replacement of tenant panels shall be permitted. Any alteration to the size or structure of such signs shall cause the sign to lose its nonconforming status and said sign shall be brought into compliance with this Chapter.
(j) Free-standing signs greater than twelve (12) square feet in area shall be:
(1) Placed on a full continuous masonry wall or foundation or a full continuous monument base; or,
(2) Have a full continuous enclosure between the bottom of the sign and finished grade.
(k) All signs shall be erected entirely on private property with no part of said sign extending over the public street or right of way.
(l) Temporary signs shall not be displayed for longer than either sixty (60) days or for the period during which the activity, event, or function to which the sign refers is occurring, whichever time period is shorter.
(Ord. 2015-34. Passed 5-25-16.)