A. The following definitions apply in this section:
1. "Aerial-view sign" means a sign that meets both of the following criteria: it is on the roof of a building or structure, approximately parallel with the roof plane; and it is intended to be viewed from overhead.
2. "Digital display" means a sign face, building face, or any building or structural component that displays images through the use of grid lights, cathode-ray projections, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), plasma screens, liquid-crystal displays (LCDs), fiber optics, or other electronic media or functionally equivalent technology.
3. "Director" means the design director (defined in Section 17.108.050) or the preservation director (defined in Section 17.108.170), as appropriate.
4. "Large entertainment venue" means a permanent building or structure that is used primarily for entertainment (including sporting, cultural, and performing arts events); is the primary use of the site; and has either:
a. A maximum occupant load determined by the chief building official to be at least 2,000 persons and fewer than 10,000 fixed permanent seats; or
b. 10,000 or more fixed permanent seats within a single auditorium, arena, or stadium.
5. "Primary user" means the person who has the right to use the largest portion of a large entertainment venue, measured in square feet of floor area.
6. "Secondary user" means the person who has the right to use the second largest portion of a large entertainment venue, measured in square feet of floor area.
7. "Suspended sign" means a double-face sign that hangs from a bracket or support attached underneath a building projection, eave, canopy, awning, or colonnade.
B. Large entertainment venues that fall within the parameters of subsection A.4.a above are allowed the following signage:
1. Digital Displays.
a. A digital display must be a permanently attached sign.
b. One digital display is allowed on interior lots.
c. One digital display per street frontage is allowed on corner lots.
d. Digital display signs are for primary users only. No digital signs are allowed for secondary users.
e. The maximum display area is 150 square feet.
f. General advertising for hire is allowed.
g. No digital display may be located on a site within a historic district or on a site containing a landmark or contributing resource.
h. If more than one digital display is allowed by this section, at least one of the digital displays must be located adjacent to the primary public entrance.
i. Digital displays must meet the following criteria:
i. A digital display may show only a series of still images, each displayed for at least eight seconds. The still images may not be animated (i.e., move or present the appearance of motion) and may not use flashing, scintillating, blinking, or traveling lights or any other means not providing constant illumination.
ii. Digital displays must use either an instant transition between still images or a fading transition with a transition time between still images of not less than one second and not more than two seconds. A digital display must not go blank during a transition.
iii. The maximum pixel pitch of a digital display is 16 millimeters.
iv. Digital displays must be equipped with a sensor or other device that automatically adjusts the brightness of the display according to changes in ambient lighting to comply with a brightness limitation of 0.3 foot-candles above ambient lighting. Digital displays must transition smoothly at a consistent rate from the allowed daytime brightness to the allowed nighttime brightness levels, beginning 45 minutes before sunset and ending 45 minutes after sunset. An automatic photometric sensor must be provided for automatic dimming.
v. Upon the request of the chief building official or designee, the display owner, at the owner's expense, shall have a city-approved testing agency measure the brightness of a digital display as follows:
Step One. Measure the display's brightness at night and during the day by focusing on the direct center of the display from a point that is six feet above grade and 20 feet away from the plane of the display (determined by a line that is within six degrees of a line perpendicular to the plane of the display). If brightness so measured exceeds 450 candelas per square meter during the night or 7,500 candelas per square meter during the day, then the display's illumination must be adjusted so that it does not exceed 450 or 7,500 candelas, as applicable.
Step Two. Determine the "measurement distance" using the following formula (the "display area" in the radicand is the area of the display in square feet):
Step Three. Use the following formulas to calculate the display's maximum allowed brightness at night and during the day:
Nighttime Maximum Brightness
Bn = 180,000 ÷ D2
Bn = 180,000 ÷ D2
Bn = the maximum brightness allowed at night
D = the measurement distance calculated in Step Two
Daytime Maximum Brightness
Bd = 3,000,000 ÷ D2
Bd = 3,000,000 ÷ D2
Bd = the maximum brightness allowed during the day
D = the measurement distance calculated in Step Two
Step Four. Measure the display's brightness at night and during the day by focusing on the direct center of the display from a point that is six feet above grade and D feet away (i.e., the measurement distance calculated in Step Two) from the plane of the display as determined by a line that is within six degrees of a line perpendicular to the plane of the display. If a brightness so measured exceeds the applicable maximum brightness calculated in Step Three, then the display's illumination must be adjusted so that it does not exceed that maximum brightness.
j. The hours of operation for digital displays are from dawn to 10:00 p.m. on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday and from dawn to midnight on Friday and Saturday.
k. Based on new or updated information or studies, the city council may amend the standards and other provisions in this section to mitigate effects on the visual environment or on residential properties or other sensitive receptors; to reduce driver distractions or other hazards to traffic; or to otherwise protect and promote the public health, safety, and welfare. The city council may apply the amended standards to existing signs and digital displays.
l. Digital displays are subject to approval by the director. As part of this process, the director shall consult with the chief building official on the design and operational elements of any digital display. When deciding whether to approve the drawings, the director: (i) shall consider all of the factors relating to the proposed digital display and, based on the evidence submitted, make the findings set forth in subsections (E)(1) through (E)(8) of section 15.148.1110 that apply to the digital display; and (ii) shall not consider the content or graphic design of messages other than to determine legality under federal or state law. A permit issued for a digital display under this subsection (B)(1)(h) expires 10 years after the date of issuance, and upon expiration of the permit the digital display must be removed unless a new permit has been obtained for the continued use of the digital display.
2. Aerial-View Signs.
a. One permanent aerial-view sign is allowed for the primary user. No aerial-view signs are allowed for the secondary user.
b. An aerial-view sign may not project beyond the roof or parapet edge.
c. A maximum of thirty (30) percent of roof surface area is allowed for signage.
d. Light fixtures may not be mounted above, or extend above, roof-mounted structures or the parapet. The source of the light must not be visible from adjacent properties or from a public street or public sidewalk, and the sign lighting must not produce a glare on adjacent properties or on public streets or public sidewalks. An aerial-view sign may transition between colors with a transition time of not less than one second and with each color displayed for at least eight seconds, but it must not go blank during a transition and may not use flashing, scintillating, blinking, or traveling lights or any other means not providing constant illumination. The hours of operation for illumination of aerial-view signs are from dawn to 10:00 p.m. on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday and from dawn to midnight on Friday and Saturday.
3. Attached Signs.
a. Four attached flat signs are allowed for the primary user. One attached flat sign is allowed for the secondary user. The face of an attached sign must be within ten (10) degrees of parallel to the face of the large entertainment venue to which it is attached. Individual attached signs may not be combined to create the effect of a single large attached sign.
b. The maximum area of each attached sign is forty-five (45) square feet.
c. The maximum vertical dimension of each attached sign is three feet.
4. Projecting Signs.
a. Two projecting signs are allowed for the primary user. One projecting sign is allowed for the secondary user. A projecting sign must be attached to the primary structure of the large entertainment venue and not attached to a cantilevered structure. Projecting signs must be at least one hundred fifty (150) feet apart (measured horizontally from the points of attachment to the large entertainment venue).
b. The area of each projecting sign for the primary user must not exceed two hundred (200) square feet. The area of the projecting sign for the secondary user must not exceed forty-five (45) square feet.
c. The maximum vertical dimension of each projecting sign is thirty-five (35) feet.
d. The maximum width of each projecting sign for the primary user is six feet. The maximum width of the projecting sign for the secondary user is three feet.
e. The minimum height of each projecting sign is ten (10) feet, measured from the bottom of the sign to the sidewalk or ground.
5. Suspended Signs.
a. The primary user is allowed three suspended signs. The secondary user is allowed one suspended sign.
b. The maximum area of each suspended sign is sixteen (16) square feet.
c. The maximum vertical dimension of each suspended sign is four feet.
d. The minimum height of each suspended sign is eight feet, measured from the bottom of the sign to the sidewalk or ground.
6. Each sign or digital display must be integral in design to the architectural style of the large entertainment venue to which it is attached. The secondary user's signs must be consistent in materials and design with the primary user's signs.
C. Large entertainment venues with more than ten thousand (10,000) fixed permanent seats are allowed the following signage:
1. Large Digital Displays.
a. A digital display must be a permanently attached sign.
b. Two digital displays are allowed for the primary user. No digital displays are allowed for secondary users.
c. Digital displays must be at least one hundred fifty (150) feet apart (measured using the closest edges of the two digital displays) when on the same façade or street frontage.
c. The maximum display area is seven hundred (700) square feet.
d. General advertising for hire is allowed.
e. Digital displays must meet the following criteria:
i. The images on a digital display may be animated (i.e., move or present the appearance of motion) and may use flashing, scintillating, blinking, or traveling lights or any other similar means of providing illumination.
ii. If a digital display shows a series of still images, then each image must be displayed for at least eight seconds. Digital displays must use either an instant transition between still images or a fading transition with a transition time between still images of not less than one second and not more than two seconds. A digital display must not go blank during a transition.
iii. The maximum pixel pitch of a digital display is sixteen (16) millimeters.
iv. Digital displays must be equipped with a sensor or other device that automatically adjusts the brightness of the display according to changes in ambient lighting to comply with a brightness limitation of three-tenths foot-candle above ambient lighting. Digital displays must transition smoothly at a consistent rate from the allowed daytime brightness to the allowed nighttime brightness levels, beginning at forty-five (45) minutes before sunset and ending forty-five (45) minutes after sunset. An automatic photometric sensor must be provided for automatic dimming.
v. The maximum brightness of any digital display is four hundred fifty (450) candelas per square meter during the night and seven thousand five hundred (7,500) candelas per square meter during the day. The brightness of a digital display must be measured as follows, at the display owner's expense, by a testing agency approved by the chief building official or designee:
Step One. Measure the display's brightness at night and during the day by focusing on the direct center of the display from a point that is six feet above grade and twenty (20) feet away from the plane of the display (determined by a line that is within six degrees of a line perpendicular to the plane of the display).
Step Two. Use the following formula to determine the "measurement distance" (the "display area" in the radicand is the area of the display in square feet):
Step Three. Use the following formulas to calculate the display's equivalent maximum brightness during the day and at night:
Equivalent Maximum Nighttime Brightness
Bn = 180,000 ÷ D2
Bn = 180,000 ÷ D2
Bn = the equivalent maximum nighttime brightness
D = the measurement distance calculated in Step Two
Equivalent Maximum Daytime Brightness
Bd = 3,000,000 ÷ D2
Bd = 3,000,000 ÷ D2
Bd = the equivalent maximum daytime brightness
D = the measurement distance calculated in Step Two
Step Four. Measure the display's brightness at night and during the day by focusing on the direct center of the display from a point that is six feet above grade and D feet away (i.e., the measurement distance calculated in Step Two) from the plane of the display as determined by a line that is within six degrees of a line perpendicular to the plane of the display. If a brightness so measured exceeds the relevant equivalent maximum brightness calculated in Step Three, then the display's illumination must be adjusted so that it does not exceed that equivalent maximum brightness.
f. The hours of operation for digital displays are from dawn to midnight on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday and from dawn to 2:00 a.m. the following day on Friday and Saturday.
g. Based on new or updated information or studies, the city council may amend the standards and other provisions set forth in this section in order to mitigate effects on the visual environment or on residential properties or other sensitive receptors; to reduce driver distractions or other hazards to traffic; or to otherwise protect and promote the public health, safety, and welfare. The city council may apply the amended standards to existing signs and digital displays.
h. Digital displays are subject to approval by the director. As part of this process, the director shall consult with the chief building official on the design and operational elements of any digital display. When deciding whether to approve the drawings, the director: (i) shall consider all of the factors relating to the proposed digital display and, based on the evidence submitted, make the findings set forth in subsections (E)(1) through (E)(8) of Section 15.148.1110 that apply to the digital display; and (ii) shall not consider the content or graphic design of messages other than to determine legality under federal or state law. A permit issued for a digital display under this subsection (C)(1)(h) expires ten (10) years after the date of issuance, and upon expiration of the permit the digital display must be removed unless a new sign permit has been obtained for the continued use of the digital display.
2. Aerial-View Signs.
a. One permanent aerial-view sign is allowed for the primary user. No aerial-view signs are allowed for the secondary user.
b. An aerial-view sign may not project beyond the roof or parapet edge.
c. A maximum of thirty (30) percent of roof surface area is allowed for signage.
d. Light fixtures may not be mounted more than five feet above, or extend more than five feet above, roof-mounted structures or the parapet. The sign lighting must not produce a glare on public streets or public sidewalks. An aerial-view sign may transition between colors with a transition time of not less than 1 second and with each color displayed for at least eight seconds, but it must not go blank during a transition and may not use flashing, scintillating, blinking, or traveling lights or any other means not providing constant illumination.
3. Attached Signs.15.148.920
a. Nine attached flat signs are allowed for the primary user. One attached flat sign is allowed for the secondary user. The face of an attached sign must be within ten (10) degrees of parallel to the face of the large entertainment venue. Individual attached signs may not be combined to create the effect of a single large attached sign.
b. The maximum area of each sign is forty-five (45) square feet.
c. The maximum vertical dimension of each sign is three feet.
4. Projecting Signs.
a. Three projecting signs are allowed for the primary user. One projecting sign is allowed for the secondary user. A projecting sign must be attached to the primary structure of the large entertainment venue and not attached to a cantilevered structure. Projecting signs must be at least three hundred (300) feet apart (measured horizontally from the points of attachment to the large entertainment venue).
b. The area of each projecting sign for the primary user must not exceed four hundred (400) square feet. The area of the projecting sign for the secondary user must not exceed sixty (60) square feet.
c. The maximum vertical dimension of each projecting sign is fifty-five (55) feet.
d. The maximum width of each projecting sign for the primary user is eight feet. The maximum width of the projecting sign for the secondary user is four feet.
e. The minimum height for each projecting sign is ten (10) feet, measured from the bottom of the sign to the sidewalk or ground.
5. Suspended Signs.
a. The primary user is allowed five suspended signs. The secondary user is allowed one suspended sign.
b. The maximum area of each suspended sign is sixteen (16) square feet.
c. The maximum vertical dimension of each suspended sign is four feet.
d. The minimum height of each suspended sign is eight feet, measured from the bottom of the sign to the sidewalk or ground.
6. Each sign or digital display must be integral in design to the architectural style of the large entertainment venue to which it is attached. The secondary user's signs must be consistent in materials and design with the primary user's signs. (Ord. 2024-0017 § 2; Ord. 2016-0017 § 1)