A. An Electronic Message Center is an electronically controlled message center or reader board where copy and graphics are shown on a screen or series of lamps or pixels.
B. Prior to receipt of a sign permit to install a new EMC, all signage on the subject premises shall first be in conformance with all requirements of this Chapter.
C. An EMC is only permitted as a part of a low profile, medium profile, or high profile ground sign, or a residential monument sign. An EMC is not permitted as any building sign, a shopping center ground sign, or another special sign type except for an internal sign.
D. An EMC is only allowed on a parcel with CR, CR-SO, IL, IG, or IC zoning provided the parcel has frontage on a major street. An EMC is only allowed on a parcel with RS, RD, or RM zoning provided the parcel has frontage on a major street and the structure(s) exceeds 5,000 square feet of floor area. Additionally, EMCs are prohibited in certain overlays; see Chapter 1103, Overlay Zoning Districts.
E. Regardless of the underlying zoning district, an EMC shall not be installed in any Historic Overlay District (-HO), the Downtown Overlay District (-DOD), the Warehouse District Overlay, or the Maumee Riverfront Overlay (-MRO).
F. Only one (1) EMC shall be permitted per premises. For the purpose of this chapter, a ground sign with 2 identical sides, each with 1 identical EMC cabinet per side, shall be considered 1 EMC.
G. An EMC which only includes numerals and only one color, also known as a digital price board, is exempt from these requirements.
H. All EMCs shall conform to the following graphic standards:
1. EMCs located within one hundred (100) feet of a residentially zoned district or use must be turned off when the use is closed or between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., whichever is more restrictive. Illumination shall be so arranged as to reflect light away from residential premises and in such a manner so as not to cast glare.
2. Displayed messages may change no more than one time every eight (8) seconds.
3. Movement including animation, flashing and scrolling is prohibited at all times. Only static text or images are permitted.
4. EMCs shall be designed and operated with automatic dimming features that adjust illumination from daylight to night time maximums and provide the owner/operator of the EMC the ability to reduce the illumination and/or brightness to adjust to background and ambient light conditions. These controls may include an auxiliary photocell on or near the sign.
5. The eye illuminance limit shall effectively be 0.0 foot-candles (fc); which means that the increase above ambient levels of lighting caused by switching on the sign shall not exceed 0.3 fc measured at one-hundred (100) feet from the sign standing as near as perpendicular to the sign as possible, or at the edge of the pavement no more than one-hundred (100) feet from the sign using a foot-candle meter held five (5) feet above grade.
6. Brightness shall be verified with two measurements. The first is taken at least 30 minutes past sunset and records the ambient light while the sign is off or displaying all black copy, or with the sign's illumination blocked. The second reading is taken while the sign is on and not blocked. Measurements shall be taken at the same location, with the meter aimed toward the center of the sign.
7. If the difference between the measurements is equal to or less than 0.3 fcs, the brightness is properly adjusted; otherwise the sign must comply with the bright standards set forth above.
8. White, red, yellow or green lights may be used, unless in the opinion of the Director of Public Service and/or the Division of Transportation, such colors create a driving hazard.
(Ord. 166-24. Passed 4-10-24.)