The following regulations are applicable to all signs within the City of Troy unless specifically stated otherwise within this Sign Code:
(a) Traffic Safety. All signs shall be designed, constructed, and located in accordance with the following criteria:
(1) Sight-Distance Hazard Prohibited. No sign shall be erected at or near any intersection of any streets, or alleys, or any railway and any street, in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision.
(2) Resemblance of Traffic Control Device Prohibited. No sign shall be of a shape or color that may be confused with any authorized traffic control device.
(3) Resemblance of Emergency Light Prohibited. No rotating beam, beacon, or flashing illumination resembling an emergency light shall be used in connection with any sign display.
(b) Design and Construction. All signs shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the following criteria:
(1) Conformance with Building and Electrical Codes. All signs shall comply at all times with the appropriate detailed provisions of the applicable Building and Electrical Codes of the City of Troy.
(2) Construction Materials. Except for banners, flags, temporary signs and window signs conforming in all respects with the requirements of this Sign Code, all signs shall be constructed of permanent materials. Illuminated exterior signs shall be constructed entirely of noncombustible materials, except that faces may be made of approved combustible plastic if the remainder of the sign and supporting structure are made of noncombustible materials.
(3) Wind Pressure. All signs and supporting structures shall be of sufficient strength and bracing to withstand wind pressure of thirty (30) pounds per square foot of surface exposed. The exposed area subjected to wind pressure shall be the total area of all parts of the sign, including structural framing on a plane perpendicular to the direction of the wind. In determining the stress in any member, the wind shall be assumed to flow from the horizontal and from that compass direction which produces the maximum stress in that member.
(4) Sign Supports and Braces. All permanent signs shall be supported by sign structures that are made of steel or other metal, concrete, or wood, and designed to resist wind pressures, dead loads, and lateral loads in accordance with the appropriate detailed provisions of the Building Code. All sign supports shall be an integral part of the sign design.
(5) Anchoring. No sign shall be suspended by chains or other devices that will allow the sign to swing due to wind action. All signs shall be securely anchored to their supporting structures to prevent any lateral movement that would cause wear on supporting members or connections.
(6) Pole Cap Required. A freestanding sign shall have a pole cap, unless the pole is an integral part of the sign design.
(7) Professionally Designed/Constructed. All signs shall have the appearance of being professionally designed and constructed.
(8) Multiple colors. Each sign shall be limited to six colors, including black and white. The background color is considered one (1) of six (6) permissible colors, unless channel letters are used, in which case the background is not to be considered as one (1) of the six (6) permissible colors.
(c) Location. All signs shall be located in accordance with the following standards:
(1) Maintenance of Ingress and Egress. No sign shall cover any part of any window unless specifically permitted under this Sign Code. No sign shall cover any door, or hinder or prevent free ingress to or free egress from any door, window, fire escape, or any other required exit way.
(2) Maintenance of Ventilation. No sign shall be attached in any form, shape, or manner that will interfere with any opening required for ventilation.
(3) Required Clearance from Utility Wires. No sign shall be located nearer than twelve (12) feet vertically or eight (8) feet horizontally from any overhead electric wires or conductors or public utility guy wires.
(4) Prohibited Within Public Right-of-Way. Signs shall not be erected within nor project into any public right-of-way unless otherwise specified within this Sign Code.
(d) Illumination. All signs shall be in accordance with the following standards:
(1) Brightness. Light sources for illuminated signs shall not be of such brightness as to constitute a hazard to pedestrians or motorists and shall be shielded so as not to cast an illumination of more than two (2) foot-candles on contiguous properties nor more than one-tenth (0.1) foot-candle on residential properties, or as regulated by specific sections of this code.
(2) Flashing. Intermittent illumination, or illumination which involves movement or causes the illusion of movement resulting from the arrangement of lighting, is prohibited, except as regulated for electronic changeable copy signs.
(3) Colored Lights. No colored lights shall be used in a location or manner in which they may be confused with traffic control devices or vehicular traffic, except as regulated for electronic changeable copy signs.
(e) Maintenance and Repair. All signs shall be maintained in safe and good structural condition, in compliance with all applicable building and electrical codes, and in conformance with this Sign Code at all times. Such maintenance includes replacement of all defective bulbs, parts, materials, painting, repainting, cleaning, and other acts required for maintenance of such sign. If any sign does not comply with the above maintenance and repair standards, the Zoning Administrator shall require its removal.
(f) Protection of Property. Signs shall not be posted in any manner destructive to public property. Signs shall also not be attached or otherwise applied to trees, utility poles, transit shelters, benches, trash receptacles, or newsracks.
(g) Property Owner Permission Required. Signs shall not be erected, placed, or located upon any property or building without the written consent of the owner(s) of such property or an authorized representative.
(h) Identification Required. All signs hereafter erected, altered, or relocated shall be plainly marked with the name of the person, firm, or corporation erecting, altering, or relocating such signs.
(i) Illegal Signs Prohibited. Any sign not lawfully existing prior to the enactment of these sign provisions of this Sign Code and which could not be erected in accordance with such provisions shall not be deemed to attain any legal status by the enactment of these regulations.
(j) Obsolete Signs Prohibited. Any sign existing after the effective date of this Sign Code that no longer advertises or identifies a bona fide business conducted or product sold, shall be prohibited. This provision does not apply to the sign structure.
(k) Obscene Signs Prohibited. No sign shall contain words, statements, or graphic descriptions of an obscene or indecent nature.
(Ord. 7-2009. Passed 2-2-09.)