A. Definitions. As used in this section, the following definitions shall apply:
EXTERNALLY ILLUMINATED SIGN — A sign illuminated with a light source of an even intensity and so shielded that no direct rays therefrom are visible elsewhere on the lot where said illumination occurs.
INTERNALLY ILLUMINATED SIGN — A sign designed to give forth artificial light directly (or through transparent or translucent material) from a source of light within such sign, including but not limited to neon and exposed lamp signs. Illumination shall only be of an even intensity.
B. Sign illumination shall be governed by the following regulations:
(1) Illumination is to be controlled by a timer which shall turn off the sign light not later than one hour after the close of regular business hours. Emergency directional signs and physicians providing emergency care upon the premises, as well as governmental signs, shall be exempted.
(2) The external light source shall be shaded, hooded or otherwise screened to prevent the direct rays of light from shining on adjacent property causing glare to traveling motorists on a public street or access drive used by the public.
(3) The intensity of internal illumination shall not exceed six footcandles at a distance of eight feet from the center line of the sign. When illuminated, light or pale colors and the color white shall not exceed 50% of the sign area.
(4) Electrical components of internally illuminated signs shall bear the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) label of approval.
(5) External illumination shall not exceed 17 footcandles at the face of the sign, shall consist only of white or amber color range and shall consist of uniform distribution of the light intensity.
C. In all residential zoning districts, as defined in Chapter 255, and properties used for residential purposes, the following permitted signs may be illuminated and no other:
(1) Professional sign of a physician, dentist and such other person whose services in emergency are customarily considered essential to the public health, safety and welfare, provided that the illumination is white light only, and provided further that the total illumination for any such light shall not exceed the equivalent of that given by a twenty-five-watt incandescent light source.
(2) Sign of a school, church, hospital, sanitarium, club or other institution of a similar nature, laboratory or municipal building, provided that the illumination is white light only, and provided further that the total illumination for any such sign shall not exceed the equivalent of that given by a sixty-watt incandescent light source.
(3) Signs for regulation of traffic, marking of hazards and the like.
D. In commercial districts and shopping center districts, as defined in Chapter 255, excluding property used for residential purposes, any permitted sign may be illuminated, provided that no sign shall be illuminated by any type of illumination, whether internal or external, more than 1/2 hour before the time at which the premises is opened to the public or more than 1/2 hour after the time at which the premises is closed to the public.
E. Floodlighting of any sign shall be so shielded that the source of the light shall not be visible from any point off the lot on which the sign is erected and so that only the sign is directly illuminated. Reflectors and lights permitted in conjunction with signs shall be equipped with restraining hoods to concentrate the illumination upon the area of the sign to prevent glare upon a street or adjoining property.
F. All outside lighting, including sign lighting, shall be arranged, designed and shielded or directed so as to protect an adjoining property or street from direct glare so that the light does not constitute a nuisance to an adjoining property or a hazardous condition on a street.
G. No outside illumination by an unshielded bare bulb shall be permitted.