Electronic message signs are permitted as a component of otherwise permitted on premise signage subject to the following regulations:
(a) Electronic message signs are prohibited in all zoning districts unless used in connection with the Town of Valdese or public-school facilities.
(b) Graphic images are prohibited.
(c) Each message on the sign must be displayed for a minimum of eight (8) seconds.
(d) The message must be complete during the duration of the display, without continuation in content to the next image. Transitions from one static message to the next shall appear instantaneous without the appearance of movement of any kind.
(e) Such displays shall contain static messages only and shall not have movement, or the appearance or optical illusion of movement, of any part of the sign structure, design, or pictorial segment of the sign, including the movement or appearance of movement of any illumination or the flashing, scintillating or varying of light intensity.
(f) Each static message display shall be limited to one monochrome color display on a solid black background at any one time and have a medium resolution true pixel pitch of no greater than twenty (20) mm. Full-color display is permitted, provided such signs have a high-resolution true pitch of ten (10) mm or less.
(g) The level of direct or indirect illumination on the vertical surface of any electronic message sign shall not exceed three (3) foot candles for wall-mounted and two (2) foot candles for ground-mounted signs.
(h) The electronic message sign shall not exceed fifteen (15) square feet or seventy (70) inches diagonally.
(i) Electronic message display signs must meet all other requirements for on premise signs.
(j) Limited exceptions:
(1) Time, date, and temperature (TDT) signs display area shall not exceed five (5) square feet per face and shall not be included in the allowable sign area provided such display is collocated within an existing sign.
(2) Petroleum digital price signage.
a. The display area shall not exceed ten (10) square feet, and illuminated numerals shall not exceed twelve (12) inches in height.
b. Signs shall be collocated on an approved ground-mounted or pole mounted sign.
c. The digital display area shall not be calculated as part of the total allowable display area.
d. The sign may contain single-faced or double-faced display areas.
(3) Lottery signs shall be limited to a maximum of two (2) square feet and subject to the requirements outlined in 9-3097.2. Lottery signs shall not be calculated as part of the allowable display area. (Ord. of 10/5/15; Ord. of 6/28/21)