(a) Signs shall be illuminated only by steady, stationary, shielded light sources directed solely at the sign, or internal to it, without causing glare for motorists, pedestrians or neighboring premises.
(b) Illuminated signs, including neon signs, shall not produce more than one (1) foot-candle of illumination four feet (4 ft.) from the sign.
(c) All permanent outdoor lights such as those used for area lighting or building floodlighting shall be steady, stationary, shielded sources directed so as to avoid glare for motorist, pedestrians, or neighboring premises. The marginal increase in light, as measured at any property line other than a street line, shall not exceed one (1) foot-candle.
(d) Electronic changeable message signs shall be permitted, subject to compliance with the following conditions and restrictions:
(1) For purposes of this section, "electronic changeable message sign," means a sign which alphabetic, graphic or symbolic informational content or display, either in whole or in part, composed of electrically illuminated or mechanically driven changeable segments, may be changed or altered by means of electrical, electronic or computerized programming. "Electronic changeable message sign," shall also be referred to herein as "ECM sign."
(2) No ECM sign shall be constructed or installed within one hundred feet (100') of a residentially-zoned dwelling.
(3) ECM signs shall be prohibited within a right-of-way
(4) ECM signs shall be prohibited on buildings in the Design Review District (DRD).
(5) All ECM signs shall be equipped with automatic dimming technology which automatically adjusts the sign's brightness in direct correlation with naturally ambient light conditions at all times; must have the ability to be dimmed at dusk, and must be dimmed accordingly at such time.
(6) No display of any kind shall be emitted from an ECM sign:
A. Between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., if located within a residentially zoned use district.
B. Between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., if located within any other use district, except that gas station price display signs may display prices at any time.
(7) No ECM signs shall be installed which emits more than ten (10) foot-candles of light as calculated or measured with a foot candle light meter at a distance of one (1) meter (approximately 3'-3") measured perpendicular from the center of any sign face or which produces light, as measured at the boundary line of any residential lot in proximity to the sign, of 0.5 lumens or more.
(8) Each line of copy and graphics in an ECM sign must be at least six (6) inches in height.
(9) ECM signs must display content in a manner that minimizes distraction to nearby motor vehicle operators. As such, any display content movement shall be nominal and smooth, minimizing distraction, and such content shall not include or display full motion video, flashing, scrolling, strobing, racing, blinking, animated transitions, or any other means of display not providing constant illumination.
(10) The image's and message's transitions must either be instantaneous with no special effects or alternatively provide a black screen for at least one (1) second.
(11) Each message displayed on an ECM sign shall be illuminated for a minimum of ten (10) seconds before transitioning to a new message. Images and messages displayed must be complete in themselves without continuation in content to the next image or message or to any other sign.
(12) ECM signs shall be designed and equipped to freeze the device in one position if a malfunction occurs.
(Ord. 2022-44. Passed 11-7-22.)