In addition to ensuring compliance with the numerical standards of these regulations, the Architectural Board of Review shall consider the proposed general design arrangement and placement of the sign according to the following criteria:
(a) All Signs.
(1) The lettering shall be large enough to be easily read but not overly large or out of scale with the building or site.
(2) The sign should be consolidated into a minimum number of elements.
(3) The ratio between the message and the background shall permit easy recognition of the message.
(4) The size, style and location of the sign shall be appropriate to the activity of the site.
(5) The sign shall complement the building and adjacent buildings by being designed and placed to enhance the architecture of the building.
(6) Signs shall be designed with a limited number, and harmonious use of colors.
(7) Signs, if seen in a series, shall have a continuity of design with the style of sign generally consistent throughout the building or block.
(8) Instructional signs shall contain the minimum information, and the minimum area, necessary to convey the message and instruct the viewer in the safe and efficient use of the facility.
(b) Construction Standards.
(1) The construction, erection, safety and maintenance shall comply with all applicable building codes.
(2) All signs shall be constructed in a professional manner in conformance with the appropriate building code and other applicable requirements of the City and shall be structurally sound.
(3) All signs shall be located and secured so as to pose no threat to pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
(4) Permanent signs shall be fabricated on and of materials that are of good quality and good durability.
(5) Any glass forming any part of any sign shall be safety glass. Where a single piece of glass has an area exceeding three (3) square feet, it shall be wire glass.
(6) Electric signs and all permanent signs involving structural requirements of the applicable building code shall be installed, repaired, altered and serviced only be a contractor licensed to perform such tasks. Wiring supplying electricity to signs shall be installed underground.
(7) No sign shall be erected to as to project over or obstruct any window, door, fire escape, balcony, platform, stairway, ladder, vent or other means of ingress of any building.
(8) No sign shall be attached to a utility pole, tree, trash receptacle, bench or other structure not intended or approved as a sign support.
(9) Temporary signs shall be durable and weather-resistant, and fastened or anchored sufficiently, whether attached to the building or positioned in the ground.
(10) No sign regulated by any of the provisions of this section shall be erected in the right-of-way or at the intersection of any streets in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision, or at any location where, by reason of the position, shape or color, it may interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device, or which makes use of the words “STOP”, “LOOK”, “DANGER” or any other word, phrase, symbol or character in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic.
(11) In the event there is a conflict between the provisions of this section and the provisions of any applicable building codes, the provisions of the applicable building code shall govern.
(c) Maintenance. All signs shall be maintained in accordance with the following:
(1) The property owner, occupant or other person responsible for the sign shall maintain the sign in a condition fit for the intended use and he/she shall have a continuing obligation to comply with all applicable building code requirements.
(2) If the Zoning Administrator or Building Inspector finds that any sign is unsafe, insecure, a menace to the public, or constructed, erected, or maintained in violation of the provisions of this Code, notice shall be given in writing by the Zoning Administrator to the owner. The owner of the sign shall, within seventy-two (72) hours of such notification, correct such unsafe condition or remove the sign. If the correction has not been made within the allotted seventy-two hours, the sign may be removed or altered by the City to comply with these regulations at the expense of the owner or occupant of the property upon which the sign is located. The Zoning Administrator or designated agent may cause any sign, which, in the City’s opinion, creates a danger to persons or property to be removed immediately and without notice.
(3) Whenever any sign, either conforming or non-conforming to these regulations, is required to be removed for the purpose of repairing, refurbishing or repainting, the same may be done without a permit or any payment of fees provided that all of the following conditions are met:
A. There shall be no alteration or remodeling to the sign base or sign support(s) of the mounting of the sign itself.
B. There shall be no enlargement or increase in any of the dimensions of the sign or its structure.
C. The sign shall be accessory to a legally permitted, conditional or non-conforming use.
(4) The Zoning Administrator may order any sign to be painted or refurbished whenever needed to keep the sign in a neat and safe condition. All supporters, guys, braces and anchors for such signs shall be maintained in a safe condition.
(5) The face of any permanent sign which advertises a business that has not been conducted on the premises for 180 consecutive days, or fails to serve the purposes for which it was intended, or evidences a lack of maintenance, shall be removed by the owner, agent or person having the beneficial use of the building, structure or land upon which such sign is located, within ten (10) business days after written notice by the Zoning Administrator, and the sign area shall be replaced by a neutral, single background color panel or similar cover. If the sign is comprised of individually raised letters, the letters shall be removed so as to be in compliance with Section 1151.06
(d). Upon failure to comply with such notice within the time specified in such order, the Zoning Administrator or designated agent is hereby authorized to cause removal of such sign, and any expense incident thereto shall be paid by the owner of the property on which the sign is located.
(d) Illumination. Signs shall be permitted to be illuminated in compliance with the following:
(1) Light sources shall be shielded from all adjacent buildings and streets.
(2) Lights shall not be of such brightness so as to cause glare that is hazardous to pedestrians or motorists, or cause reasonable objection from adjacent residential districts.
(3) Signs shall not include flashing, moving, or intermittent lighting in which any part of the message changes at a rate of more than once every 10 seconds.
(4) The illumination of signs shall not obstruct traffic control or any other public informational signs. Signs visible from sight lines along streets shall not contain symbols or words, or red and green lights that resemble highway traffic signs or devices.
(5) In Single-family Residential Districts, temporary signs shall not be illuminated. (Ord. 2006-35. Passed 5-25-06.)