The text
A.
Definitions:
DIGITAL DISPLAY: A sign face that may display changing content that is allowed to be fully animated and is composed of electronically illuminated segments and/or a series of grid lights, including cathode ray, light emitting diode (LED) display, plasma screen, liquid crystal display (LCD), fiber optic, video boards, or other electronic media or technology. A sign is considered to be "on premises" if the sign is on the location of the business which is advertised or promoted on the sign.
ELECTRONIC SIGN: For the purpose of this section shall mean a digital display sign.
FOOT-CANDLE: A unit of light measurement equal to one lumen per square foot and may be abbreviated "fc".
B.
Zones Where Allowed: Digital display on premises signs are a conditional use in all zones that allow advertising or informational signs provided that such signs comply with all requirements of this chapter and all other applicable sections of this code. Electronic on premises signs that advertise or promote businesses, products, activities, services, or events not located on the premises where the electronic sign is located are prohibited except for the use of any on premises sign for the advertising of "not for profit", "fundraising" events or philanthropic endeavors that do not give attention to businesses that are not located in Riverdale City.
C.
Number of Signs Allowed: Only one on premises electronic sign may be located on a lot but a lot may have an electronic sign and a nonelectronic sign that are combined in one cabinet at one location (on a pole, monument, or building) provided that the total square footage of all signage on a lot complies with all aspects of this chapter.
D.
Brightness: An electronic sign shall not be excessively intense or brilliant. An electronic sign shall not display light of such intensity or brilliance as to cause glare or otherwise impair the vision of the driver of a motor vehicle on a public roadway or result in a nuisance to the driver of a motor vehicle on a public roadway or a residential dwelling unit located within two hundred feet (200') of an electronic sign. Any electronic sign that exceeds the intensity levels in subsection D1 of this section shall constitute an excessively intense or brilliant sign and such sign is prohibited.
1.
All digital displays shall be illuminated at a level no greater than 0.3 foot-candle over ambient light levels and shall employ light cutoff devices such as, but not limited to, louvers, in order to minimize light escaping above the horizontal plane. Foot-candle readings shall be measured at ground level at a distance shown in the intensity table.
INTENSITY TABLE Sign Size (Square Feet) Distance from Source
0 - 100 100 feet
101 - 300 150 feet
301 - 600 200 feet
601 + 250 feet
2.
Notwithstanding the requirements of subsection D1 of this section, under no circumstances shall the light emanation from a digital display on premises sign be greater than 0.3 foot-candle as measured from the nearest residential property line.
3.
All digital display on premises signs must be equipped with both a dimmer control and a photocell which automatically adjusts the display intensity according to natural ambient light conditions.
E.
Residential Areas: Residential areas shall not be adversely impacted by any electronic sign or any other type of sign.
F.
Sound: The use of sound is prohibited.
G.
View Obstruction: Signs may not be constructed so as to obstruct the view of drivers of motor vehicles on a public roadway or entering a public roadway.
H.
Public Property: Signs may not encroach on or project over public property or a public right-of-way.
I.
Portable Electronic Signs: Portable electronic signs are prohibited.
J.
Resemblance to Traffic Signal: No electronic sign may resemble or simulate any warning signal or any traffic lights or official traffic control signage.
K.
Sign Shutoff: The digital display shall contain a default mechanism to turn the sign off in case of malfunction or shall be manually turned off within twenty-four (24) hours of a reported malfunction.
L.
Maximum Area: This type of on premises sign shall be restricted to a maximum area of three hundred (300) square feet.
(Ord. 864, 3-3-2015)