§ 18.12. General structural requirements
12.1. [Conformity:] All signs shall be designed and constructed in conformity to the provisions for materials, loads and stresses of the City Building Code and the requirements of this section.
12.2. Design loads: The effect of special local wind pressures shall be thoroughly considered in assumed less than 30 pounds per square foot of new exposed area for roof signs, 20 pounds per square foot for ground signs over 50 feet in height and 15 pounds per square foot for ground signs less than 50 feet in height.
12.3. Illumination: No sign shall be illuminated by other than electrical means and electrical devices and wiring shall be installed in accordance with the requirements of the National Electrical Code. In no case shall any open spark or flame be used for display purposes unless specifically approved by the administrator of the building and safety engineering division and the city fire marshal or his/her designees.
a. In no case shall any sign illumination exceed a level of illumination of eight hundredth foot candles, and a luminous brightness of 2,400 feet lamberts, when measured form the nearest or adjacent residential zoned property.
b. Illuminated signs shall not be erected or maintained closer than 75 feet to an residential use district on which there exists structures used for residential purposes. Also, all lighting for the illumination of signs shall be directed away from and shall be shielded from any adjacent residential zoning districts. Further, these signs shall be so arranged so as to not adversely effect driver visibility on adjacent thoroughfares.
c. The director of the department of public works and services is hereby authorized to order a change in the type of illumination of red or green neon signs, which conflict with traffic lights in the city.
d. No sign shall have blinkers, flashers, or fluttering lights or other illuminating device which has a changing light intensity, heightness of color. Beacon lights are not permitted. Any form of animation or moving device shall not be permitted, unless otherwise approved by the city council.
e. No exposed reflective type bulbs and no strobe light or incandescent lamp which exceeds 15 watts shall be used on the exterior surface of any sign so as to expose the face of the bulb, light or lamp to any public street or adjacent property.
12.4. Obstruction to ventilation: No sign shall be erected, constructed or maintained so as to obstruct any fire escape, required exitway, window or door opening used as a means of egress or to prevent free passage for one part of a roof to another part thereof or access thereto as required by the provisions of the City Building Code or the municipal fire department.
12.5. Obstruction to ventilation: No sign shall be attached in any form, shape or manner which will interfere with any opening for ventilation as referred to by the City Building Code; except that such signs may be erected in front of and may cover transom windows when not in violation of the provisions of the Building Code.
12.6. Ornamental features: Wood or approved plastic or other materials of combustible characteristics similar to wood may be used for moldings, copings, nailing blocks, letters and latticing when permitted in the City Building Code, and for other purely ornamental features of signs in accordance with the approved rules.
12.7. Sign facings: Sign facings may be made of approved combustible plastics provided the area of each face is not more than 100 square feet and the wiring for electric lighting is entirely enclosed in metal conduit and installed with a clearance of not less than two inches from the facing material.
12.8. Fixed awnings and marquees:
a. Fixed awnings and marquees constructed entirely of incombustible materials, if not less than eight feet six inches above the sidewalk level, may project over the sidewalk. Such awnings or marquees shall not project more than two-thirds of the width of the sidewalk, nor more than ten feet. All marquees shall be supported entirely on the building on which they are erected, and there shall be no posts, brackets, or other obstacles located on public property.
b. No such fixed awning or marquee shall carry and signs, words or advertising device thereon other than prescribed herein.
c. The city council may grant a license permit to any person, firm or corporation operating a business in the city, to erect or install canopy awnings not less than eight feet six inches above the sidewalk level and supported on the sidewalk by durable posts on the following conditions:
1. The license be obtained from the city council the standard form of license and lease agreement of the city.
2. That the licensee shall furnish complete insurance coverage to the city of limits of $100,000.00 personal liability and property damage for one accident and $300,000.00 for all accidents. Policy of insurance to be approved by the city's risk management division.
3. And conditioned further that the licensee shall defend and save harmless the city from all suits or liability arising out the permission granted.
4. That such canopy awnings shall be constructed in accordance with plans and specifications approved by the building and safety engineering division.
(Ord. No. 2169, § 1, 2-11-04)