§ 21.44.850. Brightness, display, copy, and message requirements.

The following requirements establish the standards for the display face and copy and messages to be displayed on an electronic message center sign:

A.

Brightness. The following brightness standards and limitations shall apply:

1.

Dawn to dusk: unlimited;

2.

Dusk to dawn: the display surface shall not produce luminance in excess of 0.3 foot-candles above ambient light conditions, or the level recommended by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) for the specific size and location of the sign, whichever is less;

3.

The display brightness shall be controlled by a photocell or light sensor that adjusts the brightness to the required dusk-to-dawn level based on ambient light conditions without the need for human input. Use of other brightness adjustment methods, such as timer- or calendar-based systems, shall only be used as a backup system;

4.

The display shall be factory-certified as capable of complying with the above brightness standards. Such certification shall be provided to the satisfaction of the Director of Development Services; and

5.

The sign owner shall provide to the City, upon request, certification by an independent contractor that the brightness levels of the sign are in compliance with the requirements of this section.

B.

Display message. The following standards and limitations shall apply to the message shown on the display surface:

1.

The message shown on the EMCS display shall not flash, shimmer, glitter, or give the appearance of flashing, shimmering, or glittering.

2.

The EMCS display shall have no message or illumination which moves, or is in continuous motion, or which appears to be in continuous motion. Display of full-motion video and video-like sequences is prohibited.

3.

The display message shall not change at a rate faster than one (1) message every eight (8) seconds.

4.

There shall be a direct change from each message to the next, with no transition effect, and no blank or dark interval in between, to avoid a flashing or blinking effect.

5.

The intensity of illumination shall not change, except as required to comply with the dusk-to-dawn brightness standards.

6.

All messages shall be limited to on-site advertising of goods or services, or noncommercial messages (i.e., time, temperature, or public service announcements). All off-site advertising messages are prohibited (see "Billboard" Section 21.15.370); this includes messages by or for sponsors, patrons, brands, and other similar off-site parties or entities.

C.

Fixed Copy. Fixed/permanent sign copy on each face of an electronic message center sign shall be limited to the identification of the business, shopping or convention center name or icon and two (2) major tenants or products or services. The fixed/permanent sign copy shall not flash, shimmer, glitter, or give the appearance of flashing, shimmering, or glittering, and shall be included in the overall sign area as indicated on Table 44-5.

( ORD-13-0014 , § 19(Att. A), 2013)