2014-584 ORDINANCE NO. 2014 -584
An ordinance amending 14.20.120 On Premise Electronic Message Signs of the Sign
Code of the City of Janesville and 14.24.095.D.11 (Electronic Message Billboards), with
penalties for violations thereof, together with injunctive relief and remedies upon default
of forfeiture payment as set forth in JGO 14.48.050, and the applicable penalty
provisions in JGO Chapter 14.48.
THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JANESVILLE DO ORDAIN AS
FOLLOWS:
SECTION I. Section 14.20.120 of the Code of General Ordinances of the City of
Janesville is hereby amended to read as follows:
A. No illuminated flashing signs shall be permitted. Flashing signs are
those which change their appearance more than once every four seconds.
Chasing lights shall not be permitted.
B. Electronic message signs located on premises may be allowed in
Sign Districts A, B, C and D subject to compliance with criteria (1) -(7) in Section
14.20.120C upon the review and approval of a conditional sign permit by the
Plan Commission as provided in Section 1 of this chapter. Electronic
Message signs located on premise may be allowed in Sign District E only if the
sign is oriented to traffic on the adjoining street and is located at least 500 feet
from a residential principal building as measured perpendicular to each sign face
along the adjoining street, _ _ - _ _ - _ e _ e - _ _ _ _ . • e • e •• - -
#allowing
C. All On Premises Electronic Message Signs shall be subject to the
following review criteria:
(1) Such signs shall comprise no more than 30% of the face of
the ground sign area.
(2) No sign shall interfere with the visibility of any traffic signal.
(3) No such sign shall be illuminated to a degree or brightness
that is greater than necessary for adequate visibility. Signs found to be too bright
shall be adjusted in accordance with the instructions of the City.
(4) No such signs shall be higher than 10 feet above the curb
elevation in Sign District E, no higher than 20 feet above the curb elevation in
sign District C or D, no higher than 25 feet above the curb elevation for Sign
District B and no higher than 40 feet above the curb elevation in Sign District A.
(5) Routine messages and graphics shall not repeat in intervals
of less than 4 seconds nor last longer than 10 seconds. Single phrase messages
may last longer than 10 seconds.
(6) No traveling message signs shall be permitted.
{7) The Plan Commission must find that the character of the
to noarby residential ar as prior to approving such signs.
(7) No such sign located in Sign District E, or located in any
Sign District where the sign is visible within 500 feet of a residential principal
building shall operate between the hours of 10:00 P.M. and 6:00 A.M.
D. Electronic message signs located within fifty feet of a traffic control
signal as measured perpendicular to each sign face along the adjoining street
shall display messages or graphics in white color only.
GE. Time and temperature signs are allowed in all sign districts
• 'e- _ _ _ _ _ _ - _ _ •_ _ •_ • _ • •• subject to compliance with
criteria (1) -(5) listed in Section 14.20.1208C.
DF. Illuminated price or rate panels for hotel /motel and motor fuel which
change no more than once daily are allowed in all sign districts
of a conditional sign permit subject to compliance with criteria (1) -(3) in Section
14.20.120BC.
€G. Rotating signs shall be limited to a maximum of eight revolutions
per minute and shall not flash or have traveling bulb effects.
FH. Multiple message signs or tri- vision signs whose message are on
triangular louvered facings and are changed by electronic rotation of the louvers
are permitted for off - premise signs provided that the time the message remains
in a fixed position shall be six seconds or more.
I. On Premises Electronic Message Signs may be allowed to vary
from the standards provided in Section 14.20.120 upon the review and approval
of a conditional sign permit by the Plan Commission as provided in Section
14.48.015 of this chapter. The Plan Commission, in its review, must find that the
character of the sign is compatible with the general area, and that limited visual
impact will occur to nearby residential areas prior to approving such signs.
SECTION II. Section 14.24.095.D.11 of the Code of General Ordinances of the City of
Janesville is hereby amended to read as follows:
11. All off - premises electronic message signs at all times shall
comply with the following operational standards:
a. No sign shall interfere with the visibility or the
operation of any traffic control device.
b. No sign shall include a graphic and /or depiction that
does or could resemble or be mistaken for a traffic control device, signal or sign.
c. No such sign shall be illuminated to a degree or
brightness that is greater than necessary for adequate visibility in the opinion of
the Police Chief or Community Development Director. Signs found to be too
bright shall be adjusted in accordance with the instructions of the City.
d. No message shall change in intervals of less than ten
{10) eight (8) seconds.
e. No moving graphics of any type shall be utilized at
any time.
SECTION III. This ordinance shall take effect immediately upon adoption by the
Common Council, the public health, welfare, peace, tranquility, good order, public
benefit, and police power so requiring.
ADOPTED: December 8, 2014 Motion by: Marklein
Second by: Kealy
A PPROVED: Councilmember Aye Nay Pass Absent
Bobzien X
!ll��� Farrell X
Mark A. Freitag, City Manage Fitzgerald X
Kealy X
ATTEST: Liebert X
Marklein X
I < w
.140/ A-A(AL.rf Severson X
-an Ann Wul City Clerk - Treasur • r
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Wald Klimc k, City Attorney
Proposed by: Planning Services Division
Prepared by: Planning Services Division