HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Regulating Electronic Message Signs ORDINANCE NO. 3468
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF AMES, IOWA, BY
REPEALING AND RE-ENACTING AS REVISED SUBSECTION 5.214(3),AND ENACTING A
NEW SECTION TO BE NUMBERED 5.231 TO PROVIDE FOR ELECTRONIC MESSAGE SIGNS;
REPEALING ANY AND ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT TO
THE EXTENT OF SUCH CONFLICT; PROVIDING A PENALTY; AND ESTABLISHING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
BE IT ENACTED,by the City Council for the City of Ames, Iowa,that:
Section One. The Municipal Code of the City of Ames, Iowa shall be and the same is hereby amended by
repealing and re-enacting Subsection 5.214(3)as follows:
"(3) Any signs which employ flashing,blinking or rotating lights,except electronic message signs that
conform to Section 5.231 and are located in a commercial or industrial zoning district."
Section Two. The Municipal Code of the City of Ames, Iowa shall be and the same is hereby amended by
enacting a new Section 5.231 as follows:
"Sec. 5.231. ELECTRONIC MESSAGE SIGNS. Signs which display a message by means of
electronically induced changes in points of illumination,herein called electronic message signs,shall
conform to the following:
(1) Not more than one electronic message sign shall be installed on or in relation to the same
building.
(2) An electronic message sign shall not have more than two sides on which messages can be
displayed by electronic means.
(3) No electronic message sign shall have a continuously running message or messages. That
is,each display of a message shall have a clearly discernable beginning and ending indicated by a blank
or dark time on the message display device or screen,which blank or dark time shall be not less than
three tenths(0.3)of a second in duration.
(4) The minimum time for display of a message shall be four(4)seconds,except for time and
temperature displays.
(5) A message that requires sequential changes in the image displayed on the message display
device shall be displayed in its entirety in not more than eight seconds"
Section Three. Violation of the provisions of this ordinance shall constitute a municipal infraction punishable as
set out in Section 1.9 of the Municipal Code.
Section Four. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed to the extent of such
conflict, if any.
Section Five. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and publication as required
by law.
Passed this 28th day of October 1997.
Sandra L. Ryan,City Clerk Larry ay r
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