Prohibited signs
All signs that are not specifically permitted in this article, or exempt from regulation hereunder, including, but not limited to, the following types of signs, are prohibited:
(a) Captive balloon and inflatable signs. This includes signs, or portions thereof, that hold their shape by receiving a one-time or continuous supply of air or gas.
(b) Electronic message center signs. This type of sign includes, but is not limited to, television screens, plasma screens, flat screens, light emitting diode screens, video boards and screens, and holographic displays. This is not intended to prohibit the use of light bulbs, neon tubes, or other such light sources of internal or external illumination, as permitted by this article. This shall not include a digital sign(s) as defined in subsection 19-442(c).
(c) Projected signs. This includes signs that are formed by projecting the sign copy, image, text, and/or message into the sky or onto a surface, including, but not limited to, the ground or the side of a building. This includes signs that [sic] are created using projectors, light beams, lasers, holograms or holographic displays, or other such technologies.
(d) Animated signs. This includes signs, or portions thereof, that blink, flash, or emit, a varying intensity of color or light.
(e) Moving, revolving or rotating signs, and banners and pennants. This includes signs, or portions thereof, having visible moving, revolving, or rotating parts, or visible movement of any kind, or giving the illusion of movement. Such movement can be achieved by wind, electric, electronic, or any other means. This is not intended to prohibit the manual changing of channel letters or numbers when the changing is part of an approved sign or movable hands or analog clocks.
(f) Billboards, as defined in section 19-1.
(g) Inappropriate signs. Any sign that constitutes a hazard to the public safety, health or that impedes vision or access to or from public streets, sidewalks or other places of ingress or egress. This includes signs which, because of size, location or manner of illumination, obstruct the vision of a driver or detract from the effectiveness of traffic control devices. With the exception of traffic, regulatory, or informational signs, signs shall not use the words, "stop," "caution," or "danger," and shall not incorporate red, amber, green or blue lights resembling traffic signals or emergency vehicles, and/or shall not resemble "stop" or "yield" signs in shape or color.
(Ch. 419, § I, 3-20-07; Ch. 506, § XI, 7-20-10; Ch. 642, § XIV, 3-15-16; Ch. 914, § I(Att.), 12-19-23)