Page 54 - Des Moines - Zoning, Planning and Design Ch 134, 135

134-5. SiGNS DRAFT

Electronic and Multi-Vision Displays

134-5.8 electronic and Multi-Vision B. Electronic displays must be equipped with a light
Displays detector/photocell that automatically adjusts the
display’s brightness according to natural ambient
5.8.1 APPlicABilitY light conditions.
The regulations of this section apply to electronic
displays and multi-vision displays. 5.8.8 SePArAtiON FrOM reSiDeNtiAl
A. Electronic displays and multi-vision displays are
5.8.2 WHere AllOWeD prohibited within 100 feet of:
Electronic displays and multi-vision displays may
be incorporated into allowed monument signs in 1. Any lot in an N or NX district that is used for
accordance with the regulations of this section. 2 residential purposes or is vacant, or
2. Any lot in a non-N-or-NX district that is occupied
5.8.3 MAXiMUM AreA by one or 2 dwellings units.
No more than 24 square feet of a sign’s allowed sign
area may be devoted to an electronic display or multi- B. These separation distance requirements do not
vision display. apply if the electronic or multi-vision display is not
visible from the referenced district, area or lot
5.8.4 DiSPlAY tYPe c. Required separation distances must be measured
Signs may not display full-motion video or otherwise horizontally in a straight line from the nearest point
use multiple pictures or graphics in a series of frames on a sign face to the nearest point of the protected
to give the illusion of motion or video unless such sign district or lot.
is located on a lot occupied by a major event center
and the sign has been approved in accordance with the 5.8.9 WiNDOW SiGNS
type 2 zoning exception procedures. This provision is An electronic display sign may not be used as a window
intended to prohibit television screens, plasma screens, sign.
LED screens and holographic displays and other
technology used to display video images. 5.8.10 trANSitiONAl PrOViSiONS
A. In lieu of compliance with the regulations of 134-
5.8.5 DWell tiMe 5.8.4, 134-5.8.5, and 134-5.8.6, electronic displays
The images and messages displayed on electronic under 24 square feet in area that were in place
displays and multi-vision displays must have a minimum before June 1, 2014, under authority of a sign
dwell time of at least 8 seconds before changing to permit are subject to the following regulations until
the next image or message. This dwell time regulation June 1, 2024 or such earlier time as the electronic
supersedes any more restrictive regulation applicable components of the display are replaced. This
to a previously approved electronic display or multi- provision does not prevent the replacement of up to
vision display.. 50% of the sign’s individual components as part of
5.8.6 trANSitiON normal maintenance of the sign.
The transition or change from one message to another B. No such sign may display multiple pictures or
must occur in one second or less and involve no images in a series of frames so as to give the illusion
animation or special effects. of motion or video, except that:
5.8.7 illUMiNAtiON 1. Such signs may be used to display a series of
images consisting of pictures, graphics, text or
A. The brightness of any electronic display or a combination thereof, provided that the entire
multi-vision display may not exceed a maximum display is static for at least 2 seconds between
illumination of 5,000 candelas per square meter changes of image, and the change of images is
(nits) during daylight hours and a maximum instantaneous.
illumination of 500 candelas per square meter (nits)
between dusk to dawn, as measured from the 2. Such signs may be used to display text that
brightest element on the sign’s face. scrolls in one direction (vertically or horizontally)
at a rate that is legible to the average person.
Any change in the direction of scrolling must be
2 This appears to prohibit use of electronic and multi-vision
displays on any sign other than a monument sign. Is that separated by an intervening display of a static
the intent? There is an express prohibition for window image for at least 2 seconds. The scrolling text
signs, but none for wall or projecting signs. can be combined with a background image that

134-5-12 DRAFT AuguST 3, 2017