Duluth UDC § 603.09

a. All electronic changeable copy signs viewable from a public street or sidewalk shall present only static displays (still pictures and printing). Such signs not viewable from a public street or sidewalk may display movies, animation or video containing motion. b. Each static image shall be maintained for a duration of at least 8 seconds. The change time between each static image shall be perceived as instantaneous within the capability of the technology employed (generally about 1/10th of a second). c. For signs viewable from a public street or sidewalk, no flashing, scrolling, or other variation in the static image that gives an illusion of movement or variation in light intensity during the display of a single image is allowed. d. LED signs. In addition to all other requirements of this Section 603.09 and this Article, LED signs (as defined in this Development Code) must comply with the following: 1. All such signs shall be “tri-color” signs or better, in which each pixel consists of a group of at least one red, green and blue LED or similar light emitting device. 2. Maximum distances between pixels shall be as follows: 167 | P a g e Article Six. Sign Regulations i. For building signs, no more than 10 mm between pixels, measured center-to-center both horizontally and vertically. ii. For freestanding signs (including billboards as defined in this Development Code), no more than 16 mm between pixels, measured center-to-center both horizontally and vertically. 3. All such signs shall be certified by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) recognized by the US Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) in accordance with 29 C.F.R. 1910.7. 4. Maximum brightness. i. The sign must employ a light sensing device that adjusts the brightness as ambient light conditions change. ii. The sign shall not operate at a brightness level of more than 0.30 foot candles above ambient light levels measured at 100 feet from the sign (150 feet for sign faces greater than 100 square feet in area), as certified under paragraph (f) below. 5. A fail safe device shall be installed that, in the event of a failure of the light sensing device, drops the brightness level to the lowest nighttime level allowed, regardless of the time of day. e. Other electronic changeable copy signs. 1. Electronic changeable copy signs utilizing TV-type displays (LCD or Plasma, for instance) must comply with the following in addition to all other applicable requirements of this Section 604.09 and this Article: i. Such signs shall be installed only as building signs. ii. Such signs shall have a minimum resolution of 1080p (High Definition) or equivalent. iii. At any time of the day or night, such signs shall not operate at a brightness level of more than 0.30 foot candles above ambient light levels measured at 100 feet from the sign (150 feet for sign faces greater than 100 square feet in area), as certified under paragraph (f) below. 2. Electronic changeable copy signs utilizing incandescent bulbs are not allowed. f. As part of an application for a sign permit, the sign owner must provide the City with a written statement from the installer that the sign will comply with the City’s brightness requirements and all other requirements of this Section 603.09 and shall certify to such compliance within 30 days after installation of the sign. g. Operation of an electronic changeable copy sign in violation of any provision of this Section 603.09, including overriding the sign’s light-sensing or fail-safe devices, may result in the disconnection of the electrical power supply to the sign at the owner’s expense, under the procedures of Section 613.