Sec. 25-462 (electronic message board signs)

Signage

• Content restriction

  An electronic message board may consist only of alphabetic or numeric characters on a plain background and may not include any graphic, pictorial, or photographic images except for business logos that have copyright protection and the message may be changed no more than every eight (8) seconds.

• Dimmer requirement500 candelas

  Such signs shall be equipped with a working dimmer control device capable of automatically reducing the illumination to the required sunset-to-sunrise level of five hundred (500) candelas.

• Incorporation requirement

  Electronic message display boards must be incorporated into a monument or freestanding ground style sign. It may also be incorporated into a freestanding pole style sign when such sign is allowed, and the area occupied by the message on an electronic message board may comprise no more than fifty (50) percent of the surface area of the permitted signage.

• Maintenance

  Electronic message boards must be maintained in full working condition and not allowed to be partially or fully inoperative.

• Maximum characters per line45 characters

  The primary message display area may have a maximum of three (3) lines of characters with a maximum of forty-five (45) characters per line including all letters, numbers and spaces.

• Maximum number1 signs

  Only one (1) electronic message board with at most two (2) sides is permitted on lots with one hundred (100) feet or more of VDOT maintained road frontage.

• Maximum lines3 lines

  The primary message display area may have a maximum of three (3) lines of characters with a maximum of forty-five (45) characters per line including all letters, numbers and spaces.

• No motion or flashing

  An electronic message board must not have any appearance of motion, flashing, blinking, jeweled lighting effects, animation or shimmering.

• No video or audio

  Video displays or audio speakers on or electronically connected to such signs shall not be permitted.

• Off hours

  Should the electronic message boards be visible from any residential structure within the R-1, R-2, R-3, A-1, or FC use districts the sign must be turned off between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. daily.

• SetbackSetbackThe distance a building must be held back from a lot line. from historicHistoric districtAn area where exterior changes need design review to protect its character. landmarks1,000 ft

  Electronic message board signs must maintain a one thousand-foot setback from any local or national historic landmark or district boundary and the Fincastle town boundary line unless otherwise approved by special exception permit.

• Transition restriction

  When the display of an electronic message board changes, it must change as rapidly as is technologically practicable with no phasing, rolling, fading, scrolling, flashing, blending or other transition.

• Underground electrical

  All electrical connections to electronic message board signs must be underground.