Gainesville › Unified Land Development Code
Article 14 — Signs, Chapter 14-4 — ILLUMINATION
§ 14-4-1
Definitions Related to Illumination
(a)Beacon: A stationary or revolving light which flashes or projects illumination, single color or multi-colored, which is required or necessary under the safety regulations promulgated by the Federal Aviation Administration or similar agencies.
(b)Candela: The basic unit of measurement of light in SI (metric) units.
(c)Candela per square meter (cd/m²): The SI (metric) unit used to describe the luminance of a light source or of an illuminated surface that reflects light. Also referred to as Nits.
(d)Candle or candlepower: Synonymous with Candela, but in English, not SI, terms.
(e)Dissolve: A mode of message transition on an electronic changeable copy sign accomplished by varying the light intensity or pattern, where the first message gradually appears to dissipate and lose legibility simultaneously with the gradual appearance and legibility of the subsequent message.
(f)Externally illuminated sign: Any sign that is partially or completely illuminated at any time by an artificial light source that directly or indirectly illuminates the face of the sign from outside the sign structure.
(g)Fade: A mode of message transition on an electronic changeable copy sign accomplished by varying the light intensity, where the first message gradually reduces intensity to the point of not being legible and the subsequent message gradually increases intensity to the point of legibility.
(h)Flashing: Any condition where artificial light is not maintained stationary or constant in intensity.
(i)Fluorescent color: A color that is intense, brilliantly colored and apparently giving off light, such as but not limited to day glow (day-glo) colors.
(j)Foot candle: An English unit of measurement of the amount of light falling upon a surface (illuminance). One foot candle is equal to one lumen per square foot. Can be measured by means of an illuminance meter.
(k)Illuminance: The amount of light falling upon a real or imaginary surface, commonly called “light level” or “illumination”. Measured in foot candles (lumens/square foot) in the English system, and lux (lumens/square meter) in the SI (metric) system.
(l)Illuminated sign: A sign characterized by the use of artificial light, either projecting through its surface(s) (i.e., internally illuminated); or reflecting off its surface(s) (i.e., externally illuminated).
(m)Internally illuminated sign: A sign illuminated by an internal light source which is viewed through a transparent or translucent panel. An electronic changeable copy sign is an internally illuminated sign.
(n)LED Sign. Any sign or portion thereof that uses light emitting diode (LED) technology or other similar semi-conductor technology to produce an illuminated image, picture, or message of any kind whether the image, picture, or message is moving or stationary. This includes any sign that uses LED technology of any kind, whether conventional (using discrete LEDs), surface mounted (otherwise known as individually mounted LEDs), transmissive, organic light emitting diodes (OLED), light emitting polymer (LEP), organic electro polymer (OEL), or any other similar technology. An LED sign is a changeable copy electronic sign.
(o)Lux: The SI (metric) unit for illuminance. One lux equals 0.093 foot candles.
(p)Neon lighting: Any sign that uses neon, argon, or any similar gas to illuminate transparent or translucent tubing or other materials.
(q)Nit: A standard unit of luminance; a measurement of direct light (i.e., looking directly at the light source), used to describe displays. A “nit” is an amount of emanating light equal to one candela per square meter (cd/m2).
(r)Outlining: A sign, display, or installation outlining windows, doors, or other portions of the building.
(s)Scroll: A mode of message transition on an electronic changeable copy sign in which the message appears to move vertically across the display surface.
(t)Transition: A visual effect used on an electronic changeable copy sign to change from one message to another.
(u)Travel: A mode of message transition on an electronic changeable copy sign, in which the message appears to move horizontally across the display surface.
§ 14-4-2
Compliance with Electrical Code
(a)No sign shall have exposed electrical wires.
(b)All electrical service to a sign shall be in compliance with the National Electrical Code adopted by city Code Section 16-1-3 and any other city code sections related to the regulation of electricity.
(c)An electrical permit shall be required for first-time electrical connections to signs.
§ 14-4-3
General Prohibitions
(a)The outline-lighting of windows and doors with strings of light bulbs, neon lights, LED lights or any form of lighting shall not be permitted, except as part of holiday decorations.
(b)It shall be unlawful to utilize strobe, laser, and search lights except for emergency or public safety operations.
(c)No sign shall be illuminated if it is located on a lot used exclusively for a single-family dwelling (including manufactured home), two-family dwelling (duplex), an agricultural use, or combination of agricultural and residential use.
(d)No temporary sign shall be illuminated.
(e)No incidental sign shall be illuminated.
(f)No sign in an R-I-A, R-I, N-C, R-II, O-I, or N-B district shall be internally illuminated (note: this requirement by definition prohibits electronic changeable copy signs in these zoning districts).
(g)A flag may be externally illuminated only if it is flown from a freestanding pole.
§ 14-4-4
Maximum Luminance
(a)Night-time. Signs that are authorized to be externally illuminated shall not exceed a maximum luminance level of 500 cd/m² or nits, regardless of the method of illumination, from apparent sunset until apparent sunrise, as determined by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Department of Commerce, for the specific geographic location and date.
(b)Daytime. Signs that are authorized to be externally illuminated shall not exceed a maximum luminance level of 5,000 cd/m² or nits, regardless of the method of illumination, from apparent sunrise to apparent sunset, as determined by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Department of Commerce, for the specific geographic location and date.
(c)Dimmer Control. Electronic changeable copy signs, where permitted, must have an automatic phased proportional dimmer control, photocell or other light sensing device, or a scheduled dimming timer, or another approved device, which produces a distinct illumination change that reduces nighttime brightness levels compared to daytime brightness levels. The applicant for any such electronic changeable copy sign shall provide written certification from the sign manufacturer that the light intensity has been factory pre-set not to exceed the levels specified in this Chapter; end-user manipulation of pre-set levels shall not be permitted.
§ 14-4-5
Lighting of Awnings
Internally lit (including backlit) awnings are prohibited, except as may be specifically authorized by the Director as part of a uniform sign plan per Section 9-14-7-4.
§ 14-4-6
External Illumination Standard
Externally illuminated signs shall be lit by a steady stationary light of reasonable intensity, shielded and directed solely at the sign, so as not to cause glare or spill light into the road right-of-way or up into the sky.