New Sign Regulations for Major Ohio City
New regulations for “automatic changeable copy” signs and billboards were approved in a 5-0 vote by the Columbus (OH) City Council on July 28. The vote adopts Bill 0170-2014. Per the recommendations of city staff, electronic signs may change every 8 seconds, must employ photocells or other automatic dimming capabilities, and limit EMC brightness to a 0.3 foot-candles above ambient lighting levels. Following the Council vote, the regulations will take effect by August 27th.
The Columbus sign code update stretches back to dialogue started between city staff and sign companies back in early 2012. At that time, some community leaders pushed for brightness levels nearly 50 percent below the final regulations. Through the efforts of industry representatives, including Daktronics’ (@daktronics) experts in Ohio and South Dakota headquarters, city staff conducted a May 2013 field workshop measuring brightness of existing electronic signs. Additional local involvement featured ISA’s Kenny Peskin (@signcodeguy), staff from DaNite Signs (@DaniteSign), Advance Sign Group, Moore Signs, Columbus Sign, Watchfire (@WatchfireSigns), and representatives from the outdoor advertising industry.
For more information, please contact Kenneth Peskin or the Midwest Sign Association’s Dee Scott.
