1. Columbus, Ohio Zoning Code Revision
GRAPHICS CODE UPDATE, PART 1
ORD 0170-2014
July 16, 2014

2. Columbus Graphics
Code Update
Project overview
A graphics or sign code promotes readable signage,
safety, compatibility with surroundings, and reduces
visual clutter by regulating the size, number, and location
of private signs. Reasonable limits on special effects
serve those purposes. Special effects have become
much more common in Columbus and are drawing
complaints from the public.
From 2011 to 2013 the Department of Building & Zoning
Services hosted regular meetings to discuss
recommended changes to the Graphics Code. Members
of the sign industry and the Northland Community
Council participated in the process.
After developing many versions, the final draft is
supported by the sign industry, the community groups,
and the city.
Public outreach
Zoning staff published the draft code changes along with
supporting material on the BZS web site for two months
during October and November 2013. A link to the web
documents and notice of public meetings was emailed to
133 external stakeholders including:
25 Area Commission chairs and zoning chairs
14 design professionals
28 land use attorneys
18 members of BZA, Graphics and Development
Commissions
1 ODOT reviewer
17 members of other agencies (i.e., MORPC, Franklin Co.)
18 real estate professionals
12 sign industry professionals (including COSA).
Results of public meetings:
• Graphics Commission approval October 15, 2013
• Development Commission approval November 14,
2013.

3. Graphics and government:
A balancing act
Special effects with limits
Because rapidly changing digital technology allows an
endless variety of special effects on commercial signage
including animated, flashing, and scrolling text,
municipalities usually either prohibit automatic
changeable copy altogether or, as Columbus does,
permit the signs with certain limits.
Focus of the proposed changes
This ordinance creates new limits on the brightness and
motion of automatic changeable copy and makes other
improvements to the Columbus Graphics Code. These
code changes will maintain a business-friendly
environment and allow for a variety of graphics which
contribute to stimulating commercial districts, yet protect
community image by imposing reasonable and
enforceable limits on special effects of digital signs.
Visually appealing commercial environments
attract both customers and businesses.

4. Brightness limits for
automatic changeable
copy signs (on-premise)
Excessively bright, rapidly changing copy on
signs draws complaints from residents and
motorists, and the current code offers few
restrictions.
The new regulations will apply to automatic
changeable copy signs that are permitted in
certain commercial and manufacturing zoning
districts.
The proposed code changes have already
established guidance to the Graphics
Commission regarding limits that can be
imposed during a variance or graphics plan
application. Except by variance, automatic
changeable copy is not permitted in certain
zoning districts, in commercial overlays, or
directed to freeway.
The proposed limits include:
• An 8-second hold time on images
• A brightness limit of 0.3 fc above ambient light
• And a specific measurement technique
The issue The solution
This automatic changeable copy sign required
variances through a Graphics Plan because it is
directed to a freeway.

5. Billboard brightness limits
(off-premise)
Current code
Automatic changeable copy on billboards currently is
subjected to a seven-second hold time and there is
no brightness limit. We propose an eight-second hold
time because it is the industry standard and is
recommended by the Federal Highway Administration
for traffic safety.
Under this ordinance, billboards will have the same
hold time and brightness limits as on-premise signs.
Proposed changes
The proposed limits include:
• An 8-second hold time on images
• A brightness limit of 0.3 fc above ambient light
• And a specific measurement technique

6. Brightness limits are in use now
In other cities
Limits on illumination are becoming more
common across the country. We reviewed the
codes of some cities that have created
brightness limits, including:
• San Antonio, TX
• Abilene, TX
• Seattle, WA
• Spokane, WA
• Clay County, FL
• Fargo, ND
• Bismarck, ND
• Atlanta, GA
At the request of the Columbus Chamber of
Commerce, we reviewed the regulations on sign
brightness from the following additional peer and
best-in-class cities:
• Austin, TX
• Charlotte, NC*
• Chicago, IL*
• Cincinnati, OH*
• Cleveland, OH
• Indianapolis, IN
• Kansas City, MO*
• Minneapolis, MN*
• Portland, OR
• Raleigh, NC*
• San Diego, CA
• Louisville, KY*
The 7 cities marked with * have brightness limits
in their zoning codes.
These 8 cities have developed brightness limits
for digital signs and/or billboards.

7. Brightness limits are in use now
The city already applies brightness limits to automatic changeable copy signs that require Graphics
Plans or variances from the Graphics Commission.
Below is part of the text from a recent Graphics Plan. It includes the 8-second hold time and 0.3fc
above ambient light limit, based on the draft code.
In Columbus

8. Two ways to illuminate
billboards
External illumination Internal illumination
In the past, static billboards were illuminated
by lamp banks. Within 500 feet of a residential
use, the code allowed these lights to be on
when the sun went down at dusk until
11:00pm. Lighting was not needed during the
day.
An internally illuminated digital billboard is not
readable when the lights are off. The code change
will allow a digital billboard to be readable during
the same hours as a static billboard, which is
illuminated by daylight during the day. Illumination
will be permitted from 6:00am to 11:00pm.

9. Signs along the Interstate
Existing limits on special effects
within 660 feet of an Interstate
Currently, within 660 feet of an Interstate mechanical
movement and flashing lights are not permitted. Sign
copy is limited to name, logo, address, product or service
under this section; and copy is limited to name, product
or service by the Ohio Revised Code. Sign copy is
limited to name, logo and address for any motorist
services use in graphics code section 3377.16.
Therefore, except by variance, a price sign is not
permitted within 660 feet of an Interstate for any use
because it is not a name, address, logo, product or
service.
Automatic changeable copy
With this code change, automatic changeable copy will
require Graphics Commission approval for signs within
660 feet of an Interstate. The purpose is to clarify
existing code and to reduce confusion arising from subtle
differences between code sections.
These signs are examples of motorist
services uses as defined in the code.
The code limits sign copy to name,
logo, and address. Price signs are
enabled by the Graphics Commission
for these uses.

10. Research and
collaboration
Help from technical experts Field trip to measure brightness
City staff and stakeholders spent many hours drafting
and reviewing options for revisions to the Graphics
Code. Valuable assistance from the sign industry
included a field demonstration that contrasted two
prevalent brightness measurement techniques. Foot-
candle testing is preferred because it represents how
the human eye perceives brightness.
Because of questions raised by city code enforcement,
Daktronics also developed a new method that allows
the enforcement officer to stand at a convenient
distance, and the sign does not need to be turned off to
get an ambient light reading.
We measured a
billboard from
across a street
using two different
techniques.

11. References, reviewers and
code team
Selected References
2010 ISA Brightness Guidelines
http://www.signs.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=ojOGTVXmiiw%3D&tabid=763
APA Context Sensitive Signage Design
http://www.planning.org/research/signs/
APA Zoning Practice April 2008 Practice Smart Sign Codes
http://www.planning.org/zoningpractice/2008/pdf/apr.pdf
Digital Led Billboard Luminance Recommendations: How Bright is Bright Enough?
http://www.illinoislighting.org/resources/DigitalBillboardLuminanceRecommendation_ver7.pdf
Effects of Outdoor Advertising Displays on Driver Safety
http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/LandArch/research/docs/Digital_Display_Safety_Preliminary_Investigation_10-11-
12_final.pdf
FHWA and HBA:
Memorandum – Guidance on Off-Premise Changeable Message Signs - FHWA
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/realestate/offprmsgsnguid.htm

12. Reviewers and code team
City staff approaches these
code changes mindful of the
interconnectedness of the nine
chapters in the Graphics Code.
A change in one section can
affect other sections or
definitions.
Stakeholders:
Architectural Design & Consulting, WRL Lighting Tech: William Logan, AIA, IESNA.
CBS Outdoor: Tim Keaton.
Clear Channel: Scott Hoover, Lou Musica.
Central Ohio Sign Association: Steve Moore.
Daktronics: Roger Brown, Terra Fisher, Angela Bailey.
DaNite Sign Co: Michael Cox.
International Sign Association: Kenneth Peskin.
Lamar: Morgan Davis, Michael Smith.
Moore Signs: Steve Moore.
Northland Community Council: William Logan, Dave Paul.
Watchfire Signs: Tim Fausel.
Columbus Ohio city staff:
Chief zoning official: Chris Presutti.
Code enforcement: Edgar Dillon, Dana Rose, Mike Schwab.
Planners: Don Bier, Jamie Freise, Dana Hitt, Chris Mokris, Dave Reiss, Lisa
Russell.
Planning managers: Paul Freedman, Dick Makley, Warren Rhodes.
Transportation planning engineer: Daniel Blechschmidt, P.E.
Lisa Russell, Project Planner llrussell@columbus.gov (614) 645-6975