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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 9754;l >` tY ~'L TEXAS ~.~-- .r .. t r ie 4- ~ ~ ~~ r ~ ~ .ti _ ~ :- -7 fix, ~ ~ fi--i' ~~ t. r, - . r ~ ORDINANCE N.O. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 7247, THE SIGN CODE OF THE CITY OF FORT WORTH, CODIFIED AS APPENDIX "G" OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF FORT WORTH (1964), AS AMENDED, BY PRO- VIDING FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF SUCH CODE; PROVIDING FOR DEFINITIONS; PROVIDING FOR PERMITS, FEES AND INSPECTIONS; PROVIDING FOR THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF SIGNS; REGU- LATING SIGN ENCROACHMENTS INTO THE PUBLIC RIGHTS-OF-WAY AND PROVIDING FEES THEREFOR; PROHIBITING TRAFFIC HAZARDS CAUSED BY SIGNS; PROVIDING FOR REGISTRATION OF SIGN BUSINESSES AND LICENSING OF SIGN ERECTORS; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING THAT THIS ORDINANCE SHALL BE CUMULAT IVE OF ALL ORDINANCES; PROVIDING FOR A PENALTY; PROVIDING A SAVINGS CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR ENGROSSMENT AND ENROLLMENT; PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION IN PAMPHLET FORM; PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION IN THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT WORTH, SECTION 1. That Articles 1 through 8 of the Sign Code of the City of Fort Worth are hereby amended to read as follows: ARTICLE 1 . SCOPE AND ENFORCEMENT . Section 1.01. This ordinance shall be Known and may be-cited as "The Sign Code of the City of Fort Worth" and is referred to herein as "this code." Section 1.02. The purpose of this code is to provide minimum standards for the use, quality of materials, construction, location, electrification and maintenance of signs and sign structures in order to safeguard life and protect the health, safety, welfare, convenience and enjoyment of the general public. ,~-- Section 1.03. (a) AUTHORIT Y. The Building Official or his designee, and all Sign Inspectors of the City of Fort Worth, are hereby authorized and directed to enforce all of the provisions of this code. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to hinder or interfere with such inspector in the discharge of duties under this code. Such ~ti 1^ ~,. ~ ~ f ~ ,~..r .~ ,. d,:' .~ t ~ i J I! official or inspector shall have :Full police~,,powers, including the power to issue citations or cause t:he arrest of~any person violating any of the provisions of this code. (b) RIGHT OF ENTRY. Upon prE~sentation of proper credentials, the Building Official and any Sign Inspector may enter at reasonable times any building, structure or premises in the City to perform any duty required by this code. (c) APPEALS. The Construction and Fire Prevention Board of Appeals shall have jurisdiction over the acceptability and adequacy of materials, equipment and methods of construction and over the interpretation of this code. All appeals to said Board shall be in accordance with the provisions of Ordinance No. 9282. Section 1.04. The following signs and sign structures are spe- cifically exempt from the provisions of this code: (a) Signs on vehicles unless ~.~sed or intended to be used as an on-premise sign. It shall be prima facie evidence that a sign is used as an on-premise sign if a vehicle is parked on site for a continuous period exceeding seventy-two (72) hours; (b) Those designed and used for display upon or with lighter- and/or heavier-than-air crafts; (c} Those located inside a„building (Exception: electrical signs); ~~ (d) Those erected by local, state or federal governments; (e) Those erected by public utility or transportation organiza- tions operating pursuant to a franchise agreement with the City of Fort Worth, where such signs are erected or displayed for the pur- pose of public instruction, traffic control and similar uses inci- dental to the public interest and are not business signs. (f) Those otherwise in conformance with the provisions of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance and molded, chiseled, etched or otherwise indented into walls or structural members of buildings or structures. (g) On-premise name plates f`or residentially zoned property containing the name and/or address of the occupant of the premises when otherwise in conformance 'i with the provisions of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance and not over one (1) square foot in sign area. ~~ (h) One non-illuminated real estate sign, advertising real estate for sale or lease or ~ -2- temporary in nature, open house sign or G~ ;. ~. ~~. o- i + 1. ~~ announcing contemplated improvements: provided, however, that said sign shall not exceed eight square feet in any one or two family dwelling zoning district and shall not exceed thirty-two square feet in any other zoning district of t:he City: provided, further, how- ever, on corner lots and through lots, one such sign shall be allowed for each street on which the lot has frontage. (i) Complete removal by the= owner of the premises or the owner's agent of an on-premise sign. which is attached to a building. {j) Signs of not more than t:wo (2) square feet with a ground clearance of not more than four (4) feet high within twenty feet of a driveway or other ingress/egress to private property which re- stricts parking on said property. Corners of signs shall be mitred or rounded corner signs. Section 1.05. There shall be placed and maintained in plain view on each sign and/or pole nc~t specifically exempt herein a three-inch (3") by five-inch (5") marker that identifies the person, firm or corporat ion owning or con.troll ing the s i.gn . The 3" x 5" marker shall be placed on the deta~~hed sign not to exceed 11' above ground level. Section 1.06. Any sign or sign structure which is structurally unsafe or which constitutes a hazard to the health, safety, or public welfare by reason of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, obsolescence, fire hazard, disaster damage or abandonment is hereby declared to be a public nuisance„and shall be abated by repair, rehabilitation, demolition or removal in accordance with those procedures provided by law. ARTICLE 2. DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS. For the purpose of this code, certain words and terms shall be construed as defined in this article and as defined elsewhere in this code; however, any such words and terms not so specifically defined shall be construed in light of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, the Building Code or as a trade term. Section 2.01. ALTERATION. Any changing of the design, shape, size, structure or supporting structure of a sign that exceeds 75$ of the cost of erecting a new sign of the same type at the same location; any dismantling or repair of a sign (whether caused by wind, fire or damages from any other source) that exceeds 75~k of the cost of erecting a new sign of the same type at the same location; provided, however, that normal maintenance not involving structural changes or a change in the name, dE~sign, letters or other matter on the sign, or repair on the face of the sign, shall not be considered an alteration of the sign unless i:he size or shape of the sign is changed. ~~ Section 2.02. APPROVED PLASTICS: Those plastics specified in U.B.C. Standard No. 52-1 which havE~ a flame-spread rating of 225 or less and a smoke density not greater than that obtained from the ~~ ~ -3- a"" 8 i . ~~ ~ ~. t i ~~ burning of untreated wood under similar conditions when tested in accordance with U.B.C. Standard N~~. 42-1 in the way intended for use. Section 2.03. ATTACHED SIGN: A sign which is affixed to or supported by or painted on a building. Section 2.04. BUILDING OFFICIi~L: The officer identified in the Building Code of the City of Fort Hiorth charged with the administra- tion and enforcement of this code. Building Official, as used here- in, shall also include any duly authorized designee of said Official. Section 2.05. DETACHED SIGN: A sign which is supported by structures, supports or foundation: in or upon the ground and inde- pendent of support from any building. Section 2.06. DISPLAY AREA/FA,CE: For permit fee purposes the display area/face is that area made available by a sign structure for the purpose of displaying an advertising message, such area to exclude nonstructural trim. Section 2.07. ELECTRICAL SIGN: Any sign containing electrical wiring in or upon such sign or its sign structure, but not including any sign illuminated by an exterior light source not attached to such sign or sign structure. Section 2.08. MARQUEB: A permanent roofed structure which is attached to and supported by a building and which projects over pub- lic property. Section 2.9. MARQUEE SIGN: ~~ sign projecting over public property displayed as a part of a m~.arquee. Any such sign may be used only for identification or location of the supporting building or of a place of business located in such building. The height of the mes- sage thereon shall not exceed three (3} feet. Section 2.10. NONCOMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL: Any material which will not ignite at or below a temperature of 1200 degrees F. during an exposure of five (5) minutes and which will not continue to burn or glow at that temperature. Tests shall be made as specified in U.B.C. Standard No. 4-1. Section 2.11. NONCONFORMING SIGN: A sign legally erected and maintained in compliance with all (:ity codes which does not conform to the provisions of this sign code or other applicable City ordi- nances. Such sign may continue in use, provided that such use does not constitute a hazard or public nuisance and provided that such use is not in contravention of previsions of other ordinances. Any sign erected, constructed, enlarged or altered after the passage of this code, which does not conform to the provisions thereof, shall be considered an illegal sign. -4- ~ _ S .5, J. 1. .1 . ~ ~ Ny. ~ w .~ " Section 2.12. NONSTROCTURAL TRIM: The molding, battens, caps, nailing strips, latticing or base and walkways which are attached to a sign structure. Section 2.13. PERSON: Any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company or organization of any kind. Section 2.14. PORTABLE SIGN: A sign designed, constructed or used to facilitate the placing or moving of same from one location to another. Section 2.15. REPLACEABLE COF~Y: Name, letter and other copy that can be changed or replaced without the aid of trade tools. Section 2.16. ROOF SIGN: Any sign erected, constructed or main- tained on the roof of a building. Section 2.17. SIGN: Any surface, fabric, device, display or visual medium, including its structural and component parts, which bears letters, pictorial forms o~r sculptured matter, including logos, used or intended to be u~~ed to convey information or to attract attention to the subject matter of such sign. Graphics painted upon the side of a building which carry no advertising shall not be construed to be a sign, except where such graphics pictor- ially display products or businE~ss that convey an advertising intent. Section 2.18. SIGN, ANIMATED: A sign employing visible moving parts or the changing of colors. Section 2.19. SIGN, FLASBING: A sign or part of a sign that contains units which cause such sign or part thereof to appear to flash or blink. Flashing signs shall not include running light signs, twinkle signs or those signs. having only one on-off cycle in any period exceeding six (6) seconds. Section 2.20. SIGN, REVOLVING: A sign which revolves on or around or about a structural support. A structural support can be a pole, building or other type of su~~port. Revolving parts within or upon a display surface shall not be construed as a revolving sign. Section 2.21. SIGN, RUNNING L][GflT OR TWINRLE: A sign with low wattage outline lighting which appears to flash. Any sign employing more than four (4) complete on-off cycles per second shall be con- sidered a running light or twinkle ;sign. Section 2.22. SIGN STRUCTURE: Any structure which supports or is intended to support any sign as ~~efined in this code. Section 2.23. 5TROCTORE: Anything constructed or erected which requires location on the ground or attachment to an object having a location upon the ground. -5•- `" a ~~ .: 1~ _ ..-.~ i Section 2.24. TEMPOYtARY SIGN: Any sign intended to be displayed for a limited period of time only, including by way of example but not .of limitation, any sign, banner, pennant, valance or advertising display constructed of cloth, canvas, light fabric, cardboard, wall- board or other light materials, with or without frames. ARTICLE 3. PERMITS, E'EES and INSPECTIONS. Section 3.01. No sign shall hereafter be erected, constructed, enlarged, altered, or removed and replaced except as otherwise pro- vided by this code, until a ,permit for same has been issued by the Building Official. Further, no repair requiring removal of a sign from its supporting structure and no structural repair shall be performed until a permit for same has been issued by the Building Official. It shall be unlawful for any person to so erect, con- struct, enlarge, alter, or repair any sign without first obtaining such permit. A separate permit sha7L1 be required for each such sign or group of signs on any single'~'supporting structure, except as provided elsewhere in this code. No permit shall be issued except to a duly licensed and registered sign erector as provided in Article 8 of this code. Section 3.02. Application for a sign permit shall be made in writing upon forms furnished by the Building Official. Such applica- tion shall be accompanied by the required application fee and shall have attached thereto specific plans drawn on a scale of not less than 1 inch equals 20 feet and shall show the legal description and street address of the property, egress and ingress, distance from property line to sign, distance from curb to sign, all buildings on the property and the name and address of the owner of the sign and the sign contractor or erector. A drawing shall be filed concurrent- ly with such application showing i:he size and height of such sign and whether such sign is an electrical sign. The Building Official may require the filing of other plans or other pertinent information when, in his oginion, such information is necessary to insure com- pliance with this code. Standard plans may be filed with the Building Official or his designee. Section 3.03. A sign inspection fee, calculated pursuant to the schedule specified in Table 3-A, shall be paid by each applicant for a sign permit prior to the issuance of any such permit. Any sign found to have been placed on location or installed prior to obtain- ing a permit shall be charged a free of two (2) times the normal fee. Applications requiring more than two trips shall be charged for each additional inspection at a rate of $20.00. EXEMPTIONS a. The changing of the advertising copy or message on a painted or printed sign, including theater marquee signs ~ : _g._ L ~ r ~. :~ ... ; - ,-' and similar signs specifically designed for the use of replaceable copy (This does not include any electrical wiring work as part of tYiis exemption.) . TABLE 3-A - SIGN INSPECTION FEES Sign Inspection Fees ~~ Non-Refundable application fee of $25.00. Plus Display Area 415.00 or 15~ per square foot for each display surface, whichever i.s greater Plus Height Above Grade Feet 1-20 $ 15.00 21-30 30.00 31-40 45.00 ,41-50 60.00 "51-60 75.00 Over 60 105.00 Plus Electrical ~ ~~ Amps 1-40 $ 21.00 ti41-60 30.00 ,61-80 45.00 ~81-100 60.00 Over 100 ~,i 90.00 Section 3.04. (a) The application, plans and specification filed by an applicant for such a permit shall be reviewed by the Building Official. Such plans may be reviewed by other departments of the City to check compliance with the laws and ordinances under their jurisdiction. If the Building Official is satisfied that the work described in such an application and such plans filed therewith conform to the requirements of this code and other laws and ordi- nances and that the fee calculated pursuant to the schedule speci- fied in Table 3-A has been paid, he shall issue a permit therefor to the applicant: !E ! - 7~ v v ~. i When the Building Official issues the permit, he shall endorse in writing or stamp on all sets of plans and specifications: "CHECKED FOR CODE COMPLIANCE." Such plans and specifications shall not be changed, modified or altered without authorization from the Building official, and all work :>hall be done in accordance with such plans. The Building Official may iss~ie a permit for work on a portion of a sign before the entire plans` and specifications for the com- plete sign have been submitted, provided adequate plans and specifi- cations and other information have been filed complying with all pertinent requirements of this code. The issuance of a permit for any portion of a sign shall not prohibit the Building Official from thereafter denying a permit for the remainder of a sign which does not comply with the requirements of this code or any other laws. (b) One set of plans and specifications shall be retained by the Building Official for a period of not less than ninety (90) days from date of completion of the work,. One set of plans and specifica- tions shall be kept on the site of such work at all times during which the work authorized thereby is in progress. (c) The issuance of a permit shall not be construed to be a permit for or an approval of any violation of any provisions of this code or any other law. No permit presuming to give authority to vio- late or cancel the provisions of this code or any other law shall be valid, except insofar as the work ear use which it authorizes is law- fu1. The issuance of such permit based upon plans and specifications shall not prevent the Building official from thereafter requiring the correction of errors in such plans and specifications or from preventing work from being carried on thereunder when in violation of this code or any other law. (d) Every permit issued by the Building Official under the pro- visions of this code shall expire by limitation and become null and void if the work authorized by such permit is not commenced within ninety ( 90) days from the date of :issuance of such permit or if the work authorized by such permit is :suspended or abandoned for a per- iod of 120 days at any time after the work is commenced. Before such work can be recommenced, a new pez-mit shall be first obtained and the fee therefor shall be one-half of the amount required for origi- nal application for such permit, provided no changes have been made or will be made in the original plans and specifications for such work and provided, further, that s~ich suspension or abandonment has not exceeded one year. If work doer not commence within ninety (90) days of the date of such renewal permit, or if work is suspended for a period of ninety (90) days, the 'renewal permit shall become null and void and a new permit must be obtained. y -8- .. ~ t. s ~~. .~ .. .~. Ih (e) Every permit issued for a temporary sign shall expire sixty (60) days from the date of issuance and such sign shall be removed immediately by the permittee. No permit shall be issued for any tem- porary sign at the same location until after the expiration of sixty (60) days from date of expiration of the last issued permit for such location. (f) The Building Official or ]z is designee may in writing sus- pend or revoke a permit issued under the provisions of this code whenever such permit is issued in error or issued on the basis of incorrect information or where woY°k is done in violation of this code or any other law. Section 3.05. All signs regulated by this code or other laws, codes and ordinances shall be subject to inspection and reinspection by the Building Official in order t:o ascertain continued compliance with the provisions of this code and other laws. Electrical signs and outline lighting equipment shall be inspected to determine if they are constructed in compliance with the wiring provisions of Article 9 of this Sign Code and ar~y other laws governing signs in the City of Fort Worth. Section 3.06. Each sign, together with its support braces, guys, anchors and footing shall be kept in repair and maintained in good condition. The display surface of each sign shall be kept neat- ly painted or posted at all times. Section 3.07. (a) Should the Building Official determine that any sign is not properly maintained, is unsafe or insecure or has otherwise been constructed, erectec9 or maintained in violation of the provisions of this code, he shall give written notice to the permittee or owner thereof, such notice and order containing sub- stantially the following: (1) The location and business name of the sign, suffi- cient for identification cif such sign; (2) A statement that the Building Official has found such sign to be in violation ~cf this code or other laws, together with a general description of such viola- tion; (3) The amount of time required to bring the sign into compliance with this code or any other law, said time not to exceed ten (10) days. The building official may extend the time of nc>tice when it is shown that such corrections cannot be accomplished within the original 10-day time period. -9-. ,. r , i- , , . ~ (b) In addition to the above,; the Building Official may issue citations or pursue any other administrative or legal remedy in order to abate any sign which is in violation of this code or any other law. (c) Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Building Official may cause an:y sign which is dangerous to per- sons or property to be removed summarily and without notice. Section 3.08. No permit shall be issued for the erection of a nonelectrical sign except to a duly licensed and registered sign erector as provided in Article 8 of this code. _..s~-._ Exceptions: An owner may install a nonelectrical sign on his own property without meeting the requirements of Article 8, provided that: 1. The nonelectrical sign is no more than seven (7) feet to the highest point abe~ve grade when mounted in or upon the ground. 2. A nonelectrical sign containing no more than a 3/4" thick display panel may be mounted flat against a building provided any trim or portion of the sign does not project more than 4" from the building and provided, further, that the sign shall be no larger than 32 square feet, and 3. Such signs meet the requirements for zoning and structural design. Section 3.09. No person shall~be issued a sign permit for work concerning an electrical sign unless such person is licensed and registered, pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 10 of the Electrical Code of the City of Fort Worth. Section 3.10. Every licensed sign erector shall have its com- pany name and Erector License Number affixed to each front door of each truck or vehicle which said erector operates in connection with the erection and maintenance of nonelectrical signs within the City in letters not less than two and ooze-half (2-1/2) inches in height. The name and number shall be the same on all vehicles so operated by any one licensed sign erector. SucYi name and number shall not be of the plastic magnetic type. Those persons having a Master Sign Electrical License shall affix to all vehicles the name and number per the Electrical Code of the City of Fort Worth. f {"~ -10- ;. ,: _ , ~~ T ~ ,. :~ :~ ,,- y ARTICLE 4. DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION '~ Section 4.01. (a) General. As specified in this section, signs and sign structures shall be designed and constructed to resist wind forces. All bracing systems shall be designed and constructed to transfer lateral forces to the foundation. The dead and lateral loads of building signs shall be transmitted through the structural frame of the building to the grounc9 so as to not over-stress any of the elements thereof. The overturning moment produced from lateral forces shall in no case exceed two-thirds of the dead-load resisting moment. Uplift due to overturning shall be adequately, resisted by proper anchorage to the ground or to the structural frame of the building. The weight of earth superimposed over footings .may be used in determining the dead-load resisting moment. Such earth shall be carefully placed and thoroughly compacted. (b) Wind Loads. Signs and sign structures shall be designed and constructed to resist wind forces as specified in Section 23-11 of the Building Code. (c) Signs over 25 feet in height above grade shall be designed by an engineer licensed by the State of Texas. Plans of such designs shall have affixed thereto the seal of such engineer. (d) Allowable Stresses. The design of wood, concrete or steel and iron members shall conform, respectively, to the requirements of Chapters 25, 26 and 27 of the Building Code. Loads, both vertical and horizontal, exerted on the soil shall not produce stresses ex- ceeding those specified in the Building Code. The working stresses of wire ropes and fastenings shall not exceed 25 percent of the ultimate :strength of such ropes or fasten- ings. ~.~ ~€ Working stresses for windloads combined with dead loads may be increased as specified in the Building Code. Section 4.02. (a) General. Th~~ supports of all signs or sign structures shall be placed in or ulion private property and shall be securely built, constructed and erected in conformance with the requirements of this code. (b) Materials. Materials of construction for signs and sign structures shall be of the quality and grade specified for buildings by the Building Code. ~! ~; In the absence of specified 'requirements, the materials and details of construction of all signs and sign structures shall con- form to the following: ~ -11- ~w ,~ a ~~ - ~ ~ 1. Structural steel shall be of that quality specified by U.B.C. Standard No. 27-1. Secondary members in contact with or directly supporting the display surface may be formed of light gauge steel, provided such members are galvanized and are desig~aed in accordance with the speci- fications of the design of light gauge steel as specified in U.B.C. Standards No. 27-9 and No. 27-10. Secondary members, when formed intE~grally with the display surface, shall be not less than Noy. 24 gauge in thickness. When not formed integrally with t;he display surface, the minimum thickness of the secondary members shall be No. 12 gauge. The minimum thickness of hot-rolled steel members furnish- ing structural support fc>r signs shall be one-fourth inch (1/4") except that, if galvanized, such members shall be not less than three-sixteenths inch (3/16") thick. Steel pipes shall be of such quality as to conform with U.B.C. Standard No. 27-1. Steel members may be connected with one galvanized bolt provided the connection is ade- quate to transfer the stresses to the members. 2. Anchors and supports, when waod and embedded in the soil or within six inches (6") of the soil, shall be completely heartwood of a durable species or shall be pressure- treated with an approved preservative. Such members shall be marked or branded by an approved agency. (c) Restrictions on Combustible Materials. All signs and sign structures erected in the "H" Central Business District shall have structural members of noncombustible materials. Detached signs may be constru~~ted of any material meeting the requirements of this code, except as provided above. Combination signs, attached signs, projecting signs and marquee signs shall be constructed of noncombustible materials, except as provided in Subsection (d) of this section. No combustible materials other than approved plastics shall be used in the construction of signs containing electrical wiring. (d) Nonstructural Trim. Nonstructural trim and portable display surfaces may be wood, metal, plastics or any combination thereof, or other approved materials. (e) Anchorage. Members support;ing unbraced signs shall be so proportioned that the bearing loads imposed on the soil, either horizontally or vertically, shall n~~t exceed the safe values. Braced detached signs shall be anchored to resist the specified wind load acting in any direction. Anchors and supports shall be designed for ~; -1 2- ~ d • ~ W'S .1• '~ d f 1 ,~ ~ r ~ I safe bearing loads on the soil an<~ for an effective resistance-to- pu11-out amounting to a force 25 ~~ercent greater than the required resistance-to-overturning. Anchors and supports shall penetrate to a depth below ground greater than that of the frost line. Signs attached to masonry, concrete, or steel shall be safely and securely fastened thereto by ;means of metal anchors, bolts or approved expansion screws of sufficient size and anchorage to sup- port safely the loads applied. No wooden blocks or plugs or anchors with wood used in connec- tion with screws or nails shall be considered proper anchorage, except in the case of signs attached to wood framing. No anchor or support of any sign shall be connected to, or sup- ported by, any unbraced parapet wall, unless such wall is designed in accordance with the requirements for parapet walls specified in Chapter 23 of the Building Code. (f) Display Surfaces. Display surfaces in all types of signs may be made of metal, glass, plastics or other approved materials. Glass display surfaces shall conform to those specifications in Table No. 4-A. TABLE NO. 4-A SIZE, THICKNESS AND TYPE OF GLASS PANELS IN SIGNS Minimum Maximum Size of Exposed Thickness Glass Panel of Glass Any Dimension Area (in inches) (in sq. inches) (in inches) 30 500 '~ 1/8 45 700 3/16 144 3600 1/4 Over 144 Over 3600 1/4 Type of Glass Plain, Plate or Wired Plain, Plate or Wired Plain, Plate or Wired Wired Glass Sections of approved plastic o:n wall signs shall not exceed 150 square feet in area. Sections of approved plastics on wall signs shall be separated three (3) feet laterally and six (6) feet vertically by required exterior wall construction. Upon the approval of the ,Building official, sections of approved plastics on signs other than wall signs may be of unlimited f~ -13- .; Y ~ ~ ~ ! ~ ~ -~ •~ ~ Y\ ~ !. . ~ area. Such sections may not be required to be separated by required exterior wall construction if approved by the Building Official. (g) Approved Plastics. The Building official may require that technical data be submitted to substantiate the safety and feasi- bility of the proposed use of any plastic sign material as a condi- tion of approval of such proposf~d use. Such data shall include information concerning the strengths of such material. Section 4.03. (a) Clearance From High Voltage Power Lines. Signs shall be located so as to h>rovide the minimum clearances in Table 4-B. The term "overhead conductors" as used in this section means any electrical conductor, either bare or insulated, installed above the ground, except such conductors as are enclosed in iron pipe or other material covering of equal strength. TABLE rf0 . 4 -B CLEARANCE FROM OVERHEACi ELECTRICAL CONDUCTORS VOLTAGE OF SUPPLY M Inf IMUM CLEARANCES ( FEET ) Conductors Horizontal, Vertical or Radial 300 to 8,700 8 8,700 to 15,000 8 15,000 to 50,000 10 50,000 to 138,000 20 138,000 to 345,000 30 (b) Clearance From Fire EscaFies, Exits or Standpipes. No sign shall be erected in such a manner that any portion of its surface or supports will interfere in any wavy with the free use of any fire escape, exit or standpipe. (c) Obstruction of Openings. nfo sign shall obstruct any opening to such an extent that light or ventilation is reduced to a point below that required by law or ordinance. No such sign shall be with- in 24 inches of such opening. Signs erected within five (5) feet of an exterior wall in which there are openings within the area of the sign shall be constructed of noncombustible material or approved plastics. ARTICLE 5. TEMPORARY SIGNS Section 5.01. No temporary sic~n shall exceed sixty (60) square feet in area. Temporary signs of rigid material shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in area nor shall they exceed six (6) ~ ~ -14- ~1 .I .' !. .i "~' .l ~~ ~ r~ ' n ~~ ~ ~ ~ i feet in height. Temporary signs ma.y remain in place only as same remain in a good state of repair but not to exceed that period of time contemporaneous with the purpose for which such sign was so placed. No temporary sign may be located in any area prohibited by the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance. Section 5.02. Cloth Signs. supported and attached with wig No strings, fiber ropes or wood or anchorage of such sign. perforated on at least 10°s of resistance. Every temporary cloth sign shall be -e rope of 3/8-inch minimum diameter. sl~~ts shall be permitted for support Cloth signs and panels shall be their area in order to reduce wind EXCEPTION: Temporary cloth signs not exceeding 60 square feet erected on or over private property shall be supported and attached with wire rope so as to be in compliance with the requirement of Article 4 of tY.iis code. ARTICLE 6 ENCROACHMENTS IN PiBLIC RIGHTS-OF-WAY AND FEES FOR SUCH ENTCROACHMENTS Section 6.01 Requirements. (a) No person shall post, fasten, erect, d isplay or locate any sign cm any structure, tree, pole, curb or elsewhere within the right-of-way of any public street or upon any public property without the permission of the City Council. Except as provided in paragraph (~i) below, no sign shall encroach into the public right of way until an encroachment agreement has been executed with the City and a policy of public liability insurance for such encroachment ha;~ been secured as provided in the Building Code. (b) No sign with a clearance of less than eleven (11) feet (measured from the bottom of the sign) shall encroach over street right-of-way. A sign with a clear~~nce of eleven (11) feet or more may project a maximum of two (2) feet over the street right-of-way if approved by the Building Official as provided in the Building Code. (c) No sign with a clearance of less than sixteen (16) feet shall project into a public alley. A sign with a clearance of sixteen (16) feet or more may project a maximum of six (6) inches into a public alley if approved by the Building Official as provided in the Building Code. (d) The City Council may aut]zorize the City Traffic Engineer under specified guidelines to permit temporary public interest signs which encroach into the public ric~ht-of-way. Temporary cloth signs which extend over a public street shall have a minimum clearance of twenty ( 2 0 ) f eet. -15- n _ ,. >. r, , Section 6.02. Existing Sign Encroachments. The owner of any existing sign which encroaches into the public right-of-way shall apply for and execute an encroachment agreement with the City and furnish public liability insurance coverage within six (6) months from the effective date of this ordinance. The owner of any such encroaching sign who fails to comply with this section shall be deemed to be in violation of this ordinance and shall be subject to the penalties contained herein. ir.~~ addition, any such sign that is not subject to a valid encroachment: agreement within the time stated above shall be deemed an illegal sign and shall be subject to re- moval at any time. Section 6.03. Fee. in addition to those fees otherwise required by this ordinance, an initial application fee and annual inspection fee shall be levied for all approved sign encroachments. Such fees shall be as provided in the Building Code. Section 6.04. Removal of Sign Encroachment Constituting Obstruction. Any sign encroachment that does not meet the require- ments of this code or the Building Code shall be deemed an obstruc- tion into such right-of-way. The E~uilding Official shall notify in writing the record owner of such sign or record owner of that prop- erty upon which such sign is located to correct the violation or to remove such obstruction within thirty (30) days, after which time the City may abate such obstruction and affix a lien against the property for the cost involved. ARTICLE ?. TRAFFIC HAZARDS. Section 7.01. No sign with <~ ground clearance of less than eleven (11) feet may be erected within twenty (20) feet of a driveway or other ingress/egress to the property; nor shall any such sign be erected within any corner clip or public open space easement (p.o.s.e.). No sign pole shall be greater than ten (10) inches in diameter within such a corner clip or p.o.s.e. See Figure 7-A. -Section 7.02. Signs with the following characteristics shall not be erected within that cross-hatched area as indicated by Figure 7-B. (a) Flashing, running light, twinkle or revolving signs. (b) Signs obscuring or interfering with the operation of traf- fic control devices. (c) Signs employing lights colored similarly to those used in traffic control and emergency devices. Such colors shall include, by way of example but not limitation, red, amber, green and blue. (See Figure 7-B. ) -16- ,. =- ;~~ :, r• .~ .~ Section 7.03. The following signs are prohibited: (a) Those employing lightin<~ with a brilliance of 150 Foot Lamberts or more where such lighting is directed at any roadway; (b) Those employing flashing, running lights or twinkle sign, and animated signs; (c) Those that obstruct vision of ingress or egress to prop- erty adjacent to any pub]_ic street, avenue or highway. ARTICLE 8 - REGISTRATION-LICENSING. Section 8.01. Business RegistY~ation. Any person, firm, business or other organization consisting of sign erectors required to be licensed under this code shall register with the City of Fort Worth Department of Development.. Each registration shall be renewed annually on or before October 30 of each year. The following fees shall be charged for such reg istrat:ion Registration Fee, first year $100.00 Annual Renewal $ 50.00 Section 8.02. License. Subject to scoring a passing grade of 70~ on the examination hereinafter required, a license for a sign erector shall be issued. The fees for such original and annual renewal shall be $50.00. Such license shall be renewable on January 1st of each year. All applications for examinations shall be filed with an examination fee of $25.00 in the office of the Building official. Each licensed :sign erector shall register with the City of Fort Worth, Department of Development. Applications for a Master Sign Electrician's license and Journeyman's Sign Electrician's License shall be mat9e pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 10 of the Electrical Code of the City of Fart Worth. Section 8.03.. Upon conviction of any licensee under this code for a violation of any provision of this code, such person so con- victed shall have his license automatically suspended for a period of thirty (30) days for the first such conviction, for a period of one (1) year for the second such conviction, and for a period of two -(2) years for the third such conviction, and, during the time of such suspension, such license shall be and become null and void. After the termination of such period of suspension, provided such suspension is for less than two (2) years, such license shall again be valid and effective, provided that renewal fees which may have become due thereon, as hereinafter set out, were paid when due. If, within any three (3) year period, the holder of any license issued under the terms hereof shall have been convicted three (3) or more -17- t . `^ a. f.. '' ~~' d i ° a times for a violation of any of t:he provisions of this code, such holder of such license shall have his license automatically revoked and cancelled, and, upon such revocation and cancellation, said license shall be and become null and void and cannot be renewed thereafter. Section 8.04. Any such licensee who shall fail to pay the annual renewal fee due for a renewal of the required license within thirty (30) days of the date the same becomes due shall be required to pay as a renewal fee twice the ~~mount of the annual fee. Any such licensee who shall fail to pay any renewal fee for such license within one (1} year after the date such fee becomes due shall forfeit his right to obtain ~;uch license until he again quali- fies himself by passing another examination as required by this chapter. Any applicant who passes an examination for any grade of license and fails to obtain the license of that grade by paying the fee as prescribed herein within a period of sixty (60) days shall forfeit his right to obtain such license until he again qualifies himself by passing another examination as required by this chapter. Section 8.05. It shall be unlawful for any such licensee to permit his name or license to be Lzsed by any other person, firm or corporation, directly or indirectly, for the purpose of obtaining a permit or for performing work under such license. Section 8.06. Any applicant failing to pass such examination on his first attempt shall not be examined again prior to the expira- tion of sixty (60) days from the date of such first attempt. Any applicant failing to pass such examination upon his second attempt shall not be examined again prior ~~to the expiration of six (6) cal- endar months from the date of such second attempt. Any applicant failing to pass such examination ~on a third or subsequent attempt shall not be examined prior to the expiration of one ( 1 ) year from the date of such third or subsequent attempt. SECTION 2. That Article 9 of the Sign Code of the City of Fort Worth shall remain unchanged and together with Articles 1 through 8, as amended above, shall constitute the Sign Code of the City of Fort Worth. SECTION 3. This ordinance shall be cumulative of all provisions of ordi- nances and of the Code of the City of Fort Worth, Texas (1964), as .~ -18- ... R ~ i a ` • • ~ - ~ 4 „ 1 ` ^ ^~ ~ J >~. l~v` ~ ~ a ~ ' • ~.. amended, except where the provisions of this ordinance are in direct conflict with the provisions of such ordinances and such Code, in which event conflicting provisions of such ordinances and such Code are hereby repealed. SECTION 4. It is hereby declared to be t:he intention of the City Council that the sections, paragraphs, sentences, clauses and phrases of this ordinance are severable, and if any phrase, clause, sentence, paragraph or section of this ordin~ince shall be declared unconstitu- tional by the valid judgment or decree of any court of competent jurisdiction, such unconstitutionality shall not affect any of the remaining phrases, clauses, sentences, paragraphs and sections of this ordinance, since the same would have been enacted by the City Council without the incorporation in this ordinance of any such unconstitutional phrase, clause, sentence, paragraph or section. SECTION 5. Any person, firm or corporation who violates, disobeys, omits, neglects or refuses to comply with or who resists the enforcement of any of the provisions of this ordinance shall be fined not more than Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) for each offense. Each day that a violation is permitted to exist shall constitute a separate offense. SECTION 6. All rights and remedies of the City of Fort Worth, Texas, are expressly saved as to any and all violations of the provisions of Ordinance No. 7247 or any other ~~rdinances affecting signs which ~~ -19- _~ :1,. ~... Y°t. ~ ~ . . ., ,. 1 • t. ~ ' .. ~ ~ cif i A ~ ~ n ~~ X y 1 y have accrued at the time of the <~ffective date of this ordinance; and, as to such accrued violations and all pending litigation, both civil and criminal, whether pend~Lng in court or not, under such ordinances, same shall not be affected by this ordinance but may be prosecuted until final disposition by the courts. SECTION 7. The C ity Secretary of the City of Fort Worth, Texas, is hereby authorized to publish this ordina~ace in pamphlet form for general distribution among the public, and the operative provisions of this ordinance as so published shall bye admissible in evidence in all courts without further proof than the production thereof, as pro- vided in Chapter XXV, Section 3, o:E the Charter of the City of Fort Worth, Texas. SECTION 8. The City Secretary of the City of Fort Worth is hereby directed to engross and enroll this ordin~~nce by copying the caption and Sections 5, 9 and 10 in the minutes of the City Council and by filing the ordinance in the ordinance records of the City. SECTION 9. The City Secretary of the Cite of Fort Worth, Texas, is hereby directed to publish the caption a:nd Sections 5, 9 and 10 of this ordinance for two (2) days in the official newspaper of the City of Fort Worth, Texas, as authorized by Art. 1176b-1, Revised Civil Statutes of Texas. -20- a '~ ,. •e s r .- *- SECTION 10. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and publication as required by law, and it is so ,ordained. APPROVED AS TO FORM AN LEGALITY: City Attorney Date : ~ ~ _ ~' ~ ~ ~° ADOPTED: ~J EFFECTIVE: ~~ - 21- r. ^~~ f~~ .i "`' _. '~... _ _..-:~~rr. :a:'+Y.+asts^.'a~fa~na~.~-__ ~_.~._J:_ .1 fir'. .-~~v.Ylr..a-:'G.::r~` ..r,.-c~s.~±+.^'^' ` +:~_,- - .... .~,FJ Y A.~. ... .. .._ ~ 1 ,~ _ ~Y , Z` ,~ ~! .a .14 Y.Jf~S ~'V Si/~GpF'#~'~~ ~L' 'L~i6~'~ir 6.r~ a 6J ~~9 '® '~ f~'1 ~ 7O 1 r 9~ m 1 ~~ N c 0 .r ~p~~ pR~TY LINE~~ CURB i 0 !•- w 6.iJ oG H N ~j FI4URE 7-A u~ -ar~'B+c r_ : _... _ _ ~.,. ~ °y. ~ - y _ 0 ~]EtAF1~YC Z:~3EtD CLR.~-E~TCE v CURB m v FIIGURE 7- B aye ~ sac OF r»ASre~ Fat.E-r R~-.,.a ACCOUNlYN(3.8 City of Fort worth., ~"exas TRAN5PORTATIONCPUI3L?C .W~ii '.; ~~®~ ~~~ 1, ®~J / ~) ~~~9 ~®~A'~ ~A'')1~1! ~1 ~ ~71 ~./'Il ~~®~11~1 lA,e'fER AUMINISIRA'T'IuN $ DEYELpPMEt OATE dt ~3 REFERENCE NUMBER sue.tECkN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE pAGE 8/5/86 G-6759 N0. 7247, THE SIGN CODE OF THE ,ot 1 RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Council adopt the proposed ordinance amending Ordinance No. 7247, The Sign Code of the c;ty of Fort Worth. DISCUSSION This proposed ordinance amending Ordinance No. 7247, The Sign Code of the City of Fort Worth, brings the current ordinance originally adopted in 1964, up to date with current State laws and with proposed sign amendments to the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance. The Construction and Fire Prevention Board of Appeals held open meetings con- cerning this proposed amendment on February 13, P1arch 13, Play 8, May 22 and June 12, 1986. On April 25, 1986, the Construction and Fire Prevention Board of Appeals, at a properly posted and advertised public hearing, heard testimony from citizens and parties in interest regarding this proposed amendment. t their open meeting on June 12, 1986, the Construction and Fire Prevention oard of Appeals recommended to send the proposed amendment to Ordinance No. 7247 o the City Council for consideration and approval. AI kcq Amended proposed ordinance by deleting the words "or converted" on Page 4, Section 2 11 -Definition of non-conforming signs and deleting the words "including portable signs on Page 6, Section 2 24 ROVED gy ` 1~ CI] CQ~~fGiL ~ am~~... Jf~ 4 ,g~6 ~~ ~~~.~ City SeCreta Cit ~' °f the Y of Fort W orth, 2exaa SUBMITTED FOR to CITY MANAGER'S ~ OFFICE BY: DISPOSITION BY COUNCIL. PROCESSED BY ~ APPROVED ORIGINATING [ OTHER tDESCRIeE) DEPARTMENT MEAD: Lester Pal ge CITY SECRETARY FOR ADDITION L IN RMATION CONTACT ~~ tai ge 7820 ~}% Adopted Ordinance N0. I ~ ~ D ATE