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Home My WebLink AboutIR 8096 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8096 6*t-W To the Mayor and Members of the City Council November 4, 1997 Page 1 of 4 Subject: TEXT AMENDMENTS TO INTEGRATE SIGN REGULATIONS IN CHAPTER 29 (SIGN CODE) AND SECTION 17A OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE The purpose of this Informal Report is to inform the City Council of several text amendments relating to sign regulations that will be processed in preparation for Council consideration. Sign regulations for the City of Fort Worth are contained in Chapter 29 of the City Code and in Section 17A of the Zoning Ordinance. Generally, Chapter 29 contains the technical provisions of the sign regulations, including construction, electrical, and permitting requirements. Section 17A contains the zoning regulations related to location,placement, and sign size. On July 8, 1997 the City Council adopted Ordinance 13092 amending Section 17A of the Zoning Ordinance to prohibit the erection of new off-premise signs. At that time, staff informed the Council that sign code regulations contained in Chapter 29 of the City Code would require amendment to bring that code chapter into conformance with the newly revised Section 17A of the Zoning Ordinance. Since that time, staff has also identified several other revisions necessary in the Zoning Ordinance to delete all references to off-premise signs and several other revisions necessary to thoroughly integrate the sign regulations contained in the Zoning Ordinance Section 17A and those contained in Chapter 29. Staff will begin processing the Zoning Ordinance amendments immediately with Zoning Commission action scheduled for November 12 and City Council consideration scheduled for December 9. The amendments for Chapter 29 will also be ready for City Council consideration on December 9. The following changes are contained in the current draft amendments. A red-line version of each ordinance is attached. Zoning Ordinance: 1. The definition for Illegal Sign is altered to delete the reference to building official and add a reference to zoning official. (Section 1) 2. The definition for Nonconforming Sign is amended to add references to other applicable ordinances in addition to Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance and the Sign Code. (Section 1) 3. A definition for Running Light or Twinkle Sign has been added to parallel the definition in the Sign Code. (Section 1) ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER RrWORTRI'."� ERAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8096 C110--wT!!CID To the Mayor and Members of the City Council November 4, 1997 Page 2 of 4 X Subject: TEXT AMENDMENTS TO INTEGRATE SIGN REGULATIONS IN CHAPTER 29 (SIGN CODE)AND SECTION 17A OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE 4. Reference to off-premise signs is deleted from"0-2 Flood Plain District", "E Commercial District", "H Central Business District", and "I Light Industrial District". (Sections 2-F, 9, 12, and 13) 5. The text for two types of prohibited signs has been amended. First, running light and twinkle signs are now prohibited consistent with current regulations contained in Chapter 29. Second, signs displayed on vehicles that are parked for the sole purpose of displaying signs are now prohibited. Previously, the language prohibiting parked vehicle signs was limited to on-premise signs. (Section 17A,B.5 and B.8) 6. Signs on vehicles remain exempt, unless they are parked solely for the purpose of displaying signs. (Section 17A, C.1) 01Nti 7. Banners complying with banner policies of City departments are exempted from zoning regulations. (Section 17A, C.2.d) 8. The exemption for directional signs for parking has been clarified to include signs directing vehicle access. (Section C.3) 9. A maximum height of 12 feet for construction signs allowed in non-single and two family residential districts has been added. Current regulation specifies maximum size (40 square feet) but not maximum height. (Section 17A, C.13) 10. A maximum height of 8 feet for non-illuminated real estate signs allowed for non-single and two family uses has been added. Current regulation specifies a maximum size (60 square feet) but not a maximum height. (Section 17A, C.12) 11. References to Section 17A are renumbered to reflect current section numbers. Chapter 29 (Sign Code): 1. Definitions for the terms "Illegal Sign", "Nonconforming Sign", "Sign" and "Structure" are added to parallel the same terin definitions in the Zoning Ordinance. (Section 29-3) 2. The words "sign structure"have been deleted throughout the Chapte beau th e definition of sign includes the sign structure. ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH,TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8096 >' To the Mayor and Members of the City Council To 4, 1997 Page 3 of 4 * '�_ Q * Subject: TEXT AMENDMENTS TO INTEGRATE SIGN REGULATIONS IN 1873 CHAPTER 29 (SIGN CODE)AND SECTION 17A OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE 3. The definition of alteration is deleted as unnecessary. (Section 29-3) 4. The exemption for vehicle signs is revised to prevent both on- and off-premise signs being displayed on parked vehicles used primarily to display the signs. (Section 29-5.1) 5. A maximum height of 12 feet for construction signs allowed in non-single and two family residential districts has been added. Current regulation specifies maximum size (40 square feet) but not maximum height. (Section 29-5.14) 6. Banners complying with banner policies of City departments are exempted from regulations of Chapter 29. (Section 29-5) 7. The exemption for directional signs for parking has been clarified to include signs directing vehicle access. (Section 29-5) 8. Signs exempt from Zoning regulations that do not require a permit are also exempted from Chapter 29 requirements. These specific signs are temporary decorative flags, political signs, homebuilder signs, and "No Dumping"and "No Trespassing" signs. (Section 29-5) 9. Repairs ordered for unsafe signs may be limited for non-conforming signs. Some signs may not be allowed to be repaired, but must be removed if necessary repairs are not allowed for non-conforming signs in the Zoning Ordinance under the regulations governing permitted alterations of non-conforming signs. (Section 29-7) 10. Requirements to obtain permits for new or existing signs have been reworded to clarify them. Permits will not be issued for non-conforming signs unless allowed by Section 17A of the Zoning Ordinance. The intent of this section is to enforce the definition of maintenance operations contained in Section 17A. This definition currently allows the replacement of structural components as long as the display area of the sign is not removed and a repair permit is obtained. (Section 29-21) 11. A $25.00 fee is added to obtain a repair permit. (Table 3-A) 12. General rules on permit expiration, fee refunds, holds on permits, inspections, reins p ections are added to brin g the si g n code administrative p rovisions in .. ,� xne�witIa the — administration of the other building-related codes. (Sections 29-22, 29-23, 4 2912, ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH,TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8096 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council November 4, 1997 C X► Subject: Page 4 of 4 1873 TEXT AMENDMENTS TO INTEGRATE SIGN REGULATIONS IN CHAPTER 29 (SIGN CODE)AND SECTION 17A OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE 13. General size requirements for temporary signs are clarified to apply only if more restrictive requirements do not exist in other ordinances. Also, wording is added so that all temporary signs must comply with Section 17-A of the Zoning Ordinance. (Section 29-56) 14. The prohibition of animated signs, flashing signs, running light, twinkle signs, and revolving signs is reworded to parallel the prohibition of these signs in Section 17-A. (Section 29-93) The proposed changes in Chapter 29 will be circulated to interested parties for comment during the month of November. Poll, ,�Bob Terrelf City Manager 00 P"I" ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH,TEXAS