(a) 
All signs governed by this article shall be situated in a manner which does not interfere with or obstruct windows, doors or other means of exit from the building.
(b) 
No signs shall be supported on or attached to any fire escape, door or window casing.
(1995 Code of Ordinances, Title XV, Chapter 155, Section 155.035)
(a) 
No signs shall be erected on or over public property in a manner which interferes with any fire hydrant, traffic light, fire alarm box or streetlight.
(b) 
Billboards and commercial signs shall not be erected in any location where, because of traffic conditions, fire or explosion hazards, the sign would imperil public safety or hamper the functions of the fire department as determined by the building official or fire marshal.
(1995 Code of Ordinances, Title XV, Chapter 155, Section 155.036)
(a) 
All signs shall be securely fastened or anchored to a building wall, structural framing or other foundation with a sufficient number of bolts or anchors to resist the stress resulting from the dead weight of the sign and wind loads.
(b) 
Both commercial signs and billboards shall be constructed to resist a minimal horizontal wind load of 30 pounds per square foot of service area.
(c) 
The use of staples, wires and wood plugs in erecting signs is prohibited.
(1995 Code of Ordinances, Title XV, Chapter 155, Section 155.037)
(a) 
All signs governed by this article, excluding electrical signs, shall be constructed of durable materials and securely attached to framework and supports made of wood, metal or other similar material of equivalent strength.
(b) 
Commercial signs may be made of pressed wood.
(c) 
All electrical signs shall have metal supports and frames.
(1995 Code of Ordinances, Title XV, Chapter 155, Section 155.038)
(a) 
Electrically illuminated signs or signs which are equipped in any way with electrical devices or appliances shall conform to all electrical provisions and requirements of the National Electrical Code. The building official shall have the right to check all wiring for code compliance.
(b) 
The outer edge of the sign shall remain at least two feet inside the curbline and shall not begin beyond the distance of three feet from the property line. A minimum space of seven feet shall exist between the lowest portion of any sign overhanging a public sidewalk and the sidewalk grade.
(c) 
All electric signs must comply with the applicable provisions of this article and the National Electrical Code.
(1995 Code of Ordinances, Title XV, Chapter 155, Section 155.039)
All permanent signs shall be erected so as not to overhang any street, alley or plaza. Signs may be hung over a sidewalk and over that space between the curb and sidewalk, provided the space is not used for or designed to be used for vehicular ingress and egress to a building.
(1995 Code of Ordinances, Title XV, Chapter 155, Section 155.040)
(a) 
Temporary signs, including A-framed and sandwich board signs constructed of lightweight materials, shall, with the exception of banner signs, be staked to the ground or securely affixed to a structure or sufficiently weighted. Unframed cloth banner signs may project over a public street subject to approval by the building official. The sign erector shall certify that such sign will not interfere with the public safety.
(b) 
Cloth banner signs projecting over and across street rights-of-way must meet the following criteria:
(1) 
The sign must advertise or promote a noncommercial, not-for-private-profit event, a community charitable drive or a community announcement.
(2) 
No part of the banner sign shall be closer to the street grade than 14½ feet.
(3) 
Standard sign hooks, lag screws or expansion bolts and shields shall be used where required to support the sign.
(c) 
No more than one real estate sign shall be allowed for a residence, lot or building with the exception that a residence, lot or building having more than one street access may have one sign per street access. Real estate signs shall not exceed nine square feet in size. No person shall erect, maintain or permit the erection of, for real estate advertising purposes, any balloon, flag, pennant or other floating or inflatable device anchored to the ground, or to any other structure.
(1995 Code of Ordinances, Title XV, Chapter 155, Section 155.041)
(a) 
The frames and panels of all signs which are to be attached to the wall of a building shall be constructed of wood, metal or other durable materials approved by the building official. Standard sign hocks, expansion bolts or through bolts with the washers on the inside of the wall shall be used, depending on the weight and area of the sign and the condition of the wall to which it is to be attached as required by the building official. Before the sign can be installed, the commercial sign operator or building owner must ensure that the wall, when the sign is affixed to it, will be able to withstand a wind pressure load of at least 30 pounds per square foot.
(b) 
Nonelectric wall signs may not project more than 12 inches from the face of the building. Electrical wall signs may extend no more than 18 inches from the building face.
(1995 Code of Ordinances, Title XV, Chapter 155, Section 155.042)
(a) 
Generally.
Projecting signs may not extend more than nine feet from the property line. Additionally, the outer edge of the sign shall remain at least two feet inside the curbline and shall not begin beyond a distance of three feet from the property line. A clear space of not less than seven feet shall be provided between the bottom of the sign and the sides grade or ground level.
(b) 
Installed on a Pipe.
If the building is set back from the property line, projecting sign may be installed on a pipe overhang, provided that:
(1) 
The pipe may be set inside the property line, unless the line is more than 25 feet away from the street curb. In the latter instance, the pipe may be set at the property side of the sidewalk or if there is no sidewalk no closer than 10 feet to the curb. If the pipe is set in an area that can be traversed by vehicles, it must be surrounded by curbing as specified by the building official.
(2) 
Projecting signs must comply with the regulation clearances over sidewalks and distances from curblines.
(3) 
No wooden poles or timbers shall be used. Only sound, straight steel, galvanized or iron pipes in good condition, free from all major flaws and defects and painted with weatherproof paint, are authorized.
(4) 
All pipes must be set at least three feet in the ground and embedded in concrete.
(5) 
The crossarms of angle iron for side guys are to be bolted or welded to the pipes in a secure manner, and side guys are to be of galvanized cable.
(6) 
The pipe must extend far enough above the top of the sign to provide space for a suitable headlift, which must be galvanized cable.
(7) 
All pipes shall be of sufficient diameter and strength to properly support the weight of the signs which are to be installed on them as follows:
Weight in Pounds
Size in Inches
Up to 75
3
From 75 to 250
4
From 250 to 325
5
From 325 to 400
6
(8) 
All pipes used for signs weighing in excess of 100 pounds shall be of the well-casing type or the equivalent. Lighter weight pipe may be used for signs weighing 100 pounds or less and situated entirely within the property lines. In no case, however, may a sign be supported by a pipe less than three inches in diameter.
(1995 Code of Ordinances, Title XV, Chapter 155, Section 155.043)
(a) 
No pole, post or standard used to support any sign or floodlight shall be set up or upon any sidewalk, street or public property.
(b) 
Pole-mounted, nonlettered, physical representative signs, including without limitation, pole-mounted automobiles, boats or airplanes, are prohibited. No pole or pylon-mounted sign shall exceed 65 feet in height from ground level to top edge.
(1995 Code of Ordinances, Title XV, Chapter 155, Section 155.044)
(a) 
Roof signs shall be used for on-premises advertising only, subject to limitation with regard to historic districts as set forth in Section 3.858.
(b) 
A roof sign shall not exceed 10 feet in total height above that portion of the roof of the building or structure over which it is erected. All such signs shall be constructed of durable material. Adequate provision shall also be made for grounding all metallic parts of all roof signs as a protection against lightning. No roof sign shall be erected so as to extend over a sidewalk, street or other public property.
(1995 Code of Ordinances, Title XV, Chapter 155, Section 155.045)
Marquee signs not more than four feet tall may extend around three sides of the marquee, subject to any restrictions with regard to historic districts as set forth in Section 3.858.
(1995 Code of Ordinances, Title XV, Chapter 155, Section 155.046)