(a) Extraterritorial
Jurisdiction.
All billboards erected within the extraterritorial
jurisdiction of the city shall not exceed 200 square feet in size,
shall not be closer than 400 feet apart, measured along the same side
of the highway or street and shall have a maximum height of 20 feet
with a minimum ground clearance of 8 feet.
(b) City
Limits.
All billboards erected within the city shall
not exceed 80 square feet in size, shall not be closer than 400 feet
apart, measured along the same side of the highway or street and shall
have a maximum height of 20 feet with a minimum ground clearance of
8 feet.
(1995 Code of Ordinances, Title XV, Chapter 155,
Section 155.060)
(a) Generally.
All billboards are to be set back 400 feet from the boundaries
of the following: all parks, avenues, cemeteries, publicly owned sports
complex boundaries, cultural facilities, historic buildings or structures,
historical districts, schools, and universities and facilities of
higher education.
(b) Setback
From Property Lines.
Billboards which measure 80 square
feet or more of sign face area shall be set back a minimum of 10 feet
from any property line. Billboards which measure 80 square feet or
less of sign face area shall be set back a minimum of 5 feet from
property lines.
(c) Distance
From Overpass, Railings and the Like.
All billboards
shall be set back a distance at least 15 feet from the railing of
an overpass or bridge on any road, street, highway or expressway.
(1995 Code of Ordinances, Title XV, Chapter 155,
Section 155.061)
(a) A drawing
certified by a structural engineer shall be required for each type
of billboard which exceeds 200 square feet of sign face and is over
50 feet high. The drawing shall attest that the particular kind of
sign will withstand a wind load of 30 pounds per square foot and shall
state the depth to which the support structure must be set for the
specific type of soil conditions. These drawings shall be kept on
file in the building inspections department.
(b) If an
operator requests a permit for a billboard measuring 200 square feet
or less of sign face and which is under 50 feet high, he or she may
utilize an engineer certified chart in lieu of the drawing referenced
herein. This chart shall specify the pipe diameter for various sizes
of signs, as well as the foundation of the signs according to general
soil conditions. The chart must be certified by a structural engineer
registered in the state. A copy of the chart shall be submitted to
the department of building inspections with permit application. At
the time an application for a permit is made, the operator shall note
on the application what specific type of soil is prevalent at the
site.
(1995 Code of Ordinances, Title XV, Chapter 155,
Section 155.062)
No billboard, or any part thereof, shall be located on or above
any public property or street right-of-way, unless approved by city
ordinance.
(1995 Code of Ordinances, Title XV, Chapter 155,
Section 155.063)
No billboards shall be erected on property zoned as residential
or historical.
(1995 Code of Ordinances, Title XV, Chapter 155,
Section 155.064)
Every billboard shall satisfy the following construction requirements:
(1) The
billboard shall be firmly and solidly constructed to withstand a wind
load of at least 30 pounds per square foot of area.
(2) An open
space of at least eight feet shall be provided between the bottom
of the billboard and the ground. If necessary, support bracing for
the sign may extend through the open space.
(3) All
billboards exceeding 20 feet in height shall be of fireproof construction.
(4) Base
aprons measuring not less than 24 inches high shall be attached to
the bottom of all billboards with sign faces measuring 10 feet or
more in height and 40 feet or more in width.
(5) All
service platforms shall have a jack or support at each structural
upright and shall have a minimum width of 20 inches of worker’s
walking surface. Service platforms shall be mandatory on all billboards
measuring more than 12 feet between ground level and the bottom of
the sign face.
(6) All
exposed wood or metal surfaces, including treated but unpainted stringers,
platforms, jacks or other supports, excepting galvanized metal, shall
be painted, both front and back, upon installation of the billboard.
(7) Billboards
shall be designed and emplaced not to create a traffic hazard near
street intersections or railroad crossings. Billboards shall not be
positioned in a way which obscures or physically interferes with a
traffic sign, signal device or a driver’s view of approaching,
merging or intersecting traffic.
(8) Billboards
shall not be illuminated in a manner which interferes with the effectiveness
of or obscures an official traffic sign, signal or device nor may
the light emitted from any billboard cause glare to or impede the
vision of the driver or any motor vehicle.
(9) There
shall be a distance of 14 feet between the ground and the bottom rung
of any ladder which is permanently attached to the billboard structure.
(A) The
14 foot separation between the bottom rung of the ladder and the ground
is necessary to ensure public safety. Accordingly, billboards existing
on the effective date of the article which do not meet this standard
shall not be awarded nonconforming status.
(B) The
sign inspector is authorized to issue citations to any billboard operator
whose signs are in violation of this section.
(1995 Code of Ordinances, Title XV, Chapter 155,
Section 155.065)
All billboards must be kept in good repair. If the lot on which
the billboard is located is undeveloped, the area between the billboard
and the street or highway to which it is oriented, as a well as a
25 foot radius around the support pole, must be kept free of all sign
materials, weeds, debris, trash and other refuse.
(1995 Code of Ordinances, Title XV, Chapter 155,
Section 155.066)