(A) 
Garland Development Code.
It being the intent of the City to consolidate ordinances regarding or related to property development in the City into a comprehensive set of development ordinances apart from those contained in this Code, the former provisions of this Article VI, “Sign Regulations,” have been recodified in the Garland Development Code (“GDC”). To the extent any portion of this Article VI conflicts with the most recent iteration of the GDC, the provision contained in the GDC shall control.
(B) 
Imitation of Traffic and Emergency Signs Prohibited.
No person shall cause to be erected or maintained any sign using any combination of forms, words, colors or lights which imitate standard public traffic regulatory, emergency signs or signals.
(C) 
Powers and Duties of the Building Official.
(1) 
Generally.
The Building Official is hereby authorized and directed to enforce all the provisions of this Code.
(2) 
Stop orders.
Whenever any work is being done contrary to the provisions of this article, the Building Official may order the work stopped by notice in writing served on any person engaged in the doing or causing of such work to be done, and any such person shall forthwith stop such work until authorized by the Building Official to proceed with the work.
(D) 
Design.
(1) 
Construction.
All signs and their supports shall be built, constructed, and erected in conformance with the requirements of all laws and ordinances, including this Code and the GDC.
(2) 
Structural.
Signs shall comply with the design standards of the Building Code as adopted by the City.
(3) 
Electrical.
Signs in which electrical wiring and connections are used shall comply with the requirements of the Electrical Code of the City.
(4) 
Plumbing and mechanical.
Signs in which plumbing or mechanical devices are used shall comply with the requirements of the Plumbing Code and Mechanical Code of the City.
(5) 
Materials.
The type of materials used in the construction, wiring, plumbing or mechanical portion of a sign shall conform to the structural codes of the City (Building, Electrical, Mechanical, and Plumbing Codes).
(6) 
Protection.
Electrical devices within reach of persons on public property shall be protected by wire glass, safety glass, locked box of metal or wood, or other approved methods. No sign shall be erected nearer than two feet from any telephone cable, electrical street light standard, electrical power poles, or electrical power distribution lines when voltage between conductors is less than three hundred (300) volts. If the voltage between conductors is three hundred (300) volts or greater, clearances shall be maintained as follows:
Voltage of Conductors
Horizontal Clearance in Feet
Vertical Clearance in Feet
300 to 8,700
3
8
8,700 to 15,000
8
8
15,000 to 50,000
10
10
50,000 and up
10 plus 9.5" per kv in excess
10 plus .5" per kv in excess
Note: For spans greater than one hundred fifty (150) feet, refer to the National Electrical Safety Code.
(7) 
Clearance from fire escapes, exits, or standpipes.
No sign or its supports shall be erected in such a manner which will interfere in any way with the use of any fire escape, exit or standpipe. No sign or its supports shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.
(8) 
Obstruction of openings in buildings.
No sign or its supports shall obstruct any required openings to such an extent that light or ventilation is reduced below that required.
(9) 
Weatherproofing.
All signs shall be constructed so as to prevent the accumulation of water.
(10) 
Materials.
All freestanding signs shall be constructed of materials that are noncombustible or slow burning (as in the case of plastic insert of facings) and shall be supported by noncombustible material only and finished in a presentable manner. Untreated wood or unpainted or nongalvanized steel supports are specifically prohibited.
(Ordinance 4416, sec. 1, adopted 4/17/90; Ordinance 6482, sec. 1, adopted 9/6/11; Ordinance 7212 adopted 4/6/21)