The regulations and/or standards established in this section
are intended to provide minimum standards to safeguard life, property,
and public welfare, and to regulate and control the use, materials,
construction, location, number, maintenance, and the permitting of
certain signs and sign structures. In addition, it is intended to
enhance the beauty of the city by limiting visual clutter. The provisions
of this section are not intended to permit a violation of any provision
of any other ordinance or federal or state law. The general objectives
of these regulations and standards are to promote health, safety,
welfare, convenience and enjoyment of the public and to achieve the
following:
(1) Safety.
To promote the safety of persons and property
by providing that signs:
(A) Do not create a hazard due to collapse, fire collision, decay or
abandonment;
(B) Do not obstruct firefighting or police surveillance; and
(C) Do not create traffic hazards by confusing or distracting motorists
or by impairing the driver’s ability to see pedestrians, obstacles,
or other vehicles, or to red traffic signs.
(2) Communications efficiency.
To promote the efficient
transfer of information in sign messages by providing that:
(A) Businesses and services may identify themselves;
(B) Customers and other persons may locate a business or service;
(C) No person or group is arbitrarily denied the use of the sight lines
from the public rights-of-way; and
(D) Persons exposed to signs are not overwhelmed by the number of messages
presented and are able to exercise freedom of choice to observe or
ignore said messages, according to the observer’s purpose.
(3) Landscape quality and preservation.
To protect the public
welfare and to enhance the appearance and economic value of the cityscape,
by providing that signs:
(A) Do not interfere with scenic views;
(B) Do not create a nuisance to persons using the public rights-of-way;
(C) Do not create a nuisance to occupancy of adjacent and contiguous
property by their brightness, size, height or movement; and
(D) Are not detrimental to land or property values.
(Ordinance 1342-2022 adopted 3/8/22)
For purposes of this article, the following definitions shall
apply, unless clearly indicated to the contrary.
Alter.
To change the size, shape or outline, or type of sign or
to change the electrical lighting, except for the replacement of lamps
not brighter than the original or the replacement of a surface panel.
Attach.
To stick, tack, nail or otherwise affix a sign to any object;
to paint, stencil, write, or otherwise mark on an object.
Awning sign.
An architectural projection that provides weather protection,
identity, or decoration, and is supported by the building to which
it is attached. It is composed of a lightweight skeleton structure
over which a fabric or other material cover is attached. Such sign
may be illuminated and shall be considered a wall sign.
Banner.
A temporary sign made of paper, plastic, or fabric, with
or without a frame, containing characters, letters, illustrations,
or ornamentations applied to paper, plastic, or fabric. Banner does
not include a flag.
Billboard.
An off-premises sign which directs attention to a business,
person, organization, activity, event, place, commodity, product,
or service conducted, sold, or offered at a location other than the
premises on which the sign is located. (Not allowed.)
Builders’ directional sign.
A temporary sign which provides direction or instruction
to guide persons to sites where new homes are under construction,
usually off-premises.
Building.
A structure which has a roof supported by walls for the shelter,
support, or enclosure of persons, animals, or chattel.
Building official.
The building official or the building official’s designated
representative, or any person designated by the city council to enforce
and administer the provisions of this article.
Canopy.
A structure made of metal or other material with a frame
supported by either one or more columns or the building to which it
is accessory and is open on two or more sides.
Certified city.
A city certified by the state department of transportation
(TxDOT) to exercise control of outdoor advertising signs within its
city limits.
Civic organization.
An organization which offers community programs to citizen,
city or civic affairs groups.
Commencement of work.
For construction of a sign, the point in time when the sign
has been delivered to the site or attachment to a building has begun
or holes are excavated for ground installation.
Commercial message.
A message which refers to the offer for sale or existence
for sale of products, property, accommodations, services or attractions
or activities or attracts attention to a business or to products,
property, accommodations, services, or activities that are offered
or exist for hire.
Dilapidated or deteriorated condition.
A sign which, in the opinion of the building official, has
any of the following characteristics:
(1)
Where the structural support or frame members are visibly bent,
broken, dented, or torn;
(2)
Where the panel is visibly cracked or, in the case of wood and
similar products, splintered in such a way as to constitute an unsightly
or harmful condition or renders the sign unsafe; or
(3)
Where the sign or its elements are twisted or leaning or at
angles other than those at which it was originally erected (such as
may result from being blown or the failure of a structural support).
Distance.
Distance of signs from the right-of-way shall mean the shortest
horizontal distance from the nearest right-of-way to a vertical line
to the ground from the nearest element of the sign or the shortest
horizontal distance in a straight line between the nearest elements
of signs.
Electronic variable message signs.
Electronic variable message signs are any sign that utilizes
changeable copy messages through internal illumination through light
emitting diodes (LEDs) or other light sources. Electronic variable
messages signs are subject to the same size and location restrictions
as other signs regulated by this division. In addition, an electronic
variable message sign is subject to the following restrictions:
(1)
Any changeable copy on the electronic variable message sign
shall not change more than every fifteen (15) seconds. Any changes
shall occur with an instant on/off cycle.
(2)
Electronic variable message signs are permitted to contain time
and temperature displays. The time and temperature shall remain static
for not less than three seconds.
Erect.
To build, construct, attach, hang, place, suspend or affix
any form of sign. This shall also include the painting of signs on
the exterior surface of a building or structure.
Facade.
Any separate face of a building, including parapet walls
and omitted wall lines, or any part of a building which encloses or
covers usable space. Where separate faces are oriented in the same
direction, or in the directions within 45 degrees of one another,
they are to be considered as part of a single facade.
Feather flag.
An advertising banner that is used by businesses, event organizers,
and many others to promote their business, brand, or event. The name
“feather flag” comes from the shape of the flag that is
like a bird’s feather (a.k.a quill).
Flag.
Any fabric containing distinctive colors, patterns, or symbols,
used as a symbol of a government, political subdivision, nonprofit
organization, or corporation.
Gross surface area or area of a sign.
The area of the smallest rectangle enclosing the extreme
limits of characters, lettering, illustrations, ornamentation, or
other fixtures, material, or color forming part of the sign. Structural
supports bearing no sign copy shall not be included in gross surface
area; however, if any portion of the required structural supports
become enclosed for decorative or architectural purposes, that portion
will be included in the total gross surface area of the sign. Gross
surface area shall be measured on one side only of a two-faced (back-to-back)
sign carrying the same image and message on both faces. Two-faced
signs carrying different messages and images on each side shall be
considered as separate signs.
Height.
As applied to a sign, height shall be measured as the vertical distance between the highest part of the sign or its supporting structure, whichever is higher, and natural grade at the center of the base of the sign (see appendix
A for clarification).
Illumination.
The enhancement of a sign utilizing electric lights, luminous
tubes or other similar means.
Illumination, external.
Lighting by means of an unshielded light source (including
neon tubing) which is effectively visible as an external part of the
sign.
Illumination, internal.
Lighting by means of a light which is within a sign having
translucent background, silhouetting opaque letters or designs, on
which letters or designs are placed, which are themselves made of
translucent material.
Lease space.
Any area of a building separated internally and intended
for use by an individual tenant.
Logo.
Any registered trademark of an organization, individual,
company, or product which is commonly used in advertising to identify
that organization, individual, company or product.
Maintenance operations.
The process of keeping a sign in good repair. Maintenance
operations include (1) cleaning; (2) painting; (3) repair of parts
with like materials in a manner that does not alter the basic design
or structure of the sign, provided that the cost of all repairs performed
during any consecutive three-hundred-sixty-five-day period is not
more than 60 percent of the cost of erecting a new sign of the same
type at the same location; and (4) replacement of parts with like
materials in a manner that does not alter the basic design or structure
of the sign, provided that the cost of all replacement of parts performed
during any consecutive three-hundred-sixty-five-day period is not
more than 60 percent of the cost of erecting a new sign of the same
type at the same location. Examples of actions that are not maintenance
operations include, without limitation: (1) converting a sign from
a multiple pole structure to a monopole structure; (2) replacing wooden
components with metal components; (3) increasing the area or height
of a sign, except for increases in area permitted under subsection
(1) above; (4) adding illumination to a nonilluminated sign; (5) adding
additional display faces; and (6) converting a sign to utilize animated
display or moveable copy technology.
Marquee.
A permanent roof-like structure extending from part of the
wall of a building not supported by the ground, and constructed of
durable material such as metal, glass, or wood.
Obsolete.
Any sign which advertises a business, use or purpose that
is no longer in existence.
Overhead conductor.
Any electrical conductor, either bare or insulated, installed
above the ground, except when conductors are enclosed in iron pipe
or other material covering of equal strength, as approved by the building
official.
Pad site.
A tract, lot, or land lease intended for the single use of
a freestanding building typically adjacent to street right-of-way
and may also be a portion of a tract or lot.
Person.
Any individual, corporation, company, firm, partnership,
association or any other group or combination of individuals or business
entity.
Pennant.
A temporary wind device usually made of lightweight plastic,
fabric, or other material whether containing a message of any kind,
usually triangular in shape and attached to a single cord.
Premises.
A lot or tract, or a combination of contiguous lots or unplatted
tracts if the lots or tracts or combination are under a single ownership
and are reflected in the plat or deed records of Tarrant County. Multi-tenant
locations shall be considered as being one premises.
Public property.
Any property which is owned by a governmental entity. It
shall also include property for which the primary use is for the operations
of a governmental entity.
Sculpted aluminum panel.
An aluminum sign panel with text or graphic depictions cut
out from the panel, typically, with a translucent material covering
the cutout from the inner side of the panel.
Searchlight.
A large outdoor lighting apparatus used to attract attention
to a business or a specific location.
Setback.
The distance from the closest portion, whether the support
or edge of the sign, to the right-of-way line.
Sight triangle.
The term refers to (1) a sight triangle, as depicted in the
subdivision ordinance, for the intersection of two streets, public
and/or private, and (2) a sight triangle, for the intersection of
a private non-single-family driveway with a public or private street.
Sign.
Every sign, name, number, identification, description, and
announcement, declaration, demonstration, device, display, flag, banner,
pennant, illustration, logo, balloon, streamer, valance, advertising
display, poster, beacon, light or insignia, and structure supporting
any of the same, affixed directly or indirectly to or upon any building,
window, or outdoor structure or approved sign poles, or erected or
maintained upon a piece of land, which directs attention to any object,
project, service, place, activity, person, institution, organization,
or business.
Sign, abandoned.
Any sign which:
(1)
For at least 12 continuous months, does not identify or advertise
a bona fide business, lessor, service, owner, product or activity
on the premises on which the sign is located;
(2)
If the premises are leased, relates to a tenant and at least
two years have elapsed since the date the most recent tenant ceased
to operate on the premises; or
(3)
Is obsolete and for which no legal owner can be found.
Sign area.
The entire face of a sign, including the advertising surface
and any framing, trim, or molding but not including the supporting
structure.
Sign, attached.
Any sign attached to, applied on, or supported by any part of a building (including canopy fascia, walls and awnings) which encloses or covers usable space. It does not include a sign which is painted onto a structure except as permitted in section
3.12.083(b)(2).
Sign, builder.
A temporary sign on site identifying the builder or general
contractor of a residential construction site.
Sign, bulletin board.
A permanent on-site sign providing public information to
the residential subdivision within which it is located.
Sign, business.
A permanent on-site sign that is used to identify a business,
profession, organization, institution, service, activity or other
nonresidential use conducted, sold or offered on the site where such
sign is located. This sign may also identify the name of the site
or development or may identify the occupants within the site or development.
Sign, construction.
A temporary sign identifying individuals or companies involved
in design, construction, wrecking, financing, or improvements of the
premises where work is under construction.
Sign, development.
A temporary on-site sign providing identification or information
pertaining to a residential or commercial development to include the
builder, property owner, architect, contractor, engineer, landscape
architect, decorator, or mortgagee [mortgagor] within that development,
but shall not include a subdivision marketing sign.
Sign, directional.
A sign which indicates the name and/or address of the tenants
or occupants, the address of the premises, and/or identification of
any business or occupation which may exist on the premises. A permanent
on-site sign intended to aid in vehicular movement on the site.
Sign, directory.
A permanent on-site sign providing direction to or identifying
the buildings or businesses in the development.
Sign face.
The surface of one side of a sign. For a monument sign, the
sign face shall include the sign structure (excluding base).
Sign, government.
A sign erected by or on behalf of a federal, state or local
government or an agency thereof.
Sign, ground.
Any sign connected to the ground by legs, poles, or other
supports and which is not an attached, portable, monument, or vehicular
sign.
Sign, incidental.
Small signs of a noncommercial nature intended primarily
for convenience of the public. Included are signs designating restrooms,
address numbers, hours of operation, entrances to buildings, directions,
help wanted, public telephones, and so forth.
Sign, inflatable.
Any display capable of being expanded by air or other gas
and used on a permanent or temporary basis to advertise a product
or event. i.e. Balloon Signs.
Sign, institutional.
A permanent on-site sign used to identify governmental and
municipal agencies, public schools, churches, or similar public institutions,
and used to communicate messages of public importance to the general
public.
Sign, instructional.
A sign limited to directional messages, principally for pedestrian
and vehicular traffic, such as one-way, entrance, and exit.
Sign, menuboard.
A permanent on-site sign which displays a menu and pricing
for food services and may include an audible speaker and microphone
integral to the sign.
Sign, monument.
Any sign which is connected to the ground and which has no
openings for the full width of the sign between the bottom of the
sign and the surface of the ground.
Sign, moving.
A sign which revolves, rotates, swings, undulates, or otherwise
attracts attention through the movement of parts or through the impression
of movement, including automatic electronically controlled copy changes,
but not including flags, banners, or pennants.
Sign, nameplate.
An on-premises nonilluminated sign identifying only the name,
address, and/or profession of the occupant of the premises on which
the sign is located.
Sign, on-premises.
A sign which promotes or advertises a business, person, organization,
activity, event, place, commodity, product, or service which is conducted,
sold, or offered upon the premise where the sign is located.
Sign, off-premises.
A sign which promotes or advertises a business, person, organization,
activity, event, place, commodity, product, or service which is not
conducted, sold, or offered upon the premise where the sign is located.
Signs with solely noncommercial messages are always considered an
on-premises sign.
Sign, off-site.
A sign which directs attention to a business, commodity,
service, good, product, or entertainment not related to the site upon
which such sign is located or to which it is affixed, including billboards.
Sign, on-site.
A sign, the content of which relates to the site on which
it is located, referring exclusively to businesses, commodities, services,
products, goods, or entertainment on the site, or the sale, lease,
or construction of those sites.
Sign, banner.
A sign constructed of noncombustible material, including,
but not limited to, plastic or vinyl, and which is stretched over
supporting members made of noncombustible material, which is capable
of withstanding wind loads specified in section 1609 of the International
Building Code (IBC), as amended.
Sign, pole.
A sign wholly supported by a sign structure in the ground.
Sign, portable.
A sign which is not attached or affixed to the ground, a
building, vehicle, or other fixed structure or object. Portable signs
include those signs installed on wheels, trailers, skids, and similar
mobile structures and can be regularly moved from a location at periodic
intervals, and which is located upon the premises where the business,
profession, activity, commodity, service, or entertainment referred
to by the sign is located. The term “portable sign” shall
include the following:
(3)
A sign affixed by pole or poles to a portable base made of wood,
metal, or concrete;
(4)
A sign suspended or attached to a stand with an inverted “T”
base; and
(5)
Any sign whose base is inserted into a sleeve mounted or driven
into the ground which can be easily extracted from said sleeve by
simply lifting or removing bolts.
Sign, readerboard (manual).
A sign comprised of nonpermanent letters, numerals or symbols
which allows a change of sign copy by adding, removing or rearranging
said letters, symbols or numerals.
Sign, roof.
A sign erected upon or above a roof or parapet of a building
or structure.
Sign, special purpose.
A temporary sign that is either on site or off site that
provides identification or information pertaining to a special event
or occurrence.
Sign, temporary.
A sign constructed of cloth, canvas, light fabric, cardboard,
wallboard, or other like materials, with or without frames, and any
type sign not permanently attached to the ground, wall, or building,
intended to be displayed for a short period of time only. It does
not include a sign constructed of metal or wood.
Sign, temporary placard.
A temporary sign not to exceed 12 square feet in size and
which is not attached to the ground but is a swing sign or is spring
loaded.
Sign, wall.
A sign attached or affixed to an exterior wall of a building
or structure or dependent upon a building for support with the exposed
face of the sign located in a place substantially parallel to the
exterior building wall to which it is attached or by which it is supported
and not extending more than 12 inches from said wall. A wall sign
shall not extend above the wall or parapet to which the sign is attached.
For the purpose of this section, awnings, or canopy fascia’s
extending along a building side shall be considered a part of the
wall.
Sign, warning.
A sign containing no advertising material, warning the public
of the existence of danger.
Sign, window.
A sign located on the internal and/or external surface of
the window, or which is located within two (2) feet of the window,
of any establishment.
Sign, yard.
Any sign of a temporary nature other than a development,
real estate, builders’ or construction sign, which includes
the advertisement of a service which has been performed on premise,
or construction/repair that has been performed on premises.
Site.
A lot, tract or pad site.
Street grade.
The average elevation of the projected corners of a property,
adjacent to a dedicated street right-of-way or roadway easement, the
elevation of the corners being measured at the top of the curb, or
the centerline of the street if no curb is present.
Temporary event.
An event such as a “grand opening,” or a “going
out of business sale” which lasts for a period not to exceed
30 days.
(Ordinance 1342-2022 adopted 3/8/22)