(a)
Signs
and sign structures shall be designed to resist wind and stress forces
as specified in this division. Bracing systems shall be designed and
constructed to transfer lateral forces to the foundations. For signs
supported on buildings, the dead and lateral loads shall be transmitted
to the ground in a manner to avoid overstressing the elements of the
structural frame.
(b)
The
overturning moment produced by lateral forces shall not exceed two-thirds
of the dead-load resisting moment. Uplift due to overturning shall
be resisted by proper anchorage to the ground or to the structural
frame of the building. The weight of earth superimposed over footings
may be used in determining the dead-load resisting moment. Such earth
shall be carefully placed and compacted.
(Ordinance 1342-2022 adopted 3/8/22)
Signs and sign structures shall be designed and constructed
to resist wind forces as specified in section 1609 of the International
Building Code (IBC), as amended.
(Ordinance 1342-2022 adopted 3/8/22)
Signs and structures shall be designed and constructed to resist
seismic forces as specified in section 1613 of the International Building
Code (IBC), as amended.
(Ordinance 1342-2022 adopted 3/8/22)
(a)
Wind
and seismic loads need not to be combined in the design of signs or
sign structures; only the loading producing the larger stress need
be used.
(b)
Vertical
design loads, except roof live loads, shall be assumed to be acting
simultaneously with wind or seismic loads.
(Ordinance 1342-2022 adopted 3/8/22)
(a)
The
design of wood, concrete, steel or aluminum members shall conform
to the requirements of the International Building Code (IBC), as amended.
Loads, both vertical and horizontal, exerted on the soil shall not
produce stresses exceeding those specified in the building code.
(b)
The
working stress of wire rope and its fastenings shall not exceed 25%
of the ultimate strength of the rope or fasteners.
(c)
Working
stresses for wind or seismic loads combined with dead loads may be
increased as specified in the International Building Code (IBC), as
amended.
(Ordinance 1342-2022 adopted 3/8/22)
(a)
Supports.
Supports for sign or sign structures shall
be placed in or upon private property and shall be securely built,
constructed and erected in conformance with the requirements of this
code.
(b)
Standards of quality.
The IBC standards listed in this
section are incorporated into this article. The other standards listed
are not adopted as a part of this article and are recognized standards,
compliance with which is prima facie evidence of compliance with the
standard of duty to design and construct signs that are reasonably
safe for persons and property.
(c)
Determination of noncombustibility.
IBC section 703
“fire -resistance ratings and fire tests.”
(g)
Materials.
(1)
Materials utilized to construct signs and sign structures shall be
of the quality and grade as specified for buildings in the building
code.
(2)
In signs and sign structures the materials and details of construction
shall, in the absence of specified requirements, conform to the following:
(A)
Structural steel shall conform to IBC, chapter 22. Secondary members
in contact with or directly supporting the display surface may be
formed of light-gauge steel provided such members are designed in
accordance with the specifications of the design of cold-formed steel
as specified in IBC chapter 22, and in addition shall be galvanized.
Secondary members when designed integrally with the display surface
shall not be less than 0.0024 inch (0.610 mm) thick. When not formed
integrally with the display surface, the minimum thickness of the
secondary members shall be 0.10 inch (2.5 mm). The minimum thickness
of hot-rolled steel members furnishing structural support for signs
shall be 1/4 inch (604 mm), except that, if galvanized, such members
shall not be less than 1/8 inch (3.2 mm) thick. Steel pipes shall
conform to IBC chapter 22. Steel members may be connected with one
galvanized bolt, provided the connection is adequate to transfer the
load to supporting members.
(B)
Anchors and support of wood embedded in the soil, or within six inches
(152 mm) of the soil, shall be all heartwood of a durable species
or shall be pressure treated with an approved preservative. Such members
shall be marked by an approved agency.
(3)
Material requirements for banner signs.
(A)
A banner sign shall be constructed of noncombustible material, including
but not limited to vinyl or approved plastic and shall not be supported
or attached with wire, rope, strings, fiber rope or wood slats employed
for support or anchorage purposes.
(B)
The panels of a banner sign shall be perforated over at least 10
percent of the area to reduce wind resistance.
(C)
The wind loads, seismic loads and combined loads shall be in accordance
to the minimum standards as specified in the International Building
Code, as amended. A structural or sign engineer shall seal the plans
to show that the sign meets the wind load requirements.
(D)
The supporting members shall be made of noncombustible material and
formed out of light gauge steel and be designed in accordance with
the specifications of the design of cold formed steel as specified
in chapter 22 of the International Building Code, as amended. Secondary
members when formed integrally with the display surface shall not
be less than 0.024 inch (0.610 mm) thick. When not formed integrally
with the display surface, the minimum thickness of the secondary members
shall be 0.10 inch (2.5 mm).
(E)
The minimum thickness of hot-rolled steel members furnishing structural
support for a banner sign shall be 1/4 inch (6.4 mm) except that,
if galvanized, such members shall not be less than 1/8 inch (3.2 mm)
thick. Steel pipes shall conform to IBC. Steel members may relate
to one galvanized bolt, provided the connection is adequate to transfer
the load to supporting members.
(F)
Nonstructural trim may be wood, metal, approved plastics or a combination
thereof.
(h)
Restriction on combustible materials.
(1)
Ground signs shall be of any material meeting the intent of this
article. Combination signs, roof signs, wall signs, projection signs
on marquees shall be constructed of noncombustible material, except
as otherwise provided. Combustible materials other than approved plastics
shall not be used in the construction of electric signs.
(2)
Exception.
Nonelectric wall signs may be constructed
of unprotected combustible materials on walls permitted to be of unprotective
combustible construction.
(i)
Nonstructural trim.
Nonstructural trim and portable
display surfaces may be of wood, metal, approved plastics or a combination
thereof.
(j)
Anchorage.
Members supporting unbraced signs shall be
so proportioned that the bearing loads imposed on the soil in either
the horizontal or vertical direction shall not exceed the safe values.
Braced ground signs shall be anchored to resist specified wind or
seismic loads acting in any direction. Anchors and supports shall
be designed for safe bearing loads on the soil and for an effective
resistance to pullout amounting force 25 percent greater than the
required resistance to overturning. Anchors and support shall penetrate
to a depth below ground greater than that of the frost line.
(1)
Portable signs supported by frames or poles rigidly attached to the
base shall be proportioned so that the weight and size of the base
shall be adequate to resist the wind loads as specified.
(2)
Signs attached to masonry, concrete or steel shall be safely and
securing fastened by means of metal anchors, bolts, or approved expansion
screws of sufficient size to safely support the loads applied.
(3)
Wooden blocks, plugs or anchors with wood used in connection with
screws or nails shall not be considered to provide an anchorage, except
for blocks, plugs or anchors on signs attached to wood framing.
(4)
The anchorage or support of a sign shall not be connected to, or
supported by an unbraced parapet wall, unless the wall is designed
in accordance with the requirements for parapet walls specified for
seismic zones in the building code.
(k)
Display surfaces.
Display surfaces of signs may be made
of metal, glass or approved plastics. Glass thickness and area limitations
shall be set forth as follows:
(1)
Size, thickness and type of glass panels in signs.
|
Maximum exposed size of glass panel
(dimension in inches)
|
Area in square inches
|
Maximum thickness of glass
|
Type of glass
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
30
|
500
|
1/8
|
Plain, plate or wired
|
|
45
|
700
|
3/16
|
Plain, plate or wired
|
|
144
|
3600
|
1/4
|
Plain, plate or wired
|
|
Over 144
|
Over 3600
|
1/4
|
Wired glass
|
|
Sections of approved plastics on wall signs shall not exceed
200 square feet in area.
| |||
(2)
Exceptions.
(A)
Sections of approved plastics on signs other than wall signs may
be of unlimited area if approved by the building official.
(B)
Sections of approved plastics on wall signs shall be separated by
3 feet laterally and six feet vertically by the required exterior
wall construction.
(C)
Section of approved plastics on signs other than wall signs may not
be required to be separated if approved by the building official.
(l)
Approved plastics.
Substantiating data shall be submitted
to the building official to justify the proposed use of plastic materials.
If it is determined that the evidence submitted is satisfactory for
the use intended, the use may be approved.
(m)
Testing requirement.
(1)
The building official may require testing that he/she believes is
necessary in order to verify the structural strength of all signs
and sign structures proposed to be installed and constructed within
the city.
(2)
The building official may require any and all plans submitted to
be engineer certified when it in his/her opinion such sign or sign
structure may not meet the structural requirements as established
in this article. Such certification must be performed by a qualified
sign structural engineer registered with the state before the sign
can be permitted or erected.
(3)
The fees for such professional services are solely the responsibility
of the applicant. In cases where the building official determines
a sign or sign structure needs further testing prior to approval,
the costs of testing are the responsibility of the applicant.
(n)
Limits on lumens and illumination.
(1)
Illumination levels.
Sign surface shall be in the 100
to 300 Lux range (10 to 30 foot-candles) and shall be uniform over
the sign surface.
(2)
A sign shall be located such that the illumination level on the surface
sign is not significantly exceeded by ambient light or a visible bright
lighting source behind or in front of the sign.
(3)
Power supply.
For the means of sign illumination shall
normally be provided by the electrical supply on the premises. Emergency
electrical supply shall be installed in accordance with the National
Electrical Code, as amended.
(4)
Exception.
Approved self-luminous signs that provide
evenly illuminated letters that have a minimum luminance of 0.60 footlambert
or if the system complies with the provisions established in the National
Electrical Code, as adopted and as amended.
(o)
Projection and clearance.
The following projection and
clearance minimum distance requirements shall apply:
|
TABLE A
| |
|---|---|
|
Clearance in Feet
|
Maximum Projection in Feet
|
|
Less than 8
|
Not permitted
|
|
8
|
1
|
|
8 to 16
|
1 plus 0.5 for each foot of clearance in excess of 8 feet
|
|
Over 16
|
5
|
|
TABLE B
| |
|---|---|
|
Projection in Feet
|
Maximum Thickness in Feet
|
|
5
|
2
|
|
4
|
2.5
|
|
3
|
3
|
|
2
|
3.5
|
|
1
|
4
|
(Ordinance 1342-2022 adopted 3/8/22)
A person commits an offense if the person erects or displays
a sign which does not meet the construction requirements of this division.
(Ordinance 1342-2022 adopted 3/8/22)
