This article shall be known as “Highway Beautification.”
(1979 Code of Ordinances, Chapter 3, Sec. 3-30)
This article shall apply to signs located within the city, and
within six hundred sixty (660) feet of the nearest edge of the right-of-way
of federal aid primary highway systems, being those highways designated
as U.S. 87 and U.S. 380.
(1979 Code of Ordinances, Chapter 3, Sec. 3-31)
As used in this article:
Means to construct, build, raise, assemble, place, affix,
attach, create, paint, draw or in any other way bring into being or
establish except when performed incidental to the change of an advertising
message or to normal maintenance or repair of an existing sign.
Means a divided highway with full control of access.
Means the through traffic lanes exclusive of frontage roads,
auxiliary lanes and ramps.
Means directional and other official signs authorized by
law, including signs pertaining to natural wonders and scenic and
historic attractions and signs which have as their purpose the protection
of life and property.
Means signs advertising the sale or lease of the property
on which they are located and signs advertising activities conducted
on the premises upon which they are located.
Means an outdoor sign, light, display, device, figure, painting,
drawing, message, placard, poster, billboard or other thing which
is designated, intended or used to advertise or inform.
Means that portion of the roadway used for the movement of
vehicles, exclusive of shoulders and auxiliary lanes.
(1979 Code of Ordinances, Chapter 3, Sec. 3-32)
(a)
Signs
shall not imitate or resemble any official traffic sign, signal or
device.
(b)
Signs
shall not be erected or maintained upon trees or painted or drawn
upon rocks or other natural features.
(c)
No sign
shall exceed one thousand two hundred (1,200) square feet in area.
(d)
No sign
shall exceed twenty-five (25) feet in height.
(e)
No sign
shall exceed sixty (60) feet in length.
(f)
All
dimensions include border and trim, but exclude supports.
(g)
Double
faced, back-to-back, or V-type signs shall be considered as one sign.
(h)
Signs
which exceed three hundred fifty (350) square feet in area may not
be double faced (stacked or side by side).
(i)
Signs
may not be located in such a manner as to obscure or otherwise interfere
with the effectiveness of an official traffic sign, signal or device
or to obstruct or interfere with the driver’s view of approaching,
merging or intersecting traffic.
(j)
Signs
may not be located within five hundred (500) feet of any public park,
public forest, public playground or scenic area so designated by a
governmental agency, which is adjacent to the highway.
(k)
Signs
may not be erected closer than one hundred (100) feet apart on the
same side of the highway.
(l)
Adjacent
to freeways, signs may not be erected closer than five hundred (500)
feet apart on the same side of the freeway.
(m)
Signs
may be located closer than the spacing requirements established herein,
provided such signs are separated by buildings, natural surroundings
or other obstructions so that only one sign located within the specified
spacing is visible at any one time.
(n)
Signs
which contain, include or are illuminated by any flashing, intermittent
or moving light or lights are prohibited, except those giving public
service information such as time, date, temperature, weather or similar
information.
(o)
Lights
which are not effectively shielded as to prevent beams or rays of
light from being directed at any portion of the traveled ways of the
highways, and which are of such intensity or brilliance as to cause
glare or to impair the vision of the driver of any motor vehicle or
which otherwise interfere with any driver’s operation of a motor
vehicle, are prohibited.
(p)
No sign
shall be so illuminated that it interferes with the effectiveness
of or obscures an official traffic sign, device or signal.
(1979 Code of Ordinances, Chapter 3, Sec. 3-33)
Signs shall not be located outside of the business and industrial
zoning districts of the city. Every sign erected within the city,
and within six hundred sixty (660) feet, of the nearest edge of the
right-of-way of U.S. 87 and U.S. 380 shall comply with the standards
established by this article, with the following exceptions:
(1)
Official
signs.
(2)
On-premise
signs.
(3)
Signs
which are not visible from any point on the main-traveled way viewed
from a height of not more than six (6) feet above any such point.
(1979 Code of Ordinances, Chapter 3, Sec. 3-34)
Every sign regulated by this article shall also comply with
the zoning ordinances, building code and all other applicable codes
and ordinances of the city.
(1979 Code of Ordinances, Chapter 3, Sec. 3-35)
The building official shall issue building permits for signs
regulated by this article only to persons who hold valid licenses
issued by the Texas Highway and Public Transportation Commission pursuant
to the provisions of the Texas Highway Beautification Act. The minimum
fee for said building permits shall be ten dollars ($10.00).
(1979 Code of Ordinances, Chapter 3, Sec. 3-36)
Every owner of every sign existing on January 24, 1973, which
lies within the city, and within six hundred sixty (660) feet of the
nearest edge of the right-of-way of U.S. 87 and U.S. 380, with the
exception of official signs and on-premise signs, shall have applied
for and obtained a license issued by the Texas Highway and Public
Transportation Commission pursuant to the provisions of the Texas
Highway Beautification Act, authorizing the maintenance of said sign
after December 31, 1972.
(1979 Code of Ordinances, Chapter 3, Sec. 3-37)
