(a) 
Except as otherwise provided for herein, no sign shall be erected, structurally changed, refaced, or reconstructed in whole or part, within the city without a permit having been first obtained.
(b) 
All signs shall pertain to the identification of the primary uses and/or primary services provided or primary products sold on the premises.
(c) 
All signs, where applicable, shall meet the standards of the adopted city building code(s).
(d) 
All business locations shall be identifiable by a street number and address sign which is clearly visible from the street.
(e) 
All signs are prohibited from blinking, flashing, or pulsing lighting or messages to adversely attract attention or otherwise detract from the consistent sign forms in the city.
(f) 
All signs are prohibited from being erected upon trees, bridges, fences (unless specified herein), towers, utility poles, junk or abandoned automobiles and/or vehicles, and dilapidated buildings shall not be used as sign supports.
Excepting only the signs described in paragraphs (1), (3), (4), (5), and (6) of section 15-64, no sign of any kind or character shall be erected, maintained or permitted on any property situated in SF-A, SF-B, or 2F-C zoning districts.
(Ordinance 2105, exh. A, adopted 7/23/2018; Ordinance 2146, sec. 4, adopted 10/14/2019)
(a) 
Vacant lot.
No more than one (1) identification sign shall be permitted facing a street that borders a lot.
(b) 
Freestanding business or office building.
(1) 
Only one (1) external identification sign shall be permitted for a building that faces a street bordering that business or office building.
(2) 
Buildings that face more than one (1) street may have an identification sign facing each street.
(3) 
Each business or tenant may have one additional hanging blade sign, limited to three (3) square feet to help pedestrians identify businesses (see "hanging blade sign" definition).
(c) 
Shopping center or multi-tenant building.
(1) 
A business or office in a shopping center or multi-tenant building may have one (1) identification sign, per tenant, attached to the building and one (1) detached sign (monument or multi-tenant sign) for the shopping center.
a. 
The monument sign shall only display the name and address of the facility.
b. 
Multi-tenant signs for the shopping center shall only be allowed when the businesses do not front or are not visible from city streets or rights-of-ways.
(2) 
A business or office in a shopping center that faces more than one (1) street rights-of-way may have an attached identification sign facing each rights-of-way and one (1) detached sign (monument or multi-tenant sign) for the shopping center.
a. 
The monument sign shall only display the name and address of the facility.
b. 
Multi-tenant signs for the shopping center shall only be allowed when the businesses do not front or are not visible from city streets or rights-of-ways.
(3) 
Each business or tenant may have one (1) additional hanging blade sign, limited to three (3) square feet to help pedestrians identify businesses (see "hanging blade sign" definition).
(d) 
Multi-family complex.
(1) 
A multi-family complex may have one (1) monument sign.
(e) 
Sign types and limitations.
All signs must be located on the property for which the business or service corresponds, unless specifically authorized in this chapter, and may not encroach into public rights-of-way. Various types of signs shall be limited in size as follows:
(1) 
Multi-tenant signs:
a. 
Signs (up to four (4) tenants):
1. 
Six (6) feet maximum height; and
2. 
Twenty-four (24) square feet maximum sign area.
b. 
Signs (five (5) or more tenants):
1. 
Twelve (12) feet maximum height; and
2. 
Eighty-four (84) square feet maximum sign area.
c. 
All monument or multi-tenant signs shall maintain a ten-foot setback from a street and a setback of fifteen (15) feet from intersecting right-of-way lines.
d. 
The building, project, or facility address must be displayed on any sign fronting the street from which the address is derived. If the sign is located at an intersection, the address number must include the street name as part of the address displayed. In order to prevent confusion and the delay of emergency services, the address shall be displayed so as to face only the street on which the building fronts.
e. 
All letters and numbers shall be typeset, and address numbers shall be attached or printed directly to the face of the sign.
f. 
Lighting. Internal sign illumination, individual letter internal illumination, or external ground lighting angled at the sign face is authorized.
g. 
Additional. If a sign is located in a public utility easement, the owner of the property is responsible for removal, relocation or replacement at a utility company's request or upon request of the city.
(2) 
Wall signs:
a. 
Maximum size.
Shall be no more than twenty-four (24) square feet; alternative sign sizes may be considered by the architectural review board based on the wall in which the sign is being attached, due to the wide variation of potential wall configurations, such as the height, size, and location.
b. 
Maximum height.
A wall sign shall not project above the top of the wall it is constructed upon.
(3) 
Canopy/awning signs:
a. 
Maximum size.
Shall be no more than twenty-four (24) square feet; alternative sign sizes may be considered by the architectural review board based on the canopy/awning in which the sign is being attached, due to the wide variation of potential wall configurations, such as the height, size, and location.
b. 
Maximum height.
A canopy/awning sign shall not project above the top of the canopy or awning it is constructed upon.
(4) 
Window signs/graphics:
a. 
Purpose.
To maintain the functional use of windows in buildings as they are intended to be utilized and minimize the volume of signage within windows on structures.
b. 
Window signs are permitted.
The total area of the sign shall not exceed ten (10) percent of the window surface area or three and one-half (3.5) square feet sign area, whichever is less.
(5) 
Hanging blade signs: Three (3) square feet maximum sign area.
(6) 
Neon signs:
a. 
Neon signs are allowed but must be erected within the allotted signs attributed to a building.
b. 
Maximum area. Established by maximum attached sign square footage to building.
c. 
Display. Neon signs are prohibited from pulsing, flashing, or any other function that would create a moving sign. The display of neon signs is to provide a form of fixed illumination.
d. 
An "open" neon sign within a window of a business or attached to the exterior of the business shall not be counted as sign square footage for a building allotment. An "open" sign shall be limited to four (4) square feet.
(7) 
Projecting sign:
a. 
No sign attached to a building shall project from the building more than eight (8) feet from the building facade. Canopy and awning signs shall not count as the "building facade". Such projections must be a minimum of eight (8) feet above the walkway adjacent to the building for head clearance.
(8) 
Wind load pressure requirements.
a. 
No sign shall be erected that does not meet the wind load pressure requirements as set out in the table which follows this paragraph or as determined by the current adopted building code. Permit applications for new signs and permit renewals required for signs which will have or have a height, in feet above ground, as measured above the average level of the ground adjacent to the proposed structure, of six (6) feet, or more, must be accompanied by a certificate signed by design professional or licensed engineer to the effect that the proposed or existing sign will withstand wind load pressures in pounds per square foot as set out in the following table.
b. 
[Wind load pressure table.]
Pressure
Pounds Per Square Foot
0—5
0
6—30
20
31—50
25
(f) 
Exceptions.
The general intent of this chapter is to limit the proliferation of signs in the city. Under special or unique circumstances, the authorized components of an identification sign may be displayed on separate signs provided such separate signs have been approved as to location, design, scale, size, material, color, lighting and aesthetic appeal as provided in section 15-60(c) of this chapter.
(Ordinance 2105, exh. A, adopted 7/23/2018; Ordinance 2146, sec. 4, adopted 10/14/2019)
(a) 
No person shall attach, place, paint, write, stamp, erect or paste any sign, advertisement or other announcement on or over public property, including, but not limited to, any lamppost, electric light, utility pole, tree, fire hydrant, bridge, pavement, sidewalk or crosswalk, public building or park. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the director is authorized to issue permits for banner-type temporary signs across Broadway Street for the promotion of upcoming community events to be held in the City of Alamo Heights which are sponsored by non-commercial, non-profit or not-for-profit organizations, as evidenced by a valid 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) certificate, or for the promotion of community events outside of the City of Alamo Heights that are sponsored by non-commercial, non-profit or not-for-profit organizations whose principal office is located in Alamo Heights, as evidenced by a valid 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) certificate, with such banner locations being limited to one (1) sign across Broadway south of Austin Highway and one (1) sign across Broadway north of Austin Highway. The City of Alamo Heights may, at its sole discretion, use banner type temporary signs across Broadway for public announcements. In no case shall more than the aggregate total of two (2) banner-type temporary signs be permitted to be displayed across Broadway Street at the same time. All organizations are required to pay the current banner permit fee for such installations.
(b) 
No sign shall be erected on or over public property so as to interfere with any fire hydrant, traffic light, fire alarm box or street light, nor shall any sign be erected in any location where, by reason of traffic conditions, fire or explosion hazards, it would imperil public safety or interfere with the functions of the fire department. No sign projecting over a sidewalk or path used by the public shall be erected with its lowest part nearer to sidewalk grade than nine (9) feet.
(c) 
No sign shall be erected on or over public property higher than the highest facade elevation of the building to which the sign relates.
(d) 
Any permit for the erection or alteration of any sign on or over any sidewalk, alley or other public property, or over any roof or building, if considered hazardous, may be revoked by the city council and shall be issued with the understanding that it may be revoked or withdrawn at any time for good cause, in which case such sign shall immediately be removed by the owner thereof. Every application for the erection or alteration of any sign shall include an agreement recognizing such right and privilege in the city.
(e) 
For properties located on Broadway (South of Albany) which utilize a zero (0) foot setback, signs may encroach no more than eight (8) feet into/over public rights-of-way and maintain eight (8) feet ground clearance over pedestrian walkways and fifteen (15) feet ground clearance over vehicular travel paths.
(Ordinance 2105, exh. A, adopted 7/23/2018)
(a) 
All signs shall be securely fastened or anchored to a building wall, structural framing or other foundation or support with a sufficient number of bolts or anchors to resist the stress due to the dead weight of the sign and wind loads. Horizontal wind loads shall be taken at thirty (30) pounds per square foot unless otherwise provided.
(b) 
The use of staples, wires and wood plugs in constructing signs is prohibited.
(c) 
All signs, regardless of location, type or installation, even when entirely within private property, must be installed so as to provide a high safety factor, and all reasonable precautions must be taken in their installation.
(d) 
Only good, sound, straight materials in good condition, free from all major flaws and defects and painted with weatherproof paint, can be used.
(e) 
Flat signs.
(1) 
Frame materials shall be of wood, metal or an equivalent material approved by the city's architectural review board. The panel shall be of metal or other nonflammable material.
(2) 
Sign hooks, expansion bolts or thru bolts with washers on the inside of the wall shall be used for installation, depending upon the weight and area of the sign and the condition of the wall to which it is attached.
(3) 
Such signs shall project not more than twelve (12) inches from the face of the building, except electric flat signs, which may extend not more than eighteen (18) inches.
(4) 
Flat signs may be erected on commercial buildings nonconforming to zoning setback requirements, provided a nine-foot clearance is maintained under same.
(f) 
(Reserved)
(g) 
Electrical signs.
(1) 
Flashing lights of any configuration, either interior or exterior to the sign proper, are prohibited.
(2) 
All provisions of the electrical code of the city shall apply to the erection, alteration, installation and maintenance of electric signs.
(3) 
All electrical connectors shall be concealed from view.
(h) 
Projecting signs.
(1) 
Projecting signs which are fastened to, suspended from or supported on a building or structure so as to project therefrom at any angle across a sidewalk or public thoroughfare, shall not project more than ten (10) feet from the face of the building or structure and shall not in any case extend beyond a line which is two (2) feet back of the outer face of the curb or curbline.
(2) 
A clear space of not less than nine (9) feet shall be provided below all parts of such projecting signs or hanging blade signs.
(3) 
Projecting signs may be installed on a pipe overhanging the sidewalk, provided the following rules are complied with:
a. 
Signs must comply with regulations as to clearance over sidewalk and distance from curbline.
b. 
Pipe, if used, must be equal to or better than steel pipe and conform to the requirements of this subsection. Pipe must be of sufficient diameter and strength to property support the weight of the signs which are to be installed on them.
c. 
Materials other than pipe may be used to provide a desired architectural effect. In such cases, a certificate signed by a registered professional engineer attesting to the structural strength of the material selected to support the dead weight of the sign and a thirty-pound per square foot wind load must accompany the application.
d. 
Cross arms of angle iron for side guys are to be bolted to pipes or poles in a secure manner or needled through pipe and welded and side guys are to be of galvanized cable.
e. 
Pipes or poles must extend far enough above top of sign to provide space for suitable headlift which must be of galvanized cable.
f. 
Display faces are to be metal or other nonflammable material.
(4) 
No projecting sign shall be attached to any door, canopy, awning, or window casing.
(Ordinance 2105, exh. A, adopted 7/23/2018)
No sign shall be so placed as to obstruct or interfere with a window, doorway or other means of egress nor be supported on or hung from any fire escape.
(Ordinance 2105, exh. A, adopted 7/23/2018)
The top of any sign shall not be higher than twelve (12) feet above the ground it sets on, or higher than the highest elevation of the building to which it may be attached to. Exceptions may be granted if natural or manmade features would obstruct the view of the sign or the sign cannot be seen by those intended to see it.
(Ordinance 2105, exh. A, adopted 7/23/2018)
While not encouraged, menu boards may in exceptional situations be incorporated in permanent signs. They will be no wider than the sign of which they are a part.
(Ordinance 2105, exh. A, adopted 7/23/2018)
(a) 
No business or office shall display more than two (2) temporary signs at a time, and the maximum cumulative time that temporary signs may be displayed at one (1) location is one hundred eighty (180) days per calendar year.
(b) 
The text of any one (1) sign may not be displayed more than thirty (30) days per calendar year. The city's administrative officer shall disapprove a temporary sign application when the text of such temporary sign is the same or substantially the same as another temporary sign permitted for the same location during any calendar year.
(c) 
The size of any temporary sign shall not exceed four (4) feet in height and eight (8) feet in width or a width of twenty-five (25) percent of the front face of the business to which the temporary sign is affixed, whichever is less.
(d) 
Temporary signs shall be well maintained throughout the time they are displayed.
(e) 
A temporary permanent sign may not be displayed for more than ninety (90) days.
(Ordinance 2105, exh. A, adopted 7/23/2018)
The following signs shall be prohibited:
(a) 
Abandoned signs;
(b) 
Electrical signs;
(c) 
Advertising benches;
(d) 
Character representations, murals, window drawings, and similar media types, either animated or inanimate, for the purpose of advertising, promoting an establishment or product, and any such representation which draws attention to the business or facility;
(e) 
Flashing light signs;
(f) 
Inflated or inflatable signs;
(g) 
Moving signs;
(h) 
Obscene signs;
(i) 
Off-premise signs;
(j) 
Pennants;
(k) 
Pole signs (not including "instructional or directional signs");
(l) 
Portable signs;
(m) 
Search lights or beacons;
(n) 
Signs that emit sound or smoke;
(o) 
Signs that may resemble or be confused with any traffic-control device;
(p) 
Signs that identify uses, services or products not sold on the premises;
(q) 
Signs upon the face of any marquee except a theater building marquee (regardless of whether the building is being used as a theater);
(r) 
Signs attached to exterior display items shall be deemed temporary signs, and regulated as such;
(s) 
Roof signs that project higher than the highest part of the roof;
(t) 
Interior signs, while signs on the interior of a building or office are allowed, the intent of such an authority is for signs intended for those interior to the building, while the viewing of same on the exterior of the building is incidental. The posting of signs on the interior of the building for the sole purpose of exterior viewing, thereby attempting to circumvent the city's sign ordinance, is prohibited, except where such signage is permitted as a temporary sign, following the regulations of such.
(u) 
After May 12, 2008, no changeable electronic variable message signs (commonly referred to as CEVMS signs) shall be installed in the city. Changeable electronic variable message sign for the purpose of this chapter shall mean a sign which permits light to be turned on or off intermittently or which is operated in a way whereby light is turned on or off intermittently, including any illuminated sign on which such illumination is not kept stationary or constant in intensity and color at all times when such sign is in use, including a LED (light emitting diode) or digital sign, and which varies in intensity or color. A changeable electronic variable message sign does not include a sign located within the right-of-way that functions as a traffic control device and that is described and identified in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) approved by the Federal Highway Administrator as the National Standard.
(Ordinance 2105, exh. A, adopted 7/23/2018)
Sign content shall be limited to appropriate information necessary to identify the business (see definitions) and to carry out the normally accepted activities for a business of its type. Signs containing information not relevant to the business shall not be permitted.
(Ordinance 2105, exh. A, adopted 7/23/2018)
Exterior display of wares and goods is prohibited, except when such display is in conjunction with an activity for which a specific permit has been issued.
(Ordinance 2105, exh. A, adopted 7/23/2018)