(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.
(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:
(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;
(f) Inflated
or inflatable signs;
(k) Pole
signs (not including "instructional or directional 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)