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(a) A special provision sign district is hereby created to be known as the Arts District Sign District. For purposes of this article, the boundaries of the Arts District Sign District are described in the Exhibit A attached to Ordinance No. 30731, passed by the Dallas City Council on December 13, 2017.
(b) Subdistrict A is hereby created within the Arts District Sign District. For the purposes of this division, Subdistrict A is the area bounded by Flora Street to the northwest, Leonard Street to the northeast, Ross Avenue to the southeast, and Crockett Street to the southwest and more particularly described in the Exhibit A attached to Ordinance No. 30731, passed by the Dallas City Council on December 13, 2017.
(c) Subdistrict B is hereby created within the Arts District Sign District. For the purposes of this division, Subdistrict B is the area bounded by Woodall Rodgers Freeway to the northwest, Crockett Street to the northeast, Munger Avenue to the southeast, and Pearl Street to the southwest, and more particularly described in the Exhibit A attached to Ordinance No. 30731, passed by the Dallas City Council on December 13, 2017.
(d) Subdistrict C is hereby created within the Arts District Sign District. For the purposes of this division, Subdistrict C is the area bounded by Flora Street to the northwest, Olive Street to the northeast, Ross Avenue to the southeast, and Harwood Street to the southwest, and more particularly described in Exhibit A attached to Ordinance No. 31079, passed by the Dallas City Council on December 12, 2018.
(e) The property described in Subsection (a), which was formerly part of the Downtown Special Provision Sign District, is no longer considered to be part of that district. This division completely supersedes Division 51A-7.900 with respect to the property described in Subsection (a). (Ord. Nos. 20345; 28471; 30731; 31079)
The Dallas Arts District (Planned Development District No. 145) was established by Ordinance No. 17710, which was passed by the Dallas City Council on February 16, 1983. This approximately 17-block, 60-acre area in the northeast section of the central business district represents a concerted effort on the part of the city and arts organizations to consolidate major art institutions in one mixed-use area.
The guideline for development in the Arts District is an urban design plan known as the “Sasaki Plan.” This plan is based on district-wide design and land use concepts, which include the creation of a pedestrian-oriented environment and a distinctive visual image for the district. Flora Street is defined as the major pedestrian spine and focus of development in the district. As a wide, tree-lined environment, Flora Street connects three subdistricts (Museum Crossing, Concert Lights, and Fountain Plaza) and provides continuity in a development framework for public institutions and private owners.
The sign regulations in this division have been developed with the following objectives in mind:
(1) To protect the character of Flora Street and the Arts District from inappropriate signs in terms of number (clutter), size, style, color, and materials.
(2) To enhance the image and liveliness of the Arts District by encouraging compatible signs that are colorful, decorative, entertaining, and artistic in style, while being functional and informative in purpose.
(3) To promote the commercial success of each individual tenant in the Arts District and, in turn, the commercial success of all the tenants in the district collectively.
(4) To create a sense of design uniformity between signs and the other streetscape elements of the Arts District.
(5) To help make the Arts District an attractive place for the public to frequent by providing ease of direction to specific cultural institutions.
(6) To create a means of identifying the various types or categories of retail establishments along Flora Street.
(7) To identify and promote cultural events and activities consistent with the purposes of the Arts District.
(8) To recognize that sign hardware is a part of the overall visual design of a sign, and to ensure that investments in signs and other structures in the Arts District are not devalued by inappropriate or poor quality sign hardware. (Ord. 20345)
(a) In this division:
(1) ARTS DISTRICT means Planned Development District No. 145 (the Dallas Arts District).
(2) ARTS DISTRICT OFFICIAL LOGO means the official logo of the Arts District as depicted in Exhibit A, which is attached to Ordinance No. 20345, passed by the Dallas City Council on June 14, 1989.
(3) AWNING SIGN means a sign that is or appears to be part of an awning.
(4) BLOCK means an area bounded by streets on all sides.
(5) BLOCKFACE means all of the lots on one side of a block.
(6) BUILDING CORNICE AREA means that portion of a building facade above the highest story, but below the actual roof structure.
(7) BUILDING IDENTIFICATION SIGN means any sign composed of one or more characters that identify a specific building's name.
(8) CANOPY means a permanent non-fabric architectural element projecting from the face of a building.
(9) CANOPY FASCIA SIGN means a sign with a digital display that is attached to, applied on, or supported by the fascia or soffit of a canopy.
(10) CBD STREETSCAPE PLAN means the Dallas Central Business District Streetscape Guidelines approved by the Dallas City Council on April 15, 1981, by Resolution No. 81-1118.
(11) CHARACTER means a symbol, as a letter or number, that represents information.
(12) CONSTRUCTION BARRICADE SIGN means a sign that is affixed to a construction barricade.
(13) CULTURAL INSTITUTION means any facility used primarily for the visual or performing arts; open to the public, such as a museum, concert hall, theater, or similar facility; and established by a public or philanthropic entity.
(14) CULTURAL INSTITUTION DIGITAL SIGN means a monument sign with a digital display that identifies the cultural institution; the district; a sponsor of the cultural institution, district, or arts organization; or an arts organization such as a symphony, dance troupe, or theatre group that uses that cultural institution.
(15) CULTURAL INSTITUTION IDENTIFICATION SIGN means a premise sign that identifies the cultural institution or the primary arts organization such as a symphony, dance troupe, or theater group that uses that cultural institution.
(16) DETACHED PREMISE SIGN means a sign that is both a detached sign and a premise sign as defined in Section 51A-7.102.
(17) FLAT ATTACHED SIGN means an attached sign projecting four inches or less from a building.
(18) FLORA STREET FRONTAGE AREA means the "Flora Street Frontage Area" as defined in the Arts District PD ordinance (Ordinance No. 17710, as amended).
(19) FREESTANDING IDENTIFICATION SIGN means a monument sign that identifies the cultural institution; the district; a sponsor of the cultural institution, district, or arts organization; or an arts organization such as a symphony, dance troupe, or theater group that uses that cultural institution.
(20) GENERIC RETAIL IDENTIFICATION SIGN means a sign identifying a type or category of retail establishment without identifying a specific establishment.
(21) GOVERNMENTAL TRAFFIC SIGN means a sign, signal, or other traffic control device installed by a governmental agency for the purpose of regulating, warning, or guiding vehicular or pedestrian traffic on a public highway. Examples of these signs include stop signs, one-way signs, no parking signs, and electronic pedestrian and vehicular signalization devices and their fixtures.
(22) INSTITUTIONAL MOVEMENT INFORMATION SIGN means a sign showing the location of or route to a specific cultural institution or a parking area serving that institution.
(23) INTEGRATED SIGN means a premise sign within Subdistrict A, Subdistrict B, or Subdistrict C that is integrated into the design of the building and may be a monument sign.
(24) KIOSK means a small structure with one or more open sides used to display artwork or temporary signs.
(25) MARQUEE SIGN means a sign attached to, applied on, or supported by a permanent canopy projecting over a pedestrian street entrance of a building, and consisting primarily of changeable panels, words, or characters.
(26) MONUMENT SIGN means a detached sign applied directly onto a grade level support structure (instead of a pole support) with no separation between the sign and grade.
(27) PLAQUE means a permanent tablet, the contents of which are either commemorative or identifying.
(28) PREMISE means the entire Arts District Sign District land area as defined in 51A-7.1201(a).
(29) PRIVATE SIGNS means those signs that are not "public signs" as defined in this section.
(30) PROJECTING ATTACHED SIGN means an attached sign projecting more than four inches from a building.
(31) PROMOTIONAL SIGN means a sign that promotes a cultural event or activity.
(32) PUBLIC SIGNS means governmental traffic signs, institutional movement control signs, generic retail identification signs, promotional signs, or plaques as defined in this section.
(33) RESTAURANT/RETAIL IDENTITY SIGN means an attached premise sign located on a building in Subdistrict B or Subdistrict C that has a restaurant, retail, or personal service use located on the ground floor and that identifies that specific restaurant, retail, or personal service tenant.
(34) SASAKI PLAN means the urban design plan prepared by Sasaki Associates, Inc. in August, 1982 to serve as the guideline for development in the Dallas Arts District. The Sasaki Plan is attached to and made a part of the Arts District PD ordinance (Ordinance No. 17710, as amended).
(35) SIGN HARDWARE means the structural support system for a sign, including the fastening devices that secure a sign to a building facade or pole.
(36) SPONSORSHIP CONTENT means goods and services sold by the sponsor of the cultural institution, district, or arts organization whether sold on or off the premises.
(37) TENANT IDENTITY SIGN means an attached premise sign within Subdistrict A or Subdistrict B located on a building that is primarily used for office uses that identifies a specific office tenant.
(38) THIS DISTRICT means the Arts District Sign District.
(39) WINDOW SIGN means a sign temporarily or permanently attached to, applied on, or supported by a window.
(a) A person shall not alter, place, maintain, expand, or remove a sign in this district without first obtaining a sign permit from the city, except that no sign permit is required for:
(1) governmental traffic signs; and
(2) promotional signs other than banners.
(b) The procedure for obtaining a sign permit is outlined in this section. Section 51A-7.602 does not apply to signs in this district.
(c) No sign permit may be issued to authorize a sign in this district unless the director has first issued a certificate of appropriateness in accordance with this section.
(d) There is hereby created a committee to be known as the Arts District Sign Review Committee (“the committee”). The committee shall be composed of five members appointed by the city plan commission. One member of the committee must be an architect or graphic designer. The commission shall solicit a list of nominees from entities operating in the Arts District. Appointments to the committee shall be for a term of two years ending on September 1 of each odd-numbered year, and the members shall serve without compensation. The commission may appoint up to three alternate members to the committee who serve in the absence of one more regular members when requested to do so by the chairperson or by the city manager. The alternate members serve for the same period and are subject to removal the same as regular members. The commission shall fill vacancies occurring in the alternate membership the same as in the regular membership.
(e) The committee shall meet upon the call of the chair or a simple majority of the committee members. A simple majority of members present shall constitute a quorum, and issues shall be decided by a simple majority vote of the members present. The department shall furnish staff support to the committee.
(f) The function of the committee shall be to familiarize itself thoroughly with the character, special conditions, and economics of the Arts District. In addition, the committee shall provide guidance, advice, and assistance to the director in reviewing applications for permits to authorize signs in this district.
(g) Section 51A-7.504, which establishes the special sign district advisory committee for special provision sign districts in the city generally, does not apply to this district. The Arts District Sign Review Committee is the exclusive advisory committee for reviewing and making recommendations to the director concerning applications for permits to authorize signs in this district.
(h) Upon receipt of an application for a permit to authorize a sign in this district, the building official shall refer the application and plans to the director for a review to determine whether the work complies with this ordinance. The director shall conduct his or her review so that a decision on issuance of the permit can be made within 30 calendar days from the date the completed application is submitted to the building official.
(i) The director shall solicit a recommendation from the committee before making a decision to approve or disapprove a certificate of appropriateness. The recommendation of the committee is not binding upon the director, and the director may decide a matter contrary to the recommendation of the committee.
(j) A decision by the director to grant a certificate of appropriateness may be appealed by the committee only. A decision to deny the certificate may be appealed by either the applicant or the committee. An appeal is made by filing a written request with the director for review by the city plan commission. An appeal must be made within 10 days after notice is given to the applicant of the director’s decision. In considering the appeal, the sole issue shall be whether or not the director erred in making the decision, and, in this connection, the commission shall consider the same standards that were required to be considered by the director in making the decision. Decisions of the commission are final as to available administrative remedies and are binding on all parties.
(k) If the city plan commission fails to make a decision on an appeal by the applicant within 30 calendar days of the date the written request for an appeal is filed with the director, the application shall be considered approved subject to compliance with all other applicable city codes, ordinances, rules, and regulations.
(l) A person who violates Subsection (a) or any other provision in this division is guilty of a separate offense for each day or portion of the day during which the violation is continued. (Ord. Nos. 20345; 20927; 25047; 28073)
(a) This division does not apply to signs that are not visible from outside the premise on which they are located.
(b) Signs in this district are permitted in or overhanging the public way subject to city franchise requirements.
(c) Except in Subdistrict A, Subdistrict B, and Subdistrict C, no sign may obscure a window or a significant architectural element of a building.
(d) Sign hardware may be visible if its structural elements have been specifically devised for their intrinsic contribution to an overall visual effect. Utilitarian hardware intended only for functional purposes must be concealed from normal view.
(e) Mounting devices supporting a projecting attached sign must be fully integrated with the overall design of the sign.
(f) Materials, fasteners, and anchors used to manufacture and install signs must be resistant to corrosion.
(g) Paints and coatings must contain a UV inhibitor to retard the discoloration and fading effects of ultraviolet light. In addition to finish coats, bare metals must have a primer coat or other surface pretreatment as recommended by the paint or coating manufacturer.
(h) Electrical power required for signs must be supplied by means of concealed conduit from an appropriate power source to the sign in accordance with city codes and accepted practices of the trade. Electrical disconnects, transformers, and related apparatus, including wiring and conduit, must be concealed from normal view.
(i) No signs may be illuminated by an independent external light source.
(j) Burned out or defective lights in signs must be replaced within a reasonable time. Failure to comply with this provision may result in sign permit revocation.
(a) Display. All signs with digital display:
(1) must contain a default mechanism that freezes the image in one position in case of a malfunction;
(2) must automatically adjust the sign brightness based on natural ambient light conditions in compliance with the following formula:
(A) the ambient light level measured in luxes, divided by 256 and then rounded down to the nearest whole number, equals the dimming level; then
(B) the dimming level, multiplied by .0039 equals the brightness level; then
(C) the brightness level, multiplied by the maximum brightness of the specific sign measured in nits, equals the allowed sign brightness, measured in nits. For example:
32768 =ambient
÷ 256
128 =dimming level
x .0039
.4992 =brightness level
x 9000 =(maximum brightness
of the example sign)
4492.8 =allowed brightness in
nits;
(3) may not display light of such intensity or brilliance to cause glare, impair the vision of an ordinary driver, or constitute a nuisance;
(4) must have a full color display able to display a minimum of 281 trillion color shades; and
(5) must be able to display a high quality image with a minimum resolution equivalent to the following table:
Digital Display Sign Resolution Chart
| |
Size of LED Panel | Maximum Pixel Size |
100 s/f to 125 s/f | 16 mm |
Greater than 126 s/f | 19 mm |
(b) Light intensity. Before the issuance of a sign permit for a sign with a digital display, the applicant shall provide written certification from the sign manufacturer that:
(1) the light intensity has been factory programmed to comply with the maximum brightness and dimming standards in the formula in Subparagraph (a)(2); and
(2) the light intensity is protected from end-user manipulation by password-protected software, or other method satisfactory to the building official.
(c) Change of message. Except as provided in this section, changes of message must comply with the following:
(1) Each message must be displayed for a minimum of eight seconds.
(2) Changes of message must be accomplished within two seconds.
(3) Changes of message must occur simultaneously on the entire sign face.
(4) No flashing, dimming, or brightening of message is permitted except to accommodate changes of message.
(d) Streaming information. If a special events permit has been issued for district activities, ticker tape streaming and streaming video are permitted.
(e) Malfunction. Digital display sign operators must respond to a malfunction or safety issue within one hour after notification. (Ord. 28071)
(a) Generic retail identification signs.
(1) This subsection applies only to generic retail identification signs as defined in Section 51A-7.1203.
(2) These signs are only permitted on Flora Street.
(3) These signs must be one-eighth inch thick aluminum disks that are 12 inches in diameter.
(4) Messages on these signs must consist entirely of graphic symbols or glyphs designed to identify a type or category of retail facility. They may not identify specific retail establishments.
(5) These signs must be mounted on streetlight poles. No more than six signs are allowed on a pole. When there is more than one sign, the second sign must be the same height as the first sign and located on the other side of the pole. Additional signs must be similarly paired and located immediately beneath the first two signs. Thus, the proper maximum configuration will be symmetrical and consist of three pairs of signs, with the second and third pairs being located immediately below the first pair.
(b) Governmental traffic signs.
(1) This subsection applies only to governmental traffic signs as defined in Section 51A-7.1203.
(2) Notwithstanding any other provision in this division, these signs must comply with applicable statutory specifications.
(3) On Flora and Crockett Streets these signs must be mounted on streetlight poles, or on white cylindrical poles. On other streets they must be mounted on white cylindrical poles or on other fixtures recommended in the CBD Streetscape Plan.
(4) The backs of these signs must be white in color.
(c) Institutional movement information signs.
(1) This subsection applies only to institutional movement information signs as defined in Section 51A-7.1203.
(2) On Flora and Crockett Streets these signs must be mounted on streetlight poles, or on white cylindrical poles. On other streets they must be mounted on white cylindrical poles or on other fixtures recommended in the CBD Streetscape Plan.
(3) The backs of these signs must be white in color and incorporate the Arts District official logo.
(d) Plaques. Plaques must be made of bronze or stone and contain an inscription that relates to the Arts District.
(e) Promotional signs.
(1) This subsection applies only to promotional signs as defined in Section 51A-7.1203.
(2) These signs must promote cultural events and activities. The portion of a sign devoted to sponsor identification, if any, must not exceed 10 percent of its effective area. No sign or portion of a sign may be used to advertise a specific product or service other than the cultural event or activity.
(3) Banners must be either flat against a building facade or mounted on streetlight poles. All other signs must be affixed to city-franchised kiosks.
(4) No sign other than a banner may be larger than 30 inches by 40 inches.
(5) No sign may be permanent in nature. Each sign must be removed no later than 30 days after its specific advertised event or activity has ended. (Ord. 20345)
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