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(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)
(a) In general.
(1) This section applies to all attached private signs except building identification signs, cultural institution identification signs, canopy fascia signs, and tenant identity signs within Subdistrict A, Subdistrict B, and Subdistrict C. For the regulations governing building identification signs, see Section 51A-7.1209. For the regulations governing cultural institution identification signs, see Section 51A-7.1210. For the regulations governing canopy fascia signs, see Section 51A-7.1211. For the regulations governing tenant identity signs within Subdistrict A, see Section 51A-7.1214.1. For the regulations governing tenant identity and restaurant/retail identity signs within Subdistrict B, see Section 51A-7.1214.2. For the regulations governing restaurant/retail identity signs within Subdistrict C, see Section 51A-7.1214.3.
(2) These signs are only allowed on building facades that are in the Flora Street Frontage Area.
(3) No sign may project above the building cornice area.
(4) At grade structural supports are prohibited.
(5) No establishment may have a mix of awning signs, projecting attached signs, flat attached signs, and/or marquee signs, except that awning signs may be mixed with flat attached signs.
(b) Awning signs.
(1) This subsection applies only to awning signs as defined in Section 51A-7.1203.
(2) Letters and numbers on these signs must:
(A) be parallel or perpendicular to the front building facade; and
(B) not exceed 18 inches in height.
(3) No letters or numbers are allowed on the sloped top of an awning except as part of an official corporate logo or registered trademark. No more than 50 percent of the total sloped awning surface area may contain graphics.
(4) No words, other than those which are part of the basic awning design pattern, are permitted on awnings located above the second story.
(5) No sign may have flashing or sequenced lighting.
(c) Flat attached signs.
(1) This subsection applies only to flat attached signs as defined in Section 51A-7.1203.
(2) These signs are not permitted above the third story of a building.
(3) No sign may have a length that exceeds 70 percent of the length of the frontage of the establishment with which it is associated. Signs associated with the same establishment must be spaced at least 30 feet apart. No sign may exceed 60 square feet in effective area.
(4) The maximum character heights allowed on these signs are:
(A) 18 inches for signs located below the third story; and
(B) 24 inches for third-story signs.
(5) No sign cabinets are permitted. Adequate clear space for staging characters must be provided. In no event may the character height exceed 60 percent of the vertical dimension of the sign. The sides of three-dimensional characters, if any, must be the same color as their faces.
(6) No sign may contain more than five words.
(7) Sources of sign illumination that are an integral part of the design of the sign, such as neon or small individual incandescent lamps, are permitted. These signs may be protected by transparent covers.
(8) Internally-lit plastic translucent signs are prohibited.
(9) No sign may have flashing or sequenced lighting.
(d) Marquee signs.
(1) This subsection applies only to marquee signs as defined in Section 51A-7.1203.
(2) These signs are only allowed in conjunction with establishments that have as their major use movies or live entertainment productions.
(3) The permanent canopy of which this sign is a part must:
(A) project no more than six feet from the building facade;
(B) be a minimum of ten feet above the sidewalk grade;
(C) have a vertical dimension that does not exceed four feet; and
(D) have a horizontal dimension along the building facade that does not exceed 30 feet.
(4) The total effective area of signs on the permanent canopy must not exceed 120 square feet.
(5) No sign may:
(A) project more than three feet from the permanent canopy;
(B) extend vertically more than 30 feet above the canopy height; or
(C) be more than three feet in width.
(6) Messages with characters over eight inches in height are limited to a maximum of five words on each canopy facade. Messages with characters under eight inches in height have no limit on the number of words. Character height must not exceed 60 percent of the vertical dimension of the permanent canopy, or 24 inches, whichever is less.
(7) Only the name of the establishment with which the sign is associated may appear on that portion of the sign located above the permanent canopy.
(8) Display panels that announce a show or event may have plastic characters on an internally-lit background.
(9) These signs may turn on or off or change their brightness. The restrictions contained in Section 51A-7.303(b)(1) do not apply to these signs. Flashing and sequenced lighting are permitted.
(e) Projecting attached signs.
(1) This subsection applies only to projecting attached signs as defined in Section 51A-7.1203.
(2) These signs must be a minimum of ten feet above grade.
(3) These signs must be located in either the bottom, top, or combined envelope depicted graphically in the diagram that is attached to and made a part of this ordinance as Exhibit B. Restrictions on the size and location of each sign depend on which envelope the sign is located in as follows:
Bottom Envelope
|
Top Envelope
|
Combined Envelope
| |
Maximum projection allowed from building facade | 6 ft. | 3 ft. | 3 ft. |
Maximum vertical dimension allowed | 10 ft. | 20 ft. | 30 ft. |
Maximum effective area allowed for each sign face* | 30 sq. ft. | 40 sq. ft. | 45 sq. ft. |
*Double this amount to compute the total effective area allowed for both sides of the sign. | |||
(4) If their characters are eight inches or less in height, these signs are not restricted as to the number of words permitted. Signs with characters more than eight inches in height are limited to five words. No character may exceed 12 inches in height if the message area exceeds 60 percent of the sign surface area.
(5) One sign is allowed above each entrance provided that signs associated with the same establishment are spaced at least 30 feet apart.
(6) No sign may be more than 12 inches thick. All messages on these signs must be located on a sign face that is perpendicular to the front building facade.
(7) No illuminated sign or element of a sign may turn on or off or change its brightness.
(8) Sources of sign illumination that are an integral part of the design of the sign, such as neon or small individual incandescent lamps, are permitted. These signs may be protected by transparent covers.
(9) Internally-lit plastic translucent signs are prohibited.
(f) Window signs.
(1) This subsection applies only to window signs as defined in Section 51A-7.1203.
(2) No character on these signs may exceed 12 inches in height.
(3) The maximum amount of window area that may be utilized as sign space varies depending on the location of the window as follows:
Window Location
|
Maximum Window Coverage Allowed
|
First Story | 8 sq. ft. or 15 percent, whichever is less |
Second Story | 10 sq. ft. or 20 percent, whichever is less |
Third Story | 12 sq. ft. or 25 percent, whichever is less |
(4) No establishment may have more than four window signs.
(5) Hanging neon signs are allowed if their transformers are concealed from normal view.
(a) Detached non-premise signs. Detached non-premise private signs are prohibited in this district. This provision does not apply to:
(1) sponsorship messages on canopy fascia signs, cultural institution digital signs, and freestanding identification signs; or
(2) non-premise messages allowed on construction barricade signs.
(b) Detached premise signs.
(1) This subsection applies to all detached premise signs except building identification signs, cultural institution identification signs, cultural institution identification signs, cultural institution digital signs, freestanding identification signs, construction barricade signs, and integrated signs within Subdistrict A, Subdistrict B, and Subdistrict C. For the regulations governing building identification signs, see Section 51A-7.1209. For the regulations governing cultural institution identification signs, see Section 51A-7.1210. For the regulations governing cultural institution digital signs, see Section 51A-7.1212. For the regulations governing freestanding identification signs, see Section 51A-7.1213. For the regulations governing construction barricade signs, see Section 51A-7.1214. For the regulations governing integrated signs within Subdistrict A, see Section 51A-7.1214.1. For the regulations governing integrated signs within Subdistrict B, see Section 51A-7.1214.2. For the regulations governing integrated signs within Subdistrict C, see Section 51A-7.1214.3.
(2) No detached premise sign may exceed 20 square feet in effective area.
(3) Each premise may have no more than one sign on each blockface.
(4) The pole support element of these signs must be a cylindrical metal column that is six inches in diameter and white in color.
(5) No sign may exceed 13 feet 6 inches in height.
(6) The face of these signs must be flat. Vacuum-formed sign faces are prohibited.
(7) No sign may move or rotate.
(8) No sign may be more than 12 inches thick.
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