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(a) In general.
(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the regulations in Sections 51A-7.1601 through 51A-7.1607 apply to the Market Center Sign Subdistrict. If there is a conflict between this section and Sections 51A-7.1601 through 51A-7.1607, this section controls.
(2) Permit applications are reviewed using the director procedure in Section 51A-7.505.
(3) Signs may be located within the right-of-way subject to the licensing requirements of Chapter XIV of the City Charter, Article VI of Chapter 43 of the Dallas City Code, the Dallas Building Code, and all other applicable laws, codes, ordinances, rules, and regulation.
(b) Special provisions for attached signs.
(1) Except district identification, roof, supergraphic, and videoboard signs, all attached signs must be premise signs.
(2) Attached signs may cover up to 50 percent of a building’s total facade area.
(3) Attached signs may not cover doors or windows.
(c) Special provisions for detached signs.
(1) Except detached movement control signs, district identification, and kiosk signs, all detached signs must be monument premise signs.
(2) Detached signs may be located on a premise with attached signs.
(3) A detached movement control sign is not a monument sign.
(d) District identification signs.
(1) A maximum of five district identification signs are permitted.
(2) Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, district identification signs may only be located over and span across the rights-of-way at the following locations:
(A) Marilla Street and Pearl Street;
(B) Taylor Street and Cesar Chavez Boulevard;
(C) Taylor Street and Harwood Street; and
(D) Cesar Chavez Boulevard and Farmers Way.
(3) Minimum clearance for a district identification sign located over and spanning across a right-of-way must be determined by the director of the department of transportation before a district identification sign permit may be issued.
(4) A district identification sign that is located over and spanning across a right-of-way may not resemble or obstruct any traffic control devices.
(5) One district identification sign may be located on top of a building at the southeast corner of Farmers Way and Pearl Street. Maximum height of the district identification sign on top of a building at the southeast corner of Farmers Way and Pearl Street is 30 feet.
(6) Maximum effective area of a district identification sign is 1,000 square feet.
(7) A district identification sign may not be located in or visually obstruct a visibility triangle as defined in the visual obstructions regulations in Section 51A-4.602(d).
(e) Kiosks.
(1) A maximum of 10 kiosks are permitted.
(2) Except city kiosks, kiosks may not be located in the rights-of-way.
(3) Kiosks must be spaced at least 50 feet from another kiosk.
(4) Kiosks may not be illuminated by a detached independent external light source.
(5) Kiosks may not exceed 10 feet in height and 100 square feet in effective area.
(f) Monument signs.
(1) A maximum of five monument signs are permitted.
(2) Maximum effective area of a monument sign is 50 square feet.
(3) Maximum height of a monument sign is 15 feet.
(4) No monument sign may be closer than 200 feet from another monument sign on the same premise.
(g) Roof signs.
(1) A maximum of two roof signs are permitted.
(2) A roof sign may not be located on the same building as another roof sign.
(3) A roof sign may not exceed 1,200 square feet in effective area.
(4) At least 15 percent of the effective area of a roof sign must identify the Farmers Market.
(5) A roof sign must comply with the Dallas Fire Code and must be approved by the fire marshal before a sign permit may be approved by the director.
(h) Supergraphic signs.
(1) In general.
(A) Two supergraphic signs are permitted in addition to the number of supergraphic signs permitted in Section 51A-7.930.
(B) Supergraphic signs may be located on the facade of any building.
(2) Visual display and coverage.
(A) Except as provided in this subparagraph, a supergraphic sign must have one large visual display with a minimum of 80 percent non-textual graphic content (no more than 20 percent text).
(i) Multiple displays giving an appearance of multiple signs are prohibited.
(ii) The effective area of text is the sum of the areas within minimum imaginary rectangles of vertical and horizontal lines, each of which fully contains a word.
(B) Supergraphic signs are intended to be creative and artful and not strictly a representation of an advertised product. It is the intent of this provision to:
(i) encourage the use of illustrative images or other non-repetitive design elements;
(ii) encourage visually interesting, vibrant, and colorful designs;
(iii) discourage use of solid colors or repetitive design elements; and
(iv) discourage an image of a single product or product logo without other graphic elements.
(C) Supergraphic signs may be internally or externally illuminated. If internally illuminated, a supergraphic sign may consist of translucent materials, but not transparent materials.
(3) Extensions.
(A) Except as otherwise provided in Subparagraph (B), a supergraphic sign may not extend beyond the edge of the face of the building to which it is attached.
(B) A supergraphic sign may wrap around the edge of a building if:
(i) both building facades to which the supergraphic sign is attached are otherwise eligible facades; and
(ii) the supergraphic sign is one continuous image.
(4) Message duration. A supergraphic sign location may not display the same message for more than four consecutive months in any 12-month period.
(5) Hardware fasteners. All hardware fasteners for a supergraphic sign must comply with the Dallas Building Code and all other ordinances, rules, and regulations of the City of Dallas.
(6) HBA signs prohibited. No supergraphic sign may be a Highway Beautification Act (HBA) sign as defined in Section 51A-7.102.
(i) Videoboard signs.
(1) In general.
(A) A maximum of two videoboard signs are permitted.
(B) Videoboard signs must have a vertical orientation with height exceeding the width at a minimum 16:9 height-to-width ratio.
(C) Videoboard signs may project a maximum of 12 feet into the right-of-way:
(i) subject to review by the traffic engineer to ensure that the sign will not pose a traffic hazard or visibility obstruction; and
(ii) provided that no videoboard sign may be project closer than two feet to a vertical plane extending through the back of a street curb.
(D) Videoboard signs must have a minimum clearance of 15 feet above the sidewalk and a maximum clearance of 35 feet above the sidewalk.
(E) Videoboard signs must have videoboard displays on both sides of the sign.
(F) Videoboard signs may have a maximum 150 square feet in effective area.
(2) Display.
(A) All videoboard signs must:
(i) contain a default mechanism that freezes the image in one position in case of a malfunction;
(ii) automatically adjust the sign brightness based on natural ambient light conditions in compliance with the following formula:
(aa) the ambient light level measured in luxes, divided by 256 and then rounded down to the nearest whole number, equals the dimming level; then,
(bb) the dimming level, multiplied by .0039 equals the brightness level; then,
(cc) 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 light in luxes
÷ 256
128 = dimming level
x 0039
. 4992 = brightness level
x 9000 = (maximum brightness of the example sign)
4492.8 = allowed brightness in nits;
(dd) be turned off between 1:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. Monday through Friday and 2:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday; and
(ee) not display light of such intensity or brilliance to cause glare, impair the vision of an ordinary driver, or constitute a nuisance.
(B) Videoboard signs must:
(i) have a full color display able to display a minimum of 281 trillion color shades; and
(ii) be able to display a high quality image with a minimum resolution equivalent to the following table:
Videoboard Sign Resolution Chart
| |
100 s/f to 125 s/f | 16 mm |
Greater than 126 s/f | 19 mm |
(3) Light intensity. Before the issuance of a videoboard sign permit, the applicant shall provide written certification from the sign manufacturer that the light intensity:
(A) has been factory programmed to comply with the maximum brightness and dimming standards in Provision (j)(2)(A)(ii)(cc); and
(B) is protected from end-user manipulation by password-protected software, or other method satisfactory to the building official.
(4) Change of message. Except as provided in this paragraph, changes of message must comply with the following:
(A) Each message must be displayed for a minimum of eight seconds.
(B) Changes of message must be accomplished within two seconds.
(C) Changes of message must occur simultaneously on the entire sign face.
(D) No flashing, dimming, or brightening of message is permitted except to accommodate changes of message.
(5) Streaming information. If a special events permit has been issued for subdistrict activities, streaming video and audio is permitted, except that ticker tape streaming is permitted at all times when the videoboard sign is operating. Ticker tape streaming must be located within the bottom 10 percent of the effective area.
(6) Malfunction. Videoboard sign operators must respond to a malfunction or safety issue within one hour after notification.
(j) Detached movement control signs in the Market Center Sign Subdistrict.
(1) A maximum of five detached movement control signs may be erected in this subdistrict.
(2) No minimum distance is required between a detached movement control sign and any other sign in this subdistrict.
(3) Maximum effective area is 24 square feet on each sign face.
(4) Each face of a detached movement control sign may have a maximum of six panels and a minimum of three panels.
(5) Maximum height is eight feet. Maximum width is three and a half feet.
(6) No maximum letter size.
(7) Maximum number of words on a panel is five.
(8) A detached movement control sign may identify businesses and uses within this subdistrict and may include district identification.
(9) Minimum clearance for pedestrian access on the sidewalk must be determined by the director before a detached movement control sign permit may be issued. (Ord. Nos. 29233; 29557; 30802)
(a) A special provision sign district is hereby created to be known as the Victory Sign District.
(b) Any portion of this district that 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 within this district.
(c) This district is that area of the city within the boundaries described in Exhibit A attached to Ordinance No. 30043, passed by the Dallas City Council on March 23, 2016. (Ord. Nos. 24348; 25918; 30043)
(a) This district is hereby divided into four subdistricts: Subdistricts A, B, C, and D. Subdistrict B has three subareas, B-1, B-2, and B-3. Subdistrict C has two tracts and one subarea, C-1. Subdistrict D has two subareas, D-1 and D-2.
(a) The purpose of these sign regulations is to encourage and regulate the erection and display of signs that will create a unique, lively, and commercially-active environment that is bright and safe, and that incorporates diverse, state-of-the-art graphic technologies.
(b) These sign regulations have been developed to achieve the following objectives in this district:
(1) To create an atmosphere of vitality appropriate for a place where thousands of citizens gather for entertainment and celebration.
(2) To encourage the use of signs that are innovative, colorful, and entertaining, and that bring a distinctive character to this district.
(3) To identify and promote special events and cultural activities that will occur in this district.
(4) To encourage signs with a style, orientation, and location that take into consideration the high number of pedestrians expected within this district.
(5) To communicate clear directions to and through this district.
(6) To promote the economic success of businesses in this district. (Ord. Nos. 24348; 25918)
(a) In this division:
(1) ADVERTISE means to attract, or to attempt to attract, the attention of any person to any business, accommodations, goods, services, property, or commercial activity.
(2) ATTACHED SIGN means any sign attached to, applied on, or supported by, any part of a building (such as a wall, parapet, roof, window, canopy, awning, arcade, or marquee) that encloses or covers usable space, and any sign attached to, applied on, or supported by, mounted antennas, water reservoirs on buildings, chimneys, and visual screens that surround roof-mounted equipment. For the following signs, the term attached sign also means any sign attached to, applied on, or supported by the exterior structural framing of a building or architectural elements of a building, whether or not the exterior structural framing or architectural elements enclose or cover usable space:
(A) Signs on buildings adjacent to an entertainment complex plaza.
(B) A hotel spectacular sign as described in Section 51A-7.1727(d).
(3) AWNING SIGN means a sign that is attached to or applied or painted on an awning.
(4) BANNER means a sign attached to or applied on a strip of cloth, vinyl, or similar material and attached to a building or structure. Canopy signs and flags are not banners.
(5) BLOCK means an area bounded by streets on all sides.
(6) BLOCKFACE means all of the premises on one side of a block.
(7) BUILDING means a structure that has a roof supported by columns, walls or air for the shelter, support, or enclosure of persons, animals or chattel.
(8) CANOPY SIGN means a sign attached to, applied on, or supported by a canopy.
(9) CHANGEABLE MESSAGE SIGN means a sign displaying static or moving images (similar to television images) that may display different designs, messages, or advertisements and that may include LED/LCD elements, slide lettering, slated rotating surfaces, or other changeable message technology.
(10) CHARACTER means any letter of the alphabet or numeral.
(11) CITY means the city of Dallas, Texas.
(12) COMMERCIAL MESSAGE means a message placed or caused to be placed before the public by a person or business enterprise directly involved in the manufacture or sale of the products, property, accommodations, services, attractions, or activities or possible substitutes for those things which are the subject of the message and that:
(A) refers to the offer for sale or existence for sale of products, property, accommodations, services, attractions, or activities; or
(B) attracts attention to a business or to products, property, accommodations, services, attractions, or activities that are offered or exist for sale or for hire.
(13) COMMISSION means the city plan commission of the city of Dallas.
(14) DETACHED SIGN means any sign connected to the ground that is not an attached, portable, or vehicular sign.
(15) DIRECTOR means the director of planning and development of the city or that director’s designated representative.
(16) DISTRICT ACTIVITIES means: (A) the name, trade name, or logo of the owner or occupant of any premise within this district; (B) the identification of any premise within this district; (C) any accommodations, services, or activities offered or conducted, other than incidentally, on any premise within this district; (D) products sold, other than incidentally, on any premise within this district; and (E) the sale, lease, or construction of any premise within this district.
(17) EFFECTIVE AREA means the following:
(A) For marquee and other changeable message signs and detached signs other than monument signs, the area within a minimum imaginary rectangle of vertical and horizontal lines that fully contains all extremities of the sign, excluding its supports, mast, and finial that does not include patterns, characters, logos, or illustrations. The rectangle is calculated from an orthographic projection of the sign viewed horizontally. The viewpoint for this projection that produces the largest rectangle must be used. If elements of the sign are moveable or flexible, such as a flag or a string of lights, the measurement is taken when the elements are fully extended and parallel to the plane of view. If an attached sign moves or rotates, the sign's effective area shall be measured when the sign is stationary and shall not be based on the entire area within which the sign moves or rotates.
(B) For monument signs and attached signs other than marquee and other changeable message signs, the sum of the areas within minimum imaginary rectangles of vertical and horizontal lines, each of which fully contains a word, excluding a mast and finial that does not include patterns, characters, logos, or illustrations. If a design, outline, illustration, or interior illumination surrounds or attracts attention to a word, then it is included in the calculation of the effective area. An awning or canopy is not included in the calculation of the effective area.
(17.1) ENHANCED BANNER SIGN means a district identification sign consisting of a pole displaying banners and elements that display the name or logo of the district.
(18) ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX means a public, multi-use sports, entertainment, and convention facility with a seating capacity of at least 15,000, where people view and participate in events and performances, including, but not limited to, theatrical, musical and dramatic performances, professional or amateur sporting events, and meetings and assemblages.
(19) ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX PLAZA means any outdoor area (whether publicly or privately owned) that is accessible to the public, and that is: (A) at least 10,000 square feet in size; (B) adjacent to an entertainment complex; or (C) within 300 feet of, and has direct pedestrian access to, an entertainment complex. Direct pedestrian access includes, but is not limited to, access across public or private streets.
(20) ERECT means to build, attach, hang, place, suspend, fasten, affix, maintain, paint, draw, or otherwise construct.
(21) EXPRESSWAY means Interstate Highway 35E and Woodall Rodgers Freeway.
(22) EXPRESSWAY-FACING FACADE means a facade that is parallel to or within 45° of the travel lanes of an expressway.
(23) FACADE means any separate face of a building, including parapet walls and omitted wall lines, or any part of a building which encloses or covers usable space, chimneys, roof-mounted equipment, mounted antennas, or water towers. Where separate faces are oriented in the same direction or in directions within 45° of one another, they are to be considered as part of a single facade. A roof is not a facade or part of a facade. Multiple buildings on the same lot will each be deemed to have separate facades. For purposes of these sign regulations, each 250 linear feet, or fraction thereof, of an expressway-facing facade in Subdistrict C is deemed to be a separate facade. For signs located on buildings adjacent to an entertainment complex plaza and the hotel spectacular sign, as described in Section 51A-7.1727(d), the term facade includes the exterior structural framing of a building or architectural elements of the building, whether or not the exterior structural framing or architectural element encloses or covers usable space.
(23.1) FINIAL means a single stationary ornamental element above a sign that may include a light.
(24) FLAT ATTACHED SIGN means an attached sign projecting 18 inches or less from a building.
(25) GOVERNMENT SIGN means a flag, insignia, legal notice, informational, directional, traffic, or safe school zone sign which is legally required or necessary to the essential functions of government agencies.
(26) HEIGHT, as applied to a sign, means the vertical distance between the highest part of the sign or its supporting structure, whichever is higher, and a level plane going through the nearest point of the vehicular traffic surface of the adjacent improved public right-of-way, other than an alley. In the event a sign is equidistant from more than one improved public right-of-way, none of which are alleys, the highest point shall be used.
(27) HIGHWAY BEAUTIFICATION ACT (HBA) SIGN means a non-premise sign that is within 660 feet of an expressway right-of-way and whose message is visible from the main traveled way of that expressway.
(28) ILLUMINATED SIGN means any sign that is directly lighted by any electrical light source, internal or external. This definition does not include signs that are illuminated by street lights or other light sources owned by any public agency or light sources that are specifically operated for the purpose of lighting the area in which the sign is located rather than the sign itself.
(29) KIOSK means a multi-sided structure for the display of premise and non-premise signs. Kiosks may be changeable message signs.
(30) LUMINANCE means the brightness of a sign or a portion thereof expressed in terms of footlamberts. For purposes of this division, luminance is determined by the use of an exposure meter calibrated to standards established by the National Bureau of Standards and equipped with a footlambert scale.
(31) MARQUEE SIGN means a changeable message sign attached to, applied on, or supported by a permanent canopy projecting over a pedestrian street entrance of a building.
(31.1) MAST means an upright pole that supports a sign and may extend above the sign.
(32) 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.
(33) MOVEMENT CONTROL SIGN means a sign that directs vehicular and pedestrian movement within this district or to the West End Historic District.
(34) NONCOMMERCIAL MESSAGE means any message that is not a commercial message. News messages such as stock quotes, scores from sporting events, and news bulletins are noncommercial messages.
(35) NON-PREMISE SIGN means any sign that is not a premise sign.
(36) OCCUPANCY means the purpose for which a building is used or intended to be used. The term also includes the building or room housing such use.
(37) ONE SIGN means any number of detached signs structurally connected above grade.
(38) PARAPET SIGN means a projecting attached sign erected on or attached to the eaves or edge of the roof or on a parapet. A parapet sign is not a roof sign.
(38.1) PARKING STRUCTURE SCREENING SIGN means an attached sign located on a parking structure intended to be creative and artful by use of visually interesting, vibrant, and colorful designs with promotional messages limited to the name or logo of the district or athletic team names, players, or logos.
(39) PERMANENT SIGN means any sign that is not a temporary sign as defined in this section or a sign permitted pursuant to Sections 51A-7.1716 through 51A-7.1722 of this division.
(40) PORTABLE SIGN means any sign that is not securely connected to the ground in such a way that it cannot easily be moved from one location to another and that is not an attached sign, vehicular sign, or a sign that refers solely to the sale or lease of the premises.
(41) PREMISE means a lot or unplatted tract that is reflected in the plat books of the building inspection division of the city. Refer to Section 51A-7.1709 of this division.
(42) PREMISE SIGN means any sign the content of which relates to the premise on which it is located and refers exclusively to:
(A) the name, trade name, or logo of the owner or occupant of the premise or the identification of the premises;
(B) accommodations, services, or activities offered or conducted on the premise;
(C) products sold, other than incidentally, on the premise if no more than 70 percent of the sign is devoted to the advertisement of products by brand name or symbol; or
(D) the sale, lease, or construction of the premise.
(43) PROJECTING ATTACHED SIGN means an attached sign projecting 18 or more inches from a building.
(44) PROMOTIONAL MESSAGE means a message that identifies, promotes, or advertises a cultural activity within this district, any event being conducted, in whole or in part, in an entertainment complex or entertainment complex plaza within this district, any special event being conducted in this district, or any other event that will benefit the city. Benefit to the city is established by:
(A) use of city property in accordance with a contract, license, or permit;
(B) the receipt of city monies for the activity or event; or
(C) an ordinance or resolution of the city council that recognizes the activity or event as benefiting the city.
(45) PROTECTIVE SIGN means any sign that is commonly associated with safeguarding the permitted uses of the occupancy, including, but not limited to “bad dog,” “no trespassing,” and “no solicitors.”
(46) PUBLIC AREA means any publicly or privately-owned outdoor area that is accessible to the public.
(47) ROOF SIGN means a sign that is attached to or supported by the roof of a building.
(48) SAFE SCHOOL ZONE SIGN means a government sign:
(A) to be placed in the public right-of-way at the direction of a school district;
(B) indicating a safe school hotline number, or an alcohol-free, gun-free, or drug-free zone for a school; and
(C) erected to give notice of these zones in order to aid in the enforcement of state or federal laws involving violation of certain crimes in proximity of a school.
(49) SETBACK means the distance between a sign and the nearest public right-of-way line. An alley is not considered to be public right-of-way for the purpose of calculating a setback. Where a public way crosses a railroad right-of-way, the setback is measured from the public right-of-way line extended across the railroad right-of-way.
(50) SIGN means any device, flag, light, figure, picture, letter, word, message, symbol, plaque, poster, display, design, painting, drawing, billboard, wind device, or other thing visible from outside the premise on which it is located and that is designed, intended, or used to inform or advertise to persons not on that premise. This definition does not include:
(A) searchlights and landscape features that display no words or symbols;
(B) works of art that are not designed, intended, or used to advertise; or
(C) temporary holiday decorations.
(51) SIGN HARDWARE means the structural support system for a sign, including the fastening devices that secure the sign to a building facade or pole.
(52) SIGN SUPPORT means any pole, post, strut, cable, or other structural fixture or framework necessary to hold and secure a sign, providing that the fixture or framework is not imprinted with any picture, symbol, or word using characters in excess of one inch in height, nor is internally or decoratively illuminated.
(53) SPECIAL EVENT means a temporary event or gathering, including a special event parade, using either private or public property, in which the estimated number of participants and spectators exceeds 75 during any day of the event and that involves one or more of the following activities, except when the activity is for construction or housemoving purposes only:
(A) Closing of a public street.
(B) Blocking or restriction of public property.
(C) Sale of merchandise, food, or beverages on public or private property.
(D) Erection of a tent on public or private property.
(E) Installation of a stage, bandshell, trailer, van, portable building, grandstand, or bleachers on public or private property.
(F) Placement of portable toilets on public or private property.
(54) SPECIAL EVENT PARADE means the assembly of three or more persons whose gathering is for the common design of traveling or marching in procession from one location to any other location for the purpose of advertising, promoting, celebrating, or commemorating a thing, person, date, or event that is not directly related to the expression of feelings and beliefs on current political, religious, or social issues.
(55) SPECIAL PURPOSE SIGN means a sign temporarily supplementing the permanent signs on a premise.
(56) TEMPORARY SIGN means a sign erected for a limited time that identifies an event or activity of limited duration. Examples include signs advertising the sale or lease of property, construction activity in progress, or a concert or other cultural event.
(57) THIS DISTRICT means the Victory Sign District.
(58) VEHICULAR SIGN means any sign on a vehicle moving along the ground or on any vehicle parked temporarily, incidental to its principal use for transportation. This definition does not include signs that are being transported to a site of permanent erection.
(60) WELCOME MESSAGE means a message that identifies and greets heads of state; foreign dignitaries; groups using city property in accordance with a contract, license, or permit; or government organizations.
(60.1) WINDOW SIGN means a sign painted or affixed to a window.
(61) WIND DEVICE means any flag, banner, pennant, streamer, or similar device that moves freely in the wind.
(62) WORD: For purposes of this division, each of the following is considered to be one word:
(A) Any word in any language found in any standard unabridged dictionary or dictionary of slang.
(B) Any proper noun or any initial or series of initials.
(C) Any separate character, symbol or abbreviation such as “&”, “$”, “%”, and “Inc.”.
(D) Any telephone number or commonly used combination of numerals and symbols such as “$5.00" or “50%”.
(E) Any internet website, network, or protocol address, domain name, or universal record locator.
(F) Any symbol or logo that is a registered trademark but which itself contains no word or character.
A street number is not considered to be a word. (Ord. Nos. 24348; 25047; 25918; 30043)
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