(a) Balloons and wind devices. All balloons, banners, flags, inflatable objects, pennants, streamers, and wind devices are considered to be signs and may not be used except as specifically allowed in this section.
(b) Changeable messages.
(1) A changeable message may not change more than every eight seconds.
(2) Only one sign with a changeable message is allowed per premise.
(3) The changeable message portion of any sign is limited to an effective area of 50 square feet.
(c) Fences. Except for special purpose signs, signs may not be attached to fences.
(d) Historic overlay districts. Within a historic overlay district, the landmark commission has the sole authority to determine every aspect of a sign, other than construction and maintenance standards, including effective area, height, location, number, size, and type, and to issue a certificate of appropriateness for that sign.
(e) Lighting.
(1) Except as otherwise provided in this division, signs may be illuminated by internal (back) lighting or indirect lighting.
(2) The use of neon or single incandescent bulbs is allowed.
(3) A light source external to a sign may illuminate a sign if the light does not cross into a public right-of-way, a residential zoning district line, or the property line of a residential use.
(4) Light used to illuminate a sign may not turn on or off, or change its brightness, more than twice a day.
(f) Message limitation. All signs must be district identification signs, district promotional message signs, premise signs, or convey a noncommercial message.
(g) Other applicable law.
(1) All signs erected or maintained pursuant to the provisions of this division must be erected and maintained in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and with the building code, electrical code, and other applicable ordinances of the city. In the event of conflict between this division and other laws, the most restrictive standard applies.
(2) For purposes of applying the Federal and Texas Highway Beautification Acts, this district is considered to be a commercial zoning district. Signs within this district may not be HBA signs.
(3) The provisions of Division 51A-7.200, “Provisions for All Zoning Districts,” applies in this district. If the event of a conflict, this division controls.
(h) Portable signs. Portable signs are prohibited.
(i) Signs over the right-of-way.
(1) Signs may be located in or project over the public right-of-way, including, but not limited to, sidewalks, subject to the licensing and franchise requirements of Chapter XIV of the City Charter, Article VI of Chapter 43 of the Dallas City Code, as amended, the Dallas Building Code, and the requirements of all other applicable laws, codes, ordinances, rules, and regulations.
(2) The traffic engineer shall review the location of any sign located in or overhanging the public right-of-way to ensure that the sign will not pose a traffic hazard or visibility obstruction.
(3) No portion of a sign may be located less than two feet from a vertical plane extending upward from the back of a street curb. (Ord. Nos. 25899; 28424)