(a) Generally. Signs as regulated by this article shall include any announcement, declaration, demonstration, display, illustration or insignia used to advertise or promote the interests of any person when the same is placed in view of the general public.
(b) Exemptions. The provisions and regulations of this article shall not apply to the following:
(1) Any sign placed on the inside of a building.
(2) Any sign painted or lettered directly on the wall or on the surface of any window or door of a building or other structure.
(3) Name plates or professional signs not over one square foot in area attached directly to the wall of a building or other structure.
(4) Traffic signs or other Municipal signs, danger signs, railroad crossing signs, legal notices and trespassing signs.
(5) Emergency nonadvertising signs as may be approved by the Mayor.
(6) Bulletin boards not over eight square feet in area for public, charitable or religious institutions when such bulletin boards are located on the premises of such institutions.
(7) Nonilluminated real estate signs not exceeding eight square feet in area advertising the sale, rental or lease of the premises on which they are maintained; provided that there shall be not more than one such sign for any street frontage and such sign shall not project beyond the property line.
(8) Signs which are imbedded or set into a building or which are so constructed and erected as to become a part of the building; provided that such signs bear only such information as the name of the owner or of the building and the nature of the business.
(9) Tablets constructed of bronze, brass, stone or other incombustible materials when built into or attached to the walls of a building or other structure; provided that such tablets bear only the name of the owner, the name or use of the building, the date of erection of the building or reading matter commemorating a person or event.
(10) Signs not in excess of fifteen square feet in area announcing the names of the architect, engineer and contractors of a building under construction, alteration or repair; and signs not in excess of thirty square feet in area announcing the character of the building enterprise or the purpose for which the building is intended; provided, that such signs are painted on fences erected as barriers for the work under construction, on the temporary building, on the construction canopy or on the building under construction; and, provided also, that there shall be not more than one such sign to each street frontage.
(11) Signs used to advertise public demonstrations or to promote civic welfare or charitable enterprises placed on posts, poles, buildings or other structures when such signs are authorized and approved by the Mayor. No signs shall be attached to poles, buildings or other structures by the use of nails, tacks, screws, etc.
(12) Signs of public service companies indicating danger, ownership of property, offices or places where their service is available to the public when such signs are placed flat against the wall of a building or other structure.