a. Permit required. It shall be unlawful to install, place, affix or attach a banner on any property within the jurisdiction of the department without first obtaining a permit from the commissioner.
b. Permit conditions. The commissioner may issue permits for the display of banners promoting cultural exhibits and events or public or historical events which foster tourism or enhance the image of the city. The commissioner may issue permits to business improvement districts, local development corporations or other organizations that have received commercial revitalization program funds from the department of small business services, otherwise known as CRP fund recipients, within the past year for the display of banners within the areas of the business improvement district, local development corporation or CRP fund recipient that are designed to provide information about such areas to the general public.
c. Advertising prohibited. Banners shall contain no advertisements. The trade name or logo of the sponsor of the event may be placed on the banner but shall occupy no more than ten percent of the banner in total. It shall be unlawful to install, place, affix or attach a banner on any property within the jurisdiction of the department which contains a sponsor trade name or logo without the specific prior authorization of the commissioner.
d. Obstruction of egress prohibited. No part of any banner shall be located beneath a fire escape or so located as to obstruct operation of fire escape drop ladders or counterbalanced stairs or so as to obstruct any exit from a building.
e. Rules. The commissioner may, except as otherwise provided by law, promulgate rules pertaining to banner permit conditions, permit fees, permit transferability and permit revocation, and for the design, installation, inspection, maintenance, and removal of banners on any property within the jurisdiction of the department as the commissioner may deem necessary for the safety and convenience of the public.
f. Corrective action request. If the commissioner finds that any person has violated subdivision c of this section or any rules promulgated pursuant thereto for the first time, the commissioner shall notify such person of such violation and request that action be taken to correct such violation in such a manner within 30 days and shall afford such person an opportunity to contest the commissioner's finding in a manner set forth in the rules of the department. The commissioner may assess a fee for the administrative expense and the expense of additional inspections which the department may incur as a result of such violation.
(L.L. 2021/080, 7/18/2021, eff. 11/15/2021)
Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 2021/080.