9-6B-1: GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

   A.   Overall Requirements: Signs and sign structures shall be designed and constructed to resist wind and seismic forces as specified in this article. All bracing systems shall be designed and constructed to transfer lateral forces to the foundations. For signs on buildings, the dead and lateral loads shall be transmitted through the structural frame of the building to the ground in such manner as not to over stress any of the elements thereof.

   B.   Combination Signs: The individual requirements of roof, projecting, pole and ground signs shall be applied for combination signs incorporating any or all of the requirements specified in sections 9-6B-5, 9-6B-6, 9-6B-7 and 9-6B-9 of this article. (Ord. 2447, 1-22-1968)

9-6B-2: DESIGN:

   A.   Overturning And Dead-Load Moments: The overturning moment produced from lateral forces shall in no case exceed two-thirds (2/3) of the dead-load resisting moment. Uplift due to overturning shall be adequately resisted by proper anchorage to the ground or to the structural frame of the building. The weight of earth superimposed over footings may be used in determining the dead-load resisting moment; such earth shall be carefully placed and thoroughly compacted.

   B.   Wind Loads: For the purpose of design, wind pressure shall be taken upon the gross area of the vertical projection of all signs and sign structures at not less than the following:

Feet Above Ground Level	Pounds Per Square Foot, Minimum
Up to 30 feet	25
Up to 49 feet	30
Up to 99 feet	40
Up to 499 feet	45
Up to 1,199 feet	55
Up to 1,200 feet and over	60

 

The building official may require any sign to be erected above ground level to be engineered by a registered and licensed engineer.

   C.   Stresses:

      1.   The design of wood, concrete, or steel members shall conform to the requirements of the building code, and loads, both vertical and horizontal, shall not be exerted on the soil so as to produce stresses exceeding those herein specified.

      2.   The working stresses of wire rope and its fastenings shall not exceed twenty five percent (25%) of the ultimate strength of the rope or fasteners.

      3.   Working stresses for wind or seismic loads combined with dead-loads may be increased as specified in the building code.

   D.   Supports: The supports for all signs or sign structures shall be placed in or upon private property and shall be securely built, constructed and erected in conformance with the requirements of this article.

   E.   Fastenings: Signs attached to masonry, concrete or steel shall be safely and securely fastened thereto by means of metal anchors, bolts or approved expansion screws of sufficient size and anchorage to support safely the loads applied. All building fastenings must be of galvanized or of noncorrosive materials. (Ord. 2447, 1-22-1968; amd. Ord. 2521, 3-16-1970)

9-6B-3: MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS:

   A.   General Requirements: Materials of construction for signs and sign structures shall be of the quality and grade as specified for buildings in the building code.

   B.   Restrictions On Use Of Combustible Materials:

      1.   All permanent signs and sign structures erected in the C-3 zoned area of the city shall be of noncombustible materials.

      2.   Ground signs may be constructed of any material meeting the requirements of this article, except as provided in subsection B1 of this section.

      3.   Combination signs, roof signs, wall signs, projecting signs and signs on marquees shall be constructed of noncombustible materials, except as provided for nonstructural trim. No combustible materials other than approved plastics shall be used in the construction of electric signs.

   C.   Materials For Nonstructural Trim: Nonstructural trim may be of wood, metal, approved plastics or any combination thereof, except in the C-3 zoned area of the city.

   D.   Use Of Fireproof Separating Retainers On Plastic Sign Face: All plastic sign faces shall have a fireproof separating retainer every two hundred fifty (250) square feet. (Ord. 2447, 1-22-1968; amd. Ord. 3325, 2-13-1984)

9-6B-4: LOCATION RESTRICTIONS:

Signs shall not be located with less than six feet (6') horizontal or twelve feet (12') vertical clearance from overhead electric conductors which are energized in excess of seven hundred fifty (750) volts. (Ord. 2447, 1-22-1968)

9-6B-5: POLE SIGNS:

   A.   All supports of pole signs shall be placed upon private property and pole signs shall have at least a ten foot (10') vertical clearance wherever they project over public property.

   B.   Pole signs may not project over public property more than ten feet (10'), or more than three-fourths (3/4) the distance to the curb line, whichever is less. (Ord. 2447, 1-22-1968)

9-6B-6: GROUND SIGNS:

   A.   Ground signs shall not project over public property or beyond a building line.

   B.   Each ground sign and the immediate surrounding premises shall be maintained by the owner of the sign in a clean, sanitary and inoffensive condition, and kept free and clear of all noxious substances, rubbish and weeds. (Ord. 2447, 1-22-1968)