Sec. 41-89. - Projecting signs.
Sec. 41-90. - Temporary signs.
Sec. 41-92. - Fixed or permanent awnings.
Sec. 41-93. - Restricted changing flashing illuminated signs.
(a)
Height limitation. It shall be unlawful to erect any ground sign whose total height is greater than 30 feet above the level of the street upon which the sign faces, or above the adjoining ground level, if such ground level is above the street level.
(b)
Space between sign and ground and other signs and structures. Ground signs shall have an open space not less than two feet between the base line of such sign and the ground level. This open space may be filled in with a platform or decorative lattice work which does not close off more than one-half of any square foot of such open space. No ground sign shall be nearer than two feet to any other sign or series not exceeding an overall length of 100 feet, buildings, structure or property lot lines. Existing ground signs not complying with the requirements of this section may be maintained; provided, that the sign is safe and secure and in compliance with all the other requirements of this chapter.
(c)
Setback line. No ground sign shall be nearer the street than the building line established by law, or located within the required front or side setbacks as regulated by the provisions of the zoning ordinance of the city, chapter 48 of this Code, with the exception of pole signs and standards commonly used in connection with gasoline service stations, parking lots, used car lots and similar open lots on which there is no principal building erected thereon. The number of such signs and their locations shall be approved by the enforcement officer.
(d)
Existing signs. Ground signs in existence on July 14, 1958, not in compliance with the provisions of this section, may be maintained in their present location, condition and use; provided, that they do not create a traffic or other hazard, and also that the required permit for erection shall have been issued. Such existing signs that do not comply with all the provisions of this article shall not be repaired if the cost of repair exceeds 50 percent of its estimated present value.
(e)
Obstruction to traffic. All ground signs shall conform to the provisions of section 41-9
(f)
Supports, bracing and anchorage.
(1)
All ground signs shall be securely built, constructed and erected upon posts and standards sunk at least three feet below the natural surface of the ground, and shall be supported and braced by timbers, or metal rods in the rear thereof, extending from the top thereof to a point in the ground at least a distance equal to one-half the height of such sign, measured along the ground, from the posts or standards upon which the same is erected, or a complete framework of equal strength and equally wind resistant.
(2)
Ground signs may also be constructed and erected, meeting the design requirements for cantilever supports, consisting of steel, wood, pole or timber uprights supporting the sign, properly spaced and extending into the ground to give adequate overturning resistance for the particular height, soil condition and wind pressure involved.
(3)
All posts, anchors and bracing of wood shall be treated to protect them from moisture by creosoting or other approved methods when they rest upon or enter into the ground.
(4)
The supports and bracing of all ground signs located in fire district number 1 shall be of incombustible material.
(g)
Wind pressure and dead load requirements. All ground signs shall conform to the requirements of section 41-7
(h)
Premises to be kept free of weeds, etc. All ground signs and the premises surrounding the same shall be maintained by the owner thereof in a clean, sanitary and inoffensive condition, and free and clear of all obnoxious substances, rubbish and weeds.
(Code 1968, § 42-24; Ord. No. 92-053(sub 1), § 29(f), 7-2-92)
(a)
Limitation on placement and area. No wall sign shall cover wholly or partially any wall opening, nor project beyond the ends or top of the wall to which it is attached, and any one wall sign shall not exceed an area of 500 square feet. No wall sign shall be erected, relocated or maintained so as to prevent free ingress or egress from any door, window or fire escape.
(b)
Projection over public property and setback line. Wall signs which are less than eight feet, six inches above a sidewalk, alley, walk or other public thoroughfare shall project not more than three inches over public property, alley line or setback line; above that level, a wall sign shall project no more than 15 inches over public property or over a required front or side setback line.
(c)
Supports and attachments. All wall signs shall be safely and securely attached to the building wall by means of metal anchors, bolts or expansion screws of not less than three-eighths inch in diameter embedded in such wall at least four inches; provided, however, that such signs may rest in, or be bolted to, strong, heavy metal brackets or saddles set not over six feet apart, each of which shall be securely fixed to the wall as provided by this chapter. In no case shall any wall sign be secured with wire, strips of wood or nails.
(Code 1968, § 42-25; Ord. No. 92-053(sub 1), § 29(g), (h), 7-2-92)
(a)
Maximum height. Solid roof signs in which the projected area exposed to wind consists of 70 percent or more of the gross area of the sign shall not be erected to a height greater than 50 feet above fireproof and noncombustible buildings, nor more than 25 feet above the roof of nonfireproof buildings. Open roof signs in which the projected exposed area is derived from open letters, figures, strips and structural framing members, the aggregate total area of which is less than 70 percent of the gross area of the sign shall not exceed 100 feet above the roof of buildings of fireproof and noncombustible construction, nor more than 50 feet above the roof of buildings of nonfireproof construction.
(b)
Setback from roof edge. No roof sign shall be erected or maintained with the face thereof nearer than five feet to the outside wall toward which the sign faces. Existing roof signs not complying with the requirements of this section may be maintained; provided, that the sign is safe and secure and in compliance with all the other provisions of this chapter.
(c)
Space between sign and roof. No roof sign shall be erected on a flat roof with the bottom edge less than six feet from the roof level, and no other roof sign shall be erected with the bottom edge less than four feet above the roof level. Existing roof signs not complying with the requirements of this section may be maintained; provided, that the sign is safe and secure and in compliance with all the other provisions of this chapter.
(d)
Prohibited obstructions. No roof sign shall be placed on the roof of any building or structure in such manner as to prevent free passage from one part of such roof to any other part thereof or interfere with openings in the roof and shall comply with section 41-8
(e)
Bracing, anchorage and supports. Every roof sign shall be thoroughly secured to the building by iron or other metal anchors, bolts, supports, rods or braces. When erected upon buildings which are not constructed entirely of fireproof material, the bearing plates of such sign shall bear directly upon masonry walls and intermediate steel columns in the building. No roof sign shall be supported or anchored to the wooden framework of a building. Complete structural plans and details shall be submitted for all roof signs showing the construction of the sign and of the building on which the sign is to be placed.
(f)
Wind pressure and dead load requirements. All roof signs shall conform to the requirements of section 41-7
(Code 1968, § 42-26; Ord. No. 92-053(sub 1), § 29(i), 7-2-92)
Sec. 41-89. - Projecting signs.
(a)
Illumination. When reflectors are used for the illumination of projecting signs such reflectors shall be so located as to concentrate the illumination upon the area of the sign, preventing glare upon the street or on adjacent properties. No floodlights or spotlights shall be permitted on projecting signs.
(b)
Limitation of glass. The lettering or advertising designs to be illuminated may be composed of glass or other transparent or semitransparent incombustible material. Any glass forming a part of any sign shall be safety glass or plate glass at least one-quarter inch thick and in case any single piece or pane of glass has an area exceeding three square feet it shall be wired glass. One section, not exceeding three square feet in area, constructed of wired glass or safety glass shall be permitted on each side of a sign.
(c)
Movable parts to be secured. Any movable part of a projecting sign such as the cover of a service opening shall be securely fastened by chains or hinges.
(d)
Area and thickness limitations. Horizontal projecting signs shall not exceed 75 square feet in area for any one face of the sign. Vertical projecting signs shall not exceed 150 square feet in area for any one face of the sign. The thickness of projecting signs, exclusive of structural attachments, shall not exceed 18 inches, measured between the principal faces of the sign.
(e)
Location. No projecting sign shall at the lowest point be less than ten feet above the sidewalk or ground level, and if erected over public driveways, alleys and thoroughfares, it shall be placed not less than 15 feet above the level of same. Projecting signs over public property shall not project more than six feet beyond the true building line. There shall not be more than one projecting sign for each 20 feet of street frontage of any building, but buildings having less than 20 feet of frontage may have one sign, and there shall not be less than ten feet between any two signs erected upon the same building. The minimum clearance of a sign from public utility connections carrying not over 600 volts shall be 24 inches, and 36 inches for conductors carrying more than 600 volts. Existing projecting signs not complying with the requirements of this section may be maintained; provided, that the sign is safe and secure and in compliance with all the other provisions of this chapter.
(f)
Obstructions and traffic hazards. Every projecting sign shall be erected in full compliance with sections 41-8 and 41-9
(g)
Bracing, anchorage and supports. All projecting signs shall be supported by strong steel brackets, structural shapes, chains, wire rope or steel guy rods attached to masonry walls with through bolts, expansion bolts or other equally secure methods, and shall be braced and held firmly in place with soft iron or steel cables of adequate strength. Rigid upright lifts and adequate fastenings at the point of suspension shall be provided for all horizontal projecting swinging signs. Lateral support for projecting signs shall be spaced not more than eight feet apart. No projecting signs exceeding 12 square feet in area or 50 pounds in weight shall be attached to or supported by a frame building or the wooden framework of a building, nor shall any projecting sign be secured with wire, strips of wood or nails. No part of a projecting sign shall be supported from or attached to an unbraced parapet wall, nor shall any projecting sign be hung or secured to any other sign. Every application for a permit to erect a projecting sign shall be accompanied with such drawings and data as the enforcement officer may require to verify the safety of the proposed construction and compliance with this chapter.
(h)
Wind pressure and dead load requirements. All projecting signs shall conform to the requirements of section 41-7
(Code 1968, § 42-27; Ord. No. 92-053(sub 1), § 29(j), 7-2-92)
Sec. 41-90. - Temporary signs.
(a)
Materials and area limitations. No temporary sign of combustible material shall exceed eight feet in one of its dimensions or 100 square feet in area; provided, that such signs in excess of 60 square feet shall be made of rigid materials, that is, of wallboard or other light materials with frames.
(b)
Location. No temporary sign shall extend over or into any street, alley, sidewalk or other public thoroughfare a distance greater than three inches from the wall upon which it is erected, and shall not be placed or project over any wall opening. No such temporary sign shall be erected as a roof sign, and not more than one such temporary sign shall be erected by an occupant on any street frontage for each story occupied by such occupant.
(c)
Obstruction to doors, windows and fire escapes. No temporary sign shall be erected so as to prevent free ingress to or egress from any door, window or fire escape, nor shall such sign be attached to any standpipe or fire escape.
(d)
Anchorage and support. Every temporary sign shall be attached to the wall with wire or steel cables, and no strings, ropes or wood slats for anchorage or support purposes shall be permitted. Each such temporary sign shall be repaired or removed whenever it is torn or damaged.
(e)
Duration of permit. Permits for temporary signs shall authorize the erection of such signs and their maintenance for a period not exceeding 30 days.
(f)
Advertising permitted. The advertisement contained on any temporary sign shall pertain only to the business, industry or pursuit conducted on or within the premises on which such sign is erected or maintained. This provision shall not apply to signs of a civic, political or religious nature.
(Code 1968, § 42-28)
(a)
Drainage. The roofs of all marquees shall be properly guttered and connected by downspouts to a sewer so that the water therefrom will not drip or flow onto public property.
(b)
Roofs. The roofs of all marquees shall be used for no other purpose than to form and constitute a roof, and its top deck shall be at least one-eighth inch steel plate or other incombustible material of equal strength.
(c)
Wind pressure and dead load requirements. The design of all marquees shall conform to the requirements of section 41-7
(d)
Drawings required. Every application for a permit to erect a marquee shall be accompanied with such drawings and data as the commissioner of licenses and inspections may require to verify the safety of the proposed construction and compliance with this chapter.
(e)
Signs attached to marquees. Signs attached to or hung from a marquee shall be completely within the borderline of the marquee outer edge, and shall in no instance be lower than ten feet above the sidewalk or public thoroughfare. No sign or advertising material shall exceed five feet in height from the bottom edge of the marquee. No advertising material shall be placed upon the roof of any marquee.
(f)
Illumination required. Every marquee projecting over public property shall be illuminated by at least 16 candle power of illumination for each 50 square feet or fraction thereof of area.
(g)
Location and size. No portion of a marquee shall be less than ten feet above the level of the sidewalk or other public thoroughfare. A marquee may extend beyond the building line of the street and across the sidewalk to within one foot of the curb line. No marquee shall exceed 25 feet in length along the direction of the street wall. There shall be a clear distance of at least five feet between any two marquees on the same building, unless the building is of fireproof or non- combustible-protected construction, as provided in the building code of the city, and the roof construction of the marquee is properly designed to sustain a live load of 75 pounds per square foot. No marquee shall extend nearer than 30 inches to party lot lines.
(Code 1968, § 42-29; Ord. No. 92-053(sub 1), § 29(k), 7-2-92)
Sec. 41-92. - Fixed or permanent awnings.
No fixed or permanent awning projecting over public property shall be erected above the lowest story of any building. The maximum projection of any fixed or permanent awning beyond the street line shall not exceed six feet to its extreme outer edge, and there shall be not less than eight feet six inches in the clear between any point of such awning and the sidewalk, walk or ground surface directly below. No part of any such awning shall be erected whose height at the wall facing would affect and obstruct firefighting facilities and rescue through windows above the awning.
(Code 1968, § 42-30; Ord. No. 92-053(sub 1), § 29(l), 7-2-92)
Sec. 41-93. - Restricted changing flashing illuminated signs.
Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, it shall be unlawful to erect, display or use any changing, flashing illuminated signs in any residential zoning districts within the city, except those giving public works and/or DelDot information such as street closings and detour routes.
(Ord. No. 03-087(sub 1), § 1, 12-11-03)