Chapter 15.24
SIGNS
Sections:
15.24.020 General structural requirements.
15.24.050 Identification of signs.
15.24.060 Inspection of signs.
15.24.110 Cloth and banner signs.
15.24.130 Poster advertising panels.
15.24.010 Definitions.
For the purpose of this chapter the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
“Banner sign” means all signs produced on cloth, paper, fabric, or other combustible material of any kind, either with or without frames.
“Bulletin board” means a sign structure especially built for the display of characters, lettering, or illustrations produced by the application of pigments or colors to a surface.
“Flat sign” means signs attached to and placed upon the exterior walls or surface of a building, no part of which extends more than twelve (12) inches out from the wall.
“Ground sign” means a signboard, the structure of which is erected upon and supported by the ground.
“Open roof sign” means a structure erected on and supported by the roof of a building, having character, lettering, or illustration of skeleton construction, and having openings in the face thereof amounting to not less than fifty (50) percent of the area.
“Pole sign” means a projecting or flat sign supported and placed upon a single pole or standard.
“Poster advertising panel” means a sign structure especially built for the display of characters, lettering, or illustrations produced on paper sheet applied to the surface of the sign structure, but shall not include bulletin boards erected by an owner on his own premises and for his own use.
“Projecting sign” means a sign so constructed and erected as to be attached at one end to a building, metal pole, or other structure and projecting out therefrom.
“Signs” means display boards, screens, or structures used as such and having characters, letters, or illustrations applied thereto in any manner. Every sign, except those painted or projected by lights upon the necessary structural elements of a building, shall be either a ground, flat, projecting, marquee, cloth, banner, or roof sign. In doubtful cases the joint department of building commissioners shall decide the classification.
“Solid roof sign” means a bulletin board, the structure of which is erected on and supported by the roof of a building and shall include any other roof sign having openings in the face thereof amounting to less than fifty (50) percent of the area.
“Tacked wall sign” means a flat wall sign having no frame, and which is attached to the surface of a building by tacks.
(Prior code § 150.075)
15.24.020 General structural requirements.
A. All signs shall be constructed and erected in a safe and stable manner in accordance with the provisions of this chapter applicable to the construction. Every sign installed within the county or the city of Evansville prior to the passage of the ordinance codified in this chapter which is deemed unsafe by the joint department of building commissioners shall be removed immediately on the order of the department, or shall be put in a safe condition.
B. All signs shall be constructed and erected to withstand a horizontal wind load of thirty (30) pounds per square foot in any direction together with the dead load of the construction. The design of roof signs exceeding twenty-five (25) feet in height above the roof shall be designed for a minimum wind load of ten (10) pounds per square foot on projected area of ends of framework.
1. Wind load on the front and rear of a sign shall be taken as thirty (30) pounds per square foot on the actual exposed area, but the total load assumed as acting on the front and rear faces of a sign shall not be less than that obtained by considering the horizontal projection of the front and rear as a solid surface acted upon by a wind pressure of ten (10) pounds per square foot, the equivalent force considered as acting at two-thirds of the height of the sign above the base. Adequate sway bracing in a horizontal place shall be provided at the foundation and across the framework at intervals to stiffen the sign in all directions.
2. The compression members of frame and bracing systems shall have a l/r ratio not exceeding one hundred fifty (150) pounds. All connections on roof signs and on projecting signs over one hundred forty-four (144) square feet in area shall be made by rivets or tight-fitting smooth bolts in reamed holes, of not less than five-eighths inches diameter. The rivets and bolts may be estimated at ten thousand (10,000) pounds per square inch shear and twenty thousand (20,000) pounds per square inch bearing. The threaded portion of the bolts shall not be placed in shear or bearing. Allowable stresses on structural steel shall be in accordance with the provisions hereinbefore provided. All load and reactions shall be transmitted to structural framework and walls of buildings.
C. Wood posts shall not be used for the construction of pole-supported projecting signs. Turnbuckles, connections, and the like, shall be provided with closed eyelets welded or forged. All connections between cables and turnbuckles, eye bolts, or angles shall be made with cable bent around a standard thimble or proper size, and the cable shall be properly twisted around itself by separate strands.
1. Expansion bolts for the securing of projecting signs shall not be smaller in size than one-half inch by four inches for twelve (12) foot by six foot signs; one-half inch by three inches for ten (10) foot by five foot signs; three-eighths inch by three inches for eight foot by four foot signs, and three-eighths inch by two inches for signs smaller than eight feet by four feet.
2. Where brick work is of poor quality or inadequately bonded, through-bolts shall be used. Crossarms, clamps, and connections on pole signs shall be made of sufficient strength and rigidity to withstand a wind load of thirty (30) pounds per square foot on the face of the sign.
D. All signs for which a permit is required shall be erected in such a manner and with material as to remain safe and secure for a period of at least one year from the date of erection, and all bolts, cables, and other parts of the signs shall be kept painted and free from corrosion by the erector during the time. Any defect due to the fault of the erector during that period shall be repaired at the expense of the erector, but damage done by others shall be repaired by the owner. After expiration of the original maintenance permit, all damage, defects, and corrosion shall be promptly repaired by the owner on notice from the joint department of building commissioners.
E. Projecting signs may extend above the coping of any building, provided that the details of their construction and support shall be approved by the joint department of building commissioners. Projecting signs which are placed wholly or partially over public highways or alleys shall be erected subject to all the provisions of this section. Projecting signs which do not encroach on public property shall be subject to all the provisions of this section except those provisions governing size and extent of projection.
F. No signs of any kind shall be attached to or placed on a building in such a manner as to obstruct any fire escape or any window or door, nor shall any sign be attached in any form, shape, or manner to a fire escape.
G. All electrical work in signs shall be in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and the National Electric Code. In the case of each electric sign manufactured and wired outside the county, but to be installed in the county or the city of Evansville, no permit for the hanging of the sign shall be issued by the joint department of building commissioners until a stamp or seal is attached by an approved inspection agency (UL, P.T.L., or the like).
(Prior code § 150.076)
15.24.030 Permits.
No sign for which a permit is required in this chapter shall be erected or altered unless a permit shall have first been obtained from the joint department of building commissioners for the erection or alteration. Application for sign permits shall be accompanied by any plans, drawings, and specifications as are necessary to fully advise the department of the type, size, shape, location, construction, and materials of the proposed sign and the building or structure on which the sign is to be placed. Permits for the erection of signs shall only be issued to persons licensed and qualified to carry on this work under the provisions of this chapter.
(Prior code § 150.077)
15.24.040 License required.
A. For the purpose of this section the following definition shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
“Class A” or “Class B” includes any person, firm, or corporation engaged in the business of, or holding themselves out to the public as engaged in the business of, installing or repairing, or contracting to install or repair, signs of any type as outlined or classified in Section 15.24.010. The license to engage in the business of erecting signs shall be known as sign erectors license and classified in two categories, Class A and Class B. A Class A license shall be required for all sign erectors, except a Class B license may be issued for and limited to the erection of nonilluminated signs. Applicants for Class A sign erector license shall provide a certificate as described in Section 15.36.030D from a master electrician who shall be responsible for the electrical portions of signs or shall possess a “master” sign erectors license. All persons involved in the electrical portion of the installation of signs shall hold a journeyman sign erector’s license.
B. Every person engaged in the business of erecting or installing signs, other than tacked wall signs, for which permits are required by this chapter, shall be licensed to conduct the operations. No person shall be eligible for a license as provided in this section without first applying to the board of examiners of the building commission for a certificate to engage in business as a Class A or Class B sign erector. The application shall state the experience and qualifications of the applicant for the certificate. Where the applicant is a firm or corporation, a member, officer, or employee of the firm or corporation shall make the application for and on behalf of the firm or corporation. The board of examiners of the building commission shall make an investigation of the applicant’s record and qualifications, and it shall require the applicant to submit a written examination. The applicant shall pay to the building commission the test fee for each test, and the money shall be used to defray the expense of examining the applicant. A person representing a firm or corporation shall qualify for the certificate as above set forth and shall be personally responsible and liable for the acts and conduct of the firm or corporation insofar as the compliance with the terms and requirements of this chapter is concerned.
C. The board of examiners shall issue its certificate to each applicant for either Class A or Class B erection certificate. The applicant shall present the certificate to the building commission and shall pay the fee as contained in Section 15.36.100G and the building commission shall grant to the person a license for the period of one year or the remainder of the calendar year after the date of the issuance of the license subject to requirements of Section 15.36.030. All renewals shall be due January 31st for each succeeding year and if not renewed within thirty (30) days shall be void. The board of examiners upon appeal, may reinstate the certificate without examination.
D. Prior to the issuance of a sign erector license, the person desiring the license shall file with the building commission a good and sufficient bond running to the city in the penal sum of ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) to indemnify, save, and keep harmless the county from any and all costs, damages, or expenses of any kind whatsoever which may be suffered by the county; which the county may be put to, or which may accrue against the county by charging to or recovering from the county from or by reason of the granting of permission to erect signs; by reason of any acts or things done under or by authority or permission granted by the building commission to erect any signs in the county, or by reason of the negligence, failure, or refusal of any person to comply with all the provisions of this chapter applicable to the signs.
E. Holders of a sign erector’s licenses shall notify the building commission of any change in the management or address of the licensee.
F. In case a holder of a sign erector’s license shall fail to comply with any notice of the building commission relative to the improper construction or erection of any sign, the building commissioner shall notify the licensee to appear before him at a stated time and show cause why the license should not be revoked. The notice to appear shall be in writing and shall be delivered by an agent of the building commission to the address shown on the records of the department. After the hearing, the building commissioner may recommend to the mayor that the sign erector’s license be revoked if the building commissioner is not satisfied that the defects complained of will be promptly remedied. The building commissioner may recommend to the mayor that any license be revoked if the licensee does not appear for the hearing or if the licensee cannot be found after diligent search at the address shown on the building commission’s records.
G. The mayor shall have the power to revoke the license of any sign erector who does not comply with the provisions of this chapter, after a hearing is had on the violation.
H. At any time the bond of any sign erector is permitted to lapse his license shall be automatically revoked.
I. Sign companies that wish to operate in the county on a temporary or “one time only” basis may take out a “Temporary Sign Erector License” that will allow them to perform one installation. Temporary sign erectors must contract with a licensed master electrician to perform all final electrical hookups. All installation must be inspected by the building commission before the temporary sign erector leaves the job site. A temporary sign erector must call at least two working days in advance to schedule inspections.
(Ord. dated 4/11/94 § 10: prior code § 150.078)
15.24.050 Identification of signs.
Signs of every class, except tacked wall signs which come within the purview of this chapter shall carry the imprint of the licensed erector in clearly legible letters, as follows:
A. On projecting signs, flat signs, banner signs, pole signs, and all types of ground signs, the imprint of the licensed erector may be applied in the border thereof in color or by metal tag substantially and permanently attached to each sign in such a place on the sign as can be seen from the sidewalk or street below the signs after the signs are erected.
B. On all roof signs and roof bulletins the imprint of the licensed erector may be applied in the border thereof, in color, or on a separate metal panel attached to the framework of the sign.
C. In case of rehanging or reerection of any sign required to carry the imprint of the erector, the new erector, if he is different than the original, shall remove the imprint on the sign.
D. All electrical signs shall meet the specifications of and be labeled with the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) listing mark in a place visible after installation.
(Ord. dated 4/11/94 § 11; prior code § 150.079)
15.24.060 Inspection of signs.
A. All signs, signboards, projecting signs, and roof signs for which a permit has been issued shall be inspected by the joint department of building commissioners when erected, and if found to have been well constructed, supported, braced, and painted in accordance with approved plans submitted to the department, and in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, then a certificate of inspection shall be issued, upon request, with a fee as per Section 15.08.080.
B. In cases where fastenings and anchorages are to be installed and bricked in or enclosed in a manner that the inspector cannot easily remove the material to see the anchorage or fastenings and material used, the sign erector who has secured the permit for the erection shall advise the joint department of building commissioners in writing when the anchorage will be installed and the inspector shall be allowed to inspect it before concealment. Otherwise the department shall be empowered to stop further construction or erection of the sign until the concealed anchorages are inspected and approved by the inspector.
C. If any new sign erection of any kind is found unsafe, insecure, improperly constructed, or not in accordance with approved plans or the provisions of this chapter, the bonded sign erector shall be required to make the erection safe, secure, and in conformity with the provisions of this chapter, or shall entirely remove the sign within forty-eight (48) hours from the time of notification in writing to that effect by the joint department of building commissioners. If the notice is not complied with within the specified time, the department shall notify the sign erector’s bondsmen to remove the sign.
D. If, upon inspection, a sign of any class is found unsafe, insecure, corroded, or subject to corrosion, so that the sign may become unsafe or insecure before the expiration of the ensuing year and unable to withstand a horizontal wind pressure of thirty (30) pounds per square foot besides its own weight, then the owner shall be required to make the sign safe and secure by causing the necessary repairs, additions, paint, or other matters to be made or done within one week from the time of notification in writing to that effect from the joint department of building commissioners. If the notice is not complied with within the time specified, the department shall cause the sign to be removed, the expense to be assessed against the owner of the sign. It shall be also be the duty of the department to order the removal of unsafe signs for which a permit and license is not required herein. The maintenance of the sign in an unsafe condition after receipt of notice to remove or repair the sign shall be a violation of this chapter.
(Prior code § 150.080)
15.24.070 Ground signs.
A. Permits shall be required for the erection of all ground signs. However, no permits shall be required when signs pertaining to the lease, hire, or sale of a piece of property are erected by the owner or agent upon the real estate. No ground signs shall be erected to a height greater than thirty (30) feet above grade.
B. The face of ground signs shall be made of sheet metal, wood sheathing, glass, porcelain, or other hard, durable materials, and wood may be used for moldings, nailing blocks, letters, and adornments. The signs shall be thoroughly braced and constructed to withstand a wind pressure of thirty (30) pounds per square foot in all directions.
C. Ground signs not exceeding a height of twenty (20) feet may have wood braces and supporting members, provided that the frame is not less than nominal two-inch lumber with supports of not less than nominal four-inch by four-inch pieces and braces of not less than nominal two-inch by four-inch pieces for all signs over thirty (30) square feet in area. Ground signs exceeding a height of twenty (20) feet shall be constructed with steel or metal braces, supporting members, and framing. All ground signs shall be properly and securely embedded and anchored in the ground and all signs of steel construction shall have braces and supporting members which extend into the ground embedded in concrete or secured to masonry, anchors, or piers.
D. No ground sign shall be so erected as to obstruct free access to any building nor shall any sign be so erected as to unduly obstruct the view of traffic on intersecting streets or highways.
E. No ground sign shall hereafter be permanently erected nor shall signs of the pedestal or easel type be set temporarily on any part of public property except with the approval of the joint department of building commissioners. All signs erected or placed prior to the passage of the ordinance codified in this chapter shall be removed.
(Prior code § 150.081)
15.24.080 Flat signs.
A. No permit shall be required for any sign placed flat against the wall of a building advertising the premises to be for sale, rent, or lease, provided that the signs are not more than sixty (60) square feet in area. The signs may be of wood, but shall be strongly built and thoroughly secured to the building as described herein.
B. For all other signs placed flat against a building, a permit shall be required and, if the signs are more than two feet high or more than one hundred (100) square feet in area, they shall be constructed of metal or of wood covered with metal not less than No. 30 U.S. standard gauge, or of glass, porcelain, or other hard, durable, nonflammable materials, except that ornamental moldings, top boards, and wood letters not over three feet high shall not be required to be covered with metal.
C. Any sign attached to the cornices or other projection of any building in such fashion that any part of the sign projects more than twelve (12) inches from the face of the building shall be made entirely of metal or of glass, porcelain, or other hard, durable, nonflammable materials.
D. All flat signs shall be securely attached to structural members of the building with metal brackets, expansion bolts, through bolts, or lag screws. Nails and wire shall not be used for this purpose and no flat sign shall be dependent for support upon any cornice, window sill, window frame parapet, or other projection. No flat signs shall be more than twelve (12) inches thick and no sign projecting over public property shall be created less than eight feet above any sidewalk, or less than fifteen (15) feet above any alley, but the signs, if projecting not more than four inches into public property, shall not be limited as to height above a sidewalk or alley. In no case shall any signs be allowed to cover any windows or exit doors.
(Prior code § 150.082)
15.24.090 Projecting signs.
A. No permit shall be required for any projecting sign less than two square feet in area and not projecting more than three feet from the face of the building. The signs shall be strongly constructed entirely of metal or other incombustible material and shall be thoroughly secured to the building with the bottom thereof not less than eight feet six inches above the ground level.
B. Permits shall be required for all projecting signs and all signs, including letters, shall be constructed entirely of metal, glass, porcelain, or other hard, durable, incombustible material.
1. All projecting signs shall be supported by strong steel brackets attached to walls of building 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. No swinging signs shall be constructed larger than sixteen (16) square feet in area. Cables shall be attached to walls or building with expansion bolts or other equivalent method.
2. Projecting signs which are permitted to extend above parapet walls may be attached to any part of a wall above the point of bearing of the roof joists or rafters. All projecting signs except as hereinbefore provided, shall be so erected that the bottom thereof shall be at least twelve (12) feet above the level of the sidewalk and eighteen (18) feet above the level of any alley below. No sign shall project more than fourteen (14) feet nor beyond a point five feet from the centerline of any alley. No sign shall have its inner edge more than two feet from the wall upon which it is erected.
C. Projecting signs shall be further limited in size and projection as follows. No projecting signs shall be allowed to extend beyond the curbline without the permission of the joint department of building commissioners or the Evansville board of public safety and, if permission is given, the signs shall be erected at a height of eighteen (18) feet above the street. In cases where a street is widened, all signs on the street shall be made to conform with the provisions of this chapter relating to the installation of signs. The thickness of the sign, exclusive of structural attachments, shall not exceed sixteen (16) inches, but a sign may be made in two portions joined at one point similar to a letter “V” provided that the least angle of intersection does not exceed ninety (90) degrees and the total projection from the building does not exceed ten (10) feet.
D. No sign shall project out from the street or alley line a greater distance than the least distance measured from the sign to the nearest side or adjoining property line without permission of the owner or tenant of the adjoining property. Street or alley lines shall not be considered adjoining property lines for the locations of signs.
E. Projecting signs which are not illuminated, or which are illuminated only with reflectors or flood-lights, shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in area and the maximum projection shall not exceed nine feet. Projecting signs which are illuminated with lights in or on the sign shall not exceed ninety-six (96) square feet in area for any one section.
F. Except for signs noted in subsection A of this section, there shall not be more than one projecting sign for each twenty (20) feet of street frontage of any building, but buildings having less than twenty (20) feet of frontage may have one sign. There shall not be less than ten (10) feet horizontally between any two signs erected upon the same building. The requirements as to ten (10) feet separation shall not apply to the two halves of “V”-shaped signs constructed as provided in subsection C of this section.
G. No sign shall be erected so that any part of the sign, including cables, guys, or other wires, will be within four feet of any electric light pole, street- lamp, or other public utility pole or standard. The minimum clearance of a sign from public utility conductors shall be not less than twenty-four (24) inches for conductors carrying not over six hundred (600) volts, and thirty-six (36) inches for conductors carrying more than six hundred (600) volts. In all cases where a sign is proposed to be hung adjacent to an electrical conductor carrying a higher voltage than six hundred (600) volts, the erection of the sign shall not be made until a representative of the public utilities company overhead inspection department shall have examined and approved the conditions.
(Prior code § 150.083)
15.24.100 Marquee signs.
Signs not complying as to height above ground level as in the preceding sections may be erected on marquees if the signs comply with the following provisions. Permits shall be obtained for all these signs.
A. All signs shall be made entirely of metal, porcelain, glass, or other hard, incombustible material, and the use of wood, wall board, cloth, or paper signs in, on, or under any marquee is prohibited.
B. The wording on the signs shall be confined to the following: the name of the proprietor or firm occupying the premises, the name of the building or institution, and the general business or trade carried on, such as jeweler, cafe, and dancing. The signs may be used to designate the location of the building entrance, box office, or the program of a theater. No sign shall advertise any particular article or merchandise, nor shall any sign refer to price or reduction in price.
C. The height of the signs shall be limited to the equivalent of one-fifth the length of the front of the marquee. The bottom of the signs shall not be less than eight feet six inches above any sidewalk. The signs shall not extend beyond the ends of the marquee.
(Prior code § 150.084)
15.24.110 Cloth and banner signs.
No permit from the building commission shall be required for the erection of any cloth or banner sign. However, the erector thereof shall notify the building commission in writing prior to the erection of the signs giving the owner’s name, telephone number, date of the erection, address of the installation, and name of the erector. The sign shall be subject to the approval of the building commissioner. Signs shall not be installed for more than sixty (60) days and shall not exceed one hundred (100) square feet. When two or more signs are erected on any building, the signs shall be separated vertically by the height of one story less the height of the sign, or horizontally by a distance of at least nine feet. All signs shall be strongly constructed and securely attached flat against the building (except those described as an encroachment outlined below). The sign shall not obstruct any door, window, or fire escape, and shall be removed as soon as torn or damaged, and prior to the expiration of the time limit. Additionally, no person shall cause to be installed any cloth or sign over or upon any street, public sidewalk, or right-of-way without obtaining an encroachment permit therefor from the board of commissioners. A liability insurance certificate in the amount of one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) shall be provided to the board of county commissioners prior to erecting any banner sign over a street or right-of-way. The insurance certificate shall name as the county of Vanderburgh and its officials and employees as additional insureds.
(Ord. dated 4/11/94 § 12: prior code § 150.085)
15.24.120 Roof signs.
A. Permits shall be required for all roof signs. All roof signs shall be constructed entirely of metal or other incombustible material. The minimum clearance between the lower edge of the sign and the roof surface of support shall be not less than five feet. No roof sign shall be placed so that the face of the sign shall come within three feet of the inner plane of the outer wall of the building on which the sign is placed. No roof sign shall exceed one hundred (100) feet in height above the mean level of the roof.
B. In all cases where the extreme height of a roof sign exceeds twenty-four (24) feet above the level of the roof, all sign loads and reactions shall be carried directly to masonry walls or structural columns of the building upon which the sign is placed, unless the roof construction is designed to carry the weight of the sign, and the wind load of the sign in addition to other required loads. When the signs are erected on roofs which are not designed to take the sign load, the roof beams, girders, or roof construction shall not be used to resist any vertical reactions except uplift due to wind.
C. No solid roof sign shall be erected of a greater height than twenty-four (24) feet above the level of the roof. In case of a solid roof sign that is combined with and made a part of an open roof sign, the solid portion of the sign shall be subject to the limitation of height.
D. 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. The maximum stresses in the frame of the sign, as well as the stresses in the supporting structure, shall not exceed the safe stresses as permitted in this chapter.
E. All joints and connections of roof signs over twenty-five (25) feet in height above the roof level shall be made with rivets or with finished bolts driven tightly to a snug fit in well-reamed holes which shall be in perfect alignment.
(Prior code § 150.086)
15.24.130 Poster advertising panels.
A. All poster advertising panels shall be designed to resist a horizontal wind pressure of at least thirty (30) pounds to the square foot with stresses not exceeding those allowed elsewhere in this chapter for the materials used in their construction. Poster advertising panels may be framed with wood standards not less than four inches by six inches, with the back bracing and framing to take a plain surface of sheet metal not less than No. 38 gauge.
B. All poster advertising panels shall be located entirely within the lot lines and shall not extend further than the building lines. Where panels face two streets, the junction point shall be arranged for a cut-off corner of not less than twelve (12) feet to be set at an angle of forty-five (45) degrees joined to the sections facing each street.
C. All panels shall have the owner’s name on a separate board, not to exceed twelve (12) inches high, placed either above or below the panel, and no panel shall bear more than one name plate.
D. All panels erected under the terms of this chapter shall be kept in repair and no fee shall be charged for erections, resurfacing, repair, or maintenance of any poster advertising panel erected by a concern who is licensed.
E. No person shall scatter daub or leave any paste, glue, or similar substance used for pasting materials on any public walk or pavement, or scatter or throw any old bills or waste material removed from panels on any thoroughfare or private ground. (Prior code § 150.087)