Signs

The Commissions have jurisdiction over all signs placed on or around a building in a local historic district or on a local landmark building. A sign, using the definition supplied in the Zoning Ordinance, Article 6, Section 1, is "any structure, display device or inscription which is located upon, attached to, painted or represented on any land, on any building or structure on the outside or inside of a window, or on an awning, canopy, marquee, or similar appendage, and which displays or includes any numeral, letter work, model, banner, emblem, insignia, symbol, device, light, trademark or other representation used as or in the nature of an announcement, advertisement, attention arrester, direction, warning, or designation of any person, firm, group, organization, place, community, product, service, business, profession, enterprise or industry."

The Commissions' jurisdiction is subordinant to the Zoning Ordinance regarding the size of the signs erected. In addition the Commission's jurisdiction is limited to the exterior of the building so signs inside of display windows are not regulated. The Commission' jurisdiction extends to the design, placement and lighting for any but the above mentioned exceptions.

The process for applying to install a sign is as follows:

Make Application.
The application should, in addition to supplying all basic information, include a description of the size, shape, total square footage, colors, and any lighting for the proposed sign. This information can be conveyed using a sketch of the sign. The application must also give accurate information regarding the location of the sign in relation to the building. If the sign is free standing, a plot plan must be submitted showing the location of the sign in relation to the improvements on the site. All sketches or drawings must be to scale and accurately show the total scope of the proposed work.

Staff Review.
The staff will review the application informally for conformance to the Zoning Ordinance. If upon the informal review, the proposed sign does not appear to conform to the criteria for the particular zoning district where the building is located, the applicant may wish to consult with the Zoning Administrator in the Department of Safety and Permits. If the sign does not conform, the applicant may apply for a zoning waiver from the Board of Zoning Adjustments to allow the proposed sign, or he may wish to modify his proposal. The Commissions' informal review of a sign's conformance with the Zoning Ordinance is not an official interpretation; it serves only to insure that signs approved by the Commissions are also allowable by the Department of Safety and Permits.

Staff Approval.
Certain types of signs can be approved at the staff level. The Commissions have given the staff this authority if the sign meets all of the following criteria: a. The sign must meet all zoning criteria; b. The size of the proposed sign is compatible with the scale of the building; c. The colors and graphic design of the sign are sympathetic with the historic character of the building and neighborhood; d. The illumination of the sign is discreet in its intensity, and source location. The Commissions do not allow the installation of back lighted plastic signs (except for Canal Street district); e. The sign must be placed on or in relation to the building in such a way as to enhance the building's architecture. For instance, a sign should not be installed which would partially or completely obscure a window, door, or other architectural element; f. There shall not be more than one sign per business; g. Any signs advertising businesses not at that location must be removed.

Review.
Proposed signs which do not meet all of the preceding criteria will be referred to the Commission's Architectural Review Committee for review. If the Committee feels that the level of conformance with the criteria does not justify approval, the matter will be referred to the full Commission for a public hearing, assuming that the applicant wishes to pursue the proposal.

Resubmitting a Proposal.
Applicants may alter their proposals at any time in response to recommendations made by the staff, the Architectural Review Committee and/or the Zoning Administrator. If new drawings are submitted for a Commission or Architectural Review Committee meeting, they must be received by the staff no later than 12 noon on the day preceding the meeting.

Certificate of Appropriateness.
A Certificate of Appropriateness is issued for the installation after all details of the sign have been approved. No work may proceed until after both a Certificate of Appropriateness and a Building Permit have been obtained.

Non-Conforming Existing Signs.
The Commissions' policies allow the maintenance of non-conforming existing signs. Signs which fall into this category must be documented as being in existence prior to the creation of the historic district in which they are located. It is the owner/applicant's responsibility to provide documentation if a question arises regarding the existence of such a sign. This exception extends to back lighted plastic signs. With Commission approval, the new plastic faces may be installed in the existing frame. No changes are allowed in the frame or mounting configuration of the sign. The Commissions reserve the right to review and approve the design and color of any new sign face and the level of illumination. If a sign has not functioned with internal illumination in the recent past, the Commissions reserve the right to review the level of illumination to be allowed.

Banner Signs.
Banner signs may be temporarily erected after review and approval by the staff. The staff and the Commissions reserve the right to limit the period during which these signs may be displayed.

Other Permits.
The Zoning Ordinance requires that a Building Permit be issued for the installation of all signs before work begins. It is necessary to obtain a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Commission before applying for a Sign Permit at the Department of Safety and Permits.