§ 3-10. Signs

A. Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply, unless clearly indicated to the contrary.

Alter shall mean to change the size, shape or outline, or type of sign. Changing the copy, nature of the message, or intent of the sign does not alter the sign and does not make it subject to the permit and/or fee requirements of this Code.

Building inspector shall mean the officer within the City of Sachse charged with the administration and enforcement of this section.

Changeable electronic variable message sign (CEVMS) shall mean a sign which permits light to be turned on or off intermittently or which is operated in a way whereby light is turned on or off intermittently, including an illuminated sign on which such illumination is not kept stationary or constant in intensity and color at all times when such sign is in use, including an LED (light emitting diode) or digital sign, and which varies in intensity or color. A CEVMS sign does not include a sign located within the right-of-way that functions as a traffic control device and that is described and identified in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) approved by the Federal Highway Administrator as the National Standard.

Erect shall mean to build, construct, attach, hang, place, suspend or affix, and shall also include the painting of signs on the exterior surface of a building or structure.

Facing or surface shall mean the surface of the sign upon, against or through which the message is displayed or illustrated on the sign.

Gross surface area of sign is the entire area within a single continuous perimeter forming a rectangle enclosing the extreme limits of each sign. In the event two or more signs share a single structure, each sign or panel may be considered separately for square footage purposes, provided that each sign or panel has no relationship to the other, except that the combined footage of such signs cannot exceed the total square footage allowed for the sign.

Incombustible material shall mean any material which will not ignite at or below a temperature of 1200° F, and will not continue to burn or glow at that temperature.

Logo is any formalized design or insignia of a company or product which is commonly used in advertising to identify that company or product.

Marquee is a permanent roofed structure attached to and supported by a building.

Person shall mean and include any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company or organization of any kind.

Projecting structures shall mean covered structures of a permanent nature which are constructed of approved building material, specifically excluding canvas or fabric material, and where such structures are an integral part of the main building or permanently attached to a main building and do not extend over public property. Projecting structures are defined to include marquee, canopy and fixed awning type of structures.

Roof line shall mean the height which is defined by the intersection of the roof of the building and the wall of the building. Exception: For mansard-type roofs, the roof line shall be defined as the top of the lower slope of the roof. Roofs with parapet walls completely around the building and not exceeding four feet in height may be considered as the roof line.

Sign shall mean and include every sign, name, number, identification, description, device, display, flag, banner, pennant, illustration, beacon, light or insignia, and structure supporting any of the same, affixed directly or indirectly to or upon any building or outdoor structure, or erected or maintained upon a piece of land, which directs attention to any object, product, service, place, activity, person, institution, organization or business. Any interior illuminated or moving sign or light which is visible from the exterior may be determined as being erected on the exterior of the building or structure.

Sign, advertising is any sign which promotes or advertises commodities or services not limited to being offered on the premises on which such signs are located.

Sign, apartment is any sign identifying an apartment building or complex of apartment buildings.

Sign, bulletin board is any sign of professional appearance containing information of a public interest nature where a portion of such information may be periodically changed providing that such change shall be effected by the replacement or interchange of letters, numbers or other graphic symbols by insertion, attachment or similar means. The use of slate, chalkboard, cardboard or similar material with pencil, chalk, crayon or similar types of marking is prohibited.

Sign, construction is any temporary sign identifying the property owner, architect, contractor, engineer, landscape architect, decorator or mortgagee engaged in the design, construction or improvement of the premises on which the sign is located.

Sign, development is any temporary, on-site promotional sign pertaining to the development of land or construction of buildings.

Sign, directional is any sign temporarily used in directing traffic to a residential section of the city, other than directional kiosk signs as defined herein.

Sign, directional kiosk is a sign located within the city right-of-way, providing directions to subdivisions, homebuilders, and city facilities, installed and maintained by the city or a contractor authorized by the city.

Sign, director is a sign listing the occupants within shopping centers, industrial sites, retail districts, office districts and commercial sites.

Sign, flashing is a sign which has illumination that is alternately turned on and off at a rate equivalent to, or greater than, twice an hour, excluding time and temperature signs.

Sign, general business is any sign which is used to identify a business, profession, service, product or activity conducted, sold or offered on the premises where such sign is located.

Sign, ground is any sign which is erected on a vertical framework consisting of two uprights or a single pedestal supported by the ground.

Sign, identification is any sign which is used to identify shopping centers, industrial sites, retail districts and commercial sites.

Sign, illuminated is any sign lighted by or exposed to artificial lighting, either by lights on the sign or directed toward the sign.

Sign, institutional is any sign used to identify schools, churches, hospitals and similar public or quasipublic institutions.

Sign, marquee is any sign erected on a marquee or fixed awning.

Sign, monument is any sign having a low profile, either made of or contained within stone, concrete, metal, brick or similar material and having a stone, brick or masonry base concealing all supports or poles.

Sign, multi-purpose is an identification sign with a combination of any one or two of the following:

(a) A directory sign;

(b) A marquee sign.

Sign, model home is any temporary sign, identifying a new home, either furnished or unfurnished, as being the builder or contractor's model open to the public for inspection.

Sign, nameplate is any sign showing only the name and address of the owner or occupant of the premises on which it is erected or placed.

Sign, obsolete is any sign which no longer serves a bona fide use or purpose.

Sign, parapet wall is any sign erected on the top surface of a parapet wall.

Sign, pole is any sign supported by a single freestanding pole, and having no guys or braces to the ground or to any structure other than the pole.

Sign, projecting is any sign which projects from a building and which has one end attached to a building or other permanent structure.

Sign, ranchette identification is a sign identifying a farm or ranch in residential areas where the average lot size is one acre or greater.

Sign, real estate is any temporary sign pertaining to the sale or rental of property and advertising property only for use for which it is legally zoned.

Sign, roof is any sign erected on a vertical framework supported and located so that no part of the sign shall be located within six feet of any outside wall nor within seven feet of the surface below.

Sign, wall is any sign erected flat against a wall, supported by the wall, and having the sign face parallel to and not more than 12 inches from the wall surface. Neon tubing attached directly to a wall surface shall be considered a wall sign.

Sign, window shall mean any sign painted on the external or internal surface of the window of any establishment in commercial or retail areas with water durable paint advertising services, products of sales available within said establishment or which announce opening of said establishment. A window sign is also any banner, poster, decoration or display attached to the external surface of a window of a retail or commercial establishment, if of water durable paint or of incombustible material, and signs attached to the internal surface of a window which define the name, proprietor, telephone number or address of said retail or commercial establishment.

Structural trim shall mean the molding, battens, cappings, nailing strips, latticing and platforms which are attached to the sign structure.

Vehicle shall mean any automobile, truck, camper, tractor, van, trailer or any device capable of being transported and shall be considered a vehicle in both moving and stationary modes, irrespective of state of repair or condition.

B. Administration.

(1) Sign permit required. It shall be unlawful for any person to erect, replace, alter or relocate any sign within the city without first obtaining a permit to do so from the building inspector and making payment of the fee required, except as may be hereinafter provided.

(2) Permit required to repair. It shall be unlawful to repair any sign requiring a permit, as defined in paragraph (1) above, without first obtaining a repair permit from the building inspector and making payment of the fee required.

(3) Nonconforming existing signs. Every sign lawfully in existence on the date of passage of this section may be repaired without applying for a permit as noted in subsection B(2). No sign lawfully in existence on the date of passage of this section shall be altered or moved unless a permit is issued pursuant to the provisions of this section. Temporary permits granted prior to the passage of this section shall be renewed only if the applicant complies with all provisions of this section.

(4) Application for sign permit/repair permit.

(a) Application for a permit required by this section shall be made upon forms provided by the building inspector and shall contain or have attached thereto the following information:

(i) Sign use classification.

(ii) Name, address and telephone number of the applicant.

(iii) Name, address and telephone number of owner.

(iv) Name, address and telephone number of person or firm erecting the sign.

(v) Location of the building, structure or tract to which or upon which the sign is to be attached or erected.

(vi) Position of the sign in relation to nearby buildings or structures or other related signs.

(vii) Such other information as the building inspector may require to show full compliance with this section and all other laws and ordinances of the city and state.

(b) Application for a permit to repair shall contain or have attached thereto the following information:

(i) Name, address and telephone number of the sign owner.

(ii) Name, address and telephone number of person, firm, corporation or association providing the repair service.

(iii) Location of the building, structure or lot upon which the sign is located.

(iv) A description of the repair activity to be performed.

(v) Such other information as the building inspector shall require to show full compliance with this section and all other laws and ordinances of the city.

(5) Exemptions from application for permit. Application for a permit shall not be required for the following signs; provided however, such signs shall otherwise comply with all other application provisions of this section.

(a) Signs not exceeding eight square feet in area, which advertise the sale, rental or lease of the premises on which such signs are located.

(b) Nameplates not exceeding one square foot in area.

(c) Temporary political signs erected on public easements and private property with the owner's consent for a maximum of six weeks. The individual and/or group denoted on said sign is responsible for removal of the sign within seven days of election and/or political activity's completion.

(d) Signs not exceeding 16 square feet in area for public, charitable or religious organizations when the same are located on the premises of the institution. Signs promoting the city when not used for commercial advertising in any way.

(e) Temporary construction signs, not exceeding 16 square feet in area, denoting the architect, engineer or contractor when placed upon premises under construction.

(f) Occupational signs, not exceeding two square feet in area, denoting only the name and professions of an occupant in a commercial building or public institutional building.

(g) Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings and date of erection, when cut into any masonry surface, or when constructed of bronze or other incombustible materials.

(h) Flags, emblems and insignia of any governmental body and decorative displays for holidays or public demonstrations which do not contain advertising and are not used as such.

(i) Directional signs not exceeding eight square feet, provided such signs do not contain advertising and are not used as such.

(j) Traffic or other municipal signs, legal notices, railroad crossing signs, danger and such emergency, temporary or nonadvertising signs as may be approved by the city council or the city manager or his authorized representative.

(k) Window signs, for use on establishments in commercial or retail areas. In no event may signs be located on the window surface internally or externally in any manner to obscure more than 50 percent of the visible window area available in the absence of any signs. Where multiple windows exist fronting on a single street or sidewalk, the 50 percent visibility shall be maintained for the total window area on said street or sidewalk.

(l) Temporary banner signs announcing the grand opening of a business may be put up for a maximum of 90 days.

(6) Signs requiring electrical inspection. The primary alternating current wiring on all signs shall comply with the National Electrical Code Specifications. All secondary transformed power shall be self contained within the sign structure. Individual lighted letters are to be mounted on a common metal channel and all secondary wiring and components shall be contained within the common metal channel. Both channel and letters must contain weep holes to drain water.

(7) Fees. Every applicant, before being granted a sign permit hereunder, shall pay to the City of Sachse a permit fee which shall be established by resolution of the city council.

A fee for a permit to repair, as noted in subsection B(2) shall be $10.00.

When a permit is required by this section and construction and repair is started or proceeded with prior to obtaining said permit, the fees above specified shall be doubled. The payment of such fees shall not relieve any person from fully complying with the regulation described by this section.

(8) Issuance of permit. Providing that the applicant has complied with all provisions of this section, and that the proposed sign complies with all provisions of this section, the building inspector shall issue the sign permit to the applicant.

(9) Not to issue to persons previously failing to pay fees. The building inspector shall not issue a permit under the provisions of this section to any person who has previously failed or refused to pay any fees or costs assessed against him under the provision of this section.

(10) Permit valid only for 60 days. If the work authorized by a permit issued under this section has not been commenced within 60 days after the date of issuance, the permit shall become null and void.

(11) Permit revocable. The building inspector may suspend or revoke any permit issued under the provisions of this section whenever he shall determine that the permit is issued in error or on the basis of incorrect or false information supplied, or whenever such permit be issued in violation of any of the provisions of this section or any other ordinance of this city or laws of this state or the federal government. Such suspension or revocation shall be effective when communicated in writing to the person to whom the permit is issued, the owner of the sign or the owner of the premises upon which the sign is located.

(12) Inspection. The building inspector shall inspect annually, or at such other times as he deems necessary, each sign regulated by this section for the purpose of ascertaining whether the same is secure or insecure, whether it still serves a useful purpose and whether it is in need of removal or repair.

(13) Removal of obsolete signs. Any sign which the building inspector determines no longer serves a bona fide use conforming to this section, shall be removed by the owner, agent or person having the beneficial use of the land, buildings or structure upon which such sign is located within ten days after written notification to do so from the building inspector. Upon failure to comply with such notice, the building inspector is hereby authorized to cause the removal of such sign, and any expense incident thereto shall be paid by the owner of the land, building or structure to which such sign is attached or upon which it is erected.

(14) Removal or repair of unsafe signs. If the building inspector shall determine that any sign is unsafe or insecure, or is a menace to the public, he shall give written notice of the person or persons responsible for such sign. If the permittee, owner, agent or person having the beneficial use of the premises fails to remove or repair the sign within ten days after such notice, such sign may be removed by the building inspector at the expense of the permittee or owner of the property upon which it is located. The building inspector may cause any sign which is an immediate peril to persons or property to be removed summarily and without notice.

(15) Variance fee and notification. An application for a variation to the conditions of this section shall be accompanied by a variance application fee in the amount of $25.00. Such application for variance may cover more than one sign, but shall apply to only one applicant and one location. The notification for a variance application must appear in the local newspaper(s) of the city at least seven days prior to the date on which the request is heard by the city council. The variation application must contain the following information:

(a) Name, address and telephone number of the applicant.

(b) Location of building, structure or lot to which or upon which the sign(s) is to be attached or erected.

(c) Position of the sign(s) in relation to nearby buildings or structures, including other signs.

(d) The zoning classification of the property on which the sign(s) is to be located. Also the zoning classification of all property within 250 feet of the sign(s) location.

(e) The specific variation(s) requested and the reasons and justification for such requests.

(f) Ten copies of the signage and site plans shall be required.

C. Specific limitation provisions.

(1) General sign provisions. All signs located or to be located within the city shall conform to the general provisions set forth in Table 1, entitled General Provisions at the end of this section.

(2) Additional requirements for attached signs.

(a) Projecting signs. The horizontal portion of any projecting sign shall not be more than six feet, six inches in length measured from the building face and shall not be closer than two feet from the back of the curbline. The height of the sign shall not exceed two feet. Such signs shall be an integral part of the architectural design of the building. Vertical clearance shall be subject to the requirements of subsections C(2)(d) and C(2)(e) of this section.

(b) Marquee signs. Marquee signs erected on the face of a marquee shall be built as an integral part of the marquee and shall be constructed of incombustible material. Such signs shall not exceed 40 feet or the product of two times the lineal footage of the building or store frontage for which such sign is intended, whichever is greater. Such signs shall not have a vertical height of more than six feet nor exceed 75 percent of the width of such building or store frontage. Further, the height shall not exceed the building roof line by more than four feet. Vertical clearance shall be subject to the requirements or subsections C(2)(d) and C(2)(e) of this section.

(c) Wall signs. Wall signs shall not exceed 40 square feet or the product of two times the lineal footage of the building or store frontage for which such signs are intended, whichever is greater. Such signs shall not have a vertical height of more than six feet nor exceed 75 percent of the width of such building or store frontage. Vertical clearance shall be subject to the requirements of subsections C(2)(d) and C(2)(e) of this section.

(d) Roof signs. Roof signs shall not exceed 40 square feet in area or the product of two times the lineal footage of the building or store frontage for which such signs are intended, whichever is greater. Such signs, for commercial and industrial districts only, shall not extend above the roof line of a mansard-type roof or more than four feet above the roof line of a non mansard-type roof. No part of the sign shall be located within six feet of any outside wall, nor within seven feet of the surface below. Such signs shall be constructed of incombustible material or, in the case of plastic, inserts and/or faces, slow burning material. The roof of any building on which a sign is erected shall be covered with fire-retardant material.

(e) Projection over public property. If the vertical clearance above the surface is less than eight feet, no projection is permitted. If the vertical clearance above the surface exceeds eight feet, a projection is permitted for each inch of clearance over and above the required eight feet, provided that no projection shall exceed four feet or one-third the width of the sidewalk below, whichever is less.

(f) Projection over private property. Projection of signs over private property shall be allowed over pedestrian sidewalks, walkways and corridors, but not to exceed the following:

Vertical Clearance	Maximum Projection
7 feet or less	3 inches
7 or 8 feet	12 inches
8 feet or more	4 feet

 

(3) Freestanding identification signs, general business signs, multi-purpose signs.

(a) All freestanding identification signs, general business signs and multi-purpose signs shall be monument signs.

(b) The entire sign must be located a minimum of eight feet behind the property line.

(c) Any projecting or overhanging portion of the sign must be a minimum of ten feet above any walkway and 14 feet above driveway.

(d) Maximum height above grade of an identification sign, general business sign or multi-purpose sign is ten feet with the following exception:

(i) Property having direct frontage on the President George Bush Turnpike, Highway 78 or along the north side of the Kansas City Southern Railroad, which runs parallel to Highway 78, shall have a maximum height above grade of 20 feet.

(e) Maximum area for a general business sign is 60 square feet and maximum area for identification sign is 100 square feet.

(f) Such signs shall be located a minimum of 30 feet from adjoining private property lines, excluding shared property lines within a single retail center, office park or industrial park, and a minimum of 60 feet from any other freestanding sign.

(g) Such signs shall be constructed of materials that are incombustible or slow burning in the case of plastic inserts and faces. Such signs are to be supported by incombustible supports finished in a presentable manner (wood or unfinished steel not allowed).

(h) No advertising matter shall be displayed on or attached to any freestanding sign. No guys, braces, attachments, banners, flags or similar devices shall be attached to any sign.

(i) Such signs shall be protected by wheel or bumper guards when required by the building official.

(j) A multi-purpose sign is an identification sign with a combination of any one or two of the following:

(i) A directory sign.

(ii) A marquee sign.

(k) The identification portion of a multi-purpose sign shall not exceed 75 square feet; directory portion shall not exceed 36 square feet with a single tenant or 72 square feet with multi-tenants.

(4) Advertising signs. No advertising signs allowed except by variance granted by the city council.

(5) Temporary signs.

(a) Temporary subdivision development signs and "for sale" signs of undeveloped tracts may be erected, provided such signs relate only to the property on which they are located. Each such subdivision under development may have one such sign not to exceed 100 square feet in area.

(b) Temporary model home signs may be erected by the builder or the contractor. Each builder or contractor may have one such sign per subdivision. Model home signs shall not exceed 32 square feet in size. Permits for model home signs shall be granted for a period of time not to exceed 12 months, at the expiration of which time renewal applications may be filed and considered.

(c) Ground signs are prohibited as general business signs.

EXCEPTION: Anchored portable signs, balloons, flags, and/or banners may be allowed for a period not to exceed 30 days, one per street front, per premise, during a calendar year. The sign will be removed from the premises after the 30-day period has expired. An expiration label shall be issued to the sign.

(6) Date of erection, permit number and voltage to be displayed. Every sign erected after the passage of this section shall have displayed in a conspicuous place thereon, in letters not less than one inch in height, the date of erection, the number of the permit issued under this section, and the voltage of any electrical apparatus used in connection therewith.

(7) Wind pressure and dead load requirements. All signs shall be designed and constructed to withstand a wind pressure of not less than 30 pounds per square foot of area, and shall be constructed to receive dead loads as required by the building code of the city.

(8) Maintenance of signs. All signs and supports shall be maintained in good condition to prevent deterioration, oxidation, rust and other unsightly conditions.

(9) Ranchette identification signs. Ranchette identification signs are allowed in residential areas of the city subject to the following regulations:

(a) The farm or ranch identification sign must be located in a residential zoned area where the average lot size is one acre or greater. This paragraph (9) does not apply to property in the city which is zoned AG-agriculture;

(b) Two signs are allowed, but only one may be a detached sign;

(c) The gross surface areas of a sign shall not exceed 32 square feet;

(d) The detached sign in a residential zoned area may be located on or behind the property line; the attached sign in a residential area must be set back at least 100 feet from the property line;

(e) Illuminated signs are prohibited;

(f) Content of the detached sign is limited to the name of the farm or ranch, or its owner (e.g., "Big Top" or "John Doe Ranch") and an identification of the principal product (e.g., "Quarter Horses");

(g) The content of the attached sign may contain the same content of the detached sign and may contain additional identifiers such as address, telephone number, and other particular examples of the principal product (i.e., "Home of Sea Biscuit, Grand Champion").

(10) Directional kiosk signs.

(a) Administration.

(i) Directional kiosk signs may be installed only pursuant to an executed concession agreement approved by city council. All such agreements shall govern a person or company's right to design, erect, and maintain directional kiosk signs, and provide for city council and/or city staff review and/or approval of the location and design of proposed directional kiosk signs.

(ii) All directional kiosk signs are subject to all permitting requirements set forth in section 3-10 B.

(b) Location. All directional kiosk signs shall comply with the following regulations unless the applicable executed concession agreement provides otherwise.

(i) Directional kiosk signs shall be located so as not to create a traffic hazard or to obstruct the visibility of motorists, pedestrians, or traffic control signs. The director of community development shall determine whether a proposed sign location constitutes a traffic hazard or obstructs visibility.

(ii) Directional kiosk signs shall be located so as not to interfere with the general use of and handicap accessibility of sidewalks, walkways, bike and hiking trails.

(iii) Directional kiosk signs shall be located so as not to interfere with any public utilities or be located in a utility easement.

(iv) Directional kiosk signs must not be located within a sight distance triangle, as defined in the subdivision ordinance.

(v) Directional kiosk signs may not be placed adjacent to a lot with a residential use without the prior written consent of the lot owner(s) as identified on current tax rolls. Proof of prior written consent must be attached [to] permit applications for all directional kiosk signs so located. If a residential use is assigned to a lot adjacent to a preexisting directional kiosk sign, no written consent is required.

(vi) Directional kiosk signs must be placed at least 100 feet from the nearest directional kiosk sign.

(vii) Directional kiosk signs may not be located within a median.

(viii) Directional kiosk signs must be located at least five feet from the edge of all curbs and pavement lines, including improved surfaces and shoulders.

(c) Design. All directional kiosk signs shall comply with the following regulations unless the applicable executed concession agreement provides otherwise:

(i) Directional kiosk signs may not exceed 12 feet in height and four feet in width.

(ii) Directional kiosk signs must include breakaway design features as set forth by the Texas Department of Transportation's Sign Mounting Details for Roadside Signs. Breakaway fittings must be installed below grade or otherwise concealed from public view.

(iii) The font and color of all directional kiosk signs must be uniform throughout the entire sign.

(iv) Directional kiosk signs may not be illuminated.

(v) Each directional kiosk sign must include at the top of the sign an identification panel displaying only the name and official city logo.

(vi) No signs, pennants, flags, streamers, balloons or other devices or appurtenances used for visual attention may be attached to directional kiosk signs.

(11) Garage sale signs. A garage sale sign is any temporary, promotional sign for the sale of personal household goods in a residential zoned district or on the property of a nonprofit organization. The following restrictions shall apply to garage sale signs:

(a) No permit required for the installation of garage sale signs.

(b) The maximum sign area shall be four square feet.

(c) The contents of the sign shall include only the following information:

- Garage sale

- Address

- Hours of operation

(d) The number of signs shall be restricted to one on site and six off site signs.

(e) Garage sale signs shall be posted for no longer than 72 hours. It shall be the responsibility of the individual conducting the sale to remove all signs prior to the expiration of the time period.

(f) Posting of garage sale signs is prohibited on any utility pole, public fence or structure.

D. Prohibited signs.

(1) Obscene, indecent and immoral matter. It shall be unlawful for any person to display upon any sign any obscene, indecent or immoral matter.

(2) Obstructing doors, windows or fire escapes. It shall be unlawful to erect, relocate or maintain a sign to prevent free ingress or egress from any door, window or fire escape.

(3) Attachment to standpipe or fire escape. It shall be unlawful to attach any sign to a standpipe or fire escape.

(4) Interference with traffic. It shall be unlawful to erect, relocate or maintain any sign in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision at any location where, by reason of position, size, movement, shape, color, flashing, manner or intensity of illumination, such sign may interfere with vehicular or pedestrian traffic. Further, it shall be unlawful to erect or maintain any sign in such a manner as to interfere with, obstruct the view of or be confused with, any authorized traffic sign, signal or device. Accordingly, no sign shall make use of the words "stop," "go," "look," "slow," "danger," or any other similar word, phrase, symbol or character or employ any red, yellow, orange, green or other colored lamp or light in such a manner as to cause confusion to or otherwise interfere with, vehicular or pedestrian traffic.

(5) Mobile or portable signs.

(a) It shall be unlawful to attach any sign to a trailer, skid, or similar mobile structure, where the primary use of such structure is to provide a base for such sign or constitute the sign itself. This provision does not restrict the identification signs on vehicles used for any bona fide transportation activity.

(b) Signs attached to or upon any vehicle shall be prohibited where any such vehicle is allowed to remain parked in the same location, or in the same vicinity, at frequent or extended periods of time, where the intent is apparent to be one of using the vehicle and signs for purposes of advertising an establishment, service or product. Vehicles operating under a city franchise shall be excluded from this provision.

(c) A-frame signs and sandwich board signs are prohibited and unlawful.

(6) Advertising matter placed on or suspended from buildings, poles, sidewalks, etc.

(a) No person shall place on or suspend from, any building, pole, structure, sidewalk, parkway, driveway or parking area, any goods, wares, merchandise or other advertising object or structure for the purpose of advertising such items other than a sign, as defined, regulated and prescribed by this section, except as otherwise allowed by ordinance.

(b) No cloth, paper, banner, flag, device or other similar advertising matter shall be permitted to be attached to, suspended from, or be allowed to hang from, any sign, building or structure, when the same shall create a public nuisance or danger.

(7) Painting, marking, etc., streets, sidewalks, utility poles, etc. No person shall attach any sign, paper or other material or paint, stencil or write any name, number (except house numbers) or otherwise mark on any sidewalk, curb, gutter, street utility pole, public building, fence or structure except as otherwise allowed by ordinance.

(8) Attaching advertising matter to fences, utility poles, etc.; and scattering advertising matter on streets and sidewalks.

(a) No person, firm, corporation or association of persons, shall paste, stick, tack, nail or otherwise place any advertisement, handbill, placard or printed, pictured or written matter or thing for political advertising purposes upon any fence, railing, sidewalk or public telephone, electric or other utility pole, or any other public property, including trees thereon, or to knowingly cause or to permit the same to be done for his benefit.

(b) It shall also be unlawful for any person to scatter or throw any handbills, circulars, cards, tear sheets or any other advertising device of any description, along or upon any street or sidewalk in the city.

(c) The city's building inspector may at his own discretion remove and impound any signs, advertisements, handbills, placard or printed, pictured or written matter or thing for political advertising purposes when illegally posted upon any tree, fence, railing, sidewalk or public telephone, electric or other utility pole or any other public property, right-of-way, parkway or median.

(d) Impounded signs may be recovered by the owner within 15 days of the date of impoundment by paying a fee as prescribed by the city council. Signs not recovered within 15 days may be disposed of in any manner the building inspector shall elect.

(9) Pole or ground signs prohibited on or over public property. No portion of any pole or ground sign shall be erected on or over public property, unless the same be erected by the city, or with the permission of the city, for public purposes.

(10) Moving, flashing and certain illuminated signs prohibited.

(a) No sign shall be illuminated to such an intensity or in such a manner, as to cause a glare or brightness to a degree that it constitutes a hazard or nuisance.

Moving, flashing, intermittently lighted, changing color, beacons, revolving or similarly constructed signs shall not be allowed. Alternating electronic data control components showing time, temperature and similar data may be allowed.

Changeable electronic variable message signs and other moving, flashing, intermittently lighted, changing color, beacons, revolving or similarly constructed signs shall not be allowed. Alternating electronic data control components showing time, temperature and similar data may be allowed.

(b) No lighted sign shall be erected within 150 feet of a residential district unless the lighting is shielded from view of the residential district.

(11) Balloons and other floating devices used for advertising purposes. No person shall erect, maintain or permit the erection of, for advertising purposes, any balloons, flags, or other floating devices anchored to the ground or to any other structure within the city, except as provided under exception, subsection C(5) of this section.

(12) Signs prohibited in street medians. It shall be unlawful to erect or install any sign in the median of any street, road, thoroughfare or highway within the city limits of the City of Sachse.

(13) Directional signs prohibited. Directional signs, other than directional kiosk signs, shall be prohibited.

E. Penalty provisions.

(1) Persons responsible. The permittee, owner, agent, person or persons having the beneficial use of the ground or a sign, the owner of the land or structure on which the sign is located, and the person in charge of erecting the sign are all subject to the provisions of this section and are subject to the penalty provided for violation.

(2) Penalty for violation. Any person, firm or corporation who violates any provision of this section shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof in the municipal court, shall be subject to a fine as provided for in chapter 1, section 7 of this Code of Ordinances for each offense, and each and every day that the violation of this section shall be permitted to continue shall constitute a separate offense.

F. Preserving rights and violations under existing ordinances. By the passage of this section, no presently illegal use of signs shall be deemed to have been legalized, and no offense committed, and no liability, penalty or forfeiture, either civil or criminal, incurred prior to the time existing sign ordinance or regulations were repealed and this section adopted, shall be discharged or affected by such repeal; but prosecutions and suits for such offenses, liabilities, penalties or forfeitures may be instituted, or causes presently pending proceeded with, in all respects as if such prior ordinance, or portion of such ordinance, had not been repealed.

TABLE 1
GENERAL SIGN PROVISIONS

Sign Use	Zone Permitted	Maximum Area Sq. Ft.	Maximum Height	Type Construction	Setback Required Permitted	Spacing	Maximum Duration	Additional Requirement
Nameplates	All Zones	2	3 feet	Projecting Ground Wall	None	None	Permanent	Maximum Height Would Not Apply
Real Estate	All Zones	32	15 feet	Ground Wall Pole	30 feet	1 Per Street Front Per Block	2 year	Removal Upon Sale of Property
Construction	All Zones	32	15 feet	Ground Wall Pole	30 feet	1 Per Street Front Per Block	After Issuance of Certificate of Occupancy	Removal Upon Completion of Construction
Development	All Zones	100	20 feet 8 feet from ground	Ground Wall Pole	30 feet	1 For Each 50 Acres	When Project is 90 Percent Complete	Permitted on Development Site Only Subsection C(5)
Apartment	C2 & PD	25	12 feet	Wall Marquee	15 feet	1 For Each Street Front	Permanent
Identification Sign	C1, C2, I1, I2, PD	100	10 feet 20 feet for lots on 78 or PGBT	Monument	8 feet	30 feet From Property Line 60 Feet Between Signs	Permanent	Subsection C(3)
General Business	C1, C2, I1, I2, PD	Subsection C(2) (b, c, d)		Wall Marques Roof			Permanent
		60	10 feet 20 feet for lots on 78 or PGBT	Monument	8 feet	30 feet from Property Line 60 feet Between Signs		Subsection C(3)
Agricultural	AG	50	15 feet	Ground Wall Pole	30 feet	200 feet	Permanent	Permitted for Advertising Produce, Crops or Animals on Farm
Institutional	All Zones	32	10 feet	Ground	15 feet	1 Per Street Front	Permanent
					Wall			Subsection C(2)(c)
Multi-Purpose	C1, C2, I1, I2, PD	100	10 feet 20 feet for lots on 78 or PGBT	Monument	30 feet	1 Per Street Front	Permanent	Subsection C(3)(i)

 

;adv=.5p;(Ord. No. 391, 7-16-84; Ord. No. 436, 9-23-85; Ord. No. 799, 6-5-89; Ord. No. 946, 5-6-91; Ord. No. 391, 7-16-91; Ord. No. 986, 10-7-91; Ord. No. 994, 11-4-91; Ord. No. 1460, 4-7-97; Ord. No. 2176, § 2, 11-21-05; Ord. No. 3058, § 1, 5-19-08; Ord. No. 3110, § 1, 2-16-09; Ord. No. 3278, § 1, 2-15-11)