06-C Sign Ord Amendments
AGENDA INFORMATION SHEET
PROJECT: Consideration of an ordinance revising Sections 28-1, 28-8, 28-9, and 28-37, repealing Section
28-21 and adopting a new Section 28-21, and adopting new Sections 28-22 and 28-23 to the Code of
Ordinances of the City of Paris (the "Sign Ordinance").
BACKGROUND: Prior to 1970, the City of Paris adopted a comprehensive ordinance regulating signs inside
the city limits. Since that time, the only substantial amendment to this ordinance came in 1986; however, the
ordinance is still in need of revisions to provide the Community Development Department with better
enforcement capability and to regulate additional kinds of signs that are not addressed currently.
DESCRIPTION: The proposed changes to the Sign Ordinance are as follows:
1. Section 28-1, "Definitions," is being amended to add several new terms. As other sections
are amended, new terms are introduced to the ordinance, and it is important to define those
terms.
2. Section 28-8, "Location and heights," is being amended to mimic a provision found in Chapter
29, "Streets, Sidewalks, and Other Public Property," Article V, "Trees and Plants On or Near
Streets and Sidewalks," Sec. 29-131, "Limitations on height of sight obstructions near street
comers." This Section establishes a height and placement limitation on any obstructions near
street comers. Although any sign constructed should comply with this Section, because there
is no similar provision in the Sign Ordinance, there has been confusion over the years that has
resulted in some signs being placed within a zone near a comer where one should not have
been placed.
A new subsection (k) was added to address the placement of attached signs, which is a new
kind of sign added to the ordinance as part of this amendment. Although attached signs are
very frequently used by businesses, they have never been adequately addressed in the Sign
Ordinance.
3. Section 28-9, "Prohibited signs," is being amended as follows:
(a) Some prohibited signs are being removed from the list in this section of the ordinance
because they are being addressed in more detail elsewhere in the proposed revisions.
(b) A revised provision addressing abandoned or obsolete signs has been added.
(c) The provision regulating political signs has been removed because it no longer
complies with State law. A new provision has been added in the section listing signs
which do not require permits.
(d) The provision regulating real estate signs has been removed. A new provision has
been added in the section listing signs which do not require permits.
(e) A wind load capacity requirement has been added to swinging signs.
(D The provision prohibiting wooden signs in the Central Area District has been removed.
This requirement is outdated.
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(g) A new provision regulating signs on public rights-of-way has been added.
(h) A new provision regulating signs on trees, poles, etc. has been added.
(i) A new provision regulating signs on abandoned buildings or lots has been added.
G) A new provision regulating attached signs has been added. These kinds of signs are
frequently used, and there is no provision in the current ordinance to address their
permitted size.
(k) A new provision regulating the total allowed square footage of all signs combined.
The City Council is requested to recommend a maximum allotted amount.
4. The existing Section 28-21, "Removal of nonconforming signs," is being repealed and
replaced by a new Section 28-21, "Nonconforming signs; maintenance of existing signs;
removal of signs by city." The old section addressed only those signs that existed prior to
1986 and the conditions under which they should be removed. Nowhere in the ordinance were
there provisions allowing for removal by the City of dilapidated signs or signs otherwise
deemed nuisances. The proposed revision provides for the following:
(a) Nonconforming signs are addressed in a manner consistent with current State law.
(b) Owners of abandoned or obsolete signs will now be required to remove those signs
within a certain time period. In accordance with State law, if the owner of the property
ran the business, he will be allowed a one (1) year period to remove the sign; and if a
tenant ran the business, he will be allowed two (2) years to remove the sign. If the
owner does not remove a sign within the required time period, Code Inspectors will
now have the authority to remove the sign.
(c) Code Inspectors will now have the authority to remove unlawful or hazardous signs.
(d) Provisions have been added to require maintenance of existing signs. Code Inspectors
will now have the authority to remove signs which become dilapidated.
(e) The Community Development Department will now have the authority to impound
signs and assess fees for the recovery of impounded signs. The Department will also
now have the authority to dispose of unclaimed impounded signs.
5. A new Section 28-22, "General provisions," will be added to address the following:
(a) A business may not cover with interior, outward-facing signs more than thirty percent
(30%) ofthe transparent area of a window.
(b) External illumination will be regulated to insure that the lighting does not interfere
with the use of surrounding properties.
(c) Nonconforming signs removed as a result of street construction may not be replaced.
Although the ordinance currently requires this, this new provision was added to
explicitly state the requirement so as to avoid any confusion in the future.
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(d) Businesses which relocate will be permitted to provide signage at their old location
notifying of the move for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days.
6. A new Section 28-23, "Multi-use signs" will be added to address signage within a coordinated
development. There are currently no provisions in the existing ordinance which address the
maximum allotted signage inside a business or retail center, thus allowing for virtually
unlimited signage in these kinds of developments. The new provision will base sign
allowances inside the development on the leased or occupied fascia length, will establish
maximum signage allowed on the back of the building, and will provide that attached signs
within the development be uniform in size as much as practicable.
7. Section 28-37, "When permits not required," has been expanded to assist both the public and
City staff with identifying signs which do not require permits. We anticipate this will help
reduce staff time by no longer requiring detailed examinations of ordinance provisions to
determine whether certain kinds of signs are exempt.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approval of the proposed ordinance.
STAFF CONTACT: Lisa A. Wright, Director of Community Development
COST: The costs associated with enforcement of the new provisions of the Sign Ordinance could include
any labor necessary to remove and store signs and other incidental items such as postage and office supplies.
COUNCIL DATE: For consideration at City Council's regular Monday, December 12,2005, City Council
meeting.
ADDITIONAL MATERIALS: Attached is a copy of the existing Sign Ordinance with markings indicating
which provisions have been added, deleted, or revised. Double underlines indicate new wording, while
strikeouts indicate removed wording.
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ARTICLE I. IN GENERAL
Sec. 28-1. Definitions.
For the purposes of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings
respectively ascribed:
Abandoned or obsolete sir!n. A sign which depicts or refers to a product. business. service.
activity. condition. or person which has changed in such a manner that the sign no longer correctly
identifies or describes said entity. or which entity no longer exists at the location referred to in the
sign. or which entity no longer exists in anv wav or at anv place. or which is deserted. surrendered
or forsaken. unused. given uP. or relinquished with intention of never resuming a right or interest
therein.
Alcoholic beverage signs. Any sign advertising alcoholic beverages which does not exceed
four (4) square feet.
Attached shm. Anv sign attached to. applied on or supported bv anv part of a building (such
as a walL roof. window. canopy. awning. arcade. or marquee) which encloses or covers usable space
and does not extend more than 12 inches from the building facade.
Banner signs. Any sign made of canvas or other cloth with or without framework.
Billboard Any flat surface covered with wood or metal erected on framework on open
space, or attached to posts, buildings, or other structures and used for the display of bills, posters and
other advertising matters posted, tacked or painted thereon.
Blinking signs. Any sign that has intermittent off and on lights of any color.
Buildinf! official. The Chief Building Official of the City of Paris or designee.
Citv. The City of Paris. Texas.
Dilapidated signs. Signs that do not meet the standards described in this chapter.
Electric sign. Any sign, the letters or designs of which are outlined by electric lamps or tubes
on which the letters or designs are painted, placed, or raised, and illuminated by interior or exterior
lamps so placed as to make visible the letters or design on the sign. Billboards and ground signs
which are illuminated as above shall be classified as electric signs and shall meet the requirements
for wiring and electrical inspections as for electrical signs.
Electrical insvector. The electrical inspector of the City of Paris.
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Government flaf! sif!n. A flag or insignia of a governmental or fraternaL religious. civic or
educational organization or institution which is not used in connection with a commercial promotion
or to advertise a commercial product. service. business. activity. condition. or person.
Ground signs. Signs that are built so that there are no open spaces between the ground and
the sign.
Insvections division. The Building Inspections Division of the City of Paris Community
Development Department.
Ma;or revair. Anv repair. other than minor repair as defined herein. of an existing sign.
which through an act of God or other event (other than normal maintenance operations) has become
damaged or out of repair in excess of 60 percent of its replacement cost. Such repair work will
require a permit and shall meet all provisions of this article. Verification of the percentage of
damage will be supplied by the applicant to the permit office. and such verification shall include. as
a minimum. two estimates from two different established sign contractors. stating the total value of
the sign and the total value of all costs to repair the sign to its original state. If the applicant agrees
that the repair exceeds 60 percent of replacement cost. then the said estimates shall not be required.
Minor revair. Limited to painting. replacement of defective parts. cleaning. or other similar
minor maintenance to a sign which will keep said sign at an acceptable level and which does not
change the total area of the sign. and which repair is less than 60 percent of the replacement cost of
the sign.
Menu board means a temporarY sign used to inform the public of the list of dishes. foods.
or entrees available in a restaurant and manv include the corresponding prices.
Movement-control sif!n. An on-site traffic control sign which directs vehicular or pedestrian
movement within or onto a premises.
Namevlate. Any sign showing only the name and address of the owner or occupant ofthe
premises on which it is erected.
Nuisance sign. Any sign or billboard which annoys and disturbs one in possession of his
property, rendering its ordinary use or occupation physically uncomfortable to him, or which is
illuminated to an intensity to cause glare or brightness to a degree that could constitute a hazard or
nuisance. Nuisance signs shall include. but not be limited to. the following;
(1) Signs containing statements. words. or pictures of an obscene. indecent. or
immoral character. such as will offend public morals or decency.
(2) Signs which imitate an official traffic sign or signal. or which contain the words
'stop.' 'gO slow.' 'caution.' 'danger.' 'warning.' or similar words.
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3 Si ns which are of a size location movement content colorin or manner of
illumination which mav be confused with or construed as a traffic control device. which hide
from view any traffic or street sign or signal. or which obstruct the view in any direction at
a street or road intersection.
(4) Signs which are moving. flashing. intermittently lighted. changing color. beacons.
revolving. or similarly constructed.
(5) Signs that are unsafe or unsecured. abandoned. or maintained in a dilapidated
condition.
Open sign. Any sign constructed of open metalwork or wire mesh secured to angle iron or
other framework, and the letters or designs fastened thereon.
Pole sign. Signs that must have at least eight (8) feet of clearance from the ground to the
bottom of the frame of the sign.
Political sif!n. Any type of sign which refers only to the issues or candidates involved in a
political election.
Protective sif!n. Anv sign which is commonlv associated with safeguarding the permitted
uses of the occupancv.
Real estate sign. Any SIgn advertising property for sale, lease or rent of temporary
construction.
Sandwich board or 'A' frame sif!n. A portable sign consisting of two panels of equal size.
made of painted. decay-resistant wood. which are hinged at the top and placed on the ground or
pavement so as to be self-supporting.
Sign. Any device 01 5tl1[aGG on which lcttas, illu5tHrtions, design5, figtl1e5 01 any symbols
Me painted, plintcd, stamped, laisGd 01 in all' manna outlined cllld used [01 adveltising pmposes.
Any writing. letter. word. numeral. oictorial representation. emblem. symbol. trademark. obiect
design. or other identification which is designed or intended to identify. advertise. announce. or
inform. The term 'sign' shall not include:
(1) Works of art which in no wav identify a product or business and which are not
displayed in coni unction with a numerical for-profit enterprise.
(2) Temporary decorations or displays directly incidental to and customarily and
commonly associated with national. regional. or local holiday celebrations.
(3) Traffic and other official signs and devices of any public or governmental agency.
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Sif!n area. The area enclosed bv drawing one or more rectangles of horizontal and vertical
lines which fullv contain all extremities of the sign drawn to scale. exclusive of its supports. The
measurement is to be calculated from the viewooint which gives the largest rectangle of that kind
as the viewpoint is rotated horizontallv around the sign. Sign area shall include all lettering.
wording. logos. design. symbols. framing. roofing. and cabinets or modules.
Sky sign. Any sign or billboard supported or attached wholly or in part over or above any
wall, building or structure.
Temporary sign. Shall include all torpedo signs, A-frame signs, real estate signs, and political
signs as herein defined.
Torpedo sign. Signs that are ofthe portable type that can be moved from location to location,
usually exhibiting flashing lights or changeable messages.
Vehicular sif!n. A sign that identifies a vehicle used for a particular business: however. not
when the primarY use of the vehicle is that of a sign.
Sec. 28-2. Weight of signs.
No sign that projects over public space shall have a greater weight than one thousand five hundred
(1,500) pounds.
Sec. 28-3. Construction of electric signs.
All electric signs must comply with section 11-112 of this Code of Ordinances. All electric signs
within the Central Area District shall have a structural framework of iron, steel, or other metal
substances of equal strength and the body and other parts of such sign shall be of noninflammable
material throughout. No threaded pipe fittings will be permitted in any framework or standard for
signs. The sign shall be of such strength as may be approved by the building official with the advice
of the city engineer.
Sec. 28-4. Sign supports.
(a) All sign supports, brackets, guys, turnbuckles, bolts, anchors and fastenings shall be
figured strong enough to safely hold and support all loads and other stresses which may come upon
them.
(b) Signs shall be supported and guyed with steel angles, chains, standard cables, or wire.
(c) Guys shall be on the property upon which the sign is located or shall be covered by an
agreement with the property owner upon which it is located.
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(d) Chain supports shall have welded links of not less than three-sixteenths of an inch in
diameter.
(e) No cable shall be tied or twisted around any anchor or other support, but shall be joined
into a loop with an eyelet inserted and the loose end fastened to the standing part of the cable with
approved clips, clamps, or standard cable splice. A turnbuckle shall be inserted in every cable or wire
hanger or guy to keep them taut.
(f) All cable, wire, brackets, strap iron, turnbuckles, anchors, bolts, and all other supports
shall be galvanized or given two (2) heavy coats of protective noncorrosive paint.
Sec. 28-5. Exits to be kept clear.
No sign of any kind shall be attached to the wall or be placed upon the roof of any building in such
a manner as to obstruct any fire escape, door, window, or other passageway leading to a fire escape
or to a street exit, nor shall the sign be fastened in any manner to a fire escape.
Sec. 28-6. Fire walls to be kept clear.
No sign shall be erected upon the fire wall or coping of any building, nor shall it be anchored to such
wall but shall be attached to and supported by other structural parts of the building.
Sec. 28-7. Sky signs.
(a) Sky signs shall be constructed entirely of metal, including the supports and braces for
same, and no sky sign shall project beyond the building line.
(b) Any sign erected upon or above the roof of any building shall have a maximum height
to be determined by the building official.
(c) Sky signs are banned except by special use permit. Existing sky signs in the downtown
area are allowed to remain, but no new sky signs will be allowed to be erected in the downtown area.
(d) When erected on flat roofs, there shall be maintained a three-foot passageway around the
ends of the sign and between its lower edge and the roof.
Sec. 28-8. Location and heights.
(a) No sign projecting over a sidewalk or other public space shall be so hung that the lowest
point will be less than eight (8) feet above the sidewalk or ground level under the sign, and no sign
shall extend any closer than two (2) feet of the curbline.
(b) No sign shall project over any street right-of-way with the exception of the downtown
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area where the same is necessary.
(c) No sign attached to the wall of any building or structure or supported by a support on the
building line and extending outward therefrom shall project over a sidewalk or public space more
than seven and a half (7 1/2) feet.
(d) All signs must be supported from a support on private property. No supports or
obstruction will be permitted on sidewalk or public space. All signs in alleys are prohibited where
signs project over public space.
(e) No sign erected above the second story of any building or multiple dwelling, shall extend
beyond the walls of the building more than two (2) feet, or be so spaced as to obstruct any window
or means of exit above the second floor of the building.
(f) No sign shall be larger than twelve (12) feet by twenty-five (25) feet inside "the Loop,"
which is a standard-size billboard.
(g) No sign shall be larger than ten (10) feet by forty (40) feet adjacent to Loop 286 or
adjacent to any Farm to Market, Texas or United States highway outside of Loop 286.
(h) No billboard will be permitted to be constructed within five hundred (500) feet of another
billboard on the same side of the roadway.
(i) No sign having a height greater than three (3) feet above the level of the center of the
nearest abutting street will be permitted on or in that portion of any corner lot which is included in
a triangle on the street corner of the lot formed by a diagonal line intersecting the propertv lines at
points twenty (20) feet from the street corner intersection of the property lines.
(j) No billboard will be allowed outside Loop 286 except adjacent to Farm to Market, Texas
and United States highways.
(k) Attached signs mav be located on a building wall: but. if anv part of the sign proiects
above the ceiling line of the first floor. then no window or part of a window shall be situated within
or blocked by the flat wall sign. No such sign shall extend above the roofline of the building or more
than 12 inches from the building wall. Where such signs are located on mansard-style roofs. and the
building fascia is not verticaL the bottom of such sign shall not proiect more than 12 inches from
said roof and the sign can be oriented in a vertical manner.
Sec. 28-9. Prohibited signs.
(a) Cloth and banner signs. No person shall suspend or project over or across any street, alley
or other public space or portion thereof, cloth signs or banners advertising anything or for any
purpose whatsoever. This chapter, however, shall not prohibit the displaying of flags and other
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emblems not otherwise prohibited by law, provided the flag or emblem, when suspended over a
street, or public space, is securely fastened to the supporting cable by one (1) edge only, and be
allowed to swing free and further provided that permission to display the flags or emblems has been
obtained from the building official. The supporting cable shall be of sufficient strength and anchored
so as to meet the approval of the building official. The building official may grant a temporary
suspension of the second and third sentences of this paragraph (a) ofthis section at such times as he
may deem expedient on special occasions or while festivals or celebrations are being held.
(b) Blinking .sigll.s. every blinking ,o;igl1 which can be a di,o;ttaetion to motoli,o;t,o; 01 i,o; a
di,o;tmbal1ec or nui,o;anee to the ocGtlpant,o; of adjoining pl0pClty i,o; prohibited.
(e g) Ddapidated Abandoned or obsolete signs. The owner of the sign shall havc thirty (JO)
day,o; in which to I emo v e 011 epail mry ,o;ign which di,o;play,o; a me,o;,o;age 01 copy that hM become fadtd,
tOlll 01 adverti,o;e,o; a bn,o;ine,o;,o; which i,o; no longel in operation remove such signs in accordance with
the provisions of Sec. 28-21 hereof.
(d ~) Ground signs. The size of ground signs shall be limited to one (1) square foot per front
foot of property upon which the same is placed; however, under no circumstances shall such sign
exceed three hundred (300) square feet in area and fifteen (15) feet in height. No ground sign shall
be erected within twenty (20) feet of any residence.
(c) IIazeu dou.s .signs. No ,o;ign which con,o;titute,o; a hazard to vehienlm traffic ,o;hall be placed
in the City.
(f ~) Historically significant signs. The historic Imldmark preservation commission, the
committee charged with protecting historical districts, may nominate signs located in such districts
as historically significant signs. The city council shall hold a public hearing and make final
determination as to the historical significance of such nominated sign, and if such sign is found to
be historically significant then the prohibition herein shall not regulate such sign. However, such
sign may only be maintained and shall not be enlarged, diminished, or significantly changed, and in
the event of such notification of change, it shall lose the protection as an historically significant sign.
(g) lv/Mable signs, bal bel pole.s, etc. No mo v able ,o;ign,o;, bat bel po1c,o;, etc., ,o;hall bc placed
on any public ,o;paee.
(h~) Nuisance signs. No sign shall be placed or maintained in such a manner as to constitute
a nuisance as that term is defined herein.
(1: f) Pole signs. The size of pole signs shall be limited to one (1) square foot per front foot
of property upon which the same is placed; however, under no circumstances shall such sign exceed
three hundred (300) square feet in area and thirty (30) feet in height, except that, pole signs will not
be limited to one (1) square foot per front foot of property, nor to thirty (30) feet in height, when
erected within a rectangle one thousand (1,000) feet wide and four thousand (4,000) feet long
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running lengthwise with an elevated portion of Loop 286 or an elevated portion of any Farm to
Market Road, Texas highway, or U.S. highway outside of Loop 286, having its center at the center
point of the elevated street or highways' intersections with the depressed street or highway or when
erected within a rectangle fifteen hundred (1,500) feet wide and one thousand (1,000) feet long at
an elevated intersection of a Farm to Market Road, a Texas highway or a U.S. highway intersection
with Loop 286, such rectangle extending inside Loop 286 five hundred (500) feet from the center
point of said intersection and one thousand (1,000) feet outside of Loop 286 from such center point
of such intersection. If a permit application is received for a pole sign to be located within the
aforedescribed rectangles, a specific use permit may be issued in accordance with the procedure
established in section 28-43, which would establish the height of such sign and the size of such sign
not to exceed a maximum of three hundred (300) square feet. No pole sign shall be erected within
twenty (20) feet of any residence.
U) }lotitical .sig,l.s. No politiGal sign, ot:l1Gl than billboards, \lVill be permittGd mOle than sixty
(60) days befl')le an ekGtiollllormorG than tm (10) days aftel an election. No political sign \lVill be
peInlitted upon ptIblie property. No politie,al sign will be, peunitted upon pIivette plopert} \lVithotrt
pellnission from the O\lVncr of stIGh pri vette ploperty filst being obtained. No politiGal sign shall be
plaecd \lVithont a sign pelnlit. Only onG (1) sign pc,lmit is lcquired WI thG placemcnt of politkal signs
\lVhkh do not eXGeed thirty-t\lVO (J2) squc.'tle fec,t in Mea and is no talkl than fl')m (4) fec,t and no
\lVider than eight (8) fec,t. Political signs of a size of fom (4) square feet 01 smaller may be plaGcd
\lVit:hotrt a sign pellnit.
(k) Real eJtate .sigm. No pelSOll shall place 01 allo\lV a le,al Gstate sign bearing his name tl') be
placed upOll the street right-of-way ett any time. A real estate sign no lalgel than t\lVO (2) fcet nine (9)
inches by t \lVO (2) feet six (6) inches and of a height not to exceed wm (4) feet shall not be placed
upon the ploperry of another unkss such leal estettc fiun has in its possession \lVlittm permission
flom 5tlCh O\lVl1G1. RGal estette signs lc.'tlgGl than t\lVO (2) fect nine (9) inchcs by t\lVO (2) fcet six (6)
indKs not to exceed fom (4) fect in height shall not be placed 01 permitted to be plaGed upon the
pIC/perry of Mlotha mlk5s such pI opel ty i51i5ted by the real estette film \lVhC/se nanlC i5 depiGted upon
said sign. U pOll the tCllnillettiotl of \lVlitten permission or a listing agrcement, the leal Gstette firm shall
have ten (10) days in \lVhiGh to lemOve its sign. ThGIeaftcr, Stich firm \lVonld be in violettion of this
chapter.
(t g) Swinging signs. Every sign shall be Iigidly hung so thett it '\lvill not s\lVing 01 vibIate in
a strong \lVind. Detached and hanging signs shall be engineered to withstand a wind load of 30
pounds per square foot.
(m h) Temporary signs. Unless otherwise specifically regulated herein, a temporary sign shall
not exceed a height of three (3) feet. An exception would be temporary signs informing the public
of the contractors and subcontractors of construction sites where they will be allowed with a
limitation on size to a maximum of four (4) feet by eight (8) feet, other than names on equipment
which is excepted.
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(n D Torpedo signs. No torpedo sign shall be constructed or placed in the City which fails
to meet the requirements of sections 28-3, 28-10,28-13,28-18, and any other applicable section of
this chapter of the Code of Ordinances. All torpedo signs must be covered by a valid sign permit
which will expire one (1) year from the date of issuance. If a torpedo sign is not exhibited in the
same location or not continuously throughout the permit period, only one (1) permit is required;
however, an inspection is required on each occasion of relocation or location change.
(0) Wooden jigm. No wooden Si~llS 5hall be crttadlGd to 01 fastened Bert a~ainst the wall of
any buildin~, or hung in any otllGr ma1111GI inside thG Cwttal Alea DistIiGt.
(j) Sif!ns on vublic rif!hts-of-wav. No person shall attach any sign. paper. or other material
or paint. stenciL or write any name or number (except house numbers) or otherwise mark in any
public right-of-way unless authorized by this article or by the city councilor its delegated
representatives.
(k) Sif!ns on trees. voles. etc. No person shall attach or maintain any sign upon any tree.
public utility pole. or public building except as designated bv the inspections division.
(1) Sif!ns on abandoned buildinf!s or vacant lots. No person shall place. attach. or maintain
any sign on vacant lots or abandoned buildings. However. on premise real estate signs shall be
permitted.
(m) Attached sif!ns. The size of attached signs shall be limited to one (1) square foot per
front foot of property upon which the same is placed; however. under no circumstances shall such
sign exceed three hundred (300) square feet in area. If the lot on which the building is located has
multiple right-of-way frontage. each street frontage shall be counted for purposes of determining
attached sign allowance. Said signage is to be applied (distributed) on the sides of the building where
facing directly adjacent to the public right-of-way. Alternate signage is allowed on sides of the
building not adjacent to the public right-of-way not to exceed 32 square feet.
Sec. 28-10. Location of billboards, ground signs and torpedo signs.
(a) No billboard, ground sign or torpedo sign shall be erected in or placed in or project over
any street or alley right-of-way, or public space.
(b) No billboard, ground sign or torpedo sign shall be erected within twenty (20) feet of any
residence or be so placed as to obstruct the lighting of any street, alley or public space, or interfere
with any public utility service.
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(c) No billboard, ground sign or torpedo sign shall be closer than six (6) feet to any building,
nor to the side of any lot, nor closer than fifteen (15) feet to any curb line; furthermore, in all cases
where a billboard is within fifty (50) feet of a building and the front line of such building is more
than fifteen (15) feet from the curbline, then the billboard, ground sign or torpedo sign shall not be
nearer to the curbline than the front line of the building is from the curb line.
Sec. 28-11. Construction of billboards and ground signs.
No billboard or ground sign constructed of wood or other combustible material shall be
erected in the Central Area District nor within fifty (50) feet of any frame building, nor within
twenty-five (25) feet of any frame building having unprotected openings in the wall on the side
nearest the billboard; provided, however, that, posts and braces supporting a ground sign, and the
skeleton frame of a billboard not exceeding fifteen (15) feet in height above the curb level, may be
wood; and there may also be a wood moulding or border, not over eight (8) inches wide around the
edge of such structure. The lower edge of every such billboard shall be not less than three (3) feet
above the ground, and the space between the lower edge of the billboard and the ground shall be left
open or may be closed with latticework which leaves at least fifty (50) percent ofthe space open. The
upper edge of the billboard shall be not more than forty-two (42) feet above the ground.
Sec. 28-12. Temporary structures used for advertising.
Temporary structures, trailers, fences, and barricades placed around excavations or used
during building operations, whether on public or private property, may be used for advertising
purposes during the necessary maintenance of the barricades, so long as their use does not become
a public nuisance.
Sec. 28-13. Notification of readiness for inspection.
Immediately after the erection of a signboard, billboard or electric sign, the building official
shall be notified that the sign is ready for inspection.
Sec. 28-14. Inspection by building official.
The building official shall have access to and the right to inspect any and all signs and
billboards, whether installed prior or subsequent to this article, and if he should find any sign or
billboard to be in an unsafe condition he shall immediately call it to the attention of the owner or
other person in charge thereof. Upon receipt of such notice from the building official, the owner or
person in charge shall have ten (10) days thereafter to correct such unsafe condition and upon failure
to correct the defect or defects called to his attention by the building official he will be subject to the
penal provision of this Code.
Sec. 28-15. Identification marking required.
Page 10 of 21
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All signs shall bear the name of the contractor and date of erection painted on or otherwise
attached to the lower margin of the sign.
Sec. 28-16. Sign contractor's license.
(a) No person shall install, erect, or maintain any sign, nor contract for such service, until
such person has applied to the building official for a license to install, erect, and maintain signs, and
until such license has been approved and issued. The fee for such license shall be twenty- five dollars
($25.00) per year payable on the first day of July of each year and an additional fee of ten dollars
($10.00) per year for each renewal thereof.
(b) The license of any sign contractor may be cancelled by the city council, upon the
recommendation of the building official, when such contractor persistently violates the requirements
of this chapter. Conviction, whether appealed or not, of three (3) such violations over a period of two
(2) calendar years shall constitute evidence of persistent violation. Any license thus cancelled shall
not be renewed for such contractor or anyone operating his shop until all such violations have been
corrected. Upon correction of the violations, the contractor's license may be renewed upon furnishing
the bond required by section 28-17.
Sec. 28-17. Sign contractor's bond and liability insurance.
No license for the installation, erection and maintenance of signs shall be issued to any
person or shall any person install, erect, or maintain any sign or medium of display or advertising,
electric or otherwise, until such person has filed with the city clerk, a surety bond in the sum of one
thousand dollars ($1,000.00). Such bond shall be approved by the building official and city attorney
and shall be conditioned for the installation and erection of signs in accordance with the provisions
of this Code, ordinances of the City and the laws of the state, and shall provide for the
indemnification of the City for any and all damages or liability which may accrue against it by reason
of faulty installation, erection, demolition, repair, removal or defects in, or collapse of, any sign for
a period of one (1) year after erection and for such period of time that such sign is maintained or
serviced by or under the direction of the maker of such bond. Such bond shall further provide for the
indemnification of any person, who shall, while upon public property or in any public place, incur
damage for the principal named in the bond is legally liable. When any sign contractor's license has
been cancelled as provided by section 28-16, such license shall not be renewed until the contractor
furnishes an additional bond in the amount of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00), guaranteeing
compliance with the provisions of this chapter, which bond shall be for a period of two (2) years
following renewal of the license. In addition to the above bond, each contractor agrees to indemnify,
save, keep and hold harmless the City of Paris, hereinafter referred to as "City", from and against any
and all demands, debts, liabilities, suits, claims and causes of action of every kind and character
whatsoever for damage or injuries to persons and/or property occurring on the leased premises
resulting from licensee, his invitees, agents, servants or employees' use, and City shall not be liable
to licensee, his invitees, agents, servants, employees or visitors due to the improvements located
thereon, or hereafter constructed, or any other condition of the premises being improperly
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constructed, maintained or being or becoming out of repair, licensee hereby waiving any defects
therein and agrees to hold and save City harmless from all claims for any such damages or injuries,
and licensee must at all times during the term of this agreement, and any extensions thereof, keep
and maintain in full force and effect a policy or policies of insurance, providing at least two hundred
fifty thousand dollars ($250,000.00) per person and five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000.00) for
any single occurrence for bodily injury or death and one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) for
any single occurrence for injury to or destruction of property, indemnifying all persons for any and
all damages, personal injuries or property damages sustained in or upon the premises of said leased
property, or any part thereof, as the result of the negligence oflicensee, his invitees, agents, servants
or employees, and shall pay all premiums due thereon when due. It is expressly provided that such
insurance policy or policies shall and must be written and issued by a reputable insurance company
or companies, with City as an additional insured, subject to approval by the city attorney of the City
of Paris, and licensee or his insurance carrier or carriers shall deliver a copy of any such policies to
the city clerk of the City of Paris, 150 1 st S.E. Street, Paris, Texas 75460, or furnish to said city clerk
a current letter or certificate from such company or companies, evidencing the fact that such
insurance is in full force and effect at all times during this lease and any extension thereof and
specifically noting thereon that City is an additional insured. All such policies shall be written so that
the City will be notified of cancellation or of any restrictive amendment of the policies at least thirty
(30) days prior to the effective date of such cancellation or amendment. Notice shall be by certified
mail, return receipt requested, addressed to the City at the following address: City clerk, City of
Paris, P. O. Box 9037, Paris, Texas, 75461-9037.
Sec. 28-18. Design.
All signs shall be designed and constructed in accordance with sections 2302.1 through
2302.3 of the Standard Building Code, 1985 Edition, and all amendments thereto, which is hereby
specifically adopted.
Sec. 28-19. Chapter to regulate sign and billboard matters.
Sections 2301 through 2301.10 and 2303.1 through 2304 of the Standard Building Code,
1985 Edition, and all amendments thereto, relating to signs and outdoor displays are in all things,
repealed and all matters pertaining to signs and billboards shall be governed and regulated by this
chapter of the Code of Ordinances of the City.
Sec. 28-20. Erection of sign by owner.
Any person may erect his own signs with his regular employees which advertise his own
business or profession or product manufactured or sold by him without the necessity of a license or
bond, but all other provisions of the Code shall be complied with. The person erecting the sign shall
keep it in a good operating condition and shall remove it at his expense when requested by the City.
Se<.. 28-21. Remol' al of 110.1<.00(01 nlillg signs.
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(a) Signs elected prior to July 1, 1986, and 'Which do not eonfclm tc the lcquirements ofthis
chapter, ate illegal 5igns undel thi5 and prior sign control ordinances if a pellllit t'\'as requiIed fur
their erection.
(b! Allsign5 legally eleetcd ptl1suant to a valid peunit or legally maintaincd plior to July 1,
1986, t'\'hIeh do not ccnfonn to the provisions of this section shall be remOved 01 relocated so as to
conform t'\'ith the lequilements of this section t'\'ithin fivc (5) yeats.
(c) Whele a sign in a fulmer "zoning dist1ict" has becn made noneonfullning because of the
change of that zonc, then that sign must be bi ought into confollnity immediately 01 I CIllO v cd.
(d) No nonconforming sign shall be lepaiIed or renovatcd at a cost in excess of thirty-five
(35) pel cent of the replacement cost of the. total sign structme, unless SUdl sign is brought into
confollllity t'\'ith thi5 section. No nonconforming sign shall be lepaircd or rellov ated t'\'here thc effect
ofsuch lepail or renOvation shall be to enlatge 01 increase the stlUctme ofthc nonconfollning sign.
Por the pmpose5 of this subsection, nonnal maintenance shall not be considcIcd to be Icpair
or r eno vation.
(e) \Yhere aU)' legally elccted sign is made nonconfolllling as a result of.
(1) The adoption of all)' amendment to this section, or
(2) Any amendment to the zoning oldinanec, 01
(3) The acquisition of public ligIn-of-t'\'ay, or
(4) The Iedesignation of public stleets in accoldance t'\'ith the oldinances of the City
as amended, 01
(5) The dedication of a public patk, or
(6) Any other legislative action of the city council of the City,
the sign shall bc remOved, rdoc<rted, 01 altcred so as to confolln tc the requirements ofthi5 section
or to the zoning ordinance t'\'ithin five (5) yeats of the date of the above-listed action.
(f) It shall be unlat'\'ful to maintain any sign erected t'\'ithctrt a valid pelmit t'\'herc a pellnit
t'\'as IequiIed fOl the erection of thc sign according to the lat'\' in effect at thc time thc 5ign t'\'as
el ected. It is a defcnse to pr osectrtion undel this subseGtion if the sign is made to comply t'\' ith the
plovision5 ofthi5 5ection and a pClmit has heGll obtained.
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(g) In the evGnt that a 5ign become5 a nonGOnfollning 5ign, or mU5t bc leloGated,
rGcon5tltlc,tGd or removcd for thG public' c'onvenicuce, the Ol;lVneI of SUGh sign lllay apply for
leimbtll5em~nt fOi tl;lVenry (20) perccnt ofthc Oliginal C05t of 5ueh 5ign if the 5ign i5 at lea5t fotll (4)
yeat5 old but le55 than five (5) yeats old, forty (40) percent ifthc sign is truce (J) yeals old but le55
than rom (4) yec115 old, 5ixty (60) pcrGGnt iithe 5ign i5 tl;lVO (2) ye-al5 old but le55 thc111 thtcc (J) ycaH
old, cighry (80) percent if the sign is Ol1e (1) year old but less than tl;lVO (2) yeals old arId ninety (90)
pClcent if the 5ign i5 k55 thc111 one (1) yec11 old. The Ol;lVnel de5iling Icimbtl15eme-nt l1lU5t be able to
verify his original c'ost to tit{, 5atisfac,tion ofthG dileetor offinatlce of the Ciry in oldCl to reed ve atlY
IcimbUlselllcnt. If a sign become5 a nonconfollning sign, or l1lust be lemovcd for the public
convenience c111d 5ueh 5ignl;lVas not elceted in violation oftIK provi5ion5 ofthi5 chaptcr applicable
at thc timc of its elcction, the Ol;lVneI may reject tile above Idmbtll5ement plan and avail himself of
the lights glatlted in section 7, atiicle 10150 of the Revi5ed Civil Statutes.
Sec. 28-21. Nonconformin2 si2ns: maintenance of existin2 si2ns: removal of si2ns bv city.
(a) Nonconforminf! sif!ns.
(1) Signs existing prior to July 1. 1986. which do not conform to the provisions of
this chapter shall be regarded as nonconforming signs which may continue to exist until the
sign. or a substantial part of it. is blown down or otherwise destroyed. dismantled. or
substantially altered for any purpose other than maintenance operations or for changing the
letters. symbols. or other matter on the sign. Nonconforming signs which are structurally
altered. relocated. or replaced at the owner's choice shall comply immediately with all
provisions of this ordinance.
(2) Any nonconforming sign which has been damaged by fire. wind. or other cause
in excess of 60 percent of its replacement cost shall not be restored except in conformance
with the provisions of this chapter.
(3) If the City Council deems it appropriate to require the relocation. reconstruction.
or removal of a sign within the city limits or the extraterritorial iurisdiction. then it shall
comply with the procedures set forth in V.T.C.A.. Local Government Code. Chapter 216.
Subchapter A.
(b) Abandoned or obsolete sif!ns.
(1 ) Any sign now or hereafter existing which no longer advertises a bona fide
business conducted or a product sold at said premises. shall be removed by the owner. agent.
or person having the beneficial use of the building or structure upon which the sign may be
found or associated within twelve (12) months after the said business has been closed:
provided. however. if the premises containing the sign is leased. such sign shall be removed
within twenty-four (24) months after the most recent tenant ceases to overate on the
premIses.
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(2) The poles/supports for out-of-business signs may be left in place as long as the
poles/supports do not violate safety or electrical codes and as long as there is reasonable
expectation that the ooles/suoports can or will be utilized by the next owner. agent. or person
occupving the building. If the sign pole/support is in the right-of way or is a nonconforming
sign structure. it must be completely removed.
(3) All signs. cabinets. and parts to the abandoned or obsolete sign (except primary
poles/supports. if in compliance) shall be removed from the premises and disposed of. If the
abandoned or obsolete sign or sign parts are not removed within the time frames stated
herein. a code inspector is hereby authorized to cause removal of such sign. sign parts. and
sign pole/supports if not in compliance. A code inspector will send notice of this action to
the owner. and if owner fails to respond within a two-week period. the City will have the sign
removed. All expenses incidental to this sign removal shall be paid by the owner of the land.
building. or structure to which the sign is attached or upon which it is erected.
(c) Removal of unlawful sif!ns. All of the following signs shall be considered a public
nuisance and are prohibited and. upon written notification by the inspections division. may be
removed from the premises. Said notification shall state that if the sign is not removed within the
same day or next working day if received on a weekend day of said notification. a citation may be
issued. The following signs shall be governed herebv:
(1) Anv sign erected without a required permit. either prior to or after the adoption
of this chapter.
(2) Any sign erected in violation of the provisions ofthis chapter.
(3) Any sign erected in or over a public right-of-way. either prior to or after the
adoption of this chapter. except those in the downtown historic district. as such is defined in
the Zoning Ordinance No. 1710.
(d) Removal ofhazardous sif!ns. The following signs are a public hazard and can be removed
without notice by the City:
(1) Anv sign erected or existing that constitutes a traffic hazard.
(2) Any sign which is dangerous due to being electrically or structurally defective.
(e) Maintenance of existinf! sif!ns. Any person having an interest in a sign for which a permit
is issued under this chapter shall maintain all parts and sign supports of the sign covered by such
permit in good condition to prevent deterioration. oxidation. rust. and other unsightly conditions.
Historic signs shall be exempt: however. every attempt to protect such signs shall be exhausted.
Additionally. the following provisions shall aoply to the maintenance of existing signs:
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(1) There shall be no permit required to restore/repair a sign to its original condition.
However. major repair of an existing sign requires a permit.
(2) Every sign in the city. regardless of whether anv permit is required for such sign.
shall be maintained in a safe. presentable. and sound structural and operational condition at
all times. Signs not meeting the standards of good repair shall be subiect to repair after
written notification bv a code inspector to the sign owner or lessee. If the sign owner or
lessee cannot be notified. the property owner will be notified. If. in the opinion of the code
inspector. a sign has been damaged or is found to be in such a state of disrepair that it
constitutes a hazard to the health. safetv. and welfare of the general public and would require
a major repair as defined herein. the sign mav be removed without prior notice to the owner
or lessee.
(3) All signs. together with all sign supports. braces. gUYS. and anchors. shall be kept
in repair and. unless of galvanized or noncorroding metaL shall be thoroughlv painted as
often as needed to maintain a neat appearance. meaning lettering or other items are not faded
or worn and can clearlv be read bv the traveling public.
(4) If. in the opinion of a code inspector. any sign is structurally unsound. not
properlv maintained. or is unsightlv. and would require a major repair as defined herein. said
inspector will notify owner or lessee to remedy the problem within ten (10) davs. If such
order is not complied with within 10 davs. the code inspector may remove such sign at the
expense of the owner or lessee.
(t) Recoverv ofimvounded sif!ns. Impounded signs may be recovered by the owner within
15 davs after written notification of impoundment bv paving a fee as follows:
(1) A fee of$5.00 for signs which are 12 square feet or less in area.
(2) A fee of$20.00 for signs which are larger than 12 square feet in area.
( g) Disvosal of imvounded sif!ns. Signs not recovered within 15 davs after written
notification may be disposed of bv the City in any manner it shall elect.
Sec. 28-22. General orovisions.
The following general provisions applv to signs in all zoning districts within the citv of Paris:
(a) Sif!ns in interior of windows. For new and/or existing businesses which are food
or non-food-service establishments. signage is permitted in the interior of windows without
a permit; provided that not more than 30 percent of the transparent area is occupied at one
time.
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(b) Illuminated sif!ns. All illuminated signs shall bear the Underwriters'
Laboratories. Inc.. label or be built to complv with Underwriters' Laboratories. Inc..
requirements and shall be in conformance with the 1999 Edition of the National Electrical
Code. as it mav be amended: and the 2000 Edition of the International Electrical Code. as
it may be amended: additionally. illuminated signs shall comply with the following
prOVISIOns:
(1) Any light used for the illumination of a sign shall be shielded so that the
beams or rays of light shine directlv onto the sign and not into surrounding areas.
(2) Neither the direct nor the reflected light from any light source shall create
a traffic hazard or distraction to operators of motor vehicles on public thoroughfares.
(3) External illumination shall be allowed: however. such lighting must
comply with the above subsections 28-22(b)(l) and (b)(2).
(c) Revlacement after street construction or other vro;ects. Non-conforming signs required
to be removed bv property owners as a result of street repairs or construction or other utility proiects
may not be replaced except to conforming status.
(d) Relocated businesses. For businesses which relocate. signage notifying the public of a
new business location shall be permitted at the old business location for a period not to exceed 30
davs.
Sec. 28-23. Multi-use sie:ns.
A multi-use sign which identifies a coordinated development site of more than one use. such
as a shopping center. office center. or industrial park. may have a sign area not larger than the area
allowed for a single-use sign on the site. or a maximum of 300 square feet. A multi-use sign may
contain a directory or listing of the occupants within a center or multi-use development. provided
that the directory portion of the sign shall not exceed 200 square feet or 75 percent of the total sign
area. whichever is less. If a directory is utilized. the remainder of the sign area shall contain only the
identification of the entire center or entire development. If a multi -use sign area meets the maximum
square footage allowed for a single use. no detached ground sign is allowed for any single use within
the center or development. or for anv use listed in a directory on such sign: instead. other single uses
within the center or development may utilize attached signage only in accordance with the following
prOVISIOns:
(1) The total area per face of an attached sign shall not exceed 1 square foot of face
area per front foot of leased or occupied fascia length.
(2) If the leased or occuoied fascia length has multiole frontages. an attached sign
may be placed on each frontage in a size not to exceed 1 square foot of face area per front
Page 17 of 21
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foot ofleased or occupied fascia length; however. signs located on the back of a develooment
shall be limited to 1 square foot of face area per back foot ofleased or occupied fascia length
not to exceed 32 square feet. whichever is smaller.
(3) Attached signs identifying individual occupancies within a coordinated
development should be uniform in size and general appearance as much as is practicable.
Secs. 28-24--28-35. Reserved.
ARTICLE II. PERMITS
Sec. 28-36. Required generally.
No signboard, billboard, torpedo sign or electric sign on any building or on the ground,
except as otherwise provided for herein, shall be erected, reconstructed or placed within the City
unless a permit shall have been first secured from the building official. No permit for the erection
of any sign shall be issued to any person other than those licensed and bonded as provided in this
chapter.
Sec. 28-37. When permits not required.
The following signs may be erected and maintained under the exceptions and conditions
listed and shall not require a permit. provided all other chapter provisions are met:
(1) Public sif!ns. Noncommercial signs erected by or at the direction of a public
officer in furtherance ofthe public interest in the performance of his public duty.
(2) Public. charitable. educational. or relif!ious sif!ns. Temporarv signs announcing
any public. charitable. educationaL or religious event or function mav be installed for a
period of not more than 21 days prior to the event and not more than seven days after the
event. with a total sign area of not more than 24 square feet on each sign face. Such signage
is prohibited over the public right-of-way. No fees shall be charged for such signs.
(3) Intef!ral sif!ns. Names of buildings. dates of erection. monumental citations. and
commemorative tablets which are carved into stone. concrete. or similar permanent materials
and constructed as an integral part of a structure.
(4) Namevlates. One nameplate per public entrance per business not exceeding three
square feet of sign area per face.
(5) Private sif!ns. Signs not visible beyond the boundaries of the lot or series of
contiguous lots under the same ownership on which they are located or which are not visible
from anv public right-of-wav.
Page 18 of 21
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(6) Garaze-sale sif!ns. One garage-sale sign not exceeding four square feet in sign
area for all sign faces which is installed on the lot or series of contiguous lots under the same
ownershio on which the garage sale is located; such sign shall be installed during the days
for which the garage-sale is conducted.
(7) Menu boards. Eating establishments with drive-through service are permitted two
menu board signs per premises. limited to 36 square feet in area and 6 feet in height.
(8) Window sif!ns. Window signs are exempt from the provisions of this chapter.
providing not more than 30 percent of the transparent window area is occupied at anyone
time.
(9) Gasoline/service station sif!naf!e. Signs located beneath a canopv which do not
advertise the premises. including but not limited to the following information: 'Self-Service.'
'Full Service.' 'Unleaded Gasoline.' and 'Regular Gasoline.' are exempt. Governmentally
mandated signage and signage contained within the individual pumps are also exempt. In
addition. ten square feet of signage is permitted per side under the canopv per set of gasoline
product dispensers. Signage located beneath the canopy which is intended to advertise to
individuals using the gasoline product dispensers only. and not intended for advertisement
to the public right-of-wav. is exempt. Letters less than three inches in height shall not be
counted as part of the sign allowance.
(10) Government flaf! sif!ns. Allowed. as defined in the definitions in section 28-1.
provided that each such sign does not exceed 40 square feet. One
advertisement/identification flag or three government flags are permitted with a maximum
of three such signs per premises.
(11) Political sif!ns. Such signs must contain primarily a political message. be
located on private real propertv with the consent ofthe property owner. and not be located
within the public right-of-way. Additionally. political signs that are smaller than 36 square
feet. less than 8 feet high. not illuminated. and do not have any moving parts do not require
a permit.
(12) Real estate sif!ns. Such signs shall be nonilluminated. shall not exceed six
square feet in area per face. and shall pertain to the sale or lease of the premises. Subject to
the provisions of the city's zoning ordinance, permits shall not be necessary for temporary
signboards or billboards to be placed on buildings or vacant space, advertising the sale or
renting of such buildings or property on which they are placed, when such signboards or
billboards do not exceed sixty (60) square feet of area.
(13) Af!ricultural sif!ns. One sign. advertising agricultural uses. not exceeding 32
square feet in area and 8 feet in height. shall be allowed per owner. On large tracts that
exceed 0.25 mile of public right-of-wav frontage. said owner mav have one sign per 0.25
Page 19 of 21
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mile or portion thereof.
(14) Vehicular sif!ns. Vehicular signs are allowed for the purpose of identifying a
vehicle used for a particular business (i.e.. delivery service. professional and business.
construction trailers. etc.).
(15) Protective sif!ns. The occupant of any premises may erect two protective signs
in accordance with the following provisions:
a. Each sign must not exceed 2 square feet in area.
b. Detached signs must not exceed 2 feet in height.
c. Letters must not exceed 4 inches in height.
(16) Movement-control sif!ns. May be erected at any occupancy or any premises.
other than a single-family or duplex premises. may be attached or detached and may be
erected without limit as to number; provided that such signs shall comply with all other
applicable requirements of this chapter. The occupant of any premises who erects a
movement-control sign shall comply with the following requirements:
a. Each sign must not exceed 4 square feet in area and a maximum of 6 feet
in height.
b. If a sign is an attached sign. the letters must not exceed 6 inches in height.
c. Each sign must convev a message which directs vehicular or pedestrian
movement within or onto the premises on which the sign is located.
d. Not more than 50 percent of such sign may be used for advertising or
identification.
Sec. 28-38. Application.
All applications for permits required by the provisions of this article shall be accompanied
by such plans, specifications, drawings or descriptions as are necessary to fully advise the building
official as to the location, construction, weight, materials, and manner of securing of such propose.
Sec. 28-39. Electrical permit required.
Before any permit shall be issued under the provisions of this chapter for an electric sign, an
electrical permit shall be obtained from the building official and the same shall be wired in
accordance with the requirements of the city's electrical code.
Page 20 of 21
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Sec. 28-40. Fees.
For the erection or placing of all signs for which a permit is required by this article, the
following schedule of permit fees shall apply:
(1) Up to fifty (50) square feet in area. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. $ 25.00
(2) Fifty-one (51) to one hundred (100) square feet in area. . . . . . . . . . .. 50.00
(3) One hundred one (101) to two hundred (200) square feet in area. . .. 75.00
(4) Over two hundred (200) square feet in area. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100.00
Sec. 28-41. Issuance.
If the plans, specifications, drawings and descriptions of the work for which application for
a permit under the provisions ofthis article are made to conform to the provisions of this chapter.
Sec. 28-42. Permit to alter, repair, enlarge, etc.
(a) No sign shall be altered, rebuilt, enlarged, extended, replaced or relocated, except upon
the issuance of a permit by the building official, and all work done under such permit shall be in
conformity with the requirements of this chapter. Signs which have been erected in conformance
with this chapter and with the zoning ordinance, and which have been damaged by windstorm or
other natural causes, may be repaired without first securing a permit.
(b) The changing of movable parts of signs which are designed for changing, or the repainting
of display matter, or the repairing of damaged neon tubing while a sign is in place shall not be
deemed to be alterations, for the purpose of this section.
(c) The fee for a permit under this section shall be the same as prescribed by section 28-40.
Sec. 28-43. Specific use permit.
A sign permitted to be constructed upon the issuance of a specific use permit shall only be
issued a permit after the application for such permit has been submitted to the specific use board
composed of the mayor or his designated representative, the chairman of the planning and zoning
commission, the city engineer, the traffic safety coordinator and the director of community
development.
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DRAFT#4
F:\Attorney\ORDWORK\CURRENT\Sign Ord Amendment 2005-12-12 D03.wpd
December 6, 2005
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS,
PARIS, TEXAS, PROVIDING THAT THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF
THE CITY OF PARIS, PARIS, TEXAS, BE AMENDED BY REVISING
SECTIONS 28-1, 28-8, 28-9, AND 28-37, BY REPEALING SECTION 28-21
AND ADOPTING A NEW SECTION 28-21, AND BY ADOPTING NEW
SECTIONS 28-22 AND 28-23 TO SAID CODE; PROVIDING FOR REVISED
AND EXPANDED DEFINITIONS; PROVIDING FOR REGULATION OF
SIGN PLACEMENT LOCATIONS; PROVIDING FOR THE PROHIBITION
OF CERTAIN KINDS AND SIZES OF SIGNS; PROVIDING A PROCEDURE
FOR REMOVING NON-CONFORMING, ABANDONED, OBSOLETE,
NUISANCE, OR OTHERWISE UNLAWFUL SIGNS; PROVIDING
EXCEPTIONS TO PERMITTING REQUIREMENTS; PROVIDING FOR A
PENAL TY NOT TO EXCEED $2,000.00; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES
OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; MAKING
OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND
DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, prior to 1970, the City of Paris adopted a comprehensive ordinance regulating
signs inside the city limits (the "Sign Ordinance"), and since that time, the only substantial
amendment thereto came in 1986; and,
WHEREAS, the Sign Ordinance is still in need of revisions to provide the Community
Development Department with better enforcement capability and to regulate additional kinds of signs
that are not addressed currently; and,
WHEREAS, it is therefore deemed appropriate that various provisions of Chapter 28,
Articles I and II, of the Code of the Ordinances of the City of Paris be amended; NOW,
THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, PARIS,
TEXAS:
Section 1. That the findings set out in the preamble to this ordinance are hereby in all things
approved.
Section 2. That Section 28-1 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Paris, Paris, Texas,
be, and the same is hereby, amended so that such shall read as follows:
Page 1 of 17
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"Sec. 28-1. Definitions.
For the purposes of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have
the meanings respectively ascribed:
Abandoned or obsolete sign. A sign which depicts or refers to a product,
business, service, activity, condition, or person which has changed in such a manner
that the sign no longer correctly identifies or describes said entity, or which entity no
longer exists at the location referred to in the sign, or which entity no longer exists
in any way or at any place, or which is deserted, surrendered or forsaken, unused,
given up, or relinquished with intention of never resuming a right or interest therein.
Alcoholic beverage signs. Any sign advertising alcoholic beverages which
does not exceed four (4) square feet.
Attached sign. Any sign attached to, applied on or supported by any part of
a building (such as a wall, roof, window, canopy, awning, arcade, or marquee) which
encloses or covers usable space and does not extend more than 12 inches from the
building facade.
Banner signs. Any sign made of canvas or other cloth with or without
framework.
Billboard. Any flat surface covered with wood or metal erected on
framework on open space, or attached to posts, buildings, or other structures and used
for the display of bills, posters and other advertising matters posted, tacked or painted
thereon.
Blinking signs. Any sign that has intermittent off and on lights of any color.
Building official. The Chief Building Official of the City of Paris or
designee.
City. The City of Paris, Texas.
Dilapidated signs. Signs that do not meet the standards described in this
chapter.
Electric sign. Any sign, the letters or designs of which are outlined by electric
lamps or tubes on which the letters or designs are painted, placed, or raised, and
illuminated by interior or exterior lamps so placed as to make visible the letters or
design on the sign. Billboards and ground signs which are illuminated as above shall
be classified as electric signs and shall meet the requirements for wiring and
Page 2 of 17
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electrical inspections as for electrical signs.
Electrical inspector. The electrical inspector of the City of Paris.
Government flag sign. A flag or insignia of a governmental or fraternal,
religious, civic or educational organization or institution which is not used in
connection with a commercial promotion or to advertise a commercial product,
service, business, activity, condition, or person.
Ground signs. Signs that are built so that there are no open spaces between
the ground and the sign.
Inspections division. The Building Inspections Division of the City of Paris
Community Development Department.
Major repair. Any repair, other than minor repair as defined herein, of an
existing sign, which through an act of God or other event (other than normal
maintenance operations) has become damaged or out of repair in excess of 60 percent
of its replacement cost. Such repair work will require a permit and shall meet all
provisions of this article. Verification of the percentage of damage will be supplied
by the applicant to the permit office, and such verification shall include, as a
minimum, two estimates from two different established sign contractors, stating the
total value of the sign and the total value of all costs to repair the sign to its original
state. If the applicant agrees that the repair exceeds 60 percent of replacement cost,
then the said estimates shall not be required.
Minor repair. Limited to painting, replacement of defective parts, cleaning,
or other similar minor maintenance to a sign which will keep said sign at an
acceptable level and which does not change the total area of the sign, and which
repair is less than 60 percent of the replacement cost of the sign.
Menu board means a temporary sign used to inform the public of the list of
dishes, foods, or entrees available in a restaurant and many include the corresponding
pnces.
Movement-control sign. An on-site traffic control SIgn which directs
vehicular or pedestrian movement within or onto a premises.
Nameplate. Any sign showing only the name and address of the owner or
occupant of the premises on which it is erected.
Nuisance sign. Any sign or billboard which annoys and disturbs one in
possession of his property, rendering its ordinary use or occupation physically
Page 3 of 17
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uncomfortable to him, or which is illuminated to an intensity to cause glare or
brightness to a degree that could constitute a hazard or nuisance. Nuisance signs shall
include, but not be limited to, the following:
(1) Signs containing statements, words, or pictures of an obscene,
indecent, or immoral character, such as will offend public morals or decency.
(2) Signs which imitate an official traffic sign or signal, or which
contain the words 'stop,' 'go slow,' 'caution,' 'danger,' 'warning,' or similar
words.
(3) Signs which are of a size, location, movement, content, coloring,
or manner of illumination which may be confused with or construed as a
traffic control device, which hide from view any traffic or street sign or
signal, or which obstruct the view in any direction at a street or road
intersection.
(4) Signs which are moving, flashing, intermittently lighted, changing
color, beacons, revolving, or similarly constructed.
(5) Signs that are unsafe or unsecured, abandoned, or maintained in
a dilapidated condition.
Open sign. Any sign constructed of open metalwork or wire mesh secured to
angle iron or other framework, and the letters or designs fastened thereon.
Pole sign. Signs that must have at least eight (8) feet of clearance from the
ground to the bottom of the frame of the sign.
Political sign. Any type of sign which refers only to the issues or candidates
involved in a political election.
Protective sign. Any sign which is commonly associated with safeguarding
the permitted uses of the occupancy.
Real estate sign. Any sign advertising property for sale, lease or rent of
temporary construction.
Sandwich board or 'A' frame sign. A portable sign consisting oftwo panels
of equal size, made of painted, decay-resistant wood, which are hinged at the top and
placed on the ground or pavement so as to be self-supporting.
Page 4 of 17
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Sign. Any writing, letter, word, numeral, pictorial representation, emblem,
symbol, trademark, object, design, or other identification which is designed or
intended to identify, advertise, announce, or inform. The term 'sign' shall not
include:
(1) Works of art which in no way identify a product or business and
which are not displayed in conjunction with a numerical for-profit enterprise.
(2) Temporary decorations or displays directly incidental to and
customarily and commonly associated with national, regional, or local
holiday celebrations.
(3) Traffic and other official signs and devices of any public or
governmental agency.
Sign area. The area enclosed by drawing one or more rectangles of horizontal
and vertical lines which fully contain all extremities of the sign drawn to scale,
exclusive of its supports. The measurement is to be calculated from the viewpoint
which gives the largest rectangle of that kind as the viewpoint is rotated horizontally
around the sign. Sign area shall include all lettering, wording, logos, design,
symbols, framing, roofing, and cabinets or modules.
Sky sign. Any sign or billboard supported or attached wholly or in part over
or above any wall, building or structure.
Temporary sign. Shall include all torpedo signs, A-frame signs, real estate
signs, and political signs as herein defined.
Torpedo sign. Signs that are of the portable type that can be moved from
location to location, usually exhibiting flashing lights or changeable messages.
Vehicular sign. A sign that identifies a vehicle used for a particular business;
however, not when the primary use of the vehicle is that ofa sign."
Section 3. That Section 28-8 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Paris, Paris, Texas,
be, and the same is hereby, amended so that such shall read as follows:
"Sec. 28-8. Location and heights.
(i) No sign having a height greater than three (3) feet above the level of the
center of the nearest abutting street will be permitted on or in that portion of any
Page 5 of 17
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comer lot which is included in a triangle on the street comer of the lot formed by a
diagonal line intersecting the property lines at points twenty (20) feet from the street
corner intersection of the property lines.
(k) Attached signs may be located on a building wall; but, if any part of the
sign projects above the ceiling line of the first floor, then no window or part of a
window shall be situated within or blocked by the flat wall sign. No such sign shall
extend above the roofline of the building or more than 12 inches from the building
wall. Where such signs are located on mansard-style roofs, and the building fascia
is not vertical, the bottom of such sign shall not project more than 12 inches from
said roof and the sign can be oriented in a vertical manner."
Section 4. That Section 28-9 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Paris, Paris, Texas,
be, and the same is hereby, amended so that such shall read as follows:
"Sec. 28-9. Prohibited signs.
(a) Cloth and banner signs. No person shall suspend or project over or across
any street, alley or other public space or portion thereof, cloth signs or banners
advertising anything or for any purpose whatsoever. This chapter, however, shall not
prohibit the displaying of flags and other emblems not otherwise prohibited by law,
provided the flag or emblem, when suspended over a street, or public space, is
securely fastened to the supporting cable by one (1) edge only, and be allowed to
swing free and further provided that permission to display the flags or emblems has
been obtained from the building official. The supporting cable shall be of sufficient
strength and anchored so as to meet the approval of the building official. The
building official may grant a temporary suspension ofthe second and third sentences
of this paragraph (a) of this section at such times as he may deem expedient on
special occasions or while festivals or celebrations are being held.
(b) Abandoned or obsolete signs. The owner of the sign shall remove such
signs in accordance with the provisions of Sec. 28-21 hereof.
(c) Ground signs. The size of ground signs shall be limited to one (1) square
foot per front foot of property upon which the same is placed; however, under no
circumstances shall such sign exceed three hundred (300) square feet in area and
fifteen (15) feet in height. No ground sign shall be erected within twenty (20) feet
of any residence.
(d) Historically significant signs. The Historic Preservation Commission, the
committee charged with protecting historical districts, may nominate signs located
Page 6 of 17
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in such districts as historically significant signs. The city council shall hold a public
hearing and make final determination as to the historical significance of such
nominated sign, and if such sign is found to be historically significant then the
prohibition herein shall not regulate such sign. However, such sign may only be
maintained and shall not be enlarged, diminished, or significantly changed, and in the
event of such notification of change, it shall lose the protection as an historically
significant sign.
(e) Nuisance signs. No sign shall be placed or maintained in such a manner
as to constitute a hazard or nuisance as that term is defined herein.
(f) Pole signs. The size of pole signs shall be limited to one (1) square foot
per front foot of property upon which the same is placed; however, under no
circumstances shall such sign exceed three hundred (300) square feet in area and
thirty (30) feet in height, except that, pole signs will not be limited to one (1) square
foot per front foot of property, nor to thirty (30) feet in height, when erected within
a rectangle one thousand (1,000) feet wide and four thousand (4,000) feet long
running lengthwise with an elevated portion of Loop 286 or an elevated portion of
any Farm to Market Road, Texas highway, or U.S. highway outside of Loop 286,
having its center at the center point of the elevated street or highways' intersections
with the depressed street or highway or when erected within a rectangle fifteen
hundred (1,500) feet wide and one thousand (1,000) feet long at an elevated
intersection of a Farm to Market Road, a Texas highway or a U.s. highway
intersection with Loop 286, such rectangle extending inside Loop 286 five hundred
(500) feet from the center point of said intersection and one thousand (1,000) feet
outside of Loop 286 from such center point of such intersection. If a permit
application is received for a pole sign to be located within the aforedescribed
rectangles, a specific use permit may be issued in accordance with the procedure
established in section 28-43, which would establish the height of such sign and the
size of such sign not to exceed a maximum of three hundred (300) square feet. No
pole sign shall be erected within twenty (20) feet of any residence.
(g) Swinging signs. Detached and hanging signs shall be engineered to
withstand a wind load of 30 pounds per square foot.
(h) Temporary signs. Unless otherwise specifically regulated herein, a
temporary sign shall not exceed a height of three (3) feet. An exception would be
temporary signs informing the public of the contractors and subcontractors of
construction sites where they will be allowed with a limitation on size to a maximum
of four (4) feet by eight (8) feet, other than names on equipment which is excepted.
(i) Torpedo signs. No torpedo sign shall be constructed or placed in the City
which fails to meet the requirements of sections 28-3, 28-10, 28-13, 28-18, and any
Page 7 of 17
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other applicable section of this chapter of the Code of Ordinances. All torpedo signs
must be covered by a valid sign permit which will expire one (1) year from the date
of issuance. If a torpedo sign is not exhibited in the same location or not continuously
throughout the permit period, only one (1) permit is required; however, an inspection
is required on each occasion of relocation or location change.
G) Signs on public rights-of-way. No person shall attach any sign, paper, or
other material or paint, stencil, or write any name or number (except house numbers)
or otherwise mark in any public right-of-way unless authorized by this article or by
the city councilor its delegated representatives.
(k) Signs on trees, poles, etc. No person shall attach or maintain any sign
upon any tree, public utility pole, or public building except as designated by the
inspections division.
(1) Signs on abandoned buildings or vacant lots. No person shall place,
attach, or maintain any sign on vacant lots or abandoned buildings. However, on
premise real estate signs shall be permitted.
(m) Attached signs. The size of attached signs shall be limited to one (1)
square foot per front foot of property upon which the same is placed; however, under
no circumstances shall such sign exceed three hundred (300) square feet in area. If
the lot on which the building is located has multiple right-of-way frontage, each street
frontage shall be counted for purposes of determining attached sign allowance. Said
signage is to be applied (distributed) on the sides of the building where facing
directly adjacent to the public right-of-way. Alternate signage is allowed on sides of
the building not adjacent to the public right-of-way not to exceed 32 square feet.
(n) Total sign face area of all signs combined, including ground signs, pole
signs, attached signs, portable signs, torpedo signs, banners, etc., shall not exceed
square feet per front foot of property line, or a maximum of square
feet, at any time."
Section 5. That Section 28-21 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Paris, Paris, Texas,
be, and the same is repealed.
Section 6. That Section 28-21 of the Code of Ordinances ofthe City of Paris, Paris, Texas,
be, and the same is hereby, adopted so that such shall read as follows:
"Sec. 28-21. Nonconforming signs; maintenance of existing signs; removal of
signs by city.
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(a) Nonconforming signs.
(1) Signs existing prior to July 1, 1986, which do not conform to the
provisions of this chapter shall be regarded as nonconforming signs which
may continue to exist until the sign, or a substantial part of it, is blown down
or otherwise destroyed, dismantled, or substantially altered for any purpose
other than maintenance operations or for changing the letters, symbols, or
other matter on the sign. Nonconforming signs which are structurally altered,
relocated, or replaced at the owner's choice shall comply immediately with
all provisions of this ordinance.
(2) Any nonconforming sign which has been damaged by fire, wind,
or other cause in excess of 60 percent of its replacement cost shall not be
restored except in conformance with the provisions of this chapter.
(3) If the City Council deems it appropriate to require the relocation,
reconstruction, or removal of a sign within the city limits or the
extraterritorial jurisdiction, then it shall comply with the procedures set forth
in V.T.C.A., Local Government Code, Chapter 216, Subchapter A.
(b) Abandoned or obsolete signs.
(1) Any sign now or hereafter existing which no longer advertises a
bona fide business conducted or a product sold at said premises, shall be
removed by the owner, agent, or person having the beneficial use of the
building or structure upon which the sign may be found or associated within
twelve (12) months after the said business has been closed; provided,
however, if the premises containing the sign is leased, such sign shall be
removed within twenty-four (24) months after the most recent tenant ceases
to operate on the premises.
(2) The poles/supports for out-of-business signs may be left in place
as long as the poles/supports do not violate safety or electrical codes and as
long as there is reasonable expectation that the poles/supports can or will be
utilized by the next owner, agent, or person occupying the building. If the
sign pole/support is in the right-of way or is a nonconforming sign structure,
it must be completely removed.
(3) All signs, cabinets, and parts to the abandoned or obsolete sign
(except primary poles/supports, if in compliance) shall be removed from the
premises and disposed of. If the abandoned or obsolete sign or sign parts are
not removed within the time frames stated herein, a code inspector is hereby
authorized to cause removal of such sign, sign parts, and sign pole/supports
Page 9 of 17
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if not in compliance. A code inspector will send notice of this action to the
owner, and if owner fails to respond within a two-week period, the City will
have the sign removed. All expenses incidental to this sign removal shall be
paid by the owner of the land, building, or structure to which the sign is
attached or upon which it is erected.
(c) Removal of unlawful signs. All of the following signs shall be considered
a public nuisance and are prohibited and, upon written notification by the inspections
division, may be removed from the premises. Said notification shall state that if the
sign is not removed within the same day or next working day if received on a
weekend day of said notification, a citation may be issued. The following signs shall
be governed hereby:
(1) Any sign erected without a required permit, either prior to or after
the adoption of this chapter.
(2) Any sign erected in violation of the provisions of this chapter.
(3) Any sign erected in or over a public right-of-way, either prior to
or after the adoption of this chapter, except those in the downtown historic
district, as such is defined in the Zoning Ordinance No. 1710.
(d) Removal of hazardous signs. The following signs are a public hazard and
can be removed without notice by the City:
(1) Any sign erected or existing that constitutes a traffic hazard.
(2) Any sign which is dangerous due to being electrically or
structurally defective.
(e) Maintenance of existing signs. Any person having an interest in a sign
for which a permit is issued under this chapter shall maintain all parts and sign
supports of the sign covered by such permit in good condition to prevent
deterioration, oxidation, rust, and other unsightly conditions. Historic signs shall be
exempt; however, every attempt to protect such signs shall be exhausted.
Additionally, the following provisions shall apply to the maintenance of existing
SIgns:
(1) There shall be no permit required to restore/repair a sign to its
original condition. However, major repair of an existing sign requires a
permit.
Page 10 of 17
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(2) Every sign in the city, regardless of whether any permit is
required for such sign, shall be maintained in a safe, presentable, and sound
structural and operational condition at all times. Signs not meeting the
standards of good repair shall be subj ect to repair after written notification by
a code inspector to the sign owner or lessee. If the sign owner or lessee
cannot be notified, the property owner will be notified. If, in the opinion of
the code inspector, a sign has been damaged or is found to be in such a state
of disrepair that it constitutes a hazard to the health, safety, and welfare ofthe
general public and would require a major repair as defined herein, the sign
may be removed without prior notice to the owner or lessee.
(3) All signs, together with all sign supports, braces, guys, and
anchors, shall be kept in repair and, unless of galvanized or noncorroding
metal, shall be thoroughly painted as often as needed to maintain a neat
appearance, meaning lettering or other items are not faded or worn and can
clearly be read by the traveling public.
(4) If, in the opinion of a code inspector, any sign is structurally
unsound, not properly maintained, or is unsightly, and would require a major
repair as defined herein, said inspector will notify owner or lessee to remedy
the problem within ten (10) days. If such order is not complied with within
10 days, the code inspector may remove such sign at the expense of the
owner or lessee.
(f) Recovery of impounded signs. Impounded signs may be recovered by the
owner within 15 days after written notification of impoundment by paying a fee as
follows:
(1) A fee of$5.00 for signs which are 12 square feet or less in area.
(2) A fee of$20.00 for signs which are larger than 12 square feet in
area.
(g) Disposal of impounded signs. Signs not recovered within 15 days after
written notification may be disposed of by the City in any manner it shall elect."
Section 7. That Section 28-22 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Paris, Paris, Texas,
be, and the same is hereby, adopted so that such shall read as follows:
"Sec. 28-22. General provisions.
The following general provisions apply to signs in all zoning districts within
the city of Paris:
Page 11 of 17
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(a) Signs in interior of windows. For new and/or existing businesses
which are food or non-food-service establishments, signage is permitted in
the interior of windows without a permit; provided that not more than 30
percent of the transparent area is occupied at one time.
(b) Illuminated signs. All illuminated signs shall bear the
Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc., label or be built to comply with
Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc., requirements and shall be in conformance
with the 1999 Edition of the National Electrical Code, as it may be amended;
and the 2000 Edition of the International Electrical Code, as it may be
amended; additionally, illuminated signs shall comply with the following
provisions:
(1) Any light used for the illumination of a sign shall be
shielded so that the beams or rays oflight shine directly onto the sign
and not into surrounding areas.
(2) Neither the direct nor the reflected light from any light
source shall create a traffic hazard or distraction to operators of motor
vehicles on public thoroughfares.
(3) External illumination shall be allowed; however, such
lighting must comply with the above subsections 28-22(b)(1) and
(b )(2).
(c) Replacement after street construction or other projects. Non-conforming signs
required to be removed by property owners as a result of street repairs or construction or
other utility projects may not be replaced except to conforming status.
(d) Relocated businesses. For businesses which relocate, signage notifying the
public of a new business location shall be permitted at the old business location for a period
not to exceed 30 days."
Section 8. That Section 28-23 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Paris, Paris, Texas,
be, and the same is hereby, adopted so that such shall read as follows:
"Sec. 28-23. Multi-use signs.
A multi-use sign which identifies a coordinated development site of more
than one use, such as a shopping center, office center, or industrial park, may have
a sign area not larger than the area allowed for a single-use sign on the site, or a
maximum of300 square feet. A multi-use sign may contain a directory or listing of
Page 12 of 17
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the occupants within a center or multi-use development, provided that the directory
portion of the sign shall not exceed 200 square feet or 75 percent of the total sign
area, whichever is less. If a directory is utilized, the remainder of the sign area shall
contain only the identification of the entire center or entire development. If a multi-
use sign area meets the maximum square footage allowed for a single use, no
detached ground sign is allowed for any single use within the center or development,
or for any use listed in a directory on such sign; instead, other single uses within the
center or development may utilize attached signage only in accordance with the
following provisions:
(1) The total area per face of an attached sign shall not exceed 1
square foot of face area per front foot of leased or occupied fascia length.
(2) If the leased or occupied fascia length has multiple frontages, an
attached sign may be placed on each frontage in a size not to exceed 1 square
foot of face area per front foot of leased or occupied fascia length; however,
signs located on the back of a development shall be limited to 1 square foot
of face area per back foot of leased or occupied fascia length not to exceed
32 square feet, whichever is smaller.
(3) Attached signs identifying individual occupancies within a
coordinated development should be uniform in size and general appearance
as much as is practicable."
Section 9. That Section 28-37 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Paris, Paris, Texas,
be, and the same is hereby, amended so that such shall read as follows:
"Sec. 28-37. When permits not required.
The following signs may be erected and maintained under the exceptions and
conditions listed and shall not require a permit, provided all other chapter provisions
are met:
(1) Public signs. Noncommercial signs erected by or at the direction
of a public officer in furtherance of the public interest in the performance of
his public duty.
(2) Public, charitable, educational, or religious signs. Temporary
signs announcing any public, charitable, educational, or religious event or
function may be installed for a period of not more than 21 days prior to the
event and not more than seven days after the event, with a total sign area of
not more than 24 square feet on each sign face. Such signage is prohibited
over the public right-of-way. No fees shall be charged for such signs.
Page 13 of 17
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(3) Integral signs. Names of buildings, dates of erection, monumental
citations, and commemorative tablets which are carved into stone, concrete,
or similar permanent materials and constructed as an integral part of a
structure.
(4) Nameplates. One nameplate per public entrance per business not
exceeding three square feet of sign area per face.
(5) Private signs. Signs not visible beyond the boundaries ofthe lot
or series of contiguous lots under the same ownership on which they are
located or which are not visible from any public right-of-way.
(6) Garage-sale signs. One garage-sale sign not exceeding four
square feet in sign area for all sign faces which is installed on the lot or series
of contiguous lots under the same ownership on which the garage sale is
located; such sign shall be installed during the days for which the garage-sale
is conducted.
(7) Menu boards. Eating establishments with drive-through service
are permitted two menu board signs per premises, limited to 36 square feet
in area and 6 feet in height.
(8) Window signs. Window signs are exempt from the provisions of
this chapter, providing not more than 30 percent of the transparent window
area is occupied at anyone time.
(9) Gasoline/service station signage. Signs located beneath a canopy
which do not advertise the premises, including but not limited to the
following information: 'Self-Service,' 'Full Service,' 'Unleaded Gasoline,'
and 'Regular Gasoline,' are exempt. Governmentally mandated signage and
signage contained within the individual pumps are also exempt. In addition,
ten square feet of signage is permitted per side under the canopy per set of
gasoline product dispensers. Signage located beneath the canopy which is
intended to advertise to individuals using the gasoline product dispensers
only, and not intended for advertisement to the public right-of-way, is
exempt. Letters less than three inches in height shall not be counted as part
of the sign allowance.
(10) Government flag signs. Allowed, as defined in the definitions in
section 28-1, provided that each such sign does not exceed 40 square feet.
One advertisement/identification flag or three government flags are permitted
with a maximum of three such signs per premises.
Page 14 of 17
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(11) Political signs. Such signs must contain primarily a political
message, be located on private real property with the consent of the property
owner, and not be located within the public right-of-way. Additionally,
political signs that are smaller than 36 square feet, less than 8 feet high, not
illuminated, and do not have any moving parts do not require a permit.
(12) Real estate signs. Such signs shall be nonilluminated, shall not
exceed six square feet in area per face, and shall pertain to the sale or lease
of the premises. Subject to the provisions of the city's zoning ordinance,
permits shall not be necessary for temporary signboards or billboards to be
placed on buildings or vacant space, advertising the sale or renting of such
buildings or property on which they are placed, when such signboards or
billboards do not exceed sixty (60) square feet of area.
(13) Agricultural signs. One sign, advertising agricultural uses, not
exceeding 32 square feet in area and 8 feet in height, shall be allowed per
owner. On large tracts that exceed 0.25 mile of public right-of-way frontage,
said owner may have one sign per 0.25 mile or portion thereof.
(14) Vehicular signs. Vehicular signs are allowed for the purpose of
identifying a vehicle used for a particular business (i.e., delivery service,
professional and business, construction trailers, etc.).
(15) Protective signs. The occupant of any premises may erect two
protective signs in accordance with the following provisions:
a. Each sign must not exceed 2 square feet in area.
b. Detached signs must not exceed 2 feet in height.
c. Letters must not exceed 4 inches in height.
(16) Movement-control signs. May be erected at any occupancy or
any premises, other than a single-family or duplex premises, may be attached
or detached and may be erected without limit as to number; provided that
such signs shall comply with all other applicable requirements of this chapter.
The occupant of any premises who erects a movement-control sign shall
comply with the following requirements:
a. Each sign must not exceed 4 square feet in area and a
maximum of 6 feet in height.
Page 15 of 17
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b. If a sign is an attached sign, the letters must not exceed 6
inches in height.
c. Each sign must convey a message which directs vehicular
or pedestrian movement within or onto the premises on which the
sign is located.
d. Not more than 50 percent of such sign may be used for
advertising or identification."
Section 1 O. Any person violating any of the provisions of this ordinance shall be guilty of
a Misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined in any sum not to exceed $2,000.00, and each
and every day's continuance of any violation of the above-enumerated section shall constitute and
be deemed a separate offense.
Section 11. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby expressly
repealed; provided, however, that as to signs made nonconforming by this ordinance, such signs shall
continue to be subject to, and any conflicting ordinance shall remain in full force and effect to the
extent that the provisions of such prior ordinance are more rigorous or stringent than the
requirements of this ordinance as applied to said nonconforming signs.
Section 12. Nothing herein is intended to cause the City of Paris to pay compensation for
the relocation, reconstruction, or the removal of a sign pursuant to Chapter 216, Texas Local
Government Code, and any interpretation or application of this ordinance which would obligate the
City to pay such compensation shall be null and void.
Section 13. That the terms and provisions of this ordinance are hereby declared to be
severable, and any finding of illegality or unconstitutionality as to any provisions hereof, shall not
affect the continued enforceability of the remaining provisions of this ordinance.
Section 14. This ordinance shall become effective on January 1,2006.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 12th day of December, 2005.
Curtis Fendley, Mayor
ATTEST:
Janice Ellis, City Clerk
Page 16 of 17
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APPROVED AS TO FORM:
John D. Lestock, Assistant City Attorney
Page 17 of 17
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