Highlands Community Alliance

Ilegally-posted signs: What to do about them

CALL (210) 207-8289, CHIEF SIGN INSPECTOR TO REPORT IN CITY

The following information was provided to Highland Park Neighborhood Association from the City of San Antonio Chief Sign Inspector:

Garage/yard sales are regulated by ordinances 67681 and 98184 of the City of San Antonio Municipal Code. A permit is required for all residential garage/yard sales on premises zoned or used for residential purposes and may be obtained at any of the following locations:
* City online payments (www.sanantonio.gov)
* City customer service centers (nearest: McCreless Mall)
* City Development and Business Services Center (Flores Street South at Alamo Street)
* selected H.E.B. grocery store business centers

Permit Limitations:
Not more than three (3) permits shall be issued to the same person or for the same address within any twelve (12) month period, and not more than one (1) permit shall be issued to the same person or for the same address within any one (1) quarter period.

Sign Display:
A sign no larger than four (4) square feet in area may be displayed on the premises announcing the sale during the permitted time of sale. No sign advertising of the sale shall be posted on telephone poles, light standards, street signs or the City right-of-way. Not more than two (2) signs placed in the property lawn shall be permitted; and they must be removed by the last day of the permitted sale.

Penalties for noncompliance:
Garage sales found to be without a proper permit issued by the Development Services Department will be given one hour to obtain the proper permit to conduct such a sale, or to stop the sale. Failure to comply will result in the issuance of a citation that will result in a court case filed in Municipal Court. If found guilty the Court can assess up to a maximum fine of $500.00. In addition the address of the sale will be kept on file to ensure that no future sales can occur other than those that are properly permitted.
Posting garage sale signs is not permitted on public rights of way such as utility posts, traffic signs, trees or other natural features. Persons with the proper permit are allowed to have signs within their own property where the permitted garage sale is occurring. Signs cannot be posted on any other private property, even with the owner's permission. If such signs are found, the garage sale holder will be given one hour to remove all of them. Failure to remove will result in the issuance of a citation that will result in a court case filed in Municipal Court. If found guilty the court can assess up to a maximum fine of $500.00 for each and every location found in violation.

CALL (210) 207-8289, CHIEF SIGN INSPECTOR OR (210) 311

OVERVIEW OF THE CITY SIGN CODE PROVISIONS

The City of San Antonio sign regulations for the most part are located in Chapter 28 of the City Code. However, some reference to specific items may be located in Chapter 35 of the Unified Development Code (zoning issues) and Chapter 10 "Electricity" (installation issues). In general signage is classified as either on-premise or off-premise. Off-premise signs (billboards) advertise a service, product or business not available on the premise where the sign is located. On-premise signs, either electric or non-electric, advertise a service, product or business that is available on the property where the sign is located.
Article IX of Chapter 28, adopted December 1994, set out specific regulations regarding height, size and spacing of on-premise signs. This section uses the street classification as the determining factor to establish the square footage and height of on-premise signs. In general, all lots are entitled to at least one free-standing sign per 150 feet of street footage or portion thereof. If additional signs are desired, they must be a minimum of 150 feet away from any other free-standing signs on the same lot, and may only be 75% of the maximum allowable height and size. These height and size limitations are as follows for free-standing and multi-tenant signs in non-residential zoning districts:

Street classification Local
Height in feet for single/multi-tenant 16/20
Size in square feet for single/multi-tenant 75/125

Street classification Arterial B/Commercial Collector
Height in feet for single/multi-tenant 24/32
Size in square feet for single/multi-tenant 150/250

Street classification Arterial A
Height in feet for single/multi-tenant 40/50
Size in square feet for single/multi-tenant 240/500

Street classification Expressway
Height in feet for single/multi-tenant 50/60*
Size in square feet for single/multi-tenant 375/650
* Up to an additional 10 feet may be added if the adjacent street grade is elevated. The difference in elevation between the property and the street grade shall be the determining factor in the height allowed.

Multi-tenant signs are defined as advertising three or more businesses, each with a separate Certificate of Occupancy. There are certain setback requirements from property lines for free-standing signs determined by the height of the sign and zoning. Wall signs, electric or non-electric, are those signs attached or painted on any building or structure. The total area of all attached signs shall not exceed 25% of the building facade as viewed from one direction. Appeals to the provisions of this article are heard by the Board of Adjustment.

When is a permit required?
* Any sign non-electrical larger than 15 square feet attached to a wall or fence
* Any electric sign, inside or outside of a building
* Any free-standing pole/monument sign

Who may secure a sign permit?
* Permits may only be issued to those who are licensed to install signs; specifically Master Electricians, Master Sign Electricians or Commercial Sign Electricians (Note: Some restrictions apply in each classification).

Does zoning affect signage?
* Residential zones have specific limitations and regulations.
* O-1 zones are Limited to 12 square feet and non-electric.
* Urban corridors have specific regulations.
* Scenic corridors regulate the off-premise advertising.

Copies of the sign ordinance are available through the City Clerk's office at 100 Military Plaza or online through www.sanantonio.gov/dsd

To obtain more specific information or address issues, call (210) 207-8289, office of the Chief Sign Inspector.

CALL (210) 207-8289, CHIEF SIGN INSPECTOR TO REPORT IN CITY

from the City of San Antonio Development Services Department, Sign Section:

SUMMARY SHEET FOR TEMPORARY WEEKEND SIGNS ON PUBLIC RIGHTS-OF-WAY

Application process:
1. Fill out the application form
* Application to provide list of roadways intended for weekend posting of temporary signs
* Area map drawn to scale
* Number of signs and advertisment
2. Sign Inspection unif of the Electrical Section will review application for completeness and will forward to the State Department of Highways and Public Transportation for review, to ensure no placement within the state highway system.
3. After review, the applicant will be notified of approval or disapproval; if approved the applicant will be required to submit $50.00 per advertised location. A decal at a cost of $1.00 will be issued for each temporary weekend sign and shall be affixed to the front of the sign face area. The permit and decals are good for one year from the date of issuance.

OVERVIEW OF TEMPORARY WEEKEND SIGN REGULATIONS

Time for placement:
Temporary weekend signs are permitted from Friday until the following Monday. Signs may not be either placed or picked up between the hours from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. or from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
* If a federally recognized holiday falls on a Friday, then the signs are permitted from the proceeding Thursday until the following Monday.
* If a federally recognized holiday falls on a Monday, then the signs are permitted from Friday until the following Tuesday.

Size of signs:
Signs shall not exceed 24" by 32" in size. Irregular shaped signs shall fit in a 24" by 32" rectangle; the total height may not exceed 36" in height from ground level. Signs may be two-dimensional only and shall be of a non-reflective surface.

Spacing between signs:
* A minimum of 5' spacing must be maintained between each temporary weekend sign of different advertisers.
* The signs of each advertiser must be spaced so that no two signs advertising the same good, service, business, political campaign or particular piece of real property (for sale or lease) are closer than 200' from each other, measured in a straight line.

Sign location:
* Signs must be self supporting and placed into the ground by a single stake. No temporary weekend sign shall be permitted on a utility pole, street light, sign pole, fence, tree, or other manmade or natural feature.
* No sign may be placed closer than 25' from a street intersection or median opening. Any temporary weekend sign determined to be in a location that causes an immediate hazard to public safety may be immediately removed the the City.
* Signs shall be no closer than 3' from the edge of the sign to the street curb or, if no curb exists, the edge of the pavement. Signs shall not encroach on either sidewalks or streets.
* No signs may be placed in island medians or espanades.
* Except for political signs, no signs shall be placed farther than 3 miles from the property, location or business that is being advertised.

Registration, permit and fees:
* An annual permit fee of $50.00 must be paid by each advertiser. Where an advertiser wishes to advertise multiple locations, a permit must be obtained for each business location, subdivision location, or service location to be advertised by temporary weekend signs.
* Upon payment of said fee, the permittee may purchase annual temporary weekend registration decals. The cost for each decal shall be $1.00. A temporary weekend sign shall not be placed on the right-of-way of a road or highway unless an annual temporary weekend decal is affixed on the front face of the sign.

Map, listing, and State Department of Transportation approval:
* In addition to the payment of the appropriate fees the advertiser shall provide an area map drawn to scale and listing the street and block number where each sign shall be placed.
* The Development Services Department shall submit the application for review by the Texas Department of Transportation to ensure the location identified in the map and listing for sign placement are not within the state highway system.

Permission of abutting property owners:
Nothing in this section authorizes the placement of signage contrary to existing property law. The advertiser must secure all necessary permission of any and all parties having a property interest in the right of way prior to placing any temporary weekend sign.

Any sign placed in violation of the provisions of these sections or ordinance can be declared a nuisance to the public health, safety and welfare; and may be confiscated.

Any questions may be addressed to the Chief Sign Inspector at (210) 207-8289.

Email us
DSimpson@sanantonio.gov

Regulating and Authorizing municipal departments

City of San Antonio Development Services Department
City Code of the City of San Antonio