O69-43 ORDINANCE NO. 69~-43
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH~ FLORIDA~
REGULATING CONSTRUCTION _&ND ERECTION OF SIGNS WITHIN
SAID MUNICIPALITY~ PROVIDING FURTHER FOR SAVINGS
CLAUSE~ REPEALING PROVISIONS~ AUTHORITY TO CODIFY~
AN EFFECTIVE DATE~ PENALTY PROVISIONS AND FOR OTHER
PU~POSES.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CiTY OF BOYNTON
BEACH~ FLORIDA:
Section 1: OUTDOOR ADVERTISING DISPLAYS
Outdoor advertising displays~ means any letter figure~
character~ mark~ plane point~ marquee sign~ design~ poster~
pictorial~ picture~ stroke~ stripe line~ trademark~ reading
matter or ill~uminated service~ which shall be so constr'ucted~
placed~attached~ painted~ erected~ fastened or manufactured in
any manner whatso~v~r~ so that the same shall be used for the
attraction of the public to any place~ subject~ person~ firm~
corporation~ public performance~ article~ machine or merchandise~
whatsoever~ which are displayed in any manner whatsoever out of
doors. Every outdoor display shall be classified and conform
to the requirements of that classification as set forth in this
cha pt er.
Section 2: CLASSIFICATIONS
For the purpose of this chapter and the regulations and
provisions thereof~ outdoor advertising displays shall be
classified into one of the following type signs:
(a) Spectacular Signs - means an "Outdoor Advertising
Display Sign" advertising copy usually animated~ constructed of
metal wired for light or lwainous tubing~ or both~ with copy
action controlled by the flased circuit breakers or matographs
and attached on an open face steel structure built especially
for the purpose.
Spectacular signs may be built 'upon the gro'~ad~ at~ached
to a wall~ or above the roof~ or projecting from a wall~
provided that such spectacular sign meets the requirements of
the provisions of this Code governing ground~ roof~ wall~
projection or marquee sign~ depending 'upon where such sign is
built~ as set forth below.
Saction 2: (a) - C0~ti~ed
Spectacular signs 'shall be illuminated with electricity
only.
(b) Ground Si£gn - means an "Outdoor Advertising
Display Sign" when such sign is supported by uprights or braces
in or 'upon the gromad.
(c) Roof Sign - means an "Outdoor Advertising Display
Sign" erected~ constructed~ or maintained above the roof of any
building.
(d) Wall Sign - means an "Outdoor Advertising Display
Sign" that shall be affixed to the wall of any building~ when
such sign shall project not more than twelve (12) inches from
the building.
(e) Projection Sign - means an "Outdoor Advertising
Display Sign" which is affixed to any building wall or structure
and extends beyond the building wall~ structure~ building line
or property line more than twelve (12) inches.
(f) Marquee Sign - means a projecting sign attached to
or h~ng from a marquee and said marquee shall be known to mean
a canopy or covered structure projecting from and supported by
a building~ when such canopy or covered structure extends beyond
the building~ building line or property line.
(g) Shingle Sign - means a projection or wall sign not
over six (6) square feet in area~ constructed of metal or other
non-combustible material attached securely to a building and not
projecting more than twenty-four (2~) inches over public property
(h) Temporary Sign - means a ground sign advertising a
development of~ construction on~ or other projected 'use of or
services on a specific property or properties. A permit for
such signs may be granted for a period of one year.
(i) Painted Signs - means signs painted on the wall of
buildings or other structures but which require only minor
erection or construction.
(j) Billboard Sign.._- means a ground sign of a permanent
nature advertising products~ services~ entertainment~ real estate
Section 2: (j) - Continued
or merchandise which is produced~ manufactured~ sold or furnished
at a place other than the location of such sign, Billboards
made of combustible materials shall meet the spacing requirements
as set forth in Section 14 of this Chapter, No billboard shall
exceed three ~undred square feet in area and no billboard shall
be located any closer than one hundred feet from another
billboard.
Section ~: PERMITS REQUIRED
(a) No "Outdoor Advertising Display Sign" shall
hereafter be erected~ constr'ucted~ altered or maintained except
as provided in this Code~ 'until after permit for the same has
been issued by the Building Official and the fee paid as
specified in Section 22~ hereof,
(b) No permit fee shall be required for a shingle sign
over a show window or door of a store or business establishment~
announcing without display or elaboration~ only the name of
the proprietor and nature of the business~ nor shall a permit
be required for a ground sign advertising for sale or rent
property~ providing such sign is not over sixteen (16) square
feet in area,
(c) Ail signs over sixteen square feet in face area
shall require a permit, Signs sixteen square feet in areal
or under~ shall not require a permit but must meet all other
requirements set forth in this Chapter,
Section 4: IDENTIFICATION OF SIGNS
Every OutdoOr Advertising Display Sign hereafter
erected~ constructed or maintained~ for which a permit is
required shall be plainly marked with the name of the person~
firm or corporation erecting and maintaining such sign and
shall have affixed on the front thereof the number of permit
issued for said sign by the Building 0ffi.cia!,
Section ~: ANNUAL INSPECTION
It shall be the duty of the Building Official or his
author±zed agent to inspect all signs periodically to assure
adequate construction strength and to prevent possible fire
hazards,
Section 6: UNSAFE SIGNS
Should any sign become insec'ure or in danger of falling
or otherwise 'unsafe in the opinion of the Building 0fficial~ the
owner thereof~ or the person or firm maintaining the same~ shall
upon written notice from the Building 0fficial~ forthwith in the
case of immediate danger and in any case within ten (10) days~
secure the same in a manner to be approved~by the Building
0fficial~ in conformity with the provisions of this Code or
remove such sign. If such order is not complied with in ten (10)
days the Building Official shall remove such sign at the expense
of the owner or lessee thereof.
Section 7: MAINTENANCE
Ail signs for which a permit is required~ together with
all their supports~ braces~ guys and anchors shall be kept in
repair and 'unless of galvanized or non-corroding metal shall
be thoroughly painted at least once every two years. The
Building Official may order the removal of any sign that is
not maintained in accordance with the provision~ of this section.
Such removal shall be at the expense of the owner or lessee.
Section 8: UNI~WFU~ SIGNS
In case any sign shall be installed~ erected~ or
constructed in violation of any of the terms of this Code the
Building Official shall notify by registered mail or written
notice served personally~ the owner or lessee thereof to alter
such sign so as to comply with this Code or of the Zoning
Regulations and to secure the necessary permit therefor~ or to
remove the sign. If such order is not complied with in ten (10)
days the Building Official shall remove such sign at the expense
of the owner or lessee thereof.
,Section 9: LOCATION RESTRICTIONS
No Outdoor Advertising Display Sign shall be erected~
constructed or maintained so as to obstruct any fire escap~ or
any window or door or opening used as a means of egress or so
as to prevent free passage from one part of a roof to any other
part thereof. No sign shall be attached in any form~ shape or
Section 9: - Continued
manner to a fire escape~ nor be placed in such manner as to
interfere with any opening required for legal ventilation.
Section 10: SIGNS PROJECTING OVER p~UBLZC~.PROPERT?
Signs projecting from a building or extending over
public property shall maintain a clear height of eight (8)
feet above the sidewalk and all such signs shall not extend
more than twenty-four (2~) inches of the curbline. No sign
shall be so constructed so as to form a hazard by blocking the
view of motorists. No sign over sixteen square feet in area
shall be constructed in the residential zones of the City
except Temporary Signs on a property or properties to be
developed. Setbacks for such signs shali be the same as
setbacks for buildings in the Zoning Code of this City.
In all other ~oned areas~ signs may be sized as set
forth in this Chapter. No billboard or temporary signs shall
be located closer than twenty (20) feet to a property line
abutting any street.
STn CTtmAZ
Section 11: DESIGN AND STREiSS DIAGRAMS REQUIRED
Ail signs over sixteen (16) square feet in face area
shall have complete plans submitted for permits. Such plans
shall show all pertinent construction data and shall have
sufficient data to show required wind loading. Ail plans for
signs forty (40) square feet or over shall bear the seal of an
engineer or architect~ registered to practice in Florida~ and
shall certify the wind loading on such plans. Ail plans
submitted for permits shall show the location for such sign on
a plot plan. Two copies of all documents shallJ_be submitted
for permits.
Section 12: WIND PRESSURE
Ail signs shall be able to withstand ~0 # P.SoFo of
wind loading.
~eqtiqn 13: WORKING STRESSES
Working stresses shall be so designed as to meet the
requirements of this Chapter plus a 30~ factor.
CONSTRUCTION
Section 14: GROUND SIGNS
(a) No ground sign constructed entirely of wood
material shall be at any point over twenty-four (24) feet above
the ground level or located in the Fire District but when the
facmng of a ground sign is constructed entirely of sheet metal
or other non-combustible material such ground sign may be
erected within or without the fire district and the supports~
braces~ battens~ ornamental moulding~ platform and decorative
trim may be of wood material. Ground signs may be constructed
of combustible materials provided they meet the following
conditions:
aombustibte ground signs 'up to fifty (~0) square feet
in area may be constructed provided they are located
at least twenty (20) feet from any building or
structure.
Combustible ground signs from fifty (~0) to one
hundred (100) square feet in area may be constructed
provided they are located at least forty (~0) feet from
any building or structure.
Combustible ground signs from one hundred (100) to
two hundred (200) square feet in area may be constructed
provided they are located at least eighty (80) feet from
any building or structure.
Combustible ground signs over two hundred (200) square
feet in area may be constructed provided they are
located at least one hundred a~d,~ixty -(~6~):~e~ from
any bui!ding-or structure.
No combustible sign shall contain illumination as an
integral part of the interior of the sign. Such signs
may be illuminated only by flood lights~ either from the
ground or projected from the sign frame in accordance
with the Electrical Code of the City of Boynton Beach.
(b) Lighting reflectors may project beyond the
face of the sign.
Section 14: - Continued
(c) The bottom coping of every ground sign shall be at
least three (3) feet above the ground or street level~ which
space may be filled with platform decorative trim or light
wooden construction. Only if such trim or decoration does not
block vision in such a manner as to become a traffic hazard.
(d) Every ground sign shall provide rigid construction
to withstand wind action in all directions.
(e) Any person or persons~ partnership~ firm or
corporation occupying any vacant lot or premises by means of
a ground sign~ shall be subject to the same duties and
responsibilities as the owner of the lot or premises~ ~ith
respect to keeping the same clean~ sanitary~ inoffensiYe~ free
and clear of all obnoxious substances and 'unsightly conditions
on the ground in the vicinity of such gro'und sign on said
premises for which they may be responsible.
(f) Wherever anchors or supports consist of wood
embedded in the soit~ the wood shall be pressure-treated with
an approved preservative.
Section 15: ROOF SIGNS
(a) Ail roof signs shall be so constructed as to
leave a clear space ~f not less than si~ (6) feet between the
roof level and the lowest part of the sign and shall have at
least five (~) feet clearance between the vertical supports
thereof~ no portion of any roof sign structure shall project
beyond an e~terior wallo
(b) Every roof sign shall be constructed entirely of
steel construction~ including the upright supports and braces~
except that only the ornamental moulding and battens behind the
steel facing and the decorative lattice work may be of wood
construction.
(c) The bearing plates of all roof signs~ shall
distribute the load directly to or 'upon masonry watls~ steel
roof girders~ columns or beams. The building shall be designed
to avoid overstress of these members.
Section ~: - Conti~e~
(d) No roof sign having a tight or solid surface shall
be at any point over twenty-four (24) feet above the roof level.
(e) Open roof signs in which the uniform open area is
not less than forty (40) percent of total gross area may be
erected to a height of seventy-five (7~) feet on buildings of
'Type I or Type II Construction and on other type buildings to
a height of forty (40) feet~ all such signs shall be thoroughly
secured to the building upon which they are installe~ erected
or constructed by iron~ metal anchors~ bolts~ supports~ chains~
stranded cables~ steel rods or braces and they shall be
maintained in good condition.
Seqtion ~6: WA~L SIGNS
(a) Wall signs attached to exterior walls of solid
masonry~ concrete or stone shall be safely and securely attached
to the same by means of metal anchors~ bolts or expansion screws
of not less than three-eights (3/8) inch in diameter and shall
be embedded at least five (~) inches. No wood blocks shall be
'used for anchorage~ except in the case of wall signs attached to
buildings with walls of wood. No wall sign shall be supported
by anchorages secured to an 'unbraced parapet wall,
(b) The s~rface face of all wall bulletins must be of
sheet metal.
(c) Temporary cloth signs with wood frames may be kept
in place for a period not exceeding thirty (30) days.
Section~[: PROJECTING SIGNS
(a) .Ail projecting signs shall be constructed entirely
of metal or other nSn-combustible material and securely
attached to a building or structure by metal supports such as
bolts~ anchors~ supports~ chains~ §uys or steel rods. No
staples or nails shall be used to secure any projecting sign to
any building or structure.
(b) The dead load of projecting signs~ not parallel to
the building or structure and the load due to wind pressure
shall be supported with chains~ guys~ or steel rods having net
Section 17: (b) - ContiNued
cross section dimension of not less than three-eights (3/8) inch
in diameter. Such supports shall be erected or maintained at
angle of at least 4~ degrees with the horizontal to resist the
dead load and at an angle of 4~ degrees or more with the face
of the sign to resist the specified wind pressure. If such
projecting sign exceeds thirty (30) square feet in one facial
area~ there shall be provided at least two (2) such supports on
each side not more than eight (8) feet apart to resist the wind
pressure.
(c) ~A~,c~or~aL~.e - Ail supports shall be secured to a
bolt or expansion screw that will develop the strength of the
supporting chain~ guys or steel rod~ with a minimum five-eight's
(~/8) inch bolt or lag screw~ by an expansion shield. Turn
buckles shall be placed in all chains~ guys or steel rods
supporting projecting signs.
(d) Chains~ cables~ guys or steel rods used to support
the live or dead load of projecting signs may be fastened to
solid masonry walls with expansion bolts or by machine screws
in iron supports~ but no such support shall be attached to an
unbraced parapet wall. Where the supports must be fastened to
walls made of wood~ the supporting anchor bolts must go through
the wall and be plated or fastened on the inside in a secure
manner o
(e) No projecting sign shall be erected on the wall of
any building so as to project above the roof or cornice wall or
above the roof level where there is no cornice wal!~ except
that a sign erected at a right angle to the building~ the
horizontal width of which sign perpendicular to such wall does
not exceed eighteen (18) inches may be erected to a height not
exceeding two (2) feet above the roof or cornice wall or above
the roof level where there is no cornice wall. A sign attached
to a corner of a building and parallel to the vertical line of
such corner~ shall be deemed to be erected at a right angle to
the buildingwall.
Section 18: MARQUEE SIGNS
Marquee signs shall be constructed entirely of metal
or non-combustible material and may be attached to~ or ~ung
from a marquee~ and such signs when hung from a marquee shall
be at least eight (8) feet at its lowest level above the
sidewalk or ground level~ and further~ no such sign shall
extend outside the line of such marquee. Marquee signs may be
attached to the sides and from a marquee~ and such sign may
extend the entire length and width of said marquee~ provided
such sign does not extend more than six (6) feet above~ nor one
(1) foot below such marquee~ but under no circumstances~ shall
the sign or signs have a vertical dimension greater than
eight (8) feet,
Section ~9: SPECTACULAR SIGNS
AJ_i permits for spectacular signs shall be issued by the
Building Official 'upon application therefor~ after approval by
the department having jurisdiction over electricity~ upon
payment of the required permit fee. The permit to erect or
maintain a spectacular sign shall be good for one (1) year.
The Building Official may issue a renewal of the permit issued
hereunder upon the expiration thereof or within thirty (30) days
thereafter upon the payment by the applicant of a renewal fee of
two dollars ($2.00) and by surrendering the old permit~
accompanied by satisfactory proof in the form of an affidavit
that the sign is as safe as when originally licensed and the
wiring or piping of the same is in good condition. Ail
spectacular signs shall be constructed of non-combustible
materials.
~ection ~20: USE OF PLASTIC MATERIALS
(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Code~
plastic materials which burn at a rate no faster than 2.~"
per minute when tested in accordance with "Test for Flammability
of Rigid Plastics Over 0 0~0 Inches in Thickness~ ASTM D 63~-63~
shall be deemed approved plastics and may be used as the display
surface material and for the letters~ decorations and facings
on signs and outdoor display structures~ provided~ that in the
Se~c~irqn ~2p: (a) -
Fire District the structure of the sign in which the plastic is
movuated or installed in non-combustible.
(b) Individual plastic facings of electric signs shall
not exceed two hundred (200) square feet in area. If the area
of a display surface exceeds two hundred (200) square feet~
the area occupied or covered by approved plastics shall be
limited to two hundred (200) square feet plus ~0 percent of the
difference between two hundred (200) square feet and two
thousand (2~000) square feet.
(c) In no case shall the area of plastic on a display
surface exceed one thousand one hundred (17100) square feet.
(d) Letters and decorations mounted upon an approved
plastic facing or display surface may be made of approved
plastics.
(e) Ail plastics 'used in sign construction shall be
Underwriters Laboratory approved.
Section 21: QUALIFICATIONS
(a) Sign Contractor means a person~ firm or Corporation
licensed to erect any type ~ign structure regardless of size
and complexity~ but shall not be allowed to install any
electrical work in co~uection therewith.
(b) Sign Master Electrician means any person~ firm or
corporation licensed to perform integral electrical work with
signs only. Such work shall be as set forth in the Electrical
Code of the City of Boynton Beach. Flood lights~ not an
integral part of the sign~ may be installed by any licensed
electrician.
(c) Sign Painter means any person~ firm or corporation
licensed to paint signs~ He may erect non-complicated
structures such as temporary or combustible ground signs but
the erection of such signs shall in no case exceed forty (40)
square feet in area.
(d) Notwithstanding any other requirements~ all persons~
firms or corporations in the above listed catagories~ shall
~e~ctLio~ ~1: (d) - Continue.d
show proof of a valid Palm Beach County Occupational License as
partial prerequisite to obtaining an occupational license in the
City of Boynton Beach, Such proof shall consist of a photostat
of s&id occupational license,
Section 22: FEES
Except as hereinafter provided~ it shall be 'unlawful for
any person to post~ display~ or erect any sign or advertising
structure in the City without first having paid unto the City~
at the office of the Inspector~ a permit fee as listed below.
(a) When the cost of construction does not exceed
~100o00 the fee shall be ~3.00.
(b) When the cost of construction exceeds ~100,00 but
does not exceed ~00,00 the fee shall be ~.00.
(c) When the cost of construction exceeds $500.00~ but
does not exceed ~1~000,00 the fee shall be ~!0.00.
(d) When the cost of construction exceeds $1~000.00~ the
fee shall be ~10.00 for the first ~1~000.00~ plus $3.00 for each
additional ~1~000.00 or fraction thereof.
(e) A double fee shall be paid for any sign erected
without a permit.
(f) There shall be no permit required for: "directional
signs" "real estate signs" and "point of purchase signs" if
such signs do not exceed sixteen (16) square feet in area no~
shall there be a permit for "painted wall signs"~ "temporary
signs" or "temporary political signs"~ unless they exceed
sixteen (16) square feet in area.
For electric Signs~ such additional fees as may be
specified therefore in and by the City's Electrical Code in
force and effect at the time of application for such permit.
Such fees shall be in addition to any license tax now or
hereafter levied and assessed by the City. No fee shall be
prorated to accommodate short term publicity features. If
more than one side of the sign or advertising structure is
used~ or intended to be 'used for advertising~ a fee for each
side shall be required and paid,
Section 2~:
Ail nonconforming signs existing at the time of passage
of the Ordinance shall be allowed to remain for a period of
one year~ at which time they shall be made to conform~ or be
removed.
Section 24:
Ail laws or part of Laws in conflict herewith~ are
hereby repealed~ and~ further~ the provisions of Chapter 24
of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Boynton Beach~
Florida~ and Chapter XXIII of the Southern Standard Building
Code~ heretofore adopted by Section ~-! of the Codified
Ordinances of the City of Boynton Beach~ Florida~ are hereby
specifically repealed in their entirety.
Section 2~:
Any person~ firm or corporation convicted of violating
the terms of this Ordinance shall~ 'upon conviction~ be punished
by a fine not exceeding ~00.00 or imprisonment not exceeding
ninety (90) days or by both such fine and imprisonment. Any
day upon which a violation exists or continues shall be deemed
a separate and distinct offense.
First reading this /~day of December~ A. D. 1969.
Second~ final reading and passage this ~ ~ day of December~ 1969.
By:__ Mayor //
-- Councilman
~ · Co'uncilman (SEAL)
Councilman
ATTEST:
City Clerk