Ordinance 460ORDINANCE NO. 46o
AN ORDINANCE REGULATING THE
ERECTION AND CONSTRUCTION OF
SIGNS WITHIN THE CITY OF MIAMI
BEACH, FLORIDA.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH,
FLORIDA:
SECTION 1. DEFINITIQNS
For the purpose of this Ordinance the following
definitions and terms shall be used:
(a) Sign Erectors shall mean all individuals, firms or
corporations engaged in the construction, reconstruction or
erection of any sign having a structural frame, using electric
power or requiring a scaffold for erection or application.
(b) Sign Writers shall mean any individuals, firms or
corporations engaged in the painting or application of signs
on windows, doors, walls, awnings, etc. , where no frame work
is required for the sign or scaffolding for its application.
(c) Signs shall mean any display of characters, letters,
illustrations or any ornamentations and/or the complete structure
on which any such characters, letters, illustrations or ornament-
ations are supported or applied, except that guys or their
anchorages, or the poles of pole signs will not be considered to
be any part of a sign.
(d) Banner Signs shall be any signs having the characters,
letters, illustrations or ornamentations applied to cloth, paper
or fabric of any kind.
(e) Flat Signs shall mean any sign erected parallel to the
face of, or on the outside wall of any building and supported
throughout its length by such wall or walls; or any sign in any
way applied flat against a gall.
(f) Horizontal Projecting Signs shall be any sign project-
ing at any angle from the outside gall or walls of any building
andwhich has its greatest dimension in a horizontal plane.
(g) Vertical Projectiqg ProjectingSigns shall be any sign projecting
at any angle from the outside wall or walls of any building and
which has a vertical dimension equal to, or exceeding the horizon-
tal dimension.
(h) Roof Signs shall mean any sign erected completely over
the roof of any building.
(1) Pole Sims shall mean any sign erected on a pole or
poles and which is wholly or partially independent of any building
for support.
SECTION 2: GENERAL
(a) No signs shall be erected, constructed or reconstructed
within the limits of the City of Miami Beach, Florida, which do
not conform to the requirements hereinafter set out.
(b) No signs shall be erected in any single --family district,
except that signs in connection with new construction work will
be permitted without any area restriction only during such time
as the actual construction work is in progress.
(c) No signs of any kind will be permitted except in con-
nection with the advertisement of the particular building or
property on which the sign is located or of some merchandise or
service, dispensed or rendered on the same premises on which the
sign is located.
(d) No signs shall be constructed in such a manner as to
obstruct any doors, windows or fire -escapes on any building or
buildings.
(e) Signs, having a structural frame work, will be considered
an addition and will not be permitted on buildings which are non-
conforming for any reason.
(f) No sign shall be erected close_- than five (5) feet to
any over -head electrical conductor, where the difference in potent-
ial between any two conductors or between any one conductor and
ground, exceeds seven hundred and fifty (750) volts.
(g) Permits will be r (wired for the erection, construction
or reconstruction of all signs except those referred toh' iR iiig y ,ph
(b) . A fee of fifteen (15) cents per square foot of maximum7prd
jected area with a minimum of Two Dollars ( $2.00) shall be paid for
each sign requiring a Sign Erector, provided, however, that no fee
shall be required for the taking down and re -hanging of signs where
there has been no change of any kind in method of supporting,
frame -work, copy, etc., and a fee of One Dollar ( $1.00) shall be
paid for each sign applied by a Sign Writer. Applications for
permits shall be accompanied by such drawings and information as
are necessary to fully acquaint the Building Inspector with location,
constriction, weight, materials, method of securing and manner of
illumlhating. Permission of the owner or lessee of the property on
which any sign is to be located shall be indicated either by letter
or signature on the plans; such signed letter or plans to be filed
with the Building Inspector. Wind stress calculations may be re-
quired at the discretion of the Building Inspector.
(h) No permits will be issued for signs, which in the opinion
of the Building Inspector, will constitute a hazard of any kind.
Appeals from the decisions of the Building Inspector shall be to
the City Manager and from the decisions of the City Manager to the
City Council, whose decision in the matter shall be final. The
City reserves the right, after forty --tight (48) hours notice, to
remove any sign, which is not properly maintained, which shows
neglect, becomes dilapidated or is, in the opinion of the Building
Inspector, unsafe or hazardous in any way.
(j) All signs shall carry the name of the manufacturer and
the name of the erector.
(k) The City Council may, in special cases, grant permits
for the erection of signs not conforming to the requirements herein,
and at their discretion may require a bond not exceeding Ten
Th=ausaneDo1la.ro ($10,000) , protecting the City against all liabilities
(1) Non -conforming signs may be taken down and re -hung, pro-
vided that such signs do not remain down over eight months, and
further that there shall be no alterations of any kind to such signs.
Any change in method of supporting, frame -work, location, copy,
etc., will be considered an alteration and the sign shall be made
to conform throughout to the requirements herein. No signs of any
kind will be permitted on marquis.
SECTION 3: SPECIFIC RESTRICTIONS
(a) Banner Signs No sign of any character shall be sus--
pended across any public street, avenue or alley; nor shall any
sign of any description be painted, pasted, printed or nailed on
any curb or sidewalk �r upon any trees, light standards, utility
poles, hydrants, bridges, or any structures, other than awnings,
7ithin the property lines of any street, avenue or alley within
the limits of the City of Miami Beach, Florida, except with the
permission of the City Council; nor shall any sign of any kind
be attached to any private wall, window, door, gate, fence or to
any other private structure except with the written permission of
the owner or lessee and as restricted otherwise in this Ordinance.
Such 'written permission shall be filed with the Building Inspector.
(b) Flat Signs shall not be restricted as to area, but they
shall in no case project more than twelve (12) inches from the
face of the building, nor shall they extend above the top of the
adjoining parapet wall on a building with a flat roof, or above
the ad joininc; eave line on a building with a pitched roof. No
portion of any such sign which extends over City property shall be
less than eight (8) feet, sig. inches (6) above the sidewalk grade
of any street or avenue or fifteen (15) feet above the crown grade
where such sign is located parallel to and abutting on any alley.
(c) Horlpontal Pro ecting Signs shall have not more than
twenty_four 24) square feet of horizontally projected area, as
calculated from any angle. There may be not over twelve (12)
inches of clear space adjacent to the building wall and such signs
may project from the face of this v.11 not to exceed seven (7) feet,
provided that in no case shall they extend closer t' the curb line
than twelve (12) inches. There shall be a minimum of eight (8)
feet six (6) inches clear head room between the low -rest point of
such sign and the sidewalk grade of any street or avenue. No part
of such sign shall extend above the top of the adjoining parapet
wall on a building with a flat roof, or above the adjoining eave
line on a building with a pitched roof. No horizontal Projecting
Sign will be permitted over an alley.
(d) Vertical Pro jeatin, Signs shall have not more than forty
(40) square feet of horizontally projected area, as calculated
from any angle. Such signs shall not project more than four (4)
feet from the building to which they are attached, nor shall the
vertical height of such sign exceed eighteen (18) feet. Where
signs of this type project over City property there shall be a
minimum clearance of eight (8) feet, six (6) inches between the
lowest part of the sign and the sidewalk grade of any street or
avenue, and if projecting over any alley there shall be a minimum
clearance of fifteen (15) feet between the lowest point of the sign
and the crown grade. Vertical Projecting Signs may extend not to
exceed five (5) feet above the top of the adjoining parapet wall
on a building with a flat roof, or. five (5) feet above the adjoin-
ing eave line on a building with a pitched roof.
(e) Roof Signs shall have not more than two hundred and
twenty-four (22square feet of horizontally projected area, as
calculated from any angle. The over-all height above the roof shall
not exceed fourteen (14) feet and such signs shall be so arranged
as to provide a minimum of six (6) feet vertical clear space im-
mediately
m-
mediately above the roof over not less than seventy --five (75) per-
cent of its length. Roof Signs shall be so placed that the least
distance from any building line measured perpendicular to the face
of the sign, shall not be less than the total height above the roof.
No Roof Sign shall extend horizontally past the building lines at
the roof.
(f) Pole Signs shall have not more than thirty (30) square
feet of horizontally projected area, as calculated from any angle,
and shall have a maximum vertical dimension of. eighteen (18) feet.
The poles or such signs shall in no case be located on City Prop-
erty, but the sign may project over City property a distance of
seven (7) feet, provided that in no case shall it be closer to the
curb line than twelve (12) inches. Where such signs are over City
property there shall be a minimum of eight (8) feet, six (b) inches
between the lowest point of the sign and the sidewalk grade of any
street or avenue. No Pole Sign will be permitted over any alley.
SECTION 4+. CONSTRUCTION
(a) General No wood or other combustible material shall be
used in any sign located within the Fire Zone of the City of Miami
Beach, Florida. Roof Signs shall be of incombustible materials
throughout. All signs shall be designed to resist a wind pressure
of fifty (50) pounds per square foot.
(b) Flat Signs having structural frames, shall be properly
anchored by .,loans of lag -screws and shields or through -bolts; no
wood plugs shall be used. Anchorages, preferable, shall_ be made
to poured concrete or steel members. Lag -,screws and bolts shall
be galvanizes_ and shall be not less than one-half (i) inch in
diameter. Lag -screws and shields shall penetrate not less than
four (-) inches into masonry materials.
(c) Projecting 5h: ns may be supported by interior or exterior
brackets or b;y steel crrtales, rods or shapes from above. Members
and connections shall be so proportioned_ that stresses will not
exceed those specified by the American Institute of Steel Construct-
ion. Anchorages shall be designed to safely withstand any stresses
to which they may be subjected. Anchor bolts and lag -screws shall
be galvanized and shall be a minimum of one --half (*) inch in dia-
meter. The outer end of such signs shall be guyed by means of
steel cables, rods or shapes having a minimum strength equivalent
to one-half (*) inch round steel rods.
(d) Roof Signs Stress diagrams shall be furnished with
plans for all Roof Signs. Designs shall conform to the requirements
of the American Institute of Steel Construction and anchorages shall
be designed to safely withstand all stresses to which they may be
subjected. Where Roof Signs are erected on wood roofs, the anchor-
ages shall, in so far as is practical, extend through the roof and
tie to main partitions below.
(e) Pole Signs shall have ricin uprights a.t least equivalent
in strength to a four (4) inch inside diameter standard pipe.
Members and connections shall be proportioned in accordance with
the requirements of the American Institute of Steel Construction.
Guys shall have a minimum strength equivalent to that of a one-half
(1) inch round steel rod. Minimum anchorages in the ground shall
bo to a depth of four (y-) feet and shall be of poured concrete.
SECTION 5 ELECTRICAL
(a) The construction and maintenance of all signs using
electric power in any manner, shall be subject to the requirements
of the current Electrical Ordinances of the City of Miami Beach,
Florida. Plans and locations shallbe approved by the Electrical
:inspector an.:'_ such signs shall be inspected and approved by him
before operation.
(b) No exposed Neon or similar electrical sign shall be so
located as to constitute a menace to life or property.
(c) Electrical signs shall be so arranged as to prevent the
trapping of rain water or accumulation of moisture around or on
any conductor, sockets or other electrical equipment.
SECTION 6. PENALTIES
Failure to comply -/ith any of the provisions of this Ordinance
shall be punished by a fine of not less than Five Dollars ($5.00),
nor more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), or by imprisonment
for not more than ninety (90) days, with or without hard labor, or
both at the discretion of the Court. Each day that any violation
continues to exist after notification by the Building Inspector
may be considered as a separate offense and may be punished as such.
SECTION 7. VALIDITY
In the event any section, sub --section, sentence, clause or
phrase of this Ordinance shall be declared or adjudged invalid or
unconstitutional, such adjudication shall in no manner affect the
other section, sub -sections, sentences, clauses or phrases of this
Ordinance which shall be in fullforce and effect, as if the section
sub -section, sentence, clause or phrase so declared or adjudged in-
valid or unconstitutional las not originally a part thereof.
SECTION 8. REPEAL
All Ordinances or parts of Ordinances in conflict herewith or
inconsistent with the provisions of this Ordinance are hereby
repealed.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 5th day of November, A. D., 1936.
ATTEST:
City Clerk
APPROVED BY ME THIS 5th day of November, A. D., 1936.
Vice-Presiden of City Coif' cil
1st Reading -
2nd Reading --
3rd Reading
Posted --
October 7, 1936.
October 7, 1936.
November 5, 1936.
November 6th, 1936.
STATE OF FLORIDA )
COUNTY OF DADE )
I, C. W. TOMLI%SON., u t y Clerk in and for the
City of Miami Beach, Florida, do hereby certify that Ordinance
No. 460 entitled "AN ORDINANCE R'GULATING THE ERECTION AND
CONSTRUCTION OF SIGNS WITHIN THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA,"
having been duly passed and adopted by the City Council of the
City of Miami Beach, Florida, has been posted by me in three
conspicuous places in the City of Miami Beach, one of which was
at the door of the City Hall in said City on the 6th day of
November, A. D., 1936, and that said Ordinance remained posted
for a period of at least thirty days in accordance with the
requirements of the City Charter of the said City of Miami Beach.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand
and affixed the official seal of the City of Miami Beach, Florida,
on this the 7th day of December, A. D., 1936.
ity Clerk
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