August 31, 2005

RE:  Balloons, pennants, and temporary signs displayed at car dealerships

Dear property owner,

City Codes Enforcement staff has observed recently an increase in the use of balloons, pennants and temporary signs at car dealerships, particularly on weekends.  This letter is notification that the display of temporary signs without a sign permit or displays of balloons or pennants are violations of the City of Lawrence Code.  Also, temporary signs that are not securely anchored to the ground or fastened to a structure are prohibited.  A vehicle with signage displayed beneath an open hood is an example of signage that does not comply.  Copies of relevant code sections are enclosed.

Code Enforcement Division staff will be monitoring sign activity on weekends and will take appropriate action to gain compliance as necessary.  Your cooperation in complying with these code sections is appreciated.  You may contact me at (785) 832-3101 if you have any questions regarding sign regulations.

Sincerely,

Barry Walthall

Codes Enforcement Manager

C:         Victor Torres, Neighborhood Resources Director

            Codes Enforcement staff

5-713                ENFORCEMENT OF UNLAWFUL OR UNSAFE SIGNS

The violation of any provision of this Article shall be a municipal offense and shall be subject to a minimum $50.00 fine.  Every day of violation shall be a separate and distinct offense. If a City building inspector, or other employee designated by the City Manager to enforce provisions of this Article, shall find that any sign or other advertising structure or work of art regulated by this Article is unsafe or insecure, or is a nuisance to the public or has been constructed or erected or is being maintained in violation of this Article, he or she shall have the authority to issue a Notice to Appear citation pursuant to Charter Ordinance No. 31.   In addition to the issuance of a Notice to Appear citation, the City shall have the authority to cause the removal of the unlawful sign or work of art and to have the reasonable costs of such removal, and related administrative costs, assessed against the property where the unlawful sign or work of art was located.

For unlawful signs located on City property, City right-of-way and City easements, including signs in violation of Section 5-705.1, the City Codes Enforcement Manager, or other employee designated by the City Manager, shall have the authority to immediately remove such signs. In addition to the penalty provisions set forth above, any person seeking to retain custody of an unlawful sign removed from City property, City right-of-way, or City easements, shall pay to the City an administrative storage fee of $25.00 for each sign.   After at least ten (10) days of storage the City shall have sign materials either recycled or otherwise properly disposed.   The administrative storage fee shall take effect sixty (60) days after the effective date of this ordinance.

5-721                MOVING AND FLASHING SIGNS PROHIBITED. 

No moving signs shall be permitted in any district except for pennants used in connection with real estate "Open House" and maintained for less than forty-eight (48) hours.  No flashing signs shall be permitted in any district except those signs which impart general information unrelated to the commercial enterprise involved, such as time and temperature signs, or message center displays.

5-733                TEMPORARY SIGNS.

(A)        Materials and Area Limitations.  No temporary sign shall exceed sixty (60) square feet in area.  If the sign is to be located on a tract or lot having a front footage in excess of one hundred (100) feet and is the only sign to be located on the tract, additional square footage may be allowed on each side of the sign equal to thirty percent (30%) of the front footage in excess of the first one hundred (100) feet up to a maximum of ninety (90) square feet.  No political sign shall exceed sixteen (16) square feet in area.  A sign in excess of sixty (60) square feet shall be made of rigid materials approved by the Codes Enforcement Manager.

(B)        Projecting from Wall over Public Property.  No temporary sign, except one approved by the Governing Body, shall extend over or into any street, alley, sidewalk or other public thoroughfare a distance greater than four (4) inches from the wall upon which it is erected and shall not be placed or project over any wall opening.

(C)        Anchorage and Support.  Every temporary wall sign shall be attached to the wall with wire or steel cables; no strings, ropes, or wood slats for anchorage or support purposes shall be permitted.

(D)        Duration of Permits.  No more than one permit for a temporary sign shall be authorized per year for erection and maintenance of such signs for any business commercial establishment, multi-shop commercial area, or industrial development.  No temporary sign permit shall be authorized for a period exceeding thirty (30) days.

(E)        Advertising Permitted.  The advertisement contained on any temporary sign shall pertain only to the business industry or use conducted on or within the premises on which such sign is located except as provided in Section 5-705 of this Article.