Special event banners.

Houston Code of Ordinances § 40-31

in effect

Sec. 40-31. - Special event banners. (a) Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this sub-section: Convention means a convention, trade show, corporate meeting or other event scheduled to be conducted at the George R. Brown Convention Center that is anticipated to generate at least 2,000 peak room nights or in excess of 10,000 room nights in hotels located within the city over the course of the event, as determined by the director of the convention and entertainment facilities department. Special event banner means a banner that, in connection with a convention, may contain a word or words limited to the following: (1) a welcome, (2) the name of the convention, (3) the date of the convention, (4) the location of the convention, and (5) the symbol or logo of the organization whose name is part of the convention name. (b) Authorization of display. Special event banners may be displayed only in connection with a convention, as defined in this section. It shall be unlawful to display any special event banner without written confirmation by the director of the convention and entertainment facilities department that a convention is scheduled to be conducted. (c) Time of display. Special event banners may be displayed only during the time period that begins ten days before the opening date and ends not more than five days after the closing date of the same convention, provided that in the event of a conflict between two or more conventions that each desire to display special event banners or in the case of a conflict with a display of banners on streets where special event banners are requested, the director of the convention and entertainment facilities shall be authorized to coordinate or alter but not extend the display periods. (d) Location of display. Special event banners may be displayed only on the following specific street segments: Avenida de las Americas from Polk Avenue to Texas Avenue; LaBranch Street from Rusk Avenue to Dallas Avenue; Lamar Avenue from Crawford Street to Avenida de las Americas; Dallas Avenue from Bagby Street to Crawford; McKinney Avenue from Crawford Street to Avenida de las Americas; and Walker Avenue from Avenida de las Americas to Main Street. (e) Removal of special event banners. A special event banner shall be removed immediately by the owner of the light standard pursuant to section 40-30(e) of this Code if the Director of Houston Public Works finds that a public necessity or emergency exists requiring the immediate removal of the special event banner. (f) Biennial review. On July 1 in each odd year beginning in 2007, the convention and entertainment facilities department will provide the mayor's office with a report reflecting the events for which special event banners have been used during the preceding two year period and, to the extent available, events for which such banners are planned for succeeding years. The reports will include an evaluation of the impact of such banners on attracting and booking conventions together with a discussion of any other benefits or problems associated with use of the special event banners, such as effects on aesthetics surrounding the George R. Brown Convention Center, attendance at conventions, or assistance to attendees in locating events. The mayor's office will forward the reports to the chair of the appropriate city council committee or committees for review and recommendations for any changes to this section 40-31 of this Code. (Ord. No. 05-603, § 5, 5-11-05; Ord. No. 2018-11, § 49, 1-10-2018)

Source: City of Houston, Code of Ordinances and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/houston/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH40STSI_ARTIINGE_S40-31SPEVBAFetched: 10/26/2026