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HOSPITAL TRAILBLAZER SIGNS

Codified Ordinances of Cleveland pt. FIVE, tit. I, ch. 511
in effect

Codified Ordinances of Cleveland § 511.01 Purpose

§ 511.01 Purpose The purpose of this chapter is to ensure that signs placed in the public right-of-way to direct motorists to emergency medical facilities are located and designed in a manner which provides information clearly and efficiently, with a minimum of confusion and clutter. Generally, these guidelines are consistent with standards established by the Ohio Department of Transportation. (Ord. No. 374-96. Passed 6-10-96, eff. 7-20-96)

Codified Ordinances of Cleveland § 511.02 Definitions

§ 511.02 Definitions (a) A “hospital trailblazer sign” is a sign located within the public right-of-way, directing the public to a qualifying hospital facility. (b) A “standard” hospital trailblazer sign displays only the “H” symbol and a white directional arrow, as depicted in Section 511.12. (c) A hospital trailblazer “identification” sign displays the name of each hospital to which the public is directed, as depicted in Section 511.12. (Ord. No. 374-96. Passed 6-10-96, eff. 7-20-96)

Codified Ordinances of Cleveland § 511.03 Qualifying Hospital Facilities

§ 511.03 Qualifying Hospital Facilities Qualifying hospital facilities are hospitals that provide emergency medical services to the general public on a seven (7) day-a-week, twenty-four (24) hours-a-day basis, with a physician on duty in the emergency department at all times or with a registered nurse on duty in the emergency department and with a physician in the hospital on call. Qualifying hospital facilities are permitted to use hospital trailblazer signs pursuant to this chapter. (Ord. No. 374-96. Passed 6-10-96, eff. 7-20-96)

Codified Ordinances of Cleveland § 511.04 Design of Signs

§ 511.04 Design of Signs (a) All Signs. Each hospital trailblazer sign shall consist of a rectangular metal panel twenty-four (24) inches in width, displaying a white “H” on a blue background in a twenty-four (24) inches square copy area, placed at the top of the sign. The sign shall also display a directional arrow or arrows. All elements of the sign shall be displayed on a single panel, bordered in a white frame. Each sign shall be designed in accordance with the applicable illustration in Section 511.12. Each hospital may be identified with either a Standard sign or an Identification Sign, as described in divisions (b) and (c) of this section. (b) Standard Signs. The Standard Sign shall be designed according to division (b) of Section 511.02. The sign panel shall be twenty-four (24) inches in width and a total of thirty-three (33) inches in height, including a nine (9) inch high band for display of the directional arrow. (c) Identification Signs. The Identification Sign shall display the name or names of each qualifying hospital permitted to be displayed at the subject location, in accordance with the General Location Standards set forth in Section 511.05. Each hospital name shall be displayed in white letters at least three (3) inches in height, in a copy area which is a maximum of fifteen (15) inches in height. A white directional arrow shall be placed under each hospital name. For signs displaying the names of two (2) or more hospitals, the hospitals shall be listed in descending order with respect to the distance of each hospital, with the closest hospital listed first. The distance of each hospital’s emergency entrance shall be displayed in fractions of a mile, in white numerals and letters placed to the left of the directional arrow. No more than three (3) hospital names shall be displayed on a single sign unless a special design accommodating more than three names has been approved by the City Planning Director for a location at which the standards of this chapter permit identification of more than three (3) hospitals. (Ord. No. 374-96. Passed 6-10-96, eff. 7-20-96)

Codified Ordinances of Cleveland § 511.05 General Locational Standards

§ 511.05 General Locational Standards (a) Local Area Signs. The area within one (1) mile of the boundaries of a qualifying hospital facility shall be considered the “local area” for purposes of hospital trailblazer sign placement. Within the “local area,” trailblazer signs directing motorists to the subject hospital or hospitals may be placed on arterial roads or collector roads (as classified by the Ohio Department of Transportation) at “decision-making points” where a right or left turn is required, and at the intersection of two (2) or more arterial roads. Separate signs for two (2) or more hospitals shall not be permitted where a single, multiple-hospital sign could be placed. (b) Signs of Freeway Routes. Outside of the one (1) mile “local area,” hospital trailblazer signs shall be permitted only on roads which provide the most direct route from freeway interchanges most directly serving a qualifying hospital. Such signs may be placed at “decisions-making points,” where a right or left turn is required for one (1) or more of the listed hospitals, and at the intersection of two (2) or more arterial roads (as classified by Ohio Department of Transportation). Separate signs for two (2) or more hospitals shall not be permitted where a single, multiple-hospital sign could be placed. (c) Signs on Freeways. Hospital trailblazer signs shall be placed on inter-state highways and other freeways, as well as in immediate proximity to freeway exits ramps, as permitted by the Ohio Department of Transportation. (Ord. No. 374-96. Passed 6-10-96, eff. 7-20-96)

Codified Ordinances of Cleveland § 511.06 Specific Placement Standards

§ 511.06 Specific Placement Standards (a) Distance from Intersection. A permitted hospital trailblazer sign shall be placed approximately one hundred fifty (150) - two hundred (200) feet in advance of an intersection where a left turn is indicated, approximately one hundred (100) feet in advance of an intersection where only a right turn is indicated, and less than one hundred (100) feet in advance of an intersection where no turn is indicated. Precise locations for particular signs shall be determined by the Commissioner of Traffic Engineering and Parking. (b) Attachment. Hospital trailblazer signs shall be attached to utility poles, where such poles are appropriately located. Only where utility poles or other sign posts are not available shall hospital trailblazer signs be attached to posts installed exclusively for display of the trailblazer sign. Specific placement shall be approved by the Commissioner of Traffic Engineering and Parking and, for signs placed on utility poles, the Commissioner of Cleveland Public Power. (c) Vertical and Lateral Clearance. Each hospital trailblazer sign shall be set back at least two (2) feet from the curb face or as permitted by the Commissioner of Traffic Engineering and Parking. The bottom of each sign shall be approximately seven (7) to ten (10) feet above the level of the adjoining street surface, as approved by the Commissioner of Traffic Engineering and Parking. (Ord. No. 374-96. Passed 6-10-96, eff. 7-20-96)

Codified Ordinances of Cleveland § 511.07 Installation, Ownership and Maintenance

§ 511.07 Installation, Ownership and Maintenance (a) Manufacture, installation, maintenance, and replacement of hospital trailblazer signs shall be at the sole cost and responsibility of the subject hospital or hospitals or its designated agent or agents. The signs shall remain property of the hospital or hospitals or its agent or agents. (b) All signs shall be maintained in good condition. Signs in deteriorated or damaged condition, or signs that contain obsolete information shall be repaired, replaced or removed upon the order of the Commissioner of Traffic Engineering and Parking. (Ord. No. 374-96. Passed 6-10-96, eff. 7-20-96)

Codified Ordinances of Cleveland § 511.08 Encroachment Application Permit Required

§ 511.08 Encroachment Application Permit Required Encroachment Permits are required for placement of all hospital trailblazer signs. Applications shall be as follows: (a) Comprehensive Sign Location Plan. Not later than six (6) months after the effective date of this chapter, all hospitals shall submit to the City Planning Commission a comprehensive citywide plan for the placement of such signs. The plan shall indicate the general location of each proposed sign and each existing sign to be retained, and the name or names of each hospital listed on each sign. The plan shall demonstrate how the number of signs will be minimized by coordinating the signage needs of hospitals that share access routes. The City Planning Commission shall review the plan with respect to the General Locational Standards set forth in Section 511.05 and shall either approve or disapprove the plan within forty-five (45) days of receipt of a complete plan, unless the applicant hospitals request an extension in this time period to permit preparation of recommended revisions. The Commission shall consult with the Commissioner of Traffic Engineering and Parking prior to approving the plan. (b) Encroachment Permit Application. Subsequent to approval of a comprehensive sign location plan by the City Planning Commission, any hospital or hospitals seeking to install hospital trailblazer signs shall apply for an Encroachment Permit from the Director of Public Service. The application shall include the following information: (1) A written description of the proposed encroachment or encroachments, including the dimensions, height, color and construction materials of each sign, as well as the name or names of each hospital listed on each sign; (2) A sketch of each proposed sign, drawn to scale and marked with dimensions and colors; (3) A description and scaled site plan of the encroachment area, prepared, if required by the Director of Public Service, by a licensed surveyor; (4) A detailed description of the method of attachment to a permanent structure or to the ground; (5) Written consent of the Councilmember in whose ward the encroachment is to be located; and (6) Evidence of consent of the pole owner to affixing the sign to its pole if the pole is not owned by the applicant for the Encroachment Permit; and (7) Any other information that the Director of Public Service deems necessary. (c) Review and Approval of Encroachment Permit Application. The Director of Public Service shall promptly refer the Encroachment Permit application to the Commissioner of Traffic Engineering and Parking, the Director of the City Planning Commission and, if applicable, the Commissioner of Cleveland Public Power, each of whom shall review the application for consistency with the standards established in this chapter, the approved comprehensive sign location plan, and other applicable City standards. Each such official shall transmit a recommendation to the Director of Public Service, who shall then initiate the final Encroachment Permit process. The Director shall issue the Encroachment Permit if he or she determines that all requirements of this chapter have been met, including consent of the City Council member in whose ward the encroachment is to be located. (d) Revocation of Encroachment Permits. The Director of Public Service shall revoke the Encroachment Permit for any sign that is not maintained in accordance with this chapter. (Ord. No. 374-96. Passed 6-10-96, eff. 7-20-96)

Codified Ordinances of Cleveland § 511.09 Pre-existing Signs

§ 511.09 Pre-existing Signs (a) Submission of Information. As part of the comprehensive sign location plan to be submitted to the City Planning Commission pursuant to division (a) of Section 511.08, each hospital shall submit a complete listing of all existing hospital trailblazer signs it installed prior to the effective date of this chapter. The listing shall include the location of each sign, a notation indicating whether the hospital proposes to retain, remove or replace each sign, the ordinance number of the applicable Encroachment Permit for each sign, and a photograph of each sign, or sign type, marked with the dimensions of the sign panel. (b) Conforming Signs. Any sign determined by the Director of the City Planning Commission to be substantially conforming to these guidelines shall be permitted to remain in place. However, if there is no record of an Encroachment Permit for any such sign, the subject hospital shall apply for an Encroachment Permit within thirty (30) days of receipt of written notification from said Director. (c) Nonconforming Signs. Any sign determined by the Director of the City Planning Commission to be substantially nonconforming to the standards of this chapter shall be removed by the subject hospital within thirty (30) days after receipt of written notice from said Director, except in the case of a sign which the hospital proposes to replace. For such signs, the hospital shall submit an Encroachment Permit application for the replacement sign to the Director of Public Service within thirty (30) days of approval of the Comprehensive Sign Location Plan. The nonconforming sign shall be removed and replaced within thirty (30) days of the issuance of an Encroachment Permit. (Ord. No. 374-96. Passed 6-10-96, eff. 7-20-96)

Codified Ordinances of Cleveland § 511.10 Variations and Appeals

§ 511.10 Variations and Appeals The Commissioner of Traffic Engineering and Parking may vary the standards established in this chapter to the extent necessary, in the determination of the Commission, to ensure traffic safety and to better direct the motorist in particular instances. Decisions of any City official with respect to hospital trailblazer signs may be appealed to the Board of Zoning Appeals in accordance with applicable regulations and procedures. (Ord. No. 374-96. Passed 6-10-96, eff. 7-20-96)

Codified Ordinances of Cleveland § 511.11 Insurance and Liability

§ 511.11 Insurance and Liability The recipient of an Encroachment Permit for a hospital trailblazer sign shall hold the City harmless from any and all liability, for any reason whatsoever, occasioned upon the installation and use of each such device, other than liability arising from any negligent act or omission which is solely attributable to the City, and shall furnish, at sign owner’s expense, such commercial general liability insurance as shall protect the owner and the City from all claims for damage to property or bodily injury, including death, which may arise from operation under the permit or in connection therewith. Such policy shall include the City as an additional insured, and shall be in an amount of not less than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) combined single limit for any injury to persons and/or damage to property. A certificate of insurance shall be provided to the City with the required application for the Encroachment Permit and the required insurance coverage shall be maintained before and during installation of such device and throughout the period that the permit for the encroachment is effect. (Ord. No. 599-11. Passed 6-6-11, eff. 6-13-11)
Source: City of Cleveland, Ohio, Codified Ordinances and City Charter (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/cleveland/latest/cleveland_oh/0-0-0-26549Fetched: 11/1/2026

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