Provisions for Arts District Sign District.

Dallas City Code ch. 51A, art. VII, div. 51A-7.1200

in effect

Dallas City Code § 51A-7.1201 DESIGNATION OF ARTS DISTRICT SIGN DISTRICT.

SEC. 51A-7.1201. DESIGNATION OF ARTS DISTRICT SIGN DISTRICT. (a) A special provision sign district is hereby created to be known as the Arts District Sign District. For purposes of this article, the boundaries of the Arts District Sign District are described in the Exhibit A attached to Ordinance No. 33252, passed by the Dallas City Council on September 24, 2025. (b) The property described in Subsection (a), which was formerly part of the Downtown Special Provision Sign District, is no longer considered to be part of that district. This division completely supersedes Division 51A-7.900 with respect to the property described in Subsection (a). (Ord. Nos. 20345; 28471; 30731; 31079; 33252)

Dallas City Code § 51A-7.1202 PURPOSE.

SEC. 51A-7.1202. PURPOSE. The Dallas Arts District (Planned Development District No. 145) was established by Ordinance No. 17710, which was passed by the Dallas City Council on February 16, 1983. This approximately 22-block, 118-acre area in the northeast section of the central business district represents a concerted effort on the part of the city and arts organizations to consolidate major art institutions in one mixed-use area. The guideline for development in the Arts District is an urban design plan known as the “Connect Master Plan.” This plan is based on district-wide design and land use concepts, which include the creation of a pedestrian-oriented environment and a distinctive visual image for the district. Flora Street is defined as the major pedestrian spine and focus of development in the district. As a wide, tree-lined environment, Flora Street connects three subdistricts (Museum Crossing, Concert Lights, and Fountain Plaza) and provides continuity in a development framework for public institutions and private owners. Similarly, Ross Avenue is defined as the primary mixed-use commercial corridor and is another focus area for development in the district. Ross Avenue is a high- quality streetscape that complements Flora Street with active street frontages that accommodate pedestrians and transit. The sign regulations in this division have been developed with the following objectives in mind: (1) To protect the character of Flora Street, Ross Avenue, and the Arts District from inappropriate signs in terms of number (clutter), size, style, color, and materials. (2) To enhance the image and liveliness of the Arts District by encouraging compatible signs that are colorful, decorative, entertaining, and artistic in style, while being functional and informative in purpose. (3) To promote the commercial success of each individual tenant in the Arts District and, in turn, the commercial success of all the tenants in the district collectively. (4) To create a sense of design uniformity between signs and the other streetscape elements of the Arts District. (5) To help make the Arts District an attractive place for the public to frequent by providing ease of direction to specific cultural institutions. (6) To create a means of identifying the various types or categories of retail establishments along Flora Street and Ross Avenue. (7) To identify and promote cultural events and activities consistent with the purposes of the Arts District. (8) To recognize that sign hardware is a part of the overall visual design of a sign, and to ensure that investments in signs and other structures in the Arts District are not devalued by inappropriate or poor quality sign hardware. (Ord. Nos. 20345, 33252)

Dallas City Code § 51A-7.1203 DEFINITIONS.

SEC. 51A-7.1203. DEFINITIONS. (a) In this division: (1) ARTS DISTRICT means Planned Development District No. 145 (the Dallas Arts District) and Planned Development District No. 708 (the Dallas Arts District Extension Area). (2) ARTS DISTRICT OFFICIAL LOGO means the official logo of the Arts District as depicted in Exhibit A, shown in Section 31 of Ordinance No. 33252, passed by the Dallas City Council on September 24, 2025. (3) AWNING SIGN means an attached sign that is or appears to be part of an awning. (4) BLOCK means an area bounded by streets on all sides. (5) BLOCKFACE means all of the lots on one side of a block. (6) BUILDING CORNICE AREA means that portion of a building facade above the highest story, but below the actual roof structure. (7) BUILDING IDENTIFICATION SIGN means an attached or detached sign composed of one or more characters that identify a specific building’s name. (8) BUILDING PLAZA AREA means an open area near a building featuring amenities, such as walkways, trees and shrubs, and seating. (9) CANOPY means a permanent non-fabric architectural element projecting from the face of a building. (10) CANOPY FASCIA SIGN means an attached sign with a digital display that is attached to, applied on, or supported by the fascia or soffit of a canopy. (11) CHARACTER means a symbol, as a letter or number, that represents information. (12) CONNECT MASTER PLAN means the urban design plan adopted by Dallas City Council on January 27, 2021. The Connect Master Plan is intended to serve as a guide and should be consulted for goals, objectives, policy statements, and recommendations for development in the Dallas Arts District. (13) CONSTRUCTION BARRICADE SIGN means a temporary detached sign that is affixed to a construction barricade. (14) CULTURAL INSTITUTION means any facility used primarily for the visual or performing arts; open to the public, such as a museum, concert hall, theater, or similar facility; and established by a public or philanthropic entity. (15) CULTURAL INSTITUTION SIGN means cultural institution identification signs, district information signs, facade mounted banner signs, and pole mounted banner signs. (16) CULTURAL INSTITUTION IDENTIFICATION SIGN means an attached or detached premise sign that identifies the cultural institution; the district; an arts organization such as a symphony, dance company, or theatre group that uses that cultural institution; or otherwise promotes cultural events or cultural activities in this district. (17) DETACHED PREMISE SIGN means a sign that is both a detached sign and a premise sign as defined in Section 51A-7.102. (18) DIGITAL CULTURAL INSTITUTION SIGN means a cultural institution sign with a digital display. (19) DISTRICT INFORMATION means words or symbols that identify the district; a cultural institution in the district; an arts organization such as a symphony, dance company, or theatre group that uses a cultural institution in the district; or otherwise promotes cultural events or cultural activities in the district. (20) FACADE MOUNTED BANNER SIGN means a sign that promotes a cultural event or activity and that is attached to a building facade. (21) FLAT ATTACHED SIGN means an attached sign that is parallel to the building facade. (22) FLORA STREET FRONTAGE AREA means the “Flora Street Frontage Area” as defined in the Arts District PD ordinance (Ordinance No. 17710, as amended). (23) GENERIC RETAIL IDENTIFICATION SIGN means an attached or detached sign identifying a type or category of retail establishment without identifying a specific establishment. (24) GOVERNMENTAL TRAFFIC SIGN means a detached sign, signal, or other traffic control device installed by a governmental agency for the purpose of regulating, warning, or guiding vehicular or pedestrian traffic on a public highway. Examples of these signs include stop signs, one-way signs, no parking signs, and electronic pedestrian and vehicular signalization devices and their fixtures. (25) INTEGRATED SIGN means a sign that is integrated into the design of the building. (26) KIOSK means a detached non-premise sign with one or more sides and may include digital capabilities. (27) MARQUEE SIGN means an attached sign that is affixed to, applied on, or supported by a permanent canopy projecting over a pedestrian street entrance of a building, and consisting primarily of changeable panels, words, or characters. (28) MONUMENT SIGN means a detached sign applied directly onto a grade level support structure (instead of a pole support) with no separation between the sign and grade. (29) MOVEMENT INFORMATION SIGN means an attached or detached sign showing the location of or route to a specific cultural institution or a parking area serving that institution. (30) PLAQUE means an attached or detached tablet, the contents of which are either commemorative or identifying. (31) POLE MOUNTED BANNER SIGN means a sign that promotes a cultural institution or cultural event or activity and that is mounted to a streetlight pole. (32) PREMISE means the entire Arts District Sign District land area as defined in Section 51A-7.1201(a). (33) PRIVATE SIGNS means those signs that are not “public signs” as defined in this section. (34) PROJECTING ATTACHED SIGN means an attached sign that is perpendicular to a building facade. (35) PUBLIC ART means art created with the intention of being viewed by the public. Public art is not a sign. (36) PUBLIC SIGNS means governmental traffic signs, movement information signs, generic retail identification signs, plaques, or construction barricade signs as defined in this section. (37) RETAINING WALL SIGN means a sign that is integrated into a retaining wall. (38) ROSS AVENUE FRONTAGE AREA means the area of each building site within 50 feet of Ross Avenue. (39) SIGN HARDWARE means the structural support system for a sign, including the fastening devices that secure a sign to a building facade or pole. (40) SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION means goods and services sold by the sponsor of the cultural institution, district, or arts organization whether sold on or off the premises. (41) TENANT IDENTITY SIGN means an attached premise sign that identifies a specific tenant of the premise on which the sign is located. (42) THIS DISTRICT means the Arts District Sign District. (43) WINDOW SIGN means a sign temporarily or permanently attached to, applied on, or supported by a window. (b) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the definitions contained in Sections 51A-2.102 and 51A-7.102 apply to this division. In the event of a conflict, this section controls. (Ord. Nos. 20345; 26768; 28071; 28471; 30731; 31079; 33252)

Dallas City Code § 51A-7.1204 ARTS DISTRICT SIGN PERMIT REQUIREMENT.

SEC. 51A-7.1204. ARTS DISTRICT SIGN PERMIT REQUIREMENT. (a) A person shall not alter, place, maintain, expand, or remove a sign in this district without first obtaining a sign permit from the city, except that no sign permit is required for: (1) governmental traffic signs; (2) cultural institution identification signs or district information signs no larger than 30 inches by 40 inches; (3) plaques; (4) facade-mounted banner signs; and (5) pole-mounted banner signs. (b) The procedure for obtaining a sign permit is outlined in this section. Section 51A-7.602 does not apply to signs in this district. (c) No sign permit may be issued to authorize a sign in this district unless the director has first issued a certificate of appropriateness in accordance with this section. (d) There is hereby created a committee to be known as the Arts District Sign Review Committee (“the committee”). The committee shall be composed of five members appointed by the city plan commission. One member of the committee must be an architect or graphic designer. The commission shall solicit a list of nominees from entities operating in the Arts District. Appointments to the committee shall be for a term of two years ending on September 1 of each odd-numbered year, and the members shall serve without compensation. The commission may appoint up to three alternate members to the committee who serve in the absence of one more regular members when requested to do so by the chairperson or by the city manager. The alternate members serve for the same period and are subject to removal the same as regular members. The commission shall fill vacancies occurring in the alternate membership the same as in the regular membership. (e) The committee shall meet upon the call of the chair or a simple majority of the committee members. A simple majority of members present shall constitute a quorum, and issues shall be decided by a simple majority vote of the members present. The department shall furnish staff support to the committee. (f) The function of the committee shall be to familiarize itself thoroughly with the character, special conditions, and economics of the Arts District. In addition, the committee shall provide guidance, advice, and assistance to the director in reviewing applications for permits to authorize signs in this district. (g) Section 51A-7.504, which establishes the special sign district advisory committee for special provision sign districts in the city generally, does not apply to this district. The Arts District Sign Review Committee is the exclusive advisory committee for reviewing and making recommendations to the director concerning applications for permits to authorize signs in this district. (h) Upon receipt of an application for a permit to authorize a sign in this district, the building official shall refer the application and plans to the director for a review to determine whether the work complies with this ordinance. The director shall conduct his or her review so that a decision on issuance of the permit can be made within 30 calendar days from the date the completed application is submitted to the building official. (i) The director shall solicit a recommendation from the committee before making a decision to approve or disapprove a certificate of appropriateness. The recommendation of the committee is not binding upon the director, and the director may decide a matter contrary to the recommendation of the committee. (j) A decision by the director to grant a certificate of appropriateness may be appealed by the committee only. A decision to deny the certificate may be appealed by either the applicant or the committee. An appeal is made by filing a written request with the director for review by the city plan commission. An appeal must be made within 10 days after notice is given to the applicant of the director’s decision. In considering the appeal, the sole issue shall be whether or not the director erred in making the decision, and, in this connection, the commission shall consider the same standards that were required to be considered by the director in making the decision. Decisions of the commission are final as to available administrative remedies and are binding on all parties. (k) If the city plan commission fails to make a decision on an appeal by the applicant within 30 calendar days of the date the written request for an appeal is filed with the director, the application shall be considered approved subject to compliance with all other applicable city codes, ordinances, rules, and regulations. (l) A person who violates Subsection (a) or any other provision in this division is guilty of a separate offense for each day or portion of the day during which the violation is continued. (Ord. Nos. 20345; 20927; 25047; 28073; 33252)

Dallas City Code § 51A-7.1205 SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR ALL SIGNS.

SEC. 51A-7.1205. SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR ALL SIGNS. (a) This division does not apply to signs that are not visible from outside the premise on which they are located. (b) Signs in this district are permitted in or overhanging the public way subject to city franchise requirements. (c) No sign may obscure a window or a significant architectural element of a building. (d) Sign hardware may be visible if its structural elements have been specifically devised for their intrinsic contribution to an overall artistic or architectural effect. Utilitarian hardware intended only for functional purposes must be concealed from normal view. (e) Mounting devices supporting a projecting attached sign must be fully integrated with the overall design of the sign. (f) Materials, fasteners, and anchors used to manufacture and install signs must be resistant to corrosion. (g) Paints and coatings must contain a UV inhibitor to retard the discoloration and fading effects of ultraviolet light. In addition to finish coats, bare metals must have a primer coat or other surface pretreatment as recommended by the paint or coating manufacturer. (h) Electrical power required for signs must be supplied by means of concealed conduit from an appropriate power source to the sign in accordance with city codes and accepted practices of the trade. Electrical disconnects, transformers, and related apparatus, including wiring and conduit, must be concealed from normal view. (i) No signs may be illuminated by an independent external light source, unless the external light source is located on the ground and within four feet of the sign. (j) Burned out or defective lights in signs must be replaced within a reasonable time. Failure to comply with this provision may result in sign permit revocation. (k) Only those signs exempt from the Highway Beautification Act are permitted within 660 feet of a regulated highway. (Ord. Nos. 20345; 28471; 30731; 31079; 33252)

Dallas City Code § 51A-7.1205.1 OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR SIGNS WITH DIGITAL DISPLAYS.

SEC. 51A-7.1205.1. OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR SIGNS WITH DIGITAL DISPLAYS. (a) Display. All signs with digital display: (1) must contain a default mechanism that freezes the image in one position in case of a malfunction; (2) must automatically adjust the sign brightness based on natural ambient light conditions in compliance with the standards required in the central business district, or the following formula, whichever is less: (A) the ambient light level measured in luxes, divided by 256 and then rounded down to the nearest whole number, equals the dimming level; then (B) the dimming level, multiplied by .0039 equals the brightness level; then (C) the brightness level, multiplied by the maximum brightness of the specific sign measured in nits, equals the allowed sign brightness, measured in nits. For example: 32768 = natural ambient light conditions ÷ 256 128 = dimming level x .0039 .4992 = brightness level x 9000 = (maximum brightness of the example sign) 4492.8 = allowed brightness in nits; (3) may not display light of such intensity or brilliance to cause glare, impair the vision of an ordinary driver, or constitute a nuisance; (4) must have a full color display able to display a minimum of 281 trillion color shades; and (5) must be able to display a high quality image with a minimum resolution equivalent to the following table: Digital Display Sign Resolution Chart Size of LED Panel | Maximum Pixel Size 100 s/f to 125 s/f | 16 mm Greater than 126 s/f | 19 mm (b) Light intensity. Before the issuance of a sign permit for a sign with a digital display, the applicant shall provide written certification from the sign manufacturer that: (1) the light intensity has been factory programmed to comply with the maximum brightness and dimming standards in the formula in Subparagraph (a)(2); and (2) the light intensity is protected from end-user manipulation by password-protected software, or other method satisfactory to the building official. (c) Change of message. Except as provided in this section, changes of message must comply with the following: (1) Each message must be displayed for a minimum of eight seconds. (2) Changes of message must be accomplished within two seconds. (3) Changes of message must occur simultaneously on the entire sign face. (4) No flashing, dimming, or brightening of message is permitted except to accommodate changes of message. (d) Streaming information. If a special events permit has been issued for district activities, ticker tape streaming and streaming video are permitted. (e) Malfunction. Digital display sign operators must respond to a malfunction or safety issue within one hour after notification. (Ord. Nos. 28071; 33252 )

Dallas City Code § 51A-7.1206 PUBLIC SIGNS.

SEC. 51A-7.1206. PUBLIC SIGNS. (a) Generic retail identification signs. (1) These signs are only permitted on Flora Street. (2) These signs must be one- eighth inch thick aluminum disks that are 12 inches in diameter. (3) Messages on these signs must consist entirely of graphic symbols or glyphs designed to identify a type or category of retail facility. They may not identify specific retail establishments. (4) These signs must be mounted on streetlight poles. No more than six signs are allowed on a pole. When there is more than one sign, the second sign must be the same height as the first sign and located on the other side of the pole. Additional signs must be similarly paired and located immediately beneath the first two signs. Thus, the proper maximum configuration will be symmetrical and consist of three pairs of signs, with the second and third pairs being located immediately below the first pair. (b) Governmental traffic signs. (1) Notwithstanding any other provision in this division, these signs must comply with applicable statutory specifications. (2) On Flora and Crockett Streets these signs must be mounted on streetlight poles, or on white cylindrical poles. (3) The backs of these signs must be white in color. (c) Movement information signs. (1) On Flora and Crockett Streets these signs must be mounted on streetlight poles or on white cylindrical poles. On other streets, they must be mounted on white cylindrical poles. (2) The backs of these signs must be white in color and incorporate the Arts District official logo. (3) Movement information signs may include district information. (d) Plaques. (1) Permanent plaques must be made of bronze or stone and contain an inscription that relates to the Arts District. (2) Temporary plaques are only permitted in conjunction with public art, and must contain an inscription that relates to the public art. (e) Construction barricade signs. (1) A minimum 10 percent of the effective area of the sign must display the names of the owner, occupant, district sponsor, district activity, and/or Klyde Warren Park name or activity. (2) Non-premise messages are permitted, provided only one non-premise message consisting of a business name or logo may be located along each street frontage. (3) Construction barricade signs must be removed when the construction barricade is removed. (4) The message area on a construction barricade sign may be fully decorated or graphically designed if: (A) no decoration or graphic horizontally projects more than two inches from the surface of the barricade; and (B) no decoration or graphic vertically projects more than four feet above the top of the barricade. (Ord. Nos. 20345, 33252)

Dallas City Code § 51A-7.1207 ATTACHED PRIVATE SIGNS.

SEC. 51A-7.1207. ATTACHED PRIVATE SIGNS. (a) In general. (1) No sign may project above the building cornice area. (2) Except for retaining wall signs, at grade structural supports for attached signs are prohibited. (3) No establishment may have a mix of awning signs, projecting attached signs, flat attached signs, and/or marquee signs, except that awning signs may be mixed with flat attached signs. (4) The total effective area of all private signs on one facade may not exceed 30 percent of the facade area. Projecting attached signs are not included in these effective area calculations. (b) Awning signs. (1) Letters and numbers on these signs must: (A) be parallel or perpendicular to the front building facade; and (B) not exceed 18 inches in height. (2) No letters or numbers are allowed on the sloped top of an awning except as part of an official corporate logo or registered trademark. No more than 50 percent of the total sloped awning surface area may contain graphics. (3) No words, other than those which are part of the basic awning design pattern, are permitted on awnings located above the second story. (4) No sign may have flashing or sequenced lighting. (c) Flat attached signs. (1) This subsection applies only to flat attached signs located at or below the third story of a facade of a building with frontage on the Flora Street Frontage Area. (2) These signs may project a maximum of four inches from a building. (3) Except for flat attached signs located at or above the highest leasable floor, these signs are not permitted above the third story of a building. (4) No sign may have a length that exceeds 70 percent of the length of the frontage of the establishment with which it is associated. Signs associated with the same establishment must be spaced at least 30 feet apart. No sign may exceed 60 square feet in effective area. (5) The maximum character heights allowed on these signs are: (A) 18 inches for signs located below the third story; and (B) 24 inches for third-story signs. (6) No sign cabinets are permitted. Adequate clear space for staging characters must be provided. The character height may not exceed 60 percent of the vertical dimension of the sign. The sides of three-dimensional characters, if any, must be the same color as their faces. (7) No sign may contain more than five words. (8) Sources of sign illumination that are an integral part of the design of the sign, such as neon or small individual incandescent lamps, are permitted. These signs may be protected by transparent covers. (9) Internally lit plastic translucent signs are prohibited. (10) No sign may have flashing or sequenced lighting. (d) Marquee signs. (1) These signs are only allowed in conjunction with establishments that have as their major use movies or live entertainment productions. (2) The permanent canopy of which this sign is a part must: (A) project no more than six feet from the building facade; (B) be a minimum of 10 feet above the sidewalk grade; (C) have a vertical dimension that does not exceed four feet; and (D) have a horizontal dimension along the building facade that does not exceed 30 feet. (3) The total effective area of signs on the permanent canopy must not exceed 120 square feet. (4) No sign may: (A) project more than three feet from the permanent canopy; (B) extend vertically more than 30 feet above the canopy height; or (C) be more than three feet in width. (5) Messages with characters over eight inches in height are limited to a maximum of five words on each canopy facade. Messages with characters under eight inches in height have no limit on the number of words. Character height must not exceed 60 percent of the vertical dimension of the permanent canopy, or 24 inches, whichever is less. (6) Only the name of the establishment with which the sign is associated may appear on that portion of the sign located above the permanent canopy. (7) Display panels that announce a show or event may have plastic characters on an internally-lit background. (8) These signs may turn on or off or change their brightness. The restrictions contained in Section 51A-7.303(b)(1) do not apply to these signs. Flashing and sequenced lighting are permitted. (e) Projecting attached signs. (1) These signs must be a minimum of 10 feet above grade. (2) These signs must be located in either the bottom, top, or combined envelope depicted graphically in the diagram that is attached to and made a part of this ordinance as Exhibit B. Restrictions on the size and location of each sign depend on which envelope the sign is located in as follows: | Bottom Envelope | Top Envelope | Combined Envelope Maximum projection allowed from building facade | 6 ft. | 3 ft. | 3 ft. Maximum vertical dimension allowed | 10 ft. | 20 ft. | 30 ft. Maximum effective area allowed for each sign face* | 30 sq. ft. | 40 sq. ft. | 45 sq. ft. *Double this amount to compute the total effective area allowed for both sides of the sign. (3) If their characters are eight inches or less in height, these signs are not restricted as to the number of words permitted. Signs with characters more than eight inches in height are limited to five words. No character may exceed 12 inches in height if the message area exceeds 60 percent of the sign surface area. (4) One sign is allowed above each entrance provided that signs associated with the same establishment are spaced at least 30 feet apart. (5) No sign may be more than 12 inches thick. All messages on these signs must be located on a sign face that is perpendicular to the front building facade. (6) No illuminated sign or element of a sign may turn on or off or change its brightness. (7) Sources of sign illumination that are an integral part of the design of the sign, such as neon or small individual incandescent lamps, are permitted. These signs may be protected by transparent covers. (8) Internally lit plastic translucent signs are prohibited. (f) Window signs. (1) This subsection applies only to window signs as defined in Section 51A-7.1203. (2) Window signs may only consist of a business name, business logo, cultural institution information, or address. (3) No character of a window sign may exceed 12 inches in height. (4) The maximum amount of window area that may be utilized as sign space varies depending on the location of the window as follows: Window Location | Maximum Window Coverage Allowed First Story | 15 percent Second Story | 20 percent Third Story | 25 percent (5) No establishment may have more than four window signs. (6) Hanging neon signs are allowed if their transformers are concealed from normal view. (7) Opaque painted backgrounds on windows are permitted during permitted construction. (g) Canopy fascia signs. (1) Canopy fascia signs must comply with the operational requirements in Section 51A-7.1205.1. (2) Canopy fascia signs may only be located on buildings with frontage on Flora Street. (3) A maximum of two canopy fascia signs are allowed per building. Only one canopy fascia sign is allowed on a building facade. (4) Maximum height of a canopy fascia sign is four feet. (5) [Reserved.] (6) Maximum length of a canopy fascia sign is 74 feet. (7) Maximum effective area of a canopy fascia sign is 296 square feet. (8) Canopy fascia signs may only display premise and sponsorship content. (h) Integrated signs. (1) The following four integrated signs are the only integrated signs permitted: (A) One integrated sign may be located on Ross Avenue a minimum of 10 feet from Olive Street and 260 feet from Harwood Street. (B) One integrated sign that may only identify the building may be located on Ross Avenue a minimum of 280 feet from Olive Street and 20 feet from Harwood Street. (C) One integrated sign may be a monument sign located on Pearl Street a minimum of 15 feet from Woodall Rodgers Freeway and 100 feet from Munger Avenue. The portion of the sign that contains the address and that does not contain tenant names must have a clear or transparent appearance. (D) One integrated sign may be attached to a wall or a monument sign and must be located on a building site on Crockett Street and Leonard Street, east of Ross Avenue. (i) If the integrated sign is attached to a wall, it must be located on Crockett Street. (ii) If the integrated sign is a monument sign, it may be two- sided but must be located in a building plaza area. (2) The maximum height for an integrated sign is eight feet, measured from the bottom of the sign face to the top of the sign face. (3) The maximum effective area for an integrated sign is 60 square feet. (4) A single contiguous integrated sign that is able to be viewed from more than one street is considered one integrated sign. (5) Integrated signs may be located at the building line or within five feet of a public right-of-way. (6) All elements of an integrated sign must be consistent in color and material. (i) Tenant identity signs. (1) Tenant identity signs are prohibited on facades with frontage on the following: (A) Munger Avenue. (B) Crockett Street, unless the building site is adjacent to the Ross Avenue Frontage Area. (C) Leonard Street, unless the building site is adjacent to the Flora Street Frontage Area. (2) Tenant identity signs must be the same color and composed of individual letters or symbols only. (3) Illumination of tenant identity signs, if any, must be internal to illuminate the building facade and produce a “halo” around the characters. No illuminated sign or element of a sign may turn on or off or change its brightness. (4) Tenant identity signs may not exceed four percent of the facade to which it is affixed. (j) Building identification signs. (1) On each facade, one building identification sign is permitted: (A) below the third story of a building, provided the sign is located above a building entrance and contains only the building name and/or street address. (B) at or above the highest leasable floor of a building. (2) Building identification signs are prohibited on facades with frontage on the following: (A) Munger Avenue. (B) Crockett Street, unless the building site is adjacent to the Ross Avenue Frontage Area. (C) Leonard Street, if the building site is adjacent to the Flora Street Frontage Area. (3) A building identification sign located below the third story of a building may have a maximum of 50 square feet of effective area allocated to the building name, and a maximum of 25 square feet of effective area allocated to the building address. The maximum permitted heights of characters on these signs are 24 inches for the building name, and 12 inches for the building address. (4) A building identification sign located at or above the highest leasable floor of a building may not exceed four percent of the facade to which it is affixed. (5) Building identification signs must be the same color and composed of individual letters or symbols only. (6) Illumination of building identification signs, if any, must be internal to illuminate the building facade and produce a “halo” around the characters. No illuminated sign or element of a sign may turn on or off or change its brightness. (Ord. Nos. 20345; 26768; 28071; 28471; 30731; 31079; 33252)

Dallas City Code § 51A-7.1208 DETACHED PRIVATE SIGNS.

SEC. 51A-7.1208. DETACHED PRIVATE SIGNS. (a) Detached non-premise signs. Detached non-premise signs are prohibited in this district. This provision does not apply to: (1) kiosks that are located in the public right-of-way or on a private building site; or (2) non-premise messages allowed on construction barricade signs. (b) Detached premise signs. (1) Maximum number. Each premise may have no more than one detached premise sign on each blockface. (2) Size. No detached premise sign may exceed 30 square feet in effective area, a maximum height of 13 feet six inches, and a maximum depth of 12 inches. (3) Lighting. Illumination of detached premise signs, if any, must be from within to illuminate the building facade or monument and produce a “halo” around the characters. No illuminated sign or element of a sign may turn on or off or change its brightness. (4) Monument signs. (A) A maximum of two monument signs are permitted per building site. (B) Monument signs must be freestanding. (C) Monument signs may be two sided but must be located in a building plaza area. (D) Monument signs may identify a building’s original owner, architect and developer and/or a building’s multiple current tenants. (E) Monument signs may be located at the building line. (F) Monument signs may be located within five feet of the public right-of- way. (G) The maximum height for a monument sign is eight feet measured to the top of the sign face. (H) Except as otherwise provided, the maximum effective area for a monument sign is 50 square feet. (I) All elements of a monument sign must be consistent in color and material. (5) Retaining wall signs. (A) A maximum of two retaining wall signs are permitted per building site. (B) Retaining wall signs must be mounted on a perimeter retaining wall facing a right-of-way. (C) Retaining wall signs may identify the building’s owner or developer and multiple tenants. (D) Retaining wall signs may be located within five feet of the public right-of- way. (E) The maximum height for a retaining wall sign is eight feet measured to the top of the sign face. (F) The maximum effective area for a retaining wall sign is 50 square feet. (G) All elements of a retaining wall sign must be consistent in color and material. (Ord. Nos. 20345; 26768; 28071; 28471; 30731; 31079; 33252)

Dallas City Code § 51A-7.1209 BUILDING IDENTIFICATION SIGNS.

SEC. 51A-7.1209. BUILDING IDENTIFICATION SIGNS. (a) This subsection applies to building identification signs that are part of a landscape design that creates a base for the sign in conjunction with a retaining wall or an open space created with the use of water or planting material. (1) A building identification sign must be located on a monument in a landscaped area between a building facade and the property line. (2) The maximum effective area of a building identification sign is 50 square feet. (3) A maximum of one building identification sign is permitted per building site. (4) These signs must be composed of individual characters made of bronze, brass, or stainless steel, or be engraved in stone. (5) A building identification sign may be located within five feet of a public right- of-way. (b) This subsection applies to freestanding building identification signs. (1) A maximum of three freestanding building identification signs are allowed in the district. (2) Maximum height is 20 feet. (3) Maximum width is eight feet. (4) A freestanding building identification sign may be located within the public right-of-way if a license has been granted by the city. (5) Freestanding building identification signs may be double-sided. (6) Freestanding building identification signs may only display the building name. (Ord. Nos. 20345; 33252)

Dallas City Code § 51A-7.1210 CULTURAL INSTITUTION SIGNS.

SEC. 51A-7.1210. CULTURAL INSTITUTION SIGNS. (a) In general. (1) Cultural institution identification signs may only be located on: (A) a building facade; (B) a lower-level roof line as shown on Exhibit B; or (C) a monument in a landscaped area between a building facade and the property line. (2) Cultural institution identification signs on a building facade may not have an effective area greater than five percent of that building facade. (3) Cultural institution identification signs on a lower-level roof line may not have an effective area greater than five percent of the facade segment located beneath that lower-level roof line. No portion of the sign on a lower-level roof line may project above the structure’s highest roof line. (4) Cultural institution identification signs that are monument signs must comply with the setback and effective area regulations for detached premise signs in this chapter. (5) Sign cabinets are not permitted. (6) Cultural institution identification signs may be illuminated, provided the illuminated sign elements do not turn on or off, but may go through cycles of dimming and brightening to create a slow pulsing effect. Each cycle of dimming and brightening must exceed five seconds. (7) Cultural institution identification signs must be compatible with the architectural design and contribute to the visual effect of the building. (8) Characters may not exceed 24 inches in height. (9) Cultural institution identification signs are not considered a business identification sign. (10) Cultural institution identification signs may not have a changeable message. (b) Digital cultural institution signs. (1) Digital cultural institution signs must comply with the operational requirements in Section 51A-7.1205.1. (2) The following six digital cultural institution signs are the only digital cultural institution signs allowed: (A) One digital cultural institution sign is allowed at the southwest corner of the intersection of Woodall Rodgers Freeway and Jack Evans Street. (i) Maximum height is 50 feet. (ii) Maximum width is 20 feet. (iii) Total maximum effective area is 1,000 square feet per side. Maximum effective area for identification of sponsor is 400 square feet per side. (iv) Minimum setback from back of curb is 12 feet. (B) One digital cultural institution sign is allowed at the northeast corner of the intersection of Ross Avenue and Leonard Street. (i) Maximum height is 35 feet. (ii) Maximum width is 12 feet. (iii) Total maximum effective area is 420 square feet, per side. Maximum effective area for identification of sponsor is 144 square feet, per side. (iv) Minimum setback from back of curb is 35 feet. (C) Four digital cultural institution signs are allowed along Flora Street. (i) Maximum height is seven feet. (ii) Maximum width is three feet six inches. (iii) Total maximum effective area is eight square feet, per side. Maximum effective area for identification of sponsor is 1.25 square feet, per side. (iv) Minimum setback from back of curb is 30 feet. (3) Digital cultural institution signs may only display premise and sponsorship information. (c) Facade mounted banner signs. (1) Facade mounted banner signs may not exceed 2,205 square feet in effective area. (2) Facade mounted banner signs may include sponsorship information. The portion of a sign devoted to sponsorship information, if any, must not exceed 10 percent of its effective area. No sign or portion of a sign may be used to advertise a specific product or service other than the cultural event or activity. (3) A banner must be flat against a building facade. (4) A facade mounted banner sign must be removed no later than 30 days after its specific advertised event or activity has ended. (d) Pole mounted banner signs. (1) Pole mounted banner signs may not exceed 20 square feet in effective area. (2) Pole mounted banner signs may include sponsorship information. The portion of a sign devoted to sponsorship information, if any, must not exceed 10 percent of its effective area. No sign or portion of a sign may be used to advertise a specific product or service other than the cultural event or activity. (3) A pole mounted banner sign must be removed no later than 30 days after its specific advertised event or activity has ended. (Ord. Nos. 26768; 33252)

Dallas City Code § 51A-7.1211 APPLICATION OF THE HIGHWAY BEAUTIFICATION ACTS.

SEC. 51A-7.1211. APPLICATION OF THE HIGHWAY BEAUTIFICATION ACTS. For purposes of applying the Federal and Texas Highway Beautification Acts, this district is considered to be a commercial zone. (Ord. Nos. 28071; 33252)

Dallas City Code § 51A-7.1212 through 51A-7.1215 RESERVED. (Repealed by Ord. No. 33252)

Source: City of Dallas, Dallas City Code and City Charter (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/dallas/latest/dallas_tx/0-0-0-87578Fetched: 10/26/2026