City News

‘Bandit’ signs at top of City’s least-wanted list

Posted July 29, 2010

Annually, Fort Worth’s Code Compliance Department removes approximately 30,000 “bandit” signs from public areas, including utility poles, medians, rights of way and along curbs. These include placards promoting products and services, garage sale signs and political advertising.

Yard placards, banners, portable marquees and other signs are regulated by ordinances adopted by the Fort Worth City Council.

Rigorous enforcement of those ordinances continues to be a City priority. That’s because unregulated signage can create traffic hazards, makes mowing rights of way difficult and can become litter that blights neighborhoods.

Violations can also be costly, with a citation carrying a fine of $500 for signs not considered health hazards and $2,000 for those deemed health hazards.

Help keep Fort Worth attractive and safe by following these regulations:

• Political signs must be located on private property and cannot exceed 36 square feet total, with height limited to 8 feet. Political signs cannot be illuminated or contain any moving elements. Political and other private signs are never permitted in a median, along the edge of the road, or attached to a utility pole, traffic sign or traffic signal.
• Window signs cannot exceed 10 percent of the total window area. Maximum window height for calculation purposes is 15 feet.
• Temporary signs, including portable signs and banners require permits. They may be displayed for 30 consecutive days, six times per calendar year.
• Attached signs on commercial and industrial buildings are limited to 10 percent of wall area. For buildings taller than 15 feet, allowable sign area is 1.5 square feet per linear foot of the structure’s façade. Signs must be no longer than 75 percent of the building’s façade. And maximum area for all attached signs is 1,340 square feet regardless of the number of facades or buildings associated with a single business or tenant.
• All detached signs must be monument signs — which remain close to the ground — unless special permission is granted by the City. Pole signs are prohibited.
• Homebuilder signs are allowed only in special kiosks at locations approved by the Planning and Development and the Transportation and Public Works departments.

Electronic “changeable copy” signs require Board of Adjustment approval and are not allowed in residential areas. Electronic text can change only once every 20 seconds, prohibiting flashing and blinking that can distract drivers.