National Advertising Co. v. City of Bridgeton (626 F. Supp. 837, 1985)

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri 1985-12-30

Citations

Full opinion text

MEMORANDUM OPINION

HUNGATE, District Judge.

“I love a billboard, I always will

Because a billboard gives me such a thrill.

When I was only a little child

A circus billboard drove me wild.”

The Billboard March, by John N. Klohr.

Apparently, billboards have likewise attracted the attention of the Bridgeton City Council. This suit follows defendant’s denial, pursuant to its ordinance prohibition against “billboards,” of plaintiff’s applications for building permits to erect outdoor advertising structures on leased property.

The relevant Bridgeton ordinances allow some exceptions, perhaps in the interest of due process rights of land owners to erect signs on their own property relating to the business or profession carried on there. They further permit, perhaps in the interest of the first amendment, for temporary periods relating to elections, signs denoting issues or candidates supported or opposed; no bias or preference is dictated by the ordinance.

Can a city, in the interest of aesthetics, restrict off-site signs erected for profit? Or signs calling attention to a business or profession not conducted or service or product not available on the premises on which the sign is located?

The Court’s consideration of the difficult questions presented here was aided by outstanding presentations made by counsel on both sides.

Findings of Fact

1. Plaintiff is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware and qualified to transact business as a foreign corporation in the State of Missouri.

2. Plaintiff is engaged in the business of outdoor advertising throughout the United States, including the metropolitan St. Louis area.

3. Defendant is a “Constitutional Char: ter City” under Article 6, Section 19 of the Constitution of the Státe of Missouri of 1945, as amended.

4. The powers of the defendant are derived from Article 6, Section 19(a) of the Constitution of the State of Missouri of 1945, as amended.

5. As a part of its outdoor advertising business, plaintiff (a) leases real estate; (b) erects and maintains outdoor advertising signs on the real estate it leases; and (c) leases space on its signs to persons or entities to display advertising on the signs. The advertising messages displayed on plaintiff’s signs include non-commercial and commercial speech. The speech advertised is for lawful activities and is not misleading.

6. The non-commercial speech advertised on plaintiff’s signs includes (a) services performed by charitable and civic organizations; (b) fund raising campaigns for charitable and civic organizations; (c) campaigns to fight crime, drug addiction, and drunken driving; (d) political messages by candidates for public offices; (e) messages on political issues; and (f) messages by religious organizations.

7. The commercial speech advertised on plaintiff’s signs includes advertisements by (a) hotels and motels; (b) restaurants; (c) motorist services; (d) tourist attractions; (e) businesses selling products or services; (f) radio and television stations; and (g) financial institutions.

8. During 1984, plaintiff leased three parcels of real estate within the municipal boundaries of the City of Bridgeton and in areas zoned by the defendant for commercial or industrial purposes. The leased real estate is located within 600 feet of the nearest edge of the right-of-way of two interstate highways which are located within the municipal boundaries of the defendant, are a part of the interstate highway system in the State of Missouri, and are interstate highways for the purposes of Mo.Rev.Stat. § 226.500, et seq. (1978).

9. Plaintiff seeks to erect a 14’ by 48’ monopole outdoor advertising sign on each of the leased parcels of real estate for use in plaintiffs outdoor advertising business. In June of 1984 plaintiff applied to defendant for permits to build an outdoor advertising structure on each of the leased properties.

10. - At all times material to this action, Article VI of Chapter 5 of defendant’s Municipal Code and Ordinance No. 84-85 enacted by defendant on August 15, 1984, prohibited off-site commercial and non-commercial advertising. Due to these prohibitions, the other provisions of old Article VI and of Ordinance No. 84-54 were not intended to apply to off-site outdoor advertising signs.

11. The provisions in old Article VI of Chapter 5 of defendant’s Municipal Code and Ordinance No. 84-54 of defendant’s Municipal Code which prohibit off-site outdoor advertising signs were enacted by defendant only for the purpose of maintaining and improving aesthetics within defendant’s municipal boundaries. Aesthetics is a governmental interest which the defendant can advance if done properly.

12. Pursuant to defendant’s ordinances, which declare unlawful signs advertising products, articles, or services not produced or available on the property on which the sign is located, defendant denied each of plaintiff’s building permit applications. Plaintiff was unable to build outdoor advertising signs on the three premises it leased, and has not been able to realize the profits it would have realized had the signs been erected and maintained.

13. But for old Article VI of Chapter 5 of defendant’s Municipal Code and Ordinance No. 84-54 of defendant’s Municipal Code, plaintiff would be entitled to a sign permit and could erect and maintain the type of sign plaintiff desires to erect on each of the parcels of real estate leased by the plaintiff.

Conclusions of Law

1. This Court has jurisdiction over this action pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1331. Venue is proper pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1391(b). The Court declines to exercise jurisdiction over the pendent state law preemption claim and therefore does not determine that claim. United Mine Workers v. Gibbs, 383 U.S. 715, 86 S.Ct. 1130, 16 L.Ed.2d 218 (1966).

2. Do the Bridgeton ordinances at issue here constitute a prior restraint on free speech? Yes, as to advertising a business or profession provided or a product not available on the premises where the sign is located.

Is this the sort of prior restraint on free speech forbidden by the first amendment to the United States Constitution? No.

I think that I shall never see

A billboard lovely as a tree

Indeed, unless the billboards fall

I’ll never see a tree at all.

“Song of the Open Road,” The Ogden Nash Pocket Book, 6 (1944).

Consider, what other avenues of expression are available to plaintiff in this case? The Official Manual of the State of Missouri for the years 1983 and 1984 indicates the St. Louis metropolitan area has more than fifteen newspapers, over twenty radio stations, and six television stations. This is not counting the rights to distribute handbills, operate soundtrucks, or conduct skywriting, all of which occur in the area.

We are not talking about a penniless person carrying a placard, seeking “Justice for Leonard Peltier,” see United States v. Peltier, 731 F.2d 550 (8th Cir.1984) (per curiam); United States v. Peltier, 585 F.2d 314 (8th Cir.1978), cert. denied, 440 U.S. 945, 99 S.Ct. 1422, 59 L.Ed.2d 634 (1979), or decrying oppressive tax laws. Here we are considering those who can afford the expense of a billboard. So, even if the ordinance here were invalidated or repealed, a pauper could not employ this form of free speech.

3. To determine whether the governmental restrictions here are valid restrictions on commercial speech, the Court must decide whether the commercial speech “concerns lawful activity and is not misleading” and then whether the restrictions seek

to implement a substantial governmental interest, ... directly advance that interest and ... reach no farther than necessary to accomplish the given objective.

Metromedia, Inc. v. City of San Diego, 453 U.S. 490, 507, 101 S.Ct. 2882, 2892, 69 L.Ed.2d 800 (1981), citing Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. v. Public Service Comm ’n, 447 U.S. 557, 563-66, 100 S.Ct. 2343, 65 L.Ed.2d 341 (1980). Here, it is undisputed that the speech advertised by plaintiff is lawful and is not misleading, and that the ordinances restrict that speech. Thus, the Court must consider the restrictions’ validity.

4. Do the ordinances implement a substantial governmental interest? A substantial governmental interest in aesthetics has been recognized. See Metromedia, Inc., supra, 453 U.S. at 507-08,101 S.Ct. at 2892-93; Members of City Council v. Taxpayers for. Vincent, 466 U.S. 789, 806-07, 104 S.Ct. 2118, 2130, 80 L.Ed.2d 772, 789 (1984).

Concern about the proper balance between commercial and aesthetic values has long disturbed the public conscience.

I have ridden superhighways and believed the billboard’s promises * * * * * *

[O]n freeways fifty lanes wide on a concrete continent spaced with bland billboards illustrating imbecile illusions of happiness

Lawrence Ferlinghetti, A Coney Island of the Mind, 64, 9 (1958).

In the Highway Beautification Act of 1966, the federal government recognized the legitimacy of aesthetic interest in the regulation of outdoor signs at the national level:

The Congress hereby finds and declares that the erection and maintenance of outdoor advertising signs, displays, and devices in areas adjacent to the Interstate System and the primary system should be controlled in order to protect the public investment in such highways, to promote the safety and recreational value of public travel, and to preserve natural beauty.

23 U.S.C. § 131(a) (emphasis added).

The State of Missouri, in its Constitution, recognizes the legitimacy of aesthetic interest in the regulation of outdoor signs at state level:

The general assembly may enact laws and make appropriations to preserve and perpetuate memorials of the history of the state by parks, buildings, monuments, statues, paintings, documents of historical value or by other means, and to preserve places of historic or archaeological interest or scenic beauty, and for such purposes private property or the use thereof may be acquired by gift, purchase, or eminent domain or be subjected to reasonable regulation or control.

Mo. Const. Art. Ill, § 48 (emphasis added).

The Missouri Constitution authorizes the state legislature to preserve scenic beauty. Missouri courts have long recognized and upheld the reasonable regulation of signs, including compensation and amortization to eliminate nonconforming signs.

Chapter 5, § 5.18,11111 and 3, at pages 5-24 and 5-25, Missouri Local Government Law, published by the Missouri Bar. See also Mo.Rev.Stat. § 226.500, et seq. (1978).

If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, who shall be the beauty operator? Is it the elected legislative body of local residents whose mandate must be regularly renewed by the electorate; —or an appointed (and sometimes non-resident) tribunal whose eyes may never gaze upon the economic blight, visual pollution, and aesthetic issues to which the ordinance is addressed.

“The silverhaired busdriver starts up humming a tune from Naughty Marietta

We hum past

Tropicana Avenue Lone Palm Motel

Shell Mobil Private Pool Suites Looney Tunes

HEAVEN Funny Farm Rent-a-Car Solarcaine

Paradise Road Blue Chip Stamps GOLF

Ice LeCafe THE END Drugs HACIENDA

Mormon Temple Towaway Zone Coppertone

Gulf Silver Slipper Auto Refrigeration

Progressive Jackpots Nevada Visitors Bureau

Penny Slots & Free Drinks Las Vegas Boulevard

Play Nickels Win New Car Hughes Air West

Bonanza Casino Check Cashing Service

FOLIES BERGERE “Never Before” Sage & Sand

Hunt Breakfast HOOVER DAM

‘Old-Fashioned Hospitality'

Frontier Hotel

LAS VEGAS HILTON

THE DUNES

STARDUST

Westward Ho

SHOWBOAT

FLAMINGO

DESERT INN

PYRAMIDS

CAESAR'S PALACE

Orange Julius

Our Marriage Chapel

Little Church of the West

‘Thirty Dollar Weddings'

‘Go Home Satisfied or Refund’

Jesus Christ Superstar gets off”

Lawrence Ferlinghetti, “Las Vegas Tilt,” Open Eye, Open Heart, 98-99 (1961).

“It is hostile to a democratic system to involve the judiciary in the politics of the people____ Courts ought not to enter this political thicket[,]” wrote Justice Felix Frankfurter in 1946. Colegrove v. Green, [328 U.S. 549, 553-54, 556, 66 S.Ct. 1198, 1200, 1201, 90 L.Ed. 1432 (1946) ].

Congressional Quarterly, vol. 43, no. 39, p. 1940, Sept. 28, 1985.

Writing for the majority in Reynolds v. Sims, 377 U.S. 533, 562, 84 S.Ct. 1362, 1382, 12 L.Ed.2d 506 (1964), Chief Justice Warren explaining the reasoning behind one person, one vote, stated: “Legislators represent people, not trees or acres. Legislators are elected by voters, not farms or cities or economic interests.” A fortiori legislators, not billboards, represent people.

As a general principle, a city’s power to enact ordinances for an aesthetic purpose is unquestioned.

Therefore, little can be gained in the area of constitutional law, and much lost in the process of democratic decisionmaking, by allowing individual judges in city after city to second-guess such legislative or administrative determinations.

Metromedia, Inc., supra, 453 U.S. at 570, 101 S.Ct. at 2925 (Rehnquist, J., dissenting).

If an ordinance is arbitrarily enforced in a discriminatory manner, it could of course become unconstitutional. For example, the United States Supreme Court was careful to emphasize:

The petitioner was clearly given to understand that under no circumstances would he and his group be permitted to demonstrate in Birmingham, not that a demonstration would be approved if a time and place were selected that would minimize traffic problems.

Shuttlesworth v. City of Birmingham., 394 U.S. 147, 158, 89 S.Ct. 935, 942, 22 L.Ed.2d 162 (1969).

A perfectly valid ordinance on vagrancy or drunkenness may be rendered unconstitutional if uniformly and systematically applied only to blacks or some other specific minority group. However, this should not make the ordinance unconstitutional, only its application.

“You should not roll up your pants until you get to the creek,” as the late constitutional authority, Congressman Emanuel Celler, was wont to say.

“There is no evidence that the statute has been [or will be] administered otherwise than in the fair and non-discriminatory manner which the state court has ■ construed it to require.” [Cox v. New Hampshire, 312 U.S. 569, 577, 61 S.Ct. 762, 766, 85 L.Ed. 1049 (1941) ].

[T]here [is] nothing [here] to show “that the statute has been [or will be] administered otherwise than in the ... manner” [sensitive to and balancing all community interests.]

Shuttlesworth, supra, 394 U.S. at 156, 158-59, 89 S.Ct. at 941, 942-43. Here, there is no allegation that defendant arbitrarily enforced the ordinances.

5. Defendant directly furthered the substantial governmental interest of improving and maintaining the aesthetics within defendant’s boundaries by prohibiting off-site outdoor advertising. Id., 453 U.S. at 511-12, 101 S.Ct. at 2894-95.

6. Defendant moreover has not gone farther than necessary to regulate commercial speech by allowing such speech on site and disallowing such speech off site. Id.

The ordinances do not distinguish between commercial and non-commercial messages since the ordinances permit on-site advertising, subject to structural restrictions, and prohibit off-site advertising, subject to the exemptions contained in the ordinances.

Therefore, the ordinances are constitutional.

It is important to have judicial decisions from which definitive principles can be clearly drawn. See Metromedia, Inc., supra, 453 U.S. at 569, 101 S.Ct. at 2924 (Burger, C.J., dissenting).

If affirmed, this case would hold that where exceptions permit adequate opportunity for diverse political expression, and allow the owner of the premises to place signs thereon denoting the lawful business or profession pursued thereon, then a ban on other commercial billboards throughout the community based on aesthetic grounds is valid.

To hold otherwise erodes the federal policy expressed in the Highway Beautification Act. It would dilute powers granted by the state constitution and weaken the authority of duly elected city councils to legislate in the area of aesthetics.

EXHIBIT A

ARTICLE VI. SIGNS

Sec. 5-125. Definitions.

As used in this article the following terms shall have the respective meanings ascribed to them:

Billboards. All signs maintained by advertising agencies which advertise products of their customers or clients, and all business signs individually or privately owned which are not on the premises of the owner or place of business to which they apply; including wall signs and those otherwise attached to buildings and structures, as well as those not attached to buildings and supported by uprights or braces on the ground.

Combined office building. All office buildings combined with convenience, goods, stores or personal service shops.

Erect. To build, construct, attach, hand, place, suspend or affix, and shall also include the painting of wall signs.

Facing or surface. Any surface of the sign upon, against or through which the message is displayed or illustrated on the sign.

Gasoline and oil service stations. Any business which dispenses or is designed to dispense, gasoline and oil for use in motor vehicles and boats.

Ground sign. Any sign erected, constructed or maintained for the purpose of indicating services, articles and products offered within the building, when such sign is supported by one or more uprights, posts or braces placed upon or affixed in the ground and not attached to any part of a building.

Incombustible material. Any material which will not ignite at or below a temperature of twelve hundred (1200) degrees Fahrenheit and will not continue to burn or glow at that temperature.

Illuminated sign. Any sign which has characters, letters, figures, designs or outline illuminated by electric lights or luminous tubes as a part of the sign proper.

Lineal footage. Shall mean that length of the property line along any street with ingress and egress.

Marquee sign. Any sign affixed to a marquee over the entrance to a building, extending and supported from the building.

Occupational signs. All industrial, commercial and mercantile signs advertising the business on its premises or any of its activities, including permanent theater signs used to advertise performances.

Other advertising structure. Any marquee, canopy, awning, street clock, time and weather information, as further defined herein.

Pole sign. Any letter, work, model, sign, device or representation used in the nature of an advertisement or announcement not attached to a building and which is supported by a single stationary pole or multiple poles.

Projection sign. Any letter, work, model, sign, device or representation used in the nature of an advertisement or announcement projecting from the building and not in the same plans as the wall.

Reader board. Any sign that has changeable or removable lettering, with the exception of marquee signs which are covered separately in this article and which is permanently fixed to the ground, building or structure.

Roof line. Shall mean the top of the walls where the roof begins.

Roof sign. Shall mean any sign painted, erected, constructed or maintained upon the roof of any building, including projecting signs attached to a parapet wall that extends above the roof line.

Signs. Every sign, billboard, ground sign, portable sign, pole sign, wall sign, roof sign, illuminated sign, projecting sign, temporary sign, marquee, awning, canopy, time and weather information, and street clock, and shall include any announcement, declaration, demonstration, display, illustration or insignia used to advertise or promote the interest of any person when the same is placed in view of the general public.

Sign area. A total area of the space to be used for advertising purposes, including the spaces between open-type letters and figures, including the background structure, or other decoration or addition which is an integral part of the sign. Sign supports shall be excluded in determining the area of a sign. The total allowable area for a double faced sign where the two (2) faces are substantially parallel shall be the sum of the area of each face and where the two (2) faces are not substantially parallel said total allowable area shall be one-half (V2) the sum of the area of each face divided equally between both faces.

Device. Banner, pennant, streamer, wind operated mechanism, flashing lights and any other type of fluttering or flashing instrumentality, but shall not include signs which are defined under this section.

Shopping center. An area containing four (4) or more shops, stores and other places of business permitted under the zoning ordinances, and providing off-street parking facilities in common for all the businesses and their customers.

Structural trim. The molding, battens, cappings, nailing strips, latticing and platforms which are attached to the sign structure.

Wall sign. Any painted sign, letter, work, model, device or representation used in the nature of an advertisement or announcement that may be affixed to the front side or rear wall of any building and in the same plane as the face of the wall.

Window sign. A painted sign, letter, work, model, symbol, logo, device or representation used in the nature of an advertisement or announcement that may be applied or affixed to the window of a structure or building. (Ord. No. 72-8, § 1, 2-2-72)

Sec. 5-126. Compliance with construction codes.

The provisions of the building, electrical and fire prevention codes of the city shall govern the construction, alteration and maintenance of all signs, including outdoor display signs, with their permanent and auxiliary devices, so far as they do not conflict with the provisions of this article. Approval of signs under special permit must be obtained from the design and review board. (Ord. No. 72-8, § 2, 2-2-72) Sec. 5-127. Exception to requirement for permits and fees.

It shall be unlawful for any person to erect, alter or relocate any sign or other advertising structure in this city without first obtaining a permit therefor from the building official and making payment of the fee, if any, required in section 5-130 except for those signs listed below which are exempted from the requirements for a permit and the overall size and number limitation of signs per lot or building specified elsewhere in this article:

(a) Real estate signs not exceeding twelve (12) square feet in area, which advertise the sale, rental or lease of the premises upon which said signs are located only.

(b) Bulletin boards not over twenty-five (25) square feet in area, for public, charitable or religious institutions which are located on the premises of said institutions and which are permanently mounted on a pole or attached to a building or structure.

(c) Signs denoting the architect, engineer or contractor when placed upon work under construction, and not exceeding sixteen (16) square feet in area.

(d) Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings and date of erection when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of bronze or other incombustible materials.

(e) Traffic or other municipal signs, legal notices, railroad crossing signs, danger, and such temporary, emergency or nonadvertising signs as may be approved by the design and review board of the city.

(f) Political signs providing said signs are placed on property that is zoned residential and that individual signs are not over eight (8) square feet in size and that they are removed within ten (10) working days after the date of the election to which the signs pertain. No political signs permitted under this section shall be placed upon any public right-of-way or utility or drainage easement and the city engineer or his representative is authorized to remove and destroy any political sign placed on such right-of-way or easement.

(g) Professional name plates not exceeding three (3) square feet in area.

(h) Occupational signs not over four (4) square feet in area (on building).

(i) Signs erected inside a building and not visible through windows.

(j) Temporary window signs denoting prices of merchandise or special sales conducted or to be conducted in the building, structure or premises on which the sign is located and providing that the total display area of all temporary and permanent advertising devices in the window does not exceed fifty per cent (50%) of the window area and that temporary signs do not remain more than twenty-one (21) days. Exceptions may be permitted by the design and review board. Ord. No. 72-8, § 3, 2-2-72)

Sec. 5-128. Building permits.

(a) Plans and specifications. No building permit shall be granted until after an application has been filed with the building official showing the plans and specifications, including dimensions, material and details of construction of the proposed structure, nor until all the provisions of this section relating to such structure have been complied with.

(b) Agreement. Before a permit can be granted for the installation of any sign, the applicant for said permit must submit an agreement signed by the owners of said property granting permission to applicant to install said sign and binding said owners, their herís and assigns irrevocably, to permit the city through its agents to enter on said real property for the purpose of removing said sign as provided under this article and waiving and holding the city harmless from any damage to said real property and structure thereon occasioned by said removal.

(c) Forms and content. The building official may prescribe suitable regulations not inconsistent with the provisions of this article concerning the form and content of all applications for the various type of permits herein required. (Ord. No. 72-8, § 4, 2-2-72)

Sec. 5-129. Signs under special permit.

(a) The following signs and variations in the requirements of this article may be authorized only by special permit from the design and review board with the approval of the building offical upon a finding that the welfare of the city and its trade and commerce will not be adversely affected:

(1) Awning signs as provided for in section 5-148.

(2) Directional signs as provided for in section 5-154.

(3) Gasoline and oil service station signs as provided for in section 5-149.

(4) Ground signs and all other signs not specifically referred to in this article.

(5) Industrial park signs.

(6) Marquees on which signs or bulletins will be displayed.

(7) Pole or other permanent mounted reader boards.

(8) Shopping center signs including all business signs in shopping centers, except temporary window signs as provided for in section 5 — 127(j) of this article.

(9) Street clocks.

(10) Temporary banner and cloth signs, except political posters under eight (8) square feet.

(11) Temporary bulletin boards for public, charitable or religious institutions when they are not located on the premises of said institutions.

(12) Temporary real estate signs, subdivision signs and signs giving directions as to real estate for sale and not located on the premises to which they pertain.

(13) Temporary signs relating to events to take place within ninety (90) days.

(14) Permanent theater signs of all types.

(15) Temporary theater signs displayed outside of the building.

(16) Time and weather information signs.

(17) Roof signs.

(18) Signs painted on building surface.

(19) Traditional barber poles when illuminated and/or revolving or proposed as accessory sign in addition to signs permitted under section 5-136 of this article.

(20) Variations in the size, erection and construction when strict compliance would substantially decrease the effectiveness of the sign and the pub-lie welfare will not be adversely affected.

(b) The special permits provided for herein shall specify the terms and conditions under which the signs are to be maintained and removed. (Ord. No. 72-8, § 5, 2-2-72)

Sec. 5-130. Permit fees.

(a) No permit fees are required for the erection of signs exempted in section 5-127 or for those listed in subsections (a)(ll), (12) and (13) of section 5-129 of this article,

(b) Before the issuance of each required sign permit a fee shall be paid to the building official, as follows:

(1) Signs twenty-five (25) square feet or less in size.................................... $10.00

(2) Signs over twenty-five (25) square feet but not over fifty (50) square feet............................................. 20.00

(3) Signs over fifty (50) square feet but not over one hundred(100) square feet............................................. 30.00

(4) All signs over one hundred (100) square feet................................... 50.00

(e) For each temporary ground sign as defined in subsection (a) and (b) of section 5-157 there shall be no fee.

(d) The permit fees herein provided for shall cover the inspection (inspection fees for periodic maintenance listed in section 5-134) of the location of the proposed signs and the inspection during and after construction, and all monies so collected by the building official shall be turned over to the city collector for deposit in the general revenue fund of the city.

(e) Each face of a sign used for display or advertising purposes shall be taxed as a separate sign. During the progress of construction and erection thereof and at the conclusion thereof, the sign shall be inspected by the building official.

(f) If the sign is illuminated, an electrical permit and inspection by the electrical inspector shall be required. A fee covering the electrical permit and inspection shall be charged as provided by the electrical code. (Ord. No. 72-8, § 6, 2-2-72)

Sec. 5-131. Right to appeal.

Anyone applying for a permit for a sign under the provisions of this article, whose application has been denied, may appeal to the city council for the issuance of such permit, and the council may grant such permit and allow a variation in the strict application of the provisions and requirements of this article where there are practical difficulties or unnecessary hardships, or where the public interest will be best served by allowing such variation. (Ord. No. 72-8, § 7, 2-2-72)

Sec. 5-132. Sign location.

All signs must be located on the property of the business or building they advertise.

Setback lines are given as follows: pole sign, section 5-153; ground sign, section 5-150; and temporary sign, section 5-157; and gasoline and oil service stations, section 5-149. (Ord. No. 72-8, § 8, 2-2-72) See. 5-133. Sign maintenance.

(a) Signs must be kept in good repair and supporting structures must be kept in upright condition.

(b) Painting is required every two (2) years, except where the sign is galvanized or otherwise treated to prevent rust, or unless made of noncorroding material.

(c) The building official shall order the removal of any sign that is not maintained in accordance with the provisions of this article. (Ord. No. 72-8, § 9, 2-2-72)

Sec. 5-134. Periodic inspections; fees.

(a) It shall be the duty of the building official to make, as considered necessary, a thorough inspection of all signs in the city and a fee of five dollars ($5.00) shall be charged for each inspection.

(b) If the sign is an illuminated sign, there shall be at the time of inspection by the building official, an additional inspection by the electrical inspector and a fee shall be charged as provided by the electrical code.

(c) In cases where signs are subject to electrical inspections the engineering department of the city may issue one permit for the electrical work and other construction, and may issue a single receipt covering permit and fees of the electrical inspector. Separate accounting shall be made to the treasurer for all electrical inspection fees collected hereunder.

(d) If the inspection fees are not paid as herein provided, the sign, including standards and supports, shall be removed as provided for in the case of signs erected without a permit. (Ord. No. 72-8, § 10, 2-2-72)

Sec. 5-135. Identification and marking.

Every sign constructed or maintained shall be plainly marked with the name of the person, firm or corporation erecting or maintaining such sign; the permit number; date of erection; and voltage of any electrical apparatus. (Ord. No. 72-8, § 11, 2-2-72)

Sec. 5-136. Limitations on number of signs.

(a) Each building occupied by one person or business (with the exception of gasoline and filling stations which are covered elsewhere in this article) shall be allowed a maximum of two (2) signs, providing that the conditions of this article are met, which may be either a wall sign or a projecting sign, or a roof sign, or a permanently mounted reader board, or a pole sign, but the total number of signs shall not include more than one (1) sign of each of these types.

(b) If the business is located on a corner lot then it may have a wall sign or projecting sign on each street side of the building in addition to one pole sign.

(c) Businesses located in buildings or stores having more than one (1) tenant shall be allowed only on (1) sign which may be either a wall sign, projecting sign or permanently mounted reader board. If, however, a tenant on the ground floor of a combined office building complies with the provisions of section 5-153 he may be allowed a pole sign.

(d) Permanent painted signs on windows that comply with the provisions of this article are in lieu of a wall sign.

(e) One (1) nonilluminated, small scale professional or occupational sign as provided in section 5-127(g) and (h) of this article and/or one (1) “store hours sign” may be lettered on the glass show window or entry door portion of each store or office front of the occupant in addition to the other signs permitted by this section. (Ord. No. 72-8, § 12, 2-2-72)

Sec. 5-137. Unlawful signs generally.

(a) Any new sign installed, erected, or maintained in violation of any provisions of this article shall be an unlawful sign.

(b) Any existing sign enlarged, rebuilt, structurally altered or relocated other than in accordance with the provisions of this article shall be an unlawful sign.

(c) Any existing sign which is no longer applicable to the property or building upon which such sign is located shall be considered an unlawful sign.

(d) Any sign legally existing under prior regulations, but which shall violate any provision of this article, may continue to be maintained and used subject to the following provisions:

(1) Any legally existing sign, under prior regulations that is moved to another location, either on the same or to other premises, shall be considered a new sign.

(2) Any legally existing sign that is enlarged or reconstructed shall be considered to be a new sign, except that neither the relettering, repainting nor ordinary maintenance of such sign, nor the repair or restoration to a safe condition after being damaged by storm or other accidental act, as shown and in accordance with the original sign permit, shall constitute such a change as to classify the sign as a new one.

(3) Any legally existing sign which is or becomes an immediate danger or hazard to persons or property because of being in an unsafe condition, or which obstructs any fire escape, window or door, is subject to the provisions of this article pertaining to the removal of dangerous and hazardous signs.

(4) Any legally existing sign is subject to the provisions of this article requiring that it be painted every two (2) years except where the sign is of noncorroding material or galvanized or otherwise treated to prevent rust, and that it must be kept in good repair and any supporting structures kept in an upright condition. (Ord. No. 72-8, § 13, 2-2-72)

(5) The features noted below shall be eliminated from all signs prior to February 1, 1973:

(i) All flashing lights and flashing devices of any nature;

(ii) All periodic illumination of any lights in a sign in any timing or sequence whatsoever;

(iii) All periodic changes in intensity of illumination;

(iv) All animation or moving parts of any nature. (Ord. No. 72-8, § 13, 2-2-72; Ord. No. 72-64, § 1, 7-19-72)

Sec. 5-138. Specific prohibited signs and devices.

The following signs and advertising devices are specifically prohibited in the city and no other section of this article shall be interpreted to permit any sign so prohibited:

(a) Billboards.

(b) Conflicting signs. Signs or devices which by color, location or design resemble or conflict with traffic-control signs or devices.

(c) Exterior use of advertising' devices such as banners and pennants affixed on poles, wires or ropes and streamers, wind operated devices, flashing lights, and any other type of fluttering devices.

(d) Mechanical contrivances. No sign erected in the city shall contain flashers, animators, or mechanical movement or contrivances of any kind, excepting clocks, time and weather information and conventional barber symbols.

(e) Paper posters and painted signs applied directly to the wall of a building or pole or other supports.

(f) Portable signs are prohibited, except as provided for gasoline and oil service stations in section 5-149.

(g) Sign advertising an article or product not manufactured, assembled, processed, repaired or sold upon the premises upon which the sign is located.

(h) Sign advertising a service not rendered on the premises upon which the sign is located.

(i) Revolving signs of any type.

(j) Signs in residential districts for home occupation.

(k) Signs on parking lot light standards.

(l) Show or display signs placed in or on automobiles or other vehicles or written on the windows, doors or panels of automobiles or other vehicles when such vehicles are parked in an area of high public visibility for a period exceeding fourteen (14) hours, except Sundays and holidays. (Ord. No. 72-8, § 14, 2-2-72; Ord. No. 78-114, § 1, 9-20-78)

Sec. 5-139. Fire escape obstruction.

No sign shall be erected or maintained so as to prevent free ingress to or egress from any door, window or fire escape. No sign of any kind shall be attached to a stand pipe or fire escape. (Ord. No. 72-8, § 15, 2-2-72)

Sec. 5-140. Traffic hazards.

No sign or other advertising structure regulated by this article shall be erected at the intersection of any streets in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision; or at any location where, by reason of its position, shape or color, it may interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device; or which makes use of the words “Stop”, “Look”, “Drive-in”, “Danger” or any word, phrase, symbol or character in such manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic. Illuminated signs must be so shielded or contain lamps of such reduced intensity as may be prescribed by the building official to assure that they do not constitute a traffic hazard. (Ord. No. 72-8, § 16, 2-2-72)

Sec. 5-141. Obscene matter.

It shall be unlawful for any person to display upon any sign or other advertising structure any obscene, indecent or immoral matter. (Ord. No. 72-8, § 17, 2-2-72)

Sec. 5-142. Violations, punishment; removal no defense.

(a) Any person who shall violate any provisions of this article shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and each day or part of a day such violation shall continue shall constitute a separate offense.

(b) Upon conviction, a person found violating any provisions of this article shall be punished as provided in section 1-8, Bridge-ton Code. The fact that a sign has been removed shall be no defense to prosecution hereunder. (Ord. No. 72-8, § 18, 2-2-72) Sec. 5-143. Removal of signs; procedure generally.

(a) Unsafe signs may be removed as provided in the building code.

(b) The building official shall order the removal of all unlawful signs as provided for in the case of signs erected without a permit.

(c) If any sign is erected without a permit, the building official shall order it removed and if the order is not complied with within seven (7) days the building official shall have it removed at the expense of the person erecting or maintaining it, and the person causing it to be erected. If the owner or other person in charge of a sign fails to pay the annual electrical inspection fee provided for in section 5-130, the building official shall notify the owner or person charged with the sign that the inspection has been made and that the fee is due, and that the sign is to be removed within seven (7) days unless the fee is paid, and if not so removed the building official shall cause the same to be removed at the expense of the owner. Such expense shall be a lien against the property in favor of the city and shall be imposed and collected in the manner provided by ordinance for the imposition and collection of special tax bills.

(d) The building official is authorized to go upon any premises in the city for the purpose of removing signs under the provisions of this section. Signs removed by the building official shall be retained for the owner’s account for a period of thirty (30) days and shall be returned to the owner upon payment of the expenses of the removal. If not claimed within that time they shall be the property of the city and may be destroyed or sold for the payment of expense of removal.

(e) The building official shall order the removal of all unlawful signs as provided for in section 5-137. (Ord. No. 72-8, § 19, 2-22-72)

Sec. 5-144. Unsafe signs.

The building official shall order the removal of any sign of immediate danger or hazard to persons or property as provided in the building code. It shall be unlawful for any person to maintain or to permit to remain upon any premises owned, leased, occupied or used by him, or it, with notice thereof, any unsafe or insecure sign liable to injure any person or property, or to maintain or permit to remain on any such premises any sign which because of condition or appearance would have a damaging effect upon other property in the city. (Ord. No. 72-8, § 20, 2-2-72)

Sec. 5-145. Roof signs.

(a) Every roof sign shall be constructed entirely of an incombustible material; the uprights, supports and braces shall be constructed entirely of metal, and shall be securely anchored or otherwise fastened or supported so that it will not constitute a menace to persons or property. All roof signs shall be so constructed or so erected as to stand the wind pressure of not less than thirty (30) pounds per square foot of area subjected to such pressure.

(b) No roof signs shall exceed, in square foot size, the linear front footage of the portion of the building the business occupies. No roof sign shall project higher than four (4) feet above the roof line and anchors thereof shall be kept in good repair. The building official shall order the removal of any sign that is not maintained in accordance with the provisions of this section. (Ord. No. 72-8, § 21, 2-2-72)

Sec. 5-146. Wall signs.

(a) No wall sign shall extend above the roof line nor beyond the building line more than eighteen (18) inches, except, however, if the sign is illuminated the light reflectors may project six (6) feet, beyond the building line. No wall sign shall exceed, in square foot size, the linear front footage of the property located thereon, less the total square footage of any existing signs located on said property. All wall signs shall be made of incombustible materials and safely and adequately attached to such buildings.

(b) Signs painted on the building surface are permitted only by special permit as provided in section 5-129(a)(18) and must conform to all provisions of this article. (Ord. No. 72-8, § 22, 2-2-72)

Sec. 5-147. Projecting signs.

(a) A projecting sign relating to services, articles, and products within the building to which the sign is attached and which does not exceed twenty-five (25) square feet in area for each building or store fronting a public street or road shall be allowed. However, if a building is occupied by only one tenant and the front wall area adjoining a public street exceeds five hundred (500) square feet, such building may have a projecting sign with an area equal to five per cent (5%) of the area of the front wall of the building on which the sign is to be installed. The maximum permitted sign area, under any conditions, or any one building occupied by one tenant shall not exceed two hundred fifty (250) square feet.

(b) Buildings located on corner lots may have one such sign on each street or roadside of the building, provided the building wall area adjoining each street is computed separately for each allowable sign area.

(c) No projecting sign shall extend more than four (4) feet six (6) inches from the building including structural supporting or extending members attached to the building.

(d) No projecting sign shall project nearer to the curb line than two (2) feet.

(e) No projecting sign shall extend downward nearer than ten (10) feet to the ground or pavement.

(f) No projecting sign shall extend above the roof line. Every projecting sign must be constructed and braced to withstand a horizontal wind pressure of not less than thirty (30) pounds for every square foot of surface exposed and shall be securely attached to the building wall in an approved manner.

(g) A projecting sign shall be constructed of incombustible material. (Ord. No. 72-8, § 23, 2-2-72)

Sec. 5-148. Awning signs, flags and banners.

No advertising sign, flag or banner shall be attached to or be suspended from any awning, except that a sign may be painted upon the valance of any canvas awning or in a single line of letters not more than six (6) inches in height, and the wording shall be confined to the following: the number of the premises; the name of the building or institution; and/or the general business or trade carried on in the building. Such sign shall not have a total length to exceed seventy-five per cent (75%) of the length of the valance and shall not advertise any particular article, nor shall any such sign refer to a price. (Ord. No. 72-8, § 24, 2-2-72)

Sec. 5-149. Filling station signs.

Advertising signs for gasoline and oil filling stations shall conform to the following requirements in lieu of any other requirements:

(a) One pole sign not exceeding thirty-six (36) square feet for each face situated on private property.

(b) The pole sign must be so located that no part of the sign may project beyond a five (5) foot setback line from the street or highway right-of-way.

(c) No pole sign shall extend downward nearer than ten (10) feet to the ground or pavement.

(d) Maximum height of pole sign is twenty-eight (28) feet.

(e) A wall sign not exceeding twenty-five (25) square feet in area and projecting no more than twelve (12) .inches facing the street.

(f) Buildings on corner lots may have such a sign on each street side of the building.

(g) One portable sign on private property not exceeding twelve (12) square feet on each side. (Ord. No. 72-8, § 25, 2-2-72)

Sec. 5-150. Ground signs.

(a) No ground sign (as defined in section 5-125) shall be at any point over fifteen (15) feet above the ground level and shall have an open space of one (1) foot between the lower edge of such sign and the ground level.

(b) Every ground sign shall be stoutly constructed and anchored in a secure and substantial manner.

(c) The ends of all such signs shall be at least six (6) feet distant from any wall or fence, or any obstruction which would prevent a clear passage around.

(d) No ground sign shall exceed one hundred (100) square feet in area. Not more than one ground sign shall be erected on any one lot or tract of land, or one sign for each three hundred (300) feet of frontage and located at least three hundred (300) feet apart on such lot or tract of land.

(e) No ground sign when erected on a lot fronting on intersection streets shall be erected within fifty (50) feet of the intersection of the streets.

(f) Ground signs may be erected or installed using the same setback required for pole signs (sign must be located so that no part of the sign projects beyond a five (5) foot setback line from the street or highway right-of-way) if the ground sign does not exceed thirty-six (36) square feet.

(g) Any ground sign in excess of thirty-six (36) square feet must not extend beyond the established building line. (Ord. No. 72-8, § 26, 2-2-72)

Sec. 5-151. Industrial park signs.

When the general welfare of the inhabitants of the city will not be adversely affected the special permit for a sign in industrial parks may take into consideration the greater distance from the adjacent streets and highways of certain buildings, and the design and review board may grant variations as to size, area and location of the signs in such industrial parks. (Ord. No. 72-8, § 27, 2-22-72)

Sec. 5-152. Marquees.

(a) Marquees and marquee signs may extend to a point two (2) feet back of the curb line, but no such marquee or sign shall extend downward nearer than eleven (11) feet above the level of the sidewalk at its lowest level.

(b) There may be placed thereon an illuminated sign which may extend the entire length and width of the marquee, provided such sign does not extend more than nine (9) feet above nor one (1) foot below such marquee, but under no circumstances shall the sign have a vertical width of greater than nine (9) feet.

(c) No additional sign shall be attached to a marquee. (Ord. No. 72-8, § 28, 2-2-72)

Sec. 5-153. Pole signs generally.

(a) One (1) pole sign shall be allowed for each building or store fronting a public street which is occupied by only one person, or business, providing that not more than one (1) sign shall be allowed on the poles supporting the sign. Subject, however, to the specific provisions of this article regarding the total number of signs allowed for each business as provided for in section 5-136.

(b) Pole signs shall not exceed in square feet the linear footage of property located thereon less any existing signs.

(c) Maximum height of pole sign is thirty (30) feet.

(d) The pole sign must be so located that no part of the sign may project beyond a five (5) foot setback line from the street or highway right-of-way.

(e) No pole sign shall extend downward nearer than ten (10) feet to the ground or pavement.

(f) A pole sign shall be constructed of incombustible material.

(g) For buildings or stores fronting a public street that have more than one tenant, a pole sign shall be allowed not to exceed forty-eight (48) feet for each ground floor tenant having a minimum of fifty (50) feet store frontage, providing that the pole sign complies with the above regulations.

(h) In the case of a multiple occupancy building or project, one (1) pole sign containing the name or use of the building for each wall adjacent to a public street, subject, however, to the specific provisions of this article regarding the total number of signs of all types. Tenants of said building or project shall not be permitted pole signs. (Ord. No. 72-8, § 29, 2-2-72)

Sec. 5-154. Small directional signs.

Small post signs indicating the direction to a business (exit and entrance) may be erected and maintained providing:

(a) The building official shall investigate and make his finding that the sign will serve a public purpose and that a public necessity for such directional sign exists;

(b) Shall issue its special permit therefor; and

(c) Such signs shall not exceed eighteen (18) inches by twenty-four (24) inches in size, and shall be installed under the supervision of the building official in a manner and at a height so as not to interfere with the ordinary and lawful use of the street. (Ord. No. 72-8, § 30, 2-2-72)

Sec. 5-155. Reader signs.

Permanently mounted reader boards are permitted with special permit by the design and review board, provided they comply with all provisions of this article. (Ord. No. 72-8, § 31, 2-2-72)

Sec. 5-156. Shopping center signs.

When the general welfare of the inhabitants of the city will not be adversely affected the special permit for signs in shopping centers may take into consideration the greater distance from the adjacent streets and highways of certain buildings, and the design and review board may grant variations as to size, area and location of the signs in such shopping centers. (Ord. No. 72-8, § 32, 2-2-72)

Sec. 5-157. Temporary signs.

(a) Temporary ground signs advertising or announcing the future use of development of the property on which such signs are located may be maintained subject to the provisions of this article, provided such signs do not exceed one hundred (100) square feet in area or remain longer than six (6) months.

(b) “For Rent” and “For Lease” signs in commercial or industrial districts for new buildings shall not exceed forty-eight (48) square feet or remain more than ninety (90) days after the building is completed.

(c) “For Rent” and “For Lease” signs in commercial, local business, or industrial districts for existing buildings (when they become vacant) shall not exceed twelve (12) square feet or remain more than ninety (90) days, but may be renewed upon request.

(d) Temporary ground signs must be located so that no part of the sign projects beyond a five (5) foot setback line from the street or highway right-of-way.

(e) “For Rent”, “For Sale” or “For Lease” signs for new subdivisions and signs advertising the development of a new subdivision, shall not exceed forty-eight (48) square feet or remain more than ninety (90) days after the subdivision is completed. Said signs must be posted on the subdivision property. Security in the form of a certified check in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100.00) shall be deposited with the city clerk, to be refunded upon satisfactory compliance with permit requirements. (Ord. No. 72-8, § 33, 2-2-72) Sec. 5-158. Reflectors and lights.

Goose neck reflectors and lights are permitted on ground signs, and wall signs if the reflectors are provided with proper glass lenses concentrating the illumination upon the area of the sign so as to prevent glare upon the street or adjacent property. (Ord. No. 72-8, § 34, 2-2-72)

Sec. 5-159 — 5-168. Reversed.

ARTICLE VII. MECHANICAL CODE

Sec. 5-169. Adopted.

The St. Louis County Mechanical Code, as amended (section 1101.025 of the county Code), adopted May 4, 1974, is hereby adopted as the mechanical code of the city as fully as if set out herein. (Ord. No. 78-88, § 1(6), 7-12-78)

Editor’s note — Ord. No. 78-88, adopted July 12, 1978, did not specifically amend this Code; hence inclusion of § 1(6) as § 5-169 was at the discretion of the editor. Sec. 5-170. Terms of agreement; compensation; restrictive provisions.

(a) Terms of agreement The county shall provide the city code enforcement services as specified in section 5-169, commencing on May 3, 1978, and continuing from year to year; however either party may terminate upon giving ninety-day prior written notice.

(b) Compensation. The county shall collect all fees and shall retain two-thirds of the fees and remit quarterly one-third of the fees to the city.

(c) Restrictive provisions. If the city has adopted provisions more restrictive than those contained in the applicable county code, the city shall approve all plans prior to submission to the county’s department of public works. The city shall approve all plans for compliance with zoning or other regulatory ordinances prior to submission to the county’s department of public works. (Ord. No. 78-49, § 2, 5-3-78)

Editor’s note — Ord. No. 78-49, adopted May 3, 1978, did not specifically amend this Code; hence inclusion of § 2 as § 5-170 was at the discretion of the editor.

EXHIBIT B

BILL NO. 3087

As revised 8-15-84

ORDINANCE NO. 84-54

BY: _

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ARTICLE VI OF CHAPTER 5 OF THE BRIDGETON CODE OF ORDINANCES TO PROVIDE REVISED REGULATIONS FOR SIGNS AND STREET GRAPHICS.

WHEREAS changes in recent years have indicated a need for a complete revision of the sign regulations adopted in 1972; and

WHEREAS the Design and Review Board, after review and study, has, by letter dated March 29, 1984, recommended a completely new set of sign regulations; and

WHEREAS the City Council finds the present sign regulations inadequate to afford the control of the design and placement of signage appropriate to current development.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BRIDGETON, MISSOURI, AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1. Article VI of Chapter 5 of the Bridgeton Code of Ordinances is repealed in its entirety and a new Article VI of Chapter 5 enacted to read as follows:

PROPOSED SIGN REGULATIONS— JANUARY 1,1984

Section 5-125..........Statement of Purpose

Section 5-126 ..........Definitions

Items of Information

Section 5-127.......... Allowed

Table of Design

Section 5-128.......... Elements

Section 5-129 ..........Manner of Display

Construction and

Section 5-130.......... Maintenance

Section 5-131 ..........Street Graphics Exempt

Street Graphics

Section 5-132.......... Prohibited

Section 5-133 ..........Special Graphics

Section 5-134..........Permits and Fees

Non-Conforming Street

Section 5-135.......... Graphics and Signs

Programs for Graphics

Section 5-136.......... and Signs

Section 5-137..........Variances

Powers of Board of

Section 5-138.......... Adjustment

Section 5-139..........Removal of Signs

ARTICLE VI STREET GRAPHICS

SECTION 5-125 — STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

The purpose of these regulations is to create the legal framework for a comprehensive but balanced system of street graphics, and thereby to facilitate an easy and pleasant communication between people and their environment. With this purpose in mind, it is the intention of these regulations to authorize the use of street graphics which are:

a) Compatible with their surroundings;

b) Appropriate to the type of activity to which they pertain;

c) Expressive of the identity of individual proprietors or of the community as a whole; and

d) Legible in the circumstances in which they are seen.

SECTION 5-126 — DEFINITIONS

Unless the context otherwise requires, the following definitions shall be used in the interpretation and construction of this article.

ACTIVITY: An economic unit designated in the classification system given in the 1972 Standard Industrial Classification Manual published by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Federal Statistical Policy and Standards.

DISTRICT: Any section of the City of Bridgeton designated by the Zoning Ordinance as a residential, business, manufacturing or special district.

FACE: Any surface against or through which a street graphic is displayed or illustrated.

GROUND SIGN: A street graphic supported by one or more uprights, posts or bases placed upon or affixed in the ground and not attached to any part of a building and that does not exceed the maximum height designated for a ground sign in Section 5-128.

ILLUMINATED SIGN: A street graphic which has characters, letters, figures, designs or the outline illuminated by electric lights or luminous tubes.

MARQUEE SIGN: A street graphic affixed to a permanent canopy over the entrance to a building.

POLE SIGN: A street graphic supported by one or more poles placed in the ground and not attached to any part of a building and that exceeds the maximum height designated for a ground sign in Section 5-128.

PROJECTING SIGN: A street graphic attached to and projecting from a building and not in the same plane as the wall.

READER BOARD: Any street graphic that has changeable or removable lettering and which is permanently mounted as a wall, pole, or ground sign.

ROOF SIGN: A street graphic painted, erected, constructed, or maintained upon the roof of a building.

SIGN AREA: Total area of the space used to display a street graphic not including supporting poles and structure. For a sign with two faces that are parallel and supported by the same poles or structure, the area of the sign equals one-half the total area of the two faces. For a sign with two or more faces supported by the same poles or structure but not parallel, the area of the sign equals the total area of all faces.

STREET GRAPHIC: Any character or letter and/or figure, symbol, design, work, model or device, and att