Section 10-C2504. GENERAL STANDARDS FOR SIGNAGE

 

2504.1 Signage shall be appropriate to the building, site, or historic district it will affect.  Signage shall relate to, take advantage of, and be compatible with the building’s particular composition, scale, design features, and architectural character.  It shall be designed with sensitivity to adjacent historic properties, the landscape of historic sites, and the streetscape of historic districts, especially when placed in public space.

 

2504.2 Signage shall be appropriate to the identified or advertised use.  Its scale and design character shall be commensurate with the size and nature of the entity and its location.

 

2504.3 Signs on historic property shall be primarily oriented toward and promote the pedestrian environment.

 

2504.4 Redundant or repetitive signs which clutter, overwhelm, or visually detract from a building façade, storefront, or site are not permitted.

 

2504.5 Signs shall be lightweight in feeling and appearance.  Signage or signage elements like raceways that are boxy, bulky, or out of scale with historic buildings and districts are not permitted.

 

2504.6 Signs that graphically or symbolically express a business or institution, or that express creativity, diversity, or individuality are encouraged.

 

2504.7 Branding, color branding, or overpowering visual effects that detract from or overwhelm the architecture or historic character of a building or district are not permitted.

 

2504.8 Signs should be well designed and fabricated of high quality materials.  Professional design and fabrication are strongly encouraged.

 

authority

The D.C. Office of Planning and the Historic Preservation Review Board, pursuant to the authority set forth in section 10 of the Historic Landmark and Historic District Protection Act of 1978, effective March 3, 1979, (D.C. Law 2-144; D.C. Official Code § 6-1109), Mayor’s Order 79-50, dated March 21, 1979, section 6 of Mayor's Order 83-119, dated May 6, 1983, section III(B)(8) of Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1983, effective March 31, 1983, and section 402(b) of the Fiscal Year 2001 Budget Support Act of 2002, effective October 19, 2000 (D.C. Law 12-172; 47 DCR 6308).

source

Notice of Final Rulemaking published at 57 DCMR 2281, 2283 (March 19, 2010).