Section 10-C2507. DESIGN CHARACTERISTICS OF APPROPRIATE SIGNS

 

2507.1 In reviewing an application for signage, the HPO and Board shall evaluate the architecture and design of the building and site, and determine whether the proposed sign is compatible with respect to type, placement, size, material, copy, illumination, and installation.  The HPO shall assist applicants in evaluating historic properties for appropriate signage.

 

2507.2 Sign placement shall be consistent with the following criteria and considerations:

 

(a) A sign may be placed only on a portion of the building occupied by the person, business, or entity to which it relates;

 

(b) A sign band, fascia, or other storefront or building area designed to accommodate signage is the preferred location for sign placement;

 

(c) In the absence of a sign band or fascia, a flat continuous wall surface, unbroken by decorative detailing and windows, is an appropriate location for signage;

 

(d) A storefront or show window may be an appropriate location for a sign provided it does not visually overwhelm the storefront or obscure its transparency;

 

(e) A sign shall not conceal or cover over a character-defining architectural feature, such as a window or door surround, cornice, pilaster, or other decorative or ornamental feature;

 

(f) A sign shall not conceal or cover over a window or transom.  A window sign within a transom or a channel letter sign on top of a show window may be appropriate provided it does not substantially cover the transom;

 

(g) A sign shall not conceal or cover over a significant site or landscape feature.  Sign placement shall avoid known or likely archaeological features; and

 

(h) A sign shall not project more than forty-two inches (42 in.) beyond the building line or building restriction line.  A projecting, hanging, blade, or banner sign shall maintain a minimum clearance of eight feet (8 ft.) above grade.

 

2507.3Sign size shall be consistent with the following criteria and considerations:

 

(a) A sign shall be sized appropriately for its location on a building or site.  Signage in a historic district should be generally consistent with the prevailing size of comparable signage in the district;

 

(b) The maximum size and area limitations established by the D.C. Building Code apply to signs on historic property.  Further limitations on size and area may be necessary to achieve compatibility with a historic property or district;

 

(c) The appropriate size of a sign on historic property shall be determined by and tailored to the specific characteristics of the building or site, the location of the sign on the building or site, and if applicable, the character of the surrounding historic district;

 

(d) A sign installed on a sign band, fascia, or show window shall fit within the area specifically designed for its installation; and

 

(e) The aggregate area of all window signs within a storefront or show window shall not exceed twenty percent (20%) of the surface area of that element.

 

2507.4Sign material shall be consistent with the following criteria and considerations:

 

(a) Signage shall be constructed of durable, exterior-grade materials that will retain a high quality appearance;

 

(b) Painted wood or metal, and other sign materials and finishes that are consistent in character with materials and finishes on the affected building, district, or site are encouraged; and

 

(c) Shiny plastic and other sign materials and finishes that are not found on or are out of character with the affected building, district, or site are prohibited unless unusual circumstances make them clearly acceptable at the specific building or location.

 

2507.5Sign copy shall be consistent with the following criteria and considerations:

 

(a) Sign copy shall not detract from the visual character of the historic building or district.  Generally, copy should be kept simple and the number of words or symbols should be limited to keep the sign easily legible, graphically clear, and free of clutter;

 

(b) Sign copy should be legible but not out of scale for the historic building or district.  Lettering shall be no more than eighteen inches (18 in.) in height unless a variation is dictated by the specific characteristics of the building and the placement of the sign;

 

(c) A sign listing services, goods, websites, phone numbers, or other detailed information shall be no larger than three square feet (3 sq. ft.) in size; and

 

(d) Signage using Chinese characters and design elements is encouraged in the Chinatown Overlay District.

 

2507.6Sign illumination shall be consistent with the following criteria and considerations:

 

(a) Sign illumination shall not detract from a historic building or district.  At a minimum, illumination of a sign on historic property shall comply with the applicable provisions of the D.C. Building Code;

 

(b) Low-level illumination for signage is encouraged as a general principle.  Intense or overpowering illumination can render an otherwise compatible sign inappropriate for historic property;

 

(c) Sign illumination shall be appropriate for the location, setting and character of the specific building and site.  Certain types of facilities, such as theaters and public buildings, may warrant greater levels of illumination;

 

(d) The large internally illuminated surface areas of box signs are generally not appropriate for signs on historic property.  Internally illuminated channel letter signs are more appropriate and are encouraged as an alternative;

 

(e) Signs with a diffused source of illumination, such as halo-lit channel letter signs, are encouraged;

 

(f) Any exterior source of illumination shall direct the light onto the sign, and shall be appropriately shielded to prevent light and glare from shining in the eyes of pedestrians;

 

(g) Spot lights, hanging lamps, and decorative fixtures may be acceptable methods of external illumination, if the light source is appropriately shielded and of low intensity;

 

(h) Sodium vapor, mercury vapor, or other metal halide light sources are generally too bright for illuminating signs on historic property and are not permitted;

 

(i) Neon signs may be permitted if appropriate for the building or district.  The use of neon or continuous light-emitting diode (LED) strips as decorative trim or as a building outlining element is not permitted except in the Chinatown area of the Downtown Historic District; and

 

(j) Sign illumination shall be by steady light only.  Pulsing, blinking, or flashing lights are not permitted.

 

2507.7Sign installation shall be consistent with the following criteria and considerations:

 

(a) Signage shall be installed in a manner that minimizes permanent damage to a building.  On masonry buildings, signage shall be attached through mortar joints, rather than through masonry units, whenever possible;

 

(b) Signage shall be installed in a neat and workmanlike manner;

 

(c) Electrical conduit, transformers, and other electrical equipment for lighting of exterior signs shall be concealed.  Raceways shall be as compact as practicable and painted or finished to blend with the wall color behind; and

 

(d) Ground-mounted signs shall be installed to avoid damage to known or likely archaeological features.

 

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, 2286 (March 19, 2010); as corrected by Errata Notice published at 58 DCR 11084, 11086 (December 23, 2011).