Jefferson Parish Sign Ordinance. This document is not the complete ordinance. For the complete document, go to www.municode.com and click on "free downloads", then click "Louisiana"

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ARTICLE I. IN GENERAL

    Sec. 32-1.  Signs along rights-of-way, etc.

         (a)     Prohibition. Except as otherwise provided by law, it shall be unlawful for any person to erect or maintain upon any parish highway, right-of-way, servitude, street, roadway, emergency lane, median, neutral ground, shoulder of a road, curb and/or sidewalk any sign, marker, placard, poster, notice, light, signal light, warning or direction sign, or any sign bearing any commercial advertising.

         (b)     Authority for removal.

          (1)     Any sign, marker, signal light, advertisement, bill poster or dodger, that is posted, placed or painted on any parish highway, right-of-way, servitude, street, public building, curbing of gutters, flagging, gutterstone, telephone, telegraph or any utility pole or  post in violation of the foregoing section shall be considered abandoned and therefore subject to immediate removal and disposal by the department of inspections and code enforcement or by the department of parkways as soon as possible after either of

those departments is made aware of the location of such signs on public property.

          (2)     The parish, through the department of inspection and code enforcement, shall give due process notice by certified letter to all political candidates who qualify for an election that will take place within the unincorporated areas of Jefferson Parish that signs  illegally placed on any public right-of-way, shall be considered abandoned property subject to immediate removal and disposal by the parish without further notice.

          (3)     The parish shall give due notice to all garage sale permittees and to all operators of businesses in the parish by placing a  notice on the applications for the zoning clearance required for an occupational license in the parish and on the annual renewal applications for occupational licenses in the parish that signs illegally placed on any public property, including but not limited to, public rights-of-way, shall be considered abandoned property subject to immediate removal and disposal by the parish without further notice.

          (4)     The parish shall give due process notice to the general public by the publication of this section in the official  newspaper/journal of the parish that the posting of signs on public property, including but not limited to, public rights-of-way, shall be considered abandoned property subject to immediate removal and disposal by the parish without further notice.

         (c)     Exception for signs placed by governmental authority. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as prohibiting the department of public works from erecting and maintaining signs designating street names, traffic signals, markers and control signs or highway markers, or any department, agency or political subdivision of the parish from posting signs designating public works,  buildings, historic sites, school signs or other signs of a public and civic nature or any signs, placards, posters or notices normally       posted or placed by said department, agency or political subdivision in the discharge and exercise of its duties and functions or as  required by rule, resolution, ordinance or statute.

         (d)     [Reserved.]

         (e)     Council permission. The prohibitions of this section shall not apply when express approval is obtained from the council by  resolution and a permit is obtained from the departments of the parish government designated by the council to grant such permits, as provided for in this chapter.

    (Code 1961, §§ 12-30--12-32; Ord. No. 16026, § 1, 5-9-84; Ord. No. 18046, § 2, 7-25-90; Ord. No. 19673, §§ 1, 2, 4-10-96; Ord. No.

    20186, §§ 1--4, 11-5-97)

    Sec. 32-2.  Advertisements; posting or painting in certain places prohibited.

    It shall be unlawful for any person to post or Paint advertisements of any kind whatsoever on any of the streets or curbing of the gutters,  flagging, gutterstones, telephone, telegraph or any utility posts or wooden or iron railings of any of the public buildings.

    (Code 1961, § 12-32.1)

    Sec. 32-3.  Signs on parish property.

    Except as otherwise provided by law, it shall be unlawful for any private persons or companies to erect signs, including outdoor advertising billboards, on any public building or any parish property, whether dedicated for specific use or otherwise.

    (Code 1961, § 12-32.2; Ord. No. 16026, § 1, 5-9-84)

    Sec. 32-4.  No bills, posters or dodgers on telephone or electric poles with or without owner's consent; exceptions.

    It shall be unlawful to paste or place any bills, posters or dodgers upon any telephone or electrical lampposts or poles with or without the consent of the owners of such poles; except such identification or notices which may normally be posted by a utility company; and  except such signs and/or placards or posters normally posted or placed by the departments, public agencies and/or political subdivisions of the parish in the discharge and exercise of their duties and functions.

    (Code 1961, § 12-32.3)

    Sec. 32-5.  Council permission.

    The council, by resolution, may permit the installation of a private sign on public property provided the sign:

          (a)     Will not cause diminution or depreciation of property values of any surrounding property, nor alter the essential character of the locality nor have an adverse aesthetic or functional impact on the site; and

          (b)     Will not tend to degrade and hinder the prosperity and general welfare of the immediate surrounding area and/or community; and

          (c)     Will not be detrimental to the public welfare or seriously affect or be injurious to other property or improvements in the immediate area in which the signs will be located, in that it will not impair an adequate supply of light and air, or increase  substantially the congestion in the public streets, create a traffic hazard, or increase the danger of fire, or endanger the public safety, or cause serious annoyance or injury to occupants of adjoining premises by reason of emission noise or vibration, light or         glare or other nuisances; and

          (d)     Meets the location, design and other requirements of article II and will be installed for not more than thirty (30) days; or

          (e)     Meets the location, design and other requirements of article III.

    (Ord. No. 16026, § 1, 5-9-84)

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Sec. 32-13.  Permission of owner required.

    No person shall erect, construct or maintain any sign upon any property or building without the consent of the owner or person entitled to possession of the property, or their representative.

    (Ord. No. 18046, § 1, 7-25-90)

    Sec. 32-14.  Removal of signs.

    Any sign now or hereafter existing which no longer advertises a bona fide business conducted, or a product sold, shall be taken down, or removed by the owner, agent or person having the beneficial use of the building or structure upon which such sign may be found within fifteen (15) days after written notification from the department of inspection and code enforcement and, upon failure to comply with such notice within the time specified in such order, the department of inspection and code enforcement is hereby authorized to cause removal of such sign and collect the cost, therefore, in accordance with sections 19-13 through 19-19.

    (Ord. No. 18046, § 1, 7-25-90)

Sec. 32-15.  Definitions.

    For purposes of this article, the following terms, phrases, words and their derivations shall have the meanings given herein:

    Sign:

          (1)     The term "sign" shall mean any identification, description, illustration, symbol, statue or device, illuminated or   non-illuminated, which is visible from any public place or adjoining property designed to advertise, identify or convey information,  including any landscaping where letters or numbers are used, for the purpose of directing the public's attention to a product or  location. For the purpose of determining number of signs, a sign shall be considered to be a single display surface or display         device containing elements organized, related and composed to form a unit. Where matter is displayed in a random manner without organized relationship to elements, or where there is reasonable doubt as to the relationship of elements, each element  shall be considered to be a single sign. For the purpose of removal, sign shall also include all sign structures.

          (2)     The term "sign" shall also include any definition provided in the building code or the comprehensive zoning ordinance.

    (Ord. No. 18046, § 1, 7-25-90)

    Secs. 32-16--32-19.  Reserved.

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ARTICLE IV.  NONPROFIT AND CIVIC

    Sec. 32-50.  Definitions.

    For the purposes of this article, the following definitions shall apply:

          (a)     Sign shall mean any sign, stationary or portable, not mounted on a trailer.

          (b)     Organization shall mean any nongovernmental organization or agency or civic association which has been granted nonprofit status by the appropriate agencies of the State of Louisiana and/or the United States  government.

    (Ord. No. 16026, § 1, 5-9-84)

    Sec. 32-51.  Design characteristics.

         (a)     Signs shall be designed according to generally accepted good engineering practices to withstand wind  pressures of at least twenty (20) pounds per square foot.

         (b)     Signs shall be designed to rest on structural members other than wheels. Jacks, tongues and any  transportation wheels shall be removed when the sign is being used for display.

    (Ord. No. 16026, § 1, 5-9-84)

    Sec. 32-52.  Location.

         (a)     An organization shall not erect or maintain upon any parish highway, right-of-way, servitudes, streets, public buildings or parish property any sign without obtaining a resolution from the parish council authorizing such sign and obtaining all requisite permits and approval from the departments of public works and inspection and code enforcement.

         (b)     A portable sign shall not be installed for more than thirty (30) days.

         (c)     At the intersection of two (2) streets or a street and a driveway, no sign shall be placed or installed within the  triangular area between the intersecting lines formed by the curbs or curb and driveway and a distance of twenty-five (25) feet along each intersecting line from the point of intersection.

         (d)     A sign shall not be placed within five (5) feet of any public sign or pole, guy wire or line of any electric,  telephone or other utility.

         (e)     A sign shall not be placed closer than fifty (50) feet from another private sign.

    (Ord. No. 16026, § 1, 5-9-84)

    Sec. 32-53.  Traffic hazard or nuisance.

         (a)     No sign shall be placed at any location in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision at the  intersection of any streets or highways.

         (b)     No sign shall be placed at any location where it could be confused with an authorized traffic signal or sign.

         (c)     No sign shall use the word "Stop," "Danger," or any other words or phrases which could mislead or confuse  traffic.

         (d)     No sign shall display any obscene, indecent or immoral matter.

         (e)     The area immediately surrounding a sign shall be kept clear of all unsightly debris and vegetation.

         (f)     Signs shall be maintained in good condition to assure safety and attractive appearance.

         (g)     No sign permitted under this section shall obstruct the view of, or interfere with, or impede the flow of,  pedestrian or vehicular traffic, the ingress into or egress from any residence, place of business, or any legally parked or stopped vehicle, or the use of poles, posts, traffic signs or signals, hydrants, mailboxes, or other objects permitted at or near said location; nor interfere with the cleaning of any sidewalk, sewerage line or drainage line by use of mechanical cleaning equipment.

    (Ord. No. 16026, § 1, 5-9-84)

    Secs. 32-54--32-59.  Reserved.

    ARTICLE V.  BANNERS

    Sec. 32-60.  Banners permitted

Notwithstanding any provision of this article or any other ordinance to the contrary, the Jefferson Parish Council may  permit the placement of banners along public rights-of-way providing said banners are placed in accordance with the provisions of this article.

    (Ord. No. 19858, § 1, 11-6-96)

    Sec. 32-61.  Purposes for banners defined.

    Banners placed under this article must promote tourism in the parish, provide information regarding significant public events and/or promote civic pride and knowledge about Jefferson Parish.

    (Ord. No. 19858, § 1, 11-6-96; Ord. No. 20510, § 1, 11-18-98)

    Sec. 32-62.  Corridors and districts for banners.

    Banners may be placed on street light standards or other suitable fixtures only along the following approved corridors or districts (parks, playgrounds, parish building sites or other areas):

          (1)     Causeway Boulevard between the Greater New Orleans Expressway bridge and Interstate 10; and

          (2)     Veterans Memorial Boulevard between Clearview Parkway and Lake Avenue. Banners will be placed no closer than every third street light standard, or other usable fixture in this corridor.

    There must be a resolution by the Jefferson Parish Council granting final approval of the placement of banners and identifying the corridor(s) or district(s) in which the placement is permitted.

    (Ord. No. 19858, § 1, 11-6-96; Ord. No. 19903, § 1, 12-11-96; Ord. No. 20078, § 1, 7-23-97; Ord. No. 20340, § 1, 4-29-98;

    Ord. No. 20510, § 2, 11-18-98)

    Sec. 32-63.  Sponsorship of banners.

    Banners may be sponsored by the Parish of Jefferson to display the parish's seal or logo, to convey information regarding the parish, to depict designs or graphics appropriate to a seasonal or holiday period, or to promote or inform the public as to an upcoming event. Banners may be sponsored by an entity or entities other than Jefferson Parish to promote an upcoming event but only if said event provides a significant economic benefit to Jefferson Parish.

    (Ord. No. 19858, § 1, 11-6-96)