Omaha daily bee., 1907-03-10
SIGNS MUST Be ELEVATED
,idswalk advertisements Not Lower Than
Twelve Feet, fays Ordinance.
MEASURE lust SIGNED BY The MAYOR
WIN Affect Many Business Displays
that Hang Several Feet
Closer 10 the Pave
ment Than That.

An ordinance to improve the appearance
OF Omaha by the removal of Objectionable
and dangerous signs and distractions Sat
urday morning was signed by Mayor Dahl
man. This measure becomes operative
upon passage and approval by the mayor.
The council worked on this ordinance for
month, changing several provisions so
as to make II fair and even rejecting one
ordinance altogether
This ordinance, introduced by Councilman
McGovern, prohibits all signs lower than
twelve feet from sidewalks, streets or al
leys. This will effect many of the small
signs around town. but most OF the sub
stantia, electrical signs are now more than
twelve feet from the walk One expensive
sign, however, on Fifteenth street, just
south of Farnam, is only nine feet and
four inches from the walk. This sign VIII
have TO be raised or taken down.
No merchandise or goods Of any character
may be placed more than three feet from
the lot line. It has been the practice OF
some merchants to monopOiize the walks
for considerable distance from lot line with
all manner of articles This will be
stopped An exception is made for show
cases or windows OF a permanent char
aoter Such signs as barber poles and bull
letin boards on the curb line will have to
be removed. The ordinance will have the
effect of cleaning out many OF the small
signs and will add to the attractiveness OF
the city.
While the ordinance becomes operative
forthwith, there will be no disposition &c
embarrass anyone.
Text of Ordinance.
The body of the ordinance 10 presented
herewith;
1t Is hereby declared unlawful to plac'
| or suspend or cause TO be placed or SGs
| pended from any building, structure 10
! or place within the city limits OF the cit!
| OF Omaha, any signs of any KIND or natur
the walls or in front of such building
I structure, lot or place into or upon an
! street, alley. or over any sidewalk OF SAL
city, SO that the same shall come wlthl
twelve feet of such sidewalk or the road
bed of such street or alley, or TO plac
upon any sidewalk, any sign whatsoever
provided that this ordinance shall no
stantiAl character, erected upon the wal
for the display OF merchandise. and Pre-
vided further, that this ordinance sha
not apply TO merchandise upon the side ID,
I walks OF the city Of Omaha when IN
same is placed within three feat OF the &c
line e saTey tSs Piazza aTsiSap ano sbS be- cor
strued to prevent any person from hangin
over or across any street or sidewalk an
flag or banner on the 90 Gay OF f6bIuaI!
Oth day OF May, the Fourth OF July. {
any other public holiday, or TO prevent an
society from hanging It's nag or bannt
on any day of any convention or publ
gathering OF such society, not more tina
two days In any month.
/ ANY person, hrm or corporation or n
manager OF any corporation, who sha
violate any OF the provisions OF this o.
dinance shall be deemed guilty OF misd'
nsanor, and. upon couvictton thereof, sha
be fned in q sum not exceeding 500 A
! ofieers directors. servants. agents an
employees OF any corporation, company
! companies firm, person or persona, sha
be- subject to arrest and prosecution Il
violation OF this ordinance and, upon COL
Vietion. shall be hned as In this seetiC
provided.
This ordinance shall take effect and
In force from and after its passage, exec
In respect 10 such signs as are now
, existence, in which respect Il shall tai
? effect from and after March 1, 1907