Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-17
SIGN LAW DRAF TED
FOR D. c. CLEANUP
Drastic Regulations Changes
Are Urged by Engineers
to Commissioners.
Continued From First Page.)

lowing 10 recommendations for the pro-
posed regulations:
l. Revocation on July of all out
standing authority and permits for the
erection and maintenance of bill
boards, fence signs and wall signs. and
in lieu thereof an approved list of bill
boards. fence signs and wall signs is
established to which may be added nc
billboard, fence sign or wall sign site
and from which shall be permanently
stricken any billboard, fence sign or
wall sign abandoned for any cause
whatsoever.
2. Limitation in the size Of replace
ment signs in residential district to 40
square feet.
8. Absolute prohibition against pro-
miscuous lacking. painting or FASTING of
signs or posters of miscellaneous char
acter on walls of buildings, on barns,
trees, fences or other structures.
4. Prohibition against display Of signs.
other than real estate signs, in any
part of a vacant building, store or
premises, visable from the public high
ways.
S. A new section known as section !,
giving complete definitions OF terms
used in regulations.
Sign Painters Licensing Asked.
6. Authorizes inspector of buildings to
secure removal or obliteration of signs
which no longer advertise business
bona fide conducted on the premises.
7. Submission to commissioners Of all
applications for roof or wall signs en-
buildings IN areas falling within the
provisions OF the ShipStead act.
8. More stringent regulations on roof
signs
9. Limitation in sign area on show
windows to 20 per cent Of the total area
of such windows
10. Provision for requiring persons
engaged in the business Of sign paint
ing to display licenses and permits when
called for by representatives Of the Of
fee of the inspector Of buildings or any
member of the Metropolitan Police De-
partment.
Repair Problem Left Open.
The committee, 1t was explained, left
open the question of repairing and re-
conditioning billboards already author
lied by law. Under existing regula-
tons, whether enforced or not, the res
conditioning of billboards is prohibited,
the idea being to let them eventually
rot away. This was in accordance with
a policy adopted some years ago.
Since the new law specifically re-
quires annual license fees, it was
thought by the Drafting Committee the
question Of reconditioning old signs
was properly safeguarded by recon-
mending that mo sign erected before
the adoption Of these regulations, shall
be repaired, altered, reprinted or moved,
unless it be brought into compliance
with the requirements Of all applicable
regulations" A fee of SIS also would
be imposed.
"FOr Sale or Rent" o. X.
No fees would be required for signs
less than one foot square, provision
for the benefit of doorplates of the type
used by physicians. But for all other
signs, with few exceptions, fees ranging
from 81 under 25 square feet of space
up TO $40 for 100 square feet and over
are provided either upon erection, re-
pair or replacement. ,
Theaters and motion picture houses
would be exempted from permits to
change the bills Of their acts and fea-
lures on established frames.
While the proposed regulations would