The Planning and Development Department recommends an amendment to Chapter 33, Article VII, Division 5 of the Code of Ordinances, adding a new Section 33-269 to provide an exemption to the City of Houston Sign Code to allow rooftop signs on protected landmark buildings and to establish standards.
This amendment establishes an exception to the City’s prohibition on rooftop signs for certain historic buildings that previously had rooftop signs and will create a pathway for eligible restoration projects to reconstruct signs as they were originally intended. The eligibility criteria for this exemption is as follows:
- The building must be designated as a protected landmark by the City of Houston.
- The sign must have existed during the historical period that is the basis for landmark designation.
- The building must be two stories tall or less and have an approved Certificate of Appropriateness.
A public hearing was held on June 29, 2023 at the Houston Archeological and Historical Commission and the item was unanimously approved to move forward for Council consideration. A public hearing was held at City Council on September 13, 2023. There were no objections at that public hearing. All notice and hearing requirements have been met for this item.
The Planning and Development Department recommends approval of this amendment to the City of Houston Sign Code.
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Margaret Wallace Brown, AICP, CNU-A
Director
Planning and Development Department