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Chapter 1. Substantive Issues in Sign Regulation Sign regulation is more an art than a science.It is an art described in a book of the same name,' is a far more that requires a careful balancing of the need of businesses sophisticated system of aesthetic controls.That system ad- and others to communicate with the public with the need of dresses most of the issues discussed in the model and also in- the public to receive that communication and with commu- cludes controls on the actual design of signs and sign nity planning goals related to streetscape aesthetics and traf- messages. Because of its sophistication and the resulting fic safety.Thus,there is no ideal system of sign regulation. complexity of administration, the Street Graphics system Communities have broad legal authority to regulate signs will not work for every community. based on safety or aesthetic considerations, or both.How Some communities will also be able to regulate signs with they exercise that authority is a policy determination that a far simpler code than the model here. They might start each community must make on its own. with the model in this report and simply delete those provi- Each community must address sign control in a way that sions not relevant to their needs. is appropriate to that community. Signs in Las Vegas and Before offering the model,however,this report discusses Reno are a modern version of an Art Deco art form.The the major substantive issues in sign regulation,ranging from Circus Circus clown and the lights of the downtown casinos issues affecting sign location and design to such management are an important part of the glitz that is Las Vegas. Many issues as enforcement of sign regulations and control of signs casinos have animated signs,consisting mostly of lights and, that were erected legally but that do not conform to current sometimes,covering more square feet than the land area the regulations.Chapter 2 presents a simplified legal analysis of casinos occupy.Las Vegas without its lights and signs would the major issues in sign regulation.The final chapter con- simply not be Las Vegas.In vivid contrast,some relatively tains the model sign ordinance,with commentary explain- exclusive residential communities prohibit all signs except ing many of the provisions. wooden painted signs that are floodlit (not too brightly), with no moving parts; some even limit the colors of paint SIGN DESIGN AND STRUCTURE that can be used. The golden arches in such communities Sign regulations typically group signs in classifications, may be little more than a mustard-colored shape painted on such as"ground signs,""pole signs,"and"wall signs."Just wood. as zoning ordinances provide different rules for different The needs and desires of most communities lie somewhere uses, sign regulations often provide different rules for dif- in between the two extremes.The model sign ordinance that ferent classifications of signs. Thus, understanding the appears in Chapter 3 of this report is designed for such com- similarities and differences among the groups into which munities. Because it is comprehensive in scope, it may be signs are classified is a key to understanding sign regulation. somewhat longer than models that have appeared else- The classification system for signs is usually based on sign where. It is intended to address some issues that other design and structure.The sign groups described in this sec- models and types of regulation systems have failed to con- tion of the report are common,but local definitions of these sider.For instance,some earlier models offer provisions that groups vary. Thus, the descriptions given here are il- regulate, in part,on the basis of sign content.Such regula- lustrative,not definitive;model definitions are provided in tions can cause significant legal and practical problems,an the model ordinance. issue discussed in Chapter 2 of this report. Despite the The most basic distinction for signs concerns whether they model's comprehensiveness,it has been designed to be easy are permanent or temporary.Permanent signs are generally to use and administer. as permanent as a small building;that is,they are set on their The model ordinance also offers an alternative to other 1.Daniel R.Mandelker and William R.Ewald,Jr.,Street Graphics and approaches to sign regulation.The Street Graphics system, the Law,rev.ed.(Chicago:American Planning Association,1988). 1