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i ---- at W _ pluip t - :Pt NEM - E; i7Ti - m U rY' � i� � � .�.`_�v w�,�- '-+icy,• l, going up without a permit, signs on buildings and some 2. Establish Records.The model ordinance includes a re- freestanding signs may be added or changed without attract- quirement for a master sign permit in order to keep a ing the attention of any official.Even when a sign is erected record of what signs are permitted on each zone lot or installed in substantial compliance with regulations,the and in what locations. Such a record eliminates the measurements required in many local sign regulations are need to recalculate permissible sign numbers and sign usually more complex than those required by the zoning areas because those are all reflected on the permit. regulations for buildings on the same lot. Field administration becomes a matter of comparing The enforcement problems with signs generally do not in- what is on the site with what is on the permit.In many volve large signs provided by sign companies.Many com- cases, the differences,such as the addition of an extra munities license sign contractors and require permits for pole sign or the enlargement of a wall sign,will be ob- large signs.Like building contractors,most sign contractors vious on initial inspection without the need for will not work without required permits and have no desire detailed measurements. to install signs that will violate local regulations.Thus,that aspect of sign regulation,like zoning,can be self-policing. 3. Hire Adequate Staff. A community that adopts a The regulation of banners,portable signs,pennants,painted policy of effective regulation of signs should hire ade- wall signs, and small signs of all kinds can be much more quate staff to do the job.There is some reason to con- difficult. sider separating that staff from the building inspection Many communities make sign enforcement even more staff if the latter is often overworked. Any rational difficult by adopting regulations that are far too complex to department administrator faced with a personnel be easily enforced. Regulations that impose different size shortage and a decision about whether to inspect limits on different types of freestanding signs in the same buildings under construction or to conduct random location require endless measurements.Regulations that tie sign surveys will order his or her staff to inspect the sign sizes to lot areas and street frontages require additional buildings.Thus,signs may always remain on the"to measurements and calculations.There is nothing especially be done" list. If one or more inspectors are assigned complicated about any particular set of measurements or specifically to sign inspection duties,that problem will calculations—the problem is simply one of having enough be eliminated. staff to do the job.Regulations based on sign content create Although the enforcement and administration of sign even more problems of enforcement and administration regulations raises issues different from general zoning en- because inspectors must monitor sign copy as well as dimen- forcement, it is certainly related to zoning enforcement and sions and location. administration. Thus, the two should be part of one total There are three key steps that a community can take to system, even if certain parts(such as inspections)function make the enforcement and administration of sign regulation separately.' efficient. 1. Keep Regulations Simple. Simple regulations are sim- 4.For a general discussion of enforcement of land-use controls,including sign regulations,see Eric Damian Kelly.Enforcing Zoning and Land-Use pie to administer.The model ordinance in this report Controls,Planning Advisory Service Report\o.400(Chicago:American has been drafted with that concept in mind. Planning Association, 1988). 15