Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2E

Representing the citizens of Burleith, Foxhall-MacArthur, Georgetown, and Hillandale

SIGNS

Some things are mandated:

• Permits: A permit is needed anytime a sign larger than 1 square foot is made part of a budding, painted, repainted, placed, replaced, made to flash, or maintained. Any lighted sign also requires a separate electrical installation permit.
• Display of permits: All signs must contain the permit number and date of issuance in letters at least 1 inch tall.
• CFA approval: In Historic Georgetown, these signs must also be approved by the Old Georgetown Board and the Commission of Fine Arts. (The Commisiion of Fine Arts may approve signage that varies from these standards for good cause.)

Some signs are categorically prohibited:

• Billboards, roof signs, projecting and revolving signs, nonstationary signs,
• Also prohibited is the tacking, painting, pasting, or otherwise affixing signs or posters of miscellaneous character that are visible from a street or public way on the walls of buildings, sheds, fences or other structures.
• In residential areas, nameplates or name-and-occupation signs larger than 1 square foot.

Some signs are allowed with limitations:

• Size: The aggregate area of all signs advertising any one business or premises can't exceed 25 square feet. This includes any lettering on show windows. (Lettering on show windows that abut or overlook public space also may not exceed 20% of the window area, if that is less than 25 square feet.)
• Color: No more than two colors, nor more than one color with black and white
• Illumination: Only freestanding, back-lighted signs with opaque letters, illuminated by steady light, having no exposed sources of sign illumination. (The Georgetown ANG, however, has long opposed free-standing signs).
• Awnings: Signs may appear only on the valance of awnings.
• Size of lettering: No letter of any design may exceed 12 inches in height.
• Projecting.signs: None may exceed 42 inches from the building line.
• Copy: Must be limited to the address or name of establishment, or both, and the type of business conducted.
• Real Estate signs: Maximum of 6 square feet.
• Vacated Business: Maximum of 6 square feet with the new address for no more than 6o days.
• Show cards: In show windows, a maximum of two, no larger than 14 X 22 inches, for no more than 30 days.
• Parking: Signs a maximum of 6 square feet in area indicating the location of parking facilities for patrons.
• Temporary decorations: With a permit, decorations on fronts of buildings (with included greetings, symbols, etc.) for no more than 40 days.
• Street decorations: Requiring a special permit, must have no reference to commercial business or products, and must be substantially related to an event or seasonal festivity of a civic or religious nature, not occurring more than once a year.
• Nonprofit organizations: Each school, college, hotel, philanthropic institution, nonprofit agency, church, etc., shall be limited to a maximum total area of 40 square feet.
• Church bulletins: Maximum size of 20 square feet in area for each church; may be placed in public parking upon recommendation of the Public Space Committee.
• Clearance for passage: No sign may be placed with less than 8 feet of clearance above a public walkway or 14 feet above a public roadway.

Draft version, last updated 6 May 2001