4. Memo regarding changes to Historic Sign Standards — original pdf

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HLC – Operations Committee Proposed Signage Language Modifications January 19, 2026 Memorandum Date: March 13, 2026 To: Operations Committee Subject: Proposed Signage Guidelines Modifications The following is proposed direct modifications to the COA sign requirements (for historic districts and landmarks): Guidelines for Signage in National Registered Historic Districts, Local Historic Districts and City of Austin Historic Landmarks --- I added “Local Historic Districts” to the title of the document. --- The Historic Landmark Commission and City Historic Preservation Office consider the following guidelines in reviewing sign applications. --- The text above does not differentiate new and existing signage. It is recommended that the word “new” be added in from of “sign”. As discussed further below, there is currently no direction provided regarding existing signage. It is generally recommended that this be included within this document. --- --- it is further recommended to provide the definition of signage from the Land Development Code or reference the Land Development Code within the document. The definition for signage, provided in Section 25-10-4 (18) is very inclusive. Further discussion is warranted where the existing language below does not necessarily capture the effects that new signage could have on historic buildings. --- General Introduction Existing no introduction provided Proposed These guidelines are intended to provide guidance regarding requirements for new signage along with the preservation and maintenance of existing signage. The City of Austin Design Standards and Guidelines for Historic Properties apply to all exterior modifications to properties that are located within National Historic Districts, Local Historic Districts, or are individually designated as City of Austin Landmarks. This section specifically applies to all types of exterior signage. Number of Signs Existing The Commission allows one sign per building unless the building has multiple tenants; in this case, the Commission may allow one sign per façade module, if the façade modules correspond to tenant spaces. The Commission may also allow one sign for each street frontage if the building is at an intersection. A single directory sign is appropriate for a large building with multiple tenants. Proposed Each building will be allowed one sign unless the building has multiple tenants. In the case of multiple tenants, one sign per façade module is permitted provided that the modules correspond to tenant spaces. One sign per building façade is permitted where the building is located at a street corner or faces multiple street frontages. A single directory sign is appropriate for larger buildings with the size of the directory not exceeding the requirements herein. HLC – Operations Committee Memo – Proposed Signage Guidelines Modifications March 13, 2026 Page | 2 Sign Types Existing The maximum size for signs depends on the sign type: 1. Projecting (blade) signs: 6 square feet 2. Flush-mount signs: 7% of the overall façade area, with a maximum height of 2 feet and a maximum size of 20 square feet 3. Window Signs: The lesser of 20% of the window or 8 square feet 4. Awning Signs: The lesser of 20% of the awning panel or 8 square feet Large Commercial Buildings (over 3 stories): Cumulative signage may not exceed 40 square feet per façade and must comply with a signage plan for the building. A license agreement may be required for any signs or awnings which project over city right-of-way. Please call 974-8091 for more information. Proposed The maximum size for signs depends on the sign type and scale of the building. The following size limitations are for buildings no greater than 3 stories above grade: 1. Total requested signage should not exceed 40 square feet. 2. Projecting (blade) signs: 6 square feet 3. Flush-mount signs: A maximum height of 2 feet and a maximum size of 20 square feet 4. Window Signs: The lesser of 20% of the window or 8 square feet 5. Awning Signs: The lesser of 20% of the awning panel or 8 square feet Large Commercial Buildings (over 3 stories): Reference the City of Austin Land Development Code for general sign requirements. Signage at the first 3 above grade stories of the building must comply with the limitations provided herein. A license agreement may be required for any signs or awnings which project over city right-of-way. Please contact the City of Austin Development Services Department for more information. Sign Design, Coloring and Materials Existing Use simple shapes, such as rectangular or oval signs. The Commission recommends painted wood or metal signs with matte finishes for all signs; plastic, reflective materials, and unfinished surfaces are not allowed. Limit the colors used in a sign to no more than three. For sites with multiple signs, all signs should have corresponding or matching designs, coloring and materials. Signs should match or complement the existing color scheme of the building to a maximum extent feasible. Proposed New signage should meet the requirements of the COA Land Development Code. For buildings with multiple signs, all signs should have corresponding or matching materials and sizes. Lettering Existing No more than two typefaces are allowed. Avoid lettering which appears too contemporary in the sign. Proposed Select letter styles and sizes that are complementary to the character of the building façade. Lighting Existing Lighting must be indirect, and may be accomplished through shielded incandescent lights attached to the top of the sign, “halo” lighting, or recessed can lighting in awnings. Internally-lit cabinet signs are not allowed. HLC – Operations Committee Memo – Proposed Signage Guidelines Modifications March 13, 2026 Page | 3 Proposed Lighting must be indirect, including but not limited to shielded incandescent lights, bare-bulbed sources, “halo” lighting or recessed can lighting in awnings. All illumination shall be steady and stationary. Internally-lit cabinet signs are not allowed. Neon Signs Existing Neon signs are prohibited on pre-1950 building facades; an exception may be made for existing pre-1950 neon signage, or with photographic proof of a historic (pre-1950) neon sign on the building, but only if the neon sign does not distract from the historic character of the building or area. The Commission may consider limited neon on a post-1950 façade, but encourage backlit neon over exposed neon. Proposed Incorporate neon signage as an integral architectural element appropriate to the site and building character. Sign Placement Existing Flush-mount and projecting (blade) signs should be positioned near the business entrance immediately above the principal entry to the business. Single-tenant signs are not allowed over doorways serving multiple tenants. As required by the City Land Development Code, the bottom of the sign shall be a minimum of nine (9) feet above the sidewalk. When feasible, place signs to align with others in the block. Signs shall not obscure or cover architectural elements, such as windows, decorative banding, or other ornamentation. Proposed No changes recommended. Sign Mounting Existing New signs should utilize existing mounting apparatus whenever possible. If new bolt holes or brackets are necessary for sign installation., care should be taken to ensure that installation does not damage historic building materials in any way. Bolting through mortar joints avoids damage to historic stone or brick. Proposed Structural attachment of new signage should to the extents possible utilize existing mounting components. New anchorage penetrations, if required, should be installed in a manner that limits damage to existing claddings, including minimizing anchorage sizes. When feasible install new anchors into mortar joints at stone or masonry buildings. Exceptions Existing The City Historic Landmark Commission may consider exceptions to the foregoing provisions when warranted, and not prohibited by City Ordinance. Proposed The City Historic Landmark Commission and City Historic Preservation Office may consider exceptions or modifications on a case-by-case basis, when warranted, and not otherwise prohibited by City Ordinance. Proposed Additions The existing document does not include definitions or any subsections pertaining to the preservation and maintenance of existing signs. It is recommended that these activities be added to this document or a separate document be generated outlining requirements for the maintenance and preservation of existing signage. HLC – Operations Committee Memo – Proposed Signage Guidelines Modifications March 13, 2026 Page | 4 Preservation and Maintenance of Existing Signage Existing signs that were installed at the time that the building was included within the National Historic District, Local Historic District, or was designated a City of Austin Historic Landmark and considered to be integral to the character or history of the buildings shall meet the following guidelines. Separately, signage on a building or site that meets other requirements for review by the Historic Preservation Office and/or Historic Landmark Commission, such as minimum age or cultural importance, shall conform to the following. Definitions Historic Sign: any sign, as defined by the City of Austin Land Development Code definition (Section 25-10-4 (18)) and/or otherwise meeting the requirements of Section 25-10-121, that is included within the designation language of the district or property, was present on the building or building site at the time of designation, or meets other requirements for review by the Historic Preservation Office and/or Historic Landmark Commission, such as minimum age or cultural importance. Preservation: preserve historic signs, such as ghost signs or other signs characteristic of the building’s or district’s period of significance or those that have otherwise gained cultural importance whenever feasible. Maintenance: repair historic signs and replace historic parts in-kind when deteriorated beyond repair. Historic Sign Removal, Displacement or Significant Modification Applications for the removal, displacement (moving from current location to different location on the building or site) or significant modification of historic signage shall be submitted for approval to the Historic Preservation Office (Historic Review Application). A Certificate of Appropriateness is required, beyond standard maintenance, within Local Historic Districts and Landmarks. Relocation of a historic sign on the building should meet the guidelines provided within “Sign Placement” and “Sign Mounting”. Further discussion with legal is recommended to determine whether Article 2, Subsection 9 allows for protection of signage and graphics where the building itself may not be worthy of designation to a level where retention would be mandatory. The proposed language above is intended to capture the protection of these signs. It is also recommended that the language within the “Historic Design Standards” (HDS) and the “Design Standards and Guidelines for Historic Properties” be reviewed as there is little to no mention of signage. The HSD lists as part of what requires historic review “Install a commercial awning or sign”; however, there is no mention of existing signage (and modifications thereof). Allowances for painting do not limit what may be painted. “Altering” a sign is listed as requiring administrative review. The Historic Sign Standards are referenced which do not contain any direction regarding altering of signage. The Historic Review Application does reference signage; signage is also not listed on the “Design Standards and Guidelines for Historic Properties” as work requiring a Certificate of Appropriateness. The language regarding signs within the Historic District Applications (as references in the HDS, page 5) have not been reviewed. Further discussion is recommended as to whether this language captures existing signage as being part of “character-defining features” and whether the language can be linked to any new provisions for historic signage.