SEC. 604.1. INFORMATION REQUIRED ON ADVERTISING SIGNS.

(a) Information Required on General Advertising Signs. Each general advertising sign authorized by this Code shall bear the following information:

• (1) an imprint identifying the name of the sign company;

• (2) the permit number; and

• (3) the permitted sign dimensions.

This information shall be imprinted and maintained on the face or edge of the sign. Electric signs may have an

approved metal tag attached to them instead of imprinted characters. See also requirements specified in Section 3102F.2 of the San Francisco Building Code.

The required text size shall be:

• (i) a minimum of 2 inches in height for general advertising signs of 100 square feet or less;

• (ii) a minimum of 4 inches in height for general advertising signs of 101 square feet to 500 square feet; and

(iii) a minimum of 8 inches in height for general advertising signs of over 500 square feet.

(b) New Signs; When Required. The information required by Subsection (a) shall be provided on each new general advertising sign or whenever a new permit is required, and must be kept accurate and maintained regardless of change of text or graphics.

(c) Existing Signs; When Required. The information required by Subsection (a) shall be included on each existing general advertising sign within twelve months of the effective date of this legislation. If no permit can be located within the 12-month period, the Director of Planning shall grant one six-month extension to allow the owner of the sign to apply for and obtain the in-lieu identifying number referred to below in this Subsection (c).

Where no permit can be located for a general advertising sign but the Director of the Planning Department concludes, based on evidence submitted to or possessed by the Planning Department, that the sign likely was legally authorized at the time it was installed at its current location, the Department shall issue an identifying number in lieu of a permit number and the sign shall be considered a lawful nonconforming use under Section 604(h) of this Code. This identifying number shall be imprinted and maintained on the sign in lieu of the permit number required by Subsection 604.1(a) above. The Director's conclusion concerning the legality or illegality of the sign and the rationale supporting that conclusion shall be set forth in writing and mailed to the applicant.

(d) Violations; Additional Penalty. Failure to comply with these requirements shall be deemed to be a violation of Article 6 and subject to the penalties for violation set forth in this Article 6 or elsewhere in this Code. If the Director of Planning determines that the information provided on the sign, as required by Subsection (a), is knowingly false, inaccurate or misleading, an additional penalty of $1,000.00 a day may be imposed by the Director on the sign company in addition to the other penalties set forth in this Article 6 or elsewhere in this Code.

(Added by Ord. 73-01, File No. 002196, App. 5/18/2001; amended by Ord. 232-02, File No. 021727, App. 12/20/2002)