This policy applies to all City signs and banners placed on or over the City right-of-way which are for the purpose of informing the public. Examples of such signs and banners are: <ul> <li>Directional signs;</li> <li>Community signs;</li> <li>Street banners announcing events; and</li> <li>Building identification signs.</li> </ul> Excluded from the scope of this policy are street identification signs, traffic control signs, e.g., No Parking, No Stopping, Left Turn Only, etc., and legally permitted commercial signs. Signs covered by this policy must be approved by the City’s Signing Committee prior to the formation of any contractual agreements, fabrication of signs, or installation, removal, or repair of signs. The Bureau of the Budget and Management Research must certify all SIGN AUTHORIZATION REQUESTS (28-1458-5129) for availability of funds. There are two categories of signs. PERMANENT - - a sign which does not have an anticipated date of removal. TEMPORARY - - a sign which has an anticipated date of removal. <u>Signing Committee</u> The Signing Committee is appointed by the Mayor and is responsible for: <ul> <li>Contacting the appropriate City agencies, boards, and commissions to obtain sign approvals as required by <cite data-doc="City of Baltimore, Md., Charter">the City Charter</cite>, City Code, ordinances or other legal authority.</li> <li>Evaluating SIGN AUTHORIZATION REQUESTS (28-1258-5068) based on the following criteria:</li> <li>Durability;</li> <li>Public safety;</li> <li>Necessity; and</li> <li>Quality of design.</li> <li>Processing all SIGN AUTHORIZATION REQUESTS in accordance with this policy, to include approving or disapproving such requests.</li> <li>Ordering the repair or removal of signs which are:</li> <li>Duplicated or made obsolete by other signs or sign systems;</li> <li>Deteriorated in appearance or structure; and</li> <li>Detrimental to the public health or welfare.</li> </ul> The Department of Transportation is responsible for evaluating all SIGN AUTHORIZATION REQUESTS. In addition, the Department: <ul> <li>Determines the best location for the requested sign;</li> <li>Obtains clearance and approvals from utility and City agencies</li> <li>Processes all SIGN AUTHORIZATION REQUESTS in accordance with this policy to include approving or disapproving such requests;</li> <li>Coordinates sign repair requests reported by telephone and directly to the Department.</li> </ul> To request installation, removal or repair of a sign, a SIGN AUTHORIZATION REQUEST must be prepared and submitted to the Signing Committee, Attn: Commissioner of Transportation, 5^th floor, 417 E Fayette Street. Signs which need repair should be reported to the Department of Transportation by telephone. The Department of Transportation will then prepare the required SIGN AUTHORIZATION REQUEST. SIGN AUTHORIZATION REQUESTS must be submitted at least 2 MONTHS prior to the date that action is required. July 20, 1989