Xpressive Signs Blog

Keep Advertising!

Mon, 28 Mar 2011 21:26:55 +0000

Businesses that continue to advertise regardless of economic times have a competitive advantage over businesses that trim their ad budgets. “Advertising in a down economy is even more important than advertising during the good times"
Increase Advertising in Down Economy

Sign Ordinances Battle Over A-Frames

Sun, 27 Mar 2011 20:35:50 +0000

An illustration of Business Owners & Government struggling to see eye-to-eye over the A-frames sign ordinance.
Businesses Want Change to Sign Ordinance

Banners: Cheap? Economical?

Wed, 23 Mar 2011 13:46:14 +0000

A Banner is a classic, inexpensive sign type. Some would say unattractive. No matter what your perspective, they are highly regulated. Some cities, like Hilton Head Island, SC, go so far as to completely ban banners.

Locally, there are some differences between cities. Two examples below:

City		Sq Ft	Days	# / Yr	Permit $
Alpharetta		48	30	4	$25
Johns Creek		24	28	2	$25

Alpharetta Banner Permit App
Johns Creek Banner Permit App

Do you want us to make money? vs Those signs are ugly!

Mon, 21 Mar 2011 21:58:16 +0000

There is a longstanding tension between businesses and city & county code enforcement professionals. In this series of posts, I'd like to examine the issues with you and see if we can come to some agreement about what are the best ordinances for signs, banners, and vehicle wraps.

Most sign ordinances start with the "Purpose" of the sign ordinance. Johns Creek, GA's Purpose section is typical and lays the groundwork for city government / business tension:

1. Protect rights of individuals & businesses to convey their messages through signs
2. Encourage effective communication
3. Promote economic development
4. Improve traffic & pedestrian safety
5. Prevent destruction of natural beauty and environment of the city
6. Protect public health, safety, and general welfare
7. Restrict continued existence of abandoned or non-conforming signs
8. Ensure fair, consistent enforcement of sign standards
9. Make it easier, quicker, and more economically efficient to apply for a sign permit.

Businesses rights to promote vs. safety & beauty of city. Can they both be achieved?