25.7 Legal Nonconforming Billboards Conversion to Electronic Format Trade System

Legal nonconforming static billboards may be authorized to convert to an electronic format based on the acceptability of the proposed location and the removal of other legal nonconforming billboards according to the following system.

Ord. 28908, 1-06-22, Zoning Docket 064/21

25.7.A Legal Nonconforming Billboard Receiving Locations for Electronic Conversion   

1.  Receiving locations shall only be the triangle locations shown in Map 25-1 below and the list that follows.  Billboard numbers correspond with the City of New Orleans Billboard Inventory database:

Map 25-1 Potential Billboards for Conversion to Electronic Format

• 1201 S. Claiborne Avenue (#122) - only the billboard facing towards the Central Business District.
• 1700 Conti Street (#72) - only the billboard facing towards the east towards drivers approaching the Central Business District.
• 4101 S. Carrollton Avenue (#2) - only the billboard facing towards the Central Business District
• 4624 D'Hemecourt Street (#497, #41, #269 only).
• 3934 Tulane Avenue (#468, #469).
• N/S I-10 0.4 Mile E/O Carrollton Avenue F/E (#465, #466)
• Railroad - near 2800 Perdido Street (#494, #496)
• 2648 Poydras Street (#29, #30)
• 2532 Poydras Street (#451, #452)
• Danziger Bridge down ramp (#365, #366)
• Danziger Bridge down ramp (#361)
• 5855 Chef Menteur Highway (#254, #255, #256, #257)
• 6600 Old Gentilly Road (#96, #97, #66, #67)
• Railroad south of I-10 (#486, #487)
• 2900 Earhart Boulevard (#492 only)
• Rairoad area behind 3418 Howard Avenue (#441, #442)
• 1793 Julia Street (#430, #431)
• 3501 St. Bernard Avenue (#423 only)
• 2114 Elysian Fields Avenue (#425 only)

2.  To be eligible for conversion to an electronic format, receiving locations must amass the credit described in the next section per billboard face.  "Billboard" refers to only a single sign or face and not all signs or faces that may be installed on a structure.

3.  If a receiving location also includes the removal of one or more existing legal nonconforming billboards, the construction of a new pole within that same lot shall be authorized.

4.  Replacement of billboard locations approved for electronic conversion shall be oriented in the same direction as and no larger than the previous static billboard.

5.  Receiving locations shall be subject to all other restrictions and permitting requirements of Section 24.14 Billboards.

Adopted by Ord 28908 MCS, 1-6-22, ZD 64/21

25.7.B Legal Nonconforming Billboard Sending Locations for Credit   

Sending locations are legal nonconforming billboard inventory that are a detriment to the aesthetics and desired pedestrian orientation of an area.  These include billboards within historic districts, on lots with contributing historic structures, residential, mixed use, and Central Business districts.

1.  Sending locations may amass credit for the removal of legal nonconforming billboards according to the following table.  For each billboard, the sending location is limited to the highest number of points in any one cell on the corresponding row.  Sixty (60) points are required for one electronic conversion of any size billboard.  No credit shall be given for the removal of the static billboard at the receiving location that is being replaced with an electronic billboard.

2.  All 72 square feet billboards that are owned/operated by a single entity shall be used as part of that entity's first trade for electronic conversion.

Table 25-2 Credit for Legal Nonconforming Billboards to be Removed
Size billboard to be removed	In a residential district	In a CBD or Mixed-Use District	In a Local or National Register Historic District	On a lot with a contributing historic structure as determined by the HDLC Director or VCC Director, as appropriate
6 ft. x 12 ft. 72 square feet	1 point	1 point	1 point	1 point
12 ft. x 25 ft. 300 square feet	10 points	10 points	15 points	15 points
14 ft. x 48 ft.	30 points	30 points	30 points	30 points

 

3.  For any billboard to be given credit, all billboards on the same structure and structure itself shall be completely removed.  No credit shall be given for the removal of a billboard unless the structure and all other billboards are removed.

4.  If a billboard does not meet one of the sizes indicated above, the Director of the Department of Safety & Permits is authorized to calculate a point value based on the closest sign size with a proportionate value rounded to the nearest point.

5.  The applicant shall submit the location details and photographic proof of the removal to the Department of Safety & Permits prior to approval of an electronic conversion of a legal, nonconforming billboard.

Adopted by Ord 28908 MCS, 1-6-22, ZD 64/21

25.7.C Permit for Legal Nonconforming Billboard Conversion to Electronic Format   

Requests for permits for the conversion of existing legal, nonconforming billboards are subject to the following requirements.

1.  A billboard permit application provided by the Director of the Department of Safety and Permits shall be submitted, together with:

a.  One (1) electronic submission in a format to be determined by the Director of the Department of Safety and Permits.

b.  A portfolio of photographs of the site and its environs including all site elevations in both print and electronic format.

c.  Specifications as may be necessary to fully advise and acquaint the Director of Safety and Permits with the location, manner of construction, materials, manner of support, manner of illumination (if any), the number of sign faces, and the proposed alteration.

2.  All electronic billboards shall require a separate electrical permit and inspection.

3.  Each billboard shall be clearly and permanently marked with the correct permit number and name of the person(s), firm(s) or owner(s) of the sign(s).  Each sign face is required to display a nameplate and a sign permit identification plate.

4.  Notwithstanding all other provisions of these regulations, the person(s), firm(s) or owner(s) of the sign(s) shall note the electronic conversion on the annual inventory of all current billboards as described in Article 24, Section 24.14.A to the Director of the Department of Safety and Permits with all requirements of the billboard permit, in order to maintain control over such signs in New Orleans.

Adopted by Ord 28908 MCS, 1-6-22, ZD 64/21