(1) Legislative Findings. The purpose of this Section is to promote the public welfare, to preserve the historical character of the Independence Hall structures, Independence Mall, and Independence National Historical Park, to prevent the impairment of, or injury to their architectural and cultural value to the community and to the nation, and to provide that a reasonable degree of control may be exercised over the architectural design, construction, alteration, and repair of buildings, signs, or other advertising structures erected in the areas abutting thereon in order that they may be in harmony with the style and spirit of this national shrine.

(2) Definitions. In this Section the following definitions apply:

(a) Park. Independence Mall and Independence National Historical Park;

(3) Signs.^[425]

(a) No person shall erect or maintain any sign or other advertising structure or device on or extending over any street immediately bounding the Park; but, this Section shall not apply to any sign placed on the front of any building giving in words and/or numerals the name and brief description of the nature of the business or businesses transacted therein:

(.1) where such sign is not larger than ten square feet and does not project more than twelve inches from the face of the building;

(.2) where a larger sign is specifically authorized by the Commission as not being inconsistent with the purpose of this Section.
(b) No person shall erect or maintain any sign, billboard, roof sign, or other advertising structure or device elsewhere within 150 feet of any street bounding the Park and which is visible from any point within such boundary lines unless he has first obtained a permit so to do from the Department.

(c) No permit required under § 14-2005(3)(b) shall be issued unless the sign for which such permit is sought;

(.1) complies in every respect with all other applicable requirements of this Code;

(.2) has been approved by the Commission as complying with the intent and purpose of this Section of insuring the preservation of the historical character of and spirit of this national shrine and a style in harmony with its buildings.

(4) Buildings.^[426]

(a) No building or portion of the exterior thereof adjoining, or abutting any street immediately bounding the Park shall hereafter be constructed, reconstructed, erected, altered, or repaired unless a permit has been first obtained from the Department.

(b) No permit required under this Section shall be issued where any building for which such permit is sought;

(.1) will exceed 45 feet in height measured from the street grade to any cornice line within 25 feet of the established building line. Any chimney, penthouse, or other structure, whether attached to such building by its own weight or otherwise, shall be considered to be part of said building, and within 25 feet of the established building line, shall not exceed in height above the cornice line of the building the amount of its set-back from the established building line;

(.2) will extend beyond any building line now established or established in the future;

(.3) would, in the opinion of the Commission, be contrary to the intent and purpose of this Section of insuring the preservation of the historical character of and conformity to the style and spirit of this national shrine insofar as appearance, color, and materials and the architectural style and design of the exterior thereof;

(.4) fails to comply with any applicable provisions of this Title.

(c) The height limitation contained in § 14-2005(4)(b)(.1) shall not apply to any building adjoining or abutting any street immediately bounding the following portions of Independence National Historical Park:

(.1) Old Christ Church;

(.2) Franklin Court;

(.3) South of Walnut street, between Fourth and Fifth streets, except for any building fronting on Walnut street.