The oversize Trump sign on Pennsylvania Avenue is legal and exempt from city regulations, a D.C. agency ruled Friday after complaints.
The Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs said in a letter to Ward 6 D.C. Councilman Charles Allen that the prominent sign posted on the luxury hotel Donald Trump is building in the historic Old Post Office Pavilion building is a federal project and therefore not governed by the District.
Allen asked DCRA if the sign violated regulations, given Trump’s presidential run.
According to the letter, the construction site and Trump sign are covered by a 2013 agreement granting federal agencies jurisdiction over the site. Because of this, the project is exempt from Construction Code requirements and does not need a sign permit from DCRA like other construction sites do.
The sign raised eyebrows following Trump’s inflammatory comments on immigration. Protesters held a demonstration outside the construction site for the new hotel in reaction to Trump’s characterization of Mexican immigrants as rapists, drug dealers and criminals.
Well-known chef Jose Andres planned to open a restaurant in Trump’s hotel. But the foreign-born culinary master pulled out following Trump’s comments.
The next day, celebrity chef Geoffrey Zakarian announced he would not open a restaurant planned for the project.
