§ 19-3. Standards for vending boxes.

(a) In general.

Any newspaper vending box which rests in whole or in part upon, in, or on any portion of a public right-of-way in the downtown area or which projects onto, into, or over any part of a public right-of-way in the downtown area, shall comply with the standards set forth in this section.

(b) Maximum dimensions.

(1) No newspaper vending box shall exceed 60 inches in height, 30 inches in width, and 24 inches in depth.

(2) Where the volume of newspaper sales or the bulk of the particular publication being sold warrants, double boxes or additional boxes at the same location are permitted.

(c) Unrelated commercial advertising prohibited.

No commercial advertising signs or material other than those dealing with the name of the publication contained within the newspaper vending box or anything related to the information conveyed by that publication shall be displayed on the outside of any newspaper vending box.

(d) Coin-return mechanism required.

Each newspaper vending box shall be equipped with a coin-return mechanism to permit a person using the machine to secure immediate refund in the event he is unable to receive the publication for which he has paid. The coin-return mechanism shall be maintained in good working order.

(e) Posted name and telephone number.

Each newspaper vending box shall have affixed to it in a readily visible place, so as to be seen by anyone using the newspaper vending box, a notice setting forth:

(1) the name of the distributor; and

(2) the telephone number of a working telephone service to call:

(i) to report a malfunction;

(ii) to secure a refund in the event of a malfunction of the coin return mechanism; or

(iii) to give the notices provided for in this subtitle.

(f) Maintenance.

(1) Each newspaper vending box shall be maintained in a neat and clean condition and in good repair at all times.

(2) Specifically, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each newspaper vending box shall be serviced and maintained so that:

(i) it is reasonably free of dirt and grease;

(ii) it is reasonably free of chipped, faded, peeling, and cracked paint in the visible, painted areas thereof;

(iii) it is reasonably free of rust and corrosion in the visible, unpainted metal areas thereof;

(iv) the clear plastic or glass parts thereof, if any, through which the publications therein are viewed are unbroken and reasonably free of cracks, dents, blemishes, and discoloration;

(v) the paper or cardboard parts of inserts thereon are reasonably free of tears, peeling, or facing; and

(vi) the structural parts thereof are not broken or unduly misshapen.