Angels Camp Municipal Code Art. II Signs

The city has a compelling interest in permitting the following signs in order to comply with state and local laws and to promote public safety on city property and in the public right-of-way. The following signs may be installed without a sign permit, provided they meet the requirements listed below. Under certain circumstances these signs may require a building permit or encroachment permit. Contact the building department for permitting requirements prior to installing any of the signs listed below. These signs shall not be included in the determination of type, number, or area of signs allowed on a given property.

A. Address Signs. Signs installed in compliance with California Fire Code Section 505.1 or, if updated, the applicable fire code section as determined by the city fire marshal.

B. Signs Posted During Construction. A maximum of four nonilluminated signs located on construction sites not exceeding sixteen square feet in aggregate area, while a valid construction permit is active. For commercial and residential projects on sites three acres or larger, the maximum exempt sign area under this subsection is thirty-two square feet. For construction projects along linear routes (e.g., roads, pipelines), signage shall be as permitted pursuant to the project’s encroachment permit.

C. Gasoline Price Signs. Not more than one price sign for each frontage, not to exceed twenty square feet each and subject to height and setback limits established by zoning district. Notwithstanding other provisions of this chapter, signs may include digital readouts or LED technology as necessary to comply with the Business and Professions Code for the display of fuel prices.

D. Official Signs. Official federal, state, local government signs and notices issued by any court, person, or officer in performance of a public duty; signs required by federal, state, or local law; and signs placed by utility companies as part of the normal operation and maintenance of utility facilities.

E. Directional Signs.

1. Directional signs may be erected for the purposes of facilitating or controlling the efficient or safe movement of pedestrians or vehicles (motorized and nonmotorized). Directional signs placed within the city or state highway ROW shall require an encroachment permit from the city or Caltrans, as applicable.

2. Such signs shall not be used for advertising purposes.

F. Miscellaneous Small Signs. Signs with an aggregate area not exceeding four square feet.

G. No Trespassing Signs. Trespass warnings that are posted in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

H. Traffic Safety Signs. Signs warning of construction, excavation, or similar hazards if expressly approved by the city engineer (for local streets) or Caltrans (for state highways).

I. Vehicle Signs. Painted signs or decals affixed to the body of any vehicle, unless parked or operated for the primary purpose of displaying the sign. See prohibited vehicle signs in Section 17.62.070.

J. Signs Within Building Interior. Signs or other visual communicative devices that are located entirely within a legally established building or other enclosed structure and are not intended to be oriented or be made visible from the exterior.

K. Temporary Signs in Residential Zoning Districts.

1. A total of twelve square feet of nonilluminated and nonelectronic temporary signage is permitted (e.g., one sign not exceeding twelve square feet, or two temporary signs not exceeding six square feet, etc.) for up to one hundred days per calendar year in addition to other signs that may be installed in accordance with this section. Note: Christmas or holiday decorations are not considered signage for the purposes of this provision.

2. Temporary signs shall not include sign types listed in Section 17.62.070 (Prohibited signs).

3. Temporary signs may change copy during the one-hundred-day period, but shall not exceed one hundred days total for all temporary signs per calendar year.

4. Signs in multi-unit apartments, condominiums, or common interest subdivisions with no ground level ownership may have up to two temporary window signs not to exceed twenty percent of the window area in which they are displayed and not exceed one hundred days in total duration per calendar year.

Examples of such signs include yard sale signs, campaign signs.

(Ord. 552 (Att. A), 2025)

The city has a compelling interest to prohibit the following signs to further the findings and purpose (Section 17.62.020) of these sign regulations and to enforce local, state and federal law. All signs below are specifically identified as prohibited with some exceptions, and any other signs not expressly provided for or exempted from this chapter are prohibited. Sign types which, in the determination of the city planner, are similar to those listed in this section or which are not described in these regulations are also prohibited.

A. Attention-Getting Devices. Pennants, streamers, spinners, balloons, inflatable signs, search lights, beacons, flashing lights or messages and other similar attention-getting devices, unless authorized in conjunction with a temporary sign permit or special event permit, and provided the city engineer and Caltrans, if applicable, determine that such a sign will not create an unsafe distraction for users of public rights-of-way.

B. Signs Placed Within the State Right-of-Way (Along SR 4 or SR 49). The State Outdoor Advertising Act prohibits nonofficial signs placed within the state right-of-way.

C. Property Owner Consent. No sign may be displayed without the consent of the legal owner(s) of the property on which the sign is mounted or displayed. For purposes of this policy, "owner" means the holder of the legal title to the property and all parties and persons holding a present right to possession, control or use of the property (Penal Code Section 556.1)[1].

[1]

It is a misdemeanor for any person to place or maintain or cause to be placed or maintained upon any property in which he has no estate or right of possession any sign, picture, transparency, advertisement, or mechanical device which is used for the purpose of advertising, or which advertises or brings to notice any person, article of merchandise, business or profession, or anything that is to be or has been sold, bartered, or given away, without the consent of the owner, lessee, or person in lawful possession of such property before such sign, picture, transparency, advertisement, or mechanical device is placed upon the property. (Penal Code 556.1)

D. Publicly Owned Property. Nonofficial signs are not allowed on publicly owned property. "Publicly owned property" means any property owned by the city (even if open to the public), including sidewalks, streets, landscape areas/medians, light poles, electric poles, traffic signals, along any public right-of-way, etc. For signs announcing special events in city-owned parks, a temporary sign permit (which may be issued in conjunction with a special event permit) is required.

E. Pole Signs. New pole signs are prohibited. Pole signs in existence on October 1, 2025, which may or may not be legally conforming, shall be deemed legally conforming (see Section 17.62.180). Any change in copy or structure shall comply with the provisions of this chapter for existing pole signs.

F. Outdoor Advertising Displays and Off-Site Signs. Outdoor advertising displays such as billboards, handheld signs, mascots, and all off-site commercial signs that display advertising for a business, commodity, service, facility, or other such matter that is not located, conducted, sold, or offered upon the premises where the sign is located are prohibited within the city. Any such outdoor advertising displays that are located within the public right-of-way are considered off site and are prohibited. See Section 17.62.110 for regulations related to off-site signs that are not prohibited, but require a conditional use permit.

G. Highly Reflective and Fluorescent Signs. Signs made wholly or partially of highly reflective material and fluorescent or Day-Glo painted signs.

H. Signs on Utility Poles or Traffic Control Devices. Signs attached or placed adjacent to any utility pole, traffic sign, signal, or marking, or any other official traffic control device, unless in accordance with the California Vehicle Code.[2]

[2]

Pacific Gas and Electric v. Public Utilities Commission, 475 U.E.1 (1986)

I. Signs on Street Trees. Any sign posted on a street tree.

J. Signs That Block Ingress or Egress. Any sign, such as a sandwich board sign, placed or maintained so as to interfere with free ingress to or egress from any door, window or fire escape, or parking lot. Prohibited signs include signs that block ingress or egress necessary to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

K. Signs in the Street Right-of-Way. Any sign placed in any street right-of-way without a valid encroachment permit or prior approval of the city or, if applicable, Caltrans, for the purpose of safety or traffic control.

L. Simulated Traffic Signs. Any sign which simulates or imitates in size, color, lettering or design any traffic sign or signal, or which makes use of words, symbols or characters in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead, or confuse pedestrian or vehicular traffic.

M. Vehicle Signs or Mobile Advertising Displays. Mobile billboard advertising displays and advertising signs on motor vehicles parked or left standing upon a public street or right-of-way or in view of a public street or right-of-way, except for advertising signs that are permanently affixed to the body of, an integral part of, or a fixture of a motor vehicle for permanent decoration, identification, or display and that do not extend beyond the overall length, width, or height of the vehicle, advertisement on license plate frames installed in compliance with Vehicle Code Section 5201, and paper advertisements issued by a dealer contained within a license frame installed in compliance with Vehicle Code Section 5201. For purposes of this section, "permanently affixed" means any of the following:

1. Painted directly on the body of a motor vehicle;

2. Applied as a decal on the body of a motor vehicle; or

3. Placed in a location on the body of a motor vehicle that was specifically designed by a vehicle manufacturer as defined in Vehicle Code Section 672 and licensed pursuant to Vehicle Code Section 11701, in compliance with both state and federal law or guidelines, for the express purpose of containing an advertising sign.

The city has determined this prohibition is necessary because mobile advertising as a primary purpose inhibits the safe movement of traffic, contributes to air pollution, and detracts from the overall aesthetics of the city. This prohibition applies citywide irrespective of the content of the message or ideas expressed.

N. Prohibited or Unpermitted Uses. Any sign displaying a commercial message promoting a business that is not a permitted use pursuant to this title (zoning regulations).

O. Billboards. New billboards are prohibited. Billboards in existence on October 1, 2025, which may or may not be legally conforming, shall be deemed legally conforming until such time as the lease for the billboard expires. After that time, they shall be deemed legally nonconforming.

P. Roof Signs. New roof signs are prohibited. Roof signs in existence on November 1, 1991, which may or may not be legally conforming, shall be deemed legally conforming. Any change in copy or structure shall comply with the provisions of this chapter for nonconforming signs.

(Ord. 552 (Att. A), 2025)

A. Application. An application for a permit for each sign shall be made to the city in such form and include such information as the city shall prescribe. The application shall be accompanied by the permit fee herein provided. The application will be obtainable at the community development department.

B. Fees. The permit fee for each application for each sign shall be based on the fees prescribed by resolution of the city council.

C. Fee Waivers, Master Sign Plans.

1. Sign Permit Fee Waiver If Obtained at the Same Time as Other Entitlements. Sign permits should be obtained in conjunction with other entitlements required for a project (e.g., other entitlements include, but are not limited to, site plan review, site development permit, special event permit, conditional use permit). When sign permits are obtained in conjunction with and prior to issuance of another entitlement for the same project, a separate sign permit fee will not be required unless the sign permit requires a conditional use permit. Sign permits obtained after issuance of another entitlement for the same project will require payment of a sign permit fee. Sign permits obtained in conjunction with a business license only require payment of a sign permit fee.

2. Master Sign Plans.

a. Shopping centers shall submit a master sign plan to the planning commission at the time of site plan approval.

b. The city planner may require a business with multiple tenants to submit and obtain approval for a master sign plan to encourage consistent sign design, avoid disputes amongst tenants, and facilitate approval of new signs in the same complex.

D. Processing, Review, and Approval.

1. Planning Commission Review. Whenever a public hearing is required for the review and approval of a project due to the requirement for an entitlement(s) in addition to a sign permit (e.g., nonadministrative site plan review, nonadministrative site development permit, nonadministrative conditional use permit, tentative subdivision map, variance, sign exception), the sign for that project shall be subject to review and approval by the planning commission at the same time as the public hearing for the other entitlement(s) occurs.

2. City Planner Review. When the provisions of subsection (D)(1) of this section do not apply, the city planner may issue any sign permit that does not otherwise require a conditional use permit or request an exception to the city of Angels sign regulations. The decision of the city planner is appealable to the planning commission pursuant to Section 17.81.020. The city planner may refer any sign permit to the planning commission at his or her discretion. In the historical commercial zoning district, the city planner may, at his or her discretion, refer the sign permit to the historic district sign review committee, established pursuant to Section 17.85.105, or to the full planning commission.

3. Public Noticing. Signs issued by the city planner or the historic district sign review committee (Section 17.85.105) do not require public noticing or a public hearing unless such signs otherwise require a conditional use permit or include a request for an exception to the city of Angels sign regulations, in which case public noticing and a public hearing are required in accordance with Section 17.85.160.

(Ord. 552 (Att. A), 2025)