Chapter 20.36 — SERVICE STATION SIGNS

Sections: 20.36.010 Findings. 20.36.020 Definitions. 20.36.030 Permitted signs. 20.36.040 Number of signs permitted on premises. 20.36.050 Sign area limitations. 20.36.060 Height limitations. 20.36.070 Restrictions on projecting signs. 20.36.080 Prohibited signs.

It is found, determined and declared that automobile service stations, by reason of location, sign, manner of operation, products sold and services performed, constitute a unique and distinctive class of commercial enterprise that require special regulations for signs in order to protect life and property and to promote the public health, safety and general welfare and to protect and promote the character and development of areas in the City in which service stations are located. It is the intent of these regulations to ensure that service stations shall not create pedestrian and vehicular traffic hazards and shall not be detrimental to the ordinary maintenance, development, and redevelopment of the areas in which they are located pursuant to the City’s general plan, zoning ordinance, and applicable specific plans. The purpose of this chapter is to provide design criteria, development standards, and operational requirements to be used in the review of applications for service station signage to achieve these objectives and ensure that service stations are compatible with other land uses in the City. (Ord. 7120-NS § 12 (part), 2009; Ord. 6424-NS § 1 (part), 1998)

For the purposes of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings as hereinafter set forth:

"Accessory sign" means a sign intended to advertise the prices of products sold, specific products sold, specific services offered or to specifically identify the owner or operator of a service station.

"Canopy" means a permanent structure above gasoline pumps supported by the building independently or partially by the building and other means.

"Canopy sign" means a sign which is attached wholly to the roof of a canopy.

"Ground accessory sign" means an accessory sign designed for the purpose of being placed on the ground and which has no more than two sign faces, neither of which exceeds twelve (12) square feet in area. No portion of a ground accessory sign may extend higher than ninety-six (96) inches from the ground.

"Main sign" means an on-premises sign or identification sign intended to identify a service station.

"Wall canopy sign" means a sign which is attached to and placed flat against or painted upon the exterior edge of a canopy. (Ord. 7120-NS § 12 (part), 2009; Ord. 6424-NS § 1 (part), 1998)

The following signs shall be permitted at service stations:

A. Main signs;

B. Accessory signs. (Ord. 7120-NS § 12 (part), 2009; Ord. 6424-NS § 1 (part), 1998)

The following sign limitations shall apply:

A. Two main signs not more than one of which may be a canopy sign;

B. Three accessory signs not more than one of which may be a ground accessory sign. Where a service station faces on two streets, the number of permitted signs shall be not more than four accessory signs, of which no more than two may be ground accessory signs;

C. The number of signs permanently attached to gasoline pumps shall not be limited. (Ord. 7120-NS § 12 (part), 2009; Ord. 6424-NS § 1 (part), 1998)

A. The sign area of any canopy sign and any ground sign shall not exceed fifty (50) square feet on each side.

B. The sign area of any wall sign and any wall canopy sign shall not exceed fifty (50) square feet.

C. The sign area of any accessory sign shall not exceed twelve (12) square feet; provided, that a ground accessory sign with two sides may have a sign area of twenty-four (24) square feet. (Ord. 7120-NS § 12 (part), 2009; Ord. 6424-NS § 1 (part), 1998)

A. No portion of any ground or canopy sign erected after the effective date of the 2009 amendments to this chapter shall be higher than twelve (12) feet above existing grade.

B. No portion of a wall sign shall extend above the eave line or parapet wall of a building, whichever is higher.

C. No portion of a wall canopy sign shall extend above the top edge of the canopy. (Ord. 7120-NS § 12 (part), 2009; Ord. 6424-NS § 1 (part), 1998)

A. No portion of a canopy sign or ground sign shall project over the public right-of-way.

B. No portion of a wall sign shall project more than twelve (12) inches from the wall of a building or the edge of a canopy. (Ord. 7120-NS § 12 (part), 2009; Ord. 6424-NS § 1 (part), 1998)

Installation or erection of the following signs shall be prohibited at service stations:

A. Roof signs;

B. Wind signs;

C. Signs that rotate, flash, blink, dispense bubbles, or emit sounds; and

D. Strings of pennants, streamers, banners, twirlers, propellers, inflatable devices, or any similar attention- attracting devices. (Ord. 7120-NS § 12 (part), 2009; Ord. 6424-NS § 1 (part), 1998)