Berkeley Municipal Code Ch. 20.24 Commercial District Regulations

Except as provided in this chapter, Chapter 20.16 and Chapter 20.36, no sign shall be permitted on private property in any commercial district. (Ord. 7120-NS § 10 (part), 2009; Ord. 6424-NS § 1 (part), 1998)

The following signs shall be permitted on premises in C-1, C-2 and C-3 districts:

A. On-premises signs as set forth in Section 20.24.030;

B. Up to two temporary signs as follows:

1. One ground or wall sign not exceeding twenty-four (24) square feet in sign area, no portion of which is higher than ten (10) feet above existing grade; and

2. One ground or wall sign not exceeding thirty-two (32) square feet in area, no portion of which is higher than twenty (20) feet above existing grade. (Ord. 7120-NS § 10 (part), 2009; Ord. 6424-NS § 1 (part), 1998)

In addition to temporary signs, the number of on-premises signs on premises in commercial districts is limited to:

A. On premises with one street frontage, any combination of two of the following: one wall sign, one projecting sign, one ground sign, one roof sign, one marquee sign, one moving sign.

B. On premises with more than one street frontage, for each additional street frontage any combination of two of the following: one wall sign, one projecting sign, one marquee sign, one moving sign.

C. An unlimited number of on-premises signs with a sign area of eight square feet or less within the business premises, to direct customers of the business within the business premises. (Ord. 7120-NS § 10 (part), 2009; Ord. 6424-NS § 1 (part), 1998)

Except as otherwise provided in Section 20.24.050 and Chapter 20.36, the allowable sign area of on-premises signs in commercial districts shall be subject to the provisions of Chapter 20.16 and the following limitations:

A. The sign area of ground signs shall be limited to one square foot for each linear foot of street frontage of the premises or two hundred (200) square feet, whichever is less;

B. The sign area of projecting signs shall not exceed ten (10) percent of the building face of the premises or one hundred fifty (150) square feet, whichever is less;

C. The sign area of wall signs shall not exceed fifteen (15) percent of the building face of the premises or one hundred fifty (150) square feet, whichever is less;

D. The sign area of roof signs shall not exceed ten (10) percent of the building face of the premises or one hundred (100) square feet, whichever is less;

E. The area of on-premises signs permitted under Section 20.24.030.C shall not be counted against the allowable sign area of on-premises signs;

F. As used in this section, “building face” means the product in square feet of the frontage of the building premises and the exterior height of the building premises. (Ord. 7120-NS § 10 (part), 2009; Ord. 6474-NS § 21, 1999; Ord. 6424-NS § 1 (part), 1998)

On premises situated directly across a street from an R district, the following limitations and prohibitions shall apply:

A. The total sign area for any such premises shall not exceed sixty (60) square feet;

B. No sign shall be directly illuminated, flashing, or located in a required yard area, and no moving sign shall be illuminated. (Ord. 7120-NS § 10 (part), 2009; Ord. 6424-NS § 1 (part), 1998)