Calaveras County Municipal Code Ch. 3.55 Advertising on Calaveras Transit Vehicles and Shelters

A. As Calaveras County is the operator of the county's public transit system, the county board of supervisors is responsible for determining Calaveras Transit policies. The purpose of this chapter is to establish guidelines for interior and exterior advertising on Calaveras Transit vehicles and shelters. The board intends its vehicles and bus shelters are subject to the viewpoint-neutral restrictions set forth below.

B. The county has approved the practice of commercial advertising on the exterior and interior of its vehicles, as well as on bus shelters, as a means of raising revenue for the transit system. Revenue generated from advertising is returned to the transit operating budget and used to reduce local contributions to fund operations.

C. Calaveras Transit may use exterior and interior vehicle advertising itself to promote public awareness of transit programs and services.

D. The ordinance codified in this chapter repeals and supersedes Resolution No. 20150113001, except that the fee schedule approved by Resolution No. 20150113001 shall remain in effect until changed by the board of supervisors.

E. The board of supervisors designates the director of public works to implement the provisions of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 3056, § I, 7-14-2015)

A. In order to realize the maximum benefit from the sale of advertising space, the program will be managed in a manner that produces as much revenue as practical, while ensuring that advertising does not:

1. Discourage the use of the transit system.

2. Diminish Calaveras Transit's reputation in the community.

3. In any way interfere with operations or jeopardize the safety of passengers, employees, and the public.

4. Cause offense to its customers or the general public.

B. Calaveras Transit provides opportunities for interior and exterior advertising subject to the following guidelines:

1. Acceptance of all advertising on Calaveras Transit vehicles is subject to the county's approval. The county reserves the right at any time to alter, cancel, or reject any advertisement including, but not limited to that which in its sole judgment is not in keeping with the best interests of the county.

2. Permitted advertisements shall mean and refer to only commercial advertisements, which propose a commercial transaction. Because Calaveras Transit serves persons of all ages and backgrounds and strives to create a comfortable and enjoyable experience for all passengers, permitted advertisements shall not include any of the following:

a. Political advertising, including, but not limited to, advertisement implying a position for or against any political candidate, public issue, or subject.

b. Advertisements that display any word, phrase, symbol, or character likely to interfere with, mislead, or distract traffic, or conflict with any traffic control device.

c. Advertisements that incorporate any rotating, revolving, or flashing devices, or any other moving or otherwise distracting parts.

d. Advertisements that contain false, misleading, or deceptive images.

e. Advertisements that promote illegal goods, services, or activities, or which advocate violence or crime.

f. Advertisements that contain an image or description of violence.

g. Advertisements that directly or indirectly promote the sale or use of a firearm or contain an image or depiction of a firearm.

h. Advertisements that contain or promote the sale or use of alcohol, tobacco products, or electronic cigarettes.

i. Advertisements for adult products, services, or entertainment directed to sexual stimulation.

j. Advertisements that contain sexually explicit material.

k. Advertising of contraceptive products or hygiene products of an intimately personal nature.

l. Advertising that contains discriminatory, derogatory, negative or personal attacks against individuals, groups, or organizations.

m. Advertisements that infringe upon any copyright, trademark or registered mark.

n. Advertisements implying a position for or against any religion.

o. Advertisements that contain images, copy or concepts that actively denigrate a specific age, religion, ethnic or gender group.

p. Advertisements that contain images, copy or concepts that actively denigrate public transportation.

q. Advertisements that imply or declare an endorsement by Calaveras County of any service, product, or point of view, without prior written authorization of the county public works director, or his designee.

r. Other noncommercial advertisements or noncommercial speech.

s. Advertisements or any material contained in it, that direct viewers to a website or telephone number that contains material that violates this policy.

t. Exceptions to the above restrictions include governmental entities, or public entities specifically created by government action, which may acquire advertising space for messages that advance specific government purposes, except the space may not be used for advertising for or against a political candidate or issue of public debate.

(Ord. No. 3056, § I, 7-14-2015)

A. Advertiser shall pay one hundred percent of the printing and installation costs for its advertisement. Advertiser shall provide, in the event of vandalism or collision, at no cost to the county, all materials, and labor necessary to repair or replace the graphics. All graphics are to be installed on Calaveras Transit buses during regular business hours at the transit yard located as specified by the county public works director, or his designee.

B. Advertisers shall comply with the bus advertising agreement guidelines included in the bus advertising space agreement.

(Ord. No. 3056, § I, 7-14-2015)

A. The public works director, or his designee, shall determine the interior and exterior spaces that will serve as appropriate locations for commercial advertising. The county reserves the right to modify, change, or alter the locations of the available ad spaces as it sees fit. The placement and size of any advertising shall be at the sole discretion of the county.

B. County Right of Rejection. Advertiser shall provide the Calaveras County department of public works an advertising proof and obtain written approval from the county for all advertising prior to placement of the advertisement. If advertising on display is subsequently determined to be inappropriate, it shall be removed within seventy-two hours of receipt of written notification from the county. Decisions regarding the approval, rejection or removal of advertising shall be made by the county public works director, or designee, in conformance with the criteria in this policy.

(Ord. No. 3056, § I, 7-14-2015)

A. Fees shall be charged by the county for advertising on each Calaveras Transit bus in accordance with the fee schedule approved by the board of supervisors. The fee schedule is on file with the department of public works.

B. All changes in the advertising rates will be approved by the Calaveras County board of supervisors.

(Ord. No. 3056, § I, 7-14-2015)