Claremont Municipal Code Ch. 18.000 Title and Intent

Title 18 of the Municipal Code shall be known as the "Sign Ordinance of the City of Claremont."

(08-05)

The City of Claremont possesses a beautiful natural setting and an attractive manmade environment. However, those physical advantages and the economic benefits that flow from them can be threatened by the uncontrolled proliferation of signs within the community. At the same time, carefully designed and regulated signing can contribute to the visual quality of the community, increase economic activity, and provide for a desirable environment.

The purpose and intent of this title is to regulate signs in the City in order to protect Claremont's physical and economic environment, support the policies of the General Plan, and promote the public health, safety, and general welfare.

The City Council finds that commercial and non-commercial signing in excess of the standards set within this title contributes to visual blight and conflict with the City's zoning goals and General Plan aesthetic goals.

A. The City Council finds that the above goals are served by the following specific objectives of the regulations set forth in this title:

1. To ensure that signs serve primarily to identify the establishment on the site.

2. To ensure that signs harmonize with their buildings and neighborhoods and with other signs in the area.

3. To invite artistry and innovation in signs so as to maintain and improve the appearance of the buildings and neighborhoods in which they are placed.

4. To require signs that are carefully designed and professional in appearance.

5. To avoid traffic hazards by minimizing visual competition among signs and by providing clear identification of businesses.

6. To tailor sign size, height, and placement to the characteristics of the street from which signs are viewed (e.g. traffic speeds, street width, pedestrian activity, etc.).

B. Design Criteria

The sign design criteria set forth in this section were developed in order to encourage signs which provide clear identification for businesses and other land uses, while promoting quality, creativity, artistry, innovation, and variety in sign design and materials, and to insure that signs harmonize with surrounding architecture. These design criteria shall be used by the staff and the Architectural Commission to determine if a proposed sign is consistent with the Intent of this title and with the policies of the General Plan. The design criteria are as follows:

1. Identification

Major identification signs shall serve primarily to identify the name or type of business or other land use.

2. Architectural Context

Sign design shall harmonize with the architectural design and details of the building it serves, with other signs on the building, with the building's surroundings, and with the business or other activity that the sign identifies. Further, signs shall not cover or obstruct important architectural elements.

3. Design Elements

The following important design elements shall be addressed:

a. Materials. Creativity in use of materials is encouraged. Durable materials which are compatible in appearance to the building supporting or identified by the sign shall be used. Internally lighted plastic-faced signs are discouraged except for individually mounted or "cutout" letters. Where internally lighted plastic-faced canister signs are approved, light colored letters on a dark or opaque background shall be used.

b. Colors. Colors of signs should harmonize with the building it serves, adjacent landscaping and buildings, and signs of adjacent businesses.

c. Size. Sign size and height shall be in harmony with the building it serves, with other nearby buildings, and with adjacent streets. Size and height shall also be appropriate to the distance from which the sign is normally viewed.

d. Letter Style. Simple lettering styles shall be used for ease of identification. Legibility shall take priority over complexity in the design of the sign face.

e. Placement. Signs in the Claremont Village (CV) District shall be building-mounted whenever possible unless the Architectural Commission determines that visibility or site considerations dictate the use of a freestanding sign.

f. Illumination. Illuminated signs shall be lighted to the minimum level required to ensure nighttime readability. Specific illumination levels shall be in accordance with Chapter 18.005 (General Standards).

4. Impact on Surroundings

Signs shall not detract from the visibility of other signs, nor shall they have adverse safety or visual impacts on the streetscape or other nearby properties.

(08-05; 10-04; 14-04)