Contra Costa County Municipal Code Art. 88-6.8 Signs Within the Public Right-of-Way

This article applies to signs placed or displayed within a public right-of-way.

(Ord. No. 2022-03, § II, 5-24-22.)

No person may place or display a sign within a public right-of-way unless the sign is specifically authorized under this chapter.

(Ord. No. 2022-03, § II, 5-24-22.)

No person may place or display a sign within a public right-of-way without both a permit under this chapter and an encroachment permit issued under Section 1002-2.008.

(Ord. No. 2022-03, § II, 5-24-22.)

Signs placed or displayed on a structure within or on a right-of-way that is used solely as a bus shelter are exempt from the permit requirement of this chapter. This section does not exempt bus shelter signs from any other applicable law or regulation, including, but not limited to, encroachment permit requirements.

(Ord. No. 2022-03, § II, 5-24-22.)

A freestanding directional sign may be placed within a public right-of-way. A freestanding directional sign must meet all of the following requirements.

(a) Location. No directional sign may be located:

(1) Within 500 feet of another directional sign on the same public right-of-way and facing in the same direction;

(2) At an intersection that would result in more than one directional sign at any corner of the intersection;

(3) Within three feet of any curb where parking is allowed;

(4) Within six feet of a driveway or curbcut access ramp;

(5) In any bus stop zone;

(6) So that any part of the sign extends into any bus stop zone or sidewalk area;

(7) On any median;

(8) So as to conflict with any applicable sight distance or clear recovery zone standard in the California Department of Transportation Highway Design Manual; or

(9) Within any State right-of-way without State approval.

(b) Area. No directional sign may have an area that exceeds 16 square feet.

(c) Additional permit terms. All of the following terms and requirements are incorporated into all permits issued under this article:

(1) The term of the permit is one year from the approval date, unless revoked earlier.

(2) The permittee shall obtain and maintain during the term of the permit comprehensive general liability insurance, including coverage for owned and non-owned automobiles, within minimum combined single-limit coverage of $2,000,000 for all claims and losses due to bodily injury or death to any person, or damage to property, including loss of use arising out of each accident or occurrence. The permittee shall name the County and its officers, agents, and employees as additional insureds under all policies held in connection with the permit. All coverage shall provide for 30 days' written notice to the County of cancellation or lapse in coverage. A certificate of insurance for the policy hereunder required, indicating the name and telephone number of the insurance agent most responsible for the insurance policy and evidencing such coverage, must be furnished to the County prior to the approval of the permit. If the permittee renews or amends existing insurance or acquires new insurance, the permittee shall provide an updated certificate to the County.

(3) The permittee shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the County, its boards, commissions, officers, employees, and agents from any and all claims, costs, losses, actions, fees, liabilities, expenses, and damages arising from or related to the applicant's application for a sign permit, the County's discretionary approval of the sign, the County's actions pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act and planning and zoning laws, and the construction, placement, display, or maintenance of the sign, regardless of when those liabilities accrue.

(4) The permittee shall maintain and repair the sign or signs as required by the associated encroachment permit.

(5) A sign may be removed by the County if necessary for maintenance activities or safety considerations.

(6) A sign permit may be revoked by the County upon 90 days' notice, or at any time for safety considerations.

(Ord. No. 2022-03, § II, 5-24-22.)