Article 6 — Portable Signs Within the Public Right-of-Way

(a) Standards. A non-commercial portable sign may be placed on or within the public right-of-way without a permit, provided it complies with the following requirements:

• (1) Size and height. The maximum size shall not exceed five square feet and the maximum height shall not be more than three feet above grade.

• (2) Identification. The owner of the sign(s) shall affix its name, address, and telephone number to the sign prior to installation of the sign.

• (3) Location. The location for installation of a non-commercial portable sign within the public right-of-way shall be subject to the following:

  • a. The sign may be placed in any landscaped parkway, except tree wells and within the center median of any street or highway.

  • b. The sign shall not overhang any street, curb, sidewalk, or driveway;

  • c. The sign shall not be within 15 feet of any fire hydrant;

  • d. The sign shall not be within 15 feet of the edge of any driveway nor within 15 feet of any intersection of an alley, street, or highway, as measured from the midpoint of the corner radius;

  • e. The sign shall not be placed within the public right-of-way adjacent to any property zone I & R, or I & R-S;

  • f. The sign shall not be affixed to traffic control devices, government signs, light standards, utility poles, bus shelters, or other structures, posts, fences, shrubs or trees.

• (4) Installation. The installation of the non-commercial portable sign shall not cause damage to the public right-of-way.

• (5) Time period. In general, a non-commercial portable sign in the public right-of-way shall only be displayed during the time period between 6:00 a.m. Friday to 6:00 p.m. Sunday of any week period. However, during the six week period before any election of any level of federal, state, or local government that directly serves the residents of the City of Costa Mesa, noncommercial signs may be installed in the public right-of-way regardless of the day or time. Such signs are to be removed no later than 10 days following the date of such election.

(b) Exceptions. The requirements of this section shall not apply to a non-commercial portable sign with a total area of not more than five square feet that is carried by a person within the public right-of-way unless prohibited by section 13-112 .

(Ord. No. 16-04, § 4, 8-2-16; Ord. No. 21-20, § 1, 12-7-21)

(a) Standards. A commercial portable sign may be placed on or within the public right-of-way without a permit, provided it complies with the following requirements:

• (1) Size and height. The maximum size shall not exceed five square feet and the maximum height shall not be more than three feet above grade.

• (2) Identification. The owner of the sign(s) shall affix its name, address, and telephone number to the sign prior to installation of the sign.

• (3) Location. The location for installation of a commercial portable sign within the public right-of-way shall be subject to the following:

  • a. The sign may be placed in any landscaped parkway but not within the center median of any street or highway. Tree wells shall not be considered a landscaped parkway for the purposes of this section;

  • b. The sign shall not overhang any street, curb, sidewalk, or driveway;

  • c. The sign shall not be within 15 feet of any fire hydrant;

  • d. The sign shall not be within 15 feet of the edge of any driveway nor within 15 feet of any intersection of an alley, street, or highway, as measured from the midpoint of the corner radius;

  • e. The sign shall not be placed within the public right-of-way adjacent to any property zone I & R, or I & R-S;

  • f. The sign shall not be affixed to traffic control devices, government signs, light standards, utility poles, bus shelters, or other structures, posts, fences, shrubs or trees.

• (4) Installation. The installation of the commercial portable sign shall not cause damage to the public right-of-way.

• (5) Time period. A commercial portable sign shall only be displayed during the time period between 6:00 a.m. Friday to 6:00 p.m. Sunday of any week period.

• (6) Number. The total number of commercial portable signs per owner or its agent pursuant to this section shall not exceed 10 signs in the city at any one time.

(b) Exceptions. The requirements of this section shall not apply to a commercial portable sign with a total area of not more than five square feet that is carried by a person within the public right-of-way unless prohibited by section 13-112 .

(Ord. No. 16-04, § 5, 8-2-16)