Del Mar Municipal Code Ch. 23.09 Administrative Sign Review

Carefully designed and constructed signs are an important component of the character of Del Mar. The use of a variety of sign types and quality materials contribute to the eclectic character of the community. The purpose of this Chapter is to provide a relatively simple and expedient review process for sign proposals while also ensuring that new signage will be in keeping with the small town, pedestrian-oriented character of the City's commercial areas. This Chapter is also intended to protect Del Mar's scenic amenities against the adverse impact of visual clutter.

(Ord. No. 707; Ord. No. 799)

Unless exempted by another provision in law, it is unlawful for any person to erect a sign within the City without first obtaining either a Design Review Permit or Administrative Sign Review Permit, in addition to any Building Permit or Electrical Permit that may also be required.

A person proposing to erect a sign may elect to process an application for an Administrative Sign Review Permit in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter. An application for an Administrative Sign Review Permit shall be made upon a form provided by the City and shall be accompanied by the following information and plans:

A. Two copies of project plans to include:

1. A location map showing the project site;

2. A site plan indicating the position of each proposed sign and its relation to adjacent on-site buildings or structures;

3. An elevation(s) drawn to scale or with dimensions noted, showing the location and proposed size of the sign and its support structures, the proposed design and color specifications, and the dimensions of any letters or logos;

4. A description of all construction materials for the proposed sign and sign support system;

5. A sample board or specification information in sufficient detail to identify and verify the materials and colors to be used in the sign;

6. Pictures of the surface to which the sign will be attached or, for freestanding signs, the area in which the sign will be installed;

7. A description of any proposed sign lighting system(s) including supporting technical data to allow an evaluation of proposed lighting levels; and

8. A list of the sizes and dimensions of all of the business's existing signs.

B. An application fee, as established by resolution of the City Council; and

C. Such other information as the Director of Planning and Community Development may require to determine the application's compliance with this Chapter and with the zoning provisions of Title 30 of the DMMC.

In order for a proposed sign to qualify for eligibility of review under the Administrative Sign Review Permit process, the proposed sign must meet the applicable zoning provisions of DMMC Chapter 30.84 (Signage) and must be consistent with all of the criteria set forth below:

A. The sign and sign supports will be composed of one or more of the following materials only:

• Painted, treated or weathered metal (e.g. bronze, copper, stainless steel, wrought iron)

• Natural finished, stained or painted wood

• Ornamental Glass

• Stone or inlayed stone

• Ceramics

• Masonry

• Durable, weather-resistant fabric

• Custom-generated vinyl appliqués

• Durable, weather-resistant plastic, such as acrylic or Poly Vinyl Composite, provided signs using such material meet all of the following requirements:

1. The plastic material will be a minimum of one-half-inch thick;

2. The sign is a custom generated (vs. a massed-produced) sign;

3. The plastic material will be treated with paint or other covering to mask the material;

4. The edges of the plastic material will be buffed or beveled to provide a finished appearance;

5. The plastic material will treated to be glare resistant; and

6. The sign will not be internally lit ("can signs" are prohibited).

B. The sign will be permanently attached to the ground or adjacent structure and shall be constructed of durable, weather-resistant materials;

C. The sign will be legible with individual letters or lettering no greater than ten inches in height or width;

D. The individual logos of the sign will be no greater than 15 inches in height or width;

E. The sign will be of a design which is compatible with the architectural style, colors and materials of the structure upon which, or in front of which, the sign is to be located;

F. If located within planter boxes or other landscaped areas, the sign will be designed with colors and materials which are compatible with the plant species within the adjacent landscape area;

G. If illuminated, the sign illumination will:

1. Be of an intensity or brightness which will not interfere with the reasonable enjoyment of residential properties in proximity to the sign;

2. Not involve the use of harsh or vibrant tones and shall not involve the use of high-intensity discharge lighting sources such as mercury vapor, metal halide or high- or low-pressure sodium;

3. Be designed so as not to contrast with ambient lighting of adjacent rights-of-way;

4. Be equipped and controlled so as to be inactive or of a lower intensity when the business for which the sign is proposed is not open to the public; and

H. The sign will be designed so that all elements which create noise are fully enclosed and shall not be audible to a person of normal sensitivities standing at ground level at a distance of six feet or more from the sign.

(Ord. No. 745)

The Director of Planning and Community Development or his/her designee, may approve, conditionally approve, or deny an application which qualifies for an Administrative Sign Review Permit. In reviewing an application, the Director or designee shall apply the criteria of this Chapter and of DMMC Chapter 23.08—Design Review.

A. An application for an Administrative Sign Review Permit shall be approved unless it is found by the Director of Planning and Community Development (or Design Review Board on referral) that the proposed sign will be inconsistent with one or more of the criteria set forth in this Chapter or in DMMC Chapter 23.08—Design Review.

A. Notice of the filing of an application for an Administrative Sign Review Permit shall be posted at the project site on a notice card provided by staff of the City of Del Mar Department of Planning and Community Development. The notice of application shall advise interested persons that plans are available for public review at Del Mar City Hall. The notice shall stipulate that the application may be administratively approved unless a written objection is received by the Department of Planning and Community Development on or before a date specified in the notice which shall be ten working days after the date of the posting of the notice.

B. If no timely written objection is filed, the application may be administratively approved by the Director of Planning and Community Development if it is deemed to be consistent with the provisions of this Chapter and of the Del Mar Municipal Code.

C. If a timely written objection is filed, the application shall no longer be administratively processed and shall instead be processed in accordance with the requirements for a Design Review Permit as specified in DMMC Chapter 23.08—Design Review.

Applications for signs which are determined by staff to be otherwise eligible for review under the Administrative Sign Review Permit process as specified in this Chapter but which in the opinion of the Director of Planning and Community Development do not meet the applicable design review standards contained in this Chapter or in DMMC Chapter 23.08 shall be set on an agenda of the Design Review Board for review at a noticed public hearing. The Design Review Board (or City Council on appeal) shall thereupon render a decision to approve, conditionally approve, or deny the application, using as the standard of review, the provisions of DMMC Chapter 23.08—Design Review. In cases where an application for an Administrative Sign Review Permit is forwarded to the Design Review Board pursuant to this Section, the applicant shall not be required to pay an additional fee for the processing of the application through the Design Review Board process.