Chapter 18.32 — Signs

Sections:

18.32.010 – Purpose 18.32.020 – Applicability 18.32.030 – Sign Message Neutrality 18.32.040 – Substitution of Messages 18.32.050 – Sign Permit 18.32.060 – Exempt Signs 18.32.070 – Prohibited Signs 18.32.080 – General Provisions for All Signs 18.32.090 – Standards for Permanent Signs 18.32.100 – Standards for Specific Types of Permanent Signs 18.32.110 – Electronic Digital Display Billboards 18.32.120 – Standards for Temporary Signs 18.32.130 – Sign Permit Requirements 18.32.140 – Master Sign Plan Required 18.32.150 – Application for Sign Permit and Master Signage Plan 18.32.160 – Sign Design Criteria 18.32.170 – Nonconforming On-Premises Signs 18.32.180 – Replacement of Nonconforming Off-Site Advertising Structures 18.32.190 – Development Standards for Off-Site Advertising Structures 18.32.200 – Abandoned Signs 18.32.210 – Dangerous and/or Defective Signs 18.32.220 – Violations 18.32.230 – Enforcement and Remedies 18.32.240 – Chief Building Official Determination 18.32.250 – Appeal Procedure

This chapter establishes regulations for all types of signs intended to promote and support economic success in the community while protecting and enhancing aesthetic qualities in the business districts and residential neighborhoods; enhancing property values; promoting the use of signs complementary in scale, proportion, and style with the developments they support; minimizing visual clutter; and ensuring signs are designed and located in a manner that minimizes potential hazards to the safety and movement of vehicles and pedestrians.

It is unlawful to post, erect, re-erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert, or equip any sign or sign structure, or paint a new sign, or cause or allow the same to be done, contrary to or in violation of any of the provisions of this chapter. Properties located within an area governed by a specific plan are subject regulations of the specific plan. The provisions of this chapter shall apply only to the extent the specific plan does not regulate a particular sign or provide a standard or regulation and the provisions of this chapter are not in conflict with the provisions of the specific plan.

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It is the City’s policy and intent to regulate both commercial and noncommercial signs from a viewpointneutral and content-neutral manner. The message of the sign shall not be reviewed, except to determine the type category of the sign.

Authorized signs are allowed to display noncommercial messages in lieu of any other commercial or noncommercial messages. This provision prevails over any more specific provision to the contrary within this chapter. The purpose of this provision is to prevent an inadvertent favoring of commercial speech over noncommercial speech, or favoring of any particular noncommercial message over any other noncommercial message.

A Sign Permit shall be required for all signs, except those specifically exempted. Signs requiring a Sign Permit shall be subject to approval by the Director or Commission according to the sign approval authority specified for the applicable sign permit.

• A. Exceptions to Sign Permit . The following signs are allowed without a Sign Permit in any zone and shall not be included in the determination of type, number, or area or signs allowed on each parcel. Exempted signs shall be required to adhere to the regulations established for each sign type. Signs erected without complying with the applicable regulations are considered illegal and may be removed.

  1. Signs or notices incidental to a commercial establishment (e.g., hours of operation, credit card information, emergency contact information, etc.) provided the signs do not contain any commercial messages and in total do not exceed four square feet in area for all incidental signs;

  2. Commemorative plaques, tables, date of construction, and similar signs constructed of permanent material. Only one sign per building not to exceed two square feet in area;

  3. Bulletin boards on properties at which a public, charitable, or religious institution exists. Only one bulletin board not exceeding 24 square feet in area and six feet in height;
  • Copy changes in approved changeable copy signs;

5. Signs on a property providing guidance for pedestrian or vehicular traffic. Each sign not to exceed four square feet in area and four feet in height;

• A sign or flag erected by a governmental entity;

7. Temporary signs and decorations pertaining to holidays and seasonal events when the signs contain no reference to the goods or services sold or provided by the establishment. All signs and/or decorations shall be removed within 10 days following the applicable holiday;

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8. "No Trespassing" signs. Each sign is limited to one square foot in area. Signs may be placed at each corner and each entrance to a parcel and at intervals of not less than 50 feet or in compliance with legal requirements;

9. Signs erected by a governmental entity and information signs and notices issued by any court, person, or officer in performance of a public duty, or any other sign required to be posted by any governmental agency;

10. Signs placed by utilities or other publicly regulated service providers indicating location of underground facilities, danger, and aids to service or safety, including official advisory and signal flags;

11. A sign at a restaurant indicating menu items not exceeding four square feet and attached to the building near the main entrance;

12. Temporary signs warning of construction, excavation, or similar hazards, as long as the hazard exists;

13. Temporary signs not exceeding four square feet total for each property located in residential zones and 10 square feet total for each parcel located in nonresidential zones; and

14. Temporary signs indicating the parcel on which the sign is located is for sale, lease, or rent.

• B. Routine maintenance . Painting, repainting, or cleaning of a sign shall not be considered erecting or altering a sign. No permit shall be required unless structural changes are to be made.

• C. Building Permit may be required . Under certain circumstances, temporary signs and other exempt signs may require a building or electrical permit, as required by the uniform codes adopted by the City.

The following sign types and sign characteristics are prohibited, in additional to any sign not specifically allowed.

• A. Traffic interference . Any sign which simulates or imitates in size, color, lettering, or design any traffic sign or signal, or which makes use of words, symbols, or characters in a manner to interfere with, mislead, or confuse pedestrian or vehicular traffic.

• B. Signs on public property . Any sign, whether temporary or permanent placed upon any public property or within any public right-of-way, or upon or attached to any structure, pole, post, tree, shrub, wire, or other object located within any public right-of-way, except when placed by the public agency owning or in control of the property.

• C. Hazardous location . Signs located in a manner so the sign or a portion of the sign or sign structure interferes with the free use of a fire escape, exit or standpipe, or obstruct a required door, stairway, ventilator, window, or public way or signs otherwise hazardous.

• D.

  • Painted signs . Signs painted on fences or roofs, except addresses.

• E. Signs with off-site commercial messages . Signs advertising a business, accommodation, service, or activity not provided on the premises on which the sign is located, except those approved by the Commission.

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• F. Residential care facility . A sign for an adult care facility, child day care facility, or residential care facility located in any residential zone.

• G. Home business . A sign for a home business located in a residential zone.

• H. Sign encroachment . Private signs, other than allowed projecting signs or temporary signs, located on or extending over public property without a valid encroachment permit from the City.

• I. Property owner permission . Any sign erected without the permission of the property owner, or authorized agent, of the parcel on which the sign is located.

• J. Portable sign . Any sign designed to be transported by means of wheels.

• K. Vehicle sign . Any sign placed or painted on a vehicle parked and visible from the public right-ofway, not including signs identifying the business painted on vehicles used in the normal day-today operations of the business.

• L. Roof sign . Any sign, permanent or temporary, placed upon the roof of any structure.

• M. Temporary signs . Any temporary sign, except those exempt or specifically allowed..

• N. Reflective or fluorescent material . Signs made wholly or partially of highly reflective material, except energy saving reflective material, and fluorescent painted signs.

• O. Projected sign . Signs projected by electronic means (e.g. video projector, movie projector, or similar device).

• P. Clearance from utilities . Any sign not conforming with all of the clearance requirements from communications lines, utility lines, and power lines, including any restrictions adopted by the California Public Utilities Commission.

• Q. Animated signs . Signs consisting of or containing any moving, rotating, flashing, or otherwise animated light or component, including changeable copy that is changed by incorporating video display, flip-disks, incandescent lamps, fluorescent lamps, fiber optics, light-emitting diodes, liquid crystal displays, plasma-displays, field emission displays, or any other mechanical or lightemitting matrix to convey changing copy or images with the exception of approved time and temperature displays and complying electronic message signs and electronic billboards.

Table 3-4 – Minimum Clearance of Signs from Conductors

• A. Quality of materials and workmanship . All signs shall be constructed in a workmanship manner of durable materials intended to provide long life, ease of maintenance, high quality appearance, and clearly legible information for the sign user and public. The Director and/or the

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Commission shall retain the right to require a licensed sign contractor(s) design, build, and/or erect the sign if the value, location, and/or visual impact of the sign warrants this requirement.

• B. Signs to include identification label . Each permanent sign shall have an identification label which includes an identifying number, name of the contractor or installer, the month and year of installation, and if illuminated, the voltage. The label shall be placed on the exterior surface of the sign body in a location where the information will be readily visible after installation.

• C. Computation of area for individual signs . The area of a sign face (the sign area of a wall sign or other sign with only one face) shall be computed by means of the smallest square, circle, rectangle, triangle, or combination thereof that will encompass the extreme limits of the writing, representation, emblem, logo, or other display, together with any material or color forming an integral part of the background of the display or used to differentiate the sign from the backdrop or structure against which it is placed, but not including any supporting framework, bracing, or wall when the fence or wall otherwise meets Development Code regulations and is clearly incidental to the display itself.

• D. Computation of area of multi-faced signs . The sign area for a sign with more than one face shall be computed by adding together the area of all sign faces visible from any one point. When two identical signs are placed back to back so both faces cannot be viewed from any point at the same time, and when the sign faces are part of the same sign structure and are not more than 42 inches apart, the sign area shall be computed by the measurement of only one of the faces;

==> picture [465 x 260] intentionally omitted <==

Figure 3-6 – Measurement of Sign Area

• E. Computation of maximum total sign area . The allowed sum of the area of all individual signs on a parcel shall be computed by applying the formula for maximum total sign area to the parcel frontage, building frontage, or wall area, as appropriate, for the zone in which the property is located. Parcels fronting two or more streets are permitted the allowed sign area for each street frontage. The total sign area oriented toward a particular street shall not exceed the portion of

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the parcel's total sign area allocation derived from the parcel, building, or wall area frontage on that street;

• F. Computation of sign height . The height of a sign shall be computed as the distance from the base of the sign at normal grade to the top of the highest attached component of the sign.

• G. Computation for mixed use zones . For purposes of calculating sign area or sign height for a sign within a mixed use zone, the standards for the C-O (Commercial Office) zone shall apply;

• H. Sign removal or replacement . When a sign is removed, all brackets, poles, and other structural elements that supported the sign shall also be removed. Affected building surfaces shall be restored to match the adjacent portion of the building by filling holes and painting; and

• I. Maintenance and repair . All signs shall be maintained in a safe, presentable, and sound structural condition at all times. The replacement of defective parts, painting, repainting, cleaning, and other acts required for the maintenance of the sign shall be done in a timely manner. The Director shall require compliance with all standards. If the sign was not constructed or maintained in compliance with the requirements, the Director shall require its removal.

• A. Allowed sign types . Signs are allowed on private property in compliance with the provisions of Sign Table A (Appendix 1). The letter "P" indicates the sign is allowed without prior Sign Permit approval. The letter "S" indicates the sign is allowed only with prior Sign Permit approval. Special conditions may apply in some cases and Commission approval may be required. The letter "N" indicates the sign is prohibited.

• B. Allowed sign area . A sign designated by an "S" or a "P" in Sign Table A is allowed only if the sum of the area of all building and freestanding signs on the parcel conforms with the maximum allowed sign area as determined by the formula for the zone in which the parcel is located as specified in Sign Table B (Appendix 1).

• C. Allowed size, location, and number . The size, location, and number of signs on the parcel shall conform with the requirements of Sign Table C (Appendix 1), which establishes allowed sign dimensions by sign type, and with any additional limitations listed in Sign Table A.

• D. Sign characteristics . The characteristics of the sign shall conform to the limitations of Sign Table D (Appendix 1) and with any additional limitations on characteristics listed in Sign Table A.

• E. Standards subject to reasonable adjustment . The standards contained within the Sign Tables (Appendix 1) are minimum standards and the Director shall have the discretion to make reasonable adjustments to those standards as particular circumstances and conditions related to the public health, safety, and welfare warrant. The Director shall have the discretion to have the Commission review the reasonable sign adjustment.

• A. Awning and canopy signs . The following regulations apply to all signs placed on an awning or canopy attached to a building.

  1. Lettering, logos, symbols, and graphics are allowed on up to 50 percent of the area of a shed (slope) portion of the awning and valance portion of the awning. Signs shall be applied flat against the awning surface. In the case of a barrel shaped (curved) awning, signs shall not occupy more than 60 percent of the bottom 12 inches of the awning.

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2. Only permanent signs that are an integral part of the awning are allowed. Temporary signs shall not be placed on awnings.

3. Awning signs are allowed for first and second story commercial occupancies only.

4. Awnings shall conform to the size and shape of the window or door they are located above. Overly large awnings and awnings with unusual shapes designed for the purpose of providing additional sign area are not allowed. The upper most part of an awning shall not be located more than two feet above a window or door.

5. Awnings shall not be lighted from under the awning (back-lit awning) so the awning appears internally illuminated.

6. A minimum of eight feet of clearance shall be provided between the lowest part of an awning and the grade below.

• B. Changeable copy signs . A sign containing a changeable copy element, either manual or electronic/digital, may be approved by the Commission.

• C. Electronic message signs . The following regulations apply to all changeable electronic/digital message signs, whether or not the changeable electronic message component incorporates the entire sign face or is a smaller component of the sign face.

  1. Standards . Changeable electronic/digital message signs are allowed in compliance with Sign Tables A, B, C, and D (Appendix 1) and all of the additional standards set forth in this section.

  2. Brightness . Light produced by an electronic/digital message sign shall not exceed 0.3 foot-candles over ambient light levels. Additionally, signs shall not exceed a maximum illumination of 5000 nits (candelas per square meter) during daylight hours and a maximum illumination of 500 nits (candelas per square meter) between dusk to dawn, as measured from the sign’s face.

  3. Brightness review . Each electronic/digital message sign shall be subject to a 30-day review period during which time the Director may determine that a reduction in illumination, or turning off of the sign for certain evening hours, is necessary due to negative impacts on surrounding property or the community in general. In addition, and at any time, the Director may order the dimming of any illumination found to be excessively bright and may also order that any sign remain on a single static image without changing or be completely turned off. The Director’s determination shall be made without regard to the message content of the sign.

due to negative impacts on surrounding property or the community in general. In addition, and at any time, the Director may order the dimming of any illumination found to be excessively bright and may also order that any sign remain on a single static image without changing or be completely turned off. The Director’s determination shall be made without regard to the message content of the sign.

4. Dimmer control . Signs shall have an automatic dimmer control to produce a distinct illumination change from a higher illumination level to a lower level for the time period between one half-hour before sunset and one half-hour after sunrise.

5. Change of message . Messages displayed on an electronic/digital message sign shall be complete within each message/display and without continuation in content to the next message or to any other sign. The message/display shall change instantaneously without any fading in/out, scrolling, dissolve, or similar animation.

6. Duration of message . Messages displayed on an electronic/digital message sign shall be a static display without changes for a minimum duration of eight seconds, except for those messages where the hour-and-minute, date, or temperature/weather information is updated.

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7. Static display . Any form of moving, animated, oscillating, or rotating images, or any other design intended to attract attention through movement or the semblance of movement on any part of the sign is prohibited at all times

8. Hours of operation . Electronic/digital message signs in residential zones shall be turned off daily from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. of the following morning.

9. Maintenance . Signs shall be properly maintained in good working order at all times. Signs shall be designed and equipped to freeze the changeable message in one position or to go dark if a malfunction occurs. The sign owner shall immediately stop the electronic/digital display when notified by the City that it is malfunctioning or not complying with regulations.

10. Nonconforming sign structure . An existing sign or sign structure nonconforming as to location, size, height, or other regulation shall not be changed to a new electronic/digital message sign until all nonconformities have been eliminated to the satisfaction of the Director.

D. Freestanding signs .

1. Standards . Freestanding signs shall comply with the requirements provided in Sign Tables A, B, C, and D and the additional requirements provided below.

2. Where allowed . Freestanding signs shall be allowed only for parcels with at least 25 feet of frontage adjoining a public street. In addition, freestanding signs are only allowed when a building is set back from the front property line a minimum of 10 feet.

3. Location .

   • a. There shall be a minimum of 50 feet between freestanding signs on adjoining sites to ensure adequate visibility for all signs.

   • b. Freestanding pole or pylon signs shall be located a minimum of 50 feet from a lot line of any residentially zoned property.

• c. Freestanding signs shall not project over any building, or over any on-site driveway or vehicle circulation area.

4. Supporting structure . The supporting structure of a pole or pylon sign shall be surrounded by a decorative cover architecturally compatible with the sign cabinet and subject to the approval of the Director.

5. Minimum letter size . To ensure the readability of freestanding signs, the minimum letter size allowed shall be six inches. Sign copy shall not be located closer than one half-letter height to the sign edge or other line of copy.

6. Landscaping required . Landscaping with automatic irrigation shall be provided at the base of the supporting structure equal to twice the area of one face of the sign or 75 square feet, whichever is greater. For example, 40 sq. ft. of sign area = 80 sq. ft. of landscaped area. The Director may waive or modify this requirement on a case-by-case basis to take into account existing site conditions.

7. Address required . All freestanding signs shall contain an address plate identifying the subject property. Numbers shall be a minimum of six inches in height and shall be clearly visible from the public right-of-way. Address plates shall not be counted against the allowed sign area.

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• E. Luminous tube signs . The use of luminous tubes (neon) for signs shall be allowed in commercial and mixed use zones only subject to all of the following requirements:

  1. Tube size . Tubing shall not exceed one half inch in diameter;

  2. Brightness . Luminous tube lighting adjacent to residential uses shall not exceed one half foot-candle measured at the property line where the sign is located;

  3. Color limitation . No electric or luminous signs containing red or green colors shall be erected within 150 feet of an intersection containing stop lights without first securing a Conditional Use Permit

  4. No reflective materials . Luminous tubes shall not be combined with any reflective materials (e.g., mirrors, polished metal, highly glazed tiles, or other similar materials); and

  5. Where not allowed . Luminous tube lighting shall not be used to surround a window, door, or similar element except as part of an allowed sign.

F.

Wall signs .

1. Standards . Wall signs shall comply with the requirements specified in Sign Tables A, B, C, and D and the additional requirements provided below.

2. Location . Signs shall be located only on a building frontage and shall not extend above an eave or parapet, or above or below a fascia on which they are located.

3. Projection . Signs shall be placed flat against the wall and shall not project from the wall more than required for normal construction purposes and in no case more than 12 inches.

4. Middle of building . Signs shall be located within the middle 50 percent of the building or tenant frontage measured from lease line to lease line. The Director may waive this requirement where it can be clearly demonstrated that it severely limits proper sign placement.

G. Window signs, permanent and temporary

1. Location .

   • a. Signs shall be allowed only on windows located on the ground floor and second story of either a primary or secondary building frontage. Window signs are not allowed above the second story.

   • b. Interior signs located within five feet of a storefront window shall be counted as window signs for the purpose of calculating total sign area and number of signs.

2. Size . Window signs, whether permanent or temporary signs, shall not occupy more than 25 percent of each individual window on either a primary or secondary building frontage. For the purpose of this requirement, a window is any glazed area, including glass curtain walls.

• A. Applicability . The following regulations apply to all electronic digital display billboards and are intended to implement and be incompliance with the California Outdoor Advertising Act of 2014,

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as related to outdoor advertising displays, and Section 131 of Title 23 of the United States Code, including any amendments as may be adopted from time to time.

• B. Permit requirements . No electronic digital display billboard shall be erected or maintained until a Conditional Use Permit has first been approved in compliance with the Development Code and any other applicable federal and state statutes, including the California Department of Transportation Outdoor Advertising Permit Requirements.

• C. Conditions of approval . Approval of a Conditional Use Permit to allow an electronic digital display billboard shall consider/include language addressing all of the following:

  1. Fees and/or other public benefits to be conveyed to the City. The City’s intent and objective in requiring the payment of fees is to compensate for the aesthetic impact on the community associated with the presence of off-site signs.

  2. Any allowed deviations from the development standards.

  3. The amount of time each day dedicated to public service announcements will be displayed, at no cost to the City.

  4. Terms requiring periodic review to ensure compliance with the development standards and conditions of approval. The City reserves the right to place additional conditions of approval at any time if doing so is in the public interest.

  5. For every one digital sign installed two non-digital signs must be permanently removed from the City.

• D. Required findings . Approval of a Conditional Use Permit to allow an electronic digital display billboard shall be based on all of the following findings and any additional findings as may be required by the Department or the Commission:

  1. The proposed electronic digital display billboard is to be located in an appropriate area;

  2. The proposed electronic digital display billboard is placed on its site in the least visually impacting manner;

  3. The Conditional Use Permit contains appropriate language addressing revenue for the City;

  4. The proposed electronic digital display billboard complies with all of the applicable operational standards, unless modified by the Commission, as well as all applicable federal and state laws;

  5. The placement of the proposed electronic digital display billboard will not adversely affect residential use of property; and

  6. The placement of the proposed electronic digital display billboard will not pose a traffic hazard.

E. Development standards .

1. Sign face dimensions . The electronic digital display billboard area shall not exceed 1,200 square feet, including border and trim, and excluding base or apron supports and other structural members. The overall length shall not exceed 60 feet.

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2. Height . Unless allowed by the terms of the Conditional Use Permit, the maximum overall height of an electronic digital display billboard shall not exceed 25 feet, measured from the finished grade at the structure’s base to the top of the billboard structure.

3. Location . No digital billboard shall be located within 1,500 feet of a parcel zoned residential or a residential dwelling.

4. Separation . No electronic digital display billboard shall be located closer than 1,500 linear feet of another electronic display billboard, as measured from the centerline of each support structure.

5. Support structure . All proposed electronic digital display billboards shall be designed to have a single cylindrical column support.

6. Cutouts and attachments . No cutouts or attachments shall be allowed, unless allowed in compliance with the conditions of the Conditional Use Permit.

7. Double-faced signs . Double-faced electronic digital display billboards shall be located on the same cylindrical column structure and shall be positioned back-to-back. At no point shall the distance between the two sign faces exceed eight feet. Double faced signs shall not be allowed when one portion of the sign is within 1,500 feet of a residential parcel.

8. Mechanical screening . Each sign structure shall include a facing of proper dimensions to conceal back bracing, framework, and structural members and/or any electrical equipment.

9. Owner identification . Owner identification signs shall be provided on all electronic digital display billboards.

10. Undergrounding of utilities . All utilities installed in connection with the electronic digital display billboard shall be underground.

F. Operational standards

1. Brightness . Light produced by an electronic/digital message sign shall not exceed a maximum illumination of 5000 nits (candelas per square meter) during daylight hours and a maximum illumination of 500 nits (candelas per square meter) between dusk to dawn as measured from the sign’s face.

2. Brightness review . Each electronic display billboard shall be subject to a 30-day review period during which time the Director may determine a reduction in illumination, or turning off of the sign for certain evening hours, is necessary due to negative impacts on surrounding property or the community in general. In addition, and at any time, the Director may order the dimming of any illumination found to be excessively bright and may also order any sign remain on a single static image without changing or be completely turned off. The Director’s determination shall be made without regard to the message content of the sign.

3. Dimmer control . Signs shall have an automatic dimmer control to produce a distinct illumination change from a higher illumination level to a lower level for the time period between one half-hour before sunset and one half-hour after sunrise.

4. Change of message . Messages displayed on an electronic digital display billboard shall be complete within each message/display and without continuation in content to the next message or to any other sign. The message/display shall change instantaneously without any fading in/out, scrolling, dissolve, or similar animation.

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5. Duration of message . Messages displayed on an electronic digital display billboard shall be a static display without change for a minimum duration eight seconds except for those messages where the hour-and-minute, date, or temperature/weather information is updated.

6. Static display . Any form of moving, animated, oscillating, or rotating images, or any other design intended to attract attention through movement or the semblance of movement on any part of the sign is prohibited at all times.

7. Maintenance . Signs shall be properly maintained in good working order at all times. Signs shall be designed and equipped to freeze the changeable message in one position or to go dark if a malfunction occurs. The sign owner shall immediately stop the electronic/digital display when notified by the City that it is malfunctioning or not complying with regulations of this Section.

8. Nonconforming sign structure . An existing sign or sign structure nonconforming as to location, size, height, or other regulation shall not be changed to a new electronic display billboard until all nonconformities have been eliminated.

9. Public service announcements . All electronic display billboards shall be required to provide for public service announcements, including Amber Alerts, and other community service announcements in compliance with the terms of the Conditional Use Permit.

• A. Sign permit not required . These regulations apply to temporary signs on private property. Approval of a Sign Permit is not required in compliance with Sign Tables A and B (Appendix 1), except as specifically identified.

• B. General requirements . It is unlawful to place, erect, install, or maintain a temporary sign in any zone, except as authorized and in compliance with Sign Tables A and B (Appendix 1) and all of the following requirements:

  1. No temporary sign shall be placed upon any private property without the prior consent of the property owner or the person in lawful possession of the property;

  2. No temporary sign shall be placed upon the roof of any structure;

  3. No temporary sign shall be illuminated;

  4. No temporary sign shall be erected to overhang any street, sidewalk, or other public property, unless an encroachment permit has been issued by the City;

  5. No temporary sign shall be erected in a manner or place that will obstruct a motorist's line of sight or otherwise constitute a safety hazard for vehicular or pedestrian traffic upon any street, sidewalk, or right-of-way; and

  6. Each temporary sign shall contain a legibly printed identification with the name, address, and telephone number of the sign owner who is responsible for the posting and removal of the sign.

C. Real estate signs .

Where a Planned Development Permit is granted, as part of the permit the Commission may approve a Master Sign Plan for the entire project that includes a specification of the

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number, size, design, location, period of time, and other requirements for the posting of temporary real estate signs within the development.

D.

Subdivision signs .

1. A Sign Permit shall be required for subdivision flags or streamers. The permit may be issued at any time after recordation of the final subdivision map and shall be for a term not exceeding 12 months. All ornamental flags and streamers shall then be removed upon expiration of the permit, unless renewal of the permit for a period of not more than one additional 12-month period is approved by the Director;

2. One sign, not exceeding 24 square feet in area advertising a new subdivision, may be erected or displayed at each entrance to the subdivision;

3. No subdivision sign shall exceed four feet in height; and

4. In the case of a subdivision having five or more parcels, ornamental flags or streamers may be erected at each entrance to the subdivision and along the boundaries of the project adjacent to public streets, as determined by the Director. The height of the pole or other support structure for the ornamental flag or streamer shall not exceed the height limit for the zone in which the property is located.

• E. Construction project signs . A temporary construction sign may be allowed in any zone in compliance with the general restrictions and all of the following regulations:

1. A Sign Permit shall be required for any temporary construction sign. The permit may be issued at any time on or after issuance of a building permit for the structure in question. The Sign Permit shall expire six months following the date on which the permit was issued or upon the sooner completion of construction. The sign shall be removed on expiration of the permit unless, prior to expiration, the permit is renewed on approval of the Director. The permit renewal shall not be for a period in excess of an additional six months. The permit shall not thereafter be further renewed; and

   2. No more than one sign having an area not exceeding 16 square feet may be erected or displayed on the site of a construction project. Where the development consists of a residential subdivision where a temporary subdivision sign would be allowed, then no temporary construction sign shall be allowed.

• F. Grand opening signs . In any commercial or mixed use zone, temporary grand opening signs or banners to announce the commencement of a new business establishment shall be allowed provided they conform to the general restrictions and all of the following regulations:

  1. The grand opening sign or banner shall not exceed 20 square feet in area;

  2. The grand opening sign or banner shall be erected on the same site as the business establishment; and

  3. The grand opening sign or banner shall not be displayed for more than 30 days before, or more than 30 days from and after, the date on which the establishment opens for business.

• G. Special event signs . The installation of temporary signs, banners, or other advertising pertaining to a community-wide civic event, activity, or observation conducted or sponsored by the City shall be allowed.

• H. Window signs . Refer to standards for permanent and temporary window signs

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• I. Noncommercial temporary signs . Temporary noncommercial signs may be erected within any zone provided they conform to the general restrictions and all of the following regulations:

  1. No freestanding sign shall exceed an area of 10 square feet and four feet in height; and

  2. A noncommercial sign that relates to a specific event shall be removed within five calendar days after the occurrence of the event.

• A. General . Unless a sign is specifically exempt from obtaining a Sign Permit, any person, business, or property owner desiring to construct, maintain, or display a sign shall submit a Sign Permit application to the Department. The application shall include plans, drawings, and descriptive material sufficient to depict the sign proposal. Authorization of the property owner or the property owner’s authorized agent is required as a prerequisite to the Department accepting the application as complete. Content of a commercial message shall be considered only to the extent required to determine whether the sign is an on-site or off-site sign.

• B. Signs requiring discretionary approval . The following signs shall require discretionary approval by the Director or Commission:

  1. Illuminated signs . Signs that incorporate exposed neon tubes or light bulbs shall require approval by the Commission;

  2. Additional sign height or area . Any individual sign or combination of all signs on a parcel that exceeds the height or area limitations by more than five percent shall require approval of a Minor Variance.

  3. Off-premises signs . Any new off-premises sign, including outdoor advertising structures (i.e., billboards) whether or not the sign is static or includes an electronic digital display shall require approval by the Commission; and

  4. Other signs and devices . Any other signs or visual devises that do not, in the discretion of the Director comply with the purpose of this chapter or the intended interpretation of these standards shall require approval by the Commission.

No Sign Permit shall be approved for any sign until a Master Signage Plan for the subject parcel(s) on which the sign(s) will be erected has been approved by the Director. The requirement for a Master Signage Plan shall apply to new commercial and mixed use developments consisting of one or more parcels, and to signs proposed on projects for which a Conditional Use Permit or other discretionary entitlement is required.

A Sign Permit application or application for a Master Signage Plan shall be submitted to the Department in compliance with all of the following provisions.

• A. Application contents . For any parcel on which one or more signs are proposed which require a Sign Permit, the owner(s) shall submit a Master Signage Plan containing all of the following:

  1. An accurate plot plan of the subject property, of a quality and at a scale as the Director may reasonably require;

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2. Location of buildings, parking lots, driveways, curb cuts, and landscaped areas on the subject parcel and names of adjacent streets and other applicable uses;

3. Computation of the maximum total sign area, the maximum area for individual signs, the height of signs and the number of freestanding signs allowed on the subject property included in the proposed plan;

4. Drawing(s) depicting the lettering or graphic style, lighting associated with, materials, and sign proportions (scaled) of each proposed sign; and

5. An accurate indication on the plot plan of each present and proposed future sign of any type, as well as scaled elevations depicting the size, height, and location of each present and proposed future sign.

• B. Window signs to be shown on plans . A Master Signage Plan including window signs shall indicate in plan elevation(s) the areas of the windows to be covered by window signs and the general type of window signs (e.g., paper affixed to window, painted, etched on glass, or other material hung inside window) and need not specify the exact dimension or nature of every window sign although a total window sign area shall be indicated for purposes of calculating total allowed sign area. The total proposed window sign area, including permanent and temporary signs, shall not exceed 25 percent of each individual window area of all windows facing a public street.

• C. Limit on number of freestanding signs . The Master Signage Plan for all parcels with multiple uses or multiple users shall limit the number of freestanding signs to a total of one for each street on which the parcels included in the plan have frontage and shall provide for shared or common usage of the freestanding signs.

• D. Other provisions of Master Signage Plans . The Master Signage Plan may contain other restrictions as the owner(s) of the parcel(s) may reasonably determine or the Director may reasonably require.

• E. Consent . The Master Signage Plan shall be signed by all owners or their authorized agents in a form as the Director shall require.

• F. Procedures . A Master Signage Plan shall be included in any development plan, site plan, planned unit development plan, or other official plan required by the City for the proposed development or Conditional Use Permit, and shall be processed simultaneously with other plans or permit applications.

• G. Amendment . A Master Signage Plan may be amended by filing a new Master Signage Plan conforming to all requirements in effect at the time. Minor modifications to the MSP may be approved by the Director. Major Modifications shall require Commission review.

• H. Nonconforming existing signs . If a new or amended Master Signage Plan is filed for a parcel(s) on which existing signs are located, it shall include a schedule for bringing into conformance, within three years, all signs not conforming to the proposed amended plan or the requirements in effect on the date of submission.

• I. Binding effect . After approval of Master Signage Plan, no sign shall be erected, placed, painted, or maintained, except in conformance with the plan, and the plan may be enforced the same way as any provision of the Development Code. In the event of a conflict between the provisions of the plan and any other provision of this chapter, the provisions of this chapter shall control.

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J. Time for Review .

1. Director approval . For signs subject to review by the Director, the Director shall review the application within the timeframes of the Permit Streamlining Act. The Director may impose only those conditions that will ensure compliance with the provisions of this chapter.

2. Commission approval . For those signs subject to review by the Commission, the Commission shall review the application within the timeframes identified in the Permit Streamlining Act.

3. Other discretionary approval . If a MSP is approved by the Director or Commission, and the project starts construction within the approved timeframes the MSP is vested.

• K. Required Findings . The Director or Commission, as applicable, shall approve a Sign Permit or Master Signage Plan if all of the following findings can be made:

  1. The sign plan meets the standards and sign design criteria specified in this chapter; and

  2. The sign plan is compatible with development on the subject property and developments in the immediate vicinity of the subject property, and does not detract from the character or quality of surrounding properties.

• L. Appeals . A decision by the Director or the Commission may be appealed.

The following criteria shall serve as design standards for all signs placed or erected in the City:

• A. Multiple signs . When more than one sign is allowed for the same activity, all signs shall be coordinated with respect to color, letter style, illumination, and other graphic features;

• B. Multiple occupancies . For a multiple owner/tenant occupancy, the various signs proposed for identification of different activities/businesses shall be coordinated with respect to placement on the building facade, legibility, and illumination. Signs allowed for one property or tenancy shall not adversely affect the identification and reasonable use of the neighboring parcel or tenancy;

• C. Monument signs . Monument signs placed on parcels on street corners shall not impede adequate and safe view of motorists through and/or around the street corner;

• D. Coordination of signs . All signs shall be considered an architectural and site plan feature of any existing and/or proposed building or development and shall be coordinated in size, height, color, illumination, location, graphic design, and finish detailing with the building(s), landscaping, area lighting, and vehicular and pedestrian circulation;

• E. Freestanding portable sign . The product, price, or changeable copy area of a freestanding portable sign shall occupy no more than one-fourth the allowed sign area;

• F. Sign illumination . All of the following standards shall apply to all internally or externally illuminated signs:

  1. Sign illumination shall not interfere with the use and enjoyment of adjacent properties, create a public nuisance, or create public safety hazards. Exterior light sources shall be shielded from view and directed to illuminate only the sign face;

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2. Reflective-type bulbs and incandescent lamps that exceed 15 watts shall not be used on the exterior surface of signs so that the face of the bulb or lamp is exposed to a public right-of-way or adjacent property;

3. Internal illumination is allowed for cabinet signs only if the sign background is opaque and the only portion of the sign appearing as illuminated is the actual lettering and/or a trademark or logo;

4. Where signs are to be placed near a residential use, sign location and illumination shall be adjusted for minimum impact to the residential use. The Director shall retain the right to require reasonable adjustment for size and height to ensure minimum impact to the residential use; and

5. Each illuminated sign shall be subject to a 30-day review period, during which time the Director may determine a reduction in illumination is necessary due to negative impacts on surrounding property.

• G. Negative impact on surroundings . The distraction of motorist attention due to any moving, rotating, flashing, or otherwise animated light or component associated with a sign shall be minimized by requiring adequate separation between signs along a street frontage and at intersections. Signs may not be allowed should the review authority make the finding the sign as proposed is inappropriate for the site due to its proximity to the street, other similar signs, or a residential zone, or if the review authority makes the finding and determination (and citing its rationale in making the determination) the sign would have a negative aesthetic impact on the surrounding zone.

• A. Amortization time periods . All existing signs legally allowed and authorized by the City or a preceding jurisdiction which do not meet the size, location, or similar measurement or placement or operational standard established by the Development Code are deemed legal, nonconforming and shall be required to comply with the amortization provisions during the following time periods:

  1. Signs painted on buildings, walls or fences — Two years from July 1, 2011;

  2. All other signs — Seven years from July 1, 2011.

• B. Ravenswood/4 Corners Specific Plan . All existing signs located in the Ravenswood/4 Corners Specific Plan Project Area that were legally installed between September 4, 2012 and November 1, 2013, but that do not comply with the size, location, or similar measurement or placement standard established by the Development Code are deemed legal, nonconforming signs and shall be required to comply with the amortization provisions during the following time periods:

  1. Signs painted on buildings, walls or fences — Two years from February 7, 2014;

  2. All other signs — Seven years from February 7, 2014.

• C. No alteration . Nonconforming signs shall not be altered, reconstructed, moved, or undergo a face change without complying with all requirements with this chapter. Normal maintenance or repair of any nonconforming sign, as determined by the chief building official or Director, is not prohibited.

• D. Billboards . The amortization provisions are not intended to apply to billboards visible from a state highway.

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• A. Applicability . Any legally nonconforming off-site sign (billboard) may be considered a candidate for removal and replacement on a two for one basis. Upon agreement between the sign owner and the City, the sign owner may remove two legally nonconforming off-site signs and replace them with one new off-site sign, subject to the provisions of this chapter.

• B. Commission may waive standards . If a sign replacement/relocation request is made, the new sign shall comply with all standards of this chapter relating to off-site signs, except that compliance with location or spacing requirements may be waived by the Commission. In no instance shall spacing between any two off-site signs be less than 1,000 feet.

• C. Conditional Use Permit . The replacement of signs shall require approval of a Conditional Use Permit. In considering an application, the Commission shall take into account all of the following:

  1. Whether or not the area has excessive visual clutter;

  2. Whether or not the proposed new sign would be compatible with uses and structures on the proposed site and in the surrounding area;

  3. Whether or not the off-site sign would create a traffic or safety problem with regard to onsite access, circulation, or visibility;

  4. Whether or not the proposed sign would interfere with required on-site parking or landscaping, or other required facilities;

  5. Proximity to residential zones or residential housing;

  6. Proximity to other off-site signs;

  7. Field of vision shared with other off-site signs and on-site signs;

  8. Maintenance quality and appearance of the signs proposed for removal; and

  9. Aesthetic and visual problems caused in their existing locations by the signs proposed for removal.

• D. Timing of removal . The signs to be removed shall be removed from their respective sites before commencement of construction or installation of the new sign. A building permit shall be required for removal.

• A. Maximum Height. 25 feet, measured from the ground surface to the uppermost point of the sign. For freeway-oriented off-site signs, height shall be measured from the closest freeway grade to the uppermost point of the sign.

• B. Maximum Area . 1,200 square feet for each sign face with a maximum length of 60 feet.

• C. Maximum number of sign faces . Two.

• D. Minimum Distance from another off-site sign . 1,000 feet.

• E. Minimum distance from freeway ramp or street intersection . 375 feet.

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• F. Other standards . All off-site advertising structures shall comply with the applicable regulations of the California Business and Professions Code, Section 5270 et seq.

Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, any on-premises sign remaining in place or not maintained for a period of 90 calendar days that no longer advertises or identifies an ongoing business, product or service available on the parcel where the display is located, or any sign that pertains to a time, event, or purpose that no longer applies, shall be deemed to have been abandoned. An abandoned sign is prohibited and shall be removed or painted over by the owner of the sign, owner of the property, or the Director, at the expense of the owner of the sign or property.

It is unlawful for any business or property owner to maintain or permit to be maintained on any business or property any sign that is in a dangerous or defective condition. A sign shall be removed or repaired by the owner of the sign, owner of the property, or the Director, at the expense of the owner of the sign or property.

Any of the following shall constitute a violation of this chapter and shall be subject to the enforcement remedies and penalties provided in the Development Code or state law:

• A. To install, create, erect, or maintain any sign in a way inconsistent with any plan or permit governing the sign or the zone on which the sign is located;

• B. To post, install, create, erect, and maintain any sign requiring a permit without a permit; and/or

• C. To fail to remove any sign installed, created, erected, or maintained in violation of this chapter, or for which the Sign Permit or other applicable permit has lapsed.

• A. The Director, Director of Public Works, any police officer, or code enforcement officer shall have concurrent authority to enforce the provisions of this chapter.

• B. If any sign is posted, installed, erected or maintained in violation of any standard or restriction contained in this chapter, any person having authority to enforce this chapter may remove the sign upon giving 24 hours prior notice of the violation and intended removal to the sign owner. If the sign owner cannot be determined or found, or if the sign constitutes an immediate hazard to the public health or safety, the sign may be summarily removed immediately.

• C. The sign owner shall be responsible for payment of all removal costs, or an administrative penalty to be established by resolution of the Council for each sign removed by the City. Any person desiring to contest the payment may request a hearing before the City Manager.

• D. Any sign removed under this section shall be retained for a period of five calendar days, during which time the sign owner may retrieve the sign upon payment of the removal costs or administrative penalty. Any sign not retrieved within the five-day period shall be deemed to have been abandoned by the owner and may be destroyed or otherwise disposed of by the City. Owners of signs painted on the exterior of a building or other structure and abated by the City shall not be entitled to any restitution, financial or otherwise.

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Sign Permit applications shall be routed to the Chief Building Official. When it is determined a separate building, electrical, or other permit is required, the applicant shall be notified and the Sign Permit shall not be issued until other permits are obtained from the Chief Building Official. Nothing in this chapter shall infer that signs which do not require a Sign Permit are not required to have a building permit. It shall be the sole discretion of the Chief Building Official, utilizing the uniform codes adopted by the City, as to which signs require building permits.

Any appeal of the decision of the City Manager pertaining to the payment of removal costs or an administrative penalty shall follow the appeal procedure specified in Chapter 18.114.

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APPENDIX 1. SIGN TABLES

SIGN TABLE A: PERMITTED SIGNS BY TYPE AND ZONING DISTRICT

RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICTS AND INSTITUTIONAL USES

Table Key

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SIGN TABLE B: MAXIMUM TOTAL SIGN AREA PARCEL BY ZONING DISTRICT

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SIGN TABLE C: NUMBER, DIMENSIONS, AND LOCATION OF SIGNS BY ZONING DISTRICT

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SIGN TABLE D: PERMITTED SIGN CHARACTERISTICS BY ZONING DISTRICT

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