Sec. 30-732. - Reserved.

Sec. 30-733. - Content neutrality.

It is the City's policy to regulate signs in a constitutional manner that is content-neutral with respect to both noncommercial and commercial messages. For the purposes of this article, a content-neutral regulation is a so-called "time, place, or manner" regulation, which, as the name suggests, does no more than place limits on when, where, and how a message may be displayed or conveyed.

(Ord. No. 1868, § 9(Att. 2), 5-25-21)

Sec. 30-734. - Sign illumination, neon tubing, and electronic message signs.

(a)

General requirements.

(1)

Illumination method. Sign illumination may be internally or externally illuminated and shall not blink, flash, flutter, or change light intensity, brightness, or color unless consistent with the standards for electronic message signs in Section 30-734.

(2)

Bulb face exposure. 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. This provision does not apply to light-emitting diodes (LEDs) associated with electronic message signs.

(3)

Energy efficiency. Sign illumination shall utilize energy-efficient light sources, such as LEDs, to the greatest extent possible.

(4)

Shielding—General. 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.

(5)

Shielding—Residential properties. Sign illumination shall be limited to avoid light projection of an intensity or brightness or directed in a manner that will negatively impact residential properties in direct line of sight to the sign.

(b)

Neon tubing.

(1)

Sign types. Neon tubing, including exposed neon tubing, for signs and architectural elements shall only be permitted in commercial zoning districts on canopy signs, marquee signs, and wall signs pursuant to the provisions in this section and Division 6 of this article. Neon tubing shall also be permitted in commercial zoning districts on projecting signs and window signs pursuant to this section and Section 30-721.

(2)

Standards. Neon tubing, including exposed neon tubing, for signs and architectural elements shall comply with the following standards:

a.

Neon tubing shall be UL (Underwriters Laboratories) listed with a maximum 20 amps per circuit and be designed to accommodate a dimmer in order to reduce the brightness of the neon;

b.

The neon manufacturer shall be registered with Underwriters Laboratories;

c.

Neon tubing shall not exceed one-half inch in diameter;

d.

Neon lighting adjacent to residential uses shall not exceed one-half foot-candle measured at the property line; and

e.

Neon tubing shall not be combined with any reflective materials (e.g., mirrors, polished metal, highly glazed tiles, or other similar materials)

(c)

Electronic message signs.

(1)

Sign types. Electronic messages shall be permitted on freestanding menu board signs, freeway signs, pylon signs, and theater marquee signs pursuant to the provisions in this section and Division 6 of this article. Electronic messages shall also be permitted on window signs pursuant to this section and Table No. 30-721.A.

(2)

Display change. Electronic message signs may display changing messages, provided that each message is displayed for no fewer than eight consecutive seconds, and shall not flash, blink, flutter, or display video messages (i.e., any illumination or message that is in motion or appears to be in motion). The transition or blank screen time between one display message and the next shall not exceed one second.

(3)

Nighttime brightness.

a.

Nighttime brightness shall be measured with an illuminance meter set to measure foot-candles accurate to at least two decimals. Illuminance shall be measured with the electronic message off, and again with the electronic message displaying a white image for a full color-capable electronic message or a solid message for a single-color electronic message.

b.

All measurements shall be taken perpendicular to the face of the electronic message at the following distance:

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c.

The difference between the off and solid message measurements shall not exceed 0.3 foot-candles at night.

(4)

Ambient light sensor. Electronic message signs shall be equipped with a sensor or other device that automatically determines the ambient illumination and programmed to automatically dim according to ambient light conditions (e.g., photocell technology), or that can be adjusted to comply with the 0.3 footcandle requirement.

(5)

Turn off. Electronic message signs located within 500 feet and in a direct line of sight of a residentially zoned property or a mixed-use property with residential uses shall be turned off daily at the close of business, or at such a time as specified by the Director of Community Development, and in no case shall be permitted to be turned on between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Direct line of sight shall be measured from any point on the property with residential uses and may be partially, but not wholly, obstructed.

(6)

Electronic sign certification. The owner of any electronic message sign shall arrange for certification by an independent contractor showing compliance with brightness standards.

(Ord. No. 1868, § 9(Att. 2), 5-25-21)

Sec. 30-735. - Sign measurement criteria.

(a)

Sign height.

(1)

Sign height, freestanding sign. The height of a freestanding sign shall be measured from the highest part of the freestanding sign, including any decorative features, to the highest elevation of the adjoining finished grade directly beneath the freestanding sign. The official City logo and/or Route 66 iconography as approved by the Director of Community Development and permitted by Section 30-741 shall not be included in any calculation of sign height. See Figure No. 30-735.1.

Figure No. 30-735.1

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(2)

Sign height, wall sign. The height of a wall sign shall be the greatest vertical distance measured from the highest point of the wall sign to the lowest point of the wall sign. See Figure No. 30-735.2.

Figure No. 30-735.2

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(b)

Sign clearance. Sign clearance shall be measured as the smallest vertical distance between finished grade and the lowest point of the sign, including any framework or other embellishments.

(c)

Building frontage. Building frontage is defined in Section 30-783. For buildings with two or more frontages, the length of the wall and allowable sign area shall be calculated separately for each building frontage.

(d)

Sign area.

(1)

Calculating sign area—Generally.

a.

Supporting structures, such as sign bases and columns, and decorative features shall not be included in any calculation of sign area, provided that they contain no lettering or graphics except for addresses. See Figure No. 30-735.3.

b.

Where separate or individual component elements of a sign are spaced or separated from one another, each component element shall be considered a separate sign.

c.

The official City logo and/or Route 66 iconography as approved by the Director of Community Development and permitted by Section 30-741 shall not be included in any calculation of sign area. See Figure No. 30-735.3.

Figure No. 30-735.3.

==> picture [268 x 135] intentionally omitted <==

(2)

Calculating sign area—Single-faced signs. Sign area for single-faced signs shall be calculated by enclosing the extreme limits of all sign structures and borders, emblem, logo, representation, writing, or other display within a single continuous perimeter composed of horizontal and vertical lines with no more than eight corners. See Figure No. 30-735.4.

Figure No. 30-735.4.

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(3)

Calculating sign area—Double-faced signs. Only one face of a double-faced sign shall be used to calculate the permitted area of a double-faced sign. Where the two faces are not equal in size, the larger sign face shall be used.

(4)

Calculating sign area—Multi-faced signs. On a multi-faced sign, the combined sum of the area of the largest and smallest faces shall be used to calculate the permitted area of the sign.

(5)

Calculating sign area—Three-dimensional signs. Signs that consist of, or have attached to them, one or more three-dimensional objects (i.e., balls, cubes, clusters of objects, sculpture, or statue-like trademarks), may have a sign area that is the sum of two adjacent sides of the smallest cube that will encompass the sign. Signs with three-dimensional objects that project six inches or less from the sign face shall be measured as a single-face sign. See Figure No. 30-735.5.

Figure No. 30-735.5.

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(Ord. No. 1868, § 9(Att. 2), 5-25-21)

Sec. 30-736. - Sign construction and design.

(a)

Materials.

(1)

Sign materials shall be durable and capable of withstanding weathering over the life of the sign with reasonable maintenance. Paper, fabric, plywood, and other materials subject to rapid deterioration may only be used for temporary signs or as permitted awning signs.

(2)

Reflective materials shall not be included on signs.

(b)

Supporting structures. The size of the supporting structures shall be proportional to the sign they are supporting. In general, fewer larger supporting members are preferable to many smaller supports.

(c)

Mounting. All permanent signs shall be firmly anchored, shall comply with all requirements for public safety, and shall satisfy all applicable safety codes and all other applicable governmental enactments, rules, regulations, or policies.

(d)

Quality construction. All permanent signs shall be constructed by persons whose principal business is building construction or a related trade, including sign manufacturing and installation businesses, or others capable of producing professional results with a valid business license.

(e)

Relationship to buildings. Signs located upon a lot with only one main building housing the enterprise which the sign identifies shall be designed to incorporate at least one of the predominantly visual elements of such building, such as the type of construction materials, color, or other design detail. Each sign located upon a lot with more than one main building, such as a shopping center or other commercial or industrial area developed in accordance with a common development plan, shall be designed to incorporate at least one of such predominantly visual design elements common or similar to all such buildings or the buildings occupied by the main tenants or principal enterprises.

(f)

Relationship to other permanent freestanding signs. Where there is more than one permanent freestanding sign located upon a lot or shopping center, all such signs shall have designs that are visually related or complementary to each other by the similar treatment or incorporation of not less than four of the following six design elements:

(1)

Type of construction materials as used in the several sign components, such as cabinet, sign copy, and supports.

(2)

Letter style of sign copy.

(3)

Illumination.

(4)

Type or method used for supports, uprights, or structure on which sign is supported.

(5)

Sign cabinet or other configuration of sign area.

(6)

Shape of entire sign and its several components.

(g)

Relationship to other permanent wall signs. Multiple tenant complexes with more than one permanent wall sign shall design such signs to be visually related or complementary to each other.

(h)

Relationship to street trees and landscaping. Sign placement shall consider the location of required street trees and potential tree growth over time, with placement at locations most suitable for sign viewing while complying with all sign requirements. Landscaping shall be maintained at all times to avoid obscuring signs.

(Ord. No. 1868, § 9(Att. 2), 5-25-21)

Sec. 30-737. - Sign maintenance and upkeep.

(a)

Generally. All parts of a sign shall be maintained in a good and safe condition, painted, and adequately protected from weathering and deterioration so that they do not create a hazard to persons or property or constitute a nuisance.

(b)

Repairs. Any sign or supporting structure that is sagging, leaning, fallen, decayed, broken, deteriorated, missing or has inoperative lights, or is in an otherwise dilapidated condition shall be promptly repaired with materials and design of equal or better quality as the original design, to the satisfaction of the Director of Community Development, or removed.

(c)

Graffiti. Graffiti on a sign shall be removed within 48 hours of notice of its placement on such sign.

(d)

Landscaping. Landscaping required by this article shall be maintained in a neat, clean, and healthy condition, which includes pruning, mowing of lawns, weeding, removal of litter, fertilizing, replacement of plants when necessary, and the regular watering of all plantings.

(Ord. No. 1868, § 9(Att. 2), 5-25-21)

Sec. 30-738. - Sign removal or replacement.

When a sign is removed or replaced, all brackets, poles, and other supporting structures that supported the sign shall also be removed, and any electrical components shall be removed and/or capped, and any resulting holes filled. Affected building surfaces shall be restored to match the adjacent portion of the building.

(Ord. No. 1868, § 9(Att. 2), 5-25-21)

Sec. 30-739. - Sign location at intersections.

No sign, sign structure, or supporting structure shall exceed a height of 30 inches or create a visual obstruction that would constitute a traffic or pedestrian hazard, if located within the street corner cut-off or driveway corner cut-off, as defined in Section 30-443, subsection 30-488(d), and subsection 30-529(d) in this chapter. The plotting of sight distance lines shall conform to the intersection sight distance standard drawing located in the traffic section of the City of Fontana Standard Design Guidelines Manual.

(Ord. No. 1868, § 9(Att. 2), 5-25-21)

Sec. 30-740. - Interpretations by Director of Community Development.

Whenever the Director of Community Development determines that the meaning or applicability of any of the requirements of this article is subject to interpretation generally, or as applied to a specific case, the Director of Community Development may issue an official interpretation or refer the question to the Planning Commission for determination.

(Ord. No. 1868, § 9(Att. 2), 5-25-21)