Imperial County Municipal Code Ch. 1 Signs

The purpose and intent of this chapter is to provide and promote for the orderly and attractive construction, placement, and display of signs throughout the county of Imperial. It is the policy of the county of Imperial that the primary purpose of signs is for identification and public information. All signs shall be located on the property on which they are advertising unless otherwise specified. Signs that cause a distraction and present potential safety hazards, as well as, aesthetic problems or public nuisance problems are discouraged and/or prohibited. The provisions of this chapter serve as specific development standards to be applied in addition to the sign codes required under the building construction provisions.

(Ord. No. 1565, §§ 1, 2, 12-15-20)

Freestanding monument signs shall comply with all of the following standards.

A. No monument sign shall be located within the existing road right-of-way or designated future road right-of-way.

B. The maximum area of the sign shall not exceed forty-eight (48) square feet per side.

C. The maximum height of a monument sign shall not exceed six feet above ground level, measured within radius of thirty (30) feet from the center of the sign.

D. The monument sign shall be a minimum of ten (10) feet from any common property line, they shall be no closer than twenty (20) feet on center on any property or between properties.

E. Lighting of monument signs shall be arranged and installed as not to produce glare on other properties in the vicinity or upon the adjacent highway.

F. Monument signs shall be no closer than five feet to a public right-of-way.

G. Monument signs shall be constructed of durable materials and maintained in an aesthetic acceptable fashion.

(Ord. No. 1565, §§ 1, 2, 12-15-20)

Freestanding pole signs (single, double or triple poles) shall comply with the following standards:

A. The maximum area of the sign shall not exceed two hundred (200) square feet per side.

B. Pole signs shall be located so that no part of the sign extends into or beyond any existing street right-of-way or any proposed street right-of-way.

C. The maximum height of a pole sign shall not exceed twenty-four (24) feet to the top of the sign.

D. Pole signs shall be a minimum of ten (10) feet from any side yard common property line and shall be a minimum of forty (40) feet on center, if on the same property or between properties.

E. Lighting of pole signs shall be arranged so as not to produce glare on other adjacent properties in the vicinity or upon adjacent highways.

F. Pole signs shall be at least three feet back from public right-of-way lines.

G. Pole signs shall be erected to withstand a minimum of one hundred ten-mile an hour wind velocities and meet all CBC requirements.

(Ord. No. 1565, §§ 1, 2, 12-15-20)

Signs attached to a building, not residential, or wall shall comply with all of the following standards:

A. All signs attached to a building or a wall shall be attached flat against the building or wall and parallel thereto and shall not extend more than eighteen (18) inches from the surface of the building/wall. Exceptions to this provision are as follows:

1. Signs may be mounted below the soffit of a canopy, or over-hang or below a porch and may be perpendicular to the building provided that they do not exceed twelve (12) inches above the soffit or beam and maintain a minimum of eight-foot vertical clearance above any travel way, corridor, exit or court.

2. Signs may be attached to a building above the wall or parapet provided the sign does not exceed four feet in height, and does not exceed height limitations set forth elsewhere in this Title and does not contribute to the roof loading.

B. Lighting of signs attached to buildings shall be arranged as not to produce glare on adjacent properties in the vicinity and the source of light shall not be visible from adjacent property or public street.

C. The maximum area of the primary sign shall not exceed one hundred (100) square feet per side which include company logos.

D. The maximum area of the secondary signs (sides and rear of building) shall not exceed sixty (60) square feet per side which include company logos.

(Ord. No. 1565, §§ 1, 2, 12-15-20)

Off-site advertising signs shall comply with all of the following standards:

A. The total area of any side of any off-site advertising sign (billboard) shall not exceed seven hundred (700) square feet. Nor shall the sign exceed a length of fifty (50) feet. In no case shall the square footage exceed the amounts specified by the sign regulation of the zone within which the sign is to be located.

B. Each off-site advertising sign shall be located no less than five hundred (500) feet from any other off-site advertising sign located on the same side of the street or highway. No off-site advertising sign shall be located within one thousand three hundred seventy (1,320) feet of the business or activity, which it advertises. No off-site advertising sign may be located closer than twenty-five (25) feet from any other sign. No off-site advertising sign may be located closer than ten (10) feet from any public street or right-of-way.

C. No part of an advertising sign shall be located within an existing right-of-way or proposed street right-of-way.

D. Maximum height for off-site advertising signs shall be thirty (30) feet to the top of the sign.

E. Lighting of off-site advertising shall be arranged as not to produce glare on adjacent properties in the vicinity. The source of lighting shall not be visible from the adjacent property or public street and the lighting shall not cause glare or nuisance to adjacent street or highway traffic.

F. Off-site advertising signs shall not be located along state, federal or county highways, which either do not permit such signs or are regulated by another regulatory agency.

G. Off-site advertising signs shall be installed according to the California Sign Code requirements.

(Ord. No. 1565, §§ 1, 2, 12-15-20)

Temporary real estate signs advertising a particular property on which the sign is located shall comply with the following standards:

A. Not more than one (temporary real estate sign) shall be placed on any lot, parcel or section of land provided, however auxiliary rider signs may be allowed if attached to the same sign support and further provide that where a lot is bounded by more than one street, one sign with an auxiliary rider may be located along each street frontage.

B. Temporary real estate signs shall not be illuminated.

C. Temporary real estate signs shall be minimum of ten (10) feet from any street right-of-way or proposed street right-of-way or property line.

D. If attached to a building a temporary real estate sign shall not extend above the roofline or the parapet wall of the building.

E. If freestanding, a temporary real estate sign shall not exceed eight feet in height to the top of the sign.

F. This section does not apply and shall not restrict the number of or size of temporary real estate signs erected outdoors within a courtyard, or mall space below the height of the enclosed building or within buildable areas or within display windows of existing buildings.

G. This section shall not apply to temporary portable directional real estate signs used in conjunction with open house, real estate sales activity, provided that each portable directional sign not exceed nine square feet, including the support and does not exceed the height of five feet and is not located within any street right-of-way.

H. All real estate signs shall be removed from the premises within fifteen (15) days after sale of the property or immediately upon being leased.

(Ord. No. 1565, §§ 1, 2, 12-15-20)

Temporary subdivision signs shall comply with the following standards:

A. Temporary directional subdivision signs shall comply with the following:

1. The sign shall be located at primary streets providing directions to the subdivision.

2. Each sign shall not exceed five feet in height and twenty-four (24) square feet in area.

3. Temporary directional signs shall not be lit.

4. Temporary directional signs shall be located a minimum of three feet back from any street right-or-way or proposed street right-of-way.

B. On-site subdivision signs shall comply with the following standards:

1. The sign shall be located at primary entrance to the subdivision or entrance to or at the model homes.

2. Each sign shall not exceed six feet in height and shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in area.

3. Subdivision signs shall not be lit.

(Ord. No. 1565, §§ 1, 2, 12-15-20)

The permanent identification signs including signs for the identification of the subdivision, a mobile home park, an apartment, a townhouse, condominium, or any other residential development project shall comply with the following standards:

A. Permanent subdivision identification signs may be either attached to an entrance fence or structure or be a monument sign. The sign shall not exceed four feet in height, and thirty-two (32) square feet in size and shall be located in a maintained landscaped area on the parcel for which the advertising is intended.

B. The sign shall not be illuminated, except for low silhouette spot lighting that does not create glare to adjoining properties or adjacent streets.

C. The design and materials sign shall be approved by the Planning and Development Services Department Director prior to construction and shall meet all UBC requirements.

(Ord. No. 1565, §§ 1, 2, 12-15-20)

Where building is under construction, temporary signs may be erected to identify the project owner, applicant, architect, landscape architect, contractor, builder, proposed business, lender, etc., provided that the following standards are met:

A. There shall be no more than three temporary construction signs per project.

B. Each sign shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in area.

C. The signs shall not be illuminated.

D. If attached to a building the signs shall not exceed above the roof line or parapet wall and if free standing the maximum height shall not exceed eight feet.

E. The signs shall be stationary.

F. The signs shall be removed within ten (10) days from final inspection date.

(Ord. No. 1565, §§ 1, 2, 12-15-20)

Temporary political, religious, or civic campaign signs may be erected for a period of not to exceed sixty (60) days and shall comply with the following standards:

A. All signs shall be removed within fifteen (15) days following the conclusion of the campaign (Election Day).

B. In residential areas each sign shall not exceed twenty (20) square feet in area or a height of six feet.

C. Any sign still remaining twenty (20) days after the end of the campaign shall be subject to a seventy-five-dollar ($75.00) fine per day.

D. These signs shall not be located at road intersections in a manner that obstructs visibility to the motoring public or be a distraction to the vehicle operator.

(Ord. No. 1565, §§ 1, 2, 12-15-20; Ord. No. 1587, §§ 1, 2, 12-5-23)

Agricultural signs advertising agricultural products that are raised or produced on subject property may be erected in all agricultural zoned areas, provided they comply with the following standards:

A. There shall not be more than one agricultural sign per legal lot, however, if the lot or acreage fronts on more than one highway, one sign shall be permitted along each such highway.

B. The sign shall not exceed sixteen (16) square feet in area, for parcels less than ten (10) acres and twenty-four (24) square feet for all other acreage. No sign shall exceed eight feet in height.

C. The sign shall be a minimum of ten (10) feet from any street or proposed street right-of-way.

D. The sign shall not be illuminated.

E. The sign shall be stationary.

F. The sign shall not be for off-site advertising use.

(Ord. No. 1565, §§ 1, 2, 12-15-20)

A sign identifying agricultural industry as located on subject property may be erected in all agricultural zoned areas, provided they comply with the following standards:

A. There shall not be more than two agricultural industrial signs per legal lot.

B. Each sign shall not exceed forty-eight (48) square feet in area, nor exceed twenty (20) feet in height.

C. The sign shall be a minimum of ten (10) feet from any street or road right-of-way.

D. The sign shall not be illuminated.

E. The sign shall be stationary.

F. The sign shall not be for off-site advertising use.

(Ord. No. 1565, §§ 1, 2, 12-15-20)

Signs that identify churches, public and private schools, colleges, hospitals, universities, fraternal, benevolent or social service organizations, located on the same property shall comply with the following standards. When such institutions are located in a commercial zone the sign regulations application to the commercial zone district shall apply.

A. There shall be not more than two institutional identification signs per street frontage per legal lot and shall not exceed a total of six signs on any single lot.

B. Each sign shall not exceed forty-eight (48) square feet in area.

C. Signs shall not extend into any existing or proposed road or street right-of-way.

D. Free standing signs shall not exceed eight feet in height. Signs attached to buildings shall not exceed above the roof line or parapet wall.

E. All signs shall be stationary.

F. Lighting of institutional identifications signs shall be indirect, non-flashing, and shall not produce light or glare onto adjoining properties or adjacent roadways.

G. Generally recognized and accepted religious symbols that are free standing or attached as part of the church or part of the freestanding sign are exempt.

(Ord. No. 1565, §§ 1, 2, 12-15-20)

The following signs except as provided elsewhere in this title or in other state or federal laws are exempt from the provisions of this chapter:

A. Highway directional signs installed, maintained by appropriate public agency.

B. Railroad signal signs.

C. Signs prohibiting trespassing and hunting.

D. Warning signs required by law or erected by public agencies.

E. Utility company signs identifying cables, conduits or hazards.

F. Public notices and announcements authorized by courts and/or public officials.

G. Advertising signs on buses, taxis, or other vehicles.

H. Signs attached to bus stops, bus shelters, or kiosks.

I. Signs on operational and registered automobiles and trucks that are painted on or attached flat against the vehicle to advertise the associated business, provided that the vehicle is primarily used for the business. The parking of vehicles in a manner that creates a billboard is prohibited.

J. Window display signs.

K. Signs that are painted and/or attached to the windshield of a vehicle, or boat.

L. Public telephone identification signs.

M. Signs of an instructive nature or which include information required by a county, state or federal enforcement agency, including telephone booth, gas pump instruction, instruction for recreational vehicle dump stations, brake and smog certification, restroom identification, and the like.

N. Signs erected within enclosed buildings or malls.

O. Signs erected outdoors within courtyards and malls below the height of the enclosed buildings within buildable portions of the building.

P. Direction warning or identification signs for patrolling and drilling, geothermal drilling, and excavation activities.

Q. Residential name and address signs not exceeding three square feet in area.

(Ord. No. 1565, §§ 1, 2, 12-15-20)

The following signs are prohibited in all zones, unless specifically designated within the zone:

A. Site affixed or stationary signs which mechanically rotate or move.

B. Any sign displaying any obscene, indecent or immoral material.

C. Advertising signs that include the words stop, look and listen, or any other word phrases symbol, light, motion, sound, fume, mist, or substance that may interfere, mislead or confuse a driving public.

D. Signs extending above roofs and roof signs except where specific provided within the provisions of this chapter.

E. Signs projecting from the building, except for where specifically provided for within this chapter.

F. Wind activated signs.

G. Any advertising device attached to a building, fence, pole or structure or vehicle, on display not specifically authorized by this chapter.

(Ord. No. 1565, §§ 1, 2, 12-15-20)

A. An electronic time and temperature sign as part of an approved on-site advertising sign is permitted as regulated by this division.

B. Exit, entrance and other on-site traffic and directional signs are permitted provided the signs do not exceed six feet in height and contain no advertising message, other than directional instructions.

C. Illuminated signs in storefront glazing visible for public street shall be considered signs and complies with this requirement.

D. Special signing required for drive-in windows, drive through restaurants, drive through banks or similar businesses are allowed, provided a sign is necessary for the information, instruction or direction.

E. Signs for uses approved in conjunction with conditional use permits shall be as specified in the conditions of approval for that permit.

F. All digital signs, also known as changeable electronic variable message signs, will require a conditional use permit.

G. Any deviation from the sign code will require a conditional use permit.

(Ord. No. 1565, §§ 1, 2, 12-15-20)

Temporary wind-feather banner flag signs are portable signs that advertise business name, logo, and business colors or associated message and shall comply with the following standards:

A. Feather signs shall only advertise messages related to the associated business and are consistent with other requirements in this ordinance [division].

B. No feather sign (temporary sign) shall be used until a permanent sign is permitted.

C. The signs area shall not exceed twenty-five (25) square feet;

1. Fabrics width shall not exceed thirty (30) inches.

D. The sign shall not exceed ten (10) feet in height.

E. Feather signs shall not be permanently fastened directly onto the roof/rooftops or exterior wall or face of any building or structure. All signs shall be ground-mounted.

F. The signs and pole shall be maintained in good conditions at all times, and nothing shall be added to the sign or pole, such as balloons or streamers.

G. Feather signs shall only be allowed in the high density residential R-3, R-4, commercial zones C-1, C-2, C-3 and industrial zones M-1, M-2 and M-3.

H. Feather signs shall only be allowed on the frontage of property and must be set back at least five feet from the property line, five feet from the property line of an adjacent property and fifteen (15) feet from the property line on corner lots.

(Ord. No. 1565, §§ 1, 2, 12-15-20)

Nonconforming signs shall be subject to the requirements of Section 90105.06.

(Ord. No. 1565, §§ 1, 2, 12-15-20)

This section is reserved for future use.

(Ord. No. 1565, §§ 1, 2, 12-15-20)