Ione Municipal Code Ch. 17.44 Signs on City Property

The purpose of this chapter is to provide the process and standards for establishing signage on city property. In adopting this chapter, the city council acts in its proprietary capacity as to city property, as defined herein, within the city. This chapter is adopted pursuant to the city's general powers, property rights, Government Code Sections 65850(b), 38774, and 38775, Business and Professions Code Sections 5200 et seq., and Penal Code Section 556 et seq.

(Ord. No. 528, 2-15-2022)

The city declares its intent that not all city property shall function as a designated public forum, unless some specific portion of city property is designated herein as a public forum of one particular type. In such case, the declaration as to public forum type shall apply strictly and only to the specified area and for the specified time period.

(Ord. No. 528, 2-15-2022)

Terms unique to this chapter are listed in Chapter 17.300 (Glossary of terms).

(Ord. No. 528, 2-15-2022)

Unless specifically authorized by this chapter, no signs may be displayed on city property by private parties. Any sign posted on city property in violation of this chapter may be summarily removed by the city as a trespass and a public nuisance.

(Ord. No. 528, 2-15-2022)

The following signs may be erected and displayed on city property:

A. Traffic control and traffic directional signs erected by the city or another governmental unit;

B. Official notices required or authorized by law;

C. Signs placed by the city in furtherance of its governmental functions; and

D. Signs allowable under Section 17.44.060 (Temporary signs displaying non-commercial message).

(Ord. No. 528, 2-15-2022)

In areas qualifying as traditional public forums, private persons may display non-commercial message signs thereon, provided that such signs conform to all of the following:

A. The signs must be personally held by a person or personally attended by one or more persons. "Personally attended" means that a person is physically present within five feet of the sign at all times.

B. The signs may be displayed only during the time period of sunrise to sunset, except on occasions when the city council and/or the planning commission are holding public hearings or meetings; on such occasions, the display period is extended to 30 minutes after such meeting is officially adjourned.

C. The maximum aggregate size of all signs held or personally attended by a single person is six square feet. For purposes of this rule, apparel and other aspects of personal appearance do not count towards the maximum aggregate sign area.

D. The maximum size of any one sign which is held or personally attended by two or more persons is 50 square feet, measured on one side only.

E. The sign must have no more than two display faces and may not be inflatable or air-activated.

F. In order to serve the city's interests in traffic flow and safety, persons displaying signs under this chapter may not stand in any vehicular traffic lane when a roadway is open for use by vehicles, and persons displaying signs on public sidewalks must give at least five feet width clearance for pedestrians to pass by. Persons holding signs may not obstruct the clear visibility triangle, as defined in this title.

G. The message substitution policy of the sign ordinance applies only to traditional public forum areas.

(Ord. No. 528, 2-15-2022)

A. The street banner program is reserved for the city's use to promote its own messages and those special events and activities that take place in the city.

B. Notwithstanding any other section of the Municipal Code, the city manager (or his or her other designee), or the city council upon appeal, may authorize the temporary placement of banner signs within the public right-of-way on city property.

C. Such banners shall be allowed for only a limited duration and must call attention to the city, its natural advantages, resources, enterprises, attractions, climate, facilities, businesses, and community.

D. No person shall place, cause to be placed, or maintain a banner sign in the public right-of-way or on city property except as authorized herein.

E. The city manager shall designate those streets, highways, alleys, other public rights-of-way, and those city properties on which banner signs as authorized herein may be placed.

F. The city manager may issue a banner sign permit for an event and/or activity within 45 days after an application has been filed, subject to the following conditions:

1. The permit shall expire after 60 days and the applicant shall cause the banners to be removed at applicant's expense;

2. The banners may contain the name and date of the event;

3. The banners are secured tightly to the structures on which they are authorized to be attached; and,

4. For applicants that are co-sponsors with the city, the applicant must agree to indemnify and hold harmless the city from any damages arising from the placement, maintenance, and removal of banners in a form acceptable to the city attorney.

G. Each banner sign permit shall designate on which specific structures within the public right-of-way or on city property the banners may be placed and methods for such placement.

H. No permit shall be issued unless the city manager, or council on appeal, finds that the banners are so designated as not to block views significant for traffic and do not otherwise present a safety hazard.

(Ord. No. 528, 2-15-2022)

Signage associated with a special event shall be allowed under the following provisions:

A. Special event signage may only be allowed at Howard Park as part of a permitted special event through issuance of a special event permit.

B. Such signage may only be erected during the time specified and in the areas of Howard Park covered by the special event permit.

C. Special event signs may not be illuminated and shall not be posted or affixed above the roof line of any structure or within the canopy of any tree.

D. The maximum allowed size for any one special event sign shall be 100 square feet.

E. Signs may not be located within any driveway, street, or parking area, other than to direct traffic. Signs shall be sited in such a way as to not limit vehicle visibility when entering or existing the facility.

(Ord. No. 528, 2-15-2022)

The city may establish a program of leasing space at city facilities to private individuals, companies, or other entities for the express purpose of erecting and maintaining off-site commercial message signage. Such a program is limited to Howard Park and its associated facilities including, but not limited to, Evalynn Bishop Hall, Ed Hughes Memorial Arena, the stables, and soccer and softball/baseball fields. Such signage may be located interior or exterior to a structure and may be illuminated, provided it does not produce glare or spill onto adjacent properties or the public right-of-way. The signage shall not be erected higher than 40 feet when within 500 feet of a property line. There shall be no limitation on the total square footage of such signage except as otherwise provided.

(Ord. No. 528, 2-15-2022)