Kingsburg Municipal Code Ch. 10.24 Business Directional Signs

The purpose of this chapter is to promote the health, safety and general welfare by (1) providing citizens, tourists, travelers and other users of the public streets in the city with information and guidance concerning public accommodations, facilities, commercial services and points of scenic, cultural, historic, educational, recreational and religious interest; (2) reducing visual distractions which pose a hazard to drivers of motor vehicles and other users of the public streets; and (3) preserving, enhancing and protecting the natural scenic beauty and aesthetic features of the city.

(Ord. 2006-06 § 1 (part), 2006)

As used in this chapter:

"Business directional sign" means a sign erected and maintained in accordance with this chapter, which identifies and points the way to public accommodations or facilities, commercial services for the traveling public, and points of scenic, historical, cultural, recreational, educational and religious interest.

"Sign" means any structure, display, logo, device or representation which is designed or used to advertise or call attention to any thing, person, activity or place and is visible from any public street.

"Trailblazing sign" means sign which directs the traveling public to an area of the city as well as to parking locations in that area. It may include a logo design and/or words and numerals. It shall be located on a sign frame and/or at roadway intersections as needed along the route to the area.

(Ord. 2006-06 § 1 (part), 2006)

No person may erect or maintain any business directional sign except as provided in this chapter. All business directional signs erected or maintained in the city shall comply with the provisions of this chapter and applicable state law.

(Ord. 2006-06 § 1 (part), 2006)

A. The size, shape and color of business directional signs shall be consistent with the State of California Department of Transportation SG44-2 sign as it currently exists as it may be changed or modified from time to time. The material of construction shall be aluminum per the State of California Department of Transportation Standard Specifications as may be amended from time to time. Up to three sign panels can be installed on the same sign post so long as this configuration does not inhibit sight distance as determined by the city.

B. Signs shall be mounted on two four inches by six inches treated douglas fir posts in accordance with the State of California Department of Transportation Standard Plans and Specifications as may be amended from time to time. The minimum sign height from the lowest panel to the ground level shall be seven feet.

(Ord. 2006-06 § 1 (part), 2006)

A. The location of a business directional sign must be approved by the city.

B. Business directional signs must provide direction to a business, service facility, or point of interest located within a one mile radius of the proposed location of the sign.

(Ord. 2006-06 § 1 (part), 2006)

A. All business directional signs shall be constructed and installed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter by a sign company retained by the owner of the signs and at the owner's sole cost and expense. An encroachment permit must be obtained from the city for any sign proposed to be installed within the city right-of-way.

B. Any business directional signs erected pursuant to this chapter which are destroyed, defaced, deteriorated or in need of repair shall be replaced and reinstalled by the owner, at the owner's expense. The city shall have the right to remove and dispose of any destroyed, defaced or deteriorated business directional sign or any business directional sign which requires repair without liability to the owner. The owner of such sign shall reimburse the city the cost of such removal and disposal.

C. If the accommodations, facilities, services or point of interest identified on business directional signs terminate, cease to exist or are no longer offered, the owner of said signs shall remove said signs, within thirty (30) days after the date the accommodations, facilities, services, or point of interest terminate, cease to exist or are no longer offered. If the owner fails to remove said signs within the thirty (30) day period, the city may remove and dispose of said signs without liability to the owner. The owner of said signs shall reimburse the city the cost of such removal and disposal.

D. Any business directional signs which do not conform to this chapter shall be removed or corrected by the owner within ten (10) days after written notice from the city of said noncompliance. If the owner of said sign fails to correct or remove said signs within the ten (10) day period, the city may remove and dispose of said signs without liability to the owner. The owner of said signs shall reimburse the city the cost of such removal and disposal.

(Ord. 2006-06 § 1 (part), 2006)

Any person wishing to install a business directional sign shall make application for a permit to do so at the city building department. The application form will be provided by the city. At the time of submitting the application, the applicant shall pay the applicable application fee.

(Ord. 2006-06 § 1 (part), 2006)

The planning director or his/her designee shall review the application to determine whether all requirements of this chapter have been met. If all provisions of this chapter have been met a permit will be issued.

(Ord. 2006-06 § 1 (part), 2006)

Permits for installation of business directional signs are not transferable or assignable. Any change in ownership of a business, service facility or point of interest shall require a new application and a new permit.

(Ord. 2006-06 § 1 (part), 2006)

The planning director or his/her designee shall issue no more that one sign per business, service facility or point of interest within a one-half mile radius of said business, service facility or point of interest.

(Ord. 2006-06 § 1 (part), 2006)

Each owner shall pay an annual fee for each permit issued pursuant to this chapter. The purpose of the annual fee is to reimburse the city the fee for costs incurred by the city to inspect business directional signs. The initial annual fee will be paid along with the application fee with submission of the application for a permit and shall apply for the remainder of the city fiscal year but shall not be prorated for any fraction of a year.

(Ord. 2006-06 § 1 (part), 2006)

The application fee shall not be refunded if the application for a permit is denied. The initial annual fee will be refunded if the permit is denied.

(Ord. 2006-06 § 1 (part), 2006)

The application fee and annual fee shall be set by resolution of the city council.

(Ord. 2006-06 § 1 (part), 2006)

In the event any section, subsection or portion of this chapter shall be declared by any court to be invalid for any reason, such a decision shall not affect the validity of the other sections, subsections or other portions of this chapter.

(Ord. 2006-06 § 1 (part), 2006)

The provisions of this chapter shall be enforced in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Kingsburg Municipal Code.

(Ord. 2006-06 § 1 (part), 2006)