Martinez Municipal Code Ch. 16.60 Major Sign Programs

The purpose of a Major Sign Program is to provide property owners and business owners with flexibility in applying sign regulations for properties with multiple signs, multi-tenant properties, and other properties with unified development, while creating a cohesive design that might not be achievable under standard provisions of this Title. Any aspect of proposed signage that is not addressed in an approved Major Sign Program shall comply with the remainder of this Title.

(Ord. No. 1469, § V, 4/2/2025)

An application for a Major Sign Program shall include the following details:

A. Location. The location and placement where signage would be permitted (e.g., front facing, side or rear, window).

B. Type. The type of signage permitted (e.g., wall mounted, shingle, suspended).

C. Size. Minimum and maximum permitted sign size, including ranges based on type of sign and location (e.g., square footage, dimensions).

D. Lighting. Permitted methods of illumination (e.g., internally or externally illuminated). When externally illuminated, the light fixture cutsheet shall be specified.

E. Other signs. Any other identification signs permitted and associated general requirements (e.g., monument, wayfinding).

F. Fonts. Specific fonts which shall be permitted and/or excluded.

G. Logos. Provisions for logos.

H. Colors and materials. Colors and materials which shall be permitted and/or excluded.

I. Tenant criteria. Criteria for tenants and approval process for future signs.

(Ord. No. 1469, § V, 4/2/2025)

An application for a Major Sign Program shall evaluated based upon the following design criteria:

A. Placement. All signs shall be placed where they are sufficiently visible and readable for their function. Consideration shall be given to the purpose of the signs, the sign locations relative to traffic movement and access points, site features, structures, and sign orientation relative to viewing distances and viewing angles. In commercial centers where some tenants have little or no street visibility, wall signs may be allowed on walls of the building that are not directly over the space occupied by those tenants.

B. Quantity. The number of signs within any development shall be no greater than that required to provide project identification, business identification, entry signs, and directional and informational signs for internal circulation and access. Consideration shall be given to the size of the development, the layout of the site, and the hierarchy of signs.

C. Size. Signs shall not be larger than necessary for visibility and readability. Considerations for determining appropriate size shall include topography, volume and speed of traffic, visibility range, proximity to adjacent uses, amount of sign copy, placement of display (location and height), lettering style, and the presence of distractive influences.

D. Materials. Sign materials shall be compatible with architectural and/or natural features of the project. This may be accomplished through similarity of materials for sign structures and faces, the use of complementary colors, similarity of architectural style, or the use of a consistent lettering style or copy.

E. Context. All Major Sign Programs shall respect the context of the surrounding area and the character established by the proposed signage. Consideration shall be given to lettering style, sign placement, lighting, and architectural style.

(Ord. No. 1469, § V, 4/2/2025)

In addition to the design criteria, all applications for a Major Sign Program or amendments to an existing Major Sign Program shall be subject to the following findings:

A. That the Major Sign Program's contribution to effective and attractive identification of businesses, services, and uses and the design quality of the site and surrounding area will be superior to the quality that would result under the regulations and standards of this Title;

B. That all the proposed signs are compatible with the style or character of existing or proposed improvements on the site and are well related to each other;

C. That all the proposed signage shall generally conform with the intent of this Title;

D. That any structure supporting the sign is an integral part of the sign design; and

E. That there will be no visible raceways, angle iron, guy wires, or such other bracing or supports that may detract from the appearance of the sign.

(Ord. No. 1469, § V, 4/2/2025)

Any proposal for a Major Sign Program or amendment to an existing Major Sign Program shall be reviewed and approved by the Zoning Administrator or the Planning Commission. All signs proposed after the approval of a Major Sign Program shall obtain a building permit subject to review and approval by the Planning Manager or designee for compliance with the approved Major Sign Program. Signs that do not comply with an approved Major Sign Program shall not be approved.

(Ord. No. 1469, § V, 4/2/2025)

The Major Sign Program requirements and the tenant's responsibility to comply with the approved Program shall be incorporated into all tenant leases and/or other agreements between the property owner and the tenant(s).

(Ord. No. 1469, § V, 4/2/2025)