Mission Viejo Municipal Code § 9.29.210 Permit application requirements

A sign permit shall be required prior to the placement, movement, erection, reconstruction, alteration, or new display of any commercial sign unless expressly exempt by this division. All signs, except where expressly exempt, shall conform to the current Uniform Building and Electrical Codes as adopted by the City of Mission Viejo.

The approval of a planned sign program shall be required prior to application for a sign permit for the following requests:

(a) A request for a new freestanding sign, a change in character or number of wall signs, or the replacement of any sign in any existing development.

(b) A request for any signs for new commercial, industrial, business park, shopping center, or any other new development for which a planned development permit is required.

(c) A request for any freestanding sign, except where expressly exempt.

(d) A request for any community identification sign.

(e) A request for any automobile service station sign.

(f) A request for exposed neon tubing signs, raceways, canopies, or lit fascia panels with or without copy.

(g) A request for a logo or special graphic depicting a pictorial representation of thought or idea.

(h) A request for any sign copy in a language other than English.

(i) A request for a sign which does not conform to all specific regulations of this division.

(Ord. No. 98-193, §§ 1—4, 10-19-98)

A complete sign permit application and planned sign program application shall include fully dimensional plans drawn to scale. Application packages shall be submitted on 8½ × 11 inch paper and shall include:

(a) A letter from the property owner and property management or homeowners association approving the permit and/or planned sign program and authorizing the applicant, if the applicant is not the owner, to submit the sign application on behalf of the owner.

(b) Sign elevations indicating overall square footage and letter/figure dimensions, letter style, color pallet or chips (indicate standard color chip number), materials, and proposed copy.

(c) Building elevations with height dimensions, depicting accurately dimensioned signs.

(d) The method of attachment for wall signs, and a foundation plan, sign support, and method of attachment for freestanding signs.

(e) The type and method of illumination (interior/exterior), intensity in lumens and watts, and electrical installation and insulation devices, where applicable.

(f) A site plan showing the footprint of all buildings. The site plan shall include a vicinity map, the location of adjacent streets, the location of all proposed signs, and the location of existing signs on the site and their dimensions and square footages.

(g) Photographs and/or elevation drawings shall be submitted of all elevations of buildings upon which proposed signs will be installed.

(h) A refundable cash bond, deposit or equivalent acceptable to the director of administrative services, in an amount established by resolution of the city council, to insure that construction is completed according to approved plans. Final inspection approval shall include installed landscaping where required.

(i) A method or procedure which guarantees the continued maintenance of the sign or signs and removal of such sign or signs upon expiration or revocation of the sign permit.

(j) Planned sign program applications shall also include a written set of design standards approved by the property owner and property management or property owner association.

(k) Freestanding sign applications shall include landscaping plans and architectural criteria, as well as traffic line of sight triangulation approved by the city traffic engineer to assure safe view of drivers and pedestrians.

(1) Such other information as the director reasonably deems necessary to determine compliance with the provisions of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 98-193, §§ 1—4, 10-19-98; Ord. No. 07-248, § 9, 4-2-07)

Permanent signs may be permitted pursuant to the permit procedures set forth in this division and shall be governed by the standards enumerated for each category of sign. In addition to such standards, consideration shall be given to building setbacks, landscaping, visibility of the sign on the site, and the proposed sign's relationship to the overall appearance of the property and to the surrounding neighborhood. Compatible design, simplicity, and sign effectiveness shall also be used as guidelines for sign approval; however, the graphic design of the sign copy of message displayed shall not be considered in reviewing a sign application.

(a) [Electrical signs.] All electrical signs shall be listed by Underwriters Laboratories (U.L.) and shall be installed in accordance with the installation instructions and with article 600 of the National Electrical Code.

(b) Business wall signs. Wall signs may be permitted with a planned sign program in commercial, office, industrial and business park land use categories except where expressly prohibited. A planned sign program is to be approved by the director or commission. A planned sign program must be approved prior to the installation/placement of any business wall sign. Wall signs shall be subject to the following:

(1) Wall signs shall not exceed one square foot of sign area for each linear foot of building frontage or portion thereof. Total aggregate sign area for such signs shall not exceed 100 square feet for each business use. If the building frontage of any such use is less than 25 square feet, only one sign, having a maximum area of 25 square feet, shall be permitted.

(2) Sign copy shall be limited to the business name, logo, or generic description of the activity, service, or business, such as "barber shop" and "hardware," unless the trade name, product, or service is an integral part of the fictitious name of the business or service.

(3) Multistory office or multistory mixed-use buildings with three stories or more may have up to a maximum of two identification signs per building unless otherwise approved as part of a special sign permit. All other multistory office or multistory mixed-use buildings with less than three full stories shall have only one identification sign per building unless otherwise approved as part of a special sign permit.

(4) Only channel letter signs shall be permitted unless approved differently in a planned sign program. Channel letters for minor tenants shall not be more than 18 inches in height and logos for minor tenants shall not be more than 24 inches in height. Major tenant signs shall be approved by a planned sign program.

(c) Business freestanding monument identification signs. Business freestanding monument identification signs may be permitted in commercial, office, industrial and business park land use categories except where expressly prohibited. A planned sign program must be approved prior to the installation/placement of any business freestanding monument identification sign. Freestanding monument signs shall be subject to the following:

(1) Freestanding monument signs shall not exceed six feet in height including the base, ten feet in width, and 36 square feet in area, unless approved by a planned sign program.

(2) One identification freestanding monument sign may be permitted for each site with a street frontage in excess of 99 feet. Where a site abuts more than one street, one additional identification freestanding monument sign may be permitted on each additional street frontage that is in excess of 99 feet in length. In no case shall there be more than one sign on each street frontage for each site.

(3) For a single-tenant site, the sign copy shall be limited to the name of the business. Unless otherwise approved as part of a special sign permit, for multitenant sites, the sign copy shall be limited to the name of the commercial center and the name(s) up to a maximum of three tenants unless otherwise approved as part of a special sign permit.

(4) Each freestanding monument sign shall contain the street address of the premises, in letters and/or numbers not less than four inches nor more than six inches high unless approved in a planned sign program.

(5) No freestanding monument sign shall be placed or located closer than five feet to the ultimate right-of-way.

(6) Each freestanding monument sign shall be architecturally compatible with the architecture of the commercial center on the site, including, but not limited to, scale, materials, and architectural style.

(7) A uniform background color shall be used for each tenant panel on the monument sign.

(d) Automobile service station sign. Automobile service station signs may be permitted in service station designated areas. A planned sign program must be approved prior to the installation/placement of any automobile service station sign. Automobile service station signs shall be subject to the following:

(1) One freestanding monument identification sign not to exceed six feet in height including the base from finished grade and 36 square feet in area may be located along each street frontage abutting the site.

(2) Permanently affixed price signs shall be constructed with and integrated in the monument sign.

(3) Freestanding monument signs shall be located no closer than 100 feet from the point of intersection of abutting streets.

(4) Wall signs may be permitted but shall be limited to the major service station name only. No canopy facia signs shall be permitted.

(5) The total area of all freestanding, wall, and price signs shall not exceed an aggregate of 100 square feet in area on the premise.

(6) No freestanding monument sign shall be placed or located closer than five feet to the ultimate right-of-way.

(e) Multitenant directional signs. Multitenant directional signs may be permitted in commercial, office, industrial and business park land-use categories except where expressly prohibited. A planned sign program must be approved prior to the installation/placement of any multitenant directional sign. Multitenant directional signs shall be subject to the following:

(1) Multitenant directional signs shall be located in the interior of commercial centers.

(2) No multitenant directional sign shall be located in the front or street side setback area for the site.

(3) Multitenant directional signs shall have a maximum sign area of ten square feet per sign.

(4) The number of multitenant directional signs permitted for each site shall be established by a planned sign program and shall give consideration to the unique characteristics of the commercial center, as well as the number and location of tenants within the center, while avoiding visual clutter.

(5) All multitenant directional signs on a site shall have a uniform background color.

(f) Window signs. Window signs may be permitted in commercial, office, industrial and business park land-use categories except where expressly prohibited. Window signs shall be subject to the following:

(1) Window signs shall cover no more than 25 percent of the storefront window area for any individual business. In calculating the maximum allowable coverage, exempt signs placed on the window, temporary window signs, and permanent window signs set back from the storefront but facing outward and intended to be read from outside the window shall count against the 25-percent cap.

(Ord. No. 98-193, §§ 1—4, 10-19-98; Ord. No. 07-248, §§ 10—15, 4-2-07; Ord. No. 17-324, § 6, 9-12-17)

Temporary signs may be permitted pursuant to the permit procedures set forth in this division. Temporary signs shall not be located within any public right-of-way nor in any area which may constitute a safety hazard. All temporary signs shall display the name, address, and phone number of the person responsible for the sign on the rear lower right hand corner of the sign. All temporary signs shall be removed promptly and the site restored upon expiration of the permit.

(a) Commercial real estate signs: Temporary signs advertising the sale, lease, or rental of nonresidential property or spaces located on the site upon which the sign is located may be permitted for new construction pursuant to the permit procedure of this division, subject to the following:

(1) Such signs shall be unlighted and nonilluminated.

(2) Such signs shall be four feet by four feet, or a total of 16 square feet.

(3) The total aggregate sign area for all such signs shall not exceed 16 square feet for each building site.

(4) Only one on-site commercial real estate sign shall be permitted for each street frontage on a site.

(5) Commercial real estate sign permits shall expire one year from the date of issuance.

(b) Construction signs: One temporary sign denoting the architect, engineer and/or general contractor placed on the premises where construction, repair, or renovation is proposed or is in progress may be permitted pursuant to the permit procedures of this division subject to the following:

(1) Such signs shall be unlighted and nonilluminated.

(2) Such signs shall be four feet by four feet.

(3) Only one construction sign shall be permitted per site.

(4) Construction sign permits shall expire one year from the date of issuance or on the date that the first certificate of occupancy is issued for the project for which the permit was acquired, whichever occurs first.

(c) Subdivision sales and model home directional signs: Subdivision sales and model home directional signs on-site and off-site in connection with the first sale of lots or units may be permitted subject to the following:

(1) Model home identification signs:

a. Such signs shall be reviewed for compliance with the provisions of this division in conjunction with the model home planned development permit review by the commission.

b. The total aggregate sign area for all such signs shall not exceed 16 square feet for each building site.

(2) Model home directional signs:

a. Such signs shall be reviewed for compliance with the provisions of this division in conjunction with the model home planned development permit review by the commission.

b. Sign requirements.

1. Maximum size of sign face: 32 square feet.

2. Maximum height of sign face above grade: six feet.

3. Building permit(s) are required to ensure life safety issues are mitigated.

4. These signs shall not be placed or located outside of the subdivision in which the model home complex is located.

c. Reserved.

(3) Community model home directional signs:

a. Sign shall not exceed 13 feet in height, a width of ten feet and shall be designed in conformance with the drawing Exhibit A, appended to the sign ordinance. The sign shall be constructed of wood, painted white with forest green lettering.

b. The precise placement of the sign shall be subject to approval by the city engineer and the director of community development.

c. The owners of the signs shall obtain appropriate approval of the associations upon whose property the signs will be placed.

d. The owners of the signs shall permit all developers within the neighboring area who have model homes to add their identification for a reasonable fee.

e. Such signs shall contain only the names of the model home complexes.

(4) Such signs shall contain only the name of the development, the developer, and directional information.

(5) Such signs shall be unlighted and nonilluminated.

(6) Model home flags.

a. Maximum number: two per model homes, for a maximum of ten.

b. Maximum size: 12 square feet.

c. Maximum height: 20 feet.

Flags may be permitted with a permit not to exceed six months from the date of issuance. A total of four consecutive permits may be granted to advertise new for-sale residential tracts and new condominium complexes. All flags shall be removed from the premises once all for-sale units have been sold, regardless of time remaining on the permit.

(7) Subdivision sales and model home directional sign permits shall expire one year from the date of issuance unless approved differently in a planned sign program.

(d) Temporary promotional signs: Temporary promotional signs on site in connection with the opening of a business, major remodeling under an active building permit, new owner of a business, closure of a business, or sale or special events at a business may be permitted with approval of the director subject to the following:

(1) Such signs shall be limited to three events and an aggregate maximum of 42 days per calendar year.

(2) Such signs shall be designed as banners or promotional posters.

(3) Such signs shall have a maximum total sign area of 24 square feet.

(4) No flags or balloons shall be displayed.

(5) Such signs shall be flush mounted to the building, facing the street frontage or on-site parking area. If a temporary promotional sign is placed in a window or storefront, the temporary promotional sign, together with all other window signs in said window or storefront, shall not cover more than 25 percent of the window area within which they are placed. In calculating the maximum allowable coverage, exempt signs placed on the window and permanent window signs shall count against the 25-percent cap.

(6) The use of fluorescent, day-glo, and neon colors is prohibited unless such colors are part of a registered trademark.

(7) No employment opportunity signs shall be displayed except as otherwise permitted by subsection 9.29.225(h).

(e) Temporary seasonal banners: Temporary seasonal banners hung from parking lot light standards of nonresidential property may be permitted upon prior review and approval by the director of community development, in consultation with the planning commission's design review committee, subject to the following:

(1) The size of seasonal banners shall not exceed 22 feet in width and six feet in length, length being perpendicular to the ground.

(2) Such review shall include banner design, color, text, location, number, and materials. There shall be no reflective material or the like on the banner. Banner text and graphics shall be simple and free of clutter.

(3) Seasonal banner text shall not refer to a specific business, product, or sale. Text and graphics shall exclude political and religious symbolism.

(4) Seasonal banners shall be extended only from parking lot light standards on private property and they shall not be attached to street signals whether or not such signals also contain street lights. There shall be a minimum vertical clearance of 14 feet from the ground to the bottom of the banner.

(5) A specific seasonal banner program shall not be displayed for more than 45 days a year. This shall be a continuous period.

(6) No more than two specific seasonal banner programs (events) per site shall be displayed during any 365-day period.

(Ord. No. 98-193, §§ 1—4, 10-19-98; Ord. No. 07-248, §§ 16—20, 4-2-07; Ord. No. 11-290, §§ 3A, 3B, 6-20-11; Ord. No. 17-324, § 5, 9-12-17)

The following signs are exempt from the sign permit requirements set forth in this division:

(a) On-site residential real estate signs, including window signs, advertising the sale, lease, or rent of the property shall be permitted subject to the following:

(1) Signs shall not exceed four square feet in area, and a height of four feet, with the exception of single-family detached residences where colonial signs shall be permitted.

(2) Signs shall be removed within 24 hours after close of escrow, lease, or rent.

(3) No flags or balloons shall be displayed.

(4) A rider not exceeding six inches in height by 24 inches in length or eight inches in height by 18 inches in length may be attached to the top of the sign.

(5) Signs shall be placed so that they do not obscure fire hydrants, traffic signs or traffic signals, block motorists' line of sight, or otherwise inhibit or interfere with vehicular or pedestrian traffic.

(6) No part of any sign shall be within three feet of the sidewalk, or six feet of the curb, whichever is greater.

(7) Sign shall be placed at the immediate entrance of the subject residential unit, with the exception of single-family detached residence where the sign shall be placed only in the front yard of the subject property. Only one sign per available lease space or residential unit shall be permitted.

(b) Off-site open house directional signs shall be permitted subject to the following:

(1) Signs shall not be permitted on public property. An owner of real property or his/her agent may display the sign on real property owned by another with that person's prior consent.

(2) Signs shall not exceed four square feet in area, and a height of four feet including the vertical post.

(3) Signs are only permitted to be posted during the time an owner or owner's agent is on the premises and the premises are open for inspection.

(4) The signs shall be installed no earlier than 8:00 a.m. and removed no later than sunset.

(5) The signs shall not be installed in a manner which creates a hazard to traffic or pedestrians.

(6) No flags, pennants, balloons, or other attention-attracting devices shall be displayed.

(c) On-site commercial real estate signs not otherwise governed by subsection 9.29.220(a), including window signs, advertising the sale, lease, or rent of the property or any commercial space located on the property shall be permitted subject to the following:

(1) Only one freestanding commercial real estate sign not exceeding 16 square feet in area, and a height of six feet including the vertical post, shall be permitted per building site.

(2) Signs shall be removed within 24 hours of the close of escrow or execution of lease.

(3) No flags or balloons shall be displayed.

(4) No rider may be attached to the sign.

(5) Signs shall be placed so that they do not obscure fire hydrants, traffic signs or traffic signals, block motorists' line of sight, or otherwise inhibit or interfere with vehicular or pedestrian traffic.

(6) No part of any sign shall be within three feet of the sidewalk, or six feet of the curb, whichever is greater.

(7) The ground floor of single-story or multistory buildings shall be permitted one window sign per available lease space or unit.

(d) Nameplate signs not exceeding one square foot in area shall be permitted in locations approved by the director of community development.

(e) One sign, nor more than one foot by one foot, listing the hours during which the premises are open, and emergency numbers, may be displayed in the window of each business establishment.

(f) Signs located within the interior of buildings or the interior of malls, when such signs are incapable of being viewed from the outside of said building or mall. The city requires permits for electrical signs and may require a permit for the structure's installation.

(g) Directional safety sign where required by law or in compliance with a planned sign program approved by the city, or in the interest of the city for public safety sign.

(h) One employment opportunity window sign per business not to exceed four square feet in area. The sign copy shall be limited to information relating to employment.

(i) Credit card, club, and association affiliation stickers not to exceed one square foot per entrance.

(j) One lighted or nonlighted open/closed sign that complies with the restrictions set forth in subsection 9.29.230(a)(3) not to exceed two and one-quarter square feet in area may be displayed in the window of each business establishment. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, exposed neon conduit or tubing may be utilized for open/closed signs permitted pursuant to this section.

(k) Temporary holiday murals, scenes, or decorations painted on windows of a business may be displayed for an aggregate period not to exceed 45 days per year. The holiday mural shall not include references to particular products, services, sales, or events. The use of fluorescent, day-glo, and neon colors is prohibited.

(1) Temporary seasonal lighting may be displayed on commercial property provided such lighting is steady burning. Temporary seasonal lighting shall be noncommercial in nature and shall not include references to particular products, services, sales, or events. Temporary seasonal lighting shall be limited to a maximum of two specific seasonal programs per year, each for a period not more than 45 days.

(m) Warning or information signs as required by or authorized by federal, state, county, or city authority or in compliance with a planned sign program approved by the city, may be permitted upon prior review and approval by the director of community development. Examples of such signs include, but are not limited to, accessible parking signs, fire lane signs, private property/tow away signs, no parking signs, and no skateboarding signs. Such signs shall be subject to the following:

(1) The property owner shall be responsible for providing, installing, and maintaining the signs.

(2) Signs required to be posted at an entrance to a property shall be placed no closer than 20 feet to the back of the sidewalk or ultimate right-of-way. Said signs shall be securely mounted facing the direction of travel and clearly visible to vehicular traffic entering the parking areas.

(3) Each sign shall be no larger than 18 inches by 24 inches.

(4) Where two signs are required to be placed at a particular location, such signs shall be combined into one sign with the total height of the sign not exceeding seven feet. No more than two signs shall be placed on a sign post.

(Ord. No. 98-193, §§ 1—4, 10-19-98; Ord. No. 07-248, §§ 21—25, 4-2-07; Ord. No. 12-293, § 1, 8-20-12)

(a) Unless expressly permitted elsewhere in this chapter, the following signs are prohibited:

(1) Any off-site or outdoor advertising sign or structures placed for the purpose of advertising a business not on the property upon which the sign is placed.

(2) No commercial sign shall be erected within or encroach upon any public property or within any public right-of-way.

(3) Flashing, moving, pulsating, or intermittently lighted signs, electronic reader boards, time and temperature signs, laser lighting, and searchlights.

(4) Signs which conflict with or imitate any traffic control device due to color, wording, design, location or illumination, or which interfere with the safe and efficient flow of vehicular and/or pedestrian traffic.

(5) Animals, or human beings, live or simulated, designed or used so as to attract attention to the premises.

(6) Loudspeakers, or signs which emit sound, odor, or visible matter.

(7) Signs with mechanical movement.

(8) Roof signs.

(9) Projecting signs.

(10) Pole signs.

(11) Signs on the rear of buildings or oriented toward a freeway unless approved by the commission.

(12) Changeable copy signs, including electronic reader boards, except theater marquees specifically approved by the director.

(13) Flags, kites, pennants, balloons, or other such advertising devices or displays.

(14) Signs which constitute a nuisance or hazard due to their intensity of light.

(15) Signs which no longer identify a bona fide business conducted on the premises. Such signs shall be removed by the owner of the sign within 60 days of the business' closing date.

(16) Vehicle signs, trailer signs, signs affixed to automobiles, trucks, trailers, or other vehicles parked on any property within the city for the principal purpose of advertising or display. The following shall constitute a prima facia violation of this section:

a. The advertising medium utilized on the vehicle is a sign, device, or structure separate from the vehicle.

b. The copy is readily changeable, including but not limited to repainting such sign, device, or structure.

c. The sign, devise, or structure exceeds nine square feet in area and the vehicle is parked on the street or on the business premises to which the advertising relates or in reasonable proximity thereto and the location of the advertising is reasonably calculated to direct an observer towards the business. It shall be considered that advertising was the principal purpose of the parking of the vehicle, notwithstanding the fact that the vehicle is driven to and from the business premises on a daily basis.

(17) Except for open/closed signs permitted pursuant to subsection 9.29.225(j), exposed neon conduit or tubing, interior or exterior neon window signs, interior or exterior LED signs, or lighting displays inside or outside the building so as to be visible from streets, parking areas or site boundaries, unless approved as part of a planned sign program.

(18) Signs projecting in or on any public property or public right-of-way except as otherwise authorized by this chapter.

(19) Window signs, except as expressly permitted by this division, or as required by law.

(20) Price signs, except as required by law and approved by the director of community development.

(21) Off-site garage sale signs, circular, poster or other such sign or displays unless exempted by a special event permit.

(22) Any other sign not expressly permitted by this division unless approved by a planned sign program.

(23) Any sign continuously outlined with individual light bulbs or string of lights.

(24) Canopy signs unless approved by the director.

(25) Portable signs.

(26) Signs which have less horizontal or vertical clearance from authorized communication or energized electrical power lines than that prescribed by the laws of the State of California.

(27) Signs installed, relocated, or maintained in a manner which prevents free ingress to or egress from any door, including signs attached to a stand pipe except those signs as required by City Code or ordinance.

(28) Signs located in the public right-of-way except governmental or traffic signs.

(29) Painted-on-the-wall signs, signs constructed of cloth, canvas, fabric, cardboard, wallboard, or other light flimsy material with or without frames.

(30) Multitenant directory sign unless approved by the city in a planned sign program.

(31) Banners advertising the lease or rent of units in any residential apartment complex.

(b) Any person who erects or causes to be erect any prohibited sign without express approval by the city is subject to penalties as set forth in section 9.29.130.

(Ord. No. 98-193, §§ 1—4, 10-19-98; Ord. No. 07-248, §§ 26—28, 4-2-07)