Mountain View Municipal Code Div. 2 Exempt Signs

The following signs shall not require approval by the zoning administrator, nor shall the area of these signs be counted as part of the maximum sign area permitted for any site or use, though may require building permits:

a. Open/closed sign. One "open" or "closed" window sign less than two (2) square feet.

b. Flag. An American, California or city flag. The flag shall not exceed eight (8) feet in length or ten (10) feet in height.

c. Business information signs. Business information signs are signs informing business patrons of hours of business, "help wanted," accepted credit cards or other general business information, but do not include separate identification of the specific business or advertisement of products, services or sales. Such business information signs shall be gathered in one (1) location unless otherwise approved by the zoning administrator, and shall not exceed a total of two (2) square feet.

d. Open house sign. In addition to other real estate signs permitted by this article, one "open house" sign not exceeding three (3) square feet is permitted provided it is located on the particular premises which is for sale, lease or rent, and posted only when a salesperson is present.

e. Undeveloped acreage real estate sign. For undeveloped acreage, one (1) nonilluminated real estate sign shall be permitted, and shall not exceed one-quarter (¼) of one (1) square foot for each linear foot of site frontage, to the maximum of fifty (50) square feet, and shall not exceed a height of six (6) feet above the surface of the street.

f. Project announcement signs. Project announcement signs, or any other similar temporary sign required by the community development department, that inform the public that a land use application is on file with the City of Mountain View shall be permitted for any district. The timing, number, placement, size, material and content of these sign(s) shall be approved by the zoning administrator. These signs shall not be used as an advertisement for the property. The signs shall be promptly removed following a final action on the land use application(s) or the completion of construction.

g. Community interest sign, private property. A single designated area not exceeding six (6) square feet of a single window of an occupancy may be approved to allow display of a maximum of two (2) ancillary, temporary, professionally prepared posters announcing an event of general community interest in addition to any permanent signs allowed. Said poster(s) shall not include the name of the business or property displaying the poster. Said posters shall not require individual city approval, but shall be dated on the sign and shall be removed within thirty (30) days of the posted date or upon conclusion of the event, whichever occurs first.

h. Grand opening banners, temporary. No more than one (1) temporary banner per occupancy frontage announcing a new business opening may be displayed for a maximum period of thirty (30) days. Said banner(s) shall be dated on the sign and shall be removed within thirty (30) days of the posted date.

i. Directional sign. Signs necessary for public convenience and safety, not exceeding four (4) square feet in size or three (3) feet in height, containing information such as "entrance," "exit," or directional arrows designed to be viewed by on-site pedestrians or motorists. These signs require a building permit.

j. Window signs.

1. Commercial uses with ground floor frontage may have window signs in addition to otherwise permitted building mounted or freestanding signs. A maximum of one (1) window sign is permitted per window pane or framed window area on the ground floor and shall not occupy more than twenty-five (25) percent of the total transparent glass area of those windows parallel to the street on the ground floor of that use, excluding the area of any glass doors, or one (1) square foot per one (1) linear foot of occupancy frontage on a public street, whichever is less. The maximum height of lettering on window signs shall not exceed twelve (12) inches. Except for neon signs where permitted, window signs shall be nonilluminated or internally or indirectly illuminated only, and shall consist of painted or gold leaf lettering directly on glass; plastic, wood, metal or other high-quality solid material; or solidly framed posters or sign boards. Neon signs within four (4) feet of a window may be permitted as a window sign provided that: (i) all electrical supply cords and conduits and electrical transformers are hidden from view through the window; and (ii) all necessary permits, including electrical and/or building permits, have been obtained.

2. Commercial uses on the second floor of multiple-story buildings may have window signs in addition to otherwise permitted building-mounted or freestanding signs. A maximum of one (1) window sign is permitted per window pane or framed window area on the second floor and shall not occupy more than fifteen (15) percent of the total second floor, transparent glass area of those windows parallel to the street of that use. The maximum height of lettering on window signs shall not exceed twelve (12) inches. Second-floor window signs shall be nonilluminated and shall consist of painted or gold-leaf on the glass surface.

3. Window signs above the second floor shall not be permitted. Any graphics, displays or sign panels with lettering more than one (1) inch high, mounted within four (4) feet of a window shall be considered a window sign subject to these provisions, except for: (i) displays with lettering less than one (1) inch high; (ii) products on shelves for sale to the public, and; (iii) framed information panels with at least eighty (80) percent of area of text in lettering less than one (1) inch high.

(Ord. No. 18.13, § 1, 12/10/13.)