Mountain View Municipal Code Div. 5 Signs Allowed in Multiple Zoning Districts

The following signs are allowed in all zoning districts where the use being advertised is allowed, subject to these regulations and issuance of a sign permit, and shall not be counted as part of the maximum allowed sign area per Sec. 36.36.55, except as noted:

a. Construction sign. No more than one (1) temporary sign per street frontage adjacent to the project, advertising the various construction trades participating in the project, shall be permitted. On a site less than one (1) acre, the sign shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in sign area or six (6) feet in height. On a parcel of land of one (1) acre or more, the sign shall not exceed fifty (50) square feet in sign area or ten (10) feet in height. The sign shall not extend beyond the subject property nor interfere with any traffic safety visibility area of the parcel (in compliance with subsection 36.34.10.m., Corner Treatment). The sign shall be unlighted. The sign may remain on the property until the last unit is sold, rented or leased or for one (1) year, whichever period is less; provided, however, that the zoning administrator shall have the authority to extend the time period for a maximum of one (1) additional year.

b. Temporary subdivision sign. No more than one (1) on-site, temporary subdivision sign declaring a group of parcels, dwellings or occupancies within a subdivision for sale, rent or lease shall be permitted for each preexisting street frontage of the subdivision site. On a site less than one (1) acre, the sign shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in sign area or six (6) feet in height. On a parcel of land of one (1) acre or more, the sign shall not exceed fifty (50) square feet in sign area or ten (10) feet in height. The sign shall not extend beyond the subject property nor interfere with any traffic safety visibility area of the parcel (in compliance with subsection 36.34.10.m., Corner Treatment). The sign shall be unlighted. The sign may remain on the property until the last unit is sold, rented or leased or for one (1) year, whichever period is less; provided, however, that the zoning administrator shall have the authority to extend the time period for one (1) additional year.

c. Permanent tract or neighborhood signs. Permanent tract or subdivision signs located at the street entrance or entrances to the appurtenant tract or neighborhood may be permitted through the development review process in accordance with Sec. 36.44.45 (Development Review). Said signs shall contain only the name of the tract or neighborhood, shall consist of landscaped, decorative masonry walls or structures, and shall be unlighted or provided with indirect illumination. Any such sign shall not encroach into the corner sight visibility triangle or exceed the street setback height limit except as specifically approved by the zoning administrator.

d. Barber poles. Any barber shop shall be entitled to display a single barber pole in addition to any other signs allowed by this article. The size, location and method of mounting to the building shall be as approved through the development review process in accordance with Sec. 36.44.45 (Development Review).

e. Readerboards. Readerboards are portions of signs with message elements or sign copy that may be readily changed through the use of individual letters or characters, separate panels or electrical messages, including price signs. Such sign elements shall be designed as a part of and integrated fully with the architectural design of any other sign permitted on the same parcel of land; except that churches, theaters, places of entertainment or other similar use where programs or performances change on a routine basis may establish a separate readerboard sign in addition to any primary signs allowed in the applicable zone district. All readerboards shall be counted towards and shall comply with the sign area limitations of the zone district in which the sign is located.

f. Signs appurtenant to conditional uses. In conjunction with or subsequent to the granting of a conditional use permit, the zoning administrator may authorize signs pertinent to such conditional uses and, based on the sign regulations for permitted uses within the applicable zoning district, may impose special restrictions on their size, height, lighting, shape, color and location. Unless otherwise allowed within the conditions of the conditional use permit, modifications or changes to such signing for a conditional use shall be subject to a further conditional use permit hearing and potential modification or conditions, except where the change to the sign is to reduce the area and clearly improve the appearance of the sign, in which case the modification may be approved through the design review process.

g. Freestanding signs for multiple-tenant retail developments where permitted by the applicable zone district. Freestanding signs for shopping centers located on sites four (4) acres or more in size may identify only the center name and/or one (1) major tenant. On sites less than four (4) acres, the freestanding sign may identify the name of the center and a maximum of five (5) tenants.

h. Height limit, exposed light signs. No part of a sign provided with neon or other exposed fluorescent or incandescent light sources shall exceed a height ten (10) feet above the surface of the adjacent street.

i. Signs adjacent to freeways. Notwithstanding the prohibition of signs adjacent to freeways in Secs. 3.18.2 and 3.18.11, buildings located adjacent to freeways with limited visibility from an adjacent public street shall be allowed a sign oriented towards the freeway for advertisement of on-site tenants. All signage area shall be counted towards and shall comply with the sign area limitations of the zoning district in which the sign is located per Sec. 36.36.55 (Signs Allowed by Permit in Specific Zones).

(Ord. No. 18.13, § 1, 12/10/13; Ord. No. 5.18, § 9, 4/24/18)