Division 8.01 — Sign Regulations

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Division 8.01—Sign Regulations

A. The regulations set forth by this Division contain the primary tools for implementing the sign policies, standards, and regulations of the City pursuant to the provisions of the State Outdoor Advertising Act (BPC Section 5200 et seq.), and other applicable state and local requirements, and prescribe standards for the type, placement, size, number, height, and illumination of signs in order to achieve the following purposes:

1. Maintain the attractiveness and orderliness of the City's appearance by avoiding

sign clutter;

2. Protect agricultural, residential, commercial, industrial, civic, open space and

utilities, from the loss of visual prominence resulting from excessive signing on nearby sites;

3. Protect public and private investment in buildings and open spaces;

4. Protect residentially zoned areas lying adjacent to commercial and industrial areas

from the negative effects of excessive signs;

5. Enable users of goods and services to identify establishments offering services to

meet their needs;

6. Encourage sound signing practices as an aid to business and inform the public, but

to prevent excessive and confusing sign displays;

7. Regulate the number, size, height, and location of signs according to standards

consistent with the types of establishments in each zoning district;

8. Promote traffic safety through appropriate and reasonable controls on signs;

9. Promote the public health, safety, and welfare by regulating and controlling all

matters relating to signs; and

10. Protect the health, safety, and welfare of City residents from hazards resulting from

improper, excessive, distracting and otherwise unsafe signage.

B. It is the determination of the City Council that a sign is intended to serve primarily to identify the general nature of an establishment, or to direct attention to a product, activity, place, person, organization or enterprise. The City Council further determines that as identification devices, signs should not subject the citizenry to excessive competition for their visual attention, and as

Ontario Development Code Page 8.01-1 (Rev. 02.17.2026)

Division 8.01—Sign Regulations

appropriate identification devices, signs should harmonize with the building or activity they serve, the neighborhood in which they are located, and other signs within the surrounding area and in the same zoning district.

C. The installation of signs that improve the appearance of a building and neighborhood is encouraged. As such, The City Council hereby promotes the use of artistry and innovation in the design of signs is decidedly encouraged.

A. No sign, including copy change or a temporary sign, shall be approved and a permit therefore issued, except in conformance with the requirements of Table 2.02-1 (Review Matrix) and Section 4.03.020 (Sign Plans) of this Development Code, and the requirements of this Division.

B. No sign shall be erected, constructed, attached, affixed, or maintained on any property, except in conformity with the provisions of this Division, and expressly exempted by the provisions of Section 8.01.010 (Exempt Signs) of this Division.

C. It shall be illegal to use, occupy, or maintain property in violation of this Division. Any violation or failure to comply with the provisions of this Division shall render a person guilty of such violation, punishable in accordance with OMC Title 1, Chapter 2 (Penalty Provisions).

No sign, including copy change or a temporary sign, shall be placed, installed, constructed, displayed, or altered without a Sign Plan approved by the City pursuant to Section 4.03.020 (Sign Plans) of this Development Code, excepting the following:

A. Official Notices. Any sign, posting, notice or other indication used exclusively to display official notices, notices of any court or public office, or posted by a public officer in the performance of a public duty, or required by a public entity in carrying out its responsibility to protect the public health, safety or welfare, or otherwise required by law.

B. Street and Traffic Control Signs. Street name and traffic control signs, directional signs, informational signs of a public or semi-public nature, historical markers placed by a governmental or non-profit organization, and railroad crossing, danger, or other emergency warning signs, provided that no individual sign exceeds 4 SF in area.

C. Directional Signs. Signs guiding and directing traffic in parking lots and facilities, provided that no individual signs exceed 4 SF in area and 4 FT in height.

D. Public Convenience Signs. Signs showing the location of public restrooms, telephones, other public conveniences, and underground utilities, provided no individual sign exceeds 2 SF in area.

E. Business Hours, Emergency Phone Numbers, Honoring Credit Cards, and Association Membership Signs. Signs indicating business hours, emergency phone numbers, honoring credit cards, association memberships and similar types of sign, provided no individual sign exceeds one SF in area and the total area of all such signs does not exceed 4 SF.

(Rev. 02.17.2026) Page 8.01-2 Ontario Development Code