20.04 — SIGNS

The city of Pacific Grove is a city possessed of natural beauty, distinctive architectural styles and historic character. The city's economy is dependent on both a vigorous local business community and residential environment. The city acknowledges that signs and identification are important and necessary to the successful communication of business and commercial activities. Therefore, given Pacific Grove's setting, the provisions of this chapter are intended to:

• (a) Encourage the use of signs that:

  • (1) Protect and enhance the architectural character and harmony, and natural beauty of the community, its buildings and its various neighborhoods and districts;

  • (2) Possess a satisfactory aesthetic effect and pleasing elements of design, which are form, proportion, material, surface treatment, and position;

  • (3) Effectively communicate business identity and type to the public;

  • (4) Are as small in size and few in number as is consistent with their purpose of communicating identification and essential information;

• (b) Protect the city from sign clutter and visual blight resulting from excessive and redundant signs;

• (c) Protect the right of the public to be directed, warned, advised and informed;

• (d) Provide the ability to utilize temporary signs for limited times with lesser visual impact than primary signs;

• (e) Eliminate unnecessary distractions which may jeopardize pedestrian or vehicular traffic safety;

• (f) Assure normal and necessary maintenance and repair of signs;

• (g) Implement applicable policies and objectives of the general plan. (Ord. 1664 N.S. § 2, 1989)

The following signs shall be allowed without a sign permit under the noted conditions and shall not be included in the determination of type, number or area of signs allowed on premises. However, exempt signs are subject to the provisions of PGMC § 20.04.120 regarding maintenance of signs.

• (a) Official federal, state or local government flags, emblems and historic markers;

• (b) Official federal, state or local government traffic, directional, regulatory and informational signs, and notices issued by any court, person or officer in performance of a public duty, or any other sign lawfully posted by any government agency;

• (c) Temporary signs warning of construction, excavation or similar hazards so long as the

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City of Pacific Grove, CA

SIGNS

§ 20.04.020

§ 20.04.020

situation exists;

• (d) One or more temporary sign(s) not exceeding 24 square feet in combined area used to indicate owner, general contractor, architect and other pertinent data regarding building construction on a building site during construction only;

• (e) Temporary holiday decorations which do not display the name of a business or product or other advertising material;

• (f) Directional signs not exceeding two square feet in area and containing no advertising material;

• (g) Signs, erected by recognized historical agencies, which show names of buildings, dates of erection and related information, provided the sign does not exceed two square feet in area;

• (h) Any number of nonilluminated political signs limited to a combined sign area not exceeding 16 square feet in residential zones and 20 square feet in other zones; provided:

  • (1) There is no limit to the number or area of political window signs; and

  • (2) Political signs shall be placed, posted or erected no earlier than six weeks before the election to which they pertain, and shall be removed within seven days following such election;

• (i) On each street frontage, for any lot or building, one single- or double-faced nonilluminated primary sign which serves solely to advertise the actual intent to sell, lease or rent or offer to build to suit on the premises where the sign is located, and two single- or double-faced nonilluminated secondary signs which serve solely to advertise information regarding the property or agent, such as but not limited to "do not disturb occupants" or an agent's name, provided the maximum dimensions of each secondary sign are limited to six inches by 24 inches and the total combined area of the primary and secondary signs shall not exceed five square feet;

• (j) Nonilluminated flat signs of not more than one square foot each which contain words protective of an occupant, such as "no trespassing," "beware of dog," "no circulars," and the like, with a maximum of two such signs per premises;

• (k) For each service station, not more than one freestanding sign not exceeding 20 square feet for each frontage, located on the property;

• (l) Nonilluminated temporary window signs on commercially zoned property (C-1, C-FH, C-2, I, and V-C zoning districts); provided, that the total of permanent plus temporary window signs shall not exceed 25 percent of the window area of that business on any frontage. Temporary signs shall not be displayed for more than 30 consecutive days. The date of the first day of display shall be clearly indicated in the lowest left-hand corner of each sign;

• (m) Signs showing the location of public telephones and signs placed by utilities to show the location of underground and other public utilities;

• (n) Street number signs not exceeding two per address and not exceeding one square foot per premises in commercial and industrial areas, nor 124 square inches in residential areas;

• (o) Menus on premises occupied by restaurants of the size normally used within the

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City of Pacific Grove, CA § 20.04.020

PACIFIC GROVE CODE

§ 20.04.030

restaurants, provided such size does not exceed two square feet;

• (p) One temporary commercial banner announcing a special event, such as a grand opening; provided, that such banner shall not exceed 20 square feet in area. The banner shall be maintained flat and against the building wall, and displayed no longer than 20 consecutive days. No more than one banner shall be displayed at any time. No more than two banners may be displayed on a premises during any 12-month period; provided, the applicant shall register with the community development department the date the banner is placed and removed;

• (q) Nonilluminated, off-site, portable signs, placed on private property, containing directions to the location of an open house which is for sale, unlimited in total number, but limited to one single-faced or double-faced sign per intersection corner; provided, the signs (1) shall not exceed two square feet or four feet in height, and (2) shall be removed daily immediately following a scheduled open house;

• (r) Advertising devices which move in the wind (for example, stringers, pennants, pinwheels, balloons, etc.) when displayed for seven or fewer consecutive days or for fewer than 14 days in a 12-month period and when not displayed in or over the public way;

• (s) Banners for events of citywide importance conducted for noncommercial purposes;

• (t) On commercially zoned property (C-1, C-FH, C-2, I and V-C) and on property whereon a motel is an established legal use, one exposed luminary source neon tube sign of no more than three square feet, with an informational message (such as but not limited to "open," "vacancy," "no vacancy"). No other message or advertising of any kind may be carried on signs under this exemption.

• (Ord. 1664 N.S. § 2, 1989; Ord. 1875 N.S. §§ 1, 3, 1993; Ord. 99-08 § 1, 1999; Ord. 09-005

• § 29, 2009; Ord. 13-003 § 14, 2013; Ord. 13-023 § 4, 2013)

In addition to any sign not specifically in accordance with this chapter, the following signs are prohibited:

• (a) Abandoned signs, including all structural, support, and other componential elements;

• (b) Flashing or blinking signs, except signal lights and other public safety signs maintained by government authority;

• (c) Billboards;

• (d) Advertising devices which move in the wind (for example, stringers, pennants, pinwheels, balloons, etc.) when displayed for more than seven consecutive days or for more than 14 days in a 12-month period;

• (e) Flags, except the flag of any governmental entity;

• (f) Signs that rotate or move in any fashion, except barber poles;

• (g) Any sign which simulates or imitates any traffic sign or signal or which makes use of words, symbols or characters in such manner to interfere with, mislead or confuse pedestrian or vehicular traffic;

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City of Pacific Grove, CA

SIGNS

§ 20.04.030

§ 20.04.040

• (h) Any sign, including a political sign, attached, maintained, painted, printed or otherwise affixed to a curbstone, lamppost, hydrant, tree, shrub, tree stake or guard, utility pole, wire, bench, sidewalk, crosswalk, traffic signpost, traffic-control device, parking meter or structure in or upon any public street, alley, or upon any other public property, except by a duly authorized public employee or required or permitted by law. Any sign prohibited by this subsection may be removed by city personnel, and persons responsible for placing the signs shall be liable for cost of removal;

• (i) Any sign, except as may be required by law, placed or maintained so as to interfere with free ingress to or egress from any door, window or fire escape;

• (j) Signs located so as to obstruct the view of a traffic sign, signal or device, or located so as to confuse the viewers of same;

• (k) Signs located on or extending over public property, except as otherwise provided in this chapter, without a valid license from the council to encroach;

• (l) Signs made wholly or partially of highly reflective material;

• (m) Signs not conforming with the following clearance requirements for communication lines, utility lines, provided further restrictions adopted by the Public Utilities Commission shall be adhered to:

==> picture [425 x 154] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
Table 20.04.030 – Minimum Clearance of Signs from Conductors
Less than 750 volts More than 750 volts
Vertical Clearance
Above sign 3 feet 8 feet
Below sign 3 feet Prohibited
Horizontal Clearance
From conductors 3 feet 6 feet
From poles 4 feet 6 feet
----- End of picture text -----

• (n) Signs temporarily affixed upon a vehicle parked so as to attempt to direct attention to a place of business. This shall apply to vehicles parked on either public or private property;

• (o) Exposed luminary source signs, which are signs whose illumination source is the signing element to be read directly, without diffusion or reflection, such as exposed bulbs or tubes or neon, in any residentially zoned district;

• (p) Off-premises advertising.

• (Ord. 1664 N.S. § 2, 1989)

No sign shall be displayed, erected, installed, suspended, attached, moved, replaced or altered except pursuant to a sign permit obtained as provided in this chapter, unless the sign is specifically exempted from permit requirements. Except for sign approvals by staff pursuant to PGMC § 20.04.070, the architectural review board shall determine whether the sign permit shall

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City of Pacific Grove, CA § 20.04.040

PACIFIC GROVE CODE

§ 20.04.050

be issued. A separate sign permit shall not be required for any sign subject to architectural review board approval as part of an architectural permit application for a project when reviewed as part of that project.

As an exception to this section, signs that comply with Chapter 20.05 PGMC may be displayed, erected or installed within the C-D and C-1-T zoning districts.

(Ord. 1664 N.S. § 2, 1989; Ord. 11-001 § 7, 2011; Ord. 13-023 § 4, 2013)

Except for signs within the C-D and C-1-T zoning districts where Chapter 20.05 PGMC applies, all signs requiring permit approval shall comply with the following standards and regulations, to the extent applicable, and these standards and regulations shall be considered in reviewing applications for sign permits:

• (a) Within residential zones, one identification sign may be allowed on each frontage of a planned unit development, multiple-family building, condominium complex, or institution use.

• (b) An individual business shall be allowed one primary sign. Additional primary signs, generally smaller in scale, may be allowed on a case-by-case basis, consideration being given to building architecture, business frontage, building size, type of business and other factors deemed pertinent to allowing more than one primary sign.

• (c) Signs mounted on a building shall be integrated into the building and designed so that the architectural features and expression of the building are not obscured. Signs mounted on a building include, among others, signs painted on or attached to awnings; window signs; wall signs; signs mounted on or above the roof of a building; projecting signs; suspended signs. The maximum allowed sign area on a primary business frontage is one square foot for each lineal foot of primary business frontage. One-half square foot of sign area for each lineal foot of secondary business frontage may be allowed on a secondary business frontage. No sign shall exceed 150 square feet in area. The architectural review board may restrict sign size to a lesser size than the maximum standards pursuant to the purposes of this chapter.

  • (1) Signs mounted on or above the roof of a building, or attached to the fascia but exceeding the height of the fascia, shall be discouraged unless no feasible alternative is available, or unless such signs clearly further the purposes of this chapter.

  • (2) To encourage variety and interest, projecting signs on private property may extend up to four feet from a building face. Council approval of an encroachment permit shall be required for all signs projecting into the public right-of-way.

  • (3) Projecting signs, marquee signs, awning signs, and suspended signs shall maintain a minimum eight-foot clearance between the lowest point of a sign and the grade immediately below.

• (d) Freestanding signs and their support structures shall be designed to respond to building architecture and setting. Freestanding signs shall not exceed 12 feet in height. The architectural review board may restrict sign height to a lesser size than the maximum standard pursuant to the purposes of this chapter.

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City of Pacific Grove, CA

SIGNS

§ 20.04.050

§ 20.04.050

• (e) A master signing program is generally required by the architectural review board for any buildings and projects containing two or more individual businesses.

  • (1) When a master signing program is required, the property owner shall be responsible for permit application and maintenance of the master signing program.

• (2) The master sign program shall include location of signs, size, type, method of mounting, illumination, and an accurate graphic representation of the actual sign design, if available.

  • (3) Amendments to an approved master signing program may be considered by the architectural review board upon presentation of an application with the written consent of the property owner.

  • (4) Additional tenant signs shall be reviewed on an individual basis to conform to the master sign program.

• (f) Use of illuminated signs shall be designed to respond to the following guidelines and regulations so as to correspond with the policies of this chapter:

  • (1) Illumination of nonprimary signs may be allowed on commercially zoned property (C-1, C-FH, C-2, I, and V-C zoning districts), subject to the following restrictions:

    • (A) No more than one illuminated nonprimary sign per business; and

    • (B) The area of an illuminated nonprimary sign shall not exceed three square feet.

  • (2) Light sources for sign illumination shall be the least visibly obtrusive of the available installation options and shall not be visible beyond the premises. The order of preference for the type of illumination is as follows, beginning with the preferred method of illumination:

    • (A) Indirectly illuminated signs;

    • (B) Internally illuminated backlit signs;

    • (C) Internally illuminated face signs;

    • (D) Exposed luminary source signs;

    • (E) Reflecting signs.

  • (3) Sign illumination shall be designed so as not to display beyond the limits of the sign area or create excessive glare. Illuminated signs shall be subject to review by the architectural review board three months after approval to assure compliance with this standard.

  • (4) Adjacent or surrounding light sources are to be considered in evaluating illuminated signs to avoid the overall appearance of glare or competition.

• (g) In nonresidential and R-3-M zones, miscellaneous nonilluminated permanent information signs, with an aggregate not to exceed two square feet at each public entrance or 10 square feet total, indicating address, hours and days of operation, whether a business is open or closed, credit information and emergency address and telephone number, may be approved as part of the signs for an establishment and in addition to the sign area allowed in

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City of Pacific Grove, CA § 20.04.050

PACIFIC GROVE CODE

§ 20.04.080

subsection (c) of this section.

• (h) Portable signs, such as A-frame or sandwich signs, may be allowed on private property in the C-1, C-FH, C-2, and I zones. Only one portable sign, not to exceed three and one-half feet in height and two feet in width, may be allowed per business premises. Such signage may be displayed only during business hours and shall not impede safe pedestrian passage. They shall be weighted sufficiently to keep them upright in the wind and have legs with nonskid bases.

• (i) Menu board signs, either fixed or freestanding, may be allowed on private property in the C-1, C-FH, C-2, or I zone. Only one menu board sign, not to exceed 18 inches by 24 inches, may be allowed per business premises. Freestanding signs shall not impede safe pedestrian passage and shall be weighted sufficiently to keep them upright in the wind and shall have legs with nonskid bases.

• (Ord. 1664 N.S. § 2, 1989; Ord. 1875 N.S. §§ 4, 5, 1993; Ord. 02-32 § 1, 2002; Ord. 09-005 § 30, 2009; Ord. 13-003 § 14, 2013; Ord. 13-023 § 4, 2013)

The standards and requirements pertaining to signs contained in PGMC § 20.04.050 may be modified when the architectural review board finds that a sign of unique design provides an aesthetically beneficial impact that could not be obtained through strict adherence to the provisions of this chapter, or where unusual design of a building requires special consideration. (Ord. 1664 N.S. § 2, 1989)

Except for signs within the C-D and C-1-T zoning districts where Chapter 20.05 PGMC applies, an administrative sign permit shall be issued, pursuant to the procedures in PGMC § 23.70.030, for the signs described in subsection (a) of this section without the requirement for architectural permit approval. The sign described in subsection (b) of this section may be reviewed by means of a counter review and determination, pursuant to the procedures in PGMC § 23.70.020, without the requirement for architectural permit approval.

• (a) Any flat sign in the C-1, C-FH, C-2, or I zone which has a sign area of 25 square feet or less and which is attached to or is painted on a building so as not to project more than six inches from the building and which is the only permanent sign displayed on the premises;

• (b) A minor sign face change within an existing and approved sign frame and/or substantially conforming to the existing sign approval and which complies with the requirements of this chapter.

(Ord. 1664 N.S. § 2, 1989; Ord. 1875 N.S. § 2, 1993; Ord. 11-001 § 7, 2011; Ord. 13-003 § 14, 2013; Ord. 13-023 § 4, 2013)

Any person desiring to obtain a sign permit shall submit an application, signed by the property owner and the applicant, to the department of community development, on a form provided by the department director, accompanied by the following information:

• (a) An elevation, perspective or photograph, to scale, showing the proposed sign as it will appear on the project and showing its relationship to its surroundings;

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City of Pacific Grove, CA

SIGNS

§ 20.04.080

§ 20.04.120

• (b) In the case of a freestanding sign, a site plan showing the location of the proposed freestanding sign;

• (c) A drawing or illustration, to scale, of the sign, depicting the style of lettering and showing the complete lettering;

• (d) Dimensions of building, sign and letters;

• (e) Sign materials – background and lettering;

• (f) Color samples;

• (g) Description of any proposed illumination:

  • (1) Applications for illuminated signs shall include sufficient technical data of all proposed illumination systems so as to allow evaluation of proposed light levels.

  • (2) All fixtures, types, locations, mounting and wattages shall be shown on plans and elevations, as well as catalog cut sheets.

  • (3) Samples of sign materials related to light transmission or reflection shall be provided with the application, depicting finishes of proposed components;

• (h) Construction information, including method of attachment to building, and support and base when freestanding;

• (i) The extent to which, if any, the sign is proposed to project into or over public property;

• (j) Any additional information the department deems relevant to the application. (Ord. 1664 N.S. § 2, 1989)

Each application shall be accompanied by payment of the appropriate fee as prescribed by resolution of the council.

(Ord. 1664 N.S. § 2, 1989)

Action on sign permits by the architectural review board shall be in accordance with the provisions of PGMC § 23.70.060. Action on sign approvals by staff shall be in accordance with the provisions of PGMC § 23.70.020 and § 23.70.030.

(Ord. 1664 N.S. § 2, 1989; Ord. 11-001 § 7, 2011)

Any person not satisfied with the action of the architectural review board may appeal pursuant to Chapter 23.74 PGMC (Appeals and Call-Ups). All appeals shall be accompanied by payment of the appropriate fee as prescribed in the city's approved schedule of fees, which is available from the community development department and on the city's website. (Ord. 1664 N.S. § 2, 1989; Ord. 11-001 § 7, 2011)

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City of Pacific Grove, CA § 20.04.120

PACIFIC GROVE CODE

§ 20.04.150

All signs and their supporting members shall be maintained in good condition. Dilapidated signs shall be repaired or removed upon order by the department of community development. (Ord. 1664 N.S. § 2, 1989)

Signs which do not conform to the provisions of this chapter, but which lawfully existed and were maintained prior to April 5, 1989, shall be removed or made to conform within 60 days following written notice by the department of community development, when:

• (a) A sign is more than 50 percent destroyed, and the destruction is other than facial copy replacement, and the sign is not repaired within 30 days of its destruction;

• (b) A sign owner, outside a change of copy, requests permission to remodel and remodels that sign, or expands or enlarges the building or land use upon which the sign is located, and the sign is affected by the construction, employment or remodeling, or the cost of construction, enlargement or remodeling of the sign exceeds 50 percent of the cost of reconstruction of the building, or an owner seeks relocation of and relocates a sign;

• (c) A sign is or may become a danger to the public or is unsafe; or

• (d) A sign constitutes a traffic hazard not created by relocation of streets or by other action of the city.

• (Ord. 1664 N.S. § 2, 1989)

It is unlawful, a misdemeanor, and a public nuisance for any person to construct, maintain, display or alter, or cause to be constructed, maintained, displayed or altered any sign except in conformance with this chapter. Violations of any provisions of this chapter may be prosecuted pursuant to Chapter 1.16 PGMC.

(Ord. 1664 N.S. § 2, 1989; Ord. 08-006 § 76, 2008)

As used in this chapter the following terms and phrases shall have the indicated meanings:

"Abandoned sign" means a sign, including all structural, support, and other componential elements on a premises or structure vacant for a period of 90 days, a sign pertaining to any occupant or business different from the present occupant or business, a sign pertaining to a past event, or an illuminated sign not capable of being illuminated due to its state of repair.

"Ambient building light" means light from interior or exterior lighting fixtures installed on, in or about a building or premises for the purposes of illuminating areas of circulation or task activity, excluding fixtures used solely for decoration or advertising.

"Area of sign" means the number of square feet enclosed within a perimeter composed of a maximum of six sides, all at right angles, within which a sign face can be enclosed. In determining the area of an individual sign which has more than one face, the greatest area of sign faces visible from any one point shall be used.

"Awning" means a shelter projecting from and supported by the exterior wall of a building,

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City of Pacific Grove, CA

SIGNS

§ 20.04.150

§ 20.04.150

constructed of nonrigid materials on a supporting framework. In determining sign area, only the portion of an awning occupied by lettering and/or logo or other graphic representation shall be counted.

"Banner" means a flexible sign characteristically supported at two or more points and hung on a building or otherwise suspended down or along its face, or across a public street of the city. The banner may or may not include copy or other graphic symbols. It is generally made of fabric or other nonrigid materials with no enclosing frame.

"Billboard" means a sign structure which is made available for lease or rent.

"Building face" means the whole of a building visible in an elevation of the building above the adjacent sidewalk level excluding sloped-roof surfaces.

"Bulletin board" means a sign on a premises which accommodates changeable copy and which displays information on activities and events.

"Business frontage" means that portion of a building which faces a street, parking lot, pedestrian mall, arcade or walkway. The primary business frontage is one which contains a customer entrance or which includes a glass-enclosed showroom facing the street. If a building has more than one business frontage with a customer entrance, the property owner must designate one of them as the primary business frontage. Unless otherwise stated, the phrase "business frontage" means "primary business frontage." All other business frontage is secondary frontage. As used in this definition, "parking lot" means either a publicly owned and operated parking lot or a parking lot located on the same zoning parcel as the business frontage.

"Channel letters" are fabricated or formed three-dimensional letters used as building signs that may accommodate an internal light source. Channel letters are typically greater than three inches in depth.

"Dilapidated sign" means a sign: (a) where the lettering or background material or any part of the sign has flaked, broken off, changed color; or (b) where structural supports or frame members are visibly corroded, stained, bent, broken, dented or where the sign or supports are twisted, leaning, or at angles other than those at which the sign was originally erected.

"Directional sign" means a sign which facilitates traffic flow and safety, not erected by a governmental agency, containing generic information such as but not limited to entrance/exit, caution, parking, right or left turn only, stop, towaway zone.

"Directory sign" means a sign identifying the location of occupants of a building or group of buildings which are divided into rooms, suites or similar subdivisions used as separate stores, offices, studios or similar tenancies.

"Exposed luminary source" means a sign whose illumination source is the signing element to be read directly, without diffusion or reflection, such as exposed bulbs or tubes or neon.

"Fascia" is a horizontal band or broad fillet covering the joint between the top of a wall and the roof surface, capping or enclosing the ends of eaves or roof framing.

"Freestanding sign" means a sign not attached to any building and having its own support structure.

"Height of sign" means the vertical distance from average adjacent ground level to the top of the sign, including the support structure and any design elements.

"Illuminated backlit sign" means a sign that is illuminated by a light source that projects light on surfaces adjacent to the sign components in order to generate contrast with the nonlit sign

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City of Pacific Grove, CA § 20.04.150

PACIFIC GROVE CODE

§ 20.04.150

components.

"Illuminated sign" means any sign which incorporates mechanisms that reflect or glow so as to generate an illumination level of the sign that is greater than the illumination level of the adjacent surface, or the surrounding area.

"Indirectly illuminated sign" means any sign that is illuminated from an external source that projects light onto the sign surface.

"Internally illuminated sign" means any sign that is illuminated by a concealed light source that projects light through the sign face.

"Marquee sign" means a sign placed on the face of a permanent roofed structure projecting over the building entrance, which is an integral part of the building (usually a theater or hotel) and is not a fascia, extension of the roof, or eave.

"Master sign program" means and includes the location of a sign or signs for an overall building complex or a building identification, including individual business signs and their location, size, type, method of mounting, illumination, and the relationship among all these elements.

"Nonresidential zone" means any zone other than any R zone.

"Off-premises sign" means any sign which directs attention to a business, service, product or entertainment not sold or offered or only incidentally sold or offered on the premises on which the sign is located.

"Pennant" means a long, tapering flag, triangular or swallow-tailed in shape.

"Permanent sign" means any sign which remains in use more than 30 days.

"Person" means any individual, partnership, corporation, association or government or any other legal entity.

"Political sign" means a sign intended to draw attention to or communicate a position on any issue, candidate or measure in any national, state or local election.

"Premises" is a building or unified complex of buildings on one lot or on two or more contiguous lots under common ownership.

"Price sign (fuel)" means a sign on the premises of a gasoline station, which contains information on the cost and type or grade of motor fuel only.

"Primary sign" means the basic sign(s) containing the name and/or logo of a business, office or other establishment.

"Projecting sign" means a sign which extends out from a building face or wall so that the sign face is perpendicular or at an angle to the building face or wall.

"Public entrance" is a place of entry at a premises which is accessible to the general public.

"Reflecting sign" is a sign whose surface material reflects light so as to generate a contrast between the sign and adjacent surfaces or surrounding area.

"Residential identification sign" means any sign identifying an institution in a residential zone, occupant, apartment, residence, school or church, and not advertising any product or service.

"Roof sign" means any sign located on or attached to and extending above any portion of the roof of a building.

"Sign" means any visual device or representation designed or used for the purpose of

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City of Pacific Grove, CA

SIGNS

§ 20.04.150

§ 20.04.160

communicating a message or identifying or attracting attention to a premises, project, service, person, organization, business or event, with or without the use of words, visible from outside the premises on which such device is located.

"Sign face" means the visible sign proper including all characters and symbols (excluding essential structural elements which are not an integral part of the display) and including nonstructural frame and any material or color forming an integral part of the display or used to differentiate the message from the background.

Sign Area. See "area of sign."

"Suspended sign" means a sign attached to and located below any permanent eave, roof or canopy and not mounted to a wall in any way.

"Temporary sign" means any sign which remains in use not more than 30 consecutive days or such other period limited to the duration of a condition or activity specified in this chapter.

"Wall sign" means a single-faced sign painted on or attached parallel to a building or wall.

"Window sign" means a sign applied to or attached to the surface of a window or displayed inside a building and visible through a window or similar opening for the primary purpose of exterior visibility. Nonilluminated signs located within three feet of a window and illuminated signs located within five feet of a window are considered to be window signs and are subject to the provisions of this chapter.

(Ord. 1664 N.S. § 2, 1989; Ord. 13-023 § 4, 2013)

The provisions of this chapter shall not be applicable to the erection or maintenance of signs in the U and O zone districts. (See Chapters 23.42 and 23.44 PGMC.) (Ord. 1664 N.S. § 2, 1989)

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City of Pacific Grove, CA

SIGNS

§ 20.05.010

§ 20.05.020