Chapter 17.54 — SIGNS ON CITY PROPERTY

The purpose of this chapter is to provide the process and requirements for establishing signage on city property. In adopting this chapter, the City Council acts in its proprietary capacity as to city property, as defined herein, within the city. This chapter is adopted pursuant to the city's general powers, property rights, Government Code Sections 65850(b), 38774, and 38775, Business and Professions Code Sections 5200 et seq. , and Penal Code Section 556 et seq. (Ord. 2010-02 § 1 (part), 2010)

The city declares its intent that not all city property shall function as a designated public forum, unless some specific portion of city property is designated herein as a public forum of one (1) particular type. In such case, the declaration as to public forum type shall apply strictly and only to the specified area and for the specified time period. (Ord. 2010-02 § 1 (part), 2010)

Unless specifically authorized by this chapter, no signs may be affixed to city property by private parties, including, but not limited to, political and campaign signs, or any other sign designed to influence voters to support or oppose any candidate or ballot measure. Any sign posted on city property in violation of this chapter may be summarily removed by the city as a trespass and a public nuisance. (Ord. 2024-01 § 2, 2024; Ord. 2010-02 § 1 (part), 2010)

The following signs may be erected and displayed on city property:

• A. Traffic control and traffic directional signs erected by the city or another governmental unit;

• B. Signs required by law;

• C. Signs erected and maintained by a public agency on public property;

• D. Safety and emergency signs, including identification and warning signs concerning potential hazards or hazardous conditions, utility installations, flood hazards or flood control facilities, emergency conditions or services and crime and accident scene control;

• E. Signs allowable under Section 17.54.050 (Temporary Signs Displaying Noncommercial Message) of this chapter;

• F. Signs authorized under Section 17.54.060 (Street Banner Program); and

G. Signs authorized pursuant to a temporary use permit issued pursuant to Section 17.12.070 of the Pinole Municipal Code. (Ord. 2010-02 § 1 (part), 2010)

In areas qualifying as traditional public forums, private persons may display noncommercial message signs thereon, provided that such signs conform to all of the requirements listed below. These requirements are intended to preserve safety and aesthetic quality within the city.

A. The signs must be personally held by a person or personally attended by one (1) or more persons. “Personally attended” means that a person is physically present within five (5) feet of the sign at all times.

B. The maximum aggregate size of all signs held or personally attended by a single person is six (6) square feet. For purposes of this rule, apparel and other aspects of personal appearance do not count toward the maximum aggregate sign area.

C. The maximum size of any one (1) sign which is held or personally attended by two (2) or more persons is fifty (50) square feet, measured on one (1) side only.

• D. The sign must have no more than two (2) display faces and may not be inflatable or air-activated.

E. In order to serve the city's interests in traffic flow and safety, persons displaying signs under this chapter may not stand in any vehicular traffic lane when a roadway is open for use by vehicles, and persons displaying signs on public sidewalks must give at least five

(5) feet width clearance for pedestrians to pass by. Persons holding signs may not obstruct the clear vision triangle, as defined in this title.

F. The message substitution policy of the sign ordinance applies only to traditional public forum areas. (Ord. 2010-02 § 1 (part), 2010)

A. The street banner program is limited to signs, banners, pennants or other displays placed by the city and/or redevelopment agency relating to any civic events or activities organized or sponsored by the city or redevelopment agency on public property.

• B. For purposes of this section, “civic event or activity” shall mean the following: any event or activity organized or sponsored by the city or redevelopment agency, including but not limited to:

1. Any public program or educational activity; and

2. The commemoration or celebration of any historical date, event or person, holiday or persons or events of local, state or national significance.

• C. For purposes of this section, “sponsored by” shall mean the following: The city and/or redevelopment agency is:

1. Participating in an official capacity in the planning, preparation or promotion of the event or activity; and

2. Contributing twenty-five percent (25%) of the total estimated costs of the civic event or activity, or at least one thousand dollars

($1,000), whichever is less. This contribution may take the form of funds, labor, staff time, materials, fee subsidies, or any combination of the foregoing. (Ord. 2010-02 § 1 (part), 2010)