Redlands Municipal Code Ch. 12.55 Signs on Public Property

In adopting this chapter, the city council acts in its proprietary capacity as to public property within the city. (Ord. 2520 § 1, 2002)

The city declares its intent that all city owned public property in the city (public property) shall not function as a designated public forum unless some specific portion of public property is designated herein as a public forum of one particular type. In such case, the declaration as to public forum type shall apply strictly, and only to the specified area and the specified time period, if any. (Ord. 2520 § 1, 2002)

A. No "sign", as defined in this code, may be displayed on public property unless a public property sign permit therefor has first been issued, or the sign is expressly exempted from the public property sign permit requirement by this chapter.

B. All public property sign permits shall be consistent with this chapter. Any sign posted on public property contrary to the provisions of this chapter may be summarily removed as a trespass and a nuisance by the city. (Ord. 2520 § 1, 2002)

A. In areas qualifying as traditional public forums, such as streets, parks and sidewalks, persons may display noncommercial message signs thereon without first obtaining a public property sign permit, provided that the sign display on public property conforms to all of the following:

1. Signs must be personally held by a person, or personally attended by one or more persons. "Personally attended" means that a person is physically present within five feet (5') of the sign at all times.

2. Signs may be displayed only during the time period of sunrise to sunset.

3. The maximum aggregate size of all signs held by a single person is ten (10) square feet.

4. The maximum size of any one sign which is personally attended by one or more persons is fifty (50) square feet.

5. Displayed signs may not be inflatable or air activated.

6. To protect the city's interests in traffic flow and safety, persons displaying signs under this section 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 feet (5') width clearance for pedestrians to pass by. (Ord. 2520 § 1, 2002)

A. The community development director shall prepare and make available to the public a form of application for a public property sign permit which shall, when fully approved by the community development director, constitute a public property sign permit ("permit") and indicate the city's consent, in its proprietary capacity, for placement of a sign. The applicant for the permit must be the same person or entity who is to be the owner of the sign. The processing fee for each application, which shall not be refundable even if the application is denied, shall be the same as the fee for a private sign permit under this code or as established by resolution of the city council. The application form shall require the applicant to indicate that he or she has read this chapter and that the applicant shall abide by its terms, as well as any special terms or conditions which may be stated on the permit, and to abide by any new or different conditions which may be imposed on all permittees who are similarly situated.

B. Any public property sign permit issued in error may be summarily revoked by any officer of the city by simply informing the applicant of the nature of the error in issuance. Any applicant whose permit is revoked as issued in error may, at any time thereafter, submit a new permit application which cures any deficiencies in the original application. The application fee shall apply separately to each new application. Applications which fully comply with the terms and conditions of this chapter shall be duly issued. Applications which are denied, or permits which are revoked or suspended, may be appealed in the same manner as denials of sign permits, as described in this code.

C. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, an application for a public property sign permit for a sign on city armory property pursuant to section 12.55.110 of this chapter shall be approved by the city council. (Ord. 2520 § 1, 2002)

The following signs are exempted from the permit requirement of this chapter: traffic control and traffic directional signs erected by the city or another governmental unit; official notices required by law; signs placed by the city in furtherance of its governmental functions; and signs allowable under section 12.55.040 of this chapter. (Ord. 2520 § 1, 2002)

A. The public right of way areas and display sign times regulated by this section are designated to constitute a limited access, public forum which is strictly limited and open only to those persons and entities described in this section, and on the terms stated in this section.

B. An "A-frame" or a "freestanding vertical pole banner" sign may be placed in the public right of way, on the public sidewalk directly in front of the store or other establishment displaying the sign. Such signs may have no more than two (2) display faces, and each display face shall be a flat, smooth surface, and remain completely free of dangerous protrusions such as tacks, nails or wires; however, cutouts of any shape are allowed. Sign faces shall be back to back. No ribbons, streamers, balloons or attachments of any kind may be affixed to the sign. Signs may not consist of any moving parts or include a display face which is hinged, or which otherwise swings or hangs from the "A-frame", and must be stretched taut on the "freestanding vertical pole banner". No glass, breakable materials or illumination is allowed for such signs. Signs shall be physically stable and balanced flat on the sidewalk, and must be self-supporting, stable and weighted, and constructed to withstand overturning by wind or contact.

C. An "A-frame" or a "freestanding vertical pole banner" sign may be located within the following zoning districts and specific plans:

• 1. Neighborhood stores district (C-1);
• 2. Neighborhood convenience center district (C-2);
• 3. General commercial district (C-3);
• 4. Highway commercial district (C-4);
• 5. Commercial industrial district (C-M);
• 6. Transitional district (T);
• 7. Administrative and professional office district (A-P);
• 8. Administrative-professional-commercial district (A-P-C);

9. Town center (TC), service commercial (SC), and town center- historic (TC-H) land use districts within specific plan 45;

10. General commercial (CG), commercial industrial (IC), administrative professional (AP), regional commercial (CR), and commercial transition (TC) land use districts within the east valley corridor specific plan;

11. Specific plan 25; and

12. Specific plan 33.

D. An "A-frame" or a "freestanding vertical pole banner" sign may be placed in the public right of way only when the business establishment for which such sign is permitted is open. The sign must be placed on the public sidewalk, directly in front of such business.

E. Each display face shall have a maximum area of six (6) square feet. An "A-frame" sign shall not exceed three feet (3') in height or two feet (2') in width. A "freestanding vertical pole banner" sign shall not exceed six feet (6') in height at its highest point, including structural mechanism, or two feet (2') in width. Changeable copy area of the sign is permitted for one hundred percent (100%) of the display face. No such sign may have special illumination and the display portion may have no parts which move, flash, blink or fluoresce. Fluorescent or "Day-Glo" colors are not allowed. No paper or nonrigid changeable copy areas are allowed.

F. An "A-frame" or a "freestanding vertical pole banner" sign shall not be permanently affixed to any object, structure or the ground, including utility poles, light poles, trees or other plants, or any merchandise or products displayed outside buildings. At no time shall a sign be placed in the street or in any position which impedes the smooth and safe flow of vehicular and pedestrian traffic, or which interferes with driver or pedestrian sightlines or corner clear zone requirements as specified by the city. No sign shall be placed in such a manner as to obstruct access to a public sidewalk, public street, driveway, parking space, fire door, fire escape or handicapped person access. A clear area of at least six feet (6') in width shall be maintained for pedestrian use over the entire length of the sidewalk in front of the business, and no sign shall be placed within eight feet (8') of a permanent pedestrian seating structure or area, or placed within a city parkway.

G. Signs shall not obscure or interfere with the effectiveness of any official notice or public safety device. Signs shall not simulate in color or design a traffic sign or signal, or make use of words, symbols or characters in such a manner as may confuse pedestrians or drivers.

H. Every sign and all parts thereof shall be kept in good repair. The display surface shall be kept clean, neatly painted and free from dust, rust and corrosion. Any cracked, broken surfaces, missing sign copy or other unmaintained or damaged portion of a sign shall be repaired or replaced or removed within twenty (20) days following notice by the city.

I. The "A-frame" and "freestanding vertical pole banner" signs allowed by this section may be displayed only by business establishments with ground floor frontage on streets, whose business is not already identified on a multiple-tenant street sign, who hold a currently valid city business license, who are not currently in violation of, or nonconformance with, any of the zoning, land use, environmental or business laws of the city, and who do not have a freestanding sign.

J. An application (in a form to be supplied by the city) and application fee (as established by resolution of the city council) will be required prior to the issuance of permit to allow a sign on the sidewalk in the public right of way. The permit will be issued by the city of Redlands municipal utilities and engineering department. The permit attaches to the business at the location specified. If the business is sold or transferred, and remains at the same location, then the permit shall automatically transfer to the new owner or transferee, who shall be bound to the terms and conditions of the original permit. However, if the business which first obtained the permit moves to a different location, or if the location is then taken by a new business, a new application and permit shall be required.

K. A permit is issued for one year, but may be revoked or canceled at will by the city. Any permit may be revoked for noncompliance, thirty (30) calendar days after notice of noncompliance remains uncured, or in the case where the sign constitutes a threat to the public health, safety or welfare. When a permit is revoked, the owner of the sign must physically remove it from the public right of way within twenty four (24) hours of notice of revocation. Upon failure to do so, the city may summarily remove the sign and hold it in storage for a maximum of thirty (30) days, during which time the owner may reclaim the sign upon payment of costs of removal and storage.

L. There is no guarantee that the city will continue the program stated herein. Permittees hold no expectation of renewal of any given permit, acquire no vested right to continue displaying the sign on public property, and waive all claims of uncompensated taking of private property as to the permitted sign when they submit an application for such sign. Each permittee must apply for permit renewal within sixty (60) days before the annual date of original issuance. Renewal may be sought on a form prepared by the city for that purpose with a fee as established by resolution of the city council. The city has no duty to remind or notify any permittee of the need to renew. Failure to timely seek renewal means that a new application must be submitted, with the new application fee. At the city's option, any given permit may be renewed by a stamp, sticker or official notation on the original permit, or by an entirely new permit, or by a letter indicating renewal.

M. The city may give notice, by any reasonable means, that consent to display an "A-frame" and "freestanding vertical pole banner" sign is or shall be withdrawn temporarily so as to serve a more urgent or more important public need, such as, without limitation, dealing with a natural disaster, a traffic emergency, a temporary need to make more space available on the public right of way, a civil disturbance, a parade, an election or other special event. In urgent situations, the city may summarily remove a permitted sign without notice, for a time sufficient to deal with the urgency. All permittees shall comply with all notices to temporarily remove the permitted signs, and to return them to display only in accordance with the city's directions.

N. A business issued a permit under this section shall obtain public liability insurance from an insurance company licensed to do business in the state of California which provides "occurrence" coverage against liability for death, personal injury or property damage arising out of or in any way connected with such event. Such insurance shall be in the amount of at least one million dollars ($1,000,000.00), combined single limit, and shall name the city and the city's elected officials, employees and agents as additional insureds under the coverage afforded. In addition, such insurance shall be primary and noncontributing with respect to any other insurance available to city. Proof of such insurance with endorsements, in a form approved by the city's risk manager, shall be filed with the city prior to the issuance of the permit, and such insurance shall be maintained in full force and effect as long as the "A-frame" or "freestanding vertical pole banner" is displayed.

O. The city may, at any time and for any reason, cancel or modify this program allowing "A-frame" and "freestanding vertical pole banner" signs in the public right of way. (Ord. 2785, 2013)

A. Intent As To Public Forum: The city's intent as to this section is to designate a strictly limited nonpublic forum, which allows only the posting, in places deemed convenient by the city, of directional information regarding tract housing developments which are currently selling homes located within the city.

B. Kiosk Signs: Kiosk signs are permanent freestanding structures, not exceeding ten (10) square feet in area, which contain modular information strips providing information about tract housing developments which are currently selling new homes located within the city. Such signs may display only the following information: the name of the development, developer and/or marketer thereof, and the direction and distance to the development from the sign.

C. Contract For Signs: The city may enter into a contract with a private contractor to design, erect, modify, replace, maintain and manage the kiosk signs allowed by this section.

D. Kiosk Management: In the event the city selects a contractor to manage the kiosks, the city may require the contractor to provide evidence of comprehensive general liability insurance coverage, in a form satisfactory to the city, which shall name the city as an additional insured and provide thirty (30) day notice to the city of modification or cancellation. The minimum liability coverage on such policy shall be one million dollars ($1,000,000.00). Any management contract shall include a provision for the contractor to hold harmless, defend and indemnify the city against all claims relating to property damage or personal injury, including death, which assert that the kiosk sign played any legally significant role in the creation of the liability.

E. Location Designations: The kiosks allowed by this section may be located only in areas designated by resolution of the city council. (Ord. 2520 § 1, 2002)

When the city allows a special event, sponsored by a private entity, the city shall state only the time, place, manner and quantity of signage allowed, and leave decisions as to which signs may be displayed as part of the event to the private party sponsor. When the city sponsors a special event, public property may be used to promote and identify the special event, but cosponsors, if any, shall be limited to commercial entities and commercial sign messages only. (Ord. 2520 § 1, 2002)

A. The city's intent as to this section is to designate a strictly limited public forum. Banners may be placed on city property at the city's designated locations on Citrus Avenue at Fifth Street and Cajon Street near Vine Street, along Terracina Boulevard from Fern Avenue to Olive Avenue, along Colton Avenue, from University Street to Grove Street, and within the downtown business district, as that area is defined in section 15.36.240, figure 14 of this code. Banners are subject to the size, construction and insurance criteria established by resolution of the city council. In addition, banners proposed to be located on streetlights and other city property shall be subject to the following:

1. An application for a staff sign review shall be submitted to, and approved by, the community development director.

2. All banners placed on city streetlights shall have a minimum clearance of eight feet (8') from the bottom of the banner to the ground.

3. The area of any individual banner shall not exceed twelve and one-half (121/2) square feet. (Ord. 2576 § 1, 2004: Ord. 2561 § 4, 2003: Ord. 2520 § 1, 2002)

A. The areas and times controlled by this section are designated to constitute a limited access, nonpublic forum which is strictly limited to commercial messages, and which is open only to those persons described in this section and on the terms stated in this section.

B. Freeway visible commercial signs relating to automobile businesses located within the city may be placed on particular portions of the city's armory site where they do not interfere with existing or reasonably foreseeable uses of the armory, and are subject to the consent of the state of California as lessee of the armory and the city. Signs shall not exceed ninety feet (90') in height; provided, however, the actual height of any sign shall be determined by a "balloon" or "flag" test and such height may exceed ninety feet (90') if necessary to provide reasonable visibility from the freeway. Signs shall not exceed an area of six hundred (600) square feet. The structure of a sign shall not endanger the health and safety by causing distractions to operators of motor vehicles.

C. A permit under this section will be issued only to an applicant doing automobile business within the city and who provides evidence of comprehensive general liability insurance coverage, in a form satisfactory to the finance director, which shall name the city as an additional insured and provide thirty (30) day notice of cancellation. The minimum liability coverage on such policy shall be one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) and coverage shall apply to claims of personal injury including death, property damage and advertising injury. Application for a permit shall be made to the city council and shall constitute an agreement to hold harmless, defend and indemnify the city against all claims relating to property damage or personal injury, including death, which assert that the permitted sign played any legally significant role in the creation of the liability. (Ord. 2520 § 1, 2002)

A. Intent As To Public Forum: The city's intent for this section is to designate a strictly limited nonpublic forum which allows the posting, only in places deemed convenient by the city, of directional information signs relating to certain institutional and nonprofit organization uses in the city.

B. Definitions: For purposes of this section, shall mean:

INSTITUTION: Public or private, state accredited four (4) year universities or colleges and full service state accredited public hospitals within the city limits.

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS: Nonprofit organizations, in good standing under the law, which have established educational or cultural facilities in the city that enhance tourism.

C. Size Of Signs: Directional signs shall not exceed fifteen (15) square feet in area, and may contain the following information:

• 1. The name of the institution or nonprofit organization,
• 2. Facilities within the institution or nonprofit organization,
• 3. Location of parking lots within the institution or nonprofit organization, and

4. Direction and distance to an institution's or nonprofit organization's designated parking lot or other facilities from the sign.

D. Directional Sign Permits; Application Forms And Procedures:

1. The development services director shall prepare and make available to the public a form of application for a directional sign permit which shall, when fully approved by the development services director, constitute a directional sign permit ("permit") and indicate the city's consent, in its proprietary capacity, for placement of a sign. The applicant for the permit must be the same person or entity who is to be the owner of the sign. The processing fee for each application, which shall not be refundable even if the application is denied, shall be the same as the fee for a private sign permit under this code or as established by resolution of the city council. The application form shall require the applicant to indicate that he or she has read this chapter and that the applicant shall abide by its terms, as well as any special terms or conditions which may be stated on the permit, and to abide by any new or different conditions which may be imposed on all permittees who are similarly situated.

2. Any sign permit issued in error may be summarily revoked by any officer of the city by simply informing the applicant of the nature of the error in issuance. Any applicant whose permit is revoked as issued in error may, at any time thereafter, submit a new permit application which cures any deficiencies in the original application. The application fee shall apply separately to each new application. Applications which fully comply with the terms and conditions of this chapter shall be duly issued. Applications which are denied, or permits which are revoked or suspended, may be appealed in the same manner as denials of sign permits, as described in this code.

3. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, an application for a directional sign permit shall be approved by the development services director. (Ord. 2758, 2011)

A. The intent of this section is to designate a strictly limited nonpublic forum which allows only posting, in places deemed convenient by the city, and in conjunction with Omnitrans or the appropriate designated areawide transportation company, of signs on bus shelters on city property.

B. "Bus shelters" are permanent freestanding structures, not exceeding eighty (80) square feet in area, which contain modular information about bus schedules as well as signs as provided by agreement between the city and Omnitrans.

C. Omnitrans is to construct the bus shelters in accordance with all applicable Americans with disabilities act guidelines and other federal, state and local laws, codes and ordinances. The type of shelter to be used at each location will be mutually agreed upon by city and Omnitrans.

D. Omnitrans shall maintain and clean the shelters, not less than once per month and within a fifteen foot (15') radius of the shelters not less than twice per week as required. Benches within said shelters are to be cleaned not less than once per week.

E. Omnitrans will also maintain receptacles for trash at the bus shelters and have them emptied at least twice per week.

F. Four (4) sign panels from the bus shelter's inventory shall be reserved for the city's use for public service announcements. The sign panels shall not exceed twenty eight (28) square feet.

G. Omnitrans and the city shall work cooperatively to identify bus shelter locations. No bus shelter shall be placed on public property without first obtaining all necessary approvals and permits from the city as set forth herein. (Ord. 2561 § 5, 2003)