Redlands Municipal Code Art. III General Sign Standards

A. Temporary signs are for sales, special events, business promotions, and other events which occur over a limited time.

B. Both faces of a dual faced sign (except as otherwise specifically permitted by this chapter) shall contain the same words, artwork and logo. (Ord. 2552 § 1, 2004)

A. It is unlawful for any person to erect, construct, reconstruct, install, place, build, hang, paint, draw, affix, fasten, alter, relocate, or maintain a "sign", as defined in this chapter, without first obtaining all required approvals and permits, and making payment of fees as required by the city, except as noted in subsection B of this section and for specific sign types in this chapter. Permits may include planning, building and/or electrical permits or sign permits.

B. No sign permit shall be required for the following types of signs. Building or electrical permits may be required.

• 1. Open house signs.
• 2. Sale, rent, and lease signs.
• 3. Window signs.
• 4. Exempt signs. (Ord. 2552 § 1, 2004)

All applications for sign approvals and/or permits shall be made on forms provided by the community development department. The director shall determine the required information to be specified on these forms. (Ord. 2552 § 1, 2004)

A. Sign Approvals: All signs, except as specifically noted in this chapter, require approval by the city. The following sections describe required sign related approvals.

B. Freestanding Signs: The location size and architectural design of all freestanding signs and support structures (except construction and temporary signs) shall be approved by the planning commission. Replacement of a sign without any structural change, such as replacement of sign elements including, but limited to, individual channel letters or increase in sign area, on existing freestanding sign structures shall be approved by the director.

C. Roof Signs: Roof signs or roof mounted signs are discouraged. However, such signs may be permitted upon the finding that: 1) the sign is an integral part of the design of a building, such as signs incorporated into roof screens or parapet walls; 2) the sign is compatible with the design of the building; and 3) the location of the sign is aesthetically consistent with the project and nearby building and architecture.

D. Building Mounted Signs: Unless specified otherwise in a specific plan, sign program, or other regulation, the location, size, and architectural design of all building mounted signs may be approved by the director. Replacement of sign copy on existing building mounted signs may be approved by the director with reasonable conditions to ensure compliance with this chapter.

E. Sign Programs: The planning commission shall approve all sign programs and amendments to sign programs.

F. Signs Larger Than One Hundred Twenty Square Feet In Area: All signs and sign programs that have signs larger than one hundred twenty (120) square feet shall be permitted upon approval of a conditional use permit application. The city council shall approve the sign or sign program by a four-fifths (4/5) vote of the entire authorized membership of the city council.

1. Approval Of Application; Findings: The city council, in approving a conditional use permit, shall find as follows:

a. The size of the sign is compatible with the design, architecture, and scale of the building(s) and/or project.

b. The size of the sign is aesthetically consistent with the project, adjacent areas, and the city.

c. The size of the sign is needed to provide necessary project identity for the benefit of the general public.

2. Public Hearing By City Council: A public hearing shall be held by the city council after a complete application has been filed and legally required notice given for the hearing.

a. Notice shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation, not less than ten (10) days before the date set for the council hearing. The notice shall contain all data related to the case.

b. Notices shall be mailed not less than ten (10) days prior to the date of the meeting to owners of property within a radius of three hundred feet (300') of the external boundaries of the property described in the application, using for this purpose the name and address of such owners as are shown on the latest official tax roll of the county. Such notice shall contain all data related to the case.

G. Permit Issuance Does Not Prevent Stop Work Orders: The granting of a permit shall not prevent the city from thereafter requiring the correction of errors in the work, or from preventing further operations being carried on thereunder when in violation of the provisions of this chapter or any other ordinance of the city. (Ord. 2552 § 1, 2004)

All signs shall comply with the following criteria:

A. All transformers, equipment, programmers and other related items shall be screened, painted to match the building, or concealed within the sign structure.

B. To reduce energy use, all sign illumination systems shall incorporate contemporary energy saving techniques and materials.

C. All permanent signs shall be constructed of quality, low maintenance materials such as metal, concrete, natural stone, glass or acrylics. Techniques shall be incorporated during construction to reduce fading and damage caused by exposure to sunlight.

D. All signs shall be constructed in compliance with all applicable building, electrical and other codes in effect at the time of construction or maintenance, with particular respect to wind and seismic loads and overturning moment.

E. All freestanding signs which incorporate lighting shall have underground utility service.

F. Signs shall be cleaned, updated and/or repaired as necessary to maintain an attractive appearance and to ensure safe operation of the sign. Unacceptable sign conditions include broken or missing sign faces, broken or missing letters, chipped or peeling paint, missing or inoperative lights, exposed mechanical or electrical components and missing or broken fasteners. Failure to respond to a written request from the city to perform maintenance work shall result in revocation of the sign's permit.

G. All temporary signs and banners shall be made of a material designed to maintain an attractive appearance for as long as the sign is displayed.

H. No sign support shall be attached to, or supported by, a fire escape.

I. All illuminated signs shall be of such an intensity or arranged in such a manner so as not to create glare for abutting properties or vehicular traffic. (Ord. 2552 § 1, 2004)

A. No monument or pedestal sign within one hundred feet (100') of a residential zoning district shall be lighted unless the illumination is concentrated upon the area of the sign and does not cast glare upon any dwelling.

B. Monument or pedestal signs shall not extend over public property or right of way.

C. Monument or pedestal signs in a corner cutoff area shall not extend higher than three feet (3') above the adjacent curb top (or road centerline if there is no curb). (Ord. 2552 § 1, 2004)

Internally illuminated signs shall be limited to the following maximum brightness:

A. Neon signs: Shall not exceed thirty milliamps (30 mA).

B. Exposed incandescent bulbs: Shall not exceed fifteen (15) watts. (Ord. 2552 § 1, 2004)

The following sign types are not permitted:

A. Any sign not specifically identified in this chapter as permitted shall be prohibited.

B. No person, except a public officer or employee in performance of a public duty or a contractor for a public agency, shall place or fasten any type of sign or advertising on public property or on any public structure (including, but not limited to, pavement, sidewalk, parking place, step, curbstone, lamppost, pole, signpost, hydrant, bridge, wall or tree) except as may be required by ordinance or law or as authorized in the downtown business district in compliance with the requirements of this chapter.

C. The following types of signs are prohibited:

1. Any sign, any portion of which (including its supports) may obstruct any fire escape, stairway or standpipe.

2. A sign that may interfere with human exit through any window or any room located above the first floor of any building.

3. A sign where the sign or its supports may obstruct any exterior door or required exit of any building.

4. A sign that may obstruct any legally required light and ventilation.

5. A sign that, as a result of the intensity, direction or color of its lighting or illumination, may interfere with the proper operation of, or cause confusion to the operator of, a motor vehicle on the public streets.

6. Billboard signs, reader boards, bench signs, or wind signs or devices.

7. Combination signs.

8. A sign with outline tubing or neon used on the sign support structures or running from the sign across the building and thereby invalidating the sign area limitations. Note: The use of neon on a building is permitted, as provided in this chapter.

9. Obsolete signs unless designated as historic.

10. Pennants, streamers, or other similar signs including those which are suspended from ropes, strings, or similar devices, except as provided in section 15.36.390, "Automobile And Watercraft Dealership Signs", of this chapter.

11. Portable signs not permanently attached to the ground or a building, except for banner signs which are regulated by this chapter and portable and projecting signs as permitted within the downtown business district in accordance with this chapter, and portable signs regulated by chapter 12.55 of this code.

12. Projecting signs, except as permitted in section 15.36.240 of this chapter.

13. Pole signs, except as freeway signs and automobile dealership signs in accordance with this chapter.

14. Balloons of any shape or size, except as permitted in section 15.36.390 of this chapter. (Ord. 2552 § 1, 2004)

Signs located under canopies or overhangs shall meet the following requirements:

A. The sign may have a double face; the area of one face may not exceed three (3) square feet.

B. The sign shall be perpendicular to the wall of the building or property line.

C. A clearance of eight feet (8') shall be maintained over the pavement or grade directly below.

D. The sign area shall be considered part of the maximum allowable for the entity concerned.

E. Only one under canopy or under marquee sign shall be permitted for each entity. (Ord. 2552 § 1, 2004)

Sign programs are encouraged as a means to provide consistency among signs. A sign program shall include the following elements:

A. A sign program may specify standards more restrictive or specific than this chapter or another applicable regulation, but may not contain standards less restrictive or less specific.

B. All unified centers, as defined in this chapter, shall prepare a sign program.

C. A sign program shall contain the following information for all signs, including on site directional and informational signs:

1. Design Elements: The design, materials of construction, colors, (graphically shown), lighting and dimensions shall be clearly illustrated.

2. Plot Plan: A plot plan illustrating all improved areas, including landscaping, and signs drawn to scale to show the location of each sign.

3. Elevations: All signs are to be illustrated and dimensioned in elevation drawings. When a sign is attached to a building, the illustration shall be a composite of the sign and the building, rendered to scale.

4. Side View Illustration: Side view and any other illustration(s) required for clarity.

D. A sign program may also contain other information as necessary to establish regulations to ensure that signs are consistent and attractive, including:

1. Size standards, if different from the standards for the underlying zoning district, specific plan, or other approval;

• 2. Sign colors;
• 3. Letter style;
• 4. Sign materials;
• 5. Types of signs permitted;

6. Sign review and approval procedures, if different from the standards for the underlying zoning district, specific plan, or other approval;

7. Transfer of unused sign area from one business to another. (Ord. 2552 § 1, 2004)

Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, the following provisions shall control the placement of non-commercial, temporary signs on private property.

A. One or more signs identifying, displaying, directing, or attracting attention to, or conveying a particular idea for, a non-commercial event occurring on a certain identifiable date may be placed on any parcel of privately-owned real property.

B. Any sign identifying, displaying, directing or attracting attention to, or conveying an idea related to, a non-commercial event which is to occur on a certain identifiable date shall not be placed on a privately-owned parcel of property more than sixty (60) days prior to the date of the event, and shall be removed no later than seven (7) days after the date of the event.

C. All signs subject to this section shall be constantly maintained in a state of security, safety, and good repair. If the City determines that a sign subject to this section is unsafe or not secured, or otherwise causes a hazard to the public safety, or has been constructed, erected, relocated or altered in violation of this title, the City shall give written notice to the owner of the sign, or the person who claims responsibility for the sign, that: 1) the sign is in violation of this section, 2) shall specify the nature of the violation, and 3) shall direct the owner of, or the person responsible for, the sign to remove, or alter such sign, to alleviate the hazard or violation. If the City cannot determine the owner of the sign, or person responsible therefor, the City shall post such notice on, or adjacent to, each sign found in violation of this section. If the owner of the sign, or the person responsible therefor, fails to comply with the notice within five (5) days after the date such notice is given, the sign shall be deemed abandoned and the City may cause such sign to be removed and the cost thereof shall be paid to the City by the owner of, or person responsible for, the sign. (Ord. 2874, 2018)