Redwood City Municipal Code § 3.136 Master Sign Program Review Process

The purpose of a master sign program is to achieve architectural harmony in the appearance of all signs that are displayed on one property or development. All master sign programs shall automatically incorporate all of the provisions of Section 3.59, Basic Principles.

(Ord. No. 2309, § 2, 5-7-07)

The owners of two (2) or more contiguous lots or the owner of a single lot containing multiple tenancies may apply for a master sign program. In addition, a master sign program shall be required as a condition of approval for the following projects:

A. Multiple Occupancy Projects: Effective the date of adopting this ordinance, no sign permit shall be issued for a property with multiple commercial tenants until a master sign program is approved by the City. Thereafter, any sign face change or replacement of an existing sign shall be in compliance with the provisions of the approved master sign program.

B. Planned Developments: A master sign program shall be required as a condition of approval for any Planned Development (PD) project and any proposed project with multiple commercial tenants. A master sign program shall be established prior to the installation of any individual signs for such projects.

Applications for approval of new and amended master sign programs are subject to review and approval by the Director. Each master sign program shall designate the number, size, location, structural design, and materials for each type of signs on the property. All master sign programs shall be deemed to incorporate by reference all of the provisions of the Basic Principles section of this Article, as that Section may be amended from time to time.

(Ord. No. 2309, § 2, 5-7-07)

The Director may approve an application for a master sign program which modifies the regulations of this Article which would otherwise apply to the noncommunicative aspects of signs, provided the following findings are made:

A. Identification Need: Strict adherence to the requirements of this Article would unduly impede or interfere with the ability of one or more establishments to provide adequate identification to the public in an equitable manner compared to other similarly situated establishments or developments.

B. Compatibility: The signs are in architectural harmony and scale with buildings on the property and in the immediate vicinity.

C. Approval: The City approves the master sign program only so far as it regulates the noncommunicative aspects of signs. It is the role and duty of the applicant alone to control matters such as color schemes, standard fonts and coordinating imagery.

(Ord. No. 2309, § 2, 5-7-07)

A request for approval of an amendment to an existing master sign program may be made in the same manner as applying for initial approval of a master sign program.

(Ord. No. 2309, § 2, 5-7-07)

An application for approval of a new or amended master sign program on a property with existing nonconforming signs shall include a schedule for bringing the existing signs into conformance with the provisions of this Article and the proposed program.

(Ord. No. 2309, § 2, 5-7-07)

Upon approval of a master sign program, no signs shall be erected, placed, painted or maintained on the subject property except in conformance with the approved program. The landlord or property owner or manager shall attach a copy of the sign program to each lease agreement. The provisions of a master sign program shall be enforced as set forth in Division 8 of this Article. Approval of a master sign program does not waive the permit requirements for any individual sign.

(Ord. No. 2309, § 2, 5-7-07)

Precise plans and specific plans may establish sign standards which vary from the standards otherwise applicable under this Article only as to the noncommunicative aspects of signs. All such plans shall automatically incorporate all provisions of the Basic Principles section of this Article, as that section may be amended from time to time.

(Ord. No. 2309, § 2, 5-7-07)