Redwood City Municipal Code § 3.82 Government, Informational, Official, Utility and Legal Notice Signs

The signs described in this Division are exempt from the permit requirement and do not count toward the total display area limit which is otherwise applicable. However, the signs described in this division are still subject to the applicable safety codes and to all other applicable laws. Such signs may not block or interfere with the visibility triangle.

(Ord. No. 2309, § 2, 5-7-07)

Address signs that comply with the provisions of this Article, provided that no numeral exceeds eighteen inches (18″) in height.

(Ord. No. 2309, § 2, 5-7-07)

Maximum of one building identification sign per street-facing facade. Maximum of two feet (2′) in height.

(Ord. No. 2309, § 2, 5-7-07)

A. For lots less than one acre in size, the maximum number: one sign per lot frontage; maximum area: to thirty-two (32) square feet;

B. For lots one acre in size or more: one sign per lot frontage; maximum area: to sixty-four (64) square feet;

C. For all construction signs:

1. Maximum height: fifteen feet (15′).

2. Permissible display time: beginning with the grant of a building permit and ending with the earlier of notice of completion or certificate of occupancy for the subject development, or their functional equivalent.

3. Clearance for freestanding construction signs should be a minimum of eight feet (8′) clearance from grade to the base of the sign. If attached to a chain link fence, the sign should be located on private property and not encroach in the right-of-way.

4. Construction signs that remain following the issuance of a certificate of occupancy shall be deemed abandoned and may be abated by the City as a public nuisance.

(Ord. No. 2309, § 2, 5-7-07)

Signs providing directions to specific areas including, but not limited to, building entrances, parking facilities and onsite facilities may be displayed, subject to: maximum area: four (4) square feet; maximum height: four feet (4′).

(Ord. No. 2309, § 2, 5-7-07)

When the City has given all necessary approvals to a land use that is to begin in the future, then on such property, one sign may be displayed until the approved use actually begins, subject to:

A. For lots less than one acre maximum area: thirty-two (32) square feet;

B. For lots one acre in size or more: maximum area sixty-four (64) square feet;

C. For all future use signs: maximum height: fifteen feet (15′); maximum number: one per lot frontage. Clearance for future use signs should be a minimum of eight feet (8′) clearance from grade to the base of the sign. If attached to a chain link fence, the sign should be located on private property and not encroach in the right-of-way. If more than ninety (90) days have passed since the completion of the project, as evidenced by a certificate of occupancy, the future use sign is deemed abandoned and may be abated by the City as a public nuisance.

(Ord. No. 2309, § 2, 5-7-07)

Garage sale signs may be displayed on properties where the garage sale is occurring on the day that such sale is held. Each garage sale sign shall comply with the following requirements: maximum size of any one sign: four (4) square feet (measured one side only); maximum height: three feet (3′) in height above grade; maximum of four (4) signs per property per garage sale. Garage sale signs displayed on public property within the City are subject to the provisions of Section 3.153, Division 6, Article III, Signs on Public Property.

(Ord. No. 2309, § 2, 5-7-07)

Signs displayed by a public body or officer in the performance of a public duty or by any person pursuant to a governmental requirement or legal duty or function. This section applies to and includes signs whose function is to provide legal notice or functional information such as traffic signs, public transit signs, utility company signs, public restroom signs, warning signs and signs placed by a public agency for the purpose of guiding persons to emergency centers and places of public interest.

(Ord. No. 2309, § 2, 5-7-07)

When a legal land use is occupied by one or more individuals providing professional services, then each individual may display one sign on an exterior door, or a blade sign, subject to: maximum area: one square foot. This provision does not apply to residential property or home occupations.

(Ord. No. 2309, § 2, 5-7-07)

Subject to the property owner's consent, each legal residential use may display signs which display any combination of noncommercial speech, real estate signs, garage sale signs, construction signs, or noncommercial flags; each sign type is subject to the rules for that type. Except where otherwise expressly provided in this Article, off-site commercial messages are prohibited. Signs advertising home occupations are prohibited. Allowable signage may be of any of the following physical types: wall, projecting, freestanding, window. Such signage may not be or located within a visibility triangle. Freestanding signs may not exceed five feet (5′) in height. If the bottom three feet (3′) is not solid then the freestanding sign may not exceed six feet (6′) in height. Wall signs may not project above the roof line. Flags may be displayed by mounting on walls, windows or on a single pole whose height does not exceed the height limit of the specific zoning district in which the flag is located. Flags are not subject to a permit requirement, but a building permit is required for flag poles which must conform to all applicable requirements of the safety codes.

A. Signage for Single-Family Residential Property:

1. Maximum Area: Cumulative residential signage on any one single-family residential parcel may not exceed ten (10) square feet, except as otherwise provided.

2. Temporary Increase During Certain Periods: The total area of all signage on a legal residential use may be increased to fifteen (15) square feet during the time period ninety (90) days before a general, special or primary election, and ten (10) days after such election.

3. Flags: In addition to the signage allowance, subject to the property owner's consent, each legal residential use may display any number of noncommercial flags or banners totaling not more than sixteen (16) square feet in area (measured one side only).

4. Development Entrance Signs: Maximum height five feet (5′), maximum signage area twenty-four (24) square feet, measured one side.

B. Signage for Multifamily Residential Property:

1. Maximum Area: Multifamily residential property with less than one hundred feet (100′) of primary lot frontage may display one wall sign or freestanding signs, which shall not exceed fifteen (15) square feet in area. Multifamily residential properties with one hundred feet (100′) or more of primary lot frontage may display one wall or freestanding signs, which shall not exceed twenty-four (24) square feet in area.

2. Temporary Increase During Certain Periods: Subject to the property owner's consent, the total area of all signage on a residential unit in a multifamily property may be doubled what would otherwise be allowed, during the time period ninety (90) days before a primary, general or special election and ten (10) days after such election.

3. Flags: In addition, the property may display any number of noncommercial flags not exceeding a cumulative area of sixteen (16) square feet in area (measured one side only) for properties with less than one hundred feet (100′) of primary frontage and a cumulative area of twenty-four (24) square feet in area for properties with one hundred feet (100′) or more of primary lot frontage.

4. Residential Development Entrance Signs:

a. Properties with more than one hundred feet (100′) of lot frontage may display one residential development entrance sign which shall not exceed twenty-four (24) square feet in area, five feet (5′) in height or if bottom three feet (3′) is not solid, then the sign shall not exceed six feet (6′) in height.

b. Properties with less than one hundred feet (100′) of lot frontage may display one residential development entrance sign which shall not exceed fifteen (15) square feet in area, five feet (5′) in height or if bottom three feet (3′) is not solid, then the sign shall not exceed six feet (6′) in height.

(Ord. No. 2309, § 2, 5-7-07)

Scoreboards used for athletic or competitive events and located at the site where the event takes place.

(Ord. No. 2309, § 2, 5-7-07)

Maximum height four feet (4′), maximum signage area three (3) square feet, measured one side.

(Ord. No. 2309, § 2, 5-7-07)

Provided such signs comply with the area requirements of Section 3.124F.

(Ord. No. 2309, § 2, 5-7-07)

In addition to signage otherwise allowed, motor vehicle fuel stations may display fuel price signs that are required to comply with State law.

(Ord. No. 2309, § 2, 5-7-07)

Subject to the provisions of this article.

(Ord. No. 2309, § 2, 5-7-07)

Unless a building permit or electrical permit is required, real estate signs that comply with the requirements of this Division may be displayed without obtaining a permit from the City. Each sign shall be removed within ten (10) days following the close of escrow on the sale or exchange of the property, the execution of a lease or the withdrawal of the property from the market, or the completion of the economic transaction proposed by the sign. The signs may not be placed in such a manner as to constitute a traffic hazard or an obstruction of view for drivers. For signs installed on public property refer to Division 6, Article III.

(Ord. No. 2309, § 2, 5-7-07)

Real estate signs may be displayed on nonresidential property, subject to the regulations stated in this Section.

A. Physical Type:

1. Freestanding.

2. Portable.

3. Wall Signs or Windows Signs.

B. Size and Height:

1. Freestanding Signs:

a. Properties with one hundred feet (100′) or more of linear frontage: Maximum of sixty-four (64) square feet in area, fifteen feet (15′) in height.

b. Properties with less than one hundred feet (100′) of linear frontage: Maximum of thirty-two (32) square feet in area, six feet (6′) in height.

2. Portable Signs:

a. Maximum of nine (9) square feet in area, three feet (3′) in width, three feet (3′) in height.

3. Wall Signs or Window Signs:

a. Properties with one hundred feet (100′) or more of linear frontage: Maximum of sixty-four (64) square feet in area.

b. Properties with less than one hundred feet (100′) of linear frontage: Maximum of thirty-two (32) square feet in area.

C. Placement:

1. Portable signs may be displayed at off-site locations so long as they are on private property with the property owner's consent.

2. Wall signs may be displayed above the building roof line no higher than thirty percent (30%) of the sign height.

D. Number:

1. Freestanding and wall signs: a maximum of one of each type may be displayed per street frontage. Properties with one hundred feet (100′) or more of street frontage. One sign of either type is allowed for properties with less than one hundred feet (100′) of linear frontage.

2. Portable signs: a maximum of four (4) total for both on-site and off-site locations.

E. Time: Portable signs may be displayed only when the property is offered for sale, lease or exchanged, and any additional days as designated by the director.

(Ord. No. 2309, § 2, 5-7-07)

Real estate signs may be displayed on residential property subject to the regulations stated in this Section.

A. Physical Type:

1. Freestanding Signs.

2. Portable Signs.

3. Wall Signs or Window Signs.

B. Size and Height:

1. Freestanding Signs:

a. Properties with four (4) or more units: maximum of thirty-two (32) square feet in area, fifteen feet (15′) in height;

b. Properties with less than four (4) units: maximum of twelve (12) square feet in area, six feet (6′) in height.

2. Portable Signs:

a. Maximum of nine square feet in area, three feet (3′) in width, three feet (3′) in height.

3. Wall Signs or Window Signs:

a. Maximum of four (4) square feet in area, three feet (3′) in height. For properties with four (4) or more units. A maximum of twelve (12) square feet in area for properties with less than four (4) units.

C. Placement:

1. Portable signs may be displayed at off-site locations so long as they are on private property with the property owner's consent.

2. Wall signs may be displayed above the building roof line no higher than thirty percent (30%) of the sign height (properties with six (6) or more units only).

D. Number:

1. Freestanding and wall signs: a maximum of one of each type may be displayed per street frontage (four (4) units or more). One sign of either type is allowed for properties with less than four (4) units.

2. Portable signs: a maximum of four (4) signs total for both on-site and off-site locations.

E. Time: Portable signs may be displayed only when the property is offered for sale, lease or exchanged, and any additional days as designated by the director.

(Ord. No. 2309, § 2, 5-7-07)