San Anselmo Municipal Code Art. 10 Administration, enforcement and public safety

This article states the provisions relating to administration, enforcement and public safety issues.

(Ord. 1053, eff. January 12, 2007)

(a) The area of a sign shall consist of the message, background, and any frame or outline but shall not include any material used exclusively for structural support. Where a sign message has no background material, or where the background is an undifferentiated wall, the area of the sign shall consist of the sum of the areas of the two (2) smallest adjoining rectangles which encompass the total message. The area of a multi-faced sign shall be the sum of the areas of its faces, but all faces together shall constitute only one (1) sign. The area of a conical, cylindrical, or spherical sign shall be the area of its surface.

(b) Height of a freestanding sign is calculated by measuring the vertical distance from the topmost part of the sign to the average grade for the footprint of the sign.

(Ord. 1053, eff. January 12, 2007)

The following signs may be abated as a public nuisance:

(a) Any sign which, by virtue of its physical structure, becomes an immediate and serious threat to the public safety;

(b) Any sign which is erected, maintained or displayed in violation of the provisions of this chapter or other applicable law;

(c) Any sign which no longer advertises or relates to the establishment on the same premises;

(d) Any sign which falls into disrepair or takes on a dilapidated appearance.

(Ord. 1053, eff. January 12, 2007)

Signs which meet any of the qualifications stated in the previous section may be abated in any manner provided by law.

(a) In the case of signs which, by virtue of their physical condition (as opposed to their graphic design or message content) pose a serious and immediate threat to the public safety, may be summarily removed and retained by the Town. In such case, the Town shall promptly give written notice to the sign or property owner, if known, of the emergency confiscation and the cost of redemption.

(b) Any confiscated sign may be redeemed by the owner within fifteen (15) calendar days after written notice is sent, upon the payment of a fee established by resolution to cover the costs and expenses of enforcement.

(Ord. 1053, eff. January 12, 2007)