San Anselmo Municipal Code Art. 5 Location, Structural and Safety Rules

The rules stated in this section regulate all signs within the scope of this chapter, as applicable, whether a permit is required or the sign is exempt from the permit requirement.

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

Unless a different orientation is specifically authorized, each sign shall be located on, and parallel to, the primary building face of the building, if any, in which the use is conducted.

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

No sign may be placed or located in such a manner as to constitute a safety hazard or to impede the public use of the public right-of-way, by factors such as sight distance, tripping hazard, etc.

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

Other than official government signs or warning signs required by law, no sign shall be placed in median strips or islands, on retaining walls, bridges, benches, traffic signals, poles or utility equipment, street lighting, or utility poles or on traffic signs or traffic sign posts or supporting structures, or on utility poles or anchor wires or guy wires. No sign may be cut, burned, marked or in any other displayed on a cliff, hillside or tree.

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

No sign shall be mounted or displayed in such a manner that it blocks or impedes the normal pedestrian use of public sidewalks; a minimum of four (4′) feet sidewalk width clearance shall be maintained at all times.

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

No sign may be placed, mounted, erected or installed in any manner which obstructs the use of any door, window or fire escape.

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

No freestanding sign may be less than two (2′) feet from any other sign, building or structure.

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

Signs erected or maintained at or near any street intersection may not obstruct the free and clear vision of drivers and pedestrians. Other than traffic control signals, no sign shall be installed in the visibility triangle at intersections.

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

No sign may be mounted or displayed when, by reason of position, shape or color, it may be confused with authorized traffic signs or signals.

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

Signs located or mounted on buildings shall not extend any higher than the lowest of any of the following:

(a) The window sills (or bottom of the window line) of the floor above that on which the lowest portion of the sign is located, unless a sign extending higher would not impair the function of, or view from, the windows, and would not be incompatible with the facade details;

(b) The top of the wall to which the sign is attached;

(c) Twenty (20′) feet above finished grade, except for second or third floor use signs which are otherwise authorized by this chapter;

(d) Freestanding signs may be permitted only under the variance procedure; in the case of freestanding signs, the variance procedure is limited as follows: no freestanding sign extend to an elevation higher than eleven (11′) feet above the level of the street which is nearest to the sign location.

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

No sign shall flash, blink, or emit a varying intensity of light or color, or make or emit any sound, or emit smoke or vapors.

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

Light sources shall be concealed or shielded to prevent or minimize light spillage, glare, momentary blindness, or other annoyance, disability or discomfort to persons within the view of such light sources.

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

Signs using exposed light sources, such as neon tubing, unshielded light bulbs or fluorescent tubes, or any interior lighted sign with transparent or translucent faces may receive final approval only when the Planning Commission finds that the light from the sign does not cause unreasonable glare or annoyance to passersby or neighbors. A permit to construct such a sign may be issued conditionally, and is not final until the Commission makes the necessary finding. Such finding may be made only at a duly noticed public hearing at which evidence is taken and a written decision is issued. The Planning Commission's inquiry shall not include consideration of the message content of the sign, and shall be restricted to the physical method of presentation of the message. Exterior lighting shall be designed to eliminate off-site spread of light through the use of hooded, low-level, low wattage light fixtures, which cast light in downward direction. Such lighting is permitted primarily for safety and security purposes, and must be unobtrusive and maintain privacy.

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

(a) All permanent signs shall be firmly anchored, shall comply with all requirements for public safety, and shall satisfy all applicable safety codes and all other applicable governmental enactments, rules, regulations, or policies.

(b) The following physical types of signs are prohibited, unless expressly allowed by another provision of this chapter:

(1) Signs using luminous, day-glow, fluorescent colors or materials, or reflective surfaces;

(2) To the extent not regulated by Section 3-5.1302 of this Code, banners, streamers and pennants; however, such devices may be displayed for a maximum of ten (10) consecutive calendar days during the operation of a temporary fair, carnival, circus, or athletic event;

(3) Billboards;

(4) Animated signs, moving image signs, readerboards and changeable image signs, except as specifically authorized by this chapter. Changeable image copy may be displayed by assembly uses with changing programs, such as theaters, auditoriums, houses of worship, schools, etc. On such uses, the display face upon which the changeable image is placed counts towards the total allowable display area which is subject to a permit. Changeable image signs may also be displayed by multi-unit nonresidential uses (such as shopping centers) and tenant directories on multi-tenant office buildings; in such cases, the total display area used for changeable images may not exceed ten (10) square feet; such area is included in the total display area subject to permit.

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