San Anselmo Municipal Code Art. 8 Temporary, Moveable and Informational Signs, Nonresidential

On nonresidential uses, temporary and incidental signs may be erected, maintained and displayed according to this article. Unless otherwise stated, the signs described in this article may be displayed in addition to those described in Article 7 of this chapter, and are not subject to a permit.

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

In addition to signs authorized by other articles and sections, and in addition to those signs allowed under the message substitution provision, all legal nonresidential uses may erect, maintain and display signs exclusively used for noncommercial messages. If the mounting device qualifies as a "structure" under the Building Code, then all relevant requirements of that and other safety codes must be satisfied. Total number of such signs: not limited.

(a) Total display face area, at all times: four (4) square feet;

(b) Pre-election period. During the time period which begins forty-five (45) days before and ends five (5) days after a special, general, or primary election, the total display area for noncommercial messages on temporary structures may be increased to eighteen (18) square feet, with no individual sign to exceed eight (8) square feet. Such signs may be displayed only with the consent of the owner or legal occupant, may not project above the roofline of any building on the same parcel, and may be posted on walls or fences or windows, but not on trees or other plants.

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

Signs described in Civil Code 713 (real estate signs) may be erected, maintained and displayed on nonresidential uses, subject to:

(a) When placed on the subject property. Maximum size: six (6) square feet (measured one (1) side only). Display time: when the subject property is on the market, and up to ten (10) calendar days thereafter.

(b) When located on property other than that advertised.

(1) Signs giving directions to the subject property may be displayed while the property is on the market, subject to: three (3) square feet; maximum height: five (5′) feet above existing grade; illumination: prohibited; physical types: attached or freestanding. This provision does not authorize the placement of real estate directional signs on Town property or in the public right-of-way. Unless authorized in Chapter 10, real estate directional signs may not be placed on public property.

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

Nonresidential uses may display flags with noncommercial images or on-site commercial images, subject to: Maximum number of poles per parcel: one (1); maximum height of any freestanding pole: not exceeding the roofline of the principal building on the same parcel, or the height limit for the zone, whichever is less; maximum number of flags: five (5); maximum size of any one (1) flag: twenty-four (24) square feet; total area (measured one (1) side) of all flags on a given parcel or use: 100 square feet; mounting: directly or on shafts attached to a wall, door, window or fence, or on a freestanding pole.

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

In addition to the signs otherwise allowed, all nonresidential uses may display address numbers not greater than eighteen (18″) inches in height.

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

Signs identifying neighborhoods may be displayed on private property, subject to: maximum height: five (5′) feet; maximum display face area: six (6) square feet.

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

Signs displaying consumer information, such as hours of operation, help wanted, credit cards honored, association affiliations, vacancy, restrooms, danger warnings, hours of operation, open/closed, etc., may be displayed on nonresidential uses, subject to: maximum total display area of all such signs: four (4) square feet; location: flush on the building face or on a door or window. Such signs do not count towards the total amount of display area otherwise allowed. Permits are not required for such signs.

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

Signs displaying information which is authorized or required by law or regulation, other than this chapter, may be displayed according to the authorizing law, and do not count towards the otherwise applicable limits of total sign area.

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

Signs on vehicles and vessels, which are not excluded from the definition of sign, are authorized, subject to: the message must pertain to the business or establishment of which the vehicle or vessel is a part or tool, not including general advertising; such message may not utilize changeable copy or illumination.

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

For nonresidential uses serving food on the premises to the public, a menu may be displayed on private property adjacent to the main public entrance; the menu must be identical in size and all other respects to those made available to diners. Permit not required; menu display does not count toward the otherwise applicable total area.

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

Signs providing traffic direction and parking information to drivers and pedestrians may be erected, maintained and displayed on private property subject to: no commercial advertising on the copy; maximum display face area on any one (1) sign: six (6) square feet.

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

Establishments providing motor fuel to the public may display the following sign types, without permit, subject to the stated rules:

(a) One (1) sign per pump, located at or on the pump, which may be double-faced, not to exceed eight (8″) inches by ten (10″) inches; or two (2) signs per dispensing unit including the price, brand, type, and grade of motor fuel, the size of each not to exceed the area of the portion of the dispenser unit above the dispenser hoses; or

(b) One (1) permanently located sign elsewhere on the property advertising the grades of motor vehicle fuel offered for sale; such signs may be double-faced, not to exceed twenty (20) square feet per face and with numbers not to exceed twelve (12″) inches in height and letters not to exceed six (6″) inches in height;

(c) All gasoline service station signs shall be posted in accordance with the requirements of the State Business and Professions Code.

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

In zones C-1, C-2, C-3 and C-L only, nonresidential establishments may display a portable A-frame sign, subject to: display time: dawn to dusk; display face area: not exceeding six (6) square feet per side; number: not more than one (1) per establishment message types: noncommercial or on-site commercial, or any combination; illumination: not allowed; placement: only on private property, unless a permit has been issued under Chapter 10, Article 7, to allow it on Town Property, and in such a manner as not to impede normal pedestrian traffic.

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

(Ord. No. 1125, § 2, 9-11-2018)

Each nonresidential establishment located in a commercial or professional zone may erect, maintain and display one (1) projecting sign, subject to: sidewalk clearance - at least seven (7′) feet six (6″) inches; maximum size: not taller than six (6″) inches; total area per side: not exceeding three (3) square feet; illumination: not allowed; maximum projection over public right-of-way: forty-two (42″) inches, and then only if allowed by Chapter 10 and authorized by an encroachment permit.

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

For purposes of this section, a project to construct a residence is not a "residential use" until a certificate of occupancy has been issued.

(a) On any parcel where construction is occurring pursuant to all legally required permits, a temporary sign may be erected, maintained and displayed until the first occurring of the following events: a certification of completion is issued; the owner formally indicates acceptance of the project as complete; or a certification of occupancy (or its functional equivalent) is issued.

(b) On projects to construct a single-family residential structure: Maximum number of such signs: one (1) per street frontage. Maximum size of each sign: four (4) square feet; maximum height of any such sign, when freestanding: eight (8′) feet; illumination: not allowed; all applicable safety codes must be satisfied. Sign permit not required.

(c) On projects other than those to construct a single-family residential structure: Maximum number of such signs: one (1) per street frontage. Maximum size of each sign: twenty-four (24) square feet; maximum height of any such sign, when freestanding: eight (8′) feet; illumination: not allowed; all applicable safety codes must be satisfied. Sign permit not required.

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

In addition to all other authorized signs, each nonresidential establishment may display temporary signs for a maximum of seventy-five (75) days per calendar year, subject to: maximum display area: equal to twenty-five (25%) percent of the total window area on each street frontage; physical type: wall, window or door mounted.

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

In addition to other authorized signs, each nonresidential establishment may display a maximum of two (2) permanent window signs, each not exceeding one (1) square foot, applied by decal or paint or glass windows or doors.

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

When properly licensed, temporary and seasonal sales operations, such as Christmas tree lots, may display not more than two (2) signs per lot, the total area thereof not to exceed forty (40) square feet. The display period shall not exceed ninety (90) days in any one (1) calendar year.

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