Chapter 1 — ERECTION OF SIGNS, MARQUEES AND AWNINGS

Signs, marquees, awnings and similar devices serve many purposes, including identifying businesses and other entities,

advertising their products and services, providing hours of operation and other helpful information. These devices, when not constructed, installed, located or maintained properly, however, may present a hazard to life and property. The purpose of this chapter is to regulate signs, marquees, awnings and similar devices in the unincorporated area of the County to insure the public health and safety. This chapter does not apply to signs the County erects or installs.

(Added by Ord. No. 9974 (N.S.), effective 4-3-09)

Signs, marquees, awnings and similar devices regulated by this chapter are also subject to regulations contained in: (a) the County Zoning Ordinance, (b) Title 5, Division 1, Chapter 2, regulating light pollution, (c)Title 9, Division 1, Chapters 1 and 2, relating to erection, construction and placement of structures and (d) other chapters in this code relating to specific types of signs. When more than one regulation applies to a device regulated by the Zoning Ordinance or this code the most restrictive regulation shall apply.

(Added by Ord. No. 9974 (N.S.), effective 4-3-09)

The following definitions shall apply to this chapter:

(a) "Awning" means an architectural projection that provides weather protection, identity or decoration and is wholly supported by the building to which it is attached. An awning is comprised of a lightweight, rigid skeleton structure over which a covering is attached.

(b) "Banner" means a sign usually made of a flexible material that has limited durability, such as paper, cloth or plastic.

(c) "Director PDS" means the Director of the County Department of Planning and Development Services and any other person hired or appointed by the Director to enforce or administer this chapter.

(d) "Director DPW" means the Director of the County Department of Public Works and any other person hired or appointed by the Director to enforce or administer this chapter.

(e) "Marquee" means a permanent roofed structure attached to and supported by a building and includes a sign attached to it.

(f) "Parkway" means the distance measured from the curb face to the property line of a road right of way and includes the area normally set aside for sidewalks.

(g) "Projecting sign" means a sign other than a wall sign, which projects from and is supported by a wall of a building or other structure.

(h) "Road right of way" means the area designated for use as a street, including the travel portion of the street, the shoulders, curbs, gutters and parkways.

(i) "Sign" means a device which displays information with words, colors, shapes, lights or symbols to provide information that identifies, promotes, advertises or provides directions to a business or other organization, an event, an individual, a place, a product or service.

(j) "Street" means a County highway, State highway, other public road or alley, or a private thoroughfare at least ten feet wide that connects with a County highway, State highway, other public road or an alley which provides primary access to an abutting lot.

(k) "Vertical sign" means a sign where the horizontal dimension of the sign is less than its vertical dimension.

(Added by Ord. No. 9974 (N.S.), effective 4-3-09; amended by Ord. No. 10224 (N.S.), effective 10-25-12)

(a) It shall be unlawful for a person to construct, erect or install or cause another person to construct, erect or install a sign, marquee or awning or other similar device without a building permit. It shall also be unlawful for a person to commence work to construct, erect or install or cause another person to commence work to construct, erect or install a sign, marquee or awning or other similar device without a building permit.

(b) An applicant for a building permit under this section shall submit an application for the permit on a form provided by the Director PDS. The application shall be accompanied by the permit and plan check fees required by the County Administrative Code and contain all information requested on the form. When required by the Director, the application shall also be accompanied by a plot plan and other plans and information the Director deems necessary to determine whether the project as proposed complies with this code and any other applicable laws and requirements.

(Added by Ord. No. 9974 (N.S.), effective 4-3-09; amended by Ord. No. 10224 (N.S.), effective 10-25-12)

(a) It shall be unlawful for a person to construct, erect or install or cause another person to construct, erect or install a sign, marquee or awning or other device where a portion of the device overhangs a County maintained road right of way, without an encroachment permit issued by the Director DPW. It shall also be unlawful for a person to commence work to construct, erect or install or cause another person to commence any work to construct, erect or install a sign, marquee or awning or other similar device where a portion of the device overhangs a County maintained road right of way, without an encroachment permit issued by the Director DPW.

(b) An applicant for an encroachment permit under this section shall submit an application for the permit on a form provided by the Director DPW. The application shall be accompanied by the permit and plan check fees required by the County Administrative Code and contain all information requested on the form. When required by the Director, the application shall also be accompanied by a plot plan and other plans and information the Director deems necessary to determine whether the project as proposed is safe and complies with this code and any other applicable laws and regulations.

(Added by Ord. No. 9974 (N.S.), effective 4-3-09; amended by Ord. No. 10323 (N.S.), effective 2-28-14)

The United States, the State of California, a school district, a county or a city shall not be required to pay a permit fee under sections 51.104 and 51.105.

(Added by Ord. No. 9974 (N.S.), effective 4-3-09)

Where a person commences work to construct, erect or install, or constructs, erects or installs a sign, marquee or awning or other similar device without a building permit or an encroachment permit required by this chapter, the person shall pay a permit fee equal to double the cost of the permit had the person obtained the permit before commencing work. The purpose of the increased fee is not intended to be a penalty, but is intended to reimburse the County for expenses incurred to enforce this chapter. The County may waive all or part of the fee at the sole discretion of the Director of the enforcing department. A person who is required to pay the extra fee shall not be excused from complying with all the requirements of this chapter and shall be subject to any other penalty prescribed by law.

(Added by Ord. No. 9974 (N.S.), effective 4-3-09)

No person shall place or maintain a sign, marquee awning or similar device above a road right of way that obstructs the view of a person traveling on the road right of way and creates a hazardous condition to the person traveling.

(Added by Ord. No. 9974 (N.S.), effective 4-3-09)

Whenever a sign is attached to, supported by or a part of a marquee, the sign and marquee shall comply with the requirements of this chapter.

(Added by Ord. No. 9974 (N.S.), effective 4-3-09)

A sign that requires a building permit pursuant to this chapter shall display the sign maker's name. The name shall be clearly legible and displayed in a conspicuous place on the sign.

(Added by Ord. No. 9974 (N.S.), effective 4-3-09; amended by Ord. No. 10323 (N.S.), effective 2-28-14)

No sign, marquee, awning or similar device shall overhang any portion of a road right of way unless there is a concrete curb and a ten foot parkway adjacent to the property, which extends the full length of the property on which the building or structure is or will be located and the curb meets the County Public Road Standards.

(Added by Ord. No. 9974 (N.S.), effective 4-3-09)

(a) No person shall install or maintain a sign, marquee, awning or other similar device that will interfere with the vision of a person traveling on a road right of way. An applicant for a permit for a sign, marquee, awning or other similar device that includes lighting that will be visible from a road right of way shall provide evidence from a California registered traffic engineer or other qualified professional that the lighting will not interfere with a traveler's vision.

(b) No person shall install or maintain a sign, marquee, awning or other similar device that contains the words, "stop here", "stop", "turn here", "slow", "detour" or other similar words or phrases that are likely to distract, confuse or mislead a person traveling on a road right of way.

(Added by Ord. No. 9974 (N.S.), effective 4-3-09)

A sign, marquee, awning or similar device that overhangs a road right of way shall not advertise a business other than the business being conducted on the property to which the sign, marquee, awning or other similar device is attached. The only advertising matter that shall be allowed on an awning overhanging a street is the name of the owner of the facility and the name of the facility to which the awning is attached.

(Added by Ord. No. 9974 (N.S.), effective 4-3-09)

A marquee may project over a portion of a road right of way as follows:

(a)

Overhead Clearance Between Marquee and Maximum Allowable Projection of Marquee Sidewalk Grade Over Street Right-of-Way

Less than 8 ft. Not allowed 8 ft. 1 ft. 1 ft. plus 6 inches for each foot of clearance in 8 ft. to 16 ft. excess of 8 ft. Over 16 ft. 5 ft.

(b) There shall be a horizontal clearance of not less than five feet between the marquee and the street face of the curb directly below the marquee.

(c) No marquee shall project into a public alley below a height of 16 feet, nor project more than 12 inches where the marquee is located 16 feet to 18 feet above grade. A marquee may project no more than 36 inches into the public alley where the marquee is located more than 18 feet above grade.

(Added by Ord. No. 9974 (N.S.), effective 4-3-09)

Where allowed by the Zoning Ordinance, a marquee may overhang a portion of a front yard, provided that:

(a) Where the marquee projects more than eight feet from the building to which it is attached, there shall be at least a 12- foot clearance between the ground level directly below the marquee and the lowest point of the marquee.

(b) Where the marquee projects eight feet or less from the building to which it is attached, there shall be at least an eight- foot clearance between the ground directly below the marquee and the lowest point of the marquee.

(c) The maximum height or thickness of a marquee measured vertically from its lowest to its highest point shall not exceed three feet when the marquee projects more than eight feet from the building to which it is attached and shall not exceed nine feet when the marquee projects eight feet or less from the building to which it is attached.

(Added by Ord. No. 9974 (N.S.), effective 4-3-09)

A marquee constructed or installed after the effective date of this chapter shall meet the following requirements:

(a) A marquee shall be supported entirely from the building to which it is attached.

(b) The roof of a marquee or any part of the marquee may be a skylight, provided that wire glass not less than one- quarter inch thick, with no single pane more than 18 inches wide, is used.

(c) Every roof and skylight of a marquee shall be sloped to down-spouts, which shall conduct any drainage from the marquee over the sidewalk to the street face of the curb.

(d) Every marquee shall be located so as not to interfere with the operation of an exterior standpipe or obstruct the clear passage of a stairway or exit from the building or the installation or maintenance of an electrolier.

(Added by Ord. No. 9974 (N.S.), effective 4-3-09)

An awning may overhang a portion of a road right of way subject to the same conditions and restrictions applicable to a marquee as provided in this chapter, as long as the clearance between the sidewalk grade directly below the awning and the lowest part of any cloth or fringe attached to the awning is at least eight feet.

(Added by Ord. No. 9974 (N.S.), effective 4-3-09)

(a) A sign, other than a sign attached to, supported by or a part of a marquee, may overhang a portion of a street subject to the same conditions and restrictions applicable to a marquee, as provided in this chapter.

(b) A vertical sign placed at the corner of two intersecting streets shall be placed so as to make the same angle with both streets and shall lie along a line bisecting the angle made by the intersection of the property lines. A vertical sign shall not exceed 16 inches in thickness. The sign may extend vertically any safe distance.

(Added by Ord. No. 9974 (N.S.), effective 4-3-09)

Where authorized by the Zoning Ordinance, a sign, awning or other similar device, other than a marquee, may overhang a portion of a front yard under the same conditions that it may overhang a street, as provided in this chapter, except the required clearance above ground shall be made from the ground level rather than from the sidewalk grade and no curb or parkway is required in front of the property as required in section 51.111.

(Added by Ord. No. 9974 (N.S.), effective 4-3-09)

A sign projecting more than 12 inches over a road right of way shall be hung at right angles to the face of the building to which it is attached, subject to the requirements in section 51.118(b). This section shall not apply to a sign that is supported by, is attached to or is a part of a marquee.

(Added by Ord. No. 9974 (N.S.), effective 4-3-09)

A sign placed on top of a parapet or fire wall of a building shall be constructed so as to leave a clear space of three feet between the ends of the sign and the parapet or fire wall, extending back from the wall of the building on which the sign is located.

(Added by Ord. No. 9974 (N.S.), effective 4-3-09)

The Director DPW may issue a permit authorizing a person to install and maintain one or more banners over a road right to way subject to limitations in the Zoning Ordinance applicable to special purpose off-premise signs.

(Added by Ord. No. 9974 (N.S.), effective 4-3-09; amended by Ord. No. 10323 (N.S.), effective 2-28-14)

The Director DPW may issue a permit authorizing a person to install and maintain seasonal decorations over or along a road right of way. The permit shall not authorize advertising matter as a part of the seasonal decorations.

(Added by Ord. No. 9974 (N.S.), effective 4-3-09)

Cornices, belt courses, water tables, sills, capitals, bases and other decorative features on a building may project over a road right of way provided there is adequate clearance between the lowest point of the projection and the sidewalk grade directly below, subject to approval of the Director DPW. The Director DPW shall use the following criteria to determine if the clearance is adequate:

(a) If the clearance above grade is less than eight feet no projection is allowed.

(b) If the clearance above grade is eight feet or more, one inch of projection is allowed for each inch of clearance over

eight feet, but no projection shall exceed one foot.

(Added by Ord. No. 9974 (N.S.), effective 4-3-09)

(a) The Director PDS and the Director DPW may revoke a permit they issue pursuant to this chapter if the terms of the permit are violated or the person to whom the permit was issued violates this code or any County ordinance applicable to the device for which the permit was issued or when necessary to protect the public health or safety.

(b) The Director DPW may suspend a permit issued pursuant to this chapter for a device that overhangs a road right of way if, in the Director DPW's judgment, continued maintenance of the encroachment creates an operations or safety concern.

(Added by Ord. No. 9974 (N.S.), effective 4-3-09; amended by Ord. No. 10224 (N.S.), effective 10-25-12; amended by Ord. No. 10323 (N.S.), effective 2-28-14)

If the Director PDS or the Director DPW revokes or suspends a permit pursuant to this chapter, the person to whom the permit was issued shall remove the sign, marquee, awning or other similar device within the time period ordered in the notice of revocation or suspension. Failure to remove the device within the allowed time period is a violation of this chapter.

(Added by Ord. No. 9974 (N.S.), effective 4-3-09; amended by Ord. No. 10224 (N.S.), effective 10-25-12)

Violation of any term of a permit issued pursuant to this chapter is a violation of this chapter.

(Added by Ord. No. 9974 (N.S.), effective 4-3-09)

No person shall be entitled to a permit authorizing the installation or erection of a sign, marquee, awning or other similar device projecting over a State highway unless the applicant has obtained an encroachment permit from the State Department of Transportation authorizing the construction or installation of the device.

(Added by Ord. No. 9974 (N.S.), effective 4-3-09)

No person shall place or install any sign, marquee, awning or other similar device on or in any property owned or operated by the County without a permit or other written permission from the County. The County shall have the right to remove and dispose of any sign, marquee, awning or other similar device in or on property it owns or operates without notice. (Added by Ord. No. 9974 (N.S.), effective 4-3-09)

The Director PDS shall enforce this chapter, except that the Director DPW shall enforce all provisions of this chapter that relate to encroachments in a road right of way. The Director PDS may allow the Director DPW to enforce any violation of this chapter the Director PDS enforces, and the Director DPW may allow the Director PDS to enforce any violation of this chapter the Director DPW enforces.

(Added by Ord. No. 9974 (N.S.), effective 4-3-09; amended by Ord. No. 10224 (N.S.), effective 10-25-12)