San Rafael Municipal Code Ch. 10.64 Advertising Displays Along Freeways

For the purpose of this chapter, the terms "advertising structure," "signs," "advertising display," "freeway," and "landscaped freeway," shall be defined in this chapter as specifically set forth and defined in Division 3, Chapter 2, Article 1 of the Business and Professional Code of the state of California, and the same are adopted in this chapter by reference.

(Ord. 682 § 1).

No advertising display shall be placed or maintained on property in the city adjacent to a section of freeway which has been or hereafter may be landscaped as defined in this chapter by reference if the advertising display is designed to be viewed primarily by persons traveling on such landscaped section of a freeway.

(Ord. 682 § 2).

Any advertising structure or sign which is now, or hereafter shall be in violation of the provisions of Section 10.64.020 hereof, shall be removed prior to January 1, 1959, or within one year from the date when the project for the landscaping of the particular section or sections of a freeway shall have been completed or accepted, and the character of said section or sections shall have been changed from a freeway to a landscaped freeways, whichever is later.

(Ord. 682 § 3).

The provisions of Section 10.64.030 shall not apply to lands adjacent to and within three hundred feet (300') of the exterior boundaries of that portion of U.S. Highway 101 which lies between the intersection of said Highway and State Highway No. 69 and the southerly end of the elevation of said U.S. Highway 101 over the city of San Rafael, nor to any advertising structure or sign if the same is used exclusively as follows:

(1) To advertise the sale or lease of the property upon which such advertising display is placed;

(2) To designate the name of the owner or occupant of the premises upon which such advertising display is placed, or to identify such premises;

(3) To advertise goods manufactured or produced, or services rendered, on the property upon which such advertising display is placed.

(Ord. 743 § 1; March 5, 1962: prior Ord. 682 § 4).

All advertising displays which are placed or maintained or which exist in violation of the provisions of this chapter are public nuisances and may be removed by any authorized employee of the city of San Rafael after ten (10) days' written notice posted on said advertising display and a copy of said notice mailed to the owner thereof, if known, at his last known address. Provided further however that such advertising displays as are temporary in nature because of the materials of which they are constructed or because of the nature of the copy thereon, and are placed or exist in violation of this chapter, may be summarily removed by such city employees without notice.

(Ord. 682 § 5).

Every person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punishable for each such offense by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) or by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than ten (10) days or by both such fine and imprisonment.

(Ord. 682 § 6).