Shafter Zoning Code § 14.30 Sign Standards (CA)

The following design criteria shall be used by the reviewing authority in order to determine if a proposed sign is consistent with the intent of this Chapter and with the policies of the General Plan.

Identification

Major identification signs shall serve primarily to identify the name or type of business or other land use.

2. Architectural Context

Sign design shall harmonize with the architectural design and details of the building it serves, with other signs on the building, with the building’s surroundings, and with the business or other activity that the sign identifies. Further, signs shall not cover or obstruct significant architectural elements.

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3. Design Elements

The following design elements shall be addressed:

a. Materials

Creativity in use of materials is encouraged. Durable materials which are compatible in appearance with the building supporting or identified by the sign shall be used.

b. Colors

Sign colors should harmonize with the building it serves and with adjacent landscaping and buildings.

c. Letter Style

Simple lettering styles should be used for ease of identification. Legibility should take priority over complexity in the design of the sign face.

d. Illumination

Illuminated signs shall be lighted to the minimum level required to ensure adequate nighttime readability. Specific illumination levels shall be in accordance with this Title.

e. Landscaping

Freestanding signs shall be located in a landscaped area, flanking all sides of the sign, which is of a shape, design and size equal to at least the area of the sign face and that is in scale with the overall proportions of the sign and its support structures.

f. Signs should not detract from the visibility of other signs on or adjacent to the site where the sign is placed.
g. Registered trademarks may be permitted as design elements.

Sign Area Measurement

For the purposes of this Chapter, sign size shall mean the sign area. Such area shall be more specifically defined as follows:

a. Sign Area

Sign size or area shall be defined as the entire area of the sign face, including non-structural perimeter trim and excluding architectural detailing, support structures, and/or uprights on which the sign is supported.

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b. Window Signs

“Window area” shall be computed by calculating each window pane or panel. The area shall be separate for each building face and for each window. A group of window panes or panels may be considered one window if they are adjoining on the building face and are less than six inches apart.

c. Building-Mounted and Wall Signs with Individual Letters

The area of building-mounted or wall signs composed of individual letters affixed to a building or wall shall be considered to be the aggregate area within a maximum of three (3) rectangular figures which enclose and connect the extreme limits of up to three message areas consisting of any writing, representation, emblem or any figure or similar character.

d. Wall Sign Panel

If a sign panel is inserted into or onto a wall, the area of the panel shall be considered to be the sign area.

e. Double-Faced Signs

If a sign has sign faces which are placed back to back, no more than two feet from one another, its sign area shall be considered to be the area of the larger face if the two faces are of unequal area. If, for example, the maximum permitted sign area is twenty (20) square feet, a double-faced sign may have an area of twenty (20) square feet on each face.

f. Three-Dimensional Signs

If a sign has three (3) or more faces, its sign area shall be considered to be the sum of the areas of each individual face. Thus, if a sign has four (4) faces and the maximum permitted sign area is twenty (20) square feet, the maximum allowable area for each face is five (5) square feet.

g. V-Shaped Signs

If a sign is “V”-shaped, with an angle between the two (2) adjoining faces, its sign area shall be the sum of the areas of the two (2) sign faces.

h. Separated-Panel Signs

The sign area of separated panel signs, i.e. those signs having empty spaces between copy panels, shall be considered to be the entire area encompassed by the sign face, including the empty spaces between panels.

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i. Signs Painted on Buildings

Any sign painted on a building shall be included in the calculation of the total sign area for the site upon which it is placed.

5. Sign Height Measurement

a. Free-Standing Signs

Sign height for free-standing signs shall mean the greatest vertical distance, between the top of the sign, including any accompanying architectural features of the sign, and the average elevation as measured at the roadbed of the nearest street.

6. Sign Location

a. By District

Signs shall be located in accordance with the provisions for each land use district, type of development, or type of sign, as designated in Table 14.A of this Chapter.

b. No Off-Site Signs

All signs shall be located on the same premises as the land use or activity identified by the sign, unless the provisions of this Chapter expressly permit the off-site location of a sign.

c. Utility Lines

No sign shall be located closer to overhead utility lines than the distance prescribed by California law, or by the rules duly promulgated by agencies of the State, or by the applicable public utility.

d. Traffic Safety

No sign shall be located in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision of pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

e. Public Right-of-Way

No sign shall be located within, over, or across a public right-of-way except as expressly permitted in Section 14.20.9.m. of this Chapter.

7. Sign Illumination

a. Illumination Levels

The sign permittee shall be required to adjust a sign’s illumination level if it is determined to be excessive as the result of the City’s evaluation. Illumination shall be considered excessive if it is substantially greater than the illumination of other nearby signs, if it interferes with the

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visibility of other signs or with the perception of objects or buildings in the vicinity of the sign, if it directs glare toward streets or motorists, or if it adversely impacts nearby residences or neighborhoods. The maximum illumination level for fluorescent lamps shall be 430 milliamperes. Illumination levels shall be indicated on the sign plan.

b. Externally Illuminated Signs

The light source for externally illuminated signs shall be arranged and shielded to substantially confine all direct light rays to the sign face and away from streets and adjacent properties. Externally Illuminated signs shall be subject to illumination level review.

8. Sign Maintenance

Every sign and sign structure within the City shall be maintained in good, safe structural and physical condition. All signs, together with supports, braces, guys, anchors, and electrical components, shall be kept in safe, presentable and good structural condition. All defective or broken parts shall be replaced. Exposed surfaces shall be kept clean, in good repair, and painted where paint is required. The Building Official may order the repair or removal of any sign determined by the Building Official to be unsafe, defective, damaged, or substantially deteriorated.

9. Signs on Vehicles

Signs are allowed on vehicles, without sign permits, when they are painted or attached directly to the vehicle so as to not extend or project beyond the vehicle’s original profile. Signs which are painted on or attached to vehicles must be incidental to the vehicle’s primary purpose of transporting people or goods on the public right-of-way, and the vehicle may not be used primarily for advertising purposes. Signs on vehicles may not include arrows or other directional devices, the purpose of which is to direct those who observe such signs to a particular place of business.