Sonoma Municipal Code Ch. 18.04 General Provisions

The purpose of controlling and regulating signs within the city of Sonoma is to protect and benefit the public health, safety and general welfare of the city, its merchants, and property owners by ensuring compatibility with the city’s unique historic character and with its adopted plans; to safeguard and enhance property values and protect public and private investment in buildings and open space; to protect and enhance the appearance of the city as a place in which to reside and work and as an attraction to nonresidents who come to visit and trade; to assure proper and efficient expression through visual communications involving signs compatible with the character and environment of the city; to protect night views of the city with regard to lighting displays; to encourage sound signing practices as an aid to business and for information to the public; to prevent visual clutter, excessive and confusing sign displays and to reduce hazards to motorists and pedestrians; and to protect the neat, clean, orderly, and attractive appearance of the city. The intent of this title is to provide uniform standards for the regulation of signs, including but not limited to the number, type, size, materials, placement, and design of signs, and including the prohibition of signs which are found to be garish, excessively brilliant, and/or inappropriate to the character of the city, while not intending to discourage creative design. (Ord. 01-2015 § 1, 2015; Ord. 2000-9 § 1, 2000).

The regulations of this title shall be applicable to all persons, businesses, and other enterprises seeking to erect or otherwise display a sign in the city of Sonoma, and to all signs within the city of Sonoma. An existing sign refinished for a use other than the original use shall be considered to be a new sign and is subject to the provisions of this title. (Ord. 2000-9 § 1, 2000).