Sonoma Municipal Code Ch. 18.12 Permits/Administration

No person or business shall erect, install or maintain any sign in any zone except in a manner consistent with and subject to the limitations and regulations of this title and in accordance with the following procedures and regulations. (Ord. 2000-9 § 1, 2000).

Any person, business or other enterprise wishing to erect, display, move, alter, or replace any sign within the limits of the city of Sonoma shall first apply for and obtain a permit from the planning division, except for those signs specifically listed under SMC 18.12.090, Exemptions, or made otherwise exempt under this title. All applications must be determined to be complete prior to consideration or review. No permit shall be issued unless a finding is made that the sign or signs subject to the permit shall be installed and maintained in a manner consistent with the provisions of this title including the provisions of SMC 18.60.010, Appendix A – Design guidelines for signs, and SMC 18.60.030, Appendix B – City of Sonoma lighting application standards. (Ord. 01-2015 § 1, 2015; Ord. 03-2011 § 1, 2011; Ord. 2000-9 § 1, 2000).

A. Allowance for Administrative Review. The following sign applications shall be considered and acted upon by administrative review by the planning director or his or her designee, subject to the regulations in this title, the design guidelines for signs (SMC 18.60.010, Appendix A – Design guidelines for signs) and the limitations listed below:

1. Replacement of existing conforming signs;

2. Relocation of previously approved signs;

3. New wall signs of 10 square feet in area or less;

4. New projecting or hanging signs of six square feet or less per side;

5. Temporary signs or banners for community events that are larger than six square feet or posted in a public place, and beacons or flashing lights for community or special events;

6. Temporary business signs pending review by the DRHPC for permanent business signage;

7. Window signs that cover less than 10 percent of the aggregate area of each window facing a public right-of-way;

8. Portable freestanding signs that are consistent with SMC 18.20.140.

B. Limitations on Administrative Review. Notwithstanding the allowances set forth in subsection (A) of this section, administrative review shall not be applicable when the application would result in:

1. More than two signs for the business;

2. Lettering of informational text that exceeds four inches in height;

3. Illumination;

4. A sign in a residential zone;

5. A new multi-tenant sign;

6. A roof sign;

7. A permanent freestanding sign; or

8. Such other signs as specifically made subject to DRHPC review throughout the provisions of this title.

In such cases, the application shall be referred to the DRHPC.

C. Plaza and Highway 12 Corridor. The planning director or his or her designee may, upon finding that a sign has high visibility within the Plaza and historic area or the Highway 12 corridor, determine that administrative review is not appropriate, and may require design review as under SMC 18.12.030. (Ord. 01-2015 § 1, 2015; Ord. 06-2013 § 3, 2013; Ord. 03-2011 § 1, 2011; Ord. 2000-9 § 1, 2000).

The DRHPC shall have the authority to approve, disapprove, or approve with modifications or conditions all applications for a sign permit in accordance with all chapters and sections of this title, all applicable titles and chapters of this code, and the appendices accompanying this title (SMC 18.60.010, Appendix A – Design guidelines for signs, and SMC 18.60.030, Appendix B – City of Sonoma lighting application standards), except for sign applications determined by the planning director or his or her designee to be within the purview of administrative review as described under SMC 18.12.020, Administrative review, or exempt as under SMC 18.12.090, Exemptions, or upon appeal from the planning director pursuant to SMC 18.12.050, Appeal. (Ord. 01-2015 § 1, 2015; Ord. 06-2013 § 3, 2013; Ord. 03-2011 § 1, 2011; Ord. 2000-9 § 1, 2000).

A. Basic Findings. In order to approve any application for sign review, the review authority must make all of the following findings:

1. The proposed signage complies with applicable policies and regulations, as set forth in this sign ordinance (except for approved variances), all other city ordinances, and the general plan;

2. On balance, the proposed signage is consistent with the purpose and intent expressed by SMC 18.04.010 and the applicable guidelines for signs set forth by SMC 18.60.010, Appendix A – Design guidelines for signs; and

3. The proposed signage is harmonious and consistent overall with the location of the site, including adjacent and surrounding development and its environmental features.

B. Proposed Signage within the Historic Overlay District. In addition to the basic findings set forth in subsection (A) of this section, the review authority must make the following additional findings for any project located within the historic overlay district:

1. The proposed signage will not impair the historic character of its surroundings;

2. The proposed signage substantially preserves the qualities of any significant historic structures or other significant historic features on the site. (Ord. 01-2015 § 1, 2015).

Any action taken by the planning director or his or her designee may be appealed to the DRHPC. Any action taken by the DRHPC may be appealed to the city council as set forth under SMC Title 19. (Ord. 01-2015 § 1, 2015; Ord. 06-2013 § 3, 2013; Ord. 03-2011 § 1, 2011; Ord. 2000-9 § 1, 2000. Formerly 18.12.040).

In addition to the requirements of this title, all signs shall be in conformance with applicable requirements of the California Building Code as adopted with amendments by Chapter 14.10 SMC (Construction Codes). Whenever required by Chapter 14.10 SMC, the owner shall obtain a building permit prior to installation. Illuminated signs shall require an electrical permit in accordance with the current version of the electrical code adopted within Chapter 14.10 SMC. (Ord. 01-2015 § 1, 2015; Ord. 2000-9 § 1, 2000. Formerly 18.12.050).

An application for a sign permit shall contain all of the following, which shall be provided to the planning division in order to be considered a complete application:

A. A completed application for sign review on the city’s form;

B. Payment of the appropriate fee;

C. Supplemental information, as follows:

1. A scale drawing(s) of each proposed sign, no larger than 11 inches by 17 inches, accurately depicting all size dimensions, including lettering (height(s), width/length(s), thickness), and appearance, including all text, copy, logos or symbols, borders, colors, other design features, materials, structural support and bracing components, lighting, and all other relevant elements. Colors may be indicated by writing the names of the colors to be used, with color samples provided at the DRHPC meeting, or by submission of color chips or a colored rendering. Scale drawings shall include a section view, as well as face view, if relevant to a full description of the sign.

2. Building elevations, drawn to scale in an 11-inch-by-17-inch or smaller format, showing the placement of each sign on the building face, and profiles of the building and sign for projecting signs. For existing buildings, photographs may be used, with an overlay or other form of simulation for the proposed sign. (This requirement may be waived by the planning director.)

3. A site plan, drawn to scale in an 11-inch-by-17-inch or smaller format, showing the location of buildings, parking, streets, and drives relevant to any proposed sign, and indicating the location of all signs. The site plan should clearly depict the primary and secondary street frontage. (This requirement may be waived by the planning director.) (Ord. 01-2015 § 1, 2015; Ord. 06-2013 § 3, 2013; Ord. 03-2011 § 1, 2011; Ord. 2000-9 § 1, 2000. Formerly 18.12.060).

Unless specified as temporary or given an expiration date as a condition of approval by the planning director or the DRHPC, a sign permit shall expire upon the occurrence of:

A. The permanent closing or ending of a business or enterprise;

B. A business or enterprise moving from the location where the sign was permitted;

C. A new permit being granted for a replacement sign;

D. Three months after removal of the sign from the premises;

E. One year from the date of issuance if the permit is not used (the sign is not erected) within that time period;

F. Immediately upon a determination that the sign has not been erected in conformance with any permit, has not been maintained in conformance with any permit, is in violation of any provision of this title, the SMC, or any other applicable ordinance, city rule or regulation, or has become a nuisance or other sanitary or health hazard.

Except as specifically stated within this title, permits for nonexempt temporary signs shall expire three months from the date of issuance of the permit, or 48 hours after the end of an event or purpose for which the sign is erected, whichever is less, unless otherwise specified with an expiration date by the planning director or his or her designee or the DRHPC. (Ord. 01-2015 § 1, 2015; Ord. 06-2013 § 3, 2013; Ord. 03-2011 § 1, 2011; Ord. 2000-9 § 1, 2000. Formerly 18.12.070).

The following signs may be erected without a permit provided they are not illuminated and contain no reflective painted material. These signs shall not be included in the measurement of total allowable sign area on a site:

A. Identification, directional, or information signs not exceeding one square foot in area, and four in number.

B. Bulletin boards containing public or institutional information not exceeding eight square feet in area when on the premises of public, religious, or charitable institutions or locations available to the public, such as shopping centers, and set back at least 10 feet from the street right-of-way.

C. Official traffic signs or other municipal governmental signs, legal notices, advertisements prescribed by law, signs indicating the location of buried utility lines or a notice posted by a governmental official in the scope of his or her duties.

D. Construction signs not to exceed one in number for each construction site and not to exceed 16 square feet in commercial zones nor six square feet in other zones. Such signs shall not be erected prior to the commencement of construction, and shall be removed before final inspection is approved by the building official.

E. Subdivision Signs. One information sign is permitted for each subdivision. Such signs shall not be erected prior to construction and shall be removed within 10 days of all units being initially sold. The sign shall be located on the subdivision premises, and shall not exceed 24 square feet. This subsection shall not prohibit a permanent subdivision identification sign from being erected with a permit.

F. Special community event signs and/or banners advertising a community-wide event of general interest and sponsored by a noncommercial community group, provided the sign not exceed six square feet, nor be displayed for longer than 15 consecutive days.

G. Street address signs with lettering no larger than six inches high. Notwithstanding anything in this section, these signs may be illuminated and may contain reflective paint or material.

H. Minor repairs to a sign to keep it in a well-maintained condition as required by this title, or any repair to a sign conforming with this title so long as the repair does not result in an increase in the size of the sign, or alter the sign in a way which results in a violation of any condition of approval or of this title.

I. Grand opening signs, and temporary event signs and/or banners, limited to one in number, and for a period not to exceed 15 consecutive days, three times per year.

J. Identification signs on vehicles indicating the name and/or nature of the business for which the vehicle is used, if attached in a permanent manner.

K. Real estate signs conforming to SMC 18.20.155. However, certain real estate signs shall require discretionary review by the planning director or his or her designee or the DRHPC as provided for in SMC 18.20.155(C), (D)(4), and (G). Such signs shall be displayed for no longer than the sale or lease of the property being advertised is completed or 18 months if the property is not sold or leased within that time.

L. Political signs, ideological, religious, or signs having any other message which are displayed within 90 days prior to a valid election held within the city may be displayed without a permit, subject to the following regulations:

1. Size. Each sign shall not exceed eight square feet in area or a total aggregate sign area of 32 square feet on a single parcel.

2. Time. Each sign shall be removed within 10 days following the election.

3. Unimproved Property. If the signs pertain to a valid election and are to be displayed on unimproved property, the candidate shall file written approval of the property owner and a deposit of $25.00 with the city clerk for the signs, to be refunded upon removal of the signs.

4. Signs shall not be displayed on public property.

M. Gold lettering on a window is exempted only from inclusion in the aggregate sign area of a building, and is otherwise subject to the city’s permit requirements. (Ord. 01-2015 § 1, 2015; Ord. 06-2013 § 3, 2013; Ord. 03-2011 § 1, 2011; Ord. 2002-07 § 1, 2002; Ord. 2000-9 § 1, 2000. Formerly 18.12.080).

A copy and record of each sign permit issued shall be kept on file with the city. (Ord. 01-2015 § 1, 2015; Ord. 2000-9 § 1, 2000. Formerly 18.12.090).

Creative design is not intended to be discouraged by the provisions of this title; therefore a variance from these regulations may be approved consistent with Chapter 18.40 SMC, Variances. (Ord. 01-2015 § 1, 2015; Ord. 2000-9 § 1, 2000. Formerly 18.12.100).