Sonoma Municipal Code Ch. 18.20 Specific Regulations

* Code reviser’s note: Sections 18.20.011 through 18.20.020 of this chapter were editorially renumbered as 18.20.110 through 18.20.200 to prevent duplication of numbering after the amendments of Ordinance 03-2011.

The following regulations provide additional specificity for signs under the categories of types of signs, types of businesses, or particular locations. Where regulations of this chapter conflict with regulations under Chapter 18.16 SMC, General Regulations, the regulations of this chapter shall apply. Any permit issued pursuant to this title shall be subject to the following conditions in addition to those conditions set forth in the permit. (Ord. 2000-9 § 1, 2000).

Decorative banners and flags may be used for grand opening or special events for a maximum period of 15 consecutive days, or for holidays for a period of no more than 45 total days per year and may be permanently displayed if first approved by the DRHPC. In no event shall advertising copy be displayed on any banner. (Ord. 01-2015 § 1, 2015; Ord. 06-2013 § 3, 2013; Ord. 03-2011 § 1, 2011; Ord. 2000-9 § 1, 2000. Formerly 18.20.011).

A. Number. Freestanding signs shall be limited to one per parcel or property.

B. Height. The top of a freestanding sign, including the sign structure, shall not exceed 12 feet.

C. Placement. Every freestanding sign shall be wholly on the property occupied by the use or uses identified or advertised, and no less than six feet from the nearest roadway or public pedestrian sidewalk or walkway, whichever is closer. Any variance to the provisions of this section shall, in addition to other findings required by SMC 18.40.030, require a finding that the sign will not limit, restrict, impede, or impair sight distance or visibility. (Ord. 01-2015 § 1, 2015; Ord. 03-2011 § 1, 2011; Ord. 2000-9 § 1, 2000. Formerly 18.20.012).

A. Intent. Illumination of signs and of business frontage, facilities, and products is a very sensitive issue in the city of Sonoma. Although it is recognized that illuminated signs and exterior advertising lighting may allow identification of businesses and their products at night, illuminated signs are considered generally inappropriate except for businesses which normally operate in the evening hours. Exterior night lighting of commercial areas should produce no glare, spillage, or excessively bright lighting. Where illumination is determined essential or permissible by the DRHPC or the planning commission, it shall be as subdued as possible, allowing for legibility. The DRHPC recognizes that new technologies have been developed related to illuminated signs and would like to promote creativity in the design of illuminated signs. Special consideration should be given to the historical significance of the surrounding area while considering the historical appropriateness of the sign. In addition, an illuminated sign shall not flash, blink, move, or scintillate.

B. Restrictions.

1. Size. Interiorly illuminated signs, where permitted, shall not exceed 27 square feet in area. Each face of a two-sided interiorly illuminated sign shall not exceed 18 square feet. Exteriorly illuminated signs shall not exceed 32 square feet in area. Each face of a two-sided exteriorly illuminated sign shall not exceed 21 square feet in area.

2. Brilliance. No sign or exterior business lighting shall be permitted that produces glare or light spillage, or that is more intense than is necessary to legibly illuminate a sign or exterior area. Signs and exterior lighting that are excessively brilliant are prohibited. Where lighting is provided, it shall be subdued. In determining whether a sign or exterior lighting is excessively brilliant, consideration shall be given to the following:

a. The size of the sign or area to be lit;

b. The percentage of the white or light-colored portions of the sign or exterior area, or potential for light reflection of areas to be lit;

c. The brightness or level of lighting for the sign or area;

d. The distance from the public right-of-way;

e. The proximity of surrounding signs and other exteriorly lit businesses; and

f. The nature of the surrounding area.

Whenever a sign or business lighting is to abut a residential area, the DRHPC shall consider the illumination times, the location of the sign and/or lighting, the height and direction of the light sources, and the level of light and its intensity.

3. Illumination. Exterior illumination of signs or exterior business areas shall be accomplished through lights concealed from all public areas so that the light source is not visible. Flood lights shall be shielded on all sides but that facing the sign or exterior area. Flood lights for exterior lighting must be concealed in some manner (including landscaping or a building feature) and be directed only toward areas where specifically needed. No light spillage or glare shall be allowed into areas not intended to be lit or onto neighboring properties. It is recommended that the surface brightness shall not be greater than 100 foot-lamberts.

All illuminated signs or exterior business areas shall be lit with the minimum necessary level of lighting to provide legibility or subtle security lighting at normal sight distances. Interiorly illuminated signs are prohibited in residential zoning districts.

4. Illuminated Window Signs. One illuminated window sign no more than two square feet in area may be permitted. Such a sign shall be counted as one sign, and shall be included in the aggregate sign area. A neon sign shall be considered an illuminated window sign.

5. Illuminated signs and exterior lighting shall conform to the lighting standards in SMC 18.60.030, Appendix B – City of Sonoma lighting application standards, and applicable sections of the California Building Energy Efficiency Standards.

6. Within 60 days after the installation and lighting of an illuminated sign and/or exterior lighting, the DRHPC shall require alteration of the intensity if the sign or lighting violates any of the provisions herein or the guidelines and standards of SMC 18.60.010, Appendix A – Design guidelines for signs, or SMC 18.60.030, Appendix B – City of Sonoma lighting application standards.

7. Any existing sign which is determined by the DRHPC, planning commission, or city council to violate any of the above provisions shall be subject to reduction of intensity or to the provisions of this title regarding abatement and enforcement (Chapter 18.44 SMC). (Ord. 01-2015 § 1, 2015; Ord. 06-2013 § 3, 2013; Ord. 03-2011 § 1, 2011; Ord. 2000-9 § 1, 2000. Formerly 18.20.013).

A. Intent. It is the intent of this section to minimize the use of portable freestanding signs in order to minimize visual clutter and conflicts on sidewalks and to ensure that when portable freestanding signs are allowed that they are harmonious with their surroundings and distinctive in their design and creativity. Portable freestanding signs shall be allowed only when approved by the planning director or his or her designee upon a finding that special circumstances exist regarding the applicant’s business location that require a freestanding portable sign. Examples of such special circumstances include, but are not limited to: (1) the business is not visible from the street on which it lies; (2) options for permanent signs have been exhausted; or (3) some other valid physical justification. Portable freestanding signs shall be designed so as to be compatible with the architecture of the building in which the applicant’s business is located and compatible with other buildings on the same block and in the same vicinity as the applicant’s business. Generic design, prefabricated A-frame signs, and plastic material shall be discouraged.

B. Portable freestanding signs may be approved by the planning director or his or her designee anywhere in the city in conformance with this section except in commercial shopping centers with approved sign programs and on sidewalks surrounding the Plaza with the exception of the Place des Pyrenees. Examples of portable freestanding signs that may be approved administratively include signs consisting of a dry erase board face featuring a black background, wording that is primarily hand-drawn, and a border finish that includes brushed steel, maple, or reclaimed wood.

C. An applicant that moves his or her business to a new location must apply for a new approval if the applicant desires to place a portable freestanding sign at the new business location. Approval for a portable freestanding sign at one location is not transferable to another location.

D. The following limitations shall apply to portable freestanding signs:

1. If the lineal feet of street or alley frontage at the location at which an applicant desires to place a portable freestanding sign is less than 40 feet, the maximum allowable size of a freestanding sign shall be five square feet. The freestanding sign shall not exceed a maximum width of 24 inches and a maximum height of 48 inches.

2. If the lineal feet of street or alley frontage at the location at which an applicant desires to place a portable freestanding sign is 40 feet or greater, the maximum allowable size of a freestanding sign shall be six square feet. The freestanding sign shall not exceed a maximum width of 30 inches and a maximum height of 48 inches.

3. Portable freestanding signs shall be of stable construction and braced as necessary to prevent collapse or toppling. If a sign has wheels, the wheels must be capable of locking.

4. Portable freestanding signs shall be located on the property of the business which it advertises or on the sidewalk fronting that property. Portable freestanding signs for businesses located in alleys shall be located within five feet of the entrance of the alley business. Portable freestanding signs shall not be placed on the street. Portable freestanding signs located on sidewalks shall be located within two feet of the building frontage or the interior of a sidewalk. Portable freestanding signs shall be located so as not to obstruct pedestrian traffic or disabled person access and shall not be placed in a location that presents a hazard. A minimum sidewalk clearance of five feet shall be required. Portable freestanding signs shall not have any moving parts, projections, or lighting.

5. Only one portable freestanding sign shall be allowed per business. Portable freestanding signs authorized by the planning director or his or her designee shall not be counted against the number and aggregate sign area to which a property is otherwise entitled under this title.

6. No more than two portable freestanding signs shall be displayed at any time at one business property, except that each business located on an alley may be permitted to display one portable freestanding sign, except that the Place des Pyrenees alley businesses may be permitted to display a maximum of three portable freestanding signs at any one time at a business property.

7. Portable freestanding signs shall be displayed only during business hours.

8. There shall be at least 10 feet between portable freestanding signs, except that the Place des Pyrenees alley businesses shall be permitted a four-foot spacing between portable freestanding signs.

9. As a condition to the authorization of portable freestanding signs by the planning director or his or her designee, the applicant shall be required to furnish to the city proof of insurance and to execute an agreement obligating the permittee to indemnify and hold the city harmless from any action, claim or expense that may occur as a result of the placement of the portable freestanding sign on any sidewalk or public right-of-way. Any person who fails to furnish the required proof of insurance and indemnification in connection with the placement of a portable freestanding sign shall be in violation of this chapter and the sign shall be subject to immediate removal by the city.

10. At such time as vehicular traffic is no longer permitted at the Place des Pyrenees, portable freestanding signs shall no longer be permitted. All authorizations for portable freestanding signs issued by the planning director or his or her designee shall immediately terminate and be of no further force or effect. All temporary freestanding signs placed at the Place des Pyrenees after the date traffic is no longer permitted shall constitute a violation of this chapter.

E. Applications for portable freestanding signs that do not meet the limitations set forth above shall be subject to the review and approval of the DRHPC, which may, but is not required to, permit exceptions to the dimensional standards set forth above if it finds that:

1. The circumstances of the sign location or design necessitate the granting of such exceptions in order to provide adequate visibility, address unique site conditions, or provide for enhanced design quality or creativity; and

2. The proposed exception to dimensional standards is consistent with the intent of this section; and

3. The proposed exception to dimensional standards, if granted, would not result in the approval of a portable freestanding sign that is in excess of 72 inches in height. (Ord. 09-2015 § 1, 2015; Ord. 01-2015 § 1, 2015; Ord. 06-2013 § 3, 2013; Ord. 03-2011 § 1, 2011; Ord. 2000-9 § 1, 2000. Formerly 18.20.017).

A. Size. Projecting signs shall not exceed nine square feet in area on each side.

B. Placement. Projecting signs shall not project over four feet from any wall surface nor be closer than four feet to any curb line of a public street. No projecting sign shall extend above the top level of the wall upon or in front of which it is situated, or in the case of buildings having sloping roofs, above the eaves of the roof.

C. Clearance. Any sign which is suspended or projects over any public or private walkway or walk area shall have an overhead clearance of at least seven feet. (Ord. 2000-9 § 1, 2000. Formerly 18.20.015).

A. Intent. Real estate signs for the purpose of advertising a property is for sale or lease shall be permitted provided such signs conform to the requirements of this section and are limited in duration to the time period established under SMC 18.12.090 or as may be extended under this section.

B. Real estate signs (commercial, corporate) shall conform to the following requirements:

1. Number, Display. One sign advertising that a property is for sale, lease or exchange is permitted on each building frontage to be displayed on the subject property by the owner or his/her agent, and may include the owner’s or agent’s name, address, and telephone number.

2. Size. Real estate signs may be two-sided and shall be no larger than eight square feet per side. Real estate signs for large properties (over 25,000 square feet of building area) may be two-sided and shall be no larger than 32 square feet per side.

C. Real estate signs (commercial, noncorporate) shall require review by the DRHPC. Real estate signs shall be compatible with the architecture of the building they advertise. Generic design, prefabricated signs, and the use of plastic materials are discouraged.

D. Real estate signs (residential, one to four units) shall conform to the following requirements:

1. Number, Display. One real estate sign advertising that a property is for sale, lease or exchange may be displayed on the subject property by the owner or his/her agent, and may include the owner’s or agent’s name, address, and telephone number.

2. Size. Real estate signs may be two-sided and shall be no larger than eight square feet per side (not including riders and toppers).

3. Freestanding Real Estate Signs. The sign shall be attached to a post (or posts), no larger than four inches square, driven into the ground so that the top of the sign shall not be over six feet above the ground surface. There are two types of additional signs that may be placed on a real estate sign: a rider and a topper. A maximum number of two riders may be placed on the freestanding sign. One topper sign shall be allowed. There are two sizes of allowable rider signs: standard (24 inches by 18 inches); and premium (24 inches by 30 inches). One type of topper is allowed: 24 inches by six inches.

4. Additional freestanding real estate riders or toppers may be allowed subject to the discretion of the planning director or his or her designee.

E. Temporary/Portable Open House Signs. A maximum of two temporary “Open House” signs shall be allowed for any property, with their display limited to the hours that the property is available for viewing. The size of each “Open House” sign shall be limited to 24 inches wide by 18 inches in height.

F. Real estate sign (five or more units) shall conform to the following requirements:

1. Number, Display. A maximum of one real estate sign advertising that properties are for sale, lease or exchange may be displayed on the subject property by the owner or his/her agent, and may include the owner’s or agent’s name, address, and telephone number.

2. The real estate sign may be two-sided and shall be no larger than 32 square feet per side.

G. Renewal. Real estate signs (five or more units) may be displayed for up to 18 months as provided under SMC 18.12.090. After 18 months, DRHPC review is required and a sign permit application shall be submitted consistent with SMC 18.12.010. If the DRHPC determines that the sign has been maintained in a state of good repair and finish, then the DRHPC may allow the display of the sign to continue for a reasonable period of time as determined by the DRHPC.

H. Vacant Lots. Freestanding signs shall be set back at least 10 feet from the property line. Signs may be two-sided and shall be no larger than eight square feet per side. On parcels in excess of one acre, a 16-square-foot real estate sign shall be permitted. The sign shall be attached to a post driven into the ground so that the top of the sign shall not be over six feet above the surface of the ground. (Ord. 01-2015 § 1, 2015; Ord. 06-2013 § 3, 2013; Ord. 03-2011 § 1, 2011; Ord. 2000-9 § 1, 2000. Formerly 18.20.025).

Roof signs shall only be permitted when the silhouette of the sign is not in conflict with the silhouette of the rooflines of the building. Roof signs on flat roofs are prohibited. No roof sign shall be more than two feet in height. The top of a roof sign shall not exceed or rise above the lowest 25 percent of the height of the roof. (Ord. 03-2011 § 1, 2011; Ord. 2000-9 § 1, 2000. Formerly 18.20.016).

Service station signs shall be subject to all other applicable regulations of this title including the allowable aggregate sign area, with the exception of the number of signs allowable. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this title, service station signs shall be subject to the following limitations:

A. Freestanding company identification signs, limited to one, shall not exceed 18 square feet on one side, and may be double-faced and illuminated. Identification signs on canopies, limited to a total of three, shall not exceed 10 square feet each. The design review and historic preservation commission (DRHPC) may, at its discretion (subject to SMC 18.12.030), exclude logos from the limitations on numbers of signs; however, it shall review all such sign copy and their proposed locations.

B. In addition to identification signs, additional signs may be permitted as follows:

1. Price signs, limited to one, shall not exceed 12 square feet and shall be permanently affixed (nonportable). Price signs may be double-faced and illuminated.

2. One owner identification sign not to exceed three square feet in area. The sign shall not be illuminated or double-faced.

3. Miscellaneous signs, such as small accessory signs, credit card signs, automated teller machine signs, car wash signs, and food service signs, and other similar signs, shall not count toward the aggregate sign area; provided, that the DRHPC approves their size and location. (Ord. 01-2015 § 1, 2015; Ord. 06-2013 § 3, 2013; Ord. 03-2011 § 1, 2011; Ord. 2000-9 § 1, 2000. Formerly 18.20.027).

In addition to and notwithstanding the number and sizes of signs listed under SMC 18.16.010 and 18.16.020, one additional identification sign may be permitted for a shopping center. The total area of the additional sign shall not exceed 60 square feet, with no single face of a double or multisided sign larger than 40 square feet. Illuminated shopping center signage shall conform to the sizes under the illuminated signs section (SMC 18.20.130), unless granted a variance by the DRHPC.

A shopping center may develop a sign program for all tenants within the center which, after approval by the DRHPC, may be administered by the shopping center administration. Signs not in conformance with the approved program must be reviewed by the planning director or his or her designee or the DRHPC in accordance with Chapter 18.40 SMC. (Ord. 01-2015 § 1, 2015; Ord. 06-2013 § 3, 2013; Ord. 03-2011 § 1, 2011; Ord. 2000-9 § 1, 2000. Formerly 18.20.028).

Wall signs projecting over the property line, including a light box or other part thereof, shall not exceed a thickness of 12 inches. (Ord. 03-2011 § 1, 2011; Ord. 2000-9 § 1, 2000. Formerly 18.20.018).

Permanent or temporary window signs shall not cover more than 20 percent of the aggregate area of each window facing a public right-of-way. Permanent window signs (except as specified in SMC 18.12.020(A)(7)) shall require review by the DRHPC, and shall be included in the total aggregate sign area allowable for the site. Display of temporary window signage shall not exceed 90 days per year. Illuminated window signs shall be permitted only in accordance with the provisions of SMC 18.20.130, Illuminated signs and/or exterior business lighting. (Ord. 01-2015 § 1, 2015; Ord. 06-2013 § 3, 2013; Ord. 03-2011 § 1, 2011; Ord. 2000-9 § 1, 2000. Formerly 18.20.019).