Sonoma Municipal Code Ch. 18.28 Prohibitions

The following regulations specify prohibitions regarding signage displays in the city. (Ord. 2000-9 § 1, 2000).

It is unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation, directly or indirectly, to install, erect, move, alter, replace, suspend or attach any sign, or do any structural work in connection with a sign within the city limits without first securing a permit from the planning director or his her designee as provided in this title, except for as expressly listed in SMC 18.12.090, Exemptions. (Ord. 03-2011 § 1, 2011; Ord. 2000-9 § 1, 2000).

No person shall maintain or permit to be maintained on any premises owned or controlled by him/her, any sign which has been abandoned. A firm which has gone out of business shall have 30 days from the date of closing of the business to remove the sign. (Ord. 2000-9 § 1, 2000).

Except as provided by SMC 18.20.155, Real estate signs, no sign shall be erected or used for advertising purposes of any kind except such signs as shall be located on a place of business, enterprise or calling, and used solely for naming, designating or identifying such business, enterprise or calling. No sign shall advertise or display the make, brand name, or manufacturer’s name of any product, article or service except when essential to and entirely integral with naming, designating or identifying the business, enterprise, or calling, or when advertising a product which is carried by that business under a legally recognized franchise or a written exclusive sales agreement. Illuminated beer or other illuminated product advertising signs are specifically prohibited. (Ord. 01-2015 § 1, 2015; Ord. 2000-9 § 1, 2000).

No sign or exterior lighting associated with a business shall be permitted that produces glare or light spillage onto other properties or into areas not intended to be lit, or that is more intense than is necessary to adequately illuminate the sign or exterior area. Light boxes and signs that are determined to be excessively brilliant by the DRHPC, and/or conflict with any criteria within SMC 18.60.030, Appendix B – City of Sonoma lighting application standards, are prohibited. (Ord. 01-2015 § 1, 2015; Ord. 06-2013 § 3, 2013; Ord. 03-2011 § 1, 2011; Ord. 2000-9 § 1, 2000).

Moving sign structures, pennants, whirligigs, reflectors, reflective signs, moving lights, flashing lights, feather signs, and visible gaseous discharges are specifically prohibited except as permitted under SMC 18.12.020, Administrative review. (Ord. 01-2015 § 1, 2015; Ord. 03-2011 § 1, 2011; Ord. 2000-9 § 1, 2000).

No person or animal shall use, carry, or wear any sign displaying a commercial message on private or public property, except as may be required by ordinance or law. (Ord. 01-2015 § 1, 2015).

No signs shall be located, displayed or attached on any motor vehicle except “For Sale” signs, and/or identification signs indicating the name and/or nature of the business for which the vehicle is used. Such an identification sign shall be attached to the vehicle in a permanent manner, including attachment by magnetic means, and shall be only incidental to the purpose of the vehicle. This section shall not apply to signs for noncommercial purposes. (Ord. 01-2015 § 1, 2015; Ord. 2000-9 § 1, 2000).

No sign shall be erected in such a manner that any portion of the sign or its support is attached to or will interfere with the free use of any fire escape, exit, or standpipe, or obstruct any required door, venting system, window, disabled access, or public right-of-way. (Ord. 2000-9 § 1, 2000).

Interior illuminated signs are prohibited in any residential zone. Home occupation signs are prohibited in residential zones. (Ord. 2000-9 § 1, 2000).

No person, firm, or corporation, except a public officer or employee in performance of a public duty, shall paste, paint, print, nail, tack or otherwise fasten any card, banner, handbill, sign, poster or advertisement or notice of any kind, except construction warning signs, or cause the same to be done, on any curbstone, lamp post, utility pole, hydrant, bridge, wall, fence or tree, upon any public sidewalk, street, alley, or other public property, except as may be required by ordinance or law. (Ord. 2000-9 § 1, 2000).

No permanent sign shall be placed within the public right-of-way except for the posting of official government notices by a representative of that agency, a franchised public utility company, or a contractor doing authorized or permitted work within the public right-of-way. No temporary or portable sidewalk sign shall be so placed without an encroachment permit compliant with Chapter 12.20 SMC. (Ord. 01-2015 § 1, 2015; Ord. 2000-9 § 1, 2000).

No sign shall be erected in such a manner that it will, or may reasonably be expected to, interfere with, obstruct, confuse or mislead traffic, or obstruct a traffic line of sight. (Ord. 01-2015 § 1, 2015; Ord. 2000-9 § 1, 2000).