1500-21-050 - Signs Allowed Without a Permit

The following signs are allowed without a permit and do not count towards the allowable area or number of signs on a site:

A.

Standard Signs.

Address Signs. Address, building, unit and suite numbers.

2.

Civic Signs. Memorial signs and plaques installed by a civic organization recognized by resolution of the County Board of Supervisors.

3.

County/City Entrance Signs. Signs erected in or near the County or a city boundary, the contents of which are limited to the name of the County or city and the name of or other information regarding civic, fraternal, or religious organizations located within the County or city. Such signs shall not exceed 200 square feet in area, and 15 feet in height.

4.

Directional and Informational Signs. On-site directional or informational signs of no more than four square feet in area each, and three feet in height. Such signs shall provide information for the convenience or safety of the public, and may include directional signs in parking lots and building complexes, signs listing hours of business, and signs identifying the locations of restrooms or other facilities. Such signs may be increased to 12 square feet in area, and six feet in height when their primary purpose is to direct truck traffic.

5.

Directory Signs—Project Entry. On-site freestanding directory signs of no more than 12 square in area each, and six feet in height. One such sign may be located at each project entry along a street frontage, and may include a map and directory of buildings or users. Such signs shall not be oriented to or readable from the public right-of-way.

6.

Directory Signs - Building. One wall mounted or freestanding directory sign for each building with two or more tenants. Signs shall be no more than 12 square feet in area, and freestanding signs no more than six feet in height.

7.

Entry Portal Signs. One freestanding entry portal sign not exceeding 32 square feet in area and 20 feet in height may be placed across a property's entry accessway within the AG District only. The entry portal sign may list only the name of the property owner or business located thereon and the property address.

8.

Flags. Official flags, emblems and historical markers. This exemption does not apply to flags or pennants bearing corporate emblems, logos or commercial copy.

9.

Floor Treatments. Exterior floor treatments, such as paint or decorative tile, indicating the name of the business and/or a business logo, provided such floor treatments are flush with the surrounding surface and is completely horizontal.

10.

Gasoline Price Signs. That portion of the area of a gasoline price sign necessary to comply with the minimum sign requirements of the California Business and Professions Code Section 13531, as it may be amended.

11.

Governmental Signs. Signs that are posted or required by a government agency or a public utility or service, including official signs for traffic control and warnings of potential hazards.

12.

Lottery Signs. Signs and advertising for the California State Lottery as authorized by California Government Code, Section 8880 et seq.

13.

Menu/Order Boards. No more than two menu/order board signs per each establishment with a drive through facility. Signs shall not exceed 32 square feet in area, and six feet in height.

14.

Murals. Murals on the exterior of a building that do not advertise a product, business, or service.

15.

Notices. Signs that are required by local, State, or federal law or by court order.

16.

Non-viewable signs. Signs within a building, or on the premises of a building, that are not visible from a public street.

17.

Wayside Stand Signs. On-site signs for wayside stands subject to the following:

a.

A combination of two freestanding or wall signs within the AG district not exceeding 32 square feet each in area, with freestanding signs not over six feet in height.

b.

A combination of two freestanding or wall signs within the RAN, ER or R1 districts not exceeding nine square feet each in area, with freestanding signs not over six feet in height.

Informational Window Signs. Signs hanging on the interior of the window or stenciled on the inside or outside of the window not exceeding three square feet in area and limited to business identification, hours of operation, "open/closed", address, and emergency information.

B.

Temporary Signs.

1.

Business Identification. Temporary business identification signs subject to the following:

a.

Either one freestanding or one building mounted sign no more than 24 square feet in area per each street frontage. Freestanding signs shall be no more than eight feet in height.

b.

Signs may be displayed for a maximum duration of 90 consecutive days, and shall be removed upon installation of permanent signage.

2.

Development/Contractor Signs. On-site development, construction and contractor's sign(s) subject to the following:

a.

One sign no more than 32 square feet in area and eight feet in height may be erected for every 1,000 lineal feet of property street frontage, or portion thereof.

b.

All signs shall be removed no later than seven days after issuance of the last occupancy permit for the project.

3.

Garage/Yard Sale and Short Term Agricultural Sale/Auction Signs, Offsite. A maximum of one on-site and two off-site signs no more than five square feet in area and six feet in height each. All signs shall be removed no later than 24 hours after the conclusion of the sale. Such signs shall not be affixed to any utility pole or street sign pole.

4.

Political Signs. Signs shall be installed no earlier than 90 days prior to the election and removed no later than 15 days following the election.

Real Estate Signs, On-Site.

a.

Residential properties. One sign no more than six square feet in area and six feet in height shall be permitted for each street frontage. Two signs no more than 32 square feet in area and eight feet in height shall be permitted for residential subdivisions with four or more parcels.

b.

Non-residential properties. One sign no more than 32 square feet in area and eight feet in height shall be permitted for each street frontage.

c.

Duration. All temporary on-site real estate signs shall be removed no later than seven days after the property is no longer offered for lease, rent or sale.

6.

Real Estate Signs, Off-Site.

a.

Portable. Portable directional signs within the scope of Civil Code 713 (Real estate for sale, etc.) no more than four feet in height and six square feet in area. Signs shall remain in place for a maximum duration of 48 hours.

b.

Non-Portable. Non-portable real estate, subdivision, or development signs no more than 32 square feet in area and six feet in height. Signs may be displayed for the duration of development activity. No more than two off-site signs may be displayed for a single property, subdivision, or development project. Signs shall be removed no later than seven days after the property is no longer offered for lease, rent or sale.

7.

Seasonal Displays. Temporary exterior decorations and banners that are associated with a seasonal, cultural, religious, or national holidays, and that are not used to advertise a product, business, or service.

8.

Special Event Signs. On-site, special event signs, including but not limited to banners, pennants, streamers, bunting, wind signs, balloons or flags shall be permitted up to 30 days in any calendar year. The use of special event signs is limited to properties located in Commercial, Employment, Agricultural, Recreational and Public districts.

Subdivision Flags. Flags and pennants bearing the name of the developer or development and only when utilized in association with an approved model home sales office for a new residential subdivision. Subdivision flags shall be limited to two flags per model home and four flags at the subdivision entrance not to exceed a maximum area of 20 square feet each and a pole height of 25 feet. If there are no model homes, then up to four flags may be utilized in addition to those at the subdivision entrance. Flags and pennants shall be removed no later than seven days after property is no longer offered for lease, rent or sale.

C.

Changes to Sign Face. Changes or maintenance to a sign face that do not structurally alter the sign, its size or illumination.

(Ord. of 6-28-2022)

1500-21-060 - Permit Requirements

A.

Zoning Clearance for On-site Signs.

1.

Zoning Clearance Required. All on-site signs identified in Section 1500-21-070 (Signs Requiring a Permit) require approval of a Zoning Clearance (Section 1500-25-030) to ensure compliance with the provisions of this Chapter.

2.

Submittal Requirements. A Zoning Clearance application for an on-site sign shall provide all applicable information and materials required by Article 22. Applications shall also include:

a.

One reproducible copy of a site plan for the property upon which the sign(s) is to be located depicting the location of existing building(s), and existing and proposed sign(s);

b.

One reproducible copy of a sign plan depicting the sign(s) including dimensions, colors, materials and type of illumination; and

c.

One reproducible copy of a scaled building elevation plan indicating the sign location (wall signs only).

B.

Use Permit for Off-site Signs within Commercial and Employment Districts.

Use Permit. All off-site signs within Commercial and Employment Districts identified in Section 1500-21070 (Signs Requiring a Permit) require approval of a Use Permit (Section 1500-25-050) to ensure compliance with the provisions of this Chapter.

2.

Submittal Requirements. A Use Permit for an off-site sign shall provide all applicable information and materials required by Article 22. Applications shall also include:

A.

One reproducible copy of a site plan for the property upon which the sign(s) is to be located depicting the location of existing building(s), and existing and proposed sign(s);

B.

One reproducible copy of a sign plan depicting the sign(s) including dimensions, colors, materials and type of illumination.

C.

Planned Sign Program for Building Complexes.

1.

Planned Sign Program Required. A Planned Sign Program shall be processed as a component of the Design Review application for any projects within Commercial and Employment districts that propose five or more buildings, tenants, or uses, intended to function as a building complex. Characteristics of a building complex may include, but are not limited to, shared parking facilities, reciprocal access, and common building design. Such projects may include multiple tenants or owners, and may be situated on one or more lots or parcels.

The purpose of a Planned Sign Program is to establish criteria to ensure coordinated and consistent signage within building complexes. Upon approval of a Planned Sign Program, all signs erected in the area governed by the Program shall conform to the Program, and no Zoning Clearance shall be issued for a sign not in conformance with the criteria of the Program. Relief from the criteria of a Planned Sign Program may be granted only through Design Review approval to modify or replace the Program.

2.

Submittal Requirements. A Design Review application including a Planned Sign Program shall provide all applicable information and materials required by Article 22. Applications shall also include:

a.

One reproducible copy of a site plan for the property upon which the sign(s) is/are to be located, depicting the location of existing and proposed building(s), and existing and proposed freestanding sign(s);

b.

One reproducible copy of a sign plan depicting the format for all signs subject to the Planned Sign Program, including the location, dimensions, colors, materials, and type of illumination;

c.

One reproducible copy of a scaled building elevation plan indicating the sign location (wall signs only); and

d.

A detailed statement of criteria for the proposed signs including, but not limited to: number, type, location, size, height, materials, letter style, colors, mounting details and illumination.

==> picture [360 x 232] intentionally omitted <==

Figure 1500-21-3: Common Sign Types

(Ord. of 6-28-2022)