Chapter 7.30 — Signs Outside of Downtown

Sections:

• 7.30.010 Purpose and Applicability

• 7.30.020 Permanent Building-Mounted Sign Standards

• 7.30.030 Permanent Freestanding Signs Standards 7.30.040 Temporary Sign Standards

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Chapter 7.30 Signs Outside of Downtown

A. Purpose and Applicability.

1. The purpose of this Section is to promote the orderly and attractive construction, placement, and display of signs throughout the City outside of the downtown area. This Section establishes the standards for permanent and temporary signs outside of the downtown area.

2. A sign type not specifically included in this Section may be allowed by the Director provided the sign meets the intent of the zone in which it is proposed.

A. Signs Attached to Buildings.

Signs attached to a building or wall shall comply with the following standards:

1. All signs attached to a building shall be attached flat against and parallel to the building and shall not extend more than twelve inches from the wall . For the purpose of this Subsection, a wall is a surface not less than sixty degrees from the horizontal. Exceptions to this provision are as follows:

• a. Signs may be attached to a building provided that the sign does not exceed four feet in height and that the sign does not project above the peak of the roof of the building. A wall sign greater than four feet in height may be considered for larger structures provided the size of the sign is to scale with the structure as determined by the Director.

• b. Signs may be mounted below the soffit of a canopy, overhang, or porch and may be perpendicular to the building providing that they do not exceed twelve inches below the soffit or beam and maintain a minimum of seven feet vertical clearance from the floor or sidewalk below.

• c. Building mounted signs may be illuminated in compliance with Section 7.10.050.C (Sign Illumination).

• e. Signs projecting from the face of a building may be permitted provided they are installed in accordance with the uniform building code, do not project more than three feet from the face of the building, do not exceed four square feet in area, and the city is named as an insured party by the business owner.

2. Window Signs: Window signs are limited to painted signs on glazing, poster paper signs, and placards attached to the inside of windows on store fronts. Permanent window sign are limited to 30 percent of the ground floor frontage window area occupied by a given business and is included in the total allowed sign area for all building mounted signs. The combined area of temporary and permanent window signs must not exceed 50 percent of the area for all building mounted signs.

B. Directional Signs. Directional signs placed on buildings and located at an exit, entrance, or to direct on-site traffic are permitted provided that the signs do not exceed six feet in height.

C. Permanent Building-Mounted Signs for Residential Uses in All Zones .

Permanent building mounted signs for residential uses in all zones shall not exceed two square feet in area.

• d. Sign area shall not exceed three square feet for each lineal foot of street frontage.

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Chapter 7.30 Signs Outside of Downtown

A. A permanent freestanding sign is only allowed on a parcel on which a primary use or building has been established.

B. Freestanding Signs Allowed in the Agricultural (A) Zone.

3. Lighting may be provided for monument signs in compliance with Section 7.10.050.C.

4. Freestanding signs shall not exceed six feet in height. Signs attached to buildings shall not extend above the roof line or parapet wall of the building.

Freestanding signs in all agricultural zoning districts must comply with the following standards:

1. There shall be no more than one sign per legal lot.

2. The permanent on-site sign shall not exceed sixteen square feet in area for parcels less than five acres or exceed twenty-four square feet in area for parcels that exceed five acres.

D. Monument Signs in Commercial and Industrial Zones.

Monument signs for commercial and industrial uses shall comply with the following standards:

1. The monument sign face and supports for a single tenant development shall not exceed forty-eight square feet in area nor a maximum height of six feet.

2. The sign shall not exceed six feet in height.

3. The sign shall not be within any street right-of-way, nor cause a visual hazard.

4. The sign shall not be illuminated.

5. The sign shall be stationary.

6. Off-site directional signs may be permitted from August 1st to December 31st when approved by the planning commission subject to the following standards.

• a. Signs shall not exceed thirty-two square feet in area and a height of eight feet.

• b. Only one directional sign shall be permitted on any legal lot of record.

C. Freestanding Signs for Public and Institutional Uses Signs in All Zones.

The following standards apply to signs for public and institutional uses such as churches, parks, public and private schools, colleges, hospitals, universities, or fraternal, benevolent, and social service organizations in all zones:

1. There shall be no more than two signs per each street frontage, not to exceed a total of four such signs on a lot.

2. Each sign shall not exceed thirty-two square feet in area.

3. The monument sign face and supports for a multitenant development shall not exceed fifty-six square feet in area nor a height of eight feet .

4. Monument signs shall include a minimum twofoot decorative monument base or, in lieu thereof, decorative pilasters incorporated in the monument sign as approved by the Director.

5. A monument sign may be approved for a stand-alone business occupying a legal parcel or stand-alone pad within a commercial shopping center.

6. Monument signs shall be placed a minimum of ten feet from any common property line and shall be a minimum of twenty feet apart.

7. Monument signs shall be located in a landscaping area of no less than two square feet for one square foot of sign area defined by a vertical curb to protect the sign.

8. Lighting may be provided for monument signs in compliance with Section 7.10.050.C (Sign Illumination).

E. Monument Signs for Commercial Shopping Centers.

1. In addition to the standards in Section 7.30.030.D, monument signs for commercial shopping centers located on a lot with a minimum of one acre in net area may be approved by the Commission subject to the following standards:

• a. A maximum of one monument sign per street frontage is permitted, except that the Planning

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Chapter 7.30 Signs Outside of Downtown

Commission may approve up to two monument signs per street frontage where the minimum lot frontage length is no less than 300 feet.

• b. Each monument sign shall not exceed fourteen feet in height and eighty-four square feet in area.

• c. The monument sign shall be designed in an architectural style similar to the shopping center buildings.

2. In addition to the standards in Section 7.30.030.D, monument signs for commercial shopping centers located on a lot less than one acre in net area may be approved by the Commission subject to the following standards:

• a. A maximum of one monument sign per street frontage is permitted.

• b. Each monument sign shall not exceed eight feet in height and fifty-six square feet in area.

• c. The monument sign shall be designed in an architectural style similar to the shopping center buildings.

townhouses, condominiums, or any other residential project, shall comply with the following standards:

1. Permanent subdivision identification signs may be either attached to an entrance fence or structure or be a monument sign.

2. The sign shall not exceed four feet in height or thirty square feet in area.

3. The sign shall be located in a maintained landscaped area on a parcel within the subdivision at a primary entrance.

4. The sign attached to entry fences may be permitted at a greater height if determined appropriate by the Commission.

5. Lighting may be provided for monument signs in compliance with Section 7.10.050.C (Sign Illumination).

6. The design and materials of the sign shall be approved by the Commission and shall be of materials of sufficient durability to prevent rapid deterioration, such as metal or tile.

7. Lighting may be provided for monument signs in compliance with Section 7.10.050.C (Sign Illumination).

F. Monument Signs in Residential Zones.

7. Directional signs located at an exit, entrance, or to direct on-site traffic are permitted, provided that the signs do not exceed six feet in height.

Monument signs located in residential zones, for example to identify a subdivision, mobile home park, apartments,

A. Purpose.

The Council finds that the proliferation of temporary signs is a distraction to the traveling public and creates aesthetic blight and litter that threatens the public’s health, safety, and welfare. In addition to the purpose provisions of Section 7.10.010 (Purpose and Intent), these regulations ensure that temporary signs do not create a distraction to the traveling public by eliminating the aesthetic blight and litter caused by temporary signs.

B. General to All.

Temporary signs are allowed only in compliance with the provisions of this Section.

1. Permits: No temporary banner sign may be displayed without first obtaining a temporary use permit in compliance with Chapter 9.70 (Temporary Use Permits) and as described in Section 7.10.040 (Permit Requirements – Temporary Banner Signs).

2. Not Included in Permanent Sign Allowances: The area of all temporary signs, except for the area of temporary window signs (see Section 7.30.040.C.2), is not counted toward the maximum total sign area established in Section 7.30.020.A (Signs Attached to Buildings) and Section 7.30.030 (Permanent Freestanding Sign Standards).

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Chapter 7.30 Signs Outside of Downtown

3. General Time, Place, and Manner Restrictions.

• a. Time Restrictions. There is no limitation on the length of time that a temporary sign may be displayed. However, the maximum display time for a banner is thirty days per twelve month period.

• b. Location Restrictions. No signs shall be placed on property owned by the City or on which the City has an easement or a right-of-way. No signs shall be placed on vacant or unimproved property that is not being used for any purpose. Temporary signs must be placed in compliance with Subsection 7.10.050.A (Location Restrictions).

• c. Prohibited Elements. Temporary signs must comply with the provisions of Section 7.10.050.B (Display Restrictions).

• d. Design and Construction. Temporary signs must be of sufficient weight and durability to withstand wind gusts, storms, etc. and must be professionally crafted.

C. Standards for Temporary Signs.

1. Temporary signs are allowed in compliance with the provisions in Table 7.30.040.A (Standards for Temporary Signs – Outside of Downtown Area).

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TABLE 7.30.040.A: STANDARDS FOR TEMPORARY SIGNS – OUTSIDE OF DOWNTOWN AREA
Standard Requirements
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Chapter 7.30 Signs Outside of Downtown

2. Standards for Specific Temporary Sign Types:

Temporary signs must comply with the standards provided in Table 7.30.040.B (Standards for Specific Temporary Sign Types).

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TABLE 7.30.040.B: STANDARDS FOR SPECIFIC TEMPORARY SIGN TYPES OUTSIDE OF DOWNTOWN AREA
Sign Typegn Typen Typeypee Standard Requirementsquirementsuirements
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TABLE 7.30.040.B: STANDARDS FOR SPECIFIC TEMPORARY SIGN TYPES OUTSIDE OF DOWNTOWN AREA
Sign Typegn Typen Typeypee Standard Requirementsquirementsuirements
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Chapter 7.30 Signs Outside of Downtown

3. Temporary model home complex/active

residential subdivision signs. Temporary model home complex/active residential subdivision signs in all residential zones must comply with the standards provided in Table 7.20.040.C (Standards for Temporary Model Home Complex/Active Residential Subdivision Signs in All Residential Sign Districts).

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TABLE 7.30.040.C: STANDARDS FOR TEMPORARY MODEL HOME COMPLEX/ ACTIVE RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISION SIGNS
IN ALL RESIDENTIAL ZONES
Sign Type Maximum Number of Signs Additional Standards
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7-30 | Adopted September 2021 | Tehachapi Zoning Code