Sec. 26-99. - Sign permit required. — West Covina Zoning Code

No sign, including temporary signs, shall be installed, constructed or altered unless a sign permit, administrative sign permit, or a sign program approval has first been obtained in compliance with this section, or the sign is allowed without a sign permit approval pursuant to this section. A building permit may be required prior to the installation, construction or alteration of a sign. Following the approval of a proposed sign or sign program, each sign installed and maintained shall comply with the requirements of the sign permit and/or sign program.

(a)

Sign permit application. An application for a sign permit shall be prepared, filed, and processed, in compliance with the requirements of article VI. The application shall include architectural elevations and plans of all proposed signs. The signs on the plans shall be dimensioned, drawn to scale, and include illustrations of copy, colors, and materials. The plans submitted shall also include the location of each proposed sign on any structure(s) at the site.

(b)

Sign permit review authority. The Community Development Director or their designee shall review all sign permit applications. A sign permit (SP) shall be considered ministerial and reviewed the same way as a zoning clearance. An administrative sign review (ASR) and/or a sign program shall be considered discretional and shall be processed as specified within subsections (c) through (e) below. The review authority may require conditions of approval as reasonably necessary to achieve the purposes of this division.

(c)

Sign Programs. A sign program shall be required for commercial office, business park, or complexes that include three (3) or more enclosed tenant spaces, multiple buildings or in non-residential developments where the individual tenant spaces are not adjacent to the proposed individual tenant signs. Sign programs requiring the coordination of signs on the same site shall be required for sites with two (2) or more enclosed tenant spaces. Developed sites shall comply with this section upon requests for either new signs through sign administrative review or sign exception review or for building design remodel requests through precise plan revision or planning director's modification. This may include, but not be limited to adding building square footage, separation of one (1) tenant unit into two (2), or a change of the exterior architectural color, style, or design. Sign programs for other developments may include shopping centers, industrial complexes, establishments with drive-throughs or business parks where the sign locations are located on any individual tenant spaces are optional at the discretion of the property owner. A sign program may also be proposed to provide identity and directional signage for a neighborhood or district recognized by the City. Sign programs shall be reviewed and approved by the Community Development Director or their designee, or elevated to the appropriate review authority, at the discretion of the Community Development Director or their designee.

(1)

The purposes of the sign program is to establish signage for all tenants and users of a complex, shopping center of neighborhood or district. An approved sign program shall set forth standards for all signs within the complex, shopping center, building, neighborhood, or district.

(2)

A sign program shall comply with the provisions set forth in this division. A sign program may be more restrictive than the criteria in this section and the sign program shall set forth standards regulating the size, number, location and types of signage permitted.

(d)

Findings for approval. The approval of an administrative sign review or sign program shall require that the review authority make all of the following findings:

(1)

The proposed signs do not exceed the standards set forth in article III, division 8, and are of the minimum size and height necessary to identify the site from a sufficient distance for the purposes of conveniently and safely accessing the site;

(2)

The size, location and design of the proposed signs are compatible and complementary with the scale and architecture of the primary structures and any prominent natural features on the site and for any adjacent properties along the same street; and

(3)

The proposed signs are in conformance with any applicable design criteria in the City's design guidelines.

(e)

Approval period, expiration, and time extension of sign permits. A sign permit approval shall expire one (1) year from the date of issuance unless the sign has been installed within the period.

(1)

Prior to the expiration of a sign permit, the applicant may apply and request to the Community Development Director or their designee, an extension of up to one (1) additional year.

(2)

A sign permit shall become null and void if circumstances occurring prior to the installation of the sign change significantly and such changes would not conform to the requirements of this division.

(Ord. No. 2519, § 5(Exh. A), 2-20-24; Ord. No. 2525, § 26, 3-18-25)

Sec. 26-100. - Exempt signs.

The following signs are allowed in all districts and exempt from the requirements of a sign permit provided the sign is not illuminated and does not create a public nuisance and are not located in a public right-ofway. The area of the signs listed in this section shall not be included in the calculation of the maximum total sign area per parcel as set forth in section 26-102.

(a)

Temporary noncommercial signs no larger than thirty-two (32) square feet in area and no longer than eight (8) feet in any dimension, on private residential zoned properties, properties used for residential, and/or institutional uses; review exempt signs must be free from tears, rips, rust, deterioration, or similar condition described within section 15-200 of this Code. No such sign shall be placed on the roof of any structure, City-protected trees, or on the public right-of-way.

(b)

Official traffic signs or other state, federal, county or local government signs, legal notices, advertisements prescribed by law and placed by governmental entities, and signs indicating utility lines or any notice posted by a government agency.

(c)

Directional, warning, or information signs required or authorized by federal, state, county, or local government agencies including, but not limited to, traffic control signs, highway route identification signs and construction zone signs.

(d)

Street address signs conforming to the City-adopted building and/or fire codes or applicable regulations of the City's Municipal Code.

(e)

Signs prohibiting trespassing or providing property security warnings (e.g. alarm, guard dogs, camera).

(f)

Election season signs and posters subject to the following conditions:

(1)

No sign shall be erected earlier than ninety (90) days prior to the start of the closest future election date and each sign shall be removed within ten (10) days after that election.

(2)

No sign shall be placed within the public right-of-way or on public property.

(3)

No such sign shall be placed on private property without the property owner's permission and/or approval.

(4)

No such sign shall be placed on the roof of any structure.

(g)

Temporary on-site real estate signs subject to the following conditions:

(1)

Real estate signs located within any residential zone shall not exceed six (6) square feet in area, and such signs within commercial, industrial, or mixed-use zoning districts shall not exceed sixteen (16) square feet in area.

(2)

Freestanding real estate signs shall not exceed six (6) feet in height.

(3)

A maximum of one (1) real estate sign shall be displayed per street frontage.

(4)

All real estate signs shall be removed no later than fifteen (15) days after the closing of the transaction proposed by the sign.

(h)

Temporary off-site real estate signs advertising an open house for a home sale or special leasing event. Such signs shall be no larger than two (2) square feet, and shall be removed each evening after the close of the open house or when the leasing center closes.

(i)

Any window signs located in non-residential zones, provided that the aggregate sign area does not exceed fifty (50) percent of the area of any single window (or as otherwise required by this Development Code) to maintain reasonable visibility into the business for security purposes.

(j)

Murals that are non-commercial in nature are allowed on mixed-use and non-residential buildings provided property owner and City approval, subject to the requirements set forth in chapter 17, article II (art in public places) have been obtained. The area of the mural shall not count toward any total sign area allowed for the site or building. Any mural displaying an advertisement or commercial message shall be regulated by any applicable standards set forth in article III, division 8.

(k)

Temporary and permanent address signs and numbers within commercial, industrial, mixed-use and multifamily zoning districts shall not exceed six (6) square feet in area, unless additional area is required by

the City-adopted building and/or fire codes.

(l)

Temporary garage, estate or yard sale signs advertising the day sale of items shall be limited to a maximum of one (1) sign not exceeding six (6) square feet in area. The sign shall not be displayed for a period longer than one (1) day within a one (1) year period. The sign shall not be displayed or posted within the public right-of-way.

(m)

Temporary construction signs. One (1) temporary sign per construction site which identifies the developer, designers, and contractors, up to thirty-two (32) square feet in area. This sign shall be removed once construction activities have ceased.

(n)

Tract grand opening or new leasing center signs. One (1) ground-mounted sign per street frontage (maximum of two (2) per site) that provide sale and/or leasing information is permitted up to twelve (12) square feet per sign panel with a maximum character height of eight (8) inches. The leasing sign structure may have a maximum height of ten (10) feet. These signs shall be separated by a minimum of one hundred (100) feet, unless if they are separated by a driveway/road. No illumination is permitted for this sign type. Wood, steel, and pre-punched galvanized U-posts are not acceptable. No balloons, streamers, or other temporary attachments are permitted.

(Ord. No. 2519, § 5(Exh. A), 2-20-24; Ord. No. 2525, §§ 27—29, 3-18-25)

Sec. 26-101. - Prohibited signs and locations.

(a)

The following signs are prohibited except as provided in article V, division 3, nonconforming signs and section 26-104, temporary signs:

(1)

Any sign erected or maintained without the consent of the owner of the land upon which the sign is situated.

(2)

Any sign erected upon over public property, other than the signs installed by state, county or City agencies.

(3)

Flashing, moving or otherwise animated elements or any revolving signs.

(4)

Projecting signs that project within the public right-of-way or private street or have a vertical clearance of less than nine (9) feet from the sidewalk.

(5)

Abandoned signs which advertise goods and/or services which have not been available for a period of ninety (90) or more days.

(6)

Any A-frame sign, or ground sign temporarily supported by poles or braces places upon the ground, or any other sign propped against a vehicle or object in a parking lot or public right-of-way unless permitted under tables 3-17 and 3-18.

(7)

Bench signs located at bus stops, excluding any authorized bus stop signage.

(8)

Roof signs or any sign proposed above a roof line that is not architecturally integrated within the structure of the roof unless approved as a creative sign as part of a sign program (see sections 26-99 and 26-103).

(9)

Any sign containing harmful matter as defined by chapter 15 of this Code.

(10)

All banner signs, wind signs, balloons, and tube signs of a commercial nature except those permitted as temporary signs, under tables 3-17 and 3-18, and/or section 26-104.

(11)

All inflatable signs and sign designated to be flown, including balloons, strings of balloons, kites or atrial signs, that are made of an electrically conductive material.

(12)

Signs which create sound.

(13)

Any sign greater than six (6) square feet on property located within a residential zone, except as otherwise provided by this Development Code.

(14)

Painted wall signs.

(15)

Off-site commercial signs.

(Ord. No. 2519, § 5(Exh. A), 2-20-24)

Sec. 26-102. - Signs allowed by zoning district and use.

Each sign shall comply with the sign standards set forth by this section, unless otherwise provided in this division.

(a)

Multifamily residential zoning districts. Each sign in a residential zoning district established by article II of this Development Code shall comply with the following requirements:

Table 3-8 Sign Standards for Multifamily Residential Zoning Districts.

Sign Class	Type of Sign	Maximum Number	Maximum Sign Area
Multifamily residential signs only (Administrative Sign Review required unless otherwise stated)
(a) Nameplate (No permit required)		One (1) per residence unit. Limited to name and address of the occupant of the premises.	One (1) s.f. (single-face only).
(b) Flags, Nonpromotional (for promotional signs, see Sec. 26-383(f)).	1. Attached. 2. Detached.	Three (3) per site. Permitted fags are those of a government, government agency, public institution, nonproft agency, or similar entity. Torn, faded, sagging, or detached banners shall be repaired or replaced.	1. Below eaveline. 2. 25 feet.
(c) Multiple-Family Identifcation at major entrance	1. Wall sign attached to main building. 2. Wall sign attached to a freestanding wall or fence. 3. Detached	One (1) per site (1.), or One (1) per frontage (2. or 3.)	1. Five (5) s.f. per unit, up to max. 40 s.f. (single-face only). Below eave line 2. 40 s.f. (single-face only). Below eave line. 3. 40 s.f. per face (double-face permitted for detached signs). 6 feet max. height

(d) Institutional.	Includes nonresidential uses allowed with a conditional use permit, e.g., church, school, child-care facilities, adult-care facilities, public utilities, etc.— see sections TABLE 3-10	Includes nonresidential uses allowed with a conditional use permit, e.g., church, school, child-care facilities, adult-care facilities, public utilities, etc.— see sections TABLE 3-10	Includes nonresidential uses allowed with a conditional use permit, e.g., church, school, child-care facilities, adult-care facilities, public utilities, etc.— see sections TABLE 3-10
Temporary-promotional (No illumination allowed), permit not required unless otherwise stated
(a) Advertising Products- R-A zone only.	1. Attached. 2. Detached.	One (1) per site.	Twelve (12) s.f. (singleface only).
(b) Sale/rental-R-A/R-1.	1. Attached. 2. Detached.	One (1) per site. Must be below eave line if attached. Maximum height 6 feet if detached.	1. Six (6) s.f. (singleface only).
(c) Sale/rental-Multiple- Family	Attached.	One (1) per site. Must be attached to main building.	15 s.f. (single-face only).
(d) Rental-Multiple- Family.	1. Attached. 2. Detached.	1. one (1) per site. Must be below eave line. 2. No maximum. 6 feet maximum height	1. Ten (10) s.f. (singleface only), or 2. Total of ten (10) s.f. per face (double-face only).
(e) Rental, Promotional- Multiple-Family. Special Events Permit required.	Banners.	One (1) per street frontage.	Three (3) feet by 15 feet long. Must be below eave and mounted fat against building. No neon or fuorescent colors.
(f) Sale/rental- Mobilehome Park main entrance. Sign permit required.	Attached to main building or block wall.	One (1) per site.	24 s.f. (single-face only).
(g) Sale-Unimproved Property. Sign permit required.	Detached.	One (1) per site. 6 feet maximum height.	15 s.f. per face (doubleface permitted).
(h) Sale-new Projects with 5+ Units. Sign permit required.	Detached.	One (1) double-face, or up to two (2) single-face signs.	Double-face signs: 60 s.f. per face. Single-face sign(s): 60 s.f. total.

Table 3-9 Sign Standards for Mobilehome Parks.

Sign Class	Type of Sign	Maximum Number	Maximum Sign Area
(a) Mobilehome Park Identifcation (Administrative Sign Review Required)	1. Attached to a building wall 2. Attached to a free- standing block wall at main entrance. 3. Detached.	One (1) per site.	1. or 2. 40 s.f. (singleface only). 3. 40 s.f. per face (double-face permitted). 6 feet maximum height
(b) Mobilehome Park Tenant Directory. (Administrative Sign Review Required)	1. Attached to building or wall 2. Detached on planter area	One (1) per site (one additional per 200,000 s.f. of lot size). 6 feet maximum height	1. 24 s.f. (single-face only) 2. 24 s.f. per face (double-face permitted).

(b)

Office and institutional uses (e.g. religious facilities). Each sign in an office or institutional zone shall comply with the requirements set forth in table 3-10 below, and to the requirements set forth in section 26-100, and to all applicable standards set forth in this division.

Table 3-10 Sign Standards for Office Buildings including institutional use (e.g. religious facilities).

Sign Class	Maximum Number	Maximum Area	Maximum Height/ Location
Wall signs (Administrative	Sign Review required unless otherwise stated)
(a) Building Identifcation (for buildings with one to three stories)	One (1) per wall facing a street or parking lot.	Two (2) percent of building face (single- face only).	Between top of roof line and foor level of the top foor, or other appropriate location as approved by the planning director.
(b) Building Identifcation (for buildings with four or more stories)	One (1) per wall facing a street or parking lot.	One (1) s.f. for each lineal foot of building frontage, with a fve (5) percent increase for each story above the fourth story (single-face only).	Between top of roof line and foor level of the top foor, or other appropriate location as approved by the planning director.
(c) Tenant Identifcation	Allowed ONLY for tenants on ground foor with exterior entrances. Size and location subject to TABLE 3-11.
(d) Building Area Bonus (for buildings with foor	One (1) bonus, in addition to wall sign	Size of bonus (size of building) 100 s.f. (60—99,000 s.f.)

areas of 60,000 s.f. or more)	allowance normally allowed, per building.	150 s.f. (100—124,000 s.f.) 200 s.f. (125—149,999 s.f.) 250 s.f. (150,000 s.f. or more) No maximum for total wall signage.
Detached sign (monument only)
(a) Building Identifcation and Tenant Identifcation Directory	One (1) per street frontage (maximum two per site).	40 s.f. per face (double- face permitted).	Six (6) feet.
(b) Readerboard Signs	See table 3-15 for standards, religious facilities and schools with more than 150 students and site size greater than 2 acres may install a pole sign subject to approval of a CUP

(c)

Commercial, mixed-use, and industrial zoning district sign standards. Each sign in a commercial, mixeduse or industrial zoning district shall comply with the requirements set forth in Tables 3-11 through 3-18 below, and to all applicable standards set forth in this division.

Table 3-11 Sign Standards for Commercial and other non-office sites (on-site noncommercial signs included).

Sign Class	Maximum Number	Maximum Area	Maximum Height/ Location
Wall sign (Sign Permit required unless otherwise stated) and internally illuminated only
(a) Ground Floor Primary Business Identifcation	No maximum.	One (1) s.f. for every one (1) lineal foot of building frontage (up to 300 s.f. on primary frontage, and 150 s.f. for secondary frontage). Minimum sign size is 40 s.f. (single- face only).	Only on frontages that face a street or public parking area with an entrance exclusive to the enclosed tenant space.
(b) Ground Floor Accessory Business Identifcation	No maximum.	No greater than sign area devoted to primary business identifcation signs (maximum 50 percent of total sign	Only on primary frontage of primary business allowed by subsection (a) above.

		area on front wall) (single-face only).
(c) Nameplate (no illumination), permit not required	One (1) per enclosed tenant space.	Three (3) s.f. (single-face only).	Near main entrance only.
(d) Ground Floor Business Advertising	No maximum.	No greater than sign area devoted to primary business identifcation signs (maximum 50 percent of total sign area on front wall) (single-face only).	Only on primary frontage of primary business allowed by subsection (a) above.
(e) Second Story Primary Business Identifcation (for two- story buildings only)	One (1) per enclosed tenant space. Permitted only for buildings allowed exterior signs for ground foor businesses. Must be individual letters no higher than 18 inches.	Maximum one-half (0.5) s.f. for every one (1) lineal foot of building frontage (up to 60 s.f.) (single-face only). Minimum sign size 30 s.f.	Below roofine, but above ceiling level of frst foor.
(f) Building Area Bonus (for enclosed tenant spaces with foor areas of 60,000 s.f. or more). Requires Administrative Sign Review	One (1) bonus, in addition to wall sign allowance normally allowed, per enclosed tenant space. Total wall sign utilizing this bonus shall not exceed 550 s.f.	Bonus (enclosed space s.f.) 100 s.f. (60,000—99,000 s.f.) 150 s.f. (100—124,000 s.f.) 200 s.f. (125,000— 149,999 s.f.) 250 s.f. (150,000 s.f. or more)	Wall sign only.
Hanging Signs (Sign Permit required unless otherwise stated) and internally illuminated only
(a) Nameplate	One (1) per business.	Five (5) s.f. per face (double face permitted).	Eight (8) feet vertical clearance from sidewalk level; perpendicular or near perpendicular to building fascia.

(b) Business Identifcation and/or Advertising	No maximum.	Same as wall signs.	Eight (8) feet vertical clearance from sidewalk level; parallel or near parallel to building fascia.

Table 3-12 Sign Standards for Commercial and other non-office sites (on-site noncommercial signs included)—Detached signs (for single-tenant buildings not part of a planned center).

Sign Class	Maximum Number	Maximum Area	Maximum Height/ Location
Administrative Sign Review required
(a) Business Identifcation (for sites with foor areas less than 30,000 s.f.)	One (1) per business.	40 s.f. per face (double- face permitted)	Six (6) feet
(b) Business Identifcation (for sites with foor areas of 30,000 s.f. or more)	One (1) per business	Maximum sign area, per face (double-face permitted), based on size of building's foor area: 55 s.f. (30—39,999 s.f. building) 70 s.f. (40—59,999 s.f. building) 100 s.f. (60—79,999 s.f. building) 150 s.f. (80—99,999 s.f. building) 200 s.f. (100— 149,999 s.f. building) 250 s.f. (150—199,999 s.f. building) 275 s.f. (200—249,999 s.f. building) 300 s.f. (250,000+ s.f. building)	Maximum sign height based on size of building's foor area: 15 feet (30—39,999 s.f. building) 25 feet (40—59,999 s.f. building) 40 feet (60,000+ s.f. building)
(c) Freeway adjacent business identifcation	One (1) per business (allowed on properties that share a common boundary or include	200 s.f.	35 feet

street frontage on a public street that is adjacent to the freeway right-of-way)

Table 3-13 Sign Standards for Commercial and other non-office sites (on-site noncommercial signs included)—Detached signs (for multi-tenant buildings or buildings part of a planned center).

Sign Class	Maximum Number	Maximum Area	Maximum Height/ Location
Administrative Sign Review Required
(a) Tenant Directory/Center Identifcation (for sites with less than 15,000 s.f. foor area)	One (1) per site	40 s.f. per face (double- face permitted)	Six (6) feet
(b) Tenant Directory/Center Identifcation (for sites with 15,000 [s.f.] or more foor area)	One (1) per site (additional sign permitted on each major arterial if foor area exceeds 100,000 s.f.)	Maximum sign area per face (double-face permitted) based on size of building's foor area: 55 s.f. (15—19,999 s.f. building) 70 s.f. (20—29,999 s.f. building) 100 s.f. (30—59,999 s.f. building) 150 s.f. (60—99,999 s.f. building) 200 s.f. (100—149,999 s.f. building) 250 s.f. (150-199,999 s.f. building) 275 s.f. (200-249,999 s.f. building) 300 s.f. (250,000+- 499,999 s.f. building) 450 s.f. (500,000+ s.f. building)	Maximum sign height based on size of building's foor area: 15 feet (15—19,999 s.f. building) 25 feet (20—29,999 s.f. building) 40 feet (30,000+ s.f. building)
(c) Tenant Directory, Secondary (for sites with	One (1) for every 30,000 s.f. of foor area (with a maximum of three)	50 s.f. per face (double face permitted)	Eight (8) feet

30,000 [s.f.] or more foor area)
(d) Freeway Adjacent Business Identifcation	One (1) per business (allowed on properties that share a common boundary or include street frontage on a public street that is adjacent to the freeway right-of-way	300 s.f.	40 feet
Table 3-14 Sign Standards for Commercial and other non-ofce sites (on-site noncommercial signs included)—Detached signs (General and Special Uses).
Sign Class	Maximum Number	Maximum Area	Maximum Height/ Location
General
(a) Parking Directional - Sign Permit required	One (1) per major parking lot entrance	Eight (8) s.f. per face (double face permitted)	Four (4) feet
(b) Freeway Site Bonus (for sites wholly or partially within 300 feet of freeway centerline) - CUP required	One (1) bonus per site	75 percent bonus per face, in addition to detached identifcation sign, up to total sign area of 750 s.f.	75 percent bonus in addition to what is normally allowed, up to 60 feet max. height
Special Uses - Administrative Sign Review required
(a) Service Station Identifcation/Price Panel; Accessory uses may be identifed on the service station ID sign at the discretion of the planning director	One (1) per site	100 s.f. single-face or 50 s.f. double-face maximum for identifcation plus maximum six (6) s.f. single- or double-face per price type and grade (price type and grade shall not be repeated more than once per face), up to 48 s.f. cumulative for price/grade signs and accessory use	1.25 times the building height (35 feet maximum)

(b) Service Station Price Panel	Two (2) per site, may be attached to identifcation sign, or detached	Twelve (12) s.f. per face (doubleface permitted)	Eight (8) feet
(c) Auto Dealer Identifcation - Sites include any use with approved precise plan designating a minimum 4,000 s.f. "outdoor display" area, and minimum 25,000 s.f. vehicular storage or parking area	One (1) per site with minimum 75,000 s.f. area (a second sign permitted for lots with freeway, arterial, or collector frontage over 350 feet)	150 s.f. per face (double-face permitted), with one-half of the sign area subtracted from the front wall sign allowance	35 feet
(d) Auto Dealer Directional Signs	Maximum of three (3) per site	Maximum cumulative 24 s.f. per face (double- face permitted)	Six (6) feet
(e) Drive-through Restaurant Menu Boards	One (1) per drive- through lane	40 s.f. (single-face only)	Eight (8) feet
(f) Flags	Maximum of three (3) fags per site. Detached (not within building setbacks of underlying zone; shall not encroach or overhang public right- of-way or adjacent properties). Torn, faded, sagging, or detached banners shall be repaired or replaced.	Maximum vertical dimension of eight (8) feet per face. Maximum horizontal dimension of twelve (12) feet.	50 feet

Table 3-15 Sign Standards for Commercial and other non-office sites (on-site noncommercial signs included)—Detached signs (Temporary Special Use). No permit required.

Sign Class	Maximum Number and Area	Maximum Height/Location
(a) Pole-mounted Vertical Banners (only for uses with approved outdoor display and more than 75,000 square feet of lot area).	Two (2) per light pole. 24 s.f. per face. Torn, faded, sagging, or detached banners shall be repaired or replaced. Maximum horizontal dimension of three (3) feet and a maximum vertical dimension of eight (8) feet.	Maximum 35 feet. Minimum vertical clearance of 14.5 feet above ground level. Must be attached to parking lot pole. Minimum vertical clearance of 14.5 feet above ground level.

(b) Small Balloons (only for uses with approved outdoor display and more than 75,000 square feet of lot area).	No maximum. Damaged or defated balloon displays shall be promptly repaired, replaced or removed from the premises attached to merchandise displays or to building exterior.	Individual balloons may not be more than 36 inches in any dimension. Maximum 95 feet above ground level.
(c) Pennants (only for uses with approved outdoor display and more than 75,000 square feet of lot area).	No maximum. Connected to parking lot light standards. Spaced no closer than 40 feet on center.	Each pennant shall be no larger than 3 feet by 4 feet per face.

Table 3-16 Readerboards—Administrative Sign Review required unless otherwise stated.

Sign Class	Maximum Number	Maximum Area	Maximum Height/ Location
(a) Theater and Auditoriums - Manual or Electronic	One (1) readerboard permitted per site and incorporated into a normally allowed sign.	100 percent bonus in addition to allowance normally allowed (including non- readerboard portions of the same sign), up to maximum of 900 s.f. per face.	Same as normally allowed.
(b) Other Commercial Uses Located within 300 Feet of Freeway Centerline - Only freeway oriented electronic readerboards allowed	One (1) readerboard per site and incorporated into a normally allowed sign.	The readerboard area shall be no more than 75 percent of total allowable sign area, per face.	Same as normally allowed.
(c) Institutional Uses - Manual or Electronic	One (1) readerboard per site and incorporated into a normally allowed sign	Readerboard area shall not exceed 50 percent of total allowable sign area, per face (building mounted or monument) with approval of an administrative sign review; or 70 s.f. maximum display board area per face for a pole sign with approval of a	Same as normally allowed for monument. 15 feet maximum for a pole sign with approval of a CUP.

CUP. (20 s.f. of which shall be used for physical static sign copy to identify the name and numerical address of the institution).

Table 3-17 Sign Standards for Events on Commercial Sites Requiring a Temporary Use Permit.

Sign Class	Maximum Number	Maximum Sign Area	Maximum Sign Height
(a) Banners.	One (1) per street frontage. Banners shall be maintained in good condition. Torn, faded, sagging, or detached banners shall be repaired or replaced. Banners shall be mounted fat against building exterior wall or other locations (free-standing wall, detached, roof).	One (1) s.f. of sign area per one (1) foot of building frontage up to 60 s.f. on exterior building wall maximum (single-face only), or 50 s.f. per face on other locations (doubleface permitted)	Below eaveline.
(b) Banners for uses with a seventy-fve (75,000) square foot or larger site with an approved precise plan designating a min. of four thousand (4,000) square feet of area for "outdoor display".	One (1) per street frontage. Torn, faded, sagging, or detached banners shall be repaired or replaced. Banners shall be mounted fat against building exterior wall or other locations (freestanding wall, detached, roof). Banner colors shall be coordinated with building colors and/or corporate colors.	300 square feet	30 feet
(c) Pole-mounted Vertical Banners.	Two (2) per light pole. Maximum horizontal dimension of three (3) feet and a maximum vertical dimension of eight (8) feet. Must be attached to parking lot pole. Torn, faded, sagging, or detached banners shall be repaired or replaced.	24 s.f. per face (double-face permitted).	Minimum vertical clearance of 14.5 feet above ground level.
(d) Infatable (Large) Balloons.	One (1) per business. Must be spherical or custom shape. May not be helium-flled or lighter	Width of subject building (up to a maximum of 40 feet).	30 feet (measured from roof level for

	than air. Roof mounted or ground-mounted. Damaged or defated balloon displays shall be promptly repaired, replaced or removed from the premises.		roof-mounts. Ground level for ground-mounts) above roof level.
(e) Small Balloons.	No maximum. Damaged or defated balloon displays shall be promptly repaired, replaced or removed from the premises.	Individual balloons may not be more than 36 inches in any dimension.	Maximum 35 feet above ground level.
(f) Window Bonus (buildings with frontages less than 20 feet).	No maximum. Inside glass panel.	50 percent of window up to 100 s.f. maximum.
(g) Window Bonus (buildings with frontages between 21 to 30 feet).	No maximum. Inside glass panel.	45 percent of window up to 125 s.f.
(h) Window Bonus (buildings with frontages over 30 feet).	No maximum. Inside glass panel.	40 percent up to 150 square feet maximum.
(i) Vehicle Signs (only for uses with approved outdoor display and more than 75,000 square feet of lot area).	One (1) per vehicle. Individually strung balloons (less than 36 inches in diameter) may be tied to vehicles.	Six (6) s.f. per vehicle (single-face only).	Mounted directly on vehicle.
(j) Pennants, Streamers, Searchlights, and Other Attention Attracting Devices Not Listed.	May be permitted at the discretion of the planning director when in conjunction with a TUP.

Table 3-18 Sign Standards for Events on Commercial Sites Requiring a Special Event Permit.

Sign Class	Maximum Number	Maximum Sign Area	Maximum Sign Height
(a) Banners.	One (1) per business. Banners shall be maintained in good condition. Torn, faded, sagging, or detached banners shall be repaired or replaced. Banner colors shall be	One (1) s.f. of sign area per one (1) foot of building frontage up to 60 s.f. (single-face only).	Below eaveline.

	coordinated with building colors and/or corporate colors. Banners shall be mounted fat against building exterior wall.
(b) Small Balloons.	No maximum. Damage or defated balloon displays shall be promptly repaired, replaced or removed from the premises attached to merchandise displays or to building exterior.	Individual balloons may not be more than 36 inches in any dimension.	Maximum 35 feet above ground level.
(c) Window Bonus (buildings with frontages less than 20 feet).	No maximum. Inside glass panel.	50 percent of window up to 100 s.f. max.
(d) Window Bonus (buildings with frontages between 21 to 30 feet).	No maximum. Inside glass panel.	45 percent of window up to 125 s.f.
(e) Window Bonus (buildings with frontages over 30 feet).	No maximum. Inside glass panel.	40 percent, up to 150 s.f. maximum.
(f) Pennants, Streamers, Searchlights, and Other Attention Attracting Devices Not Listed.	May be permitted at planning director's discretion when in conjunction with a SEP.

(Ord. No. 2519, § 5(Exh. A), 2-20-24)

Sec. 26-103. - Sign development standards and regulations.

(a)

The standards set forth in this section shall be utilized for advertising displays and signs and shall not apply to the design of temporary signs.

(1)

Sign height measurement. The height of a proposed sign shall be measured from the upper most portion of the sign used in determining the area of the sign to the base of the sign of the sign to the nearest base of

the adjacent on-site building, or the nearest curb of the public street, whichever is closest to the location of the sign.

(2)

Measurement of sign area. any supporting structures including sign bases and columns shall not be included in the calculation of sign area. Sign area shall include the entire area within a single continuous perimeter composed of up to four (4) triangles, squares, or rectangles that enclose the extreme limits of all sign elements, including borders, written copy, logos, symbols, illustrations and color.

(3)

Sign illumination. The following standards shall apply to all illuminated signs:

a.

Signs may be internally or externally lit, however any illumination shall spill onto adjacent properties, nor create a public nuisance or public safety hazards. Any exterior lighting sources shall be shielded from view and directed to illuminate only the sign face.

b.

The line of sight from an illuminated sign shall not be of an intensity or brightness or directed in a manner that will negatively impact residential properties in a direct line of sight to the sign.

c.

Any lights illuminating signs shall not flash, blink, flitter, nor include intermittent or chasing lights, or any illumination that is in motion or appears to be in motion.

d.

Colored lights shall not be used in a manner that may be confused or construed as traffic control devices.

(4)

Sign maintenance. Signs and any supporting hardware shall be maintained in a safe condition, painted, and adequately protected from weathering with all braces, bolts, and structural parts, supporting frames, and fastenings reasonably free from deterioration, rot, rust, and loosening so that they do not create a hazard to persons or property or constitute a nuisance.

(5)

Design and style. Any proposed sign shall be designed to be compatible with and relate to the architectural style of the main structure(s) of the site where the sign will be located. Signs located on commercial sites near residential areas shall be unobtrusive and compatible with adjacent residential areas. Any new can or cabinet signs are prohibited, with the exception of nationally recognized logos. New wall signs shall be individual channel letters with a minimum depth of two (2) inches.

(b)

To allow for innovative, imaginative, and a variety of signage that would positively contribute to the aesthetics of the City, a creative sign may be proposed as part of a sign program. Murals that advertise the business is an example of creative signage.

(1)

Applicability. An applicant may propose a creative sign in order to request approval of development standards that differ from the provisions of this chapter (except as indicated herein), but comply with the purpose and findings of this section. However, a creative sign may not be any of the prohibited sign types identified in section 26-101.

(2)

Application. All creative signs shall be processed pursuant to a sign program.

(3)

Approval authority. The Planning Commission shall review all creative signs.

(4)

Standards.

a.

Creative signs are only permitted within non-residential and mixed-use zones.

b.

Creative signs shall not encroach into the public right-of-way unless an encroachment permit is approved by the City Engineer or their designee.

c.

Creative signs shall comply with the height limit of the zone.

d.

A business cannot have both a creative sign and a standard wall sign. If a business opts to have a creative sign, the business shall not have a standard wall sign.

e.

An electronic readerboard and/or any type of digital signage shall not be considered a creative sign.

(5)

Findings. The Planning Commission shall not approve a creative sign unless the proposed sign meets the following design criteria:

Design quality. The sign shall:

1.

Constitute a substantial aesthetic improvement to the site and shall have a positive visual impact on the surrounding area;

2.

Be of unique design, and exhibit a high degree of imagination, inventiveness, spirit, and thoughtfulness; and

3.

Provide strong graphic character through the imaginative use of color, graphics, proportion, quality materials, scale, and texture.

b.

Contextual criteria. The sign shall contain at least one (1) of the following elements:

1.

Classic historic design style;

2.

Creative image reflecting current or historic character of the City; or

3.

Inventive representation of the logo, name, or use of the structure or business.

c.

Architectural criteria. The sign shall:

1.

Utilize or enhance the architectural elements of the building; and

2.

Be placed in a logical location in relation to the overall composition of the building's facade and not cover any key architectural features and details of the facade.

d.

Impacts on surrounding uses. The sign shall be located and designed not to cause light and glare impacts on surrounding uses, especially residential uses.

(Ord. No. 2519, § 5(Exh. A), 2-20-24)