Yreka Municipal Code Ch. 13.12 Prohibited Signs

(a) Any existing sign which was in compliance with all signage requirements when erected, but no longer complies with the provisions of this title shall not be substantally altered or reconstructed unless the sign, when so reconstructed or altered, complies with the applicable requirements of this title. The provisions of this section shall not apply to normal maintenance or modification of the signage copy.

(Ord. 775 (part), 2004).

(a) No sign shall be erected, constructed or maintained if which sign displays or makes use of the words "stop", "danger", or any other word, phrase, symbol or character, in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic.

(b) Signs having red, green or amber lights that could be confused with traffic signals shall not be permitted if designed or located to be seen primarily by vehicular traffic. Such colors are not prohibited where, by the design of the sign or lights used, it is extremely unlikely that such lights could be confused with traffic signals by the driving public.

(Ord. 775 (part), 2004: Ord. 427 § 1 -29, 1969).

All electrical signs intended to attract attention by any flashing on and off, or simulating any motion through a series of rapid light changes, are hereby prohibited. Time and temperature and electronic reader boards may be permitted by approval of a use permit only when it can be determined such electronic sign will not have a negative effect on traffic safety or otherwise negatively affect the neighborhood.

(Ord. 775 (part), 2004).

No sign shall be permitted to have movement or moving parts which is generated by electronic means except barber poles.

(Ord. 775 (part), 2004).

All signs not pertinent to the use of the land upon which it is located are prohibited. This section shall not apply to the erection or use of noncommercial or civic event signs, so long as they are exempt as defined by and otherwise conform to this title.

(Ord. 775 (part), 2004: Ord. 483, 1972: Ord. 427 § 1 -30, 1969).

(Ord. No. 810, § 1(C), 2-19-2009)

(a) A sign is pertinent to the use of the land upon which it is located for the purposes of Section 13.12.050 only if it is devoted exclusively to the following uses:

1. To advertise the sale or lease of the property on which such sign is placed;

2. To designate the name of the owner or occupant of the premises upon which property such sign is placed;

3. To advertise the business conducted or goods made or produced or services rendered upon such property upon which such sign is placed.

(Ord. 775 (part), 2004: Ord. 427 § 1-31, 1969).

Marquee signs shall be prohibited except for theaters, if authorized by use permit, when the Planning Commission finds such sign is consistent with the neighborhood in which it is proposed.

(Ord. 775 (part), 2004).

Roof signs shall be prohibited except as provided in Section 13.52.

(Ord. 775 (part), 2004).

Except as otherwise permitted in Section 17.04.110 (Historic District) all portable signs shall be prohibited.

(Ord. 775 (part), 2004).

Obscene signs containing statements, words, pictures, or other representations, which are obscene as defined as Penal Code Section 311 are prohibited.

(Ord. 775 (part), 2004: Ord. 427 § 1-32, 1969).

No person shall park any vehicle or trailer on a public right-of-way, public property, or on private property so as to be visible from a public right-of-way, which has attached thereto or located thereon any sign or advertising device for the basic purpose of providing advertisement of products or directing people to a business. This section is not intended to apply to standard advertising or identification practices where such signs or advertising devices are painted on or permanently attached to a business or commercial vehicle and are used in conjunction with the business that it identifies or advertises including vehicles utilized for the delivery of business products.

(Ord. 775 (part), 2004: Ord. 576 (part), 1982).

The owner of any sign as defined and regulated by this title, including supporting structures, shall keep the same in a safe condition at all times. If the Building Official shall find that any sign regulated herein is unsafe or insecure, or is a menace to the public, he or she may give written notice to the sign owner and to the property owner. If such sign owner fails to remove or alter the sign so as to comply with the standards herein set forth within thirty (30) days after such notice, the Building Official may cause such sign to be removed or altered to comply at the expense of the sign owner or owner of the property upon which it is located. The Building Official may cause any sign, which is an immediate danger to persons or property to be removed summarily and without notice.

(Ord. 775 (part), 2004: Ord. 427 § 1-34, 1969).

No sign shall be constructed, installed or erected, which has less horizontal or vertical clearance from energized electric power lines and communication lines than prescribed by the California Penal Code, Section 385, the regulations of the California Public Utilities Commission, and the orders of the Division of Industrial Safety, State of California.

(Ord. 775 (part), 2004: Ord. 427 § 1-34, 1969).

(a) No portion of any sign, or the supports thereof, shall be placed so as to obstruct any fire escape, stairway, exterior door or standpipe, nor shall any such outdoor advertising structure or sign or any of the supports thereof, be attached to or supported by any fire escape.

(b) No portion of any sign or the supports thereof, shall be placed so as to interfere with human exit through any window of any room.

(Ord. 775 (part), 2004: Ord. 427 § 1-35, 1969).

Any advertising copy or message now or hereafter existing which advertises a business no longer in operation under the same name, a product or service which is no longer available, a public or private event which has already occurred, or a candidate for public office, the election for which has already taken place, shall be removed by the owner, agent or person having the beneficial use of the building, or structure or premises upon which such copy or message may be found, within thirty (30) days after written notice from Planning Director. Upon failure to comply with such notice within the time specified in such order, the Planning Director is authorized to cause the removal of the advertising copy or message, and the expense incident to such removal shall be the obligation of the owner of the building, or structure or premises on which the advertising copy or message is displayed.

(Ord. 775 (part), 2004: Ord. 427 § 1-36, 1969).

No sign shall be erected at any location where, by reason of its position, it will obstruct or interfere with the view of any authorized traffic sign, signal or device.

(Ord. 775 (part), 2004: Ord. 427 § 1-37, 1969).

The provision of this title shall not be construed as relieving, or limiting in any way, the responsibility or liability of any person erecting or owning any sign for person injury or property damage resulting from the placing of such sign, or resulting from the negligence or willful acts of such person, his agents, employees or workmen, in the construction, maintenance, repair or removal of any sign erected in accordance with a permit issued hereunder. Nor shall this title be construed as imposing upon the city, or its officers or employees, any responsibility or liability by reason of the approval of any signs, materials, or devices under the provisions of this title.

(Ord. 427 § 1 -38, 1969).