CITY OF EL CENTRO FINAL SIGN ORDINANCE

Transcription

1 CITY OF EL CENTRO FINAL SIGN ORDINANCE AUGUST 2007

2 ARTICLE I BASIC PROVISIONS DIVISION 1. PURPOSE AND APPLICABILITY Sec Purpose The purpose of this Chapter is to establish procedures and regulations addressing signs that are intended to: (a) Identify, attract and direct various activities and enterprises, in order to provide for maximum public convenience. (b) Provide a reasonable system of controls to encourage signs that are well designed and pleasing in appearance. (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) (i) Provide incentive and latitude for location, variety, good design relationship and spacing. Encourage a desirable urban character with a minimum of visual clutter. Enhance the economic value of the community by careful location, design and illumination of signs. Encourage signs that are compatible with adjacent land uses. Reduce possible traffic and safety hazards through appropriate signing. Relate sign area and height to viewing distance and nature of use. Enhance the general appearance of the urban environment and preserve the natural beauty and unique character of the City. Sec Applicability (a) (b) (c) Signs shall only be erected or maintained in any zoning district in compliance with this Chapter. The sign regulations outlined in this Chapter are intended to be the minimum standards needed to achieve the City s purposes in regards to signs. Where this Chapter conflicts with provisions of the adopted zoning ordinance or any amendments thereto, the regulations established by this Chapter shall apply. These sign regulations are not intended to restrict, limit or control the content or message of signs. Sec Sec Sec

3 DIVISION 2. GENERAL PROVISIONS Sec Nonconforming Advertising Displays - Prior Ordinances All prior ordinances regulating or prohibiting advertising displays, including, without limitation, billboards, off-premise outdoor advertising signs establishing nonconforming uses are not superseded by this ordinance or any other ordinance for purposes of establishing the dates of the nonconforming use or periods of amortization. Sec Conformance of Sign Permits with State and Federal Law Notwithstanding any language in this Chapter to the contrary, the provisions of this Chapter are subject to the provisions of the Outdoor Advertising Act (California Business and Professions Code section 5200 et seq.) and should any prescription set forth in this chapter conflict with said Outdoor Advertising Act or applicable federal regulations, then said act or regulations shall prevail over the conflicting language in this chapter. Notwithstanding any language in this Chapter to the contrary, no permit authorizing the erection, construction, placement, movement, relocation, utilization, or modification of an outdoor sign, display, billboard or applicable advertising structure shall be approved or issued by the City when such erection, construction, placement, movement, relocation, utilization, or modification would be or constitutes a violation of applicable provisions of the Outdoor Advertising Act (California Business and Professions Code section 5200 et seq.) or any other provision of state or federal law or regulation. Sec Sec Sec DIVISION 3. DEFINITIONS Sec Purpose of Definitions The purpose of the following sections is to promote consistency and precision in the interpretation of the Sign Ordinance. The following definitions shall apply to this Chapter: Sec A Definitions Alley: A public or private way, other than a street, intended for vehicular access to the rear or side of property served by a street. A narrow way, less in size than a street, and which is not designed for general travel, which is used primarily as a means of access to the rear of business establishments and which generally affords only a secondary means of access to the property abutting along its length shall be construed to be an alley. 2

4 Animated Sign: Any sign that is designed to give a message through a sequence of progressive changes of parts or lights, or degree of lighting. This definition does not include public service signs such as time and temperature units. Architectural Projection: Any projection which is not intended for occupancy and which extends beyond the face of an exterior wall of a building; such terms, however, shall not include signs. Area (of a sign): The entire area within a single continuous perimeter enclosing the extreme limits of writing, representation, emblem, or any figure of similar character, together with any frame or other material or color forming an integral part of the display or used to differentiate such sign from the background against which it is placed; excluding the necessary supports or uprights or tower(s) on which such sign is placed. Where a sign has two (2) or more faces the area of all faces shall be included in determining the area of the sign, except that where two (2) such faces are placed back to back and are at no point more than two (2) feet from one another, the area of the sign shall be taken as the area of the face if the two (2) faces are of equal area, or as the area of the larger face if the two (2) faces are of unequal area. See Sec Sec B Definitions Billboard: Any sign or advertising structure used as an outdoor display for advertising that does not pertain to the business or activity on the site where said sign or advertising structure is located. Building Facade: That portion of any exterior elevation of a building extending from grade to the top of the parapet wall or eaves and the entire width of the building elevation. Building Official: The officer or person charged with the administration and enforcement of this Chapter or a duly authorized deputy. Building: For purposes of this Chapter, a building shall, in addition to the ordinary meaning, be taken to include a structure, but shall not be taken to include an advertising structure. Building Face: Same as building façade. Building Setback Line: The front, side, or rear yards as defined for each zone in the Zoning Ordinance or as shown on recorded maps. Sec C Definitions Canopy: A removable roof-like, protective cover constructed of a durable fabric or other flexible material extending from all or a portion of a building such as a door, entrance, window, or outdoor service area. Changeable Copy Sign: A sign on which message copy can be changed through the use of attachable letters and numerals, or by the electronic switching of lamps or illuminated tubes. This includes public message displays or any sign that features automatic switching, such as time and temperature signs. The government refers to these signs as variable message signs. The primary types are Manually Changeable Copy Signs, Tri-or Multi-Vision Faces, Scrolling Plastic Messages, and Computer-Aided Message Changing Devices. Chaser Sign: A sign that creates a running effect in a bank of lamps or tubes. This definition is not intended to include a flashing sign nor an animated sign. Cluster Sign: A number of similar signs attached to one support (pole). 3

5 Copy Area of Sign: The actual area of the sign copy applied to any background; in computing copy area, straight lines drawn closest to copy extremities encompassing individual letters or words shall be used. See Section Curb Line: The line at the face of the curb nearest to the street or roadway. In the absence of a curb, the curb line shall be established by the City Engineer. Sec D Definitions Directional Sign: On-site incidental signs designed to guide or direct pedestrian or vehicular traffic. Directly Illuminated Sign: A sign designed to emit artificial light directly (or through transparent or translucent material) from a source of light within such sign, including but not limited to neon and exposed lamp signs. Display Surface: The area made available by the sign structure for the purpose of displaying the advertising message. Sec E Definitions Electrical Sign: Any sign containing electrical wiring, but not including signs illuminated by an exterior light source. Sec F Definitions Flashing Sign: An illuminated sign, which contains an intermittent or sequential flashing light source in order to attract attention or communicate a message. Freestanding Sign: A sign which is in no part supported by a building, and which is supported by one or more columns, uprights or braces in or upon the ground. Freeway: A highway, in respect to which the owners of abutting lands or in respect to which such owners have only limited or restricted right or easement of access, the precise route for which has been determined and designated as a freeway by an authorized agency of the state or a political subdivision thereof. Sec G Definitions General Advertising Sign: (Off-site sign). A sign which directs attention to a business, commodity, industry or other activity which is sold, offered or conducted elsewhere than on the premises upon which such sign is located, or to which it is affixed and which is sold, offered or conducted on such premises only incidentally if at all. Sec H Definitions Height (of a sign): The vertical distance from the uppermost point used in measuring the area of a sign, or structure supporting a sign, to the ground immediately below such point or to the level of the upper surface of the nearest curb of a street, alley or highway (other than a structurally elevated roadway), whichever measurement permits the greater elevation of the sign. See Sec

6 Sec I Definitions Identification Sign: A sign for either a principal or conditional use, permitted regardless of the district in which the use itself may be located, which sign serves to tell only the name, address, phone number and lawful use of the premises upon which the sign is located, or on the building to which affixed. A bulletin to display announcements relative to meetings to be held on the premises shall be deemed an identification sign. Inflatable Sign: A sign that holds its shape by receiving a one-time or continuous supply of air or other gas. Inflatable signs include balloons. Illuminated Sign: A sign in which a source of light is used in order to make readable the message. This definition shall include internally and externally lighted signs and reflectorized, glowing or radiating signs. Sec J Definitions Sec K Definitions Sec L Definitions Sec M Definitions Marquee: A permanent roofed structure attached to and supported by the building and projecting over public property. Marquee Sign: Any sign attached to or constructed in a marquee. Multiple Copy Sign: A sign that advertises other than the name of the business and the principal product or service. Sec N Definitions Name Plate: A sign affixed flat against a wall of a building and serving to designate only the name or the names and professional occupation of a person or persons residing in or occupying space in such building. Neon Sign: A sign composed wholly, or in part, of glass tube lighting in which a gas and phosphors are used in combination to create a colored light. Non-Illuminated Sign: A sign that is not illuminated, either directly or indirectly. Nonstructural Trim: The molding, battens, caps, nailing strips, latticing, cutouts or letters and walkways which are attached to the sign structure and that are not supporting, or being supported by, any structure. Sec O Definitions 5

7 Sec P Definitions Pole Sign: A sign that is wholly supported by a freestanding structure. Pole-Mounted Sign: Same as pole sign. Political Sign: A sign identifying and urging public support for a particular election issue, candidate for public office, or political party. Portable Display Surface: A display surface temporarily fixed to a standardized advertising structure that can be moved from structure to structure at periodic intervals. Principal Identification Sign: A sign that identifies only the name of the business and the principal product or service. Professional Sign: Same as name plate sign. Projecting Sign: A sign other than a wall sign, which projects from and is supported by a wall of a building or structure. Projection: The distance by which a sign extends over public right-of-way or beyond the building setback line. Property Frontage, Primary: The side of a parcel that abuts a public street and provides primary access to said parcel. Property Frontage, Secondary: Where two or more sides of a parcel abut on a public street, the side (or sides) of said parcel that abuts a public street but does not provide the primary access to said parcel. Sec Q Definitions Sec R Definitions Revolving Sign: Any sign or portion thereof that physically rotates about an axis. Roof Sign: A sign erected upon or above a roof, mansard or parapet of a building and structurally attached thereto. Sec S Definitions Sign: Any structure, part thereof, or device or inscription which is located upon, attached to, or painted, projected or represented on any land or right-of-way, or on the outside of any building or structure including an awning, a canopy, marquee or similar appendage, or permanently affixed to the glass on the outside or inside of a window so as to be seen from the outside of the building, and which displays or includes any numeral, letter, works, model, banner, emblem, insignia, symbol, device, light, trademark or other representation used as, or in the nature of, an announcement, advertisement, attention-arrester, direction, warning or designation by or of any person, firm, group, organization, place, commodity, product, service business-profession, enterprise or industry. A sign is composed of those elements included in the area of the sign and, in addition, the supports, uprights and framework of the display. Except in the case of general advertising signs, two (2) or more faces shall be deemed to be a single sign if such faces are contiguous on the same plane, or are placed back to back to form a single structure and are at no point more than two (2) feet from one another. 6

8 Sign Structure: Any structure that supports or is capable of supporting any sign as defined in this Chapter. A sign structure may be a single pole and may or may not be an integral part of the building. Small Permanent Sign: Any permanent on-premises sign measuring less than twenty-five (25) square feet and not elsewhere described in this shall be considered a small permanent sign that shall only be permitted in commercial and industrial zones. Street Property Line: The "street property line" shall mean any lines separating private property from either a street or an alley. Structure: That which is built or constructed, an edifice or building of any kind, or any piece of work artificially built up or composed of parts jointed together in some definite manner. Sec T Definitions Temporary Sign: Any sign, banner, pennant, valance, or advertising display constructed of cloth, canvas, light fabric, cardboard, wallboard, or other light materials, with or without frames, intended to be displayed for a limited period of time only. Sec U Definitions California Building and Electrical Codes: The current edition of the California Building and Electrical Codes that have been officially adopted by the City and become related to these guidelines regarding construction standards, approved materials, and projection standards unless otherwise specified herein. Sec V Definitions Sec W Definitions Wall Sign: Any sign painted on, attached to or erected against the wall of a building or structure, with the exposed face of the sign in plane parallel to the plane of said wall. Said sign shall not extend more than sixteen (16) inches therefrom. Sec X Definitions Sec Y Definitions Sec Z Definitions Zone or Zoning: A mapped area to which a uniform set of regulations applies; or a uniform set of regulations including a list of permitted uses and standards for development. 7

9 ARTICLE II PROCESS AND PERMITTING DIVISION 1. SIGN PERMIT PROCESS Sec Sign Permit Required (a) Prior to the construction or posting of a sign or outdoor advertisement within the City, a building permit (heretofore referred to as permit or sign permit ) for the sign shall be approved by the Building Official, unless the sign is specifically exempted from the sign permit requirements of this Chapter. Table summarizes which sign types require the issuance of a sign permit and which are exempt from the sign permit requirements. Certain sign types are expressly prohibited within City as described in Sec Other sign types require issuance of other permits or approval by other City officials or bodies, in addition to, or in-lieu of, a sign permit as described in Sec (b) Painting, repainting, or cleaning of any advertising structure shall not be considered an erection or alteration which requires a permit. (c) If, in the opinion of the Building Official, approval of a permit would allow a sign that would be contrary to the standards set forth in this Chapter, the Building Official shall deny such permit. This and other discretionary actions taken by the Building Official during the sign permit process may be appealed to the Administrative Committee. All such appeals shall be filed within thirty (30) days of decision. The appeals process is outlined in Figures (d) All sign permit applications shall include two (2) copies of a plot plan and sign layout showing size of sign, size of letters, and background area. (e) A sign permit fee and plan checking fee shall be paid in accordance with the schedule established by the City Council at the time of sign permit application. (f) All signs for which a permit is required shall be subject to inspection by the Building Official. (g) Footing inspections may also be required by the Building Official for all signs having footings. (h) All signs may be re-inspected at the discretion of the Building Official. (i) The Building Official may order the removal of any sign that is not maintained in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter. Sec Additional Permits or Approvals Required The following sign types or modifications require issuance of other permits or approvals by other City officials or bodies, in addition to a sign permit as described below: (a) Electrical Permit Required. In addition to a sign permit, an electrical permit approved by the Building Official shall be obtained for all electrical signs. All signs containing electrical wiring shall be subject to the provisions of the California Electrical Code and the electrical components shall bear the label of the underwriter s laboratory. (b) Encroachment Permit Required. In addition to a sign permit, signs that obstruct the free passage or use of any portion of the public right-of-way including a roadway, street, alley, or sidewalk require approval of an encroachment permit by the City Engineer in accordance with Section 23-3 of the Municipal Code. 8

10 (c) Administrative Committee Approval Required. In addition to a sign permit, the following modifications to sign requirements require the review and approval of the City s Administrative Committee: modifications to the size and location requirements of directional signs as required by Table , pole-mounted or freestanding signs within a required building setback area, and principal identification signs that exceed the allowed size of a sign on a secondary street. Discretionary actions taken by the Administrative Committee may be appealed to the Planning Commission. All such appeals shall be filed within thirty (30) days of decision. The appeals process is outlined in Figure (d) City Manager Approval Required. Real estate signs and special event signs are subject to the approval of the City Manager, and do not require issuance of a sign permit. Discretionary actions taken by the City Manager may be appealed to the Planning Commission in the same manner as discretionary actions taken by the Administrative Committee as illustrated in Figure All such appeals shall be filed within thirty (30) days of decision. (e) City Council Approval Required. The following signs may only be permitted with the review and approval of the City Council: (1) Bench signs; and (2) Signs not directly listed in this Chapter upon amendment of this Chapter by the City Council to allow such signs. Sec Sec Sec

11 ARTICLE III SIGN REGULATION DIVISION 1. SIGN DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS Sec Design (a) General. Signs and sign structures shall be designed and constructed to resist wind and seismic forces as specified in this section and in the California Building Code and the Uniform Sign Code. All bracing systems shall be designed and constructed to transfer lateral forces to the foundations. For signs on buildings, the dead and lateral loads shall be transmitted through the structural frame of the building to the ground in such manner as not to overstress any of the elements thereof. The overturning moment produced from lateral forces shall in no case exceed two-thirds (2/3) of the dead-load resisting moment. Uplift due to overturning shall be adequately resisted by proper anchorage to the ground or to the structural frame of the building. The weight of earth superimposed over footings may be used in determining the dead-load resisting moment. Such earth shall be carefully placed and thoroughly compacted. (b) Combined Loads. Wind and seismic loads need not be combined in the design of signs or sign structures; only that loading producing the larger stresses need to be used. Vertical design loads, except roof live loads, shall be assumed to be acting simultaneously with the wind or seismic loads. (c) Allowable Stresses. The following shall conform to the requirements of the California Building Code and the Uniform Sign Code: (1) The design of wood, concrete, steel or aluminum; (2) Stresses produced by loads, both vertical and horizontal, exerted on the soil; (3) Increases in working stresses for wind or seismic loads combined with dead loads. Sec Construction (a) General. The supports for all signs or sign structures shall be placed in or upon private property and shall be securely built, constructed, and erected in conformance with the requirements of this Article. (b) Materials. Materials of construction for signs and sign structures shall be of the quality and grade as specified for buildings in the California Building Code and the Uniform Sign Code. In all signs and sign structures the materials and details of construction shall, in the absence of specified requirements, conform to the following: (1) Structural steel shall be of such quality as to conform to U.B.C. Standard No Secondary members in contact with or directly supporting the display surface may be formed of light gauge steel provided such members are designed in accordance with the specifications of the design of light gauge steel as specified in the U.B.C. Standard No and in addition shall be galvanized. Secondary members, when formed integrally with the display surface, shall be no less than No. 24 gauge in thickness. When not formed integrally with the display surface the minimum thickness of the secondary members shall be No. 12 gauge. The minimum thickness of hot-rolled steel members furnishing structural support signs shall be one-fourth (1/4) inch except that if galvanized, such members shall be not less than one-eighth (1/8) inch thick. Steel pipes shall be of such quality as to conform to U.B.C. Standard No Steel members may be connected with one galvanized bolt provided the connection is adequate to transfer the stresses in the members. 10

12 (c) Nonstructural Trim. Nonstructural trim and portable display surfaces may be of wood, metal, approved plastics, or any combination thereof. (d) Anchorage. Members supporting unbraced signs shall be so proportioned that the bearing loads imposed on the soil in either direction, horizontal or vertical, shall not exceed the safe values. Braced ground signs shall be anchored to resist the specified wind or seismic load acting in any direction. Anchors and supports shall be designed for safe bearing loads on the soil and for an effective resistance to pull-out amounting to a force twenty-five (25) percent greater than the required resistance to overturning. Anchors and supports shall penetrate to a depth below ground greater than that of the frost line. Portable ground signs supported by frames or posts rigidly attached to the base shall be so proportioned that the weight and size of the base will be adequate to resist the wind pressure specified in this Article. Signs attached to masonry, concrete, or steel shall be safely and securely fastened thereto by means of metal anchors, bolts, or approved expansion screws of sufficient size and anchorage to support safely the loads applied. No wooden blocks, plugs, or anchors with wood used in connection with screws or nails shall be considered proper anchorage, except in the case of signs attached to wood framing. No anchor or support of any sign shall be connected to, or supported by, an unbraced parapet wall, unless such wall is designed in accordance with the requirements for parapet walls specified in seismic zones in the California Building Code and the Uniform Sign Code. Anchors and supports when of wood and embedded in the soil, or within six (6) inches of the soil, shall be of all heartwood of a durable species or shall be pressure-treated with an approved preservative. Such members shall be marked or branded by a listed testing agency and approved by the Building Official. (e) Approved Plastics. Any plastic material used must meet the specifications of the Building Official. (f) Bare Bulb Illumination. Bare bulb illumination must meet the requirements established by the adopted California Electrical Code. Sec Projection and Clearance (a) General. All types of signs shall conform to the clearance and projection requirements of this section. (b) Clearance from High Voltage Power Lines. Signs shall be located not less than six (6) feet horizontally or twelve (12) feet vertically from overhead electrical conductors in excess of seven hundred fifty (750) volts. For conductors less than seven hundred fifty (750) volts, there shall be a minimum of three (3) feet horizontal and vertical clearance. The term "overhead conductors" as used in this section means any electrical conductor, bare or insulated, installed above the ground except such conductors as are enclosed in iron pipe or other material covering of equal strength. All applicable Imperial Irrigation District (IID) requirements shall also apply. (c) Clearance from Fire Escapes, Exits, or Standpipes. No sign or sign structure shall be erected in such a manner that any portion of its surface or supports will interfere in any way with the free use of any fire escape, exit or standpipe. 11

13 Sec Design Maintenance Standards (a) The standards of all signs and outdoor advertising shall reasonably comply with the guidelines of this Chapter. All signs and advertising structures shall comply with the requirements of the California Building and Electrical Codes as adopted and enforced by the City. Electrically energized components and cabinets shall bear the seal of its listing by the testing agency or laboratory, which must be approved by the Building Official. (b) All signs and sign structures shall be maintained in a state of safe condition and good repair. (c) In the event a use of any site or building is vacated, terminated or abandoned, for any reason for a period of more than one hundred twenty (120) consecutive days, the owner or person in possession of the property shall be responsible for removal of all signs on the property, building or wall, or for having the copy thereof painted out, at his expense, within thirty (30) days of notice from the City. (d) Painting, repainting, or cleaning of any sign or outdoor advertising structure shall not be considered an erection or alteration that requires a sign permit. Sec Sec Sec DIVISION 2. COMPUTATION OF SIGN HEIGHT, SIGN AREA AND COPY AREA Sec Sign Height (a) Computation of Sign Height. Except as otherwise provided by this Chapter, the height of a sign shall be computed by measuring the vertical distance from the uppermost point used in measuring the area of a sign, or if a structure is provided, from the upper most point of the structure supporting the sign, to the ground immediately below such point or to the level of the upper surface of the nearest curb of a street, alley or highway (other than a structurally elevated roadway), whichever measurement permits the greater elevation of the sign. See Figures and Sec Sign Area (a) Computation of Sign Area. In computing total sign area in square feet, standard mathematical formula for known or common shapes will be used. In the case of irregular shapes, straight lines drawn closest to the extremities of the shape will be used. On signs with more than one face, only that face or faces visible from any one direction at one time will be considered in the computation of sign area. The area of the pole or structure shall not be counted toward the total sign area on pole-mounted or free-standing signs with no text on the poles or supporting structure. (See Figures , , and ) 12

14 Sec Sign Copy Area (a) Computation of Copy Area. In computing copy area, straight lines drawn closest to copy extremities encompassing individual letters or words shall be used (See Figure ). (b) Computation of Permitted Copy Area of Building Façade Facing. The copy area of a building facade facing shall not exceed forty (40) percent of the total area of the building facade. (c) Computation of Permitted Copy Area of Multiple Copy Sign. The copy area of multiple copy signs shall not exceed forty (40) percent of the background to which they are applied (See Figure ). Sec Sec Sec DIVISION 3. SIGN STANDARDS Sec Prohibited Signs Except as otherwise provided in this Chapter, the following standards apply to all signs: (a) Signs that obstruct any window, door or other opening used as means of regular ingress and egress, or for required legal light and ventilation; or fire escapes and other openings for emergency access and escape; or that create a safety hazard by obstructing clear view of pedestrians or vehicular traffic. (b) Signs placed on public property or within the public street right-of-way, except for marquee signs. Also excepted are those signs for nonprofit organizations, such as churches or neighborhood watch, contingent upon review and approval of a sign permit by the Building Official. (c) Signs with an intensity of illumination or location that interferes with the proper operation of motor vehicles on a public street. (d) Signs painted on exterior of buildings that are lewd, indecent or otherwise offensive to the public morals. (e) Off-premises signs are not permitted in any zone, excepting temporary subdivision signs, which require issuance of a sign permit. (f) Signs that identify or advertise a product or business not located on the property on which said sign is located. (g) Revolving Signs. Any sign or portion thereof that physically rotates about an axis is prohibited. (h) Painted Wall Signs. Any sign painted on the wall of a building or structure, with the exposed face of the sign in plane parallel to the plane of said wall, is prohibited. 13

15 Sec Permitted Signs Table provides regulations that shall apply to all sign types within the City, including: which sign types require the issuance of a sign permit and which are exempt from the sign permit requirements; the zones in which sign types are permitted; maximum height and sign area requirements; and additional standards. The sign types listed in Table shall also conform to the other requirements, standards and regulations of this Chapter, the Zoning Ordinance and other provisions of the Municipal Code as applicable. Where the requirements of Table conflict with a provision of the Zoning Ordinance, the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance shall apply. Signs not expressly listed in this table or discussed elsewhere in this Chapter may be permitted by the City Council upon amendment of this Chapter. Sec Sec Sec

16 Sign Animated Sign Billboard Sign Permit Required? Yes Yes Permitted Zones ML, MG, MBP CT, CG,CH, ML, MG, MBP 6 Max. Area 4 sf of primary property sf Bulletin Board No All 20 sf Church / Religious Worship Facility Sign Commemorative Plaque Yes CH 1 primary property 4 sf of Digital Sign Yes All Table Permitted Signs Max. Number Max. Height Additional Standards One per access to property, including cluster signs 500 separation between billboards One per street Not to exceed 7 above natural grade Two 35 (a) (b) (c) (a) Flashing signs shall be limited to illumination equivalent to incandescent bulbs of 11 watts and shall not flash more than one hundred fifty times per minute Chaser signs shall be limited to a flashing rate of 100 times per minute Animated signs with rotating "beacon" type lighting elements are prohibited Billboards shall be no closer than 500 to one another on the same side of the street unless separated by a building and not visible from each other (a) Location limited to the property of public charitable or religious institutions (a) Each facility may display one wall identification sign and one freestanding, changeable copy, directory sign (b) Signs shall be architecturally related to the structure to which they are appurtenant (c) Illumination of signs shall be achieved only through use of non-flashing, indirect or internal lighting reflecting only upon those properties of which light source is located No All 2 sf n/r n/r (a) Limited to plaques placed by recognized historical agencies 4 sf of primary property Directional Sign Yes All 18 sf n/r Display Window Sign Governmental Regulatory Sign Historical Structure Sign No All 40% of window area One per lot 35 No additional standards beyond those otherwise required by Chapter one per business Not to exceed 3 about natural grade No All n/r n/r n/r No All 2 sf one per business House Numbers No All n/r n/r 10 inches tall Identification Sign Yes All 100 sf one per lot n/r (a) (b) (a) (a) Signs designed to guide or direct pedestrian or vehicular traffic to an entrance or parking area Modifications to the size and location of these signs may be granted with review and approval by the City's Administrative Committee Signs shall be incorporated into a display of merchandise or a display relating to services offered Signs for control of traffic and other regulatory purposes, street signs, danger signs, railroad crossings signs, and signs of public service companies indicating danger and aids to service or safety n/r (a) Limited to designated historical structures or landmarks not to exceed 3 above natural grade (a) (b) (a) "No trespassing", "no parking", and other warning signs are also allowed Includes illuminated and un-illuminated signs Permitted for multiple dwellings, clubs, lodges, and similar uses 15

17 Sign Inflatable Sign Marquee Sign Sign Permit Required? Yes Yes Permitted Zones All C & M Zones CT, CD, CG, CH Occupant Sign No All Max. Area Max. width/ diameter of 20 feet. 4 sf of primary property 3 sf per sign Table Permitted Signs Max. Number Max. Height Additional Standards One per lot One per access to property, including cluster signs Two per street Not to exceed 20 above natural grade Paper Notice No All n/r n/r n/r Parking Lot Sign No All 5 sf One per parking lot (a) All inflatable signs must be set back from public right-of-way line(s) a distance equal to the height of the inflatable signs (b) Signs shall only be erected for a maximum period of 30 days at no less than 3 month intervals (c) Signs shall be mounted on any portion of the property where the business is located, except the roof. Such signs shall not be mounted or suspended from the roof of a structure (d) Floating hot air balloons or other tethered floating inflatable signs are exempt from the maximum height and setback requirements (specified in (a) above) for inflatable signs (e) No portion of an inflatable sign shall encroach in or over the public right-of-way or be situated to obstruct or impair vision or traffic or in any manner create a nuisance, hazard or disturbance to the health or welfare of the public (f) No more than one sign shall be approved within any one street block and erected at the same time (a) Minimum clearance of 8 above the sidewalk (b) Shall be attached by approved means (c) Shall not extend beyond the interior face of the marquee columns or walls adjacent to the street (d) Electric marquee signs shall be constructed of approved materials, except as specified in this Chapter. (e) All electrical equipment shall be listed for its intended use by an approved testing laboratory (f) Electrical equipment used in connection with display signs shall be installed in accordance with local ordinances regulating electrical installation (g) For neon signs, all primary and secondary wiring shall be enclosed in conduit. All electrodes must be enclosed in conduit and terminate in a metal box and all transformers shall be enclosed in metal boxes (h) All electrical equipment shall be listed for its intended use by an approved testing laboratory (i) See Figure , Marquee Signs (a) Signs limited in content to name of occupant, address of premises, and signs of danger or a cautionary nature (b) Signs may be illuminated only from a concealed light source that does not flash, blink, or fluctuate (a) Limited to notices placed on bulletin boards or kiosks maintained by the State or subdivision thereof (a) Sign limited in content to identifying the business(es) served, and providing driving and parking information 16

18 Sign Pole-Mounted / Freestanding Sign Sign Permit Required? Yes Permitted Zones All C & M Zones Max. Area See footnote 2 Table Permitted Signs Max. Number Max. Height Additional Standards One per access to property, including cluster signs See footnote 3 Political Sign No All 32 sf two per lot 3 Principal identification Sign Yes All C & M Zones 4 sf of primary property Professional Sign Yes All 10 sf Projecting Sign Yes All C & M Zones 60 sf One per access to property, including cluster signs One per access to property One per street per premises Public Notice No All n/r n/r n/r 35 n/a n/a (a) Sign structures shall not be placed within the building setback area without prior review and approval of the City's Administrative Committee (b) Sign structures shall be constructed of steel or have a frame of structural steel or approved material (c) Sign structures shall not be placed near an intersection or where thoroughfares change direction to be in such position as to obstruct the view and create a condition dangerous to traffic. All corner lots shall maintain, for safety vision purposes, a triangular area, one angle and two sides of which shall be formed by the intersection of the front and side lot lines. The third side of said triangle shall be a straight line connecting two (2) points on the property lines that are distant thirty (20) feet from the intersection of the front and side lot lines. Within the area comprising said triangle, no portion of any sign or sign structure higher than thirty six (36) inches above the estimated curb grade, which obstructs vision, shall be permitted (d) See Figure , Height of Pole-Mounted and Freestanding Signs, Figure , Computation of Sign Area for Pole-Mounted and Freestanding Signs, and Figure , Sign Restrictions Near Intersections (a) Signs advocating or opposing a candidate for public office, or a position on an issue to be determined at an election. (b) Placement on public property, public structures, or within the public right-of-way shall not be permitted (c) Placement within 660 of a freeway shall not be permitted if the sign is designed to be viewed from the freeway (d) Signs may be posted a maximum of 60 days prior to an election and shall be removed within 14 days following an election (e) Signs shall not be installed or maintained in any manner so as to impede pedestrian walkways, hinder disabled access, or constitute a hazard to or endanger persons using the sidewalks (f) Signs cannot be illuminated, revolve, or otherwise function with mechanical parts or devices. (g) Flags, valances, pennants, lights, or other similar attraction devices which are accessory to a permitted sign are prohibited (a) Allowed on alleys and on the rear and side walls of buildings when limited to the name of the business and/or the principal product or service provided by said business (b) Such signs shall not exceed the allowed size for signs on a secondary street without prior review and approval by the City s Administrative Committee (a) Limited to name plate signs fastened directly to the building with maximum projection of six inches beyond the building setback line or front face canopy where canopy is permitted to extend to the street property line (b) Not subject to any additional copy area standards (c) See Figure , Professional Signs (a) No projecting sign shall encroach into the public right-of-way, nor shall extend above any adjacent parapet or roof of the supporting building. No sign or sign structure shall project into a public alley more than 16 inches (a) Limited to official public notices and notices posted by public officers in performance of their duties 17

19 Sign Sign Permit Required? Permitted Zones Public Sign No All Real Estate Sign No All Max. Area Per Agency requirement 60 sf per street Religious Sign No All n/r Roof-Mounted Sign Small Noncommercial Sign Small Permanent Signs Special Event Sign Stadium, Theater, or Arena Sign Temporary Display Poster/Sign Temporary / Not Permanently Fixed Sign Temporary Onsite Construction Sign Yes CG, CH, ML, MG, MBP 2 sf per lineal, not to exceed 80 sf No All 2 sf Yes Yes No All C & M Zones All CT, CG, CH See footnote 4 Per Agency requirement Per Agency requirement Table Permitted Signs Max. Number Max. Height Additional Standards n/r two per lot one per business one per business Per Agency requirement Per Agency requirement Per Agency requirement Per Agency requirement No All 2 sf one per lot No All C & M Zones see footnote 5 one per business n/r Not to exceed 3 about natural grade n/r 10 above the height of the building to which it is attached n/a (a) Signs required or specifically authorized for a public purpose by any law, statute, or ordinance under which the signs are erected (a) Limited to unlit signs advertising the sale, rental or lease of the premises on which the sign is displayed (b) Subject to approval of the City Manager; denied requests may be appealed to the Planning Commission. (a) Limited to religious symbols attached to buildings if not projecting beyond any building setback line (a) Any building of three stories or less, which does not exceed 35 in height, must have access to the roof in accordance with the California Building Code (b) The supporting members of a roof sign shall appear to be an architectural and integral part of the building. Supporting columns of round, square or shaped steel members may be erected so long as the required bracing is screened from the public view to the maximum extent feasible. (c) See Figure , Roof Signs (a) Content limited to noncommercial messages including, but not limited to: designation of restrooms, telephone locations, restrictions on smoking, door openings, and private traffic control and parking signs n/a (a) Small permanent signs shall be permitted in windows or along the face of a building. 35 Per Agency requirement not to exceed 3 about natural grade n/r (a) (b) (a) (a) (b) (c) (a) (b) Signs advertising special events such as grand openings, sales, holidays, carnivals, etc. Signs shall be removed within five days of the end of the special event for which they were put up Limited to signs within a stadium, open-air theater or arena that are designed primarily to be viewed by patrons within said stadium, theater or arena. Posters must be without independent structural support Content must be in connection with civic, noncommercial health, safety, and welfare campaigns All posters must be removed within 14 days. The content or message of the sign shall change with a frequency of less than 90 days Such signs shall not be fastened directly to the exterior wall or face of any building No All 40 sf n/r n/r (a) Signs denoting information such as the architect, engineer, contractor, leasing agent, etc. 18

20 Sign Traffic, Memorial, Historical, Commemorative or other Sign, Flag, Plaque Maintained by a Government Agency Vending Machine, Gas Pump, or Ice Container Sign Sign Permit Required? No Permitted Zones All Wall Sign No All Notes: Max. Area 2 sf per lineal not to exceed 180 sf Table Permitted Signs Max. Number Max. Height Additional Standards one per business n/r No additional standards beyond those otherwise required by Chapter No All n/r n/r n/r No additional standards beyond those otherwise required by Chapter See footnote 8 1. Conditionally permitted within CG, CD, CN, and all Residential Zones 2. Maximum sign area of pole-mounted or freestanding signs shall be calculated as follows: a. When located along the primary : (Lineal feet of primary property ) x (4) b. When located along the secondary : (Lineal feet of secondary property ) x (2) n/r n/r (a) (b) (c) Must be less than two inches in thickness Limited to signs which may only be illuminated from a concealed light source which does not flash, blink, or fluctuate See Figure , Sign Area for Wall Signs 3. Maximum height of pole-mounted or freestanding signs shall be as follows: a. Limited Commercial Zone: Maximum height shall not exceed the distance measured from the centerline of the street fronting upon its location to the column or columns nearest the street front. In no case shall this height exceed 30 to the top of the sign; 50' height permitted within 800 of the I-8 within the CT zone only. b. General Commercial Zone: Maximum height shall not exceed 1.5 for each foot of setback. Said measurement shall be computed from the centerline of the street upon which the sign is located and measured to the column or columns nearest the street front. In no case will this height exceed 35 to the top of the sign. 4. The maximum sign area of small permanent signs and small temporary signs shall be calculated as follows: (Frontage area of the ground floor) x (0.25) 5. The maximum sign area of temporary / not permanently fixed signs shall be calculated as follows: a. When displayed in windows or on display boards: (Total area of the building face upon which the signs are mounted) x (0.25) b. Other temporary / not permanently fixed signs: equal to or less than 16 sf per business. 6. Conditionally permitted within CT & MBP Zones 7. An allowance of no more than 10% is allowed for cut-outs and/or extensions. Cut-outs are areas on a billboard that are removed or cut-away to highlight a detail or feature. Extensions are any portion of a billboard located outside of the sign area not including superficial ornamentation, trim, column or column covers or symbol-type appendages of non-message-bearing character. 8. The calculation that yields the greatest sign area shall apply: a. (Total area of building façade on which the sign is placed) x (0.3); or b. (Lineal feet of wall elevation on which the sign is placed) x (4.0) n/r = no restrictions 19

21 Figure Appeal of a Building Official Decision to the Administrative Committee Written Appeal Filed with Planning Director within ten (10) days of the date on which the decision being appealed was rendered. The Planning Director shall transfer to the Secretary of the Planning Commission the subject documents and papers on file pertinent to the decision being appealed, together with a report on the decision being appealed. Notice of hearing sent to appellant and persons requesting in writing to be so notified Planning Commission conducts hearing on the matter being appealed Planning Commission reaches a decision Planning Commission does not reach a decision Administrative Committee decision being appealed is deemed sustained Decision Final 20

22 Figure Appeal of an Administrative Committee or City Manager Decision to the Planning Commission Written Appeal Filed with Planning Director within ten (10) days of the date on which the decision being appealed was rendered. The Planning Director shall transfer to the Secretary of the Planning Commission the subject documents and papers on file pertinent to the decision being appealed, together with a report on the decision being appealed. Notice of hearing sent to appellant and persons requesting in writing to be so notified Planning Commission conducts hearing on the matter being appealed Planning Commission reaches a decision Planning Commission does not reach a decision Administrative Committee or City Manager decision being appealed is deemed sustained Decision Final 21

23 Figure Sign Height No Structure Provided Structure Provided Figure Height of Pole-Mounted and Freestanding Signs 22

24 Figure Computation of Sign Area for Regular and Irregularly Shaped Signs Figure Computation of Sign Area for Signs with Multiple Faces 23

25 Figure Computation of Sign Area for Pole-Mounted or Freestanding Signs 24

26 Figure Computation of Sign Area for Wall Signs Figure Sign Copy Area and Background Area 25

27 Figure Computation of Permitted Copy Area of a Multiple Copy Sign Figure Marquee Signs 26