It is the goal of the city that the design of this community
be of the highest quality, that new development be architecturally
distinctive as well as homogeneous in design, and that accessory facilities
be compatible with the overall theme. The quality of signage plays
a very distinctive role in achieving this goal. When abused, signs
can create a visual blight which detracts from the quality of the
environment and an individual's visual perception of the city.
The intent of this chapter is to implement the Temecula General
Plan, and to protect the public health, safety and welfare through
the design, use of quality materials, construction, illumination,
location, number and maintenance of all signs. The purpose of this
chapter is to set forth the development standards for the installation
and maintenance of signs within the city and to ensure that the design
and location of outdoor advertising displays are consistent with the
health, safety, and aesthetic objectives of the city.
The purposes of this chapter, in addition to those expressed
in the General Plan, are as follows:
A. Provide
for effective business signage;
B. Assure
that signs are compatible with the character of their surroundings
and the community as a whole;
C. Preserve
and improve the appearance of the city as a place to live, work, trade,
do business and visit;
D. Protect
the city from the blighting influence of excessive signage so as to
preserve and enhance the economic base of the city and safeguard property
values within the city;
E. Assure
that signs are appropriate to the type of activity to which they pertain:
F. Regulate
signs so as to avoid increasing the hazards to motorists and pedestrians
caused by distracting signage.
(Ord. 98-10 § 1)
This chapter shall apply to all areas of the city, except that
the provisions of this chapter shall apply to the Old Town Specific
Plan area only to the extent the specific plan does not address a
particular signage issue.
(Ord. 98-10 § 1)
All signs not expressly permitted by this chapter are prohibited,
including but not limited to the following. No application for sign
permit, development plan, or other application for a prohibited sign
shall be accepted, acted upon or approved.
B. Amenity
signs (signs which identify the amenities provided in a multifamily
complex that is visible from public street(s)).
C. Animated or moving signs (except for time and temperature displays pursuant to Section
17.28.050(S)).
D. Bunting
(unless approved by a sign program).
E. Cabinet
or can signs (wall mounted).
F. Commercial
off-premises signs (except as expressly permitted by this chapter).
G. Commercial
Signs Next to Residential Areas. When commercial and industrial developments
are facing residential uses and are located on the same local street
(sixty foot right-of-way or less) as the residential uses, freestanding
signs associated with these developments are prohibited. Wall signs
which provide identification for businesses to pedestrians may be
authorized by a sign program, provided that the illumination of the
signs does not negatively impact residential uses.
H. Day-glow
colors for window signs.
I. Decorative
flags (unless approved through a sign program and then only if limited
to focal points within the project).
J. Loud
speakers or signs which emit sound, odor or visible matter, except
as authorized by this chapter.
K. Off-site subdivision signs (except otherwise permitted in Section
17.28.800, Kiosk signs or Section
17.28.130, Subdivision signs).
M. Portable
signs on private property.
N. Signs
Constituting a Traffic Hazard. No person shall install or maintain
or cause to be installed or maintained any sign which simulates or
imitates in size, color, lettering or design any traffic sign or signal,
or which makes use of words "stop, danger," or any other words, phrases,
symbols or characters in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead
or confuse vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
O. Signs
in Proximity to Utility Lines. No permit shall be issued for any sign,
and no sign shall be constructed or maintained, which has less horizontal
or vertical clearance from authorized communication or energized electrical
power lines than that prescribed by laws of the state or duly promulgated
rules and regulations.
P. Signs
located above the eave line and roof signs (signs integrated into
an architectural feature are not considered to be above the eave line).
Q. Signs
on Doors, Windows or Fire Escapes. No sign structure shall be installed,
relocated or maintained so as to prevent free ingress to or egress
from any door, window or fire escape. No sign of any kind shall be
attached to a stand pipe or fire escape, except those signs as required
by other adopted codes or ordinances.
R. Signs
Within the Public Right-of-Way or Attached to Any Public Property.
Signs in any public right-of-way or signs which project over or into
a public right-of-way, or which are attached to the public property,
are prohibited.
S. Vehicle Signs. Signs located on or affixed to a motor vehicle or trailer (as those terms are defined in the California
Vehicle Code), whether parked on private property or public right-of-way, for the purpose of advertising products or services or directing people to a business or activity are prohibited. This subsection doe
s not apply to standard advertising or identification practice where such signs are painted on or permanently attached to a business or commercial vehicle, so long as such vehicle is licensed and fully operable, and the signs on such vehicle are not in violation of the
Vehicle Code.
(Ord. 98-10 § 1)
The following signs are exempt from the requirement to obtain
a sign permit pursuant to this chapter if they meet these specified
requirements; however, they may require building permits:
A. Construction,
Contractor, Financing or Remodeling Signs.
1. Maximum
sign area for each sign shall be:
a. Six square feet in single-family districts.
b. Sixteen square feet in all other districts.
2. Maximum
sign structure height shall be six feet.
3. Maximum
number of freestanding signs shall not exceed one construction, contractor
or remodeling sign per street frontage for each parcel or shopping
center plus, one financing sign per street frontage for each parcel
or shopping center.
4. They
are permitted for sites with an active building permit and shall be
removed five days after construction completion, as evidenced by a
certificate of occupancy or final sign-off by the building official,
or termination of the building permit.
B. Employment
Opportunity Signs.
1. Freestanding
signs shall only be allowed in office and industrial districts for
single tenant buildings, where no other tenants are located on the
parcels that occupy an entire parcel.
2. Window
mounted signs shall only be allowed in commercial districts.
3. Maximum
sign area for each sign shall be four square feet.
4. Maximum
sign structure height shall be four feet, if freestanding.
5. Maximum
number of signs shall not exceed one per business per major street
frontage.
C. Flags.
1. A flagpole shall not exceed the zoning district height limits set forth in Section
17.08.050(H).
2. A
single flag of the United States of America and two of the following
flags shall be permitted per parcel or center:
a. The state of California, or another state of the United States.
d. Official flags of other countries.
e. Flags of nationally or internationally recognized organizations.
3. The
maximum area for a corporate flag may not exceed fifty square feet.
D. Future
Tenant Identification Signs.
1. Maximum
area for each sign for all freestanding pads and shopping centers
with five acres or more in area shall be thirty-two square feet. Shopping
centers with more than ten acres in area shall be allowed a one hundred
square foot sign for the purpose of identifying multiple tenants.
2. Maximum
sign structure height shall be six feet for thirty-two square foot
signs and twelve feet for one hundred square foot signs.
3. Maximum
number of signs shall not exceed one per street frontage for each
center or parcel at any given time.
4. They
shall be removed five days after the tenant occupies the building.
5. They
shall be permitted for sites immediately following entitlement for
a period not to exceed one hundred twenty days (and only thereafter
with an active building or grading permit).
E. Garage
Sale Signs.
1. Maximum
sign area for each sign shall be four square feet.
2. Maximum
sign structure height shall be six feet, if freestanding.
3. The
sign may not be erected more than five days prior to the sale.
4. The
signs shall be removed before the end of the day of the sale.
5. The
sign shall not be illuminated.
F. Government
Signs. Any official government sign, including a governmental directional
sign, or a public notice or warning required by an applicable federal,
state or local law, regulation or ordinance.
1. Offsite
Directional Signs for Public College or Public Universities.
a. General Requirements.
i. Each campus shall be permitted no more than three signs within the
city of Temecula. The planning director may authorize additional signs
if it is determined necessary to serve the public.
ii. Any sign proposed within the public right-of-way must obtain an encroachment
permit and approval by the public works director.
iii.
The maximum height of the pole shall be ten feet.
iv. The edge of the bottom of the sign shall not be lower than seven
feet above ground level.
v. The maximum sign area for each sign shall be six square feet.
vi. Signs shall have a royal blue background with white letters consistent
with the governmental directional signs located within the city of
Temecula and shall not contain any logos or any information other
than the name of the public college or public university and an arrow
indicating direction of the school. Maximum letter height shall be
eight inches.
b. Findings.
i. Public colleges and public universities attract a constant influx
of new visitors to the area and adequate directional signage is necessary
to ensure the safety of the community by providing guidance to nonresidents
or the general public unfamiliar with the area. These directional
signs help to ensure the general public can safely and easily find
the school.
ii. Higher public education is a local as well as a regional priority
driven by public needs and coordination between city government and
public colleges/public universities will support and benefit the general
public's pursuit of higher education.
iii.
The sign is intended to serve a public college or public university
located within the city and conforms to the intent and language of
the city's general plan. The size, shape, color, visual elements and
placement of the described sign shall be compatible with the surrounding
area and with other lawful signs and will not detract from the character
or quality of the surrounding properties.
G. Helium
Balloons.
1. No
balloon shall be larger than three feet in diameter.
2. They
shall not be higher than ten feet from the ground.
3. They shall not be displayed for more than three days for each calendar month and in no case for more than three consecutive days at a time, except that automobile and truck dealerships may display balloons pursuant to Section
17.04.020(B)(4) of this title.
4. All
balloons shall be anchored, and shall not block vehicular or pedestrian
movement.
H. Holiday
Decorations within Commercial, Office and Industrial Districts. Seasonal
window displays that contain holiday characters and messages and which
are intended to create or enhance holiday character of an area. The
displays are commonly associated with national, state, local or religious
holidays (and which do not reference or display services available
or rendered, or goods produced, sold or available for sale). They
may be displayed for a period not exceeding forty-five consecutive
calendar days and a maximum of sixty cumulative days per calendar
year.
I. Incidental
Signs, i.e., Name of Business, Name Plates, Street Address, Telephone
Numbers, Open, Close, Hours of Operation, Credit Cards, etc.
1. Maximum
sign area for each sign shall be a total of four square feet.
2. They
shall be located adjacent to major customer entrances.
3. They
shall be located on doors or near doors.
J. Interior
Signs.
1. They
shall be entirely located inside the building.
2. They
shall not be closer than eighteen inches to a window or door.
K. Memorial
Signs on Tablets or Plaques.
1. Maximum
sign area for each sign shall be four square feet.
2. Maximum
sign structure height shall be four feet, if freestanding.
L. Model
Home and Multiple-family Rental Complex Flags.
1. Flag
poles shall not exceed the zoning district height limits set forth
in the development code or fifty feet, if no height limit is provided
by the development code.
2. Maximum
number shall not exceed two per each model home or four per multiple-family
rental complex.
3. Shall
be located on the model home lots, the parking lot, or the sales office
or the multiple-family rental complex.
4. They
may only identify the builder and the subdivision name or the name
of the multiple-family rental complex.
5. Multiple-family
rental complex flags shall only be displayed in the third quarter
of the year.
M. Model
Home Signs.
1. All
such signs shall only be located on the model home parcels, the parking
lot or the sales office and are intended to provide information on
each model.
2. Model home signs do not include on-site subdivision signs, refer to Section
17.28.130 for subdivision signs.
N. Name
Plates and Street Address Signs.
1. These
signs are intended for single-family residences and shall be located
entirely on the premises.
2. The
sign shall contain no advertising message.
3. Maximum
sign area for each sign shall be three square feet.
4. Maximum
sign structure height shall be three feet, if freestanding.
O. Noncommercial
Off-Premises Signs.
1. Maximum
area of the sign board shall not exceed twelve square feet.
2. Maximum
number of signs per parcel shall be one. However, there shall be no
limit on the number of signs during the ninety days prior to a state,
federal or local election and fourteen days after the election. A
sign erected or placed for a candidate who prevails in a primary election
may be maintained until ten days after the final election.
3. The
maximum height of a ground-mounted sign shall not exceed six feet
measured from grade.
4. The
signs shall not be illuminated.
5. The
signs shall not be erected, placed or maintained:
a. Upon any private property without the consent of the owner, lessee
or person on lawful possession of such property;
b. On any public property or upon any portion of a public right-of-way;
c. To obscure the view of any fire hydrant, traffic sign, traffic signal,
street sign, or public information sign;
d. To block lines of sight to areas of vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
P. On
Wall or Window Menu Signs for Restaurants.
1. Maximum
sign area for each sign shall be four square feet.
2. They
shall be attached to the building or associated entry structure.
3. Maximum
of signs shall be one per restaurant entrance.
4. They
shall not be intended to be used for advertisement and will only serve
as information to customers who have found the restaurant and are
standing by the front door.
5. They
shall be located at or near the major customer entrance.
6. They
shall not be counted as permissible area for window signs.
R. Public
Convenience and Warning Signs.
1. Maximum
sign area for each sign shall not exceed three square feet.
2. Maximum
sign structure height shall not exceed three feet, if freestanding.
3. Maximum
number shall be as necessary.
4. They
may identify restrooms, public telephones, walkways, no parking, no
trespassing and similar signs.
5. They
shall be located on private property.
6. They
shall contain no advertising messages.
S. Time
and Temperature Signs.
1. Maximum
sign area for each sign shall be sixteen square feet.
2. Maximum
sign structure height shall be six feet, if freestanding.
3. Maximum
number of signs shall not exceed one per building or parcel.
4. No
advertising shall be permitted.
5. Wall
mounted signs are counted as part of the permitted sign area of the
elevation, where they are placed on. Freestanding signs shall be an
integral part of a permitted freestanding sign and shall be counted
as part of the permitted sign area of the freestanding sign.
T. Vacancy/No
Vacancy Signs.
1. They
are used for motels, hotels and other similar uses.
2. Maximum
sign area for each sign shall be four square feet.
3. Maximum
sign structure height shall be four feet, if freestanding.
4. Maximum
number of signs shall not exceed one per street frontage.
U. Works of Art That Do Not Convey a Commercial Message. They are exempt from the provisions of this chapter; however, they may be subject to the provisions of Section
17.05.020.
(Ord. 98-10 § 1; Ord. 99-24 § 5(M); Ord. 05-06 § 7; Ord. 08-08 § 9; Ord. 10-07 § 24; Ord. 23-03 § 19)
Real estate signs that comply with the provisions of this section
are exempt from the requirement to obtain a sign permit.
A. On-Site
Real Estate Signs (For Sale, For Rent, For Lease, Sold, etc.) in Commercial,
Office, and Industrial Districts.
1. They
shall not be permanent in nature and may only be permitted at such
time as the property or structure is available for sale, lease or
rent.
2. Sign
area for each sign shall not exceed:
a. Thirty-two square feet for freestanding signs;
b. Three square feet for window signs.
3. The
sign structure height for freestanding signs shall not exceed eight
feet measured from grade.
4. Maximum
number permitted is one sign per street frontage for each parcel or
center. Plus, one window sign is permitted per available suite. In
addition, one freeway oriented sign is permitted per parcel or center
with freeway frontage.
5. They
shall only be posted on private property.
6. They
shall not be closer than five feet to the property line or seventeen
feet from the face of the curb, whichever is less.
7. They
shall be a minimum of one hundred fifty linear feet from all other
freestanding signs including real estate signs.
8. They
shall not be located within seventy-five feet of an intersection or
an access driveway, except that nothing in this chapter shall preclude
a parcel or center from having at least one freestanding real estate
sign.
9. The
angle of v-shaped signs shall not exceed ninety degrees. The back
side of a v-shaped sign shall not be visible from the public right-of-way.
10. Appropriate materials are wood, metal and stucco. Other materials
are subject to director approval.
11. Illumination is not permitted.
12. They shall be maintained in a clean, orderly fashion at all times
and shall be removed ten days after the close of escrow or after a
rental agreement or lease has been entered into, whichever occurs
first.
B. On-Site
Real Estate Signs (For Sale, For Rent, For Lease, Sold, Open House,
etc.) in all Residential, Public Institutional and Open Space Districts.
1. They
shall not be permanent in nature and may only be permitted at such
time as property or structure is available for sale, lease or rent.
2. Sign
area for each sign shall not exceed:
a. Six square feet in single-family districts and multifamily districts
for four units or less;
b. Thirty-two square feet for complexes in multifamily districts of
five units or more.
3. Sign
structure height shall not exceed:
a. Six feet in single-family districts;
b. Eight feet in multifamily residential districts.
4. Property
with existing residential units for sale, resale, lease or rent shall
be permitted one sign per street frontage.
5. They
shall only be posted on the subject private property.
6. Open
house signs shall only be displayed between the hours of eight a.m.
and dusk.
7. The
angle of v-shaped signs shall not exceed ninety degrees. The back
side of a v-shaped sign shall not be visible from the public right-of-way.
(Ord. 98-10 § 1)
Permanent signs shall be subject to the following standards
to insure the quality of signage in the city.
A. Standards
for Permanent Freestanding Signs.
1. Location.
a. All freestanding signs shall be set back at least five feet from
the right-of-way or property line or seventeen feet from the face
of the curb, whichever is less.
b. All freestanding signs shall be located outside the site visibility area as defined by Section
17.06.050(J) of this title.
c. All freestanding signs shall be located at least three feet from
buildings.
d. The face of any freestanding sign shall not be oriented parallel
to the street, except when the sign is located at the end of cul-de-sacs,
knuckles or other appropriate locations as approved by the director.
e. The minimum distance between freestanding signs located on the same
side of the street and under six feet in height shall not be less
than one hundred fifty feet, except center identification signs located
on the same driveway.
f. The minimum distance between freestanding signs located on the same
side of the street and over six feet shall not be less than two hundred
fifty feet.
g. The director shall have the authority to reduce the distance requirements in subsections
(A)(1)(e) and
(f) of this section by twenty percent in case of unusual circumstances such as presence of driveways, landscaping, utility poles, etc.
2. Height.
a. Sign structure height is measured from the extreme top portion of
a freestanding sign to the sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk, the
elevation of the finished surface of the road shall be used.
b. The height of sign structures located on slopes shall be measured
from the highest point of the sign to the highest point of slope where
the sign structure meets ground. Berming of up to two feet may be
allowed in addition to the maximum height allowed for the sign structure.
c. Berming height shall be measured from the lowest portion of the base
of the sign structure to the sidewalk elevation.
3. Design.
a. Except for the changeable portions of movie signs for theaters and
changeable portions of price signs for gas stations, which may use
plastic backgrounds, the use of can-type box signs with plastic panels
or background are prohibited for tenant and building identification
signs. Sign panels or background shall be of material commonly used
in the buildings or the center. Logo boxes are not subject to this
requirement.
b. Center identification signs shall use a background material commonly
used in the center buildings. Can-type box signs are not permitted.
Flood lighting is strongly encouraged when consistent with Riverside
County Ordinance 655, Palomar light pollution ordinance; however,
internal illumination of the individual letters are only permitted
if reverse channel lettering is used.
c. Multitenant signs shall be uniform in background color for all tenants.
d. All freestanding signs shall be limited in size to the width of the
architectural features of the sign.
e. All freestanding signs shall use architectural elements at the top,
base and sides of the signs.
f. If a tenant, building, or center identification sign is proposed
within seventy-five feet of a major intersection, it shall incorporate,
or be located as part of, a community feature (i.e., water features,
public art, unique landscape designs, public spaces).
g. Sign colors shall be selected that provide a significant contrast
between the background colors and the letters.
h. All freestanding signs may be permitted a maximum of two sides except
that center identification signs shall be one-sided.
i. Center identification signs shall not advertise tenants; however,
if the center is named after a major tenant, it is permissible to
mention that tenant's name as part of the center name.
j. Center identification signs shall be incorporated into the entry
statement, architecture and landscaping area.
k. Freestanding single tenant signs or service station signs with a
height of six feet or less shall be constructed as monument signs.
l. Freestanding multitenant signs, theater signs, or freeway oriented
signs shall be constructed as either monument or pylon signs.
4. Landscaping.
a. All freestanding tenant identification signs and building identification
signs shall be required to be located within a planted landscaped
area which extends on all four sides of the sign. The landscaping
area shall be provided according to the following:
i. Single tenant and building identification signs shall include landscaping
that extends out from the base of the sign in all four directions,
a distance equal to one-half of the overall height of the sign.
ii. Multi-tenant identification signs shall include landscaping that
extends out from the base of the sign in all four directions, a distance
equal to one-half of the overall height of the sign.
iii.
Freeway oriented signs and off-site center identification signs
shall include a three hundred square foot landscaped area.
b. The landscaping for pylon signs shall include shrubs and small trees
to hide the lower portion of the pylon sign if visible from public
view.
c. The landscaping for freestanding tenant identification signs, building
identification signs, and multitenant identification signs shall include
flowering perennials, annual plants, or other plants which provide
additional color. They shall be planted and replanted seasonally to
maintain year round color.
5. Addresses.
All freestanding signs, except those oriented toward the freeway,
shall include the street address(es) or range(s) for the businesses
or centers assigned by the building official. The address shall not
be counted in the total permitted sign area.
6. Illumination.
a. Illumination for tenant or building identification signs may be internal
or external.
i. When internally illuminated signs are used, only the lettering and
logos shall appear to be lighted. Conventional channel lettering or
reverse channel lettering are acceptable.
ii. When externally illuminated signs are used, only flood lighting is
acceptable if consistent with Riverside County Ordinance 655, the
Palomar light pollution ordinance. External illumination shall not
be used for multitenant signs.
b. Illumination for center identification signs may be internal or external:
i. When internally illuminated, only reverse channel lettering is acceptable.
For freeway oriented center identification signs conventional channel
lettering is acceptable.
ii. When externally illuminated signs are used, only flood lighting is
acceptable if consistent with the Palomar light pollution ordinance.
7. Width.
The width of sign structure can be calculated by multiplying the proposed
sign structure height by the sign width coefficient as provided in
Table 17.28.070. In no case shall the width of a sign structure exceed
the width calculated by the sign width coefficient.
Table 17.28.070
Sign Width Coefficient
|
---|
Sign Structure in Feet
|
Sign Width Coefficient
|
---|
0-6
|
2.0
|
6.1-12
|
1.0
|
12.1-15
|
0.8
|
15.1-25
|
0.6
|
25.1-40
|
0.4
|
40.1+
|
0.35
|
For instance, if sign structure height is four feet,
the applicable sign width coefficient from the above table is 2.0.
Therefore, the width of the sign structure shall not exceed eight
feet (4 × 2.0).
B. Standards
for Permanent Wall Mounted Signs for Buildings with Two Stories or
Less.
1. Location.
Wall signs shall not be located on windows or doors.
2. Number.
a. For multitenant buildings, only the major tenant within the suite
is permitted to have a wall sign. Subleasing tenants are not permitted
to have wall signs.
b. Maximum of four signs per business shall be allowed including all wall mounted business identification signs, freestanding signs and freeway signs (if any permitted). However, businesses with freestanding freeway signs shall only be permitted a maximum of three signs, or four signs as permitted by Section
17.28.210(A)(1)(a).
3. Area.
a. For businesses with more than one permitted wall mounted sign, the
second sign shall not exceed eighty percent, third seventy percent,
and fourth sixty percent of the maximum allowable for the corresponding
frontages. This standard shall not apply to permitted wall mounted
freeway oriented signs.
b. Wall signs shall not extend more than seventy-five percent of the
suite length for multi-tenant buildings or building frontage for single
tenant buildings.
4. Letter
Height. Minimum letter height shall be eight inches. For wall signs
in two lines or more the second line may have a minimum letter height
of six inches.
5. Design.
a. A diversity of letter types and colors shall be encouraged for wall
signs within centers to create interest.
b. The use of graphics consistent with the nature of the product to
be advertised shall be encouraged, i.e., hammer symbol for a hardware
store, mortar and pestle for a drug store.
c. Sign colors shall be selected that provide a significant contrast
between the background colors and the letters.
6. Illumination.
a. Internal illumination for wall signs is acceptable in the following
forms:
i. Internally illuminated channel letters;
ii. Internally illuminated reverse channel letters; or
iii.
Exposed neon if used in channel letters with transparent face
or no face with the inside of channel lettering colored the same color
as the neon;
iv. Other exposed neon applications.
b. External illumination is not permitted unless approved as part of
a planning application (sign program, minor modification, major modification
or development plan as applicable).
C. Number. Maximum of four signs per business shall be allowed including all wall mounted, freestanding signs and any freeway signs (if any permitted). However, businesses with freestanding freeway signs shall only be permitted a maximum of three signs, or four signs as permitted by Section
17.28.210(A)(1)(a).
(Ord. 98-10 § 1; Ord. 06-06 § 6(L); Ord. 07-15 § 9; Ord. 10-07 § 21; Ord. 14-01 § 24)
A. Sign
Program Required. In addition to the sign permits required by this
chapter, certain types of signs and developments require a sign program
to ensure that all proposed signs are in harmony with other on-site
signs, buildings and surrounding developments. For existing developments
without sign programs, the purpose of this provision is to bring centers
or buildings without sign programs into conformance with the development
code, while allowing existing legal signage to remain until new signage
is proposed.
1. New
Sign Program. For new developments (and for approved or existing developments
that propose a major modification or propose to replace or construct
a new permanent freestanding or wall mounted sign), a new sign program
is required only if any of the following circumstances exist:
a. Whenever a shopping center, neighborhood commercial center, office
center, building, or development is greater than one hundred thousand
square feet in total building area and has more than a total of four
permanent signs counting wall mounted and free standing signs;
b. Whenever the development contains a historic structure; or
c. Whenever a proposed permanent sign exceeds or cannot comply with
the standards required by this chapter due to unique characteristics
of the site or building façade upon which the sign is placed.
2. Existing
Sign Program. All approved sign programs for existing or approved
developments shall remain in full force and effect and any revision
to an approved sign program shall require a modification planning
application.
B. Findings.
The following findings must be made by the approval body prior to
approving a sign program:
1. The
proposed signs enhance the development, and are in harmony with, and
visually related to:
a. All of the signs included in the sign program. This shall be accomplished
by incorporating several common design elements such as materials,
letter style, colors, illumination, sign type or sign shape,
b. The buildings and/or the developments they identify by utilizing
materials, colors or design motifs included in the building being
identified, and
c. Surrounding development by not adversely affecting surrounding land
uses or obscuring adjacent approved signs;
2. The
sign program accommodates future revisions which may be required due
to changes in building tenants; and
3. The
proposed sign program satisfies the intent of this chapter, in that
the sign program complies with all the regulations of this chapter,
except that flexibility is allowed with regard to sign area, number,
location and height. Further, to the extent the sign program does
not comply with the requirements of this chapter as to sign area,
number, location and height, the proposed sign program enhances the
development and more fully accomplishes the objectives of this chapter.
(Ord. 98-10 § 1; Ord. 06-06 § 5; Ord.
10-07 § 20)