(a) 
It shall be unlawful for any person to erect, alter, or to permit the erection or alteration of a sign, including painted signs, unless otherwise exempted by this Chapter, upon any property without first obtaining a City approved sign permit. Real estate signs are not required to obtain a sign permit, but are subject to the design and development standards contained in Section 17.12.
(b) 
Application for a permit to erect a sign shall be on a form provided by the City and shall be accompanied by a fee as established by City Council resolution. The application shall set forth and contain two (2) copies of the following information and material:
(1) 
Plans drawn to scale showing the location and size of the building, off-street parking facilities, adjacent streets, and major points of entry and exit for motor vehicle;
(2) 
The position of the proposed sign and its relationship to adjacent buildings and structures;
(3) 
The design and size, proposed color(s), and the location of the sign on the structure or property;
(4) 
The method of attachment to any structure;
(5) 
A Statement showing the size, location and all other signs on the property;
(6) 
Such other information the City may reasonably require to secure compliance with this Chapter; and
(7) 
A signed Statement from the property owner or his authorized representative that he has reviewed the proposal and approves of the same prior to submittal to the City.
(Ord. 311 § 1, 1992; Ord. 554 § 1, 2004)
The findings required for the granting of a sign permit are as follows:
(a) 
The proposed signs satisfy the intent of this Title;
(b) 
The proposed signs are in harmony with and visually related to:
(1) 
Other Signs Included in the Immediate Area. This shall be accomplished by incorporating several common design elements such as materials, letter style, colors, illumination, sign type or sign shape.
(2) 
The Building It Identifies. This may be accomplished by utilizing materials, colors or design motif included in the building being identified;
(3) 
Surrounding Development. Approval of a sign shall not adversely affect surrounding land uses or obscure adjacent conforming signs.
(c) 
The proposed signs approved under a sign program will comply with all provisions of this Chapter, except with regard to allocated sign area; number of signs allowed; and location and height of signs.
The applicable fee for a sign permit shall be doubled when the installation of a sign is commenced before obtaining a permit.
The following signs shall be exempt from this Code and the application permit and fee requirements of this Title:
(a) 
Window signs not exceeding four (4) square feet and limited to business identification, hours of operation, address and emergency information only;
(b) 
Signs located inside a building, courtyard, hotel or other similar structure provided such sign is not conspicuously visible and readable from public street or adjacent properties not under the same ownership. This shall not apply to retail centers within the City which are under a planned sign program;
(c) 
Memorial tablets, plaques, signs and historical markers installed by a recognized historical agency;
(d) 
Directional, warning or information signs or structures required or authorized by law, or by Federal, State, County or City authority;
(e) 
Signs, official flags of the United States of America, banners, emblems or notices issued or endorsed by a constituted governmental body, public agency, court, person or officer in performance of public duty, including traffic or highway signs, or similar regulatory or warning devices and legal notices;
(f) 
Holiday displays and decorations not to exceed sixty (60) days; and
(g) 
Utility company signs identifying conduits, cables, any dangerous condition or providing other such similar notice.
(h) 
The posting of Health Department sanitation ratings and food facility inspection reports in food establishments as required by the State of California in the California Retail Food Facilities Law, California Health and Safety Code, Chapter 4, Sections 275, et seq.
(Ord. 369 § 2, 1996; Ord. 311 § 1, 1992)