This chapter provides general standards intended to establish
sign provisions that are intended to:
A. Implement
the city's community design and safety standards consistent with the
general plan;
B. Maintain
and enhance the city's appearance by regulating the design, character,
location, number, type, quality of materials, size, color, illumination,
and maintenance of signs;
C. Protect
and improve pedestrian and vehicular traffic safety by balancing the
need for signs which facilitate the safe and smooth flow of traffic
without an excess of signs which may distract motorists, overload
their capacity to quickly receive information, visually obstruct traffic
signs, or otherwise create congestion and safety hazards;
D. Equitably
distribute the privilege of using the public environs to communicate
information for commercial and noncommercial purposes without regulating
the content of the message conveyed;
E. Minimize
the possible adverse effects of signs on nearby public and private
property; and
F. Enable
the fair, consistent, and efficient enforcement of these sign regulations.
(Ord. 777 § 1, 2002)
For the purpose of this chapter, unless otherwise apparent from
the context, the following definitions shall apply.
"Abandoned sign"
means any sign which was lawfully erected, but whose use
has ceased or whose supporting structure has been abandoned by the
owner thereof for a period of ninety consecutive days or more.
"Address sign"
means the numeric reference of a use or structure to a street
name, reading from left to right.
"A-frame sign"
means a freestanding sign usually hinged at the top, or attached
in a similar manner, and widening at the bottom to form a shape similar
to the letter A. These signs are usually designed to be portable,
hence they are not considered permanent signs.
"Alteration"
means any change of copy, color, illumination, location,
position, sign face, size, shape, construction, or supporting structure
of any sign.
"Animated or moving sign"
means any sign which uses movement, lighting, or special
materials to depict action or create a special effect to imitate movement.
"Banner, flag, or pennant"
means any cloth, bunting, plastic, paper, or similar material
used for advertising purposes attached to or pinned onto any structure,
staff, pole, line, framing, or vehicle, including captive balloons
and inflatable signs but not including official flags of the United
States, the state of California, and other states of the nation, counties,
municipalities, official flags of foreign nations and nationally,
or internationally recognized organizations.
"Beacon"
means a stationary or revolving light with one or more beams
projected into the atmosphere or directed at one or more points away
from the light source.
"Bench sign"
means a sign painted on or affixed to any portion of a bench
or seating area at bus stops or other pedestrian areas.
"Building frontage"
means that building elevation which fronts on a public street,
alley, parking lot, or pedestrian arcade.
"Building marker"
means a sign cut into a masonry surface or made of bronze
or similar material permanently affixed to a public building or structure
of designated historic significance.
"Business frontage"
means the portion of a structure occupied by an individual
or tenant which fronts on a public street, alley, parking lot, or
pedestrian arcade.
"Cabinet sign (can sign)"
means a sign which contains all the lettering and/or logo
symbols within a single enclosed cabinet and may or may not be illuminated.
"Changeable copy sign"
means a sign designed to allow the changing of copy through
manual, mechanical, or electrical means including time and temperature
displays.
"Channel letters"
means three dimensional individually cut letters or figures,
illuminated or unilluminated, affixed to a building or sign structure.
"Commercial center"
means a business or office development with access driveways
or parking spaces shared by one or more multitenant structures; or
two or more structures of the same business; or one or more single
tenant structures without direct vehicular access to an adjacent street;
or any combination of the above.
"Directional sign"
means signs limited to directional messages, principally
to direct pedestrian or vehicular traffic (e.g., one-way, entrance,
or exit).
"Dominant building frontage"
means the principle frontage of a structure where the main
entrance is located or which faces the street on which its address
is located.
"Fascia sign"
means a sign fastened to or engraved in the band of board
at the edge of a roof overhang.
"Flashing sign"
means a sign that contains an intermittent or sequential
interruption of the light source.
"Freestanding sign"
means a sign which is supported by one or more uprights,
braces, poles, or other similar structural components that is not
attached to a structure.
"Grand opening"
means a promotional activity used by newly established businesses,
within ninety days after initial occupancy, to inform the public of
their location and services available to the community. Grand opening
does not mean an annual or occasional promotion of retail sales by
a business.
"Height of sign"
means for freestanding signs, the greatest vertical distance
measured from the average finished grade at the sign base to the highest
element of the sign. For wall signs, the distance from the finished
ground surface directly below the sign to the highest element of the
sign.
"Illegal sign"
means a sign which includes any of the following: a sign
erected without first complying with all ordinances and regulations
in effect at the time of its construction, installation, or use; a
sign that was legally erected, but whose use has ceased, is not maintained,
not used to identify or advertise an ongoing business for a period
of not less than ninety consecutive days, or the structure upon which
the display is placed has been abandoned by its owner; a sign which
is a danger to the public or is unsafe; a sign which is a traffic
hazard not created by relocation of streets or highways or by acts
of the city.
"Illuminated sign"
means a sign with an artificial light source incorporated
internally or externally for the purpose of lighting the sign at night.
"Marquee"
means a permanent roof-like structure, covered walkway, or
pedestrian area projecting along and beyond the wall of a structure
designed and constructed to provide protection from the weather.
"Mobile billboard"
means an advertising display being attached to a wheeled,
mobile, motorized or nonmotorized vehicle that carries, pulls or transports
a sign or billboard, and is for the primary purpose of advertising.
"Monument sign (ground sign)"
means an independent structure supported on the ground having
a solid base as opposed to being supported by poles or open braces.
"Nonconforming sign"
means a sign which was legally constructed and installed
under regulations in effect before the effective date of the ordinance
codified in this chapter or subsequent revisions, but which is now
in conflict with the provisions of this chapter.
"Permanent sign"
means a sign constructed of durable materials and intended
to exist for the duration of time that the use or occupant is located
on the premises.
"Pole sign"
means a freestanding sign supported by one or more metal
or wood posts, pipes, or other vertical supports.
"Portable sign"
means a sign that is not permanently affixed to a structure
or the ground.
"Projecting sign"
means a sign, other than a wall sign, that is suspended from
or supported by a structure and projecting outward.
"Roofline"
means on a sloping roof, the highest ridge line. On a flat
roof, the top of the parapet.
"Roof sign"
means a sign constructed upon or over a roof, or placed so
as to extend above the visible roof-line or parapet.
"Sign"
means any structure, device, display, figure, housing, message
placard, painting, statuary, or other contrivance, or any part thereof,
situated outdoors or indoors, which is designed, constructed, created,
intended, or used to advertise, or to provide data or information
in the nature of advertising, to direct, identify, or attract attention
to a business, event, institution, location, object, organization,
person, product, or service, by any means, including colors, designs,
figures, fixtures, letters, illumination, projected images, symbols,
or words.
"Sign area"
means the entire area within a perimeter defined by a continuous
line composed of right angles which enclose the smallest square, rectangle,
triangle, circle, or combination that would encompass the extreme
limits of lettering, logo, trademark, or other graphic representation,
together with any background forming an integral part of the display,
but not including any supporting framework or bracing.
"Sign program"
means a coordinated plan for all signs for an individual
structure or a group of structures.
"Snipe sign"
means a temporary flyer, poster, or sign affixed to a fence,
mailbox, rock, tree, utility pole, wall, or other object not intended
to support a sign.
"Street front or frontage"
means the distance along which a parcel line adjoins a public
street, from one parcel line intersecting the street to the west distant
parcel line intersecting the same street. For furthest purposes of
this chapter, a development project containing more than one parcel
along a street shall be considered to have only one street frontage
on that street. Corner parcels have at least two street fronts. Subordinate
building frontage means any frontage other than the dominant frontage.
"Suspended sign"
means a sign hung from the underside of marquees, pedestrian
arcades, or covered walkways at ninety degrees to the building wall
or storefront. A sign suspended under a pedestrian walkway or fascia
which is parallel to the building wall shall be considered as a wall
or fascia sign.
"Temporary sign"
means any sign intended to be displayed for a limited period
of time, constructed of nonpermanent materials (canvas, cloth, paper,
plastic fabric, wood, and similar materials) and capable of being
viewed from any public right-of-way, parking area, or neighboring
property.
"Vehicle sign"
means a sign which is attached to or painted on a vehicle
which is parked or used in a manner visible to the public.
"Wall sign"
means a sign which is attached to the exterior wall of a
structure with the display surface of the sign approximately parallel
to the structure wall.
"Window sign"
means any sign posted, painted, placed, or affixed in or
on any window exposed to public view. Also includes any interior sign
which faces a window exposed to public view and is located within
three feet of the window.
(Ord. 777 § 1, 2002; Ord. 1025 § 2, 2011)
A. Sign Permits Required. To ensure compliance with the regulations contained in this chapter, a sign permit shall be required in order to erect, move, alter, change copy on, or reconstruct any sign, outdoor advertising, or advertising structure except for signs exempt from permits listed in subsection
B of this section.
B. Permits
Not Required. Signs which do not require a permit but which are regulated
by this section include:
1. Pole
signs and wall signs on residential parcels;
2. Window
signs in commercial zoning districts.
C. Application
Requirements. The following information is required for a sign permit
application:
1. A
completed application form and fee;
2. Plans,
to scale, to include the following:
a. Sign details indicating sign area, colors, dimensions, letter size,
letter style, materials, proposed copy, and method of illumination,
b. A site plan indicating the location of all existing and proposed
signs with sign area and dimensions for the entire project site,
c. Structure elevation(s) with proposed signs clearly depicted and dimensioned,
d. The method of attachment for wall signs, and a foundation plan, sign
support, and method of attachment for freestanding and monument signs,
e. The type and method of illumination (interior/ exterior), intensity
in lumens and watts, and electrical installation and insulation devices,
where applicable,
f. Freestanding and monument sign applications shall include landscape
plans and architectural materials descriptions, as well as indicate
any traffic safety sight areas to ensure safe view of motorists and
pedestrians, and
g. Other information as the director considers appropriate to determine
compliance with the provisions of this chapter.
D. Approval
of Sign Permits.
1. A sign permit for signs less than twenty square feet in area are subject to approval by the director; provided, the proposed sign is consistent with the purpose/intent and provisions of this chapter and the provisions of any approved sign program as required by Section
17.28.100 (Sign Program), below. In addition, review of the sign permit shall include consideration of size, shape, color, material, illumination, location, lettering and illustrations, and other elements of design as identified by the director. Staff may approve a sign between twenty and thirty square feet if it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the director that the sign substantially exceeds the minimum design requirements. In cases where superior design can not be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the director, the sign may be referred to the planning commission for final action.
2. If
the proposed sign complies with all applicable regulations of this
title and any applicable design guidelines, a sign permit shall be
issued. If the proposed sign(s) can be brought into compliance by
modifications, the permit shall be issued subject to conditions requiring
the modifications. Otherwise, the application shall be disapproved.
3. The
director shall refer sign permit applications for signs exceeding
thirty square feet to the commission, unless the signs conform to
an approved sign program.
E. Commissions
Action. The commission shall hear and act upon sign permit and sign
program applications as follows:
1. The
commission shall approve a sign permit or sign program when in compliance
with all the requirements and findings of this chapter; or
2. The
commission shall disapprove a sign permit or sign program if not in
full compliance with the requirements and findings of this chapter.
F. Appeals. In the case of sign permit or sign program application disapproval, the director or commission shall specify the provisions of this chapter with which the sign(s) is inconsistent. The applicant shall have the right to appeal the director's decision to the commission or to appeal the commission's decision to the council in compliance with Chapter
17.76. (Appeals).
(Ord. 777 § 1, 2002; Ord. 897, § 1, 2002; Ord. 1025 § 2, 2011)
Following a hearing, the commission shall record the decision to approve or disapprove a sign permit or sign program (see Section
17.28.100) subject to its review authority in writing and shall recite the findings upon which the decision is based. The commission may approve and/or modify a sign permit or sign program application in whole or in part, with or without conditions, only if all of the following findings are made:
A. The
sign is one allowed within the subject zoning district and complies
with all of the applicable provisions of this title;
B. The
sign is restrained in size and design and, as an identification device,
does not excessively compete for the publics attention and is the
minimum amount of signage necessary to achieve the purposes of this
chapter;
C. The
sign color, height, materials, placement, shape, size, and texture
are harmonious with the design of the structure, property, and neighborhood
of which it is a part;
D. The
signs illumination is at the lowest possible intensity, which ensures
adequate identification and readability, and is directed solely at
the sign or is internal to it; and
E. The
sign is not detrimental to the public interest, health, safety, or
welfare.
(Ord. 777 § 1, 2002)
The director shall have the authority to revoke a sign permit
which has been granted in compliance with this chapter if it is found
that any sign has been altered, erected, reconstructed, or is being
maintained in a manner which is inconsistent with the circumstances
of the sign approval.
(Ord. 777 § 1, 2002)
The following types of signs and objects shall be exempt from
regulations identified in this chapter:
A. Direction,
safety, or warning information signs required or authorized by law
or by city, county, state, or federal authority including public utility
signs;
B. City,
county, state, or federal traffic control signs;
C. Holiday
lights and decorations between Thanksgiving and January 5th; and
D. Official
flags of the United States, the state of California counties, or municipalities,
not exceeding eight feet long in its largest dimension. Flag pole
location shall be subject to the approval of the director.
E. In
the event of disruption of business activities caused by a natural
disaster, full or partial street closure, or adjacent or nearby building
or lot development, the director may grant an exemption of sign standards
in this chapter. Upon application by an affected business owner, the
director may grant an exemption of sign standards if the director
finds that these exceptional circumstances may negatively impact the
applicants business. Any approved exception shall be limited to a
maximum of thirty days, however additional applications may be filed
during the time of the particular impacting situation. The decision
of the director may be appealed by the applicant directly to the city
council subject to applicable provisions of this chapter.
(Ord. 777 § 1, 2002; Ord. 805 § 1, 2002)
The following signs are inconsistent with the purpose of this
chapter and are therefore prohibited:
A. Any
sign not in compliance with the provisions of this chapter;
B. Abandoned
signs and sign structures;
C. Animated,
blinking, flashing, moving, reflecting, revolving, and similar signs;
D. Balloons
or other inflatable signs;
E. Banner
or pennant signs, except for temporary banners for new businesses,
limited to forty-five days;
G. Bench
and bus shelter signs;
H. Chalkboards,
blackboards, sandwich boards, or A-frame signs;
I. Changeable
copy signs either electronically or manually controlled;
J. Light bulb strings, except for use in residential areas, on trees, during winter holidays and except for some temporary uses (e.g., Christmas tree lots, carnivals and similar uses) subject to the approval of a temporary use permit, in compliance with Chapter
17.46;
K. Painted
signs on fences or roofs;
N. Signs
on public property or public rights-of-way, except for traffic regulatory,
informational signs, or signs required by a governmental agency;
O. Signs
in the traffic safety sight area which exceed three feet in height
above the nearest street curb elevation;
P. Signs
emitting audible sounds, odors, or visible matter;
Q. Signs
erected in a manner that any portion of its surface or supports interfere
in any way with the free use of any fire escape, exit, or standpipe
or obstructs any door, stairway, or window;
R. Signs
painted on any surface except windows and glass doors, except as part
of an approved sign program;
S. Signs
which simulate in color or design a traffic sign or signal, or which
uses characters, symbols, or words in a manner that may interfere
with, mislead, or confuse pedestrian or vehicular traffic;
T. Signs
which exceed the maximum number or dimensional requirements identified
in this chapter;
V. Temporary signs, except as identified in Table 3-13 of Section
17.28.150 (Signs Allowed by Type of Development and Zoning District);
W. Vehicle
signs over four square feet in area and/or in excess of one sign per
vehicle side, not to exceed three signs per vehicle. Vehicle signs
shall be allowed in front of the structure(s) after operating hours
only if there is no opportunity to park the vehicle in the rear of
the parcel and if the vehicle is parked a minimum distance of one
hundred thirty feet from the nearest curb of the public right-of-way;
and
(Ord. 777 § 1, 2002; Ord. 1025 § 2, 2011)
A. Sign Program Required. In order to ensure that all signs for individual structures or groups of structures are in harmony with other on-site signs, structures, and surrounding developments, a sign program shall be submitted to the department for approval by the applicable review authority identified in subsection
F. For signs requiring a sign program, no permit shall be issued for an individual sign before approval by the review authority, in compliance with this chapter. The sign program is not intended to substitute dimensional requirements for those contained in Table 3-13 of Section
17.28.150 (Signs Allowed by Type of Development and Zoning District), except in the case of sign programs approved for commercial projects that qualify as large-scale planned commercial projects pursuant to subsection
K.
B. Application
Requirements. A sign program application shall consist of the following:
1. A
copy of an approved development plan permit or conditional use permit
or if an approved development plan permit or conditional use permit
does not exist, a site plan showing the location of structures, parking
areas, driveways, landscaped areas, and adjacent streets;
2. An
accurate indication on the development plan or site plan of the location
of each existing and proposed sign of any type whether requiring a
permit or not;
3. Computation
of the total number of signs, sign area for individual signs, total
sign area, and height of signs for each existing and proposed sign
type;
4. For
each sign existing or proposed in the sign program, the following
shall be specified:
a. The location of each sign on the structure(s) and property,
d. Lettering or graphic style,
g. Landscape quantities, types, sizes, and planter area dimensions if
signs are to be located within planter areas;
5. A
materials board or sign sample that is an accurate representation
of proposed colors, style, and sign material; and
6. Any
supplemental information deemed necessary by the director.
C. Common
Sign Program. If the owner(s) of two or more contiguous parcels (disregarding
intervening streets and alleys) file with the director a common sign
program conforming with all other provisions of this section, the
director shall allow a ten percent increase in the maximum total sign
area for the combined parcel area.
D. Other
Provisions. The sign program may contain additional restrictions as
the owner(s) of property within the sign program area may reasonably
request to be approved by the review authority.
E. Consent.
The sign program shall be signed by all property owners or their authorized
representatives.
F. Procedures.
A sign program shall be submitted to the director in compliance with
a development plan permit approval and before approval of any sign
permit.
1. All
complete sign program applications for total signs greater than twenty
square feet shall be referred to the commission for appropriate action
based on the sign program's compliance with the requirements of this
chapter.
2. Sign
programs for one or more signs totaling twenty square feet or less
may be approved by the director.
G. Existing
Signs Not Conforming to Sign Program. If any new or amended sign program
is submitted for a property on which existing signs are located, all
existing signs not conforming to the proposed sign program shall be
removed or made to conform with the sign program before the issuance
of any sign permit within the program area.
H. Binding
Effect. After approval of a sign program, no sign shall be altered,
constructed, displayed, erected, installed, placed, or maintained
except in compliance with the approved sign program. The sign program
may be enforced in the same way as any provision of this chapter.
In case of any conflict between the provisions of a sign program and
any other provision of this title, this title shall prevail.
I. Approval of Sign Programs. A sign program shall be approved in compliance Section
17.28.040 (Sign permit review).
J. Revisions
to Sign Programs.
1. Revision(s)
to a sign program may be approved by the director if it is determined
that the revision(s) is minor in nature and that the intent of the
original approval, including any condition of the approved sign program,
are not affected.
2. For
any revision(s) which is determined to be significant by the director
a new sign permit application shall be submitted to the department
and approved by the applicable review authority.
K. Sign
Programs for Large-Scale Planned Commercial Projects.
1. The
exceptions provided in this subsection are applicable to comprehensively
planned commercial projects greater than fifteen acres in size that
feature superior architecture and landscaping, as determined by the
city. Qualifying projects under this subsection are referred to herein
as "large-scale planned commercial projects."
2. On-site signage for large-scale planned commercial projects may exceed the limits described in Table 3-13 of Section
17.28.150 (Signs Allowed by Type of Development and Zoning District). The quality of the signage shall be superior in design and construction quality, and appropriate in context and scale for the proposed application, as determined by the city.
3. Sign programs for large-scale planned commercial projects shall include a detailed written analysis for all signs that are proposed to exceed the requirements listed in Table 3-13 of Section
17.28.150 (Signs Allowed by Type of Development and Zoning District).
(Ord. 777 § 1, 2002; Ord. 1088 § 2, 2014)
The use of neon (exposed gaseous light tubing) shall be allowed in commercial zoning districts only. Any use of neon requires the approval of a sign permit in compliance with Section
17.28.040. In addition, the following requirements shall apply:
A. Neon
signs and linear tubing shall be UL (Underwriters Laboratories) listed
with a maximum twenty amps for each circuit;
B. The
neon manufacturer shall be registered with Underwriters Laboratories;
C. Neon
tubing shall not exceed one-half inch in diameter;
D. Neon
lighting shall not be allowed adjacent to residential uses;
E. Neon
tubing shall not be combined with any reflective materials (e.g.,
mirrors, polished metal, highly glazed tiles, or other similar materials);
and
F. When
used as an architectural element, neon tubing shall be used only to
reinforce specific architectural elements of the structure and shall
be concealed from view through the use of cornices, ledges, parapets,
or similar devices.
(Ord. 777 § 1, 2002)
Table 3-13 provides a listing of all signs allowed for each
type of development and corresponding zoning districts. In addition
to the type of sign allowed, Table 3-13 provides the location, maximum
number, maximum sign area or length, and the maximum height of allowable
signs. The last column of Table 3-13 indicates the type of sign permit
required, if any. The table reads from left to right, from the Type
of Development and Zoning District column.
(Ord. 777 § 1, 2002; Ord. 1025 § 2, 2011)
All uses shall be subject to the applicable provisions of this
title, including the procedures identified in the following chapters:
17.48 Conditional Use Permits
17.42 Development Plan Permits
17.24 Landscaping Standards
17.50 Minor Variances
17.26 Parking and Loading Standards
17.28 Signs
17.46 Temporary Use Permits
17.52 Variances.
(Ord. 777 § 1, 2002)