The intent of the following sign regulations is to provide for appropriate opportunities for advertising and other promotional uses supportive of Lassen County's economy, while ensuring that such opportunities are compatible with the scenic and open space resources of the county, recognizing that such resources are fundamental to the county's economy. This intent shall be accomplished by the provisions in this chapter for the appropriate review and location of proposed signs and the limitation and/or restriction of signs in certain districts as necessary to fulfill the full intent of this chapter. The policies of the general plan and applicable area plans shall also be applied to address the specific concerns of promoting or regulating signs.
(Ord. 467 § 65, 1984)
The following shall apply to the placement of signs in the respective zoning districts, unless otherwise provided for in this title. "Appurtenant signs" are signs located on and concerned with or directly relevant to the principal use of the lot. "Nonappurtenant signs" are signs unrelated to the principal use of the lot. Consult Chapter 18.14, for additional sign-related definitions.
(1) 
In an A-1 district, the following shall apply:
(A) 
Appurtenant Signs.
(i) 
Allowed by Right. Signs attached to a building, limited to not more than three signs per parcel of not more than thirty-five square feet of aggregate area per street frontage,
(ii) 
Subject to a Certificate of Conditional Use (C.C.U.). Appurtenant signs not attached to a building, limited to one sign per street frontage and not exceeding thirty-five square feet,
(iii) 
Subject to a Use Permit (U.P.). Any appurtenant signs exceeding the limitations set out in subsections (1) and (2) of this section, but not exceeding two hundred square feet;
(B) 
Nonappurtenant Signs. Subject to a U.P.; any nonappurtenant sign on a parcel containing an existing commercial or industrial activity, limited to one sign per parcel not to exceed two hundred square feet.
(2) 
In an A-2 district, the following shall apply:
(A) 
Appurtenant Signs.
(i) 
Subject to a C.C.U.; one sign per permitted use, not to exceed thirty-five square feet;
(ii) 
Subject to a U.P.; a maximum of two signs for each permitted use, not to exceed thirty-five square feet per sign;
(B) 
Nonappurtenant Signs. Not allowed.
(3) 
In an A-3 district, the following shall apply:
(A) 
Appurtenant Signs. Subject to a C.C.U.; limited to two appurtenant signs for each permitted use, not to exceed thirty-five square feet per sign and; provided, that there is a minimum distance of six hundred feet between each sign;
(B) 
Nonappurtenant Signs. Not allowed.
(4) 
In an R-1 district, the following shall apply:
(A) 
Appurtenant Signs. Subject to a U.P.; one appurtenant sign per street frontage for each permitted use; provided, that:
(i) 
No sign shall exceed thirty-five square feet,
(ii) 
Signs for single-family residences and/or home occupations are not allowed under this section;
(B) 
Nonappurtenant Signs. Not allowed.
(5) 
In an R-2 district, the following shall apply: See provisions for an R-1 district above in this section.
(6) 
In an R-3 district, the following shall apply: See provisions for an R-1 district above in this section.
(7) 
In a C-1 district, the following shall apply:
(A) 
Appurtenant Signs.
(i) 
Allowed by Right. Signs attached to a building, limited to not more than three signs per parcel of not more than seventy square feet of aggregate area per street frontage;
(ii) 
Subject to a C.C.U.. Any appurtenant sign not attached to a building, limited to one sign per street frontage for each parcel not exceeding thirty-five square feet per sign,
(iii) 
Subject to a U.P. Any appurtenant sign exceeding the size limitations above, but not exceeding seventy square feet for any individual sign;
(B) 
Nonappurtenant Signs. Subject to a U.P.; one sign per parcel, not to exceed seventy square feet.
(8) 
In a C-2 district, the following shall apply:
(A) 
Appurtenant Signs.
(i) 
Allowed by Right. Signs attached to a building, limited to not more than three signs per parcel of not more than seventy square feet of aggregate area per street frontage,
(ii) 
Subject to a C.C.U.. Any appurtenant sign not attached to a building, limited to one sign per street frontage for each parcel not exceeding thirty-five square feet per sign,
(iii) 
Subject to a U.P. Any appurtenant sign exceeding the size limitations above, but not exceeding two hundred square feet for any individual sign;
(B) 
Nonappurtenant Signs. Subject to a U.P.; one sign per parcel, not to exceed two hundred square feet.
(9) 
In a C-H district, the following shall apply:
(A) 
Appurtenant Signs.
(i) 
Allowed by Right. Signs attached to a building, limited to not more than three signs per parcel of not more than seventy square feet of aggregate area per street frontage;
(ii) 
Subject to a C.C.U.. Any appurtenant sign not attached to a building, limited to one sign per street frontage for each parcel and not exceeding thirty-five square feet per sign;
(iii) 
Subject to a U.P. Any appurtenant sign exceeding the size limitations above, but not exceeding two hundred square feet per sign;
(B) 
Nonappurtenant Signs. Subject to a U.P.; one sign per parcel, not to exceed seventy square feet.
(10) 
In a C-L district, the following shall apply:
(A) 
Appurtenant Signs. See provisions for a C-H district above in this section;
(B) 
Nonappurtenant Signs. Subject to a U.P.; one sign per parcel, not to exceed seventy square feet.
(11) 
In a C-T district, the following shall apply: See provisions for a C-2 district above in this section.
(12) 
In a C-G district, the following shall apply: See provisions for a C-1 district above in this section.
(13) 
In an M district, the following shall apply:
(A) 
Appurtenant Signs.
(i) 
Allowed by Right. Signs attached to a building, limited to not more than three signs per parcel of not more than seventy square feet of aggregate area per street frontage,
(ii) 
Subject to a C.C.U. Any appurtenant sign not attached to a building, limited to one sign not exceeding seventy square feet per street frontage;
(iii) 
Subject to a U.P. Any appurtenant sign exceeding the size limitations above, but not exceeding three hundred square feet for any individual sign;
(B) 
Nonappurtenant Signs. Subject to a U.P.; one nonappurtenant sign per parcel for each street frontage, not to exceed three hundred square feet per sign.
(14) 
In an M-L district, the following shall apply:
(A) 
Appurtenant Signs.
(i) 
Allowed by Right. Signs attached to a building, limited to one sign per street frontage and not to exceed seventy square feet per sign,
(ii) 
Subject to a C.C.U. Any appurtenant signs not attached to the building, limited to one sign not exceeding thirty-five square feet per street frontage,
(iii) 
Subject to a U.P. Any appurtenant sign exceeding the size limitations above, but not to exceed seventy square feet for any individual sign;
(B) 
Nonappurtenant Signs. Not allowed.
(15) 
In an M-1 district, the following shall apply: See provisions for an M district above in this section.
(16) 
In an M-2 district, the following shall apply: See provisions for an M district above in this section.
(17) 
In a P.U.D. district, the following shall apply:
(A) 
Appurtenant Signs.
(i) 
For any permitted commercial or nonresidential use, see provisions for a C-L district above in this section,
(ii) 
For any use in a predominantly residential area of a planned development, see provisions for an R-1 district above in this section;
(B) 
Nonappurtenant Signs. Not allowed.
(18) 
In a P-C district, the following shall apply: See provisions for a P.U.D. district above in this section.
(19) 
In an F-R district, the following shall apply:
(A) 
Appurtenant Signs. Subject to a U.P.; all appurtenant signs, not to exceed thirty-five square feet for any individual sign;
(B) 
Nonappurtenant Signs. Not allowed.
(20) 
In an R-S district, the following shall apply: See provisions for a C-H district above in this section.
(21) 
In an O-C-B district, the following shall apply: See provisions for a C-H district above in this section.
(22) 
In an I-1 district, the following shall apply: See provisions for an R-F district above in this section.
(23) 
In an O-H district, the following shall apply: See provisions for a F-R district above in this section.
(24) 
In an O-D district, the following shall apply:
(A) 
Appurtenant Signs. Subject to a U.P.; any appurtenant sign or signs not to exceed twenty square feet and one appurtenant sign per permitted use not to exceed thirty-five square feet;
(B) 
Nonappurtenant Signs. Not allowed.
(25) 
In an O-S district, the following shall apply: See provisions for an O-D district above in this section.
(26) 
In an E-A district, the following shall apply: See provisions for an A-3 district above in this section.
(27) 
In a U-C district, the following shall apply: See provisions for an A-3 district above in this section.
(28) 
In a U-C-2 district, the following shall apply: See provisions for an A-3 district above in this section.
(29) 
In a T-P-Z district, the following shall apply:
(A) 
Appurtenant Signs. Subject to a C.C.U.; one sign per permitted use, not to exceed thirty-five square feet in area;
(B) 
Nonappurtenant Signs. Not allowed.
(30) 
In a H-R district, the following shall apply: See provisions for a T-P-Z district above in this section.
(31) 
In a Y-C district, the following shall apply: See provisions for a C-H district above in this section.
(32) 
In an A-F district, the following shall apply: See Chapter 18.72.
(33) 
In an MR district, the following shall apply:
(A) 
Appurtenant Signs.
(i) 
Allowed by Right. Signs attached to a building, limited to not more than three signs per parcel of not more than seventy square feet of aggregate area per street frontage.
(ii) 
Subject to a Certificate of Conditional Use. Any appurtenant sign not attached to a building, limited to one sign per street frontage for each parcel not exceeding thirty-five square feet per sign.
(iii) 
Subject to a Use Permit. Any appurtenant sign exceeding the size limitations above, but not exceeding two hundred square feet for any individual sign.
(B) 
Nonappurtenant Signs.
(i) 
Subject to a Use Permit. One sign per parcel, not to exceed two hundred square feet.
(ii) 
For parcels zoned MR with frontage on a state highway or major collector, two signs are permitted, each not exceeding two hundred square feet in size.
(C) 
Directional Signs. Allowed by right as long as the signs do not exceed four square feet.
(Ord. 467 § 65, 1984; amended by the vote of the people 11-7-00; Ord. 467-AC § 27, 2003)
Unless otherwise specified for any zoning district developed subsequent to the adoption of the ordinance codified in this title, the following regulations shall be applied:
(1) 
Appurtenant Signs.
(A) 
Subject to a C.C.U.: One appurtenant sign per street frontage for each parcel; provided, that no sign shall exceed thirty-five square feet and that such signs shall not be permitted for single-family residences or home occupations,
(B) 
Subject to a U.P.: Any appurtenant sign exceeding the number and size limitations of subdivision (A) of this section, but not exceeding two hundred square feet for any individual sign;
(2) 
Nonappurtenant Signs. Subject to a U.P.; one sign per parcel, not to exceed two hundred square feet.
(Ord. 467 § 65, 1984)
Unless otherwise allowed by this title, the following general provisions shall pertain to permitted signs in applicable zoning districts:
(1) 
Nameplates not over three square feet in area, and not illuminated, may be displayed in any district when attached to the main building.
(2) 
In the case of a shopping center in applicable districts, one directory sign may be permitted provided it shall not exceed two hundred square feet in area. For stores within a shopping center, one sign attached to the building not to exceed thirty-five square feet, except by use permit, shall be allowed. In the case of a use permit, signs shall be permitted to have an area not to exceed three square feet for each one foot of frontage, provided that no business establishment shall be allowed a sign in excess of two hundred square feet, and; provided further, that the area permitted may be divided into not more than six single-faced or double-faced signs. Said formula shall apply to each street frontage;
(3) 
A design review, as per this title, shall not be required for any sign for which design review is otherwise required if the intent of such a requirement is satisfied by review and specification of conditions through the use permit or certificate of conditional use processes.
(4) 
Nonappurtenant signs may be permitted in any zone along a county road subject to securing a use permit and subject to all of the following qualifying provisions:
(A) 
Maximum of two signs per each permitted use for which the sign is concerned;
(B) 
All signs under this provision shall be located no further than one thousand feet from the principal access to the permitted use for which the sign is concerned, and no more than two miles from said use;
(C) 
The use for which the sign is concerned is located on property that has no frontage on the county road for which the sign is proposed, or is otherwise unable, under the provisions of this title, to provide an appurtenant sign for the use in question;
(D) 
That no sign under this provision shall exceed thirty-five square feet in area.
(5) 
Signs shall be unlighted or softly lighted and shall not blink, oscillate, rotate, pulse or be otherwise animated.
(6) 
No sign shall be allowed for any use allowed under the definition of a "home occupation."
(7) 
Nonappurtenant signs allowed by this title to be located along or visible from any primary or interstate highways and all state highways in unincorporated areas and all county routes shall be subject to the following standards:
(A) 
Be located within one thousand feet of an existing industrial or commercial activity;
(B) 
Will not have flashing or moving lights;
(C) 
Will not impair traffic visibility at any intersection;
(D) 
Will be at least five hundred feet from the nearest sign on a freeway; or at least three hundred feet from the nearest sign on the same side of nonfreeway highway outside of a city;
(E) 
Will be at least five hundred feet from an interchange or roadside rest if outside of the city.
(8) 
The planning department shall review applications for certificates of conditional use according to the provisions of this title. Upon finding that the proposed sign meets the provisions of this title, a certificate shall be issued which shall specify all applicable standards and conditions.
(9) 
For the purposes of advertising a parcel or building for sale or lease, signs may be displayed by right under the following provisions:
(A) 
Limit of one sign per parcel for each street or road frontage;
(B) 
A maximum size of six square feet in area for signs in all residential districts;
(C) 
A maximum size of sixteen square feet in area for signs in all other districts;
(D) 
Subject to a use permit, one sign may be allowed per parcel for each street or road frontage exceeding the above size limitations, but not exceeding thirty-five square feet.
(10) 
Outdoor advertising signs and structures, other than those allowed as appurtenant to a permitted use, shall be prohibited unless specifically permitted.
(11) 
Political campaign signs or posters may be allowed in any district and shall conform with the size standards of this title and shall be located in a manner that will not block sight distance or impair traffic safety. A certificate of conditional use shall not be required for political campaign signs or posters. Such signs shall be removed immediately following the termination of time intended therefor.
(12) 
Service and private directional signs may be permitted in all districts upon first securing a certificate of conditional use in each case. No one sign shall exceed a maximum area of thirty-five square feet. Such signs shall be permitted only on property adjacent to county roads or state highways.
(13) 
No part of any sign shall be placed in such a manner as to obstruct the sight distance area or impair traffic safety. Except for those signs which may be allowed by subsection (11) of this section no part of any sign shall be placed in a right-of-way or road easement.
(14) 
No sign shall overhang a public right-of-way or extend past the property line to which it is appurtenant.
(15) 
No sign shall be allowed to conflict with any applicable policies, provisions and/or requirements of the general plan or an applicable area plan.
(16) 
No sign shall be allowed to fall into disrepair, and any sign damaged or defaced by any means shall be repaired or removed within ten days of notification.
(Ord. 467 § 65, 1984; Ord. 467-W § 5, 1998)