The signs listed in this chapter shall be permitted in all districts and shall be exempt from the requirement for a sign permit. However, such signs shall not be exempt from building and/or electrical permit requirements. Also, such signs shall not be illuminated nor placed within any public right-of-way unless specifically permitted hereinbelow.
(08-05)
All signs permitted within this chapter shall conform to the following:
A. 
One sign per premises unless otherwise specified.
B. 
Maximum sizes shall be as specified for each sign.
C. 
All signs shall be on-premises unless otherwise specified.
D. 
All signs shall be building-mounted and shall be placed below the eave line of a pitched or mansard roof, or below the top of wall of a building with a flat or parapet roof unless otherwise specified or unless specifically permitted as freestanding (with the maximum freestanding height as specified).
E. 
All building-mounted signs and sign faces shall be painted on or shall be parallel to and flush against the surface on which they are placed.
F. 
All signs shall not restrict pedestrian or automobile traffic, impair motorist visibility or otherwise create a traffic hazard, or impair the visibility of signs on or off the premises.
G. 
Illuminated signs (if allowed) shall be subject to the following restrictions:
1. 
The illumination level of a sign shall be required to be adjusted if it is determined by the Director of Community Development or the Architectural Commission to be excessive. Illumination shall be considered excessive if it is substantially greater than the illumination of other nearby signs, if it interferes with the visibility of other signs or with the perception of objects or buildings in the vicinity of the sign, if it directs glare toward streets or motorists, or if it adversely impacts nearby residences or neighborhoods.
2. 
The light source for externally illuminated signs shall be arranged and shielded to substantially confine all direct light rays to the sign face and away from streets and adjacent properties. Externally illuminated signs shall be subject to illumination level review.
(08-05)
The following signs are exempt from sign permit requirements but shall not be illuminated:
A. 
Non-commercial flags, subject to the following restrictions:
1. 
Flags may be attached to either freestanding or building-mounted flagpoles or other supports.
2. 
Maximum two flags and one flagpole per premises.
3. 
Maximum 15 square feet per flag.
4. 
Building-mounted flagpoles shall not extend above the top of the building's roof. Freestanding flagpoles shall be a maximum of 20 feet in height.
5. 
Freestanding flagpoles shall not be placed within any required yard setback. However, in the event that there is no feasible location to place a flagpole outside the required yard setback, the Director of Community Development may approve placement of a flagpole inside the required yard setback.
6. 
Flags larger in size than 15 square feet and flags on freestanding flagpoles higher than 20 feet, illuminated or not, may be permitted in accordance with the applicable district regulations of this title if a sign permit is approved. Commercial flags or pennants are prohibited unless specifically permitted within the applicable zoning district pursuant to this title.
B. 
Non-commercial decorative building-mounted or freestanding pennants and windsocks provided:
1. 
Such display items do not exceed four square feet each in size; and
2. 
Such display items do not extend above the top of the building roof where mounted; and
3. 
No more than two such display items are displayed per residence or business.
C. 
Real estate signs up to a maximum of six square feet in area, and, if freestanding, a maximum of five feet in height. One real estate sign shall be permitted per street frontage of a lot. Such signs shall be permitted to remain while the property is in escrow, but shall be removed when the property referred to is no longer for sale, rent, or lease. No real estate signs shall be permitted in the public right-of-way. (Real estate signs larger than six square feet may be permitted in each district pursuant to Section 18.035.020 if a sign permit is approved.)
1. 
Riders which provide additional information about the property, such as "Sale Pending" may be attached to the primary sign or sign post as long as the total sign area does not exceed the maximum area allowed.
2. 
One freestanding, on-site "Open House" sign with a maximum area of three square feet shall be permitted on Saturdays and Sundays between the hours of 12:00 and 6:00 p.m.
3. 
Two freestanding, off-premises, directional "Open House" signs, with a maximum area of three square feet, shall be permitted on Saturdays and Sundays between the hours of 12:00 and 6:00 p.m. No "Open House" signs shall be permitted in the public right-of-way. Prior to placing a sign on any property, authorization is required from the owner of the property where the sign is to be located.
D. 
Construction announcement signs, including names of architect, contractor, etc., up to a maximum of six square feet in area, and if freestanding, five feet in height. No more than three signs shall be permitted per parcel. Such signs shall be removed upon issuance of the first occupancy certificate for the project referred to on the sign or when construction work is completed, whichever occurs first. (Larger size construction announcement signs may be permitted in each district pursuant to Section 18.035.020 if a sign permit is approved.)
E. 
Signs used to enforce private property rights such as "No Trespassing" or "No Parking," up to a maximum of four square feet in area, and if freestanding, a maximum of four feet in height.
F. 
Temporary Political Signs
Such signs of no more than four square feet in area and four feet in height are encouraged. Signs of a maximum 16 square feet in area and, if freestanding, a maximum of six feet in height are permitted. More than one such sign is permitted per premises. Political signs may not be placed on public property or within public rights-of way.
G. 
Off-premises temporary posters pertaining to future limited-term events which will be held within three months of the placement of such poster. Such posters shall be a maximum of six square feet in area, and placed only in windows, or on an easel located directly adjacent to a building. Such easel shall have a maximum height of five feet. Only one easel is permitted per business, and no easel may be placed within the public right-of-way or on other property without the prior consent of the property or business owner.
1. 
Temporary posters attached to windows or placed within five feet of any window and legible from off the site shall be considered accessory window signs and included in accessory window sign area calculations.
2. 
If temporary posters are placed on an easel, no other freestanding chalkboard, marker board or restaurant menu (Section 18.015.030.N) shall be permitted.
H. 
Occupant, office, or home occupation nameplates, maximum of one square foot per sign and maximum one sign per home, office, or other use.
I. 
Temporary garage sale signs, one per street frontage, maximum of four square feet in area, and if free-standing, up to five feet in height. Such signs may be placed only on the premises where the garage sale is being held and shall not be placed on public property, within a public right-of-way, or on street trees.
J. 
Bulletin boards, maximum of four square feet in area.
K. 
Tombstones for human or animal graves.
L. 
Non-commercial decorative, non-metallic balloons, maximum of 12 per premises and maximum of one foot in diameter each, provided such balloons do not extend above the roof line of adjacent buildings.
M. 
Pavement markings for directing motorists.
N. 
Chalkboards, marker boards or restaurant menus, maximum of one per business and maximum of six square feet in size. If freestanding, such boards shall not exceed four feet in height and shall not be placed in the public right-of-way. (Illuminated restaurant menus are allowed under Section 18.015.040 following.)
(08-05; 14-04)
The following signs are exempt from sign permit requirements and may be illuminated except by neon:
A. 
Any sign, flag, banner, notice, or other display erected by the City of Claremont associated with holidays or special community events such as: Fourth of July, Halloween, Carnival, Claremont Anniversary Celebration, Winter Holidays, Spring Festival and similar holidays and events. Such displays may be placed either within or outside the public right-of-way.
B. 
Any informational, directional, safety, traffic or similar signs erected by a governmental agency or a public utility or by their authorized agents or contractors. Such signs may be placed either within or outside the public right-of-way.
C. 
Signs warning of building, electrical, mechanical, or other physical hazards, such as "High Voltage," maximum of four square feet or such size as required by law.
D. 
Signs required by law for public safety or access, such as "Exit" or "Fire Escape," maximum of two square feet or such size as required by law.
E. 
Street number signs, maximum of two square feet per sign and two signs per address. Such signs need not be building-mounted, however, they shall not be placed on structures which exceed three feet in height within required front or street side setbacks.
F. 
Building-mounted restaurant menus, maximum of four square feet aggregate area per restaurant. (Larger permanent menu boards are permitted in specific zoning districts pursuant to this title if a sign permit is approved.)
G. 
Identification signs affixed to motor vehicles which are regularly used for delivery, transportation, sales, or services in connection with the business or activity identified on the vehicle, provided the vehicle is not parked to serve as an auxiliary sign for a business. Identification signs may contain business address and phone number, however, such vehicle signs shall not include directional arrows or other advertising instructions which direct potential customers to a business or other enterprise.
H. 
Permanent memorial tablets or memorial plaques, maximum of four square feet in area.
I. 
Vending machine signs provided that, if visible from a public right-of-way, such signs shall be limited to a maximum of four square feet per sign and two signs per host business. (Signs for recycling collection facilities are permitted and are regulated separately per Section 16.306.030 in Title 16.)
J. 
Display cases and merchandise, provided such displays are permitted within the district in question. Any illumination of such displays shall be indirect. No internally-lighted signs shall be permitted within such displays.
K. 
On-premises directional signs identifying "office," "manager," "rest rooms," or similar persons or facilities, maximum of one square foot in area per sign.
L. 
Building-mounted on-premises directory signs for residential or business complexes identifying occupants within the complex, maximum of four square feet in area per sign. Sign shall be pedestrian-oriented. Any map or floor plan portion of such a directory sign shall not be counted against the four square feet size allowance.
M. 
Window signs indicating that an establishment is "OPEN" or "CLOSED" subject to the provisions in Chapter 18.025.
(08-05)