The location, height, size and illumination of signs are regulated in order to maintain the attractiveness and orderliness of the City's appearance; to protect business sites from loss of prominence resulting from excessive signs on nearby sites; and to protect the public safety and welfare.
(Ord. 2017-1041; Ord. 2019-1056 § 3)
Event means an activity or use that occurs on a periodic frequency of not more than once per quarter.
Sign area
means the entire surface area of a sign including non-structural trim, but excluding the supports, uprights, or structures upon which the sign is supported. Sign area of cutout letters or displays include the total area within the periphery of the cutout letters or display. The sign area of advertising statuary is the entire surface area of the statuary.
Sign, banner
means a temporary visual display device, with or without copy, usually rectangular in shape made of flexible material, usually cloth, paper, or plastic
Sign, canopy
means any sign that is a part of or attached to an awning, canopy, or other fabric, plastic, or structural protective cover over a door, entrance, window, or outdoor service area. A marquee is not a canopy (see Figure 18.24-1).
Sign, commercial
means a sign whose message concerns goods or services offered for consideration by a person engaged in a profit-oriented business.
Sign, construction
means a sign containing information pertaining to a future development or on-going construction on the site where the sign is located, including the name of the project, developer, contractor, architect, financing source, future occupant(s), and other information directly related to the development (see Figure 18.24-1).
Sign copy
means any words, letters, numbers, designs, logos, or other symbolic representations incorporated into the face of a sign.
Sign, directional
means a sign directing motorists or pedestrians to parking or building entrances or providing similar directional information (see Figure 18.24-1).
Sign, directory
means a sign or group of signs attached to a building or freestanding that identifies the business, owner, address, or occupation of a group of businesses, but contains no advertising (see Figure 18.24-1).
Sign face
means the exterior surface of sign, exclusive of structural supports, on which is placed the sign copy.
Sign, freestanding
means a sign supported by a base, uprights, or braces placed upon or into the ground and detached from any building (see Figure 18.24-1).
Sign, gas or service station price
means a permanent sign subject to state regulation, usually of a monument type, containing the prices and grades of fuel for sale at an automobile service station.
Sign, government
means a sign erected and maintained by a governmental agency for public informational, directional or safety purposes.
Sign height
means the measurement from the top of the sign face to the average finished grade at the base of the sign.
Sign, identification
means a sign whose commercial copy is limited to the name, type of business, and address of the building, business, office, establishment, person, or activity.
Sign, internally illuminated
means a sign which a source of light is projected through a transparent material that consists of the letters of the message or sign copy.
Sign, mobile billboard
means an on- or off-premises advertising sign attached to a vehicle or trailer that is used for the primary purpose of advertising and that moves with pedestrian or vehicular traffic or is parked at specific locations. A vehicle which advertises the company of its primary use is not considered a mobile billboard.
Sign, monument
means an independent structure supported from grade to the bottom of the sign with the appearance of having a solid base (see Figure 18.24-1).
Sign, noncommercial
means a sign that is not commercial. Noncommercial signs include signs erected by non-profit organizations for fundraising and related purposes and signs containing political, civic, public service, or religious messages.
Sign, nonconforming
means any temporary or permanent sign legally erected, established and maintained in conformance with the provisions of all applicable laws in effect at the time of original installation, but which does not conform to the number, size, placement, or other requirements of this title.
Sign, off-site
means a sign referring to a person, establishment, merchandise, service, event, or entertainment which is not located, sold, produced, manufactured, provided, or furnished on the premises where the sign is located.
Sign, on-site
means a sign referring to a person, establishment, merchandise, service, event, or entertainment which is located, sold, produced, manufactured, provided, or furnished on the premises where the sign is located.
Sign, portable
means any sign designed to be moved easily and which is not permanently affixed to either the ground, a structure, or building, or vehicle.
Sign program
means a plan created and submitted by a project applicant that lays out the number, location, types, heights, style, illumination, etc., of the signs on a property.
Sign, real estate
means a sign indicating that the premises on which the sign is located are for sale, lease, or rent.
Sign, temporary
means any sign that is used only temporarily and is not permanently mounted.
Sign, wall
means a sign attached to, erected against, or painted onto a wall of a building or other structure with the exposed face of the sign in a plane parallel to the wall (see Figure 18.24-1).
Figure 18.24-1 Sign Types
(Ord. 2017-1041; Ord. 2019-1056 § 3)
A. 
All sign illumination shall be internally illuminated or by indirect lighting and no sign shall have blinking or flashing lights or any other illuminating device which has a changing light intensity brightness or color.
B. 
No sign shall move, have visible moving parts, or simulate movement by means of fluttering, spinning, or reflective devices.
C. 
No sign may encroach upon or overhang adjacent property or public right-of-way, except where specifically permitted within this chapter.
D. 
Canopies and signs attached to a building, including, but not limited to, wall signs, shall not project above the eave line.
E. 
The square footage of a sign made up of letters, words or symbols within a frame shall be determined from the outside edge of the frame itself. The square footage of a sign composed of only letters, words, or symbols shall be determined from imaginary straight lines drawn around the entire copy of grouping of such letters, words or symbols. Only those portions of the construction elements that are an integral part of the sign itself shall be considered in the allocation of square footage allowed.
F. 
All signs shall be structurally safe, shall be of rust inhibitive material, and shall be maintained in good condition as determined by the Community Development Director and Building Official. It shall be the responsibility of the property owner of the land and/or improvements to remove any sign or signs on premises where the use has been discontinued for a period of over 60 days.
G. 
Signs painted on a building or structure shall meet the specifications for wall or canopy signs in this chapter and Chapter 18.26 of this title, subject to approval of the Planning Commission.
H. 
Where non-temporary freestanding signs are permitted, a minimum landscaped area of 100 square feet shall be provided at the base of the sign, unless otherwise determined by the Planning Commission to be consistent with the intent of this provision and with Chapter 18.26 of this title.
J. 
Lighting for externally illuminated signs shall be hooded, screened or directed downward/inward in such a manner that the lighting element is not directly visible from the adjacent streets and properties unless approved by the Planning Commission as a part of a conditional use permit process.
J . 
Flags are prohibited except as provided in Section 18.24.110.
K. 
The following shall not be considered signs:
1. 
Official notices authorized by a court, public body, or public officer;
2. 
Directional, warning or information signs authorized by Federal, State, or municipal authority;
3. 
Memorial plaques and building cornerstones when cut or carved into a masonry surface or when made of incombustible material and made an integral part of the building or structure;
4. 
Commemorative symbols, plaques and historical tablets.
L. 
Balloons and other inflatable advertising devices of all sizes are prohibited, except for one-time special events as provided in Section 18.20.020.O.
M. 
The owner of any sign which is otherwise allowed by this chapter may substitute noncommercial copy in lieu of any other commercial or non-commercial copy. This substitution of copy may be made without any additional approval or permitting. The purpose of this provision is to prevent any inadvertent favoring of commercial speech over non-commercial speech, or favoring of any particular non-commercial message over any other non-commercial message. This provision prevails over any more specific provision to the contrary.
(Ord. 2017-1041; Ord. 2019-1056 § 3)
A schedule of sign permit fees shall be as adopted by resolution of the City Council and administered by the Building Official of the City.
(Ord. 2017-1041; Ord. 2019-1056 § 3)
Prior to the required date of elimination of a nonconforming sign, a permit may be issued for a change in such sign provided such change would not create or increase a discrepancy between the regulations of this chapter and the existing nonconforming sign.