This article regulates signage in the public right-of-way and on other City-owned public property. In adopting this article, the City Council acts in its proprietary capacity as to City property. This article is adopted pursuant to the City's general powers, property rights, California Government Code Sections 65850(b), 38774, and 38775, California Business and Professions Code Section 5200 et seq., California Civil Code Section 713, and California Penal Code Section 556 et seq.
(1237-CS, Added, 12/28/2017)
(a) 
Signs in the public right-of-way or on City property are permitted as set forth in this article.
(b) 
Property and facilities located within the public right-of-way, such as utility poles, walls, benches, hydrants, bridges, sidewalks, traffic sign posts, and similar structures, are not by tradition or designation a forum for communication by the general public. The City Council wishes to preserve the use of these structures exclusively for their intended purpose, which is the safe, efficient, and pleasant movement of vehicular and pedestrian traffic, and the safe operation of utility systems.
(c) 
The regulations and prohibitions of this article are necessary to preserve items and structures located within the public right-of-way for their intended purposes, and to prevent the visual clutter, blight, and traffic hazards caused by signs.
(1237-CS, Added, 12/28/2017)
Signs are generally prohibited in the public right-of-way.
(a) 
Except as otherwise provided in this article, no person shall paint, mark, or write on; post or otherwise affix or erect; or construct, maintain, paste, nail, tack or otherwise fasten or affix any sign, including temporary signs, on City property, in the public right-of-way or on any sidewalk, crosswalk, curb, parkway, street, wall, lamp post, pole, bench, hydrant, tree, shrub, bridge, electric light pole, power pole, or telephone wire pole, or any wire appurtenance thereof, or upon any street sign or traffic sign, or upon any other object located in the public right-of-way.
(b) 
Except signs that are mounted in accordance with California Vehicle Code Section 21100(p)(2), vehicle mounted signs are not permitted. Signs must be permanently affixed to the body of, an integral part of, or a fixture of, a motor vehicle for permanent decoration, identification, or display. Signs shall not extend the body of the vehicle in any way. The signs must be painted directly on the body of the vehicle, applied as a decal on the body of a motor vehicle, or placed on a location of the body of the motor vehicle that was specifically designed by a vehicle manufacturer. This exemption shall not apply to advertising billboards, A-frame signs, trailer-mounted signs or other advertising structures that are mounted onto, and are not an integral part of, the motor vehicle.
(c) 
This section shall not prevent a public officer or employee from posting notices as required by law, such as notices of street abandonment or notices of proposed assessment district proceedings, as required by the Streets and Highways Code, or other statutory authority or from posting or affixing signs necessary for the conduct of City business or City events. This section shall also not pertain to structures located within the right-of-way which by tradition or designation are used for the purpose of communication by the general public. Such structures shall include kiosks, bulletin boards, benches upon which advertisement is authorized, and newspaper racks; provided, that such structures shall have either been placed in the right-of-way by the City or shall have been placed in the right-of-way only after issuance of an encroachment permit pursuant to Article 3 of Chapter 7-2 TMC.
(1237-CS, Added, 12/28/2017)
The following signs may be erected and displayed in the public right-of-way or on City property:
(a) 
Traffic control and traffic directional signs erected by the City or another governmental unit.
(b) 
Warning and emergency signs.
(c) 
Official notices required or authorized by law.
(d) 
Signs placed by the City in furtherance of its governmental functions.
(e) 
Electronic signs established by the City or a state agency within the public right-of-way for traffic and emergency purposes.
(f) 
Signs allowable under TMC 9-2-405 (Temporary signs displaying noncommercial messages), 9-2-406 (Temporary signs for City authorized events), 9-2-407 (City authorized streetlight banners), 9-2-408 (Temporary signs within parks), 9-2-409 (Signs within City facilities), 9-2-410 (Transit facility signs), 9-2-411 (Community directional wayfinding signs), and 9-2-412 (Downtown core overlay district).
(1237-CS, Added, 12/28/2017)
In areas qualifying as public forums, private persons may display noncommercial message signs thereon; provided, that such signs conform to all of the following:
(a) 
The signs must be personally held by a person or personally attended by one (1) or more persons. "Personally attended" means that a person is physically present within five (5') feet of the sign at all times.
(b) 
The signs may be displayed at any time of the day.
(c) 
The maximum aggregate size of all signs held or personally attended by a single person is twelve (12) square feet measured on one (1) side only.
(d) 
The maximum size of any one (1) sign which is held or personally attended by two (2) or more persons is thirty-two (32) square feet, measured on one (1) side only.
(e) 
The sign must have no more than two (2) display faces and may not be inflatable, air-activated, internally illuminated, electronic, flashing, rotating, or made of any other materials that are mobile or move, and shall not be constructed of any material(s) that could pose a threat to persons or property.
(f) 
Apparel and other aspects of personal appearance not containing a commercial message shall not count toward the maximum aggregate sign area.
(g) 
In order to serve the City's interests in traffic flow and safety, persons displaying signs under this section may not stand in any roadway, and persons displaying signs on public sidewalks must provide an unobstructed and continuous path at least four (4') feet in width for pedestrians to pass by. Persons holding signs may not obstruct the clear vision triangle, as defined in the City of Turlock Standard Specifications and Drawings.
(1237-CS, Added, 12/28/2017)
A temporary sign may be erected and maintained in the public right-of-way or on City property for the purpose of advertising a City authorized event; provided, that:
(a) 
Temporary signs shall comply with general standards established by the Parks, Recreation and Public Facilities Director. The standards shall include the location, number, size, shape, color, materials, display period, method of construction, and any other aspect of the signs determined by the Parks, Recreation and Public Facilities Director;
(b) 
The Parks, Recreation, and Public Facilities Director may require payment for the use of the sign display area;
(c) 
The proposed sign shall advertise only the authorized event;
(d) 
The proposed sign shall only be placed at the location approved by the Parks, Recreation, and Public Facilities Director including, but not limited to, a City building, or in, above or across a public right-of-way;
(e) 
The proposed sign shall not be illuminated and shall not contain moving parts;
(f) 
The proposed sign shall be made of a nonmetallic, weather-resistant material; and
(g) 
The proposed sign shall not constitute a traffic safety hazard to motorists or pedestrians.
(1237-CS, Added, 12/28/2017)
(a) 
Purpose. City authorized streetlight banners serve the purpose of promoting a business area, events open to the general public, or other City programs established by City Council resolution. Such banners shall not be used for advertising purposes for individual businesses, corporations, or subdivisions. A banner sign program shall establish the number and location of each sign, the display period and schedule for installation and removal, a drawing of the actual sign including copy, and information for any special events advertised on the sign. In addition to the requirements listed below, a banner sign program shall be required to obtain City authorization.
(b) 
Requirements. Streetlight banner sign(s) shall comply with all of the following requirements:
(1) 
The proposed banners shall be located only on existing City streetlight standards;
(2) 
The proposed banners shall comply with general standards promulgated by the Parks, Recreation and Public Facilities Director. The general standards shall address the location, number, size, shape, color, materials, display period, method of construction, and any other aspect of the signs determined by the Parks, Recreation and Public Facilities Director;
(3) 
The proposed banners shall be constructed of weather-resistant materials and shall be maintained in a neat and intact (i.e., not torn or tattered) fashion; and
(4) 
The proposed banners shall not constitute a traffic safety hazard to motorists, bicyclists, or pedestrians.
(1237-CS, Added, 12/28/2017)
A temporary sign which is located within a public park shall comply with general standards promulgated by the Parks, Recreation and Public Facilities Director. The general standards shall address the location, number, size, shape, color, materials, display period, method of construction, and any other aspect of the signs determined by the Parks, Recreation and Public Facilities Director. The Parks, Recreation and Public Facilities Director may require payment for the use of the sign display area(s).
(1237-CS, Added, 12/28/2017)
A sign may be erected and maintained within a City facility for commercial advertising purposes; provided, that:
(a) 
The sign complies with general standards established by the Parks, Recreation and Public Facilities Director which shall include the location, number, size, shape, color, materials, display period, method of construction, and any other aspect of the signs determined by the Parks, Recreation and Public Facilities Director;
(b) 
The Parks, Recreation and Public Facilities Director may require payment for the use of the sign display area;
(c) 
The Parks, Recreation and Public Facilities Director shall not approve a location where the purpose and intent of the sign is to communicate a commercial message beyond the boundary of the City property on which the public facility is located;
(d) 
The proposed sign shall not be illuminated and shall not contain moving parts; and
(e) 
The proposed sign shall be made of a nonmetallic, weather-resistant material.
(1237-CS, Added, 12/28/2017)
Signs placed on publicly owned and operated transit facilities (e.g., transit vehicle(s), shelter(s), bench(es) or kiosk(s)) may be permitted by the Development Services Director. The Development Services Director shall promulgate general standards regarding the location, number, size, shape, color, materials, display period, method of construction, and any other aspect of the signs determined by the Development Services Director. The Development Services Director may require payment for use of sign display area.
(1237-CS, Added, 12/28/2017)
The intent of this program is to provide assistance to motorists and pedestrians in navigating the City and providing access to tourist-oriented destinations, regional attractions, parks, historic and cultural sites, and other public venues within City limits. In furtherance of this program, the Development Services Director shall be responsible for developing guidelines and standards for such signs, subject to City Council approval, including, but not limited to, administrative procedures, selection of destinations to identify through the program, and sign location and design criteria.
(1237-CS, Added, 12/28/2017)
(a) 
Findings. The downtown core overlay district was adopted by the City of Turlock to promote its historic character by enhancing the pedestrian environment and maintaining the historic pattern of development. The downtown core zoning district is the only zoning district where the City does not require front, side or rear yard setbacks which reflects the historic pattern of development in this zoning district. Buildings are located immediately adjacent to the public right-of-way preventing property owners from constructing monument signs to enhance the visibility of commercial businesses to motorists. Recognizing these unique and exceptional constraints on commercial advertising, the City enacted TMC 9-4-104(b) which places restrictions on the installation of freestanding signs but allows for the use of A-frame signs within the public right-of-way for the downtown core overlay district.
(b) 
Development standards. A-frame signs shall be permitted without a sign permit provided the following conditions are met:
(1) 
The sign is located immediately in front of the property on which the tenant is located;
(2) 
The property owner has provided written permission to the tenant to utilize the space;
(3) 
The total area of the all tenant signs shall not occupy more than twenty-five (25%) percent of the property frontage;
(4) 
The A-frame sign shall have no more than two (2) sides;
(5) 
The overall size of the A-frame sign shall not exceed two (2') feet in width and four (4') feet in height;
(6) 
The sign shall be constructed of durable materials similar to those found on the building or wall signs; and
(7) 
The sign shall not be placed on the public sidewalk in such a manner as to violate California or Federal accessibility laws or otherwise present a danger to pedestrians or other uses of the public right-of-way.
(1237-CS, Added, 12/28/2017)