[1]
Prior legislation: Code 1975 § 1303, Ords. 150 C.S., 76-12, 81-11, 82-7, 82-18, 83-25, 88-26, 91-8, 92-7, 93-28, 94-5 and 97-9.
Signs are instrumental in maintaining the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea's village character. The City has no house numbering system so residents often place signs outside their homes for identification. Business signs typically are made of wood and are oriented toward the pedestrian rather than the automobile. These residential and business signs create a unique village environment, which encourages exploration and discovery.
This chapter establishes standards and guidelines to preserve and enhance the appearance of the community as a place in which to live and work. These standards and guidelines ensure that signage is used as identification and not as advertisement or a notice-attracting device.
Furthermore, these standards prevent the installation of an excessive number of signs, avoid visual clutter and eliminate hazards to pedestrians and motorists brought about by distracting signs.
The sign standards also implement the following objectives and policies of the General Plan:
O1-17:
Maintain diligent control over signs and other advertising or notice-attracting facilities in order to avoid unsightly, bizarre, and/or out-of-scale visual impacts, including exterior lighting and lights from window displays.
P1-53:
Limit the use of unnecessary or unsightly design elements such as excessive numbers of signs, nonfunctional awnings, exterior displays, interior displays, and architectural contrivances used primarily as advertising or notice-attracting features visible from the public right-of-way.
P1-54:
Prohibit business signs incorporating lights, luminous or fluorescent paints, or movement.
P1-55:
Encourage the location of signs near the entrance to the businesses they serve.
P1-56:
Encourage business signs that are simple in graphic design, informative of the business use, and compatible in color and design with adjoining structures.
A sign may be erected, replaced, repainted, altered, relocated or maintained only in conformance with the standards and permit procedures of this chapter. The purpose and effect of this chapter is to:
A. 
Establish a permit system to regulate signage in the business district and residential areas.
B. 
Provide for temporary signs in limited circumstances on private property subject to the standards and permit procedures of this chapter.
C. 
Prohibit signs determined by the City to contribute to visual blight and pose hazards to pedestrians and motorists, which shall include those signs visible from exterior areas accessible to pedestrians and which are flashing, self-illuminated, neon, phosphorescent, glossy, incorporate internal lights or movement or that include strings of small lights around doors or windows, as well as signs, displays or other installations that include balloons, streamers, or other notice-attracting features.
(Ord. 2004-02 § 1, 2004; Ord. 2009-07 Att. A, 2009; Ord. 2021-04 § 2, 2021; Ord. 2004-01 § 1, 2004)
A. 
Administrative Approval. Upon submittal of an application, the permits for signage as set forth in CMC § 17.40.030 may be approved by the Director, unless exempt from permit requirements in this code. At least once each year the Director shall report to the Planning Commission on the signs that have been approved through the administrative process.
B. 
Appeal. Denial of an administrative approval by the Director is subject to appeal to the Planning Commission in accordance with CMC § 17.54.040.
C. 
No Permit Required. The following signs on private property do not require a permit:
1. 
Off-premises temporary signs in residential areas as permitted by California Civil Code Section 713, provided such signs do not exceed one per street frontage.
2. 
Signs regulating parking, designating hazards or providing public safety warnings.
3. 
Signs constructed, placed or maintained by a Federal, State or local government agency with permission of the property owner.
4. 
Signs that are specifically authorized or required to be constructed, placed or maintained by law, or as a condition of any regulatory permit.
5. 
Temporary signs; provided, that such signs are not permanently affixed to property, do not exceed one temporary sign per street frontage, and do not have a sign area greater than 12 square feet. During the period of 90 days preceding any general or special election, and continuing until 10 days after such election, more than one such sign may be displayed per street frontage.
6. 
Signs described in CMC § 17.40.050 and 17.40.060.
(Ord. 2004-02 § 1, 2004; Ord. 2009-07 Att. A, 2009; Ord. 2021-04 § 2, 2021; Ord. 2004-01 § 1, 2004)
A. 
Objectives. The primary objective of sign review is to implement the objectives and policies of the General Plan by maintaining the community's village character and natural beauty. To achieve this objective, signs in any commercial district or any commercially zoned property shall be:
1. 
Simple in design. Any graphic depictions should be in scale with sign text;
2. 
Oriented toward the pedestrian environment within the commercial district;
3. 
Compatible in design, color, size and scale to the business storefront and structure, in accordance with the commercial design guidelines; and
4. 
Made of permanent and natural materials such as wood, wrought iron, ceramic or stone unless otherwise approved by the Planning Commission.
B. 
Types of Permitted Commercial Signage. Exterior signage in any commercial district shall be limited to:
1. 
An exterior wall sign which is attached to a wall or fascia and only one side of the sign is visible.
2. 
An exterior hanging sign which hangs from a bracket mounted to a wall or overhang. Both sides of the sign are typically visible to pedestrians and shall contain identical designs.
3. 
An exterior monument sign which is freestanding and separate from adjacent buildings. This type of sign is typically mounted on a post or a solid base.
4. 
A display box, which shall consist of a wall-mounted architectural element with an enclosed display case, not affixed to any door or window and located adjacent to an entryway, and not exceeding four square feet, of the type typically used to display menus or awards or similar items.
5. 
A box holder, not exceeding one square foot and not affixed to any door or window and located adjacent to an entryway, constructed of wood or basketry, of the type typically used to hold takeaway menus or similar items.
C. 
Exterior Commercial Signs.
Standards for Administrative Approval of Exterior Commercial Signs
Item
Standard
Maximum Number of Exterior Commercial Signs Per Parcel
(1) One exterior wall sign, exterior hanging sign, or monument sign; and
(2) One display box; and
(3) One box holder.
For parcels with two or more commercial uses on the parcel, one additional sign shall be permitted in addition to the above, and may be used for any business directories, parcel identification, or other purposes.
Maximum Letter Size
Ten inches
Maximum Area (Hanging Sign)
Three square feet
Maximum Area (Wall/Monument Sign)
Six square feet
Location
– As close as possible to building entrances in which the related business is located
– Below eave or parapet line of building
– Hanging signs shall not project more than 30'' from face of building
– Hanging signs shall maintain 7' vertical clearance from sidewalk for pedestrians as measured at the lowest point of the sign
– Monument signs shall not be mounted higher than 3' from ground
Design
– Simple in graphic design
– Compatible in design, color, size and scale with business storefront, adjoining structures and surroundings
– Any graphic or pictorial representations shall be in scale with the text on the sign
Material
Permanent, natural materials such as wood or lettering painted on glass, wrought iron, ceramic and stone unless otherwise approved by the Planning Commission
Note: Sign area shall be calculated as follows:
All faces of a multi-faced sign shall be included in the calculation of area except for a double-faced hanging or monument sign, in which case only one face shall be included.
For irregularly shaped signs, the area shall be that of the smallest rectangle that wholly contains the sign.
Brackets or other appurtenances, including sign riders, incorporating design elements that are descriptive or informative of the business or the commercial use will be included as part of the sign area.
D. 
Lighting of Exterior Signs. Businesses open to the public during hours of darkness shall be allowed exterior lighting for signs meeting the below standards during hours of operation. These lights shall be turned off when the business is closed each evening.
Standards for Sign Lighting
Number
Type and Maximum Output
Design and Mounting
– One per three square feet of sign area
or
– One for each side of a double-faced hanging sign
– Incandescent (25 watts)
– Halogen (20 watts)
– Small, bullet-type fixtures painted to match surroundings
– Mounted to nearby building element (wall, eave, post, etc.) or incorporated into support bracket
– Not designed or mounted so as to become part of the sign
– Architecturally compatible with building or mounted to be recessed or shielded or otherwise not readily visible to pedestrians
– Aimed directly toward sign but not toward eye level of pedestrian or vehicle traffic and shielded to the greatest extent feasible to prevent light emitting outside of the sign area.
E. 
Materials and Colors. All exterior signs must be constructed of durable materials that are compatible in appearance to the building supporting or identified by the sign. Sign colors and materials should be selected to be compatible with the existing building designs and should contribute to legibility and design integrity. All materials and colors are subject to approval of the Director.
F. 
Relationship to Buildings. Each sign located upon a site with more than one main building, such as a commercial, office or industrial complex, must be designed to incorporate the materials common or similar to all buildings.
G. 
Relationship to Other Signs. Where there is more than one sign on a site or building, all permanent signs must have designs that similarly treat or incorporate the following design elements:
1. 
Type of construction materials;
2. 
Sign/letter color and style of copy;
3. 
Method used for supporting sign (i.e., wall or ground base);
4. 
Sign cabinet or other configuration of sign area;
5. 
Illumination; and
6. 
Location of placement (i.e., above or adjacent to entryway).
H. 
Construction. Every sign, and all parts, portions and materials thereof, must be manufactured, assembled and erected in compliance with all applicable State, Federal and City regulations, including the City's building code and electrical code. Under no circumstances may a permanent sign have an exposed back.
I. 
Maintenance. Every sign and all parts, portions and materials must be maintained in good repair. The display surface of all signs must be kept clean, neatly painted, and free from rust, cracking, peeling, corrosion or other states of disrepair. This maintenance obligation includes the replacement of malfunctioning or burned-out lamps, replacement of broken faces, repainting of rusted, chipped or peeling structures or faces within 15 days following written notification by the City. When there is a change or discontinuance of a business or occupancy such that a sign no longer represents a place of business or occupancy, the sign or the name of the prior business or occupant must be removed.
(Ord. 2004-01 § 1, 2004; Ord. 2004-02 § 1, 2004; Ord. 2021-04 § 2, 2021)
Commercial interior signs are signs that are located wholly within the interior space of the commercial use on a commercially zoned parcel, but may be visible from exterior areas accessible to pedestrians, and are allowed without a permit; provided, that they meet the following standards. Commercial interior signs that do not meet these standards are prohibited.
Standards for Permitted Interior Signs
Number
Maximum Size (Each Sign)
Maximum Aggregate Area of Signage
Maximum Letter Size
Affixed to a window
Six
N/A
100 square inches
One inch
0' – 5' from the storefront
Unlimited
One square foot
Two square feet
One inch
5' or more beyond the storefront
Unlimited
N/A
Six square feet
Three inches
(Ord. 2004-01 § 1, 2004; Ord. 2004-02 § 1, 2004; Ord. 2005-02 § 2, 2005; Ord. 2021-04 § 2, 2021)
A. 
The following signage shall be permitted while a permanent exterior sign is being made or is awaiting City review.
Number
Maximum Size
Removal
One
Three square feet
Shall be removed within 30 days of being erected, unless an extension is approved by the Director
B. 
Materials and Colors. Sign colors and materials should be selected to be compatible with the existing building designs and should contribute to legibility and design integrity.
C. 
Relationship to Other Signs. Where there is more than one sign on a site or building, temporary signage shall similarly treat or incorporate the following design elements:
1. 
Type of construction materials;
2. 
Sign/letter color and style of copy;
3. 
Method used for supporting sign (i.e., wall or ground base);
4. 
Sign cabinet or other configuration of sign area;
5. 
Illumination; and
6. 
Location of placement (i.e., above or adjacent to entryway).
(Ord. 2004-01 § 1, 2004; Ord. 2004-02 § 1, 2004; Ord. 2021-04 § 2, 2021)
Permanent signs in residential zones shall be permitted; provided, that signage does not exceed one sign per parcel and total sign area does not exceed two square feet.
(Ord. 2004-01 § 1, 2004; Ord. 2004-02 § 1, 2004; Ord. 2021-04 § 2, 2021)
The following signage shall be prohibited in all zones:
A. 
Signs visible from exterior areas of a building that are flashing, self-illuminated, neon, phosphorescent, glossy, incorporate internal lights or movement, and televisions or monitors which are used to attract attention to, advertise, announce, or communicate information of any kind to the public.
B. 
Signs which include strings of small lights around doors or windows.
C. 
Signs, displays or other installations that include balloons, streamers, or other similar notice-attracting features.
D. 
Inflatable signs.
E. 
Projecting signs.
F. 
Signs located in such a manner to constitute a potential traffic hazard or obstruct the view of any authorized traffic sign or signal device, or designed to resemble or conflict with any authorized traffic control sign.
G. 
Signs emitting audible sounds.
H. 
Signs in the public right-of-way, except for signs posted by a Federal, State, or local governmental entity with permission of the City and application notices posted in accordance with CMC § 17.46.070(A)(1).
(Ord. 2004-01 § 1, 2004; Ord. 2004-02 § 1, 2004; Ord. 2021-04 § 2, 2021; Ord. 2023-06 § 3, 2023)
A. 
Termination of Approved Applications. Approved applications for signs and brackets shall be considered null and void when any of the following conditions are found to exist:
1. 
The sign was not built or placed in strict compliance with the conditions of the approval.
2. 
The sign was not placed on the site, in the approved location, within 90 days from the date of approval and no extension of time has been granted by the Director.
B. 
Removal of Abandoned Commercial Signs. A sign may be deemed abandoned if, for a period of 90 days or more, the sign refers to a commercial use that no longer exists or a product or service which is no longer available at the premises where the sign is located, and the sign has remained in place or not been maintained to reflect a current commercial use.
Signs and supporting brackets abandoned due to a closing of a business, change in the business name, or for any other reason shall be removed by the permit holder and/or owner of the building or premises within 10 days from the date of the action that they are deemed abandoned by the Director. The Director's decision that a sign has been deemed abandoned shall be sent by certified mail to the permit holder at the last known address and to the property owner as shown on the latest County Assessor's roll. Said notice of decision shall include:
1. 
A general description of the sign or bracket;
2. 
That the reasonable costs of removal, as well as an administrative charge, may be assessed in accordance with local ordinance and placed as a lien on the property;
3. 
That the assessments can be avoided by removal of the sign or bracket within 10 days of the date of the notice;
4. 
That upon a finding of abandonment, written notification and removal of a sign located in the public right-of-way, the sign shall be held by the City for 15 days and then disposed of; and
5. 
Where the sign may be reclaimed prior to disposal.
An appeal may be filed within 10 days of receipt of a written notice of the decision in accordance with CMC § 17.54.040. The cost of removal of an abandoned sign and administrative charge shall be determined by City Council resolution.
(Ord. 2004-01 § 1, 2004; Ord. 2004-02 § 1, 2004; Ord. 2021-04 § 2, 2021)
Any sign authorized in this chapter is allowed to contain noncommercial copy in lieu of any other copy. Any noncommercial use operated in a commercial zone of the City shall be permitted the same amount of signage as applied to commercial uses under this code.
(Ord. 2021-04 § 2, 2021)