A sign shall not hereafter be erected, re-erected, altered, moved, replaced or maintained except as provided in this chapter and after a sign permit has been issued by the community development department. Maintenance does not include routine maintenance as set forth in MMC § 10.10.100(H). A separate sign permit shall be required for each business entity and a separate sign permit shall be required for each business sign on a single supporting structure. In addition, electrical permits shall be obtained for electric signs. For application procedures and design review criteria, see MMC § 10.10.130 and § 10.10.150.
(1976 Code § 10-2.301; Ord. 626 § 2)
Temporary signs on private property, other than those permitted pursuant to MMC § 10.10.300(A) and § 10.10.350, shall be permitted only upon the issuance of a Temporary Sign Permit, which shall be issued for a specified period of time, not to exceed sixty days. Applications shall be filed with the community development department on forms provided by the department. For design review criteria see MMC § 10.10.150.
(1976 Code § 10-2.302; Ord. 626 § 2)
In addition to a sign permit, a use permit shall be required for either of the following signs:
A. 
Freestanding signs larger than eight square feet in area or four feet high; and
B. 
Nonexempt signs in the residential (R) district and the open space (O) district, including residential real estate and tract signs for multifamily zones and subdivisions.
The form of application and the procedure of the planning commission concerning findings, failure to act, appeal period, acknowledgment, expiration or revocation, and suspension in connection with the use permit shall be the same as set forth in Chapter 10.05 MMC, Article XII, except that a public hearing shall not be required.
(1976 Code § 10-2.303; Ord. 626 § 2)
No sign shall be erected or maintained upon any property without the written consent of the property owner or authorized representative.
(1976 Code § 10-2.304; Ord. 626 § 2)
The copy on all signs, except informational and real estate signs, shall be limited to:
A. 
Identification of the building whereon the sign is located;
B. 
Identification of the person or business occupying the premises and the type of business or service offered by such person, firm or corporation; and
C. 
Identification of the product manufactured or sold on the premises.
(1976 Code § 10-2.306; Ord. 626 § 2)
A. 
Any sign review, permit, variance or exception (except a master sign program) granted in accordance with the terms of this chapter shall, without further action, become null and void if not used within one year from the date of approval. A time extension may be requested prior to the expiration of any approval.
B. 
Sign Permit Posting. Every sign permittee shall maintain a copy of the sign permit on the premises whereon the sign is located.
C. 
Electrical Permit. No person shall install, or cause to be installed, any electrical wiring, or any electrical lighting to be used in connection with any sign, without first obtaining an electrical permit from the community development department and paying the applicable fees.
D. 
Testing Laboratory Approval. All illuminated signs shall be constructed of materials approved by a recognized testing laboratory to the satisfaction of the community development department.
E. 
Clearance from Utility Lines. No sign shall have less horizontal or vertical clearance from communications lines and energized electrical power lines than that prescribed by the laws of the state of California or rules and regulations promulgated by agencies with jurisdiction over the utility lines.
F. 
Effect of Sign Permit. Neither the issuance of any sign permit to locate or maintain any sign, nor the suffering of any encroachment upon public property or right-of-way by any sign shall constitute or be construed as the granting of any right or privilege to locate any sign upon such public property or right-of-way.
G. 
Sign Inspections. Signs for which any permit is required shall be subject to inspection by the community development department. Whenever inspection of any sign is required to be made by the city, the owner or the person in control of the premises, upon due notice, shall grant access to the sign in order to make such required inspection.
H. 
Maintenance. Signs and support structures, such as braces, guys and anchors, shall be kept in proper state of repair and preservation. The display surfaces of signs shall be kept neatly painted or posted at all times. For the purpose of this section, routine maintenance means the cleaning, painting, repair or replacement of defective parts of a sign in a manner that does not alter the basic size, copy, color, design or structure of the sign. Routine maintenance shall not require the issuance of a sign permit.
I. 
Conditions of Premises Subsequent to Sign Removal. Within thirty days of the removal of any sign, site premises shall be repaired to remove any support structures, blemishes or hardware left by the removal of the sign.
J. 
Obstructions. No sign shall be erected, relocated or maintained so as to prevent free ingress to or egress from any door, window or fire escape. No sign of any kind shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.
K. 
Glare from Signs. All illuminated signs shall be designed in such a manner as to avoid undue glare or reflection of light that may diminish public safety, the quality of the city's visual appearance or the quality of life of adjacent property owners or tenants.
L. 
Traffic Hazard. No sign shall be erected at or near the intersection of any streets in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision; or at any location where by reason of the position, shape or color, it may interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device; or which makes use of the words "STOP," "GO," "CAUTION," "LOOK," "DANGER," or any other word, phrase, symbol or character which may interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic.
M. 
Special Conditions. The community development department may impose such conditions as it deems necessary to secure the purposes of this chapter and may require tangible guarantees or evidence that such conditions are being or will be complied with.
(1976 Code § 10-2.307; Ord. 626 § 2)