The provisions of this chapter establish general regulations for the use of signs and other exterior advertising formats within the City of Yucaipa. Additional standards and regulations may be adopted as part of a land use district. Also, it is the intent of this chapter to recognize that the eventual elimination of existing signs that do not conform with the provisions of this Code is as important as is prohibiting new signs that would violate these regulations.
Sign provisions are established to safeguard and enhance property values, to protect public and private investment in buildings and open spaces, to improve the appearance of the City as a place in which to live and work, and as an attraction to nonresidents who come to visit or trade; to encourage sound signing practices as an aid to business, and to provide information to the traveling public; to prevent excessive and confusing sign displays; to reduce hazards to motorists and pedestrians, and to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare.
(Ord. 168 § 2, 1997)
(a) 
No person, business, organization, or any entity of any kind whatsoever shall erect, install, construct, maintain, or allow any sign regulated by this chapter in the City of Yucaipa without first obtaining appropriate permits and registration. Such signs shall be erected, installed, constructed, and maintained in conformance with the provisions of this Code and any applicable plan.
(b) 
All signs and their components shall be regularly maintained and kept in good repair and appearance. If a sign has broken or missing panels or components, visible rust, exposed wiring, badly faded or missing lettering, peeling paint, or is torn or tattered, it shall be removed or repaired within 30 days, following written notice of such condition by an authorized City official.
(c) 
Except for time and temperature components and electronic message signs, signs may only be lit by steady, stationary, shielded light directed only at the sign, by light inside the sign, and by direct neon lighting. The glare from such luminous source shall not exceed one half (0.5) footcandle.
(d) 
No sign or any portion thereof shall extend over a property line onto an adjacent property, public right-of-way, or public property.
(e) 
No sign shall interfere with a driver’s or pedestrian’s view of public rights-of-way or in any other manner impair public safety, or interfere with the safe operation of a motor vehicle on public streets. This includes, but is not limited to, the driver’s view of approaching, merging, or intersecting traffic.
(f) 
All signs shall comply with the provisions of the Development Code regarding clear sight triangles which include the following.
(1) 
There shall be no monument signs allowed within a clear sight triangle.
(2) 
There shall be no more than two posts or columns, each with a width or diameter no greater than 12 inches, within a clear sight triangle.
(3) 
When a freestanding sign is located within a clear sight triangle, the lower edge of the sign face shall be at least eight feet above grade.
(g) 
No sign shall be attached to or painted on trees, shrubs, or rocks.
(h) 
No sign shall be attached to or painted on a public utility pole or street light or placed on any public property.
(i) 
No more than two faces of a single sign may be viewable at one time from one place.
(j) 
The height of all signs shall be measured along the leading edge of the sign and shall be measured from the finished grade of the ground below such leading edge to the top of the sign, except that freestanding signs shall be measured from grade or the surface of the adjacent roadbed, whichever yields the greater sign height. The maximum height of any accessory freestanding sign shall be 25 feet. A more restrictive maximum sign height standard may be specified by this chapter or the provisions of the applicable land use district or overlay district. The height of a monument sign shall be measured from the top of the supporting pedestal, base, berm, or similar support that does not exceed a height of two feet above grade. The pedestal or base shall be constructed of long-lasting, non-deteriorating decorative material such as brick, stone, or decorative concrete, or landscaped berm.
(k) 
Where a maximum overall sign area is specified, the sum of the areas of all wall, roof, or display sign faces shall be calculated in accordance with the provisions of this section.
(l) 
Where a ratio of building frontage to sign area is used, the building frontage shall be the linear dimension of the building foundation or base which is adjacent to the street right-of-way, or which is the main entrance to such building when the building is not adjacent to the street right-of-way.
(m) 
Where a ratio of building frontage to sign area is used, separate attached signs are permitted on each building frontage, provided that this ratio and the maximum total area and total number of attached signs provided for within the land use district is not exceeded.
(n) 
The area of any single sign shall not exceed 200 square feet and shall be calculated as follows.
(1) 
Except as otherwise provided by this chapter or the provisions of a land use district, decorative trim six inches or less in width immediately surrounding the perimeter of a sign, pole covers not exceeding 24 inches in width, and roofs attached immediately above the top of the sign which do not exceed 24 inches in height, nor 12 inches in width beyond the width of each side of such sign face, shall not be included for the purposes of calculating sign area, unless such decorative trim is part of, is associated with, or implies the commercial, noncommercial, or political message that is being displayed.
(2) 
The maximum area allowed for each face of the following signs shall be equal to the maximum sign area allowed by the applicable land use district or this chapter.
(A) 
Single face signs.
(B) 
Double face signs, as measured on the largest single face.
(C) 
V-shaped signs with an acute or right angle between the sign faces on the side away from the right-of-way to which the sign is oriented.
(3) 
The maximum area allowed for any one sign face of the following signs shall be 75% of the maximum sign area allowed by the applicable land use district or this chapter. The total area of all such sign faces shall not exceed the maximum sign area allowed by the applicable land use district or this chapter.
(A) 
Signs with more than two faces.
(B) 
Signs with more than one face oriented in the same direction.
(C) 
V-shaped signs with an obtuse angle greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees between the sign faces on the side away from the right-of-way to which the sign is oriented.
(4) 
The area of a figure or other irregular or three-dimensional display used for advertising purposes shall be computed by enclosing the entire area within parallelograms, triangles, or circles in a size sufficient to cover the entire area and computing only the maximum single display surface which is visible from any ground position at one time.
(5) 
Any sign which includes an automatic time or temperature display shall be given a bonus of 30% increase in area over the maximum area allowed by a land use district or this chapter. This bonus area shall only be utilized for the time or temperature display. Such bonus area shall not exceed a maximum of 50 square feet.
(6) 
Animals, man-made objects, or natural features which are part of or incorporated into the design of the sign, and are associated with or imply the commercial, noncommercial, or political message that is being displayed, shall be calculated as part of the total sign face area.
(7) 
The area of a monument sign shall be calculated by using only the area devoted to display of a commercial, noncommercial, or political message.
(o) 
Unless otherwise specified by this chapter or a land use district, on lots 60 feet wide or greater, a maximum of one freestanding sign is permitted per lot, per frontage, except where the area of a second freestanding sign is less than 75 square feet or except where it is separated from all other freestanding signs, including those on adjacent lots, by at least 100 feet. No more than 10% of the view of an existing sign face, as viewed from the edge of the abutting paved roadway for 10% of the distance from the sign face up to 100 feet from such existing sign face, shall be obstructed by any new freestanding sign. In no instance shall any portion of a new freestanding sign structure, erected after November 1987, be closer than 10 feet to any existing sign.
(p) 
Where it is determined that vegetation will obstruct the visibility of more than 10% of the face of such a proposed sign, as viewed from the edge of the abutting paved roadway for 10% of the distance up to 750 feet away from the proposed sign face, the following shall be submitted prior to issuance of a building permit.
(1) 
Statement of intent. The sign owner shall submit a statement indicating what vegetation will be cut, trimmed, and/or left undisturbed.
(2) 
Acknowledgement letter. The sign owner shall submit a letter from any affected agency or property owner, where trees are proposed to be cut or trimmed, authorizing such removal or trimming operation.
(3) 
Where vegetation is authorized to be removed to accommodate visibility of a sign on a publicly owned right-of-way, then such remaining vegetation shall be enhanced by the planting of one specimen tree or plant of the same or similar species for each such tree or plant removed. This shall be accomplished prior to the final building permit inspection for the proposed sign. Such specimen plants shall be planted along the same roadway as close as botanically sound, but not in such a manner as to obstruct the proposed sign during the life of such tree or plant. The applicant shall obtain permission from the responsible agency or property owner for such plantings prior to the issuance of the building permit and shall maintain such vegetation after planting for a period of six months or until the plant is self sustaining, whichever is longer. This requirement shall be modified or waived by the Building Official where it is determined that an alternate mitigation measure is acceptable or where compliance is not practicable.
(q) 
An accessory sign, as allowed by this Code, may be mounted on the same sign structure as a primary freestanding sign, provided that such accessory sign shall have a maximum area that is no more than 50% of the area of the primary sign face on the same sign structure, and provided that the maximum total area and height allowed within a land use district is not exceeded.
(r) 
The following information shall be clearly legible and in a conspicuous place on each sign.
(1) 
Every accessory sign shall display the name of the maker and date of construction.
(2) 
Every primary sign shall display the name of the sign owner, operator, and builder, and the State Outdoor Advertising Permit number, where required.
(s) 
All freestanding signs which have an area 18 square feet or greater and/or a height of six feet or greater shall require a building permit prior to construction.
(t) 
No part of any freestanding sign, including the footing, shall be located closer than one foot from any property line.
(u) 
The leading edge or footing of a sign shall be located no closer than one foot from the existing right-of-way line.
(v) 
When a freestanding sign is located within a street front or side yard setback area, the sign face shall be at least eight feet above grade.
(w) 
A monument sign may be substituted for any freestanding sign permitted by the provisions of this Code or any applicable plan, provided such monument sign complies with the provisions of this chapter.
(x) 
The maximum height of a monument sign located in a yard or street setback area shall be the height of an allowed wall or fence in the same yard or street setback area.
(y) 
The height of a projecting sign shall not exceed the height of the structure to which it is attached and shall not project more than five feet from the supporting wall or be less than eight feet from grade.
(z) 
A roof sign shall be mounted on the roof parallel to the ridge of the roof. Where the structure has flat roof, roof signs shall be mounted parallel to the wall facing the street. Maximum height of roof signs shall not exceed 25 feet above grade.
(aa) 
Wall signs shall be attached flat against a wall of the building. Such signs shall project no more than 18 inches from the wall, and shall not project above the roof line or extend over a public sidewalk or right-of-way.
(Ord. 168 § 2, 1997; Ord. 401 § 2, 2023)
The following signs are prohibited.
(a) 
Signs having any animated, moving, or rotating parts.
(b) 
Signs attached to or painted on trailers or vehicles parked on private property for the purpose of gaining unauthorized sign area.
(c) 
Signs which make sounds.
(d) 
Signs which obscure, imitate, or otherwise limit the effectiveness of official traffic control signs or devices.
(e) 
Signs which display any statement or symbol of an obscene or immoral nature as to offend the public morals or decency.
(f) 
Tethered balloon(s) or other inflatables used to draw attention to a use or event, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.
(g) 
Signs and/or support structures with flashing neon elements.
(h) 
Signs which are not effectively shielded so as to prevent beams or rays of light being directed at any portion of the traveled way or which are of such intensity or brilliance as to cause glare or to impair the vision of the driver of any motor vehicle, or which otherwise interfere with any driver of a motor vehicle.
(i) 
Permanent primary signs and outdoor advertising structures (billboards) that advertise or identify a business, function, establishment, or product at a location other than the property on which such business or establishment is located or such product is manufactured or sold, except as permitted in Section 87.0725.
(Ord. 168 § 2, 1997; Ord. 295 § 1, 2010; Ord. 393 § 1, 2022; Ord. 439 § 2, 2023)
The following signs shall comply with the requirements of this Code or any applicable plan.
(a) 
Service station product price signs, provided such signs do not exceed 24 square feet in area per sign; one such sign shall be allowed per street frontage; any additional sign area shall be calculated as part of the total sign area allowed by the land use district.
(b) 
Drive-in restaurant menu boards, including those with speakers, provided each sign does not exceed 30 square feet; no more than two such signs shall be permitted per site.
(c) 
Any freeway oriented primary sign(s) identifying a City or unincorporated community, provided that such signs only display the name, surname, or slogan of such City or community and conform to the size-setback schedule for freeway oriented accessory signs specified by Section 87.0730
(Ord. 168 § 2, 1997; Ord. 439 § 4, 2023)
The following signs are exempt from the requirements of this Code and any applicable plan.
(a) 
Signs, flags, banners, emblems, notices, or other noncommercial messages issued or endorsed by a constituted governmental body, public agency, court, person, or officer in performance of a public duty, including traffic or highway signs, railroad crossing signs, or similar regulatory or warning devices and legal notices, and any other public business or program.
(b) 
Signs located inside a building, courtyard, mall, or other similar structure, provided such signs are not conspicuously visible and readable from a public street or adjacent properties not under the same ownership.
(c) 
Utility company signs identifying conduits, cables, any dangerous condition, or providing other such similar notice.
(d) 
Memorial tablets or signs and historic markers.
(e) 
A flag of any nation, state or City if displayed in a manner conforming to the Flag Code (36 USCA Section 173 et seq.).
(Ord. 168 § 2, 1997; Ord. 439 § 3, 2023)
(a) 
Primary signs. The following primary signs are permitted in any land use district.
(1) 
Primary civic signs.
(A) 
Primary civic signs which serve to identify a community are permitted in any land use district subject to a Land Use Compliance Review by the Building Official and the following.
(B) 
Primary civic signs shall have a maximum area of 100 square feet and a maximum height of 15 feet, except that in those districts where accessory business signs are not permitted, primary civic signs shall have a maximum area of 32 square feet and a maximum height of 12 feet. In those districts where accessory business signs are permitted, the maximum height and area for a primary civic sign shall be the same as the permitted accessory business sign, unless otherwise specified by this chapter.
(b) 
Temporary primary signs. The following signs shall be permitted in any land use district on a temporary basis, subject to the issuance of a Temporary Sign Permit, as follows.
(1) 
Temporary primary directional signs.
(A) 
These directional signs are for each residential development project.
(B) 
Where no approved Sign Location Plan exists, temporary primary directional signs for each residential development project or approved increment or phase thereof will be permitted subject to the issuance of a Temporary Use Permit and subject to the following.
(I) 
A maximum of four signs not within the boundaries of the residential development project shall be permitted, with a maximum area of 32 square feet per sign.
(II) 
A maximum of three signs are permitted within the boundaries of the residential development project. These signs are to be located as follows: one at the entrance and one at the exit of the residential development project, and one at the sales office site.
(III) 
Signs allowed by this subsection may only state the name of the development, directions, and distance to the development, type of financing, price range, and the developer’s telephone number.
(IV) 
Each sign location will be considered as an individual site.
(V) 
Each sign shall be located at least 500 feet away from any other sign, unless it is determined by the Director of the Department of Planning that a closer spacing will better accomplish the intent of this section.
(VI) 
Such signs may be located in front, side, or rear yards, but may not be located closer than five feet from the edge of the planned right-of-way.
(C) 
Sign location plan.
In areas where a Sign Location Plan has been approved, temporary directional primary signs shall be incorporated into sign structures designed to accommodate identifications of more than one residential development project, or approved increments thereof.
Such temporary primary directional signs shall comply with the following.
(I) 
The site of each sign structure must be shown on an approved Sign Location Plan.
(II) 
Each sign structure shall be constructed in accordance with elevations shown on an approved Sign Location Plan.
(III) 
Each individual sign structure shall have no more than 100 square feet of total sign area. The average sign area for all signs approved by the Sign Location Plan shall be 64 square feet or less.
(IV) 
New sign structures shall be located no closer than 500 feet from any existing sign structure.
(V) 
Any one face of a sign structure shall include no more than one panel per residential development.
(VI) 
In addition to the above requirements, a maximum of two separate primary signs may be individually approved per residential development as an amendment to the Sign Location Plan. Each sign shall be subject to the same design and location standards specified by Section 87.0725(b)(2)(B).
(VII) 
All nonconforming signs on the proposed site shall be removed prior to the approval of a Sign Location Plan.
(VIII) 
Where such alternate advertising displays are proposed to be placed within County road rights-of-way, City transportation encroachment permits shall be obtained prior to approval of the Sign Location Plan.
(IX) 
An approved Sign Location Plan may also approve the use of flags or other alternate advertising displays both on site and off site, provided the conditions of approval specify the type, maximum area, maximum height, maximum number, minimum spacing, time limitation, and maintenance requirements for such alternate advertising displays.
(X) 
Temporary Use Permits issued for such primary signs and sign structures constructed in accordance with the provisions of this section may receive up to four annual renewals and time extensions or until all lots within subdivisions or units within a residential development using the sign structure have been sold, whichever occurs first.
(c) 
Electronic Messaging Center Billboard.
(1) 
General definitions. For purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
(A) 
“Billboard”
has the same meaning as those advertising displays defined in California Business and Professions Code Section 5202.
(B) 
“Electronic Messaging Center Billboard”
means an internally or externally illuminated billboard that utilizes digital message technology capable of instantaneously changing the static message or copy on the sign electronically.
(2) 
Total number of Electronic Messaging Center Billboards permitted; new Billboards prohibited. The total number of Electronic Messaging Center Billboards permitted on privately-owned properties within the City shall be three (3). No other Billboards shall be permitted on such properties in the City.
(3) 
Site limitations. Electronic Messaging Center Billboards constructed or otherwise located within the City of Yucaipa shall be subject to the following site limitations:.
(A) 
An Electronic Messaging Center Billboard shall be located within 300 feet of either edge of the right-of-way of California Interstate Highway 10, and within 750 feet of an existing freeway interchange and ramp.
(B) 
No Electronic Messaging Center Billboard shall be located within 500 feet of any other Billboard or Electronic Messaging Center Billboard located on the same side of the freeway or within 1,000 feet of any other Billboard or Electronic Messaging Center Billboard located on the opposite side of the freeway.
(4) 
Review process. No Electronic Messaging Center Billboard shall be constructed, erected, or operated without first obtaining a conditional use permit pursuant to the procedure, notice and hearing requirements specified in Section 83.030120 of the Yucaipa Development Code, and shall include the following information with the application materials for the Conditional Use Permit:
(A) 
Flag test for the Electronic Messaging Center Billboard, which shall be conducted according to the following protocol:
(I) 
A Flag or object no smaller than thirty-two (32) square feet shall be lifted vertically in the location of the proposed Electronic Messaging Center Billboard, starting at a height of twenty-five (25) feet (measured from the bottom of the object).
(II) 
City personnel shall observe whether the object is visible at a height of twenty-five (25) feet (measured from the bottom of the object). If the object is not visible, it shall be raised in ten-foot (10') increments until it is visible from one (1) direction at a distance of three-tenths (3/10) of one (1) mile from sign location. The height at which the object becomes visible shall establish the maximum height to the bottom of the Electronic Message Center Billboard’s display screen.
(III) 
A detailed report shall be presented to City personnel documenting with photos, dimensions and text of the observations of the Flag test.
(5) 
Design and performance requirements. Any Electronic Messaging Center Billboard approved within the City shall be subject to the following design and performance requirements:
(A) 
Electronic Messaging Center billboards shall comply with all applicable location, distance, size, operational, permit or licensing, and/or other requirements or limits imposed by Federal, State or local law, including, without limitation, the California Outdoor Advertising Act, California Business and Professions Code Section 5200 et seq., and its implementing regulations, including applicable amendments thereto. To the extent a conflict arises between any provisions of this section and applicable Federal, State or local law, unless otherwise preempted, local law shall control.
(B) 
The permitted height of an Electronic Message Center Billboard shall be determined through the Conditional Use Permit Review process and shall be limited to the maximum height necessary to ensure adequate visibility of the display from Interstate 10 as established through the Flag Test set forth in paragraph (c)(4)(A) of this Section, however in no event shall an Electronic Message Center Billboard exceed seventy-five (75) feet in height, as measured from lowest finished grade adjacent to any portion of the base of the structure to the top of the billboard structure.
(C) 
The maximum intensity of light output produced by an Electronic Messaging Center Billboard display shall not exceed 0.3 foot-candles above the ambient light level at any time, as measured using a foot-candle meter at a distance of 250 feet, and shall otherwise comply with Section 5403(g) of the Outdoor Advertising Act and Section 21466.5 of the California Vehicle Code. Automatic dimmers shall be installed and operational on all Electronic Messaging Center Billboards to adjust the light output in accordance with the above standards.
(D) 
Electronic Messaging Center Billboards displays shall contain still or static messages or images only, and no part of the sign structure or image being displayed may move or present the appearance or optical illusion of movement, or include flashing, blinking, or traveling lighting, the varying of light intensity, or any other means not providing constant illumination. Each static message or image shall be displayed for a minimum of eight (8) consecutive seconds before changing, and the transition or blank screen time between one display message and the next shall not exceed one (1) second.
(E) 
An Electronic Messaging Center Billboard shall have no more than two (2) display screen faces and each display screen shall be oriented primarily for viewing from Interstate 10, and directed away from any residentially zoned property to the maximum extent feasible.
(F) 
The area of each Electronic Messaging Center Billboard display screen face, including framing and trim for the screen, shall not exceed 680 square feet, with maximum dimensions of any display screen not exceeding fifty (50) feet wide by twenty (20) feet high.
(G) 
An Electronic Messaging Center Billboard shall feature a decorative base structure approved by City. Structures design elements may include the use of the City of Yucaipa logo, and community motifs that enhance design of the Electronic Message Center Billboard structure, and shall incorporate a top and base treatment to the Electronic Message Center Billboard structure.
(H) 
Electronic Messaging Center Billboard owners and/or operators shall make space available for the display of emergency messaging in accordance with local, regional, and/or State protocols.
(Ord. 168 § 2, 1997; Ord. 378 § 2, 2019; Ord. 401 § 3, 2023; Ord. 439 § 6, 2023)
Accessory advertising signs and structures shall be regulated by the provisions of this chapter and the provisions of the applicable land use district. The following accessory signs are permitted in addition to those specified within a land use district.
(a) 
Accessory residential signs. The following signs are permitted in any land use district that allows residential land uses.
(1) 
Accessory residential signs are signs which give notice of the name and/or address of residential land uses on the same lot and/or the name of a resident thereof. Except as otherwise provided, accessory residential signs shall not exceed a total of six square feet in area per residential dwelling and shall not exceed six feet in height.
(2) 
Accessory residential signs for multi-family structures shall not exceed 20 square feet in area.
(3) 
Accessory residential signs shall also include signs which identify a residential development by name or give similar notice to identify a residential area or neighborhood. Each residential area or development shall be limited to a maximum of two permanent signs per principal entrance to the residential development. The maximum total sign area shall be 100 square feet per development, and all such individual signs shall not exceed a maximum height of six feet. Such signs shall not advertise the sales of lots or homes. These signs are permitted in any land use district which allows residential land uses.
(b) 
Nonresidential accessory signs in residential land use districts. When a nonresidential use is allowed within a residential land use district, said use may be accompanied by one unlighted, single-or double-faced sign not to exceed six feet in height or six square feet in area.
(c) 
Accessory commercial/industrial complex signs.
(1) 
A shopping center occupant located on the perimeter of a shopping center with street frontage may have one monument sign, subject to a Land Use Compliance Review or in conjunction with a related Project that is subject to architectural review and approval by Planning Commission, in addition to a wall, roof, or projecting sign. The additional sign shall not exceed 50 square feet in area.
(2) 
A shopping center occupant which backs onto or is located adjacent to a major arterial or a major or secondary highway may have an additional wall sign on the rear of the building, subject to a Land Use Compliance Review or in conjunction with a related Project that is subject to architectural review and approval by Planning Commission.
(3) 
A shopping center complex abutting two street frontages of at least 150 feet each may have one additional monument sign, subject to a Land Use Compliance Review or in conjunction with a related Project that is subject to architectural review and approval by Planning Commission. However, the total cumulative square footage of all monument signs shall not exceed 100 square feet.
(4) 
Freestanding or monument signs shall be permitted, subject to a Land Use Compliance Review or in conjunction with a related Project that is subject to architectural review and approval by Planning Commission and shall be mounted in a landscaped planter at least two times the area of the sign. The planter shall contain a permanent operational irrigation system.
(5) 
One roof or one projecting sign shall be permitted, subject to a Land Use Compliance Review or in conjunction with a related Project that is subject to architectural review and approval by Planning Commission, when the Building Official finds that an allowed accessory freestanding sign does not provide sufficient opportunity for adequate viewing.
(d) 
Accessory civic signs. Accessory civic signs are signs which give notice of the name or service, or other function or operation, of a publicly owned land use type on the same lot, or which give notice of the address or conditions of use of a parking area or other facility serving such activity. Accessory civic signs are permitted in any land use district subject to the following limitations.
(1) 
In those districts where accessory business signs are not permitted, accessory civic signs with a maximum area of 32 square feet and a maximum height of 12 feet are permitted, subject to a Land Use Compliance Review by the Building Official or when in conjunction with a related Project that is subject to architectural review and approval by Planning Commission.
(2) 
In those districts where accessory business signs are permitted, the maximum height and area for accessory civic signs shall be the same as that permitted for accessory business signs.
(e) 
Freeway oriented accessory signs. The following regulations shall apply to freestanding signs directly adjacent to a freeway or freeway right-of-way (including on-and off-ramps).
(1) 
The maximum height of a freeway oriented accessory sign shall be twenty-five (25) feet, unless a taller sign is necessary to achieve visibility a minimum of three-tenths (3/10) of one (1) mile from at least one (1) approach to an off-ramp serving the center. A sign greater than twenty-five (25) feet may be constructed as determined by a flag test.
(2) 
The maximum sign area of a freeway oriented accessory sign shall be two hundred (200) square feet.
(3) 
Flag test for freeway oriented accessory signs shall be conducted as follows:
(A) 
A flag or object no smaller than thirty-two (32) square feet shall be lifted vertically in the location of the proposed freeway freestanding sign, starting at a height of twenty-five (25) feet (measured from the bottom of the object).
(B) 
City personnel shall be stationed at locations three-tenths (3/10) of one (1) mile from the beginning of the off-ramps directly serving the center for which the sign will be installed.
(C) 
City personnel shall observe whether the object is visible at a height of twenty-five (25) feet. If the object is not visible, it shall be raised in ten (10) foot increments until it is visible from one (1) direction at a distance of three-tenths (3/10) of one (1) mile from the start of the offramp approach. If a greater height is needed for visibility from one of the off-ramp approaches, the Planning Commission may permit the greater height to be used if it is determined that visibility from that direction is needed.
(D) 
The height established in subsection C shall be the maximum height of the sign, no greater than sixty (60) feet.
(E) 
A detailed report shall be presented to City personnel documenting with photos, dimensions and text of the observations of the flag text.
(4) 
No freeway oriented accessory sign shall be erected which would obscure another sign when viewed from the freeway.
(5) 
No freeway oriented accessory sign shall be erected that will be closer than one hundred (100) feet from another freeway oriented accessory sign.
(6) 
No more than one (1) freeway oriented accessory sign is permitted per complex.
(Ord. 168 § 2, 1997; Ord. 378 § 2, 2019; Ord. 401 § 3, 2023; Ord. 439 § 6, 2023)
(a) 
Temporary sign types. For purposes of this chapter, the following types of temporary signs and the general design requirements are as follows :
Temporary Sign Type
Standards
Design Requirements
Height
(Max)
Width
(Max)
Area
(Max)
Banner Sign
25 ft to top
15 ft
45 sf
- Must be displayed on roof, wall, or fence areas only and securely fastened
- Must be professionally made, screen printed and on vinyl
Large Board Sign
7 ft to top
8 ft
32 sf
- Must be securely mounted to the ground
- Must be made from wood or a durable plastic material
- Cannot be nailed or affixed to any tree, fence post, or public utility pole
Small Board Sign
3 ft to top
3 ft
6 sf
- Must be securely mounted to the ground
- May include stake and A-frame signs within these standards
Hanging Board Sign
5 ft to top
2 ft
6 sf
- Must be securely mounted to the ground
Flag Sign
10 ft to top
2 ft
15 sf
- Must be securely fastened to the ground
- For commercial displays, sign is only permitted during business hours
Inflatable Sign & Display
25 ft
10 ft
-
- Must be securely mounted to the ground
Additional Notes:
1.
No temporary sign shall extend into or be located within the public right-of-way, except as otherwise specified by this chapter, nor shall any sign obstruct visibility for ingress and egress from roadways or endanger and/or obstruct pedestrians, motorists, or the public.
2.
"ft" – Feet; "sf" – square feet
(b) 
Non-Residential Land Use Districts. The following signs shall be permitted as accessory signs in any Non-Residential Land Use District subject to the following:
(1) 
Banner signs.
(A) 
Duration. One banner per street frontage for no more than 60 consecutive days and no more than a total of 180 days in a calendar year, with a period between displays of at least 30 days. Signs related to an event shall not be displayed more than 30 days prior to the scheduled event.
(B) 
Permit requirement. A temporary flag/banner permit shall be issued prior to the display of the sign. The application for a permit shall include the following information: the number of banners or flags proposed, the size of the proposed banners or flags, the proposed location of the banners or flags on the property, and the time period for which the banners or flags will remain on display.
(2) 
Large board signs.
(A) 
Duration.
(I) 
Construction. One sign per frontage is permitted while there is an active Building Permit for the construction or rehabilitation of a structure.
(II) 
Other. No more than 30 days prior to a scheduled event.
(B) 
Permit requirement. An approved Temporary Use Permit for a sign is required for a Large Board Sign associated with a construction project. Other signs shall be subject to a Temporary Event Sign Permit and shall include property owner approval if applicable.
(3) 
Small board signs.
(A) 
Duration. The maximum time period for display shall be 30 days no more than three times a year. Small Board Signs shall be removed outside of business hours.
(B) 
Permit requirement. No permit is required.
(C) 
Other requirements. A maximum of one portable sign shall be permitted per business, directly related to the business frontage and oriented to the main entrance to the business. Buildings/businesses with freestanding signs shall not be permitted to have Small Board Signs.
(4) 
Flag signs.
(A) 
Duration. Two flags for no more than 60 consecutive days and no more than a total of 180 days in a calendar year, with a period between displays of at least 30 days. Flag Signs shall be removed outside of business hours.
(B) 
Permit requirement. A temporary flag/banner permit shall be issued prior to the display of the sign. The application for a permit shall include the following information: the number of banners or flags proposed, the size of the proposed banners or flags, the proposed location of the banners or flags on the property, and the time period for which the banners or flags will remain on display.
(c) 
Residential Land Use Districts. The following signs shall be permitted as accessory signs in any Residential Land Use District subject to the following:
(1) 
Large board signs.
(A) 
Duration. One sign per frontage is permitted while there is an active Building Permit for the construction of more than two (2) dwelling units.
(B) 
Permit requirement. A Temporary Use Permit shall be issued for a Large Board Sign associated with a construction project.
(2) 
Small board signs.
(A) 
Duration.
(I) 
General signs. No limitation.
(II) 
Signs specific to an event. No more than 30 days prior to a scheduled event.
(B) 
Permit requirement. No permit is required.
(3) 
Small board signs – Offsite directional.
(A) 
Duration. Permitted during the scheduled commercial event (such as a yard sale or open house)
(B) 
Permit requirement. No permit is required.
(C) 
Other requirements.
(I) 
Signs may be placed in the designated public right-of-way, but shall not be located within the street, street median, or sidewalk.
(II) 
Signs must relate to an activity permitted within a residential zoning district.
(III) 
Signs are only allowed on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
(IV) 
Only one sign per each advertised activity (e.g., a house for sale, etc.) may be placed at each street intersection leading from the two nearest major streets (reflecting two independent access routes) to the site of the advertised activity.
(V) 
Only one sign per each advertised activity, up to a maximum of three signs total, may be placed at any street intersection corner.
(VI) 
The sign must be placed so that a minimum of four and one-half feet remains clear on the sidewalk for pedestrians if no other location is possible.
(4) 
Hanging board signs.
(A) 
Duration. One sign is permitted while a residence or lot is listed for sale or for lease.
(B) 
Permit requirement. No permit is required.
(5) 
Inflatable sign & display.
(A) 
Duration. Two Inflatable Sign & Display for no more than 60 consecutive days. Signs related to an event shall not be displayed more than 30 days prior to the scheduled event.
(B) 
Permit requirement. No permit is required.
(Ord. 439 § 7, 2023)
(a) 
It shall be unlawful for any person, business, organization, or any entity of any kind whatsoever to erect, install, construct, maintain, or allow to be erected, installed, constructed, or maintained, any sign in violation of this chapter, or any other provision of this Code. The City Attorney may specify in the accusatory pleadings that the offense shall be an infraction. All such remedies are herein stated to be cumulative and not exclusive.
(b) 
The following signs are hereby declared to be public nuisances.
(1) 
Any sign or advertising structure, including flags, unlawfully constructed, placed on, or unlawfully projecting over any public property including, but expressly not limited to any public right-of-way.
(2) 
Any sign declared to be hazardous or unsafe by the Planning Agency, Building Official, or City Engineer.
(3) 
Any sign erected, constructed, installed, or maintained in violation of the Development Code.
(c) 
A City enforcement officer may, without notice, move, remove, and/or dispose of a sign or advertising structure that has been declared a public nuisance pursuant to Section 87.0740(b)(1) and (2). In addition, an enforcement officer may authorize any work required to correct a hazardous or unsafe condition.
(d) 
A City enforcement officer shall charge the cost of moving, removing, disposing, correcting, storing, repairing, or working on a sign or sign structure to any one or all of the following, each of which shall be jointly and individually liable for said expense.
(1) 
The permittee.
(2) 
The owner of the sign.
(3) 
The owner of the premises on which the sign is located.
(4) 
The sign lessee or lessor.
(e) 
The charge for expenses shall be in addition to any penalty for the violation. Recovery of the sign does not necessarily abrogate the penalty.
(f) 
Signs made of paper, cardboard, lightweight plastic, or similar materials, which are removed, may be discarded immediately. All other removed signs shall be held no less than 30 days by the City, during which period it may be recovered by the owner upon paying the City for costs of removal and storage. If not recovered within the allowed 30-day period, the sign and structure is hereby declared abandoned and title thereto shall vest to the City.
(Ord. 168 § 2, 1997)
(a) 
All existing and new permanent signs, not to include temporary signs, established in conjunction with a commercial, industrial, private institutional, or commercial-agricultural business use shall be subject to a one-time sign registration requirement.
(b) 
Verification of application for sign registration and plot plan approval by the Community Development Department shall be submitted prior to the issuance of any building permit for the installation, wiring, remodeling, or reconstruction of any sign or portion thereof which requires a building permit.
(Ord. 168 § 2, 1997; Ord. 401 § 4, 2023)
(a) 
General requirements. A nonconforming sign, as defined by this Code, shall not be altered in any of the following ways.
(1) 
Structurally altered to extend its useful life.
(2) 
Expanded.
(3) 
Re-established after damage or destruction of more than 75% of its value, as determined by the Building Official.
(4) 
No new sign shall be approved for a site, structure, building, or use that contains nonconforming signs, unless such nonconforming signs are removed or modified to conform with the provisions of this Code. No building permit shall be issued for any structures, building expansions, or new building construction on a site which contains nonconforming signs, unless all signs on the site are brought into conformance with this Code. This does not include interior alterations which do not substantially change the character or intensity of the site.
(b) 
Accessory sign amortization. Every accessory sign not described in California Business and Professions Code subsection 5490(b) and which does not comply with the provisions of this Code shall have the same nonconforming use rights as the on-site business use it advertises, and shall be removed at the time the nonconforming use is discontinued, pursuant to Section 84.0810(b) of this code. If a business or use is conforming, the non-conforming accessory sign shall be removed in accordance with the amortization provisions of Section 87.0760(c).
(c) 
Removal and relocation of nonconforming primary signs.
Nonconforming primary sign displays located in an area designated on the General Plan and designated as either agricultural or residential and located more than 660 feet from the edge of the right-of-way of a freeway or primary highway, which have copy not visible or intended to be read from such freeway or primary highway, shall be removed from the site without compensation in accordance with the following schedule. This amortization period shall commence upon receipt of written notice of nonconformance.
Fair Market Value on Date of Notice
Maximum Years Allowed
Under $1,999
3.0
$2,000 to $3,999
4.5
$4,000 to $5,999
6.0
$6,000 to $7,999
7.5
$8,000 to $9,999
9.0
$10,000 and over
10.5
The amounts provided in this section shall be adjusted each January 1st and after January 1, 1993, in accordance with the changes in building costs as indicated in the United States Department of Commerce Composite Cost Index for construction costs.
(d) 
Hardship cases.
Under cases of extreme hardship and unusual circumstances, the Planning Commission shall have the authority to allow the retention of a nonconforming sign if the Commission specifically finds that extreme hardship and unusual circumstances exist.
The proponent of the request shall have the burden of clearly demonstrating that an extreme hardship and unusual circumstance exist and warrant the retention of the sign. The Planning Commission shall conduct a public hearing and shall find the following to be true prior to allowing retention of a nonconforming sign.
(1) 
The site has a unique character or features that cause visibility problems.
(2) 
The sign does not create a traffic hazard.
(3) 
The sign does not create a visual blight to the community.
(4) 
The sign does not adversely affect adjacent properties.
(5) 
The sign is properly maintained and structurally sound.
(6) 
No other signing alternative or design would be feasible or be able to provide reasonable signing in accordance with this Code.
If the Planning Commission finds that an extreme and unusual circumstance exists, but that the design or condition of the sign creates a visual blight, then the Commission can grant a relief from the amortization of the nonconforming sign with the condition that the sign be remodeled to a more aesthetic design.
The Building Official shall determine the fair market value in accordance with the latest material valuation schedules and send notice of the determined value to the owner. Any disagreement over the value shall be resolved under the appeal procedures set forth in this Code. Upon the expiration of the appeal period, the sign shall be an illegal use, subject to immediate removal.
(e) 
Removal and relocation of nonconforming accessory signs.
(1) 
Nonconforming accessory signs described in California Business and Professions Code Subsection 5490(b) located in an agricultural or residential land use district shall be removed from the site without compensation after the expiration of 15 years from the date the sign became nonconforming or from March 12, 1983, whichever is later. Upon the expiration of the amortization period, the sign shall be an illegal use subject to immediate removal. Nonconforming accessory signs described in California Business and Professions Code Subsection 5490 (b) and meeting one or more of the criteria in California Business and Professions Code Subsection 549 (a) - (i) shall immediately be removed from the site without compensation.
(2) 
Any legal nonconforming commercial accessory signs not described in Section 5490 (b) of the Business and Professions Code existing at the time this Title became effective may be continued, although such use does not conform with the provisions thereof, provided, however, that all such nonconforming signs and billboards and their supporting members shall be completely removed by their owners in accordance with the schedule set forth in Section 87.0760(c).
(f) 
In the event that there is any inconsistency between this chapter and any other provisions of the City Code, then this chapter shall prevail.
(Ord. 168 § 2, 1997)