Sign Code Chapter 17.75

A.

Sign Readability. A sign's message should be clearly legible for the intended audience (e.g., vehicular traffic, pedestrians, etc.).

B.

Sign Measurement Criteria.

1.

Sign Area. The surface area of a sign is calculated by enclosing the extreme limits of all framing, emblem, logo, representation, writing, element, or other display within a single square or rectangle. Unless otherwise indicated, temporary signs are not counted toward total (permanent) allowable sign area or number.

2.

Sign Structure. Supporting sign frame and support structures that are clearly incidental to the display itself are not computed as sign area, except for portable signs.

3.

Double-Sided Signs. The area of a double-sided sign that has no more than 24 inches separating the outer surfaces of the sign's two parallel planes is computed by multiplying the total height by the total length of only one side of the sign area.

4.

Three-Dimensional Objects. Where a sign consists of one or more three dimensional objects (e.g., balls, cubes, clusters of objects, sculpture, or statue-like trademarks), the sign area is measured at their maximum projection upon a vertical plane.

5.

Multiple Objects. When signs are composed of individual elements, the area of all sign elements, which together convey a single complete message, are considered a single sign.

6.

Sign Height. Sign height is measured as the vertical distance from the lowest elevation of the finished grade below or surrounding the base of the sign to the top of the highest element of the sign. In cases where substantial fill is proposed, "finished grade" shall be established by the director consistent with properties in the immediate vicinity, and shall not be artificially raised to gain additional sign height. If highest finished grade surrounding the sign is lower than the grade of an adjacent road, the height of the sign shall be measured from the top of curb elevation nearest to the sign.

C.

Sign Illumination. Sign illumination shall be designed to minimize light and glare on surrounding rights-of-way and properties, according to the following standards:

1.

LED/neon lighting is encouraged for energy conservation purposes and to allow for creatively designed and attractive signs.

2.

Sign illumination shall be limited to avoid light projection or reflection into residential properties.

3.

Sign illuminations shall not blink, flash, flutter, or change light intensity, brightness. Illuminated window signs that are no greater than 2.5 square feet in area are exempt from this standard.

4.

Neither the direct nor reflected light from primary light sources may create hazards for pedestrians or operators of motor vehicles.

5.

Internal and external illumination is permitted provided that any external illumination is directed at the sign only and is pointed away from nearby properties.

6.

The approval of any illuminated sign shall not be final until 30 days after installation, during which period the director may order the dimming of any illumination found to be excessively brilliant and no sign permit shall be valid until such order has been carried out to an extent satisfactory to the director. Illumination shall be considered excessive when it prevents normal perception of objects or buildings beyond or in the vicinity of the sign.

D.

Sign Design and Materials.

1.

Design and Construction.

a.

All signs shall comply with any applicable provisions of the uniform codes of the city.

b.

The size of the structural members (e.g., columns, crossbeams, and braces) shall be proportional to the sign panel they are supporting. In general, fewer larger supporting members are preferable to many smaller supports.

c.

Temporary signs shall be of sufficient weight and durability to withstand wind gusts, storms, etc., and shall be removed if weather conditions are such that the sign may be knocked over or blown away.

d.

Signs shall not include attachments, including, but not limited to, balloons, pennant flags, ribbons, loudspeakers, etc.

2.

Materials.

a.

Sign materials (including framing and supports) shall be characteristic of or compatible with the type and scale of materials used on the parcel of the sign.

b.

Reflective materials shall not be included on signs.

c.

Sign materials shall be durable and capable of withstanding weathering over the life of the sign with reasonable maintenance.

E.

Sign Placement.

1.

No sign located within the intersection visibility triangle may exceed 2.5 feet in height.

2.

Signs shall not be placed so as to obstruct ingress and egress into any private or public property, including ADA access.

3.

No sign shall be placed so as to obstruct pedestrians' or motorists' view of signs erected by a local, state, or federal governmental agency, including, but not limited to, traffic signs, public directional signs, parking signs, and street address signs.

4.

No sign shall be placed so as to obstruct or hinder sidewalk or street access or visibility by pedestrians and vehicles.

5.

All signs shall be placed securely and or built in accordance with building code requirements.

6.

Temporary signs shall not be located in any landscaping area and shall not encroach into required parking areas, interfere with pedestrian traffic or ADA access, create traffic hazards, or cause a nuisance or hazard.

7.

Signs within the coastal zone: Any sign placed within the coastal zone, shall not:

a.

Obstruct views to or along the coast from publicly accessible places;

b.

Adversely impact public access to and use of the water;

c.

Adversely impact public recreation, access, or the visual resources of the coast.

8.

Except as may be permitted by this code, signs shall not be placed on property fences or walls.

F.

Sign Maintenance. All signs, both temporary and permanent, shall be continuously maintained in compliance with the following standards:

1.

Each sign and supporting hardware shall be maintained in good repair so that it is able to function properly at all times. This includes the replacement of burned out or broken light bulbs and repair or replacement of faded, peeled, cracked, or otherwise damaged parts of a sign.

2.

Signs that have structural or electrical components shall be maintained in a safe condition, in accordance with applicable technical codes.

3.

Signs that have been physically damaged by weather or physical impact shall be reviewed by a competent engineer or qualified building inspector, contractor, or sign professional within 24 hours after the damage occurs.

4.

Any repair to a sign shall be of materials and design of equal or better quality as the original sign.

5.

When an existing sign is replaced, all brackets, poles, and other supports that are no longer required shall be removed.

6.

Landscaping required by this chapter shall be maintained in a neat, clean and healthy condition, which includes pruning, mowing of lawns, weeding, removal of litter, fertilizing, replacement of plants when necessary, and the regular watering of all plantings.

(Ord. No. 652, § 2, 11-16-21)