§ 106.38.035. Exemptions from Sign Permit Requirements

The following signs are allowed without sign permit or master sign plan approval, provided that they comply with Section 106.38.050 (General Requirements for All Signs), and any required Building Permit is obtained.

A.

Nonstructural modifications and maintenance.

1.

Modifications to sign copy on conforming signs, or changes to the face or copy of a conforming changeable copy sign;

2.

Nonstructural modifications of the face or copy of an existing conforming sign installed in compliance with a master sign plan; provided, the modifications are consistent with the approved master sign plan; and

3.

The normal maintenance of conforming signs, except as identified in Subsection 106.38.080.B (Maintenance and changes).

B.

Identification signs. Street identification, and house identification signs not exceeding one square foot.

C.

Hours of operation signs. Open, closed, and hours of operation signs, not to exceed two square feet.

D.

Temporary signs. The following temporary signs are allowed without a sign permit:

1.

Real estate signs. Real estate signs are allowed without a sign permit in compliance with California Civil Code § 713, and subject to the following requirements, provided that no sign shall be placed within a public or private right-of-way.

Zoning District	Maximum Sign Area (If sign is:)	Minimum Setback from Public Right-of-Way (The setback is:)
Sign on Developed/Improved Property
Commercial, Industrial, Multi-Family, Residential or Nonresidential SPA	16 sf	10 ft
	24 sf	15 ft
	32 sf	25 ft
Residential or Residential SPA	5 sf	10 ft
Sign on Undeveloped/Unimproved Property
Any zoning district	24 sf	25 ft

 

2.

Construction signs. Construction identification signs may be allowed in all zoning districts in compliance with the following standards:

a.

Only one sign, located on-site, shall be allowed;

b.

The area of the sign shall not exceed 32 square feet;

c.

Sign height shall not exceed eight feet;

d.

The sign shall not be illuminated;

e.

A construction sign shall not be allowed if an on-site subdivision sign is approved; and

f.

Construction signs shall be removed within 30 days after completion of construction.

3.

Noncommercial signs. Noncommercial signs are allowed without a sign permit provided that the signs:

a.

Are installed with the property owner's consent;

b.

Do not exceed a maximum cumulative area of 50 square feet on any lot, do not exceed a maximum height of six feet, and are not illuminated;

c.

If freestanding are set back a minimum of five feet from any property line, and are not placed within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, street sign, or traffic signal, and do not interfere with, confuse, obstruct, or mislead traffic;

d.

Are not placed unlawfully. The placement of a sign in the public right-of-way in violation of this Chapter or any other provisions of the Municipal Code is a nuisance, and any sign so placed may be removed summarily and disposed of by the City; and

e.

Each sign shall be removed within 10 days after the conclusion of the political campaign or event to which they relate. A sign that is not removed may be removed by the City at the expense of the political candidate or organization involved.

E.

Governmental signs. Signs installed by a Federal or State governmental agency, City, County, or a local agency, including the following:

1.

Emergency and warning signs necessary for public safety or civil defense;

2.

Traffic signs erected and maintained by an authorized public agency;

3.

Legal notices, licenses, permits, and other signs required to be displayed by law;

4.

Signs showing the location of public facilities (e.g., civic buildings and facilities, public telephones, restrooms, and underground utilities);

5.

A sign, posting, public notice, or similar sign placed by or required by a governmental agency in carrying out its responsibility to protect public health, safety, and general welfare; and

6.

A sign placed by a government agency for the purpose of announcing events and transmitting community information to the general public.

F.

Other signs. The following signs are also allowed without a sign permit:

1.

Street addresses. Street address numbers not exceeding 12 inches in height.

2.

Official flags. Flags of national, State, or local governments, or nationally recognized religious, fraternal, or public service agencies; provided that:

a.

The length of a flag shall not exceed one-fourth the height of the flag pole;

b.

The height of the flag pole shall not exceed 20 feet within a residential zoning district except flag poles for non-residential uses within a residential zoning district may be 30 feet; and

c.

No private flag pole shall be located within a public right-of-way or required setback.

3.

Ornamentation and decoration. Symbols, pictures, patterns, and illumination approved by the City as architectural ornamentation or decoration.

4.

Banners. Artistic banners without advertising, as approved by the Director.

5.

Historical markers. Historical markers erected and maintained by non-profit organizations, memorials, building cornerstones, and date-constructed stones.

6.

Service station price signs. Service station price signs required by State law, provided that the signs are monument signs. (The monument sign structure requires a building permit.)

7.

Window signs. Window signs shall be in compliance with Section 106.38.070.K (Window signs).

8.

City required signs. Traffic control signs on private property as required by the City in compliance with City standards or as approved by the City Engineer.

(Ord. No. 2008-15, § 1, 12-11-2008; Ord. No. 2013-011, § 3, 11-14-2013)