§ 10-6.108. Standards for Specific Types of Signs and Land Uses.

The specific types of signs covered by this section shall comply with the following provisions, in addition to the standards of Section 10-6.106, 10-6.107. These signs shall also comply with the sign permit requirements of Section 10-6.105, except where this section establishes other permit requirements.

(a)

A-frame signs for business identification. A-frame (sandwich board) signs are allowed only in compliance with the requirements of this subsection, and subject to the approval of a sign permit. A-frame signs are intended to be allowable only when the Director determines that a property owner has taken advantage of all permanent signs allowed by this article, and individual business visibility remains seriously impaired.

(1)

Where allowed. A-frame signs may be approved within the commercial zoning districts, only on sites where the Director determines that street visibility of the business to be served by the sign is seriously impaired, as follows:

(i)

The business is within a structure that is located more than thirty (30) feet from a public street frontage, the site is developed with all other signs allowed by this section, and the business entry and the other exterior signs allowed for the business by this article are not visible from the public street; or

(ii)

The space occupied by the business within a building has no exterior wall adjacent to or visible from a public street, and any exterior walls of the building that are adjacent to a public street are occupied by the signs of other businesses, at the maximum number and area of signs allowed by this article.

(2)

Sign standards. An approved A-frame sign shall comply with all the following requirements.

(i)

Size limitations. Each panel of the A-frame sign shall not exceed a width of twenty-four (24) inches and a height of thirty-six (36) inches. The total height of the sign shall not exceed forty-eight (48) inches when the A-frame panels are in place, including the message panels and any legs or other supports.

(ii)

Design and construction standards. The Director shall approve an A-frame sign only when it first determines that the design and appearance of the sign, including any graphics and/or text, will reflect attractive, professional design, and that the sign will be durable and stable when in place.

(iii)

;hg;Placement requirements. An approved A-frame sign shall be placed only on private property, at the single location specified by the sign permit. The permit shall specify an approved location for the sign that will maintain a walkway with an adequate and safe width for pedestrians. The location specified by the permit shall also be selected to prevent the undue concentration of A-frame signs in the vicinity.

(b)

Banners and promotional decorations. Banners and promotional decorations are allowed only as provided by this subsection subject to a permit by the Neighborhood Preservation Unit. (See also subsection (f) regarding flags and streamers.)

(1)

Time limits. Except where other time limits are established by this section, the placement of banners and promotional decorations shall be limited to a total of twelve (12) times per year, for a maximum of ten (10) days for each occasion. The resulting 120-day total may be divided at the discretion of the applicant into any increment that would be a multiple of ten (10) days, where the specific increments are requested in the sign permit application and noted on the issued permit. (For example, the total allowed one hundred twenty (120) days could be divided into two (2) periods of sixty (60) days each, four (4) periods of thirty (30) days each, etc.)

(2)

Banners.

(i)

Where allowed. Banners may be permitted in any commercial zoning district; banners may be permitted in residential zoning districts only for churches, schools, and for model home complexes and apartment projects with vacancies.

(ii)

Maximum number. One (1) banner may be permitted for each street frontage of the business.

(iii)

;hg;Size limitations. Each banner shall not exceed seventy-two (72) square feet in area, and thirty-five (35) feet in height, or the ridgeline of the roof of the building, whichever is lower. A banner placed on a freestanding structure shall not exceed twenty (20) feet in height.

(3)

Promotional decorations.

(i)

Where allowed. Promotional decorations shall be permitted only within the commercial zoning districts for land uses which are authorized by this Code to display merchandise outdoors.

(ii)

Limitation on type of decorations allowed. The promotional decorations that may be allowed in compliance with this section shall be limited to balloons. The use of strings of pennants, fringe, and/or promotional decorations other than balloons shall be prohibited.

(iii)

;hg;Placement requirements. No promotional decoration shall extend above the roof line of any building on the site.

(4)

Inflatable Devices. Use of an inflatable device for a promotion or event shall be limited to six (6) times in number, of nine (9) days maximum during any 12-month period for each business, and to a single inflatable device per promotion or event.

(c)

Canopy signs. Canopy signs shall comply with the following requirements (see Figure 6.1-8):

(1)

The sign shall be mounted in a vertical plane;

(2)

The sign shall be mounted parallel to the leading edge of a canopy, except for a suspended sign which may be mounted at an angle to the leading edge of a canopy;

(3)

The sign shall not project above the top of a canopy with a slope of forty-five (45) degrees (one (1) horizontal to one (1) vertical) or steeper, but may be mounted anywhere on the slope of the canopy;

(4)

The sign shall not project above the leading edge of a canopy with a slope flatter than forty-five (45) degrees; and

(5)

The sign may project above the top of a flat (no slope) canopy, but shall not project higher than the wall of the building to which the canopy is attached.

FIGURE 6.1-8
CANOPY SIGN REQUIREMENTS

(d)

Church signs. Churches or places of worship are allowed the following temporary placard signs in addition to those allowed by Section 10-6.107.

(1)

Temporary signs. The following placard signs are allowed for churches or places of worship conducting services in temporary locations, without limitation on number. These signs are exempt from sign permit requirements, provided that the signs:

(i)

Are in place on weekends only, no longer than from 5:00 p.m. on Friday, to 12:00 a.m. on Monday;

(ii)

Are placed on the church site, outside of a public right-of-way, with the permission of the property owner;

(iii)

Do not exceed six (6) square feet in area or a height of thirty-six (36) inches; and

(iv)

Are completely removed when not in use, including all stakes and any other mounting materials.

(2)

Banners. Banners are allowed in compliance with subsection (b) of this section, except that their use shall be limited to a maximum of six (6) times per year, for a maximum of ten (10) days for each time of use.

(e)

Combined Business Monument Signs. Businesses on multiple parcels may have a combined business monument sign under the following provisions:

(1)

All affected property owners must agree to share the monument sign(s).

(2)

The monument sign(s) may be located on one (1) of the affected parcels.

(3)

No business monument sign(s) for single parcels will be permitted.

(f)

Electronic Message Board, Video Signs, and Digital Freeway Billboards.

(1)

Electronic Message Boards. Electronic Message Boards are allowed only in compliance with this subsection.

(i)

Uses. Electronic Message Boards may be permitted only for the following uses:

a)

Automobile dealer.

b)

Theaters with a minimum of two hundred fifty (250) fixed seats.

c)

Convention centers owned by a public agency.

d)

The following uses when located on an arterial or expressway or freeway, as designated in the City of Modesto General Plan: Shopping center of five (5) acres or more, churches, synagogues, temples, mosques, and other similar places of religious worship, community centers owned by a public agency, stadiums, and high schools and colleges having a minimum campus of twenty (20) acres.

(ii)

Requirements and limitations. For all uses allowed to have electronic message board as identified in Section 10-6.108(f)(1)(i), all electronic message board shall be subject to the following requirements and limitations:

a)

Conditional Use Permit. Conditional Use Permit by the Board is required.

b)

Sign Type. A single Electronic Message Board may only be allowed as one of the signs permitted by Section 10-6.107, including Freeway-Oriented Signs pursuant to Section 10-6.108(h).

c)

Size Limitation. Electronic Message Boards shall be limited in size as follows:

1)

Freestanding Sign. The Electronic Message Board portion of the allowable freestanding sign may not exceed seventy-five (75) percent of the total sign area and must be integrated with the remainder of the sign to form a cohesive design unit.

2)

Wall, Canopy and Marquee Signs. Electronic Message Board Wall, Canopy and Marquee signs in the Residential (R-1, R-2 and R-3) and Professional Office (P-O) Zones may not exceed one-half (0.5) square-foot per linear foot of the wall on which the sign is located and in the Commercial and Industrial Zones (C-1, C-2, C-3, C-M, M-1, M-2, D-C) Zone may not exceed one (1) square-foot per linear foot of the wall on which the sign is located.

d)

Movement. No sign shall display animated messages, including flashing, blinking, fading, rolling, shading, dissolving, or any other effect that gives the appearance of movement.

e)

Audio. No sign shall include an audio message.

f)

Duration. No message shall be displayed for a period of time less than eight (8) seconds; however, the Board may increase the minimum required display time if the sign is located within one hundred (100) feet of another Electronic Message Board Sign, traffic signal, flashing warning signs, school crosswalk, train crossings, fire stations, or other situations where a demanding driving environment is deemed to exist.

g)

Transition. Transition from one message to another message shall be instantaneous as perceived from the human eye. Each sign message shall be complete in itself and shall not continue on a subsequent sign message.

h)

On-premises signage. Signs may only be used for advertising the business, profession, product, commodity or mercantile-oriented service sold, manufactured, conducted, or offered on the site on which the sign is located. Noncommercial Off-Premise Advertising is allowed. Commercial Off-Premise Advertising is prohibited.

i)

Sign Placement.

1)

Signs allowed in accordance with Section 10-6.108(f)(1)(i)d) shall be located on an arterial, expressway or freeway as designated in the City of Modesto General Plan.

2)

Signs shall not be placed to obstruct, or otherwise physically interfere with, an official traffic sign, signal or other devise, or physically interfere with the vision of drivers in approaching, merging or intersecting traffic to the satisfaction of the Traffic Engineer.

3)

Signs shall not be located in the Clear Vision Triangle.

j)

Brightness. Signs shall utilize automatic dimming technology to adjust the brightness of the sign relative to ambient light so that at no time shall a sign exceed a brightness level of three-tenths (0.3) foot candles above ambient light, as measured using a foot candle (Lux) meter and in conformance with the following process:

1)

Light measurements shall be taken with the meter aimed directly at the sign message face, or at the area of the sign emitting the brightest light if that area is not the sign message face, at the following distances:

i)

A sign that is zero (0) to one hundred (100) square feet in area shall be measured at a distance of one hundred (100) feet from the sign area being measured;

ii)

A sign that is one hundred one (101) to three hundred fifty (350) square feet in area shall be measured at a distance of one hundred fifty (150) feet from the sign area being measured;

iii)

A sign that is three hundred fifty (350) to six hundred fifty (650) square feet in area shall be measured at a distance of two hundred (200) feet from the sign area being measured;

iv)

A sign that is six hundred fifty-one (651) to one thousand (1,000) square-feet in area shall be measured at a distance of two hundred fifty (250) feet from the sign area being measured.

2)

An ambient light measurement shall be taken using a foot candle meter at some point between the period of time between thirty (30) minutes past sunset and thirty (30) minutes before sunrise with the sign turned to black screen.

3)

Immediately following the ambient light measurement taken in the manner required by this subsection, an operating sign light measurement shall be taken with the sign turned on to full white copy.

4)

The brightness of the sign conforms with the brightness requirements of this subsection, if the difference between the ambient light measurement and the operating sign light measurement is three-tenths (0.3) foot candles or less.

5)

An application for a building permit shall include calculations by a lighting engineer to demonstrate compliance with requirements specified above.

6)

Malfunction. All signs shall contain a default mechanism that will cause the sign to revert immediately to a black screen if the sign malfunctions.

(2)

Video Display Signs. Video Display Signs are allowed only in compliance with this subsection.

(i)

Uses. Video Display Signs may be permitted only for the following uses:

a)

Performing Arts Center located at 1000 I Street.

b)

Convention Center located at 1000 L Street.

(ii)

Requirements and limitations. All Video Display Signs shall be subject to the following requirements and limitations:

a)

Conditional Use Permit by the Board of Zoning Adjustment is required.

b)

Sign Type. A Video Display Sign may only be allowed as one of the sign permitted by Section 10-7.509(e).

c)

Audio. No sign shall include an audio message.

d)

Duration. Any portion of the message that uses a full-motion (animated) video display shall have a minimum duration of two (2) seconds and a maximum duration of five (5) seconds. Calculation of the duration shall not include the number of frames per second used in a video display.

e)

Transition. There shall be twenty (20) seconds of still image or blank screen following every message using a video display.

f)

On-premises Signage. Video display signs may only be used for advertising the business, profession, product, commodity or mercantile-oriented service sold, manufactured, conducted, or offered on the site on which the sign is located. Noncommercial off-premise Advertising is allowed in accordance with Section 10-6.108(j). Commercial off-premise Advertising is prohibited.

g)

Brightness. Signs shall utilize automatic dimming technology to adjust the brightness of the sign relative to ambient light so that at no time shall a sign exceed a brightness level of three-tenths (0.3) foot candles above ambient light, as measured using a foot candle (Lux) meter and in conformance with the following process:

1)

Light measurements shall be taken with the meter aimed directly at the sign message face, or at the area of the sign emitting the brightest light if that area is not the sign message face, at the following distances:

2)

A sign that is zero (0) to one hundred (100) square feet in area shall be measured at a distance of one hundred (100) feet from the sign area being measured;

3)

A sign that is one hundred one (101) to three hundred fifty (350) square-feet in area shall be measured at a distance of one hundred fifty (150) feet from the sign area being measured;

4)

A sign that is three hundred fifty (350) to six hundred fifty (650) square-feet in area shall be measured at a distance of two hundred (200) feet from the sign area being measured;

5)

A sign that is six hundred fifty-one (651) to one thousand (1,000) square-feet in area shall be measured at a distance of two hundred fifty (250) feet from the sign area being measured.

6)

An ambient light measurement shall be taken using a foot candle meter at some point between the period of time between thirty (30) minutes past sunset and thirty (30) minutes before sunrise with the sign turned to black screen.

7)

Immediately following the ambient light measurement taken in the manner required by the subsection, an operating sign light measurement shall be taken with the sign turned on to full white copy.

8)

The brightness of the sign conforms with the brightness requirements of this subsection, if the difference between the ambient light measurement and the operating sign light measurement is three-tenths (0.3) foot candles or less.

9)

An application for a building permit shall include calculations by a lighting engineer to demonstrate compliance with requirements specified above.

h)

Malfunction. All signs shall contain a default mechanism that will cause the sign to revert immediately to a black screen if the sign malfunctions.

(3)

Digital Freeway Billboards.

(i)

Purpose and Designation. Digital billboards may be permitted along Freeway 99 only as billboard relocations or as conversions of an existing billboard in place.

(ii)

Conditional Use Permit. Digital freeway billboards must obtain a conditional use permit approval which requires a recommendation by the Planning Commission to the City Council and final approval authority by the City Council. If the Planning Commission recommends denial or the City Council denies final approval of a conditional use permit, an applicant shall be provided with a written decision regarding the reason(s) for the denial. The Planning Commission shall recommend approval of a conditional use permit for a digital freeway billboard when the following criteria are met:

a)

The proposed digital freeway billboard will meet the findings provided in Section 10-9.703 Required Findings for a Conditional Use Permit.

b)

The proposed digital freeway billboard will not create a hazard to vehicular or pedestrian traffic.

c)

All advertising on the digital freeway billboard will conform with the Outdoor Advertising Act in the California Business and Professions Code and other applicable state and federal rules and regulations.

d)

The development of the digital freeway billboard will result in a public benefit to the City in the form of increasing aesthetics, safety and/or economic revitalization efforts for the City's commercial centers through signage. The public benefit must outweigh any adverse impacts, such as light pollution or visual impact, that might be caused by the advertising display.

(iii)

Development Standards.

a)

A new digital freeway billboard may be allowed or a legally existing billboard may be refurbished to become a digital freeway billboard, subject to the development standards below.

1)

Location. A digital freeway billboard shall be located within 660 feet of State Highway 99 but shall not be located on any parcel with a residential zone or use, and shall be a minimum of 300 feet from any parcel with a residential zone or use.

2)

Number of Faces. A digital freeway billboard may consist of, at most, two digital display areas, each positioned to be visible only by opposing directions of traffic. Double-faced signs shall not have an interior angle between the face of the panels greater than 45 degrees.

3)

Height. The maximum height shall be 60 feet for a new digital freeway billboard. Any existing legal nonconforming billboard may maintain its existing height if it is converted to or replaced with a digital freeway billboard.

4)

Area. The maximum area of each digital display area is 700 square feet.

4.5)

Maximum Number of Digital Freeway Billboards. There shall be a maximum of seven (7) digital freeway billboards within the City limits located on either side of State Highway 99.

5)

Distance between Signs. No digital freeway billboard shall be located within 2,500 feet of any other digital freeway billboard within the City limits located on either side of State Highway 99.

6)

Billboard Structure. The billboard structure supporting and surrounding the digital display area shall be as small as feasibly possible so as to avoid any unnecessary height or width to the sign so as to not call further attention to the sign..

7)

Pole Cladding. Decorative pole covering is required for newly constructed digital freeway billboards as well as any existing traditional billboard that is converted to a digital freeway billboard. Such covering shall be simple and streamlined in material and design so as to not call further attention to the sign.

8)

Message Display. Digital freeway billboards shall display static messages only, and shall not have animation, movement, or the appearance or optical illusion of movement in or on any part of the sign structure, design, or pictorial segment of the sign. Each static message shall not include flashing or scintillating lighting, or varying light intensity.

9)

Minimum Display Time. Each message on the sign must be displayed for a minimum of eight (8) seconds.

10)

Illumination. Digital freeway signs shall operate at brightness levels consistent with Section 10-6.108 (f) (1) (ii) j).

11)

Aesthetics. The sign will not require substantial trimming or reduction of existing vegetation and landscaping. The sign will not obstruct or obscure on-site signs on the same or adjacent properties resulting in the adjacent signs being ineffective.

12)

Traffic Safety. The sign shall not create a visibility hazard to traffic on adjacent streets, freeways, or parking areas. The sign will not reduce parking availability below that required by the standards under this title or pursuant to permits issued under this title. The sign will not interfere with on-site vehicular circulation.

13)

Future Technologies. There may be alternate, preferred, or superior technology available in the future to illuminate digital freeway signs. These alternate technologies may be incorporated into existing legally permitted digital freeway signs in the future without additional permissions from the City Council so long as (i) the requisite maximum brightness standards are met and (ii) no exterior physical change to the digital display area will occur. The owner is responsible for obtaining any required ministerial permits for technology improvements as required by applicable code standards. The City will prioritize any such required approvals for technology that is superior in energy efficiency over previous generations or types.

14)

Community Messaging. The City shall be provided with access to a minimum of eight seconds of time per display cycle (or 10% of time on an hourly basis if display cycles are not utilized) to allow the City to present messages regarding public safety and City Sponsored Events and Activities. For purposes of this section, City Sponsored Events and Activities are events or activities that meet the following criteria: (1) the event or activity must be held on City property; (2), the City must participate in an official capacity in the planning, preparation or promotion of the event or activity; and (3) the City must be an official sponsor. Access for public safety messages shall be given to public agencies (including the City) for the purpose of displaying public safety messages such as "Amber Alert" messages and emergency-disaster communications.

15)

Quality and Maintenance Plan. The applicant must establish a quality and maintenance plan in order to ensure implementation of all above-listed development standards and to assure the proper maintenance and repair of the digital freeway sign as needed.

16)

Consistency with State and Federal Law. In addition to the other requirements set forth herein, the digital freeway billboards shall comply with the requirements of the Outdoor Advertising Act and Regulations, California Business and Professions Code Secs. 5200 et seq., and other state and federal statutes. To the extent of any conflict between the provisions of this Section and state and federal law, state and federal law shall prevail.

b)

Billboard Removal. For every one digital freeway billboard installed, the applicant must permanently remove at least four legally existing billboard structures (each of which may have more than one billboard sign face) within the City of Modesto's Sphere of Influence prior to operation of the digital freeway billboard. An existing billboard being refurbished as a digital freeway billboard may count as one of the four required permanent removals.

c)

Operating Agreement. At the applicant's request, the City and applicant may enter into an operating agreement in conjunction with the issuance of a conditional use permit for a digital freeway billboard. The City and applicant may use the operating agreement, on a case-by-case basis, to deviate from the development standards in subsection (3) (iii) (a) of this section or reduce the required billboard removals under subsection (3) (iii) (b) of this section. The City Council will only approve an operating agreement if it determines that the operating agreement achieves community benefits that are equivalent to those that would be achieved through strict compliance with subsection (3) (iii) (a) or (3) (iii) (b) of this section. These community benefits may include: safety improvements resulting from such things as the reduction of old and outmoded billboards; using revenue earned under an operating agreement for graffiti abatement, City signage programs or other programs with safety or aesthetic benefits to the City; or economic revitalization of the City's commercial centers through signage and signage agreements.

(g)

Flags and streamers.

(1)

Where allowed. Flags and streamers may be permitted within any zoning district, in compliance with the requirements of this subsection.

(2)

Corporate flags. One (1) corporate flag is allowed per use or occupancy in nonresidential zoning districts, and is exempt from sign permit requirements. The flag shall not exceed a maximum area of twenty-four (24) square feet, and its dimensions shall not exceed a ratio of 2:1. The flag shall be flown only from a flagstaff or flagpole. The maximum height of a freestanding pole is the height requirement in the zoning district or fifty (50) feet whichever is less. The maximum height of a pole on a building is the height requirement in the zoning district

(3)

Decorative flags and streamers. Decorative flags and streamers without advertising copy or corporate or product identification are allowed as follows:

(i)

Residential zoning districts. One (1) decorative flag or streamer is allowed per parcel, and is exempt from sign permit requirements.

(ii)

Nonresidential zoning districts. Six (6) decorative flags or streamers are allowed per business, and are exempt from sign permit requirements. Additional flags and streamers may be allowed with a sign permit, in compliance with the time limits established by subsection (b)(1), above.

(4)

National and state flags. Flags of nations or states are allowed without limitation on their number or size, and are exempt from sign permit requirements.

(5)

Height Limitation. The maximum height of a freestanding pole is limited to the height requirement in the zoning district in which the pole is located or fifty (50) feet whichever is less. The maximum height of a pole is on a building is limited to the height requirement in the zoning district in which the pole is located.

(h)

Freeway-Oriented Signs. A freeway-oriented sign may be approved in compliance with the following provisions.

(1)

Where Allowed. A freeway-oriented sign may be authorized for the following uses that are located within six hundred (600) feet of the Freeway 99 right-of-way:

(i)

A hotel, motel, service station or restaurant, as a freestanding use; or

(ii)

Shopping centers of at least five (5) acres in size. A freeway-oriented sign for a shopping center may advertise the shopping center name, and/or any tenants. One (1) freeway-oriented sign shall be allowed per shopping center.

(2)

Permit Requirement. A sign permit is required for a freeway-oriented shopping center freestanding sign; conditional use permit approval by the Board shall be required for all other freeway-oriented signs, and for any freeway-oriented sign with a height greater than thirty-five (35) feet for freestanding uses, or fifty (50) feet for shopping centers.

(3)

Required Findings for Freestanding Uses. The approval of a conditional use permit for a freeway-oriented sign for a hotel, motel, restaurant, or service station shall require that the Board first find that:

(i)

The use or occupancy is a freestanding use; and

(ii)

The use or occupancy cannot be adequately identified from Freeway 99 by other signs permitted within the applicable zone.

(4)

Approval of Additional Height. The Board may grant a conditional use permit authorizing a freeway-oriented sign higher than thirty-five (35) feet for freestanding uses, or fifty (50) feet for shopping centers, as follows:

(i)

Criteria for Approval. A sign with a height greater than thirty-five (35) feet for freestanding uses, or fifty (50) feet for shopping centers, may be approved if the Board determines that the applicant has demonstrated that an overcrossing of Freeway 99, or its ramps, or trees or vegetation will obstruct the visibility of the proposed sign from the northbound or southbound lanes of Freeway 99.

(ii)

Procedure for Determining Allowed Height. The Board shall approve a sign in compliance with subsection (h)(4)(i) above, at a height no more than the minimum necessary to clear the identified visual obstruction. The determination of maximum height by the Board shall be based on the following procedure, which shall occur prior to the Board public hearing.

a)

The applicant shall arrange for a boom truck with a sign target to be on the site at the location of the proposed sign, with a tape measure attached to the top of the target so that an accurate ground reading of height can be determined.

b)

On the Board field trip, the Board will go to the site, pick up the applicant or applicant's representative, and drive Freeway 99 north and south of the target on the site. The purpose will be to visually verify that the target is set at the minimum height necessary to clear the visual obstruction.

c)

At the public hearing and in their deliberations, the Board shall consider the visual observations from the field trip to be the primary testimony.

(5)

Sign Area Requirements. The maximum sign area for a freeway-oriented sign shall be as provided in Table 6.1-2 plus the following requirements:

(i)

For shopping centers, no individual tenant panel shall be more than one hundred fifty (150) square feet in area. The area of the shopping center name must be at least as large as any individual tenant panel.

(ii)

For shopping center signs advertising a single tenant or only the shopping center name, the maximum sign area shall be one hundred fifty (150) square feet.

(i)

Historic signs. A historic sign may be modified in any zone subject to the following requirements:

(1)

Permit requirement. Conditional use permit approval by the Board shall be required in compliance with Article 7 of Chapter 9 of Title 10 of this Code.

(2)

Permit review considerations. Any deviation from the sign regulations of the zone applicable to the site of a proposed historic sign should be noted in the Board agenda report. The Board should determine if each deviation is insignificant to the compatibility with other uses in the area and deny or impose conditions deemed necessary for any deviations that are not compatible.

(3)

Criteria for approval. The Board may approve a conditional use permit for a historic sign which deviates from the sign standards of the applicable zone only where:

(i)

The Board determines that the existence of the sign at the given site fifty (50) or more years ago has been adequately proven;

(ii)

The Board determines that the design modification of the sign is historically authentic, based on adequate proof of authenticity provided by photographs or plans furnished by the applicant; and

(iii)

;hg;The Landmark Preservation Committee has reviewed the proposed sign and has provided findings that the sign meets the above two (2) criteria.

(j)

Off-premise advertising signs. Off-premise advertising signs are prohibited in all zones other than those listed in subsections (j)(1) and (j)(2), below:

(1)

C-2, C-3, C-M, M-1 and M-2 zones. Only the following off-premise advertising signs may be permitted in the C-2, C-3, C-M, M-1 and M-2 zones.

(i)

A directional off-premise advertising sign may be authorized with conditional use permit approval for hotels, motels, and restaurants only, provided that the sign does not exceed forty-eight (48) square feet in area and eight (8) feet in height. The Board may grant the conditional use permit only after first finding that:

a)

The use or occupancy is a freestanding use.

b)

The combined total of all approved directional off-premise advertising signs for a motel, hotel or restaurant is necessary for the public welfare and will not excessively promote the specific motel, hotel or restaurant.

(ii)

Noncommercial off-premise advertising signs may be permitted with a maximum area of forty-eight (48) square feet and a height of eight (8) feet, limited to one (1) per site.

(2)

C-1 zone. Noncommercial off-premise advertising signs may be permitted in the C-1 zone with a maximum area of forty-eight (48) square feet and a maximum height of eight (8) feet.

(k)

Service station signs. The following sign requirements apply to service stations in addition to the provisions of Table 6.1-2 except where otherwise limited by this subsection.

(1)

Pump island signs. Signs shall be permitted on pump islands, canopy uprights, and nonmovable structures on the pump islands provided the combined area of these signs and all other wall and canopy signs do not exceed the total sign area permitted in Table 6.1-2 for the service station building, and do not project beyond the canopy roof or raised pump island. These signs shall not exceed ten (10) feet in height if there is no canopy. For self-service stations with small attendant booths less than ten (10) feet on any side, the total wall and canopy sign area shall not exceed one hundred sixty (160) square feet.

(2)

Freestanding Price signs.

(i)

Sign copy. The sign copy shall be limited to specifying the prices and grades of motor fuel, self-service or full service, and brand name of the motor fuel, as required by the California Business and Professions Code. The price sign may be a digital display.

(ii)

Maximum sign area. Maximum allowable area for fuel price signs shall be twenty-five (25) square feet for the portion of the sign identifying self- or full-service prices, and six (6) square feet for a discount for cash portion of the sign; in addition to the sign area allowed for a freestanding business or shopping center sign as provided in Table 6.1-2.

(iii)

Maximum sign height. Maximum sign height shall be no greater than fourteen (14) feet. When a freestanding fuel price sign is combined with a freestanding business sign as required in Section 10-6.108(k)(2)(v) below, the maximum height is based on the property frontage as provided in Table 6.1-2 or fourteen (14) feet, whichever is greater.

(iv)

Maximum number of signs. One (1) per street frontage of the site with a maximum of two (2) signs.

(v)

Combined Signs. A service station on a single parcel must combine the freestanding fuel price sign with any proposed freestanding business sign. A service station that is part of a combined business freestanding sign proposal or shopping center may have a separate freestanding fuel price sign pursuant to the provisions of this subsection.

(l)

Shopping center freestanding signs. A shopping center freestanding sign allowed by Section 10-6.107 shall also comply with the following requirements.

(1)

Limitation on copy. The copy on a shopping center sign shall be limited to an optional reader board or a listing of uses within the center and may include the shopping center name. The lettering for the reader board or the listing of uses shall be of the same or smaller size than the lettering of the shopping center name.

(2)

Removal of existing signs required. Any nonconforming freestanding or projecting signs shall be removed prior to the issuance of a building permit for the installation of a shopping center sign.

(3)

Limitation on other signs. After the installation of a shopping center sign, no additional freestanding or projecting sign shall be installed for any use or occupancy within the center, even in cases where the existing signs were installed prior to this Code provision. No business or combined business freestanding sign is permitted

(m)

Street address signs. Each building or group of buildings assigned a street address shall display the street address on a wall of the building, as follows.

(1)

Location. The street address shall be visible from the street upon which the building is addressed.

(2)

Size of numerals. The minimum height, width, and maximum area of the street address numerals shall be as follows:

(i)

Residential uses. Each numeral shall have a minimum height of three (3) inches and a minimum stroke width of one-fourth (¼) inch. The total area of all the numerals which comprise the street address shall not exceed one (1) square foot.

(ii)

Nonresidential and conditional uses. Each numeral shall have a minimum height of six (6) inches and a minimum stroke width of one-half (½) inch. The total area of all the numerals which comprise the street address shall not exceed four (4) square feet.

(n)

Subdivision sales signs. Residential subdivisions are permitted the following signs during the marketing of the lots/homes within the subdivision.

(1)

Sales/identification sign. One (1) subdivision identification sign is allowed on the site of each recorded subdivision during lot sales, with a maximum area of sixty-four (64) square feet, and a maximum height of ten (10) feet.

(2)

Directional signs. Each recorded subdivision is allowed directional signs to guide potential customers to the site and its model homes or other sales facility, as follows.

(i)

Allowed location of signs. Subdivision sales directional signs shall be located as follows.

a)

Within the boundaries of the subdivision, one (1) directional sign shall be permitted per block.

b)

Outside the boundaries of the subdivision, directional signs on private property shall be permitted as follows:

1)

One (1) at each street intersection where a change in direction (left turn, right turn) is required; and

2)

Three (3) where no change in direction is required. No subdivision directional sign shall be closer than one thousand (1,000) feet to another subdivision directional sign for the same subdivision.

(ii)

Sign area and height. The signs shall not exceed sixteen (16) square feet and six (6) feet in height.

(3)

Temporary directional placards. Temporary directional placard signs are allowed without limitation on number, and are exempt from sign permit requirements, provided that the signs:

(i)

Are in place on weekends only, no longer than from 5:00 p.m. on Friday, to 12:00 a.m. on Monday;

(ii)

Are placed on private property outside of a public right-of-way, with the permission of the property owner;

(iii)

Do not exceed three (3) square feet in area or a height of thirty-six (36) inches; and

(iv)

Are completely removed when not in use, including all stakes and any other mounting materials.

(4)

Subdivision banners, flags, and promotional decorations. These devices are subject to the requirements of Sections 10-6.108(b), and 10-6.108(g).

(5)

Time limits. The subdivision sales signs allowed by this subsection shall be removed not later than three (3) years from the date the subdivision map is recorded, except as follows:

(i)

Where building permits have been issued by the City for more than fifty (50) percent but less than sixty-five (65) percent of the lots in the subdivision at the end of three (3) years, the sign may remain for an additional one (1) year;

(ii)

Where building permits have been issued by the City for fifty (50) percent or less of the lots in the subdivision at the end of three (3) years, the sign may remain for an additional two (2) years; and

(iii)

Temporary directional placards shall be removed in compliance with subsection (m)(3), above.

(Amended by Ord. No. 3669-C.S., § 2(Exh. A) Code-16-001, effective 5-25-17)