(A) (1) Subdivision signs. Signs advertising a residential subdivision shall be classified as either “off-site” or “on-site” installations.
(a) Definitions.
1. “Off-site sign” shall refer to a directional sign representing a subdivision located on a property other than that which the sign is located on.
2. “On-site sign” shall refer to a sign identifying a subdivision located on the same property as the sign.
(2) Off-site subdivision directional signs.
(a) Design standards.
1. All off-site subdivision signs must be placed on a city-approved directional sign structure as depicted in Exhibit “A” attached to the ordinance codified in this section and found on file in the office of the City Clerk.
2. Each sign structure shall not exceed a height of 12 feet when measured from top of grade. When the sign structure is located adjacent to a residential fence or wall, then the maximum height shall not exceed two feet above the top of the wall.
3. Sign structures shall be painted a consistent color scheme, which shall be reviewed and approved by the city's Design Review Board.
4. The ground within a three-foot radius of the sign structure shall be paved, covered, or maintained in such a manner as to prevent weed growth under the structure.
5. Individual signs on the approved sign structures shall be no greater than 18 inches by 48 inches in size and feature a uniform background color. No more than seven signs shall be allowed on each sign structure and the lowest sign shall be a minimum of two feet above grade.
6. An area measuring 12 inches by 36 inches shall be reserved on each individual sign for advertising copy, which may include the subdivision name, the developer, and a logo. Individual signs shall be allowed various compatible colors on a uniform background and shall be consistent with the marketing colors used to advertise the subdivision.
7. A directional arrow measuring six inches by 12 inches shall be shown on each individual sign as depicted in Exhibit “A” attached to the ordinance codified in this section and found on file in the office of the City Clerk, and shall be located on the side of the sign closest to the street right-of-way.
8. Illumination of directional signage shall be prohibited.
9. Modifications to the design of the directional sign will require review and approval by the city's Design Review Board.
(b) Locations.
1. The general location of permitted sites for off-site subdivision signs is shown in Exhibit “B” attached to the ordinance codified in this section and found on file in the office of the City Clerk, and these sites will be indicated on the Master Off-Site Sign Map. Exact sign structure locations on these sites shall be determined administratively by the city so the sign structures create an attractive streetscape. Additional locations may be approved by the Design Review Board if it is determined that they are necessary in order to achieve adequate subdivision identification.
2. The written consent of the property owner must be furnished with the city building permit application for the sign structure.
3. More than one directional sign structure may be located at any one approved site, subject to Design Review Board review and approval.
(c) Administration.
1. All existing off-site subdivision signage must be removed within 60 days of Council adoption of the ordinance codified in this section or the city shall have the right to remove nonconforming signs at the expense of either the advertised subdivision's developer and/or the sign company responsible for the sign.
2. Each sign structure shall require a city building permit. Individual signs shall be subject to city administrative review and approval before placement on the structures to determine exact locations.
3. No more than six individual signs shall be used to advertise a single subdivision except in the case where the subdivision is located a substantial distance from Highway 4 in which case eight signs will be the standard. Exceptions shall be subject to city administrative review and approval. In no case shall a single subdivision be allowed more than one individual sign at each location.
4. Individual signs may not be modified to identify a different subdivision without first obtaining administrative approval from the city.
5. Sign structures shall be allowed for a period of five years, at which time a renewal may be requested based on the need for the structure to remain.
6. Individual signs shall be allowed on the sign structures until the model home complex for the subdivision has been closed.
7. It shall be the responsi-bility of each management company to ensure that the sign structures under its control are well-maintained and not allowed to become unsightly. Noncompliance will be reported to the respective management company for correction within 14 days and if the situation is not improved, the city shall have the right to remove the sign structure at the management company's expense.
8. A refundable cash deposit in the amount to be determined by the City Engineer but not to exceed $200 per sign shall be posted with the city in order to ensure removal of off-site signage within 14 days of the closing of the subdivision's model home complex. If the signage is not completely removed within the 14-day period stipulated above, the city shall have the right to remove the signage and deduct the cost of removal from the cash deposit. Additional removal costs shall be charged to the developer.
9. No more than two building permits for individual sign structures shall be issued to any single sign company. More than two sign structure building permits may be issued to a sign company collaborative that represents a majority of the sign companies that as of June 1, 1990, had subdivision sign structures in the city. Provisions of this division shall expire 90 days after adoption of the ordinance codified in this section.
(3) On-site subdivision signs.
(a) Design standards.
1. One on-site subdivision marketing sign can exceed 50 square feet if it is determined by staff that additional square footage is necessary to assure adequate visibility. The maximum square footage for any additional on-site signage shall not exceed 50 square feet per sign.
2. No on-site subdivision sign, except those in a model home area, shall be illuminated unless the sign has an area of not more than eight square feet and is used to advertise individual homes within the model home display area.
3. Signs on trailers or similar structures shall not be permitted.
(b) Location.
1. No on-site signage shall be located in such proximity to any intersection that the sign will interfere with traffic visibility.
2. The number of on-site signs allowed shall be determined by the Planning Director or designated representative based on the need for adequate visibility and traffic flow in the subdivision.
(c) Administration.
1. All on-site subdivision signs shall require approval by the Planning Director or designated representative.
2. All on-site signs shall be allowed until the model home complex for the subdivision is closed.
3. A refundable cash deposit in an amount to be determined by the City Engineer but not to exceed $200 per sign shall be posted with the city in order to ensure removal of on-site signage within 14 days of the closing of the subdivision's model home complex. If the signage is not completely removed within the 14-day period stipulated above, the city shall have the right to remove the signage and deduct the cost of removal from the cash deposit. Additional removal costs shall be charged to the developer.
4. It shall be the responsibility of each developer to ensure that the sign structures under its control are well-maintained and not allowed to become unsightly. Noncompliance with this requirement will be reported to the developer for correction within 14 days and if the situation is not improved, the city shall have the right to remove any noncomplying signage at the developer's expense per division (A)(3)(c)3. above.
(B) Advertising signs. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the City Council shall have the discretion to enter into any contractual relationship or franchise agreement with any individual or organization for the provision of bus shelters which may feature advertising signs. Such signs shall be exempt from the regulations contained in this chapter, but shall be regulated by the terms of the contractual agreements or franchise. The City Council finds, in adopting this section, that advertising signs are commonly found in bus shelters, and thus are an exception to its other regulations which generally prohibit advertising signs from being displayed in the public right-of-way.
(C) Billboards. BILLBOARD shall mean an outdoor advertising sign that is more than 50 square feet in size.
(1) Orientation. Billboards shall be located within 500 feet of a freeway right-of-way line and oriented to be viewed primarily from a freeway.
(2) Spacing. No billboard shall be placed within 4,000 feet of another billboard located on the same side of a freeway. The support post for a new billboard shall be placed at least 500 feet from a residential zoning district located on the same side of the freeway as the billboard.
(3) Zoning. Billboards shall be permitted in the C-2, C-3, M-1, and M-2 zones.
(4) Preservation of development standards. A billboard shall not create site conflicts with other required development standards. This includes but is not limited to site circulation, preservation of on-site parking, and other development standards as required by the municipal code.
(5) Use permit required. A use permit is required for a billboard.
(D) Realty signs. The provisions of this article shall not be deemed to prohibit the fixing of signs on real property advertising such property for sale or lease when in compliance with the following:
(1) For sale and for lease signs.
(a) One temporary sign not exceeding four square feet in residential districts and 12 square feet in other districts shall be permitted. However, in commercial districts where a parcel has 100 lineal feet or more fronting on each of two or more streets, one sign of up to 12 square feet placed on each frontage shall be permitted.
(b) One accessory sign (rider) not to exceed six inches by 24 inches shall be permitted to be attached to the for sale/lease sign denoting the agent's name, swimming pool, warrant, and the like.
(c) A “sold” sign may be attached to the face of the for sale sign when the property has been sold.
(d) Such signs shall be removed within one week after the sale or lease of the property.
(e) Such signs shall not be located in the public right-of-way.
(f) A-frame signs shall not be permitted.
(2) Open house signs.
(a) Such signs shall be A-frame only and not to exceed four square feet per sign face.
(b) Such signs shall be limited to three per sales unit.
(c) Such signs may be displayed on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays only between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to dusk. No sign shall be left overnight.
(d) Off-site signs shall be located no further from the property advertised than the closest major thoroughfare intersection, the latter to be determined by the Department of Development Services.
(e) Off-site signs shall be located only on private property and then only with the owner's written permission.
(f) Such signs shall not be attached to any utility pole, fence, tree, or other vegetation or upon any public right-of-way.
(Ord. 918-C-S, passed 5-28-96; Am. Ord. 2225-C-S, passed 2-28-23)