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The purpose of this chapter is to provide minimum standards to safeguard life, health, property, and public welfare, and to preserve the character of the City by regulating the size, height, design, quality of materials, construction, location, lighting, and maintenance of all signs and sign structures not enclosed within a building, to accomplish the following:
A. To protect and enhance the character of residential neighborhoods and business areas, open views and vistas, and property values by prohibiting obtrusive and incompatible signs;
B. To provide a reasonable and comprehensive system of sign controls;
C. To encourage signs which are well-designed, balanced, and pleasing in appearance, and to provide incentive and latitude for variety, good design relationship, spacing, and location;
D. To encourage a desirable urban character while minimizing clutter and while recognizing the need for signs as a major form of communication;
E. To provide for fair and equal treatment of sign users;
F. To provide for a reasonable period of time for the elimination of nonconforming signs;
G. To promote public safety by providing that official traffic regulation devices be easily visible and free from any nearby visual obstructions, including blinking signs, excessive number of signs, or signs that in any way resemble official signs;
H. To eliminate traffic safety hazards to pedestrians and motorists posed by off-site signs bearing commercial messages;
I. To generally limit commercial signage to on-site locations in order to protect the aesthetic environment from the visual clutter associated with the unrestricted proliferation of signs while also providing adequate channels of communication to the public;
J. To allow the communication of information for both commercial and non-commercial purposes without regulating the content of non-commercial messages;
K. To allow the expression of political, religious, and other non-commercial speech at all times;
L. To protect the investment in property made by persons who choose to live, work or conduct business within the City;
M. To maintain the peace and tranquility of residential zones and neighborhoods by generally forbidding commercial signs at private residences while allowing residents the opportunity, within reasonable limits, to express political, religious, and other non- commercial messages from their homes; and
N. To accommodate the need for signs to direct members of the public to various destinations and places, activities, and uses, in order to provide for maximum public convenience.
Ord. 2443
A. The sign standards provided in this chapter are intended to apply to signs in every zoning district in the City except the TND Zoning District. Signs in the TND Zoning District are regulated by Chapter 19.92. Only signs authorized by this chapter shall be allowed in the zoning districts indicated unless otherwise expressly provided in this chapter.
B. If a new zoning district is created after the enactment of this chapter, the Director shall have the authority to make determinations as to the applicability of appropriate sign regulations in compliance with Chapter 19.02 (Interpretation of Regulations) until this chapter is amended to govern the new zoning district.
C. Signs shall be considered during the City's site design and architectural review process (Chapter 19.18) to ensure that all signs are well-designed, compatible with their surroundings, and do not detract from the overall visual quality of the City.
Ord. 2443
A. Owner’s Consent Required. The consent of the property owner is required before any sign may be displayed on any real or personal property within the City. In the case of public property, the owner’s consent shall be pursuant to a policy adopted by the City Council.
B. Substitution of Noncommercial Message. Subject to the owner’s consent, a non- commercial message of any type may be substituted for all or part of the commercial or non-commercial message on any sign allowed pursuant to this chapter. Design criteria which may apply to commercial signs, such as color, lettering style or height, and compatibility with other signs on the same parcel or other signs subject to a sign program, do not apply to noncommercial signs even when they are in an area subject to a sign program, master plan or specific plan. No special or additional permit is required to substitute a non-commercial message for any other message on an allowable sign, provided the sign is already permitted or exempt from the permit requirement. When a non-commercial message is substituted for any other message, the sign is still subject to the same location and structure regulations, such as size, height, illumination, duration of display, building and electrical code requirements, as would apply if the sign were used to display a commercial message or some other non-commercial message. This substitution provision shall prevail over any other provision to the contrary, whether more specific or not, in this chapter and applies retroactively to sign programs, master plans and specific plans which were adopted or approved before this chapter was enacted.
C. Substitution of Commercial Messages. This substitution provision does not automatically allow substitution of one commercial message for another commercial message, nor does it automatically allow free substitution of a commercial message in a place where only a noncommercial message is allowed. Such substitutions, however, may be allowed by other provisions of this chapter. This provision does not, by itself, allow off-site commercial messages to be substituted for on-site commercial messages, however, such substitution may also be allowed by other provisions of this chapter.
D. On-Site and Off-Site Distinction. All distinctions between on-site and off-site signs in this chapter apply only to commercial messages. All such distinctions do not apply to non-commercial messages.
E. Classification of Sign Type and Purpose. Unless otherwise allowed by state or federal law, all references to the specific function, content, or typical uses of an on-site commercial sign are non-binding and shall be deemed directory rather than mandatory.
F. Severance. If any section, sentence, clause, phrase, word, portion or provision of this chapter is held invalid or unconstitutional or unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, such holding shall not affect, impair, or invalidate any other section, sentence, clause, phrase, word, portion, or provision of this chapter which can be given effect without the invalid portion. In adopting this chapter, the City Council affirmatively declares that if it had been made aware of any invalid provision(s) in this chapter, it would have approved and adopted the remaining provisions and that it desires for all valid provisions to remain in full force and effect.
Ord. 2443
Publisher's Note: This Section has been AMENDED by new legislation (Ord. 2564, adopted 4-26-2021). The text of the amendment will be incorporated below when the ordinance is codified.
The following are definitions of specialized terms and phrases used in this chapter. The definitions are organized in alphabetical order.
Abandoned Sign. Any sign (a) located on property that becomes vacant or unoccupied, (b) which pertains to any occupant or business unrelated to the premises' present occupant or business, or (c) which pertains to a time, event or purpose which no longer applies or exists.
Alteration. Any change of copy, sign face, color, size, shape, illumination, position, location, construction, or supporting structure of any sign.
Anchor tenant. Within a multi-tenant development, up to three tenants that occupy the greatest amount of floor area.
Animated or Moving Sign. Any sign which uses movement, lighting, or special materials to depict action or create a special effect to imitate movement.
Area of a Sign. See "Sign Area."
Awning Sign. Any sign copy or logo attached to or painted on an awning.
Banner, Flag, or Pennant. Any cloth, bunting, plastic, paper, or similar non-rigid material used for signage.
Bench Sign. Copy painted on any portion of a bench.
Blade Sign. A sign oriented perpendicular to the face of the building, typically hung beneath an awning or canopy.
Building/Structure Frontage. That building elevation which fronts on a public street, public parking lot, private parking lot available to the general public, or pedestrian walk where customer access to a structure is available.
Business Frontage. That portion of a building frontage occupied by a single business tenant having a public entrance within the building frontage.
Business Identification Sign. A commercial sign, either wall-mounted or ground- mounted, identifying a use, facility, service, or product which is located, sold, or manufactured on the same premises as the sign. Typically used to identify the name, address, and use of the premises.
Cabinet Sign (Can Sign). A sign which contains all the text and/or logo symbols within a single enclosed cabinet and which may or may not be internally illuminated.
Center Identification Sign. A wall or ground-mounted sign, typically larger and in addition to smaller monument signs, located on a multi-tenant commercial or industrial property. Typically used to identify the name of the center and anchor tenants.
Changeable Copy Sign. A sign designed to allow the changing of copy through manual, mechanical, or electrical means, including time and temperature.
Channel Letters. Three-dimensional, individually cut letters or figures, illuminated or unilluminated, affixed to a structure.
Commercial Sign. Any sign containing a commercial message. Includes all signs not classified as noncommercial signs.
Construction Sign. A temporary sign on real property on which construction of new improvements is occurring. Typically used to identify the developer, contractor, architect, and other parties involved in the construction.
Directional Sign. An on-site sign designed to guide or direct pedestrian or vehicular traffic to uses on the same site.
Directory Sign. A sign listing the persons, activities or tenants located on-site.
Double-Faced Sign. A sign constructed to display its message on the outer surfaces of two identical and/or opposite parallel planes.
Edge of Roof. On a pitched roof, the lowest portion of the fascia board covering the roof rafters or, if no fascia board exists, the lowest point of the roof rafters. On a flat roof, the top of the parapet wall.
Electronic Reader Board Sign. A sign with a fixed or changing display composed of a series of lights, including LEDs and LCDs, but not including time and temperature displays. An Informational Sign Kiosk is not considered an electronic reader board sign (see "Informational Sign Kiosk" definition).
Flashing Sign. A sign that contains an intermittent or sequential flashing light source.
Future Tenant Identification Sign. A temporary sign on a nonresidential construction site. Typically used to identify the future tenant of a property.
Governmental Sign. Any sign approved by the City Council to be installed or erected in the public right-of-way or on City property, including an informational sign kiosk or other signage intended to inform the public.
Ground-Mounted Sign. A sign fixed in an upright position on the ground, not attached to any structure other than a framework, pole, or device erected primarily to support the sign. Includes monument signs and pole signs.
Height of Sign. The vertical distance from the uppermost point used in measuring the area of a sign to the average grade immediately below the sign, including its base or the top of the nearest curb of the street on which the sign fronts, whichever measurement is the greatest.
Illegal Sign. Any sign which does not comply with these Regulations.
Indirectly Illuminated Sign. A sign whose light source is external to the sign and which casts its light onto the sign from some distance. Also includes reverse channel letter signs with opaque faces.
Informational Sign Kiosk. A small structure (less than 8 feet in height, 3 feet in width, and 2 feet in depth) located on a public sidewalk or on public property with an electronic or e-ink display screen or screens intended to provide pedestrians with information on city resources, meetings, programming, community events and attractions, wayfinding directions to parking lots, and a directory of nearby shopping and dining establishments.
Internally Illuminated Sign. A sign whose light source is located in the interior of the sign so the rays go through the face of the sign, or a light source which is attached to the face of the sign and is perceived as a design element of the sign.
Logo. A trademark or symbol of an organization, belief system, or concept.
Marquee Sign. A tall roof-like structure projecting over the entrance of an assembly building or hotel and typically containing changeable copy letters.
Monument Sign. An independent, freestanding structure supported on the ground, having a solid base as opposed to being supported by poles or open braces.
Multi-face sign. A sign displaying information on at least two surfaces, each having a different orientation, or on a curved surface so that the copy or image is different when viewed from different angles.
Multiple Tenant Site/Center. A commercial or industrial development consisting of two or more separate businesses that share either the same parcel or structure and use common access and parking facilities.
Nonconforming Sign. Any sign which was legally established in conformance with all applicable laws in effect at the time of original installation but which does not conform to the requirements of this chapter or these Regulations.
Noncommercial Sign. Any sign which is intended to convey a noncommercial message including, by way of example and not limitation, commentary on social, political, educational, religious, scientific, artistic, philosophical or charitable subjects. This definition also includes signs regarding fund raising or membership drive activities for noncommercial or nonprofit concerns, entities or groups.
Off-Site Directional Sign. Off-premise directional signs are intended to provide identification for access to property that does not abut a public or private street and relies on an easement over adjacent property for access.
Off-Site Sign. Any sign identifying a use, facility, service, or product which is not located, sold, or manufactured on the same premises as the sign.
On-Site Sign. Any sign identifying a use, facility, service, or product which is located, sold, or manufactured on the same premises as the sign.
Permanent Sign. A sign constructed of durable materials and intended to exist for the duration of time that the use or occupant is located on the premises.
Portable Sign. Any sign that is designed to be transported, including but not limited to signs with wheels removed; with chassis or support constructed without wheels; designed to be transported by trailer or wheels; converted to an A- or T-frame signs; attached temporarily or permanently to the ground, structure, or other signs; and menu and sandwich boards.
Projecting Sign. A sign, other than a wall sign, suspended from, or supported by, a structure and projecting outward.
Property Frontage. The front or frontage is that side of a parcel or development site abutting a public or private street.
Reader Board. A sign designed to allow the changing of copy through manual, mechanical, electronic, or electrical means including time and temperature.
Real Estate Sign. A temporary on-site commercial sign, placed on either residential or nonresidential property, during the time period that some or all of that property is being offered for sale, lease, or rent. Typically used to advertise that a property is for sale, lease, or rent, and provide contact information to inquiring parties.
Roof Sign. A sign constructed upon or over a roof, or placed so as to extend above the edge of the roof.
Sign. All signs as defined in the Uniform Sign Code.
Sign Area. The entire area within a perimeter defined by a continuous line composed of right angles using no more than eight lines which enclose the extreme limits of lettering, logo, trademark, or other graphic representation.
Temporary Sign. Any sign fabricated of paper, plywood, fabric, window whitewash, or other light, impermanent material and intended to be displayed unchanged for a temporary period of time.
Vehicle Sign. A sign which is attached to or painted on a vehicle or trailer which is parked on or adjacent to any property, the principal purpose of which is to attract attention to a product sold or business located on the property.
Wall Sign. A sign which is attached to or painted on the exterior wall of a structure with the display surface of the sign approximately parallel to the building wall.
Window Sign. Any sign posted, painted, placed, or affixed in or on any window exposed to public view. Any interior sign which faces any window exposed to public view and is located within three feet of the window.
(Ord. 2564 §1)
A. Review Required. To ensure compliance with the regulations of this chapter, sign review and approval by the Department shall be required to erect, move, alter, apply, paint, or reconstruct any sign except for signs that are exempt from permits in compliance with Section 19.74.060. Sign approvals are subject to the administrative review provisions of Chapter 19.18 (Site Design and Architectural Review). In most instances, a building permit will be required to erect a sign. In these instances, the permit will be issued by the Public Works Department after review and approval by the Director.
B. Approval of Sign. A sign application shall be approved by the Director, or the architectural review authority for a related project in accordance with Chapter 19.18, provided that the proposed sign is consistent with the provisions of this chapter.
Review of the sign shall include consideration of size, color, material, illumination, location, and other elements of design in compliance with this chapter, including applicable sign design guidelines noted in the City of Chico Design Guidelines Manual and any conditions of approval adopted by the Architectural Review and Historic Preservation Board, Commission, or City Council as part of any approval process.
(Ord. 2443, Ord. 2494 §46)
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