(A) Prohibited sign types. The following types of signs are prohibited:
(1) Banner signs, feather banners, yard signs, and inflatable balloon signs, except when used as a temporary sign consistent with § 155.340.090 (Temporary Signs);
(2) Beacon signs and searchlights;
(3) Human directional and advertising signs;
(4) New off-premise signs established after June 20, 2019;
(5) Ticker signs; and
(6) Digital signs, except when allowed consistent with Table 340-9 in § 155.340.070 (Sign Standards).
(B) Prohibited location or placement. Signs with the following location and/or placement characteristics are prohibited:
(1) Signs attached to or placed adjacent to any utility pole, parking meter, traffic signpost, traffic signal or any other traffic-control device, except when installed by a governmental agency;
(2) Signs attached to trees;
(3) Signs erected or maintained with horizontal or vertical clearance from overhead utilities less than required by a governmental agency;
(4) Signs installed without permission of the property owner or the owner’s agent;
(5) Signs mounted or attached to a vehicle parked for the purpose of calling attention to or advertising a business establishment. This prohibition does not limit the use of business logos, identification or advertising on vehicles actively used for business purposes and/or personal transportation;
(6) Signs in the public right-of-way or projecting over a public street which have not received an encroachment permit;
(7) Signs that obstruct or interfere with a traffic- control sign or signal;
(8) Signs that obstruct or interfere with the free use of a fire escape, exit, stairway, door, ventilator or window in violation of the California Building or Fire Code; and
(9) Signs that conflict with § 155.308.040 (Vision Clearance Area) or signs that otherwise interfere with visibility at an intersection, public right-of-way, driveway or other point of ingress/egress. The city may require sign setbacks greater than specified in this section to maintain adequate visibility for motorists and pedestrians.
(C) Prohibited design features. Signs with the following design features and/or physical characteristics are prohibited:
(1) Signs containing mirrors and signs that constitute a traffic hazard due to highly reflective or fluorescent materials;
(2) Signs that simulate in size, color, lettering or design a traffic control sign or signal;
(3) Signs that blink, except chase lighting (see § 155.340.080(H));
(4) Signs that flash, strobe or change intensity;
(5) Signs emitting audible sounds, odor, fumes, smoke, flames or other visible matter; and
(6) Signs that feature a flag, pennant, whirligig or any devices that wave, flutter, rotate or display other movement under the influence of wind.
(D) Prohibited sign content.
(1) The following sign content is prohibited:
(a) Obscene or indecent text or graphics;
(b) Text or graphics that advertise unlawful activity under state or local laws;
(c) Text or graphics that constitute defamation, incitement to imminent lawless action or true threats; and
(d) Text or graphics that present a clear and present danger due to their potential confusion with signs that provide public safety information (for example, signs that use the words “Caution,” “Danger” or comparable words, phrases, symbols or characters in such a manner as to imply a safety hazard that does not exist).
(2) The content prohibited by division (D)(1) above is either not protected by the United States or California Constitutions or is offered limited protection that is outweighed by the substantial governmental interests in protecting the public safety and welfare. It is the intent of the City Council that each subparagraph of division (D)(1) above be individually severable in the event that a court of competent jurisdiction were to hold one or more of them to be inconsistent with the United States or California Constitutions.
(Ord. 885-C.S., passed 5-21-19; Am. Ord. 938-C.S., passed 11-1-22; Am. Ord. 951-C.S., passed 10-17-23)