(A) Types of sign permits. The Zoning Code establishes three types of sign permits: administrative sign permits, master sign permits and creative sign permits.
(1) An administrative sign permit is a ministerial approval by the Department to confirm that a proposed sign complies with all applicable standards.
(2) A master sign permit is a discretionary permit reviewed by the Design Review Committee to allow for comprehensive and coordinated signs on large, complex, non-residential multi-tenant sites and to allow some deviation from sign standards where appropriate.
(3) A creative sign permit is a discretionary permit reviewed by the Design Review Committee to allow unique, high-quality signs that deviate from sign standards in this section.
(B) Administrative sign permits.
(1) When required. All new signs require an administrative sign permit, except for:
(a) Signs exempt from permit requirements as identified in § 155.340.030 (Signs Allowed Without Permits);
(b) Signs proposed concurrently as part of a master sign permit application as identified in division (C) below; and
(c) Signs that comply with the requirements of a creative sign permit as identified in division (D) below.
(2) Permit requirements.
(a) Administrative sign permit applications must be submitted using an official Department form accompanied by all fees, information and materials required by the Department.
(b) Department staff will review the proposed sign to verify compliance with applicable standards. If the proposed sign complies with all applicable standards, the Department staff will approve the administrative sign permit. No public notice or hearing is required.
(C) Master sign permit.
(1) Purpose. The purpose of the master sign permit is to provide a coordinated approach to signage for large sites/buildings and non-residential multi-tenant developments, buildings or adjacent/adjoining properties/parcels.
(2) When allowed. Any site greater than one acre, any site with tenant spaces above the first floor, or any non-residential development, building or property with three or more tenants, may request approval of a master sign permit.
(3) Review authority. The Design Review Committee reviews and takes action on master sign permit applications.
(4) Application submittal and review.
(a) Master sign permit applications must be submitted and reviewed in compliance with § 155.408 (Permit Procedures).
(b) Master sign permit applications must be authorized by the property owner/agent.
(5) Master sign program. All master sign permit applications must include a proposed master sign program that identifies the placement, size, materials, type and general design of signs located on a site, including both existing and proposed signs.
(6) Design standards.
(a) A master sign program may allow for variety in the design of individual signs.
(b) A master sign program may not allow prohibited signs as identified in § 155.340.040 (Prohibited Signs) or deviation from digital sign requirements in Table 340-9 (Digital Signs).
(c) A master sign program may allow transfers of maximum sign areas in § 155.340.070 (Sign Standards) between tenants on a site. For example, on a site with ten tenants that each have 20- foot wide frontages, each tenant would be allowed 20 square feet of pole signs. Through a standard administrative sign permit, the area of each sign cannot be transferred from one tenant to another. However, through Design Review Committee approval of a master sign permit, the collective total of 200 square feet of sign area for the entire site can be pooled and then re-allocated between tenants so that one tenant could have 101 square feet and the remaining tenants could each have 11 square feet of sign area.
(d) A master sign program may allow deviation from the total number of signs permitted per site in § 155.340.070 (sign standards). For example, pole signs are limited to one pole sign per site with a standard administrative sign permit. However, through a master sign permit, the example in division (C)(6)(c) above could have two or more pole signs if specifically allowed by the master sign permit approval.
(e)
A master sign program may allow deviation from the maximum size of signs permitted in § 155.340.070 (Sign Standards).
(f) Deviation from any other requirement in this section is not allowed.
(7) Public notice and hearing. The Design Review Committee will review and act on a master sign permit application at a noticed public hearing in compliance with §§ 155.408.080 (Notice of Public Hearing) and 155.408.110 (Public Hearings).
(8) Findings for approval. To approve a master sign permit, the Design Review Committee must make all of the following findings:
(a) Allowed signs are consistent with the General Plan, Zoning Code and any applicable specific plan or area plan adopted by the City Council;
(b) The Master Sign Program features a unified and coordinated approach to the materials, size, type, placement and general design of signs proposed for a project or property;
(c) If deviations from sign standards in § 155.340.070 (Sign Standards) are proposed, the deviations are necessary to accommodate the unique signage needs of the site;
(d) Allowed signs comply with all applicable standards in this section, unless specific deviations are allowed by the Master Sign Program;
(e) The allowed signs will not adversely impact the public health, safety or general welfare;
(f)
The allowed sign sizes are proportionate and appropriate to the building and site where they are located; and
(g) The number, placement, design and material of the allowed signs are compatible with the architectural design of buildings on the site.
(9) Limitations. As a part of the discretionary approval of a master sign permit, the Design Review Committee may require modifications to the proposed Master Sign Program including limits on allowed sign types, height, area, dimensions, placement, materials and other sign design features.
(10) Effect of master sign program.
(a) All tenants and land uses on the site are subject to the requirements of the approved Master Sign Program.
(b) All subsequent signs proposed for a site subject to an approved Master Sign Program must comply with the standards and specifications included in the Master Sign Program.
(c) Subsequent signs consistent with an approved Master Sign Program are allowed with an administrative sign permit.
(d) Signs inconsistent with an approved Master Sign Program require either an amendment to the Master Sign Program or modification of the inconsistent signs.
(e) Approval of a Master Sign Program supersede the regulations of this section. Any aspect of the proposed signs not addressed by the Master Sign Program must be in compliance with this section.
(D) Creative sign permits.
(1) Purpose. A creative sign permit allows for creative signs that deviate from sign standards in this section. Creative sign permits are intended to:
(a) Encourage signs of unique design, and that exhibit a high degree of thoughtfulness, imagination, inventiveness and spirit; and
(b) Allow for creative signs that deviate from the standards in this section while minimizing adverse impacts on neighboring properties and the community at large.
(2) When allowed. A creative sign is allowed for any type of sign in any location in Eureka, except for digital signs, which are allowed only in locations specified in Table 340-9 (Digital Signs).
(3) Review authority. The Design Review Committee reviews and takes action on creative sign permit applications.
(4) Application submittal and review. Creative sign permit applications must be submitted and reviewed in compliance with § 155.408 (Permit Procedures).
(5) Eligible adjustments. A creative sign permit may allow deviation from standards in § 155.340.070 (Sign Standards), excluding standards for digital signs (see Table 340-9) and marquee signs. (See § 155.340.070(E)(3).) Deviation from any other requirement in this section is not allowed.
(6) Design features requiring a creative sign permit. The following sign design features are allowed only with a creative sign permit:
(a) Signs which change color at a frequency of more than one color change per 15 seconds, except for digital signs consistent with Table 340-9 (Digital Signs);
(b) Chase lighting; and
(c) Neon signs that change color or are animated. Neon signs that do not change color or utilize animation are allowed without a creative sign permit.
(7) Digitally-printed signs. A digitally-printed sign may constitute no more than 40% of the total sign area of a sign approved with a creative sign permit.
(8) Public notice and hearing. The Design Review Committee will review and act on a creative sign permit application at a noticed public hearing in compliance with §§ 155.408.080 (Notice of Public Hearing) and 155.408.110 (Public Hearings).
(9) Approval criteria. To approve a creative sign permit, the Design Review Committee must find that the sign meets all of the general design criteria and incorporates three or more of the sign features, materials, and contextual criteria, as provided below.
(a) General design. The sign meets all of the following general design criteria:
1. The sign constitutes a substantial aesthetic improvement to the site and has a positive visual impact on the surrounding area;
2. The sign is of unique design, and exhibits a high degree of thoughtfulness, imagination, inventiveness and spirit;
3. The sign is of a higher creative, artistic and/or sculptural nature than the average sign typically found in Eureka; and
4. The sign provides strong graphic character through the imaginative use of graphics, color, texture, quality materials, scale and proportion.
(b) Sign features, materials and contextual criteria. The sign incorporates three or more of the following:
1. Materials of a higher quality than typically used for signs in Eureka (e.g., stone, sculptural steel, sandblasted wood, gold leaf, hand-painted content with an artistic mural-like component);
2. Projecting, recessed or cut-out text (e.g., push-through illuminated acrylic letters, routed letters, routed metal);
3. Creative and unique use of clearly-visible high-quality landscaping with an area greater than the minimum required for the sign or site, whichever is more;
4. Creative and unique use of lighting (e.g., chase, neon lighting, LED faux neon, a well-coordinated combination of at least three different types of site-appropriate illumination);
5. Clearly visible three-dimensionality where a notable proportion of the structure or form of the sign includes multiple deviations from a parallel plane (e.g., a sphere, a half-sphere, sculptural elements, a fully three-dimensional beer mug);
6. Sign design successfully emulates the architecture of the building (e.g., a sign with roof-like covering that matches the general design of the roof of the building it serves);
7. Highly irregular multi-dimensional sign shape (e.g., a sign that has at least five or more straight sides, a sign that has a few straight sides and multiple variable rounded sides, a sign with an unusually disproportionate height-to-width ratio);
8. At least 50% of the sign area includes custom artistic illustrations;
9. Sign shape includes inventive representation of the use, name or logo of the structure or business (e.g., a fish-shaped sign for a fishing store);
10. Neon and/or LED faux neon signs that emulate movement but do not include chase lighting;
11. Mechanically-animated element(s); and
12. Symbols or imagery relating to timber, commercial fishing, coastal land uses, arts/culture, other factors inherent to Eureka’s identity or to Eureka’s current or historic character.
(10) Limitations. As a part of the discretionary approval of a creative sign permit, the Design Review Committee may require modifications to the proposed creative sign including limits on allowed sign types, area, dimensions, placement, materials and other sign design features.
(E) Encroachment permit. Any sign which projects into the public right-of-way requires approval of an encroachment permit.
(F) City-installed or required signs. Signs installed or required by the city do not require a permit.
(Ord. 885-C.S., passed 5-21-19; Am. Ord. 902 C.-S., passed 8-18-20; Am. Ord. 916-C.S., passed 7-6-21)