16.38.050 Exemptions From Sign Permits.
Sign permits shall not be required for the signs listed in this section. Exempt signs shall not be included in the determination of the total allowable number of signs or total allowable sign area for a site/use. This section is not intended to exempt signs from building permits or electrical permits.
   A.   Permanent Signs with no Size Limitation:
      1.   Signs located within shopping centers or similar areas where the signs are not visible from any point on the boundary of the premises;
      2.   Official and legal notices required by a court or governmental agency;
      3.   Signs erected and maintained in compliance with and in discharge of a governmental function or required by a law, ordinance or governmental regulation, including signs erected by a public utility; 1
      4.   Signs on licensed commercial vehicles, including trailers; provided, however, that vehicles/trailers shall not be used as parked/stationary outdoor display signs;
      5.   Bench signs and other signs located at designated public transit locations;
      6.   Change of copy within an approved comprehensive sign program that conforms to the provisions of the comprehensive sign program (16.38.060): and
      7.   Change of copy on existing structures.
   B.   Permanent Signs Limited by Maximum Size:
      1.   Occupant name, street number, and street name signs not exceeding two square feet in area per single-family or multi-family unit;
      2.   Signs for commercial, office, and industrial uses not exceeding two square feet and limited to business identification, hours of operation, Address, and emergency contact information;
      3.   Convenience signs solely for the purpose of guiding traffic, parking, and loading on private property, and not bearing advertising materials. Maximum sign area shall be four square feet. Maximum height for freestanding signs shall be four feet. Taller signs may be approved by the director, if visibility will not be impaired;
      4.   Affiliation signs for auto-related uses, motels, and hotels that show notices of services provided or required by law, trade affiliations, credit cards accepted, and the like provided the signs are attached to an otherwise approved sign, or structure. Signs or notices shall not exceed one-half (1/2) square foot in area per sign, and no more than six signs are allowed per business;
      5.   Gasoline pump signs identifying the brand, types, and octane rating provided the signs do not exceed two square feet per pump face;
      6.   Names of structures, commemorative plaques, tables, dates of construction, and the like when carved in stone, concrete, or similar materials or made of bronze, aluminum, or other similar permanent material and mounted permanently on a structure. These signs shall not exceed four square feet and six feet in height; and
      7.   Official flags of a nation, the state of California and other states of the nation, municipalities, and fraternal or religious organizations, provided that the pole height shall not exceed twenty-five feet in residential zones and 50 feet in non-residential zones, and the length of the flag shall not be more than one-quarter (1/4) of the height of the pole. Increase in pole height may be granted by the director when a special circumstance is applicable to the property, such as height of surrounding structures.
   C.   Temporary Signs Limited by Size and Period of Display:
      1.   Real Estate Signs. Real estate signs subject to the owner's permission and the following limitations:
         a.   For single-family dwellings, one (1) sign per street frontage not to exceed four square feet in area and seven feet in height in addition, "open house" signs are allowed when a sales agent or owner is present at the site;
         b.   For multi-family dwellings, one sign per street frontage not to exceed thirty-two (32) square feet and eight feet in height; i
         c.   Individual commercial, office, and industrial properties not located in a commercial center or industrial/business park, one sign per street frontage not to exceed thirty-two (32) square feet per side and eight feet in height;
         d.   Individual tenant spaces within multi-tenant commercial centers, office structures, and industrial subdivisions offered for sale, rent, or lease, one sign per street frontage not to exceed sixteen (16) square feet and eight feet in height. In addition, one sign for each tenant space available not to exceed six square feet to be located at the individual tenant space for rent or lease; and
         e.   For non-residential freeway fronting properties, one sign along freeway frontage not to exceed three hundred and twenty (320) square feet per side and twenty-four (24) feet in height.
      2.   Noncommercial Signs. Temporary noncommercial signs shall be permitted in any zoning district and in any circumstance where a commercial sign is permitted whether on-site or off-site subject to the following provisions:
         a.   Temporary noncommercial signs shall not exceed 120 days per calendar year;
         b.   Temporary noncommercial signs which relate to a specific event (including elections) shall be removed not later than fourteen (14) days following the date of the event (including an election). In commercial zones, the fourteen (14) days are included in the overall 120-day allowance per calendar year;
         c.   Temporary noncommercial signs in commercial zones are subject to the same size and location regulations as permitted commercial signs. Noncommercial signs are additionally permitted in residential zones subject only to the limitations contained in this Section 16.38.050 C. 2., subsections b, d, e, f, and g;
         d.   The subject matter, content or specific language of a temporary noncommercial sign is not subject to review or approval by the city, subject to Section 16.38.080(H);
         e.   In a residential zone, temporary noncommercial signs shall not exceed sixteen (16) square feet in total area per side. No sign shall be placed in a manner that would obstruct visibility of pedestrian or vehicle traffic;
         f.   In a residential zone, temporary noncommercial signs shall not exceed an overall height of eight (8) feet from finished grade; and
         g.   Temporary noncommercial signs in any zone, shall not be within the public right-of-way.
      3.   Business Identification Signs. A maximum of two temporary signs for the identification of a new business until permanent signs can be erected are allowed for a period not to exceed ninety (90) days. One time extension may be granted by the director. Total sign area for two signs is limited to fifty (50) square feet.
      4.   Future Tenant Signs. Future tenant identification signs that provide information about the future use of a property subject to compliance with the following limitations:
         a.   One sign per street frontage. One additional sign is allowed if a project has in excess of five hundred (500) lineal feet of street frontage;
         b.   Signs shall be limited to a maximum of thirty (30) square feet and ten feet in height. Maximum fifty (50) square feet if combined with a construction sign; and
         c.   Signs shall be removed upon occupancy of the site.
      5.   Construction Signs. Construction signs are subject to compliance with the following limitations: .
         a.   One (1) sign per street frontage not to exceed twenty (20) square feet with a maximum height of ten feet. Maximum size of fifty (50) square feet if combined with a future tenant sign; and
         b.   Signs shall be removed upon first occupancy of the site.
      6.   On-site Subdivision Signs. The placement of on-site subdivision signs shall comply with the following standards:
         a.   Signs may contain only the name of the subdivision, name of the developer and/or agent, an identification emblem, sales price, illustrative graphics, and directional message;
         b.   A maximum of two (2) on-site signs may be located within the project;
         c.   The total area of each sign shall not exceed fifty (50) square feet;
         d.   The height of each sign shall not exceed ten feet;
         e.   Signs shall not be illuminated;
         f.   Signs may be displayed one (1) year after the last building permit has been issued or as long as there is an active building permit; and
         g.   Apartment and group housing complexes of thirty (30) units or more shall be considered within the definition of a subdivision for the purpose of this subsection. Small apartment complexes (twenty-nine (29) units or fewer) may display rental/sales signs during construction and for a period of one (1) year following the issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy. One sign per street frontage not to exceed sixteen (16) square feet with a maximum height of six (6) feet.
      7.   Short-Term Vacation Rental Temporary Signs. The placement of on-site short-term vacation rental temporary signs shall comply with the following standards:
         a.   Each short-term vacation rental shall be equipped with no more than one (1) temporary identification sign, not-to-exceed two (2) square feet in area. No other advertising signs promoting or identifying short-term vacation rentals shall be permitted on-site or off-site. The required temporary identification sign shall be posted in a conspicuous location in front of a single-family residential dwelling, or attached to a condominium in a location clearly visible from the street or internal common area. The sign shall be posted for a minimum six (6) hours, and not more than twelve (12) hours, prior to periods of occupancy, and removed within twelve (12) hours of checkout of the unit. The sign shall clearly state the following information in lettering of sufficient size to be easily read:
            i.   The twenty-four (24) hour city short-term vacation rental telephone hotline number;
            ii.   The city’s short-term vacation rental website address;
            iii.   The name of the owner’s authorized agent or representative, or owner of the unit, and the designated local contact person and a telephone number at which that party may be reached on a twenty-four (24) hour, seven (7) day per week basis;
            iv.   The maximum number of occupants permitted to stay in the unit; and
            v.   The maximum number of vehicles allowed to be parked on the property.
(Ord. 561-20, Exhibit B (part), 2020; Ord. 524 Exhibit A, 2017; Ord. 182 § 2 (part), 1997)