The following criteria shall be utilized for permanent advertising displays and signs. Signs shall comply with general design standards as provided here in addition to design standards applicable only to unique sign types are provided in Section 17.52.110 (Special Sign Requirements).
A. Sign type. Signs shall be compatible with the architectural style of the main building or building upon the site where such sign is located. The applicant shall consider construction materials, color, letter style, and other design details in designing an architecturally compatible sign. Multiple signs on any building, or on buildings within the same development, shall have the same primary type of building-attached sign. Signs located on commercial sites but in a predominantly residential area shall be unobtrusive and designed to be compatible with such residential area.
B. Sign illumination. The artificial illumination of signs, either from an internal or external source, shall be designed so as not to cast stray light on surrounding rights-of-way and properties. The following requirements shall apply to all illuminated signs:
1. External light sources shall be directed and shielded to limit direct illumination of an object other than the sign;
2. The light from an illuminated sign shall not be of an intensity or brightness that will create glare or other negative impacts on residential properties in direct line of sight to the sign;
3. Unless otherwise permitted by another requirement of this chapter, signs shall not have blinking, flashing, or fluttering lights, or other illumination devices that have a changing light intensity, brightness, or color;
4. Colored lights shall not be used at a location or in a manner so as to be confused or constructed as traffic control devices;
5. Reflective type bulbs and incandescent lamps that exceed fifteen (15) watts shall not be used on the exterior surface of signs so that the face of the bulb or lamp is exposed to a public right-of-way or adjacent property; and
6. Light sources shall utilize energy-efficient fixtures to the greatest extent possible and shall comply with Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations (California Building Standards Code).
C. Sign copy. The maximum coverage of copy allowed on a sign shall be eighty percent (80%) of the sign face.
D. Sign structure. The sign's supporting structure shall be simple, yet adequate for supporting the sign face. (Ord. 2010-02 § 1 (part), 2010)