The following signs may be erected, modified or maintained within OSHD without the permit required by Section 15.152.050 of this chapter.
A. Signs exclusively designed to communicate whether or when a business establishment is open or closed; provided that:
1. The sign does not exceed one square foot in area; and
2. The sign is located in the interior of the building premises.
B. Signs identifying burglar alarms, memberships, awards and parking validations, provided that:
1. Each sign does not exceed one square foot in area; and
2. A business may display only one sign for each of the foregoing categories.
C. Signs exclusively consisting of figures designating the street address of a location, provided that the design of the sign is consistent with Section V (B) of the guidelines entitled "Street Addresses";
D. Signs that are, or substantially replicate, the menu offered in an on-site restaurant; provided that the sign is enclosed in a glassed-in case of historic character, approved in advance by the history manager; with no more than one case to be permitted per historic façade.
E. Real estate signs, provided that:
1. Only one sign may be located on the ground level, and one above balcony level, on a lot or parcel; and no sign shall be attached to the first floor balcony;
2. The area of each sign does not exceed six square feet;
3. The design of each sign shall be black ink on white board; and
4. The sign is removed within seven days after the sale, rental or lease solicited has been accomplished.
F. Political or campaign signs on behalf of candidates for public office or measures on election ballots, provided that each such sign:
1. Is not erected earlier than ninety (90) days prior to the election and is removed within fifteen (15) days after the election; and
2. Does not exceed six square feet in area.
G. Temporary signs informing the public of events held by nonprofit civic, philanthropic, educational or religious organizations, provided that each such sign:
1. Does not in any way advertise a business or a product; and
2. Is not erected earlier than thirty (30) days prior to the event and is removed within three days after the event; and
3. Does not exceed six square feet in area if the event will occur outside OSHD, or does not exceed twenty-five (25) square feet if the event will occur within OSHD.
H. Governmental signs, such as traffic control signs, street signs, danger signs, railroad crossing signs, service signs, and official notices, provided that each sign was posted or erected by public officers or employees in the performance of their governmental duties.
I. Historic signs as defined in Section 15.152.020 of this chapter.
J. Official, or previously official, flags of the state of California, or the United States.
K. Historical plaques or markers designed to inform the public about the historical or architectural significance of a building or object, provided that each such sign shall have been authorized by the history manager and is maintained in the form authorized.
L. Any sign located in the modern-use commercial sign zone described in the guidelines, expressly approved by the Sacramento housing and redevelopment agency or the city's museum and history division prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter and for which a permit was issued by the building division, and which permit was valid on the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter; provided, however, that such sign shall be maintained exactly in the form and location approved, that an identification tag issued by the director of planning or a painted permit number is attached to such sign in a location specified by the history manager; and provided further that any such sign removed from display for thirty (30) days or more shall not be returned to display except with the permit required by Section 15.152.050 of this chapter.
M. Religious symbols, plaques or identification emblems of religious orders, provided that:
1. No such symbol or identification emblem shall exceed four square feet in area; and
2. All such symbols, plaques and identification emblems shall be placed flat against a building.
N. Seasonal decorative lights displayed by the Old Sacramento business improvement area between November 1st and January 15th, provided that the style, location and configuration are approved by the town manager. The business improvement area is described as the area beginning at the intersection of the westerly city limits of the city of Sacramento and the center line of the "I" Street Bridge; thence easterly along the center line of the "I" Street Bridge and Viaduct to its intersection with the continuation of the easterly line of Third Street; thence southerly along said easterly line of Third Street to the point of intersection with the northerly line of Capitol Mall; thence westerly along said northerly line of Capitol Mall to the point of intersection with the westerly city limits to the point of beginning.
O. Help wanted signs eight and one-half inches by eleven (11) inches or less in size. (Ord. 2005-021 § 1; prior code § 3.19.263)