Purposes of Sign Controls. | |
Sign Definitions. | |
Exempted Signs. | |
Permits and Conformity Required. | |
Information Required on Advertising Signs. | |
General Advertising Sign Inventories. | |
Public Use Districts. | |
Residential and Residential Enclave Districts. | |
Commercial and Industrial Districts. | |
Neighborhood Commercial and Residential-Commercial Districts. | |
Mixed Use Districts. | |
Special Sign Districts and Signs in Special Use Districts. | |
Near R Districts. | |
Near Schools, Parks, and Recreation Facilities. | |
Civic Center Special Sign Districts. | |
Near Freeways. | |
Near Certain Scenic Streets. | |
Near Rapid Transit Routes. | |
Market Street Special Sign District. | |
Jackson Square Special Sign District. | |
Hospitals and Medical Centers in R Districts Adjacent to or Across the Street from NC, C or M Districts. | |
In the Rincon Hill Downtown Residential Mixed Use District. | |
Vintage Signs. | |
Northeast Waterfront Special Sign District. | |
City Center Special Sign District. | |
2301 Chestnut Street Special Sign District. | |
Amortization Periods. | |
General Advertising Signs Located in R Districts. | |
Within Civic Center Special Sign Districts. | |
Signs Near Nonlandscaped Freeways. | |
Signs Near Landscaped Freeways. | |
Signs Near Certain Scenic Streets. | |
Wind Signs. | |
Miscellaneous Service Station Signs in R Districts. | |
Signs Near Rapid Transit Routes. | |
In the Market Street Special Sign District. | |
In the Jackson Square Special Sign District. | |
On and Near Market Street from the Central Skyway Overpass to Diamond Street. | |
Nonconforming General Advertising Signs in Neighborhood Commercial Districts. | |
In the Northeast Waterfront Special Sign District. | |
Violation of General Advertising Sign Requirements. | |
General Advertising Signs Prohibited. | |
(a) promote the aesthetic and environmental values of San Francisco by providing for signs that serve as effective means of communication and do not impair the attractiveness of the City as a place to live, work, visit, and shop;
(b) protect public investment in and the character and dignity of public buildings, streets, and open spaces;
(c) protect the distinctive appearance of San Francisco which is produced by its unique geography, topography, neighborhoods, street patterns, skyline and architectural features;
(d) ensure that signs are designed and proportioned in relation to the structures to which they are attached, adjacent structures, and the streets on which they are located;
(e) enhance sidewalks as public spaces by preserving sunlight and views, and foster the unobstructed growth of street trees;
(f) provide an environment which will safeguard and enhance neighborhood livability and property values, and promote the development of business in the City;
(g) encourage sound practices and lessen the objectionable effects of competition in respect to size and placement of signs;
(h) aid in the attraction of tourists and other visitors who are so important to the economy of the City and County;
(i) reduce hazards to motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians caused by visual distractions and obstructions; and
(j) thereby promote the public health, safety and welfare.
AMENDMENT HISTORY
The following definitions shall apply to this Article 6, in addition to such definitions elsewhere in this Code as may be appropriate.
Area (of a Sign).
(a) All Signs Except on Windows, Awnings and Marquees. The entire area within a single continuous rectangular perimeter formed by extending lines around the extreme limits of writing, representation, emblem, or any figure of similar character, including any frame or other material or color forming an integral part of the display or used to differentiate such Sign from the background against which it is placed; excluding the necessary supports or uprights on which such Sign is placed but including any Sign Tower. Where a Sign has two or more faces, the area of all faces shall be included in determining the Area of the Sign, except that where two such faces are placed back to back and are at no point more than two feet from one another, the Area of the Sign shall be taken as the area of one face if the two faces are of equal area, or as the area of the larger face if the two faces are of unequal area.
(b) On Windows. The Area of any Sign painted directly on a window shall be the area within a rectangular perimeter formed by extending lines around the extreme limits of writing, representation, or any figure of similar character depicted on the surface of the window. The Area of any Sign placed on or behind the window glass shall be as described above in subsection (a).
(c) On Awnings or Marquees. The Area of any Sign on an Awning or Marquee shall be the total of all signage on all faces of the structure. All sign copy on each face shall be computed within one rectangular perimeter formed by extending lines around the extreme limits of writing, representation, or any figure of similar character depicted on the surface of the face of the awning or marquee.
Attached to a Building. Supported, in whole or in part, by a building.
Business Sign. A Sign which directs attention to the primary business, commodity, service, industry or other activity which is sold, offered, or conducted on the premises upon which such Sign is located, or to which it is affixed. Where a number of businesses, services, industries, or other activities are conducted on the premises, or a number of commodities, services, or other activities with different brand names or symbols are sold on the premises, up to one-third of the area of a Business Sign, or 25 square feet of Sign area, whichever is the lesser, may be devoted to the advertising of one or more of those businesses, commodities, services, industries, or other activities by brand name or symbol as an accessory function of the Business Sign, provided that such advertising is integrated with the remainder of the Business Sign, and provided also that any limits which may be imposed by this Code on the area of individual Signs and the area of all Signs on the property are not exceeded. The primary business, commodity, service, industry, or other activity on the premises shall mean the use which occupies the greatest area on the premises upon which the Business Sign is located, or to which it is affixed.
Directly Illuminated Sign. A Sign designed to give forth artificial light directly (or through transparent or translucent material) from a source of light within such Sign, including but not limited to neon and exposed lamp signs.
Freestanding. In no part supported by a building.
Freeway. A highway, in respect to which the owners of abutting lands have no right or easement of access to or from their abutting lands or in respect to which such owners have only limited or restricted right or easement of access, the precise route for which has been determined and designated as a Freeway by an authorized agency of the State or a political subdivision thereof. The term shall include the main traveled portion of the trafficway and all ramps and appurtenant land and structures. Trans-Bay highway crossings shall be deemed to be Freeways within the meaning of this definition for purposes of this Code.
General Advertising Sign. A Sign, legally erected prior to the effective date of Section 611 of this Code, which directs attention to a business, commodity, industry or other activity which is sold, offered or conducted elsewhere than on the premises upon which the Sign is located, or to which it is affixed, and which is sold, offered or conducted on such premises only incidentally if at all.
Height (of a Sign). The vertical distance from the uppermost point used in measuring the Area of a Sign, as defined in this Section 602, to the ground immediately below such point or to the level of the upper surface of the nearest curb of a Street, Alley or highway (other than a structurally elevated roadway), whichever measurement permits the greater elevation of the Sign.
Historic Movie Theater Projecting Sign. A projecting Business Sign attached to a Qualified Movie Theater, as defined in Section 188(e)(1), when such sign was originally constructed in association with the Qualified Movie Theater or similar historic use. Such Signs are typically characterized by (a) perpendicularity to the primary facade of the building, (b) fixed display of the name of the establishment, often in large lettering descending vertically throughout the length of the Sign; (c) a narrow width that extends for a majority of the vertical distance of a building’s facade, typically terminating at or slightly above the Roofline, and (d) an overall scale and nature such that the Sign comprises a significant and character defining architectural feature of the building to which it is attached. Elimination or change of any lettering or other inscription from a Historic Movie Theater Projecting Sign, such as that which may occur with a change of ownership, change of use, or closure does not preclude classification of the Sign under this Section. For specific controls on the preservation, rehabilitation, or restoration of these signs, refer to Section 188(e) of this Code.
Historic Movie Theater Marquee. A Marquee, as defined in Section 102, attached to a Qualified Movie Theater, as defined in Section 188(e)(1), when such Marquee was originally constructed in association with a Movie Theater or similar historic use. Elimination or change of any lettering or other inscription from a Historic Movie Theater Marquee, such as that which may occur with a change of ownership, change of use or closure, does not preclude classification of the Marquee under this Section. For specific controls on the preservation, rehabilitation, or restoration of these Signs, refer to Section 188(e) of this Code.
Historic Sign. An Historic Sign is any Sign identified on its own or as one of the character defining features of a property listed or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places or the California Register of Historical Resource, or designated in any manner under Articles 10 or 11 of the Planning Code.
Identifying Sign. A Sign for a use listed in Article 2 of this Code as either a principal or a conditional use permitted in an R District, regardless of the district in which the use itself may be located, which Sign serves to tell only the name, address, and lawful use of the premises upon which the Sign is located, or to which it is affixed. With respect to shopping malls containing five or more stores or establishments in NC Districts, and shopping centers containing five or more stores or establishments in NC-S Districts or in the City Center Special Sign District, Identifying Signs shall include Signs which tell the name of and/or describe aspects of the operation of the mall or center. Shopping malls, as that term is used in this Section, are characterized by a common pedestrian passageway which provides access to the businesses located therein.
Indirectly Illuminated Sign. A Sign illuminated with a light directed primarily toward such Sign and so shielded that no direct rays from the light are visible elsewhere than on the lot where said illumination occurs. If not effectively so shielded, such sign shall be deemed to be a Directly Illuminated Sign.
Landscaped Freeway. Any part of a Freeway that is now or hereafter classified by the State or a political subdivision thereof as a Landscaped Freeway, as defined in the California Outdoor Advertising Act. Any part of a Freeway that is not so designated shall be deemed a nonlandscaped Freeway.
Nameplate. A sign affixed flat against a wall of a building and serving to designate only the name or the name and professional occupation of a person or persons residing in or occupying space in such building.
Neon Sign. A Sign that is illuminated through the use of noble gas in a vacuum-sealed glass tube.
Nonilluminated Sign. A Sign which is not illuminated, either directly or indirectly.
Projection. The horizontal distance by which the furthermost point used in measuring the Area of a Sign, as defined in this Section 602, extends beyond a Street Property Line or a building setback line. A Sign placed flat against a wall of a building parallel to a Street or Alley shall not be deemed to project for purposes of this definition. A Sign on an Awning, Canopy or Marquee shall be deemed to project to the extent that such Sign extends beyond a Street Property Line or a building setback line.
Roofline. The upper edge of any building wall or parapet, exclusive of any Sign Tower.
Roof Sign. A Sign or any portion thereof erected or painted on or over the roof covering any portion of a building, and either supported on the roof or on an independent structural frame or Sign Tower, or located on the side or roof of a penthouse, roof tank, roof shed, elevator housing or other roof structure.
Sale or Lease Sign. A Sign which serves only to indicate with pertinent information the availability for sale, lease or rental of the lot or building on which it is placed, or some part thereof.
Sign. Any structure, part thereof, or device or inscription which is located upon, attached to, or painted, projected or represented on any land or right-of-way, or on the outside of any building or structure including an Awning, Canopy, Marquee or similar appendage, or affixed to the glass on the outside or inside of a window so as to be seen from the outside of the building, and which displays or includes any numeral, letter, word, model, banner, emblem, insignia, symbol, device, light, trademark, or other representation used as, or in the nature of, an announcement, advertisement, attention-arrester, direction, warning, or designation by or of any person, firm, group, organization, place, commodity, product, service, business, profession, enterprise or industry.
A “Sign” is composed of those elements included in the Area of the Sign as defined in this Section 602, and in addition the supports, uprights and framework of the display. Except in the case of General Advertising Signs, two or more faces shall be deemed to be a single Sign if such faces are contiguous on the same plane, or are placed back to back to form a single structure and are at no point more than two feet from one another. Also, on Awnings or Marquees, two or more faces shall be deemed to be a single Sign if such faces are on the same Awning or Marquee structure.
Sign Tower. A tower, whether attached to a building, Freestanding, or an integral part of a building, which is erected for the primary purpose of incorporating a Sign, or having a Sign attached thereto.
Street Property Line. For purposes of this Article 6 only, “street property line” shall mean any line separating private property from either a Street or an Alley.
Video Sign. A Sign that displays, emits, or projects or is readily capable of displaying, emitting or projecting a visual representation or image; an animated video, visual representation, or image; or other video image of any kind onto a building, fabric, screen, sidewalk, wall, or other surface through a variety of means, including, but not limited to: camera; computer; digital cinema, imaging, or video; electronic display; fiber optics; film; internet; intranet; light emitting diode screen or video display; microprocessor or microcontrolled based systems; picture frames; plasma display; projector; satellite; scrolling display; streaming video; telephony; television; VHS; wireless transmission; or other technology that can transmit animated or video images.
Wall Sign. A Sign painted directly on the wall or placed flat against a building wall with its copy parallel to the wall to which it is attached and not protruding more than the thickness of the sign cabinet.
Wind Sign. Any Sign composed of one or more banners, flags, or other objects, mounted serially and fastened in such a manner as to move upon being subjected to pressure by wind or breeze.
Window Sign. A Sign painted directly on the surface of a window glass or placed behind the surface of a window glass.
(Added by Ord. 263-65, App. 10/22/65; amended by Ord. 125-70, App. 4/14/70; Ord. 234-72, App. 8/18/72; Ord. 69-87, App. 3/13/87; Ord. 276-98, App. 8/28/98; Proposition G, 3/5/2002; Ord. 28-02, File No. 011962, App. 3/15/2002; Ord. 242-08, File No. 071431, App. 10/30/2008; Ord. 140-11, File No. 110482, App. 7/5/2011, Eff. 8/4/2011; Ord. 195-11, File No. 110448, App. 10/4/2011, Eff. 11/3/2011; Res. 319-14, File No. 140821, App. 8/7/2014; Ord. 20-15, File No. 110548, App. 2/20/2015, Eff. 3/22/2015; Ord. 217-16, File No. 160424, App. 11/10/2016, Eff. 12/10/2016; Ord. 218-16, File No. 160553, App. 11/10/2016, Eff. 12/10/2016; Ord. 206-22, File No. 220643, App. 10/6/2022, Eff. 11/6/2022)
AMENDMENT HISTORY
Section header amended; section amended in its entirety; Ord. 217-16, Eff. 12/10/2016 (for the legislative history of prior definition provisions, see the Editor’s Note below). See individual definitions for subsequent amendment history notes.
As part of its amendments to this Code, by Ord. 217-16, consolidated the Art. 6 definitions into a single section, Sec. 602 above. Previously, Art. 6 definitions had been codified under separate section numbers. For the purpose of retaining the legislative history of the now superseded Art. 6 definition provisions, the terms formerly defined in the Article are set forth below, along with their history notes as they existed immediately prior to the effectiveness of Ord. 217-16.
SEC. 602.1 AREA (OF A SIGN).
(See Interpretations related to this Section.)
(Added by Ord. 263-65, App. 10/22/65; amended by Ord. 69-87, App. 3/13/87)
SEC. 602.2 ATTACHED TO A BUILDING.
(Added by Ord. 263-65, App. 10/22/65)
SEC. 602.3 BUSINESS SIGN.
SEC. 602.4 DIRECTLY ILLUMINATED SIGN.
(Added by Ord. 263-65, App. 10/22/65)
SEC. 602.5 FREESTANDING.
(Added by Ord. 263-65, App. 10/22/65)
SEC. 602.6 FREEWAY.
(Added by Ord. 263-65, App. 10/22/65)
SEC. 602.7 GENERAL ADVERTISING SIGN.
(See Interpretations related to this Section.)
(Added by Ord. 263-65, App. 10/22/65; amended by Proposition G, 3/5/2002)
SEC. 602.8 HEIGHT (OF A SIGN).
(Amended by Ord. 234-72, App. 8/18/72)
SEC. 602.9 HISTORIC SIGNS AND HISTORIC SIGN DISTRICTS.
(Added by Ord. 276-98, App. 8/28/98)
SEC. 602.10 IDENTIFYING SIGN.
(Added by Ord. 263-65, App. 10/22/65; amended by Ord. 69-87, App. 3/13/87; Ord. 276-98, App. 8/28/98; Ord. 195-11, File No. 110448, App. 10/4/2011, Eff. 11/3/2011)
SEC. 602.11 INDIRECTLY ILLUMINATED SIGN.
(Added by Ord. 263-65, App. 10/22/65; amended by Ord. 276-98, App. 8/28/98)
SEC. 602.12 LANDSCAPED FREEWAY.
(Added by Ord. 263-65, App. 10/22/65; amended by Ord. 276-98, App. 8/28/98)
SEC. 602.13 NAME PLATE.
(Added by Ord. 263-65, App. 10/22/65; amended by Ord. 276-98, App. 8/28/98)
SEC. 602.14 NONILLUMINATED SIGN.
(See Interpretations related to this Section.)
(Added by Ord. 263-65, App. 10/22/65; amended by Ord. 276-98, App. 8/28/98)
SEC. 602.15 PROJECTION.
(Added by Ord. 263-65, App. 10/22/65; amended by Ord. 276-98, App. 8/28/98)
SEC. 602.16 ROOFLINE.
(Added by Ord. 263-65, App. 10/22/65; amended by Ord. 276-98, App. 8/28/98)
SEC. 602.17 ROOF SIGN.
(Added by Ord. 263-65, App. 10/22/65; amended by Ord. 276-98, App. 8/28/98)
SEC. 602.18 SALE OR LEASE SIGN.
(See Interpretations related to this Section.)
(Added by Ord. 263-65, App. 10/22/65; amended by Ord. 276-98, App. 8/28/98)
SEC. 602.19 SIGN.
(See Interpretations related to this Section.)
(See Interpretations related to this Section.)
(Amended by Ord. 125-70, App. 4/14/70; Ord. 69-87, App. 3/13/87; Ord. 276-98, App. 8/28/98)
SEC. 602.20 SIGN TOWER.
(Added by Ord. 263-65, App. 10/22/65; amended by Ord. 276-98, App. 8/28/98)
SEC. 602.21 STREET PROPERTY LINE.
(See Interpretations related to this Section.)
(Added by Ord 263-65, App. 10/22/65; amended by Ord. 276-98, App. 8/28/98)
SEC. 602.21A VIDEO SIGN.
(Added by Ord. 28-02, File No. 011962, App. 3/15/2002)
SEC. 602.22 WALL SIGN.
(Amended by Ord. 125-70, App. 4/14/70; Ord. 69-87, App. 3/13/87; Ord. 276-98, App. 8/28/98)
SEC. 602.23 WIND SIGN.
(See Interpretations related to this Section.)
(Added by Ord. 69-87, App. 3/13/87; amended by Ord. 276-98, App. 8/28/98)
SEC. 602.24 WINDOW SIGN.
(Added by Ord. 69-87, App. 3/13/87; amended by Ord. 276-98, App. 8/28/98; Ord. 20-15, File No. 110548, App. 2/20/2015, Eff. 3/22/2015)
SEC. 602.25 HISTORIC MOVIE THEATER PROJECTING SIGN.
(Added by Ord. 242-08, File No. 071431, App. 10/30/2008; amended by Ord. 140-11, File No. 110482, App. 7/5/2011, Eff. 8/4/2011)
SEC. 602.26 HISTORIC MOVIE THEATER MARQUEE.
(Added by Ord. 242-08, File No. 071431, App. 10/30/2008; amended by Ord. 140-11, File No. 110482, App. 7/5/2011, Eff. 8/4/2011)
(See Interpretations related to this Section.)
Nothing in this Article 6 shall apply to any of the following signs:
(a) Noncommercial Signs, including but not limited to
(1) Official public notices, and notices posted by public officers in performance of their duties;
(2) Governmental signs for control of traffic and other regulatory purposes, street signs, danger signs, railroad crossing signs, and signs of public service companies indicating danger and aids to service or safety;
(3) Temporary display posters, without independent structural support, in connection with political campaigns and with civic noncommercial health, safety, and welfare campaigns;
(4) Flags, emblems, insignia, and posters of any nation or political subdivision, and temporary displays of a patriotic, religious, charitable, or other civic character;
(5) House numbers, whether illuminated or not, “no trespassing,” “no parking,” and other warning signs;
(6) Commemorative plaques placed or provided by recognized historical agencies;
(7) Religious symbols;
(8) Information plaques or signs which identify to the public open space resources, architectural features, creators of artwork, or otherwise provide information required by this Code or by other City agencies, or an identifying sign which directs the general public and/or patrons of a particular establishment to open space or parking resources.
(b) Signs within a stadium, open-air theater, or arena which are designed primarily to be viewed by patrons within such stadium, open-air theater, or arena;
(c) Two General Advertising Signs each not exceeding 24 square feet in area on either a transit shelter or associated advertising kiosk furnished by contract with the Municipal Transportation Agency or predecessor agency for the Municipal Railway in RTO, RTO-M, RM-2, RM-3, RM-4, RC, NC, C, M, PDR, Eastern Neighborhoods Mixed Use Districts, and in those P Districts where such Signs would not adversely affect the character, harmony, or visual integrity of the district as determined by the Planning Commission; eight General Advertising Signs each not exceeding 24 square feet in area on transit shelters located on publicly owned property on a high level Municipal Railway boarding platform in an RH-1D District adjacent to a C-2 District, provided that such advertising signs solely face the C-2 District; up to three double-sided General Advertising Signs each not exceeding 24 square feet in area on or adjacent to transit shelters on publicly owned high level Municipal Railway boarding platforms along The Embarcadero south of the Ferry Building, up to six double-sided panels at 2nd and King Streets, and up to four double-sided panels at 4th and King Streets; up to two double-sided panels not exceeding 24 square feet in area on each low-level boarding platform at the following E-Line stops: Folsom Street and The Embarcadero, Brannan Street and The Embarcadero, 2nd and King Streets, and 4th and King Streets; and a total of 71 double-sided General Advertising Signs each not exceeding 24 square feet in area on or adjacent to transit shelters on 28 publicly owned high level Municipal Railway boarding platforms serving the Third Street Light Rail Line. Each advertising sign on a low-level or high-level boarding platform shall be designed and sited in such a manner as to minimize obstruction of public views from pedestrian walkways and/or public open space.
Notwithstanding the above, no Sign shall be placed on any transit shelter or associated advertising kiosk located on any sidewalk which shares a common boundary with any property under the jurisdiction of the Recreation and Park Commission, with the exception of Justin Herman Plaza; on any sidewalk on Zoo Road; on Skyline Boulevard between Sloat Boulevard and John Muir Drive; on John Muir Drive between Skyline Boulevard and Lake Merced Boulevard; or on Lake Merced Boulevard on the side of Harding Park Municipal Golf Course, or on any sidewalk on Sunset Boulevard between Lincoln Way and Lake Merced Boulevard; on any sidewalk on Legion of Honor Drive; or in the Civic Center Special Sign Districts as established in Section 608.3 of this Code.
(d) Two General Advertising Signs each not exceeding 52 square feet in area on a public service kiosk furnished by contract with the Department of Public Works which contract also provides for the installation and maintenance of automatic public toilets. Each such public service kiosk shall be divided into three sections, one of which shall provide a public service, such as a newsstand, newsrack, map, public telephone, vending machine, display of public service information, or interactive video terminal.
(e) Advertising placed on fixed pedestal newsrack units in accordance with Section 184.12 of the Public Works Code.
(Amended by Ord. 77-85, App. 2/19/85; Ord. 69-87, App. 3/13/87; Ord. 114-89, App. 4/14/89; Ord. 115-90, App. 4/6/90; Ord. 262-94, App. 7/15/94; Ord. 285-94, App. 8/2/94; Ord. 32-97, App. 2/7/97; Ord. 340-98, App. 11/13/98; Ord. 278-06, File No. 061210, App. 11/17/2006; Ord. 72-08, File No. 071157, App. 4/3/2008; Ord. 242-08, File No. 071431, App. 10/30/2008; Ord. 298-08, File No. 081153, App. 12/19/2008; Ord. 228-12
, File No. 120220, App. 11/14/2012, Eff. 12/14/2012; amended by Ord. 218-16, File No. 160553, App. 11/10/2016; Eff. 12/10/2016; Ord. 296-18, File No. 180184, App. 12/12/2018, Eff. 1/12/2019; Ord. 63-20, File No. 200077, App. 4/24/2020, Eff. 5/25/2020)
AMENDMENT HISTORY
Division (k) amended; Ord. 228-12
, Eff. 12/14/2012. Divisions (h), (i), (k), and (l) deleted; divisions (a), (a)(7), and (a)(8) added; former divisions (a)–(f) amended and redesignated as divisions (a)(1)–(a)(6); former divisions (g), (j), and (m)–(o) amended and redesignated as divisions (b)–(f); Ord. 218-16, Eff. 12/10/2016. Division (c) amended; Ord. 296-18, Eff. 1/12/2019. Division (f) amended; Ord. 63-20, Eff. 5/25/2020.
(See Interpretations related to this Section.)
(a) Approval of Application. An application for a permit for a sign that conforms to the provisions of this Code shall be approved by the Planning Department without modification or disapproval by the Planning Department or the Planning Commission, pursuant to the authority vested in them by Section 26 of the Business and Tax Regulations Code or any other provision of said Municipal Code; provided, however, that applications pertaining to (1) signs subject to the regulations set forth in Article 10 of the Planning Code, Preservation of Historical, Architectural and Aesthetic Landmarks, Article 11, Preservation of Buildings and Districts of Architectural, Historical and Aesthetic Importance in the C-3 Districts and Historic Signs and Vintage Signs as defined in Section 602 may be disapproved pursuant to the relevant provisions thereof, and (2) preservation, restoration, rehabilitation, or reconstruction of Historic Movie Theater Projecting Signs or Historic Movie Theater Marquees as set forth in Section 188(e) may be modified or disapproved subject to applicable sections of the General Plan, this Code, relevant design guidelines, Department or Commission policy, or the Secretary of the Interior Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. No sign, other than those signs exempted by Section 603 of this Code, shall be erected, placed, replaced, reconstructed or relocated on any property, intensified in illumination or other aspect, or expanded in area or in any dimension except in conformity with Article 6 of this Code. No such erection, placement, replacement, reconstruction, relocation, intensification, or expansion shall be undertaken without a permit having been duly issued therefor, except as specifically provided otherwise in this Section 604.
(b) Applicability of Section. The provisions of this Section 604 shall apply to work of the above types on all signs unless specifically exempted by this Code, whether or not a permit for such sign is required under the San Francisco Building Code. In cases in which permits are not required under the Building Code, applications for permits shall be filed with the Central Permit Bureau of the Department of Building Inspection on forms prescribed by the Planning Department, together with a permit fee of $5.00 for each sign, and the permit number shall appear on the completed sign in the same manner as required by the Building Code.
(c) Sign Painted on Door or Window. No permit shall be required under this Code for a sign painted or repainted directly on a door or window except for such signs in P and Residential Districts. Repainting of any painted sign that does require a permit shall be deemed to be a replacement of the sign, except as provided in Subsection (f) below.
(d) Ordinary Maintenance and Repairs. Except as provided in Subsection (c) above, no permit shall be required under this Code for ordinary maintenance and minor repairs which do not involve replacement, alteration, reconstruction, relocation, intensification or expansion of the sign.
(e) Temporary Sale or Lease Signs. No permit shall be required under this Code for temporary sale or lease signs, temporary signs of persons and firms connected with work on buildings under actual construction or alteration, and temporary business signs, to the extent that such signs are permitted by this Code.
(f) Change of Copy. A mere change of copy on a sign the customary use of which involves frequent and periodic changes of copy shall not be subject to the provisions of this Section 604, except that a change from general advertising to nongeneral advertising sign copy or from nongeneral advertising to general advertising sign copy or an increase in area including, but not limited to, any extensions in the form of writing, representation, emblem or any figure of similar character shall in itself constitute a new sign subject to the provisions of this Section 604. In the case of signs the customary use of which does not involve frequent and periodic changes of copy, and except as provided in subsection (m), below, a change of copy shall in itself constitute a new sign subject to the provisions of this Section 604 if the new copy concerns a different person, firm, group, organization, place, commodity, product, service, business, profession, enterprise or industry.
(g) Scaled Drawing. Each application for a permit for a sign shall be accompanied by a scaled drawing of the sign, including the location of the sign on the building or other structure or on the lot, and including (except in the case of a sign the customary use of which involves frequent and periodic changes of copy) such designation of the copy as is needed to determine that the location, area and other provisions of this Code are met.
(h) Nonconforming Signs; Replacement, Alteration, Reconstruction, Relocation, Intensification, or Expansion. Unless otherwise provided in this Code or in other Codes or regulations, a lawfully existing sign which fails to conform to the provisions of this Article 6 shall be brought into conformity when the activity for which the sign has been posted ceases operation or moves to another location, when a new building is constructed, or at the end of the sign’s normal life. Such sign may not, however, be replaced, altered, reconstructed, relocated, intensified, or expanded in area or in any dimension except in conformity with the provisions of this Code, including subsection (i) below. Ordinary maintenance and minor repairs shall be permitted, but such maintenance and repairs shall not include replacement, alteration, reconstruction, relocation, intensification, or expansion of the sign; provided, however, that alterations of a structural nature required to reinforce a part or parts of a lawfully existing sign to meet the standards of seismic loads and forces of the Building Code, to replace a damaged or weathered signboard, to ensure safe use and maintenance of that sign, to remediate hazardous materials, or any combination of the above alterations shall be considered ordinary maintenance and shall be allowed. A sign which is damaged or destroyed by fire or other calamity shall be governed by the provisions of Sections 181(d) and 188(b) of this Code.
A sign which is voluntarily destroyed or removed by its owner or which is required by law to be removed may be restored only in full conformity with the provisions of this Code, except as authorized in subsection (i) below. A general advertising sign that has been removed shall not be reinstalled, replaced, or reconstructed at the same location, and the erection, construction, and/or installation of a general advertising sign at that location to replace the previously existing sign shall be deemed to be a new sign in violation of Section 611(a) of this Code; provided, however, that such reinstallation, replacement, or reconstruction pursuant to a permit duly issued prior to the effective date of this requirement shall not be deemed a violation of Section 611(a) and shall be considered a lawfully existing nonconforming general advertising sign; and further provided that this prohibition shall not prevent a general advertising sign from being relocated to that location pursuant to a Relocation Agreement and conditional use authorization under Sections 611 and 303(k) of this Code and Section 2.21 of the Administrative Code.
A nonconforming Neon Sign may be physically detached from the building for any required repairs or maintenance, except that such maintenance or repairs shall not include replacement, reconstruction, relocation, intensification, or expansion of the Neon Sign. After the off-site repair or maintenance work is complete, the Neon Sign may be reinstalled at the premises in the same location where the Neon Sign was previously affixed, so long as such replacement is completed within 18 months of removal.
(i) Business Signs. When the activity for which a business sign has been posted has ceased operation for more than 90 days, all signs pertaining to that business activity shall be removed after that time. A lawfully existing business that is relocating to a new location within 300 feet of its existing location within the North Beach Neighborhood Commercial District described in Section 722 of this Code may move to the new location within said North Beach Neighborhood Commercial District one existing business sign together with its associated sign structure, whether or not the sign is nonconforming in its new location; provided, however, that the sign is not intensified or expanded in area or in any dimension except in conformity with the provisions of this Code. With the approval of the Zoning Administrator, however, the sign structure may be modified to the extent mandated by the Building Code. In no event may a painted sign or a sign with flashing, blinking, fluctuating or other animated light be relocated unless in conformity with current code requirements applicable to its new location. In addition, the provisions of Articles 10 and 11 of this Code shall apply to the relocation of any sign to a location regulated by the provisions of said Articles.
(j) Nothing in this Article 6 shall be deemed to permit any use of property that is otherwise prohibited by this Code, or to permit any sign that is prohibited by the regulations of any special sign district or the standards or procedures of any Redevelopment Plan or any other Code or legal restriction.
(k) Public Areas. No sign shall be placed upon any public street, alley, sidewalk, public plaza or right-or-way, or in any portion of a transit system, except such projecting signs as are otherwise permitted by this Code and signs, structures, and features as are specifically approved by the appropriate public authorities under applicable laws and regulations and under such conditions as may be imposed by such authorities.
(l) Maintenance. Every sign shall be adequately maintained in its appearance. When the activity for which a business sign has been posted has ceased operation for more than 90 days, all signs pertaining to that business activity shall be removed after that time.
(m) Existing Signs in the C-3 Zoning District and portions of the C-2 Zoning District. A change of copy on existing signs the customary use of which does not involve frequent and periodic changes of copy within (1) the C-3 zoning district, (2) a C-2 zoning district that is east of or fronting Franklin Street/13th Street and north of Townsend Street, or (3) a C-2 zoning district that is also within the Stonestown SSD shall not be considered a new sign for purposes of subsection (f) so long as a permit is sought and approved subject to the provisions of this Section 604 or a more restrictive provision in a special sign district in Section 608 et seq., provided that a change from general advertising to nongeneral advertising sign copy or from nongeneral advertising to general advertising sign copy or an increase in area including, but not limited to, any extensions in the form of writing, representation, emblem or any figure of similar character shall in itself constitute a new sign subject to the provisions of this Section 604. Consistent with Section 608, this provision shall control over any conflicting, more restrictive provision in a special sign district.
(Amended by Ord. 414-85, App. 9/17/85; Ord. 69-87, App. 3/13/87; Ord. 172-97, App. 5/9/97; Ord. 276-98, App. 8/28/98; Ord. 140-06, File No. 052921, App. 6/22/2006; Ord. 242-08, File No. 071431, App. 10/30/2008; Ord. 235-14
, File No. 140844, App. 11/26/2014, Eff. 12/26/2014; Ord. 20-15, File No. 110548, App. 2/20/2015, Eff. 3/22/2015; Ord. 188-15
, File No. 150871, App. 11/4/2015, Eff. 12/4/2015; Ord. 202-18, File No. 180557, App. 8/10/2018, Eff. 9/10/2018; Ord. 122-23, File No. 230371, App. 7/5/2023, Eff. 8/5/2023; Ord. 159-23, File No. 230732, App. 7/28/2023, Eff. 8/28/2023; Ord. 204-24, File No. 240409, App. 8/1/2024, Eff. 9/1/2024, Oper. 9/1/2024)
AMENDMENT HISTORY
Reference amended in division (h); Ord. 235-14
, Eff. 12/26/2014. Divisions (a)-(i) amended; divisions (k) and (l) added; Ord. 20-15, Eff. 3/22/2015. Division (c) amended; Ord. 188-15
, Eff. 12/4/2015. Divisions (a) and (i) amended; Ord. 202-18, Eff. 9/10/2018. Division (h) amended; division (m) added; Ord. 122-23, Eff. 8/5/2023. Division (h) amended; division (m) added and amended; Ord. 159-23, Eff. 8/28/2023. Divisions (f) and (m) amended; Ord. 204-24, Eff. 9/1/2024.
(a) Information Required on General Advertising Signs. Each general advertising sign authorized by this Code shall bear the following information:
(1) an imprint identifying the name of the sign company;
(2) the permit number; and
(3) the permitted sign dimensions.
This information shall be imprinted and maintained on the face or edge of the sign. Electric signs may have an approved metal tag attached to them instead of imprinted characters. See also requirements specified in Section 3102F.2 of the San Francisco Building Code.
The required text size shall be:
(i) a minimum of 2 inches in height for general advertising signs of 100 square feet or less;
(ii) a minimum of 4 inches in height for general advertising signs of 101 square feet to 500 square feet; and
(iii) a minimum of 8 inches in height for general advertising signs of over 500 square feet.
(b) New Signs; When Required. The information required by Subsection (a) shall be provided on each new general advertising sign or whenever a new permit is required, and must be kept accurate and maintained regardless of change of text or graphics.
(c) Existing Signs; When Required. The information required by Subsection (a) shall be included on each existing general advertising sign within twelve months of the effective date of this legislation. If no permit can be located within the 12-month period, the Director of Planning shall grant one six-month extension to allow the owner of the sign to apply for and obtain the in-lieu identifying number referred to below in this Subsection (c).
Where no permit can be located for a general advertising sign but the Director of the Planning Department concludes, based on evidence submitted to or possessed by the Planning Department, that the sign likely was legally authorized at the time it was installed at its current location, the Department shall issue an identifying number in lieu of a permit number and the sign shall be considered a lawful nonconforming use under Section 604(h) of this Code. This identifying number shall be imprinted and maintained on the sign in lieu of the permit number required by Subsection 604.1(a) above. The Director's conclusion concerning the legality or illegality of the sign and the rationale supporting that conclusion shall be set forth in writing and mailed to the applicant.
(d) Violations; Additional Penalty. Failure to comply with these requirements shall be deemed to be a violation of Article 6 and subject to the penalties for violation set forth in this Article 6 or elsewhere in this Code. If the Director of Planning determines that the information provided on the sign, as required by Subsection (a), is knowingly false, inaccurate or misleading, an additional penalty of $1,000.00 a day may be imposed by the Director on the sign company in addition to the other penalties set forth in this Article 6 or elsewhere in this Code.
(Added by Ord. 73-01, File No. 002196, App. 5/18/2001; amended by Ord. 232-02, File No. 021727, App. 12/20/2002)
(a) Submission of Initial Sign Inventory. Within 60 days of the effective date of this Section, any general advertising sign company that owns a general advertising sign located in the City shall submit to the Department a current, accurate, and complete inventory of its general advertising signs together with the inventory processing fee required by subsection (f) below. Any general advertising company that commences ownership of one or more general advertising signs located in the City after the effective date of this Section shall submit an inventory together with the inventory processing fee within 60 days after its commences such ownership whether or not the signs on the inventory have previously been reviewed by the Department in its review of the inventory of a previous owner.
(b) All Signs to be Included in the Inventory; Inclusion Not Evidence of Legality. The inventory shall identify all general advertising signs located within the City that the general advertising company owns and/or operates under a lease, license or other agreement whether or not those signs can be proved to be lawfully existing. Inclusion of a sign on the inventory shall not be considered evidence that a sign is lawfully existing.
For purposes of this Section, a "general advertising sign company" shall mean an entity that owns a general advertising sign structure, as distinguished from the person or entity that owns the property on which the sign is located.
(c) The initial sign inventory required by subsection (a) above shall include a site map that shows the location of all signs identified in the inventory, and shall provide the following information for each sign:
(1) The location of the sign by street address, by block and lot, and by nearest intersection;
(2) A photograph of the sign in its existing location on the lot, specifically identifying the sign;
(3) The date of original erection or installation of the sign, if known;
(4) The permit number or in-lieu identifying number issued by the Department pursuant to Section 604.1(c) of this Code;
(5) The approved and existing area, dimensions, height, and any other special features of the sign such as illumination or movement;
(6) The type of sign, as defined in Section 602 of this Code;
(7) Evidence that the sign has not been removed and still exists at the authorized location, and that the sign company is the owner of the sign structure;
(8) Permit number and, in the case of subsequent modifications of the sign, including, but not limited to, illumination, permit application number or permit number;
(9) Evidence that the sign still is in use for general advertising; and
(10) Information, if known, whether the sign had a prior use as a non-general advertising sign, including, but not limited to, a business sign or exempt sign, and the duration of such prior use.
(d) Affidavit. The general advertising sign company shall submit with the inventory an affidavit signed under penalty of perjury by a duly authorized officer or owner of the sign company stating that:
(1) The sign inventory and site map are current, accurate, and complete to the best of his or her knowledge;
(2) The officer or owner believes, after the exercise of reasonable and prudent inquiry, that all signs on the inventory have been erected or installed with an appropriate City permit or have an in-lieu identifying number granted by the Director of Planning;
(3) The general advertising sign company is the owner of all sign structures listed on the inventory.
(e) Inventory Update. Any general advertising sign company that has submitted an initial sign inventory pursuant to subsection (a) above shall be responsible for keeping its inventory updated by reporting in writing to the Department the sale or removal of any general advertising sign identified in the inventory, the purchase of a sign from another sign company or owner, or the relocation of a sign pursuant to a Relocation Agreement and conditional use authorization. Such reporting to the Department shall be made within 30 days of the actual sale, removal, purchase, or relocation of the sign. The fee charged to a sign company for an update to its initial sign inventory shall be the fee per sign structure set forth in Section 358 of this Code.
(f) Inventory Processing Fee. With the submission of the initial sign inventory required by subsection (a) above, the general advertising sign company shall pay the inventory processing fee set forth in Section 358 of this Code. After payment of this initial inventory processing fee, the general advertising sign company shall annually pay an inventory maintenance fee as set forth in Section 358. The Department shall use the inventory processing fee solely for the following purposes:
(1) To compensate the Department for its costs in verifying that the signs identified in the corresponding inventory are lawfully existing;
(2) To obtain removal, through abatement actions or other Code enforcement activities, of any signs included on the inventory that the Department determines to be existing illegally.
(g) Departmental Notification of Failure to Submit Complete Inventories. The Department shall notify in writing those sign companies that have not submitted or have submitted incomplete sign inventories, or have not timely submitted an inventory update.
(1) Within 30 days of the date of notification provided under Subsection (g), the sign company shall submit a complete inventory with the inventory processing fee and a penalty of $580.00 per sign for those signs that were not identified or those improperly identified.
(2) If the sign company fails to submit the complete inventory with the processing fee and full penalty amount provided in Subsection (g)(1), then, within 60 days of the date of notification provided under Subsection (g), the penalty will increase to $1,160.00 per sign for those signs that were not identified or those improperly identified.
(3) Any penalties assessed pursuant to Subsections (g)(1) and (2) above, are appealable to the Board of Appeals.
(4) The Board of Appeals, in reviewing the appeal of the penalty assessed may reduce the amount of the penalty if the Board of Appeals finds that the sign owner: (i) was not properly notified or (ii) had previously submitted a sign inventory that included the signs for which the penalty was assessed. The Board of Appeals also may reduce the amount of the penalty if it finds that any action on the part of the Department resulted an improper assessment of the penalty charge.
(5) If the sign company fails to submit the full penalty amount assessed pursuant to Subsections (g)(1) and (2) or as modified by the Board of Appeals pursuant to Subsections (g)(3) and (4), the Planning Department shall request the City's Treasurer/Tax Collector to pursue the outstanding penalties after 90 days of the date of notification provided under Subsection (g).
(6) All penalty revenues received shall be deposited in the Code Enforcement Fund.
(h) The Department shall submit to the Commission and the Board of Supervisors an annual report that includes: (i) annual revenues from the inventory processing fee, annual inventory maintenance fee, in-lieu application fee, and the relocation agreement application fee, (ii) annual expenditures for the sign inventory program, and (iii) a progress report on the number of general advertising signs verified in the sign inventory; in-lieu requests; and Code enforcement actions for general advertising signs processing, backlog, and abatement actions.
(Added by Ord. 140-06, File 052921, App. 6/22/2006; Ord. 200-06, File No. 060849, App. 7/21/2006)
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