A. Permanent Sign Standards by Zone. All Permanent Signs shall comply with the standards set forth in this Section. Additional Permitted Signs are included under Section 19.22.020(C). Tables 22.03, 22.04, 22.05, and 22.06 identify the sign type, number, location, area, and height allowed within each zone, along with any applicable additional regulations. The standards contained in Tables 22.03, 22.04, 22.05, and 22.06 are maximums, unless otherwise stated.
Sign Type | Maximum Number | Maximum Sign Area | Maximum Sign Height | Illumination Allowed | Additional Requirements |
Sign Type | Maximum Number | Maximum Sign Area | Maximum Sign Height | Illumination Allowed | Additional Requirements |
1. Single-Family Residential Subdivision Development in Residential Zones | |||||
a. Monument | 2 per major neighborhood entrance | 30 sf per sign | 6 ft | • External illumination only | • Permitted only at major entrances to projects or neighborhoods • Maintenance responsibility shall be assigned to community association • Digital Signs not permitted • Section 19.22.070(B)(4) |
2. Public/Quasi-Public Use in Residential Zones | |||||
a. Monument | 2 per major entrance | 30 sf per sign | 6 ft | • Permitted | • Section 19.22.070(B)(4) • Section 19.22.070(B)(8) |
b. Wall | 1 per street frontage | 24 sf per sign | 3 Must be below eave line | • Permitted | |
3. Multiple-Unit Residential Zones | |||||
a. Wall | 1 per street frontage | 24 sf per sign | 4 Must be below eave line | • Permitted | • Digital Signs not permitted • Section 19.22.070(B)(8) • Section 19.22.070(B)(4) • This allowed sign area may be substituted for permanent • sign area applied to a perimeter wall |
b. Monument | 1 per street frontage with entrance | 30 sf per sign | 5 6 ft | • Permitted | |
Note: Signs not listed in this table, such as awning signs, suspended signs, pylon signs, etc. are not permitted in residential zones. | |||||
Sign Type | Maximum Number | Maximum Sign Area | Maximum Sign Height | Illumination Allowed | Additional Requirements |
Sign Type | Maximum Number | Maximum Sign Area | Maximum Sign Height | Illumination Allowed | Additional Requirements |
a Awning | N/A | 25% of the surface area of the awning | N/A; awning shall not extend above eave line | • Permitted | • Section 19.22.070(B)(1) |
b. Canopy | Single Tenant: 1 per building façade Multiple Tenant: 1 per tenant space | 25% of the surface area of the canopy | 24 inches, as measured from the lowest point on the sign | • Permitted | • Section 19.22.070(B)(2) • Section 19.22.070(C)(2)(c) |
c. Driveway/ Onsite Traffic Directional | 1 per driveway or drive-through lane, plus 1 for every 200 parking spaces on multiple tenant sites and 1 for every 300 parking spaces on single tenant sites, or as otherwise permitted through a Comprehensive Sign Program | 8 sf per sign face | 8 ft. | • Permitted | • May be in the form of Monument Sign, Pylon Sign, or Wall Sign |
d. Monument | Lots with less than 600 feet of street frontage: 1 per street frontage Lots with more than 600 feet of street frontage: 1 per each 600 feet of street frontage | Single Tenant: 75 sf per sign face Multiple Tenant: 125 sf per sign face | 8 ft in all zones except Main Street Overlay Zone Main Street Overlay Zone: 5 ft. | • Permitted | • Section 19.22.070( B)(4) |
e. Projecting | Single Tenant: 1 per street frontage Multiple Tenant: 1 per tenant space | 25 sf per sign face | Must be below eave line | • Permitted | • Section 19.22.070(B)(5) |
f. Pylon | Lots with less than 600 feet of street frontage: 1 per street frontage Lots with more than 600 feet of street frontage: 1 per each 600 feet of street frontage | Single Tenant: 75 sf per sign face Multiple Tenant: 125 sf per sign face | Single Tenant: 25 ft Multiple Tenant: 35 ft | • Permitted | • Section 19.22.070(B)(6) |
g. Wall | N/A | 2 sf of sign area per lineal foot of primary building frontage, and 1.5 sf of sign area per lineal foot of a secondary building frontage | Shall not extend above eave line | • Permitted | • Section 19.22.070( B)(8) |
Note: See Section 19.22.070 (B)(4)(f) and 19.22.70(B )(6)(f) for additional restrictions on pylon and monument signs. | |||||
(Ord. MC-1531, 6-03-20) | |||||
Figure 22.05: Primary and Secondary Building Frontages
(Ord. MC-1531, 6-03-20)
Sign Type | Maximum Number | Maximum Sign Area | Maximum Sign Height | Illumination Allowed | Additional Requirements |
Sign Type | Maximum Number | Maximum Sign Area | Maximum Sign Height | Illumination Allowed | Additional Requirements |
a. Awning | N/A | 25% of the surface area of the awning | Must be below eave line | o Internal prohibited | o Section 19.22.070(B)(1) |
b.. Canopy | 1 per street frontage | 25% of the surface area of the canopy | 2 ft | o Permitted | o Section 19.22.070(B)(2) |
c. Driveway/ Onsite Traffic Directional | 1 per driveway or drive-through lane, plus 1 for every 100 parking spaces, or as otherwise permitted through a Comprehe nsive Sign Program | 12 sf per sign face | 8 ft | o Internal prohibited | o May be in the form of Monument Sign, Pylon Sign, or Wall Sign |
d. Monument | Lots with less than 600 feet of street frontage: 1 per street frontage Lots with more than 600 feet of street frontage: 1 per each 600 feet of street frontage | 1 sf of sign area per lineal foot of primary building frontage and 0.75 sf of sign area per 1 lineal foot of secondary building frontage; not to exceed 300 sf | 8 | o Permitted | o Section 19.22.070(B)(4) |
e. Projecting | 1 per street frontage | 25 sf per sign face | Must be below eave line | o Permitted | o Section 19.22.070(B)(5) |
f. Pylon | Lots with less than 600 feet of street | 1 sf of sign area per 1 lineal foot of | 25 | o Permitted | o Section 19.22.070(B)(6) |
g. Wall: Street Facing | 2 on each occupant building frontage oriented toward a parking lot, street, alley, driveway, or freeway | 2 sf of sign area per lineal foot of primary building frontage, and 1 sf of sign area per lineal foot of a secondary building frontage | Must be below eave line | o Permitted | o Section 19.22.070(B)(8) |
h. Wall: Service and Delivery Entrances | 1 for each service or delivery entrance | 10 sf | 6 ft | o Permitted | o Section 19.22.070(B)(8) |
Note: See Section 19.22.070 (B)(4)(f) and 19.22.70(B )(6)(f) for additional restrictions on pylon and monument signs. | |||||
(Ord. MC-1531, 6-03-20) | |||||
Sign Type | Maximum Number | Maximum Sign Area | Maximum Sign Height | Illumination Allowed | Additional Requirements |
a. Wall | 1 per street or parking lot frontage | 30 sf per sign | Must be below eave line | o Yes | o Section 19.22.070(B)(8) |
b. Monument | 1 per street or parking lot frontage | 30 sf per sign face | 7 ft | o Yes | o Section 19.22.070(B)(4) |
o Shall be set back at least 1 foot from any property line | |||||
(Ord. MC-1531, 6-03-20) | |||||
B. Standards by Sign Type. As listed in, and in addition to the standards in Tables 22.03, 22.04, 22.05, and 22.06, signs shall comply with the following standards applicable to the specific sign type. Each sign shall also comply with the requirements of Section 19.22.030 and all other applicable provisions of this Chapter.
a. Location. Awnings that display signage shall be limited to building frontages on the ground floor of buildings.
b. Combined Sign Area. Combinations of signs on awnings, canopies, and walls are permitted but shall not exceed the maximum allowable sign area for Wall Signs per building elevation.
c. Vertical clearance. A minimum vertical clearance of at least eight feet from bottom of the awning, including valance, to finished grade shall be maintained.
Figure 22.07: Vertical Clearance
d. Setback and projection into public right-of-way. A minimum of two feet between the edge of the awning and the outer curb face shall be maintained. Any encroachment into City right-of-way is subject to City Engineer approval and requires a City Encroachment Permit.
a. Location. Canopies that display signage shall be limited to building frontages on the ground floor of buildings.
b. Height. Canopy Signs shall not project more than 24 inches above the highest point of any canopy, and not above the roofline of the structure for attached canopies.
c. Combined Sign Area. Combinations of signs on awnings, canopies, and walls are permitted but shall not exceed the maximum allowable sign area for Wall Signs per building elevation.
d. Setback and Projection into public right-of-way. A minimum of two feet between the edge of the canopy and the outer curb face shall be maintained. Any encroachment into City right-of-way is subject to City Engineer approval and requires a City Encroachment Permit.
Figure 22.08: Canopy Signs
3. Digital Signs.
a. No Flashing. Digital Signs shall not flash, blink, flutter, include intermittent or chasing lights, or display video messages (i.e., any illumination or message that is in motion or appears to be in motion).
b. Display Change. Digital Signs may display changing messages, provided that each message is displayed for no fewer than eight consecutive seconds, unless otherwise permitted by an approved agreement with the City, and in no case shall a message be displayed fewer than four seconds. The transition or blank screen time between one display message and the next shall not exceed one second.
c. Night-time brightness.
(1) Night-time brightness shall be measured with an illuminance meter set to measure foot-candles accurate to at least two decimals. Illuminance shall be measured with the electronic message off, and again with the electronic message displaying a white image for a full color-capable electronic message or a solid message for a single- color electronic message.
(2) All measurements shall be taken perpendicular to the face of the electronic message at the following distance:
(3) The difference between the off and solid message measurements shall not exceed 0.3 foot-candles at night.
d. Ambient Light Sensor. Digital Signs shall be equipped with a sensor or other device that automatically determines the ambient illumination and programmed to automatically dim according to ambient light conditions (e.g., photocell technology), or that can be adjusted to comply with the 0.3 foot-candle requirement.
e. Turn Off. Digital Signs located within 500 feet and in a direct line of sight of a residentially zoned property shall be turned off daily at the close of business, or at such a time as specified by the Community and Economic Development Director, and in no case shall be permitted to be turned on between the hours of 2:00 A.M. and 6:00 A.M.
f. Prohibited Digital Signs. Awning Signs, Canopy Signs, Window Signs, and Driveway/Onsite Traffic Directional Signs shall not include digital copy.
g. Certification of Compliance. The owner of any Digital Sign shall arrange for certification by an independent contractor showing compliance with brightness standards.
a. Minimum Street Frontage. A minimum street frontage of 100 feet is required for establishment of a monument sign.
b. Minimum Separation. Monument Signs shall have a minimum separation of 50 feet from any other Monument Sign on an adjacent property.
c. Digital Sign Minimum Separation. Where a Monument Sign includes a digital sign, the minimum radial distance to any other Digital Sign shall be 200 feet.
d. Digital Sign Copy. Digital sign copy is permitted to occupy up to 75 percent of maximum allowable monument sign area, subject to an approved Sign Permit or Comprehensive Sign Program.
e. Setback. Monument Signs shall be set back a minimum of five feet from any property line, unless otherwise specified in this Chapter.
f. Either Monument or Pylon as Primary Sign Type. Properties with less than 600 feet of street frontage shall be permitted to have either one Monument Sign or one Pylon Sign as the primary signage, but not both. Properties with more than 600 feet of street frontage shall be permitted to have one Pylon or Monument sign per 600 feet of street frontage.
g. Landscaping Required. All Monument Signs shall be located within the required landscaped setback or a landscaped planting bed, unless this requirement is waived through review by the Community and Economic Development Director based on site-specific conditions.
a. Projection from Wall. Projecting Signs shall project no more than four feet from the face of the building wall upon which the sign is mounted.
b. Projection into Public Right-of-way. Any encroachment into City right-of-way is subject to City Engineer approval and requires a City Encroachment Permit.
c. Vertical clearance. A minimum vertical clearance of eight feet from the bottom of the Suspended Sign to finished grade shall be maintained.
a. Minimum Street Frontage. A minimum street front of 100 feet is required for establishment of a pylon sign.
b. Minimum Separation. Pylon Signs shall have a minimum separation of 50 feet from any other Pylon Sign on an adjacent property.
c. Digital Sign Minimum Separation. Where a Pylon Sign includes a Digital Sign, the minimum radial distance to any other Digital Sign shall be 200 feet.
d. Digital Sign Copy. Digital sign copy is permitted to occupy up to 75 percent of maximum allowable pylon sign area, subject to an approved Sign Permit or Comprehensive Sign Program.
e. Setback. Pylon Signs shall be set back a minimum of 5 feet from any property line, unless otherwise specified in this Chapter.
f. Either Monument or Pylon as Primary Sign Type. Properties with less than 600 feet of street frontage shall be permitted to have either one Monument Sign or one Pylon Sign as the primary signage, but not both. Properties with more than 600 feet of street frontage shall be permitted to have one Pylon or Monument sign per 600 feet of street frontage.
g. Landscaping Required. All Pylon Signs shall be located within the required landscaped setback or a landscaped planting bed, unless this requirement is waived through review by the Community and Economic Development Director based on site-specific conditions.
h. Vertical Clearance. A minimum vertical clearance of 14 feet is required for Pylon Signs projecting over vehicular passageways. A minimum vertical clearance of eight feet is required for Pylon Signs projecting over pedestrian passageways.
i. Multiple Tenants. A Pylon Sign for a multiple tenant site shall have no more than eight separate sign areas.
Figure 22.09: Multiple Tenant Pylon Signs
a. Location. Suspended Signs shall be limited to building frontages on the ground floor of non-residential buildings.
b. Illumination. Suspended Signs may be externally or internally illuminated but shall not be Digital Signs.
c. Vertical clearance. A minimum vertical clearance of eight feet from the bottom of the Suspended Sign to finished grade shall be maintained.
d. Projection into Public Right-of-way. Any encroachment into City right-of-way is subject to City Engineer approval and requires a City Encroachment Permit.
a. Placement.
(1) No Wall Sign shall cover, wholly or partially, any wall opening.
(2) Unless a different orientation is specifically authorized, each wall- mounted sign shall be placed flat against the wall of the building.
b. Cumulative Wall Sign Area. In Commercial Zones, there is no limit on the number of Wall Signs. However, the combined area of all Wall Signs shall cumulatively comply with maximum size requirements.
c. Roof Signs in Lieu of Wall Signs. Where a Roof Sign is permitted due to a lack of available building mansard for a sign, such Roof Sign's allowable area shall be equivalent to the allowed sign area for Wall Signs.
a. Location. Window Signs shall not be allowed on windows located above the second story.
b. Window Sign Location. Signs shall be placed so that law enforcement and public safety personnel have a clear and unobstructed view of the interior of the establishment, including cash registers. Signage inside the building shall not be allowed within three feet of the window.
c. Perforated and/or Transparent Window Signs. Perforated and/or transparent Window Signs may be excluded from window sign size calculations subject to review and approval by the Community and Economic Development Director and the determination that such signs are placed so that law enforcement and public safety personnel have a clear and unobstructed view of the interior of the establishment, including cash registers.
d. Digital Window Signs Prohibited. Digital Window Signs are not permitted, including any such signs placed within 10 feet of the window.
C. Signage Allowances for Specific Uses. This Section establishes signage allowances for specific uses.
1. Drive-Through Establishments. In addition to the signs allowed in Section 19.22.070(A), businesses with drive-through(s) shall be allowed the following signs, subject to the issuance of a Sign Permit or approval of a Comprehensive Sign Program.
a. Number and Size. Two additional freestanding Menu Board signs are permitted for each establishment with a drive-through, not exceeding 32 square feet apiece (or not to exceed a combined 64 square feet).
b. Height. Freestanding menu board signs shall not exceed eight feet in height. The freestanding menu board sign structure may extend above the sign height limit if:
(1) The sign structure is separately constructed from the cabinet or face of the sign;
(2) The portion above the cabinet or face does not contain any copy; and
(3) The extension adds architectural embellishments to the sign.
2. Service Stations. In addition to the signs allowed in Section 19.22.070(A), service stations shall be allowed the following sign area and sign types subject to the issuance of a Sign Permit or approval of a Comprehensive Sign Program.
a. Service Island Signs. Additional incidental signs are allowed up to a maximum of two per each service island, with each such sign not exceeding three square feet.
b. Service Station Canopy Signs. Signs on service station canopies shall not exceed 50 square feet on each side.
Figure 22.10: Service Station Canopy Signs
3. Theaters. In addition to the signs allowed in Section 19.22.070(A), theaters shall be allowed the following additional signs subject to the issuance of a Sign Permit or approval of a Comprehensive Sign Program.
a. Sign Type and Number. Developments containing theaters are allowed one additional Pylon Sign or Monument Sign with changeable copy (digital or manual) with a maximum size of 80 square feet. Such sign shall comply with height requirements for Pylon Signs and Monument Signs as listed in Table 22.04.
b. Special Advertisements. Glass encasements for special advertisements shall be allowed to be affixed to the primary building. Encasements shall not exceed a width of three feet or a height of four feet, the number of which shall be approved by the Community and Economic Development Director via the Sign Permit or Comprehensive Sign Program process.
4. Non-Residential Uses within Freeway Corridor Overlay Zone. In addition to the signs allowed in Section 19.22.070(A), non-residential uses located within the Freeway Corridor Overlay (FC) zone shall be allowed the following additional sign area or sign types subject to the issuance of a Sign Permit or approval of a Comprehensive Sign Program.
a. Freeway Frontage of more than 100 feet - Maximum Sign Area.
(1) For single tenant sites with at least 100 feet of freeway frontage, one Freeway- Oriented Sign of up to 200 square feet is permitted.
(2) For multiple tenant sites with at least 100 feet of freeway frontage, one Freeway-Oriented Sign of up to 100 square feet per anchor tenant is permitted.
b. Freeway Frontage of more than 1,000 feet - Maximum Sign Area. For sites over five acres in size with more than 1,000 feet of freeway frontage, two Freeway- Oriented Signs of up to 100 square feet per anchor tenant with up to eight sign areas each are permitted. These signs shall not be placed closer than 600 feet of each other.
c. Sign Type. Freeway-Oriented Signs may be Pylon Signs or Wall Signs. Freeway- Oriented Wall Signs are permitted only on buildings fronting the freeway.
d. Height. Sign height shall not exceed 50 feet above freeway grade. Sign height may be allowed to exceed this height limit if a flag test approved by the City of San Bernardino determines that a sign of lower height would be partially or wholly obscured but shall in no case shall sign height exceed 75 feet above freeway grade.
e. Setback. Freeway-Oriented Pylon Signs shall be set back at least five feet from any property line.
f. Orientation. Freeway-Oriented Signs shall be oriented toward the adjacent freeway. A Freeway-Oriented Sign shall be considered oriented to a freeway where the sign face makes an interior angle of more than 30 degrees to the freeway.
g. Tree Replacement. Any tree that is removed to accommodate the installation of any sign shall be replaced with a minimum 48-inch box tree at a location approved by the Community and Economic Development Director.
h. General Advertising Prohibited. Freeway-Oriented Signs shall not be used for general advertising (billboards).
i. California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Compliance. All Freeway- Oriented Signs shall comply with the California Outdoor Advertising Act, Business and Professions Code Section 5200, or as subsequently revised, and shall be referred to Caltrans as appropriate for comment prior to Community and Economic Development Director review of the application for a Sign Permit or Comprehensive Sign Program.
D. General Standards for Permanent Signs in all Zones.
1. Properties with Limited or No Street Frontage. In any circumstance where a property has no street frontage or less than 20 feet of street frontage (for example, as a flag lot), signage shall be allowed on an adjacent property with the same zone as the subject property, subject to approval of a Comprehensive Sign Program and with the written permission of the property owner on whose property the sign is to be erected.
2. Signage Allowed for Each Establishment. Each establishment in a non- residential zone may have at least one Wall Sign for each frontage, one Window Sign or door sign for each entrance, and one Suspended Sign, subject to compliance with the requirements of this Chapter.
(Ord. MC-1531, 06-03-20)