The following signs shall be allowed without a permit, subject to the specific zoning limitations contained herein:
(A) Election signs. Election signs placed on one site shall not exceed 32 square feet in area per sign. Such sign shall not be erected more than one month prior to the election to which the signs relate and such signs shall be removed within 48 hours following such election.
(B) Special events window signs. Special events window signs shall not exceed 20% of the total frontage glass area, whether on the ground or second level. Doors consisting of glass shall be included in the computation of maximum sign area. No more than 50% of the area of one window pane shall be covered with signs. The permitted frequency of a special events window sign at any single occupancy shall be limited in the same manner as a banner sign pursuant to § 153.325(I). Special events window signs that are permitted under this section shall be limited to a duration of 30 calendar days.
(C) Real estate signs. One six square foot sign not to exceed six feet in height shall be permitted on lots or parcels used for residential purposes to advertise the sale or lease of the property on which the sign is located. Real estate signs advertising the sale or lease of commercial or industrial lots or parcels shall not exceed 24 square feet in area, and, if freestanding, six feet in height. All real estate signs shall be removed within 30 days following the sale, lease or disposition of the real property. The placement of said signs shall not interfere with the traffic or circulation on the site or on adjacent sites.
(D) Construction signs. On-site construction signs advertising the architect, builder, financing and similar information shall be permitted provided such signs do not exceed 32 square feet in area and not more than six feet in height above grade. Such signs shall be limited to one sign for each street frontage and shall be removed upon the completion of construction. The placement of said signs shall not interfere with the traffic or circulation on the site or on adjacent sites.
(E) Flags. The flags, emblems, or insignias of any nation or political subdivision utilized for noncommercial use.
(F) Holiday decorations. Holiday displays not to exceed a total of 10 weeks of display during any calendar year.
(G) Residential identification signs. One identification sign per dwelling, not to exceed two square feet in area, containing the name and/or address of the occupant of the premises.
(H) Tablets and plaques. Tablets, memorial signs and plaques, installed by a recognized historical agency for the purpose of identification, provided such signs do not exceed two feet in any dimension.
(I) Political signs. Total signs on one site shall not exceed 32 square feet in area.
(J) Temporary civic event signs. Such signs, when placed in conjunction with a civic event, shall be displayed for a period not to exceed 30 calendar days.
(K) Directional signs. Such signs shall be a maximum of four square feet in area per sign. The number and location of said signs shall be subject to the approval of the Community Development Director.
(L) Government signs. Signs pertaining to government buildings and government sponsored events.
(M) Off-site real estate open house signs. Off-site real estate open house signs subject to the following standards:
(1) Notwithstanding any other provisions in this code to the contrary, real estate open house signs may be placed upon the public parkway provided that all of the following restrictions are met:
(a) Real estate professionals placing open house signage permitted by this section shall obtain the permission of the adjacent property owner or tenant before placing any such signage, whenever possible.
(b) Signage shall be limited to one sign per corner, four signs per intersection.
(c) In no event shall an open house sign be placed in a center median strip.
(d) Open house signs shall only be posted on the same day of the open house.
(e) Signage display hours shall be limited to 10:00 a.m. to dusk, or 7:00 p.m., whichever is earlier.
(f) Open houses signs shall contain the following information:
1. Directional arrow(s) to, or the address of, the subject property; and
2. The real estate professional's name and phone number, for identification purposes only. A business card taped to the sign will satisfy this requirement.
(g) The message content on the sign shall only relate to an activity actually in progress during the allowable display period.
(h) No sign shall obstruct the safe and convenient use by the public of adjoining sidewalk, curbside parkway, or roadway area. No sign shall be placed closer than 15 feet from a driveway approach.
(i) No sign shall exceed three feet in height as measured from the ground to the top of the sign.
(j) No flag, pennant, streamer, banner, or balloon shall be displayed with or attached to an open house sign permitted by this section.
(k) The real estate professional placing a sign or signs permitted by this section shall assume all liability associated with the placement of such sign and shall hold the City of San Gabriel free and harmless from all liability and defense costs in the event of litigation regarding injuries or property damage caused by the placement of the sign(s).
(l) Each posted sign, as permitted by this section, shall be maintained in a neat, clean, and safe condition.
(m) No posted sign may be chained to or otherwise locked to a fixed object in the public right-of-way.
(n) Signs posted in violation of any of these requirements shall subject the person placing the sign(s) to infraction penalties for violation of the San Gabriel Municipal Code.
(o) No more than five signs total shall be posted for a single open house event.
('65 Code, § 9-3.2408) (Ord. 445-C.S., passed 5-16-95; Am. Ord. 482-C.S., passed 2-17-98; Am. Ord. 510-C.S., passed 12-5-00; Am. Ord. 526-C.S., passed 7-16-02)