Unless otherwise provided, the following are exempt signs:
(A) Accessory signs. Accessory signs in commercial and industrial zones. The total area of all such signs displayed by a single establishment may not exceed two square feet without a permit.
(B) Barber poles. Traditional barber poles bearing no advertising message.
(C) Construction project signs. Construction signs displayed on the same parcel as the project being developed or built during the time period beginning with the city's issuing a building permit and ending with the city's issuing of a certificate of occupancy for the last unit or portion of the building. Construction project signs must comply with the following:
(1) One sign in residential zones; two signs in all other zones;
(2) Signs may not exceed six square feet in residential zones; in all other zones, they may not exceed 16 square feet;
(3) Signs may not exceed more than three feet above where the roof line of the completed structure is located;
(4) All signs must be removed before a certificate of occupancy is granted for the last unit or portion of the project.
(D) Directional signs. Directional signs that do not include commercial copy. Signs must comply with the following:
(1) Signs cannot exceed an area of two square feet or a height of three feet;
(2) Not more than eight directional signs may be placed on a lot or building;
(E) Flags and flagpoles. Flags or similar devices with noncommercial images and symbols. Flags must comply with the following:
(1) Flags cannot exceed a maximum vertical dimension of five feet;
(2) Flags cannot exceed a maximum horizontal dimension of eight feet;
(3) All flags located on a lot cannot exceed a maximum cumulative area of 40 square feet;
(4) When flags are mounted on a pole, the height of the pole cannot exceed 30 feet above grade; and
(5) Not more than one flag pole may be placed on a lot.
(F) Historical site plaques. Plaques or signs designating a building as a historical structure.
(G) Legally required or authorized signs. Signs and notices required by or specifically authorized by law. Such signs must conform to the requirements of the authorizing law. When the law states a minimum size for such size, but no maximum size is stated, then the minimum size under the law is also the maximum size permitted by this chapter.
(H) Noncommercial group signs. Signs displaying the name(s) or message(s) of noncommercial organizations or groups may be displayed on private land. Such signs must comply with the following:
(1) Signs must be freestanding;
(2) Signs cannot exceed a maximum area of six square feet per display face;
(3) Signs cannot exceed a maximum number of two display faces;
(4) Signs cannot exceed a maximum height of eight feet;
(5) Signs may be illuminated, however signs may not include bare light bulbs over 15 watts that are visible from the front of the sign or beyond the property line. Neon or argon lamps are permissible;
(6) Signs must be located near entrances to the city from an arterial road or freeway and be oriented toward traffic as it enters the city;
(I) Noncommercial messages; residential uses. Noncommercial signs displayed in legal dwelling units. Signs must comply with the following:
(1) Signs cannot exceed a maximum cumulative area of six square feet;
(2) Signs cannot exceed a maximum height of eight feet;
(3) Not more than two noncommercial signs (except campaign signs) may be placed on a lot.
(4) Freestanding signs must be placed at least five feet back from the property line;
(5) Illuminated signs are prohibited.
(J) Professional and business shingles. Name plate signs for a professional office or a professional office within another establishment, or shingle type signs which announce the name and type of profession, business or activity. Signs must comply with the following:
(1) Signs must be displayed on the ground or second floor of a main building in all commercial and industrial zones;
(2) Signs cannot exceed three square feet in area;
(3) Signs must be fastened directly to the building or hang from an awning, building overhang or canopy, and may not extend beyond the property line; and
(4) Signs may not be displayed in a residential zone or on a residential use.
(5) Signs must comply with any master sign plans in place for the subject property.
(K) Public interest notices. Notices placed on bulletin boards or kiosks maintained by the state or other public entity for the purpose of displaying such notices.
(L) Public message signs. Signs displaying noncommercial messages for public information, such as designation of restrooms, telephone locations, smoking rules, and door openings. Such signs may not exceed three square feet in area.
(M) Real estate signs. Real estate signs as defined in Cal. Civ. Code § 713. Signs must comply with the following:
(1) Signs must be displayed on private real property;
(2) One sign may be placed on the real property to which it pertains in residential zones; four signs may be placed on the real property to which they pertain in all other zones;
(3) Signs cannot exceed six square feet in residential zones or 16 square feet for all other zones;
(4) Signs must be removed within 15 days after the advertised property is sold, rented or leased.
(N) Special events for charitable and other noncommercial groups and establishments. Moving and portable signs held by humans for the special events of charitable, nonprofit, and noncommercial organizations. Signs must comply with the following:
(1) Signs may be displayed only on the day of the actual special event;
(2) Signs cannot exceed six square feet in area;
(3) Not more than three such signs may be displayed for each location at which the special event takes place.
(O) Temporary freestanding signs. Temporary freestanding signs as regulated by this chapter.
(P) Temporary real estate directional signs. Signs that identify and provide directional information to any residential property that is offered for sale, or for rent for the first time. Signs must comply with the following:
(1) Signs must be located only along the most direct single route to the residential property along arterial streets;
(2) Not more than one sign is permitted at each intersection;
(3) Signs must be removed when the subject property is sold or, for temporary signs, when the event ends;
(4) Signs cannot exceed nine square feet in area;
(5) Signs cannot exceed five feet in height;
(6) Signs must not be displayed on public property.
(7) Relationship to applicable law: temporary real estate directional signs allowed under this section are in addition to those specifically allowed by state law.
(Q) Temporary window signs. A maximum of two temporary window signs are permitted for each single tenant building and one temporary window sign is permitted for each tenant within a multiple tenant building or complex. Up to 20% of the total window area per business may be covered with temporary window signs made of paper, cloth, plastic, cardboard, or similar temporary materials. Any temporary window sign must be either attached to the interior of the window, or of weatherproof paint affixed to the exterior of the window, or both. A temporary window sign may be displayed a maximum of 120 days per year, not to exceed 30 consecutive days. Signs may not obscure views into the business by law enforcement personnel.
(R) Time and temperature signs. Signs in commercial and industrial zones that indicate the time and temperature. Signs must comply with the following:
(1) Signs must not exceed 50% of the area permitted for wall signs;
(2) Signs may be illuminated signs.
(S) Warning signs. Signs displaying messages warning of danger are allowable if they do not exceed three square feet in area.
(T) Vending machine signs. Permanent signs painted on or attached to vending machines, gas pumps, ice containers or similar dispensing devices. Signs must be oriented primarily to pedestrians on the property and not toward the street. The sign message or copy must relate to the items vended by such machine. Vending machine signs may not display offsite commercial messages.
(Ord. 1122, passed 10-18-04; Am. Ord. 1159, passed 6-19-06)