7A.6.5. SIGN HEIGHT MEASUREMENT

   A.   The sign height is measured as the vertical distance from the average finished grade beneath the sign to the topmost sign copy of the sign ; except that if the sign location has an average finished grade lower than or equal to the adjoining grade of the road, the sign height is measured from the top of the curb (or highest point of the road nearest the property if no curb exists) to the highest point of the topmost sign copy on the sign . Average finished grade refers to the mean average elevation of ground after site preparation at the bottom of a sign  structure , measured five feet from the bottom of the sign  structure at its four cardinal points.

   B.   Freeway Grade

      For freeway signs and billboards , the freeway grade is the elevation of the outside edge of the freeway  travel lane nearest to the freeway sign or billboard .

(Am. Ord. 11803, 12/8/2020)

7A.6.6. CLEARANCE

   See definition in Article 11 Definitions.

7A.6.7. SETBACK

   The sign  setback is measured from the leading edge of the sign to the face of curb or edge of the travel lane where no curb exists. The sign and structure must be installed on private property and set back at least 20 feet from the face of the curb, unless otherwise specified in the sign  standards.

7A.6.8. SIGNS NEAR RESIDENCES

   No off-site sign shall be permitted if such sign faces the front or side yard of any lot within any residential zone category or multi-family zone category and is located within 150 feet of such lot line .

(Am. Ord. 11803, 12/8/2020)

7A.6.9. STREET AND BUILDING FRONTAGES

   A.   Street  frontage is measured as the length of a premise , lot , or development fronting on a public or private street .

   B.   Building  frontage is the measurement between two straight lines projecting from the outermost edges of a building or tenant space wall , that are perpendicular to a straight line running along the ground level or front of the measured wall .

   C.   Multiple Frontage Lots

      On corner lots and other lots with more than one street  frontage , the maximum allowable number and square footage of on-site signs are permitted for each street  frontage . The maximum allowances are only transferable either in whole or in part from one street  frontage to another if the Zoning Administrator determines the request will not negatively impact surrounding properties. The Zoning Administrator may send the request to the Sign Design Review Committee for review and recommendation.

   D.   Intersection Corner Sign

      1.   When a sign is erected at the street intersection corner of the lot and is placed in such a manner so as to be readable from both streets or both frontages, the sign shall not exceed the maximum area allowed for the longest street  frontage ;

      2.   The sign shall count as one sign for each street  frontage ; and,

      3.   The area of the sign shall be deducted from the allowable sign area for the longest street  frontage .

   E.   Signs per Street  Frontage

      General rule: For a premise having more than one street  frontage , the maximum sign area and number of permitted on-site  permanent signs are permitted for each street  frontage and are only transferable from one street  frontage to another if the Zoning Administrator determines the request will not negatively impact surrounding properties. The Zoning Administrator may send the request to the Sign Design Review Committee for review and recommendation. In the case of a freestanding sign , the more restrictive standard of the zone category shall apply.

   F.   Access Regulated

      No sign or its supporting members shall be erected, altered or relocated so as to interfere with or restrict access to a window or other opening in a building in such a manner as to unduly limit air circulation or obstruct or interfere with the free use of a fire escape, exit, standpipe, stairway, door, ventilator, window or similar opening, provided however that the zoning administrator may approve another form of sign or its attachment when, in his or her judgment, that sign will not restrict access to the openings.

(Am. Ord. 11803, 12/8/2020)

7A.6.10. SIGNS IN OR OVER PUBLIC RIGHTS-OF-WAY

   A.   Except as provided below, a sign or sign  structure shall not project over a public right-of-way or public property unless the mayor and council grant a special license. Signs licensed pursuant to this section may be displayed for up to 60 days or over an alternate approved time frame. The licensee may require the removal of the sign within 48 hours after the advertised event or other temporary occurrence concludes.

   B.   The City Manager may grant a special license for building and curbside banners and for across-the-street banners that project or extend over a public right-of-way or over public property. Signs in the right-of-way may be reviewed and granted under the Department of Transportation's temporary revocable easement procedure.

   C.   Permits shall be obtained through the Department of Transportation.

   D.   The Mayor and Council and/or City Manager may grant special license for signage such as on buses, bus benches, bus shelters, and street cars.

   E.   No sign shall be attached to electric wiring or be energized by electricity.

   F.   No sign shall be placed upon traffic signal posts or signs , and no sign shall obstruct a motorist's view of traffic signals.

   G.   Any application for a license for a sign attached to utility poles or lamp poles shall include the written approval of the Department of Transportation of the City and the authorized official of the public utility company owning the poles to which the devices would be attached as to the size and weight of the sign and the manner of attachment to the poles. Building and curbside banners shall comply with the applicable requirements of Article 7A. No sign shall be attached to any utility pole carrying primary circuits or to any wooden pole or public property.

   H.   Signs licensed pursuant to this section may be displayed for up to 60 days . The licensee shall remove the sign within 48 hours after the advertised event.

   I.   In no event may signs relating to more than one event be attached to any single pole.

   J.   The license shall state the location where the sign may be placed.

   K.   By accepting any license granted under this section, the licensee and its heirs, successors and assigns shall agree to indemnify the City and shall provide proof to the City of liability insurance.

   L.   The City Manager may impose such additional administrative requirements as may be necessary.

   M.   The time frame for a permanent sign and an A-Frame sign are regulated separately as part of the temporary revocable easement process.

7A.6.11. PREMISE

   See definition in Article 11 Definitions.