Ordinance 873
ORDINANCE NO. 873
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GILROY ADOPTING SECTION
68 OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE REGULATING THE SIZE,
LOCATION AND OTHER CHARACTERISTICS OF SIGNS WITHIN
THE CITY OF.GILROY AND REPEALING ALL SECTIONS OF
THE CITY CODE AND THE.ZONING ORDIANCE IN CONFLICT
THEREWITH.
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of Gilroy
has on its own motion studied the advisability of amending
the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Gilroy so as to provide
comprehensive regulation of the size, location and other
characteristics of signs within the City of Gilroy; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of Gilroy has
given due notice of public hearings upon the proposed amendment
in accordance with the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Gilroy,
has held the hearings, and has made its report to the Council
of the City of Gilroy, in which it recommends that Section 68
of the Zoning Ordinance be adopted so as to provide for such
regulation of all signs within the City; and
WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Gilroy has fixed the
3rd day of November, 1969, at the hour of 8:00 o'clock p.m. in
the Council Chambers in the City Hall at No. 10 South Rosanna
Street, Gilroy, California, as the time and place for hearing
the said report and recommendation upon the proposed amendment,
and due notice of the said hearing has been given in accordance
with the said Zoning Ordinance, and a public hearing has now
been held upon the said application, at the time and place
fixed in the said notice, before the Council, and the Council
having duly considered the proposed amendment and the evidence
presented, and has determined that the said Zoning Ordinance
should be amended in accordance with the report of the said
Planning Commission.
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NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GILROY DOES
ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section I. Sections 3.1, 3.7 to 3.14 inclusive, and
20.36 to 20.40 inclusive of the Gilroy City Code are hereby
repealed.
Section II. The Zoning Ordinance of the City of Gilroy
is hereby amended by repealing Sections31.8(c), 32.1(c),
32.8(d), 41.8(c) and 68 of said Ordinance.
Section III. The title of Chapter 20, Article VI and
Section 20.34 of the Gilroy City Code are amended to read as
follows:
ARTICLE VI. SIDEWALK OBSTRUCTIONS.
Sec. 20.34. Sidewalk exhibition of fruit and
merchandise prohibited; exception.
No person owning or occupying any building or premises
fronting upon any public street in the city shall place,
or cause to be placed, kept or maintained for sale or
exhibition any fruit, vegetables, goods, wares or
merchandise of any kind on any sidewalk in the city;
provided, that merchants, tradesmen and persons engaged
in receiving, forwarding and expressing goods and
other commodities, may use a portion of the sidewalk
in front of their respective places of business for
depositing such goods or commodities for a period of
time not exceeding four hours in anyone day.
Section IV. The Zoning Ordinance of the City of Gilroy
is hereby amended by adopting Section 68, SIGN REGULATIONS,
the full text of which consisting of twenty-four (24) pages
is attached hereto and incorporated herein as if fully set
forth.
Section V. All other ordinances and parts of ordinances
in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.
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Section VI. This ordinance shall take effect and be in
full force thirty (30) days from and after its passage and
approval.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 17th day of November, 1969, by
the following vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: DUFFIN, KENNEDY, PATE, SILVA,
WENTWORTH and GOODRICH
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: BATREZ
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
APPROVED:
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Mayor
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City Clerk
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I, SUSANNE E. STEINMETZ, City Clerk of the City of Gilroy, do
he'e.by certify that the attached Ordinance No. 873
is an original
ordinance, duly adopted by the Council of the City of Gilroy at a
regular meeting of said Council held on the 17th day of November
, 19~, at which meeting a quorum was present.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the
official seal of the City of Gilroy, this 11th day of December
, 19~.
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Q) U/Jc:/l/l/Ju_./:/i ;0 !t~?Z,';~.i.
~ity Clerk of the City of Gilroy
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Sec. 68 SIGN REGULATIONS
68.1 Purposes and Scope:
The purposes of these regulations are:
(a) To provide minimum standards to safeguard life, health,
property and the public welfare by regulating and controlling
the location, placement, size, numbers, surface area, illumina-
tion, materials, and maintenance of signs and sign structures.
(b) To preserve the natural beauty of the city and to maintain the
orderliness of the community's appearance.
(c) To ensure that signs will be designed as a part of the archi-
tectural and landscape design of all properties so as to
enhance the beauty of the city and implement the beautification
goals and policies of the Gilroy General Plan.
68.2 Application: The provisions set forth herein shall apply in all
Zoning Districts. No sign, outdoor advertising structure, billboard
or display shall be erected, installed, located or maintained in any
Zoning District of the City of Gilroy, including within or above any
public street or railroad ri:ht-of-way, except in conformity \~ith
these regulations.
68.3 Definition:
(a) Sign shall mean any writing, pictorial representative, symbol,
registered trademark, flag (other than the U.S. or California flags)
or any similar figure used to identify, announce, direct attention,
or advertise or communicate, together with any material or color
forming an integral part of the display or used to differentiate
the sign from the background, which is located on private or public
property and is visible from outside a building.
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A sign shall include all parts, portions, units and materials,
together with frames, delineated background, structure, support or
anchorage for same, which is temporarily or permanently placed,
erected, constructed, posted, painted, tacked, nailed, glued, carved,
hung, strung or otherwise fastened or affixed to the ground or to
any post, fence, building structure, wall, roof or tree.
(b) Area of a sign shall be its projected plane area as determined
by simple mathematical process. The area of irregularly shaped
signs which cannot be readily determined by simple mathematical
formulae shall be that area as determined by circumscribing the
exterior limits of the mass of the sign with straight lines connect-
ing all extreme points. The area of a double-faced sign shall be
computed on the basis of one face only. In computing maximum per-
missible sign area, all signs designed or likely to be seen from off
the premises upon which the signs are located or proposed to be
located shall be included in determining conformance with this
Ordinance.
68.4 Classification of Signs: Signs shall be classified by physical type
and content.
(a) Physical types of Signs
(I) Projecting Sign - shall mean a sign other than a wall sign
which projects from and is supported by a walt or roof of a
building, structure or sign structure, and projects beyond
the edge of a building roof.
(2) Roof Sign - shall mean a sign erected upon a roof or top of
parapet of a building or structure.
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(3) Portable free-standing sign and/or IAI type sign - shall
be a sign that is designed to be movable and is not struc.
turally attached to the ground, a building, a structure or
any other sign. Such sign mayor may not be in the configur-
ation of an 'AI.
(4) Wall Sign - shall mean any sign attached to or erected
against the wall of a building or structure, with the exposed
face of the sign in a plane parallel to the plane of said
wall, and not projecting laterally beyond the eaves or the
bu i 1 ding face.
(5) Double-faced Sign - is any sign designed to be viewed from
two directions and which at no point is thicker than twenty-
four (24) inches measured from the exterior surface of each
face and the two faces of the sign are either parallel or the
angle between them is thirty (30) degrees or less.
(6) Marquee - is a permanent roofed structure attached to and
supported by the building.
(7) Temporary Sign - shall include any sign, banner, pennant,
valance or advertising display constructed of cloth, canvas,
light fabric, cardboard, wallboard or other light materials,
with or without frames, intended to be displayed for a period
of not more than forty five (45) calendar days.
(8) Free Standing Sign - A sign supported by a column or columns,
uprights or braces and erected on the ground.
(9) Window Sign - A temporary or permanent sign placed in a
window, wholly or partially obstructing vision through that
window.
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(b) Content of Signs
(1) Accessory Sign - a sign which, separately from a Business
Identification Sign, announces or advertises a product,
commodity or service principally offered or provided on
the premises. "Accessory Sign" also includes a sign
announcing or advertising a rating or special status of
the business conducted upon the premises.
(2) Advertising Sign - A sign which directs attention to a
business, profession, commodity, service or entertainment,
which is conducted, sold or offered elsewhere than on the
same lot or parcel upon which the sign is located.
(3) Business Identification Sign - A sign which identifies,
announces, endorses or provides direction or other
necessary information about the principal business,
industry, profession, product, service or entertainment
conducted or offered upon the lot or parcel where the
sign is located.
(4) Civic Sign - A sign which identifies or states the
location of, describes the services available or
performed upon, describes the function of, describes
the activities conducted upon, or states the conditions
or use of, premises or facilities used, maintained or
owned by any governmental entity, educational Institution,
society or association, religious society or association,
church, recreational society or association, medical
institution, group or society or public utility.
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(5) Development Sign - A sign of temporary nature which
announces anticipated sale, lease, rental or the
character of facilities being constructed or altered,
or which identifies persons or firms engaged
in the promotion, design, construction or alteration
the reof .
(6) Directional Sign - A sign which directs, facilitates
or controls the efficient or safe movement of pedestrians
or vehicles.
(7) Realty Sign - A sign of a temporary nature which pertains
to the sale, lease, rental, or display of existing lots
or buildings or other facilities.
(8) Residential Sign - A sign which conveys the name or
address of the residential facility on the same lot or
parcel or the name of the resident.
68.5 Sign ~ermits: Permits shall be required for all signs in Gilroy,
except as otherwise provided. Prior to issuing a permit for any
sign regulated herein, the Director of Public Works shall deter-
mine that the various criteria set forth herein apply to a
particular sign application, and if al1 the provisions set forth
herein are met, he shall issue a permit within seven (7) days
following the filing date of the application for a sign permit.
All applications for sign permits shall be accompanied by sketches
and diagrams of suitable scale and clarity to fully describe the
design, dimensions, proposed placement, structural and electrical
characteristics and appearance of the sign or signs. All per-
manent signs shall display a permit number in letters large enough
to be read from the ground.
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68.6 Permit Expiration: If the work as authorized under the
properly approved sign permit has not been completed within
six (6) months after the date of its issuance, such permit
shall become null and void. If after six (6) months from the
date of the issuance of a sign permit, any portion of the
sign has been erected and the construction work thereon is
not completed, the Director of Public WOrks may cause the
removal of such partially completed sign as provided in Sec.
68.24 of this Ordinance.
68.7 Design of Signs: In proposing signs, applicants shall give
explicit attention to d~signing and locating signs so as to
ensure harmony with the existing or proposed architecture and
landscape design of the property upon which the sign is to be
situated. Sign permits shall not be issued where the Director
of Pub Ii c "Jorks finds that a proposed sign, wh it e otherwi se
conforms to this ordinance, falls to contribute to the beautifi-
cation of the City. All signs denied by the Director of Public
Works shall be automatically reviewed by the Planning Commission
and their decision shall be final.
68.8 Fees: The fees for sign permits, plan checking and Planning
Commission review shall be established and may be changed
from time to time by resolution of the City Council. In the
adoption of such resolution, the Council may prescribe bond
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requirements for the issuance of sign permits to insure
proper cpnstruction, maintenance and ultimate removal of signs
in accordance with the terms of permits therefor granted
pursuant to the provisions of this Ordinance. The Planning
Commission shall prescribe what information shall accompany
an application for a sign permit, and the form of the applica-
t i on.
68.9 Signs in Residential Areas: Only the signs meeting the follow-
ing standards will be permitted: A sign permit will not be
required unless specified.
(a) A name plate not exceeding one (1) square foot in area
pertaining to a home occupation or to indicate the
occupant I s name.
(b) On-site directional signs designating special areas or
features of a multi-family development or for safety
directional purposes,provided no such sign exceeds three
(1) s~u~re'feut in ar3A nor excJcds four (4) feet in height.
(c) Temporary signs pertaining to the sale, lease, r~ntal or
display of a structure or of land shall not exceed four
(4) square feet in area nor be illuminated and shall be
located on the property and not within the street right
of way. Temporary signs to permit subdividers and
developers to advertise and sell real estate in a resi-
dential area may be approved subject to securing a Sign
Permit. Temporary signs advertising a contractor, sub-
contractor, architect or engineer actually engaged in or
connected with constructton on a building site shall not
be larger than 3 square feet in area. All such signs
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shall be removed within (30) days after completion of the
phase of construction advertised by the sign. All temporary
signs shall be removed within 14 days from the date of
occupancy or acceptance.
(d) Not to exceed one (1) free-standing house number or apartme".t
building identification sign per multi-family complex, not to
exceed six (6) square feet in area, not illuminated and not
rotating, and not to exceed four (4) feet in height, provided
it is set back at least ten (10) feet from the front property
line, or an identification sign not exceeding eight (8) square
feet in area with letters not more than six (6) inches In
height, not Illuminated, located flat against a wall and not
projecting above the cornice or roof line of a permitted use,
or of a conditional use which occupies a structure or located
on the premises of a conditional use which does not occupy a
structure, provided that no sign shall be located In or project
into a required front, side or rear yard.
(e) A church bulletin board not exceeding six (6) feet in height
nor four (4) feet In width, not rotating, and with controlled
lighting, which shall serve only to identify a church and
announce its services and activities, and which shall be
located on the site of the church and may be located in a re-
quired front or side yard, but no closer than ten (10) feet to
any street line and no closer than five (5) feet to any side
property line.
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68.10 Signs in Commercial, Industrial, Quasi Public or Agricultural Farm
Product Areas: Only the signs meeting the following standards
will be permitted, provided that all other applicable provisions of
this ordinance are also complied with:
(a) Location of signs. Permitted signs may be erected upon posts,
buildings or structures subject to compliance with all of the
other provisions of this ordinance, and shall be erected upon
the premises occupied by the person or business to be identi-
fied or advertised by such signs. The location of all signs
shall be in compliance with the Building, Electrical and Fire
Prevention Codes of the City as amended.
(b) Maximum permissible sign area for all signs, on one parcel of
property, including free standing sisns, but excluding master
shopping center signs. The maximum permissible total area
for signs for commercial, office or industrial activities
shall be the largest of the following within the maximum
permitted area:
(1) Gen~raj Commercial District
(a) Two (2) square feet for each lineal foot of each
elevation fronting on a street or alley.
(b) 12% of the area of each building elevation fronting
on a stre~t or .::1 :(:;"'/ used by the occupant.
The mm~jn:'h"(l p~rfT1:ttcd sign area in the General Commercial
District !;:!1;:t:l :)~ jc:O !;:ql:~~,) feet for each building elevation
frontinD on a str~et cr aj 1i!-'1 I..<;~d hy the occupant.
(2) Nei~hb0rhood Commercial District
(a) One and one-half (I 1/2) square feet for each lineal
foot of each elevation of building fronting on a street
or alley used by the occupant.
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(b) 8% of the area of each building elevation fronting
on a street or alley used by the occupant.
The maximum permitted sign area in the Neighborhood Com-
mercial District shall be 75 square feet for each building
elevation fronting on a street or alley used by the occupant.
(3) Industrial District
(a) One and one half (I 1/2) square feet for each lineal
foot of each building frontage. The building frontage
shall be measured only on the side that the sign will be
placed upon.
(4) Signs in zones not noted in this ordinance shall be per-
mitted by conditional use permit only.
(c) Maximum projection into public street, alley, or
identifiable pedestrian way = 12 inches.
(d) Master Shopping Center sign or group sign shall be permitted
if there are at least four occupants in a building or shopping
center and may be permitted in addition to the maximum area of
signing permitted under section 68.10 (b) subject to securing
a conditional use permit.
(I) Said signs shall be calculated at the rate of I 1/2 square
foot of sign per parking space and;
(2) 75% of the area calculated will be permitted at the pro-
~erty line with an increase of 1% for each foot the sign
is set back from the property line.
(3) Maximum sign area shall be 350 square feet.
(4) Maximum height not to exceed 60 feet.
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(e) Maximum sign area for professional office uses in the P.O.
District shall be the aggregate of:
(1) 4 square feet plus;
(2) 1 1/2 square foot per tenant or office plus;
(3) Small door plates with name or number of each tenant
or near each door. Such signs shall be uniformly lettered
and maintained in a neat and orderly appearance.
(f) Maximum height limitations: Not to exceed 5 feet above the
maximum height for structures as set forth in the applicable
zoning districts of the Zoning Ordinance, but In no case to
exceed 30 feet nor 8 feet in P. O. District except In a free-
way orientated zone or a master shopping center sign.
(g) Maximum thickness of wall signs: 12 inches where the building
abuts the property line and 1811 Inches elsewhere.
(h) Credit card and Trading stamp signs:
One additional sign per business, which shall contain all
credit card and trading stamp emb I ems ; total area of sign not
to exceed 7 square feet. More than one individual cred it card
or trading stamp sign.will not be allowed.
(I) Maximum number and area of free-standing signs:
One per business subject to a conditional use permit
by the Planning Cnmr;!ission. T!ie area 5:1311 :je
included in the maximum area allowed under section 68.10 (b).
Permitted Signs for Special Uses:
(a) Mobile Home Parks: One per park, not to exceed 8 feet In
height nor 40 square feet In area and not to project into
any right-of-way.
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(b) Service Stations:
1) Maximum permissible sign area for all signs except in (2)
(3) and (~) h.elow shall he Ion square feet; this may include
one free standing si"n not to exceed 30 feet in height plus;
2) One ground sign per station frontage not to exceed 15
square feet in area, located so as not to obstruct free and
clear vision of traffic or traffic signs and devices; plus
3) One freeway sign (if the service station is within 660
feet of the nearest point of access on a freeway) not to
exceed 65 feet in height nor 250 square feet in area. All
freeway signs shall be approved by conditional use permit and
shall conform to the outdoor 3dvertizlng Act of the State of
Cal ifornia.
4) Signs advertising items such as batteries, tires and other
accessories or products will only be allowed within the build-
Ing.
5) Free standing signs containing gasoline or diesel prices
will not be allowed. Price signs shall be ground signs as
noted in section (2) above.
6) Credit card signs - Shall be the same as Sec. 6S.10 (h).
(c) Motels: Maximum of 2 square foot of sign area for each living
unit but may be at least 40 square feet with a maximum of 100
square feet of area or up to a maximum of 150 square feet by
Use ?ermit.
(d) Signs adjacent to Freeways (excluding service station signs):
No advertising signs permitted within 660 feet of freeway or
rail right of way line; On site business identification signs
permitted subject to the other provisions of this Ordinance,
with a maximum of 100 square feet of area permitted for any
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one free-standing sign and a maximum of one such sign per
use provided the land area of the parcel exceeds 20,000
square feet; or up to 150 square feet by Use Permit.
Maximum height for signs in this zone shall be 65 feet.
(e) One offsite directional si]n will be allO\AJed for each cllurch.
Saicl signs shall ~e approved by the 1irector of Public !~rks.
68.12 Prohibited Signs: Except as otherwise provided in this Ordinance
the following signs shall be prohibted throughout the City of
Gilroy:
(a) Signs on the roof of a structure except as noted in (b).
(b) Signs projecting more than 36" above the lowest edge of a
Gable or Mansard type roof.
(c) Flags, banners, and colored objects designed to rotate or move
with the wind, except for flags flown with the flags of the
'.lnited States of r-\l'1erica and the State of C.:difornia on a
flagpole for which a building permit has been issued.
(d) Lighted signs that flash on and off, or that rotate more than
6 rpm, except barber :>oles \,,:hich ,"i II be al10ltJed.
(e) Lighted signs whose surface brightness is a detriment to
surrounding property or prevents the peaceful enjoyment of
life or presents a conflict with safe traffic movement.
(f) Any sign which has a design or lighting such that it might
be mistaken for a traffic light or signal.
(g) Any sign which because of its location would prevent free
ingress to or egress from any door, window or fire escape,
or would obstruct an outward view from any living area.
(h) Any signs attached to a standpipe or fire escape.
(i) Signs located in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear
vision or the view of any authorized traffic sign, signal or
device.
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(j) Signs projecting into a public street more than 12 inches.
(k) Signs projecting into a public right-of-way having less
than eight (8) feet clearance between the lowest edge of the
sign and the sidewalk grade.
(1) Signs projecting into a public street area used by vehicular
traffic having less than fifteen (15) feet clearance between
the lowest edge of the sign and the street grade.
(m) New signs painted or existing signs repainted directly on any
building or structure unless conforming to the requirements
of this section.
(n) Any billboard or advertising sign in any district.
(0) Placards, posters, announcements and similar signs posted or
attached to any fence, pole, tree or any other object in a
public thoroughfare, except those of an official nature
authorized by a city ordinance.
(p) Signs, 'WI boards, structures or merchandise for sale placed
on any portion of a street, sidewalk or right-of-way, includ-
ing portable signs placed on parked vehicles or trailers,
excluding newspaper vending machines which may be permitted.
(q) Any sign which because of flashing lights, brilliant light-
ing, motion or apparent motion, shape, design, color or re-
flected light is a detriment to surrounding property or
prevents the peaceful enjoyment of residential uses or presents
a conflict with the traffic regulations or traffic safety.
(r) Signs within 660 feet of any freeway, parkway, railway or
rapid transit line except as otherwise provided in this
ordinance.
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(s) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Ordinance, no sign
shall be constructed, erected, installed, maintained or re-
paired in any manner that conflicts with any rule, regulation
or order of the California Public Utility Commission pertain-
ing to the construction, operation and maintenance of public
utility facilities.
(t) All marquee and under marquee signs over public property shall
be prohibited.
(u) Signs advertising incidental or minor products combined with a
business identification sign will not be allowed.
Vacant lot Signs, Real Estate Signs and Subdivision Signs
(a) Vacant lot Signs and Real Estate Signs other than Residential
Areas
Only signs attached to posts will be allowed in vacant lots.
Such signs shall be subject to the following:
Under One Acre
The top of the sign shall not be over 4 feet above the
ground and shall not be located closer than 10 feet from the
front property line; maximum area of such signs shall be 8
square feet.
Over One Acre
The top of the sign shall not be over 6 feet above the ground
and shall not be located closer than 20 feet from the front
property line; maximum area of such signs shall be 32 square
feet. No permit will be required for vacant lot signs. All
signs not conforming to this subsection shall be removed.
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(b) Subdivision Signs
All Signs advertising subdivisions shall be approved
by the Plannin~ Commission.
I) Such signs shall not be more than 100 square feet in
area nor more than 12 feet in height.
2) Small directional subdivision signs will be allowed.
Size shall be approved by the ~lanning Conmission.
(c) All vacant lot signs, Real Estate Signs and Subdivision
signs shalt be kept in good repair and appearance. Such
signs shall be removed after two years unless an ex-
tension of time is granted by the Planning Commission.
68.14 Awnings: Signs shall not be placed on, attached to, or con-
structed on any awning.
68.15 Exceptions: No sign permit will be required for the following
sIgns.
(a) Professional name plates for each occupant in a pro-
fessional or commercial building.
(b) Bulletin boards not over ten (10) square feet in area
for public, charitable or religious institutions.
(c) Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings and date
of erection when cut into masonry surface or when con.
structed of bronze or other incombustible material.
(d) Traffic or other municipal signs; legal notices, rail-
road crossing signs, danger and such temporary, emergency
or non.advertising signs as may be approved by the City
Counci I.
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(e) Temporary signs of a directional nature when for a
period of less than twenty-four (24) hours use.
(f) One construction sign erected by a building contractor,
sub-contractor, architect or engineer while actually
engaged in construction of the building, of which he is
the owner or for which he has a convect an:: subject to
Section 68.9 (c).
(g) Special signs for public parades and events for a period
not to exceed fifteen (15) days, provided the location
and safety of said signs are approved by the Building
Inspector.
(h) Temporary signs and banners of a civic, charitable,
educational or municipal nature not to exceed a period
of 45 days, provided approval as to location, size and
safety is secured from the Building Inspector.
(i) Temporary pennants, banners, and similar advertising
devices located over private property to advertise
business openings, sales and special promotions, provided
same are not maintained for a consecutive period in
excess of 45 calendar days, and shall not be replaced by
the same or similar signs within 90 calendar days after
said removal.
(J) Temporary signs on windows of commercial buildings, pro-
vided no more than 25% of the window surface is covered,
not to exceed 45 days.
(k) Political signs shall require a bond guaranteeing their
removal within 1~ days after election. The City
~dministrator sh~llset bond.
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(1) Service club signs, provided only one of each composite
structures be permitted on each main entrance to the
City, and provided the design, size and height be ap-
proved by the Planning Commission.
(m) Signs identifying the existence or location of public
utility facilities, provided said signs conform with al;
other provisions of this Ordinance.
68.16 Special Exceptions Permitted: Where it is obvious that the
existence of buildings, topography, vegetation, sign struc-
tural characteristics, or other conditions existing on the
subject or surrounding properties should materially prohibit
a proposed sign or signs, which otherwise conform with this
Ordinance, from reasonably identifying a particular (or group
of) en~erprise~s), the Director of Public Works may recommend
an exception only to the height, setback, and area restrictions
of this Ordinance. Prior to recommending such an exception,
the subject property shall be posted to indicate the nature
and extent of the requested exception. In recommending such
exception, the Director of Public Works shall indicate the
circumstances necessitating such exception and may attach
appropriate conditions. The Director of Public Vorks shall
report said matter to the Planning Commission for a determination.
68.17 Other Signs: Any signs not otherwise permitted, regulated,
or expressly prohibited by City Ordinances shall require
review and approval by the Planning Commission under a Use
Permit procedure prior to the issuance of a building permit.
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68.18 Signs on City or Other Public Property: The Planning Com-
mission shall review and act upon proposals for signs on City
and other public property, taking into consideration the
nature and use of the property, the necessity of the sign,
and whether the sign would detract from or be in harmony with
the public purposes of the city property and with existing
or contemplated surrounding development.
68.19 Special Sign Permits: In recognition of situations where the
overall signing of any commercial or industrial activity
containing at least 10,000 square feet of floor area, or of
any building complex on a minimum two-acre parcel, or of a
multi-storied building which has one or more uses located
above the ground floor area, or of a parcel which contains at
least two uses in separate buildings, the Planning Commission
may issue a Special Sign Permit in order to allow voluntary
diversification in the design and location of signs while in-
suring substantial compliance with the sign regulations
contained in this Ordinance, provided all of the following
findings are made after the holding of a public hearing:
(a) All signs and sign structures are related through the
use of similar materials, letter style, color, illumina-
tion, method of structural support or attachment, sign
cabinet design, and/or shape so that a related signing
pattern is achieved througout the development.
(b) The design of the signs is related to the architectural
style of buildings within the development and the
character of the surrounding area.
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(c) Proportional relationships are achieved among the
building surface area and bulk and sign element areas.
(d) Wall sign copy does not exceed forty percent of the sign
surface area or the sign is composed only of skeleton
letters and symbols mounted directly to the building.
(e) The sign area for wall signs is generally not greater
than ten percent of the building facade upon which
attached, but may be as large as fifteen percent for
major tenants.
(f) Signs located above the eave line are integral design
features of the roof or building.
(g) Under canopy signs may be allowed when such signs do not
exceed three square feet in area and are proximate to an
entrance opening to the public.
(h) The design of free-standing signs incorporates some of
the horizontal and vertical elements of the buildings
(i.e. materials, color, design details) located within
the signing area.
The above design allowances may also be granted if it Is de-
termined by the Planning Commission that the proposed signing
confonms to a unique design theme involving the participation
of several adjacent or surrounding commercial entitles,
provided each participant agrees in writing to the conditions
of approval set forth by the Planning Commission.
68.20 Structural Safety: Every sign and all parts, portions, units
and material comprising the same, together with the frame,
background, supports or anchorage therefor, shall be manu-
factured, fabricated, assembled, constructed and erected as
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specified for structures in the Building, Electrical and Fire
Prevention Codes of the City as they now exist or may here-
after be amended, or as they may hereafter exist.
68.21 Sign Maintenance: Every sign and all parts, portions, units
and materials composing the same, together with the frame,
background, supports or anchorage therefor, shall be maintained
in proper repair and state of preservation. The display surface
of all signs shall be kept neatly painted and/or posted. Failure
to so Maintain signs shall constitute a violation of this
ordinance and removal may be ordered by the Director of Public
Works in accordance with Section 68.24 of this ordinance.
68.22 Non-conforming Signs: Signs not conforming with the provisions
of this ordinance, but lawfully erected amd maintained prior to
the effective date of this ordinance, shall be non-conforming.
signs subject to the provisions for alteration or removal thereof
set forth herein.
68.23 Removal of Non-conforming Signs:
(A) Signs lawfully existing up to 15 years prior to the effective
date of this ordinance which do not conform with the provisions
herein shall be altered, replaced or removed in order to so
conform within the following time periods:
(I) Any non-conforming sign the value of which is less than
one hundred ($100) Dollars as determined by the Director of
Public Works, shall be removed or altered to comply with the
provisions of this ordinance not later than one year from the
effective date of this ordinance or within 30 days from official
notice, if that be greater.
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(2) Any non-conforming sign the value of which is more than
one hundred ($100) Dollars but less than four hundred
($400) dollars as determined by the Director of Public
Works, shall be removed or altered to comply with the
provisions of this ordinance not later than two (2) years
from the effective date of this ordinance or within 30
days from official notice, if that be greater.
(3) Any non-conforming sign the value of which is more than
four'lundre.:. ($1'\0) dollars but l.ess than one thousand
($1,000) dollars as determined by the Director of Public
Works, shall be removed or altered to comply with the
provisions of this ordinance not later than three (3)
years from the effective date of this ordinance or within
30 days from official notice, if that ~e greater.
(!~) Any non-conforming sign the value of which is more than
one thousand ($1,000) dollars but less than two thousand
($2,000) dollars as determined by the Director of Public
Works, shall be removed or altered to comply with the
provisions of this ordinance not later than five (5)
years from the effective date of this ordinance or within
30 days from official notice, if that be greater.
(~) Any non-conforming sign the value of which is more than
two thousand ($2,000) dollars as determined by the
Director of Public Works, shall be removed or altered
to comply with the provisions of this ordinance not later
than seven (7) years from the effective date of this
ordinance or within 30 days from official notice, if th~t
be greater.
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(6)
In determining the value of any non-conforming sign
above $100, the Director of Public Works shall obtain a
written estimate of value from a licensed sign contractor.
This shall set the valuation of the sign.
Should the owner of the sign disagree with this estimate
of value, he shall also obtain a written estimate of
value, he shall also obtain a written estimate of
value from a licensed sign contractor. This shall be
submitted to the Director of Public Works along with a
statement on the original cost of the sign. if the City
and sign owner can not agree on value, the Planning Com-
mission shall determine the value of the sign. Their
determination shall be final.
(B) Any non-conforming sign of whatever value which has been in
existence for more than fifteen (15) years prior to the
effective date of this ordinance shall be removed or altered
within one year of the effective date of this ordinance or
within 30 days from official notice if that be greater.
68.24 Removal of Unsafe, Unlawful and Unnecessary Signs: Should
any sign regulated herein become unsafe, insecure, a menace
to the public, or should it be constructed or erected or main-
tained in violation of this section, or should the sign no
longer identify or advertise a bona fide business establish-
ment, the Director of Public Works may declare the same to
not be In conformance with this section, and may direct the
removal, repair, or reconstruction of such sign in writing.
If action is not begun within fifteen (15) days after receipt
of such notice, the Director of Public Works shall set a
public hearing before the City Council wherein the aggrieved
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party may show cause before said Council why the work should
not be done. Should the City Council order the work to be
done, the owner shall have 10 days to accomplish said work.
Upon failure thereafter of the owner, agent or person to com-
ply with said order, the Director of Public Works shall have
the right, and it shall be his duty, to enforce said order to
cause the violation to be abated and to cause the violator to
be assessed the costs for such abatement through an additional
public hearing before the City Council.
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