Chapter 9-42
SIGNS AND ADVERTISING DEVICES

Sections:

9-42.010    Purpose and intent.

9-42.020    Definitions.

9-42.030    Permitted and prohibited signs.

9-42.040    Permit requirements.

9-42.050    Maintenance standards.

9-42.060    Lighting requirements.

9-42.070    Location of signs.

9-42.080    Height limits.

9-42.090    Size, scale, and proportionality.

9-42.100    Administration and enforcement.

9-42.110    Application requirements.

9-42.120    Required plan inclusions.

9-42.130    Permit fees.

9-42.140    Variance procedure.

9-42.150    Appeal procedure.

9-42.160    Master sign program required.

9-42.170    Master sign program inclusions.

9-42.180    Sign standards matrix.

9-42.190    Computation of sign area.

9-42.200    Temporary signs.

9-42.210    Sign materials, design, and construction.

9-42.220    Monument and center identification signs.

9-42.230    Multiple story building signage.

9-42.240    Neon signs.

9-42.250    Suspended signs.

9-42.260    Prohibited signs.

9-42.270    Exempted signs.

9-42.280    Abatement of signs in public right-of-way and unsafe signs.

9-42.290    Legal nonconforming on-site signs.

9-42.300    Inventory of existing on-site illegal and abandoned signs.

9-42.310    Abatement procedures.

9-42.320    Compensation.

9-42.330    Special sign regulations.

9-42.010 Purpose and intent.

A.    The purpose and intent of this chapter is to:

1.    Regulate the type, placement, and scale of signs within different zoning districts;

2.    Encourage well designed consistent signage that is pleasing in appearance and compatible with community character while recognizing the commercial communication requirement of all sectors of the business community;

3.    Ensure that signage does not present potential traffic and safety hazards to motorists and pedestrians;

4.    Maintain the attractiveness of the community and enhance the character of the city as a place in which to live, work, play, and visit;

5.    Promote the public health, safety, and general welfare of the citizens and business community of the city through quality sign standards;

6.    Promote renovation and proper maintenance of advertising structures.

B.    The intent and scope of this chapter is not to regulate:

1.    Official traffic or safety signs;

2.    The copy and message of signs except for size and scale, or content which may be obscene;

3.    Product dispensers and point of purchase displays exterior to a building, provided that the point of purchase displays do not provide signage;

4.    Scoreboards on athletic fields, meeting parks and recreation facility plan regulations;

5.    Flags of any nation, state, or local government or nonprofit, charitable, or philanthropic organization;

6.    Gravestones, religious symbols, commemorative plaques, display of street numbers, or any display or construction not defined as a sign;

7.    City identification signs. (Ord. 98-8 § 2 (part): prior code § 9-25.010)

9-42.020 Definitions.

Definitions related to signs are incorporated within the definitions contained in Chapter 9-04 of this title. The definitions apply to all signage within the city. (Ord. 98-8 § 2 (part): prior code § 9-25.020)

9-42.030 Permitted and prohibited signs.

Table 9-42.030 provides a list of permitted and prohibited signs by zone. Signs not contained in this matrix shall be considered as prohibited.

Table 9-42.030
SIGNS PERMITTED BY ZONES

Sign Type

Zones

ER

LDR

MLDR

MDR

HDR

OP

VC

FC

CC

MXU

NMU

C/PI

OS-1

OS-2

OS-3

PC

PCR

A-frame

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Addresses

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

Animated

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Audio

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Awning

X

X

X

X

X

P

P

P

P

P

P

X

X

X

X

X

X

Balloons (Small helium filled)

X

X

X

T

T

T

T

T

T

T

T

T

T

X

X

T

T

Banner

X

X

X

X

X

T

T

T

T

T

T

T

T

X

X

X

X

Bench

X

X

X

X

X

P

P

P

P

P

P

X

X

X

X

X

X

Billboard

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Bulletin board

X

X

X

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

X

X

P

P

Canopy

X

X

X

X

X

P

P

P

P

P

P

X

X

X

X

X

X

Center identification

X

X

X

X

X

P

P

P

P

P

P

X

X

X

X

X

X

Construction

T

T

T

T

T

T

T

T

T

T

T

T

T

T

T

T

T

Directional

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

X

X

P

P

Directory

X

X

X

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

X

X

P

P

Emergency

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

Flag1 (nations)

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

X

X

E

E

Flashing

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Holiday decoration

T

T

T

T

T

T

T

T

T

T

T

T

T

T

T

T

T

Building identification

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

X

X

P

P

Inflatable

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Marquee

X

X

X

X

X

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

X

X

X

X

X

Menu board

X

X

X

X

X

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

X

X

X

X

X

Monument

X

X

X

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

X

X

P

P

Neon

X

X

X

X

X

P

P

P

P

P

P

X

X

X

X

X

X

Noncommercial

T

T

T

T

T

T

T

T

T

T

T

T

T

T

T

T

T

Off-site

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Pennant

X

X

X

X

X

T

T

T

T

T

T

T

X

X

X

X

X

Pole

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Political election

T

T

T

T

T

T

T

T

T

T

T

T

X

X

X

T

T

Portable

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Projecting

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Real estate

T

T

T

T

T

T

T

T

T

T

T

X

X

X

X

T

T

Riders

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Roof

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Rotating

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Suspended

X

X

X

X

X

P

P

P

P

P

P

X

X

X

X

X

X

Temporary

T

T

T

T

T

T

T

T

T

T

T

T

T

X

X

T

T

Time & temp

X

X

X

X

X

P

P

P

P

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Vehicle

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Wall

X

X

X

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

X

X

X

P

Window

X

X

X

X

X

P

P

P

P

P

P

X

X

X

X

X

X

1    Flags of nations, states or nonprofit, charitable or philanthropic organizations are only subject to height limits of the zone in which erected or displayed.

Notes:    E = Exempt P = Permitted

T = Temporary    X = Prohibited

(Ord. 2009-3 § 1 (Exh. A (part)); Ord. 98-8 § 2 (part): prior code § 9-25.030)

9-42.040 Permit requirements.

Except for political election and noncommercial signs, or signs identified in Section 9-42.270 of this chapter, no sign shall be erected, constructed, or altered, without obtaining necessary building or electrical permits, required by the city. The maintenance or repair of signs is exempt from this requirement. Political election and noncommercial signs shall comply with all other requirements of this chapter. (Ord. 98-8 § 2 (part): prior code § 9-25.040)

9-42.050 Maintenance standards.

All signs shall be properly maintained. Exposed surfaces shall be clean and painted, if paint is required. Defective parts shall be replaced. The Community Development Director shall have the responsibility to order repair or removal of any sign which is defective, damaged, or substantially deteriorated, as established by visual inspection. (Ord. 98-8 § 2 (part): prior code § 9-25.050)

9-42.060 Lighting requirements.

All lighting devices on signs, or providing illumination to a sign, shall not create glare, conflict with vehicular traffic, or spill-over to adjacent land uses. Except where otherwise specified, signs may be internally or externally illuminated. Internal illumination includes any source from the interior of a sign, behind letters (back lighting), channel lighting, or neon, incandescent or fluorescent. Exterior illumination must be focused to illuminate only the face of the sign. External lighting shall be designed so as not to reflect glare or visually disturb surrounding land uses.

Illumination shall be considered excessive when it prevents the normal perception of buildings or structures beyond or in the vicinity of the sign or when it is disruptive to residential zones or any public or private right-of-way. Internally illuminated signs which use the technique known as “push through” as well as individually illuminated channel lettering or halo lighting are preferred. Externally illuminated freestanding and monument signs are preferred. The following limitations shall apply to all lighted signs:

A.    Except for low intensity, internally illuminated directory or address signs, illuminated signs shall be prohibited in residential and open space zones.

B.    Illuminated signs located within one hundred fifty (150) feet of any residential use shall not be illuminated between the hours of ten p.m. and six a.m.

C.    Sign illumination shall not result in glare being directed toward surrounding properties or upon abutting streets.

D.    Exterior lighting directed at a sign shall be shielded to insure that the light is projected only upon the sign.

E.    Flashing, twinkling, racing, rotating, or changing intensities of light value shall not be permitted on any electrical sign.

F.    The intensity of any lighted sign shall not exceed a lumen value of .5 footcandles at ten feet from the sign or a maximum of four hundred thirty (430) milliamperes cool-white radiance.

G.    Lighted signs shall not contain colors or symbols that create confusion or interfere with the observance of traffic safety lights or signage. (Ord. 98-8 § 2 (part): prior code § 9-25.060)

9-42.070 Location of signs.

Unless otherwise permitted by a master sign program approved under provisions of this chapter, signs shall comply with the following general placement standards:

A.    All signs, unless otherwise provided for in this chapter, shall be erected upon the premises or property occupied by the person or business identified by the signs.

B.    No sign, except those provided for herein, such as temporary signs for city sponsored special events, holiday decorations, or special civic advertisements, shall be erected in, over, or upon a public right-of-way.

C.    Except as provided herein, no sign shall be attached to any public or private utility pole, light standard, item of street furniture, fire hydrant, or similar device except those required by law to regulate the public health, safety, and welfare or as required by any federal or state law or regulation related thereto.

D.    Signs should not be placed in such a manner that the visibility of a sign on adjacent properties is obscured as viewed from a public or private right-of-way.

E.    Signs shall not be placed in any manner that will interfere with the visibility of traffic safety signs, traffic lights, or the sight vision distance of any intersection whether of two streets or a street and private driveway.

F.    All signs shall be securely anchored, attached, or affixed to the structure, support, or wall to which they are mounted.

G.    With the exception of center identification and monument signs, no sign may be placed in any location not designated as part of the buildable area of a lot or parcel of land. No sign shall encroach upon or over the public right-of-way or extend beyond a property line, except as otherwise specified herein. Refer to Section 9-42.220 of this chapter for a discussion of monument sign provisions. (Ord. 98-8 § 2 (part): prior code § 9-25.070)

9-42.080 Height limits.

Permanent and temporary signs shall meet the limitations of this section.

A.    No sign shall extend above the eave line or parapet of the building on which it is located.

B.    No sign shall be erected or placed upon the roof of any structure or building.

C.    Signage on multiple story buildings shall be restricted to the third story ceiling level and below except for highrise identification signs which shall not be located above the parapet or roof line upon the wall area above the highest story of the building. Refer to Section 9-42.230 of this chapter for multiple story building signage provisions.

D.    Sign height shall be measured from the ground (finished grade) directly below the sign to the highest point of the sign or its supports. Berming above the existing grade solely to enhance the height of any signs, is prohibited. When signs are constructed on hillsides or embankments where the sign supports are at varying lengths, height shall be measured from the horizontal grade at the mid-point of the sign. The height of a sign will be computed as the distance from the base of the sign at grade to the top of the highest attached component of the sign including its support structure when attached to other than a building wall or awning, excluding any filling, berming, mounding, or excavating solely for the purpose of locating the sign.

E.    All signs placed adjacent to, suspended above, or over walkways, trails, or pedestrian ways shall have a minimum vertical clearance of eight feet between the bottom of the sign to surface level of the walkway or trail.

F.    Any sign authorized by this chapter to be suspended over any public roadway, driveway, alley or other travel way for vehicle use shall have a minimum vertical clearance of fifteen (15) feet between the bottom of the sign and surface of the travel way. (Ord. 98-8 § 2 (part): prior code § 9-25.080)

9-42.090 Size, scale, and proportionality.

All signs shall be designed and constructed such that they are proportional to the wall area, building facade and or lot area upon which they will be displayed. Signs shall maintain compatibility with the vehicular or pedestrian viewer for which they are oriented thereby insuring proper scale. Sizes of signs shall be those as identified in Table 9-42.090, or as otherwise specified in Section 9-42.330 of this chapter.

Table 9-42.090
SIGN MATRIX

Sign Type	Sign Classification	Maximum Size	% of Building Frontage	% of Window	Maximum Height	Maximum Aggregate
Awning, canopy, marquee	P	.5 sq. ft. per lin. ft. of building frontage	Length limited to 35% of building face	N/A	15 ft.	N/A
Balloons	T	small helium filled	N/A	N/A	10 ft.	10 stringers; 10 balloons per stringer
Banner	T	24 sq. ft.	N/A	N/A	below parapet	24 sq. ft.; 1 banner per business
Bench	P	20 sq. ft.	N/A	N/A	3 ft. above sidewalk grade	N/A
Building directory	P	15 sq. ft.	N/A	N/A	6 ft. above sidewalk grade	N/A
Bulletin	P	8 sq. ft.	N/A	N/A	6 ft.	N/A
Directory	P	24 sq. ft.	N/A	N/A	8 ft.	N/A
Center identification	P	1 sq. ft. per lin. ft. of street frontage	N/A	N/A	20 ft.	400 sq. ft.
Construction	T	48 sq. ft.; 32 sq. ft. in residential and open space zones	N/A	N/A	8 ft.	N/A
Directional	P	4 sq. ft.	N/A	N/A	3 ft.	N/A
Flags, nonexempt	T	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Identification:
Residential	P	2 sq. ft.	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Commercial	P	3 sq. ft.	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Menu sign	P	4 sq. ft.	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Monument	P	40 sq.ft.	N/A	N/A	4 ft.	N/A
Pennant	T	2 sq. ft. each	N/A	N/A	10 ft.	100 linear ft.
Political election and noncommercial	T	16 sq. ft.	N/A	N/A	4 ft.	N/A
Suspended	P	4 sq. ft.	N/A	N/A	N/A	1 (per business)
Time & temperature	P	1 sq. ft. per lin. ft. of street frontage	N/A	N/A	20 ft.	40 sq. ft.
Wall	P	1 sq. ft. per lin. ft. of building frontage	Length limited to 70% of building face	N/A	top of parapet	150 sq. ft. (per business)
Window	P	20 sq.ft.	N/A	20%	N/A	N/A

Notes:

N/A    = Not applicable

T    = Temporary

P    = Permanent

(Ord. 98-8 § 2 (part): prior code § 9-25.090)

9-42.100 Administration and enforcement.

The Community Development Director and Building Official shall have the authority to administer and enforce the provisions of this chapter and any related and applicable provisions of the city municipal code. (Ord. 98-8 § 2 (part): prior code § 9-25.100)

9-42.110 Application requirements.

The Planning Department shall provide and maintain a process to include relevant forms for applications for sign permits. Sign permits shall be of two varieties, those which are building permit issuances and those which involve approval of a master sign program.

An application for a sign permit shall be made in writing upon forms provided by the Building Department. The permit request shall be accompanied by plans and specifications for review and approval.

The plans will be reviewed by the Planning Department for compliance with applicable sign requirements. The Building and Safety Department will review plans for technical compliance with all building and electrical codes.

Sign program requirements contained in Section 9-42.160 of this chapter shall be followed for master sign program reviews and approvals. (Ord. 98-8 § 2 (part): prior code § 9-25.110)

9-42.120 Required plan inclusions.

The plans which are required to be submitted for a sign permit must show the following:

A.    The total sign area, dimensions, colors, materials, letter style, and size of the proposed sign;

B.    The proposed copy to include letter height and style (exact type face to be used);

C.    Method of illumination and denotation if the sign is U.L. approved;

D.    The scale to which the plans are drawn;

E.    The location of the subject sign within the project site;

F.    Building architectural elevations depicting placement of the proposed signage, as well as any existing signs, on the building;

G.    A color and material board may be required by the planning department on a case-by-case basis. This applies only to signs whose housing or structure had not been permanently affixed to its intended premises by November 13, 1998. (Ord. 98-8 § 2 (part): prior code § 9-25.130)

9-42.130 Permit fees.

Permit fees for sign permits and master sign plan applications shall be those adopted by resolution of the City Council. (Ord. 98-8 § 2 (part): prior code § 9-25.130)

9-42.140 Variance procedure.

Any applicant may submit a request for variance to sign standards set forth in this chapter for signage not included in a master sign program. The use of a variance to establish a sign or device which is strictly prohibited within the development code shall not be permitted. (Ord. 98-8 § 2 (part): prior code § 9-25.140)

9-42.150 Appeal procedure.

Denial of minor amendments to a master sign program may be appealed in accordance with the procedures outlined in Chapter 9-96 of this code. (Ord. 98-8 § 2 (part): prior code § 9-25.150)

9-42.160 Master sign program required.

A master sign program shall be required in any of the following situations:

A.    For each new or remodeled center with three or more tenants on a single development site, regardless of parcelization;

B.    For any new or remodeled single enterprise which proposes any combination of signs upon the site equalling three or more signs;

C.    For any highrise building, new or existing, that proposes signage revisions;

D.    For any revision to a sign program previously approved. (Ord. 98-8 § 2 (part): prior code § 9-25.160)

9-42.170 Master sign program inclusions.

An application for a site development permit shall be required for a master sign program. Approval of the site development permit shall be in accordance with Chapter 9-92 of this title.

A master sign program shall consist of the following:

A.    A comprehensive written and graphic plan depicting the relationship of the signs proposed with architectural and landscape elements of the development;

B.    A map, drawn to scale, delineating the site and denoting the area to which the sign program or modification of an existing sign program will occur;

C.    Plans, drawn to scale, including the following:

1.    A site plan indicating the specific location of all existing and proposed signs within the area subject to the sign program,

2.    Comprehensive plans depicting sign area, dimensions, colors, materials, letter style, letter height, and method of illumination for each sign type proposed for use under the plan,

3.    Comprehensive architectural building elevational plans depicting the proposed sign placement upon the intended elevation,

4.    The method of attachment for the proposed signs,

5.    Proposed or revised landscape plans to show corrections and or improvements related to the sign program;

D.    The written portion of the plan shall identify special criteria and design issues that are different than standard sign criteria. Signs prohibited by this chapter shall be prohibited within sign programs as well;

E.    Special sign varieties such as small helium filled balloons, pennants, flags, and banners may be approved as permanent signage under the master sign program. (Ord. 98-8 § 2 (part): prior code § 9-25.170)

9-42.180 Sign standards matrix.

Table 9-42.090 provides standards for the type, maximum number, aggregate area, maximum height of signs, and additional standards applicable to all permitted signs. For projects involving a master sign program, deviations from these standards may be granted by the Planning Agency based on design quality, creativity, and compatibility of the signage with the building architecture and surrounding land uses. This applies only to signs whose housing or structure had not been permanently affixed to its intended premises by November 13, 1998. (Ord. 98-8 § 2 (part): prior code § 9-25.180)

9-42.190 Computation of sign area.

A.    Sign Area.

1.    Sign area for typical or stylized can or cabinet signs generally used for wall, monument, center, or pylon signs will be calculated by drawing a rectangle, square or circle around the perimeter of the cabinet used to house the advertising display and calculating the area of that geometric pattern.

2.    Sign area for free-formed logos and trademarks and independent channel letters shall be calculated by enclosing the independent symbols and/or letters compiled into individual words within a square, rectangle, circle, or other geometric shape comprised of a series of up to eight straight connected lines joined at ninety (90) degree angles and computing the area of that geometric shape.

3.    Sign area for awning and window signs shall be calculated by drawing one box or rectangle around all the letters and symbols used to display the message and then computing the area of that geometric shape.

4.    The sign area for a sign with two faces shall be computed by counting only one face of the sign, provided that both faces are parallel to each other and do not advertise separate uses or facilities. All other multiple faced signs shall be calculated by determining the area of each face and adding all faces together to get a composite total.

5.    Where a sign structure or support is designed in such a manner to make the sign more noticeable or appear larger, as determined by the Community Development Director, the area of the structure or support shall be included in the sign area. This applies only to signs whose housing or structure had not been permanently affixed to its intended premises by November 13, 1998.

B.    Building Frontage. For purposes of calculating permitted sign area, frontage shall be considered the width of the “storefront.” For buildings located on corners or freestanding buildings located in a commercial center, frontage shall be considered both the building length and width. This applies only to signs whose housing or structure had not been permanently affixed to its intended premises by November 13, 1998. (Ord. 98-8 § 2 (part): prior code § 9-25.190)

9-42.200 Temporary signs.

The use of temporary banners, pennants, special holiday decorations, and flags in conjunction with special events, grand openings, liquidation sales, real estate open house events, and special events of community-wide significance or seasonal events is subject to the limitations of this section in addition to those previously identified.

A.    Banner/Pennant/Flag Signs and other Temporary Signage. The use of banners, pennants, flags, and other temporary signage to promote or advertise special events, civic activities, grand openings, holidays, and special seasonal sales is permitted subject to obtaining required permits from the city. The application procedures and requirements for temporary signs are contained in Chapter 9-92 of this title. In addition to temporary sign permits, signs which intend to encroach within, on, or over the public right-of-way shall obtain an encroachment permit from the Public Works Department.

1.    A center and/or individual business may be granted a permit to display on-site banners, pennants, and flags for a maximum of forty-five (45) days within a twelve (12) month aggregate period. Time can be accrued in any multiple of consecutive days, up to a maximum of fifteen (15) separate events/occasions, up to a maximum of forty-five (45) days.

2.    Banner, pennant, and/or flag signs attached to a building shall not exceed a total aggregate area equal to one square foot per lineal foot of building frontage or an area of twenty-four (24) square feet, whichever is less. Banners erected on approved guywires and standards over public streets or upon public facilities shall not exceed one hundred (100) square feet.

3.    Banners, pennants, and/or flags shall be erected or placed only upon the site in which they are intended to advertise. No off-site banners, pennants, and flags shall be permitted except those related to community wide events of significance.

4.    No banner, pennant, or flag shall cover more than fifteen (15) percent of the total window area on the building elevation on which they are located, nor shall such temporary signage in concert with permitted permanent window signs exceed forty (40) percent coverage of any window area.

5.    The number of pennants and/or flags proposed in conjunction with a temporary use shall be subject to the criteria contained in Table 9-42.090.

6.    The design and location of banners, pennants, and/or flags shall compliment rather than detract from site design, architectural and landscape design, and existing permanent signage. Use of any individual location on a site for the display of numerous individual banners, so that said location effectively becomes a permanent location for the display of banners, pennants, and/or flags, is expressly prohibited.

7.    Copy shall be limited to wording advertising promotional events including seasonal events, business name, or similar message to identify the event or purpose of the temporary sign.

B.    Political/Election Signs. Political/election signs, including their supporting structures, shall be permitted on private property and/or public right-of-way in all zoning districts provided that:

1.    No person shall install or maintain or cause to be installed or maintained any sign which simulates or imitates in size, color, lettering, or design any traffic sign or signal, or which makes use of the words, “Stop,” “Look,” or “Danger,” or any other words, phrases, symbols, or characters in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic.

2.    No person shall affix a sign on any public building, street, median, island, sidewalk, traffic signal, utility pole, traffic control device, or tree. Signs are permitted in the landscaped public parkway or public slope area, as long as the sign is two feet from the sidewalk or curb face.

3.    Political signs shall not be placed earlier than sixty (60) days prior to the election for which intended, nor remain in place longer than ten days post election.

4.    The city may remove signs and store for thirty (30) days signs which otherwise violate this chapter. The property owner shall be notified in writing upon removal by the city and shall have the right to retrieve the sign within thirty (30) days. If a sign is not claimed after thirty (30) days, the city may discard the sign.

5.    The city may remove and discard ten days post election any signs posted within the permitted portion of the public right-of-way. Not withstanding the foregoing, any political election sign which is located on public property in violation of this chapter, may be immediately removed by the city.

6.    Nothing in this subsection is intended to permit the installation of signs without permission of the property owner.

C.    Noncommercial Signs. Noncommercial signs shall be permitted upon any private property in all zoning districts. Noncommercial signs shall be subject to the following:

1.    No person shall install or maintain or cause to be installed or maintained any sign which simulates or imitates in size, color, lettering, or design any traffic sign or signal, or which makes use of the words, “Stop,” “Look,” or “Danger,” or any other words, phrases, symbols, or characters in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic.

2.    No illumination shall be provided.

3.    Signs shall not extend into any public right-of-way adjacent to the property on which displayed.

4.    Nothing in this subsection C is intended to permit the installation of signs without permission of the property owner.

D.    Construction Signs.

1.    The information and copy on construction signs shall be limited to the name of the project and may denote the firm(s) working on the construction project and any governmental agency or funding source used for the project.

2.    Sign area for construction signs shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in residential and open space zones or forty-eight (48) square feet in commercial and industrial zones.

3.    Construction signs shall be installed subject to an approved permit and shall be removed upon project completion.

E.    Open House, Garage/Yard Sale Signs. Open house, garage/yard sale signs shall be limited to two signs per site and one sign per each change of direction for each open house, garage/yard sale at intersections within the tract and one sign placed at each entrance to the tract. No sign shall be placed upon any private property without the consent of the owner.

For open house signs, the entrance sign shall be in any combination of green and white, or a generic homeowners association sign approved by the Community Development Director, and shall bear the copy “OPEN HOUSE” with an arrow pointing in the appropriate direction. For garage/yard sale signs, entrance sign copy shall be limited to “GARAGE/YARD SALE” and not include the property address. Each sign shall be firmly affixed to a support stake and shall not exceed a height of four feet, and an area of four square feet. Signs may be displayed during the time of the open house but shall not exceed the period between dawn and dusk daily. Open house signs may be located in the public right-of-way, but shall not be attached to fire hydrants, traffic signals, or utility poles, nor placed in any area that may otherwise inhibit or interfere with vehicular or pedestrian traffic.

Garage/yard sale signs shall only be permitted on the day and during the hours of the event and shall not be attached to fire hydrants, traffic signals, or utility poles, nor placed in any area that may otherwise inhibit or interfere with vehicular or pedestrian traffic nor encroach in a public right-of-way.

F.    Real Estate Signs. The copy of these signs shall be limited to information relating to the sale, lease or rental of the premises on which the sign is located. A maximum of one sign per building site is permitted. The display of a real estate sign, for single-family properties, is restricted to the front yard of the property for sale. The maximum area of a sign shall not be greater than six square feet with a maximum height of six feet. These signs shall be removed upon the close of escrow or when lease or rental has been accomplished.

G.    Nonprofit Community Service Organization Special Event Signs. Subject to a written request, a no-fee permit for a temporary banner may be granted by the Community Development Director for a one week period or less, to certified nonprofit community service organizations, for an event which will benefit the community, or general public.