Chapter 6.40
SIGNS AND ADVERTISING STRUCTURES

Sections:

Article I. Purpose and Scope

6.40.010    Authority.

6.40.020    Purpose and findings.

6.40.030    Scope.

Article II. Definitions

6.40.040    Definitions.

Article III. General Provisions

6.40.050    Compliance required.

6.40.060    Signs prohibited.

6.40.070    Planning permits required.

6.40.080    Signs and activities not requiring permits.

6.40.090    Maintenance.

6.40.100    Lighting.

6.40.110    Sign contractor’s license or exemption.

6.40.120    Reserved.

Article IV. Regulation by PAS

6.40.130    Signs permitted in all PAS.

6.40.140    Signs permitted in residential PAS.

6.40.150    Signs permitted in commercial/tourist plan areas.

Article V. Construction Specifications

6.40.160    Construction specifications.

Article VI. Administration and Enforcement

6.40.170    Planning division.

6.40.180    Application for permits.

6.40.190    Permit fees.

6.40.200    Permit issuance.

6.40.210    Revocation.

6.40.220    Inspection upon completion.

6.40.230    Exceptions.

6.40.240    Locally unique signs.

6.40.250    Reserved.

6.40.260    Violations.

6.40.270    Appeals.

Article VII. Conflict, Severability and Effective Date

6.40.280    Conflict.

6.40.290    Severability.

Article VIII. Sign Design Standards

6.40.300    Applicability.

6.40.305    Alternative design standards.

6.40.310    Copy.

6.40.320    Lighting.

6.40.330    Landscaping.

6.40.340    Construction.

6.40.350    Color.

6.40.360    Sign location.

6.40.370    Sign height.

6.40.380    General sign design.

Article IX. Sign Area Formula City-Wide

6.40.390    Concept.

6.40.400    Computing the sign area.

Article X. Tourist Core Area Plan

6.40.420    Tourist core area plan.

Code reviser’s note: The attachments, exhibits, and TRPA documents referenced in this chapter are available in the office of the city clerk.

Article I. Purpose and Scope

6.40.010 Authority.

This chapter is prepared pursuant to the TRPA Code of Ordinances, Section 38.2.3(A), which permits local jurisdictions to prepare equal or superior sign standards to the TRPA Sign Ordinance, contained in TRPA Chapter 38. (Ord. 1145 § 1)

6.40.020 Purpose and findings.

The purpose of this chapter shall be to establish regulations on the display, erection, use, and maintenance of signs in South Lake Tahoe. These regulations coordinate the type, placement, and scale of signs within the different land use categories in order to:

A. Promote public health and safety;

B. Minimize aesthetic impacts on the community and prevent visual clutter caused by excessive and obtrusive signs;

C. Reduce distractions, obstructions, or hazards to pedestrians and automobile traffic caused by an excessive number of signs, excessive size or height, inappropriate means of illumination, movements, indiscriminate placement, overconcentration, or unsafe construction;

D. Improve the visual quality of South Lake Tahoe;

E. Encourage the innovative use of design;

F. Promote both renovation and proper maintenance of signs;

G. Recognize that commercial and residential areas within South Lake Tahoe have different regulatory needs due to their inherent characteristics and may require different sign regulations based on the respective land uses, and that aesthetic impacts based on sign size, illumination, and placement may create a greater public nuisance in residential neighborhood areas than in commercial areas. (Ord. 1145 § 1)

6.40.030 Scope.

This chapter shall not relate to building design. Nor shall the chapter regulate official traffic or government signs; the copy and message of signs; signs not intended to be viewed from a public right-of-way; interior window displays; scoreboards on athletic fields; flags of any nation or government; gravestones; religious symbols; memorial signs; the residential display of street numbers; or any display or construction not defined herein as a sign.

The primary intent of this chapter shall be to regulate signs intended to be readable from any public street, recreation area, bike trail or from Lake Tahoe. (Ord. 1145 § 1)

Article II. Definitions

6.40.040 Definitions.

1. “Abandoned sign” means a sign, nonconforming or conforming, which no longer identifies or advertises a bona fide business, use, lessor, service, owner, product or activity for a period of six months or longer, and/or for which no legal owner can be found.

2. “Access” means any public vehicle access. Does not include pedestrian or service vehicle access.

3. “Animated sign” means a sign or display manifesting either kinetic or illusionary motion occasioned by natural, manual, mechanical, electrical, or other means. Animated signs include the following types:

a. Naturally Energized. Signs whose motion is activated by wind or other atmospheric impingement. Wind-driven signs include flags, pennants, streamers, spinners, metallic disks, windsocks or other similar devices designed to move in the wind.

b. Mechanically Energized. Signs manifesting a repetitious pre-programmed physical movement or rotation in either one or a series of planes activated by means of mechanically based drives.

c. Electrically Energized. Illuminated signs whose motion or visual impression of motion is activated primarily by electrical means. Electrically energized animated signs are of two types:

i. Flashing Signs. Illuminated signs exhibiting a pre-programmed repetitious cyclical interruption of illumination from one or more sources in which the duration of the period of illumination (on phase) is either the same as or less than the duration of the period of darkness (off phase), and in which the intensity of illumination varies from zero (off) to 100 percent (on) during the programmed cycle.

ii. Illusionary Movement Signs. Illuminated signs exhibiting the illusion of movement by means of a pre-programmed repetitious sequential switching action in which illuminated elements of the sign are turned on or off to visually simulate the impression of motion characteristic of chasing, running, blinking, oscillating, twinkling, scintillating, or expanding and contracting light patterns.

4. Area. See “Sign, area of.”

5. “Area identification sign” identifies an area of a distinct character composed of more than one ownership, or more than one parcel, such as a neighborhood, subdivision, shopping or industrial area.

6. “Awning” means a shelter projecting from and supported by the exterior wall of a building constructed of canvas, plastic or similar nonrigid materials on a supporting framework. Compare “Marquee.”

7. “Awning sign” means any sign affixed in any manner to the surface of an awning.

8. “Banner” means a piece of cloth or other flexible material such as plastic/vinyl sheets or canvas that contains graphics or copy.

9. “Base reference budget (BRB)” means the amount of sign area, prior to adjustments, available to a business or a multiple business complex (MBC). This amount is calculated from:

a. Gross floor area of buildings; and

b. Number of streets that access the property; and

c. Whether the business is part of a multiple business complex.

10. “Building sign” means any sign attached to a building and supported by a wall of a building, or the wall of a structure, including a mansard roof. Any permanent window signs shall be considered a building sign. For the purpose of this definition, the following signs are considered as a part of the building sign area (see definition for more clarification):

a. Awning signs;

b. Canopy signs;

c. Marquee signs;

d. Landscape wall signs;

e. Mansard roof signs;

f. Permanent window signs.

11. “Business” means a single commercial unit of operation. There may be more than one business within a building (see “Multiple business complex”), or there may be a single business in one building on one project area.

12. “Can sign” means a sign in which the sign copy is placed on a transparent face, which is attached to an enclosed box or can, usually made of metal, that has an internal light source.

13. “Canopy sign” means a sign affixed or applied to the exterior facing surface or surfaces of a building canopy or freestanding canopy.

14. “Canopy (building)” means a structure or roof covered with fabric, metal or other material and supported by a building at one or more points or extremities and by columns or posts embedded in the ground at other points or extremities. May be illuminated by means of internal or external sources. Compare “Marquee.”

15. “Canopy (freestanding)” means a structure or roof covered with fabric, metal or other material supported by columns or posts embedded in the ground. May be illuminated by means of internal or external sources.

16. City. Unless the context clearly discloses a contrary intent, the word “city” shall mean the city of South Lake Tahoe.

17. “Clearance (of a sign)” means the smallest vertical distance between the grade of the adjacent street, highway, or street curb and the lowest point of any sign, including framework and embellishments, extending over that grade.

18. “Clear zone” means the area at a street corner or driveway defined as follows:

a. Street corner clear zone is created by extending the front property line and street side property line to a point and measuring from the point along the front property line and street side yard property line to a distance of 15 feet and connecting these two points to create a triangular area.

b. Driveway clear zone is created by measuring, from the point of driveway and property line intersection, along the driveway and property lines to a distance of 15 feet and connecting these two points to create a triangular area.

19. “Construction sign” means a temporary sign identifying a construction project, owner or developer, architect, contractor or subcontractor, and other related information pertinent to the property on which the sign is located.

20. “Copy” means the graphic content of a sign surface in either permanent or removable letter, numeric, symbolic, or alphabetic form.

21. “Copy area” means the area shall be calculated by enclosing the perimeter of the copy within a rectilinear geometric figure which encloses the extreme limits of the copy and measuring the area within the perimeter.

22. “Double-faced sign” means a sign with two faces, essentially back-to-back. Each sign face is to be calculated to determine sign area.

23. “Electrical sign” means a sign or sign structure in which electrical wiring, connections, or fixtures are used.

24. “Embellishment” means a portion of a sign structure intended to accent a sign rather than to provide or carry additional message area, e.g., framing, roofing, foundations, landscaping and the like.

25. “Facade” means the entire building elevation including the parapet.

26. “Festoons” means a string of ribbons, tins, or pinwheels.

27. “Flag” means an article of cloth on flexible material displayed to the public.

a. Official Flag. The flag of any nation, state, county, city or other recognized governmental entity, flown in accordance with the state and federal laws governing such displays. A U.S. flag shall be flown in conjunction with any foreign flag.

28. Flashing Sign. See “Animated sign, electrically energized.”

29. “Freestanding sign” means a sign which is permanently supported in a fixed location on the ground by poles, braces, a foundation, a planter, pedestal, retaining wall or other structure and not attached to or supported by any building. Such signs include building wing wall signs. (See also “Low profile sign.”)

30. “Frontage, street” means that portion of a project area bounded by public roadway.

31. “Graphic” means the use of letters, symbols, or numbers to convey a message.

32. “Grade” means the surface elevation of the street, or the natural ground elevation beneath the sign.

33. “Gross floor area (GFA)” means the measure of commercial square footage calculated as the floor area within the outer walls of a building or store space, including storage space. This shall not include stairwells and air shafts.

If more than one business is occupying the same floor space, the floor space shall be counted once to determine the gross floor area.

If a business occupies one floor of a two-story business, the GFA shall be based on the one floor. Should the business extend to the second floor, its new sign area shall be recalculated including the second floor. Should the business revert back to the first floor, then the GFA reverts back to floor one. Any signage increase resulting from the expansion to the second floor shall now have to be reduced accordingly.

34. “Height (of a sign)” means:

Freestanding Sign: the vertical distance measured from the highest point of the sign structure, including decorative embellishments, to the curb grade of the adjacent street or the surface grade beneath the sign, whichever is less.

Building Sign: the vertical distance measured from the highest point of the sign or sign structure to the building grade.

35. “Icon sign” means three-dimensional representation of an object that does not contain copy. Examples include a child’s building blocks to denote a children’s store or an ice cream cone to denote an ice cream shop. The intent of the icon sign is to provide business identification in a highly concentrated pedestrian environment (Mainstreet district of the tourist core area plan) in a whimsical and entertaining manner without using copy. For sign area and locational standards, see SLTCC 6.40.420.

36. “Identification sign” means a nonelectrical, nonilluminated sign of less than two square feet in sign area, that contains no advertising copy, that is permanently affixed in a place parallel to a wall located entirely on private property for the purpose of identifying any residence, establishment, or institution.

37. “Inflatable sign” means any device which is filled or activated by air or gas, and located, attached, or tethered to the ground, site, merchandise, building, or roof, and used for signage purposes.

38. “Individual sign area” is computed from the BRB and is the allowable sign area for a specific individual sign, taking into account the following adjustments:

a. Specific individual sign setback;

b. Vehicle speed on the closest street;

c. Specific individual sign angle using the street frontage as a reference plane; and

d. Height.

39. “Illegal sign” means a sign which does not meet the requirements of this code, including but not limited to the placement or installation of a sign without first obtaining a city sign permit or installing a sign that is not consistent with the sign permit and which has not received legal nonconforming status.

40. “Illuminated sign” means a sign with an artificial light source incorporated internally or externally for the purpose of illuminating the sign. The following are types of illumination:

a. Diffuse. “Diffused lighting” is where the light source is internal and located behind a translucent sign face; i.e., internally illuminated electric can sign.

b. Indirect. “Indirect lighting” is where the copy and/or the sign face are illuminated by an external light source. The external light source should be shielded from public view.

c. Direct. “Direct lighting” is where the sign copy is the light source, e.g., individual light bulbs organized to create the sign copy.

41. “Kiosk” means a pedestrian-oriented freestanding sign within a public right-of-way used for display of information. All kiosk locations as well as information content shall be subject to the city use permit process.

42. “Landscape wall sign” means a sign attached to a retaining wall which is integrated into the project area landscape and the single sign face is parallel to the street.

43. “Lot” means a parcel of land legally defined on a subdivision or parcel map recorded with the El Dorado County recorder.

44. “Low profile sign” means a type of freestanding sign mounted directly to the ground with maximum height not to exceed six feet.

45. “Maintenance” means, for the purposes of this chapter, upkeep or preservation of the condition of a sign in order to keep the existing components safe, neat and orderly in condition and appearance and to prevent corrosion or deterioration caused by weather, age or other conditions. Maintenance includes cleaning, painting, repair or replacement of defective parts of a sign. Maintenance does not include any changes to the sign area, the copy, graphic design, or the external dimensions of the sign or structure.

46. “Mansard roof” means normally the roof slope exceeds 45 degrees (12:12). A roof-like facade architecturally comparable to a building wall.

47. “Mansard roof sign” means a sign attached to a mansard roof.

48. “Marquee” means a permanent roof-like structure or canopy of rigid materials supported by and extending from the facade of a building. Compare “Awning” and “Canopy sign.”

49. Monument Sign. See “Low profile sign.”

50. “Motor fuel price sign” means that portion of a freestanding sign which advertises the price of motor vehicle fuel offered for sale.

51. “Motor vehicle signs” means a sign attached, affixed or painted upon the exterior of a motor vehicle.

52. “Multiple business complex” means a building or group of buildings within a single architectural plan and within one project area housing two or more businesses with one or more parcels.

53. “Multiple business complex sign” means a sign whose purpose is to identify the MBC, not individual tenants.

54. “Multiple-faced sign” means a sign containing three or more sign faces, not necessarily in back-to-back configuration. Each sign face shall be calculated to determine sign area.

55. “Mural” means a picture pictograph painted or applied directly on a wall, ceiling or roof, which is not for commercial purposes and is not a visual representation of a business or service so as to be viewed as advertisement for the business or service.

56. “Nonconforming sign” means a sign which was erected legally, but which does not comply with subsequently enacted sign restrictions and regulations.

57. “Occupancy” means the portion of a building or premises owned, leased, rented, or otherwise occupied for a given use.

58. “Off-premises sign” means a sign erected or maintained on a parcel or project area other than the property on which the use or activity relating to the sign is located.

59. “On-premises sign” means a sign erected or maintained on a parcel or project area on which the use or activity advertised by the sign is located.

60. “Opaque background” means a sign background that does not transmit light.

61. “Owner” means the legal owner of record. This information may be available through a search of the county recorder’s records or as shown on the most recent property tax roll provided by the El Dorado County assessor. For the purposes of this chapter, the owner of property on which a sign is located is presumed to be the owner of the sign unless facts to the contrary are officially recorded or otherwise brought to the attention of the city, e.g., a sign leased from a sign company.

62. “Parapet” means the extension of a false front or wall above a roofline.

63. “Parking signs” means signs that comply with California Vehicle Code Section 22658.

64. “Parked motor vehicle sign” means a sign attached to, located on, or located within any motor vehicle trailer or other related device, when parked for the primary purpose of displaying signage or to augment existing signage of a business located on the parcel, lot, or project area where the parked motor vehicle is located. A parked motor vehicle sign meets this definition if the copy is easily readable from a vehicle or pedestrian traveling upon a public right-of-way (of a scenic corridor). Examples of such signs are business delivery vehicle(s), personal vehicles and the like. Excluded from this are vans or trucks which have short-term deliveries of merchandise and goods to the retailer or restaurant.

65. “Pedestrian scale” means copy, graphics, proportions and locations that are easy to comprehend and intended to be primarily read by pedestrians.

66. “Pedestrian sign” means a permanent sign in pedestrian scale which provides information and directions to pedestrians, such as a directory/information sign and kiosk sign.

67. “Pennant” means a piece of cloth, plastic, paper, or other such material varying in size, shape or design to draw attention to the site where located.

68. “Permanently affixed” shall mean painted or permanently attached with glue, adhesive, bolts, nails, or approved concrete footings, not intended to be easily removed. Tape shall not be considered as meeting this definition.

69. “Person” means any individual, corporation, association, firm, partnership, or similarly defined interest.

70. “Portable sign” means any sign designed to be moved easily and not permanently affixed to the ground or to a structure or building.

71. “Project area” means one or more parcels or leases that are linked together for a common and definitive purpose, such as parking, or access, or utilities, or are under one umbrella management unit.

72. “Projecting sign” means a sign, other than a flat building sign, which projects from and is supported by a wall of a building and is not mounted parallel to the plane of the wall.

73. “Public right-of-way” means that portion of land owned by the public in which the street, sidewalk and utilities are placed. Note: Normally the public right-of-way is wider than the paved street.

74. “Roofline” means the top edge of a roof or building parapet, whichever is higher, excluding any mansards, cupolas, pylons, chimneys, or minor projections.

75. “Roof sign” means any sign erected over or on the roof of a building. No roof sign dormer can extend above the roofline as measured in elevation.

76. Scenic Corridor. The following roads are considered scenic corridors: Lake Tahoe Boulevard, U.S. 89, U.S. Highway 50 and the Loop Roads.

77. “Sculpture” means to cut, carve, chisel, cast, weld, mold, etc., into statues or figures.

78. Setback. Setback for all signs shall be measured from the property line.

79. “Sign” means any character, letter, figure, symbol, model or device or combination of these used to attract attention or convey a message and which is readable from a public street, public recreation area, bicycle trail or from Lake Tahoe. The term includes banners, pennants, streamers, moving mechanisms and lights. The term does not include scoreboards or ball field signs where the sign is oriented to the recreation use, nor does it include nonilluminated murals or sculptures on private property.

80. “Sign, area of” means the sum total of display areas of one or more sign faces (also see “Sign face”). If the sign is composed of individual letters or symbols using the wall as the background with no added decoration, the sign area shall be calculated by enclosing the perimeter of each word within a rectilinear geometric figure which encloses the extreme limits of the copy and measuring the area within the perimeter.

81. “Sign dormer” means a structure attached to the roof that provides a vertical mounting surface on a sloping roof. The dormer is usually constructed of the same material as the roof.

82. “Sign face” means the plane of a sign on which the copy is placed. A normal size frame is not considered as a part of the sign face.

83. “Snipe sign” means a temporary sign or poster affixed to a tree, fence, telephone pole, etc.

84. “Subdivision identification sign” means a freestanding or wall sign identifying a recognized subdivision, condominium complex or residential development.

85. “Temporary sign” means any sign not permanently affixed to property and intended for use for a limited period of time.

86. “Under-canopy pedestrian-oriented sign” means a sign suspended beneath and not projecting beyond the face of a canopy, ceiling, roof, or marquee.

87. “Unit of operation” means an individual and separate unit of activity or function within a building, such as a single shop within a business complex or a single business occupying an entire building.

88. “Use” means the purpose for which a building, lot, sign, or structure is intended, designed, occupied, or maintained.

89. “Window” means an opening in a building for letting in light or air or for looking through and having a pane(s) of glass set in a frame or sash. Note: Placing a false window on a building does not meet the definition of window and window signs. Also see “Parked motor vehicle sign.”

90. “Window sign” means all signs placed in a window which are visible from a public right-of-way, including permanent and temporary signs.

Note: A temporary window sign does not count as building sign area unless the sign exceeds five percent of the window area of any window. (Ord. 1145 § 1)

Article III. General Provisions

6.40.050 Compliance required.

It shall hereafter be unlawful for any person to erect, place, or maintain a sign in the city of South Lake Tahoe except in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. (Ord. 1145 § 1)

6.40.060 Signs prohibited.

The following types of signs are prohibited in all districts:

A. Pennants, ribbons, streamers, spinners, festoons, search lights, or other moving or fluttering devices;

B. Signs imitating or resembling official traffic or government signs or signals;

C. Snipe signs, when located in the public right-of-way;

D. Off-premises parked motor vehicle signs;

E. Portable signs not specifically permitted by this chapter;

F. Animated signs;

G. Inflatable signs;

H. Sound producing signs;

I. Illegal signs;

J. Off-premises signs, except for temporary signs allowed under SLTCC 6.40.080(E);

K. All signs not specifically noted;

L. Freestanding signs in clear zones that have height between three feet and 10 feet from grade, or with pole/base support larger than 12 inches in diameter;

M. Signage for prohibited uses;

N. Signs not in compliance with this chapter;

O. Handheld signs for commercial use in public rights-of-way. (Ord. 1145 § 1)

6.40.070 Planning permits required.

Unless otherwise provided by this chapter, all signs shall require a planning permit and payment of fees as described in Article VI of this chapter. (Ord. 1145 § 1)

6.40.080 Signs and activities not requiring permits.

The following types of signs and activities are exempt from permit requirements but shall be in conformance with all other standards of this chapter:

A. Maintenance or cleaning of a sign.

B. In residential areas, (1) identification signs, (2) names on mailboxes or newspaper tubes, (3) private property parking or warning the public against trespassing or danger from animals, provided they do not exceed two square feet.

C. Signs not readable from a public street, recreation area, bicycle trail, or Lake Tahoe, such as window placards denoting community special events.

D. Temporary signs located on private property not greater than 12 square feet in area, not internally illuminated, and not displayed for more than 30 days in a calendar year, except that for 60 days preceding a general or special election more than one such sign may be placed on each parcel, provided they are removed immediately after the election. Any sign larger than the limits described shall be counted as either freestanding or building sign area as appropriate.

E. Off-premises temporary signs in residential areas as permitted by California Civil Code Section 713, provided the following standards are met:

1. The signs shall not exceed three square feet. Within the three square feet, all copy shall be placed including arrows, logos, name of real estate office, address and the like. The height of sign shall not exceed three feet. For the purpose of this provision, the three-foot-high signs may be placed on top of a snow berm.

2. All signs shall not be located within the public right-of-way.

3. The signs shall not be allowed within the Tahoe Keys Boulevard median, the 15th Street median and parkway, or the Loop Road median and parkway.

4. The maximum number of signs per individual or activity shall be limited to three.

5. The signs shall be either freestanding, mounted on a stake, or an “A-frame.” The location and/or size of such signs shall not create a traffic hazard.

6. The signs shall be removed at the conclusion of the activity.

F. On-premises temporary signs as permitted by California Civil Code Section 713, provided the following standards are met:

1. Residential.

a. The maximum number of signs shall be limited to one per frontage.

b. The standards for all signs shall be:

i. If freestanding, the sign area shall not exceed three square feet. Should the sign be mounted on a stake, the stake shall not exceed five feet in height. The sign or its supports shall not encroach into the public right-of-way and shall not create a traffic hazard or encroach into a clear zone area. Said sign may be double-faced;

ii. If a wall sign, the area shall not exceed three square feet;

iii. Shall not be illuminated;

iv. Shall not contain more than two sign riders, each a maximum size of six inches by 18 inches; and

v. Shall not contain more than one flier box.

c. The sign shall be removed at the conclusion of the activity.

2. Commercial.

a. One sign per premises unless the property has both a front and rear street frontage, in which case, two signs are permitted;

b. The standards for all signs shall be:

i. If freestanding, the sign area shall not exceed 32 square feet; shall not exceed six feet in height. The sign or its supports shall be a minimum of five feet from all property lines and shall not encroach into a clear view area. Said sign may be double-faced;

ii. If a wall sign, the area shall not exceed 32 square feet;

iii. Shall conform to the design standards contained in SLTCC 6.40.340 and 6.40.350; and

iv. Shall not be illuminated.

c. The sign shall be removed at the conclusion of the activity.

G. Motor vehicle signs used for business, company, or government identification, or motor vehicle signs on nonstationary motor vehicles. Motor vehicle signs may not be used in a manner to augment approved signage for a business as opposed to normal operation or parking of the vehicle.

H. Window signage that does not exceed five percent of the window area.

I. Banners and sandwich board signs in compliance with the following standards:

i. May be displayed only during weekends (Friday at 8:00 a.m. through Sunday at 5:00 p.m.) and holidays (December 24th at 8:00 a.m. through New Year’s Day at 5:00 p.m., Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day) or during city-sanctioned community events;

ii. Not within a street right-of-way, sidewalk, bicycle path, pedestrian walkway, designated parking space, ADA-accessible zone or path, or clear zone; and

iii. Not impede pedestrian or bicycle circulation.

Banners and sandwich boards are limited to one per parcel.

J. Signs constructed, placed or maintained by the federal, state or local government or a sign that is specifically authorized or required to be constructed, placed or maintained by law. Signs constructed, placed or maintained by the city are also exempt from all other requirements in this chapter. (Ord. 1145 § 1)

6.40.090 Maintenance.

All signs shall be properly maintained. Exposed surfaces shall be clean and painted if paint is required. Defective parts shall be replaced. The city shall have the right to order the repair or removal of any sign which is defective, damaged, or substantially deteriorated as defined in the Uniform Building Code. (Ord. 1145 § 1)

6.40.100 Lighting.

Unless otherwise prohibited by this chapter, all signs may be illuminated consistent with this chapter. (Ord. 1145 § 1)

6.40.110 Sign contractor’s license or exemption.

No person shall engage in the business of erecting, altering, relocating, constructing or maintaining signs without a valid contractor’s license and meeting the provisions for all required state and federal licenses (unless said maintenance does not require a state or federal license) or meets the Uniform Building Code “owner/builder” section. (Ord. 1145 § 1)

6.40.120 Reserved.

(Ord. 1145 § 1)

Article IV. Regulation by PAS

6.40.130 Signs permitted in all PAS.

Unless otherwise noted, the following signs requiring planning division permits are permitted in all PAS and they shall conform with all standards of this chapter:

A. Area Identification Sign.

1. Signs shall not exceed 25 square feet in area;

2. Signs shall be low profile signs and not exceed five feet in height, with the following exception:

The height of an area identification sign may exceed five feet, when:

a. The sign is placed on public property (or property which acts as public property such as property dedicated for public use) outside the public right-of-way;

b. The sign is placed within an approved community plan where the community plan allows for it;

c. The sign is placed within a community plan which allows multi-story buildings (above two);

d. The project which includes the sign shall have all of the following public infrastructure: curb, gutter, sidewalk, street lighting and drainage improvements;

e. The sign setback shall conform to the freestanding sign setback and height chart shown in SLTCC 6.40.360(D);

f. The number and location of signs shall be included in each community plan;

g. Signs shall be landscaped as required by Article VIII, Sign Design Standards, except the landscaping requirements may be reduced or eliminated where:

i. The sign will be constructed as a part of a project where the city has reviewed and approved the landscaping;

ii. The sign will be placed on pedestrian-oriented hardscape and therefore not conducive to meet the landscaping standards in Article VIII; and

iii. The project shall have full public improvements, including any of the following: curb, gutter, sidewalk, street lighting, and drainage improvements.

B. Construction Signs. One construction sign may be erected on site, provided it not exceed 32 square feet, six feet in height, shall be set back a minimum of five feet from all property lines and conform to the design standards contained in SLTCC 6.40.340 and 6.40.350. Such signs shall not be erected prior to the issuance of the project building permit and shall be removed within 10 days of completion of construction or building occupancy, whichever occurs first. (Ord. 1145 § 1)

6.40.140 Signs permitted in residential PAS.

For all signs not requiring permits, see SLTCC 6.40.080.

A. The following signs do not require planning division permits: all signs listed in SLTCC 6.40.080.

B. The following signs requiring planning division permits are allowed in residential PAS. They shall conform with all standards of this chapter:

1. All signs permitted in all PAS (SLTCC 6.40.130).

2. Identification sign, provided the following standards are met:

a. Sign area shall not exceed 32 square feet; and

b. One sign per street entrance.

3. For permitted nonresidential uses, including places of worship, but excluding home occupations, the following standards shall be permitted: (a) freestanding sign not to exceed 32 square feet in sign area, and (b) building sign not to exceed 32 square feet in area.

C. Special regulations for residential PAS are as follows: all allowed freestanding signs shall be a low profile sign with a height limit of six feet and be set back a minimum of 15 feet from any public right-of-way. (Ord. 1145 § 1)

6.40.150 Signs permitted in commercial/tourist plan areas.

A. The following signs do not require planning division permits: all signs not requiring permits (SLTCC 6.40.080).

B. The following signs require issuance of a permit by the planning division and are allowed in the above plan areas, provided they conform to the following standards and all other standards of this chapter:

1. All signs permitted in all PAS (SLTCC 6.40.130).

2. a. Under-canopy pedestrian-oriented signs shall not be counted as building signs, provided they conform to the following:

i. Placed at right angle to pedestrian walk; and

ii. Located at or near the public entrance to the building; and

iii. Not internally illuminated; and

iv. Do not exceed five square feet (each side) and are a minimum of eight feet above grade of the pedestrian walk.

b. Those under-canopy signs which do not conform to subsection (B)(2)(a) of this section shall be considered to be a building sign subject to requirements contained in SLTCC 6.40.390 and 6.40.400, and if in the tourist core area plan shall be subject to any requirements therein.

3. Building and Freestanding Signs. For information on size, location, setback, height, etc., see SLTCC 6.40.390 and 6.40.400, and if in the tourist core area plan, see SLTCC 6.40.420. (Ord. 1145 § 1)

Article V. Construction Specifications

6.40.160 Construction specifications.

All signs shall be installed in compliance with the building and electrical codes as required by the city building division. (Ord. 1145 § 1)

Article VI. Administration and Enforcement

6.40.170 Planning division.

The planning division of the development services department is authorized to process applications for sign permits and enforce and carry out all provisions of this chapter through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the TRPA and the city. The division is authorized to promulgate regulations, interpretations and procedures consistent with this function.

The division is authorized to inspect signs for code violations in accordance with applicable provisions of state and federal law. (Ord. 1145 § 1)

6.40.180 Application for permits.

Application for a sign permit for the erection, relocation, or change of copy shall be approved by the planning division upon a form provided by the division. Incomplete applications shall result in the immediate return of the application to the applicant without a decision. (Ord. 1145 § 1)

6.40.190 Permit fees.

All applications for a sign permit shall be accompanied by the payment of a fee based upon the city council adopted fee schedule. Failure to provide the fee at the time of application submittal shall result in the immediate return of the application to the applicant without a decision. (Ord. 1145 § 1)

6.40.200 Permit issuance.

The division staff shall issue a sign permit for the erection, relocation, or change of copy, provided it is in receipt of a valid application (including fee), and provided the sign conforms to all applicable laws and regulations of this chapter. (Ord. 1145 § 1)

6.40.210 Revocation.

The division may revoke a sign permit for any false statement or misrepresentation of fact in the application. Any sign which has been erected, relocated, change of copy or color, or based upon a false statement or misrepresentation shall be considered an illegal sign and subject to the terms and conditions of this chapter. (Ord. 1145 § 1)

6.40.220 Inspection upon completion.

Any person erecting, relocating, or changing copy or color for which a sign permit has been issued shall notify the division when the work has been completed. The division shall inspect the sign for conformance with the permit. This inspection shall not relieve the applicant from obtaining any other inspection from other divisions or agencies. (Ord. 1145 § 1)

6.40.230 Exceptions.

A. Exceptions to those design standards contained in Articles VIII and IX of this chapter may be allowed, provided the following findings can be made:

1. The situation exists whereby strict application of the standard is unfair and infeasible to the applicant; and

2. The exception is in harmony with the purpose and intent of this chapter; and

3. The approval of the exception will not have a significant effect upon other property owners or occupants of property in the vicinity.

B. In granting each exception, the planning division staff may attach additional conditions necessary to carry out the spirit and purpose of this chapter in the public interest, including, but not limited to:

1. Removal of other nonconforming signs.

2. Copyrighted colors on logos. Those logos which do not conform to the standard with regard to color contrast would be allowed if the logo is placed on a dark background which would not be less than 40 percent of the sign area.

3. Reduction in sign area. This may involve the reduction in sign area for freestanding or building signs. The proposals which reduce the sign area for those signs that are visible from the scenic corridor shall provide more mitigation than those which are not.

C. A scenic analysis shall be required for any exception on a scenic threshold travel unit or recreation area. Those exemptions not on a scenic threshold travel unit or recreational area may require a scenic analysis.

D. Designated locally unique signs pursuant to SLTCC 6.40.240 may be granted exceptions in order to preserve their locally unique attributes. (Ord. 1145 § 1)

6.40.240 Locally unique signs.

i. A business or property owner may apply to have a sign designated as a “locally unique” sign. The application shall be made to the city planning division on a designated form and include a fee set by the planning division fee schedule.

ii. The application will be considered by the city planning commission. Approval will be based on the following criteria:

a. The sign is in good condition and is in compliance with all building and safety code requirements;

b. The sign has historically been well maintained;

c. The sign advertises a business that is currently in operation and/or products or services currently provided by that business;

d. The sign does not degrade the scenic quality of the area;

e. The sign does not impede existing, or planned for, vehicle, transit, bicycle, or pedestrian circulation;

f. The sign demonstrates a creative and unique design or construction technique;

g. The sign is a widely recognizable icon or landmark within the city.

iii. The decision of the planning commission regarding the locally unique sign application shall be final and binding and applicant may not appeal this decision to any other decision-making body. (Ord. 1145 § 1)

6.40.250 Reserved.

(Ord. 1145 § 1)

6.40.260 Violations.

If any sign is or has been installed or placed on any property prior to the receipt of a required city sign permit, it is in violation of this chapter. Signs in violation of this chapter shall be removed within 10 days of notification of the violation to the property owner. If not removed according to the notice, the property owner shall be subject to penalty in an amount established by resolution of the city council. The payment of the penalty shall not relieve any person of any other requirements or penalties established by this chapter or elsewhere in the city code. Violations of this chapter may be enforced by issuance of administrative citations in accordance with Chapter 2.30 SLTCC, or by any other means legally available to the city. (Ord. 1145 § 1)

6.40.270 Appeals.

Decisions of city staff on the approval or denial of a permit under this chapter may be appealed pursuant to Chapter 2.35 SLTCC. Appeals of administrative citations shall be in accordance with Chapter 2.30 SLTCC. (Ord. 1145 § 1)

Article VII. Conflict, Severability and Effective Date

6.40.280 Conflict.

If any portion of this chapter is found to be in conflict with any other provision of any zoning, building, fire, safety, or health ordinance of the city code, the provision which establishes the more restrictive standard shall prevail. (Ord. 1145 § 1)

6.40.290 Severability.

If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this chapter or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid by the decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of this chapter or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is in effect and shall remain in full force and effect. (Ord. 1145 § 1)

Article VIII. Sign Design Standards

6.40.300 Applicability.

The following design standards are applicable to all signs erected, relocated, or change of copy within the city, including the community plan areas unless the community plan has a standard specific to the area.

These standards have been developed to improve the scenic quality ranking of the scenic corridor. (Ord. 1145 § 1)

6.40.305 Alternative design standards.

As an alternative to the design standards contained in Articles VIII and IX, at the request of a permit applicant, the design standards contained in Chapter 38 of the TRPA Code of Ordinances may be applied to the application. Signage proposed in the application shall be compliant with all TRPA standards. (Ord. 1145 § 1)

6.40.310 Copy.

A. This chapter shall not regulate the copy message.

B. Motor fuel price signs shall comply with requirements of Section 13531 et seq. of the Business and Professions Code and TRPA Code of Ordinances Section 38.10.1.

C. Sign area containing copy required by law will not be deducted from the maximum allowable sign area, provided the copy does not exceed the minimum requirements of the law.

D. Any increase in sign copy beyond what is required by law is allowable, provided the additional area is deducted from the appropriate BRB. (Ord. 1145 § 1)

6.40.320 Lighting.

A. All illuminated signs shall have either or both indirect or diffused lighting.

Guideline. Indirect backlighting of individual letters is the encouraged method of sign illumination.

B. Indirect lighting sources shall be shielded to prevent the light source from being visible from a public right-of-way or adjacent property.

Guideline. Methods that can be used include an enclosure that extends past the light source sufficiently that will channel the light onto the sign face and not spill light to other areas. Landscape materials and mounding may also be used. Approval of the shielding method and its design will be based on how well the standard is met.

C. The intensity of lighting shall not create a visual hazard to the public.

D. All internally illuminated signs shall have a background which transmits a limited amount of light. (For the standard, see SLTCC 6.40.350, Color.) (Ord. 1145 § 1)

6.40.330 Landscaping.

A. All freestanding signs shall be placed wholly within a landscaped area. The minimum landscape area shall be equal to the city standard setback, and across the property frontage, excluding driveways. Should a sign not be located within the standard property setback, the sign shall be placed in a landscape island. The island shall have a minimum depth from each sign face/edge of 10 feet. (Also see SLTCC 6.10.150, Landscaping. Planning commission design manual shall apply.)

Guideline. See the city design manual and SLTCC 6.10.150.

B. In the event that the landscaping provisions cannot be met as they pertain to freestanding signs because of the physical limitations of the property, the staff may grant an exception under SLTCC 6.40.230, Exceptions.

Multiple partial compliance applications may be approved prior to the required compliance deadline; however, additional new measures towards compliance must be provided for each application.

C. A security deposit for the installation of the required sign landscaping may be allowed by the staff based on the winter ground disturbance prohibition from October 15th through April 30th of each year. Staff may place conditions, as appropriate, to ensure timely compliance. (Ord. 1145 § 1)

6.40.340 Construction.

A. All supporting devices and braces shall be an aesthetic contribution to the sign structure and not a utilitarian appendage to hold up a sign, e.g., angle iron, pipes, and guy wires are not allowed.

B. Freestanding signs shall be supported by two or more poles/supports or a monument base.

Guideline. The use of monument bases in conjunction with low profile signs is encouraged. (Ord. 1145 § 1)

6.40.350 Color.

A. Internally illuminated signs shall have backgrounds of a dark color, or opaque material which does not transmit light. If opaque, only the individual letters and/or symbols would be illuminated. Under day and night lighting conditions, the copy on internally illuminated signs shall be lighter than the background.

Guideline. Natural wood and high-density foam core signs which can be carved and painted consistent with the design standards, including dark backgrounds, are also encouraged.

B. Externally illuminated signs may be any color background and copy except for bright neon colors (fluorescent) and reflective colors, which are prohibited.

Guideline. Bright colors are generally discouraged on signs except when used as accent colors.

C. The color standard shall not apply to nationally registered trademarks if the color is a part of the trademark.

Guideline. The use of trademarks on natural backgrounds is encouraged. (Ord. 1145 § 1)

6.40.360 Sign location.

A. The maximum height of a roof sign shall not exceed 15 feet from grade and shall be placed within a sign dormer.

For building signs more than 50 feet from the property line, no sign shall be mounted on the roof of a building or mansard roof, unless the sign is placed on a sign dormer which is located within the bottom one-half of the roof, as seen in elevation.

Guideline. Sign dormers should be designed as an architectural element and materials should be compatible with the building. Buildings with flat roofs should construct a new roof to accommodate a roof dormer for signage. The minimum roof slope should be 5:12. Individual letter signs should be used within sign dormers as they do not dominate the roof as do canned signs.

B. In the design of new buildings and major remodels, all improvements subject to design review shall identify signage locations.

Guideline. Architectural details of a building often suggest locations, size or shape of signs. Signs should complement the building and not be considered after the building is designed.

C. One freestanding sign shall be permitted per the street frontage or project area. Additional freestanding signs are allowed for parcels or project areas where there are multiple businesses if they are placed at least 100 feet apart and meet all other standards of this chapter.

D. The location (setback) of a freestanding sign is subject to the maximum height allowed per the following setback chart, but in no case shall a sign be closer than five feet, zero inches to a property line.

Guideline. Where possible, a low profile sign is encouraged.

Freestanding Sign Setback

Height

13 or less

10.00

14

10.25

15

10.50

16

10.75

17

11.00

18

11.25

19

11.50

20

11.75

21

12.00

(Ord. 1145 § 1)

6.40.370 Sign height.

A. For freestanding signs, see SLTCC 6.40.360.

B. For all other signs, including window signs and banners:

1. If a single-story building is located within 50 feet of the property line, the maximum sign height shall be 15 feet, measured from grade.

2. If a single-story building is greater than 50 feet, the maximum sign height shall be 25 feet.

C. For multi-story buildings, a building sign height over 15 feet is allowed, up to a maximum of 25 feet. (Ord. 1145 § 1)

6.40.380 General sign design.

Guideline. All signs should promote the city value of enhancing the unique beauty of Lake Tahoe by adherence to a high aesthetic quality and professional construction standards. (Ord. 1145 § 1)

Article IX. Sign Area Formula City-Wide

6.40.390 Concept.

Each business and multiple business complex (MBC) has a computed sign budget. From this budget, the business owner has the flexibility to apply the budget to freestanding and/or one or more building signs.

The area of each sign face shall be calculated to determine sign area. For example, a freestanding sign, at right angles to the road with each sign face being 20 square feet, has a total area of 40 square feet. (Ord. 1145 § 1)

6.40.400 Computing the sign area.

The calculation is a two-step process.

A. The first step is to establish the base reference budget (BRB) for the business or MBC.

B. The second step is to calculate the individual sign area for each freestanding and building sign.

These steps are translated into the following formulas:

For Step 1, calculate the BRB for signage identifying a business

Where

A

= Area of business floor space (feet)

C

= 1.1 for businesses not located in a multiple business complex

 

= 0.9 for businesses in a multiple business complex where signage is (or will be) provided to identify the complex

 

= 1.0 for businesses in a multiple business complex where signage is not (and will not be) provided to identify the complex

D

= With respect to principal customer access

 

= 1.0 where the business is accessed by one street

 

= 1.41 where the business is accessed by two streets

 

= 1.73 where the business is accessed by three streets

 

= 2.0 where the business is accessed by four streets

For Step 1, calculate the BRB for signage identifying a multiple business complex

Where

A

= Area of business floor space for the entire complex (feet)

D

= With respect to principal customer access

 

= 0.50 where the business is accessed by one street

 

= 0.70 where the business is accessed by two streets

 

= 0.85 where the business is accessed by three streets

 

= 1.0 where the business is accessed by four streets

1. The BRB used to calculate the sign area for each individual sign of a business when added together shall not exceed the total BRB for that business.

2. The BRB used to calculate the sign area for each individual sign of a multiple business complex when added together shall not exceed the total BRB for that multiple business complex.

3. Freestanding sign area shall be limited to 50 percent of the BRB.

If the project area qualifies for two freestanding signs, no single freestanding sign shall be permitted more than 35 percent of the BRB.

If the project area qualifies for three freestanding signs, no single freestanding sign shall be permitted more than 28 percent of the BRB.

If the project area qualifies for four freestanding signs, no single freestanding sign shall be permitted more than 25 percent of the BRB.

For Step 2, calculate the sign area for an individual sign.

Where

S

= Vehicle speed limit on the street where the sign is to be viewed from (in miles per hour)

H

= Height of the sign (as measured from finish grade to the top of the sign; in feet. Maximum height is 26 feet)

V

= Horizontal viewing distance coefficient (as determined by the following chart)

 

Setback and Angle Table 

Setback Footage

Angle Values

Greater Than

Less Than or Equal

0 to 15

16 to 30

31 to 45

46 to 60

61 to 75

76 to 90

 

>5 ft.

 

< = 50 ft.

0.50

0.60

0.70

0.80

0.90

1.00

 

>50 ft.

 

< = 100 ft.

0.55

0.65

0.75

0.85

0.95

1.05

 

>100 ft.

 

< = 150 ft.

0.60

0.70

0.80

0.90

1.00

1.10

 

>150 ft.

 

< = 200 ft.

0.65

0.75

0.85

0.95

1.05

1.15

 

>200 ft.

 

< = 250 ft.

0.70

0.80

0.90

1.00

1.10

1.20

 

>250 ft.

 

< = 300 ft.

0.75

0.85

0.95

1.05

1.15

1.25

 

>300 ft.

 

< = 350 ft.

0.80

0.90

1.00

1.10

1.20

1.30

 

>350 ft.

 

< = 400 ft.

0.85

0.95

1.05

1.15

1.25

1.35

 

>400 ft.

 

< = 450 ft.

0.90

1.00

1.10

1.20

1.30

1.40

 

>450 ft.

 

< = 500 ft.

0.95

1.05

1.15

1.25

1.35

1.45

 

>500 ft.

 

 

1.00

1.10

1.20

1.30

1.40

1.50

C. The following shall not be considered sign area:

1. Pedestrian signs;

2. Temporary signs;

3. Temporary window signs;

4. Sign embellishments. (Ord. 1145 § 1)

Article X. Tourist Core Area Plan

6.40.420 Tourist core area plan.

The tourist core area plan establishes policy and standards applicable to all signage within the boundaries of the plan area. The policies and standards contained within the tourist core area plan shall be applied to all future signage or modifications to signage within the plan area. (Ord. 1145 § 1)