Chapter 18.12
GENERAL USE REGULATIONS
Sections:
18.12.020 Computation of sign area.
18.12.030 Maximum permissible area for wall signs.
18.12.070 Restriction near traffic signal or intersection.
18.12.080 Clearance from public utility facilities.
18.12.010 Design criteria.
In its evaluation of quality of design, the city planner and the planning commission shall apply the following criteria among others:
A. To the extent feasible, signs shall be graphic and nonverbal, with the design emphasis on simplicity, style trademarks, business identification and symbols rather than on extensive wording and advertising messages.
B. Sign proliferation creates a busy, unpleasant atmosphere and shall be avoided. Good design calls for thoughtful coordination of all signs, in a lesser rather than greater number of locations on the premises.
C. Signs shall relate to the architectural design of the building. Signs which cover windows, or which spill over natural boundaries or architectural features and obliterate parts of upper floors of buildings are a menace to visual order and shall not be permitted.
D. The typical plastic-faced sign with white, internally illuminated background shall be discouraged; dark backgrounds with the letters or design lighter to reduce the glare and the resulting bland night-lighting effect are preferred. Sign illumination shall be designed so as to avoid glare and light intrusion onto other signs or premises.
E. Neon shall be carefully and sparingly used in signs to avoid blatancy and garishness. Neon is usually better used in symbols or design than for lettering.
F. Good signs can become bad signs by installation on thoughtlessly contrived or overpowering structures. Careful consideration shall be given to minimize and simplify every sign’s supporting structure.
G. The city planner may make design and structure exemptions if the proposed sign attempts to duplicate signs used in certain historical periods: for example, the exposed light bulbs used in the late Victorian period, and the wall-painted sign incorporated into the design facade of the art deco. (Ord. 77-12 N.S. Appendix III, 1977).
18.12.020 Computation of sign area.
A. The sign area is computed by including the maximum single display surface which is visible from a single ground position. The structure supporting a sign is not included in determining the sign area unless the structure is designed in a way as to form part of the display or is an integral background for the display.
B. The area of a sign is determined by computing the area of an encompassing circle or rectangle, whichever is smaller.
C. Where a commercial building is on a corner, the side of the building will be treated as the front in calculating the area allowed for the side sign.
D. The following illustration sets forth the manner for computing facing area:
(Ord. 77-12 § 1, 1977; prior code § 8-913).
18.12.030 Maximum permissible area for wall signs.
A. The maximum aggregate area of all wall signs permitted for a frontage of a premises is based upon the frontage of the premises and number of stories of the premises to which the sign will be affixed. This maximum area is set forth in Table I, as follows:
|
Frontage of Building |
1-Story or Less Than 15' |
2-Story or Less Than 25' |
3-Story or Less Than 40' |
|
4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52 54 56 58 60 62 64 66 68 70 72 74 76 78 80 82 84 86 88 |
20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 23 29 34 39 44 49 53 57 61 65 68 71 75 78 81 83 86 89 91 94 96 98 100 103 105 109 110 112 114 116 118 119 |
20 20 20 20 20 20 20 26 34 42 49 55 61 66 71 76 81 85 89 92 96 99 103 106 109 111 114 117 119 122 124 126 128 130 132 134 136 138 140 142 143 145 147 |
20 20 20 20 20 29 39 49 57 65 71 78 83 89 94 98 103 107 110 114 118 121 124 127 130 132 135 138 140 142 145 147 149 151 153 155 157 158 160 162 163 165 167 |
|
90 92 94 96 98 100 105 110 115 120 125 130 135 140 145 150 155 160 165 170 175 180 185 190 195 200 205 210 215 220 225 230 235 240 245 250 255 260 265 270 275 280 285 290 295 |
121 122 124 125 127 130 134 137 140 143 146 148 151 153 156 160 162 164 166 168 170 172 173 175 177 178 180 181 183 184 186 187 188 190 191 192 191 192 193 194 196 197 198 199 200 |
148 150 151 153 154 156 159 162 165 168 171 173 176 178 181 183 185 187 189 191 193 194 196 198 200 |
168 169 171 172 174 175 178 181 184 187 190 192 194 197 200 |
B. In applying Table I to a building if the frontage of the building is not listed therein, the next larger frontage figure determines the maximum wall sign area.
C. Regardless of the frontage or height of the building, the total permissible aggregate area of all wall signs for a frontage of a building is 200 square feet.
D. The maximum aggregate permissible wall sign area for buildings set forth in this section shall be reduced by the sign area of each freestanding sign and shingle sign on the property, but shall not be reduced by the amount of area used for window signs. However, if the building is set back at least 100 feet from the street line on an official street setback line, if one exists, then the permissible wall sign area is not reduced by the sign area of the freestanding sign. (Ord. 77-12 N.S. § 1, 1977; prior code § 8-905).
18.12.040 Maintenance.
Each sign shall be maintained in a secure, safe and good condition. If the city building inspector finds that a sign is not secure, safe or in a good state of repair, he shall give written notice in a reasonable manner of this fact to the person responsible for the maintenance of the sign. If the defect in the sign is not corrected within the time permitted by the city, the city planner and/or the planning commission may revoke the permit to maintain the sign and abate it in the manner provided in BMC 18.28.010. (Ord. 77-12 N.S. § 1, 1977; prior code § 8-936).
18.12.050 Projection limits.
No part of a sign attached to or mounted on a building may project beyond 12 inches from the wall to which it is attached, except as permitted with shingle signs. (Ord. 77-12 N.S. § 1, 1977; prior code § 8-906).
18.12.060 Height limitation.
No part of a sign affixed to a building may extend above the roof line or ridge line of the building to which it is attached. (Ord. 77-12 N.S. § 1, 1977; prior code § 8-907).
18.12.070 Restriction near traffic signal or intersection.
No sign may be located in a manner which may obstruct or interfere with the view of a traffic signal. No sign may be located within 100 feet of the intersection of public streets, if it obstructs the vision of a motorist within 100 feet of the intersection. No sign may be located so as to create a hazardous condition to a person using the public right-of-way. (Ord. 77-12 N.S. § 1, 1977; prior code § 8-914).
18.12.080 Clearance from public utility facilities.
The owner of any sign shall maintain legal clearance from communications and electric facilities. A sign may not be constructed, erected, installed, maintained or repaired in any manner that conflicts with a rule, regulation, or order of the California Public Utilities Commission pertaining to the construction, operation and maintenance of public utilities facilities. (Ord. 77-12 N.S. § 1, 1977; prior code § 8-918).
18.12.090 Obsolete signs.
An accessory sign which ceases to advertise a bona fide business conducted or product sold on the premises shall be removed within 90 days after written notification from the building inspector. (Ord. 77-12 N.S. § 1, 1977; prior code § 8-940).