Chapter 18.24
SIGNS
Sections:
18.24.050 Signs in agricultural districts.
18.24.060 Signs in residential and public service districts.
18.24.070 Signs in commercial, professional office, and planned mixed use districts.
18.24.080 Temporary subdivision signs.
18.24.010 Purposes.
In order to maintain the attractiveness and orderliness of the City’s appearance and to protect the public safety, the location, size, illumination and design of signs are regulated. It is the City’s policy and intent to regulate signs in a manner consistent with the United States and California Constitutions and in a manner that is content-neutral. [Ord. 13-008 § 2; Ord. 13-009 § 2(1); Ord. 15-002 § 47; Ord. 17-002 § 1.]
18.24.020 Permits.
A sign permit, issued by the Building Official, shall be required for all permanent signs in all land use districts.
A. A “permanent sign” is defined as any sign that may remain, or is intended to remain, for more than one hundred twenty (120) calendar days.
B. The application fees and procedures for issuance of a sign permit shall be those found in the Uniform Building Code as adopted by the City of Dixon. [Ord. 13-008 § 2; Ord. 13-009 § 2(1).]
18.24.030 Definitions.
For the purposes of this chapter, the words and terms set forth in this section shall have the following definitions:
“Animated sign” is a sign that uses movement, lighting, or special materials to depict action or create a special effect to imitate movement, excluding government signs.
“Banner sign” is a sign which includes small pennants and flags, made of cloth, bunting, plastic, paper, or other similar nonrigid material used for advertising purposes attached to any structure, pole, line, framing or vehicle, not including official flags of the United States, the State of California, and other states, counties, municipalities or foreign nations.
“Building frontage” is the portion or portions of a building facing a public street or streets.
“Community events sign” is a temporary sign advertising current and upcoming City-sponsored events and is located on property owned by the City of Dixon.
“Dilapidated sign” is a sign, including any appurtenant component, background, or supporting structure, that is in disrepair, defaced, worn or tattered, deteriorated (including peeling paint), corroded, malfunctioning, abandoned, unsafe, or another dilapidated condition.
“Electronic message center sign” is a sign with a static message formed by the selective illumination of an array of light bulbs, light emitting diodes (LEDs), or liquid crystal displays (LCDs) that can be changed electronically. These signs may display text and/or graphic images, and may be programmable.
“Flashing sign” is an illuminated sign which exhibits changing light or color effect by blinking or any other such means so as to provide an intermittent illumination, excluding government signs and electronic message center signs.
“Freestanding sign” is a sign that is permanently affixed in or upon the ground, supported by one (1) or more support elements, with no part of the sign attached to a building or other structure and which is more than ten (10) feet in height above the original grade at the base of the sign.
“Freeway-oriented sign” is a freestanding sign erected or maintained to advertise off-site goods and services to motorists traveling on Interstate 80 that has no electronic components.
“Gas price sign” is a sign used to display fuel prices and fuel grades as required by California Weights and Measures. These signs may be static changeable insert panels or LED digits.
“Government sign” is a sign placed, installed or authorized by the City or a Federal or State governmental agency within a public right-of-way and/or necessary for the governmental agency to carry out its responsibility to protect public health, safety, and general welfare.
“Mobile sign” or “mobile billboard” is a sign which is placed on or towed by a vehicle, wheeled conveyance, cart or other similar thing for the primary purpose of advertising.
“Monument sign” is a sign that is permanently affixed in or upon the ground, supported by one (1) or more support elements, with no part of the sign attached to a building or other structure and which is less than ten (10) feet in height above the original grade at the base of the sign.
“Multi-tenant, freeway-oriented sign” is a monument sign located in a commercial highway zone erected or maintained to advertise goods and services to motorists.
“Noncommercial events sign” is a noncommercial sign placed on private property by a recognized nonprofit organization or civic group that is not related to business, trade, or commerce, or does not promote a commercial transaction.
“Off-site sign” is a sign located on any site other than the site on which the advertised use or product is located or produced.
“On-site sign” is a sign located on the site on which the advertised use or product is located or produced.
“Outdoor advertising structure” is a sign of any kind or character, erected or maintained for outdoor advertising purposes, as an off-site sign, excluding freeway-oriented signs as permitted in DMC 18.24.070(F) and electronic message center signs as permitted by DMC 18.24.070(G).
“Portable sign” is a sign that is not permanently affixed to the ground or a structure. Portable signs shall include “A-frame” signs or other similar nonpermanent signs, but does not include signs that are displayed on or attached to vehicles, trailers, carts or other similar things.
“Projecting sign” is a sign permanently affixed to a building or other structure that projects from the wall or facade of the building or other structure by twelve (12) inches or more.
“Roof sign” is any sign located on the roof of a building or other independent structure, or extending above the eave line or parapet.
“Sign” is any graphic, device or thing designed or intended to convey information in either written, symbolic or pictorial form or attract attention.
“Sign area” is the entire surface area of a sign on which copy can be placed. Supporting structure or bracing shall not be considered as a part of the sign area. Where a sign is an integral part of a building, awning, canopy, or marquee, the sign area shall be the area within the shortest line drawn to include all letters, designs and tubing which are a part of the sign. Where a sign has more than one (1) face, all areas that can be viewed simultaneously shall be considered as a part of the sign area.
“Streamer” is a type of sign with banners, small flags or pennants attached to a line or lines that are strung from one (1) structure to another structure and are designed to attract attention.
“Subdivision sign” is a sign which advertises newly constructed homes, including condominiums and townhomes that are for sale.
“Temporary sign” is a sign that is intended to be displayed for a limited period of time, such as banners, streamers, pennants, portable signs and subdivision signs. [Ord. 13-008 § 2; Ord. 13-009 § 2(1); Ord. 15-002 § 48; Ord. 17-002 § 1; Ord. 17-003 § 1; Ord. 20-004 § 1; Ord. 20-009 § 1.]
18.24.040 General provisions.
No sign or display of any character shall be permitted except in conformity with the following regulations:
A. All signs and displays shall be located on the same site as the use they identify or advertise, except subdivision directional signs as permitted by DMC 18.24.080, multi-tenant, freeway-oriented signs as permitted by DMC 18.24.070(E) and 18.25.090, freeway-oriented signs as permitted by DMC 18.24.070(F), electronic message center signs as permitted by DMC 18.24.070(G), noncommercial event signs as permitted by DMC 18.24.090(B), and open house directional portable signs as permitted by subsection B of this section.
B. Not more than four (4) open house directional portable signs may be placed off the premises offered for sale or lease in accordance with the following:
1. Signs shall not exceed four (4) square feet in area or three (3) feet in height.
2. Signs may be placed on private property only after obtaining permission from the property owner.
3. Signs may be permitted in the public right-of-way when abutting property lines and placed in such a manner that does not interrupt the normal flow of vehicle or pedestrian traffic. Signs are prohibited in the center divider and/or traffic islands of public streets. These signs shall not cause a sight distance problem.
4. Signs may be displayed only on weekends, holidays, and broker tour days, between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., during the period when the property is available for public showing. Signs shall be removed after each day of showing.
5. An encroachment permit may be required from Caltrans and the City of Dixon before placing an open house directional portable sign in the public right-of-way.
C. Outdoor advertising structures are not permitted in any district.
D. All permanent administrative, commercial and industrial signs shall be subject to design review and approval by the Design Review Commission, except as may be exempted by Chapter 18.23 DMC. The Design Review Commission shall evaluate the design, dimension, color, graphics, material, and lighting system of the proposed sign. Review of the sign design shall be based on the suitability and compatibility of the sign, size, color, placement, graphics, and materials to overall building design and sign design for the neighborhood. Signs not meeting the design principles as provided in DMC 18.23.160 shall be denied or modified to comply with the stated concerns.
E. No roof sign shall be erected or displayed, and no sign shall extend above the ridge line or parapet of a building, whichever is higher.
F. A sign may project to within two (2) feet of the curb line of a street or alley.
G. No sign other than a directional sign shall project more than twelve (12) inches into a required interior side yard or required rear yard.
H. There shall be not less than eight (8) feet of clearance between the bottom of an overhanging sign and ground level.
I. In no case shall the height of a sign exceed the height limit prescribed for a structure in the district in which the sign is located, except as otherwise provided by this chapter.
J. An illuminated sign within three hundred (300) feet of an R or A district, measured along the radius of a one hundred eighty (180) degree arc in front of a face of a sign, shall not be directly lighted but may be indirectly lighted or may have semi-indirect or diffused lighting; provided, that the surface brightness shall not be greater than one hundred (100) foot lamberts. This requirement is limited to R or A districts that are within City limits.
K. No projecting sign located within one hundred (100) feet of an R district shall project from the building or other structure more than twelve (12) inches or exceed twenty (20) square feet in sign area.
L. No flashing signs or animated signs shall be permitted in any district.
M. No inflatable signs shall be allowed.
N. Government signs used for directional, warning or informational purposes are not subject to the regulations of this chapter.
O. Nonilluminated or illuminated name plates and addresses, not exceeding twelve (12) inches by twenty-four (24) inches in size, are not subject to the regulations of this chapter.
P. Any signage, sign face, or sign structure which ceases, for a period in excess of ninety (90) days, to advertise a bona fide business, product, service, or entity presently in operation shall be removed by the owner of said signage, sign face, or sign structure or the owner of the property upon which signage is located, and shall not be permitted to be reestablished or reconstructed or replaced without being subject to the provisions of this chapter.
Q. Any noncommercial message may be substituted for the copy on any commercial signage permitted by this chapter.
R. Dilapidated signs shall be prohibited. All signs, including any appurtenant component, background, or supporting structure, shall be maintained in a state of good repair, be kept clean, be structurally sound, and be visually attractive. Any dilapidated sign shall be repaired or replaced within sixty (60) calendar days following written notification by the City. Noncompliance with the notification is subject to an administrative citation, as set forth in Chapter 1.07 DMC, and nuisance abatement, as set forth in Chapter 9.01 DMC. The City Council shall be the hearing officer for appeals of administrative citations issued pursuant to this section. All hearing and appeal procedures for administrative citations as set forth in Chapter 1.07 DMC otherwise apply. [Ord. 13-008 § 2; Ord. 13-009 §§ 2(1), (21) – (23); Ord. 17-002 § 1; Ord. 17-003 § 1; Ord. 20-004 § 2; Ord. 20-009 § 2.]
18.24.050 Signs in agricultural districts.
No sign or display of any character shall be permitted in an A district except the following:
A. Name plates or signs, not directly lighted, with an aggregate of not more than twenty (20) square feet pertaining to a permitted use.
B. Signs prohibiting trespass, each not exceeding two (2) square feet in area.
C. One (1) nonilluminated sign not exceeding six (6) square feet in area pertaining to the sale, lease, rental or display of a structure or land.
D. Identification signs or other signs pertaining to a conditional use conducted on the site, not directly lighted, with an aggregate area of not more than one-half (0.5) square foot for each one (1) foot of frontage of the site but not more than one hundred (100) square feet, subject to the exception that if a site has less than forty (40) feet of frontage, the sign or signs may have an aggregate area of not more than twenty (20) square feet.
E. Temporary subdivision signs, subject to the regulations prescribed in DMC 18.24.080.
F. Two (2) directional or informational signs, not directly lighted, each not exceeding one hundred (100) square feet in area located adjacent to a State highway or a County road within one-half (0.5) mile of an access road turnoff listing commercial establishments accessible via the access road. [Ord. 13-008 § 2; Ord. 13-009 § 2(1); Ord. 15-002 § 49.]
18.24.060 Signs in residential and public service districts.
No sign or display of any character shall be permitted in an R or PS district except the following:
A. One (1) name plate not exceeding one (1) square foot in area, not directly lighted, pertaining to a permitted use.
B. One (1) identification sign, not directly lighted, not exceeding four (4) square feet in area located on the site of a multiple-family dwelling or lodging house.
C. One (1) identification sign, not directly lighted, not exceeding forty (40) square feet in area located on the site of a public building or grounds, a private institution, a church, a club or lodge or other assembly use, or a professional or administrative office building.
D. In addition to an identification sign, one (1) bulletin board, not directly lighted, not exceeding twenty (20) square feet in area on the site of a church or other assembly use.
E. One (1) nonilluminated sign not exceeding four (4) square feet in area on the site of a parking lot.
F. One (1) nonilluminated sign not exceeding six (6) square feet in area pertaining to the sale, lease, rental or display of a structure or land.
G. Temporary subdivision signs, subject to the regulations prescribed in DMC 18.24.080. [Ord. 13-008 § 2; Ord. 13-009 § 2(1); Ord. 15-002 § 50.]
18.24.070 Signs in commercial, professional office, and planned mixed use districts.
No sign or display of any character shall be permitted in a C or M district except the following:
A. Signs pertaining to uses conducted on the site with the following aggregate area:
|
District |
Max. area per ft. of width of front and street side elevations of building on corner lot |
Max. area per ft. of property line or adjoining street |
Max. area on interior lot width frontage less than 40 feet |
Absolute maximum area for an individual business |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
PAO |
1 sq. ft. |
1/2 sq. ft. |
20 sq. ft. |
50 sq. ft. |
|
PMU |
1 sq. ft. |
1/2 sq. ft. |
20 sq. ft. |
20 sq. ft. |
|
CN |
1 sq. ft. |
1/2 sq. ft. |
40 sq. ft. |
100 sq. ft. |
|
CC |
2 sq. ft. |
1 sq. ft. |
80 sq. ft. |
200 sq. ft. |
|
CH |
2 sq. ft. |
1 sq. ft. |
80 sq. ft. |
300 sq. ft. |
|
CS |
2 sq. ft. |
1 sq. ft. |
80 sq. ft. |
300 sq. ft. |
|
ML |
1 sq. ft. |
1/2 sq. ft. |
80 sq. ft. |
300 sq. ft. |
|
MH |
1 sq. ft. |
1/2 sq. ft. |
80 sq. ft. |
400 sq. ft. |
B. Directional signs for off-street parking and loading facilities not exceeding four (4) square feet for each sign in a CN, PAO or PMU district, or six (6) square feet for each sign in a CD, CC, CH, CS district, or sixty-five (65) square feet in an ML or MH district.
C. One (1) sign pertaining to the sale, lease, rental or display of a structure or land, not exceeding six (6) square feet in a CN, PAO or PMU district or twenty (20) square feet in a CD, CC, CH, CS, ML or MH district.
D. Repealed by Ord. 20-004.
E. Multi-tenant, freeway-oriented sign structures in the highway commercial (CH) district are conditional uses subject to the provisions of Chapter 18.25 DMC, Conditional Uses, and the following criteria:
1. A sight line study for view and visibility distance shall be prepared and submitted with an application to justify the height of the sign requested. However, the maximum height of the sign shall not exceed eighty-five (85) feet.
2. A minimum of three (3) tenants’ sign slots shall be required for the proposed multi-tenant sign structure.
3. Design of the sign structure shall incorporate architectural design features to enhance appearance.
4. Projects, developments and businesses participating in the multi-tenant freeway-oriented sign program shall be limited to monument type signs and building-mounted on-site signs.
5. Sign area on multi-tenant freeway-oriented signs shall not be counted against the sign area allowance for the on-site signs.
6. Sign structures must be in compliance with all applicable State and Federal regulations, including but not limited to the State Outdoor Advertising Act. Proof of such compliance must be submitted prior to issuance of the permit for construction of the sign structure.
7. Signage, including text or graphics, must be of sufficient size to be easily readable for freeway drivers. In the event an applicant for signage disputes requirements of “sufficient size” for readability established by the Planning Commission or administrative design approval, Caltrans freeway signage readability standards shall be utilized.
8. The size and number of signage lease spaces shall be established at the time of sign design review for the sign structure. Subdivision of signage lease space areas, other than as established at the time of sign design review, shall not be permitted.
9. Sign structures and signage on multi-tenant, freeway-oriented signs existing on the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter, February 8, 2002, shall be considered preexisting and shall not be required to comply with the new provisions of this section, unless or until such sign structure or signage ceases to advertise a bona fide business, product, service, or entity presently in operation.
10. Replacement, repair, or modification of signage shall be subject to Chapter 18.23 DMC.
11. Any multi-tenant, freeway-oriented sign structure approved after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter, February 8, 2002, shall be designed such that the topmost position on the sign shall reflect the name of the commercial area or center for which the sign is primarily intended, or a major tenant as determined by the Planning Commission during the sign review process.
12. Multi-tenant freeway-oriented sign structures shall be no closer together than two thousand (2,000) feet from one to another, measured parallel to the freeway.
13. Businesses, products, services, or entities advertising on sign structures must be located within one-half (0.5) mile of the centerline of Interstate 80; except that this subsection E shall not apply to electronic message center signs.
14. No permit shall be issued for construction of a sign structure prior to the initiation of construction of at least one (1) business or entity which will place signage on the structure.
F. Freeway-oriented sign structures in the highway commercial (CH) district are conditional uses subject to the provisions of Chapter 18.25 DMC, Conditional Uses, and the following criteria:
1. Freeway-oriented sign structures may only be located in highway commercial (CH) districts located along Interstate 80.
2. A sight line study for view and visibility distance shall be prepared and submitted with an application to justify the height of the sign requested. However, the maximum height of the sign shall not exceed eighty-five (85) feet.
3. Design of the sign structure shall incorporate architectural design features to enhance appearance.
4. Sign structures must be in compliance with all applicable State and Federal regulations, including but not limited to the State Outdoor Advertising Act. Proof of such compliance must be submitted prior to issuance of the permit for construction of the sign structure.
5. Signage, including text or graphics, must be of sufficient size to be easily readable for freeway drivers. In the event an applicant for signage disputes requirements of “sufficient size” for readability established by the Planning Commission or administrative design approval, Caltrans freeway signage readability standards shall be utilized.
6. The size and number of signage lease space shall be established at the time of sign design review for the sign structure. Subdivision of signage lease space area, other than as established at the time of sign design review, shall not be permitted.
7. Replacement, repair, or modification of signage shall be subject to review provided in Chapter 18.23 DMC.
8. Number of Freeway-Oriented Signs.
a. No more than one (1) freeway-oriented sign may be built for every ten thousand (10,000) residents. One (1) additional freeway-oriented sign may be built once the City’s population reaches twenty thousand (20,000), as established by the Solano County Clerk’s office. The additional freeway-oriented sign must be located on the opposite side of Interstate 80 from any existing freeway-oriented sign, and shall not be within a one (1) mile radius from other existing freeway-oriented sign.
b. Another additional freeway-oriented sign may be built once the City’s population reaches thirty thousand (30,000), as established by the Solano County Clerk’s office. This additional freeway-oriented sign shall not be within a one (1) mile radius from any other existing freeway-oriented sign.
G. Electronic message center signs shall only be permitted when located on a multi-tenant, freeway-oriented sign structure; provided, that electronic message center signs shall be subject to the provisions of subsection E of this section and the following additional criteria, with the exception of LED gas price signs as defined above:
1. Electronic message signs located within five hundred (500) feet of an R district shall not be utilized from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
2. The sign area of an electronic message center sign shall not exceed six hundred seventy-five (675) square feet.
3. The static messages shall not change more frequently than every six (6) seconds, and cannot pulse or significantly change in luminosity. [Ord. 13-008 § 2; Ord. 13-009 §§ 2(1), (24), (25); Ord. 14-007 § 1; Ord. 15-002 § 51; Ord. 17-002 § 1; Ord. 17-003 § 1; Ord. 18-003 § 1; Ord. 20-004 § 3.]
18.24.080 Temporary subdivision signs.
In an R or A district temporary subdivision signs shall be permitted; provided, that they conform with the following regulations:
A. One (1) sign pertaining to a subdivision, not illuminated, not exceeding twenty-four (24) square feet in area, may be erected or displayed, for each ten (10) acres in the subdivision. In no case shall such signs be more than forty-eight (48) square feet.
B. If a subdivision has an area of less than ten (10) acres, one (1) sign, not illuminated, not exceeding twenty-four (24) square feet in area, may be erected or displayed.
C. The total number of subdivision signs, other than model home signs and directional signs as permitted in subsections D and E of this section, shall not exceed three (3).
D. One (1) sign not exceeding six (6) square feet in area, not illuminated, advertising a model home may be erected or displayed on the site of each model home in a subdivision.
E. Not more than four (4) off-site directional signs subject to the following restrictions:
1. Not illuminated.
2. Not more than sixty-four (64) square feet in area, may be erected or displayed, for each subdivision.
3. At least two (2) of the four (4) off-site signs shall be constructed to have three (3) additional panels that will be available to advertise other subdivisions.
4. Signs must be located on private property and must have the owner’s consent.
5. Signs shall be located not to cause a safety hazard.
6. Location and design of signs must first be approved by the Community Development Director.
F. A sign permit shall be required for all temporary subdivision signs. A permit may be issued by the Community Development Director at any time after recordation of the subdivision and shall become void one (1) year following the date on which the permit was issued, unless prior to the expiration of that one (1) year a building permit is issued and construction commenced on the homes. A sign permit may be renewed for one (1) additional year if, prior to the expiration of one (1) year of the date when the permit was issued an application for a renewal is filed with Community Development Department. [Ord. 13-008 § 2; Ord. 13-009 § 2(1); Ord. 15-002 § 52.]
18.24.090 Temporary signs in commercial, industrial, professional office and planned mixed use districts.
In R, C, M, or PAO districts temporary signs shall be permitted, provided they conform to and meet the following regulations:
A. Banners and Streamers.
1. Temporary banners may be placed on any business and shall comply with the provisions in this chapter.
2. Temporary banners designed to identify the name of a new business, change in the name of an existing business or the coming of a new business may be installed for a maximum of one hundred twenty (120) days and only until a permanent sign(s) is approved and installed.
3. Temporary banners shall not individually exceed sixty (60) square feet or collectively one hundred twenty (120) square feet. No more than three (3) temporary banners may be displayed at one time.
4. Temporary banners must be affixed directly to the wall or facade of a building and shall not be displayed above the eave of the roofline.
5. Streamers may be displayed on or above an open car or vehicle lot on a continual basis and may be displayed from a building or structure to another building or structure located on private property. Streamers may not be attached to any structure located on City property.
B. Noncommercial Event Signs.
1. One (1) noncommercial event sign may be erected, displayed or permitted on a lot less than one (1) acre in size pertaining to an event or an election, such as a charitable or civic event, on private property. Up to four (4) noncommercial event signs may be erected, displayed or permitted on a lot of more than one (1) acre.
2. Noncommercial event signs shall be nonilluminated and shall not individually exceed twenty-four (24) square feet in area per side.
3. Noncommercial event signs shall not be erected, displayed, or permitted earlier than sixty (60) days before the event to which they relate and must be removed within seven (7) days after the event.
C. Portable Signs.
1. One (1) portable sign may be erected, displayed, or permitted pertaining to a business located on the same property as the sign. Sign shall be nonilluminated and not exceed ten (10) square feet in area per side and four (4) feet six (6) inches in height.
2. Portable signs shall be displayed on private property, except in the downtown commercial district. A portable sign displayed in a public right-of-way within the downtown commercial district shall comply with any applicable encroachment regulations of the City and the California Department of Transportation.
3. Portable signs may be displayed in a required landscaped area, but may not block a required access, be located in an area approved for parking or cause a sight distance problem.
4. Portable signs shall be professionally manufactured. They shall only be displayed between sunrise and sunset and must be removed during other times of the day.
D. Mobile Sign or Mobile Billboard.
1. No vehicle may be used as a platform or substitute for a billboard, freestanding sign or portable sign, whether parked on private property or public right-of-way.
2. A vehicle may display a mobile sign or mobile billboard so long as it complies with the following:
a. It is moving along any street for the sole or primary purpose of displaying advertising or for the sole or primary purpose of being a mobile sign or mobile billboard.
b. Is prohibited from residentially zoned areas.
c. Is nonilluminated.
d. Is limited to being displayed between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
e. Shall not exceed seventy-two (72) square feet in area on one (1) side.
3. The following exceptions are permissible:
a. Driving, operating and movement of vehicles displaying political campaign advertisements for candidates for public office or for ballot measures, or other forms of noncommercial speech.
b. Vehicles whose primary purpose is for regular transportation of passengers, such as buses or taxis.
c. Transporting a mobile sign or mobile billboard to a site where the sign can be displayed in a manner that does not violate any subsection in this section. [Ord. 13-008 § 2; Ord. 13-009 § 2(1); Ord. 15-002 § 53.]
18.24.100 Reserved.
[Ord. 13-008 § 2; Ord. 13-009 § 2(1).]