Chapter 18.24 PROHIBITIONS AND EXEMPTIONS

Chapter 18.24
PROHIBITIONS AND EXEMPTIONS

Sections:

18.24.030 Exempt signs – In commercial or industrial districts.

18.24.040 Billboards/nonaccessory signs.

18.24.010 Prohibited signs – Generally.

Unless specifically authorized under other sections of this title, the following types of signs shall not be erected or maintained: a flashing sign; a moving sign; a sign which has banners, flyers, pennants, pinwheels, or utilizes two or more light bulbs in a wire string; a portable sign; a projecting sign; a sign painted directly on the wall of a building or fence; a dilapidated or abandoned sign or a sign in disrepair or dangerous condition; a sign which is affixed to a fence, utility pole or utility structure, or a tree, shrub, rock or other natural object; a mobile sign or a sign attached to a motor vehicle which is parked with the intent to advertise to the public passing by; a sign containing obscene or profane matter; a sign illuminated by exposed light globes, i.e., clear light bulbs not turned away or properly shrouded from the viewer; and a sign created by the arrangement of vegetation, rocks, or other objects, such as hillside, visible to pedestrians and motorists, without application to and approval by the planning commission. (Ord. 07-25 § 4; Ord. 77-12 N.S. § 1, 1977; prior code § 8-915).

18.24.020 Exempt signs – Generally.

Except as to the location of signs with reference to street intersections, the following signs are exempt from this chapter:

A. Memorial tablet having sign area of four square feet or less; and

B. Sign identifying a mailbox which does not exceed 60 square inches in sign area; and

C. Sign identifying a residence on nearby private roads not exceeding 120 square inches for each residence; and

D. Sign having a display area not exceeding two square feet and intended solely for the information, safety, direction or convenience of the public, rather than the advertisement of goods and services, including a sign which indicates days, hours, emergency telephone number, street address, and/or credit card honored; membership in civic, business or professional organizations; or which direct customers where to park, which identify restrooms, or which locate a public telephone or freight entrance. The aggregate display area of all such signs related to a single occupancy which can conveniently be seen from outside the premises may not exceed 10 square feet, unless the planner finds that a greater area is required for the safety or convenience of the public; and

E. Sign placed by a public utility showing the location of underground facilities; and

F. Sign advertising a community event of general public interest which does not exceed in the aggregate for all events five square feet of sign area per premises; and

G. Theatre marquee sign, which may utilize changeable lettering, which does not exceed in height the roof line or parapet of the building, or 18 feet, whichever is higher; and

H. Sign which is an integral and appropriate part of a window merchandising display; provided, that the sign:

1. Advertises or relates to goods or services offered on the premises,

2. Is not painted on or affixed to an outside window,

3. Does not contain the name of the business on the premises;

I. Temporary sign required to be maintained by law or governmental order, rule or regulation, and for the safety of persons, preservation of property, or the convenience of the public and authorized in accordance with the regulations of the planning commission. (Ord. 77-12 N.S. § 1, 1977; prior code § 8-919).

18.24.030 Exempt signs – In commercial or industrial districts.

A. Identification signs within the commercial or industrial districts shall be submitted to the community development director for approval. Directional signs are exempt in this zone. Billboard or nonaccessory signs are prohibited.

B. Any signs within the commercial or industrial zones shall be designed so that the appearance of such signs shall be in keeping with the general surrounding architecture. Special attention shall be directed to those signs visible from freeway entrances to the city. Signs that negatively impact the landscaping, open space requirements, vistas, scenic corridors or general appearance of said freeway structures may be denied. (Ord. 07-25 § 5; Ord. 77-12 N.S. § 1, 1977; prior code § 8-903).

18.24.040 Billboards/nonaccessory signs.

The city completely prohibits the construction, erection or use of any billboards or nonaccessory signs other than those which legally exist in the city, or for which a valid permit has been issued and has not expired, as of the date on which this provision is first adopted. No permit shall be issued for any billboard which violates this policy, and the city will take immediate abatement action against any billboard or nonaccessory sign constructed or maintained in violation of this policy. In adopting this provision, the city council affirmatively declares that it would have adopted this billboard/nonaccessory sign policy even if it were the only provision in this chapter. The city council intends for this billboard policy to be severable and separately enforceable even if other provision(s) of this chapter or title may be declared, by a court of competent jurisdiction, to be unconstitutional, invalid or unenforceable. This provision does not prohibit agreements to relocate, remodel or enhance presently existing, legal billboards or nonaccessory signs. (Ord. 07-25 § 6).