Chapter 15.40
PERMITS, APPROVALS, ABATEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION
Sections:
15.40.020 Review for completion.
15.40.040 Action on sign permit.
15.40.060 Permit processing, issuance and revocation.
15.40.070 Conflicts and lack of specificity.
15.40.010 Permit required.
Except as otherwise provided in this title, it shall be unlawful for any person to install any sign within the city limits, or cause the same to be done, without first obtaining a sign permit for each such sign from the community development director, as required by this chapter. (Ord. C-2015-04 §1(part), 2015; Ord. C-2013-04 §9(part), 2013; Ord. C-9-11 §1(part), 2011: Ord. C-3-10 §1(Exh. A(part)), 2010. Formerly 15.03.010).
15.40.020 Review for completion.
Within fourteen days of receiving an application for a sign permit, the community development director or the director’s designee shall review it for completeness. If the director finds that it is complete, the application shall then be processed. If the director finds that it is incomplete, the director shall, within such fourteen-day period, send to the applicant a notice of the specific ways in which the application is deficient, with appropriate references to the applicable sections of this title. (Ord. C-2015-04 §1(part), 2015; Ord. C-2013-04 §9(part), 2013; Ord. C-9-11 §1(part), 2011: Ord. C-3-10 §1(Exh. A)(part)), 2010. Formerly 15.03.020).
15.40.030 Approval authority.
A. Community Development Director Administrative Approval. Upon submittal of an application, the following signs may be approved by the community development director, who may consider the recommendation of any city council appointed advisory committee or commission in performing this function: identification signs up to a maximum area of twenty square feet per any one sign and a cumulative total of forty square feet not counting exempt signs; signs that are part of an approved special sign program; temporary signs in accordance with the provisions of Section 15.40.050(B); directory signs; bulletin boards; menu boxes; accessory signs; including directional and parking signs; and minor exceptions to the previously identified signs.
1. The community development director or designee shall approve or deny an application within twenty days of receipt of the completed application.
2. In order to be approved, these signs must satisfy the purpose, objectives, and standards described in this chapter.
3. The community development director only may grant exceptions to the type and location of a sign and only if the following criteria are satisfied:
a. There is no increase in overall height from the standards permitted in this title.
b. There is no increase in overall square footage from the standards permitted in this title.
c. There is no increase in the number of signs permitted in this title.
d. The exception does not create any unsafe conditions for motorized or nonmotorized vehicles or pedestrians.
e. The exception does not conflict with the local coastal program.
f. The exception complies with Chapter 15.20 (General Provisions).
4. The community development director shall periodically report to the planning commission on the signs that have been approved through the administrative process.
B. Architectural Review and Approval. Upon submittal of an application, all signs that are not exempt from the permit requirements of this title or are not eligible for administrative approval by the community development director may be approved by the planning commission, who may consider the recommendation of any city council appointed advisory committee or commission in performing this function. This includes, but is not limited to: all identification signs that exceed twenty square feet; all identification signs where the total area of identification signs for the site exceeds forty square feet, not including exempt signs; all murals; all special sign programs; all wayfinding signs; and signs which, in the opinion of the community development director, require non-minor exceptions to the standards described in this title. The planning commission may grant exceptions only to the number, size, location and design of signs. The following criteria must be satisfied to grant the exception:
1. Additional business signs may be permitted in unusual circumstances such as, but not limited to, a business that has entrances on three different public rights-of-way.
2. Signs shall clearly identify the business entrance. Signs shall be pedestrian-oriented except for gas stations, motels and other businesses that are predominantly vehicle-oriented businesses. Clutter from business signs on street frontages shall be avoided. Sign clutter along street frontages from multiple businesses within a courtyard or building shall be avoided.
3. Any exceptions to design standards shall retain compatibility with the design, color and scale of the building.
4. The exception does not create any unsafe conditions for motorized or nonmotorized vehicles or pedestrians.
5. The exception does not conflict with the local coastal program.
6. The exception complies with Chapter 15.20 (General Provisions).
C. Any appeal of the decision of the community development director or the planning commission shall be made in accordance with Chapter 1.25. (Ord. C-2022-01 §2(Att. A), 2022; Ord. C-2019-03 §2(Exh. A)(part), 2019; Ord. C-2015-04 §1(part), 2015; Ord. C-2013-04 §9(part), 2013; Ord. C-9-11 §1(part), 2011: Ord. C-3-10 §1(Exh. A)(part), 2010. Formerly 15.03.030).
15.40.040 Action on sign permit.
A. Within seven days of determining that an application for a temporary sign permit is complete, except for community event signs, the community development director shall either issue a temporary sign permit if the sign conforms to this title or deny the application.
B. Within thirty days of determining that an application for a sign permit that may be approved by the community development director is complete, other than a temporary sign permit described in subsection A of this section, the director shall either approve, conditionally approve, or deny a sign permit based on the standards and regulations set forth in this title.
C. Within thirty days of determining that an application for a sign permit that may be approved by the planning commission is complete, the application shall be scheduled for the next public meeting of the planning commission. Such sign application shall be continued for no more than one meeting of the planning commission, except with the consent of the applicant for the sign permit. Alternately, the community development director may refer the application to the next public meeting of a city council appointed advisory committee or commission, which may consider the signage at no more than two meetings, following which the application shall be scheduled for the next public meeting of the planning commission. (Ord. C-2022-01 §2(Att. A), 2022; Ord. C-2019-03 §2(Exh. A)(part), 2019: Ord. C-2015-04 §1(part), 2015; Ord. C-2013-04 §9(part), 2013; Ord. C-9-11 §1(part), 2011: Ord. C-3-10 §1(Exh. A)(part), 2010. Formerly 15.03.040).
15.40.050 No permit required.
Permits are not required for the following types of signs:
A. Permanent Signs Allowed Without a Permit. Permanent signs allowed without a permit shall comply with the provisions that regulate sign type, placement, location and other standards identified in Chapter 15.60 (General Sign Requirements). Permanent signs allowed without a permit shall not be illuminated and shall be no more than six feet in height if freestanding or affixed to a building or other structure. Such signs shall not be subject to the area limits specified in Section 15.50.010(A)(2) or 15.50.020(B). The following permanent signs are allowed without a permit:
1. Small permanent signs (including but not limited to credit cards accepted, trade affiliations, neighborhood watch, hours of operation, private property, no trespassing, keep off grass, beware of dog, etc.), up to a maximum area of one and one-half square feet per sign, up to a total of four signs per lot or business.
2. Wall-mounted signs on a building (including but not limited to historic resource signs), up to two square feet per sign and up to two signs per building.
3. Existing signs with a change of content that does not alter the size, location, or illumination of a sign, is consistent with any font/copy size requirements pursuant to this title, and does not contain off-site advertising.
B. Temporary Signs Allowed Without a Permit. Temporary signs allowed without a permit shall comply with the provisions that regulate sign type, placement, location and other standards identified in Chapter 15.60 (General Sign Requirements). However, temporary signs allowed without a permit shall not be illuminated and shall be no more than six feet in height whether freestanding or affixed to a building or other structure. Signs installed pursuant to this section shall not be placed on public property or in the public right-of-way. The following temporary signs are allowed without a permit:
1. Temporary signs up to four square feet in area containing noncommercial messages may be displayed for a period of no more than ninety days in one calendar year. Such signs may be installed on private property with the property owner’s consent.
2. Temporary signs up to twenty square feet in area containing noncommercial messages may be displayed for a period of no more than ninety days in one calendar year. No more than two such signs may be displayed on one lot. Such signs may be installed on private property with the property owner’s consent.
3. Temporary signs may be displayed on business premises in commercial districts as follows:
a. Temporary window signs up to twenty-five percent of the area of the window surface.
b. One temporary banner sign up to twenty square feet in area and not more than six feet in height may be erected per business frontage, up to a total of two such signs maximum on businesses with two or more frontages.
c. Temporary signs authorized under this provision may be displayed for no more than sixty days in one calendar year.
4. Temporary real estate signs authorized by Civil Code Section 713 (e.g., for sale or for lease signs) for a property or unit that is being actively marketed for sale or lease are allowed as follows:
a. Real estate signs for a residence may be no more than six square feet in area per sign. One sign may be installed per public frontage. The signs shall be removed within fifteen days after sale or lease of the unit or building, or after the unit or building is taken off the market. Up to two rider signs up to one square foot each may be attached to the real estate sign.
b. Real estate signs for a nonresidential property may be no more than twenty square feet in area per sign. One sign may be installed per public frontage. The signs shall be removed within fifteen days after sale or lease of the unit or building, or after the unit or building is taken off the market.
c. Open house signs, including A-frame signs, may be displayed during an open house. These signs shall be removed daily at the close of the open house and shall not be displayed overnight. A maximum of six such signs may be displayed per open house, each with a maximum sign area of two square feet per sign.
5. Temporary construction signs (i.e., signs identifying a builder or contractor) may be displayed as follows:
a. Construction signs may only be displayed on a property that is under construction, and only while construction is ongoing. The signs shall be removed upon completion of construction.
b. Construction signs for a residence may be no more than six square feet in area per sign. One sign may be installed per public frontage.
c. Construction signs for a nonresidential property may be no more than twenty square feet in area per sign. One sign may be installed per public frontage. (Ord. C-2022-01 §2(Att. A), 2022; Ord. C-2015-04 §1(part), 2015; Ord. C-2013-04 §9(part), 2013; Ord. C-9-11 §1(part), 2011: Ord. C-3-10 §1(Exh. A(part)), 2010. Formerly 15.03.050).
15.40.060 Permit processing, issuance and revocation.
Applications for sign permits shall be made on forms provided by the community development director.
A. The community development director of the city, or the director’s designee, shall issue a permit for the erection, alteration, or relocation of a sign within the city when an application therefor has been previously made and the sign has been reviewed by the appropriate approval authority as identified in Sections 15.40.020 and 15.40.030, and has been determined to comply with all appropriate laws and regulations of the city.
B. Every permit issued under the provisions of this chapter shall expire by limitation and become null and void if the work authorized by such permit is not commenced within sixty days from the date of such permit, or if the work authorized by such permit is suspended or abandoned for a period of sixty days or more. An extension for an additional thirty days may be approved by the community development director where circumstances warrant such extension. If a permit has become null and void, a new permit shall be obtained before installation can commence or resume and the fee shall be one-half the amount required for a new permit for such work, provided no changes have been made or will be made from the approved plans and specifications for such work. (Ord. C-2015-04 §1(part), 2015; Ord. C-2013-04 §9(part), 2013; Ord. C-9-11 §1(part), 2011: Ord. C-3-10 §1(Exh. A(part)), 2010. Formerly 15.03.060).
15.40.070 Conflicts and lack of specificity.
A. When there is a conflict with two or more sections of this title, the approval authority may make a determination as to which section is more appropriate for the specific site and sign type.
B. If a type of sign is proposed that is not listed in this title, the approval authority shall use standards for the type of sign that most resembles the sign for which the application is made. (Ord. C-2013-04 §9(part), 2013; Ord. C-9-11 §1(part), 2011: Ord. C-3-10 §1(Exh. A(part)), 2010. Formerly 15.03.070).