Chapter 15.50
SIGNS REQUIRING A PERMIT
Sections:
15.50.010 Identification signs.
15.50.020 Multiple tenant center signs.
15.50.005 Purpose.
This chapter identifies the amount of sign area allowed for businesses and other uses and provides standards for business identification signs, multiple tenant center signs, accessory signs, wayfinding signs, temporary signs, residential signs, and open space/urban reserve signs. Signs erected pursuant to this chapter must be consistent with location, measurement, illumination, maintenance and other requirements identified in Chapter 15.60. (Ord. C-2013-04 §9(part), 2013; Ord. C-9-11 §2(part), 2011: Ord. C-3-10 §1(Exh. A(part)), 2010. Formerly 15.05.005).
15.50.010 Identification signs.
An identification sign identifies the name of a specific business, organization or entity.
A. Business identification signs consistent with the following standards are allowed for business uses in the commercial, industrial, and agricultural zoning districts and in areas designated for nonresidential uses within a planned unit development zoning district.
1. Number of Signs. All businesses may have at least one sign. Businesses may have one additional sign per business frontage. Where businesses have a lineal street frontage in excess of three hundred feet, one additional sign is allowed for every three hundred feet of lineal street frontage in excess of three hundred feet.
2. Sign Area.
a. A business may have up to one and one-half square feet of sign area per one lineal foot of primary business frontage, up to:
i. Eighty square feet of sign area for freestanding businesses, except if a business is adjacent to a highway or if a business is in a multiple tenant center; or
ii. One hundred square feet of sign area if a freestanding business is adjacent to a highway and is not in a multiple tenant center; or
iii. Seventy square feet of sign area for each business in a multiple tenant center. If more than one business occupies a single storefront, the combination of identification signage for businesses within that single storefront shall not exceed seventy square feet. If one business occupies more than one storefront, identification signage for that business shall not exceed seventy square feet.
iv. Buildings in excess of five thousand square feet with a minimum of one hundred lineal feet of street-level frontage are allowed up to one hundred twenty square feet of sign area.
b. Where a business has less than five lineal feet of primary business frontage, it may have up to seven and one-half square feet of sign area.
3. Types of Signs. The business identification signs shall be limited to sign types identified in Table 15.50-1. Businesses in a multiple tenant center shall not have monument, pylon or freestanding signs as the individual business identification sign, except as allowed in Section 15.50.020.
4. Illumination. Business identification signs may be illuminated as identified in Section 15.60.030(B), subject to the criteria identified in Section 15.60.030, except as provided in the downtown area as described in this section.
5. Downtown. Signs in the downtown area, which is the area shown in Exhibit 1 of the Half Moon Bay Downtown Specific Plan (Figure 15.50-1), shall conform with the following standards:
a. Signs shall be scaled and oriented to the pedestrian level;
b. Signs shall be designed and constructed with a high level of craftsmanship and detail that complements the architectural features, scale and finish of the building;
c. Signs shall be designed to complement the diversity and eclecticism of the downtown and shall include any two of the following six elements:
i. The most prominent lettering element on a sign, such as the business’s name, uses a serif or script font.
ii. The sign includes a frame, background, or lettering in natural wood, stone or other durable high-quality material that is natural in appearance.
iii. The sign includes a frame, background, or lettering in wrought iron, brass, silver or copper in appearance.
iv. The sign has raised lettering or a raised border such that the sign is not one-dimensional in appearance.
v. The sign is projecting or a hanging sign and is attached to a decorative mounting bracket.
vi. The sign is a post and panel freestanding sign with decorative supports (e.g., not an unpainted wood or metal pole) that are wrought iron, wood or other similar durable high-quality material;
Figure 15.50-1--Half Moon Bay Downtown Specific Plan Area
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Sign Type |
Maximum Area per Sign |
Maximum Height |
Other Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
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Building Signs |
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Awning Sign |
Downtown: 6 sq. ft. Other Areas: 18 sq. ft. |
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Lettering shall be allowed on awning valances only, shall not exceed 8 inches in height, and shall be contained in a single line. Logos, symbols, and graphics that do not include text may be allowed on the shed (slope) portion of an awning. Awning signs may not be backlit. |
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Marquee Sign |
100 sq. ft. |
- |
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Projecting Sign |
Multiple Tenants: 5 sq. ft. Downtown: 16 sq. ft. Other Areas: 20 sq. ft. |
1 story: Fascia 2 or more stories: Below the window sills of the second story |
Projecting signs in multiple tenant centers are limited to five square feet or less, unless the projecting sign is the center identification sign and not an individual business identification sign. Projecting signs that overhang a public right-of-way or pedestrian access way shall not be less than 8 feet above the finished grade. |
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Wall1 |
80 sq. ft. |
Roofline |
Only one wall sign allowed per business per business frontage. The sign shall not be wider than 70 percent of the building frontage on which it is placed and shall not cover more than 25 percent of the building area upon which it is placed. |
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Window Sign |
Up to 25 percent of any continuous window area |
Top of window |
Identical signs evenly placed in multiple windows along a business frontage will be considered a single sign. |
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Freestanding Signs |
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Monument or Pole Sign2 |
100 sq. ft. |
Highway: 20 ft. Other: 10 ft. |
One monument sign per business frontage, up to two monument signs.2 Freestanding signs up to 20 ft. high are allowed for business uses adjacent a state or federal highway. |
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Planter Sign |
4.5 sq. ft. (up to 18 inches by 36 inches) |
Up to 3 ft. |
Planter signs are limited to the downtown and may only be installed within tree wells on the public sidewalk. Planter signs are encouraged to have uniform sizes and frames. A planter sign may not extend outside of the tree well and shall be no less than 12 inches above the elevation of the sidewalk. Planter signs may not be illuminated. |
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1 Buildings in excess of 5,000 square feet with a minimum of 100 feet of lineal street frontage are allowed up to 120 square feet of sign area. |
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2 Where businesses have a lineal street frontage in excess of 300 feet, one additional monument sign is allowed for every 300 feet of lineal street frontage in excess of 300 feet. |
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d. Illumination of signs in the downtown shall be limited to external indirect, halo and reflective illumination as described under Section 15.60.030(B). Window signs may be permitted to have neon illumination;
e. In order to preserve the integrity of the buildings in the downtown area, signs affixed to a building shall have a mounting mechanism that allows the sign to be changed without removing the mounting materials from the building.
6. Multiple Tenant Centers. If a special sign program pursuant to Chapter 15.70 is adopted, the adopted sign program shall apply in lieu of this section.
a. Uniform Treatment. A uniform treatment of sign type, colors, materials, design and illumination is required for individual businesses within multiple tenant centers. When new signs are proposed for existing centers with multiple tenants and multiple signs, such signs shall reflect, where possible, the general sign type, colors, materials, design and illumination that is prominent in the center.
b. Allowable Sign Area. The allowable sign area for a single multiple tenant center under single ownership may be distributed at the discretion of the owner upon approval of the city; however, in no event shall the combined sign area for all tenants exceed the total allowable sign area for the center.
B. The standards identified in Table 15.50-2 apply to identification signs for businesses or organizations in the open space and urban reserve zoning districts.
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Sign Type |
Number of Signs |
Maximum Area |
Maximum Height |
Other Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Business Identification Sign: Wall Sign or Monument Sign |
1 per business frontage |
20 sq. ft. per sign |
10 ft. |
No illumination |
C. The following standards apply to identification signage for residential uses, including home occupations and multifamily development.
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Sign Type |
Number of Signs |
Maximum Area |
Maximum Height |
|---|---|---|---|
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Name and Address Sign: Wall Sign |
1 |
1 sq. ft. |
5 ft. |
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Multifamily Sign: Projecting Sign, Wall Sign, or Monument Sign |
1 per business frontage, up to 2 signs maximum |
8 sq. ft. per sign |
On building: First floor Monument: 5 ft. |
(Ord. C-2013-04 §9(part), 2013; Ord. C-9-11 §2(part), 2011: Ord. C-3-10 §1(Exh. A(part)), 2010. Formerly 15.05.010).
15.50.020 Multiple tenant center signs.
A multiple tenant center is a development consisting of two or more separate uses or tenancies that share either the same parcel, set of parcels or structures, and use common access and parking facilities. The following standards identify the number of signs, sign area, and types of signs allowed for multiple tenant centers. These signs are in addition to the business identification signs for individual uses within the center, accessory signs, temporary signs, and wayfinding signs allowed under this title.
A. Number of Signs. A multiple tenant center may have one identification sign and one directory sign per public frontage. Where a multiple tenant center has an excess of three hundred feet of lineal street frontage, one additional monument or freestanding sign is allowed for every three hundred feet of lineal street frontage in excess of three hundred feet.
B. Sign Area. A multiple tenant center may have one square foot of sign area per one foot of lineal street frontage, up to a maximum of one hundred square feet per multiple tenant center. This sign area is in addition to the sign area allowed per individual business as set forth in Section 15.50.010.
C. Types of Signs. A multiple tenant center may have identification signs and directory signs as described in Table 15.50-4.
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Sign Type |
Maximum Area per Sign |
Maximum Height |
Other Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
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Identification Sign: Identifies the name of the center and may also identify the primary anchor(s) and other stores. |
100 sq. ft. |
10 ft. If adjacent to a federal or state highway, up to 20 ft. may be allowed if necessary for visibility. |
Identification signs shall be monument signs unless either: 1) there is not adequate room for a monument sign, in which case the sign may be a projecting or wall sign up to 50 sq. ft., or 2) if the building or center is adjacent to a highway, the sign may be a pole or pylon sign up to 20 ft. in height. Where a multiple tenant building or center is allowed to have more than one monument or freestanding sign pursuant to subsection A of this section, such multiple tenant building or center may allow an anchor store to have a monument sign in lieu of an additional monument sign allowed for the building or center. |
(Ord. C-2013-04 §9(part), 2013; Ord. C-9-11 §2(part), 2011: Ord. C-3-10 §1(Exh. A(part)), 2010. Formerly 15.05.020).
15.50.030 Accessory signs.
The standards identified in Table 15.50-5 apply to permanent accessory signs that do not advertise a business as their primary purpose. These signs do not count toward the permanent sign area allowed under Sections 15.50.020(A) and (B).
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Sign Type |
Maximum Area per Sign |
Maximum Height |
Other Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
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Nonresidential and Multifamily Uses |
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Directional Signs |
2 sq. ft. |
5 ft. |
On-site directional signs with no advertising solely for guiding traffic, parking, and loading on private property where a use has 10 or more parking spaces. Signs in alleys and service ways shall be wall-mounted; in other locations, signs may be freestanding or wall-mounted. Directional signs may only have reflective illumination. |
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Decorative Flags, Banners or Pennants |
4 sq. ft. |
Building: Roofline Freestanding: 10 ft. |
Permanent flags, banners or pennants without text. One sign allowed per 20 feet of primary business frontage. |
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Directory Sign |
0.75 sq. ft. per business, up to 8 sq. ft. total |
5 ft. |
One directory sign allowed per business frontage. Directory signs are limited to multiple tenant centers. |
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Restaurants |
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Menu Board |
Up to 24 sq. ft. of sign area allowed per sign |
6 ft. |
Two allowed per drive-through restaurant. Menu boards may be freestanding or mounted to a wall. Menu boards may only have internal illumination or external illumination consistent with the standards at Section 15.60.030. |
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Menu Box |
1.75 sq. ft. |
5 ft. |
One menu box allowed per restaurant. Menu box shall be mounted to the building wall within five feet of the primary entrance to the restaurant and counts toward the business’s total permanent sign area. Menu boxes may only have external illumination consistent with the standards at Section 15.60.030. |
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Civic, Nonprofit and Other Noncommercial Uses |
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Bulletin Board |
0.5 sq. ft. per lineal foot of primary street frontage, up to 24 sq. ft. |
5 ft. |
Bulletin boards may be freestanding or mounted to a wall. Bulletin boards may only have external illumination consistent with the standards at Section 15.60.030. |
(Ord. C-2013-04 §9(part), 2013; Ord. C-9-11 §2(part), 2011: Ord. C-3-10 §1(Exh. A(part)), 2010. Formerly 15.05.030).
15.50.040 Wayfinding signs.
Wayfinding signs provide identification of and direction to various destinations in the city.
A. Sign Categories. Wayfinding signs include five sign types:
1. Welcome and Direction Signs. These signs may be located at entrances to the city and major intersections, may feature the names of major destinations, including the downtown district, and will have directional arrows. These signs will be freestanding. These signs may include an area for local nonprofit organizations (e.g., Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, etc.). Each organization may have up to one and one-half square feet of sign area.
2. Downtown Directional Signs. These signs may direct visitors from a downtown entrance to public parking and include the names of two or three major destinations.
3. Local Directional Signs. These signs may be located at major intersections in the downtown and include the names of businesses in the street block.
4. Pedestrian Kiosks. These kiosks may include a map of the downtown and a building directory.
5. Area Identification Sign. These signs are permanent and used to identify a neighborhood, subdivision, shopping district, industrial district, agricultural district or any special community area.
B. Type and Location. All wayfinding signs may be wall-mounted or freestanding and may be located in the public right-of-way with the approval of the city. Local directional signs may be wall-mounted on any building at a major downtown intersection, with the consent of the property owner.
C. Design and Character. All wayfinding signs shall have a unified design, including the frame, a decorational element, and logo. The signs shall have same-color placards identifying the major destinations (e.g., blue placards for attractions, orange placards for specific buildings or centers, green placards for parking). (Ord. C-2013-04 §9(part), 2013; Ord. C-9-11 §2(part), 2011: Ord. C-3-10 §1(Exh. A(part)), 2010. Formerly 15.05.040).
15.50.050 Temporary signs.
Signs that are consistent with the standards identified in Tables 15.50-6 and 15.50-7 may be erected on a temporary basis in commercial, industrial, agricultural, open space, planned development and urban reserve zoning districts. Signs that are consistent with the standards identified in Tables 15.50-6 and 15.50-8 may be erected on a temporary basis in residential zoning districts.
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General Requirements: All Temporary Signs |
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Placement |
Temporary signs shall not be placed in the public right-of-way, except for approved community event signs. |
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Sign Types Not Permitted |
A-frame signs, except for approved community events and open houses |
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Illumination |
No illumination |
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Length of Installation |
Temporary signs shall be removed promptly by the time/date identified on the sign permit or as specified in this code. |
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Sign Type |
Maximum Number |
Maximum Sign Area |
Maximum Height |
Other Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Construction, Future Tenant, and Real Estate (For Sale or For Lease Signs) |
1 per business frontage, up to 2 maximum |
Downtown: 20 sq. ft. per sign Elsewhere: 32 sq. ft. per sign |
6 ft. |
Construction signs shall be removed upon completion of the city’s final building inspection. Future tenant signs shall be removed upon occupancy of the site. Real estate signs shall be removed upon sale or lease of unit or building. |
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Promotional Signs |
2 window signs or 2 portable signs; 1 banner sign per business frontage |
Banner: 10 sq. ft. per sign Window Sign: 25 percent of window area |
Roofline if on building; otherwise 8 ft. |
Each business or use shall be allowed a maximum of two weeks’ temporary promotional signs a quarter/season (four times a calendar year), not to exceed a total of eight weeks per calendar year. Temporary advertising periods may be combined, but may never be longer than four consecutive weeks (28 consecutive days) at any one time with at least four consecutive weeks between periods of display. Portable signs may not be placed in the public right-of-way or on private property without express written consent of the property owner. |
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Community Event Signs |
Up to 2 banner signs and up to 6 portable signs |
Banner signs: 100 sq. ft. total sign area. Portable signs: Up to 3 sq. ft. per sign |
Banners: 35 ft. Portable signs: 3 ft. |
Beacons, pennants, freestanding banners, inflatable signs and signs placed in or above the public right-of-way may be permitted on a case-by-case basis, as determined by the community development director. Community event signs may be placed in the public right-of-way in approved locations and shall be located so as to not obstruct traffic, parking, driveways, or pedestrian walkways. Community event signs, except portable signs, may be installed up to 21 days before the event and shall be removed within three days following the event. Portable signs, including A-frames, may only be installed while the event takes place. |
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New Business Signs |
1 per business frontage, up to 2 maximum |
Banner: 20 sq. ft. per sign Window sign: 25 percent of window area |
6 ft. |
New business signs that constitute a banner sign up to 20 square feet or a window sign up to 25 percent of the window area that identifies the name of the establishment may be installed upon submittal of an application for a permanent business identification sign. The temporary identification sign shall be removed upon installation of the permanent identification sign. |
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Sign Type |
Maximum Number |
Maximum Sign Area |
Maximum Height |
Other Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Construction Signs: Identify the name of the contractor, architect, etc. |
1 per parcel |
6 sq. ft. |
5 ft. |
Shall be removed upon completion of the city’s final building inspection. |
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Real Estate Signs: Multifamily |
1 per parcel |
16 sq. ft. |
5 ft. |
Shall be removed upon lease or sale of the property. |
(Ord. C-2015-04 §1(part), 2015; Ord. C-2013-04 §9(part), 2013; Ord. C-9-11 §2(part), 2011: Ord. C-3-10 §1(Exh. A(part)), 2010. Formerly 15.05.050).
15.50.060 Murals.
A mural is an expression of public art painted directly on the exterior of a building or on a backing that is affixed to the building and is sanctioned by the property owner. Murals are allowed in the commercial, industrial, agricultural, and open space districts pursuant to the following standards:
A. Murals may not be installed and maintained on an area exceeding a maximum sign face area of one hundred percent of the exterior wall area of the first three stories upon the wall or facade where the mural is located.
B. The sponsor of the mural may be acknowledged or other public information pertaining to the mural may be provided at the lowest corner of a mural. The designated area for the acknowledgment or public information must not exceed a maximum area of four square feet.
C. Murals used for any form of on-site commercial advertising or public information or solicitation of any kind are considered identification signs and are subject to the standards identified at Section 15.50.010. (Ord. C-2022-01 §2(Att. A), 2022; Ord. C-2013-04 §9(part), 2013; Ord. C-9-11 §2(part), 2011: Ord. C-3-10 §1(Exh. A(part)), 2010. Formerly 15.05.060).