CHAPTER 7
SIGNS
ARTICLE 3. GENERAL PROVISIONS
SECTION:
§3225 REGULATIONS
A. Signs attached under a marquee shall have a vertical clearance of eight feet (8’) between the existing or future grade of the finished sidewalk. Such signs shall be limited to four (4) square feet in area on each side if a double faced sign; a single faced sign shall be limited to four (4) square feet in area; one sign per occupant.
B. No sign shall be located so as to create a safety hazard by obstructing vision, or shall interfere with or resemble any authorized warning or traffic sign or signal.
C. A projecting sign shall have a minimum clearance of eight feet (8’) above the existing or future grade of the finished sidewalk, and a minimum clearance of fifteen feet (15’) above an area used for vehicular movement.
D. These regulations shall apply only to those signs which are located outside of buildings or which are directly affixed to the inside of a window. Where signs are affixed to or painted on a window, such signs shall not exceed twenty five percent (25%) of any window area, and such signs shall be counted as part or all of the permitted sign area except as allowed in section 3227 of this chapter.
E. Temporary construction, development and subdivision sales signs are permitted in any residential zone providing the total aggregate area for all such signs does not exceed thirty two (32) square feet, and providing that no single face sign exceeds twelve (12) square feet. Sign height for any given sign may not exceed ten feet (10’). Signs will be permitted to remain for a maximum period of one year, but must be removed upon completion of the project.
F. Temporary construction, development, subdivision sales, lease and real estate signs are permitted in any commercial or industrial zone, if freestanding. The total aggregate area for all such signs may not exceed sixty four (64) square feet, and no single face sign may exceed thirty two (32) square feet. Sign height for any given freestanding sign may not exceed ten feet (10’). Signs will be permitted to remain for a maximum period of one year but must be removed upon completion of the sale, lease or project.
G. Murals are allowed subject to review by the planning commission as a regular agenda item. Criteria upon which murals will be evaluated as both art and advertising are: compatibility with surrounding environment and community in general; appropriateness to site; relationship to use of building upon which it is placed; impact on motorists and traffic hazards; advertising potential. Written messages are discouraged. Any area determined to be advertising and allowed to remain in the mural shall be counted as part of the allowed parcel signage.
H. Awning signs are allowed subject to review and approval by the planning and community development department and securing an encroachment permit from the public works department when located within the public right of way. Sign area shall be calculated as defined in section 3200.05 of this chapter. These shall not be considered as projecting signs.
I. Governmental, educational, civic or religious special event signs may be posted up to twenty (20) days prior to the event and taken down at least two (2) days after the event. Size shall not exceed thirty two (32) square feet and there shall be no more than four (4) such signs. Signs shall be approved by the planning director. This section shall not be applicable to handbills or small posters for said events.
J. Signing for a project requiring a site development permit or use permit shall be reviewed by the planning commission as part of the permit application process.
K. Banners, pennants and balloons (but not other gas filled figures) may be placed on an occupant’s property for: 1) a maximum of thirty (30) consecutive days per year to announce the opening of a new business (including new management); and 2) a maximum of forty five (45) days per year to advertise special activities or promote the business. The director of planning and community development shall review and approve plans for such signage to ensure that it offers no hazard to the safe movement to traffic and does not block permanent identification signs on neighboring properties.
L. Signs installed pursuant to a uniform community oriented sign program designed to provide direction, information or recognition to places, events, culture or other distinguishing aspects of the city of Ukiah. The sign program application specifying signage area, type, size, height, location, design, colors, materials and other information to ensure the sign program will enhance the vitality and character of the city of Ukiah shall be reviewed by the design review board and such sign program authorized by the city council. (Ord. 756, §2, adopted 1981; Ord. 822, §1, adopted 1983; Ord. 1106, §3, adopted 2008)
§3226 PROHIBITED SIGNS
The following signs are prohibited within the city:
A. Flashing, rotating, animated, blinking and moving signs.
B. Miscellaneous signs and posters and the tacking, pasting or otherwise affixing of signs of a miscellaneous character visible from a public right of way. Signs located on the wall of buildings, barns, sheds, trees, poles, posts, fences or other structures are prohibited unless provided for under other provisions of these regulations.
C. Any sign affixed to any vehicle or trailer on a public right of way or public property unless the vehicle or trailer is intended to be used in its official capacity and not for the sole purpose of attracting people to a place of business.
D. Banners, pennants, searchlights, twirling signs, balloons or other gas filled figures placed on an occupant’s property or in the public right of way, except as otherwise provided by this chapter.
E. Flags other than those of any nation or corporation.
F. Portable or wheeled signs, except the following:
1. Real estate signs not exceeding six (6) square feet per side placed on the offered property.
2. Temporary portable signs as provided by this chapter.
G. Any sign that utilizes visible guywires, angle irons and iron frame structures, unless construction is otherwise impractical, provided that decorative metal frames may be approved by the director of planning and community development when consistent with a historical or architectural style exhibited on the property.
H. Signs emitting audible sounds, odor or visible matter.
I. Signs which purport to be, or are an imitation of, or resemble an official traffic sign or signal, or which bear the words "stop", "go slow", "caution", "danger", "warning" or similar words.
J. Signs, which by reason of their site, location, movement, content, coloring or manner of illumination, may be confused with or constructed as a traffic control sign, signal or device, or the light of a road or emergency equipment vehicle.
K. Outlining of a building by means of exposed neon tubing, exposed incandescent lighting or other artificial lighting or an equivalent effect is prohibited.
L. Signs which are located on or project over the roof of a building or structure.
M. Off premises signs shall not be permitted within the city limits, except the following:
1. Real estate "open house" signs not exceeding six (6) square feet placed on private property with permission of the property owner (directional type). Such signs shall be allowed only during hours of open house.
2. Temporary portable signs as provided by this chapter.
N. Corner properties with freestanding, projecting, portable and other detached signs from the ground level to eight feet (8’) in height shall be prohibited in the area formed by measuring at the property line a distance of thirty feet (30’) from the point of intersection of the two (2) streets, and connecting at these lines in triangular fashion, provided that signs within this area may be allowed subject to approval of the public works director and securing an encroachment permit from the public works department when located within the public right of way.
O. Signs which physically or visually move, scroll, rotate or create an illusion of movement, or which have parts, messages, or surfaces that physically or visually move, scroll, rotate or create the illusion of movement, or which emit audible sound or noise. (Ord. 756, §2, adopted 1981; Ord. 822, §1, adopted 1983; Ord. 1106, §4, adopted 2008; Ord. 1148, §2(1), adopted 2014)