9.29.220 Temporary Signs

Temporary signs may be permitted pursuant to the permit procedures set forth in this division. Temporary signs shall not be located within any public right-of-way nor in any area which may constitute a safety hazard.

Prior to issuance of a temporary sign permit, the applicant or person responsible shall file a cash bond in an amount determined per the schedule established by resolution of the city council. All temporary signs shall display the name, address, and phone number of the person responsible for the sign on the rear lower right hand corner of the sign. If the sign is not removed and the site restored upon expiration of the permit, the cash bond shall be forfeited to the City of Mission Viejo for the purpose of covering the cost of removal of the sign.

(a) Commercial real estate signs: Temporary signs advertising the sale, lease, or rental of nonresidential property upon which the sign is located may be permitted for new construction pursuant to the permit procedure of this division, subject to the following:

(1) Such signs shall be unlighted and nonilluminated.

(2) Such signs shall be four feet by four feet, or a total of 16 square feet.

(3) The total aggregate sign area for all such signs shall not exceed 16 square feet for each building site.

(4) Commercial real estate sign permits shall expire one year from the date of issuance.

(b) Construction signs: One temporary sign denoting the architect, engineer and/or general contractor placed on the premises where construction, repair, or renovation is proposed or is in progress may be permitted pursuant to the permit procedures of this division subject to the following:

(1) Such signs shall be unlighted and nonilluminated.

(2) Such signs shall be four feet by four feet.

(3) Only one construction sign shall be permitted per site.

(4) Construction sign permits shall expire one year from the date of issuance or on the date that the first certificate of occupancy is issued for the project for which the permit was acquired, whichever occurs first.

(c) Subdivision sales and model home directional signs: Subdivision sales and model home directional signs on-site and off-site in connection with the first sale of lots or units may be permitted subject to the following:

(1) Model home identification signs:

a. Such signs shall be reviewed for compliance with the provisions of this division in conjunction with the model home planned development permit review by the commission.

b. The total aggregate sign area for all such signs shall not exceed 16 square feet for each building site.

(2) Model home directional signs:

a. Such signs shall be reviewed for compliance with the provisions of this division in conjunction with the model home planned development permit review by the commission.

b. Such signs shall be placed only within the subdivision where model home complex is located.

c. Signs shall not exceed 16 square feet in area, and a height of four feet.

(3) Community model home directional signs:

a. Sign shall not exceed 13 feet in height, a width of ten feet and shall be designed in conformance with the drawing Exhibit A, appended to the sign ordinance. The sign shall be constructed of wood, painted white with forest green lettering.

b. The precise placement of the sign shall be subject to approval by the city engineer and the director of community development.

c. The owners of the signs shall obtain appropriate approval of the associations upon whose property the signs will be placed.

d. The owners of the signs shall permit all developers within the neighboring area who have model homes to add their identification for a reasonable fee.

e. Such signs shall contain only the names of the model home complexes.

(4) Such signs shall contain only the name of the development, the developer, and directional information.

(5) Such signs shall be unlighted and nonilluminated.

(6) Subdivision sales and model home directional sign permits shall expire one year from the date of issuance unless approved differently in a planned sign program.

(d) Temporary promotional signs.  Temporary promotional signs on site in connection with the opening of a business, major remodeling under an active building permit, new owner of a business, closure of a business, or sale or special events at a business may be permitted with approval of the director subject to the following: 

(1) Such signs shall be limited to three (3) events and an aggregate maximum of 42-days per calendar year.

(2) Such signs shall be designed as banners or promotional posters.

(3) Such signs shall have a maximum total sign area of 24 square feet.

(4) No flags or balloons shall be displayed.

(5) If a temporary promotional sign is placed in a window or storefront, the temporary promotional sign, together with all other window signs in said window or storefront, shall not cover more than 25 percent of the window area within which they are placed.  In calculating the maximum allowable coverage, exempt signs placed on the window and permanent window signs shall count against the 25 percent cap.

(6) The use of fluorescent, day-glo, and neon colors is prohibited unless such colors are part of a registered trademark.

(7) No employment opportunity signs shall be displayed except as otherwise permitted by Section 9.29.225(h) of this chapter.

(e) Temporary seasonal banners: Temporary seasonal banners hung from parking lot light standards of nonresidential property may be permitted upon prior review and approval by the director of community development, in consultation with the planning commission's design review committee, subject to the following:

(1) The size of seasonal banners shall not exceed 22 feet in width and six feet in length, length being perpendicular to the ground.

(2) Such review shall include banner design, color, text, location, number, and materials. There shall be no reflective material or the like on the banner. Banner text and graphics shall be simple and free of clutter.

(3) Seasonal banner text shall not refer to a specific business, product, or sale. Text and graphics shall exclude political and religious symbolism.

(4) Seasonal banners shall be extended only from parking lot light standards on private property and they shall not be attached to street signals whether or not such signals also contain street lights. There shall be a minimum vertical clearance of 14 feet from the ground to the bottom of the banner.

(5) A specific seasonal banner program shall not be displayed for more than 45 days a year. This shall be a continuous period.

(6) No more than two specific seasonal banner programs (events) per site shall be displayed during any 365 day period.

(Ord. No. 98-193, §§ 1--4, 10-19-98)