9.29.225 Exempt Signs
The following signs are exempt from the sign permit requirements set forth in this division:
(a) On-site residential real estate signs, including window signs, advertising the sale, lease, or rent of the property shall be permitted subject to the following:
(1) Signs shall not exceed four square feet in area, and a height of four feet, with the exception of single-family detached residences where colonial signs shall be permitted.
(2) Signs shall be removed within 24 hours after close of escrow, lease, or rent.
(3) No flags or balloons shall be displayed.
(4) A rider not exceeding six inches in height by 24 inches in length or eight inches in height by 18 inches in length may be attached to the top of the sign.
(5) Signs shall be placed so that they do not obscure fire hydrants, traffic signs or traffic signals, block motorists' line of sight, or otherwise inhibit or interfere with vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
(6) No part of any sign shall be within three feet of the sidewalk, or six feet of the curb, whichever is greater.
(7) Sign shall be placed at the immediate entrance of the subject residential unit, with the exception of single-family detached residence where the sign shall be placed only in the front yard of the subject property. Only one sign per available lease space or residential unit shall be permitted.
(b) Off-site open house directional signs shall be permitted subject to the following:
(1) Signs shall not be permitted on public property. An owner of real property or his/her agent may display the sign on real property owned by another with that person's prior consent.
(2) Signs shall not exceed four square feet in area, and a height of four feet including the vertical post.
(3) Signs are only permitted to be posted during the time an owner or owner's agent is on the premises and the premises are open for inspection.
(4) The signs shall be installed no earlier than 8:00 a.m. and removed no later than sunset.
(5) The signs shall not be installed in a manner which creates a hazard to traffic or pedestrians.
(6) No flags, pennants, balloons, or other attention-attracting devices shall be displayed.
(c) On-site commercial real estate signs not otherwise governed by Section 9.29.220(a) of this chapter, including window signs, advertising the sale, lease, or rent of the property or any commercial space located on the property shall be permitted subject to the following:
(1) Signs shall not exceed four square feet in area, and a height of four feet including the vertical post.
(2) Signs shall be removed within 24 hours of the close of escrow or execution of lease.
(3) No flags or balloons shall be displayed.
(4) No rider may be attached to the sign.
(5) Signs shall be placed so that they do not obscure fire hydrants, traffic signs or traffic signals, block motorists' line of sight, or otherwise inhibit or interfere with vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
(6) No part of any sign shall be within three feet of the sidewalk, or six feet of the curb, whichever is greater.
(7) Single story buildings shall be permitted one window sign per available lease space or unit, and multistory buildings shall be permitted one ground sign per lot or building site.
(d) Nameplate signs not exceeding one square foot in area shall be permitted in locations approved by the director of community development.
(e) One sign, nor more than one foot by one foot, listing the hours during which the premises are open, and emergency numbers, may be displayed in the window of each business establishment.
(f) Signs located within the interior of buildings or the interior of malls, when such signs are incapable of being viewed from the outside of said building or mall. The city requires permits for electrical signs and may require a permit for the structure's installation.
(g) Directional safety sign where required by law or in compliance with a planned sign program approved by the city, or in the interest of the city for public safety sign.
(h) One employment opportunity window sign per business not to exceed four square feet in area. The sign copy shall be limited to information relating to employment.
(i) Credit card, club, and association affiliation stickers not to exceed one square foot per entrance.
(j) One (1) lighted or non-lighted open/closed sign that complies with the restrictions set forth in Section 9.29.230(a)(3) of this chapter not to exceed two and one-quarter (2-1/4) square feet in area may be displayed in the window of each business establishment. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, exposed neon conduit or tubing may be utilized for open/closed sings permitted pursuant to this section.
(k) Temporary holiday murals, scenes, or decorations painted on windows of a business may be displayed for an aggregate period not to exceed 45 days per year. The holiday mural shall not include references to particular products, services, sales, or events. The use of fluorescent, day-glo, and neon colors is prohibited.
(l) Temporary seasonal lighting may be displayed on commercial property provided such lighting is steady burning. Temporary seasonal lighting shall be noncommercial in nature and shall not include references to particular products, services, sales, or events. Temporary seasonal lighting shall be limited to a maximum of two (2) specific seasonal programs per year, each for a period not more than 45 days.
(m) Warning or information signs as required by or authorized by federal, state, county, or city authority or in compliance with a planned sign program approved by the city, may be permitted upon prior review and approval by the director of community development. Examples of such signs include, but are not limited to, accessible parking signs, fire lane signs, private property/tow away signs, no parking signs, and no skateboarding signs. Such signs shall be subject to the following:
(1) The property owner shall be responsible for providing, installing, and maintaining the signs.
(2) Signs required to be posted at an entrance to a property shall be placed no closer than 20 feet to the back of the sidewalk or ultimate right-of-way. Said signs shall be securely mounted facing the direction of travel and clearly visible to vehicular traffic entering the parking areas.
(3) Each sign shall be no larger than 18 inches by 24 inches.
(4) Where two signs are required to be placed at a particular location, such signs shall be combined into one sign with the total height of the sign not exceeding seven feet. No more than two signs shall be placed on a sign post.
(Ord. No. 98-193, ยงยง 1--4, 10-19-98)