§ 1500-21-050. Signs Allowed Without a Permit

The following signs are allowed without a permit and do not count towards the allowable area or number of signs on a site:

A.

Standard Signs.

1.

Address Signs. Address, building, unit and suite numbers.

2.

Civic Signs. Memorial signs and plaques installed by a civic organization recognized by resolution of the County Board of Supervisors.

3.

County/City Entrance Signs. Signs erected in or near the County or a city boundary, the contents of which are limited to the name of the County or city and the name of or other information regarding civic, fraternal, or religious organizations located within the County or city. Such signs shall not exceed 200 square feet in area, and 15 feet in height.

4.

Directional and Informational Signs. On-site directional or informational signs of no more than 4 square feet in area each, and 3 feet in height. Such signs shall provide information for the convenience or safety of the public, and may include directional signs in parking lots and building complexes, signs listing hours of business, and signs identifying the locations of restrooms or other facilities. Such signs may be increased to 12 square feet in area, and 6 feet in height when their primary purpose is to direct truck traffic.

5.

Directory Signs - Project Entry. On-site freestanding directory signs of no more than 12 square in area each, and 6 feet in height. One such sign may be located at each project entry along a street frontage, and may include a map and directory of buildings or users. Such signs shall not be oriented to or readable from the public right-of-way.

6.

Directory Signs - Building. One wall mounted or freestanding directory sign for each building with two or more tenants. Signs shall be no more than 12 square feet in area, and freestanding signs no more than 6 feet in height.

7.

Entry Portal Signs. One freestanding entry portal sign not exceeding 32 square feet in area and 20 feet in height may be placed across a property's entry accessway within the AG district only. The entry portal sign may list only the name of the property owner or business located thereon and the property address.

8.

Flags. Official flags, emblems and historical markers. This exemption does not apply to flags or pennants bearing corporate emblems, logos or commercial copy.

9.

Floor Treatments. Exterior floor treatments, such as paint or decorative tile, indicating the name of the business and/or a business logo, provided such floor treatments are flush with the surrounding surface and is completely horizontal.

10.

Gasoline Price Signs. That portion of the area of a gasoline price sign necessary to comply with the minimum sign requirements of the California Business and Professions Code Section 13531, as it may be amended.

11.

Governmental Signs. Signs that are posted or required by a government agency or a public utility or service, including official signs for traffic control and warnings of potential hazards.

12.

Lottery Signs. Signs and advertising for the California State Lottery as authorized by California Government Code, Section 8880 et seq.

13.

Menu/Order Boards. No more than two menu/order board signs per each establishment with a drive through facility. Signs shall not exceed 32 square feet in area, and 6 feet in height.

14.

Murals. Murals on the exterior of a building that do not advertise a product, business, or service.

15.

Notices. Signs that are required by local, State, or federal law or by court order.

16.

Non-viewable signs. Signs within a building, or on the premises of a building, that are not visible from a public street.

17.

Wayside Stand Signs. On-site signs for wayside stands subject to the following:

a.

A combination of 2 freestanding or wall signs within the AG district not exceeding 32 square feet each in area, with freestanding signs not over 6 feet in height.

b.

A combination of 2 freestanding or wall signs within the RAN, ER or R1 districts not exceeding 9 square feet each in area, with freestanding signs not over 6 feet in height.

18.

Informational Window Signs. Signs hanging on the interior of the window or stenciled on the inside or outside of the window not exceeding 3 square feet in area and limited to business identification, hours of operation, "open/closed", address, and emergency information.

B.

Temporary Signs.

1.

Business Identification. Temporary business identification signs subject to the following:

a.

Either 1 freestanding or 1 building mounted sign no more than 24 square feet in area per each street frontage. Freestanding signs shall be no more than 8 feet in height.

b.

Signs may be displayed for a maximum duration of 90 consecutive days, and shall be removed upon installation of permanent signage.

2.

Development/Contractor Signs. On-site development, construction and contractor's sign(s) subject to the following:

a.

One sign no more than 32 square feet in area and 8 feet in height may be erected for every 1,000 lineal feet of property street frontage, or portion thereof.

b.

All signs shall be removed no later than 7 days after issuance of the last occupancy permit for the project.

3.

Garage/Yard Sale and Short Term Agricultural Sale/Auction Signs, Offsite. A maximum of 1 on-site and 2 off-site signs no more than 5 square feet in area and 6 feet in height each. All signs shall be removed no later than 24 hours after the conclusion of the sale. Such signs shall not be affixed to any utility pole or street sign pole.

4.

Political Signs. Signs shall be installed no earlier than 90 days prior to the election and removed no later than 15 days following the election.

5.

Real Estate Signs, On-Site.

a.

Residential properties. One sign no more than 6 square feet in area and 6 feet in height shall be permitted for each street frontage. Two signs no more than 32 square feet in area and 8 feet in height shall be permitted for residential subdivisions with four or more parcels.

b.

Non-residential properties. One sign no more than 32 square feet in area and 8 feet in height shall be permitted for each street frontage.

c.

Duration. All temporary on-site real estate signs shall be removed no later than 7 days after the property is no longer offered for lease, rent or sale.

6.

Real Estate Signs, Off-Site.

a.

Portable. Portable directional signs within the scope of Civil Code 713 (Real estate for sale, etc.) no more than 4 feet in height and 6 square feet in area. Signs shall remain in place for a maximum duration of 48 hours.

b.

Non-Portable. Non-portable real estate, subdivision, or development signs no more than 32 square feet in area and 6 feet in height. Signs may be displayed for the duration of development activity. No more than 2 off-site signs may be displayed for a single property, subdivision, or development project. Signs shall be removed no later than 7 days after the property is no longer offered for lease, rent or sale.

7.

Seasonal Displays. Temporary exterior decorations and banners that are associated with a seasonal, cultural, religious, or national holidays, and that are not used to advertise a product, business, or service.

8.

Special Event Signs. On-site, special event signs, including but not limited to banners, pennants, streamers, bunting, wind signs, balloons or flags shall be permitted up to thirty (30) days in any calendar year. The use of special event signs is limited to properties located in Commercial, Employment, Agricultural, Recreational and Public districts.

9.

Subdivision Flags. Flags and pennants bearing the name of the developer or development and only when utilized in association with an approved model home sales office for a new residential subdivision. Subdivision flags shall be limited to 2 flags per model home and 4 flags at the subdivision entrance not to exceed a maximum area of 20 square feet each and a pole height of 25 feet. If there are no model homes, then up to 4 flags may be utilized in addition to those at the subdivision entrance. Flags and pennants shall be removed no later than 7 days after property is no longer offered for lease, rent or sale.

C.

Changes to Sign Face. Changes or maintenance to a sign face that do not structurally alter the sign, its size or illumination.