Article II. Exempt Signs
15.40.200 Types of signs exempt from a sign permit.
The city has a compelling interest in permitting the following signs in order to comply with state and local laws and to promote public safety on city property and in the public right-of-way. The following signs may be installed without a sign permit, provided they meet the requirements listed below. Under certain circumstances these signs may require a building permit or encroachment permit. Contact the building division of the community development department and the public works department for permitting requirements prior to installing any of the signs listed below. These signs shall not be included in the determination of type, number, or area of signs allowed on a given property.
A. Address Signs. Signs installed in compliance with California Fire Code Section 505.1 or, if updated, the applicable fire code section as determined by the city fire marshal.
B. Signs Posted during Construction. A maximum of four nonilluminated signs located on construction sites not exceeding sixteen square feet in aggregate area, while a valid construction permit is active. For commercial and residential projects on sites three acres or larger, the maximum exempt sign area under this subsection is thirty-two square feet.
C. Gasoline Price Signs. Not more than one price sign for each frontage, not to exceed twenty square feet each and subject to height and setback limits established by zoning district. Notwithstanding other provisions of this chapter, signs may include digital readouts or LED technology as necessary to comply with Business and Professions Code for the display of fuel prices.
D. Official Signs. Official federal, state, local government signs and notices issued by any court, person, or officer in performance of a public duty; signs required by federal, state, or local law; and signs placed by utility companies as part of the normal operation and maintenance of utility facilities.
E. Miscellaneous Small Signs. Signs with an aggregate area not to exceed three square feet and located within five feet of an entrance to a building.
F. No Trespassing Signs. Trespass warnings that are posted in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
G. Traffic Safety Signs. Signs warning of construction, excavation, or similar hazards if expressly approved by the city’s public works director. Parking lot and other private traffic directional signs each not exceeding three feet in height and five square feet in area and limited to guidance of pedestrian or vehicular traffic within the premises on which they are located.
H. Temporary Window Signs. Temporary signs posted for thirty days or less on commercial properties that are painted directly on a window, affixed to the inside of a window, or hung within thirty-six inches of a window and promoting any message, including, but not limited to, grand openings and special events (commercial and noncommercial), provided the sign or signs do not exceed ten percent of each window area, or four square feet per window, whichever is greater.
I. Vehicle Signs. Painted signs or decals affixed to the body of any vehicle, unless parked or operated for the primary purpose of displaying the sign. See prohibited vehicle signs in Section 15.40.300(K).
J. Signs within Building Interior. Signs or other visual communicative devices that are located entirely within a legally established building or other enclosed structure and are not intended to be oriented or be made visible from the exterior.
K. Signs in Residential Zones or Signs on Residential Properties in Commercial Zones. In addition to addressing signs in conformance with subsection A of this section, and flag signs in conformance with Section 15.40.470(K), up to three temporary signs are allowed in conformance with the following requirements: (1) regardless of the total number of signs posted at any time, temporary signs shall not exceed one hundred twenty days per sign in total duration per calendar year; (2) individual signs shall not exceed five square feet; (3) temporary signs may only be placed in the yard area. Examples of such signs include yard sale signs, real estate signs, and campaign signs. Exempt residential signs shall not include features from Section 15.40.300, Prohibited signs, which would be incompatible with the residential neighborhood such as audio, flashing or blinking lights or other attention-getting devices. The content of the message conveyed has no application to compliance with the requirements of this section. Signs in multi-unit apartments, condominiums, or common interest subdivisions with no ground level ownership may have up to two temporary window signs not to exceed twenty percent of the window area in which they are displayed and not exceed one hundred twenty days in total duration per calendar year.
L. Temporary Signs in Nonresidential Zones. Three nonilluminated and nonelectronic temporary signs not to exceed ten square feet for a total not to exceed one hundred twenty days per calendar year. Examples of such signs include campaign signs, real estate signs, or notice of special events. Temporary signs shall not include audio, movement, or other characteristics listed in Section 15.40.300, Prohibited signs, which would be incompatible with area character and/or create distractions which could inhibit the safe movement of traffic. Temporary signs shall be posted below the roofline of the building and not obscure architectural features or cover windows. (Ord. 1667 § 3(2) (Exh. A (part)), 2019)