The purpose of this article is to provide a uniform coordinated method of offering subdividers a means of providing directional signs to their projects while minimizing confusion among prospective purchasers who wish to inspect subdivisions, while promoting traffic safety and reducing the visual blight of the present proliferation of signs.

(Ord. No. 1383; Code 1984, § 24261; Ord. No. 1595, § 1)

Any subdivision under construction within the adopted Hemet Planning Area, or within three miles of the exterior boundaries of the Hemet Planning Area, shall be eligible to utilize the Hemet Directional Sign Program when the requirements of this article are met.

(Ord. No. 1595, § 1)

This article is adopted pursuant to the state Planning and Zoning Law, Business and Professions Code § 5230, and Streets and Highways Code § 1460.

(Ord. No. 1383; Code 1984, § 24262; Ord. No. 1595, § 1, 11-11-98)

Directional signs, including travel direction signs and permanent or temporary signs identifying subdivisions for purposes of marketing, are prohibited except as provided in this article.

(Ord. No. 1383; Code 1984, § 24263; Ord. No. 1595, § 1, 11-11-98; Ord. No. 1652, § 1, 9-25-01)

Directional sign means an offsite sign which gives motorists directions to the location of housing tract or public facility.

Subdivision directional sign structure means a ladder-type structure designed to accommodate one or more sign panels where directions to subdivisions may be displayed. The content of such panels is limited to identification of the subdivision and a directional arrow and supplemental information as approved by the planning director.

Temporary portable subdivision directional sign means a temporary portable sign which may only be posted under a permit issued by the planning department from Friday after 7:00 a.m. to Monday before 11:00 a.m. unless such time is extended at the discretion of the planning department due to a national holiday. Temporary portable subdivision directional signs shall be restricted to identification of the subdivision and a directional arrow and supplemental information as approved by the planning director.

(Ord. No. 1383; Code 1984, §§ 24264, 24265; Ord. No. 1595, § 1, 11-11-98; Ord. No. 1652, § 1, 9-25-01)

Cross reference— Definitions and rules of construction generally, § 1-2.

Editor's note— Section 90-1346 formerly pertained to the definition of "direction sign." Ord. No. 1595, § 1, adopted Nov. 11, 1998, incorporated said definition into § 90-1345.

Subject to the requirements of this article, the planning director or his designee may issue permits for subdivision directional sign structures and temporary portable subdivision directional signs to be located within city street rights-of-way or on other city property. The city council may by resolution limit the number of signs permitted and number of permits issued to specified persons or entities if it finds that such action would result in better coordination of directional signage or increased efficiency of administration by the city.

(Ord. No. 1383; Code 1984, § 24266; Ord. No. 1595, § 1, 11-11-98; Ord. No. 1652, § 1, 9-25-01)

Subdivision directional sign structures:

(1)

Shall not obstruct the use of sidewalks, walkways or bike or hiking trails;

(2)

Shall not obstruct the visibility of vehicles, pedestrians or traffic control signs;

(3)

Shall, where feasible, be combined with advance street name signs;

(4)

Shall not be installed in the immediate vicinity of street intersections;

(5)

Shall be limited to not more than three between arterial intersections; and

(6)

Shall be subject to review by the directors of public works and planning.

(Ord. No. 1383; Code 1984, § 24267; Ord. No. 1595, § 1, 11-11-98; Ord. No. 1652, § 1, 9-25-01)

Additional requirements for subdivision directional sign structures are as follows:

(1)

Sign structures shall be ladder-type with individual sign panels of uniform design and color throughout the city limits.

(2)

Sign structures shall not exceed 12 feet in height in all instances.

(3)

The width of sign structures and sign panels shall not exceed six feet.

(4)

Sign panels shall not be illuminated.

(5)

Sign structure installations shall include breakaway design features where required in right-of-way areas.

(6)

Sign design shall be subject to review by the director of planning or other designated city official.

(7)

Signs may be double-faced if approved by the director of planning or other designated city official.

(8)

No signs, pennants, flags or other devices for visual attention shall be placed on ladder signs.

(9)

The lettering for each tract identification shall be uniform.

(10)

Permittees shall maintain all signs in a neat, clean and orderly manner. Broken, damaged or defaced signs shall be promptly replaced. The ground area at the base of the signs shall be maintained in a weed-free condition.

(11)

The permittee shall accept liability for all signs, and shall provide insurance naming the city as additionally insured, in a form and with a company acceptable to the city attorney.

(12)

Temporary portable subdivision signs shall be a stake sign that is normally 18 inches by 24 inches or a maximum of three square feet and typically made of plastic or cardboard and placed on a wooden stake not to exceed 48 inches in height.

(13)

In addition to the penalty provisions set forth in section 90-1352 of this article, city shall have the right to remove or have removed and dispose or have disposed of any temporary portable subdivision directional sign on city rights-of-way or property not removed prior to the expiration time and day appearing on the permit issued by the planning department.

(Ord. No. 1383; Code 1984, § 24268; Ord. No. 1595, § 1, 11-11-98; Ord. No. 1652, § 1, 9-25-01)

Permittees under this article shall make subdivision directional sign panels available to all persons selling subdivisions (referred to in this section as subdividers) on a first-come, first-served basis. No sign panels shall be granted to any subdivider for a period in excess of two years. However, a subdivider who is soliciting sales of more than two subdivisions within a single planned community or a specific plan area, shall not be subject to the two-year limitation during such solicitation. Permittees shall maintain a separate waiting list for each sign structure. Alternatively, a subdivider may apply to a permittee for a sign panel program consisting of a single sign panel on each of a series of sign structures as needed to guide prospective purchasers to his subdivision. A subdivider whose time of use for a sign panel or sign space program has expired may reapply, and shall be placed on the waiting list in the same manner as a new applicant.

(Ord. No. 1383; Code 1984, § 24269; Ord. No. 1595, § 1, 11-11-98)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 1595, § 1, adopted Nov. 11, 1998, repealed § 90-1351, which pertained to existing sign permits and derived from Ord. No. 1383 and Code 1984, § 24270.

(a)

It shall be unlawful for any person to violate any provision of this article. Any person violating any provision of this article shall be deemed guilty of an infraction or misdemeanor as specified in this section. Such person shall be deemed guilty of a separate offense for each and every day or portion thereof during which any violation of any of the provisions of this article is committed, continued or permitted.

(b)

Any person so convicted shall be:

(1)

Guilty of an infraction offense and punished by a fine not exceeding $100.00 for a first violation.

(2)

Guilty of an infraction offense and punished by a fine not exceeding $200.00 for a second violation.

(c)

The third and any additional violations shall constitute a misdemeanor offense and shall be punishable by a fine not exceeding $1,000.00, or six months in jail, or both. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (b) of this section, a first offense may be charged and prosecuted as a misdemeanor.

(d)

Payment of any penalty provided in this section shall not relieve a person from the responsibility for correcting the violation.

(Ord. No. 1383; Code 1984, § 24272; Ord. No. 1595, § 1, 11-11-98)