Computation of Area of Individual Signs. The area of a sign face (which is also the sign area of a wall sign or other sign with only one face) shall be computed by means of the smallest square, circle, rectangle, triangle, or combination thereof that will encompass the extreme limits of the writing, representation, emblem, logo, or other display, together with any material or color forming an integral part of the background of the display, or used to differentiate the sign from the backdrop or structure against which it is placed, but not including any supporting framework, bracing, or decorative fence or wall when such fence or wall otherwise meets the regulations of this code and is clearly incidental to the display itself.

Computation of Areas of Multifaced Signs. The sign area for a sign with more than once face shall be computed by adding together the area of all sign faces.

Computation of Height. The height of a sign shall be computed as the distance from the base of the sign at existing grade to the top of the highest attached component of the sign. In cases in which the existing grade cannot reasonably be determined, sign height shall be computed on the assumption that the elevation of the existing grade at the base of the sign is equal to the elevation of the nearest point of the crown of a public street or the grade of the land at the principal entrance to the principal structure on the lot, whichever is lower.

Computation of Maximum Total Permitted Sign Area for a Lot. The permitted sum of the area of all individual signs on a lot shall be computed by applying the formula contained in Table "B," to the lot frontage, building frontage, or wall area, as appropriate, for the zone in which the lot is located. Lots fronting on two or more streets are allowed the permitted sign area for each street frontage. However, the total sign area that is oriented toward a particular street may not exceed the portion of the lots total sign area allocation that is derived from the lot, building, or wall area frontage on that street.

The sum of the area of all building and freestanding signs on the lot conforms with the maximum permitted sign area as determined by the formula for the zone in which the lot is located as specified in Table "A";

The size, location, and number of signs on the lot conform with the requirements of Table "B," which establishes permitted sign dimensions by sign type, and with any additional limitations listed in Table "A"; and

The characteristics of the sign conform with the limitations of Tables "A" and "B."

All signs shall comply with applicable provisions of the Uniform Building Code, National Electrical Code, and Uniform Sign Code of the City at all times;

Except for banners, flags, temporary signs, and window signs conforming in all respects with the requirements of this code, all signs shall be constructed of permanent materials and shall be permanently attached to the ground, a building, or structure;

All signs shall be maintained in good structural condition, in compliance with all building and electrical codes, and in conformance with this code, at all times; and

All signs shall be maintained in good order and repair at all times so that they do not constitute any danger or hazard to public safety, or visual blight, and are free of peeling paint, major cracks or loose and dangling materials.

An accurate plot plan of the zone lot, at such scale as the Community Development Director may reasonably require;

Location of buildings, parking lots, driveways, and landscaped areas on such lot;

Computation of the maximum total sign area, the maximum area for individual signs, the height of signs and the number of freestanding signs proposed on the lot; and

An accurate indication on the plot plan of the proposed location of each present and future sign of any type, whether requiring a permit or not, except that incidental signs not need be shown.

Colors scheme;

Lettering or graphic style;

Lighting;

Location of each sign on the buildings or on the ground;

Material; and

Sign dimensions.

Public signs erected by or on behalf of a governmental body to post legal notices, identity public property, convey public and community event information, and direct or regulate pedestrian or vehicular traffic.

Bus stop signs erected by a public transit company;

Informational signs of a public utility regarding its poles, lines, pipes, or facilities; and

Awnings, canopies, marquees, projecting, and suspended signs projecting over a public right-of-way in conformity with the Conditions of Tables "A" and "B" of this code, and with the issuance of an encroachment permit.

Emergency warning signs erected by a governmental agency, a public utility, or a contractor doing authorized work within a public right-of-way.

Any public notice or warning required by a valid and applicable Federal, State or local law, regulation, or ordinance;

Any sign inside a building, not attached to a window or door, that is not legible from a distance of more than three feet beyond the lot or parcel on which such sign is located;

Works of art that do not include a commercial message;

Holiday lights and decorations with no commercial message, but only between November 15 and January 15; and

Traffic control signs on private property, such as "Stop", "Yield", and similar signs, the face of which meet Department of Transportation standards and which contain no commercial message of any sort.

Roof signs;

Pole signs;

Billboards;

Changeable Copy signs, except time and temperature signs;

Animated signs, balloons and inflatable signs or inflatable attention-getting devices, beacons, pennants, and portable signs, except for special events as provided for in this Chapter;

Signs located within or projecting into the public right-of-way, not including governmental or public service signage or as otherwise permitted in this Chapter;

Signs posted on trees, rocks, or other natural features;

Signs made of paper or cardboard displayed on the outside of windows or exterior walls except as otherwise permitted in this Chapter;

Any sign which has been more than fifty percent destroyed, and the destruction is other than facial copy replacement, and the display cannot be repaired within 30 days of the date of its construction.

Applications.

All applications for sign permits of any kind shall be submitted to the Community Development Department on an application form or in accordance with the application specifications published by the Community Development Department.

Completeness.

Within five days of receiving an application for a Signage Plan or a Comprehensive Signage Plan, the Community Development Department shall review it for completeness. If the Community Development Department finds that it is complete, the application will then be processed. If the Community Development Department finds that it is incomplete, the Community Development Department shall, within such five-day period, send the applicant a notice of specific ways in which the application is deficient, with appropriate references to the applicable sections of this code.

Action.

Within seven days of the submission of a complete application for a sign permit, Signage Plan, or Comprehensive Signage Plan the Community Development Department shall either:

Action on Plan.

That which is first erected without governmental approval of permits;

A nonconforming sign which has exceeded its authorized abatement period;

A sign that was legally erected, but whose use has ceased, or the structure upon which the sign is placed has been abandoned by its owners, not maintained, or not used to identify or advertise an ongoing business for a period of not less than ninety days;

A sign which is a danger to the public or is unsafe;

A sign which is a traffic hazard;

Any sign listed under Section 19.52.230.

A legal nonconforming sign shall immediately lose its legal nonconforming status if:

Nothing in this section shall relieve the owner or user of a legal nonconforming sign, or owner of the property on which the sign is located, from the provisions of this code regarding safety, maintenance, and repair of signs, provided maintenance or repair of the sign or sign structure shall not modify the sign structure in any way which makes it more nonconforming.

For purposes of this section, every sign has a useful life of fifteen years. The owner or user of the sign is entitled to fair and just compensation for the entire fifteen-year period if the city is requiring removal of a nonconforming sign before the amortization period expires.

The city may not deny, refuse to issue, or condition the issuance of a business license or a permit to construct a new legal sign upon the removal, conformance, repair, modification, or abatement of any other sign on the same real property where the business is to be or has been maintained, if both the following apply:

During the amortization period for a nonconforming sign, the city may not deny, refuse to issue, or condition the issuance of a permit for modification or alteration to the display upon change of ownership of any existing business if the modification or alteration does not include a structural change in the display.

No nonconforming sign shall be compelled to be removed or abated without the payment of fair and just compensation by the city. Fair and just compensation shall be determined in accordance with Section 5492 and 5493 of the Business and Professions Code.

As an alternative, the city council can inventory and identify nonconforming signs and set amortization periods based upon the fact that a sign has a useful life of fifteen years, which signs can be required to be removed fifteen years after the date of installation. During the amortization period, the nonconforming sign shall not be structurally or electrically altered, increased in area, or relocated unless it is made to comply with all the provisions of this chapter. However, it must be maintained, repaired, and painted so as to remain in good condition. Any sign required to be removed before the amortization period has lapsed shall be entitled to fair and just compensation.