“Affiliation sign” is any sign with a message identifying membership in an association of businesses, such as credit card companies or civic organizations.

“Architectural sign feature” is either a projecting, three-dimensional or flush-mounted, sculptural, constructed item, or artistic rendering, that has no written message, lettering or business name incorporated into its design. This feature can be separate from the sign face and must be designed to visually identify the type of product for sale or a service offered, such as, but not limited to: molded coffee mug, ice cream cone or shoe projecting from the wall face to identify a coffee shop, ice cream shop or shoe store; flush mounted figures or painted murals of running horses for a tack shop, a barber pole for a barber shop, a pair of scissors flush mounted on the wall of a hair salon, a bicycle affixed to the wall of a bicycle shop, a model airplane mounted over the entry door of a toy store.

“Border” means an edge or line constituting the perimeter of a sign.

“Business” means a profit-making, nonprofit, or governmental organization involved in the provision of goods or services.

“Business center” means five (5) or more businesses located on one or more parcels of land sharing common vehicular access from the street and/or common parking facilities. A single business center shall be deemed to include all businesses to which the common access and parking are available.

“Business facade” means an exterior wall of a place of business. For purposes of this definition, a series of connected walls located in parallel or generally parallel planes shall be deemed a single business facade. “Business facade” is further defined as either “primary” or “secondary” as follows:

“Construction sign” means a sign with a message identifying the persons or firms associated with a construction project.

“Directional sign” means a sign, other than a governmental sign, with a message that provides only directions (e.g., “exit only,” “deliveries in rear,” “private parking”) to pedestrian or vehicular users of the premises.

“Erect” means build, construct, hang, place, relocate, enlarge, alter, attach, suspend, paint, post or display.

“Freestanding sign” means a sign so located that it is not attached to a building, fence or any structure other than a framework, post or other such device erected primarily to support the sign.

“Garage sale sign” means a sign with a message advertising the resale of personal property that has been used by the resident.

“Gateway sign” means a sign installed along a street frontage and specifically intended to identify the name of a neighborhood, subdivision, apartment, condominium or office complex.

“Home occupation” means a place of business that complies with the definition of Larkspur Municipal Code Section 18.08.300.

“Identification sign” means a sign erected in conjunction with a place of business with a message describing a place of business, its products, services or activities.

“Nameplate” means a sign with a message that identifies only the name and/or address of the occupant.

“On-site sign” means a sign located on the same parcel of land from which the product, service or activity described by the sign is made available.

“Permanent sign” means any sign for which a sign permit is issued with no time limit in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. Any mention of signs in this chapter shall be considered to mean permanent signs unless this chapter specifies a time limit or references “temporary signs.”

“Place of business” shall mean either:

“Political sign” means a sign with a message advocating a particular candidate, party, ballot measure, or proposition prior to a scheduled election.

“Projecting sign” means a sign erected upon a building wall, canopy, or awning, and which projects more than twelve (12) inches outward from the plane of the business facade. Any sign under a marquee, porch, walkway covering or similar structure and generally perpendicular to the wall of the adjoining building shall be deemed to be a projecting sign.

“Readerboard” means a sign constructed to display a message that may be changed by the manipulation of letters or numbers on its face(s), either manually or electronically.

“Real estate sign” means a temporary sign with a message announcing the offer to build on, sell, rent or lease the premises upon which it is displayed.

“Sign” means a medium for visual communication, including its supporting structure, which is used or intended to be used to attract attention to a location or subject matter for advertising, instruction or informational purposes.

“Temporary sign” means any sign for which a sign permit is approved and issued with a time limit or which is described in this chapter as having a time limit. All regulations of signs shall apply to temporary signs as well as to permanent signs, except as otherwise specified herein.

“Wall sign” means a sign erected upon a building, fence or other structure, at no point projecting more than twelve (12) inches horizontally from the surface upon which it is erected.

“Window sign” means any sign placed inside or outside of a window, or otherwise located within a building in a manner allowing ready viewing from the exterior of the building through a window or other opening. (Ord. 1030 § 2(12), 2018; Ord. 974 § 1, 2010; Ord. 953 § 1(67), 2007; Ord. 580 § 1 (part), 1977)

A. Except for those signs conforming to the limitations of Larkspur Municipal Code Section 18.60.050, it is unlawful to erect any new sign or modify the appearance of an existing sign without first securing a sign permit. Normal maintenance of a sign in conformance with original appearance, or change of copy on the existing sign face where there is no change to the design and dimensions, shall not be deemed modification and shall not require a sign permit.

B. Permits for signs of six (6) or fewer square feet shall be subject to administrative approval by the Community Development Director or their designee. Permits for signs of more than six (6) square feet shall be subject to administrative approval by the Zoning Administrator. Permits shall be approved promptly and approved only when found in compliance with the provisions of this chapter.

C. In the event a permit is requested for a sign and the Community Development Director determines it to be a type, design or mode of display other than those listed in Larkspur Municipal Code Sections 18.60.050 through 18.60.100 , then the applicant shall apply for a sign exception permit for review and action by the Planning Commission. The Commission may approve the sign permit if it is found to be in conformance with the purpose of this chapter and the design criteria provided in Larkspur Municipal Code Section 18.60.060(H), and in substantial conformance with the standards for mode of display, size, height, illumination and design stated in this chapter for similar signs. Applications shall be processed and noticed in accordance with Larkspur Municipal Code Sections 18.60.040 and 18.76.030. (Ord. 1062 § 14, 2022; Ord. 1030 § 2(12), 2018; Ord. 974 § 1, 2010; Ord. 953 § 1(68), 2007; Ord. 857 § 8 (part), 1993; Ord. 580 § 1 (part), 1977)

A. Application fee in the amount established by City Council resolution;

B. A scale drawing of the sign showing all faces and supporting structures and, for signs to be erected upon a building, a drawing of the building face, which drawing includes all existing and proposed signs;

C. A site plan of the property showing width of business facade(s) and the locations and sizes of all existing and proposed signs;

D. Samples of proposed colors and materials;

E. A description of the type and amount of illumination;

F. When a sign permit is requested for a sign pursuant to an approved coordinated signing program, the Community Development Director may waive the requirement of any part of subsection (B), (C), (D) or (E) of this section which is already on file with the Planning Department. (Ord. 1062 § 14, 2022; Ord. 1030 § 2(12), 2018; Ord. 974 § 1, 2010; Ord. 580 § 1 (part), 1977)

A. Affiliation sign(s) with a total area of less than three (3) square feet per place of business erected on site.

B. One construction sign for each construction project when erected temporarily on site after issuance of building permits, and removed prior to issuance of occupancy permits. Construction signs for an individual single-family residence being remodeled or constructed shall not exceed six (6) square feet in size. Construction signs for projects other than individual single-family residences shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in size.

C. Directional signs.

D. Flags of all nations, states, political jurisdictions and charitable organizations.

E. One garage sale sign for each residence, not to exceed two (2) square feet, temporarily erected on site for not more than three (3) days during any consecutive ninety-day period.

F. Gasoline price signs, totaling not more than fourteen (14) square feet for each street frontage of a service station.

G. One nameplate, not exceeding one square foot, for each parcel zoned for single-family dwellings or two-family dwellings and for each place of business.

H. One nameplate, not exceeding twelve (12) square feet for each parcel zoned for three (3) or more family dwellings.

I. Political signs, each not exceeding twelve (12) square feet, located on private real property with the owner’s permission and temporarily erected not more than forty-five (45) days prior to, and removed not more than seven (7) days after, the election or event to which the sign pertains.

J. Public signs, including traffic signs, legal notices or other messages posted by a governmental officer in the scope of their duties, and signs indicating the location of buried utilities.

K. One on-site or off-site real estate sign not exceeding six (6) square feet may be installed for each vacant parcel zoned R-1 or R-2, or each parcel occupied by a single-family or duplex dwelling. Off-site real estate signs may be installed on real property owned by another with that owner’s consent when the location of the dwelling or lot is not viewable from the access to the parcel and the intersection of a public street, and provided the sign is located within twenty-five (25) feet of the intersection.

L. One on-site project advertisement sign not to exceed thirty-six (36) square feet for the purpose of announcing the name and pending construction of an approved project such as a new office building, subdivision, condominium complex, planned development or multiunit residential building.

M. One on-site real estate sign not to exceed twenty (20) square feet for each parcel zoned for multifamily uses, commercial uses or industrial uses.

N. Special events signs, such as banners, with a message only identifying a civic or public event or holiday, and erected for not more than fifteen (15) days, provided prior permission of the property owner is secured.

O. Temporary Window Signs. A window sign temporarily installed, in addition to that permitted below, for the purpose of announcing an activity such as a special event, sale, change of location, or closing of a business, for not more than fourteen (14) days during any consecutive ninety-day period. The date of placement and required removal date shall be stated on all temporary window signs.

P. Window signs, when serving as business identification signs, and occupying not more than twenty-five (25) percent of the area of the window to which they are installed, or one hundred (100) square feet per place of business, whichever is less.

Q. Listing of a business in a tenant directory located on a business center sign constructed in compliance with Larkspur Municipal Code Section 18.60.070. (Ord. 1062 § 14, 2022; Ord. 1030 § 2(12), 2018; Ord. 974 § 1, 2010; Ord. 953 § 1(69), 2007; Ord. 580 § 1 (part), 1977)

A. Multitenant Office or Mixed Use with More Than One Story. Where a business or use is located in a multiple-tenant office building, or mixed use building with more than one story, and/or where such business or use has no primary business facade, or is located on a floor above or below the ground floor level, identification shall be limited to a listing on a tenant directory sign mounted at the building entry and a tenant listing on the business center sign constructed in conformance with Larkspur Municipal Code Section 18.60.070.

B. Number.

C. Mode of Display.

D. Size of Projecting and Freestanding Signs.

E. Size of Wall Signs.

F. Height. Sign height shall be subject to the following limitations:

G. Illumination. Sign illumination shall be subject to the following limitations:

H. Design. The location of the sign on the site or building, the sign colors, shape, finish materials and the arrangement thereof shall be designed to be architecturally a part of, and not in conflict with, the shape and mass of the building materials, form, the color and composition of exterior building, and the location of architectural elements such as doors, windows, canopies and rooflines of the building to which the sign refers, and of adjacent buildings and signs. Readerboard designs shall be permitted only after a finding has been made by the Zoning Administrator that use of changeable copy will not conflict with these design criteria.

I. Coordinated Signing Program. Identification signs for places of business located within a shopping center and all center identification signs may be designed and approved pursuant to a coordinated signing program that has been approved by the Planning Commission. An application for approval of a coordinated sign program shall be made to the Planning Department and shall include the information described in Larkspur Municipal Code Sections 18.60.040(A) through (F) .

The establishment of a sign program may allow flexibility in the application of the sign standards and provisions contained in this chapter under certain circumstances, as follows:

A. In addition to the identification signs permitted for places of business, one freestanding or projecting sign, not to exceed fifty (50) square feet, or one wall sign, not to exceed one hundred (100) square feet, may be permitted on each separate street frontage of a business center. Center identification signs shall be subject to the height, illumination, design and coordinated signing program limitations of Larkspur Municipal Code Sections 18.60.060(F) through (I) and shall be subject to the limitations of Larkspur Municipal Code Section 18.60.100. A center identification sign that is approved as part of a coordinated signing program shall remain in conformance with the approved program.

B. In addition to nameplate signs permitted under Larkspur Municipal Code Section 18.60.050, one freestanding sign up to fifty (50) square feet, or one wall sign up to one hundred (100) square feet, may be permitted to identify a neighborhood, residential planned development, residential subdivision, condominium or apartment complex consisting of five (5) or more units. These gateway signs shall be subject to the height, illumination and design criteria of Larkspur Municipal Code Sections 18.60.060(F), (G) and (H). (Ord. 1030 § 2(12), 2018; Ord. 974 § 1, 2010; Ord. 953 § 1(71), 2007; Ord. 857 § 9, 1993; Ord. 580 § 1 (part), 1977)

A. For single-faced signs, area shall be that within the outermost border of the sign. A single-faced sign is a sign constructed so its message is displayed in a single plane and is viewable from only one side of the plane.

B. For double-faced signs, area shall be that within the outermost border of one face of the sign. A double-faced sign is a sign constructed to display its message(s) on the outside surfaces of two (2) identical and/or opposite parallel planes, provided the planes are not more than two (2) feet apart.

C. For multiple-faced signs, area shall be the sum of the areas within the outermost border of each face. A multiple-faced sign is a sign constructed to display its message either on a curved surface or on two (2) or more planar surfaces, excepting signs that qualify as double-faced signs.

D. For borderless signs, area shall be that within a single polygon drawn with straight lines and right-angle corners to enclose all sign parts. A borderless sign is a sign composed of parts of a message without a single border enclosing any of the parts (for example, individual letters erected upon a wall constitute a borderless sign).

E. The area of sign-support structures such as posts or brackets shall be calculated as sign area only when the appearance of such structures attracts attention for advertising, instruction or information. (Ord. 1030 § 2(12), 2018; Ord. 974 § 1, 2010; Ord. 580 § 1 (part), 1977)

A. Any sign of a type described in Larkspur Municipal Code Sections 18.60.050 through 18.60.080 which has a size or other characteristic exceeding any limitation stated in the description shall be prohibited.

B. Hazards to Exits. No sign shall be erected in such a manner that any portion of the sign or its support is attached to, or will interfere with, the free use of any fire escape, exit or standpipe. No sign shall be erected which will obstruct any required stairway, door ventilator or window.

C. Hazards to Traffic. No sign shall be erected in such a manner that it will or reasonably may be expected to interfere with, obstruct, confuse or mislead traffic. All signs shall conform to the height limitation of Larkspur Municipal Code Section 18.16.090.

D. Motion. Except for exempt flags, any sign constructed to incorporate windblown materials, moving parts or the appearance of motion by use of flashing or reflected light or other devices shall be prohibited.

E. Off-Site Location. Except for the following exempt signs, no sign shall be located other than on the same parcel of land from which the product, service or activity described by the sign is made available. Exempt off-site real estate signs, political signs and special events signs may be erected off site when they comply with the limitations described in Larkspur Municipal Code Section 18.60.050.

F. Roof Locations. Signs erected upon any part of a roof or false roof structure shall be prohibited.

G. Vehicle Locations. Signs erected upon a vehicle shall be prohibited.

H. Visible Gaseous Illumination. Signs in excess of four (4) square feet incorporating visible gaseous illumination shall be prohibited. (Ord. 1030 § 2(12), 2018; Ord. 974 § 1, 2010; Ord. 580 § 1 (part), 1977)

A. Any sign lawfully erected prior to December 2, 1977, which exceeds the limitations of Larkspur Municipal Code Sections 18.60.010 through 18.60.100 shall be deemed legal nonconforming and may continue to exist until made nonconforming by the earliest of the following events:

B. Upon becoming nonconforming, any sign shall immediately be removed or made to comply with all requirements of this chapter.

C. All signs deemed legal nonconforming by this section shall be made to comply with the requirements of Larkspur Municipal Code Section 18.60.120 within ninety (90) days of December 2, 1977.

D. Any sign unlawfully erected prior to December 2, 1977, shall be deemed nonconforming and shall be immediately removed. (Ord. 1030 § 2(12), 2018; Ord. 974 § 1, 2010; Ord. 953 § 1(72), 2007; Ord. 580 § 1 (part), 1977)

A. A fine not exceeding fifty dollars ($50.00) for a first violation;

B. A fine not exceeding one hundred dollars ($100.00) for a second violation of the same provisions within one year;

C. A fine not exceeding two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) for each additional violation of the same provision within one year. Such person, firm or corporation is guilty of a separate offense for each and every day during any portion of which any such violation is committed, continued or permitted by such person, firm or corporation, and is punishable as provided in this section. (Ord. 1030 § 2(12), 2018; Ord. 974 § 1, 2010; Ord. 649 § 1, 1980)