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Oakland City Zoning Code

Chapter 17.104

GENERAL LIMITATIONS ON SIGNS

17.104.010 - General limitations on Signs in Residential Zones, except the RU-4 and RU-5 Zones, and in Open Space (OS) Zones.

The following limitations shall apply to the specified Signs in all Residential and OS Zones, except the RU-4 and RU-5 Zones and except as otherwise provided herein, and are in additions to the limitations, if any prescribed for Signs in the applicable individual zone regulations and development control maps.

A.

Maximum Height. No Sign shall exceed the maximum height, if any, applicable to facilities in general where it is located, except as otherwise provided in Sections 17.108.020A and 17.108.030; and no Sign shall exceed such applicable maximum heights as are prescribed hereafter in this Section.

B.

Residential Signs. No single Residential Sign shall have a display surface greater than one (1) square foot on any one face, except that one (1) Residential Sign on each lot, other than a Sign identifying a home occupation, may have a display surface of not more than six (6) square feet on any one face if the lot contains Residential Facilities with a total of three (3) or more living units. No Residential Sign which is attached to a building shall have a display surface greater than one (1) square foot on any one face, unless it is flat against a wall of the building and does not project outward therefrom more than eighteen (18) inches nor at all above the roof or parapet wall of the building. No Residential Sign which is not attached to a building and which has a display surface greater than one (1) square foot on any one face shall extend more than six (6) feet above finished grade, nor be located within five (5) feet from any lot line. All Residential Signs shall be nonmoving. Illumination, if any, of all such Signs shall be indirect and nonflashing. Such Signs shall not, except for Signs with a display surface not greater than one (1) square foot on any one face, include any pennants, streamers, propellers, or similar devices. (See also Section 17.112.040D.)

C.

Special Signs. Special Signs shall be limited to the area of display surface, number, location, and height and kind of mobility, illumination, and material that are customary and necessary to the purposes they serve.

D.

Development Signs. The maximum aggregate area of display surface of all Development Signs shall be either seventy-five (75) square feet on any one lot or, in the case of a real estate subdivision, seventy-five (75) square feet for each tract of two (2) or more lots which are separated from each other only by a street or other right-of-way; and all Development Signs shall be located on the lot or tract referred to thereon and shall be permitted only for a one-year period. However, a greater area of display surface, an off-site location, or a longer time period may be permitted upon the granting of a conditional use permit pursuant to the conditional use permit procedure in Chapter 17.134. No Development Sign which is attached to a building shall extend above the roof or parapet wall thereof. No Development Sign which is not attached to a building shall extend more than twenty-four (24) feet above finished grade, nor be located within five (5) feet form any lot line of an abutting lot. All Development Signs shall be nonmoving. Illumination, if any, of all such Signs shall be indirect and nonflashing. Such Signs shall not, except when attached to a building, include any pennants, streamers, propellers, or similar devices.

E.

Realty Signs. The maximum aggregate area of display surface of all Realty Signs on any one lot shall be six (6) square feet. All Realty Signs shall be located on the same lot as the facilities advertised thereon, and shall be removed within seven (7) days after occupancy, or change of occupancy, of the facilities. No Realty Sign which is attached to a building shall extend above the roof or parapet wall thereof. No Realty Sign which is not attached to a building shall extend more than six (6) feet above finished grade, nor be located within five (5) feet from any lot line of an abutting lot. All Realty Signs shall be nonmoving. Illumination, if any, of all such Signs shall be indirect and nonflashing. Such Signs shall not, except when attached to a building, include any pennants, streamers, propellers, or similar devices.

F.

Civic Signs. No single Civic Sign shall have a display surface greater than one (1) square foot on any one face, except that two (2) Civic Signs on each lot or, in the case of a lot with a lot area of more than twenty thousand (20,000) square feet, two (2) Civic Signs for each twenty thousand (20,000) square feet of lot area may have a greater display surface. The maximum total area of display surface of any two (2) such larger Signs shall be thirty (30) square feet. No Civic Sign which is attached to a building shall have a display surface greater than one (1) square foot on any one face, unless it is flat against a wall of the building and does not project outward more than eighteen (18) inches therefrom nor at all above the roof or parapet wall of the building. No Civic Sign which is not attached to a building and which has a display surface greater than one (1) square foot on any one face shall extend more than twelve (12) feet above finished grade, nor be located within five (5) feet from any lot line. All Civic Signs shall be nonmoving. Illumination, if any, of all such Signs shall be indirect and nonflashing. Such Signs shall not, except for Signs with a display surface not greater than one (1) square foot on any one face, include any pennants, streamers, propellers, or similar devices.

G.

Business Signs.

1.

Business Signs serving Commercial Activities, other than Signs regulated by Subsection 17.104.010.G.3 and those regulated by Section 17.11.090, shall be limited to two (2) Signs, with a maximum aggregate area of display surface of fifteen (15) square feet, for each commercial establishment. All such Signs shall be located flat against a wall of the first story of a building, and no such Sign shall project outward more than eighteen (18) inches from such wall nor any distance above the roof or parapet wall of the building. All such Signs shall be nonmoving. Illumination, if any, of all such Signs shall be indirect and nonflashing. Such Signs shall not, except in the case of Signs behind a display window, include any pennants, streamers, propellers, or similar devices.

2.

No single Business Sign serving Agricultural or Extractive Activities shall have a display surface greater than one (1) square foot on any one face, except that one (1) such Sign on each lot may have a display surface of not more than six (6) square feet on any one face. All Business Signs which serve such activities, which are attached to a building, and which have a display surface greater than one (1) square foot on any one face shall be located flat against a wall of the first story of the building, and no such Sign shall project outward more than eighteen (18) inches from such wall nor any distance above the roof or parapet wall of the building. No Business Sign which serves such activities, which is not attached to a building, and which has a display surface greater than one (1) square foot on any one face shall extend more than six (6) feet above finished grade, nor be located within five (5) feet from any lot line. All Business Signs serving such activities shall be nonmoving. Illumination, if any, of all such Signs shall be indirect and nonflashing. Such Signs shall not, except in the case of Signs behind a display window, include any pennants, streamers, propellers, or similar devices.

3.

The maximum aggregate area of display surface of Business Signs serving off-street parking which is subject to the conditions set forth in Subsection 17.102.100.B shall be twelve (12) square feet for each vehicular entrance or exit. No such Sign shall extend more than six (6) feet above finished grade, nor be located within five (5) feet from any lot line. All such Signs shall be nonmoving. Illumination, if any, of all such Signs shall be indirect and nonflashing. Such Signs shall not include any pennants, streamers, propellers, or similar devices.

H.

Signs Within One Thousand (1,000) Feet of Rapid Transit Routes. Signs within one thousand (1,000) feet of the centerline of rapid transit routes shall be subject to the applicable limitations set forth in Sections 17.104.040 and 17.114.150.

(Ord. No. 13357, § 3(Exh. A), 2-16-2016; Ord. No. 13112, § 4(Exh. A), 4-30-2012; Ord. No. 13090, § 4(Exh. A), 10-4-2011; Ord. No. 13064, § 2(Exh. A), 3-15-2011; Ord. 12350 § 3 (part), 2001; Ord. 12078 § 5 (part), 1998; prior planning code § 7040)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 13112, § 4(Exh. A), adopted April 30, 2012, changed the title of Section 17.104.010 from "General limitations on Signs in residential and OS zones, except the RU-4 and RU-5 zones" to "General limitations on Signs in Residential zones, except the RU-4 and RU-5 zones, and in Open Space (OS) zones." The historical notation has been preserved for reference purposes.

17.104.020 - General limitations on Signs—RU-4 and RU-5 Zones, and all Commercial and Industrial Zones.

The following limitations shall apply to the specified Signs in the RU-4 and RU-5 Zones and all Commercial and Industrial Zones, and except as otherwise provided herein, and are in addition to the limitations, if any, prescribed for Signs in the applicable individual zone regulations and development control maps:

A.

Design Review. No Business, Civic, or Residential Sign shall be constructed or established, or altered in exterior appearance, unless plans for the proposal have been approved pursuant to the design review procedure in Chapter 17.136.

B.

Permitted Aggregate Sign Area.

1.

In the RU-4 and RU-5 Zones and all Commercial Zones, the maximum aggregate area of display surface of all Business, Civic, and Residential Signs on any one lot shall be one (1) square foot for each one (1) foot of lot frontage in the case of an interior lot, or one-half (0.5) square feet for each one (1) foot of lot frontage in the case of a corner lot. The aggregate shall include only one (1) face of a double-faced sign. The total amount of aggregate sign area shall not exceed two hundred (200) square feet on any one property. Exceptions to the total amount of aggregate sign area normally allowed on any one property may be approved pursuant to the regulations in Subsection B.3. below and to the Small project design review procedure in Chapter 17.136.

2.

In all Industrial Zones, the maximum aggregate area of display surface of all Business, Civic and Residential Signs on any one lot shall be one (1) square foot for each one (1) foot of lot frontage in the case of an interior lot, or one-half (0.5) square feet for each one (1) foot of lot frontage in the case of a corner lot. The aggregate shall include only one (1) face of a double-faced sign. The total amount of aggregate sign area shall not exceed three hundred (300) square feet on any one property. Exceptions to the total amount of aggregate sign area normally allowed on any one property may be approved pursuant to the regulations in Subsection B.3. below.

3.

Exception to Aggregate Sign Area Limits. The following exceptions to the aggregate sign area limits may be approved:

a.

In cases in which the maximum aggregate sign area for a property is already being utilized by a portion of the existing tenant spaces in a multi-tenant building or complex, twenty (20) square feet of sign area for each tenant space in the multi-tenant building or complex without existing signage on site is allowed if approved pursuant to the Small project design review procedure in Chapter 17.136;

b.

Signs conforming to a Master Sign Program approved pursuant to Section 17.104.070.

C.

Maximum Height.

1.

Attached Signs. The maximum height of any sign that is attached to a building may not exceed the height of the building wall that it is attached to.

2.

Freestanding Signs. The maximum height of any freestanding sign in the CC, M-40, CIX, IG, IO, D-DT-JLI, D-CE, D-CO-2, D-CO-3, D-CO-4, D-CO-5, and D-CO-6 Zones is twenty (20) feet. The maximum height in the RU-4 and RU-5 Zones and all other Commercial and Industrial Zones is ten (10) feet.

D.

Limitations on Signs within Required Minimum Yards.

1.

No business, realty, or development sign shall be located within a required minimum yard.

E.

Special Limitations Near Boundaries of Residential Zones, Except the RU-4 and RU-5 Zones. The following special limitations shall apply to the indicated Signs within the specified distances from any boundary of a Residential Zone, except the RU-4 and RU-5 Zones. For the purposes of this Subsection, a Sign shall be deemed to face a zone boundary if the angle between the face of its display surface and said boundary is less than ninety (90) degrees; and a sign shall be considered visible from a zone boundary if it may be seen from any point located along such boundary within the following indicated distances from the sign and at a height equal to or less than that of the sign.

1.

Within twenty-five (25) feet from any boundary of a Residential Zone, except the RU-4 and RU-5 Zones, no business sign shall face said boundary if it is visible therefrom.

F.

Development Signs. In the RU-4 and RU-5 Zones and all Commercial and Industrial Zones, the maximum aggregate area of display surface of all Development Signs on any one lot shall be either seventy-five (75) square feet or one (1) square foot for each two (2) feet of street line abutting the lot, whichever is greater. However, a greater area of display surface may be permitted upon the granting of a conditional use permit pursuant to the conditional use permit procedure in Chapter 17.134.

G.

Realty Signs. In the RU-4 and RU-5 Zones and all Commercial and Industrial Zones, the maximum aggregate area of display surface of all Realty Signs on any one lot shall be one (1) square foot for each two (2) feet of street line abutting the lot; provided that such area shall not exceed twenty-five (25) square feet along any consecutive fifty (50) feet of street line; and farther provided that a sign with a display surface of twelve (12) square feet or less shall be permitted for each lot, or for each building or other rentable unit thereon.

H.

Signs Within One thousand (1,000) Feet of Rapid Transit Routes. Signs within one thousand (1,000) feet of the centerline of rapid transit routes shall be subject to the applicable limitations set forth in Sections 17.104.040 and 17.114.150.

I.

Permitted Projection Over Sidewalk. An awning, canopy, marquee, or single sign that is attached perpendicularly to the face of a building may project up to two-thirds (66.7%) of the distance from the lot line to the curb, but can not extend more than seven (7) feet from the face of building or closer than two (2) feet to the curb. Any awning, canopy, marquee, or single sign that is attached perpendicularly to the face of a building shall provide eight (8) feet minimum clearance above a sidewalk for framed or rigid portions, and seven (7) feet minimum clearance for any unframed valance.

J.

Temporary Business Signs.

1.

Size Allowed. Temporary signs are allowed in addition to permanent signs. The size of the temporary signs may not exceed the allowed square footage for permanent signs.

2.

Allowed Time Limits.

a.

Grand Opening Signs. Temporary signs for the purpose of grand openings of a new business can be in place for a maximum of thirty (30) days. The installation date of the sign shall be placed on the sign to verify compliance with this regulation.

b.

Special Event Signs. Temporary signs for the purpose of special events may be placed on site a maximum of four (4) times per calendar year and a maximum of five (5) consecutive days per event.

3.

Placement of Signs.

a.

Signs are allowed on private property only. Signs shall not be placed in public rights-of-way or at off-site locations.

b.

Signs must be affixed to a permanent structure.

4.

Temporary Signs shall not be illuminated.

5.

Durable Materials Required. Signs shall be constructed of durable, rigid material suitable to the location and purpose. Only interior window Signs may he [be] made of nonrigid (e.g. paper) material.

6.

Removal of Signs. Temporary Signs and their components shall be promptly removed at the expiration of the time limits set forth above.

K.

Window Signs. Window signs shall not take up more than twenty-five percent (25%) of any one window. Window signs shall count against the total allowable aggregate sign area for the property as measured in Subsection 17.104.020.B. Interior signs which are located eighteen (18) inches or more from behind the window face shall be exempt from these regulations.

L.

Clear Sight Restrictions. A triangular area measuring fifteen (15) feet from the intersection along each street line shall be kept free of all freestanding signs. A triangular area measuring ten (10) feet from the intersection of a driveway and a street line shall be kept free of all freestanding signs.

(Ord. No. 13812, § 4(Exh. A), 7-30-2024; Ord. No. 13357, § 3(Exh. A), 2-16-2016; Ord. No. 13302, § 5(Exh. C), 4-21-2015; Ord. No. 13251, § 5(Exh. A), 7-29-2014; Ord. No. 13172, § 3(Exh. A), 7-2-2013; Ord. No. 13168, § 5(Exh. A-2), 6-18-2013; Ord. No. 13112, § 4(Exh. A), 4-30-2012; Ord. No. 13090, § 4(Exh. A), 10-4-2011; Ord. No. 13064, § 2(Exh. A), 3-15-2011; Ord. No. 12999, § 4(Exh. A), 3-16-2010; Ord. 12872 § 4 (part), 2008; Ord. 12776 § 3, Exh. A (part), 2006: Ord. 12606 Att. A (part), 2004: prior planning code § 7041)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 13090, § 4(Exh. A), adopted October 4, 2011, changed the title of Section 17.104.020 from "General limitations on signs—Commercial and industrial zones" to "General limitations on signs—Commercial and industrial zones and the RU-4 and RU-5 zones." The historical notation has been preserved for reference purposes.

17.104.030 - General limitations on Signs—S-1, S-3, D-CO-1, and S-15 Zones.

The following limitations shall apply to the specified Signs in the S-1, S-3, D-CO-1, and S-15 Zones, and are in addition to the limitations, if any, prescribed for Signs in the applicable individual zone regulations or development control maps:

A.

Design Review. No Business. Civic, or Residential Sign shall be constructed or established, or altered in exterior appearance, unless plans for the proposal have been approved pursuant to the design review procedure in Chapter 17.136.

B.

Permitted Aggregate Sign Area. S-1, S-3, D-CO-1 and S-15 Zones. The maximum aggregate area of display surface of all Business, Civic, and Residential Signs on any one lot shall be one (1) square foot for each one foot of lot frontage in the case of an interior lot, or one-half (0.5) square feet for each one (1) foot of lot frontage in the case of a corner lot. The aggregate shall include only one (1) face of a double-faced sign. The total amount of aggregate sign area shall not exceed two hundred (200) square feet on any one property. Exceptions to the total amount of aggregate sign area normally allowed on any one property may be approved pursuant to the regulations in Subsection B.1. below.

1.

Exception to Aggregate Sign Area Limits. The following exceptions to the aggregate sign area limits may be approved:

a.

In cases in which the maximum aggregate sign area for a property is already being utilized by a portion of the existing tenant spaces in a multi-tenant building or complex, twenty (20) square feet of sign area for each tenant space in the multi-tenant building or complex without existing signage on site is allowed if approved pursuant to the Small project design review procedure in Chapter 17.136;

b.

Signs conforming to a Master Sign Program approved pursuant to Section 17.104.070.

C.

Maximum Height.

1.

Attached Signs. The maximum height of any sign that is attached to a building may not exceed the height of the building wall that it is attached to.

2.

Freestanding Signs. The maximum height of any freestanding sign in the S-1, S-3, D-CO-1, and S-15 Zones is ten (10) feet.

D.

Special Limitations Near Boundaries of Residential Zones, except the RU-4 and RU-5 Zones. Signs shall be subject to the same special limitations along or near boundaries of Residential Zones, except the RU-4 and RU-5 Zones, as are set forth in Subsection 17.104.020.E.

E.

Special, Development, and Realty Signs. All Special, Development, and Realty Signs shall be subject to the same limitations as are set forth in Subsections C., D. and F. of Section 17.104.010 for such Signs in Residential Zones, except the RU-4 and RU-5 Zones.

F.

Signs within One Thousand (1,000) Feet of Rapid Transit Routes. Signs within one thousand (1,000) feet of the centerline of rapid transit routes shall be subject to the applicable limitations set forth in Sections 17.104.040 and 17.114.150.

(Ord. No. 13812, § 4(Exh. A), 7-30-2024; Ord. No. 13357, § 3(Exh. A), 2-16-2016; Ord. No. 13302, § 5(Exh. C), 4-21-2015; Ord. No. 13172, § 3(Exh. A), 7-2-2013; Ord. No. 13112, § 4(Exh. A), 4-30-2012; Ord. No. 13090, § 4(Exh. A), 10-4-2011; Ord. No. 13064, § 2(Exh. A), 3-15-2011; Ord. 12776 § 3, Exh. A (part), 2006: Ord. 12606 Att. A (part), 2004: prior planning code § 7042)

17.104.040 - Limitations on Signs within one thousand (1,000) feet of rapid transit routes.

The following limitations shall apply in all zones, within one thousand (1,000) feet of the centerline of every rapid transit route, after the date of official determination thereof and except where the route is underground. The distance shall be measured perpendicularly from said centerline, i.e., at right angles to said centerline. These provisions shall not prohibit a sign identifying an on-premises business or naming the product manufactured thereon, except to the extent of requiring design review approval.

A.

Design Review for Certain New or Altered Signs the Advertising Material of Which Is Primarily Viewable from the Transit Route.

1.

No sign the advertising material of which is or has become primarily viewable by the passengers on the transit route shall be constructed, established, reoriented, changed as to illumination, or otherwise altered or painted a new color unless plans for such Sign have been approved pursuant to the regular design review procedure in Chapter 17.136.

2.

The Director of City Planning shall determine which signs are or have become primarily viewable by the passengers on the transit route, subject to appeal pursuant to the administrative appeal procedure in Chapter 17.132.

B.

Removal of Nonconforming Existing Signs. See Section 17.114.150.

(Ord. No. 13302, § 5(Exh. C), 4-21-2015; Ord. No. 13172, § 3(Exh. A), 7-2-2013; Ord. No. 13112, § 4(Exh. A), 4-30-2012; Ord. 12776 § 3, Exh. A (part), 2006: Ord. 12606 Att. A (part), 2004: prior planning code § 7046)

17.104.050 - Amortization of Advertising Signs in Residential Zones.

A.

Removal Criteria. In accordance with California Business and Professions Code Section 5412.1, those Advertising Signs meeting all of the following criteria shall be removed within the time periods set forth below without compensation:

1.

The Advertising Sign is located within an area shown as Residential in the Oakland General Plan; and

2.

The Advertising Sign is located within an area zoned for residential use; and

3.

The Advertising Sign is not located within six hundred sixty (660) feet from the edge of the right-of-way of an interstate or primary highway with its copy visible from the highway, nor is placed or maintained beyond six hundred sixty (660) feet from the edge of the right-of-way of an interstate or primary highway with the purpose of its message being read from the main traveled way; and

4.

The Advertising Sign is not required to be removed because of an overlay zone, combining zone, or any other special zoning district whose primary purpose is the removal or control of signs.

B.

Advertising Sign Removal. Any Advertising Sign meeting all criteria listed in Subsection A. of this Section shall be removed at the close of the amortization period listed below:

Fair Market Value on Date of Notice of Removal
Requirement
Minimum Years
Allowed
Under $1,999 2
$2,000 to $3,999 3
$4,000 to $5,999 4
$6,000 to $7,999 5
$8,000 to $9,999 6
$10,000 and over 7

 

The amounts provided in this Section shall be adjusted each January 1st after January 1, 1983 in accordance with the changes in building costs as indicated in the United States Department of Commerce Composite Index for Construction Costs.

The Director of City Planning, or his/her designee, shall determine the Fair Market Value of the Advertising Sign and the resulting amortization period. The amortization period shall run from the date of the notice of amortization, which shall be sent to Advertising Sign owners and underlying property owners via U.S. Mail. Underlying property owners, for the purposes of this Section, are those names contained on the latest available equalized assessment role. Failure to receive the notice of amortization shall not invalidate or otherwise affect the amortization period.

C.

Administrative Appeal Procedure.

1.

Appeal Period. Within ninety (90) days of receipt of a notice of amortization, an appeal may be filed by any interested party with the Director of City Planning challenging the City's determination. The Director of City Planning will forward the appeal to the City Administrator for final determination.

2.

Grounds for Appeal. The appeal shall state specifically wherein it is claimed there was an error or abuse of discretion by the City or where the City's determinations are not supported by the evidence in the record. The burden is on the appellant to provide sufficient evidence and arguments to overturn the initial City determinations. The minimum information to be included in an appeal is:

a.

Identification of specific billboard under appeal;

b.

Specific determination of the City being challenged;

c.

Current photograph of billboard;

d.

Legal and factual documentation to support the challenge, including, without limitation, building permits (if available) and repair/improvement records.

The City may request additional information as it deems reasonably necessary to complete the review.

3.

Failure to Timely Appeal. Failure to timely file an appeal will waive any rights to further challenge the City's determination contained in the notice of amortization.

4.

Appeal Fee. Established per master fee schedule. Appellants shall be allowed to file one (1) appeal and pay one (1) appeal fee where the City Administrator determines that similar issues are raised and the payment of multiple fees would be unreasonable.

5.

Notification of Completeness. The City will notify appellant within forty-five (45) business days of appeal submittal whether the appeal application is deemed complete. City failure to notify appellant within said time period will deem the application complete. This does not preclude the City from requesting additional information after the application has been deemed complete.

6.

Written Determination. The City will provide appellant with a written decision within ninety (90) days of receipt of a complete appeal application, unless an extension is agreed to by the appellant. Request by the City for additional information after the application has been deemed complete will not modify the timing of the ninety (90) day period during which the written determination is being made, provided that the appellant responds in a timely manner to the City request. Failure of the City to timely issue a written decision shall result in granting of the appeal.

7.

Decision Final. The written decision of the City Administrator is final and not administratively appealable.

(Ord. No. 13357, § 3(Exh. A), 2-16-2016; Ord. No. 13112, § 4(Exh. A), 4-30-2012; Ord. 12776 § 3, Exh. A (part), 2006; Ord. 12146 §§ 3, 4, 1999; Ord. 12073 § 7, 1998)

17.104.060 - General Limitations on Advertising Signs.

Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary contained within the Planning Code, Advertising Signs are not permitted in Oakland except: (1) as otherwise provided for in this Code, or (2) pursuant to a franchise agreement or relocation agreement authorized by the Oakland City Council, which expressly allows Advertising Signs and then only under the terms and conditions of such agreements.

(Ord. No. 13357, § 3(Exh. A), 2-16-2016; Ord. No. 13302, § 5(Exh. C), 4-21-2015; Ord. No. 13251, § 5(Exh. A), 7-29-2014; Ord. 12425 § 2, 2002)

17.104.070 - Master Sign Programs.

A.

Submittal Requirements. In all Commercial and Industrial Zones, as well as the RU-4, RU-5, S-1, S-3, and S-15 Zones, any Commercial, Industrial, or mixed use building or complex containing two (2) or more tenant spaces on site may apply for a Master Sign Program which specifies the overall design, configuration, and permitted sizes of Signs for that building or complex. Applications for a Master Sign Program shall identify, at a minimum, the permitted sign sizes, materials, colors, placement, construction, method of lighting, and other related sign requirements for the applicable Commercial, Industrial, or mixed use building or complex. Drawings shall indicate the exterior surface details of all buildings on the site; the typical sign locations, designs, colors, and faces; and the methods of sign construction, installation, and lighting.

B.

Use Permit Criteria. A Master Sign Program may be allowed to deviate from the normally required sign standards in this Chapter, including but not limited to, total aggregate sign area. A Master Sign Program application which would deviate from the normally required sign standards shall be processed as a conditional use permit under the provisions of Chapter 17.134. A conditional use permit for a Master Sign Program may only be granted upon determination that the proposed sign program conforms to the general use permit criteria set forth in the conditional use permit procedure in Chapter 17.134 and to all of the following additional use permit criteria:

1.

That the proposal will be of a quality and character appropriate to the Commercial, Industrial, mixed use building or complex;

2.

That the building facade and other walls will be considered and treated as a whole, and in relationship to adjoining buildings;

3.

That all Signs will be harmonious with the architectural design of the building and adjacent buildings, and will not cover or detract from a building's significant architectural features.

C.

Review of Individual Signs Upon Approval of a Master Sign Program. Once a Master Sign Program is approved for any multi-tenant building or complex, the following provisions shall apply:

1.

Sign applications determined to conform to the provisions of an approved Master Sign Program shall be exempt from design review as is otherwise specified in Chapter 17.136.

2.

Sign applications determined to not conform to an approved Master Sign Program may only be granted upon approval of a revision to the original Master Sign Program conditional use permit.

(Ord. No. 13812, § 4(Exh. A), 7-30-2024; Ord. No. 13357, § 3(Exh. A), 2-16-2016; Ord. No. 13172, § 3(Exh. A), 7-2-2013; Ord. No. 13112, § 4(Exh. A), 4-30-2012; Ord. No. 13064, § 2(Exh. A), 3-15-2011; Ord. No. 12999, § 4(Exh. A), 3-16-2010)