Because Riverside County is a large, diverse and rapidly expanding jurisdiction, the board of supervisors finds that proper sign control is necessary for aesthetic and safety reasons. More specifically, proper sign control is necessary to provide for the preservation and protection of open space and scenic areas, the many natural and man-made resources, and the established rural communities within Riverside County. Proper sign control also safeguards the life, health, property and public welfare of Riverside County residents by providing the means to adequately identify businesses and other sign users, by prohibiting, regulating and controlling the design, location and maintenance of signs, and by providing for the removal and limitation of sign use. It is the intent of this title to provide for such control. All displays and signs described herein shall conform to the applicable provisions of this chapter. If any specific zoning classification within this ordinance shall impose more stringent requirements than are set forth within this chapter, the more stringent provisions shall prevail.

(Ord. 348.3928 § 2 (part), 2000: Ord. 348 § 19.1)

For purposes of this chapter, the following words or phrases shall have the following definitions.

"Abandoned" means either:

1.

Any outdoor advertising display that is allowed to continue for more than one year without a poster, bill, printing, painting, or other form of advertisement or message;

2.

Any outdoor advertising display that does not appear on the inventory required by Section 17.252.030(B)(12); or

3.

Any on-site advertising structure or sign that is allowed to continue for more than ninety (90) days without a poster, bill, printing, painting, or other form of advertising or message for the purposes set forth in Section 17.252.030(M).

"Display face" means the surface area of an outdoor advertising display available for the purpose of displaying an advertising message. Display face does not include the structural supports or lighting.

"Edge of a right-of-way" means a measurement from the edge of a right-of-way horizontally along a line normal or perpendicular to the centerline of the freeway or highway.

"Free-standing sign" means any sign which is supported by one or more columns or uprights imbedded in the ground, and which is not attached to any building or structure.

"Freeway" means a divided arterial highway for through traffic with full control of access and with grade separations at intersections.

"Highway" means roads, streets, boulevards, lanes, courts, places, commons, trails, ways or other rights-of-way or easements used for or laid out and intended for the public passage of vehicles or persons.

"Illegal outdoor advertising display" means any of the following:

1.

An outdoor advertising structure or outdoor advertising sign erected without first complying with all applicable county ordinances and regulations in effect at the time of its construction, erection or use;

2.

An outdoor advertising structure or outdoor advertising sign that was legally erected but whose use has ceased, or the structure upon which the advertising display is placed has been abandoned by its owner, and not maintained or used for a period of not less than one year;

3.

An outdoor advertising structure or outdoor advertising sign that was legally erected which later became nonconforming as a result of the adoption of an ordinance; the amortization period for the display provided by the ordinance rendering the display nonconforming has expired; and conformance has not been accomplished;

4.

An outdoor advertising structure or outdoor advertising sign which does not comply with this chapter, the outdoor advertising display permit referenced in Section 17.252.030(A), the State Outdoor Advertising Permit referenced in Section 17.252.030(B)(4) or any related building permit;

5.

An outdoor advertising structure or outdoor advertising sign which is a danger to the public or is unsafe.

"Illegal on-site advertising structure or sign" means any of the following.

1.

An on-site advertising structure or sign erected without first complying with all applicable county ordinances and regulations in effect at the time of its construction, erection or use;

2.

An on-site advertising structure or sign that was legally erected, but whose use has ceased, or the structure upon which the advertising display is placed has been abandoned by its owner, and not maintained or used to identify or advertise an ongoing business for a period of not less than ninety (90) days;

3.

An on-site advertising structure or sign that was legally erected which later became nonconforming as a result of the adoption of an ordinance; the amortization period for the display provided by the ordinance rendering the display nonconforming has expired; and conformance has not been accomplished.

"Maximum height" means the highest point of the structure or sign measured from the average natural ground level at the base of the supporting structure; provided, however, within the boundaries of the R-VC zone (Rubidoux-Village commercial), "maximum height" shall mean the height measured from the average adjacent finish grade (excluding artificial berms and raised planters) to the uppermost portion of the border of the surface area of the sign, except that:

1.

Structural supports and non-sign architectural features may project above the maximum height limit to the limits prescribed in the applicable zoning ordinances; and

2.

Signs affixed to the building may be placed at any height as long as the sign conforms to the other regulations of this title.

"Noise attenuation barrier" means a sound wall or other structure built by the California Department of Transportation to reduce noise impacts.

"Noncommercial structure or sign" means any structure, housing, sign, device, figure, statuary, painting, display, message, placard or other contrivance, which is designed, constructed, created, engineered, intended or used to provide data or information that does not do any of the following:

1.

Advertise a product or service for profit or for a business purpose;

2.

Propose a commercial transaction; or

3.

Relate solely to economic interests.

"On-site advertising structure or sign" means any structure, housing, sign, device, figure, statuary, painting, display, message placard, or other contrivance, or any part thereof, which is designed, constructed, created, engineered, intended, or used to advertise, or to provide data or information that does either of the following:

1.

Designates, identifies or indicates the name of the business of the owner or occupant of the premises upon which the structure or sign is located;

2.

Advertises the business conducted, services available or rendered, or the goods produced, sold, or available for sale, upon the premises where the structure or sign is located.

"Outdoor advertising display" means an outdoor advertising structure or outdoor advertising sign used for outdoor advertising purposes, not including on-site advertising signs as herein defined and directional sign structures as provided in Riverside County Ordinance No. 679. An outdoor advertising display may be commonly known or referred to as an "off-site" or an "off-premises" billboard.

"Outdoor advertising sign" means any card, cloth, paper, metal, painted, plastic or wooden sign of any character placed for outdoor advertising purposes and affixed to an outdoor advertising display or structure.

"Outdoor advertising structure" means a structure of any kind or character erected, used or maintained for outdoor advertising purposes, upon which any poster, bill, printing, painting or other advertisement of any kind whatsoever may be placed, including statuary, for outdoor advertising purposes. Such structure shall be constructed or erected upon a permanent foundation or shall be attached to a structure having a permanent foundation.

"Scenic highway" means any officially designated state or county scenic highway as defined in Streets and Highway Code, Sections 154 and 261, et seq.

"Shopping center" means a parcel of land not less than three acres in size, on which there exists four or more separate business uses that have mutual parking facilities.

"Significant resources" means any county, state or federal site which has significant or potentially significant social, cultural, historical, archaeological, recreational or scenic resources, or which plays or potentially could play a significant role in promoting tourism. For the purposes of this article, the term "significant resources" shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

1.

Riverside National Cemetery. A strip, six hundred sixty (660) feet in width, measured from the edge of the right-of-way line on both sides of I-215 from the intersection of Van Buren Boulevard southerly to Nance Road, and on both sides of Van Buren Boulevard from the intersection of I-215 westerly to Wood Road;

2.

Scenic Highways;

3.

A corridor five hundred (500) feet in width adjacent to both sides of all highways within three-tenths of a mile of any regional, state or federal park or recreation area;

4.

A corridor five hundred (500) feet in width adjacent to both sides of State Highway 74 (State Route 74) extending from its intersection with Interstate 15 to its intersection with Winchester Road (State Route 79), and from there easterly to the city limits of the city of Hemet, on both sides of the road;

5.

A corridor five hundred (500) feet in width adjacent to both sides of I-15 from the Riverside/San Diego County line northerly to the city limits of the city of Temecula;

6.

A corridor five hundred (500) feet in width adjacent to both sides of Grand Avenue from the city limits of the city of Lake Elsinore, just northerly of Bonnie Lea Drive, to Clinton Keith Road, and adjacent to both sides of Clinton Keith Road from Interstate 15 to the city limits of the city of Murrieta;

7.

A corridor five hundred (500) feet in width, measured from the edge of the right-of-way line adjacent to both sides of Interstate 15, extending from its intersection with State Highway 60 southerly to the city limits of the city of Norco.

(Ord. 348.4110 § 2, 2003; Ord. 348.3964 § 1, 2000; Ord. 348.3881, 1998; Ord. 348 § 19.2)

(Ord. 348.4647, §§ 1, 3, 7-14-2009)

No person shall erect, use or maintain an outdoor advertising display in the unincorporated area of the county, except in accordance with the following provisions. The changing of an advertising message or customary maintenance of a legally existing outdoor advertising display shall not require a permit pursuant to this section.

A.

Permit Procedure.

1.

Application. In addition to all other applicable federal, state and local laws, rules, regulations and ordinances, no outdoor advertising display shall be placed, erected, used or maintained until an outdoor advertising display permit therefor has been issued by the county planning director, on the form provided by the county planning department accompanied by the filing fee set forth in Ordinance No. 671. The application shall consist of ten (10) copies of a plot plan drawn to scale, containing the name, address or telephone number of the applicant, a copy of the current valid State Outdoor Advertising Permit referenced in subsection (B)(4) of this section and a general description of the property upon which the outdoor advertising display is proposed to be placed. The plot plan shall show the precise location, type and size of the proposed outdoor advertising display, all property lines, zoning, and the dimensions, location of and distance to the nearest advertising displays, building, business districts, significant resources as defined by Section 17.252.020, public and private roads, and other rights-of-way, building setback lines, and specifically planned future road right-of-way lines, and any and all other information required by the planning director such that the proposed display may be readily ascertained, identified and evaluated.

2.

Issuance/Denial. The planning director shall, within forty-five (45) days of the filing of a complete permit application, approve and issue the outdoor advertising display permit if the standards and requirements of this title have been met; otherwise, the permit shall be denied. Judicial review of a decision denying the permit shall be made by a petition for writ of administrative mandamus filed in the Riverside County superior court, in accordance with the procedure set forth in California Code of Civil Procedure, Section 1094.8.

3.

Assuming the planning director issues an outdoor advertising display permit, no person shall place, erect, use, maintain, alter, repair or relocate an outdoor advertising display or connect an outdoor advertising display to a power supply without first obtaining a building permit from the department of building and safety.

4.

Revocation. Any outdoor advertising display permit which has been issued as a result of a material misrepresentation of fact by the applicant or his or her agent, whether or not a criminal prosecution is initiated therefor, or which does not comply with this chapter, the State Outdoor Advertising Permit referenced in subsection (B)(4) of this section or any related building permit may be revoked by the planning director. The planning director shall forthwith give written notice of revocation to the applicant. Unless the permittee files with the planning department a written request for a hearing within ten (10) days of the date the notice was mailed, the planning director's decision to revoke will be considered final. Failure to timely file a written request for a hearing constitutes a waiver of the right to a hearing. Notice of the hearing shall be given by mail to the permittee. The timely filing of a written notice to appeal shall stay the revocation until such time as the planning director issues their decision to grant or deny the appeal. Within thirty (30) days after notice is given, or if a hearing is requested, within thirty (30) days from the date of mailing the planning director's decision to deny the appeal, any outdoor advertising display authorized by the outdoor advertising display permit shall be removed at the permittee's expense. Failure to remove the display within thirty (30) days shall be deemed a separate violation of this title.

B.

Permit Standards.

1.

General Plan. Outdoor advertising displays shall be consistent with the Riverside County comprehensive general plan.

2.

Zoning. Outdoor advertising displays are permitted only in the C-1/C-P, M-SC, M-M and M-H zones; provided, that the display meets all of the other requirements of the zoning classification and this chapter. Outdoor advertising displays are expressly prohibited in all other zones.

3.

Height. The maximum height of an outdoor advertising display shall not exceed a height of twenty-five (25) feet from the roadbed of the adjacent freeway or highway to which the display is oriented, or a maximum height of twenty-five (25) feet from the grade on which it is constructed, whichever is greater.

4.

Setbacks. No outdoor advertising display shall be erected within an established setback or building line, or within road right-of-way lines or future road right-of-way lines as shown on any specific plan of highways. A minimum setback from the property line of one foot shall be required. No person shall place, erect, use or maintain any outdoor advertising display located within six hundred sixty (660) feet from the edge of the right-of-way of, and the copy which is visible from, any primary highway without first obtaining a valid State Outdoor Advertising Permit.

5.

Poles. A maximum of two steel poles are allowed for support of an outdoor advertising display.

6.

Roof Mounts. No outdoor advertising display shall be affixed on or over the roof of any building and no display shall be affixed to the wall of a building so that it projects above the parapet of the building. For the purposes of this section, a mansard style roof shall be considered a parapet.

7.

Number of Displays. No more than one proposed outdoor advertising display per application shall be permitted.

8.

Number of Display Faces. No more than two display faces per outdoor advertising display shall be permitted. Only single face, back-to-back and V-type displays shall be allowed provided that they are on the same outdoor advertising structure and provided that the V-type displays have a separation between display faces of not more than twenty-five (25) feet.

9.

Display Face Size. No outdoor advertising display shall have a total surface area of more than three hundred (300) square feet.

10.

Display Movement. No outdoor advertising display shall move or rotate, to display any moving and/or rotating parts. No propellers, flags, or other noise creating devices, and no architectural embellishments which utilize mechanical or natural forces for motion, shall be permitted. Use of daylight reflective materials or electronic message boards using flashing, intermittent or moving light or lights is prohibited, provided, however, that electronic message boards displaying only time and/or temperature for periods of not less than thirty (30) seconds is permitted.

11.

Mobile Displays. No person shall place, use, maintain, or otherwise allow a mobile vehicle, trailer, or other advertising display not permanently affixed to the ground, as defined in Section 17.252.020, to be used as an outdoor advertising display.

12.

Display Inventory. In order to evaluate and assess outdoor advertising displays within the unincorporated area of Riverside County, within one hundred eighty (180) days of the effective date of the ordinance codified in this title and on each fifth anniversary after the effective date of said ordinance, and upon notice, each display company with outdoor advertising displays within the unincorporated area of the county shall submit to the county department of building and safety, a current inventory of the outdoor advertising displays they currently own and/or maintain within the unincorporated area of the county. Failure to submit a current or accurate inventory shall be deemed to be a separate violation of this title.

13.

Lighting and Illumination of Displays. An outdoor advertising display may be illuminated, unless otherwise specified; provided, that the displays are so constructed that no light bulb, tube, filament, or similar source of illumination is visible beyond the display face. Displays making use of lights to convey the effect of movement or flashing, intermittent or variable intensity shall not be permitted. Displays shall use the most advanced methods to insure the most energy efficient methods of display illumination. Within the Palomar Observatory special lighting area, all displays shall comply with the requirements of county Ordinance No. 655.

14.

Spacing. No outdoor advertising display shall be located within five hundred (500) feet in any direction from any other outdoor advertising display on the same side of the highway; provided, however, that if in a particular zone a different interval shall be stated, the spacing interval of the particular zone shall prevail. No outdoor advertising display shall be erected within the boundary of any significant resource as defined in Section 17.252.020. No outdoor advertising display shall be located within one hundred fifty (150) feet of property for which the zoning does not allow advertising displays; provided, however, that an outdoor advertising display may be placed within one hundred fifty (150) feet of property for which zoning does not allow displays, if at the time an application for an outdoor advertising display permit is applied for, there is no existing residential structure or an approved building permit for a residential structure within one hundred fifty (150) feet of the location of the proposed outdoor advertising display.

15.

Identification. No person shall place, erect, use or maintain an outdoor advertising display and no outdoor advertising display shall be placed, erected, used or maintained anywhere within the unincorporated area of the county unless there is securely fastened thereto and on the front display face thereof, the name of the outdoor advertising display owner in such a manner that the name is visible from the highway. Any display placed, erected or maintained without this identification shall be deemed to be placed, erected and maintained in violation of this section.

C.

Height Adjustments. The owner of an existing outdoor advertising display that complied with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules and regulations in effect at the time it was erected may apply for a height adjustment on the form provided by the planning department accompanied by the filing fee set forth in Ordinance No. 671. The planning director shall, within forty-five (45) days of the filing of a complete height adjustment application, approve the height adjustment if the height adjustment standards set forth in subsection d. are met; otherwise, the height adjustment shall be denied.

D.

Height Adjustment Standards. A height adjustment in excess of the maximum height authorized under this ordinance shall be approved if all of the following height adjustment standards are met:

1.

The outdoor advertising display is not an illegal outdoor advertising display;

2.

The outdoor advertising display is oriented towards a freeway;

3.

The outdoor advertising display is within one hundred (100) feet of the nearest edge of a freeway right-of-way line;

4.

A noise attenuation barrier was fully constructed between the outdoor advertising display and the edge of the freeway after the outdoor advertising display was fully constructed;

5.

A line of sight study shows that the noise attenuation barrier prevents the display face of the outdoor advertising display from being completely visible to vehicles in one or more approaching freeway traffic lanes at a point six hundred and sixty (660) feet from the outdoor advertising display. The six hundred and sixty (660) feet shall be measured from the middle of the display face to the middle of each approaching freeway traffic lane. The line of sight study shall be prepared at the owner's expense in accordance with the planning department's line of sight study protocol;

6.

The maximum height adjustment shall be no more than what is required to make the display face of the outdoor advertising display completely visible to vehicles in all approaching freeway traffic lanes at a point six hundred and sixty (660) feet from the display as shown by the line of sight study. In no event, however, shall the maximum height of an outdoor advertising display adjusted under this section exceed a height of forty (40) feet from the roadbed of the adjacent freeway towards which the outdoor advertising display is oriented, or a maximum height of forty (40) feet from the grade on which it is constructed, whichever is greater;

7.

The owner of any outdoor advertising display that obtains a height adjustment pursuant to this section shall also obtain a building permit from the department of building and safety before increasing the height of the outdoor advertising display;

8.

Other than the increase in height, nothing in this section shall be deemed to allow the relocation or enlargement of an existing outdoor advertising display. Nor shall this section be deemed to allow the angle of orientation of the outdoor advertising display to be altered or to allow an increase in the number of display faces on the existing outdoor advertising display.

E.

Enforcement. Wherever the officials responsible for the enforcement of administration of the county Land Use Ordinance No. 348 or their designated agents, have cause to suspect a violation of this chapter, or whenever necessary to investigate either an application for the granting, modification, or any action to suspend or revoke an outdoor advertising display permit, or whenever necessary to investigate a possible violation, such persons may lawfully gain access to the appropriate parcel of land upon which a violation is believed to exist. The following provisions shall apply to the violations of this chapter:

1.

All violations of this chapter committed by any person, whether as agent, employee, officer, principal, or otherwise, shall be a misdemeanor.

2.

Every person who knowingly provides false information on an outdoor advertising display permit application shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

3.

Every person who fails to stop work on an outdoor advertising display, when so ordered by the director of the building and safety department or the planning director, or their designees shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

4.

Every person who, having received notice to appear in court to answer a related charge, wilfully fails to appear, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

5.

A misdemeanor may be prosecuted by the county in the name of the People of the State of California, or may be redressed by civil action. Each violation is punishable by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00), or by imprisonment in the county jail for a term of not more than six months, or by both fine and imprisonment.

6.

Every person found guilty of a violation shall be deemed guilty of a separate offense for every day during a portion of which the violation is committed, continued, or permitted by such person.

7.

Every illegal outdoor advertising display and every abandoned outdoor advertising display is hereby declared to be a public nuisance and shall be subject to abatement by repair, rehabilitation, or removal in accordance with the procedures contained in Section 3 of county Ordinance No. 457.

F.

Nonconforming Signs. Every outdoor advertising display which does not conform to this title shall be deemed to be a nonconforming sign and shall be removed or altered in accordance with this title as follows:

1.

Any outdoor advertising display which was lawfully in existence prior to the effective date of the enactment of county Ordinance No. 348.2496 (July 16, 1985) shall be abated or brought into conformance with these provisions by July 17, 1990.

2.

Any outdoor advertising display which was lawfully in existence prior to the effective date of the enactment of county Ordinance No. 348.2856 (June 30, 1988) but after the effective date of the enactment of county Ordinance No. 348.2496 (July 16, 1985) shall be abated or brought into conformance with these provisions by July 1, 1993.

3.

Any outdoor advertising display which was lawfully in existence prior to the effective date of Ordinance No. 348.2989 but after the effective date of the enactment of county Ordinance No. 348.2856 (June 30, 1988) shall be abated or brought into conformance with these provisions within eleven (11) years of the effective date of county Ordinance No. 348.2989 (June 20, 1989).

4.

If federal or state law requires the county to pay just compensation for the removal of any such lawfully erected but nonconforming outdoor advertising display, it may remain in place until just compensation as defined in the Eminent Domain Law (Title 7, of Part 3 of the Code of Civil Procedure) is paid.

G.

Illegal and Abandoned Signs. All illegal outdoor advertising displays and all abandoned outdoor advertising displays shall be removed or brought into conformance with this title immediately. County Ordinance No. 725 applies to all illegal outdoor advertising displays and abandoned outdoor advertising displays. In enforcing Ordinance No. 725 as it relates to illegal outdoor advertising displays and abandoned outdoor advertising displays the notice required to be given to owner of the property shall also be given to; (1) the owner of the sign, if the identification plate required by Business and Professions Code Sections 5362 and 5363 is affixed; and (2) the advertiser, if any, identified on the sign provided the address of the advertiser can reasonably be determined.

(Ord. 348.3961 §§ 2, 3, 2000; Ord. 348.3881, 1999; Ord. 348 § 19.3)

(Ord. 348.4641, §§ 4-7, 7-14-2009)

No person shall erect an on-site advertising structure or sign in the unincorporated area of the county that is in violation of the provisions contained within any specific zoning classification in this ordinance or that is in violation of the following provisions.

A.

Free-Standing Signs.

1.

Located within six hundred sixty (660) feet of the nearest edge of a freeway right-of-way line:

a.

The maximum height of a sign shall not exceed forty-five (45) feet.

b.

The maximum surface area of a sign shall not exceed one hundred fifty (150) square feet.

2.

Shopping Centers—All Locations. Notwith-standing the provisions of subsection (A)(1)(a) and (b) of this section, an alternate standard for free standing on-site advertising signs for shopping centers is established as follows:

a.

The maximum surface area of a sign shall not exceed fifty (50) square feet or .25 percent (one-fourth of one percent) of the total existing building floor area in a shopping center, whichever is greater, except that in any event, no sign shall exceed two hundred (200) square feet in surface area.

b.

The maximum height of a sign shall not exceed twenty (20) feet.

3.

All Other Locations.

a.

The maximum height of a sign shall not exceed twenty (20) feet.

b.

The maximum surface area of a sign shall not exceed fifty (50) square feet.

4.

Number of Free-Standing Signs—All Locations. Not more than one free-standing sign shall be permitted on a parcel of land, except that if a shopping center has frontage on two or more streets, the shopping center shall be permitted two free-standing signs; provided, that the two signs are not located on the same street; are at least one hundred (100) feet apart and the second sign does not exceed one hundred (100) square feet in surface area and twenty (20) feet in height.

B.

Signs Affixed to Buildings—All Areas.

1.

No on-site advertising sign shall be affixed on, above or over the roof of any building, and no on-site advertising sign shall be affixed to the wall of a building so that it projects above the parapet of the building. For the purposes of this section, a mansard style roof shall be considered a parapet.

2.

The maximum surface area of signs affixed to a building shall be as follows:

a.

Front wall of building: The surface area of the sign shall not exceed ten (10) percent of the surface area of the front face of the building.

b.

Side walls of a building: The surface area of the sign shall not exceed ten (10) percent of the surface area of the side face of the building.

c.

Rear wall of a building: The surface area of the sign shall not exceed five percent of the surface area of the rear face of the building.

C.

On-site subdivision signs shall be subject to the following minimum standards:

1.

No sign shall exceed one hundred (100) feet in surface area.

2.

No sign shall be within one hundred (100) feet of any existing residence that is outside of the subdivision boundaries.

3.

No more than two such signs shall be permitted for each subdivision.

4.

No sign shall be artificially lighted.

D.

On-Site Identification Signs. On-site identification signs affixed to the surface of walls, windows, and doors of permanent structures, which do not exceed four inches in letter height and do not exceed four square feet in area are permitted in addition to any other sign permitted in this title.

E.

On-Site Signage Along Scenic Corridors Designated Within the Eastern Coachella Valley and Western Coachella Valley Community Plans.

The provisions of subsections A, B, C and D of this section shall apply to areas within the boundaries of the adopted Eastern Coachella Valley Plan (ECVP) and Western Coachella Valley Plan (WCVP), with the following exceptions:

1.

In areas adjacent to scenic corridors as designated by the ECVP or WCVP, if a business chooses to advertise with a sign affixed to its primary building in lieu of a free-standing sign, then the maximum surface area of the sign affixed to the building shall not exceed the following:

a.

Front wall of building: ten (10) percent of the surface area of the front face of the building.

b.

Side walls of building: ten (10) percent of the surface area of the side face of the building.

c.

Rear wall of building: ten (10) percent of the surface area of the rear face of the building.

2.

Monument Signs. For monument signs as defined within the policies of the ECVP or WCVP, along highway or freeway scenic corridors:

a.

For a single business or tenant advertised, maximum surface area shall not exceed one hundred fifty (150) square feet, and overall height shall not exceed ten (10) feet.

b.

For multiple businesses or tenants advertised, maximum surface area shall not exceed two hundred (200) square feet, and overall height shall not exceed twelve (12) feet.

3.

Sheathed-Support Signs. For sheathed-support signs as defined within the policies of the ECVP or WCVP, along freeway scenic corridors:

a.

For locations within three hundred thirty (330) feet of the nearest edge of a freeway right-of-way line:

i.

For a single business or tenant advertised, maximum surface area shall not exceed one hundred fifty (150) square feet, and overall height shall be equal to that of the use advertised, up to a maximum of twenty-five (25) feet.

ii.

For multiple businesses or tenants advertised, maximum surface area shall not exceed two hundred (200) square feet, and overall height shall be equal to that of the use advertised, up to a maximum of twenty-five (25) feet.

b.

For locations within six hundred sixty (660) feet of the terminus of a freeway exit or the origination of a freeway entrance:

i.

For a single business or tenant advertised, maximum surface area shall not exceed one hundred fifty (150) square feet, and overall height shall not exceed thirty-five (35) feet.

ii.

For multiple businesses or tenants advertised, maximum surface area shall not exceed two hundred (200) square feet, and overall height shall not exceed thirty-five (35) feet.

iii.

Neither a single-business sheathed-support sign nor a multiple-business sheathed-support sign shall be erected along a highway scenic corridor.

4.

The minimum spacing between free-standing signs located within three hundred thirty (330) feet of the nearest edge of a freeway right-of-way line shall be that distance necessary so as not to adversely obscure the visibility of adjacent free-standing on-site advertising signs.

5.

For the purposes of this chapter, any sign which would otherwise meet the definition of "on-site advertising structure and signs" in Section 17.252.020 shall also be deemed to meet this definition if the sign advertises the business conducted, services available or rendered, or the goods produced, sold or available for sale on an adjacent parcel cooperatively on a joint sign; provided, that the business on that adjacent parcel utilizes no other free-standing on-site advertising sign located on its parcel, and that a plot plan is submitted and approved for the parcel containing the sign.

(Ord. 348.3868, 1999; Ord. 348 § 19.4)

Anywhere a display, structure or sign is permitted by this title, a noncommercial message may be placed on such display, structure or sign.

(Ord. 348.3881, 1999; Ord. 348 § 19.7)

General provisions for advertising signs within the Rubidoux Village policy area of the Jurupa Community Plan. No person shall erect an on-site advertising structure or sign in the designated Rubidoux Village policy area of the Jurupa Community Plan zoned as Rubidoux Village-commercial (R-VC) that is in violation of the provisions contained within any specific zone classification in this title or that is in violation of the following provisions.

A.

Commercial Signs.

1.

All signs must be mounted on freestanding ground-mounted supports, supported from elements in the landscape such as arbors and arcades, or anchored to the building either with surface mounts, or suspended from walls or ceilings. No roof-mounted structures are permitted. Standard pole-mounted signs are not permitted.

2.

Illuminated signs may be used within the Rubidoux-Village commercial zone of the Rubidoux Village policy area boundaries of the Jurupa Community Plan. Illuminated signs are permitted under the following criteria:

a.

Internal illumination for text, background or both.

b.

External illumination that does not spill over onto adjacent property or over public rights of way so as to cause a nuisance or a hazard.

c.

Neon-type signs in which the sign text and/or graphic design is made up on fluorescent tubes.

d.

All conduits and raceways must be concealed unless appropriate to the architectural design of the sign and its support structure.

3.

Murals and Artwork as Signage. Murals and other works of art intended to serve as signage to identify, locate or list the goods and/or services provided must comply with the standards of this title.

4.

Projecting signs, cantilevered or supported from a building wall or other structural support may be double sided; however, only one side will be counted in calculating allowable sign area.

5.

Landmark Identification. These identifying elements of building architecture or of the landscape are unique features in the urbanscape of the public street. Landmarks are significant only in relation to their unique identity and limited use:

a.

Landmark identification is intended to announce a special place and may not be used for product or service advertising.

b.

Where architectural or landscape landmarks are created on private property, signage may be affixed or suspended.

c.

When permitted signage is affixed to a landmark structure, the sign must remain below the eave, cornice or parapet cap of the structure and in no case may it project over or above the roof plane. In this circumstance, the height limit is determined by the approved height of the landmark structure. Exception: When the landmark structure is higher than an adjoining roof, a permitted sign may project over the lower roof.

d.

A landmark architectural element may be used as a double-or triple-sided sign support and will count only as a single sign.

It is required that primary and secondary identification signs, whether free-standing or attached to the building, be designed as a thematically appropriate and compatible component of the building design or of the landscape architecture. Materials, details and colors must be compatible with and appropriate in terms of the overall design of the building's architecture.

6.

Copy is limited to the name of the business, a logo or logotype, and standard subtext associated with the name of the business of the logo/logotype and limited to a simple recitation of the general goods or services is not permitted.

7.

Posters and other temporary signage may not be permanently affixed to any exterior portion of the buildings or the landscape.

8.

Notwithstanding the requirements of the underlying zoning ordinances for the zone classifications, free-standing signs may be placed in setback areas.

9.

Commercial buildings shall display at least one street address sign visible from the adjoining streets with numerals/letters a minimum of four inches high.

10.

No standard signs such as franchise, major brand or corporate signs, which have not been modified or specifically designed to meet the requirements of this title shall be permitted.

B.

Shopping Center Signs. A shopping center is defined as a minimum six-acre development under single ownership or development control having as anchor tenant(s) a major retail user(s).

1.

Primary Identification Signs. These are used as the primary identification of the entire shopping center. These signs must be located so as to be read from either Mission Boulevard, Rubidoux Boulevard and/or Riverview Drive. The total number of signs is limited to one per site.

a.

Free-standing: limited in area to one hundred twenty (120) square feet or a maximum of .25 percent (one-fourth of one percent) of the approved building area not to exceed two hundred (200) square feet and not to exceed twenty (20) feet in height.

b.

Building mounted: limited to one hundred twenty (120) square feet in area.

2.

Secondary Identification Signs. These signs serve the same purpose as the primary signs except that they may be located along local streets and alleys. The total number of signs per site is limited to one per street frontage for each local street faced by the building.

a.

Free-standing: limited to forty (40) square feet in area and may not exceed twelve (12) feet in height.

b.

Building mounted: limited to forty (40) square feet in area.

C.

Large Project Identification Signs. To be regarded as a large project, a project must meet the following criteria: The parcel or combination of parcels must be a minimum of twenty thousand (20,000) square feet; gross tenant space must be a minimum of twelve thousand (12,000) square feet and there must be a minimum of five lease/tenant spaces.

1.

Primary Identification. These are used as the primary identification of an entire project or complex of buildings. These signs must be located so as to be read from either Mission Boulevard, Rubidoux Boulevard and/or Riverview Drive. The total number of signs per site is limited to one per street frontage.

a.

Free-standing: limited to one hundred twenty (120) square feet in area and may not exceed sixteen (16) feet in height.

b.

Building mounted: limited to eighty (80) square feet in area.

2.

Secondary Identification. The regulations for shopping center secondary identification signage apply.

D.

Small Project Identification Signs.

1.

Primary Identification. These area used as the primary identification of an entire project or complex of buildings. These signs must be located so as to be read from either Mission Boulevard, Rubidoux Boulevard and/or Riverview Drive. The total number of signs per site is limited to one per street frontage.

a.

Free-standing: limited to eighty (80) square feet in area and may not exceed sixteen (16) feet in height.

b.

Building mounted: limited to eighty (80) square feet in area.

2.

Secondary Identification. The regulations for shopping center secondary identification signage apply.

E.

Single Tenant Buildings and Major Tenant Identification Signs. Copy is limited to the name of the business, the business owners, the logo or logotype, and a standard subtext associated with the name of the business or the logo/logotype. The total number of signs per site is limited to one per frontage for each local street or alley faced by the building or project. However, one additional sign is permitted per frontage facing an enclosed court not visible from a public street.

1.

Free-standing: limited to forty (40) square feet in area and may not exceed twelve (12) feet in height.

2.

Building mounted: limited to forty (40) square feet in area.

F.

Minor Tenants Identification Signs. Copy is limited to the name of the business, the business owners, the logo or logotype, and a standard subtext associated with the name of the business or the logo/logotype.

1.

Free-standing or building mounted: limited to ten (10) square feet in area.

2.

Number of signs: limited to one. Exception: corner suites and spaces may have one additional sign to be displayed on the alternate frontage, and one additional sign is permitted per frontage facing an enclosed court not visible from a public street.

Tenant spaces set back under loggias or similar architectural features that serve as pedestrian ways may use one additional sign either on the exterior face of the building (or suspended perpendicular to the building) or under the loggia either building mounted or suspended.

G.

Door and Window Tenant Identification Signs. For individual office and small shape identification: These signs are permitted in addition to all other permitted sign under this section and are mounted or installed on windows and doors visible to passers by.

1.

Business name identification: limited to two square feet in area.

2.

Addresses and suite numbers: limited to one square foot in area.

If installed immediately adjacent to the primary entry, this sign may be mounted on the building.

H.

Special Purpose Signs.

1.

Locator Boards and Tenant Directories. Kiosks and free-standing slab type directories are considered architectural features and must comply with the provisions of this section and the development standards of the zone classification for the property. Building-mounted sign boxes or slab type directories need only meet the provisions of this section.

a.

Signs are limited to twelve (12) square feet per face.

b.

Signs shall be designed as a component part of the building design or of the landscape architecture. Materials, details and colors must be compatible with an appropriate in terms of the overall design of the complex.

2.

Flagpoles, Banners and Flags. Banners and flags are permitted as follows:

a.

The manner of suspension or support must be compatible with the architectural character of the buildings or the landscape theme.

b.

No single flag or banner shall exceed sixty-four (64) square feet nor shall the length exceed fifteen (15) feet.

c.

Flag poles are not permitted to exceed seventy (70) feet in height.

d.

The copy or message on the flag/banner may be any permitted under the provisions of subsection G of this section.

e.

Banners suspended between buildings must be secured per State Uniform Building Code requirements and adequately secured against wind and gravity loads.

f.

Flags and banners are to be permanent features of the project. No temporary flags or banners are permitted.

3.

Special Event and Sale Signage. Special event and sale signage is intended to be temporary, mobile and of short duration.

a.

The signs may be window-mounted or painted for no more than three weeks prior to and during the event; thereafter, the sign must be removed within three working days.

b.

These signs may be mounted on kiosks, slabs or wall-mounted announcement boards.

c.

Temporary free-standing signs created specifically to announce an event or a sale are limited to eight square feet in area and may be double sided.

4.

Public Facilities Identification and Directional Signs. Special signs for bathrooms, wheelchair access, elevators, telephones, etc. are limited to two square feet; providing, however, that nothing in this title is to be construed to contravene the dictates of federal or state legislation with regard to signage for the handicapped.

5.

Directional Signs for Access and Loading. These directional and instructional signs are limited to four square feet per sign and must be located so that those requiring the directions can easily find them.

6.

Court Name Signs.

a.

Limited to twenty (20) square feet per sign.

b.

Limited to one sign for each point of access from public right-of-ways.

I.

Future Facilities Signs. These signs are intended to announce the impending development of a facility. They may be free-standing or building mounted.

1.

Maximum Size. Thirty-two (32) square feet in a four-foot by eight-foot panel.

2.

Refer to the Rubidoux Village Design Workbook for the design, color and font specifications for the header and footer bands.

a.

Copy is limited to the name of the future facility, logo/logotype, the subtext description of the project, the developer(s), lender, architect, landscape architect and/or engineer and major tenants, the proposed time of opening and a contact name and telephone number to pre-leasing information.

b.

Maximum Height. Ten (10) feet.

c.

When smaller signs are utilized, the required header and footer bands must be proportionately sized and incorporated.

J.

Project Construction Signs.

1.

Maximum Size. Thirty-two (32) square feet in a four-foot by eight-foot panel.

2.

Refer to the Rubidoux Village Design Workbook for the design, color and font specifications for the header and footer bands.

a.

Copy is limited to the name of the future facility, logo/logotype, the subtext description of the project, the developer(s), the general contractor, the lender, the architect, landscape and/or engineer and major tenants, the proposed time of opening and a contact name and telephone number to pre-leasing information.

b.

Maximum Height. Ten (10) feet.

c.

When smaller signs are utilized, the required header and footer bands must be proportionately sized and incorporated.

K.

Sign Materials. Signs may be constructed of the following materials:

1.

Neon. Neon tube lighting, particularly that of an artistic nature, reflecting the new technology and shaping methods of the medium. (Restricted to the Rubidoux-Village Commercial area only.)

2.

Wood. Laser carved, sand blasted and built-up wooden signs, particularly those hanging from wall or ceiling brackets and receiving spotlight illumination.

3.

Metal, Brass, Copper, Gold Plate and Brushed Metal Signs. Either plaques or individual letters.

4.

Wood Letters. Wood letters and numbers may be used in locations that are sheltered from the weather.

5.

Painting signs: hand-painted signs on walls, wood or other backing material, mounted or free-standing.

6.

Plastic, acrylic and other synthetic materials. Plastic sign bands used in connection with a larger sign board or glazed sign box.

7.

Concrete. May be used as a primary sign material and may be either natural or tinted in color. Any surface treatment consistent with the design of the project and the Rubidoux Village Design Workbook may be used. When used as a base or structural support material, the design and finish treatment must be consistent with the overall design statement of the project's architecture.

8.

Banner and Flag Material. Banners and flags must be of all-weather fabric treated to withstand both water and solar exposure. Treated canvas, sail cloth and woven nylon are acceptable examples. Samples of the materials must accompany the sign permit application.

L.

Processing Procedure.

1.

For applications within the Rubidoux Village policy area of the Jurupa Community Plan, approval of the design and location of the sign shall be obtained from the county economic development agency before the application will be accepted for processing by the county planning department.

2.

No outdoor advertising sign(s) and/or structure(s) shall be placed or erected until an application has been approved by the county economic development agency, and a permit issued by the county planning director on the form provided by the county planning department accompanied by the filing fee set forth in Ordinance No. 671 and meeting the requirements of Chapter 17.216.

3.

The application shall consist of five copies of a plot plan drawn to scale, containing the name, address or telephone number of the applicant, and a general description of the property and/or structure upon which the outdoor advertising sign(s) and/or structure(s) are proposed to be placed.

4.

The plot plan shall show the precise location, type, and size of the proposed outdoor advertising sign(s) and/or structure(s), all property lines, zoning, and the dimension, location of and distance to the nearest building, public and private roads, and other rights-of-way, building setback lines, and specifically planned future road right-of-way lines, and any and all other information required in such a manner that the proposed sign(s) and/or structure(s) may be readily ascertained, identified and evaluated.

M.

Approvals and Modifications. The design of all signs for specific projects must accompany the application for plot plan review, conditional use permit or building permit, depending on the nature and size of the proposed project.

1.

Modification. Where a modification is requested that does not exceed a ten (10) percent deviation from the standards contained in this section, the planning director with the consent of the executive director of the redevelopment agency shall review and approve the request with or without conditions. There shall be a ten (10) day appeal period from the planning director's decision which shall then be heard before the planning commission within forty-five (45) days of the date of appeal.

2.

Amendment to the Rubidoux Village Policy Area Sign Program. Any amendment to the Rubidoux Village Design Workbook requiring the sign program shall be reflected in this section.

3.

A specific plan or large project that seeks to adopt its own sign program may do so. The proposed specific plan project must be compatible with an clearly related to the regulations of this title and specific findings must be so made.

(Ord. 348.3857, 1999; Ord. 348.3842, 1998; Ord. 348.3804, 1997; Ord. 348 § 19.8)

Nothing in this chapter shall prevent Riverside County from entering into a billboard relocation agreement under the following circumstances with an outdoor advertising display owner and/or with the owner of the land on which that display is constructed or erected.

A.

The billboard relocation agreement concerns an already-existing outdoor adverstising display that is being relocated on the same underlying pacel of land because the original location of the display is within an existing or comtemplated public right-of-way. A display may be relocated to a portion of the underlying parcel that is zoned so as to prohibit outdoor advertising displays if the already-existing display is located in a zone that prohibits such displays. A display may also be relocated to a portion of the underlying parcel that is within the boundaries of a significant resourse as defined in this chapter if the already-existing display is located within the boundaries of a significant resourse.

B.

The already-exitsing outdoor advertising display either complies with all applicable Riverside County ordinances and regulations in effect at the time of the relocation, or it is a legal nonconforming outdoor advertising display in the sense that it complied with all applicable Riverside County ordinances and regulations in effect at the time of its construction or erection.

C.

Except as explicitly provided otherwise in the section, the relocated outdoor advertising display shall be subject to the permit procedures and standards described in this chapter.

(Ord. 348.4110 § 4, 2003)