HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 1509 (Zoning-Signs Amendments)CLERK'S CERTIFICATE
I, JEANNE M. LEONCINI, Clerk of the City of San Rafael, and
Ex -officio Clerk of the Council of said City, do hereby certify that
the foregoing Charter Ordinance No. 1509 entitled:
"AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL AMENDING
SECTIONS OF CHAPTER 14.12, "ZONING - SIGNS," REPEALING SECTIUNS
14.12.03.I "SIGNS ON VEHICLES," 14.12.04 "WHAT IS EXEMPT," 14.12.10.B
"BUSINESS SIGN," 14.12.10.P "POLITICAL SIGN" AND AMENDING SECTION
8.12.080 OF CHAPTER 8.12, "MISCELLANEOUS PUBLIC OFFENSES" AND
REPEALING SECTION 8.12.090"
is a true and correct copy of an ordinance of said City and was
introduced at a Regular meeting of the City Council
of the City of San Rafael, held on the Seventeenth day of
June , 19 8� published as required by City Charter in the
Independent Journal a newspaper published in the City
of San Rafael and passed and adopted as an ordinance of said City at
a Regular meeting of the City Council of said City
held on the First day of July 1985, by the following
vote, to wit:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS:Frugoli, Nave, Russom & Mayor Mulryan
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS:None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS:Breiner
WITNESS my hand and the official seal
of the City of San Rafael this
Third day of July
19Ba.
JE .E M. LEONCI City Clerk
4
;7
ORDINANCE NO. 1509
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SAN RAFAEL AMENDING SECTIONS OF CHAPTER 14.12, "ZONING
- SIGNS," REPEALING SECTIONS 14.12.03.I "SIGNS ON
VEHICLES," 14.12.04 "WHAT IS EXEMPT," 14.12.10.B
"BUSINESS SIGN," 14.12.10.P "POLITICAL SIGN" AND
AMENDING SECTION 8.12.080 OF CHAPTER 8.12, "MISCELLANEOUS
PUBLIC OFFENSES" AND REPEALING SECTION 8.12.090
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
as follows:
SECTION 1: Chapter 14.12 of Title 14, is amended to read
SECTION 14.12.01 entitled "Purpose" is amended to
read as follows:
The regulation and control of the location, size, type
and number of signs permitted shall be governed by the
provisions of this Chapter. The purpose of the
Chapter shall be to safeguard and enhance property
values; to protect the public and private investment
in buildings and open spaces; to preserve and improve
the visual appearance of the City as a place in which
to live and to work and as an attraction to nonresi-
dents who come to visit or trade; to encourage sound
signing practices as an aid to business and for the
information of the public; to insure the preservation
of freedom of speech; to preserve and promote traffic
safety, and to promote the public health, safety, and
general welfare. The amendments contained herein
shall (1) apply to all signs posted on the effective
date of this ordinance, and, (2) all signs posted
thereafter.
SECTION 14.12.02 entitled "What is permitted" is
amended to read as follows:
1. All commercial signs require a sign permit from
the Planning Department or the Planning Commission
(See Section 14.12.05) unless specifically
exempted. Noncommercial signs shall conform to
these regulations regarding location, number,
type, square footage, total signage and all other
requirements of this chapter, unless otherwise
specified, but shall not require a permit from the
City.
2. The following table is designed to show in a
concise way what signing is permitted for dif-
ferent uses. (Note: building permits may also be
required.)
3. Be sure to refer to Sections 14.12.02 C., D., and
E. after reading the tables for special limita-
tions not shown on the tables.
on
Section 14.12.02A, Entitled
Specific Uses or Purposes:
USE OR PURPOSE
"Sign Standards by Land Use or Purpose:
is amended to read as follows:
SIZE LIMITATIONS AND
SPECIAL CONDITIONS
Address
0 0 0 0 0 0 Street number and/or name not exceeding one
square foot in area per si n for single
family or duplex and four (4) square feet
per sign for all other uses. NO SIGN PERMIT
REQUIRED.
New business - Grand Temporary
Opening
• • • 0 No stated limitations except those included
(21 days)
in 14.12.03A,D,E,F,H,I,J,K,L,M,PI,P of this
Chapter. One time, only, for maximum of
twenty-one (21) consecutive days provided
Auto (used car
beninninq and ending dates are filed with the
sales)
Planninn Department prior thereto.
Apartment buildings 0
or residential
0 f] Nameplates not exceedinn a total of 20 sq. ft.
projects of 3 or
in area and two in number may be placed on
more units
the wall or freestandinq. When freestanding,
mobile home sales
the maximum heinht shall not exceed 10 feet.
not in a building
In addition to the above, one rental and
vacancy information sign up to a maximum of
6 sq. ft. is permitted on the wall.
Auto (new car sales) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
(a) Freeway oriented auto dealership. Lot
frontaqe 250 or more linear feet; minimum
setback of building 35 feet.
1. Two (2) freestanding signs.
a. One (1) Primary Identification Siqn:
Max. area - 72 sq. ft.
Max. height - 21 feet
b. One (1) Secondary sion for used car
sales or Service Department only:
Max. area - 36 sq. ft.
Max. height - 14 feet
(Square feet not transferable or
combinable.)
2. One (1) wall sign or mansard roof sion.
(Maximum allowable signage is 200
square feet.)
(b) For Freeway Oriented sites of 249 or fewer
linear feet or for Nonfreeway oriented sites
sign standards shall be as set forth in
Sections 14.12.02C,D,E."
Auto (new car sales)
0 Window sions at auto sales agencies in excess
of twenty-five (25) percent of window area:
Once per year for a period not to exceed
twenty-one (21) consecutive days, providing
the beginning and endinq dates are filed with
the Planninq Department prior thereto. Signs
may be placed on the inside or painted upon
the inside or outside of up to 100 percent of
window area.
Auto (used car
sales)
See Sections 14.12.028,C.
Auto sale - signs
• • • • Limited to one (1) window per car and not
on vehicle, camper,
exceeding two (2) sq. ft. in area per car.
travel trailer
Signs located on the outside of the window
mobile home sales
either must be painted on the window or made
not in a building
of weather resistant material.
—2—
USE OR PURPOSE
Banners
Cemetery
Christmas Tree Lots
Churches
Clocks (on private
property)
Clubs for physical
recreation - golf,
tennis, swimming,
yacht, etc.
Construction site
Credit cards
accepted; trading
stamps given; asso-
ciation memberships
Day care facility
Family care
facility
Flags
TYPE -
ILLUMI-
NATION
LOCATIONS
SIZE LIMITATIONS AND
SPECIAL CONDITIONS
Prohibited (except to announce "New Business --
Grand Opening")
• • • • • Freestandinq at entrances. not exceeding a
height of five (5) feet and twelve (12) sq. ft.
in area. one (1) in number per entrance.
See "Seasonal Sales".
• • • • • • • Not exceeding twelve (12) square feet per
directory siqn nor twenty (20) square feet in
total area for all signs. Freestanding signs
additionally limited to ten (10) feet in
height and twelve (12) square feet in area
and requirements set forth in Section 14.12.02D
"Specific Standards Freestandinq Signs".
• • • • • • • • When clock face contains advertising, entire
clock face is measured as a sign and counted
in lieu of signing otherwise permitted.
• • • • • Not to exceed twenty (20) square feet in
total area, and two (2) in number.
• • • • • • Not exceeding thirty-six (36) square feet in
area and one (1) in number. Limited to
period of actual construction. Where there
is more than one contractor, all signs shall
be on one panel.
• • • • • • Permanent signs not exceeding one-half (1/2)
square foot per siqn up to a maximum of six
(6) in number and three (3) square feet in
total area. NO SIGN PERMIT REQUIRED.
Not exceeding twelve (12) square feet in area
and one (1) in number.
Not exceeding two (2) square feet in area and
one (1) in number.
Prohibited (except as listed under 14.12.02F).
Group care facility • I • • • Not exceeding six (6) square feet in area and
one (1) in number.
Home occupation • I • • • Not exceeding one (1) square foot in area and
one (1) in number.
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USE OR PURPOSE
TYPE
ILLUMI- LOCATIONS SIZE LIMITATIONS AND
NATION
SPECIAL CONDITIONS
a
o �
a
ti
C ^W�
Lodges, fraternal
0 0
Not exceedin twelve (12) square feet in total
organizations,
area or two (2) in number. Internal illumina-
social halls,
tion not permitted in residential zones.
union halls
Major medical
9 0
0
Not exceeding two (2) square feet per one
facility
thousand (1,000) square feet of gross floor
area to a maximum of one hundred (100) square
feet in total area.
Motion picture
f
Not exceeding one (1) square foot per front
theaters
foot of buildinq for identification and
business sinns. Under sign review additional
square footage in specified areas may be
permitted for changeable copy signs.
Non-Cmmmercial
0 0 0
9
0 0 0 0 0 0
Not exceedinn the total signage allotted per
Signs
lot under this chapter.
Office, professional
0
•
• i •
Not exceeding four (4) square feet in total
(Maximum two (2)
area and two (2) in number.
professionals in
building
Office buildings
0
0
• 0 •
Nameplates not exceeding a total of 20 sq. ft.
in area and two (2) in number may be placed
on the office building wall or freestanding.
As an alternative, there may be one or two
directory signs containing three (3) sq. ft.
in area for each office in the building up to
a maximum total (one sign, or as a combined
total when two signs) of thirty-six (36)
square feet.
Public and parochial
0
0
6 0 0 0
Not exceeding twenty (20) square feet In total
schools and institu-
area and two (2) in number.
tions of a charita-
ble or civic nature
Temporary
One (1) sign, maximum twenty (20) sq. ft. for
72 hours when immediately preceding and related
to a charitable or nonprofit special event.
Real Estate:
For sal.e or lease
0 0
0 0 0
On site or structure not exceeding four (4)
temporary
square feet for single -family or duplex and
16 square feet for multiple family, business
and industrial sites, and one (1) In number
per street frontage.
Open House-
0 0
0 0
On site or structure, between hours of 10:00
on site
a.m. and 7:00 p.m. daily only, not exceeding
four (4) sq. ft. in area per sign and one (1)
in number per site or structure.
Open House-
0
Ground mounted between the hours of 10:00 a.m.
off site
and 7:00 p.m. on holidays, Saturdays and Sun-
days only, not exceeding four (4) sq. ft. per
sign and one (1) in number in nelghborhood of
sales. Not to he located In any center median
of a public road or sidewalk. Directional
arrows with address not exceeding two (2) in
number in neighborhood of sales.
-4-
USE OR PURPOSE
Residential name-
plate
Rooming and board-
ing houses
Seasonal sales
conducted outdoors
Service station
(gasoline sales)
permanent signs
TYPE
ILLUMI-I LOCATIONS I SIZE LIMITATIONS AND
NATION SPECIAL CONDITIONS
( (♦ [i Not exceeding two (2) square feet In area and
one (1) in number. NO SIGN PERMIT REQUIRED.
00 Not exceeding six (6) square feet in area and
one (1) in number.
Temporary Number, size and placement as per use permit;
maximum height roof line of structure;
maximum of twenty-one (21) days per site per
calendar year.
Not exceeding 100 sq. ft. in total area and
four (4) in total number of which not more
than two (2) may be projecting or freestanding.
Permanent signs announcing that a station Is
open 24 hours per day shall be included
within these provisions.
Service station
a. Two outside merchandise dI lav stands may be located no farther than six (6)
feet from the
(gasoline sales)
face of the principal building (connected canopy is
not considered as part of
the principal
temporary signs
building) providing that each does not exceed five
(5) feet in height, three
(3) feet In
width nor thirty (30) cubic feet in area. Signs on
a stand shall be limited
to advertising
the merchandise located on the stand. "A" and "I"
frame sign boards shall not
be
considered "merchandise stands" within the meaning
of this section.
b. On the Inside of the office windows: Limited to twenty-four (24) square feet
total area,
25% of any Individual window and not more than two
(2) signs. An application
for sign
review may be submitted to request the designation
of a specific area on the
building face
as an alternative if, due to building design, there
are no windows on a street
face or if
visibility through windows is obscured because the
glass Is tinted.
c. On gasoline pumps: At such t,,,,es as there are no signs posted in windows (as an alterna-
tive to subsection "b" above), signs may he posted on the face of or inside the glass on
each gasoline pump or mounted on top of the pump. When on top of the pump, sign area shall
not exceed eighteen (18) inches in height above the pump or more than twenty-four (24)
inches in length; the maximum number of signs that may he at any single pump location is
four. ("Pump location" is defined to mean the one or more rows of pumps that are located
under a single canopy; or where no canopy exists, that are grouped and oriented in a man-
ner to primarily provide service to one street frontage when a station has frontage on
more than one street.)
d. Price signs readable from adjacent streets may he located in lieu of other advertising as
set forth in subsections "b" or "c" above. The contents of these signs shall be In accor-
dance with requirements of the State of California as to wording, size of words, and
numbers. The colors shall be black letters on a white background.
e. Alternatives: For those service stations where the relation between the building/pump
location and the street is such that alternative sign locations would be more sightly and
effective in appearance and would not increase the total amount of signing on the site
(such as on the columns supporting a nits island canopy), a "sign review application"
requesting the permanent establishment of such alternative locations may be submitted to
and approved by the Planning Director.
I
007C
USE OR PURPOSE I TYPE ILLUMI- I LOCATIONS SIZE LIMITATIONS AND
NATION SPECIAL CONDITIONS
_ a
ti VJ 4 J
h
Shopping centers Individual standards shall be set for each
shopping center.
Subdivision Freestanding sign shall be attached to a
Identification permanent structure designed for the purpose
and located either in the center island or on
one or both sides of the street at one or
more main entrances to a subdivision; not
exceeding a height of ten (in) feet, twelve
(12 square feet in area per sign, nor two
(2) signs per entrance.
Subdivision sales nn site, not exceeding eighty (80) sq. ft. In
(temporary - on area and one (1) in number, permissible for
site) one year with six-month extensions until 90%
of original sales is reached.
Subdivision sales Off site - not exceeding forty (40) sq. ft.
(temporary - In area and one (1) in number, to be used
off site) only when subdivision does not abut arterial
andmay be located at nearest arterial inter-
section, permissible for one year with six-
month extensions until 90% of original sales
is reached.
Subdivision model 0 0 I On site, not exceeding two (2) sq. ft. per
homes (on site) sign in area and one (1) in number per model
home up to a total of six (6) signs.
SECTION 14.12.02.D.4.b entitled "Freestanding Signs"
is amended to read as follows:
If the Planning Director finds, that the purposes of
this ordinance can only be carried out by the place-
ment of landscaping at the base of the supporting
structure, and the applicant does not agree, the
matter may be appealed to the Planning Commission for
Q -M
ORDINANCE NO.150.9
a decision consistent with the provisions of this
ordinance.
SECTION 14.12.02.E.3 regarding "Lots Not Fronting On
Any Street" is amended to read as follows:
Sign review by the Planning Commission shall be re-
quired for all such signs. Under sign review,
approval may be given for the placement of a sign on
an access easement to a lot not having street
frontage, at a point where viewable from the adjoining
public street. In addition to any other requirements,
the applicant shall submit evidence that he or she has
the permission of the owner of the land burdened by
the easement.
SECTION 14.12.02.E.5 regarding "Compliance With Other
Regulations" is amended to read as follows:
The erection or placement of all signs must meet the
requirements of the Building Department of the City of
San Rafael and all other relevant federal, state and
local laws and regulations. (Ord. 1311 Section 2,
1978; Ord. 1287 Section 1 (part), 1978).
SECTION 14.12.02.F is added to Section 14.12.02 to
read as follows:
F. Miscellaneous Standards:
1. No sign shall be built, placed, posted or affixed
in any manner where a portion of the sign or its
supports would interfere with the free use of any
fire escape, exit or standpipe, or obstruct any
required stairway, door, ventilator or window. No
sign shall be built, placed, posted or affixed in
such a manner or location that it will physically
impede or cause hazardous obstruction to the
visibility of vehicles or persons entering or
exiting from doorways or driveways that are in
use.
2. Address, street number and/or name shall not
exceed one square foot in area per sign for
single-family or duplex structure and four square
feet per sign for all other uses. One sign per
frontage is allowed.
3. Commemorative Plaques, memorial signs and tablets
shall be reviewed under environmental design
review. Building name and/or erection date when
cut into a permanent surface or constructed of
noncombustible materials, or religious symbols and
similar emblems shall be submitted with the design
plans for the building and approved under the
Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 14.11.
4. Credit cards accepted; trading stamps given;
association membership; shall not exceed one-half
square foot per sign and six in number.
5. Flags, of any nation, political subdivision,
fraternal or religious organization, and those
flags determined by the Planning Commission to be
of a noncommercial, nonprofit civic character,
providing that the pole height does not exceed
twenty-four feet and the height of the flag is no
more than one-fourth the height of the pole, are
not subject to this chapter. Weather flags,
nautical flags and pennants when displayed on
boats, in marinas, or on any land area within
fifty feet of water frontage, primarily intended
-7-
ORDINANCE NO. 1509
to be viewed from the water and void of any com-
mercial messages are not subject to this chapter.
To accomplish the intent and purpose of this
chapter, a sign application may be submitted to
the Planning Commission for a flagpole higher than
twenty-four feet or a flag that exceeds one-fourth
the height of the pole.
6. Informational signs for the safety and convenience
of the public, such as "rest rooms," "telephone,"
"danger," "impaired clearance," "no smoking," and
other signs of a similar nature, are not subject
to this chapter. ("Parking in rear" and "drive-in
window" signs shall not exceed five square feet in
area) .
7. Interior Signs: Signs located within the interior
of any building, court, or stadium and not visible
from off the site are not subject to this
ordinance.
8. Official Signs: Signs posted pursuant to and in
discharge of any governmental function by public
officials in performance of their duties, includ-
ing but not limited to traffic and street name
signs, as well as notices, emblems or other forms
of identification and signs required by law, are
not subject to this chapter.
9. Residential nameplate shall not exceed two square
feet in area and one in number.
10. Seasonal decorations, holiday greetings, decora-
tions and displays, such as relate to Christmas,
Thanksgiving, the Fourth of July, etc., excluding
advertising signs disguised as seasonal decora-
tions are not subject to this chapter.
11. Signs Required by Law: Signs displayed by
private individuals when required by law, or
regulations of any governmental agency or law are
not subject to this chapter.
12. Signs on vehicles: No vehicle may be used as
platform or substitute for a billboard, free-
standing sign or movable sign whether on private
property or the public right-of-way (See also San
Rafael Municipal Code Section 5.40.040, City
Traffic Regulations).
SECTION 14.12.03.I entitled "Signs On Vehicles" is
repealed.
SECTION 14.12.04 Entitled "What is exempt" is
repealed.
SECTION 14.12.05.A entitled "Conformance" is amended
to read as follows:
Except as otherwise provided in Title 14 of the code,
it shall be unlawful for any person to erect, alter,
or relocate a sign within the city without first
obtaining a permit or permits from the Planning
Department or the Planning Commission as required by
this chapter. This permit procedure shall not apply
to noncommercial signs.
ME
ORDINANCE NO. 1509
SECTION 14.12.05.D entitled "Who Approves Sign
Application" is amended to read as follows:
The Planning Director shall approve applications which
comply with the standards and requirements of this
chapter. The Planning Director may withhold approval
on any application which does not comport with the
standards, provisions, exceptions, prohibitions, or
purposes enunciated in this ordinance. The Planning
Commission will review all applications where an
adjustment is requested.
SECTION 14.12.05.E entitled "Criteria for Approval,
Modification or Disapproval" is amended to read as
follows:
Criteria for Approval or Disapproval. In processing
sign applications, the following standards shall be
used:
1. If the sign is consistent with the purposes and
provisions of this chapter and conforms to the
standards, exceptions, and prohibitions of this
chapter, the sign application shall be approved.
2. If the sign is in conflict with the purposes
and/or provisions, of this chapter and/or does not
conform to the standards, exceptions and/or
prohibitions of this chapter, the sign application
shall be disapproved.
SECTION 14.12.08.B.1.c "Prohibited Signs" is
amended to read as follows:
(1) Signs offensive to morals; (Section 14.12.03.A.1.)
(2) Signs imitative of official signs;
(3) Signs which cause traffic confusion;
(4) Signs, the illumination of which is hazardous to
traffic;
(5) Signs which constitute an obstruction to use or
visibility;
(6) Signs which project over a public right-of-way by
more than twelve inches and which have a minimum
clearance of less than eight feet.
SECTION 14.12.10.B entitled "Business Sign" is
repealed.
SECTION 14.12.10.0 is amended to add "Commercial
Signs," and to read as follows:
"Commercial Sign:" A sign that directs attention to:
a business, product, commodity or service sold, of-
fered or existing, on the premises upon which such
sign is located; or to the price thereof. Where a
number of commodities with different brand names or
symbols are sold on the premises, up to 1/3 of the
area of commercial sign, or 25 square feet of the sign
area, whichever is the lesser, may be devoted to the
advertising of one or more of these commodities by
brand name or symbol as an accessory function of the
commercial sign, provided that such advertising is
integrated with the remainder of the commercial sign.
'3632
ORDINANCE NO. 1509
SECTION 14.12.10.N is amended to add "Noncommercial
sign" and to read as follows:
"Noncommercial sign" means a sign conveying a message
other than the message conveyed by a commercial or
general advertising sign.
SECTION 14.12.10.P entitled "Political sign" is
repealed.
SECTION 14.12.10.S entitled "Sign" is amended to
read:
"Sign" is any medium for visual communication which is
used or intended to be used to attract attention to a
location or subject matter for advertising, instruc-
tion, information or identification purposes.
SECTION 2: Chapter 8.12 "Miscellaneous Public Offenses"
is amended to read as follows:
SECTION 8.12.080 entitled "Billposting and political
signs on public property prohibited" is amended to
read as follows:
"Billposting and signs on public property prohibited"
No person shall paint, mark, write on, post, paste, or
in any manner affix any sign, bill, poster, notice or
matter of any kind whatever to or upon any City
property, park or public place, any streetlight stan-
dards or any sidewall, hydrant, or any tree in or
thereupon within the City. These prohibitions do not
extend to notices that are legally required to be
posted under federal, state, local or judicial
regulations.
SECTION 8.12.090 entitled "Billposting and political
signs on private premises" is repealed.
SECTION 3: If any section, subsection, sentence, clause
or phrase of this ordinance is for any reason held to be invalid,
such holding or holdings shall not affect the validity of the remain-
ing portions of this ordinance. The Council declares that it would
have passed this ordinance and each section, subsection, sentence,
clause and phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or
more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses or phrases be declared
invalid.
SECTION 4: This Ordinance shall be published once in full
before its final passage in a newspaper of general circulation,
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ORDINANCE NO. 1509
published and circulated in the City of San Rafael, and shall be in
full force and effect thirty (30) days after its final passage.
L - R Aate._
LAWRENCE E. MULN, Wayor
Attest:
JM. INtMTREC�ICity Clerk
The foregoing Ordinance No. 1509 was read and introduced
at a Regular meeting of the City Council of the City of San
Rafael on the Seventeenth day of June , 1985, and
ordered passed to print by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Breiner, Frugoli, Nave, Russom & Mayor Mulryan
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
and will come up for adoption as an Ordinance of the City of San
Rafael at a Regular meeting of the Council to be held on the
First day of July , 1985.
JE �M. LE0NCI City Clerk
00C