§ 26-84-030. Permitted signs.

(a)

The following signs are permitted by this chapter and subject to the following regulations. Figure A, set out at the end of this section, summarizes the applicable permits required prior to placement of these signs. Where no permit is specified on Figure A, the applicable signs are not permitted; provided, however, that where the use of a parcel is a mobilehome park, signs may be permitted which conform to the provisions of Section 26-81-030(q)(17), subject to design review approval pursuant to Section 26-81-030(h), and provided further, that signs advertising the sale, exchange and rental of mobilehomes located inside mobilehome parks may be permitted in accordance with the provisions of state law.

(1)

On-site informational signs;

(2)

Directional signs;

(3)

Appurtenant signs;

(4)

Real estate signs;

(5)

Campaign and political signs;

(6)

Outdoor advertising signs and structures.

(b)

On-site Informational Signs. On-site informational signs which meet either of the following criteria are permitted without prior approval of a permit:

(1)

Not more than six (6) square feet in area having no advertising message and not exceeding six feet (6′) in height. Such signs shall bear only name, address, symbol and directing arrow to place of use.

(2)

Signs not exceeding two (2) square feet in area erected for the convenience of the public, such as signs identifying restrooms, entry/exit, public telephones, walkways and similar features and facilities.

On site informational signs not meeting either of the above criteria shall be treated as appurtenant signs and subject to Section 26-84-030(d).

(c)

Directional Signs. Directional signs shall be subject to approval of a use permit in the base districts indicated on said Figure A.

The requirement for use permits for directional signs may be waived only if such signs do not exceed eight (8) square feet in area. In the event of such waiver, the directional sign shall be subject to design review approval. In addition, the use permit requirement may be waived by the planning director for temporary (thirty (30) day) signs advertising events of community interest such as fairs, festivals, parades and the like.

(d)

Appurtenant Signs. Appurtenant signs shall be subject to design review approval in the base districts as indicated on said Figure A, and shall be subject to the following:

(1)

The number of appurtenant signs per parcel shall be limited to one (1) attached sign per building side which fronts onto a project access road. One (1) detached sign may be permitted in place of an attached sign.

(2)

A sign program shall be prepared for multiple occupancy buildings to ensure design consistency and to facilitate sign permit processing.

(3)

The size of appurtenant signs shall be compatible with the proposed use and surrounding land uses and shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet.

(4)

Monument style signs with landscaping provided at the base are recommended for detached appurtenant signs. The maximum height of monument signs shall be six feet (6′) above ground level.

(5)

Lighting. Internal illumination of signs shall be by low intensity lamps and shall be limited to letters and graphic elements, with the surrounding background opaque. Where signs are externally illuminated, adjacent roads and properties shall be screened from the light source.

The design review committee may approve signs which exceed the above standards where it is deemed appropriate in light of topography, vegetation or unique physical characteristics or design features.

Appurtenant signs in the MP (Industrial Park) district shall be permitted pursuant to the provisions of Section 26-44-030. Additional appurtenant signs and sign area beyond that specified in Section 26-44-030 may be allowed subject to issuance of a use permit. The use permit requirement may be waived pursuant to Section 26-88-010(g). In the event of such waiver, additional signs or sign area shall be subject to approval of the design review committee.

(e)

Real Estate Signs.

(1)

On-site real estate and recorded subdivision signs which meet the following criteria are permitted without prior approval of a permit:

(i)

It is located entirely within the property;

(ii)

It is unlighted;

(iii)

It is removed within fifteen (15) days after close of escrow, rental, lease or exchange has been accomplished;

(iv)

Such signs shall not exceed three (3) square feet for lots of less that ten thousand (10,000) square feet; six (6) square feet for lots of less than twenty thousand (20,000) square feet; twelve (12) square feet for lots less than one (1) acre; eighteen (18) square feet for lots of less than five (5) acres; twenty-four (24) square feet for lots less than ten (10) acres; and thirty-two (32) square feet for lots of twenty (20) acres or more;

(v)

A recorded subdivision shall be permitted sixty-four (64) square feet of sign area for temporary sign use, with the provision of additional sign area available through the use permit procedure. One (1) sign not exceeding six (6) square feet in area shall be permitted advertising the sale of a model home or lot for sale. All model home and lot for sale signs shall be removed when the home or lot is sold; provided, further that all signs shall be removed when all homes or lots are sold in the subdivision. Prior to placing the sign on the property or applying for a building permit, the applicant and the recorded owner(s) of the property shall furnish the planning department with written authority granting the county permission to enter upon the premises and remove the sign in the event the permit holder defaults upon the agreement to remove same.

(2)

Off-site real estate signs which are in place for no longer than three (3) days, are less than four (4) square feet in area, are less than four feet (4′) in height, are not illuminated and are not located along a designated scenic corridor, are permitted without prior approval of a permit.

Otherwise, off-site real estate signs shall be subject to approval of a use permit or zoning permit in the base districts as indicated on said Figure A. Notwithstanding said Figure A, all off-site real estate signs located along a designated scenic corridor shall require a use permit. Where such signs require a zoning permit, they are subject to the following criteria:

(i)

No more than two (2) single faced signs, nor more than one (1) double-faced wing type sign, each having a maximum of sixteen (16) square feet on each face, shall be permitted per parcel;

(ii)

They shall not exceed four feet (4′) in height;

(iii)

They shall not be illuminated;

(iv)

They shall be removed within ten (10) days after the close of escrow, lease or exchange has been accomplished. For new residential, commercial and industrial developments, all signs shall be removed within ten (10) days after the close of escrow for the remaining lot or unit in a subdivision, planned development or condominium project, or within ten (10) days after the lease of the remaining unit in a planned development or condominium project. In the event that all signs are not properly removed, a penalty may be imposed sufficient to cover the costs of removal;

(v)

The maintenance and removal of the signs shall be the responsibility of the applicant or his or her representative;

(vi)

They shall be erected in a safe manner in accordance with standards established by the building department;

(vii)

The zoning permit shall be subject to revocation upon failure to comply with the above conditions.

(f)

Campaign and Political Signs. Campaign and political signs may be permitted in any zoning district upon being issued a zoning permit and are subject to the following criteria:

(1)

No more than two (2) sixteen (16) square foot single-faced, nor more than one (1) double faced or wing type, maximum sixteen (16) square feet on each face, political or campaign sign is permitted, per parcel, in the R1 (single family residential) districts;

(2)

In all other zoning districts, two (2) single faced, or one (1) double faced, V-type political campaign sign, maximum thirty-two (32) square feet on each face is permitted, per parcel;

(3)

Prior to the erecting or posting of any political or campaign sign on private property, the candidate, campaign manager or sponsor shall contact the planning department to determine the applicable sign regulations. All signs shall be removed entirely within twenty (20) days of the close of the campaign. In the event that all signs are not properly removed, a penalty may be imposed sufficient to cover the costs of removal;

(4)

No signs shall be erected earlier than ninety (90) days prior to the election in which the candidate or measure will be voted upon. Signs on behalf of a political candidate who is successful in the primary election may be retained for the general election, provided they are properly maintained;

(5)

The maintenance and removal of the signs is the responsibility of the candidate, campaign manager or sponsors;

(6)

No detached sign shall be located closer to a road, street or common driveway than the property line and may not obstruct sighting distance for vehicle traffic;

(7)

No sign shall be placed so that the top of the sign is more than four feet (4′) above the top of a fence, and in no case, more than seven feet (7′) above the ground;

(8)

All sign structures shall be erected in a safe manner in accordance with standards established by the building department;

(9)

The zoning permit shall be subject to revocation upon failure to comply with the above conditions.

(g)

Outdoor Advertising Structures and Signs. Outdoor advertising structures and signs are subject to prior approval of a use permit only in the base districts as indicated on Figure A and are subject to, at a minimum, the following criteria. The use permit requirement for temporary (30-day) outdoor advertising signs for events of general community interest, such as fairs, festivals, parades and the like may be waived by the planning director.

(1)

Outdoor advertising structures or signs may be of a "V" or back-to-back type of construction and shall not exceed two (2) advertising displays facing in each direction.

(2)

No outdoor advertising structures or signs shall be erected or maintained closer than two thousand feet (2,000′) to any historical or national monument or shrine.

(3)

Outdoor advertising structures and signs located along roadways which are not designated as scenic corridors shall meet the following spacing requirements:

(i)

Outdoor advertising structures and signs along any freeway, expressway or limited access highway: no closer than one thousand feet (1,000′) from any other outdoor advertising structure or sign, with the distance to be measured parallel to the centerline of such highway;

(ii)

Outdoor advertising structures and signs in a business area not located along a freeway, expressway or limited access highway. no closer than two hundred feet (200′) to any other outdoor advertising structure or sign facing in the same direction, and on the same side of the highway;

(iii)

Outdoor advertising structures or signs in other that a business area, and not located along a freeway, expressway or limited access highway: no closer than five hundred feet (500′) from any other advertising structure or sign with the distance to be measured parallel to the centerline of the highway.

(4)

Outdoor advertising structures and signs along designated scenic corridors shall meet, at a minimum, the following design criteria, in addition to criteria (1) and (2) above.

(i)

The structure or sign shall be for on-site advertising purposes only;

(ii)

The advertising message shall be restricted to the name and location of the business or service;

(iii)

The structure or sign shall not exceed ten feet (10′) in height along the Highway 101 Scenic Corridor or six feet (6′) in height along all other scenic corridors;

(iv)

The size of the structure or sign shall be limited to that which is necessary to allow passing motorists to identify the location;

(v)

Landscaping shall be provided at the base of the structure or sign;

(vi)

The structure or sign shall consist of colors and materials which complement and blend in the surrounding landscape; bright colors should be avoided;

(vii)

Outdoor advertising structures or signs shall meet the following spacing requirements:

(A)

Along any freeway, expressway or limited access highway: no closer than two thousand feet (2,000′) from other outdoor advertising structure or sign facing in the same direction and on the same side of the highway;

(B)

In a business area not located along a freeway, expressway or limited access highway: no closer than five hundred feet (500′) from any other outdoor advertising structure or sign facing in same direction, and on the same side of the highway;

(C)

In other than a business area and not located along a freeway, expressway, or limited access highway: no closer than one thousand feet (1,000′) to any other outdoor advertising structure or sign measured parallel to the centerline of the highway.

(h)

Viticultural Signing.

(1)

Viticultural area signs shall be subject to approval of a zoning permit in the base zoning districts indicated in Figure A.

(2)

The maximum height of height of the sign is to be twenty feet (20′) above road grade, including the header.

(3)

The viticultural area signs are to be located on a six inch (6″) by six inch (6″) post.

(4)

Panels. No more than fifteen (15) panels with winery names are to be placed on the post. The panels shall not be more than one inch (1″) by six inches (6″) by thirty-six inches (36″).

(5)

Header. An oval header panel is to be located on top of the post with the name "Sonoma County," the name of the grape growing area and with a grape logo. It is to be made of similar construction to the winery panel not more than one inch (1″) by thirty inches (30″) by fifteen inches (15″).

(6)

Approval of all signs shall be conditioned on maintenance of the sign by the applicants of the zoning permit. If the sign is determined to be a hazard, the county may remove the sign without notice, hearing or compensation.

(7)

The sign shall not cause a visual obstruction, as defined in the state's outdoor advertising act.

(Ord. No. 4876 § 1, 1995; Ord. No. 4774 § 1(C), 1994; Ord. No. 4643, 1993.)

Figure A

Permitted Signs

By Type and Base Zoning District

	Directional	Appurtenant	Real Estate Off-Site	Campaign and Political Signs	Outdoor Advertising Structures and Signs	Viticultural Area Signs
LIA	UP	DR	ZP	ZP		ZP
LEA	UP	DR	ZP	ZP		ZP
DA	UP	DR	ZP	ZP		ZP
RRD	UP	DR	ZP	ZP		ZP
RRDWA	UP	DR	ZP	ZP		ZP
TP		DR	ZP	ZP		ZP
AR	UP	DR	ZP	ZP		ZP
RR		DR	ZP	ZP		ZP
R1		DR	UP	ZP		ZP
R2			UP	ZP		ZP
R3			UP	ZP		ZP
PC		DR	UP	ZP		ZP
CO		DR	UP	ZP		ZP
C1	UP	DR	UP	ZP	UP	ZP
C2	UP	DR	UP	ZP	UP	ZP
C3	UP	DR	UP	ZP	UP	ZP
LC	UP	DR	UP	ZP	UP	ZP
RC	UP	DR	UP	ZP	UP	ZP
AS	UP	DR	UP	ZP		ZP
K	UP	DR	UP	ZP		ZP
MP		see 26-422(C)	UP	ZP	UP	ZP
M1	UP	DR	UP	ZP	UP	ZP
M2	UP	DR	UP	ZP	UP	ZP
M3	UP	DR	UP	ZP	UP	ZP
PF		DR	UP	ZP		ZP

 

ZP — Zoning District

DR — Design Review

UP — Use Permit