Promote and maintain economically viable commercial enterprises for the benefit of Santa Rosa's citizens;

Encourage signing which identifies businesses in a fair and equitable manner;

Ensure that signs safely attract and direct persons to various destinations;

Protect public and private property values and investment;

Reduce hazards to motorists and pedestrians which result from excessive, confusing, and distracting signs; and

Preserve and enhance the aesthetic quality of the entire community.

Signs regulated. The requirements of this Chapter shall apply to all signs in all zoning districts, except on a site for which a specific plan has established separate sign regulations.

Applicability to sign content. The provisions of this Chapter do not regulate the message content of signs (sign copy), regardless of whether the message content is commercial or noncommercial.

Definitions. Definitions of the specialized terms and phrases used in this Chapter may be found in Division 7, Definitions under "Sign."

Permission of property owner. No sign shall be placed on public or private property without first obtaining permission from the property owner.

Maintenance—Continuing. Each sign in the City shall be maintained in good structural condition at all times. All painted signs shall be kept neatly painted, including all metal parts and supports. The Code Enforcement Officer shall inspect and have the authority to order the painting, repair, alteration, or removal of signs that become dilapidated or are abandoned, or which constitute a hazard to the public safety.

Building Permits required. A building permit is required for any sign that exceeds six feet in height or requires an electrical connection.

Design Guidelines. See Section 4.8 (Signs) of the City's Design Guidelines.

Sign Permit application. An application for a Sign Permit shall be prepared, filed and processed, in compliance with Chapter 20.50, Permit Application Filing and Processing. The application shall include required application fees, architectural elevations and plans of all proposed signs drawn to scale, with all dimensions noted, and include illustrations of copy, colors, materials, and samples of the proposed colors and materials. The plans submitted shall also show the location of each sign on buildings and the site.

Sign Permit review authority. The Director shall review all Sign Permit applications, except within the Historic (- H) overlay zone, where Sign Permit review may be by the CHB in compliance with Chapter 20-58 (Historic and Cultural Preservation) at the determination of the Director. The review authority may require conditions of approval as are reasonably necessary to achieve the purposes of this Chapter.

Sign Programs. A Sign Program shall be required for any multiple occupancy commercial office building or business park complex or medical complex where the individual tenant spaces are not the location or adjacent to the location of the proposed individual tenant signs. Sign programs for other development types such as shopping centers, industrial complexes, and/or business parks where the sign locations are on the tenant spaces themselves, are optional at the owners' discretion. A sign program may also be proposed to provide identity and directional signage for a City recognized neighborhood or district. A Sign Program shall be approved by the Director, or elevated to the appropriate review authority, at the discretion of the Director.

Findings for approval. The approval of a Sign Permit or Sign Program shall require that the review authority first make all the following findings:

Approval period, expiration, and time extension of Sign Permits. A Sign Permit approval shall expire one year from its date of issuance, unless the sign has been installed within the period or a later expiration date is stated in writing at the time of approval.

Agricultural signs. Signs in agricultural zones advertising sale of products or other items raised or produced on-site are allowed without a Sign Permit, providing there is no more than one sign per parcel and the sign does not exceed 20 square feet in area.

Commemorative plaques. Signs commemorating an historical building name register and/or erection date, when cut into or affixed to a permanent surface and not exceeding four square feet per building are allowed without a Sign Permit.

Construction signs. One sign per construction site announcing a construction project, architect, builder/developer, engineer, etc., and not exceeding 32 square feet is allowed without a Sign Permit.

Credit cards, trading stamps, association membership. Up to six signs per business identifying credit cards, trading stamps, or association membership not exceeding one square foot per sign are allowed without a Sign Permit.

Directional signs and notices. Signs showing the location of public facilities such as public telephones, restrooms, and underground utilities are allowed without a Sign Permit.

Garage sale signs. Up to one sign located at the residence where the garage sale sign is being conducted and not exceeding four square feet is allowed without a Sign Permit.

Governmental signs. Signs installed or authorized by the City, or a Federal or State governmental agency within a public right-of-way; and any sign, posting, notice, or similar sign placed by, allowed by or required by a governmental agency in carrying out its responsibility to protect public health, safety, and general welfare, installed on City owned property, are allowed without a Sign Permit.

Interior signs. Signs located in excess of five feet inside exterior windows, walls or doors of any building, mall, court, stadium or enclosed lobby, when such signing is intended for interior viewing only are allowed without a Sign Permit.

Non-profit organization signs. Signs and notices containing the identification of nonprofit service clubs, religious organizations, charitable organizations or associations and containing information relating to their meetings, fund raising, other nonprofit activities and not exceeding 12 square feet and occurring no more than four times within a 12-month period are allowed without a Sign Permit.

Nonstructural modifications, and maintenance. The following maintenance or modifications to signs are allowed without a Sign Permit:

Official flags. Up to three flags per site identifying national, State, or local governments, or nationally recognized religious, fraternal, or public service agencies are allowed without a Sign Permit, provided that the length of the flag shall not exceed one-fourth the height of the flag pole. The maximum allowed height of a flag pole in a residential zoning district shall be 12 feet; the maximum height of a flag pole in a non-residential zoning district shall be 30 feet. Additional height may be authorized by the Zoning Administrator through the Minor Design Review process. No flag shall be located within the public right-of-way unless placed by, allowed by or required by a governmental agency.

On-site signs required for city public hearing notification. On-site signs for public hearing notification before a City agency are allowed without a Sign Permit but shall comply with the following specifications and operational procedures:

Private directional signs. Directional or informational signs not exceeding five square feet in area, bearing no advertising message, and located wholly on the site to which the sign pertains are allowed without a Sign Permit. These signs shall not impede vehicular and/or pedestrian visibility in any way.

Real estate for sale or lease signs. One real estate for sale or lease sign is allowed on any lot or parcel for each side with street exposure without a Sign Permit with the following provisions:

Seasonal decorations—Private property. Seasonal and/or holiday decorations and displays such as those related to Thanksgiving or the Fourth of July, not including advertising signs disguised as seasonal decorations, are allowed without a Sign Permit.

Signs required by law. Signs displayed by private individuals, when required by law or regulations of any governmental agency, including, but not limited to, service station pricing signs when such signs are clearly secondary to identification signing, are allowed without a Sign Permit.

Street number, address, and/or name. Two signs for each building not exceeding one square foot each in single-family and duplex zoning districts and three square feet each in all other zoning districts are allowed without a Sign Permit.

Temporary signs within commercial zoning districts. Temporary on-site, wall-mounted signs are allowed within commercial zoning districts without a Sign Permit for a maximum of 45 days after the opening of a new business, provided that the area of the temporary signs shall not exceed 50 percent of the total sign area allowed on the site by Section 20-38.070, Zoning District Sign Standards.

Temporary signs for City activities. Signs and notices containing the identification of city charitable activities, seasonal programs, special events, and/or City affiliated not-for-profit service clubs containing information relating to their meetings, fund raising, other nonprofit activities or seasonal programs offered, and not exceeding 48 square feet and occurring no more than four times within a 12-month period at each location, are allowed without a Sign Permit.

Drive-through menu boards excluding digital menu boards. Locations with approved drive through facilities are permitted a maximum of 30 square feet of menu reader board, with no portion of a menu board permitted to be over seven feet in height.

Wayfinding and gateway signage. Special wayfinding, gateway, and directional signage located within the -DSA combining district does not require a Sign Permit when proposed as part of a project that is subject to Design Review. The signs may be off site and located in the public right-of-way and may not include advertising or commercial identification. The size, location, and number of signs shall be determined by the review authority. Signs must be provided in English and Spanish. A Sign Permit and Design Review by the Director shall be required for signage proposed as part of a project that is not subject to discretionary Design Review.

Sign area measurement. The measurement of sign area to determine compliance with the sign area limitations of this chapter shall occur as follows.

Freestanding sign height measurement. The height of a freestanding sign shall be measured as the vertical distance from the lowest point of the base of the sign structure, to the highest point of the structure, where the lowest point of the base of the structure does not include fill, planters, or other material artificially placed to allow increased sign height. See Figure 3-15.

Sign location requirements.

Residential zoning districts. Each sign in a residential zoning district established by Section 20-20.020 (Zoning Map and Zoning Districts), shall comply with the following requirements.

Commercial and industrial zoning district sign standards. Each sign in the commercial and industrial zoning districts established by Chapter 2, Zoning Districts and Allowable Land Uses, shall comply with the requirements in Table 3-10, in addition to the provisions of Section 20-38.080, Standards for Special Category Signs, as applicable.

New-car auto dealerships identification signs. The following requirements apply to new-car auto dealership identification signs:

Child day care facilities identification. Each facility is permitted two nameplate or identification signs, not to exceed 12 square feet each.

Church and private school bulletin boards. Identification and directory signs shall comply with Section 20-38.070, Zoning District Sign Standards. A public, service or religious facility may be permitted a notice board not over 16 square feet, when located on the same site, in addition to identification signing. See Table 3-9 for signs proposed in Residential Zoning Districts.

Election campaign signs. Election campaign signs are permitted in compliance with all of the following requirements:

Historic District signs. Signs located within a Historic District designated by the Council shall comply with the historic guidelines pertaining to that district, and all other development criteria associated with modifications to historic structures. The appropriate application for processing signs in Historic Districts is the Sign Application. A Landmark Alteration Permit is not required; however, individual sign permits may be referred to the Cultural Heritage Board for their review and decision at the discretion of the Director.

Motion picture theater identification signs. Changeable copy signs up to 65 square feet may be permitted by the Design Review Board in addition to the allowable number of signs in Section 20-38.070, Zoning District Sign Standards.

Professional office building directory signs. Directory signing in addition to the allowable signs permitted in Section 20-38.070, Zoning District Sign Standards, may be approved by the Director, provided that the signing does not exceed 20 square feet.

Public directional signs. Public directional signs may be permitted for wineries, ice arenas, hospitals, clinics, museums and/or similar uses which are unique tourist or community serving destinations for which the Council Director determines there is an extraordinary need because the public has difficulty locating or there is a public benefit provided by the use. The signs shall be off-site, located in the public right-of-way, identify only the type of use, and not include advertising or commercial identification. The signs shall not exceed a maximum of one three square feet in area, two in number, and eight feet in height. The signs require Sign Permits and shall be installed and maintained by the city after approvals are obtained. The appropriate size, location and number of these signs shall be determined by the Director in consultation with the Public Works Department.

Public service signs. Signs that provide a public service, such as civic center, performing arts center, special civic event holiday, and time and temperature, public transit schedules etc. when not promoting any product advertising message or business identification, may be allowed in addition to the signs permitted under Section 20-38.070, Zoning District Sign Standards.

School signs (public or private). Identification and directory signs may be permitted provided that all signing is located on site and does not exceed a maximum combined area of 100 square feet.

Service stations (permanent signing). Notwithstanding the signs permitted under Section 20-38.070, Zoning District Sign Standards, the following signs are permitted for service stations:

Decorations and events—Public property. Seasonal decorations and banners, decorations, and identification signs, containing not more than the name, logo, name or logo of sponsor (less than 20 percent of sign area), and date of an event may be displayed on public property at a height of greater than eight feet, if the event has been approved or recognized by resolution of the Council or their delegate. The proposed signing and decorations shall be reviewed and approved by the Director as to their design and placement on public property. "Event" as used in this Section means a major civic activity, which may be City-sponsored, and which involves expressly invited community-wide participation, such as the Santa Rosa Downtown Market, the Rose Parade, and First Night. Banners, decorations and signs may be placed up to 30 days before an event and shall be removed within five working days after the conclusion of an event. Temporary signs shall be allowed, during and within the boundaries of the event, which identify activities, features, services, facilities, goods, and food or beverages available at locations included within the event, whether or not on public property.

A shopping center, business or industrial park may be identified by a common sign, provided that only one sign shall be located on each specific street frontage which provides access to the center, or at an intersection of two streets with access to the center. A shopping center sign should identify the entire center and shall not be named for individual tenants or major users.

Subdivision signs—Permanent identification signs. Permanent identification signing attached to a permanent structure designed for the purpose of subdivision identification and located at the subdivision entry on private property, not exceeding a height of nine feet, nor two signs per entrance may be permitted.

Subdivision signs—Temporary identification and sales signs.

Temporary signs. Temporary signs are any sign which is temporary, incidental, and is used for the purpose of conveying information concerning goods, services, or facilities available on the premises in addition to permanent signs allowed under this chapter. Temporary signing shall be permitted to be displayed on site for a total of 14 consecutive days unless otherwise specified. The following temporary signs are permitted:

Window signs. The following standards apply to window signs in all zoning districts where allowed by Section 20-38.070, Zoning District Sign Standards.

Business that sell hemp derived CBD products. Business that sell hemp derived CBD products shall not advertise or market hemp or hemp derived CBD products on an advertising sign within 1,000 feet of a day care center, school providing instruction in kindergarten or any grades 1 through 12, playground or youth center.

Abandoned signs. No person shall maintain or permit to be maintained on any property owned or controlled by him or her, any sign which has been abandoned. Any such sign shall promptly be removed by the owner or persons controlling the premises. Any sign which is located on property which becomes vacant and unoccupied for a period of six months or more, or any sign which was erected for any occupant or business unrelated to the present occupant or his or her business, or any sign which pertains to a time, event, or purpose which no longer applies, shall be presumed to have been abandoned, except that permanent signs applicable to a business temporarily suspended by reason of a change of ownership or management of such business shall not be considered abandoned unless the property remains vacant for a period of six months.

Signs on public property. The tacking, posting, painting, marking, writing, gluing, taping or otherwise affixing of signs, including, but not limited to, posters, flyers and handbills, to or on any tree, pole, post, or any other structure, whether publicly or privately owned, which is located on public property or within the public right-of-way, without the prior written authorization of the governmental entity owning or in control thereof, is a public nuisance and is prohibited. Signs posted in violation of this subsection are subject to immediate removal. Violation of this subsection shall be prosecuted as an infraction. Any person who owns an interest in or is an officer, partner or member of any business or association or venture, including performing arts groups, whether for profit or not for profit, which is advertised in a sign covered by this subsection or any person who tacks, posts, erects or otherwise affixes or procures the doing of same of a sign covered by this subsection shall be strictly liable for such violations. The posting of each sign shall constitute a separate violation.

Moving, flashing, electronic/digital and windblown signs. No moving, rotating, flashing, or changing of color intensity or signs with electronic/digitally created content (i.e., electronic reader board signs), and no windblown signs, such as posters, pennants, streamers, or strings of light bulbs, balloons, or other inflated objects are permitted. The only exceptions to these requirements are time and temperature devices, digital service station price signs, digital drive-thru restaurant menu boards, and signs installed by a governmental agency in carrying out its responsibility to protect public health, safety and general welfare.

Freeway oriented signs. Signs primarily oriented toward freeways and highways are prohibited. Signs shall be oriented toward local streets and businesses entrances.

Off-site signs (billboards).

Portable signs. An "A" frame sign or other sign attached to a device used to allow the sign to be rolled or moved around is prohibited. Included in this category are signs larger than three square feet affixed to a vehicle intended for the purpose of business identification, directional to a business, or advertisement of a business.

Roof signs. No sign shall be installed upon, against or directly above a roof or on top of or above the parapet of a building. Exception: if found by the Design Review Board to qualify as an architectural element designed in conjunction with the building architecture the provisions of this subsection shall not apply.

Cabinet signs. Internally illuminated cabinet signs which utilize two-dimensional plastic faces with the entire background illuminated are prohibited. Cabinet signs which incorporate three-dimensional textured faces, routed faced push-through copy and/or opaque (plastic/metal/wood) backgrounds are appropriate.

Pole mounted signs. A freestanding sign mounted to a visible structural support structure is prohibited.

Temporary and portable signs. Temporary and portable signs, except as allowed by Sections 20-38.070.O and P, are prohibited.

Vision triangle. Placement of any sign within a vision triangle is prohibited.

Other signs. Signs that are obscene, illegal, hazardous to traffic, imitative of official government signs (i.e., Stop, Danger, Caution, etc.) or obstructive to public visibility, so as to create a hazard to the public are prohibited.

General. Except as provided in Subsection E, any existing sign that was lawfully erected and maintained prior to the original adoption of this chapter on September 18, 1984, and which is in conflict with the provisions of this chapter, shall be deemed nonconforming as of October 19, 1984, the effective date of this chapter, and may be maintained only in compliance with the provisions of this chapter; provided, however, that during the period it is allowed to be maintained, the sign shall not be changed, modified, altered or relocated. Any change, alteration, modification, or relocation shall render the sign unlawful and the sign shall thereupon either be brought into compliance with the requirements of this chapter or be removed.

Signs made nonconforming by reason of annexation. Any lawfully erected and lawfully maintained sign which becomes nonconforming by reason of the annexation to the City of the property upon which the sign is located, or by the amendment of this chapter shall be subject to the provisions of this chapter.

Previously existing nonconforming signs. Any existing sign that was in a nonconforming status with respect to the provisions and requirements of Division 4, Chapter 17 of the City of Santa Rosa Zoning Code, as the same existed immediately prior to the original adoption of this chapter, on September 18, 1984, and to which the provisions of Sections 580 and 581 of the subject Zoning Code were applicable, shall continue to be governed by the amortization provisions of said Article 17, and upon the expiration of the applicable amortization period there set forth, the sign shall become illegal and shall be removed or modified to conform to all provisions of this chapter. Any nonconforming sign that was subject to abatement and removal under the provisions of Article 17 because the applicable amortization period required by Article 17 had expired, but which was not removed or brought into conformity with the provisions of Division 4, is hereby declared unlawful and a public nuisance, and the sign shall be subject to abatement in compliance with this chapter, unless the sign is in conformity with all applicable provisions of this chapter.

Removal of a nonconforming sign. A nonconforming sign shall either be made to comply with the provisions of this chapter and the City Code, or shall be removed within the applicable time period set forth in this chapter. In the event that they are not, the Director shall order the sign removed by the property owner and/or by any person known to have control over or ownership of the sign. It shall thereafter be unlawful for the person to maintain the sign or permit the sign to be maintained on the property.

Manner of removal of nonconforming signs. Unless some other mode of removal is approved in writing by the Director, the removal of an unlawful, nonconforming sign shall be accomplished as follows.

Modification of nonconforming signs. The structure, advertising display matter, lettering or accessories of a non-conforming sign shall not be altered, modified, changed, reconstructed or moved without bringing the sign in all respects into compliance with this chapter, provided, however, that nothing herein shall prohibit the normal maintenance or repair of any nonconforming sign.

Unlawful signs. Any sign placed in public view for which no Sign Permit has been issued, and that is not otherwise exempted from Sign Permit requirements by this Zoning Code, is unlawful. No person shall install, place, or maintain an unlawful sign and no person shall allow, or permit the installation, placement, or maintenance of an unlawful sign on property owned by the person. The Director shall enforce the provisions of this Chapter.

Removal of unlawful, temporary or portable signs.