HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 1986 1006 CC REG ITEM 07D I7PEM -47 D
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TO: Richard Morton, and City Council
FROM: Leta Yancy-Sutton and Jim Hartley - Sign Committee
SUBJECT: Sign Ordinance
After reviewing the revised sign code prepared by Richard Morton, dated
September 22, 1986 , the Sign Committee suggests the following additions :
1. Include under SIGNS PROHIBITED 8. Billboards.
2. Include under TYPES OF SIGNS; Monument Signs - Low profile
freestanding signs incorporating the design and building materials
accenting the architectural theme of the buildings on the same
property.
3 . Add the word REMOVAL to heading CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE, which
would then read CONSTRUCTION, MAINTENANCE AND REMOVAL.
4 . Under CONSTRUCTION, MAINTENANCE AND REMOVAL add the following:
A. Change Item (d. ) to (e. ) , and Item (e. ) to (f. )
B. New Item (d. ) to read as follows : "The Planning Director may
authorize a low-profile monument identification sign showing
the name of a community, commercial center, or industrial
park, provided the overall size of the sign, including all
riders, is not larger than fifty (50 ) square feet, with no
dimension exceeding ten (10 ) feet. The number of such signs
shall be limited to not more than two (2 ) for any particular
community, commercial center, or industrial park. "
C. Item (e. ) add "Upon a written notice from the Building and
Safety or Planning Department, the necessary maintenance, or
alterations, or repairs shall be made within twenty (20 )
days after the date of such notice. "
D. Add Item (g. ) Signs pertaining to enterprises or occupants
which are no longer using the premises to which the sign
relates shall be painted out, obliterated, or removed from
the premises within thirty (30 ) days after the associated
enterprise or occupant has vacated the premises.
5 . CLASS - Business - MAXIMUM HEIGHT "In AG 10 ft. , in CPD zones 20ft.
plus 1 ft. for each ft. of set back with a maximum of 25 ft. All
other C zones 1 ft. for each 10 ft. of lot frontage, with a maximum of
6 ft.
MOORPARK
THOMAS C. FERGUSON STEVEN KUENY
Mayor �P° 4
�'09 City Manager
DANNY A.WOOLARD 41.1.11r CHERYL J.KANE
Mayor Pro Tern City Attorney
JAMES A.HARTLEY �'r .,� , `�i� RICHARD MORTON
Councilmember `� Director of
ALBERT PRIETO °•�� 9 Community
Councilmember �•r�, �` w Development
LETA YANCY-SUTTON R. DENNIS DELZEIT
Councilmember City Engineer
THOMAS P.GENOVESE MEMORANDITM JOHN V.GILLESPIE
CityChief of Police
Treasurer
TO = Council Members, Leta Yancy-Sutton & Jim Hartley
FROM = Richard Morton, Director of Community Development
DA°I'E = September 22, 1986
SIJ IJFCT = REVISED SIGN CODE
Provided herewith is 1) a draft of the staff report to the
Council and 2) a revised sign code with the changes as out-
lined in 1) .
I have not included much from the Thousand Oaks Code - if
you feel more should be added let me know. When I receive
your comments on both 1) and 2) I will make revisions. Please
give them to Celia - or if you need another meeting let me know-.
cc: Steven Kueny, City Manager
799 Moorpark Avenue Moorpark, California 93021 (805) 529-6864
MOORPARK
THOMAS C. FERGUSON K STEVEN KUENY
Mayor •�•� o, City Manager
DANNY A.WOOLARD CHERYL J.KANE
Mayor Pro Tem S� � City Attorney
DAMES A.HARTLEYt�. �i� RICHARD MORTON
Councilmember , V�� Director of
Community
ALBERT PRIETO '°•��
Councilmember , Development
•LETA YANCY-SUTTON R.DENNIS DELZEIT
Councilmember City Engineer
PIE
THOMAS P.GENOVESE MEMORANDUM J ChiefHN V.of Police
City Treasurer Police
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TO = The Honorable City Council
FROM = Richard Morton, Director of Community Development
DATE = September 22, 1986
E IJB ECT = REVISED SIGN CODE
At the September 15th City Council meeting the Council
continued the hearing on the Sign Code and appointed a
committee of two Council members (Leta Yancy-Sutton and
Jim Hartley) to work with staff on revisions to the draft
Sign Code-.
After meeting with the committee, and after some comments
by the City Attorney, the following changes have been made-
and the attached draft revised accordingly:
1. The "purpose" has been expanded.,
2. Signs on benches have been included under "prohibited
signs
3. "Government or Public Utility class" signs and "portable"
signs -have been defined.
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4. The information as to the contents of a sign permit and
also that for a Notice of violation has been deleted.
5. The paragraph entitled "Legal Signs" has been deleted
since it will no longer be necessary due to requiring
abatement of all nonconforming signs (see paragraph 8
below) .
6. A provision requiring maintenance of signs as well as
keeping the area under and around signs free of weeds
and rubbish has been added.
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799 Moorpark Avenue Moorpark, California 93021 (805) 529-6864
The Honorable City Council
p. 2 - September 22, 1986
SUBJECT: REVISED SIGN CODE
7. The paragraph providing for City Council hearing on
"Notices of Violations" has been deleted.
8. The "Abatement" section has been revised to require
illegal signs in public right-of-way, flashing signs
and portable or trailer mounted signs to conform within
30 days of notification, and all other signs are given
eight years to conform. _
9. Several minor corrections have been made to the chart.
As to "Signs on Benches" the City Attorney provided the opinion
that approval of the copy, as requested by the Planning Commission,
was unconstitutional. The Council Committee felt that if
the copy could not be controlled we should not allow any
copy. This means that when benches are desired, the City
will no doubt have to purchase some, however, only a few
bus stops are located in the City.
As to the paragraph providing for Council hearings on an
appeal of a "Notice of Violation" , has stated that simply
providing a hearing probably isn' t enough but there must
be some standard by which a decision can be made and specific
findings must be made (as for a variance); . The original
purpose of this section was not to provide a means for exceptions
(variances) but since telling the owner of a business or
of property that compliance must be made which could involve
an expenditure of funds is beyond the normal staff decision
and where interpretation of the code may be invalved, the
business or property owner is specifically authorized to
seek conformation of the Council. However, such staff decisions
can be appealed as any other staff decision. As to exceptions,
the zoning code already provides the procedure- for variances.
Therefore, the paragraph was deleted.
This report is provided so that the Council may discuss these
changes and direct staff as the contents of the ordinance.
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Sign Code p. of
CHAPTER CITATION
This chapter shall be known and designated as the Sign Code of the City.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this chapter is to provide the means whereby business
enterprises can identify the name, location, and product sold of such
enterprise and property for sale of lease can be so indicated and
located, while at the same time protecting the general public from
the proliferation of signing that can cause a deterioration of the
character, environment, and economic well being of the community.
By interesting design and landscaping, the detrimental effects upon the
desirable character of the community, neighboring property, passing
traffic, and scenic beauty shall be reduced to a minimum.
DEFINITIONS AND EXCLUSIONS'
Sign - A communication device using words, symbols, banners or pennants
designed to advertise, identify, or convey information.
Sign Structure - Any device used for the purpose of displaying or support-
ing signs.
Sign Area - The area of a sign enclosed by a frame, trim, or outline
or the area within a single continuous perimeter enclosing the extreme
limits of writing. or any representation, emblem,, or figure. Where a
sign has two or more faces, the area of all faces shall be included
in determining the area of the sign, except that where two such faces
are placed back to back and are at no point more than three feet from
one another, the area of the sign shall be taken as one face.
Exclusion - ..The following signs are excluded from the provision of
this code:
1. Governmental and public utility signs as required or authorized
by law.
2. Name plates, memorial tablets or occupation signs not-exceeding
two square feet in area.
3. Signs not visible beyond the boundaries of the property or building
upon which they are located.
4. Traffic directional signs not exceeding eight square feet in area.
5. Signs less than 12 square feet in area advertising the sale or
lease of property.
6. Construction signs not exceeding 32 square feet in area relating
to or identifying construction projects and displayed only during
the construction period.
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Sign Code p. of
7. Bulletin boards or identification signs not exceeding 32 square
feet in area on the premises of public, charitable or religious
institutions.
SIGNS PROHIBITED
1. Signs confusing traffic such as one that uses the words "STOP"
or "DANGER" or impair the vision of the operator of a motor vehicle.
2. Any off-site advertising except for subdivision directional signs.
3. Portable or trailer mounted signs.
4. Signs which flash, scintillate, make sound, move or rotate except
for clocks and time and temperature signs with a maximum area
of 32 square feet.
5. Signs attached to a building where the sign extends above the
roof line or parapet of the building.
6. Signs on public property other than government or public utility
signs and signs advertising the sale or lease of government, public
utility, or railroad property.
7. Signs on benches.
SIGN CATEGORIES
CLASS OF SIGNS - For purposes of this code signs are grouped in the
following classes:
Business Class - Signs which advertise the name, location, activity,
product, service, business or institution.
Real Estate Class - Signs which advertise the sale or lease of real
property.
Subdivision Directional Class - Signs which provide directional information
only to a residential subdivision, the name of the development or developer,
any identifying trademark or insignia and the price range of the subdivision
offered for sale.
Government or Public Utility Class - Signs of a governmental agency
or public utility, including railroad company signs, as required or
• authorized by law.
Political Class - A temporary sign or hand bill erected for an election.
Sign Code p. of
TYPES OF SIGNS - For purposes of this code, there are three types of
Signs.
Building Signs - Signs attached to a building where the sign does not
extend above the roof line or parapet of the building, or signs painted
on outside walls or windows of a building or sign placed within a building
as to be viewed primarily from outside a building.
Ground Signs - Signs which are free-standing and supported by poles,
columns, uprights or foundation affixed to the ground.
Signs Designed to Move with the Wind - Signs, for the purpose of this
code call "Wind Signs", which include flags, banners, pennants or balloons
and displayed for a temporary period.
Portable Signs - Portable signs means any sign which is not permanently
affixed to the ground or to a structure and which can be moved from
place to place.
PERMITS
No sign or sign structure as defined in this code, and not exempt therefrom,
shall be erected, constructed or relocated until a permit for same has
been issued by the Community Development Department, except that temporary
signs to be displayed not to exceed 15 days in any 6 month period and
not exceeding 12 square feet in area, that otherwise conform to the
provisions of this code, and signs painted on walls or windows of buildings,
and change of copy on legally existing sign structures, do not require
a permit. Permits shall not be issued for business signs unless a building
exists or building permit has been issued on the property. Permits
must be signed by the owner or lessee of the property and where property
is occupied by more than one lessee, by the owner of the property. When
an architecturally designed building or center is submitted for approval,
the sign, or where there are a number of signs, :the sign. program, shall
be submitted along with the request for project approval.
Application for a sign permit shall be made in writing upon a form provided
by the Community Development Department.
FEES
Any person applying for a sign permit shall, at the time of filling
applicantion therefore, pay to the Community Development Department
a fee, as established by City Council, to cover inspection and issuance
of the permit.
SIGNS PERMITTED - The following charts shall apply as to signs permitted
except for Service Stations which are governed by Section
. SEE CHART
Sign Code p. of
SERVICE STATION SIGNS - Service station signs are those signs and other
advertising devices associated with service stations, mini-markets,
or other businesses located on a site where service station activity
or gasoline/motor fuel sales exist. Such signs are permitted subject
to the limitations described herein:
a. One (1) identification sign located within the corner radius land-
scaped area. This sign shall be either a monument or pole type
sign. Monument signs shall have a maximum height of six (6) feet
measured from the finished grade at the base of the sign, but
in no case higher than eight (8) feet from the street grade. Pole
signs shall have a maximum height of twenty (20) feet measured
from the street grade. The sign shall have no more than a total
of fifty (50) square feet of sign face, and subject to a limitation
of two sign faces. Such sign shall bear the name and/or logo
of the business(es) on the site only, but may contain gasoline
pricing information only if incorporated integrally with the main
face. No other signage may be displayed on or from the pole sign.
The main identification sign shall be architecturally consistent
with the overall building theme and incorporate unifying features
(i.e. , materials) and may be internally illuminated. No such
sign shall be externally illuminated.
b. Canopy fascia and pump island signs, with an aggregate display
area not to exceed a combined total of fifty (50) feet per canopy,
shall be architecturally consistent with the overall building
theme, and, if lighted, shall be internally illuminated.
c. One (1) motor fuel pricing sign no greater than 20 square feet
in area shall be allowed for each adjacent street and may be either
of ground or pole mounted type. Each sign may be double faced
and must be permanently affixed to the ground. Pole-mounted signs
shall be integral with on-site lighting standards with faces no
greater than twenty (20) square feet in area. Pole-mounted signage
may be used for either motor fuel pricing or other advertising
purposes relevant to the operation(s) of the site. If motor fuel
pricing is displayed on pole-mounted signs, ground signs may not
be used for other advertising.
d. Other commercial type signs are permitted to be placed on the
main building, but must be counted against a maximum of two hundred
(200) square feet of sign area allowed for the site.
CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE
a. All ground signs in excess of 32 square feet and all signs attached
to a building are required to get a building permit in accordance
with the latest adopted Uniform Building Code.
SIGN CODE p. of
b. No portion of any sign nor its supports shall obstruct any fire
escape stairway standpipe, exterior door, or required exit, nor
shall any such sign or its supports be attached to or supported
by any fire excape.
c. Any sign having in connection therewith any electrical wiring
shall be designed and inspected in conformance with the provisions
of the adopted Moorpark Electrical Code and such sign shall have
firmly affixed thereon a nameplate which shall state the manufacture's
name or trademark, the voltage, amperage and total wattage, and
each such sign shall display the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) label.
d. Every sign and sign structure shall be maintained in proper repair
and a proper state of preservation.
e. All signs and sign structures shall be kept free of any unauthorized
material on signs not approved by an official permit; and the
area beneath and about the base shall be kept free of weeds and
rubbish.
ABATEMENT
a. All signs and sign structures rendered nonconforming by virtue
of this chapter shall be amortized' and removed or otherwise made
to conform by December• 31., 1994, except as noted below.
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b. The Chief..of Police shall summarily require the immediate correction
of a sign which is deemed a traffic hazard and may correct such
conditions if the owner thereof does not do so.
c. Illegal signs in public right-of-way, flashing sighs and portable
or trailer mounted signs shall be removed or otherwise made to
conform within 30 days of being duly notified as to the violation.
d. A nonconforming sign shall not be altered, reconstructed or moved
nor shall there be a change in copy as a result of a change in
the business without complying in all respects with this chapter.
No additional signs or expansion of existing signs which would
render the total amount of sign area nonconforming, or further
nonconforming, shall be permitted.
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CLASS TYPE ZONES PERMITTED MAXIMUM NUMBER MAXIMUM SIZE MAXIMUM HEIGHT REMARKS
lusiness Ground AG, C & M One per each 3.00 ft. of j 1/2 sq. ft. for ea. ft.of in AG & C-0-10 ft., in M Interior lighting not
street frontage, or por-j lot frontage with a maxi- zones 20 ft., in other C permitted in CO, AG and M
Lion thereof, mum in AG & CO of 50 sq. zones 20 ft. plus 1 ft. zones.
ft.. le M zones 100 sq. for each ft. of set back
ft,. In other C zones 100 with a maximum of 30 ft.
sq.ft. plus 2 sq.ft. for'
each•it. of set back with
a maximum of 200 sq.ft..
In CO 1/2 sq.ft. for side
Business Building (Permanent) C & M N/A .of main entrance only, in Signs may not project a) Area for building signs computed by multiplying
M zones 1 sq.ft. for side above the roof line allowable sq. ft. times width of side containing
of main entrance only, and main entrance.
in other C zones 2 sq.ft. b) Signs painted on other than windows included -.
t for side of main entrance in permanent sign
and 1 sq.ft. for all other, allowance.
sides facing a street.
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Business Building (Temporary) C N/A 33 % pf window area N/A , a) Temporary signs include paper signs in windows
and writing on windows
b) Temporary signs permitted for maximum of 15
days in any 90 day period.
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Business Wind C N/A N/A N/A a) Subject to approval by the Director of Communi-
ty Development.
b) Maximum time allowed is 15 days in any 6 month
period.
12 ft. Real Estate sale or lease signs less than 12 sq.
Business Produce Stand2 32 sq. ft. ft. in area exempt from code.
Real Estate Sale or Lease Any zone 1 per street frontage R zones-6 ft.
Single family homes and
C & M zones-12 ft.
vacant property. 12 sq.ft
• in C & M zones same as
for business signs.
10 feet above viewpoint a) Must be within 400 ft. of an intersection and
Real Estate Subdivision Unimproved property in 3 per project 32 sq, ft. must be where a change of direction is required.
of grade b) Cash bond of $100 for each sign required to
(Off site)) for sub-DirectionalC & d zones guarantee removal.
( (Allowed
divisions located in c) Signs permitted for two years or until last unit
Moorpark only). ( : first sold, whichever occurs first.
CLASS TYPE ZONES PERMITTED MAXIMUM NUMBER MAXIMUM SIZE MAXIMUM HEIGHT REMARKS
Real Estate Tract (On-site) Any Zone 2 60 sq. ft. 20 ft. a) Cash bond of $100 to guarantee removal.
b) Signs permitted for two years or until last unit
first sold, whichever occurs first.
Real Estate . Identification Any Zone 2 per street entrance 12 sq. ft. each N/A
on block wall
Political Any zone except open No limit AG & R zones- 32 sq. ft. AG & R zones a) Not within 100 ft. of a polling place.
space 10 ft., all other-same as .
All other zones- same as business signs.
business signs