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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 1986 106 0813RESOLUTION NO. PC -86 -106 A RESOLUTION OF THE MOORPARK PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MOORPARK, CALIFORNIA, REGARDING A REVISION TO THE SIGN CODE. THE PLANNING COMMISSION HEREBY MAKES THE FOLLOWING FINDINGS: A. A duly notice public hearing on July 9, 1986 and July 23, 1986, August 13, 1986, was held to consider a revised sign code. B. The Commission considered the facts as presented in the staff report dated July 10, 1986, and as presented in public testimony at the hearing of August 13, 1986. C. The Commission considered the environmental effects of the proposed revision. THEREFORE, the Planning Commission hereby recommends to the City Council the adoption of the Negative Declaration and the adoption of the revised Sign Code essentially as written. NOW, THEREFORE, THE MOORPARK PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MOORPARK, CALIFORNIA, DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. That the findings contained in the staff report is incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein with the amendments by said Commission, are hereby approved; SECTION 2. That at its meeting of August 13, 1986, the Moorpark Planning Commission took action to direct staff to prepare a Resolution recommending approval with the amendments attached; said Resolution to be presented for Consent Calendar action at the next regularly scheduled meeting. The action with the foregoing direction was approved by the following roll call vote: AYES: Commissioners Holland, Keenan, Claffey, LaPerch and Rosen; NOES: None; ABSENT: None. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 27 day of August, 1986. C air A//TTT^�EE�� ST : �A ` Acting Secretary FXHTBTT 1 CHAPTER CITATION SIGN CODE p. 1 of 7 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 enter- prises can identify the name, location, and product sold of such enterprise, and property for sale or 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. 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 supporting 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. S. 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. SIGN CODE p. 2 of 7 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 areaof 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 those specifically authorized by appropriate City authority. 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 Political Class - A temporary sign or hand bill erected for an election. 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 called "Wind Signs ", which include flags, banners, pennants or balloons and displayed for a temporary period. SIGN CODE p. 3 of 7 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 a 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 and shall contain the following information: 1. The name, address, and telephone number, if any, of the applicant; 2. The address or location of the building, structure, or lot to which, or upon which, the sign or sign structure is attached, erected, constructed or relocated; 3. The name, address, telephone number, if any, and state license number of the engineer or architect, if any, to be employed in connection with the design of the sign or sign structure; 4. The name, address, telephone number of the contractor, if any, to be employed in connection with the construction, installation, relocation, or erection of the sign or sign structure; 5. A description of the type of sign: (Business sign; subdivision directional sign; real estate sign; governmenta-1 or public utility; or political signs); 6. The value of the sign, including the sign structure, if any; 7. A statement as follows: " I have carefully read and examined the above application and know the same to be true and correct. All provisions of laws and ordinances covering this type of construction will be complied with whether specified herein or not. No person shall be employed in the placing, construction, relocation, erection, or maintenance of any sign in violation of the-Labor Code of the State of California "; 8. The signature of the lessee or owner of the property and, where there is more than one lessee, the owner; 9. Such other information of plans as the Community Development Department may require to insure full compliance with the provisions of the sign code and other applicable laws and ordinances of the City. SIGN CODE p. 4 of 7 FEES Any person applying for a sign permit shall, at the time of filing application 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 CHARTS ATTACHED 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 landscaped 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 signsshall 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. SIGN CODE p. 5 of 7 e. Directional signs which inform the viewer of the appropriate ingress, egress, and circulation system of the site are permitted. Said signs shall have maximum area of eight (8) square feet. f. No portable signs are permitted. BENCH SIGNS - A total of two bench signs may be permitted at each bus stop designated on a valid bus schedule. The location and the original copy, as well as any changes thereto, are subject to the approval of the Director of Community Development. Benches shall be located so as not to impede the orderly flow of traffic. In approving copy the following factors shall be considered: a. Is the business or activity being advertised located in Moorpark or one that citizens of Moorpark would logically patronize. If the advertisement is for a product, is it one sold in Moorpark. b. is the sign offensive to any segment of the community. C. Is the design of the signing compatible with the area. Any denial by the Director of Community Development of a request for a bench sign may be appealed to the Planning Commission and any denial thereat may be appealed to the City Council. LEGAL SIGNS - All signs including the sign structures, in existence on the effective date of this code shall be considered legal signs and either conforming or non - conforming to the provisions of this code except the following: a. Signs in the public right -of -way except for government, public utility or bench signs or those specifically authorized by the City Council. b. Portable signs or signs mounted on trailers. c. Signs confusing traffic. d. Flashing or scintillating signs. SIGN CODE p. 6 of 7 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. 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 escape. 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 manufacturer's name or trademark, the voltage, amperage and total wattage, and each such sign shall display the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) label. SIGNS NO LONGER ADVERTISING BONA FIDE BUSINESSES — Upon receiving information that a sign which advertises a business no longer being conducted, or a product or service no longer obtainable on the premises upon which the sign is located, the City shall send a written notice, as prescribed in Section ordering the sign and sign structure removed within 90 days. ENFORCEMENT a. Notice of Violation - Whenever the Community Development Department determines that a sign or a sign structure is in violation of this code, a notice shall be sent stating the particulars of such violation by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to each person assessed as the owner of the property upon which the sign or sign structure is located, as shown in the last equalized assessment roll available on the date such notice is mailed, and to the owner of said sign or sign structure, if known. b Contents of Notice - Notices to be mailed shall be substantially in the following form: NOTICE OF VIOLATION Notice is hereby given: 1. That the sign or sign structure located at.... (address or description of property)... identified as.... (description gf.sign).... is hereby declared to be in violation of the Moorpark Sign Code! due to: (delete any of the following not applicable). a. Erected without required permit. b. Violation of approved permit by (specify how violates permit). ,.#.. SIGN CODE p. 7 of 7 !1, c. Signs no longer advertising a bona fide business. d. Nonconforming sign remaining after the expiration date of abatement period. 2. That said sign or sign structure must be'iemoved or made to conform with the Sign code on or before 19 unless written appeal to comply with this notice is filed with the City Clerk, specifying the name and address of such objector and the reason for such objections, on or before said date. 3. Upon no objections being filed in response to this notice, the City may remove, or cause to be removed, such sign or sign structure and establish the cost thereof as a lien upon the property upon which such sign or sign structure is located. Dated this day of 19_ c. City Council Hearings - When any objections are filed within the time permitted by said notice, a hearing on such objections shall be held by the City Council. The City Clerk shall send by regular mail, postage prepaid, a written notice of the time and place when hearings will be held, at least ten days in advance of the hearing, and a copy of the order of the Council within five days after its determination, to the person filing objections at the address given on such objections, and to the property owners or lessee and to the sign owner, if known. ABATEMENT a. 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. b. The Director of Community Development may summarily require the immediate correction of any illegal signs on public right -of -way and any flashing signs and may remove any sign in the public right-of-way if the owner thereof does not do so. c, off -site signs, except for subdivision directional signs and billboards, portable signs, and flashing signs shall be abated within 30 days of notice thereof. d. Subdivision directional signs that do not conform to ordinance require- ments shall be abated within two years of the affective date of this code or when the last unit of the project is first sold, whichever comes first. e. Billboards shall be abated within five years of the effective date of this code. f. All signs not covered by paragraph A - E made non - conforming by this code may remain. However, such signs shall be made to conform if a change of copy is involved or if additional signing is granted. CLASS TYPE ZONES PERMITTP.D MAXIMUM NIIMRPR usvturm ewe Y1YtYnV usrl.V REM.... .... i v .. •..a.a...v.. ..ua....• uvaa.aau Business Ground AC, C 6 M One per each 300 ft. of j sq. ft. for each ft. of in AC l C -0 -10 ft., In M a) Signs to be displayed only on major street street frontage, or por• lot frontage with a maxi- sense 20 ft., in other C frontage Lion thereof, on major ease In At.4 CO rat 50 sq. ft.. zones 20 ft. plus 1 ft. b) Interior lighting not permitted In C-0 and AC Rtre.ets only. (Note I) in AC and M zones 100 sq. for each ft. of set back and M zones. ft. plus 2 sq. ft. for each ft. of set back with with a maximum of 30 fl. a maximum of 200 sq. ft. Business Building (Permanent) C k M N/A In C -O -j sq. ft. for side of main entrance only, in Signs may not project a) Ares for building signs computed b multipl y in M zones I sq. ft. for side above the roof line allowable sq. ft. times width o[ aide eonWMn of entrance only, and in main entrance. other C zones 2 sq. ft. b) Signs painted on other than windows Ineludet for side of main entrance permanent sign allowance. and 1 sq. ft. for all other sides facing a street. Business Building (Temporary C NIA 33 t of window area N/A a) Temporary signs include paper signs In wind* and writing on windows b) Temporary signs permitted for maximum of 15 days in any 90 day period. Business Wind C N/A NIA NIA a) Subject to approval by the Director of Comm ty Development. Ill Maximum time allowed is 15 days In any 6 mm period. Business Fruit Stand s 2 32 sq. ft. 12 ft. Sign request to be processed along with the CUP request for the front stand. Real Estate Sale or Leese Any zone I per street frontage Single - family homes 4 sq. R zones -6 ft. ft. Vacant property 12 C 6 M zones -12 ft. sq. ft., in C 6 M zones same as for business algns. Real Estate Subdivision Unimproved property In 3 per project 32 • ft. q 10 fast above viewpoint e) Must be within 400 ft. of an Intersection and Directional R, C 4 M zones of grade must be where a change of direction is require (Off site) (Allowed far sue- b) Cash bond of $100 for each sign required to located In guarantee removal. c) Signs pmsaieted for two years or until last m Moorpark Moorpark only). first sold, whichever occurs first. Real Estate Tract (On -site) Any Zone Z 60 sq. ft. 20 ft. MASS WPR y11MPS PPEMTTrVn Marivuu ,nneeee 2 per street entrance 12 sq. ft. each Real Estate Tract (On -site) Any Zone Z 60 sq. ft. 20 ft. a) Cash bond of $100 to guarantee removal. b) Signs permitted for two years or until last 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 AO L R toner 32 sq. ft. AO L R &ones •) Not within 100 ft. of a polling place. space 10 ft., all othervaas as All other zones- sane as business signs. ' business signs NOTE 1: For purposes of the Sign Code, asJor streets include Moorpark Road, Los Angeles Avmnee, Moorpark Avenue. Poindexter Avenue, Cabbert Road and any street designated for for lanes of traffic on the approved Circulation Element.