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What is the purpose of the Temporary Sign Ordinance?

Signs have an obvious impact on the character, quality, and economic health of our City.  As a prominent part of the scenery, they may attract the viewing public and affect the safety of vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

The Temporary Sign Ordinance accomplishes a balance between advertising needs, the freedom of expression, and the necessity of regulatory constraints.  The following information provides answers to several key questions regarding the placement of temporary signs in the City:

What are the types of Temporary Signs?

There are three types of temporary signs defined by the Ordinance:

• Commercial temporary signs (defined as signs proposing a commercial transaction).
   
• Noncommercial temporary signs (defined as any message that is not commercial speech, such as political, campaign, or ``freedom of speech" signs).
   
• Charitable temporary signs (commercial signs placed by a charitable organization, defined as any benevolent, philanthropic, patriotic, not-for-profit or eleemosynary group, association or corporation, or such organization purporting to be such, which solicits and collects funds for charitable purposes).

Where can temporary signs be located?

• Temporary signs are not allowed in the public right-of-way (including streets, sidewalks, and parkways) and public easements.
• Temporary signs are allowed on private property, with the permission of the property owner.
• Commercial temporary signs, except those placed by charitable organizations, are not allowed on residential properties.

What are the requirements for commercial temporary signs?

• A temporary sign permit is required.  Apply in person at the Planning Public Service Counter, Development Services Building, 3855-A Alamo Street, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 
• Temporary sign permits are valid for 30 days.  A total of 4 permits in a calendar year are allowed for an individual, organization, or business.
• Only one temporary sign, with permission of the property owner, is allowed for each parcel or business at a time.
• Freestanding signs must be 12 square feet or less in size and not exceed 6 feet in height.  Signs attached to buildings may not exceed 50 square feet. 

 What are the requirements for noncommercial temporary signs?

A permit is not required, but the standards for temporary signs must be met, as follows:

• Freestanding signs must be 12 square feet or less in size and shall not exceed a height of 6 feet.
• Allowed in all zones for up to 120 days.
• Noncommercial temporary signs are not allowed in the public right-of-way.
• May only be placed on private property, with the permission of the property owner.
• Contact information for the sign owner (including name, address, and telephone number), the date of installation of the sign, and the property owner's permission, including name and phone number, must be affixed to the lower right hand corner of the sign.

What are the requirements for charitable temporary signs?

A permit is not required, but the standards for temporary signs must be met, as follows:

• Must be placed by charitable organizations.
• Charitable signs are not allowed in the public right-of-way.
• Charitable signs may only be placed on private property, with the permission of the property owner, including name and phone number, affixed to the sign.
• Freestanding signs must be 12 square feet or less in size and shall not exceed a height of 6 feet.
• Contact information for the sign owner (including name, address, and telephone number), the date of installation of the sign, and the property owner's permission must be affixed to the lower right hand corner of the sign.
• Allowed in all zones for 30 days prior to an event and must be removed within 5 days following the event they are advertising.

What are the requirements for temporary window signs?

• Temporary signs affixed to windows shall not obscure more than 50 percent of the window.
• Window signs do not require a permit.

Are any temporary signs prohibited?

Yes.  For safety and aesthetic reasons, the following is a partial list of signs which are prohibited:

• Signs located in the public right-of-way, median, or public easements.
• Portable signs, such as a sandwich board or others which are easily moveable.
• Signs with more than 2 sides, such as ``V" shaped signs.
• Signs attached to other signs, landscaping materials, or utility poles.
• Illuminated, animated, rotating, and flashing signs.
• Signs to which balloons, pinwheels, streamers, or similar objects are attached.

What are the requirements for real estate signs?

In commercial and industrial areas, the maximum sign area for real estate signs is 50 square feet and maximum sign height is 6 feet.  For residential areas, the maximum size is 12 square feet, the maximum height is 6 feet, and signs may not extend over rear or side property walls.   Portable ``open house" signs are not allowed to be located on sidewalks.

How does the City Enforce the Ordinance?

Under the provisions of the Sign Ordinance, City staff may immediately abate illegal temporary and portable signs from the public right-of-way.  Abatement is aimed at reducing hazards to vehicular and pedestrian traffic posed by signs located in the public right-of-way.  Code Enforcement staff will work with property owners to abate illegal signs located on private property. Enforcement of the Sign Ordinance promotes the public health, safety, and welfare by improving community aesthetics.

If you believe your sign has been abated from the public right-of-way by City officials and wish to retrieve the sign, please contact the Public Services Center at 583-6400 within 14 days of abatement.  After 14 days, all abated signs will be discarded.

For signs on private property, the City requests the sign owner/property owner to correct the violation, remove the illegal sign, or authorize the City to abate the sign.  Costs involved for abating the illegal sign are charged to sign owners.

If you have questions regarding temporary signs, please call the Planning Division at (805) 583-6769.