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Ord 1908 - AMENDING THE SIGN ORDINANCE IN THE TOWN CODE TO REGULATE EVENT SIGNSORDINANCE 1908 ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS AMENDING THE SIGN ORDINANCE IN THE TOWN CODE TO REGULATE EVENT SIGNS The Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos does hereby ordain: SECTION I Town Code Section 29.10.120 is proposed to be amended as follows: Sec. 29.10.120. Temporary signs Every sign described in this section, regardless of the manner of its construction, is a temporary sign. The number and area of such signs are regulated only by this section and are in addition to the allowed number and area for other classes of signs. (1) Grand opening signs. Temporary signs used in conjunction with a grand opening are permitted as long as the grand opening does not exceed forty - five (45) calendar days. The total area of temporary signs may be equal to or less than the total sign area permitted for the business by section 29.10.135. The permit shall state the maximum sign area allowed and the date the sign is to be removed as set by the erector of this chapter, whichever is more restrictive. (2) Subdivision signs. Nonilluminated, on -site signs advertising a residential subdivision are permitted, limited to one (1) double - faced sign not exceeding an area of twenty -five (25) square feet per face, placed at a right angle to the street, or two (2) single -faced signs not exceeding an area of twenty -five (25) C22 \ORDS \SEC29SIG 1 square feet each placed parallel to a street. The signs shall not be more than fifteen (15) feet high and shall be erected at least fifteen (15) .feet from a street right -of -way line. Additional signs containing information about the model name or number, floor plan, area or price are permitted in residential subdivisions provided there is not more than one (1) such sign for each model (not one (1) sign for each example of a model). Signs concerning models shall have an area not exceeding three (3) square feet, nor a height of more than four (4) feet, and shall be located in the immediate vicinity of an example of the model to which they refer. Off - premises subdivision signs advertising subdivisions which are not located on a major arterial street as defined by the Town general plan are permitted, limited to one (1) sign per subdivision. The signs shall not exceed eighteen (18) square feet in area, shall not be more than fifteen (15) feet high and shall be erected at least fifteen (15) feet from a street right -of -way line and shall be in a commercial or industrial zone. Signs authorized by this section shall not be erected until the subdivision map is recorded and building permits are issued for the construction of the project. Signs authorized under this section shall be removed when occupancy permits have been granted for ninety (90) percent of the dwelling units in the development. Off - premises subdivision signs are an exception to the rules prohibiting billboards and off - premises signs. (3) Lease and rental signs. One (1) single -faced sign, advertising the rental or lease of a commercial, office, or industrial development to be built in the C22 \ORDS \SEC29SIG 2 future. The sign shall not have an area exceeding twenty (20) square feet, shall not be more than fifteen (15) feet high, and shall be erected parallel to a street, at least fifteen (15) feet from a street right -of -way line. The sign shall not be erected until a Development Review Committee approval is granted for the erection of the building or buildings and the sign shall be removed when seventy (70) percent of the floor area of the project is occupied. (4) Event Signs. Subject to the conditions of this section, a permit may be issued for a temporary sign promoting a civic, political, charitable, cultural, recreational, educational or religious event for which a special event permit is not required and which is sponsored by: (a) Non - profit organizations to which the Town contributes funds; (b) Educational institutions with a Los Gatos mailing address not located within the jurisdictional boundaries of another municipality; (c) Any organization within the Town. a. Application. The event sponsor shall submit an application with applicable fee to the Planning Director. b. Conditions of Approval. i) No more than one sign is permitted. ii) The sign may not be erected more than 21 days prior to the event and shall be removed within one day after the event. C22 \ORDS \SEC29SIG 3 iii) The sign shall be no larger than permitted under Section 29.10.135. iv) The sign shall be erected at the location the event is occurring unless that location is outside the Town limits, in which case an alternate site may be approved. v) If the approved location is on Town property (including streets and other rights -of -way) the applicant may be required to insure and indemnify the Town. (5) Construction signs. One (1) construction (nonilluminated) sign on a zoning plot of not more than thirty -two (32) square feet in total area. No construction sign shall be erected prior to the issuance of a building permit, and each shall be removed as soon as a certificate of use and occupancy is issued. SECTION II Town Code Section 29.10.046 is hereby added as follows: Sec. 29.10.046. Special Events Nothing in this Chapter shall limit use of property for activities in conjunction with a Special Event permitted pursuant to the provisions of Article 10 of Chapter 14 of this Code. C22 \ORDS \SEC29SIG 4 SECTION III Town Code Section 29.10.100 is hereby added as follows: Sec. 29.10.110. Exceptions. A sign permit is not required for the signs described in this section. The number and area of these signs are regulated only by this section and they are allowed in addition to signs of other classes. (1) House numbers, traffic, etc. House numbers, street names, signs warning against danger, railroad crossing signs, authorized traffic or parking signs and rural delivery boxes. (2) Nameplates. Nameplates having an area not over one and one -half (1 1/2) square feet, affixed flat against the wall of a building, which only show the name or address of a person or persons or entity occupying the area, up to a limit of six (6) plates per building. (3) Building directories. Building directories for buildings with more than six (6) tenants, the sign having an area not over nine (9) square feet, affixed flat against the wall of a building, which only show the name or address of the persons or entitles occupying the building. (4) Plaques. Solid metal plaques or cut inscriptions, either erected by recognized historical agencies, or which show names of buildings and dates of erection, provided the sign does not exceed four (4) square feet in area. (5) Real estate. One (1) nonilluminated sign on each street frontage for any lot or building which serves solely to advertise the sale, lease or rental of or an C22 \ORDS \SEC29SIG 5 offer to build to suit on the premises where the sign is located, provided the sign does not exceed twelve (12) square feet in area if the sign is in a commercial, professional or industrial zone, or six (6) square feet in area if the sign is in a residential zone. This exception is only available when all or part of the premises is actually available for the transaction advertised. (6) Open house. Nonilluminated, off -site, portable signs directing customers to the location of an open house which is for sale are permitted, unlimited in total number, but limited to one (1) double -faced sign per corner of an intersection or zoning plot. The signs shall not exceed an area of one (1) square foot per face and shall not be more than four (4) feet high. Open house signs shall contain no individual, or individual company advertising. Prior permission shall be obtained from the property owner if the sign is to be placed on a privately owned parcel. The signs shall be removed each day after the closing of the open house. Open house signs are an exception to the rule prohibiting off - premises signs and signs on public property. (7) Interior signs. Signs in the interior of a building, enclosed lobby or court, not visible from the outside and signs not visible from off the premises. (8) Convenience signs. Convenience signs not exceeding two (2) square feet in area and containing no advertising material. Exception: Hospital emergency signs may be as large as four (4) square feet and may be illuminated. (9) No trespassing signs. "No trespassing" or "no dumping" signs not exceeding three (3) square feet in area. C22 \ORDS \SEC29SIG 6 (10) Window signs. Window signs not exceeding twenty -five (25) percent of the window area. (11) Parking signs. Not more than one (1) parking control sign for each parking entrance, not exceeding an area of two (2) square feet. Parking control signs may contain the name(s) of the business(es) controlling the parking lot. (12) Public notices and warnings. Notices posted by a public officer in the performance of a public duty, or by any person for the purpose of giving legal notice, and warning or informational signs required or authorized by governmental regulations. (13) Recycling and vending facilities. Recycling and vending facility signs shall not exceed two (2) square feet, plus one (1) square foot for every one hundred (100) square feet of facility or machine in excess of one hundred (100) total square feet of floor area. (14) Other public agency signs. Street signs, traffic signs, emergency warnings, and the like erected by a public agency. (15) Political signs. Any number of nonilluminated political signs, either freestanding or attached, is permitted, limited to a total sign area not exceeding six (6) square feet in residential zones and not exceeding eighteen (18) square feet in other zones. There is no area limit for political window signs, and their area is in addition to that allowed for other political signs. No political sign shall be erected an unreasonable period of time in advance of the election or convention, and all persons who erect political signs or who C22 \ORDS \SEC29SIG 7 own or control the premises where political signs are erected, are jointly and severally liable to remove such signs within ten (10) days after the election or convention to which the sign pertains. (16) Special Event Signs. Any sign permitted by a Special Event Permit issued under Article 10 of Chapter 14 of this Code. SECTION IV Town Code Section 29.20.730 is hereby amended as follows: Sec. 29.20.730. Police Chief The Police Chief shall: (1) Be a member of the Development Review Committee. (2) Issue permits for signs in conjunction with issuance of Special Events Permits. SECTION V Town Code Section 29.50.030 is hereby repealed. Sec. 29.50.030. Special Sales Events and Outdoor Display of Merchandise SECTION VI This Ordinance takes effect 30 days after the date it is adopted. Within 15 days after this Ordinance is adopted, the Town Clerk shall cause it to be published once in a newspaper of general circulation published and circulated in the Town. C22 \ORDS \SEC29SIG 8 This Ordinance was introduced at a regular meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos on July 6, 1992, and adopted by the following vote as an ordinance of the Town of Los Gatos at a meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos on July 20, 1992. COUNCIL MEMBERS: AYES: Randy Attaway, Joanne Benjamin, Steven Blanton and Brent N. Ventura NAYS: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: Eric D. Carlson SIGNED: MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA ATTEST: CLERK OF THE TOWN OF LOS -1ATOS LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA C22 \ORDS \SEC29SIG 9