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)
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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(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
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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.
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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
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