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Ord 1265 - REPEALING ARTICLE 22 OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS AND ADDING NEW ARTICLE 22 CONCERNING THE REGULATION OF SIGNS AND MAKING RELATED ORDINANCE CHANGES.ORDINANCE NO. 1;:265 ORDINANCE REPEALING ARTICLE 22 OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS AND ADDING NEW ARTICLE 22 CONCERNING THE REGULATION OF SIGNS AND MAKING RELATED ORDINANCE CHANGES. THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS DOES ORDAIN: SECTION 1. Article 22 of the Zoning Ordinance of the Town of Los Gatos is repealed and a new Article 22 is added to read: ARTICLE 22 SIGN CONTROL SEC. 22.01.000 APPLICATION The regulations in this article apply to all signs in all zones. Regulations of the number and area of signs refer to the signs allowed on a zoning plot, except where the regulations prescribe the number and area of signs allowed on a business frontage. SEC. 22.01.010 INTENT The intent of this article is as follows: The Town of Los Gatos is a predominantly residential community of natural beauty, distinctive architecture and historic character. The economic stability of the Town is dependent upon its high quality and Town- oriented, commercial and residential environment. Unregulated and uncontrolled erection and maintenance of advertising structures tends to create a garish and gaudy atmosphere which is not in harmony with the character and environment of the business or residential community. -1- The purpose of a sign is to inform the general public that a business enterprise and function exists in the Town. This ordinance recognizes the right of the public to be directed, warned, advised, and informed; and also recognizes the economic need for a sign to function as a means of identification, expression of business character, and positive notification of product and service availability for consumption. This ordinance regulates the location, height, width, shape, proportion, design, illumination and construction (except as provided by building codes) of signs for the purpose of insuring that they are architecturally compatible with the planned image of the Town. The purpose of this ordinance is to assist in the continuation of existing and introduction of new commercial activities in architectural harmony with the existing and planned Town, to take advantage of the unusual character of the Town and to encourage proper maintenance and rehabilitation of real property. To accomplish this: 1. Local public values must be balanced with general public rights and economic functions related to signs. 2. The size of a sign must be prevented from overpowering its surroundings or becoming a determinant factor in consumer evaluation of competitive enterprises. 3. The shape of a sign must not conflict with the architectural lines of its setting. -2- 4. A sign must be prevented from overpowering its surroundings through hue, saturation, and brilliance or close combination of incompatible colors. 5. Normal maintenance and speedy repair is required for all signs. SEC. 22.01.020 ADMINISTRATION This Article is administered in the following manner: 1. The Town Council approves or denies applications for permits for signs on public property, including but not limited to community- oriented bulletin boards and kiosks and hears certain appeals. 2. The Planning Commission approves or denies applications that have been referred to it by the Architecture and Site Committee and sign programs for planned developments in conjunction with precise plans reviewed under the provisions of sections 20.11 and 20.12. 3. The Architecture and Site Committee approves or denies applications for permits for freestanding signs, ground signs, neighborhood identification signs, roof signs, signs on freestanding walls, off - premises subdivision signs, and attraction boards; reviews and makes` recommendations to the Town Council concerning community - oriented bulletin boards and kiosks proposed to be erected on public property; determines what constitutes compliance with standards as provided in section 22.07.000; -3- reviews and makes recommendations to the Planning Commission concerning sign programs for planned developments in conjunction with precise plans pursuant to sections 20.11 and 20.12; and hears appeals from decisions of the Planning Director. The Architecture and Site Committee may refer any application to the Planning Commission for decision. 4. The Planning Director provides application forms for sign permits, specifies what information the applicant must submit, and examines all applications for sign approval, making an inspection of the premises where the sign is proposed to be erected; approves or denies all applications for sign approval when action is not required by the Town Council, Planning Commission or Architecture and Site Committee; issues all sign permits; and keeps records of nonconforming signs and mails notices to owners of such signs. The Planning Director may refer any application to the Architecture and Site Committee for decision. SEC. 22.01.030 PERMITS Sign permits must be obtained before erection of all signs, except as provided by section 22.03.000 through 22.03.065. A building permit may be required by another ordinance. Sign permits expire one year after the date of approval unless the sign is erected within that time. SEC. 22.01.040: FEES There is no filing fee for applications for permits sought to be issued on the basis of approvals which can be made by the Planning Director even when the Director elects to refer the application to the Architecture and Site Committee. The Town Council may prescribe by resolution filing fees for applications for permits that only the Architecture and Site Committee can approve. SEC. 22.01.050 VARIANCES The provisions of Article 29 concerning variances are not available to modify the terms of this Article 22. SEC. 22.02.000 DEFINITIO In this Article, the following words and phrases used are defined in sections 22.02.010 through 22.02.185. SEC. 22.02.010 ABANDONED SIGN Abandoned sign means a sign located on a parcel of land or on a structure either of which is vacant for a period of 90 days, a sign pertaining to a past occupant or business different from the present occupant of or business on the premises, a sign pertaining to a past event or any sign abandoned as the term is used in the law of California. -5- SEC. 22.02.015 ARCADE Arcade means a covered passageway with business establishments along at least one side. SEC. 22.02.020 ATTACHED SIGN Attached sign means a sign which is affixed to and made an integral part of a building or structure. Attached signs include, but are not limited to wall signs, roof signs, and projecting signs, to distinguish them from free - standing and ground signs. SEC. 22.02.025 ATTRACTION BOARD Attraction board is a sign constructed so that letters or other advertising material can be changed, and which relates to businesses or organizations which depend, on a large part, upon trade and attendance generated by temporary, independent and frequently changing events or showing, such as those engaged in providing live or filmed entertainment or sporting events. SEC. 22.02.030 AWNING For the purposes of this article, awning is synonymous with marquee. SEC. 22.02.035: BILLBOARD A billboard is a sign, other than a directional sign, which directs attention to a business, commodity, service or entertainment conducted, sold or offered at a place other than where the sign is erected. Included are signs erected upon benches. SEC. 22.02.040 BULLETIN BOARD Bulletin board is a sign located on the same premises as and used solely in connection with activities of a church, school, hospital, or public building, and allowing changeable messages. SEC. 22.02.045 BUSINESS FRONTAGE Business frontage is that portion of a building which faces a street, parking lot, pedestrian mall, arcade or walkway. The primary business frontage is one which contains a customer entrance or which includes a glass - enclosed showroom facing the street. If a building has more than one business frontage with a customer entrance, the property owner must designate one of them as the primary business frontage. Unless otherwise stated, the phrase "business frontage" means "primary business frontage ". All other business frontage is secondary frontage. As used in this section, "parking lot" means either a publicly -owned and operated parking lot or a parking lot located on the same zoning plot as the business frontage. SEC. 22.02.050 CANOPY For the purposes of this article, canopy is synonymous with marquee. SEC. 22.02.0.55- compnRMANCF Conformance means the state of being in conformity with the provisions of this article, either because of reconstruction or modification pursuant to a sign permit, or because of removal or obliteration. -7- SEC. 22.02.060 CONSTRUCTION SIGN A construction sign is a sign located on a construction site during the course of construction, which identifies the architects, engineers, contractors, financiers or other persons and other individuals or firms involved with the construction, or announcing the building, enterprise or function for which the construction is intended. SEC. 22.02.065 CONVENIENCE SIGN A convenience sign is a sign which facilitates traffic flow and safety, not erected by a governmental agency, such as entrance -exit, caution, parking, right or left turns only, stop, drive -up window, or towaway zone. SEC. 22.02.070 DIRECTIONAL SIGN A directional sign is an off- premises sign which shows the direction to or location of the civic center, hospitals, public parking lots, and any publicly -owned facility. SEC. 22.02.075: ENTITY Entity means any person as defined by section 3.70 and any distinct business enterprise even where adjacent business enterprises are owned or operated by a single person. SEC. 22.02.0 ERECT Erect means to construct, place, relocate, enlarge, alter, attach, suspend, paint, post, display, hang,or affix. SEC. 22.02.085 FACE OF A SIGN Face of a sign is the portion or portions of the exterior _- surface of a. sign intended to or particularly adapted either to display an advertising message or to attract attention to the sign. The face of a sign is often the front, but may be any surface including a rear or blank portion. A sign may have more than one face and may be virtually all face. The fact that no message is imprinted on a portion of a sign does not necessarily prevent that portion from being a face, as in the case of a flat sign erected near and perpendicular to a street. Such sign would have two faces even if one were blank. In determining what constitutes a sign face weight will be given to whether the particular aspect in question is readily viewable from public property or any premises other than those where the sign is erected, but a sign face may exist even where the face is visible only from some part of the premises where the sign is erected if the face is viewable from out of doors and the other elements of the definition of face are present. Usually, all of one face is visible from one point. Where, for example, several "boards" of a sign are erected on a single plane or parallel planes, they together comprise one face, and are measured within a single perimeter, including the spaces between them. SEC. 22.02.090 FREE - STANDING SIGN A free- standing sign is a sign which is wholly or partly supported by a structural element which is not an integral part of a building. SEC. 22.02.095: GROUND SIGN A ground sign is a free - standing sign less than 7 feet high. SEC. 22.02.100 HEIGHT The height of a free- standing sign is the elevation above finished grade of the highest point of either the sign or the stand, poles, wall or other structure upon which it is mounted. Finished grade is the general finished ground surface where the sign is erected, not taking into account mounding or other alterations to the surface made in regard to the sign. However, where finished grade is below the elevation of the top of the curb on the frontage where the sign is erected, or if there is no curb below the elevation of the margin of the street surface, height is the elevation above -the top of the curb, or at the margin of the street surface if there is no curb. The point on the curb or the margin of the street surface to be used as a base point for measurement is the point intersected by a line drawn perpendicular to the centerline of the street which intersects the center of the base of the sign. SEC. 22.02.105 LOT FRONTAGE Lot frontage means the property line of a lot abutting on a public street which affords access to the lot. In the case of a corner lot and other lots which are bordered on more than one side by a street lot frontage is the lot line in respect to -10- which the business for which the sign is provided has its primary business frontage. SEC.„ 22.02.110: MARQUEE Marquee means a temporary or permanent structure attached to or supported by a building, designed for shelter over a pedestrian or vehicular way and which may or may not project over public property. SEC. 22.02.115 NEIGHBORHOOD IDENTIFICATION SIGN Neighborhood identification sign is a ground sign situated where a street enters a residential neighborhood, which serves only to identify the neighborhood. SEC. 22.02.120 NONCONFORMING SIGN A nonconforming sign is one which was lawfully erected but which does not comply with the Zoning Ordinance because of: 1. Annexation of territory to the Town, 2. Amendment to the Zoning Ordinance, 3. Rezoning, other than rezoning when the application for rezoning is made by or joined in by the owner of the real property where the sign is located. However, a sign which was lawfully erected but which does not comply with the Zoning Ordinance because of: 1. Division of real property where the sign is located, 2. Alterations to any building on the lot, parcel or zoning plot where the sign is located, or 3. Rezoning, when the application for rezoning is made by or joined in by the owner of the real property where -11- the sign is located, is not a nonconforming sign. A sign may be a nonconforming sign because of a single characteristic, such as height or brightness, correction of which may result in conforming status for the sign, or a new amortization date. This section does not list all classes of signs which are not nonconforming signs. SEC. 22.02.12.5 OFF - PREMISES SIGN An off- premises sign is any sign not located on the same zoning plot as the entity it advertises. SEC. 22.02.130 POLITICAL SIGN Political sign is any sign which is intended to influence the vote for the passage or defeat of a measure, or nomination, election or defeat of a candidate in any governmental election. SEC. 22.02.135: PORTABLE SIGN A portable sign is a sign which is movable, not structurally attached to the ground, nor to a building, structure, or sign. "A" -frame and sandwich signs are portable signs. SEC. 22.02.140 PROJECTING SIGN A projecting sign is any sign erected on the wall of a building or structure, or suspended from an overhang, with display surfaces generally not parallel to the wall. SEC. 22.02.145: ROOF SIGN A roof sign is an attached sign erected on a roof or projecting above the eave or rake of a building or coping of a parapet. A sign erected on top of a canopy, arcade, awning or marquee is a roof sign. -12- SEC. 22.02.150 SIGN A sign is any thing, or element of a thing, located out of doors or in a place where it is visible from out of doors, created, adapted, or installed, by a person for the primary and apparent purpose of conveying a visible advertising message, and may include supports, standards and fixtures. A color scheme or special lighting effect on the exterior of a building is a sign where the placement of the colors or lighting effect in relation to the building create a primary effect of advertising. Exceptions: 1. Merchandise on display is generally not a sign because merchandise is ordinarily possessed for the primary purpose of permitting sales from stock on hand. A merchandise display located at a. distance from the point of sale or displayed in an unusual manner might constitute a sign. 2. A structural element of a building or the supports, standard, or fixtures of a sign would not be a sign where the element is related to reasonable structural necessity, and the circumstances show that the element is not intended to be identified by viewers with the sale or promotion of goods or services. 3. Nighttime, white illumination, within reasonable brightness limitations, of a building or of merchandise -13- n is not of itself a sign, where the result is only to make visible without undue emphasis that which can be seen in the daytime. SEC. 22.02.155 SIGN AREA Sign area is the total area of the face or faces of a sign. Each face is measured by determining the smallest area within a single perimeter composed of not more than eight straight lines drawn by the applicant enclosing the extreme limits of the face. Where a sign consists of letters or symbols on a wall, the wall is not designed so that one of its main purposes is to support a sign, and the sign's background is an indistinguishable part of a wall, for the purposes of measurement a six -inch margin around all of the words and symbols will be included in the perimeter composed of not more than eight straight lines. SEC. 22.02.160 SIGN PERMIT Sign permit is the permit issued by the Planning Director to evidence approval by any of the bodies or person, authorized by this Article, to erect a sign. SEC. 22.02.165: T EMPORARY SIGN A temporary sign is a sign, usually constructed of cloth or fabric, cardboard, wallboard, wood or other light materials, intended to be displayed for a short period of time as set forth in the sections referred to in section 22.05.000. SEC. 22.02.170 TIME AND TEMPERATURE SIGN A time and temperature sign is a sign which shows time -14- and /or temperature and which contains no advertising. SEC. 22.02.175 WALL A wall is a surface which has a slope steeper than one foot horizontal to two vertical. SEC. 22.02.180 WALL SIGN A wall sign is a sign erected on a wall or fascia of a building or structure (other than a structure, one of whose main purposes is to support a sign), the face of which is generally parallel to the wall or fascia and all of which is below the coping of the parapet, below the rake, the top of the fascia, the eave line, or in any event, below the top of the structure. A sign which meets the definition of this section but is erected between posts, pillars, or columns which support a roof or second story, rather than on a wall, is also a wall sign. A sign which is erected on and incidental to a free- stand- ing wall or fence, including any gateway portion of a wall or fence, is also a wall sign. SEC. 22.02.185 WINDOW SIGN A window sign is a sign which is displayed in or through a window, is less than 24" inside glass, and is visible from a street, walkway, parking lot, or pedestrian plaza, any of which is accessible to the public. qFr_ 99 ni nnn- RWPR'.PMTnT\T.q A sign permit is not required for the signs described in sections 22.03.010 through 22.03.065. The number and area of -15- these signs are regulated only by these sections and they are allowed in addition to signs of other classes. SEC. 22.03.010: HOUSE NUMBERS, TRAFFIC, ETC House numbers, street names, signs warning against danger, railroad crossing signs, authorized traffic or parking signs and rural delivery boxes. SEC. 22.03.015 NAME PLATES AND BUILDING DIRECTORIES 1. Name plates having an area not over one and one -half 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 6 plates per building. 2. Building directories for buildings with more than six tenants having an area not over nine square feet, affixed flat against the wall of a building, which only show the name or address of the persons or entities occupying the building. SEC. 22.03.020 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 square feet in area. SEC. 22.03.025 REAL ESTATE SIGNS 1. One non - illuminated sign on each street frontage for any lot or building which serves solely to advertise -16- the sale, lease or rental of or an offer to build to suit on the premises where the sign is located, provided the sign does not exceed twelve square feet in area if the sign is in commercial, professional or industrial zone, or six square feet in area if the sign is in a residential zone. This exemption is only available when all or part of the premises is actually available for the transaction advertised. 2. Non - illuminated, off -site, portable signs directing customers to the location of an open house which is for sale are permitted, limited to two signs per dwelling not exceeding an area of six square feet per face. The signs shall be located on private property limited to one per parcel at any given time, and the owner`s written permission shall be secured in advance of placing the sign. The sign shall be removed each day after the closing of the open house. SEC. 22.03.030 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. SEC. 22.03.035: CONVENIENCE SIGNS Convenience signs not exceeding two square feet in area and containing no advertising material. -17- SEC. 22.03.040 NO TRESPASSING SIGNS "No trespassing" or "no dumping" signs not exceeding three square feet in area. SEC. 22.03.045: WINDOW SIGNS Window signs not exceeding 25 per cent of the window area. SEC. 22.03.050 PARKING SIGNS Not more than one parking control sign for each parking entrance, not exceeding an area of `two square feet. Parking control signs may contain the name(s) of the business(es) controlling the parking lot. SEC. 22.03.055: 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. SEC. 22.0 3.060: OTHER PUBLIC AGENCY SIGNS Street signs, traffic signs, emergency warnings, and the like erected by a public agency. SEC. 22.03.065 POLITICAL SIGNS Any number of non -- illuminated political signs, either free- standing or attached, is permitted, limited to a total sign area not exceeding six square feet in residential zones and not exceeding eighteen 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 own or control the premises where political signs are erected, are jointly and severally liable to remove such signs within 10 days after the election or convention to which the sign pertains. SEC. 22.04.000 PROHIBITED SIGNS Except as otherwise provided in this Article, the signs described in sections 22.04.010 through 22.04.085 are prohibited.. SEC. 22.04.010 FLAGS, ETC. Flags, banners, and objects designed to move with the wind, except the American flag, the flag of any nation or governmental entity, or house flags when flown in conjunction with the American flag, either on the same staff or a separate staff, and when the house flag is smaller than or equal in size to the American flag. SEC. 22.04.015: LIGHTED SIGNS Lighted signs that flash on and off, fluctuate or appear to move. SEC. 22.04.020 MOVING SIGNS Signs that rotate or move in any fashion, except barber poles. SEC. 22.04.025 EXCESSIVELY BRIGHT SIGNS Lighted signs whose brightness is detrimental to the reasonable enjoyment of surrounding property or are a traffic hazard. -19- SEC. 22.04.030 OBSTRUCTING SIGNS Signs which prevent free use of a door, window or fire escape, or obstruct the view from any living area in the building to which the sign is attached. SEC. 22.04.035 OBSTRUCTING SIGNS Signs attached to a standpipe or fire escape. SEC. 22.04.040 OBSTRUCTING SIGNS Signs located so as to obstruct the view of a traffic sign, signal, or device. SEC. 22.04.045 CONFUSING SIGNS Signs which might be mistaken for or confuse the viewers of a traffic light or signal. SEC. 22.04.050 POSTERS Placards, posters, announcement and similar signs erected on any fence, pole, tree, pavement, wall, bus stop, bench, or any other object in a public thoroughfare, except those of an official nature as provided in section 22.03.055. SEC. 22.04.055 PORTABLE SIGNS Portable signs placed on any portion of a street, sidewalk or right -of -way, and signs erected on parked vehicles or trailers regardless of location. SEC. 22.04.060: FREEWAY SIGNS Signs erected for the dominant purpose of being seen by travelers on a freeway. -20- SEC. 22.04.065 OFF- PREMISES SIGNS Off- premises signs, except those authorized by sections 22.03.025 subdivision 2, 22.03.065, 22.05.025 and 22.08.010. SEC. 22.04.070• INDECENT SIGNS Signs containing any obscene, indecent or immoral matter. SEC. 22.04.075 PROJECTED LIGHT SIGNS Signs which are flashed or projected onto walls or other structures by means of a projector or other device. SEC. 22.04.080: BILLBOARDS Billboards. SEC. 22.04.085 Any sign not specifically authorized in sections 22.03.000 through 22.03.065, and sections 22.05.010 through 22.05.030, sections 22.08.010 through 22.08.020, and sections 22.09.010 through 22.09.030. SEC. 22.05.000 TEMPORARY SIGNS Every sign described in sections 22.05.01.0 through 22.05.030, regardless of the manner of its construction, is a temporary sign. The number and area of such signs are regulated only by these sections 22.05.010 - 22.05.030 and are in addition to the allowed number and area for other classes of signs. SEC. 22.05.010 GRAND OPENING AND SPECIAL EVENT SIGNS Temporary signs used in conjunction with a grand opening or special event are permitted as long as the grand opening or special event does not exceed 45 calendar days and there is -21- an interval of at least 60 days between events. The total area of temporary signs may be equal to or less than the total sign area permitted for the business by secs. 22.09.010, 22.09.020 and 22.09.030. The permit shall state the maximum sign area allowed and the date the sign is to be removed as set by the erector or the ordinance, whichever is more restrictive. SEC. 22.05.015 SUBDIVISION SIGNS Non - illuminated, on -site signs advertising a residential subdivision are permitted, limited to one double -faced sign not exceeding an area of 25 square feet per face, placed at a right angle to the street, or two single - faced signs not exceeding an area of 25 square feet per face, placed at a right angle to the street, or two single -faced signs not exceeding an area of 25 square feet each placed parallel to a street. The signs shall not be more than 15 feet high and shall be erected at least 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 such sign for each model (not one sign for each example of a model). Signs concerning models shall have an area not exceeding three square feet, nor a height of more than four feet, and shall be located in the immediate vicinity of an example of the model to which they refer. The Architecture -22- and Site Committee may authorize an off - premises subdivision sign advertising subdivisions which are not located on a major arterial street as defined by the Town General Plan. The signs shall not exceed 18 square feet in area, shall not be more than 15 feet high and shall be erected at least 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 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. SEC. 22.05.020 LEASE AND RENTAL SIGNS One single -faced sign, advertising the rental or lease of a commercial, office or industrial development to be built in the future. The sign shall not have an area exceeding 20 square feet, shall not be more than 15 feet high, and shall be erected parallel to a street, at least 15 feet from a street right -of- way line. The sign shall not be erected until an Architecture and Site Committee approval is granted for the erection of the building or buildings and the sign shall be removed when 70 percent of the floor area of the project is occupied. -23- SEC. 22.05.025 SIGNS ON PUBLIC PROPERTY The Town Council may, upon written application, without fee, issue special permits, under such conditions as it may reasonably impose, for the display on public property including rights-of-way, of temporary signs or banners of a civic, political, charitable, educational or religious nature, or in connection with a festival or patriotic celebration. The conditions may include a requirement for insurance coverage and any other provision needed to protect the Town from any consequences of the applicant's acts. This part does not limit the power of the Town Council to issue encroachment permits not concerning signs, nor empower the Town Council to approve issuance of any other sign permits except when acting as an appeal body. SEC. 22.05.030 CONSTRUCTION SIGNS One construction (non - illuminated) sign on a zoning plot of not more than 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 use and occupancy permit is granted. SEC. 22.06.000 STANDARDS The following standards prescribed in sections 22.06.010 through 22.06.060 apply to all sign approvals. IMI'm SEC. 22.06.010: COPY Signs are limited to naming the entity and the kind of activity conducted on the premises and products and services offered there. Signs may refer to matters not on the premises only when this article expressly provides. SEC. 22.06.015 TRADE NAMES OR LOGOS Signs may show trade names or logos that are not the name of the entity on the premises, but only when such trade name or logo is that of a product or service which is a major part of the sales or services conducted on the premises. SEC. 22.06.020: COMPATIBILITY WITH SURROUNDINGS The design, color and location of each sign shall be compatible with the architecture of the buildings on the premises, in harmony with the structures and other improvements on the property. SEC. 22.06.025 SHOPPING CENTERS In a shopping center or multi- tenant building, each sign shall be related to the other signs in the same center or building by incorporating at least three of the following six identical elements: (a) material, (b) letter style, (c) color, (d) illumination, (e) method used for structural support of attachment, (f) shape of the entire sign and its components. SEC. 22.06.030 BACKS AND SUPPORTS The backs and supports of all signs shall be subdued. -25- SEC. 22.06.035 ILLUMINATION No portion of the surface of any illuminated sign nor any visible lamp illuminating a sign shall have a brightness exceeding 150 footlamberts. SEC. 22.06.040 ILLUMINATION NEAR RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS Illuminated signs with a brightness more than 30 footlamberts shall not be erected nearer than 50 feet from any point in a residential district unless the face of the sign is not visible from the residential district. SEC. 22.06.045 ROOF SIGNS Roof signs must: 1. Be erected only on a roof whose pitch is at least one vertical to four horizontal, 2. Have a face no more than two feet measured vertically, 3. Be located so the face is parallel to the eave in front of the sign, 4. Be sett no more than eight inches above the roof, 5. Be designed and erected so that no part of its face is higher than either the peak or an elevation five feet above the eave in front of the sign. No roof sign shall be approved except by the Architecture and Site Committee, and unless the Committee finds that a wall sign is not feasible because the wall of the building is set back beneath and obscured by a porch or roof overhang which is an extension of and integral with the sloping roof of the building, .!FX:fl and that the sign cannot be suspended between posts or columns supporting the roof without obstructing safe passage for pedestrians. SEC. 22.06.050 PROJECTING SIGNS Projecting signs shall not project more than 36 inches from the wall of a building nor more than 12 inches into any public right -of -way. The projection is measured on a line perpendicular to the wall. All projecting signs which project over a walkway or public right -of -way shall have a clearance of nine feet above grade. SEC. 22.06.055 SIGNS SUSPENDED FROM A MARQUEE_ All signs suspended from a single marquee shall be uniform in size, shape, placement and background color. Such signs may be no more than eight inches in vertical dimension and have a clearance of at least eight feet above grade. SEC. 22.06.060 SIGNS FOR THEATERS The traditional methods of theater advertising require a unique type of sign program so the size, location, and number of signs, including attraction boards for a theater, are subject only to the limitations and provisions in the conditional use permit for the theater. Whenever a theater is operated lawfully but has no conditional use permit the signs of that theater which have been erected on or before the effective date of this ordinance are nonconforming signs and a conditional use permit -27- authorizing the signs must be obtained or the signs must be abated in the manner provided in sections 22.10.010 through 22.10.065. SE C. 22.07.000 SPECIFIC STANDARDS AS MAXIMUM OR MINIMUM All specific regulations for signs in this chapter are the least stringent allowed. For example, number, area, height and brightness are maximums and setback and interval between signs are minimums. On review of a. specific application, the Architecture and Site Committee may reduce the number, area, height, and brightness or other limits below the maximum specified, and increase the setback, interval and similar specifications, to comply with the standards expressed in this Article 22. SEC. 22.08.000 SIGNS WHICH MAY BE ERECTED IN ALL ZONING DISTRICTS A sign permit is required for the signs described in sections 22.08.010 through 22.08.020, the number and area of such signs are regulated only by these sections and they are allowed in addition to signs of other classes. SEC. 22.08.010 DIRECTIONAL SIGNS. Non - illuminated directional signs not exceeding six square feet in area, nor a height of ten feet, and erected at least 100 feet from any other directional sign. SEC. 22.08.015 BULLETIN BOARDS Bulletin boards not exceeding 18 square feet in area, nor height of six feet, when located on the premises of, and used solely in connection with activities of a church, school or a public building. SEC. 22.08.020 COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARDS AND KIOSKS Community- oriented bulletin boards and kiosks, including service club directory may be located on public property after review by the Architecture and Site Committee and approval of the Town Council. SEC 22.09.000: DISTRICT REGULATIONS Sections 22.09.010 through 22.09.030 specify the signs which may be erected in each zoning district, other than signs which by the express provisions of this Article may be erected in all zoning districts. Except where sections 22.09.010 through 22.09.030 specify, nonconforming uses shall have only those signs allowed for the zoning district and not signs which might otherwise be allowed for similar uses in other districts. SEC. 22.09.010 RESIDENTIAL ZONES In the R -1, R -D, RM, RMH, HR, RC, and R -1M Zones the following signs may be erected: Number of Signs Total Area One per lot frontage 18 sq. ft. One per lot frontage 24 sq. ft. One per lot frontage 24 sq. ft. One per zoning plot 24 sq. ft. Class Land Use of Sign 1. Multiple Family Developments: a. Less than 10 Wall units signs b. 10 units or Wall more signs 2. Authorized Non- Wall Residential Uses signs (including re- creational Ground activities, schools, signs churches, public utilities, lawful nonconforming uses, etc.) : -29- Number of Signs Total Area One per lot frontage 18 sq. ft. One per lot frontage 24 sq. ft. One per lot frontage 24 sq. ft. One per zoning plot 24 sq. ft. Land Use 3. Neighborhood Identification Signs (only for neighborhoods with an area 3 acres or more): Class of Sign Number of Signs Total Area Ground Number and signs location subject 24 sq. ft. to determination by the Architecture and Site Committee SEC. 22.09.020: OFFICE, COMMERCI A ND INDUSTRIAL ZONES The rules for the 0, C -1, C -2, C -C, CH, LM, CM and RP Zones are specified in this section, by number in the following list, table and the footnotes. Rules 1 through 3 govern the calculation of the area of attached signs for each entity. Rules 3 through 9 govern the calculation of the total area of all signs for each zoning plot. The numbered rules apply only where the table so indicates. Attached signs may be erected on any wall of the building, however, the are frontage may not primary business on a nonbusiness to a residential district. a of a sign on exceed 25/0 of frontage. In frontage wall zoning distri a wall that is not a business the sign area generated by the addition, signs cannot be erected if the zoning plot is contiguous ct and if the wall faces that 1. Sign area is generated in the ratio of one square foot for each lineal foot of primary business frontage plus one square foot for each lineal foot of secondary business frontage provided that the sign area generated by each secondary business frontage cannot exceed 50/ -30- of the sign area generated by the primary business frontage. 2. Sign area is generated in the ratio of one square foot for each lineal foot of primary business frontage plus one -half square foot for each lineal foot of secondary business frontage. 3. The area of signs suspended from marquees is not restricted by any rule limiting total sign area. 4. The total area of all signs on a zoning plot shall not exceed one square foot of sign area for each lineal foot of lot frontage. 5. The total area of all signs on a zoning plot shall not exceed the total area predicated by all of the business frontage. 6. For shopping centers the area of a ground sign is not restricted by any rule limiting total sign area on the zoning plot. 7. For shopping centers the area of a freestanding sign is not restricted by any rule limiting total sign area on the zoning plot. 8. The area of time and temperature signs is not restricted by any rule limiting total sign area. 9. The area of any attraction board shall be included in the calculation of the area of signs of the same class and in the calculation of the total area of signs on a parcel. -31- D C: • N rt N Z Q' V, CL 2 V) - 0"1 g LLLL o R° 0 C N �•� � 0 0 1 N 10 �• "O c ® O� D C7 m �/ i7 m h�4 -i 1'+ m ` m V P� X J La O a Z G rt m )n 'p 0-4 -• O 7 'O O '1 "O MBA ;u r o a. 7 'p O rt G � � rt m 't '< rt m m r t ;. r 1 -I C) m w �1 < 'O (n tO W rt D N n O O m 1> N O D N o /� rt Cl z p ® �/� m -s _1 ( .2 > o, (D CPS a O (D (1 O rt m ll (D 9 m w 11 7 a ti J a rt O J rt m m rt - a 7�mq .� W 7 a 1� Cl VlO a la O - 11�J Q' a �Ll rh h yp� a (1 rt th m . a N 'b CD _O p�q O O O v ` CL E m' (D - a s 7, N � O a O En 3 rt V) - z a t 1� a -i -A A -h .D (D .. 0 7 m S`aG rt m 1�1 (D rt rt 't L a x a -r 7 O N S rt a ti -i� -h (D .0 7 ft rt 7 C -h (D 3 < ... rt r1 (D 'I CL 0 _m ro ( O (D a vl <rti UI 7 i7 m rt (O a S J 0 Di a O c 7J 0.0 7 C: C C 7 m O C. m X N m m X X �- � 7 - La (n ° p J < -h 7 V I C J 7 En .b m 9 rt m C p 3 0 7 (x N X _ O U) * i T .P N m N (D \ 1 O r 0- 1l1 O O IA ' Z 0 U d • O -P" N X X X X �. m La rt lo O v' rt m - • 7 m cn rt 7• OD O O m c O rt (D 4'� X • X N CT .�' N - VI X X X X 1 IA W N -h It I a O 7 V1 W 7 a rt a 7 m a m a au m m m ( n 4`� X X N O� A' _ N N X X X X rn W �O • W O Vn m W N m m _ 0 - -• � MN - N VI N 2 7 7 O m O n O V1 0 _ O rt rt m a CLU (A x O O A N m X x X X N E O .9 �•' •( r t m O h rt 0 m rt It W O O V1 m m a V S • ID C -h 0 a 1O m n.o It rt 'p 7 rt A .� N x b o x.x mm3E^+ (D (D bl 3 rl IA rt C rt 7 m m a D rt O. a la ID * m (n oa vom e c a n - h - 3 " O x X A N --+ X p�q m \O�((DD m a m m 4 O O m SCI (A , a (n a ) ( W w n 7 9 W to aa x F s ] nm mO O O m a T. T. EA 7 SEC. 22.0.9.030: PLAN DEVELOPMENT COMBINING ZONE Those signs shown on the precise plan referred to in sections 20.11 and 20.12 may be erected in the PD Zone. When determining whether to approve the signs shown on the precise plan, the Architecture and Site Committee shall apply by analogy the standards of the most restrictive zone in which the use to which the sign will pertain would be allowed. SEC. 22.10.000 NONCONFORMING SIGNS Sections 22.10.010 through 22.10.065 regulate the use and removal of nonconforming, unlawful, and abandoned signs. SEC. 22.10.010 MODIFICATIONS TO NONCONFORMING SIGNS The following modifications to nonconforming signs are allowed: 1. Changes in sign copy. 2. Modifications that reduce the extent to which the sign does not comply with the Zoning Ordinance. No modification of a nonconforming sign shall have any effect on the length of the amortization period for the sign. SEC. 22.10.015: RECORD OF NONCONFORMING SIGNS On or before April 15,.1976 the Planning Director shall prepare a list of all signs in the Town which on October 15, 1975 are nonconforming signs. SEC. 22.10,,020: MAILING OF NOTICES On or before the date shown in the section 22.10.025 schedule the Planning Director shall mail a notice by -33- certified return receipt mail to the occupant business, if known, and to the owner (as shown on the last equalized assessment roll) of - the land where each sign on the April 15, 1976 list is located. The notice shall contain: 1. A description of - the land where the sign is located and a description of the sign, both in terms reasonably sufficient for the owner to identify the sign. 2. A statement that the sign is a nonconforming sign. 3. The applicable date for removal of the sign under the provisions of section 22.10.040. Information concerning more than one sign, and information concerning separate amortization dates for different characteristics of one or more single signs, separately stated, may be included in a single notice. If the Planning Director subsequently learns that for any reason he has not given the notice in a timely manner, or that notice given is defective in any way, he shall promptly mail a proper notice to the occupant and owner, even if the regular time for notification has expired. Notice mailed after the time required by this section meets the requirements of section 22.10.030 and is effective to start the time period provided in section 22.10.035. SEC. 22.10.025 SCHEDULE FOR NOTIFICATION First Notice -.34- 1. Painted on wall signs, excessive brightness of signs, roof signs, signs suspended from a marquee: 2. Freestanding signs, wall signs, projecting signs and all signs not otherwise specified in this section: 3. Signs where total area of all signs on a building or zoning plot exceed permitted area: Second Notice Nine months before date of removal. SEC. 22.10.030 EFFECT OF MAILING OF NOTICES June 30, 1976 June 30, 1977 June 30, 1977 Notice mailed as provided in section 22.10.020 is deemed to be notice to the owners of nonconforming signs and to all persons having any right, title or interest therein. The mailing of notices is intended as a convenience to sign owners. However, no failure to give notice shall invalidate any proceeding to enforce this Article, to abate any sign or to punish any sign violation. SEC. 22.10.035 DURATION OF NONCONFORMING SIGN STATUS Nonconforming signs which are nonconforming signs on October 15, 1975 shall continue to be nonconforming signs until the dates shown for the various classes of signs on the following schedule: -35- 1. Painted on wall signs, excessive brightness of signs, roof signs, signs suspended from a marquees 2. Freestanding signs, wall signs, projecting signs and all signs not otherwise specified in this sections 3. Signs where total area of all signs on a building or zoning February 28, 1978 February 28, 1981 plot exceed permitted areas February 28, 1981 SEC® 22.10.040 DURATION OF SUBSEQUENT NONCONFORMING SIGNS A nonconforming sign which becomes nonconforming on or after October 16, 1975 shall be a nonconforming sign for the applicable period shown on the following schedule: 1. Painted on wall signs, excessive brightness of signs, roof signs, signs suspended from a marquee: 2 years 2. Freestanding signs, wall signs, projecting signs and all signs not otherwise specified in this section: 5 years 3. Signs where total area of all signs on a building or zoning plot exceed permitted area: 5 years -36- SEC. 22.10.045 NOTIFICATION AND OTHER PROCEDURES CONCERNING SUBSEQUENT NONCONFORMING SIGNS Within six months of the date when a sign described in section 22.10.040 becomes a nonconforming sign, the Planning Director shall add the sign to the list of nonconforming signs and mail notices in the manner specified in section 22.10.020, and such notices shall have the same effects as the notices provided for other nonconforming signs. SEC. 22.10.050 EXTENSION OF NONCONFORMING SIGN STATUS During the deliberations on this article, it was determined that this article should not include provisions for granting extensions of nonconforming status since the basic periods for nonconforming status were extended by the same number of years originally proposed for allowable extension. SEC. 22.10.055 REMOVAL OF UNLAWFUL SIGNS Any sign erected or maintained contrary to the provisions of this article or any ordinance of the Town of Los Gatos- - including unlawfully erected signs, and formerly nonconforming signs whose nonconforming status has terminated -- is in its entirety an unlawful sign. The provisions of sections 32.3 and 32.4 of this ordinance are applicable to unlawful signs, and to those who erect or maintain them. SEC. 22.10.060 ABANDONED SIGNS For any sign that has been abandoned as per section 22.02.010 the owner must have all copy removed and the sign -37- shall remain blank until a new entity has occupied the premises. Further, if any sign has been abandoned for a period of one year the owner shall remove the sign and any appurtenant structures. SEC. 22.10.065 MAINTENANCE All signs shall be maintained and kept in repair and shall be painted and repainted at reasonable intervals. If the owner fails to comply, after ten days written notice by the Planning Director, or his duly appointed Deputy, to so maintain said signs, the Planning Director shall have the sign removed at the owner's expense. SECTION 2. Sections 3.4, 3.13, 3.74, 3.75, 3.75.1., 3.76, 3.77, 3.78, 5.13, 6.13, 7.13, 10.13, 11.13, 12.5(e), 12.12, 13_13, 14.13, 15.13, 16.13, 17.09(i), 19.11 and 24.17 of the Zoning Ordinance of the Town of Los Gatos are repealed. SECTION 3. Section 30.1 of the Zoning Ordinance of the Town of Los Gatos is amended to read: SEC. 30.1 APPEALS FROM DECISION BY THE PLANNING DIRECTOR Any interested person may appeal to the Architecture and Site Committee from a decision of the Planning Director approving, approving conditionally, or denying an application for architecture and site approval, or from a decision of the EWE Planning Director extending the time during which an Architecture and Site approval may be granted, or modifying an Architecture and Site Approval, or from a decision of the Planning Director refusing to grant or revoke a home occupation permit, or from a decision of the Planning Director approving conditionally, denying, extending the time limits of or modifying a permit issuable under the provisions of Article S, approving conditionally, or denying a tree removal permit, or from a decision of the Planning Director approving or denying a sign permit. The appellant must file a written notice of appeal with the Planning Director not more than 10 days after the date of mailing of written notification of the Planning Director's decision. Hearing of the appeal shall be set for the first regular meeting of the Architecture and Site Committee which the business of the Committee will permit, more than five days after the date of filing of the appeal. The Committee has jurisdiction to hear the matter anew and to render a new decision in the matter. SECTION 4. Section 30.2 of the Zoning Ordinance of the Town of Los Gatos is amended to read: SEC. 3 0:.2 : APPEALS FROM DECISIONS BY THE ARCHITECTURE AND SITE COMMITTEE BY PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBERS Any member of the Planning Commission may, if he is qualified to do so, appeal to the Planning Commission from any -39- decision of the Architecture and Site Committee concerning architecture and site application or review, or application for variance, conditional use approval or sign approval, approving conditionally, or denying a tree removal permit, or from any decision of the Architecture and Site Committee extending time for or modifying any decision of such matters. To qualify to be an appellant, a member of the Planning Commission shall be a member of the Architecture and Site Committee and present at the meeting where the vote on the application was taken or if not a member of the Architecture and Site Committee shall have been present during all of the hearing, including any continued hearing or field trip, which resulted in the decision which is the subject of the appeal. The appellant must commence the appeal by giving oral notice to the Chairman of the Architecture and Site Committee after the decision, during the meeting at which the decision is rendered, and before any adjournment of the meeting. Hearing of the appeal shall be set for the first regular meeting of the Planning Commission which the business of the Commission will permit, more than five days after the date of filing of the appeal. The Planning Director shall give the applicant notice of the time and place of the hearing. The Commission has jurisdiction to hear the matter anew and to render a new decision in the matter. .M SECTION 5. Section 30.9 is added to the Zoning Ordinance of the Town of Los Gatos to read: SEC. 30.9: FORMS All notices of appeal shall be on forms prescribed by the Planning Director. SECTION 6. Subsection 1. of Sec. 14.4 is deleted from the Zoning Ordinance of the Town of Los Gatos. SECTION 7. Section 14.5(q.) is added to the Zoning Ordinance of the Town of Los Gatos to read: SEC. 14.5 USES PERMITTED BY CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (C -2 ZONE q. Theaters, including sign program. SECTION 8. THIS ORDINANCE SHALL TAKE EFFECT and shall be in force thirty (30) days after the date of its adoption. The Town Clerk of the Town of Los Gatos shall cause this ordinance to be published once within fifteen (15) days after its adoption, in the Los Gatos Times - Saratoga Observer, a newspaper of general circulation, published and circulated in the Town of Los Gatos. The above and foregoing ordinance was duly and regularly introduced at a regular meeting of the Town Council of the -41- Town of Los Gatos held on - the, 2nd day of ' September , 1975. PASSED AND ADOPTED as an Ordinance of the Town of Los Gatos, California, at a regular meeting of the Town.Council held on the 15th day of September , 1975, by the following vote: AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS Mark B. D iDuca hn B. Lochner Albert B. Smith uth Cannon NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS None ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS Eaon Jensen SIGNED: VBCE® MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS ATTEST: CLERK OF( E TOWN O LOS ATOS -42-