15.36.020 Definitions.
“Billboard” means a sign which meets either or both of the following criteria: (A) the message display area, or any part thereof, is made available to message sponsors other than the owner(s) or operator(s) of the sign, typically for a fee or other consideration; (B) the sign is a principal or secondary use of the land, rather than appurtenant or accessory to some other principal use of the land.
“Construction site sign” means a temporary sign whose message pertains to identification of a building project located on the property where the sign is located.
“Free speech sign” means a sign displaying a noncommercial message.
“Incidental sign” means a sign that is minor and subordinate to another sign to which it is attached or connected.
“Informational sign” means a sign whose message provides functional or warning information to the viewer, such as “no trespassing” or “no solicitors,” underground utility notice, and similar messages.
“Noncommercial message” means a message concerning debate in the marketplace of ideas, in contrast to commercial message, which concerns a debate in the marketplace of goods and services. Noncommercial messages typically express views on topics such as politics, religion, protest, and opinions on the arts, sciences, and sports. This term includes messages urging a vote or support of a candidate or issue in an upcoming election.
“Political message” means a message on a sign that pertains to political views, including those urging a particular vote in an upcoming election.
“Real estate sign” means a sign whose message pertains to the sale, rental, exchange, lease or other economic transaction concerning real property. All signs mentioned in California Civil Code Section 713 are within this definition.
“Sign” means any name, figure, character, display, advertising device or any other thing of a similar nature used or intended to identify or attract attention, and shall include all parts, portions and materials comprising same. The following shall not constitute a sign:
A. Aerial banners towed behind aircraft;
B. Architectural features—decorative or architectural features of buildings (not including lettering, trademarks or moving parts), which do not perform a communicative function (examples include color stripes around a building);
C. Cornerstones and foundation stones not exceeding four square feet in area;
D. Historical monuments, plaques and tablets;
E. Holiday and cultural observance decorations displayed in season, including inflatable objects, on private residential property which are on display for not more than forty-five calendar days per year (cumulative, per dwelling unit) and which do not include commercial messages;
F. Inflatable gymnasiums associated with legal residential uses—inflatable, temporary, moveable, gymnasium devices commonly used for children’s birthday parties, and similar devices (also called “party jumps” or “bounce houses”);
G. Interior graphics—visual communicative devices that are located entirely within a building or other enclosed structure and are not visible from the exterior thereof;
H. Mass transit graphics—graphic images displayed on duly licensed and authorized mass transit vehicles that legally pass through the city;
I. Personal appearance: makeup, masks, wigs, costumes, jewelry, apparel and the like;
J. Safety warnings on motorized or electrified equipment;
K. Symbols embedded in architecture—symbols of noncommercial organizations or concepts including, but not limited to, religious or political symbols, when such are permanently integrated into the structure of a permanent building which is otherwise legal; by way of example and not limitation, such symbols include stained glass windows on churches, carved or bas relief doors or walls, bells and religious statuary;
L. Vehicle and vessel insignia—on street legal vehicles and properly licensed watercraft: license plates, license plate frames, registration insignia, noncommercial messages, messages relating to the business of which the vehicle or vessel is an instrument or tool (not including general advertising) and messages relating to the proposed sale, lease or exchange of the vehicle or vessel;
M. Vending machines, automated intake devices and product dispensing devices which do not display off-site commercial messages or general advertising messages.
“Small sign” means a sign not exceeding two square feet in size;
“Temporary sign” means a sign whose physical nature is not appropriate for, or intended for, long term display; such signs are typically made of lightweight or flimsy materials, and are installed or mounted with ordinary hand tools; or is intended to be on public display for not more than sixty days. (Ord. 611 § 1 (part), 2014)