Purpose | Collaboration | Adoption Schedule | Sign Ordinance | Comment

Update:  The City Council adopted the new sign ordinance at its March 14, 2013 meeting, which became effective immediately. Reference documents:
Chapter 30: Signs 
Sign application packet
Adopted sign ordinance (G-13-03-14-F2)       
Resolution R-13-03-14-F4: Building & sign fees (The existing fee structure for sign permits did not change. All fees are based on sign valuation.)  
  
About the sign ordinance    
Sign regulation requires the careful balancing of business needs and community planning goals related to streetscape aesthetics and traffic safety. Although the City has changed significantly over the past 30 years, the current sign regulations had essentially remained unchanged during that time period.

The Planning and Development Services Department has developed a new sign code to replace the previous one. 

Purpose of the new sign regulations   

1.   To stimulate a healthy economy by:  

• Permitting businesses to inform, identify, and communicate effectively; and
• Directing the general public through the use of signs on buildings and sites.

2.  To protect and enhance the physical appearance of the community in a lawful manner by:

• Providing standards for the appropriate design, scale, and placement of signs;
• Satisfying the community’s desires for signs that are attractive;
• Avoiding sign standards which are so rigid and inflexible that all signs have a monotonous look and design;
• Considering that areas outside the City may one day be annexed into the City; and
  Addressing abandoned signs that may cause an area to look blighted.

3.   To foster public safety along public streets within the community by:

• Ensuring that all signs are in safe and appropriate locations; and
• Ensuring that the information displayed on a sign is clearly visible and legible so that a sign achieves its intended purpose without causing undue distraction.

4.   To have administrative review procedures which are the minimum necessary to:

• Balance the community's objectives and regulatory requirements with the reasonable advertising and wayfinding needs of businesses;
• Allow for consistent enforcement of this Chapter;
• Address non-conforming signs;
• Minimize the time required to review a sign permit application; and
• Address changes in sign manufacturing technology, as necessary.