Planning and Building Agency
www.santa-ana.org/pb
Item # 23
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Staff Report
August 19, 2025
TOPIC: Zoning Ordinance Amendment No. 2025-02 to Amend Portions of Chapter 41 (Zoning) of the Santa Ana Municipal Code Relating to A-Frame Signs.
AGENDA TITLE
Public Hearing - Zoning Ordinance Amendment No. 2025-02 to Amend Portions of Chapter 41 (Zoning) of the Santa Ana Municipal Code Relating to A-Frame Signs Legal notice published in the OC Reporter on August 8, 2025.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Adopt an ordinance approving Zoning Ordinance Amendment No. 2025-02 to amend several sections of Chapter 41 (Zoning) of the Santa Ana Municipal Code (SAMC) relating to A-frame signs.
ORDINANCE NO. NS-XXXX entitled ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT NO. 2025- 02 — AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA AMENDING PORTIONS OF CHAPTER 41 (ZONING) OF THE SANTA ANA MUNICIPAL
CODE RELATING TO A-FRAME SIGNS AND FINDING THE ACTION TO BE EXEMPT
FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) UNDER STATE CEQA GUIDELINES 15060(C)(2), 15060(c)(3) AND 15061(b)(3) GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES: No
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
At its May 6, 2025, regular meeting, the City Council, with unanimous support, directed the City Manager to present an ordinance for City Council consideration to permit the use of A-frame signs as commercial advertising for businesses within the City in order to allow additional marketing opportunities while addressing concerns related to public safety, pedestrian access, and the visual character of the community. The proposed ordinance will permit the use of A-frame signs by businesses while establishing regulations on location, size, materials, and quantity.
ZOA No. 2025-02 to Amend Portions of Chapter 41 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code Relating to A-Frame Signs
August 19, 2025
5 2
2 8
Planning Commission Action – July 14, 2025
On July 14, 2025, the Planning Commission held a public hearing for the project and voted 7:0 to recommend that the City Council approve Zoning Ordinance Amendment (ZOA) No. 2025-02 as drafted.
DISCUSSION
The City of Santa Ana is proposing revisions to Chapter 41 (Zoning) of the Santa Ana Municipal Code (SAMC) in order to establish a regulatory framework for A-frame signs, which would apply Citywide. This framework is designed in accordance with established industry standards.
The proposed ordinance, ZOA No. 2025-02, attached to this report (Exhibit 1) includes amendments to Chapter 41 of the SAMC. Table 1 below of this report illustrates key provisions of the proposed amendments to Chapter 41.
Table 1: ZOA No. 2025-02 Current and Proposed Text Regulations Item Existing Zoning
Code Regulations
Proposed Zoning Code Amendment
A-frame Sign
Regulations
Prohibited. 1. Remove reference to A-frame signs being
prohibited in Sec.41-861.
2. Allow A-frame signs without permits.
Number None. Allow one (1) A-frame sign per business
establishment.
Definitions None. Add definition for A-frame signs in Sec. 41-1000.
Location None. Proposed Sec. 869(b) proposes:
1. A-frame signs shall be placed within fifty (50)
feet of a business entrance when located on
private property.
2. A-frame signs in the public right-of-way shall
only be placed directly in front of a business
and within five feet of the business entrance.
3. Cannot be placed in any manner that obstructs
or impedes pedestrian or vehicle traffic.
a. Shall maintain four (4) feet clearance
on pedestrian paths at all times.
b. May not be placed within twenty-four
(24) inches of a curb face.
c. Must not be placed in measured areas
that obstruct the vision of motorists.
Size None. An A-frame sign shall not exceed thirty-six (36) inches in height and twenty-four (24) inches in width (Sec. 41- 869(c)).
Design None. An A-frame sign shall be constructed of durable weather resistant materials and maintained in good
condition (Sec. 41-869(d)).
ZOA No. 2025-02 to Amend Portions of Chapter 41 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code Relating to A-Frame Signs
August 19, 2025
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Item Existing Zoning
Code Regulations
Proposed Zoning Code Amendment
Time of Placement None. An A-frame sign shall only be displayed during operating hours of the business and must be removed
and stored when business is closed (Sec. 41-869(e)).
The Public Works Agency has drafted A-Frame Guidelines (Exhibit 3) that outline the rules and requirements for placing A-frame signs to maintain pedestrian, cyclist, and motorist safety. The guidelines are based on sections of the SAMC and are intended to ensure that A-frames do not obstruct pathways or public infrastructure in the right-of-way.
Background
A-Frame signs, also known as sandwich board signs or sidewalk signs, are portable, self- supporting signs shaped like the letter “A,” typically consisting of two panels joined at the top and designed to stand freely on the ground. These signs are widely used by businesses such as restaurants, retail stores, and service providers to display information such as daily specials, promotions, or directional information. These signs are highly visible and easy to update.
The City has prohibited A-frame signs in the past due to concerns about blocking pedestrian pathways, damaging landscaping, and visual clutter in the streetscape. However, many municipalities now allow such signage subject to objective standards because they boost business visibility, contribute toward increasing foot traffic, and offer an affordable, flexible display solution that can be easily modified, moved, or removed as needed.
Analysis
By implementing clear guidelines on size, placement, and materials, the proposed A-frame ordinance ensures signs enhance, rather than detract from, the local urban environment.
Provisions for minimum setbacks from curbs, adequate pedestrian clear zones, and prohibited display areas prevent obstructions and maintain accessibility. The ordinance also has requirements for durable, high-quality materials and regular maintenance that collectively work to prevent visual clutter and ensure aesthetic cohesion with and integration into Santa Ana's streetscape. The City’s team of Planning and Building and Public Works agencies staff worked together to define the permissible size, design standards, and materials to ensure visual harmony with the city's streetscape, address potential obstructions, promote safe pedestrian flow, and protect city infrastructure from damage.
The A-frame sign ordinance is consistent with the Supreme Court's ruling in Reed v. Town of Gilbert. Rather than imposing restrictions based on the message displayed, which Reed declared unconstitutional, this ordinance focuses on content-neutral regulations.
Specifically, it establishes clear guidelines for size, materials, portability, and placement, ensuring that the rules apply to all A-frame signs, regardless of whether they advertise a daily special, promote a local event, or convey a specific message. This approach allows the City to manage visual clutter, maintain pedestrian safety, and protect the aesthetic integrity of the public realm.
ZOA No. 2025-02 to Amend Portions of Chapter 41 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code Relating to A-Frame Signs
August 19, 2025
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2 8
General Plan Consistency
The Economic Prosperity (EP) Element of the General Plan is designed to ensure the city’s economy grows, diversifies, and provides broad benefits, such as job creation, business retention, and increased public revenues. The General Plan emphasizes a business-friendly approach and updates to the zoning code to clarify development standards. The amendment to Chapter 41 of the SAMC to permit and regulate A-frame signs provides marketing and advertising opportunities for businesses, supporting business development and entrepreneurship, which are key priorities. By enabling businesses to better attract customers and increase visibility, such signage opportunities foster a dynamic local economy, promote the commercial environment, and contribute to goals of job creation, business retention, and maintaining a thriving, business-friendly community. Specifically, this action advances Goal EP-1: Job Creation and Retention by supporting businesses (Policy EP-1.2 and EP-1.3), and Goal EP-2: Economic Base Diversity by encouraging small business development and entrepreneurship (Policy EP-
2.6). Additionally, it aligns with Goal EP-3: Business-Friendly Environment by promoting a regulatory environment where businesses can thrive (Policy EP-3.1), and Goal EP-4:
Economic Development Strategies by supporting the City’s commitment to economic growth through supportive policies and customer service (Policy EP-4.1).
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) and the CEQA Guidelines, the adoption of this Ordinance (“Project”) is exempt from CEQA review pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines because it will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. The Project is also exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines as it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility the ordinance will have a significant effect on the environment. The proposed ordinance allows certain temporary signage, only providing standards to regulate such signage and does not authorize any new development or cause changes in density or intensity of land use.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with this action.
EXHIBIT(S)
1. Ordinance for ZOA No. 2025-02
2. Copy of Public Notice
3. Public Works Agency A-Frame Sign Guidelines
Submitted By: Ali Pezeshkpour, AICP, Executive Director of Planning and Building Agency
Approved By: Alvaro Nuñez, City Manager