§ 16.76.040. Sign permits.
A. Sign Permits Required. To ensure compliance with the regulations of this chapter, a sign permit from the Building Division shall be required in order to erect, move, alter, or reconstruct any permanent or temporary sign, either on-or off-premises, except signs listed in subsection D of this section (Exemptions from sign permits), that are exempt from sign permits.
B. Approval of Sign Permits. A sign permit application shall be filed with the Department for review and sign-off by the Director based on consideration of size, height, and location, and other elements in compliance with the sign standards for specific types of on-premises signs (Section 16.76.100) and off-premises signs (Section 16.76.110) and the intent and provisions of this chapter. Specific types of signs may require a site plan review, land development permit, or use permit.
C. Revocation of Sign Permits. The Director may revoke or modify a sign permit, in compliance with Chapter 16.108 (Revocations and Modifications) if it is found that the sign(s) has been erected, altered, reconstructed, or is being maintained in a manner that is inconsistent with the approved sign permit.
D. Exemptions from Sign Permits. Sign permits shall not be required for the following allowed signs provided the sign does not require electrical work. Exempt signs shall not be included in the determination of the total allowable number of signs or total allowable sign area for a site/use.
1. Permanent Signs Without Specific Size Limitation. The following signs are exempt from sign permit review subject to the following limitations:
a. Official and legal notices required by a court or governmental agency. b. A sign erected and maintained in compliance with, and in discharge of, a governmental function or required by a law, ordinance, or governmental regulation, including signs erected by a public utility. c. Signs on licensed commercial vehicles, including trailers, provided that the vehicles or trailers shall not be used as parked or stationary outdoor display signs.
d. Bench and other signs located at designated public transit locations as authorized by Council franchise or revocable permit.
e. Changes to existing sign copy.
f. Memorial signs installed by, or with the approval of, a governmental agency, including signs and markers for historic landmarks or districts or points of interest.
g. Artist renderings or paintings on fences or structures or sculpture or other art work shall only be allowed on private property with the permission of the owner of the property and on public property with the permission of the appropriate governmental body.
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h. Flags of the United States, California, San Joaquin County, the City of Stockton, or other governmental entities.
2. Permanent Signs Limited by Maximum Size. The following signs are exempt from sign permit review subject to the following limitations:
a. Nameplates not exceeding three square feet in area per one family unit, duplex, triplex, fourplex, cottage court, and townhouse. Nameplates shall have Arabic numbers a minimum of four inches in height and of a contrasting color to the background to which they are attached; illumination shall not exceed 25 watts.
b. Nameplates, limited to unit number, not exceeding one square foot in area per multifamily unit. Nameplates shall have Arabic numbers a minimum of four inches in height if illuminated or six inches in height if nonilluminated. Numbers shall be of a contrasting color to the background to which they are attached.
c. One sign per entrance shall be allowed for nonresidential uses not exceeding six square feet and limited to the hours of operation, address, and emergency information for the business.
d. Interior window signs that do not exceed five square feet (includes flashing and/or moving displays/signs in compliance with Section
16.76.100(D)(1) (Electronic message boards and flashing/moving displays/signs)).
e. All painted signs shall comply with the standards of this chapter and the requirements for wall signs (Section 16.76.100(J)), subject to review by the Director.
3. Temporary Signs Limited by Size and Period of Display. a. Real Estate Signs. Real estate signs offering property for sale, lease, or rent are allowed in any zoning district on the property being advertised or on real property owned by others with their consent, subject to the following limitations:
i. For one-family dwellings, duplexes, triplexes, and townhouses, one sign per street frontage, not to exceed six square feet in area and six feet in height.
ii. For multifamily dwellings, one sign per street frontage not to exceed 40 square feet in area and six feet in height, or as otherwise approved by the Director.
iii. For individual commercial, office, and industrial properties not located in a commercial center or industrial/business park, one sign per street frontage not to exceed 40 square feet in area and six feet in height.
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iv. One sign per street frontage, not to exceed 40 square feet in area and six feet in height, shall be allowed to advertise the sale, rent, or lease, of tenant space(s) within a multitenant commercial center, office structure, or industrial subdivision. In addition, one sign for each tenant space available not to exceed six square feet to be located at the individual tenant space for rent or lease.
(A) Real estate signs may be placed on the site at the time of the listing or the availability of the rental space and shall be removed no later than the date of the completion of the sale or the signing of the lease.
(B) Signs advertising model homes and homes for sale within the subdivision where the sign is located.
b. Garage Sale Signs. Signs that announce the occurrence of a garage or yard sale may be allowed, provided that the signs shall:
i. Not exceed six square feet in area;
ii. Only be displayed one day before the sale and during the time of the sale and shall be promptly removed at the end of the sale; and iii. Not be placed on any public property, in compliance with Section
16.76.030(N) (Prohibited signs).
c. Future Tenant Signs. Future tenant identification signs that announce the future use of a project while under construction subject to compliance with the following limitations:
i. One sign per street frontage except for projects having an excess of 500 lineal feet of street frontage, one additional sign may be allowed;
ii. Signs shall be limited to a maximum of 40 square feet in area and six feet in height. Maximum of 50 square feet if combined with a construction sign; and
iii. Signs shall be removed before occupancy of the site. d. Construction Signs. Signs that provide the names of the architects, engineers, and contractors working on the site of a development project subject to compliance with the following limitations:
i. One sign per street frontage not to exceed 40 square feet in area with a maximum height of six feet. Maximum size of 50 square feet in area if combined with a future tenant sign; and
ii. Signs shall be removed before first occupancy of the site. e. Temporary Commercial Advertising/Promotional Signs and Devices.
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Temporary advertising/ promotional signs painted on a window or constructed of paper, cloth, or similar disposable materials, windblown devices (e.g., pennants, streamers, and banners), and inflatable devices may be allowed for commercial uses subject to the following limitations:
i. Signs and other devices may be displayed for a maximum of 15 days on six separate occasions within a 12-month period to promote a particular event, sale, or product;
ii. The total area of all temporary signs and banners shall not exceed 100 square feet per business; and
iii. Tethered balloons and inflatable devices may exceed the zoning district maximum height requirement.
f. Temporary Business Identification Signs. Until permanent signs can be erected, a maximum of two temporary signs for the identification of a new business or a change in the name of the business, are allowed for a period not to exceed 90 days. A one time extension of 30 days may be granted by the Director. Maximum sign area is limited to 32 square feet.
4. Temporary Signs Without Specific Size Limitations.
a. Temporary Political Signs. Temporary political signs shall comply with the following standards:
i. Signs shall be allowed on private property in any zoning district subject to the owner's permission;
ii. Signs shall not be located in a public right-of-way, easement, or on other governmental property dedicated to a public purpose; iii. Signs shall not be located upon utility or telephone poles; iv. Signs attached to a wall, fence, or structure shall not project more than six inches from a wall, fence, or structure;
v. Every political sign that exceeds five square feet shall have a corresponding statement of responsibility filed with the office of the City Clerk certifying a person who will be responsible for removing the sign and who will reimburse the City for any cost incurred to remove it, such certification being made upon forms prepared by the City; and
vi. Political signs shall be placed no earlier than 90 days prior to the scheduled election and shall be removed within seven days of an election in compliance with the Municipal Code.
b. Holiday Decoration Signs. Holiday decorations and holiday decoration signs shall not require a sign permit and are not subject to the requirements of this chapter. Holiday decoration signs shall be removed City of Stockton, CA
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(Prior code § 16-360.040; Ord. 001-08 C.S. §§ 17, 18; Ord. 015-09 C.S., eff. 12-3-09; Ord. 2020-06-09-1501 C.S. § 18; Ord. 2022-07-12-1601-02 C.S. § 21) within three days of the end of the holiday.
c. Temporary Special Event Signs. A special event sign, balloon, or banner intended to inform the public of a unique happening, action, purpose, or occasion, (e.g., a community event) shall comply with the following standards:
i. An organization may be allowed to display special event signs, balloons, or banners in any zoning district for a period of up to two weeks. Periods up to 60 days may be approved by the Director if the applicant provides written justification;
ii. Special event signs shall not include promotional commercial advertising; and
iii. Special event signs shall be removed no later than three days after the end of the special event.
d. Temporary Window Signs. Each business establishment shall be allowed to have temporary window signs provided the signs are located on the inside of the window.
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