11-5-106. BILLBOARDS.
(1) Purpose. It is the purpose and intent of this Section to limit the number of billboards to the total number of existing billboards. This Chapter further provides for the reasonable regulation of billboards with the intent of limiting negative impacts, enhancing the aesthetics of existing billboards and implementing goals and policies promoting safety, the protection of property values, aesthetics, the maintenance of gateways, views and vistas that enhance the City, and further the applicable elements of the City’s General Plan.
(2) Cap. The number of billboards allowed in the City shall be limited to the number of billboards that are existing in the City as of January 31, 2003 (53). This cap shall automatically decrease as billboards are removed but not relocated.
(3) Location. Billboards shall not be allowed in gateway-oriented overlay zones, regardless of the underlying zone.
(4) Size. Billboards shall not exceed 672 square feet in LI and M zones along freeways. Billboards shall not exceed 300 square feet in C-2, C-3 and non-freeway-oriented LI and M zones.
(5) Separation. The minimum distance between billboards shall be 750 radial feet along freeways and 500 radial feet at any other location.
(6) Height. The maximum height of a billboard shall be 35 feet, except for freeway-oriented signs as specified in this Title. The maximum height when located within 150 feet of residential zones, agricultural zones or residential use shall be 25 feet, and such signs shall contain no illumination.
(7) Setbacks. The minimum front yard setback shall be 10 feet for billboards less than or equal to 25 feet in height. Signs exceeding 25 feet in height shall be set back one additional foot for each foot of height over 25 feet, up to the maximum height allowed of 35 feet. The sign setback shall be measured from the property line. The closest edge of a billboard shall not project into any required setback area. The minimum separation between a billboard and any residential use or zone boundary shall be 75 feet.
(8) Lighting. Lighting shall be confined to the sign face and not illuminate the night sky.
(9) Design. Billboards shall utilize the “monopole” or “bi-pole” design and shall be continuously maintained structurally and on the copy face.
(10) Removal. Prior to the removal of any billboard the owner shall obtain a permit for the demolition of the billboard. Permits may be provided following application to the Community and Economic Development Department.
(11) Relocation. The owner of an existing billboard may remove the existing billboard from a nonconforming site to an approved location only after a permit is obtained as set forth in this Title and other provisions of this Chapter are complied with. Billboards moved to approved locations shall conform to all sign requirements of the new location. Billboards moved from nonconforming locations must be installed to a new approved location within 18 months from the date the permit is issued with not more than one extension of six months granted by the Community and Economic Development Department. If the billboard is not moved in this time frame the ability to relocate said billboard is forfeited.
(12) Relocation of Conforming Billboards. Billboards that conform to the provisions of this Chapter may be relocated as follows:
a. When road widening or development proposals force the need to relocate;
b. When a conforming billboard is removed, for whatever reason, that sign may be relocated to a conforming location only when the company that owns the sign at the time of removal has either removed all of that company’s nonconforming signs or relocated all of that company’s nonconforming signs to conforming locations, and shall contain no illumination.
(13) Electronic Message Signs. Electronic message signs shall be a maximum of 300 square feet if located on a billboard that is not freeway oriented and shall not increase in size if the existing billboard is less than 300 square feet prior to electronic message sign installation. Electronic message signs located on billboards shall be regulated as defined in Section 11-5-108, and shall be separated by 500 radial feet from any other electronic message sign located on a billboard.