§ 23.04.310. Signs Allowed - Type and Area.

The following signs are allowed on a site subject to approval of a sign permit (Section 23.04.306a), in addition to any exempt signs allowed by Section 23.04.306b.

a.

Sign area limitations by land use category. The number and area of signs allowed on a site shall be as follows, based upon the land use category of the site, except where subsection c. of this section would also allow specialized signing:

(1)

Commercial and Industrial categories: The following signs are allowed in the Commercial Retail, Commercial Service and Industrial categories, with a maximum aggregate area of 100 square feet of signing per site, provided they are designed as an integral part of the structure they identify:

(i)

Wall signs for each business or tenant, with the number of such signs allowed being equivalent to the number of building faces having a public entrance to the business. The allowed area for the wall signs shall be 15% of the building face, up to a maximum of 80 square feet. Such wall signs may be located on building faces other than those with public entrances.

(ii)

One suspended sign with a maximum area of 10 square feet for each business or tenant.

(iii)

One monument sign for each 300 linear feet of site frontage or portion thereof, with a maximum area of 60 square feet each.

(iv)

One projecting sign with a maximum area of 20 square feet for each business or tenant.

(v)

Marquee signing for each business or tenant, with a maximum area of 40 square feet.

(2)

Office and Recreation categories: The following signs are allowed in the Office and Professional and Recreation land use categories, with a maximum aggregate area of 100 square feet signing per site:

(i)

Wall signs for each business or tenant, with the number of such signs allowed being equivalent to the number of building faces having a public entrance to the business. The allowed area for the wall signs shall be 10% of the building face, up to a maximum of 50 square feet. Such wall signs may be located on building faces other than those with public entrances, provided they are designed as an integral part of the structure they identify.

(ii)

One suspended sign with a maximum area of 10 square feet for each business or tenant.

(iii)

On monument sign for each business or tenant with a maximum area of 40 square feet and a maximum height of five feet.

(3)

Commercial or public assembly uses in other categories: Where commercial or public assembly uses (churches, sports facilities, etc.) are located in the Agriculture, Rural Lands or Residential land use categories, signing is allowed as set forth in subsection a(2) of this section for the Office and Professional category.

b.

Location of monument signs. Monument signs may be located within the setback areas required by Sections 23.04.100 et seq., provided such signs do not exceed three feet in height.

c.

Specialized sign requirements:

(1)

Shopping, business or industrial center signing: When approved as part of the Development Plan, a shopping, business or industrial center with five or more separate uses or tenancies on a single site sharing common driveways and parking areas, is allowed one common identification sign with a maximum area of 60 square feet, in addition to the total sign area allowed by subsection a of this section. Where visible from a public street, signing on shopping center sites is to be of a uniform design throughout the center as to the size, finished framing materials and location on buildings of such signs.

(2)

Community identification signs: One community identification sign is allowed at or within an urban or village reserve line on each arterial street entering a community, with a maximum area of 100 square feet and a maximum height of 12 feet. Such signing may include the name of the community, slogans or mottos, names of civic or religious organizations, but no names of businesses or commercial products.

(3)

Freeway identification signs: In addition to signs allowed by subsection a of this section, sites located in Commercial categories adjacent to State Highway 101 or a Highway 101 Frontage Road may be authorized through Development Plan approval to use an on-site freeway identification sign with a maximum area not to exceed 125 square feet. The maximum height for freeway identification signs is to be 50 feet above grade, provided that the Planning Commission may require a reduced height where deemed appropriate.

(4)

Viticultural area signing. Each area of San Luis Obispo County recognized as an American Viticultural Area by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (BATF), may be identified by roadside signs:

(i)

Required sign location: On private property along a state highway, at or within the boundary of the viticultural area as determined by BATF.

(ii)

Maximum area and height: A maximum area of 80 square feet and a maximum height of 12 feet.

(iii)

Sign copy: Shall consist only of the phrase "Entering the (Applicable Name) Viticultural Area".

(5)

Winery directional signs. In addition to any signs allowed by subsection a of this section, approved wineries or winery tasting rooms in rural areas may also establish a maximum of two off-premise signs on private property, where allowed by state law adjacent to roads leading to the winery and/or tasting room, for the purpose of directing patrons to the site.

(i)

Maximum area and height: A maximum area of 32 square feet and a maximum height of 10 feet.

(ii)

Appearance. All winery directional signs shall be of a uniform design, to be approved by the Planning Director.

(iii)

Sign copy: Shall consist only of the name of the winery, the distance and direction from the sign.

d.

Exceptions to sign standards: Greater numbers of signs or areas of signing larger than the requirements of subsections a. or c. of this section require Development Plan approval.

[Amended 1995, Ord. 2715]