On April 26, 2010, staff received direction to initiate a code amendment to Title 20.56 Signs to draft regulations on digital signs and revise other sections that have been difficult to administer. Staff established a stakeholders group of people who work in the sign industry, representatives of sign advocacy groups and local businesses to assist in the preparation of this code amendment.  Staff researched digital signs and worked with the members of the stakeholders group numerous times to prepare this draft Sign Code Amendment.

Temporary signs have been difficult to regulate under the current Sign Code. The Sign Code currently permits two day signs as well as 10 and 20 day signs which must be followed by 90 and 180 waiting periods, respectively, before temporary signs can be displayed again. It has been hard for staff to keep track of when such signs are posted and when or if a temporary sign is removed.  The draft sign code proposes a new temporary sign permit. Staff is requesting a nominal fee to cover processing and enforcement costs.

This resolution is requesting a proposed fee for a temporary sign of $35 to be revenue for the General Fund. The temporary sign permit fee is to pay for a portion of processing and regulatory costs.

The draft sign code proposes to eliminate two day temporary signs in favor of a “portable sign”, a new sign type. A portable sign cannot be larger than eight square feet and four feet tall and can only be displayed during business hours with location restrictions.

Section B of Temporary Signs addresses all other temporary signs. Temporary signs may be displayed at the discretion of the property owner/management and restricted to 2 per public entrance, not to exceed eight per site. The maximum size is 18 square feet with the exception of 80 square feet for leasing signs and location restrictions apply.

All temporary signs must receive a temporary sign permit. Permits can be issued for a period of up to one year and are renewable. With the issuance of the temporary sign permit, the applicant will be issued a sticker that must be placed on the temporary sign noting the expiration date. This will assist staff to identify when the temporary sign is to expire.

Resolution #____ has been attached to this staff report and the fees are listed.

City Council may not approve the Resolution for a fee for processing and administrating temporary sign permits.

I move to adopt Resolution 3272 amending Resolution 3255 revising fees to services provided by the City of Sparks for a temporary sign permits.