HomeMy Public PortalAbout11) 10B Banner Permits_Staff ReportAGENDA
ITEM 10.B.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
MEMORANDUM
DATE: August 4, 2020
TO: The Honorable City Council
FROM: Bryan Cook, City Manager
By: Scott Reimers, Interim Community Development Director
SUBJECT: TEMPORARY BANNER PERMITS – WAIVER OF FEES AND
MODIFICATION OF RULES FOR DISPLAY PERIODS
RECOMMENDATION:
The City Council is requested to:
1. Waive fees for temporary banner permits while the City is in a local state of emergency
and
2. Direct staff to allow businesses to keep banners up for a period of six months or until
the end of the local state of emergency, whichever comes first.
BACKGROUND:
1. On March 4, 2020, Governor Newsom declared a State of Emergency in response to
the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. On March 13, 2020, the President of the United States declared a national state of
emergency due to the COVID-19 outbreak. On this same day, the City Council
adopted Resolution No. 20-5457, declaring a local state of emergency.
3. On July 8, 2020, the City Council adopted the COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan.
The plan includes a goal of returning within 30 days with a waiver of business banner
permit fees.
City Council
August 4, 2020
Page 2 of 2
ANALYSIS:
During this time of economic stress, businesses have an urgent need to communicate
messages to their customers. This could be a simple banner stating that the business is
open or that curbside service is available. This need is temporary, given the present
pandemic and, thus, there is expected to be an increased demand in temporary banner
permit applications. Staff recommends waiving fees for all banner permits.
A temporary sign permit is required to hang a banner. Section 9-1F-12 of the Zoning
Code provides the regulations related to banners.
• Only one banner is allowed per tenant.
• Banners must be located on private property.
• Banners must be in kept in good condition.
• Banners may only be displayed on a wall or fence.
• Banners cannot exceed 15 feet in length and 3 feet in height.
• Banners can be displayed for no more than 30 consecutive days. After 30 days,
the banner must be taken down for at least 60 days. Banners can be up for no
more than 120 days per calendar year.
Given the state of emergency and the pressing need to communicate with customers
various messages, staff recommends modifying these time requirements so that tenants
can leave signs up for six months or until the local state of emergency is over, whichever
comes first.
For reference purposes, this year, the City issued five temporary sign permits. In an
average year, the planning staff approves ten temporary sign permits. The fee for a
temporary sign permit is $30. Since the City declared a local state of emergency, only
one application for a temporary sign permit has been approved. However, in the interest
of incentivizing local businesses to advertise via temporary signs, staff is making this
recommendation and, if approved, will be communicating it to local business owners.
STRATEGIC GOALS:
Providing for additional time to exercise a planning entitlement furthers the City’s Strategic
Goals of Good Governance.
FISCAL IMPACT :
In an average year, the City would expect to take in approximately $300 in revenue from
temporary sign permits for banners. If staff’s recommendation is approved, the City would
expect a reduction of $150 in budgeted revenue.