Ord. 856ORDINANCE NO. 856
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
POWAY, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CHAPTER 17.40
(COMPREHENSIVE SIGN REGULATIONS) OF THE POWAY
MUNICIPAL CODE
WHEREAS, City staff and the City Attorney's Office have been progressively analyzing
the Poway Municipal Code ("PMC") and recommending updates where appropriate;
WHEREAS, this Ordinance proposes to update and amended a chapter of the PMC; and
WHEREAS, City staff encountered practical problems enforcing its regulations
concerning temporary signs regarding elections and noncommercial messages, and
accordingly, has recommended revisions to section 17.40.090(D)(7) of Chapter 17.40
(Comprehensive Sign Regulations).
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF POWAY DOES ORDAIN
AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1: The above recitations are true and correct.
SECTION 2: The City Council hereby approves this Ordinance and amends Chapter
17.40 of the PMC as specified below. Removals are indicated with ctrikcthroughc, and additions
are indicated with underline.
SECTION 3: Section 17.40.090(D) of Chapter 17.40 (Comprehensive Sign Regulations)
is hereby amended to read as follows:
D. Temporary signs for elections and other noncommercial messages are not permitted
within the public right-of-way (except as otherwise provided in this chapter), on public property,
or upon any public building or other publicly owned facility, including fences/walls, utilities and
landscaping. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in areas of the City zoned RR -A through RR-C and
RS-1 through RS-7, such signs are permitted within privately maintained improvements that are
located within the public right-of-way. Such signs are permitted on private property subject to the
following:
1. Such signs shall not exceed six square feet in total area for one side; double-f
aced signs shall not exceed six square feet per side.
2. Such signs shall not exceed an overall height of four feet. The height shall be
measured from the finished grade immediately around the sign.
3. No such signs shall be lighted either directly or indirectly unless said sign is erected,
painted or constructed on an authorized structure already providing illumination.
4. The number of such signs is not limited.
5. Such signs may carry any noncommercial message, including, but not limited to,
political messages.
Ordinance No. 856
Page 2
6. Such signs shall not be placed on private property without the permission of the property
owner or its authorized representative.
7. No such signs shall be posted in violation of any provision of this chapter. The Director
of Development Services or a designated representative shall have the right to remove
any sign placed in the right of way or on public property, contrary to any provision of this
section. Removed signs shall be stored by the City. Notice of removal shall be promptly
provided as soon as reasonably possible to the owner of such sign, or the apparent owner
or candidate. If it is the first violation, the City shall temporarily hold any such signs for 5
calendar days before they can be recovered. such person shall have the right to reserver
the sign forthwith, without charge. I4owever, for an„ s h g e-ia
rr -thiey aFe ret urnod. All signs
For a second
violation, the City shall temporarily hold any such signs for 30 calendar days before they
can be recovered. For a third violation, the City shall temporarily hold any such signs for
90 calendar days before they can be recovered and owner shall reimburse the City for any
actual costs incurred through confiscation and holding of such signs. All signs removed
by the City may be destroyed 15 calendar days following the day they are eligible for
recovery.
SECTION 4: This Ordinance shall be codified.
EFFECTIVE DATE: This Ordinance shall take effect and be in force thirty (30) days after
its adoption.
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CERTIFICATION/PUBLICATION: The City Clerk shall certify the adoption of this
Ordinance and cause it or a summary of it, to be published with the names of the City Council
members voting for and against the same in the Poway News Chieftain, a newspaper of general
circulation in the City of Poway within fifteen (15) days after its adoption and shall post a certified
copy of this Ordinance in the Office of the City Clerk in accordance with Government Code §
36933.
INTRODUCED AND FIRST READ at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of
Poway, California, held the 19th day of April 2022, and thereafter
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a Regular Meeting of said City Council held the 3rd day of
May, 2022 by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: LEONARD, FRANK, GROSCH, MULLIN, VAUS
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
DISQUALIFIED: NONE
Sieve Vaus, Mayor
ATTEST:
Carrie Gallagher, CMC, C.