The City of Arcadia is in the process of updating the City’s sign regulations for real estate signs and developer-contractor signs to better control the number and size of these signs in single family neighborhoods (R-M, R-0, and R-1 zones). The real estate signs consist of “For Sale” type signs that are typically posted in the front yards and displayed on a post and arm, and the “Open House” directional signs are usually posted at the property and/or near an intersection. Regarding the Developer-Contractor signs those signs are posted on the premises during construction to display the name and contact information of the developer, contractors, and engineering, architect, or financial firms involved with the project.
Click here to download PDF RealEstateDeveloperSignsProposed Draft of proposed changes to the regulations that will be discussed publicly at the City’s regular Planning Commission meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 10.
And, below is a summary of the proposed changes that describes what is currently allowed vs. what is being changed.
Real Estate “For Sale, Lease, or Rent” Signs
The proposed text amendment maintains the existing limitation of one sign per street frontage and the existing size limitation of four square feet for the primary sign and one square foot for the rider. The following regulations would be revised:
a. Reduce the number of riders from three to two.
b. Require all real estate signs to be placed on private property and not overhang into public property. Currently, these signs are permitted to be placed in the public parkway, provided that they are setback a min. of 5’-0” from the street and 3’-0” back from the sidewalk.
Real Estate “Open House” Signs
The City’s zoning regulations for the three Single-Family Residential Zones currently allow up to two “Open House” signs, each a maximum of three square-feet in area. One open house sign may be placed in the front yard or parkway in front of the subject property, and one in the public parkway at/near a street intersection. Signs placed in the public parkway, are required to be setback a minimum of five feet from the street curb, and three feet behind a sidewalk in the direction of a residence. The proposed text amendment maintains the existing allowable height and size restrictions for open house signs (three square-feet in area and 3’-0” in height). The proposed changes are as follows:
Increase the total allowable number of open house signs from two signs to four signs. This will allow one sign to be placed on the premises, and the other three signs may be place at or near an intersection.
Allow more flexibility in the placement of open house signs in the parkway by allowing them to be placed anywhere in the parkway provided they are not placed on a sidewalk or pedestrian pathway. Currently, open house signs are required to be setback a minimum of 5’-0” from the street and 3’-0” back from the sidewalk, which in staff’s observations is inconsistent with standard real estate practices and overly restrictive.
Developer-Contractor Signs
The City’s zoning regulations currently allow up to six developer-contractor signs of up to four square-feet in area each to be posted on the premises during active periods of construction. The proposed text amendment would revise the regulations to allow only one developer-contractor sign, and limit the size of the sign to no more than 16 square-feet in area and 6’-0” in height. Developer-contractor signs would be required to be placed on private property and/or directly adjacent to or affixed to approved construction fencing. The current requirements allow for placement in the public right-of-way with a five foot setback from the street and a three foot setback from any sidewalk. The sign may be installed only when construction begins and up for a max. time limit of 1 year or final inspection, whichever is sooner.