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HEARING - Planning and Building Department, Planning Division, Long Range Planning Unit, recommending the Board consider the proposed amendments to Chapter 130.36 of the Zoning Ordinance (Signs) and proposed Cameron Park Sign Standards and staff recommending the Board take the following actions as recommended by the Planning Commission on June 12, 2025:
1) Adopt the Addendum to the County 2015 Sign Ordinance Update Final Environmental Impact Report, certified in July 2015 (State Clearinghouse 2014102001) (Attachment F);
2) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Ordinance 5242 (Attachment C) to amend Chapter 130.36 - Signs;
3) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 127-2025 to adopt the Cameron Park Sign Standards (Attachment E); and
4) Consider adoption of additional amendments to Chapter 130.36 based on the Board’s Signage Ad Hoc Committee recommendations and additional research by staff, and provide direction to staff as necessary.
FUNDING: General Fund.
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DISCUSSION/BACKGROUND
On April 13, 2021 (Legistar file 21-0502), the Board directed Long Range Planning (LRP) staff to proceed with specific Zoning Ordinance amendments. Board-directed amendments included targeted revisions to several Chapters/Sections of the Zoning Ordinance, including amendments to Chapter 130.36 (Signs).
The Board requested amendments to Chapter 130.36 (Signs) include the following objectives: 1) consistency with state and federal law, 2) expand maximum size allowances for signs associated with commercial development, 3) clarify permitting and enforcement requirements for offsite subdivision signs, 4) clarify the permitting process, review authority and procedures for community sign programs, and 5) create unique sign standards for the Cameron Park Community Region based on the proposed amendments to Chapter 130.36.
On February 22, 2024 (Legistar file 24-0265), and February 25, 2025 (Legistar file 25-0301), LRP staff held respective Commission and Board informational workshops to solicit feedback on the preliminary draft amendments and Cameron Park Sign Standards. At both workshops, the Board and Commission supported the proposed amendments to Chapter 130.36 and Cameron Park Sign Standards as presented with recommended edits and clarifications where appropriate.
At the February 2025 workshop, the Board directed staff to strengthen enforcement of temporary sign regulations, reduce the time for temporary enlargement of non-commercial signs from 90 to 60 days, consider financial security for election sign removal, explore options for billboards and other signs inconsistent with standards, clearly define “DISM" (meaning County Design Improvement Standards Manual), and exclude nighttime shutoff and gas tube lighting bans from the draft Cameron Park Sign Standards. Following the workshop, staff implemented Board direction by incorporating the definition of “DISM,” revising the temporary enlargement allowance for non-commercial signs, and removing the proposed nighttime shutoff and gas tube lighting provisions from the draft Cameron Park Sign Standards. Other items listed above are not addressed in the draft ordinance amendments, but staff addressed through other appropriate methods, such as coordinating with other relevant County Departments and Units. Specifically, staff is working with the County Elections Department to ensure compliance with election sign posting limits and further improving or updating the informational packet for those running for public office. Also, the Planning and Building Department, Code Enforcement Unit has established a centralized program to promptly report and remove illegal temporary signs and enforce other applicable regulations.
The Board also directed the formation of a Signage Ad Hoc Committee (Committee) to explore options for addressing existing billboards and signage inconsistent with County standards. Committee work included a proposed prohibition on digital signs, with limited exceptions for municipal uses, and potential solution(s) to consolidating/removing existing billboards consistent with current law. The Committee’s recommendations for digital signs were forwarded for review and consideration by the Commission on June 12, 2025.
On June 12, 2025, (Legistar file 25-0756), the Commission reviewed the draft ordinance amendments, draft Cameron Park Sign Standards, and Committee recommendations and unanimously recommended approval as presented. The Commission also recommended the Board consider additional amendments regarding digital signs based on Committee recommendations and additional research by staff.
Key ordinance amendments include general clarifications for readability and updates to the following topics: temporary signs (Sec. 050), community sign programs (Sec. 060), standards for U.S. Highway 50-oriented signs (Sec. 070), minor size increases for commercial signs (Table 130.36.070.1b), adjusted sign sizes in RF zones for visibility (Table 130.36.070.1.d), new standards for Specific Plan (SP) zones without standards and revised permit types/review procedures (Sec. 080 & Table 130.36.080.1).
The proposed Ordinance to amend Chapter 130.36 and Resolution to adopt the Cameron Park Sign Standards would be effective 30 days after final adoption by the Board.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board may choose not to approve either the amendments to Chapter 130.36 (Signs) or the Cameron Park Sign Standards, or the Board may suggest additional revisions to either or both documents. If the Board should choose not to approve these documents, the existing County Signs Ordinance would remain in place.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
04/13/2021, Legistar file 21-0502
07/13/2021, Legistar file 21-1042
12/07/2021, Legistar file 21-1753
02/22/2023, Legistar file 24-0265
02/25/2025, Legistar file 25-0301
03/25/2025, Legistar file 25-0438
06/12/2025, Legistar file 25-0756
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no change to Net County Cost associated with this item. Funding for the staff and consultant time related to this Ordinance update has been included in the FY 2024-25 and 2025-26 budgets.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) Clerk to obtain Chair’s signature on original copies of Chapter 130.36 Ordinance (Signs) and Adoption Resolution for the Cameron Park Sign Standards.
2) Clerk to forward one (1) fully executed copy of Chapter 130.36 (Signs) Ordinance and Adoption Resolution for the Cameron Park Sign Standards to the Planning and Building Department, Planning Division, attention Chris Smith.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
Thea Graybill, Planning Manager
Planning and Building Department