Modification of Regulations Related to Temporary Noncommercial Signs

David Mohlenbrok, Director of Community Development

Bret Finning, Planning Services Manager

Introduce, waive the full reading and read by title only, an Ordinance Of The City Council Of The City Of Rocklin To Amend Title 17 Of The Rocklin Municipal Code To Update And Clarify Regulation Of Temporary Noncommercial Signs

(Temporary Noncommercial Signs / ZOA2021-0002)

Proposed Ordinance Amendment

This ordinance is to modify regulations addressing Temporary Noncommercial Signs, including political signs, in all areas of the City of Rocklin to establish maximum sign size as well as update and clarify these provisions. 

Background / Analysis

On August 13, 2019, the City Council considered possible revisions to the standards applicable to temporary noncommercial signs. Following the discussion, the City Council directed staff to move forward with an ordinance to modify the Rocklin Municipal Code (RMC) to establish size limitations, as well as update and clarify the temporary noncommercial sign regulations to make them clearer and easier to understand. 

Based upon the City Council’s direction, staff has drafted modifications to the standards for temporary noncommercial signs found in Table 1 of RMC Section 17.75.020 and RMC Section 17.75.070 (D) to:

1. Establish the maximum size of a temporary noncommercial sign as 16 square feet.
2. Expand the time such signs may be displayed from beginning 45 days prior to an election and ending 5 days after to beginning 60 days prior to the associated event and ending 10 days after.
3. Clarify where temporary noncommercial signs may be located on a property.
4. Update language and formatting to clarify intent and make the regulations more user friendly.

Staff consulted with the City's Engineer for recommendations on sign location and size, to improve traffic control and promote public safety.

Summary of Planning Commission Hearings and Action

On August 17, 2021, the Planning Commission considered the proposed zoning code modification. Staff presented the item. No one from the public wished to comment on this item.  During deliberations the Planning Commission was generally supportive of the proposed modification. Several Commissioners expressed concern with expanding the time such signs could be displayed beyond the existing standard and some concern was also expressed that the proposed size limit may be too large. One Commissioner noted support for the proposed display time but stated the maximum sign size should be increased from the proposed 16 square feet to 24 square feet, and the maximum height increased from six feet to eight feet.  After deliberations, the Planning Commission voted to recommend the City Council approve revisions to the standards for temporary noncommercial signs as proposed by staff (3 Aye, 1 No, 1 Vacancy). For more detail please see the video of the meeting at the following link ( Video ) or by accessing the City of Rocklin website for the appropriate meeting agenda.

The existing language of the code section has been provided, for reference, as Attachment A to this staff report. The proposed wording can be found in the draft resolution for recommendation of approval.

The California Environmental Quality Act (Section 2100, et. seq. of the California Public Resources Code, hereafter CEQA) requires analysis of agency approvals of discretionary “projects”. A “project”, under CEQA is identified as “the whole of an action, which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.”

The proposed amendment to the Rocklin Municipal Code is not subject to review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines sections 15060, subdivision (c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and 15061, subdivision (b)(3) (there is no possibility the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment).