Signs in Old Town


Old Town is Temecula's pedestrian friendly downtown, and the signs in this area are intended to contribute to the lively atmosphere and preserve Old Town's historic character.

Most signs, including permanent and temporary signs in Old Town, require Planning Department approval before they can be placed on a building or on a site. After Planning department approval is obtained most signs also require the issuance of a building permit from the Building and Safety Department.


 sign criteria and requirements in Old Town


Section IV.J of the Old Town Specific Plan outlines the general criteria for signs within the Old Town area.

Please click here to download Section IV.J-Sign Criteria for Old Town.


Please note: There are also some properties in Old Town that have an approved Sign Program. A Sign Program is a document that contains a comprehensive set of sign criteria that is unique to a specific shopping center, building or development. Sign requirements that are contained within a sign program differ from those in the Old Town Specific Plan.

To check to see if your property has a Sign Program and to obtain more information about Sign Programs please click here.


 

Obtaining  Planning Department Approval for Permanent Signs in Old Town


It is recommended that you contact a sign company to assist in the preparation of the sign proposal documents and renderings. Drawings should be to scale and drawn in accordance with either the appropriate sign program criteria, or with the requirements in the Old Town Specific Plan- Section IV.J.

Once the drawings are complete you will need to bring two color copies to City Hall to have a planner review your signage proposal and approval them over the counter. Planning does not collect a fee to approve signage over the counter. Once planning approves your sign you will need to obtain a building permit. Building permit fees are due at permit issuance.


Obtaining Temporary Sign Permits in Old Town 


Temporary Signs are located on the site of the business, use or activity, and are erected or placed for a prescribed period of time to promote, advertise, announce, or provide the following information:

1). Designate, identify, or indicate the name of the business, owner, or occupant of the premises where the sign is located;

2). Advertise the business conducting the services available or rendered, goods produced, sold, or available for sale upon the premises where the sign is located.

 

Typically, Temporary Sign are made of cloth, bunting, vinyl, or other similar materials. Temporary promotional window signs are professionally painted or affixed directly on windows.

Temporary signs are removed after the time period for which they are allowed to be up elapses. Temporary signs require the approval and issuance of a Temporary Sign Permit prior to the sign being placed on the building or site.

How do I obtain a temporary Sign permit in Old Town?
Completed and signed Temporary Sign Permit Applications can be submitted at the Planning Department counter at City Hall. You do not need a submittal appointment and walk-in submittals are welcome. Please use the link below to download the Temporary Sign Permit Application for Businesses in Old Town:


Temporary sign permits are typically issued the day the application is received


Permit Fees:There is a $25.00 permit fee. This fee shall be paid upon application submittal.


temporary sign criteria and requirements in Old Town
The following information is based on the requirements in the Old Town Specific Plan and Municipal Code Section 17.28.600.  For a list of all prohibited signs in Old Town Please refer to Chapter IV Section J.10 of the Old Town Specific Plan.


Types Allowed

Promotional

Intended to attract attention to a use or activity for a limited number of events. [1]

Grand

Opening [2]

Criteria

Attached

Detached

Window

Attached

Maximum Number of Signs Allowed One; Two when fronting 2 or more major streets; One; For non-profit events, one additional per major street frontage;

 

 One; Two when fronting 2 or more major streets;
Maximum vertical height Shall not exceed five feet (5') Shall not exceed three feet (3')

 

 Shall not exceed three feet (3')
Maximum horizontal width Shall not exceed 60% of business or store frontage Shall not exceed fifteen feet (15')

 

 Shall not exceed 60% of business or store frontage
Maximum surface area Shall not exceed 32 square feet Shall not exceed 32 square feet Shall not exceed 75% of non-door window area Shall not exceed 32 square feet
Maximum height to top of sign Shall not exceed the top of the eave or parapet wall of building Shall not exceed 6 feet above the ground

 

 Shall not exceed the top of the eave or parapet wall of building
Maximum number of occurrences 5 times per calendar year 4 times per calendar year Once Once
Maximum display time Up to 30 consecutive days [5] Up to 14 consecutive days within any 90 day period Up to 90 consecutive days Any period during the first 120 days of business or multi-family rental complex operation
 
Types Allowed

Interim [3]

Special Event

Intended for special community activities or seasonal events

Temporary Portable Signs

Criteria

Attached

Attached

Detached

N/A

Maximum Number of Signs Allowed Equal to the number of permanent signs permitted by the Old Town Specific Plan. (One per side) One on-site; For community or non-profit events, one off-site; One on-site; For community or non-profit events, one off-site; [4]   One per business; to be placed at the primary entryway of the business.
Maximum vertical height Equal to the permanent sign Shall not exceed three feet (3') Shall not exceed three feet (3')   Shall not exceed four feet (4')
Maximum horizontal width Equal to the permanent sign Shall not exceed 60% of business or store frontage Shall not exceed fifteen feet (15')   Shall not exceed three feet (3')
Maximum surface area Equal to the permanent sign   Shall not exceed 32 square feet Shall not exceed 32 square feet for major roads; Shall not exceed 24 square feet for all other roads;   Shall not exceed 12 square feet
Maximum height to top of sign Equal to the permanent sign Shall not exceed the top of the eave or parapet wall of building Shall not exceed 6 feet above the ground  
Maximum number of occurrences Once Once 4 times per calendar year Signs may be placed in front of a business establishment on a daily basis but shall be placed inside the tenant space/suite during non-business hours.
Maximum display time Up to 90 consecutive days with a one-time extension of up to 30 days with Director approval Up to 45 consecutive days with a one-time extension of up to 45 days with Director approval Up to 14 consecutive days within any 90 day period  

 

General Notes:
[1]       May not be used in combination during any quarter. [2]       Bearing only the words “Grand Opening” or similar message to announce the opening of a new business.

[3]       Provide proof that the permanent sign is being fabricated, repaired, or prepared for installation; May contain only the business name & appropriate logo.

[4]       For special community-wide events, additional supplemental and/or directional signs may be allowed at Director’s discretion.

[5]       For Jan.–Sept., one 30 day period per quarter with a 60 consecutive day down period; For Oct.–Dec., two 30 day periods provided sign is down for 30 consecutive days before used again.