San Fernando : Merchants May Gain More Sign Freedom

Car dealers in the city may be allowed greater use of banners, streamers, pennants and other temporary signs if the City Council adopts amendments to the zoning ordinance as recommended by the Planning Commission.

The commission unanimously passed a resolution Tuesday night recommending adoption of the amendments, which would allow auto dealers and other merchants in the city’s commercial and business zone to apply for 21-day permits to display banners, pennants and streamers.

Merchants would be allowed to renew the permits or reapply for them, but would be limited to using such temporary signs for a total of 105 days each year. The city’s current zoning ordinance limits their use to 30 days per year.

Permits would be granted for such things as grand openings, announcements of new management and special promotions.

Other key changes to the ordinance, said Community Development Director Howard Miura, would affect window signs, limiting them to 10% of the total area of the window. There are now no regulations affecting window signs.