The board of supervisors finds and declares that the uncontrolled and unregulated construction, erection and maintenance of signs within the unincorporated areas of Madera County poses hazards to vehicle traffic by distracting the attention and obstructing the vision of vehicle operators, and impairs the vistas of scenic corridors and highways, recreational areas and facilities and the state and national forested lands.
The purpose of this chapter is to control and regulate the construction, location and maintenance of all signs within the unincorporated areas of Madera County, such as to promote traffic safety, natural landscape and vistas, and the public health, safety and general welfare. The regulation and control of signs by this chapter is undertaken to accomplish the above objectives and not to control or regulate the content of advertising displays. (Ord. 525 § 1(part), 1989).

No signs shall be erected within the unincorporated regions of Madera County except as expressly permitted by this chapter. No off-premises sign shall be erected without the prior issuance of a zoning permit pursuant to Chapter 18.104. (Reference: Business and Professions Code § 5231.)
This chapter shall not apply to official traffic control signs or highway informational signs erected by a public entity. (Ord. 525 § 1(part), 1989).

Unless otherwise clearly indicated from the context, the following definitions apply for purposes of this chapter:
A. “Sign” means any advertising surface containing or upon which is placed or optically projected, any name, figure, character, outline, spectacle, display, delineation, announcement, advertising, device, appliance or other thing of similar nature to attract attention outdoors, and includes all parts, portions, units, vehicles and materials composing the same, together with the frame, background, surface or enclosure therefor.
B. “Off-premises sign” means a sign which advertises a business, product, service or entertainment, conducted, sold, or offered elsewhere than upon the parcel upon which the sign is located. No off-premises sign shall be located within one thousand feet of any other off-premises sign nor within five hundred feet of any road or railroad interchange, intersection at grade or any safety road side rest area.
C. “On-premises sign” means a sign which advertises a business or businesses conducted, the commodities manufactured, produced or sold, or the services rendered on or from the premises upon which said sign is located.
D. “Parcel” means a parcel of real property as identified in the Madera County master parcel book adopted in April, 1966, and filed with the Madera County planning department, and any parcel created thereafter by lawful subdivision or lot line adjustment of such a master parcel.
E. “Primary highway” means all of those portions of State Highways 41, 49, 99, 145, 152 and 233 lying within Madera County and designated as a part of the Federal Aid Primary System. (Reference: Business and Professions Code § 5220.)
F. “Road” includes the terms road, streets and highway as defined in this title in Sections 18.04.255, 18.04.455 and 18.04.510.
G. “Sign area” means the area included within the outer dimensions of a sign, including borders and frames. The sign area for a multifaced or “V” sign is the area of a single face.
H. “Campaign sign” means a sign advertising a candidate for political office, a political party or a measure scheduled for an upcoming election, or announces a campaign, drive or event of a civic, philanthropic, educational or religious organization. No campaign sign shall be displayed earlier than ninety days prior to, or later than ten days after, the date of the election or the event.
I. “Public announcement sign” means a freestanding sign structure whose announcement is limited to an activity, event, or service offered only by a non-profit organization which conducts its activities, events, or services within the county of Madera and will be limited to one double sided off-premise sign in accordance with the following conditions:
1. Total sign area of a public announcement sign will not exceed thirty-two square feet.
2. Public announcement signs shall be limited to identifying only the non-profit organization, and the activity, event or service offered.
3. No public announcement sign shall exceed six feet in total height when measured from the foot of the sign post, unless otherwise provided in this section. The zoning administrator may permit an increase in total height of a public announcement sign upon a showing that such an increase is necessary to achieve sign visibility in consideration of the topography at the sign’s location.
4. No public announcement sign shall be located within a public road right-of-way or upon county property.
5. No public announcement sign shall be located upon private property in such a manner as to create a traffic hazard.
6. No public announcement sign shall be located upon private property in such a manner as to create a visual obstruction as provided in Section 18.98.040 of this code.
7. Public announcement signs are subject to all provisions of the specific area plan and community plan and may be prohibited entirely.
8. Public announcement signs are not allowed under the provisions of the Oakhurst/Ahwahnee plan area sign overlay zone.
9. A public announcement sign is subject to review and approval by the zoning administrator predicated upon the filing of a fee-exempt zoning permit application, subject to the conditions specified in one through eight, above, and documented proof of the organization’s non-profit status. The zoning administrator may place a time limitation on the use of a public announcement sign, if the sign is applicable to a specific event, activity or service. The zoning administrator may require periodic zoning administrator review for compliance with the conditions of the zoning permit, including requiring proof from the applicant that the event, activity or service continues.
10. When a public announcement sign permit specifies an expiration date, the public announcement sign and temporary supporting structure will be removed within fourteen days from the date the permit authorizing it expires. When a public announcement sign permit does not specify an expiration date, the public announcement sign and temporary supporting structure will be removed within fourteen days from the date of written notice from the zoning administrator to remove it. (Reference: Business and Professions Code § 5405.3.)
J. “Subdivision identification sign-Temporary” means a freestanding sign structure whose announcement is limited to denoting the entrance and/or exiting a subdivision area. Temporary residential subdivision identification signs will be limited to one double sided on-premise sign in accordance with the following conditions:
1. A temporary subdivision identification sign may be permitted with an approved zoning permit, for a period of one year only, or until a permanent subdivision identification sign is installed, whichever is less.
2. Total sign area will not exceed one hundred square feet per sign face.
3. Temporary subdivision identification sign will be limited to identification of the subdivision by name only.
4. No temporary subdivision identification sign shall exceed ten feet in total height when measured from the foot of the sign post, unless otherwise provided in this section. The zoning administrator may permit an increase in total height of a temporary subdivision identification sign upon a showing that such an increase is necessary to achieve sign visibility in consideration of the topography at the sign’s location.
5. No temporary subdivision identification sign shall be located within a public road right-of-way or upon county property.
6. No temporary subdivision identification sign shall be located upon private property in such a manner as to create a visual obstruction as provided in Section 18.98.040 of this code.
7. No temporary subdivision identification sign may have moving parts, moving or intermittent lights or displays, animated signs or neon signs. For purposes of this chapter, “animated sign” and “neon” shall be defined as provided in Section 18.91.020 of this code. Only incandescent bulb, mercury or sodium vapor, or fluorescent lighting shall be used to illuminate any temporary subdivision identification sign. All lights shall be hooded and directed to minimize glare.
8. Temporary subdivision identification signs are subject to all provisions of the applicable area plan or community plan and may be prohibited if inconsistent.
9. When a temporary subdivision identification sign permit specifies an expiration date, the temporary subdivision identification sign and temporary supporting structure will be removed within fourteen days from the date the permit authorizing it expires. When a temporary subdivision identification sign permit does not specify an expiration date, the temporary subdivision identification sign and temporary supporting structure will be removed within fourteen days from the date of written notice from the zoning administrator to remove it.
K. “Permanent subdivision identification sign” means a permanent freestanding sign whose announcement is limited to denoting the entrance and/or exiting of a subdivision area. Permanent subdivision identification signs will be limited to one double-sided on-premise sign in accordance with the following conditions:
1. A permanent subdivision identification sign may be permitted with an approved zoning permit.
2. Permanent subdivision identification signs total sign area will not exceed one hundred square feet per sign face.
3. Permanent subdivision identification signs will be limited to identifying the subdivision by name only.
4. Pennants, streamers, flags or other appurtenants are not permitted.
5. Any change of the permanent subdivision identification sign, including but not limited to, the sign face, design or location will require a new zoning permit.
6. No permanent subdivision identification sign shall exceed ten feet in total height when measured from the foot of the sign post, unless otherwise provided in this section. The zoning administrator may permit an increase in total height of a permanent subdivision identification sign upon a showing that such an increase is necessary to achieve sign visibility in consideration of the topography at the sign’s location.
7. No permanent subdivision identification sign shall be located within a public road right-of-way or upon county property.
8. No permanent subdivision identification sign shall be located upon private property in such a manner as to create a traffic hazard.
9. No permanent subdivision identification sign shall be located upon private property in such a manner as to create a visual obstruction as provided in Section 18.98.040 of this code.
10. No permanent subdivision identification sign may have moving parts, moving or intermittent lights or displays, animated signs or neon signs. For purposes of this chapter, “animated sign” and “neon” shall be defined as provided in Section 18.91.020 of this code. Only incandescent bulb, mercury or sodium vapor, or fluorescent lighting shall be used to illuminate any temporary subdivision identification sign. All lights shall be hooded and directed to minimize glare.
11. Permanent subdivision identification signs are subject to all provisions of the applicable area plan and community plan and may be prohibited entirely if inconsistent.
12. When a permanent subdivision identification sign permit specifies an expiration date, the permanent subdivision identification sign and supporting structure will be removed within fourteen days from the date the permit authorizing it expires. When a permanent subdivision identification sign permit does not specify an expiration date, the permanent subdivision identification sign and supporting structure will be removed within fourteen days from the date of written notice from the zoning administrator to remove it.
13. A mechanism will be provided for each permanent subdivision identification sign to ensure continual maintenance of the sign. The zoning administrator can initiate revocation proceedings should the sign fall in a state of disrepair.
14. Permanent subdivision identification signs will be landscaped. Subsection (K)(13) of this section will also apply to the landscaping and lighting provisions of this code. (Ord. 525P § 1, 2004; Ord. 525-L § 1, 2002; Ord. 525 § 1(part), 1989).

No sign shall be placed upon any public property, including sidewalks, crosswalks, roads, curbs, lamp posts, hydrants, trees, utility poles, buildings, fences and rights-of-way of any type, except such legal notices which are authorized by law to be so located. No sign shall project over any public property or right-of-way. (Ord. 525-C § 2, 1994: Ord. 525 § 1(part), 1989).

A. No sign shall be located at or near any road intersection, or any road and driveway intersection, or any road and railroad track intersection so as to create a traffic hazard by obstructing vision.
B. No sign shall be located, constructed or lighted so as to interfere with, obstruct the view of, simulate or be confused with any official traffic control device.
C. No lighted sign shall exceed the illumination standard specified in Section 21466.5 of the California Vehicle Code.
D. No sign shall be located in any river, stream or canal bed such as to be a hazard to any road bridge if dislodged by the flow of water. (Reference: Business and Professions Code § 5403.) (Ord. 525 § 1(part), 1989).

No sign shall be placed upon any tree or painted or drawn upon any rock or other natural feature. (Reference: Business and Professions Code § 5403.) (Ord. 525 § 1(part), 1989).

No sign shall be erected or maintained in a condition hazardous to persons or property. All signs containing electrical components shall be constructed and maintained to comply with the applicable electrical code and building code of Madera County. (Reference: Business and Professions Code § 5403.) (Ord. 525 § 1(part), 1989).

A. Any sign lawfully erected and maintained prior to the effective date of this chapter, but which does not conform to the provisions of this chapter, or because of a zone change after the effective date of this chapter affecting the property upon which the sign is located, ceases to comply with the applicable zone district regulations, is a nonconforming sign. A sign exceeding the area or height regulations by five percent or less shall not be deemed nonconforming.
B. No nonconforming sign shall be altered, replaced, enlarged or reconstructed, except in such a manner as to cause the sign to conform fully to this chapter. A nonconforming sign may be maintained or the advertising copy changed without affecting its nonconforming status.
C. A nonconforming sign destroyed or damaged to the extent of seventy-five percent or greater of its value as of the date of such destruction or damage ceases to be nonconforming and shall not be replaced, but shall be removed or repaired to conform with this chapter.
D. Each nonconforming sign, except off-premises signs, shall be removed or altered to conform to this chapter within twelve months from the effective date of this chapter or from the date the sign becomes nonconforming.
E. No off-premises sign need be removed or altered to conform to this chapter if said sign was lawfully erected in compliance with state laws and local ordinances and was in existence on November 6, 1978, or was lawfully erected after November 6, 1978, unless just compensation is paid to the owner of the sign and the owner of the parcel upon which the sign is located.
Nonconforming, off-premises signs located within residential or agricultural zone districts shall be removed or altered to conform to this chapter within the time period set forth in Sections 5412.1 and 5412.3 of the California Business and Professions Code. (Reference: Business and Professions Code §§ 5412, 5412.1 and 5412.3.)
F. The sign owner, or owner of the parcel upon which the sign is located, may request the zoning administrator to establish an amortization period in excess of those set forth in subsections D and E above if such period is insufficient to reasonably amortize the investment in the sign. Such person may also request an extension of time in which to remove or conform a sign. The procedure for filing such requests, notice and hearing shall be as prescribed in Section 18.104.010.
The zoning administrator shall base his decision as to the amortization period solely on the following factors for which the applicant has submitted information prior to the hearing:
1. Original cost of sign;
2. Date of construction and installation;
3. Amortization date for tax purposes;
4. Whether the sign would have a useful value to the owner or lessee if permitted in another location;
5. Residual economic value;
6. Cost of removal;
7. The degree of nonconformance;
8. Whether the owner or lessee is a public agency. Any person dissatisfied with the decision of the zoning administrator has the right of appeal pursuant to the procedure set forth in Article II, Chapter 18.108 of this code.
G. The zoning administrator shall give written notice to the sign owner and owner or lessee of the real property of the requirement for removal or alterations upon which the sign is located under this section. (Ord. 525 § 1(part), 1989).

A. Any sign, other than an off- premises sign, which is not functional, abandoned or which is not used for advertising purposes for a period of one hundred eighty consecutive days, shall be removed from the parcel upon which it is located by the owner of said sign, or the owner or lessee of the parcel upon which the sign is located.
B. All signs which are not nonconforming signs and which do not conform with the provisions of this chapter, are public nuisances and shall be removed at the expense of the sign owner, and the owner and lessee of the parcel upon which the sign is located.
C. Any sign which constitutes a violation of subsections A or B above, may be abated and the costs of abatement recovered pursuant to the procedure set forth in Chapter 18.112 of this code. The enforcement provisions contained in this subsection shall be in addition to any other remedy provided by law. (Ord. 525 § 1(part), 1989).

The county planning director, engineer, road commissioner, sheriff and fire chief or their designees, may abate, including removal, without prior notice and hearing, any sign which poses an immediate threat to the safety of persons or property. Within ten days of summary abatement, the abating official shall give written notice to the owner of such sign and the owner and lessee of the parcel upon which such sign was located. The sign owner or parcel owner or lessee shall have the right to hearing pursuant to Chapter 18.112 to determine the nature of the threat and the appropriateness of the abatement action taken. (Ord. 525 § 1(part), 1989).

A. Total sign area for signs which are visible from adjacent properties or streets shall not exceed eight square feet per parcel;
B. An additional total sign area of thirty-two square feet for the display of campaign signs;
C. Signs identifying a home occupation as specified in the zoning permit authorizing the home occupation;
D. No sign shall exceed four square feet in sign area nor be taller than six feet above ground level;
E. An additional total sign area of one hundred square feet per parcel for display of temporary subdivision identification signs;
F. An additional total sign area of one hundred square feet per parcel for display of a permanent subdivision identification sign. (Ord. 525P § 2, 2004; Ord. 525 § 1(part), 1989).

A. Total sign area for signs visible from adjacent properties or streets shall not exceed the following limits:
1. Off-premises signs: Three hundred square feet per parcel, provided that signs visible from State Highway 99 shall not exceed six hundred seventy-two square feet per parcel.
2. All other signs. Three hundred square feet or ten percent of the building area, whichever is greater, per parcel.
B. An additional total sign area of thirty-two square feet per parcel for the display of campaign signs.
C. No sign shall exceed three hundred square feet in sign area nor be taller than thirty-five feet above ground level, provided than an off-premises sign visible from State Highway 99 shall not exceed six hundred seventy-two square feet in sign area.
D. An additional total sign area of thirty-two square feet per parcel for display of “public announcement signs.” (Ord. 525-L § 2, 2002; Ord. 525 § 1(part), 1989).

A. Total sign area for signs visible from adjacent properties or streets shall not exceed two hundred forty square feet per parcel;
B. An additional total sign area of thirty-two square feet per parcel for the display of campaign signs;
C. No sign shall exceed two hundred forty square feet in sign area or be taller than ten feet above ground level.
D. An additional total sign area of thirty-two square feet per parcel for display of “public announcement signs.” (Ord. 525-L § 3, 2002; Ord. 525 § 1(part), 1989).

Only those signs allowed as a part of an approved site plan shall be permitted in any planned recreation, residential development, shopping center or industrial zone district. (Ord. 525 § 1(part), 1989).

A. No sign shall contain moving parts.
B. No sign may be illuminated by intermittent light.
C. Only on-premises and off-premises signs may be illuminated within commercial, industrial or institutional zone districts.
D. Only signs displaying a property address may be illuminated in a residential and agricultural zone district. (Ord. 525 § 1(part), 1989).