John Palminteri
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Business owners who routinely place signs in the walkways, sidewalks and landscaping around the city of Santa Barbara, in unapproved sites, could find them gone in a flash under a newly upgraded ordinance.
The city’s Ordinance Committee and City Council have both spent countless hours reviewing the changes in collaboration with the city staff including the city attorney’s office.
Free speech expression is allowed, but sign placement is the main issue.
The city has had rules for years, but enforcement has been limited. This includes electronic signs that do not get an approval and also signs that do not comply with size rules.
The biggest issue is the signs anywhere in the walkways, for example, the busy downtown corridor. They can be trip and fall hazards. They can block the walkway it they are in an area with limited space or other items using the space such as tables, chairs and planters. They can also change the available space and create a violation of ADA laws.
As firm as the city has been on the rules, it has been criticized for lack of enforcement, which the council wants to see stepped up.
The bottom line to the rules when it comes to promoting businesses is, the signs can not be more than 42 inches tall and they must be free standing outside of the sidewalk. They can not be tied ot chained to city posts or trees.
Business owners in the downtown area say the signs are vital.
Diane Garmendia owns 33 Jewels on State Street. She does not have the street signs others do but she has 20 years on the block. “I’ve never seen so many signs but I have also never seen it like this before.”
She is on board with some of the business owners and members of the public who believe the closure of State St. into a promenade should end and the street should again be open for vehicle traffic. The supporters say that would bring more activity to the area and more people would be able to see the front of the businesses at they pass by.
She says businesses are doing whatever they can to draw customers in. She said, “people are putting their signs out and say ‘hey we’re here. Come on down!'”
Some illegal street food vendors have been using the city’s large decorative pots at downtown intersections for their seating signs and menu boards at night.
With Old Spanish Days coming, there is always an increase in signs promoting festive beverages at bars and restaurants, some that are out of compliance. It is not uncommon to have signs and banners extend off the property and into trees nearby.
Cali-Forno Pizzeria owner Beto Diaz says, “I totally saw a difference in sales when i put the signs out. There is a big difference for us so it is really important. I would appreciate if they would let us as a business owners have those signs up.”
He is one business owner that looks forward to some changes in the downtown area including the reopening of the Santa Barbara Film Center this year across from his restaurant and nearby the arrival of the Music Academy of the West at 901 State Street.
Realtors have worked with the city on placing their signs for directional purposes but not in the ADA ramps on sidewalk corners.
Signs that don’t meet the rules can be taken immediately and stored for three months. If they are not claimed they can be trashed. Councilman Michael Jordan who sits on the Ordinance Committee said in a recent meeting, “this gives us an opportunity to drive a truck up and throw their signs in the back of the truck, and laugh at them as we drive away with their signs, if they are violating the ordinance.”
Garmendia is also hoping the State Street Master Plan will be finished. “It was very haphazard and I think it continues to be that way. I think the signs are part of that. It is everyone doing what they can.” She also said this past Sunday, foot traffic was very low compared to past weekends in July. Also, the Fiesta weekend does not generate her customer base so 33 Jewels will close for that weekend.
There have been many businesses on the first block east or west of State Street either at the cross streets or mid block, that have also put signs out to direct pedestrians off the main route through the area and pathways, to find other shops and food stops. No other signage or directional boards have been available for that.
Sign issues in the downtown area known as the El Pueblo Viejo District include neon signs or signage larger than six square feet.
All signs must be reviewed and approved by the Sign Committee, but in some cases, it has been either ignored or the process is never completed.
A building permit is required for any sign over six feet tall, any sign with electrical connections, or any sign attached to a building.
Signs should be an approved fit within the building’s architecture, and avoid obscuring architectural features. Most sign company owners in Santa Barbara comply in the design phase knowing something out of those guidelines will not be allowed.
Elizabeth Sorgman is the Access Advisory Committee Chair and she said in a May meeting, “there’s no enforcement, if there was enforcement then maybe we wouldn’t make these same recommendations. We would be OK with A frames there, but the city doesn’t have any mechanism. There’s no staff.”
The city says it looks for compliance through an education outreach campaign before the enforcement period.
Construction zone signs that are temporarily used are allowed. They assist pedestrians from going into the wrong areas and instead, towards a safer route during the municipal projects.
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