URBAN MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT AREA SIGN ZONE

SJ-MC tit. 23, ch. 23.04, pt. 2.5

in effect

San José Municipal Code § 23.04.150 Application.

23.04.150 - Application. A. This part shall govern standards for signage in urban mixed-use development area sign zones. B. The standards for signage for wholly residential uses within urban mixed-use development area sign zones shall be governed by Part 4 of this chapter, subject to the provisions for mixed-use residential facades contained in this part. C. The standards for signage for nonresidential uses and vertically mixed uses within urban mixed-use development area sign zones shall be as set forth in this part. D. The standards for temporary signs in urban mixed-use development area sign zones shall be governed by Parts 7 and 8 of this chapter. (Ord. 26598.)

San José Municipal Code § 23.04.152 Definitions.

23.04.152 - Definitions. For purposes of this part, the following terms shall have the following meanings: A. An "urban mixed-use development area sign zone" means an area comprising a group of contiguous parcels of land that meets all of the following criteria: 1. Was developed or is being developed under a single planning process and coordinated implementation, such as a single planned development zoning and permit, that addresses uses and development on the entirety of the contiguous parcels within the area; and 2. Was developed or is being developed as an urban center with dense retail and commercial uses; and 3. Is a minimum of forty acres in size; and 4. At least fifty percent of the ground-level parcels are developed with buildings: a. That are greater than three stories in height; and b. Whose ground levels are not separated from pedestrian-oriented streets by parking areas; and 5. At least thirty-five percent of commercial development is contained within vertically mixed-use buildings served by structure parking. B. "Vertically mixed-uses" means a combination of commercial and residential uses contained within and occupying a single building of at least four stories where a minimum of forty percent of the ground-floor area is commercial or a minimum of forty percent of the ground-floor building frontage is commercial. C. A "vertically mixed-use building" means a single building containing vertically mixed uses. D. A "mixed-use commercial facade" means the exterior of that portion of a vertically mixed use building occupied by nonresidential uses. E. A "mixed use residential facade" means the exterior of that portion of a vertically mixed-use building occupied by residential uses. F. "Architectural signs" mean permanent signs that are integral to the design of a doorway, column, cornice or parapet and the materials of which are integral to the surface of the building facade. G. "Vending cart signs" mean signs mounted on portable vending carts, which carts have been approved for location on the private property. H. "Retail pavilion signs" mean signs mounted on single-story, stand-alone retail buildings that have a building footprint of five hundred square feet or less. I. "Programmable display kiosk signs" mean programmable electronic signs mounted on a kiosk or kiosk-like structure that has a footprint of no more than twenty-five square feet, has a maximum side length of five feet, and is located on a private sidewalk or plaza. (Ords. 26598, 29097.)

San José Municipal Code § 23.04.154 Amount of signage.

23.04.154 - Amount of signage. A. Except as specifically allowed otherwise in this part, signage for non-residential uses and for any vertically mixed use building shall be based on commercial occupancy frontage. B. Signage for vertically mixed use buildings shall be allowed on both the mixed use commercial facades and the mixed use residential facades, except as limited in this part. C. Except as provided in Subsections 23.04.154D. and E. below: 1. The aggregate sign area of all signs allowed for a commercial occupancy frontage shall not exceed two and five-tenths square feet for each linear foot of occupancy frontage. 2. The maximum sign area for any one sign shall not exceed one and five-tenths square feet for each linear foot of commercial occupancy frontage where the sign is to be displayed. 3. Signs may be displayed for more than one occupancy frontage, subject to the maximum amount of signage allowed for each occupancy frontage. D. Instead of the signage amount permitted by Subsection 23.04.154C. above, an applicant, at applicant's option, may select any of the following methods, as applicable, for determining maximum amount of signage: 1. Maximum signage for a parcel may be based on street frontage, instead of occupancy frontage. In such case, the total amount of signage on each street frontage shall not exceed two and five tenths square feet for each linear foot of street frontage. 2. For an occupancy frontage including a marquee, maximum sign area of the marquee, maximum amount of other signage on the occupancy frontage and placement of signs may be determined by the director subject to design approval. E. The amount of allowable signage permitted under Subsection 23.04.154C. above shall not be reduced by the following signage: 1. Signage for vending carts expressly allowed under Section 23.04.156L.; and 2. Signage for retail pavilions expressly allowed under Section 23.04.156M.; and 3. Architectural signs expressly allowed under Section 23.04.156K.; and 4. Programmable electronic signs and programmable display kiosk signs expressly allowed under Section 23.04.156N. (Ords. 26598, 29097, 29153.)

San José Municipal Code § 23.04.156 Types of signs.

23.04.156 - Types of signs. A. Any combination of Signs. 1. Signage allowed by Section 23.04.154 may consist of any combination of allowed Free-standing Signs, Flat-mounted Signs, Projecting Signs, Awning Signs, and Banners. Segmented Signs are allowed. 2. Each occupancy frontage may also display Window signs, Temporary Signs, Safety or Directional Signs, and any other Signs expressly authorized by this Code. 3. Small Assembly Spaces may have one (1) Attached or Free-standing Programmable Electronic Sign as part of the allowed signage pursuant to the provisions of subsection 23.04.156 J.2. below. B. Free-standing Signs. 1. Except as provided in this subsection, Free-standing Signs shall not exceed eight (8) feet in height above grade. 2. Free-standing Signs that are less than six (6) feet wide may be up to twenty-five (25) feet in height above grade. 3. The height of Construction Signs shall be as set forth in Section 23.04.610 B.6. C. Flat-mounted Signs. 1. Flat-mounted Signs (except for Architectural Signs allowed under Section 23.04.156 K.) shall be displayed no higher than the finished floor elevation of the fourth floor, except as otherwise specifically allowed in this Section, and in any event shall be displayed at a height no greater than forty-five (45) feet. 2. Flat-mounted Signs shall not project more than two (2) inches from the face of the building, except for Flat-mounted Signs consisting of individual letters or letters attached to raceways. 3. Flat-mounted Signs shall not be displayed on mixed use residential facades. D. Vertical Projecting Signs. 1. Vertical Projecting Signs located adjacent to a street of less than one hundred twenty (120) feet in width shall be located at least twenty (20) feet above grade but may project no higher than sixty (60) feet above grade. Vertical Projecting Signs located adjacent to a street of one hundred twenty (120) feet or greater in width shall be located at least fourteen (14) feet above grade, but may project no higher than seventy (70) feet above grade. 2. Vertical Projecting Signs located adjacent to a street of less than one hundred twenty (120) feet in width shall project out from a building face no more than five feet six inches (5'6"). Vertical Projecting Signs located adjacent to a street of one hundred twenty (120) feet or greater in width shall project out from a building face no more than ten (10) feet. 3. Vertical Projecting Signs located adjacent to a street of less than one hundred twenty (120) feet in width shall not project above the cornice or parapet of a building. Vertical Projecting Signs located adjacent to a street of one hundred twenty (120) feet or greater in width may project a maximum of ten (10) feet above the cornice or parapet of a building. 4. Vertical Projecting Signs shall be permitted on mixed use residential facades. E. Fin Signs and Arcade Signs. 1. Fin Signs. a. Fin Signs shall be located no higher than the height of the finished floor elevation of the fourth floor of the building; b. Shall project no more than one-half the width of the sidewalk over which the Sign projects or seven feet six inches (7'6"), whichever is less; and c. Fin Signs shall be permitted on mixed use residential facades. 2. Arcade Signs. a. Arcade Signs shall be located at least seven (7) feet above grade; and b. Do not exceed ten (10) square feet in area per side. F. Awning Signs; Porte-Cochere Signs. 1. Awning Signs shall be located no higher than the finished floor elevation of the fourth floor above grade; provided, however, that Awning Signs on mixed use residential facades shall be located no higher than the finished floor elevation of the second residential floor above grade. 2. Signage on awnings shall be limited to thirty-five percent (35%) of the exterior surface area of the awning. 3. Signage on Porte-Cocheres shall be allowed only on vertical surfaces of the Porte-Cochere and shall be limited to thirty-five percent (35%) of the exterior surface area of the vertical surfaces of the Porte-Cochere. 4. Signage on awnings and Porte-Cocheres shall be permitted on mixed use residential facades, subject to the limitations in subsection 23.04.156 F.1. above. G. Banner Signs. 1. Free-standing Banners shall comply with the provisions of Section 23.04.156 B. above. 2. Projecting Banners shall comply with the provisions of Section 23.04.156 D. above. 3. Flat-mounted Banners are not allowed. H. Window Signs. Window Signs consistent with Section 23.02.1060 of this Title shall be allowed on first- and second-story windows. I. Marquees. 1. Marquees are allowed for theatres and movie houses and on buildings containing Marquees that historically were theatres or movie houses. 2. A Marquee, including any vertical projection, is a single Sign and an architectural element. The vertical projection of a Marquee may project above the cornice line of a building. 3. Marquees may be Animated Signs or have animated sections. 4. Marquee signage shall not be subject to the size and placement limitations elsewhere in this Part, but instead shall be subject to the provisions of Section 23.04.154 C.2. above. J. Programmable Electronic Signs. 1. For a single building with a footprint of at least one hundred twenty-five thousand (125,000) square feet, a maximum of two attached Programmable Electronic Signs shall be allowed, subject to the approval of the Director, whose approval shall be issued when the Sign or Signs meet all of the following criteria: a. The Sign(s) shall be located no higher than twelve (12) feet from grade unless the Director finds that a greater height achieves a pedestrian-level orientation; and b. The Sign(s) shall not reduce or obscure glazing; and c. Each Sign does not exceed a maximum size of eighteen (18) square feet in Sign area; and d. No Sign is displayed on a mixed-use residential façade. 2. An Attached or Free-standing Sign allowed for a Small Assembly Space in accordance with Section 23.04.154 may have a Programmable Electronic Sign component not to exceed seventy-five percent (75%) of the allowable Sign area. No more than one Sign (Attached or Free-standing) shall include a Programmable Electronic Sign component. a. The maximum area for a Programmable Electronic Sign component shall be limited to fifty (50) square feet if the sign is one hundred (100) feet or less from a residentially zoned parcel and limited to a maximum of one hundred (100) square feet for a Sign setback more than one hundred (100) feet from a residentially zoned parcel. b. The maximum height for the Free-standing sign with a Programmable Electronic Sign component shall be twenty-five (25) feet, and the maximum height for an attached sign with a Programmable Electronic Sign component shall be thirty (30) feet above grade. c. Operation of the Programmable Electronic Sign shall conform to the provisions of Section 23.02.905. 3. Safety or Directional Signs for Public Parking Garages. a. A Safety or Directional Sign that is an Attached Sign with a Programmable Electronic Sign component is allowed subject to and so long as the sign fully meets the criteria set forth below in this Section 23.04.156 J.3., and such sign shall not reduce otherwise allowable signage for a Public Parking Garage: i. The Programmable Electronic Sign component of the Sign shall be integrated with the allowed Attached Sign; and ii. The Programmable Electronic Sign component of the Sign shall not be greater than ten (10) square feet in Sign area. b. A Safety or Directional Sign that is a Free-standing Sign with a Programmable Electronic Sign component is allowed, subject to and so long as the Sign fully meets the criteria set forth below in this Section 23.04.156 J.3., and such Sign shall not reduce otherwise allowable signage for a Public Parking Garage or for the parcel, as parcel is defined in Section 23.04.010, on which such Sign is located: i. A maximum of three (3) such Signs are allowed per parcel, as parcel is defined in Section 23.04.010; and ii. Each such Sign shall be no more than ten (10) square feet in Sign area. 4. Operation of all Programmable Electronic Signs shall conform to the provisions of Section 23.02.905. K. Architectural signs. 1. The total amount of Architectural Signs allowed on any one building shall not exceed a total maximum area of two hundred (200) square feet per building in the aggregate. 2. Each Architectural Sign shall be limited in area to a maximum of thirty-two (32) square feet, except that one (1) architectural sign of up to one hundred (100) square feet in area may be located on one (1) building frontage, all subject to the total maximum area allowed under subsection 23.04.156 N.1. below. 3. Architectural signs shall be allowed on mixed use residential facades. L. Vending cart signs. The total amount of vending cart signs allowed on any one vending cart shall be limited by a maximum of sixteen (16) square feet of total signage allowed in the aggregate per vending cart and a maximum area of four (4) square feet per vending cart sign. M. Retail pavilion signs. 1. The aggregate Sign area of all retail pavilion signs allowed on an occupancy frontage shall not exceed one and five-tenths (1.5) square feet for each linear foot of occupancy frontage, except as provided in this subsection. 2. The maximum Sign area for any one (1) retail pavilion sign shall not exceed one (1) square foot for each linear foot of occupancy frontage where the retail pavilion sign is displayed. 3. Retail pavilion signs may be displayed for more than one (1) occupancy frontage, subject to the maximum amount of signage allowed for each occupancy frontage. 4. Retail pavilion signage allowed by subsection M.1. may consist of any combination of allowed Flat-mounted Signs, Projecting Signs, and Awning Signs. 5. Each Occupancy Frontage Also May Display Window Signs, Temporary Signs, Safety Or Directional Signs, And Any Other Signs Expressly Authorized By This Code. 6. No retail pavilion Sign shall extend above the retail pavilion building parapet or eave. 7. Instead of the signage permitted by subsection M.1. above, an applicant, at the applicant's option, may for one (1) occupancy frontage per pavilion, substitute a Programmable Electronic Sign that conforms with all of the following criteria: a. The size of the Programmable Electronic Sign shall not exceed a maximum area of eighteen (18) square feet. b. The Programmable Electronic Sign shall be flat mounted to the wall of the retail pavilion and shall not extend above the retail pavilion building parapet or eave. N. Programmable Display Kiosk Signs. Programmable Display Kiosk Signs are allowed subject to the following criteria and conditions: 1. The total Sign area on kiosks shall not exceed eighteen (18) square feet per kiosk face in the aggregate, and no Programmable Display Kiosk Sign shall be located higher than eight (8) feet in height above grade. 2. Programmable Display Kiosk Signs may be Animated Signs and/or may be illuminated with continuous external or internal lighting. 3. Programmable Display Kiosk Signs shall not be displayed on kiosks located within forty (40) feet of another kiosk displaying a Programmable Display Kiosk Sign. 4. A minimum width of unobstructed sidewalk clearance of at least four (4) feet shall be maintained around a kiosk for pedestrian traffic. 5. The maximum number of kiosks on which a Programmable Display Kiosk Sign may be displayed shall be the number equivalent to one (1) kiosk per every five (5) acres of development within the Urban Mixed-Use Development Area Sign Zone. O. Skyline/Roof Signs. Skyline/Roof Signs are allowed subject to the following criteria and conditions: 1. Skyline Signs shall be allowed on Buildings less than eighty (80) feet in height, and either Skyline or Roof Signs on Buildings eighty (80) feet or greater in height. 2. The cumulative Sign area shall not exceed five hundred (500) square feet per Building, and no individual Sign area shall be greater than two hundred and fifty (250) square feet. 3. Skyline Signs and Roof Signs shall not reduce otherwise allowable signage for the Building. 4. Non-garage uses on the top floor of Parking Garages may have Skyline Signs. 5. Each Skyline Sign or Roof Sign shall be designed as an integral part of the Building design and placed on a permanent architectural element which has been designed to accommodate it. 6. Skyline Signs and Roof Signs may be illuminated with external lighting; halolighting; and internal lighting if only the letters or symbols are illuminated. Such Signs shall be illuminated only with continuous lighting except that gradual color changes shall be allowed if there is no perception of flashing lights created. 7. Illuminated Skyline or Roof Signs located on Buildings within one thousand (1,000) feet of a river or creek shall not be displayed to directly face that river or creek. (Ords. 26598, 28582, 29097, 29153, 29223, 30371.)

San José Municipal Code § 23.04.158 Illumination.

23.04.158 - Illumination. A. Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, external lighting, internal lighting, neon tube lighting, halolighting and any similar lighting technology is permitted. B. Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, signs may be illuminated only with continuous lighting. C. Any illumination of a programmable electronic sign shall conform to the requirements of Section 23.02.905. (Ords. 26598, 29097.)

Source: City of San José, Municipal Code (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ca/san_jose/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT23SI_CH23.04SIRE_PT2.5URMIEDEARSIZOFetched: 11/1/2026