The City of Santa Barbara has long recognized that signs are an integral part of the cityscape and, as such, can detract from or enhance the City's image and character. The City first adopted a sign ordinance in 1922, and many changes in sign review have occurred since that time. In 1960, the Architectural Board of Review (ABR) began reviewing certain types of signs. Their purview expanded intermittently until all signs - permanent and temporary - were subject to ABR review. In 1977, the Landmarks Committee began to review signs in El Pueblo Viejo in order to assure that such signs complied with the Historic Structures Ordinance. In July, 1977, due to the amount of time required to review signs, a Sign Sub-Committee was formed to review, approve, conditionally approve or deny all signs subject to ratification of its actions by the full bodies of the ABR and Historic Landmarks Committee.

Also in 1977, lengthy studies began on amending the sign ordinance, in an effort to reduce processing time, clarify the sign ordinance requirements and include Sign Sub-Committee policy in the ordinance. The Sign Ordinance was adopted in the Spring of 1981 and changed the Sub-Committee to full committee status as the "Sign Committee", with two members and an alternate from the business community added, appointed by City Council.

In 1995, the Sign Ordinance was again amended, and the composition of the Sign Committee was again changed, this time to reduce the membership to five members and two alternates with qualifications as outlined below.

General Functions

• Insure that high standards of design and readability are maintained for all signs in Santa Barbara.
• Protect and preserve the visual beauty and ambience of Santa Barbara through control of the number, size and types of signs.
• Review, approve, conditionally approve or deny applications for signs according to criteria established in the Sign Ordinance.
• Advise and confer with the ABR and Historic Landmarks Commission concerning sign design considerations.
• Conduct periodic surveys of the City to:
  • Determine signs of unique character; and
  • Assure compliance with the Sign Ordinance.

Membership
5 Members and 2 Alternates

Qualifications

• One member and 1 alternate appointed by and representing the Architectural Board of Review.
• One member and 1 alternate appointed by and representing the Historic Landmarks Commission.
• Three public at large members appointed by the City Council who shall not be members of either the Architectural Board of Review or the Historic Landmarks Commission.

Length of Term
Four years and until successors are appointed and qualified. Staggered terms expire on December 31 of the appropriate year. No member shall serve for more than two consecutive four-year terms or an uninterrupted period of more than eight (8) years.  Members from the ABR and Historic Landmarks Commission shall serve terms concurrent with their terms on said board or commission, and shall serve only so long as they are members of said board or commission.

Meeting Schedule
The Committee meets every other Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. in the David Gebhard Public Meeting Room, 630 Garden Street.

Time Involved
Approximately 6 – 8 hours per month for meetings and related activities.

Financial Disclosure Requirement
Members must file a Statement of Economic Interests upon appointment, annually and when leaving the advisory group.

Compensation
None.

Staff
Zoning Division, Community Development Department, (805) 564-5470.

Reference
City Charter Sections 800 - 805, and 817; Municipal Code Chapter 22.70; Resolution
Nos. 06-084, 95-083, 90-028, 81-053, and 79-093.