HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 2606-6449CITY OF PALO ALTO
CITY COUNCIL
Special Meeting
Monday, June 15, 2026
Council Chambers & Hybrid
5:30 PM
Agenda Item
22.SECOND READING: Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending the Sign
Code (PAMC section 16.20.160) to Allow Certain Signs in Conjunction with Parklets
(FIRST READING: June 1, 2025; PASSED: 6-1, Lu no)
City Council
Staff Report
Report Type: CONSENT CALENDAR
Lead Department: City Clerk
Meeting Date: June 15, 2026
Report #:2606-6449
TITLE
SECOND READING: Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending the Sign Code
(PAMC section 16.20.160) to Allow Certain Signs in Conjunction with Parklets (FIRST READING:
June 1, 2025; PASSED: 6-1, Lu no)
BACKGROUND
The City Council heard this item on June 1, 2026 for a first reading and approved it on a 6-1, Lu
no vote. No changes were made to the ordinance, and it is now before the City Council for a
second reading.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending the Sign Code (PAMC
section 16.20.160) to Allow Certain Signs in Conjunction with Parklets
APPROVED BY:
Mahealani Ah Yun, City Clerk
***NOT YET APPROVED***
1
158_20260521_ts24
Ordinance No. _____
Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending the Sign Code
(PAMC section 16.20.160) to Allow Certain Signs in Conjunction with
Parklets
The Council of the City of Palo Alto does ORDAIN as follows:
SECTION 1. Findings and Declarations. The City Council finds and declares as follows:
A. The City authorizes parklets for outdoor dining and other uses in PAMC Chapter 12.11.
B. The City Council now desires to allow duly permitted parklet permittees to post certain
kinds of signs in conjunction with a parklet without certain design reviews or toward
counting toward maximum sign area or number limits.
SECTION 2. Subsection (c) is hereby added to section 16.20.160 (Special Purpose
Signs) of Chapter 16.20 (Signs) of Title 16 (Building Regulations) of the Palo Alto Municipal Code
to read as follows:
(c) Parklet Permit Required for Certain Parklet Signs. Signs for the special purposes
set forth in this subsection (c) are permitted as provided herein without design review
or permit issued under this Chapter as long as: (1) the applicable regulations for the
parklet allow for one or more types of the signs below; (2) the sign(s) meet all
requirements under PAMC Chapter 12.11 and its applicable regulations; and (3) the
sign(s) (including design, placement, size, and any other requirements) are approved by
valid parklet permit issued under PAMC Chapter 12.11.
(1) One wall sign affixed to or painted on the parklet. A sign in compliance with
this subsection shall not be in violation of PAMC section 16.20.130 and shall not count
toward any limits on number or area of signs in section 16.20.130 (Wall signs) or
16.20.170 (Combinations of signs).
(2) One freestanding sign. A sign in compliance with this subsection shall not be
in violation of PAMC section 16.20.100(a) and shall not count toward any limits on
number or area of signs in section 16.20.120 (Freestanding signs) or 16.20.170
(Combinations of signs).
SECTION 3. Severability. If any provision, clause, sentence or paragraph of this
ordinance, or the application to any person or circumstances, shall be held invalid, such
invalidity shall not affect the other provisions of this Ordinance which can be given effect
without the invalid provision or application and, to this end, the provisions of this Ordinance
are hereby declared to be severable.
SECTION 4. Effective Date. This ordinance shall be effective on the 31st day after
adoption.
***NOT YET APPROVED***
2
158_20260521_ts24
SECTION 5. CEQA. The City Council finds and determines that this categorically
exempt under CEQA regulation 15303 (new construction or conversion of small structures).
INTRODUCED:
PASSED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTENTIONS:
ABSENT:
ATTEST:
____________________________ ____________________________
City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM: APPROVED:
____________________________ ____________________________
Assistant City Attorney City Manager
____________________________
Director, Public Works
____________________________
Director, Planning &
Development Services