The City of San Pablo’s Community Services Department is responsible for the development and execution of the approved Sign Reimbursement Grant Program, administration of the application process, evaluation of each application, and disbursement of funds.

Scope

The City of San Pablo Sign Reimbursement program and associated regulations have been developed to protect the visual quality of the City, to protect Commercial Districts from visual clutter, and to facilitate the public’s ability to identify uses and premises without confusion.  To meet these goals, the City is offering a Sign Reimbursement Grant Program.  The program will provide financial assistance to businesses owners for signage. 75 percent of the appropriated funds for this program will be distributed to applicants who are replacing an illegal or non-conforming sign, and 25 percent of the funds will be distributed to small business owners for new signs or improved signage. This program works on a reimbursement basis. Under this program the City will reimburse business owners up to 50 percent or $2,500, whichever is less, of the cost for new signs once the sign has been approved, installed and inspected by the City staff.

The Signage reimbursement Grant Regulations are as follows:

The Process:

1. The business owner shall contract with a Sign Company/Sign contractor to design a sign.
2. The signage design shall be submitted to the Planning Division for Design Review and the pertinent fees for such review shall be paid at the time the application is made. Signs not submitted for design review will not be eligible for reimbursement.
3. Staff will review the Design Review application and will determine whether the proposed sign complies with the current sign regulations as defined in Section 17.36 Signs of the Municipal Code.
4. Once the Design Review has been approved, a California licensed Contractor shall submit the Sign plans, together with structural details, to the Building Department to receive the necessary Building Permits for the sign. Signs installed without a building permit will not be eligible for reimbursement.
5. The sign shall be installed and inspected by the Building Department for structural safety. A final inspection is required. Signs not receiving a final inspection will not be eligible for reimbursement.
6. The business owner is responsible for paying the sign company and/or the California licensed sign contractor for the full cost of the sign and sign installation.
7. Upon completion of installation of the sign, the applicant shall submit a reimbursement application and documentation associated with the cost of the sign to the Planning Division. Staff will review the application and reimburse the business owner up to 50 percent of the cost of the new sign or $2,500, whichever is less.

Application

The Signage Reimbursement Program Applications are available from the City, on a first come-first serve basis. Application forms and other pertinent information are available at:

13831 San Pablo Avenue, Building 3; San Pablo, CA 94806; 510-215-3030

Hours: Monday through Friday * 7:40 a.m. through 5:00 p.m.

Statement of Understanding

The City of San Pablo Sign Reimbursement program has been designed to promote and protect the visual quality of our commercial corridors.

Accordingly, the City will only reimburse the applicant if the proposed sign is consistent with the Municipal Code regulations for signage and the proper process has been followed.

The applicant understands that the program works on a reimbursement basis, and that only after the full amount of the sign is paid by the applicant, does the City reimburse the applicant up to 50 percent of the sign cost, or $ 2,500, whichever is less.

The applicant understands that the applicant must submit, when applicable, detailed cost documentation, copies of building permits, bids, contracts and invoices and contractor's final waivers of lien upon completion of the approved improvements.

Records

The grantee shall keep such records as may be required by the City in connection with the work to be assisted.

Reimbursement

Grantees receive disbursement after project completion or as progress payments, approval of City inspections, and submittal of copies of paid invoices, cancelled checks or other proof of payment for approved work to City of San Pablo staff. Only one refund will be granted per business.

Non-Discrimination

The grantee shall not discriminate upon the basis of race, color, sex, marital status, disability, religion or national origin in the sale, lease, rental, use or occupancy of the property to be assisted.

Interest of Public Body

The grantee shall allow no member of the governing body of the City of San Pablo and no employee of the City of San Pablo to have any interest, direct or indirect, in the grant funds or in any contract entered into by the grantee for the performance of work financed, in whole or in part, with the grant funds.

Theft and Damage

While the City of San Pablo Police Department patrols the commercial districts, the City of San Pablo assumes no responsibility for theft of or from, or damage to any Sign.

Revocation of Signage Grant

The Signage grant may be revoked if the applicant provides fraudulent information to the City in connection with the Signage reimbursement applied for.