Chapter 17.72
SIGN REGULATIONS
Sections:
17.72.010 Statement of purpose.
17.72.020 Conformance with chapter provisions.
17.72.030 Definitions.
17.72.040 Permit requirements.
17.72.050 Prohibited signs.
17.72.060 Special conditions and standards.
17.72.070 Permit fees.
17.72.080 Sign maintenance.
17.72.090 Nonconforming signs.
17.72.100 Nuisance signs.
17.72.010 Statement of purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to regulate such factors as the size, number, location, illumination and construction of signs. (Ord. 94-9 § 1; Ord. 84-2 § 13.010(1))
17.72.020 Conformance with chapter provisions.
No sign may be erected unless it conforms with the regulations of this chapter. Sign permits must be issued prior to erection of the sign. (Ord. 94-9 § 1; Ord. 84-2 § 13.010(2))
17.72.030 Definitions.
For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms, phrases, words and their derivations will have the meaning given herein:
“Athletic field signs” means time clocks, scoreboard signs and banners or rigid signs located on the outfield fence of athletic fields.
“Banner” means any sign printed or displayed upon cloth or other flexible material, with or without frames.
“Construction sign” means a sign, not exceeding 32 square feet in area, placed upon a construction job site.
“Directional sign” means a sign which directs the reader to the location of public or educational institutions, or to the location of historical structures or areas, or to the location of public parks or buildings. Such signs also include signs designed and installed for the purpose of traffic or pedestrian direction to an entrance or exit from premises, when such signs do not exceed two and one-half feet in height and are no larger than six square feet.
“Display surface area” means the net geometric area enclosed by the display surface of the sign including the outer extremities of all letters, characters; provided, however, “display surface area” will not include the structural supports for freestanding signs; provided further, that only one face of a double-faced sign as defined will be considered in determining the display surface area.
“District” or “zoning district” means a section or sections of the incorporated area of the city for which the then-effective zoning ordinance governing the use of buildings and land are uniform for each class of use permitted therein. References to individual zoning districts contained herein will refer to the zoning districts established by this title.
“Flashing sign” means an illuminated sign on which artificial or reflected light is not maintained stationary and constant in intensity and color at all times when in use.
“Freestanding sign” means a sign which is attached to or a part of a completely self-supporting structure. The supporting structure will be set firmly in or below the ground surface and will not be attached to any building or any other structure, whether portable or stationary.
Frontage, Business. “Business frontage” means the lineal front footage of a building or portion thereof devoted to a specific business or enterprise and having an entrance/exit open to the general public.
Frontage, Street. “Street frontage” means the lineal dimension in feet that the property on which a structure is built abuts a public street or streets.
“Garage sale signs” means signs located on the premises of the garage sale, limited to one sign of no more than four square feet, and one directional sign, on private property, of no more than two square feet. Such signs will be removed within one day after the completion of the sale.
“Ground sign” means a freestanding sign.
“Illuminated sign” means any sign which has characters, letters, figures, designs or outline illuminated by electric lights or luminous tubes as a part of the sign proper.
“Lot” means a parcel of land under one ownership, whether described by metes and bounds or as a platted lot.
“Mall” means any concentration of retail stores and/or service establishments which share customer parking areas and are located within an enclosure having public walkways whereby a customer in one store or establishment may walk to another store or establishment without leaving the enclosure.
“Memorial signs or tablets” means names of buildings and date of erection when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of incombustible materials.
“Motel unit signs” means one sign per unit, not exceeding one square foot per sign.
“Multi-business complex” means premises operated or developed as a unit with an undivided or nonsegregated parking area that functions and advertises as a center and which has multiple occupancy by business or service firms. A business is considered as part of a multi-business complex regardless of whether said business occupies a separate structure or is under separate ownership or is on a separate parcel.
“Mural” means displays painted directly on a wall and are designed and intended as a decorative or ornamental feature.
“Nameplates” means professional, single-family residence, mobile home or duplex nameplates not exceeding two square feet in area.
“Nonconforming sign” means any sign which lawfully exists prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter but which, due to the requirements herein, no longer complies with the height, area or placement regulations or other provisions of this title.
“Person” means and includes any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company or organization of any kind.
“Place signs” means place signs identifying a community, public facility or historic facility.
“Portable swinger sign and “A” frame or sandwich sign” means an advertising device which is ordinarily in the shape of an “A” or some variation thereof, located on the ground, easily movable, not permanently attached thereto and which is usually two-sided.
“Portable temporary attraction sign board” means a single- or double-surface painted or poster panel type sign or some variation thereof, which is temporary in nature, usually mounted on wheels, easily movable, not permanently attached thereto.
“Projecting sign” means any sign that is affixed at an angle or perpendicular to the wall of any building in such a manner to read perpendicular or at an angle to the wall on which it is mounted.
“Real estate sign” means a temporary sign placed upon property for the purpose of advertising to the public the sale or lease of the property.
“Roof sign” means any sign wholly erected, constructed or maintained on the roof structure or parapet wall of any building.
“Sign” means an identification, description, illustration or a device, except products displayed for sale, which is fixed to or represented directly or indirectly upon a building, structure or land.
Measurement of allowable sign surface area will include:
1. The actual geometric area contained within the borders of the sign, including open space, as well as sign surface;
2. Only one side of double-faced or back-to-back signs whose surfaces diverge at less than 45 degrees;
3. Signs, such as those painted on the walls of buildings, having no definite border will be calculated by measuring the size of a rectangle that would completely enclose the sign and be four inches from any portion of the sign’s message;
4. Sign area on awnings and canopies will be measured in the same fashion as wall signs.
“Sign repair” means fixing or replacement of broken or worn parts. Replacement is of comparable materials only. Repairs may be made with the sign in position or with the sign removed.
Sign, Structural Alteration of. “Structural alteration of sign” means modification of the size, shape or height of a sign structure. Also includes replacement of sign structure materials with other than comparable materials, for example metal parts replacing wood parts.
“Sign structure” means a structure specifically intended for supporting or containing a sign.
“Structural trim” means the molding, battens, cappings, nailing strips, latticing and platforms which are attached to the sign structure.
“Temporary political signs” means signs, not exceeding eight square feet in area, advertising candidates or issues, that may be erected on private property, with the permission of the property owner, during the campaign for a period of 60 days prior to the election in which such candidates or issues are to be voted upon. Such signs will conform to all other applicable provisions of this chapter, and will be removed not later than the fourth day following such election. Any such signs which have not been removed by the fifth day following such election may be removed by the city, and the owner of the property upon which the sign was erected will be charged the cost of removing such sign.
“Temporary sign” means a sign intended to be displayed for a specified period of time only.
“Traffic or other municipal signs” means traffic or other municipal signs, legal notices, railroad crossing signs, danger signs and such temporary emergency or nonadvertising signs as may be approved by the planning department.
“Wall sign” means any sign that will be affixed parallel to the wall or printed on the window or on the wall of any building in such a manner as to read parallel to the wall or window on which it is mounted; provided, however, the wall sign shall not project above the top of the wall or beyond the end of the building. For the purpose of this chapter, any sign display surface that is affixed flat against the sloping surface of a roof will be considered a wall sign. Any sign that is affixed to the face of a building marquee, building awning or a building canopy will be considered a wall sign. (Ord. 94-9 § 1; Ord. 84-2 § 13.020)
17.72.040 Permit requirements.
A. Except as otherwise provided by this title, no sign shall be erected or re-erected, reconstructed, and/or structurally altered without a review and issuance of a sign permit by the planning and community development department.
B. No permit will be required for signs which are designed to be read only from within the business premises, including parking and maneuvering areas and interior public spaces, such as within malls and multi-business complexes.
C. No permit will be required for real estate signs, subject to the number, placement and size limitations of this chapter.
D. An applicant for a sign permit will supply the following information on forms provided by the planning department:
1. Size, height, location, description and materials of the sign;
2. Name of manufacturer, erector, owner and reason for sign;
3. Sketch and description of copy, structure and lighting;
4. Certification by the owner and/or lessee that the information provided on the application is accurate.
E. The planning department will issue a sign permit upon compliance with this chapter and the Uniform Sign Code, and payment of the specified permit fees. The Uniform Sign Code, 1993 Edition, promulgated by the International Conference of Building Officials, Whittier, California, is adopted by this reference in full and made a part of this chapter. If any of the provisions in this chapter are in conflict with the Uniform Sign Code, the provisions of this chapter will prevail.
F. Sign Identification. Every sign requiring a permit must display the sign permit number in the lower right corner of the sign face or edge or on the sign standard, in a number size greater than one-half inch.
G. Exempted Signs. The following signs are exempt from the provisions of this chapter:
1. Athletic field signs;
2. Construction signs;
3. Directional signs;
4. Flags;
5. Garage sale signs;
6. Indoor window signs;
7. Kites and windsocks;
8. Memorial signs or tablets;
9. Motel unit signs;
10. Murals;
11. Nameplates;
12. Place signs;
13. Signs within buildings;
14. Temporary political signs; and
15. Traffic and municipal signs.
H. Temporary Permits. The planning director may issue temporary permits for a time certain not to exceed 60 days. An application for such temporary permit shall include all information necessary to determine whether the sign conforms with applicable title provisions. All such signs shall be removed no later than one day following the expiration date on the temporary permit. A request for a sign may be denied if it would obstruct a public right-of-way or is a threat to the public health, safety or welfare. There shall be no fee required for a temporary permit. A permit for a temporary sign may be reissued once. No more than two temporary permits may be issued per site in a calendar year. (Ord. 97-1 § 1; Ord. 95-16 § 1; Ord. 94-9 § 1; Ord. 84-2 § 13.030)
17.72.050 Prohibited signs.
Prohibited signs include the following:
A. Moving and Flashing Signs. Signs that flash, revolve, rotate, swing, undulate or otherwise attract attention through the movement or flashing of parts, or through the impression of movement or flashing, except for signs that are fully located within an enclosed building and are not observable from the exterior of such buildings.
B. Signs on Parked Vehicles. Signs placed on or affixed to vehicles and/or trailers which are parked on a public right-of-way, public property, or private property so as to be visible from a public right-of-way where the apparent purpose is to display the sign. However, this is not in any way intended to prohibit signs placed on or affixed to or in the windows of vehicles and trailers, such as lettering on motor vehicles, where the sign is incidental to the primary use of the vehicle or trailer.
C. Signs on Trees. Signs which are attached or otherwise affixed to trees or other living vegetation, or painted or drawn upon a rock or some other natural feature.
D. Signs Which Imitate Traffic-Control Devices. Signs which imitate, interfere with, obstruct the view of, or can be confused with any authorized traffic control sign, signal or other device.
E. Signs Which Create Glare. All signs will be so designed, located, shielded, and directed so as to prevent the casting of glare or direct light from artificial illumination upon publicly dedicated roadways and surrounding property.
F. Obscene Signs. No sign or other advertising structure shall display any matter in which the dominant theme of the material taken as a whole appeals to a prurient interest in sex, or is patently offensive because it affronts contemporary community standards relating to the description or representation of sexual matters, and is utterly without redeeming social value.
G. Signs on Undeveloped Lots in the GC, PI, RC, PC and M-W Zones. For purposes of this subsection, a lot is undeveloped unless: (1) business operations are conducted on the lot in good faith; and (2) the lot either contains development that has been approved through site plan review pursuant to LCMC 17.52.240 or contains development that would have been required to go through site plan review if site plan review had existed at the time the development occurred. (Ord. 2002-11 § 2; Ord. 97-1 § 3; Ord. 94-9 § 1; Ord. 84-2 § 13.040)
17.72.060 Special conditions and standards.
A. Signs may be provided for businesses within the GC, PI, RC and PC zones as follows:
1. Signs Attached to Buildings.
a. Number. There shall be no limit on the number of signs attached to buildings per business subject to the aggregate total limitation below.
b. Area. The total sign area for signs attached to buildings shall not be more than one square foot of sign area for each lineal foot of legal business frontage not to exceed an aggregate total of 100 square feet per business. Sign area shall not exceed 100 square feet for any one sign. For a business with less than 25 feet of business frontage, an aggregate total of 25 square feet of sign area will be allowed. For a business that does not have a freestanding sign, the aggregate total for signs attached to buildings may be increased by an additional one square foot for each two linear feet of business frontage in excess of 100 linear feet, in lieu of a freestanding sign. Such signage shall not exceed an additional aggregate total of 100 square feet. Where the aggregate total of signs attached to buildings is increased to more than 100 square feet as provided above, no freestanding sign will be allowed until the aggregate signage attached to buildings is reduced to 100 square feet or less.
c. Roof Signs. No roof sign will be placed so that it extends more than six feet above a flat roof or the ridge of a pitched roof, and in no case shall the combined height of the building and sign exceed the building height limitations of this title.
2. Freestanding Sign.
a. Number. One sign shall be permitted for each lot with a street frontage of 50 or more lineal feet. Two or more lots of less than 50 feet may be combined for purposes of meeting the foregoing standard. Corner lots can count both street frontages in determining the lineal feet of street frontage, but only one freestanding sign is permitted on such corner lots. In the alternative to the foregoing provision applicable to corner lots, a lot with multiple street frontages each of 100 linear feet or more may have one freestanding sign for each such street frontage, which sign will be placed so as to be read from the qualifying street frontage. In addition, one subordinate freestanding sign per street frontage is allowed where the street frontage on which the sign is located exceeds 200 linear feet in length. No freestanding sign shall be installed within 100 linear feet of another freestanding sign on the same lot.
b. Area. Signs shall not exceed an area of one square foot for each lineal foot of street frontage, with a maximum area of 100 square feet per sign. A subordinate freestanding sign shall not exceed an area of one square foot for each two lineal feet of street frontage in excess of 200 feet with a maximum area of 100 square feet per sign.
c. Placement. Signs on corner properties shall also comply with the vision clearance provisions of LCMC 17.52.060.
d. Height. The maximum height of a freestanding sign shall be 20 feet. The height shall be measured as the vertical distance from the highest point of the sign, including any vertical projection thereof, to the level of the street upon which the sign faces, or the adjoining ground level, if such ground level is above the street level.
e. Where the adjoining ground level has been used as a reference in determining the permissible height of a freestanding sign, it is unlawful to alter the grade or ground level below the sign so as to render the sign nonconforming as to the height limitations.
3. Real Estate Signs. In addition to the other signs allowed in these zones, one real estate sign, not to exceed 32 square feet in size, is allowed per lot.
4. Portable Swinger Signs and A-Frame or Sandwich Board Signs.
a. One sign shall be permitted for each lot; provided, that there are no nonconforming signs on the lot.
b. Area. Signs shall not exceed an area of 12 square feet, which area shall count against both the total aggregate area allowed for signs attached to buildings and freestanding signs.
c. Placement. Signs shall also comply with the vision clearance provisions of this title. No such signs shall be allowed in a street, alley, public right-of-way or on public property.
d. Any portable swinger signs or A-frame signs displayed without a permit or displayed in violation of the placement restrictions of this chapter may be immediately impounded by the city, and a civil infraction may be issued. Upon a declaration of forfeiture, the court will order the sign destroyed and the permit or right to apply for a sign permit for such sign will be revoked or denied for a six-month period of time from the date of entry of the forfeiture.
5. Additional Temporary Banner Signs. A temporary banner with an area of not more than 50 square feet shall be permitted for a time certain not to exceed 30 days. Such a sign shall be allowed in addition to any other signs allowed for a lot under this section. Any such sign must be removed no later than one day following the expiration date on the permit. Such a permit may not be renewed. No more than one such permit may be issued per lot in a calendar year.
6. Additional Seasonal Signs. Up to two signs whose combined areas total not more than 64 square feet shall be permitted to a person holding a seasonal permit issued under LCMC 5.04.150(B) for the temporary outside display of merchandise. Such signs shall be allowed in addition to any other signs allowed for a lot under this section. Any such signs shall be displayed only during the period for which the seasonal permit for the temporary outside display of merchandise has been issued. Any such signs must be removed no later than one day following the expiration date on the permit.
B. In R-1, R-M and R-R zones, the following signs are allowed:
1. A name plate or sign not exceeding two square feet in area for each dwelling;
2. One or two real estate signs, not exceeding seven square feet each in size;
3. Subdivisions may have a freestanding sign not exceeding 42 square feet in area at the entrance to the subdivision;
4. Traffic or directional signs;
5. In an R-M zone, sites with three or more residential units in a building will be allowed one sign not to exceed 20 square feet. Additionally, each such building will be allowed one sign per building, which sign will not exceed 10 square feet for each sign;
6. Any lighting provided for the above signs must be indirect. No flashing lights, electronic message centers or moving or rotating parts will be allowed on signs in these zones;
7. A sign not exceeding 50 square feet in area identifying a nonresidential use.
C. The maximum protrusion of a sign over a street or alley or public property will be 24 inches, except along Highway 101, where no intrusion of a sign into or over the right-of-way will be allowed. Where allowed, the sign must be at least eight feet above grade. No sign shall be constructed, erected or maintained within the public right-of-way, except as installed by a duly constituted governmental entity.
D. Light from a sign will be directed away from all residential zones and will not detract from a motorist’s view of any traffic-control device.
E. Illuminated signs must conform to electrical code and the permit fees required thereunder.
F. The maximum sign size for any sign requiring a permit under the provisions of this chapter is 100 square feet. (Ord. 2005-03 § 2; Ord. 97-1 § 2; Ord. 95-15 § 18; Ord. 94-16 § 1; Ord. 94-9 § 1; Ord. 84-2 § 13.050)
17.72.070 Permit fees.
A. Application Fees. The application for a new sign permit shall be accompanied by a fee set by resolution of the council.
B. Nonconforming Signs. If an existing nonconforming sign that was previously permitted under a prior ordinance is brought into conformity with this chapter or replaced with a sign meeting the requirements of this chapter, a permit will be required but no fee will be charged.
C. Carved Signs. A permit will be required but no fee will be charged for carved signs. (Ord. 94-9 § 1; Ord. 84-2 § 13.060)
17.72.080 Sign maintenance.
A. Maintenance of Permit Number. Every sign will maintain the permit number so as to be visible from the ground.
B. Premises Maintenance. All freestanding signs and the premises surrounding the same will be maintained by the owner thereof in a clean and inoffensive condition, and free and clear of all obnoxious substances, rubbish and weeds.
C. Unsafe and Unlawful Signs. If the planning director finds that any sign or other advertising structure regulated herein is unsafe or insecure, is a menace to the public, is abandoned or maintained in a dilapidated condition, or has been constructed or erected or is being maintained in violation of the provisions of this chapter, the planning director will give written notice to the permittee or property owner thereof as specified in the nuisance provisions of this code. If the permittee or property owner fails to remove or alter the sign so as to comply with the standards herein set forth within the time specified in such notice, such sign may be removed or altered to comply by the planning director or his/her representative; any expense incurred in such removal or alteration will be charged to the owner of the property upon which the sign is located and will constitute a lien upon the property. The planning director or his/her representative may cause any sign or other advertising structure which is an immediate peril to persons or property to be removed summarily without notice. Such signs or other advertising structures are hereby declared to be a public nuisance. When any sign is removed summarily without notice, the owner or lessee thereof will have the right to a post-seizure administrative hearing to determine whether there was probable cause to remove the sign.
D. Inspection Requests. Any person may file a written request with the planning director requesting an inspection of one or more existing permanent signs as identified in the request. In each such instance, the city will inspect such sign(s) to determine compliance with the provisions of this chapter. However, no existing permanent sign need be inspected more than once annually. The results of the inspection will be reported to both the owner of the inspected sign and to the person filing the request for inspection. (Ord. 94-9 § 1; Ord. 84-2 § 13.070)
17.72.090 Nonconforming signs.
Nonconforming signs are not subject to the provisions of Chapter 17.64 LCMC. Nonconforming signs are subject to the following provisions:
A. Maintenance, repairs, and changing of sign faces, when no structural alterations are made, are allowed;
B. Signs and sign structures which are moved, replaced or structurally altered shall be brought into conformance with the current sign regulations;
C. Where the cost of repair of a nonconforming sign exceeds 50 percent of the cost of replacing the sign with a conforming sign, the sign must be brought into conformance with the provisions of this code;
D. Any nonconforming sign utilized only by an individual entity at a site must be brought into conformance prior to any expansion or change in use which requires a building permit at that site. A nonconforming sign used by multiple entities at a multi-business complex must be brought into conformance prior to any expansion of the multi-business complex which requires site plan or planning commission review. No such permits for new construction may be issued until this provision is complied with;
E. No nonconforming single-sided sign may be converted to a two-sided or double-faced sign. (Ord. 94-9 § 1; Ord. 84-2 § 13.080)
17.72.100 Nuisance signs.
Any sign that is located, constructed, maintained, repaired or used in violation of this chapter constitutes a nuisance. The city may take action against such signs as provided in Chapter 17.84 LCMC. (Ord. 94-9 § 1; Ord. 84-2 § 13.090)