Chapter 15.12 SIGNS AND BILLBOARDS

The purpose of this chapter is to provide minimum standards to safeguard life, health, property and public welfare in keeping with the unique character of the city of Angels by regulating and controlling the size, height, design, quality of materials, construction, location, electrification and maintenance of all signs and sign structures as provided herein, and to provide a reasonable system of control of signs integrated within the general planning program and zoning law; to promote commercial centers and property values for effective communication of the nature of goods and services; to enhance the economic values of the community and avoid wasteful and unsightly competition in signs, as overly ostentatious signs violate the rights of other sign users as well as the public. (Ord. 280 §1, 1986)

15.12.020 Definitions.

For the purpose of this chapter, the following words and phrases have the meanings respectively ascribed to them as follows:

1. Area of Sign. In computing maximum permissible "sign area" or display surface the overall display surface of a sign shall be included, or the largest face of a double sign and not the, aggregate of display faces. The "area of a sign" without a border shall be computed by enclosing the entire sign within sets of parallel lines touching the outer limits of the sign message and computing the area thus enclosed.

2. "Billboard" means a large panel designed to carry outdoor advertising for products other than those sold on premises, i.e., national outdoor advertising.

3. "Building, front" means that wall surface facing the primary street. In case of a corner business, it shall be at the discretion of the owner which building face shall be considered the front.

4. "Business front" means the side of a building that contains the principal entrance. For a shopping center, multiple business fronts may exist.

5. "Combination sign" means any sign incorporating any combination of features of freestanding sign, projecting or wall sign.

5.5. "Double faced sign" means a sign with more than one face located on the same base or support structure and the sign advertising faces are back to back so that both faces cannot be viewed from any point at the same time, and the sign faces are not more than thirty-two inches apart.

6. "Electric sign" means any sign containing electric wiring, but not including signs illuminated by an exterior light source.

7. "Erect" means to build, construct, attach, hang, place, suspend or affix. Such terms also include the painting of wall signs.

8. "Flashing sign" means an illuminated sign in which the artificial light is not maintained in a stationary or constant intensity.

9. "Freestanding sign" means and includes any sign standing on the ground. Such signs are usually, but not necessarily, supported from the ground by one or more poles or posts or similar uprights, without braces.

10. "Frontage property" means the longest, single, lineal dimension of a parcel of property abutting on a public street.

11. Height. In determining maximum or allowed height, the distance shall be measured from "base of pole," or point where base of pole would be on level ground, to top of sign.

12. "Nonconforming sign" means any sign installed prior to the adoption of the ordinance codified in this chapter which does not meet the specifications and requirements of this chapter.

12.5. "Pole sign" means a freestanding sign supported by one or more pillars, poles or posts that is more than eight feet in height but less than twenty-four feet in height with sign copy or content no lower than eight feet, nor higher that eighteen feet in height.

13. "Political sign" means a sign designed for the purpose of advertising support of or opposition to a candidate or proposition at a public election.

14. "Projecting building sign" means a wall sign which projects from and is supported by a wall or roof of a building, structure or sign structure and projects beyond the eaves of a building.

15. "Real property sign" means a Sign placed upon real property to advertise that the property upon which the sign is placed, or any piece or parcel thereof, or any interest therein, is for sale, exchange, lease or rent.

16. "Roof sign" means any sign erected and constructed wholly on or over the roof of a building, supported by the roof structure, and extending vertically above the highest portion of the roof.

17. "Shopping center" means any complex of separate businesses so designated by the planning commission as a shopping center.

18. "Sign" means every sign, billboard, freestanding sign, portable freestanding sign, wall sign, roof sign, illuminated sign, projecting sign, temporary sign and street clock, and includes any announcement, declaration, demonstration, display, illustration or insignia used to advertise or promote any interest when the same is placed so that it is clearly visible to the general public from an out-of-doors position.

19. "Sign structure" means the supports, uprights, braces and framework of a sign.

20. "Temporary sign"_ means any sign, banner, pennant, valance, political sign or advertising display constructed of cloth, canvas, light fabric, cardboard, wallboard or other light materials, with or without frames, intended to be displayed for a period of not more than ninety calendar days.

21. "Wall signs" means any sign attached to, painted on or erected against the wall, roof or marquee of a building or structure, and not extending more than twelve inches beyond the point of attachment.

22. "Window sign" means a sign maintained in or painted in or painted upon a window, which shall be classified as a wall sign. (Ord. 337 §1, 2000; Ord. 324 §§1, 7, 1992; Ord. 280 §2, 1986)

15.12.030 Official signs exempted.

Sign provisions of this chapter shall not apply to official signs placed by a governmental agency within a street right-of-way. (Ord. 280 §3(A)(1), 1986)

15.12.040 Directional and other exempted signs.

The maximum number of signs shall not apply to signs not exceeding four square feet which express direction, identification or warning by letters, figures or symbols, such as address, name, access, trespass or parking; but apply only to a use on the parcel. (Ord. 280 §3(A)(2), 1986)

15.12.050 Off-site signs.

Signs shall advertise only licensed business conducted, services rendered or products from or sold on the parcel. Off-site signs shall require approval of a conditional use permit by the planning commission. (Ord. 377 §2, 2000: Ord. 280 §3(A)(3), 1986)

15.12.060 Maximum area per building.

The maximum sign area for each building, except that covered under "Shopping centers," Section 15.12.080 and provisions in the historic district, shall not exceed ten percent of the business front, but in no case shall exceed ninety square feet for the business front. The sign area allowed to separate occupancies in multiple-use buildings will be in direct proportion of their part of the total building front including doors and windows. (Ord. 324 §2, 1992: Ord. 280 §3(A)(4), 1986)

15.12.070 Types permitted.

There may be permitted for each building a combination of not more than two types of signs: freestanding, wall or projecting, with their aggregate size not exceeding the size limitations under Section 15.12.060. (Ord. 280 §3(A)(5), 1986)

15.12.080 Tentative plan for shopping center.

Shopping centers must submit a tentative sign plan to the planning commission at the time of site plan approval. Final sign approval will not be granted until actual sign detail can be provided to the planning commission. (Ord. 280 §3(A)(6), 1986)

15.12.090 Approval at time of site plan approval.

All other signs shall be approved by the planning commission or staff if submitted after site plan approval. Any signs which do not comply with the provisions of this chapter or a shopping center sign plan shall be reviewed by the commission. (Ord. 324 §§3, 9, 1992: Ord. 280 §3(A)(7), 1986)

15.12.100 Maintenance.

Signs and sign structures shall be maintained at all times in a state of good repair. (Ord. 280 §3(A)(8), 1986)

15.12.110 Permit--Exemption.

One sign of four square feet or less is allowed per parcel without first obtaining a sign permit. (Ord. 280 §4(A)(1), 1986)

15.12.120 Permit--Required.

No person shall erect any sign over four square feet as defined in this chapter without first obtaining a sign permit from the planning commission department. (Ord. 280 §4(A)(2), 1986)

15.12.130 Permit--Application.

An application for a permit for each sign shall be made to the planning commission in such form and include such information as the planning commission shall prescribe. The application shall be accompanied by the permit fee herein provided. The application will be obtainable at the city hall. (Ord. 280 §4(A)(3), 1986)

15.12.140 Permit--Fee.

The permit fee for each application for each sign shall be based on the fees prescribed by resolution of the city council. (Ord. 280 §4(A)(4), 1986)

15.12.150 Permit--Issuance.

The planning commission, or designated representative will issue the permit to an applicant when the necessary requirements have been met to the satisfaction of the planning commission or designated representative, and the prescribed permit fee has been paid. (Ord. 324 §4, 1992: Ord. 280 §4(A)(5), 1986)

15.12.160 Permit--Inspection.

The planning commission staff will make the necessary inspection to ascertain that such sign or signs comply with this chapter. (Ord. 280 §4(A)(6), 1986)

15.12.170 Freestanding sign--On-premises.

The following applies to freestanding signs on premises:

A. Location. An on-premises sign is one that is confined to the owner’s property. Such signs are not allowed in residential zones.

B. Height. No such sign shall exceed eight feet in height except as provided in Section 15.12.175. The height of freestanding signs shall be measured from the base line.

C. Number. There may be one such sign for each building, and in no case shall exceed ninety square feet as defined in Section 15.12.140.

D. A-Frame Sign. Free-standing signs on an A-frame are allowed in the SC and I zone. Subject to the requirement to be located on the parcel of the business being identified; is not in the public right-of-way; does not block the sidewalk or create visibility problems for vehicles or pedestrians; and does not exceed a width of four feet or height of four feet for a total sign area to not exceed sixteen square feet per side of sign area. An A-frame sign is a double-sided sign attached at an apex whose legs provide a frame for plywood panels. (Ord. 377 §3, 2000; Ord. 280 §5(A)(1), 1986)

15.12.175 Pole signs--On-premises.

The following applies to pole signs on premises:

A. Conditional Use Permit Required. No pole sign shall be allowed unless the planning commission has approved a conditional use permit for the sign.

B. Location. An on-premises sign is one that is confined to the owner’s property provided that the property fronts on Highway 49 or 4; the property has a minimum of seventy-five feet of highway frontage; the sign is no closer than seventy-five feet from any other pole sign situated along the highway right-of-way; the sign is not located within one hundred feet of a traffic signal or traffic directional sign or any other traffic safety devise placed by a public agency within a highway or road right-of-way; and the pole sign will not interfere with or conflict with trees located along the road right-of-way. Such signs are not allowed in residential zones.

C. Height. The pole sign shall not be less than eight feet in height nor more than twenty-four feet in height; advertising copy shall not be less than eight feet from ground level nor more than eighteen feet from ground level.

D. Number. There may be one pole sign along an applicable highway frontage; where the property fronts on two highways, two signs may be permitted.

E. Lighting. Pole signs shall not use reflective coatings, neon, flashing or moveable copy. Signs shall be indirectly lit or internally lit. Internally lit signs shall display sign copy and logos exclusively illuminated with translucent materials and the balance of the advertising surface shall be made of dark or earth-tone nontranslucent materials. (Ord. 377 §4, 2000)

15.12.180 Freestanding signs--Off-premises.

The following applies to off-premises freestanding signs: A. Freestanding signs shall be allowed in SC zones and I zones, provided a use permit has been obtained from the planning commission.

B. No billboards shall be allowed. (Ord. 280 §5(A) (2), 1986)

15.12.190 Wall and window signs.

A. Location. Wall signs shall be located on the business front.

B. Height. No part of any sign shall extend above the top level of the wall upon or in front of which it is situated. Any such sign which is suspended or projects over any public walkway or walk area shall have an overhead clearance of at least eight feet.

C. Number. There may be any number of wall signs for each business front, but the total sign area shall not exceed ten percent of the building front, and in no case exceed ninety-square feet, as defined in Section 15.12.140.

D. Thickness or Projection. No sign, including any light box or other structural part, shall project more than twelve inches from the building face. (Ord. 280 §6, 1986)

15.12.200 Projecting signs.

A. Location. Signs may be located on the building front, providing they do not constitute a hazard to pedestrians or vehicular traffic, do not conceal from view any public or business sign or traffic signal, do not extend or project over a street right-of-way and do not extend lower than eight feet above the surface below it.

B. Height. No such sign shall extend above the top level of the wall upon or in front of which it is situated, or in the case of buildings having sloping roofs, above the roof ridge.

C. Number. There may be one projecting sign for each business front, but total sign area shall not exceed ten percent of the building front, and in no case exceed ninety square feet,- as defined in Section 15.12.140. (Ord. 280 §7, 1986)

15.12.210 Temporary signs.

A. A temporary sign may not exceed thirty-two square feet.

B. A temporary sign must be removed within ninety days after erection.

C. A political sign must be removed within seven days after the date of the election to which it pertains. (Ord. 280 §8, 1986)

15.12.220 On-site directional signs.

A. Directional signs may be erected for the purposes of facilitating or controlling the efficient or safe movement of pedestrians or vehicles on or onto private property and shall be located on the property to which they pertain.

B. Such signs shall not be used for advertising purposes.

C. Directional signs shall not exceed an area of six square feet, nor a height of eight feet. (Ord. 280 §9, 1986)

15.12.230 Signs confusing to public.

No sign shall resemble any official traffic or identification signal, or use warning terms such as "stop" or "danger" in a manner which might create public confusion. (Ord. 280 §10(A)(1), 1986)

15.12.240 Lights.

Signs shall have no flashing or blinking lights; lighting shall be arranged so that visibility of vehicular traffic is not impaired, and objectionable glare is shielded from adjoining residential zones. No neon-type lighting will be allowed without prior approval of the planning commission. (Ord. 280 §10(A)(2), 1986)

15.12.250 Stationary vehicle signs.

Signs placed on stationed vehicles for the primary purpose of displaying such signs shall not be allowed. (Ord. 280 §10(A)(3), 1986)

15.12.260 Hazards--Extension over right-of-way.

No sign shall constitute a hazard to pedestrians or vehicular traffic, conceal from view any public sign or traffic signal, nor extend on or project over a street right-of-way. (Ord. 280 §10(A)(4), 1986)

15.12.270 Roof signs.

New roof signs are prohibited. Roof signs in existence on November 1, 1991, which may or, may not be legally conforming, shall be deemed legally conforming. Any change in copy or structure shall comply with the provisions of this chapter for existing roof signs. (Ord. 324 §10, 1992: Ord. 280 §10(A)(5), 1986)

15.12.280 Nonconforming signs--Permitted when.

Any sign which is nonconforming with this chapter shall be removed if the sign is altered or modified. "Altered or modified" within this chapter means any change to the sign structure including but not limited to changes to the sign cabinet, supports, structure or copy on the face for a new tenant or user. The normal painting of the sign as part of routine maintenance where no change in tenant occurs is not considered an alteration. Sign may remain until any change in design, structure, location or other alteration is made. A nonconforming sign may not be restored or rebuilt if fifty percent or more of the sign is damaged or destroyed for any reason or damaged to the extent of more than half of its current replacement cost. A nonconforming sign may not be resumed if use is discontinued or if business is not being conducted for any reason for a period of more than one year. Nonconforming signs may be altered if necessary for public safety to the restrictions of this section. Such a nonconforming sign, when altered for public safety, shall be subject to securing a sign permit from the city with an explanation for retaining the sign. (Ord. 324 §5, 1992: Ord. 280 §11, 1986)

15.12.290 Nonconforming signs--Removal.

Any sign constructed after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter which is nonconforming with the requirements of this chapter may be removed by the city of Angels. The city council or its authorized agents may enter upon private property for the purpose of removal of the sign. These signs shall be stored for a period of at least twenty days, and if not claimed within that time, may be destroyed. The owner shall pay a fee to the city equal to the costs incurred by the removal, storage and handling of the illegal sign. (Ord. 280 §12(A)(1), 1986)

15.12.300 Political signs--Removal.

Political signs not removed within seven days after the election shall be removed by the city at the expense of the candidate or sponsoring agency. (Ord. 280 §12(A)(2), 1986)

15.12.310 Variance--Authority and findings.

Variances from the terms of this title shall be granted only when, because of special circumstances applicable to the property, including size, shape, topography, location or surroundings, the strict application of this title deprives such property of privileges enjoyed by other property in the vicinity and under an identical zoning classification. Any variance granted shall be subject to such conditions as will assure that the adjustment thereby authorized shall not constitute a grant of special privileges inconsistent with the limitations upon other properties in the vicinity and zone in which such property is situated. A variance requires a public hearing. (Ord. 280 §13(A)(1), 1986)

15.12.320 Variance--Application submittal.

Applications for variances shall be submitted to the planning commission for recommendation to the city council. (Ord. 280 §13(A)(2)(a), 1986)

15.12.330 Variance--Review.

A sign variance is subject to review and approval by the planning commission. City staff shall report to the commission specific findings to support or deny the variance request and conduct a duly noticed public hearing. Action by the commission is final unless an appeal is filed with the city council within the prescribed time limits. (Ord. 392 (part), 2002; Ord. 386, 2002: Ord. 324 §6, 1992: Ord. 280 §13(A)(2)(b), 1986)

15.12.335 Use permit--Authority and findings.

A. As provided elsewhere in this title, the planning commission may consider and approve a conditional use permit for pole signs in excess of eight feet in height where the proposed pole sign conforms with the requirements of Section 15.12.175, and findings of Section 17.78.030 can be made.

B. The planning commission may also consider and approve a conditional use permit for other types of signs, such as off-site signs, where provisions of this title specifically provide for such consideration, and approval and findings of Section 17.78.030 can be made. (Ord. 377 §5, 2000)

15.12.340 Violation--Penalty.

Any person violating or causing a violation of the provisions of this chapter or permitting such a violation on land or in a structure owned, rented or controlled by him is guilty of an infraction and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined fifty dollars for the first offense, one hundred dollars for the second offense within a year, and two hundred fifty dollars for the third and any subsequent offense within a year. Each day any such violation continues shall constitute a separate offense punishable as provided in this section. (Ord. 280 §14, 1986)