25.54.002 Intent and purpose.
The intent and purpose of these sign regulations is to encourage the effective
use of signs as a means of communication in the city; to maintain and enhance
the aesthetic environment; to improve pedestrian and traffic safety; to minimize
the possible adverse effect of signs on nearby public and private property;
and to enable the fair and consistent enforcement of these sign restrictions.
The sign ordinance codified in this chapter is adopted under the zoning authority
of the city in furtherance of the more general purposes set forth in the zoning
ordinance. (Ord. 1224 _ 1 (part), 1992).
25.54.004 Applicability and effect.
A sign may be erected, placed, established, painted, created or maintained
in Laguna Beach only in conformance with the standards and procedures of this
chapter. The effect of this chapter as more specifically set forth herein,
is:
- To establish a permit system to allow a variety of sign types in commercial
and industrial zones, and a limited variety of signs in other zones, subject
to the standards and permit procedures of this chapter;
- To provide for temporary signs in limited circumstances, on private property
or within the public right-of-way, subject to the standards and permit procedures
of this chapter;
- To prohibit all signs not expressly permitted by this chapter.
(Ord. 1224 _ 1 (part), 1992).
25.54.006 Definitions.
Words and phrases used in this chapter shall have the meanings set forth
herein. Words and phrases not defined in this section but defined in Chapter
25.08 shall be given the meanings set forth therein. All other words and phrases
shall be given their common, ordinary meaning unless the context clearly requires
otherwise. Section headings or captions are for reference purposes only and
shall not be used in the interpretation of this chapter.
"Abate" means to put an end to and to physically remove. Discontinuance of
use without removal shall not constitute abatement.
"Advertising sign" means a sign, the pictures, letters or display of which
consists of or contains the name of a person other than the occupant of the
property on which the sign is located, or consists of or contains the name
of a product not produced on the premises or a service not rendered on the
premises.
"Animated sign" means any sign that uses movement or change of lighting to
depict action or create a special effect or scene, and includes open flames.
"Banner, flag or pennant" means any sign of lightweight fabric, plastic, paper
or similar material that is attached to any structure, pole, line or vehicle.
National, state or municipal flags, displayed as such in an appropriate manner,
shall not be considered banners.
"Beacon" means any light with one or more beams directed into the atmosphere
or directed at one or more points not on the same property as the light source;
also, any light with one or more beams that rotate or move.
"Billboard" means advertising sign (see "advertising sign").
"Building marker" means a sign indicating the name of a building and the date
of construction and incidental information about its history.
"Bulletin board" means a sign announcing coming events or activities through
the use of changeable copy.
"Canopy sign" means any sign that is a part of or attached to an awning, canopy,
marquee or other protective cover over a door, entrance, window, or outdoor
service area.
"Directly lighted" means internally illuminated by lights projected through
a transparent or translucent sign surface. "Directory sign" means a sign listing
the persons or activities located on-site.
"Freestanding sign" means any sign supported by structures or supports that
are anchored into the ground and that are independent from any building or
other structure.
"Identification sign" means a sign limited in content to the name and address
of the person or persons located on-site. "Incidental sign" means a sign,
generally informational, having a purpose secondary to the use of the lot
on which located and not containing a commercial message. Examples of such
signs include "no parking," "loading only" and other similar directives.
"Indirectly lighted" means illuminated by a light source that is located externally
to the sign surface. This method of lighting may include, but is not limited
to, spotlighting or backlighting.
"Light source" means any fluorescent tube, gas filled "neon" tube, incandescent
light bulb, or flame.
"Mural" means a work of art or painting that is applied to and made an
integral part of an exterior wall. A mural shall be considered a wall sign
if it contains words, logos, trademarks or graphic representations of any
person, product or service that identify or advertise a business. Signatures
shall be allowed and limited to a maximum of two square feet in size.
"Neon sign" means a sign comprised of or containing gas-filled tubing exposed
to view. Neon signs shall be considered directly lighted signs.
"Nonconforming sign" means any sign that does not conform to the requirements
of this chapter.
"Open house sign" means a temporary sign communicating that a property is
available for inspection by prospective buyers and that the owner of the property
or the owner's agent is on the premises during the time the property is open
for inspection. The regulations for such signs are delineated in Table 1 (Permitted
Signs by Type and Zoning District). "Parking sign" (see incidental sign).
"Person" means any individual, association, business, corporation, firm, organization,
or partnership, singular or plural, of any kind.
"Pole sign" means any sign erected on one or more uprights supported from
the ground, and independent of a building for structural support, the height
of which sign is greater than six feet.
"Portable sign" means any sign not permanently attached to the ground or a
building, or a sign designed to be transported. This shall include A-frame
and sandwich board signs and signs attached to or painted on vehicles parked
and visible from the public right-of-way, unless such vehicles are used in
the normal day-to-day operations of the business.
"Projecting sign" means any sign attached to a building in such a manner that
its leading edge extends more than six inches from the surface of such building.
"Real estate sign" means a sign advertising or promoting the sale, lease or
rental of real estate.
"Roof sign" means a sign which is erected upon the roof of a building.
"Setback" means the distance from the property line to the nearest part of
the applicable building, structure or sign, measured perpendicularly to the
property line.
"Sign" means any device, fixture, placard, or structure that uses any color,
form, graphic, illumination, symbol or letters to advertise, announce the
purpose of, or identify a person or entity, or to communicate information
of any kind, which is visible and used to attract attention from any public
way. This shall not include normal merchandise on display in the window.
"Site" means that property which provides a location for and justifies the
area of a sign.
"Street frontage" means the length of a property line along a street that
forms its boundary.
"Suspended sign" means a sign that is suspended from the underside of a horizontal
plane surface.
"Wall sign" means any sign attached parallel to or painted on an exterior
wall of a building, and which projects not more than six inches from such
wall.
"Window sign" means any sign that is placed upon, within or behind a window,
fewer than three feet from such window and is visible from the exterior of
the window.
(Ord. 1332 _ 2, 1997; Ord. 1224 _ 1 (part), 1992).
25.54.008 Computations.
The following principles shall control the computation of sign area and sign
height.
- Computation of Area of Individual Signs. The area of a single-faced sign
shall be computed by means of the simplest geometric shape(s) that will encompass
the extreme limits of the sign, including any material or color forming an
integral part of the background of the display or used to differentiate the
sign from the backdrop or structure against which it is placed, but not including
any supporting framework or bracing. A background panel of not more than two
inch thickness, painted the same color as the wall or structure to which it
is attached, shall not be considered part of the sign.
- Computation of Area of Multi-faced Signs. The sign area for a sign with
more than one face shall be computed by adding together the area of all sign
faces.
-
Computation of Height. The height of a sign shall be computed as the distance
from the base of the sign at normal grade to the top of the highest attached
component of the sign. Normal grade shall be construed to be the lower of
- existing grade prior to construction or
- the newly established grade after construction, exclusive of any filling,
berming or excavating solely for the purpose of locating the sign. In cases
in which the normal grade cannot reasonably be determined, sign height shall
be computed on the assumption that the elevation of the normal grade at the
base of the sign is equal to the elevation of the nearest street curb. In
the event there is no curb, height shall be measured from the centerline of
the street.
- Computation of Total Allowable Sign Area. The permitted sum of the area
of all individual signs on a lot shall be as set forth below in Table 2. Lots
fronting on two or more streets may be permitted the allowable sign area for
each street frontage, provided that such sign areas may not be cumulative
on any one street and that signage oriented toward any one street shall not
exceed the allowable area for that street. Properties having secondary frontage
on a public alley may be permitted a wall sign at the entrance to the building
from the alley.
(Ord. 1224 _ 1 (part), 1992).
25.54.010 Signs permitted on private property.
- Signs may be allowed on private property only in accordance with Table
1 below. If the letter "A" appears for a sign type in a column, such sign
is allowed without prior permit approval. If the letter "P" appears for a
sign type in a column, such sign is allowed only with prior permit approval;
special conditions may apply in some cases. If the letter "N" appears for
a sign type in a column, such sign is not allowed under any circumstances.
- Design, Construction and Maintenance. All signs shall comply with the
design standards set forth in Table 1 (Allowable Signs by Type and Zoning
District) and Table 2 (Design Standards by Sign Type).
-
Lighting.
- Method. Where not otherwise restricted, signs may be indirectly lighted.
With the exception of interior building signs, directly lighted signs are
prohibited. High intensity discharge light sources including mercury vapor,
metal halide, and high or low pressure sodium, shall not be permitted.
- Shielding. The lighting source shall be shielded in an appropriate manner
to direct light onto the sign and minimize light spillage onto the public
way or adjacent properties.
- Intensity. The maximum allowable lighting intensity shall be 1740 lumins,
measured at the face of the sign. This requirement may be modified by the
design review board when deemed appropriate.
- Sign Programs. Where several businesses or uses requiring signage exist
on one site, a sign program shall be submitted by the property owner for design
review approval prior to the issuance of any sign permits. The total sign
area for the site shall be proportionately distributed among the various occupancies
on the site, with tenant frontage as the basis for proportionate distribution
of sign area. Sign programs shall be reviewed in accordance with the procedures
of Section 25.05.040. In order to assure aesthetic compatibility, the design
review board may establish whatever conditions are deemed necessary to maintain
the continuity and harmony of the signage for the site.
(Ord. 1224 _ 1 (part), 1992).
25.54.012 Signs in the public right-of-way.
Excepting those signs allowed under this section, no signs shall be allowed
in the public right-of-way or beyond a street plan line.
-
Signs Requiring a Permit. The following signs may be allowed subject to
the permit procedures of Section 25.54.018:
- Canopy, projecting or suspended signs projecting over a public right-of-way
in conformity with the design standards set forth in Section 25.54.010 and
Tables 1 and 2;
- Signs erected by or on behalf of a public agency to identify public property
or convey public information.
-
Signs Not Requiring a Permit. The following signs do not require a permit
prior to placement on public property:
- Bus stop signs erected by a public transit company;
- Emergency warning or directional signs erected or placed by a governmental
agency, a public utility company, or a contractor doing authorized or permitted
work within the public right-of-way;
- Informational signs of a public utility regarding its poles, lines, pipes
or facilities;
- Signs erected by or on behalf of a public agency to post legal notices
or to direct or relocate pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
- Forfeiture. Any sign installed or placed on public property, except in
conformance with the requirements of this section, shall be forfeited to the
public and subject to confiscation. In addition to other remedies hereunder,
the city shall have the right to recover from the owner or person placing
such a sign the full costs of removal and disposal of such sign.
(Ord. 1224 _ 1 (part), 1992).
25.54.014 Signs exempt from regulation.
The following signs shall be exempt from regulation under this chapter:
- Any public notice or warning required by a valid and applicable federal,
state, or local law, regulation or ordinance;
- Holiday lights and decorations
with no commercial message, but only between November 15th and January 15th
of the following year;
- Interior building signs located more than three feet from any window or
opening through which they might be visible; (D) Signs not visible from a
public right-of-way.
(Ord. 1224 _ 1 (part), 1992).
25.54.016 Prohibited signs.
All signs not expressly permitted under this chapter or exempt from regulation
in accordance with the previous section are prohibited. Such signs include,
but are not limited to:
- Animated signs;
- A sign no longer identifying a bona fide existing business;
- Banners and beacons, except as permitted in accordance with Section 25.54.020;
- Directly lighted signs, including neon, fiber-optic or other similar devices;
- Inflatable signs and tethered balloons, except as permitted in accordance
with Section 25.54.020 or as a part of an approved outdoor display;
- Outlining of the outside of buildings or portions thereof with gaseous
tubing, fluorescent or incandescent lights;
- Portable signs.
(Ord. 1224 _ 1 (part), 1992).
25.54.018 General permit procedures
The following procedures shall govern the application for and issuance
of all sign permits under this chapter, and the submission and review of sign
programs.
- Applications. All applications for sign permits of any kind shall be submitted
to the department of community development on an approved application form.
- Fees. Each application for a sign permit shall be accompanied by the applicable
fees, which shall be established by city council resolution.
- Design Review Required. Except as provided for in subsection
(E) below, the modification of an existing sign or the construction, creation
or installation of a new sign requiring a sign permit shall be subject to
the review and approval of the design review board.
-
Design Criteria. The following design criteria shall be considered in
the review of proposed signage:
- The size, color and scale of signs must be appropriate to the business
and compatible with the surrounding visual environment.
- Signs should be simple in design and caricatures and cartoons should be
discouraged.
- Sign content should be limited to the business name only.
- The use of natural materials is encouraged.
- Awnings must be constructed of opaque materials.
-
Signs Eligible for Administrative Approval. Certain signs may be eligible
for administrative review by the director of community development. At the
discretion of the director, such signs may be referred to the design review
board for review. Eligible signs include:
- Signs in conformance with an approved sign program;
-
Signs listed under subsection (D)(3) of this section which meet all of
the following conditions:
- The sign(s) must meet all applicable design standards as set forth in
Section 25.54.010 and Tables 1 and 2,
- The sign(s) shall not cause the total signage to exceed fifty percent
of the maximum allowable sign area for the site,
- The sign(s) shall not exceed ten square feet in area,
- The letter height must not exceed eight inches;
-
Eligible signs:
- Bulletin boards,
- Identification signs located in the R-2 or R-3 district,
- Public service signs,
- Signs on existing awnings,
- Suspended signs,
- Wall signs.
- Appeals from Determination of the Community Development Director. Any
person aggrieved by any determination of the director as provided for herein
shall have the right to appeal such determination to the design review board.
Such appeal must be filed within ten days after such determination and shall
be heard without notice at the next regular meeting of the design review board
falling at least ten days from the date of such filing.
(Ord. 1224 _ 1 (part), 1992).
25.54.020 Temporary sign permits.
Temporary signs shall be allowed only upon the issuance of a temporary sign
permit, which shall be subject to the following requirements:
- Application. Applications for temporary sign permits shall be submitted
to the department of community development on an approved application form
or in accordance with application specifications established by the director.
- Fees. Each application for a sign permit shall be accompanied by the applicable
fees, which shall be established by city council resolution.
-
Term.
- Temporary sign permits for beacons, searchlights and similar devices used
for commercial advertising or identification purposes may be issued for a
term not to exceed seven successive nights;
- Except as specified in subsection (E) below, permits for other types of
temporary signs may be issued for a term not to exceed thirty days, except
that one extension for an additional thirty day term may be permitted.
- Limitation. Only one temporary sign permit shall be issued to the same
business license holder on the same lot in any six-month period.
-
Design Standards.
-
Temporary Construction Signs. One sign identifying the person or persons
engaged in a construction project may be permitted on a property during the
period of construction, subject to the following conditions:
- The sign must be located on the construction site; location shall not
obstruct vehicular sight distance or be detrimental to surrounding properties.
- Where located in a residential district, the sign area shall not exceed
six square feet; in other zoning districts the sign area shall not exceed
thirty-two square feet.
- The sign may remain for a term not to exceed one year, and shall be completely
removed prior to final building inspection.
-
Temporary Subdivision Signs. One temporary sign advertising the prospective
sale or lease of a group of lots or dwellings within a tract or building shall
be permitted, subject to the following conditions:
- The sign must be located on the premises being sold or leased;
- The area of the sign shall not exceed three square feet for each lot or
dwelling offered for sale, up to a maximum of thirty-two square feet;
- The sign may not be illuminated;
- The sign may remain only as long as the property remains unsold or unleased
for the first time, up to a maximum one year period. The director of community
development shall have the authority to extend the one year time period;
- There shall be deposited with the building department a cash or surety
bond in the amount of one hundred fifty dollars. The conditions of the bond
shall be as follows: If the permittee faithfully complies with the requirements
and conditions of this subsection, then such bond shall be null and void;
the bond shall otherwise be forfeited to the city as a penalty for failure
of the applicant to comply with the conditions of the bond.
(Ord. 1224 _ 1 (part), 1992).
25.54.022 Nonconforming signs.
- Any sign(s) which lawfully existed as of the date of enactment of this
chapter or any amendment hereto, but which do not conform to the provisions
thereof, shall be abated or made to conform within three years from the date
of enactment.
- In newly annexed areas, all signs shall be abated or made to conform within
three years from the effective date of such annexation.
- Existing pole signs located within the city boundaries on June 6, 1988
shall have been abated on or before June 6, 1991.
(Ord. 1224 _ 1 (part), 1992).
25.54.024 Murals.
- Murals shall conform to the design standards and permit procedures outlined
below for such signs; except that murals proposed in compliance with Chapter
1.09 (Art in Public Places) shall be governed by the design standards and
permit procedures of that chapter, and murals which are considered to be wall
signs, pursuant to the definition of "mural" in Section 25.54.006, shall conform
to the design standards and permit procedures applicable to such wall signs.
-
The following procedures shall govern the approval of murals not considered
to be wall signs.
- Applications. Applications for mural permits shall be submitted to the
department of community development on an approved application form and shall
be accompanied by the following: a site plan showing the lot and building
dimensions and indicating the proposed location of the mural; a scale drawing
and color photo of the building showing the proposed size and placement of
the mural; a colored drawing of the proposed mural; and the proposed maintenance
schedule.
- Arts Commission Review Required. Prior to the required design review,
the arts commission shall serve an advisory role by providing a recommendation
to the design review board regarding all proposed murals.
- Design Review Required. All proposed murals shall be subject to the review
and approval of the design review board, including the noticing requirements
set forth in Section 25.05.040 for design review. The design review board
shall consider the recommendations of the arts commission in reviewing mural
applications.
-
Design Criteria. In addition to the design criteria set forth in Section
25.05.040 for design review, the following criteria shall be considered in
the review of mural applications:
- Visual Enhancement. The proposed mural has attributes that enhance visual
enjoyment;
- Artistic Excellence. The proposed mural exemplifies high artistic quality;
- Public Safety. The proposed mural does not create a public safety issue,
such as a distraction to drivers;
- Lighting. Murals shall not be lighted in any manner;
- Long-term Maintenance. The mural shall be kept in good condition for the
life of the mural according to the maintenance schedule and responsibilities
approved by the design review board.
(Ord. 1332 _ 1, 1997).
|
