[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former Part 4,
Signs, adopted 12-18-1984 by Ord. No. 84-23 as Ch. 6A of the 1984
Code, as amended.
This Part 4 shall hereafter be known and cited as the "City
of South Pasadena Sign Regulations."
The purpose and intent of this Part 4 is to establish regulations
for the uniform control of signage within the City of South Pasadena.
These regulations are designed to protect and promote the general
health, safety and welfare of the public in a manner consistent with
the following objectives:
A.Â
To foster an aesthetic environment that enhances the ability of existing
businesses to prosper and remain competitive and to preserve property
values while assuring that the noncommercial areas of the City retain
their residential character.
B.Â
To enable adequate identification of businesses by the traveling
public in a manner which does not create a safety hazard to vehicular
or pedestrian traffic.
C.Â
To prevent signs from reaching excessive size or numbers that would
obscure one another to the detriment to the City.
D.Â
To preserve the right of free speech and expression in the display
of signs.
E.Â
To provide for fair and consistent enforcement of these regulations.
All words used in Part 4 of Chapter 130 of the Land Development Regulations, except where specifically defined herein, shall carry their customary meaning when not inconsistent with the context in which they are used. The following words set forth shall have the meanings as defined herein:
Any form of public announcement intended to aid, directly
or indirectly, in the sale, use or promotion of a product, commodity,
service, activity or entertainment.
The square-foot area enclosed by a rectangle, parallelogram,
triangle, circle, semicircle, other geometric figures or other architectural
design, the sides of which make contact with the extreme points or
edges of the sign, excluding the supporting structure which does not
form part of the sign proper or of the display. The area of a sign
composed of characters or words attached directly to a large, uniform
building wall surface shall be the smallest rectangle, triangle, circle,
parallelogram, other geometric figure or other architectural design
which encloses the whole group of words or characters.
Drawings, pictures, symbols, paintings, or sculpture which
in no way identify a product or business and which are not displayed
in conjunction with a commercial, for-profit, or a nonprofit enterprise.
Any sign of lightweight fabric or similar material that is
mounted to a pole, a wire, or a building at one or more edges. Flags
shall not be considered banners.
A stationary or revolving light which flashes or projects
illumination, single-color or multicolored, in any manner which is
intended to attract or divert attention; except, however, this term
is not intended to include any kind of lighting device which is required
or necessary under the safety regulations described by the Federal
Aviation Agency or similar agencies.
The City official, or his/her designee, responsible for the
administration, interpretation, and enforcement of the building codes
of the City.
Sign of permanent character, but with removable letters,
words, numerals or symbols, indicating the names of persons associated
with, or events conducted upon, or products or services offered upon,
the premises upon which such a sign is maintained.
Any individual person, nonprofit organization, partnership,
corporation, other organization or legal entity holding a valid occupational
license and occupying distinct and separate physical space.
A portion of a sign on which message copy is changed manually
or automatically in the field through the utilization of attachable
letters, numbers, symbols and other similar characteristics.
A sign missing more than 25% of the sign structure, or missing
more than 25% of the area of a sign face, or having suffered damage
to one or more structural support elements such that the sign is at
risk of imminent collapse.
A sign which has two display surfaces backed against the
same background, one face of which is designed to be seen from one
direction and the other from the opposite direction, every point on
each face being either in contact with the other face or in contact
with the same background.
The inability of the applicant to be able to afford to construct
or modify the sign to comply with the provisions of this chapter.
To build, construct, attach, hang, place, suspend, affix,
or painting of signs.
Any fabric, banner, or bunting containing distinct colors,
patterns, or symbols used as a symbol of a government, political subdivision,
corporation, business, or other entity.
The length of the property line for a parcel which runs parallel
to, and along, a road right- of-way or street, exclusive of alleyways.
"Building frontage" means the single facade constituting the length
of the building or that portion of a building occupied by a single
office, business, or enterprise abutting a street, parking area, or
other means of customer access such as an arcade, mall, or walkway.
A sign that is constructed, placed, or maintained by the
federal, state, or local government, or a sign that is required to
be constructed, placed, or maintained by the federal, state, or local
government.
The level of finish grade of a parcel of land exclusive of
any fill, berm, mound, or excavation solely for the purpose of locating
a sign. Ground level on marina docks or floating structures shall
be the finish grade of the landward portion of the adjoining parcel.
The vertical distance measured from ground level nearest
the base of the sign to the highest point of the sign.
Shopping centers, hospital campuses, superstores or other
commercial development with an approved site plan containing over
3Â 1/2 acres.
The replacing, repairing or repainting of a portion of a
sign structure; periodically changing changeable copy or renewing
copy which has been made unusable by ordinary wear or weather or accident.
Any building comprised of more than one family dwelling unit.
A building containing more than one individual business where
the public enters through a common lobby as opposed to individual
exterior entrances, i.e., multistory office building.
Any series of small flag-like or streamer-like pieces of
cloth, plastic or paper, or similar material attached in a row to
any staff, cord, building or at only one or two edges, the remainder
hanging loosely.
Any individual, corporation, association, firm, partnership
and the like, singular or plural.
The overall area represented by the outside boundaries of
a parcel of land or development.
Any device, fixture, placard, or structure that uses any
color, form, graphic, illumination, architectural style, or design
or writing to advertise, attract attention, announce the purpose of
or identify the purpose of a person or entity, or to communicate information
of any kind to the public. "Sign" includes sign structure.
ABANDONED SIGNSSigns on which is advertised a business that is no longer licensed or no longer has a certificate of occupancy or is no longer doing business at that location and any one of the above-listed circumstances have continued for 90 days.
ANIMATED SIGNSAny sign which includes action, motion, the optical illusion of action or motion or color changes of all or any part of the sign facing, requiring electrical energy or set in motion by movement of the atmosphere or a sign made up of series of sections that turn and stop to show two or more pictures or messages in the copy area, except time and temperature signs. "Animated signs" shall include electronic reader boards. The term "animated sign" does not include signs which display time of day, temperature, or both, and does not include electronic message center signs.
ATTACHED SIGNSAny sign attached to, on or supported by any part of a building (i.e., walls, integral roof, awning, windows or canopy) which encloses or covers usable space.
BENCH SIGNS/BUS SHELTER SIGNSA bench or bus shelter upon which a sign is drawn, painted, printed or otherwise affixed.
CANOPY (AWNING) SIGNAny sign that is a part of or attached to an awning, canopy or other fabric, plastic or structural protective cover over a door, entrance, window or outdoor service area. A marquee is not a "canopy."
CONSTRUCTION SIGNAny sign giving the name of principal contractors, architects and lending institutions responsible for construction on the site where the sign is placed, together with other information included thereon.
DIRECTIONAL SIGNAny sign which exclusively contains information providing direction or location of any object, place, or area, including but not limited to those signs indicating avenues of ingress/egress.
EXEMPT SIGNSAll signs for which permits are not required, but which must, nonetheless, conform to the other terms and conditions of these regulations.
FREESTANDING SIGNA portable sign which is ordinarily in the shape of an "A" or some variation thereof. "Freestanding sign" means a nonilluminated incidental freestanding portable sign which is ordinarily in the shape of an "A" or some variation thereof. Any sign not permanently attached to the ground or other permanent structure, or a sign designed to be transported, including but not limited to signs designed to be transported by means of wheels; signs converted from A- frames; menu- and sandwich-board signs; balloons and other inflatables; umbrellas used for advertising.
GROUND AND/OR POLE SIGNAny sign supported by structures or supports that are placed on or anchored in the ground and that are independent of any building or other structure.
NONCONFORMING SIGNAny sign that does not conform to the requirements of these sign regulations.
OFF-PREMISES SIGNAny sign identifying or advertising a product, business, person, activity, condition or service not located or available on the same lot where the sign is installed and maintained.
ON-PREMISES SIGNAny sign which identifies a use or business or advertises a product for sale or service to be rendered on the lot where the sign is located.
PROJECTING SIGNAny sign affixed perpendicularly to a building or wall in such a manner that its leading edge extends more than four inches beyond the surface of such building or wall if it is between 27 inches and six feet eight inches above a walkway.
PUBLIC/SEMIPUBLIC SIGNAny sign erected on site for a nonprofit or quasi-public use such as a library, school, church, hospital, or government-owned building.
ROOF SIGNAny sign erected and constructed wholly on the roof of a building or is supported by the roof structure, which is placed above the eaves, mansards, parapets, or other similar architectural features of such roof. Any sign erected or constructed as an integral or essentially integral part of a normal roof structure of any design, such that no part of the sign extends vertically above the highest portion of the roof and such that no part of the sign is separated from the rest of the roof by a space of more than six inches. Any integral portion of the roof shall not extend more than five feet above the structural roof.
SNIPE SIGNA sign which is tacked, nailed, posted, pasted, glued or otherwise attached to a tree, pole, stake, fence, public bench, streetlight pole, utility poles, streetlights, or to other objects on any public property right-of-way.
SUBDIVISION SIGNA sign which contains only the name of a platted subdivision or other residential development.
VEHICLE SIGNA temporary sign attached to or placed on a vehicle, including automobiles, trucks, boats, campers, and trailers, that is parked on or otherwise utilizing a public right-of-way, public property, or on private property so as to be intended to be viewed from a vehicular right-of-way for the basic purpose of serving as an on-premises or off-premises sign. This definition is not to be construed to include those signs that identify a firm or its principal products on a vehicle or such advertising devices as may be attached to and within the normal unaltered lines of the vehicle of a licensed transit carrier, when and during that period of time said vehicle is regularly and customarily used to traverse the pubic highways during the normal course of business.
WALL SIGNA sign painted on or attached to and erected parallel to the face of an outside wall of any building and supported by such wall or building.
WINDOW SIGNA sign located on a window or within a building or other enclosed structure, which is intended to be seen from the exterior through a window or other opening.
The part of the sign that is or can be used to identify,
display, advertise, communicate information or for visual representation
which attracts or intends to attract the attention of the public for
any purpose. No sign shall have more than two sign faces.
Any structure which is designed specifically for the purpose
of supporting a sign, has supported or is capable of supporting a
sign. This definition shall include any decorative covers, braces,
wires, supports, or components attached to or placed around the sign
structure.
Any building or buildings which house a single business under
common ownership or control. A single business may have more than
one building, i.e., gasoline station/car wash.
A public right-of-way used for vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
A single-structure retail establishment of 50,000 square
feet or more, under one roof, located on a site which is more than
3Â 1/2 acres in size, i.e., a grocery store containing a pharmacy,
photo lab, bank, and florist.
A parcel of land that is of sufficient size to meet minimum
zoning requirements for area, coverage, and use, and that can provide
such setbacks and other open spaces as are required by the applicable
local government zoning regulations. For the purpose of this definition,
a shopping center, mall, or other lot or parcel of land which contains
a single unit or an integrated group of commercial establishments
and is developed, operated, managed and/or owned as a unit shall be
considered as a zone lot.
A.Â
Computation of total permitted sign area.
(1)Â
The permitted sign area for ground/pole signs shall be based upon
one square foot for each linear foot of frontage. A ground/pole sign
shall be allowed to have an additional eight square feet per sign
face, provided that this allowance is used exclusively for the street
address number, numbers or number ranges, depicted in Arabic numbers.
The public purpose for the address is to assist the traveling public
to locate specific places and to assist public safety and emergency
service vehicles to rapidly locate addresses.
(2)Â
The permitted sign area for attached signs shall be based upon 1Â 3/4
square feet for each linear foot of building frontage.
B.Â
Computation of sign area.
(1)Â
The area of a sign shall be computed on the basis of the smallest
square, circle, rectangle, other geometric figure or combination thereof
that will encompass the extreme limits of the writing, representation,
emblem, lighting or other display, together with any material, color,
or border trim 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. The computation of a sign area does not include
any framework, bracing, fence, or wall that is reasonably necessary
to support the sign.
(2)Â
The area of a sign shall be computed on a per-sign-face basis.
C.Â
Computation of sign height.
(1)Â
The height of a ground/pole sign shall be computed as the distance
from the base of the sign at ground level to the top of any portion
of the sign structure. In cases where the ground level, as defined
herein, cannot reasonably be determined, sign height shall be derived
on the assumption that the elevation of the ground at the base of
the sign is equal to the average elevation at the front property line
of the parcel.
(2)Â
In the case where a ground/pole sign is on a parcel contiguous to
an overpass or elevated road (excluding service roads) from which
the sign is designed to be viewed, the height of the sign shall be
measured from the highest point of the overpass or elevated road at
the crown of the roadway surface to the top of the sign; said highest
point to be determined by the average elevation between the perpendicular
extension of the contiguous zone lot lines on which the sign is to
be located, as such lot lines, intersect the overpass or elevated
road.
D.Â
Computation of visual clearance and sight triangle. The visual clearance
and sight triangle, to assure adequate sight distance at the intersection
of two public roadways and at the intersection of a public roadway
and an accessway or driveway, shall follow the criteria of the Florida
Department of Transportation's Manual of Uniform Minimum Standards
for Design, Construction and Maintenance for Streets and Highways
or the criteria set forth in the Code of Ordinances' definition
of "visual obstruction," whichever is more restrictive.[1]
E.Â
The computation of sign dimensions shall be as set forth herein and
depicted in the appropriate figure delineating the same in the appendix
of these regulations.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: The appendix, containing sign illustrations pertaining to this Part 4, is included as an attachment to this chapter.
The following types of signs are exempt from the permitting
process and other provisions herein, except those relating to construction,
illumination, safety, maintenance, and any other noted requirements:
A.Â
Signs required by law or ordinance to be erected in the public right-of-way.
B.Â
Address numbers on buildings. Address numbers shall contrast with
their background and be Arabic numbers or alphabetical letters. Numbers
shall not be spelled out. Each character shall be a minimum of four
inches high with a minimum stroke width of 1/2 inch and shall not
exceed six square feet in area.
C.Â
Art work.
D.Â
Signs carried by a person.
E.Â
Changeable message on permitted signs.
F.Â
Garage sale signs in any land use category, provided that all signs are removed immediately following the sale. (See Chapter 111.)
G.Â
Government and public signs, including but not limited to informational,
directional, and regulatory signs located within the rights-of-way
or on publicly owned property that are installed by the City or other
governmental signs installed with the approval of the City. No permit
is required if a government sign is necessary for the public health
and safety, or is used to identify public services or public facilities,
for traffic control, for events, for wayfinding or directions, or
to provide information to the community.
H.Â
Flags. There shall be no limit on the number of flags which may be
displayed, except when used for commercial promotion. For commercial
promotion, flags are limited to three per parcel. The height of any
flag or flagpole shall not exceed 30 feet, except that City Hall is
exempt from this height restriction. The aggregate sign area of such
flags shall not be included in the calculation of building signs for
said premises. Flagpoles associated with multistory buildings may
exceed 30 feet, but not exceed the height of a building.
I.Â
Holiday display decorations.
J.Â
Nameplate. Any sign of two square feet or less containing the name
of the unit owner or occupant of a residential unit attached to the
unit or mailbox.
K.Â
Off-premises directional signs no higher than six feet, with surface
area of four square feet or less in any land use category.
L.Â
On-premises directional signs. A maximum of two signs per parcel
unless a greater number are depicted in an approved sign program.
No individual sign shall exceed four square feet in area per sign
face.
N.Â
Window signs. Signs are permitted in all areas. In all nonresidential
districts, the maximum area of signs shall be 33% of each windowpane
facing a public street or parking lot. This figure shall be calculated
using a per-pane measurement, and permitted signage cannot be transferred
to allow more than 33% of any one pane to be covered. Window signs
shall not be included in calculating the maximum permitted signage
for a building.
A.Â
General requirements. These requirements apply to all signs regardless
of land use classification.
(1)Â
Nothing in these regulations shall be construed to prevent or limit
the display of legal notices, warnings, informational, directional,
traffic, or other such signs which are legally required or necessary
for the essential functions of governmental agencies.
(2)Â
All signs shall be moved by the owner of the sign at no expense to
the City when the signs are within any public property, including
existing rights-of-way. Nothing shall prohibit a City code enforcement
official or his/her designees from removing a sign from public property
at the expense of the owner, agent, lessee, or other person determined
to have beneficial use of the sign.
(3)Â
All signs and the illumination thereof shall be designed, constructed,
and maintained in accordance with all applicable building and electrical
code requirements of the City.
(4)Â
Illumination.
(a)Â
Signs shall not have unshielded illuminating devices, be lit
in any manner which may constitute a traffic hazard, interfere with
pedestrian movements, or point directly into windows of adjacent or
nearby properties.
(b)Â
No sign shall have blinking, flashing, or fluttering lights or other illumination device which has changing light intensity, brightness, colors, or direction, except animated signs that meet the criteria set forth in § 130-82C(10).
B.Â
Residential land use classifications; permitted signs. The following
types of signs are permitted in residential low, residential low medium,
residential medium, and residential high land use classifications,
as depicted on the Zoning Map classifications. The actual use of the
particular parcel, i.e., single-family, multifamily, shall determine
the maximum amount of signage permitted.
(1)Â
Signs for single-family residential areas shall be permitted only
as follows:
(2)Â
Signs for all residential uses other than single-family shall be
permitted only as follows:
(a)Â
Number: Not more than two signs are permitted at each entrance
to a platted subdivision, condominium, or apartment complex.
(b)Â
Area: The maximum area is 24 square feet per sign face.
(c)Â
Height: The maximum height for a freestanding sign is eight
feet. Attached signs shall not exceed the height of the building to
which they are attached.
C.Â
Nonresidential land use classifications: permitted signs. Nonresidential
uses include all commercial general, commercial general water dependent,
institutional, and institutional/public. Nonresidential uses shall
be divided into four categories: single business, strip centers, multitenant
buildings, and large-scale commercial centers, as those categories
are defined herein. The actual use of the particular parcel shall
determine the signage permitted.
(1)Â
Single business freestanding signs shall be permitted only as follows:
(a)Â
One ground/pole identification sign is permitted. In the case
where the applicant has more than 500 feet of frontage on a single
street, one additional ground/pole sign shall be permitted, provided
that such additional sign is spaced at least 300 feet from the other.
(b)Â
Area: The total maximum area for any ground/pole sign or signs shall be that area calculated according to § 130-80A(1) or 75 square feet per sign face, whichever is less.
(c)Â
Height: The maximum height for a freestanding sign is 25 feet.
(d)Â
Gasoline price display signs: The maximum area for the price
display portion only shall be no more than 24 square feet per sign
face and shall be part of the computation of allowable area for freestanding
signs.
(e)Â
Signs for drive-through establishments: Signs for drive-through
establishments shall be entitled to a maximum of two menu signs. The
square footage of each sign shall not exceed 40 square feet. The square
footage of menu signs shall be in addition to the permitted area for
freestanding signs and shall not be part of the computation of allowable
area for freestanding signs. The location of the menu signs must be
approved by the Building Official and no speaker shall be oriented
to face a single-family or condominium residence or a district that
permits a residential use, unless buffering is provided.
(2)Â
Single business: Attached signs shall be permitted as follows:
(a)Â
Area: The maximum total area for all attached signs shall be that area calculated according to § 130-80A(2) or 150 square feet, whichever is less.
(b)Â
Height: Not to exceed the height of the building to which it
is attached.
(3)Â
Strip centers: All strip centers shall submit a sign program which
shall conform to the standards set forth herein. Existing strip centers
shall obtain sign program approval prior to making any change to signage.
Once a sign program has been approved, no permit shall be issued unless
the proposed sign conforms to the sign program. The regulations regarding
freestanding signs shall be identical to the regulations for freestanding
signs in single business.
(4)Â
Strip centers: Attached signs shall be permitted as follows:
(a)Â
Number: The number of signs shall be limited to one sign per
unit, regardless of unit size, except that corner units that have
building frontage on multiple sides shall be permitted to have one
additional attached sign.
(b)Â
Area: The maximum total area for all attached signs within the
strip center shall be 1.75 square feet for each foot of linear building
frontage. The division among businesses of the available square footage
shall be the responsibility of the property owner(s) and shall be
clearly set forth in the required sign program.
(c)Â
Height: Not to exceed the height of the building to which the
sign is attached.
(d)Â
Type: All businesses within a strip center shall utilize the
same type of attached signs, i.e., all wall signs or all canopy/awning
signs or all projecting signs.
(e)Â
Location: The location of the attached sign shall be on or above
only that portion of the strip center occupied by the business depicted
on the sign. The location of the attached signs in relationship to
the business shall be uniform, i.e., all wall signs to the right of
the entrance doors, all projection signs mounted immediately above
the entrance to each unit. The location of the one additional sign
permitted for corner units shall be identified in the sign program.
(f)Â
In addition to the attached signage permitted herein, pedestrian
location markers visible by patrons walking on the sidewalk of the
strip center shall be permitted, provided they are located over the
entrance to the unit, contain only the name of the business, are uniform
in size and do not exceed three square feet per sign face.
(5)Â
Multitenant buildings: Each multitenant building or complex of buildings
on a single parcel shall submit one sign program which shall conform
to the standards set forth herein. Once a sign program has been approved,
no permit shall be issued unless the proposed sign conforms to the
sign program. Regulations regarding freestanding signs shall be the
same as single business. Height shall not exceed 10 feet and area
shall not exceed 50 square feet per sign face. All names shall be
uniform in size, and the location of this directory shall be approved
as part of the sign program. In reviewing the location of this sign,
the Department of Community Improvement shall consider its effect
on vehicular and pedestrian traffic, and safety shall be a paramount
factor.
(6)Â
Multitenant buildings: Attached signs shall be permitted as follows:
(a)Â
Number: No limit.
(b)Â
Area: The maximum area for all attached signs shall be that area calculated according to § 130-80A(2).
(c)Â
Height: Not to exceed the height of the building to which it
is attached.
(7)Â
Large-scale commercial centers: All large-scale commercial centers
shall submit a sign program which shall conform to the standards set
forth herein. Once a sign program has been approved, no permit shall
be issued unless the proposed sign conforms to the sign program.
(8)Â
Large-scale commercial centers: Ground/pole signs shall be regulated
in the same manner as strip centers, except that the one main freestanding
sign shall be entitled to have 125 square feet per sign face. In addition
to the one main freestanding sign, each large-scale center shall be
entitled to an identification sign on each street frontage which borders
the development. These additional ground/pole identification signs
shall not exceed eight feet in height. If the center contains buildings
which individually would meet the definition of "multitenant building,"
they shall be entitled to the additional ground/pole directory sign
permitted for multitenant buildings.
(9)Â
Large-scale commercial centers: Attached signs shall be permitted in accordance with the actual building types which compose the large-scale commercial center. In no event shall any one building be entitled to the attached signage for more than one building type. If the center contains buildings which would individually meet the definition of "strip center," those buildings shall be entitled to attached signage as strip centers in accordance with § 130-82C(4). Any building which individually meets the definition of "multitenant building" shall be entitled to attached signage as a multitenant building in accordance with § 130-82C(6). Any building which meets the definition of "single business" shall be entitled to attached signage in accordance with § 130-82C(2). Any building which meets the definition of "superstore" shall be entitled to attached signage in accordance with the following:
(a)Â
Number: Maximum of five signs.
(b)Â
Area: The maximum cumulative area shall be the square footage calculated according to § 130-80A(2) or 300 square feet, whichever is less.
(c)Â
Height: Not to exceed the height of the building to which it
is attached.
(d)Â
Type: Wall signs, with uniform lettering, i.e., script, channel,
italics.
(10)Â
Animated signs created by the use of reader boards that meet all of the design criteria set forth in Subsection C(10)(a) through (e) below may be incorporated into freestanding signs in nonresidential land use classifications and may display the name of the business, hours of operation, individual items, or services available on site or upcoming events on the premises or public service messages:
(a)Â
Be part of a ground/pole identification sign that is 20 feet
or less in height.
(b)Â
The reader board is no larger than 24 square feet per sign face
and is no more than 50% of the overall area of the total sign structure,
and the width, depth, and color of the cabinet shall be consistent
with the sign structure.
(c)Â
The reader board is integrated and completely contained within
a ground/pole sign, the design of which mimics the acceptable reader
board sign design contained in the appendix of sign illustrations
contained in the City Code.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: The appendix is included as an attachment to this chapter.
(d)Â
The reader board uses a single color on a solid-color background
for all messages, changes instantaneously with no scrolling, and does
not change more often than once every six seconds.
(e)Â
Display-only commercial messages that meet the definition of
an on-premises sign or display noncommercial messages.
A.Â
Sign types. A temporary sign may be a ground or building sign but
may not be illuminated by electricity.
B.Â
Maximum size. Unless otherwise provided in this section, each premises
may display temporary signs whose aggregate sign areas shall not exceed
32 square feet.
C.Â
Maximum height. Temporary signs shall not exceed eight feet in height.
D.Â
Frequency. The use of any temporary signs shall be restricted to
four times per calendar year per site, per business, regardless of
the type of sign displayed, unless greater restrictions are set forth
herein for a temporary sign.
E.Â
Lighting. A temporary sign may not display any lighting and must
remain static. A temporary sign may not display any lighting or illuminations
that flash, move, rotate, scintillate, blink, flicker, or vary in
intensity or color. A temporary sign may not incorporate fluorescent
color or exhibit fluorescence.
F.Â
Permission. Display of a temporary sign requires permission of the
real property owner. A temporary sign on any parcel shall not be maintained
if the placement of the same does not have the permission of the owner
of the real property.
G.Â
Obstruction. A temporary sign may not obstruct a permanent sign or
the vision between pedestrians and vehicles. A temporary sign may
not obstruct the view of a permanent sign as viewed from any public
road, street or highway or any public sidewalk, and may not obstruct
the vision between pedestrians and vehicles using the public right-of-way.
H.Â
Each premises shall be permitted temporary signs as follows and subject
to the following restrictions:
(1)Â
One grand opening sign, which may be a banner, provided that the
sign shall not be displayed for more than 14 days during any 12 consecutive
calendar months.
(2)Â
One real estate sign during the time a property is actively marketed
for sale, rent, or lease on such sign or in one or more paper or online
listing(s).
(3)Â
One construction sign during the time the property is under construction.
Such signs shall be removed no later than the date of issuance of
a certificate of occupancy for all or any portion of the construction
project. In the event a construction sign is displayed but construction
is not initiated within 60 days after the sign is erected, or if construction
is discontinued for a period of more than 60 days, the construction
sign shall be removed.
(4)Â
Noncommercial signs displayed before, during, or after an event or
occurrence scheduled to take place at a specific time and place. All
such signs shall be removed within 20 days after the end of the scheduled
event or occurrence to which they relate.
(5)Â
For a public or semipublic event or function, which is erected on
site for a nonprofit or quasi-public use such as a library, school,
church, hospital or government-owned building.
(6)Â
Political signs. One sign per candidate and one sign per issue is
permitted per parcel on the street frontage side. Waterfront parcels
and parcels with frontage on two streets are permitted one additional
political sign per candidate and one sign per issue on the side with
the additional frontage. Political signs in the public right-of-way
or on City property are prohibited. Signs shall not be illuminated
or affixed to trees, utility poles, wires, buildings, or supports
for other structures. In residential districts, political signs shall
not exceed six square feet per sign face and six feet in height. In
commercial, political signs shall not exceed 32 square feet per sign
face and six feet in height and shall be no closer than 10 feet to
any other sign. All political campaign signs shall be removed within
30 days after the election upon which the political sign is based.
Signs shall not be located on publicly owned land or easements
or rights-of-way, except signs required or erected by the City. Signs
shall include but not be limited to handbills, posters, advertisements,
or notices that are attached in any way upon lampposts, telephone
poles, utility poles, bridges, and sidewalks. Any sign not permitted
by these sign regulations is prohibited. Prohibited signs include,
but are not limited to:
A.Â
Abandoned signs.
B.Â
Bus shelter signs and bench signs, except the identification of the
transit company or its route schedule and the City of South Pasadena
logo.
C.Â
Damaged signs that exist in a damaged state for more than 90 consecutive
days.
D.Â
Machinery signs. Examples are signs on newspaper machines and vending
machines, advertising something other than the product in the machine.
E.Â
Off-premises signs, except those allowed by these sign regulations.
F.Â
Pavement markings, except official traffic control markings.
G.Â
Pennants, festoons, streamers, searchlights, twirling lights, or inflatable signs, except for grand openings for limited time and frequency as authorized by § 130-83H(1).
H.Â
Signs attached to or painted on piers or seawalls, other than official
regulatory or warning signs which have been properly authorized.
I.Â
Signs in or upon any bay, lake, pond, or other body of water within
the limits of the City, other than official regulatory or warning
signs which have been properly authorized.
J.Â
Signs that are erected upon or project over public rights-of-way
or present a potential traffic or pedestrian hazard. This includes
signs which obstruct visibility.
K.Â
Signs that emit sound, vapor, smoke, odor, particles, or gaseous
matter.
L.Â
Signs that have unshielded illuminating devices, are lit in any manner
which may constitute a traffic hazard, may interfere with pedestrian
movements, or point directly into windows of adjacent or nearby properties.
N.Â
(Reserved)
O.Â
Vehicle signs with a total sign area on any vehicle in excess of
more than 80 square inches when the vehicle is parked for more than
60 consecutive minutes, except when the operator of the vehicle is
engaged in work at that location.
P.Â
Any sign that is not specifically described or enumerated as exempt
or permitted within the specific land use classifications herein.
Q.Â
Signs located within a required site distance pursuant to Florida
Department of Transportation Design Standard Index No. 546, or successor
regulation.
R.Â
Animated signs.
A.Â
No person, firm, or corporation shall erect, repair, alter, or change any sign located within the City without first obtaining a sign permit, unless said sign is exempt pursuant to the provisions of § 130-81. No permit shall be issued until the plans examiner determines that such work is in accordance with the requirements contained in these sign regulations and the plans examiner determines such work will not violate any building, electrical, or other applicable code of the City of South Pasadena.
B.Â
All applications for sign permits shall be on standard City building
permit application forms accompanied by the following information:
(1)Â
Property owner's address, email address, tax folio number, business
name and contact information, and telephone number, and to the extent
the applicant is someone other than the property owner, an affidavit
from the property owner authorizing the applicant to act as an agent
for purposes of the subject application.
(2)Â
Two copies of scale drawings delineating the following:
(a)Â
Location of proposed sign(s) in relationship to property lines,
existing and proposed structures and other pertinent topographical
features.
(b)Â
Dimensions and elevations of proposed sign structures and message
area of the structure.
(c)Â
Construction specifications and engineering calculations stamped
and approved by a duly licensed engineer showing that the structure
meets all the design criteria requirements of the Building and Electrical
Codes of the City of South Pasadena. The Building Official may waive
the requirement that a licensed engineer prepare and stamp the specifications.
(d)Â
Legal description and street address of proposed design site.
(3)Â
Contractor's, address, email address, telephone, and license
number of constructing and/or erecting the structure.
(4)Â
Address, zoning district, building frontage, and road frontage of
the premises where the sign is to be erected.
(5)Â
The type of sign, aggregate sign area, height, and location of all
signs currently displayed on the premises.
(6)Â
The type of sign, aggregate sign area, height, and location of the
sign(s) proposed to be erected on the premises.
(7)Â
A notarized authorization letter from the property owner giving permission
to erect the sign.
(8)Â
Such other information as the Department of Community Improvement
shall require to show full compliance with this Part 4 and all other
laws of the City of South Pasadena and any other agency of lawful
jurisdiction.
(9)Â
Payment of the applicable permit fee once the permit is issued.
(10)Â
Copy of sign program approval, if one is required.
C.Â
Sign program. Sign program approval shall be a prerequisite to applying
for a permit to construct or alter any sign on the site of a strip
center, multitenant building, or large-scale commercial center.
(1)Â
All applications for sign program approval shall be filed by the
property owner and shall contain the following information:
(a)Â
Name, address, email address and telephone number of the applicant
or authorized agent; address of property to which sign program applies.
(b)Â
Statement of category under which the applicant believes the
site should be controlled, i.e., strip center, large-scale commercial
center.
(c)Â
Number, height and sign face area of each sign proposed for
the site, including all exempt signs.
(d)Â
Designation and detailed description of the location of each
existing and proposed sign.
(e)Â
Construction material, size of sign faces and structures, size
of lettering proposed for each sign demonstrating uniformity where
required.
(f)Â
Description of any directional signs being proposed for vehicular
or pedestrian traffic.
(g)Â
Total frontage of parcel and total building frontage calculation.
(2)Â
The Department of Community Improvement shall review and approve each sign program which meets the requirements of Chapter 130, Part 4. Once a sign program is approved, the details regarding location, size, color, style, etc., shall become additional criteria for the approval of any sign permit issued after the sign plan is approved.
D.Â
Permit application review and time limits. Upon receipt of a completed
permit, the plans examiner shall conduct a review of the application,
the proposed sign, and the premises. The plans examiner shall grant
or deny the permit application within a reasonable time.
E.Â
Appeal. Any applicant who is denied sign program approval, or is denied a sign permit, may appeal such decision to the City Commission by filing a written request for appeal within 30 calendar days of such denial, detailing the section of the Code which the applicant alleges has been misconstrued and submitting the same to the office of the City Clerk. The appeal will be scheduled for hearing on the next available regular Commission meeting agenda. If the City Commission determines that the Department of Community Improvement has misconstrued a provision of the sign code, the appeal procedures in § 130-22A(4) shall apply; however, the appeal process shall not be used to circumvent the sign code variance procedure.
F.Â
Variances.
(1)Â
Variances from the terms of this Part 4 may be granted where, owing to a special condition, the literal enforcement of the provisions would result in unnecessary hardship, not to include economic hardship. In determining whether or not to grant a variance, the following criteria shall be used in place of the six required findings contained in City Code § 130-47. In considering variance requests, the Planning and Zoning Board shall make findings on the four criteria listed below and shall make a recommendation for approval or denial. The Commission shall not grant the variance unless the Commission finds affirmatively on the following four criteria:
(a)Â
The special conditions or circumstances of the applicant are
peculiar to this structure or premises and do not generally apply
to other structures or premises in like classifications.
(b)Â
The variance sought does not result from an action by the applicant
or from an action of which the applicant had knowledge of or gave
approval.
(c)Â
The variance sought does not substantially impair the purpose
or intent of these regulations, shall not be merely a convenience
of the applicant, and shall not be a detriment to the public welfare.
(d)Â
The variance granted shall be the minimum necessary to accomplish
the intended objective of the variance request.
A.Â
All signs which do not conform to the provisions of this Part 4,
which were lawfully constructed in accordance with the rules and regulations
which were in effect at the time of construction or were lawfully
constructed pursuant to a variance, are vested from the provisions
of this Part 4. However, any one of the following events shall divest
said sign and render it and all other signs on the same parcel immediately
subject to the provisions of this Part 4:
B.Â
Permits for the repair or alteration of signs which are nonconforming,
but vested from the provisions of this Part 4, shall not be issued
for any work other than maintenance, including name changes. In no
event shall a person be entitled to extend the height, increase the
number of signs, or increase the area of signage while vested from
the provisions of this Part 4. Vesting shall be determined on a parcel-by-parcel
basis, and the divesting of one sign shall divest the entire parcel.
No vested parcel shall in any way take advantage of the provisions
of this Part 4 unless that parcel voluntarily elects to be subject
to all requirements of Part 4.
A.Â
Inspection. All signs may be inspected periodically by the Community Improvement Director or his/her designee to ensure compliance with this Part 4 and other applicable codes of the City. Each sign for which a permit is issued shall display a sticker issued by the City containing the permit date and number, affixed to the sign in such a way that it is plainly visible from the public right-of-way. A sign for which a permit is required shall be deemed operated in violation of these sign regulations if the sticker tag is not affixed in conformity with this section. Any permit issued pursuant to these sign regulations shall become void unless the permit or sign tag is displayed as required by this section within 30 days after the permit is issued.
B.Â
Enforcement. The Community Improvement Director or his/her designee
may order the removal of any sign erected or maintained in violation
of this Part 4 or other applicable City regulations. He/she shall
give notice, in writing, to remove the sign or bring it into compliance
within 30 days of the date of the notice to the owner of such sign,
at the address reflected on the application for the sign permit, or
if no address is available for any reason, to the owner of the building,
structure or premises on which such sign is located. If any sign is
not removed within the time provided in the written notification,
the City may remove said sign at the expense of the sign owner or
property owner, or agent thereof. The Community Improvement Director
or his/her designee may order removal of a sign immediately and without
notice if the condition of the sign is such as to present an immediate
threat to the health, safety, or welfare of the public.
C.Â
Penalty. Any person, firm, corporation, or agent who or which violates any of the provisions of Chapter 130, Part 4, or who fails to comply therewith shall be punished as set forth in Chapter 1, General Provisions, Article II, of this Code. Nothing herein shall prevent or limit the authority of the Community Improvement Director to seek fines for violations of Chapter 130, Part 4, through Chapter 12 of the Code of Ordinances.
Any sign permitted by these sign regulations may display a noncommercial
message.
