A. 
The purpose and intent of this chapter is to provide minimum, reasonable sign control by recognizing that the attractiveness of the community is an important factor to protect property values, to provide equal access to channels of commercial communications, and to protect the general welfare of the citizens of the City, and is therefore in the public interest.
B. 
The objective for regulating and controlling signs and outdoor advertising matter is to:
1. 
Provide a reasonable system of controls of signs, integrated within a part of the City's comprehensive zoning ordinances;
2. 
Encourage signs that are well designed and pleasing in appearance as well as providing latitude for variety, good design relationship and spacing;
3. 
Enhance a desirable community character that has a minimum of overhead clutter through the use of ground level signs;
4. 
Enhance the economic value of the community through regulation of such elements of signs as size, location, height, design and illumination;
5. 
Encourage signs that attract and direct persons to various activities and enterprises in order to provide for maximum public convenience;
6. 
Encourage signs that are compatible with the zone and structures to which said signs are in proximity;
7. 
Reduce possible traffic and safety hazards by controlling location, height, size, lighting and number of signs;
8. 
Supplement the provisions of the Uniform Sign Code; and
9. 
Encourage bilingual signs to communicate in English in order to enable the City and other service entities to identify the business for public health, safety and welfare purposes, and to promote community economic health by broadening market identification.
(2758 § 2, 2009)
A. 
Purpose. The purpose of this section is to promote consistency and precision in the application and interpretation of this chapter. The meaning of words and phrases defined in this section shall apply throughout this chapter, except where the context or usage of such words and phrases clearly indicates a different meaning intended in that specific case.
B. 
General Interpretation. The following general interpretations shall apply throughout this section:
1. 
The word "shall" is mandatory and not discretionary. The word "may" is permissive and discretionary.
2. 
In case of any conflict or difference in meaning between the text of any definitions and any illustration or sketch, the text shall control.
3. 
Any references in the masculine or feminine genders are interchangeable.
4. 
Words in the present and future tenses are interchangeable and words in the singular and plural tenses are interchangeable, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
5. 
In case a definition is not listed in this section, the most current Webster Collegiate Dictionary shall be referred to for interpretation.
C. 
Definitions. Unless otherwise specifically provided, the words and phrases used in the chapter shall have the following meanings:
"Sign"
means any medium, reflection/refraction, display or device of any kind or character whatsoever, including its structure and components, that is used or intended to be used to convey a message or attract attention.
"Billboard"
means a sign identifying a use, facility, or service not conducted on the premises, or a product that is produced, sold or manufactured off-site.
Sign, advertising.
"Advertising sign" means a sign that directs attention to a business, commodity, service or entertainment sold or offered at the premises on which the sign is located.
"Community banner"
means a banner, pennant or flag placed by the City within a public right-of-way to serve as an architectural feature or device for aesthetic purposes.
"Community message center sign"
means a sign that is designed and intended for the purpose of providing the public with information relating to events affecting the community, business activities and services, and any other publicly oriented information.
"Corporate flag"
means a piece of fabric with distinctive design and containing a registered trademark, corporate logo or symbol.
"Development directional sign"
means any sign that informs the viewer of the appropriate route or direction of travel to arrive at a land development project. Directional signs include any trademark or advertising symbol that is deemed necessary for the identification of the project.
"Directory sign"
means a sign on which the names and locations of occupants of a multitenant building are given. Said sign shall not exceed five feet in height and not exceed 20 square feet in area. These signs are intended for pedestrian viewing and, as such, shall be located a minimum of 50 feet from a public street and incorporated into the overall site design. Such sign shall be allowed at each main entry or stairway of a development.
"Display surface"
means that portion of a sign used to convey the message, including symbols and trademarks and excluding structural supports unless such structural elements are designed in a way as to form an integral background for the display. For computation, the following shall apply:
1. 
The smallest possible area that can be enclosed within eight or fewer straight lines that join with each other at right angles around all elements composing the sign.
2. 
For the purposes of computing the display area of double-faced sign, only that face or faces that can be seen from any one direction at any one time shall be counted, provided that the two faces of the sign are not separated by a distance greater than 12 inches.
"Identification sign"
means a sign used to identify the name or use type of a residential development. Such signs may be of monument design only.
"Marquee and canopy sign"
means any sign attached to, placed in, on or around, or constructed on a marquee or canopy.
"Monument sign–Standard"
means a free-standing sign permanently attached directly to a planter or pedestal base and which does not exceed a height of six feet.
"Painted wall signs, commercial/industrial"
means any sign or representation painted directly on the exterior surface of any commercial and/or building or structure, except on the vertical face or valance of an awning or canopy.
"Pole sign"
means any sign completely supported by a single sign structure located on the ground.
"Political sign"
means any temporary sign advertising candidates for public office, bond issues or other political matters.
"Portable sign"
means a sign placed upon the ground or other surface, unattached by permanent means to the ground or structure.
"Projecting sign"
means any sign other than a wall sign that projects from and is supported by a wall or building structure.
"Public service sign"
means any sign used to direct the general public to facilities or sites of interest to the general public.
"Pylon sign"
means any sign supported by two or more sign structures located on the ground.
"Roof sign"
means a sign erected upon a roof or above a roof or parapet of a building or structure.
"Temporary advertising devices"
means signs or other display devices not intended or designed for permanent use. Such devices include, but shall not be limited to, banners, flags, pennants, valances, balloons, searchlights or advertising displays constructed of cloth, canvas, light fabric, cardboard, wallboard or other light material, as well as any statuary device.
"Under canopy/walkway sign"
means a permanent sign installed suspended below the canopy of a building or below a covered walkway and shall be perpendicular to store front.
"Vehicle sign"
means any size sign attached or applied to a vehicle that advertises a business, activity, use, service or product unrelated to said vehicle, or any vehicle the primary use of which at any given time is for the display of advertising matter.
"Wall sign"
means any sign attached to, painted on, erected against, or displayed in, on, or around a wall or part of a wall of a building or structure with the sign face parallel to the plane of the building.
"Window display"
means a sign, printed matter or device that is used for advertising purposes and is attached to or placed within two feet of any window in any manner and that can be viewed through any window or glass area.
(2758 § 2, 2009; 2814, 2012; 2846 § 4, 2014)
The following general conditions shall apply to all signs in the City:
A. 
Location and safety.
1. 
Signs shall be used exclusively to advertise a business conducted or services rendered, or goods produced or sold, upon such premises or any other lawful activity conducted upon such premises.
2. 
No sign shall be so located or constructed so as to interfere with or hinder vehicular movement or be placed over any vehicular access way in a manner that would reduce the vertical ground clearance to less than 14 feet.
3. 
No sign may be designed, lighted, placed or displayed that would in any way simulate any type of traffic control device, emergency vehicle or any emergency warning device.
4. 
No sign shall be erected, constructed, or maintained within an area designated by an approved street specific plan for a public right-of-way.
B. 
Screening of structure. The back of any sign that may be readily viewed from a public street shall be screened by means of architecturally compatible materials to that of the overall project.
C. 
Private property. Nothing in this chapter shall prevent the construction or erection of directional signs on private property when the following conditions prevail:
1. 
Said signs are placed to direct vehicle or pedestrian traffic on private property;
2. 
Such signs do not exceed six square feet of display area, nor more than 100 square feet in aggregate display area on site.
D. 
Lighted signs.
1. 
Exposed light bulbs that may be seen from a public street or property line shall not be used in conjunction with any advertising display, except that neon lights or similar types of fluorescent lighting specifically designed to be used as a sign face materials may be used.
2. 
No person shall erect or maintain any device that directs a beam of light in a flashing sequence toward any street or highway.
E. 
Exempt signs. The provisions of this section shall not apply to the following type signs or advertising:
1. 
Interior signs not defined as window signs and that are not intended to be viewed outside the structure;
2. 
Official notices of any court or public office and legal notices posted pursuant to law or ordinance;
3. 
Traffic signs or other signs erected or maintained by a government body or agency, including, but not limited to, danger signs, railroad crossing signs, geographic signs, and historical signs;
4. 
Public utility company signs erected or maintained as aids to safety or service or indicating danger;
5. 
Flags of the following: flags of nations, states, counties, or cities; political groups; religious organizations; charitable or fraternal organizations or societies;
6. 
"Positions available" signs provided:
a. 
Such signs carry no information other than company identification and positions available,
b. 
Display area does not exceed 15 square feet,
c. 
Such signs must be constructed as a window or wall-type sign,
d. 
Only one sign per street frontage is permitted;
7. 
Signs on benches or shelters authorized pursuant to Chapter 11.36 of this code and in compliance with Business and Professions Code Section 5408.5.
F. 
Prohibited signs. Those signs that are not allowed are prohibited. The following are expressly prohibited in either a temporary or permanent form, except where noted:
1. 
Rotating or revolving signs, except for temporary advertising;
2. 
Painted commercial and industrial wall signs in any location;
3. 
Roof signs;
4. 
Vehicle signs;
5. 
Portable and A-frame signs.
G. 
Permits required. A permit shall be required for the erection, re-erection, construction, alteration or maintenance of any sign. Any change in color, message, copy design or size shall require a permit and shall be compliant with any approved sign program. (See Section 9.20.100.)
H. 
Additions to signs prohibited. There shall be no additions, tag signs, display boards, appurtenances or cut-outs added to the sign as originally approved. Any such addition shall be deemed a violation of the permit and shall be cause for removal of the entire sign.
I. 
Summary removal. Unauthorized signs in the public right-of-way are subject to summary removal by the City.
J. 
Abandoned signs. Nonconforming signs advertising businesses that have not operated for 90 days or more on the premises shall be considered abandoned, including their structural members. The property owner shall remove such signs, including their structural members. If the sign is not removed, or if a permit to reface is not on file with the City within the above-referenced 90-day period, the sign shall be subject to removal by the City after notice and hearing to the property owner. The Planning Commission may grant only one extension of up to 90 days, but in no case shall the grant of such an extension result in permitting the sign to remain more than 360 days from the date it was deemed abandoned under this subsection.
(2758 § 2, 2009; 2837 § 2, 2014)
The following specific standards shall apply in the placement and design of permitted signs.
A. 
Freestanding signs (Pole, Pylon and Monument Signs). The following chart lists the total numbers of freestanding signs permitted on the respective sites:
Acreage
Pole/Pylon
Monument
Total Freestanding
0—5
No
Yes
1
5—10
Yes
Yes
2
10+
Yes
Yes
3
1. 
Pole and Pylon Signs.
a. 
Minimum site size for location of a new pylon sign shall be five acres, except for a service station sign as outlined in Section 9.20.070. For purposes of application, contiguous parcels under the same or different ownership may be assembled if their construction or development is such that they may be considered one site.
b. 
Only one such sign shall be permitted per lot, or commercial or industrial development.
c. 
No pylon sign shall exceed an overall height of 35 feet, except for sites located within 300 feet of the Garden Grove Freeway right-of-way, where the following applies:
i. 
A pole or pylon sign may be permitted to be erected to a height not to exceed 50 feet through the application of a conditional use permit.
ii. 
The 300-foot distance shall be measured, as applicable, from the northern edge (for properties north of the Garden Grove Freeway) or from the southern edge (for properties south of the Garden Grove Freeway) of the Garden Grove Freeway right-of-way, excluding from such measurement any Garden Grove Freeway on or off-ramps, to the property line which is nearest the Garden Grove Freeway.
d. 
The lowest portion of any surface used for display shall be elevated a minimum of eight feet above the ground.
2. 
Monument sign. Monument signs shall meet the following standards, except as it may otherwise be provided for in Section 9.20.060:
a. 
Maximum height and length (inclusive of all structural elements) and maximum display surface area for monument signs shall be as follows:
i. 
Standard monument sign. Maximum height shall be six feet, as measured from grade at the centerline of the sign; maximum length shall be eight feet; maximum area of display surface shall be 32 square feet;
ii. 
Tall Monument Signs. Maximum height shall be 12 feet, as measured from grade at centerline of sign; maximum length shall be six feet; maximum area of display surface shall be 54 square feet;
b. 
Each monument sign shall include a base at least one foot in height, as well as other structural elements and design features necessary to make the sign architecturally compatible with the site and/or area on which it is located, such as columns and/or a cap to enhance and frame the display surface. The base, cap, columns, and other structural elements or design features of a sign shall be included in the maximum height and length calculations;
c. 
Unless located on a corner lot development, monument signs shall be located along the street frontage, provided they are placed in compliance with all other development standards in this chapter and do not obscure corner vision clearance from any driveway. No monument sign shall be located within 25 feet of an adjacent property line, nor less than 100 feet from another monument sign on the same lot or development site;
d. 
Monument signs for corner lot developments shall be located a minimum of 25 feet from an adjacent property line and 100 feet from another monument sign, measured parallel to the subject property lines. Monument signs on corner lot development may be placed at the corner, provided they are placed in compliance with all other development standards in this chapter and do not obscure corner vision clearance from any driveway;
e. 
Monument signs may be placed parallel or perpendicular to the street right-of-way, set back a minimum of three feet from the ultimate right-of-way;
f. 
Monument signs may be double-sided.
B. 
Political Signs.
1. 
No more than one sign per candidate or issue shall be permitted on a lot.
2. 
The allowable display area per sign shall not exceed 32 square feet. This display area restriction shall not apply to commercial billboards permanently established on a lot.
3. 
No political sign may be erected before a candidate files a completed declaration of candidacy.
4. 
The person who erects a political sign or the owner of the property upon which such sign is located shall remove said sign within five days after the election.
5. 
Summary removal. If political signs permitted under this subsection are not removed within five days following the election, said signs shall be subject to summary removal by the City. Prior to removal and confiscation of any sign placed or installed on private property in violation of the provisions of this code, the City Manager, or his or her designee, shall attempt in good faith to notify the owner, lessee or other person in possession of the property regarding the violation, and shall provide such a person with an opportunity to respond to the charge and to voluntarily remove the sign. If the owner, lessee or other person lawfully in possession of the property cannot be located after the exercise of reasonable diligence, summary removal and confiscation of the signs shall be permitted.
C. 
Temporary advertising devices.
1. 
Temporary advertising devices shall only be displayed after receiving a permit for:
a. 
An approved neighborhood event (see Sections 9.08.020.060, 9.12.020.060, and 9.16.020.060);
b. 
An approved community event (see Sections 9.08.020.060, 9.12.020.060, and 9.16.020.060);
c. 
An approved special event (see Sections 9.08.020.060, 9.12.020.060, and 9.16.020.060);
d. 
A Temporary sign permit. Temporary sign permit criteria are as follows:
i. 
Temporary signs shall only be permitted for the duration of the approved event, or in the case of a temporary sign permit for a maximum of 60 days per calendar year per business address, including any signage used for the temporary events listed in Sections 9.08.020.060, 9.12.020.060, and 9.16.020.060. Shopping center associations shall be allowed an additional 24 days per calendar year.
ii. 
A grand opening for any business provided the display of these devices shall not exceed 30 days in a one-year period and shall be used consecutively. The use of a grand opening display is allowed once only, and during the first year of operation.
iii. 
Businesses impacted by public improvement projects that disrupt the natural flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic to a business(es) for a period of 30 days or more shall be permitted an additional 10 days of temporary advertising, provided such request is submitted to the approving body within 30 days of the end of construction, as determined by when the public right-of-way is finally capped and striped.
2. 
The City Council, by minute order, may temporarily modify the number of days for display of temporary advertising devices at their discretion.
D. 
Window Displays.
1. 
Shall not exceed a maximum of 15% of the total window area on the frontage on which such sign is located.
2. 
An additional five percent of window display is permitted for the notification of cultural, social, or community events or announcements.
3. 
Any opaque material applied to glazing shall count toward the maximum window coverage area.
E. 
Public Service Sign.
1. 
The display area shall not exceed six square feet. For the purposes of computing the display area, only one face of a double-faced sign will be counted, provided the two faces of the sign are not separated by more than 12 inches.
2. 
Said sign may be located in the public right-of-way of a major or primary highway. Said sign shall be installed by the City with the cost of the installation and related materials being paid by the organization to which it refers or that requested the installation.
3. 
Only two such signs shall be permitted for each facility. A maximum of one such sign per facility will be permitted on any one major or primary highway.
4. 
The design of the sign will be determined by the City to provide a consistency in signing in accordance with adopted City policy.
5. 
The location of said sign shall be approved by the Zoning Administrator, who will verify the qualifications of the facility and consider the density of signage in the area of the proposed sign location.
F. 
Community Message Sign.
1. 
The City Council may establish and erect or have established and erected, on publicly-owned, non-residential property other than a right-of-way, a community message sign.
2. 
Exclusive Authorization—Community Message Signs. The provisions relating to community message signs shall control to the exclusion of all other sign provisions and regulations established by the City Council, with the exception that all construction and safety standards shall be applicable to community message signs.
G. 
Development Directional Signs.
1. 
Number of Signs Allowed. Each separate land development project within the City limits shall be permitted a total of not more than two directional signs.
2. 
Determining Number of Signs. For the purpose of this chapter, a sign containing message material that can be viewed from not more than two surfaces of a single structure shall be considered a single sign, provided the maximum distance between the two viewing surfaces shall not exceed two feet at any point.
3. 
Size and Height. All directional signs shall not be more than 64 square feet in area per face, nor more than 10 feet in height.
H. 
Temporary Real Estate Signs. Two temporary real estate signs, not to exceed 50 square feet in area per face, or one sign not to exceed 100 square feet in area per face, may be located on any tract recorded within the boundaries of any approved tentative tract map filed with the City in any zone, provided such signs, if in any "R" zone, shall be removed at the end of a 12-month period measured from the date of the resolution of the City Council accepting the public improvements of the tract upon which said sign or signs are located.
I. 
Temporary Construction Signs. Two signs identifying persons engaged in construction on a site shall be permitted as long as construction is in progress, provided that any time the removal is required for a public purpose, said signs shall be removed at no expense to the City or other public agency. Such signs may not exceed 50 square feet in area per face or one sign not to exceed 100 square feet in area per face.
J. 
Temporary Advertising Balloons. Temporary advertising balloons consisting of not more than one inflated balloon not exceeding 1,000 cubic feet in size and with no dimension exceeding 30 feet shall be permitted. Only balloon type devices are permitted (no animated or other design styles are permitted). Inflated balloons shall be affixed and securely anchored to an immobile structure. Immobile structures shall not be located in any landscaped areas, parking space or required setback area. The maximum permitted height for temporary advertising balloons is 35 feet above site grade level.
Temporary advertising balloons may only be displayed after receiving a permit for:
1. 
An approved community event (see Sections 9.08.020.060, 9.12.020.060, and 9.16.020.060); or
2. 
An approved special event (see Sections 9.08.020.060, 9.12.020.060, and 9.16.020.060); or
3. 
Upon application and approval of a temporary sign permit and subject to the restrictions listed in Section 9.20.040.C.
(2758 § 2, 2009; 2837 § 3, 2014; 2846 § 5, 2014)
The Harbor Boulevard Sign Overlay Program Guide, which was attached as Exhibit 1 to and deemed to be a part of the ordinance adopting this section and is on file with the Community Development Department, shall apply to the placement and design of freestanding signs ("sign standards") for properties within the area covered by this section, as well as to the replacement, when required, of existing freestanding signs, which are currently nonconforming, and those that are made nonconforming by enactment of this section. A map showing the properties subject to these sign standards was included in the Harbor Boulevard Sign Overlay Program Guide attached as Exhibit 1 and deemed to be a part of the ordinance adopting this section and is on file with the Community Development Department. The properties subject to this section are generally those properties located along Harbor Boulevard from Wilken Way (City border) to the north side of the Garden Grove Freeway (State Route 22); those properties located on the north side of Garden Grove Boulevard from approximately 1,000 feet west of Harbor Boulevard to approximately 850 feet east of Harbor Boulevard; and those properties located on the south side of Garden Grove Boulevard from approximately 450 feet west of Harbor Boulevard to approximately 1,200 feet east of Harbor Boulevard.
A. 
Any newly constructed freestanding sign or nonconforming freestanding sign, which pursuant to any provision in this Code is required to be replaced with a sign conforming to the sign standards, shall conform to the sign standards as generally depicted in Sign Type "A" below. If in the determination of the Community Development Director installation of a sign conforming to the sign standards in Sign Type "A" would intrude on required setbacks, significantly interfere with the use of or require modification to existing buildings, cause loss of parking so as to render the property nonconforming to parking standards or would substantially interfere with traffic circulation or utilities on the property, a property owner may install a sign conforming to the sign standards as generally depicted in Sign Type "B" below. If the installation of a sign conforming to the sign standards in Sign Type "B" would still result in an impact noted in this subsection, the property owner or lessee of the property, as the case may be, may apply for a minor deviation with the City Manager or designee as provided in Section 9.32.030 of this title; provided that in granting any such minor deviation the City Manager or designee shall provide relief from the sign standards only to the extent necessary to avoid the impacts described in this subsection and shall otherwise apply the sign standards to the fullest extent possible to maintain continuity and consistency with signs conforming to the sign standards.
Sign Type "A" (Required)
Sign Type "B" (Per Approval)
B. 
Properties subject to this section which are within 300 feet of the Garden Grove Freeway right-of-way may, in addition to a freestanding sign complying with this section, have a pole or pylon sign oriented toward the Garden Grove Freeway, which pole or pylon sign shall otherwise comply with applicable provisions of this Code, including, but not limited to, Section 9.20.040.A.1. The 300-foot distance shall be measured in accordance with Section 9.20.040.A.1 of this chapter.
C. 
Within the past three years the City has, pursuant to Business and Professions Code Section 5491.1, conducted an identification and inventory of signs which are illegal or abandoned prior to the date this section was adopted and those that will be made nonconforming by adoption of this section. Any nonconforming sign which has been in place for 15 years or more prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this section shall be subject to removal six months after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this section; provided that no such sign shall be required to be removed until the City has provided 90 days written notice that the sign is subject to removal pursuant to the provisions of this section. Notice of removal shall be provided to the property owner at the address shown on the latest tax assessment roll and to any existing business advertised on the sign as of the date of such notice.
D. 
Prior to requiring removal of any sign made nonconforming by this section, to the extent required by state law, the City shall pay fair and just compensation as provided in Chapter 2.5 of the California Business and Professions Code, Sections 5490 et seq.
(2837 § 1, 2014)
A. 
Single Channel Letters. The use of single channel letters is encouraged.
B. 
Sign Boxes/Cans. The use of sign boxes or cans will be permitted if recessed or architecturally integrated so as to be flush with the building facade.
C. 
The incorporation of the sign face within the architecture or a structure is encouraged.
D. 
Illumination. Signs may be illuminated through either indirect or internal illumination. Bare bulb illumination is expressly prohibited.
E. 
Architecture. Signs shall be architecturally a part of the design of the building, and should not be an independent feature in conflict with the integrity of building design.
F. 
Consistency. Signs located adjacent to one another, or within the same development, should be consistent or compatible in terms of color, material and design.
G. 
Reader boards are specifically prohibited on monument or pylon signs. Center identification and up to three tenants may be permitted on pole or pylon signs. Site address(es) shall be included on all monument and pylon signs.
H. 
Sign Colors. Sign programs should include a single uniform background color and no more than three colors for sign letters.
I. 
Standard Sign Letters. Sign programs should have identifiable, uniform lettering size and style for each tenant type (e.g., major, in-line, etc.).
J. 
Electronic Changeable Copy. Notwithstanding subsection G, monument signs with electronic changeable copy are allowed on sites legally established with the following uses: service stations, churches and other religious centers, public and non-profit educational institutions and schools, movie theaters, public buildings, public recreational facilities, and private clubs and lodges. In addition to the general conditions and design standards and elements for signage required under this chapter, signs with electronic changeable copy shall comply with the following requirements. Modifications of existing signs to replace its copy with an electronic changeable copy shall require a new permit per subsection G.
1. 
For service stations, only those portions of the display surface containing pricing information pursuant to Section 9.20.070 of this chapter may utilize electronic changeable copy.
2. 
Electronic changeable copy on a sign shall be operated only between the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. The sign shall remain dark and unlit between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
3. 
A sign with electronic changeable copy shall incorporate both an automatic light sensitive dimmer and a manual dimmer for reducing the intensity of light output in the evening hours (sunset to 10:00 p.m.)
4. 
The maximum intensity of the light output produced by a sign with electronic changeable copy shall be established in relation to the immediate ambient lighting (darker areas require less intense light levels in the evening hours) and the intensity of light output shall be automatically or manually dimmed in the evening hours (sunset to 10:00 p.m.) so as to minimize impacts to adjacent uses. Under no circumstances may the maximum measurable light output of the electronic changeable copy exceed 0.3 foot-candles above ambient light levels in the evening, to be measured as follows. First, at least 30 minutes past sunset, with the electronic display turned on, a light level reading in foot-candles will be taken with a light meter aimed directly at the electronic display from 100 feet. Second, with the electronic display turned off, showing all black copy or blocked, the light meter will be used at the same location to measure the area ambient light level in foot-candles. The difference between the two readings shall not exceed 0.3 foot-candles.
5. 
Any lot containing a sign with electronic changeable copy shall have a minimum lot frontage of 160 feet.
6. 
A sign with an electronic changeable copy shall be located at least 150 feet from another sign with electronic changeable copy, as measured from the base of each such sign.
7. 
A sign with an electronic changeable copy shall be located at least 80 feet from the property line of any residential property.
8. 
The electronic changeable copy shall consist only of static letters, symbols and/or numbers (no bright, flashing, moving, strobe type effects or graphics) of a single color against a black (or unlit) background, and shall change no faster than once every 20 seconds.
9. 
Light intensity changes of the electronic changeable copy (other than between daylight and evening hours) are not permitted.
(2758 § 2, 2009; 2846 § 6, 2014)
A. 
The following table lists those sign types permitted in the respective zoning classifications and subject to the regulations of the division.
SIGN TYPES
R-1
R-2
R-3
O-P
C-1
C-2
C-3
CC
GGMU-1, 2, 3
AR
NMU
M-1
M-P
O-S
Directional
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Marquee/Canopy
—
—
—
—
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
—
—
—
Nameplate
P
P
P
P
—
—
—
P
P
P
P
—
—
—
Pole
—
—
—
P
P
P
P
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Pylon
—
—
—
P
P
P
P
—
P
P
P
—
—
—
Political
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
—
Wall
—
—
—
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
—
Monument-Standard
P**
P**
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
—
Monument-Tall
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
P*
P
—
P
—
—
—
Temporary
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
—
Community Message Center
—
—
—
P
P
P
P
P
—
—
P
P
P
P
Window
—
—
—
—
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
—
—
—
Sales/Lease/Rental
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
—
Temporary Real Estate
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
—
Temporary Construction
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
—
Projecting/Blade
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
P
P
P
P
—
—
—
Corporate Flag
—
—
—
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
—
Under Canopy/Walkway
—
—
—
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
—
Directory
—
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Notes:
* Only permitted in the CC-3 zone.
** Only permitted for the uses listed in Section 9.20.050.J.
B. 
Allowable Sign Area
1. 
For purposes of calculating maximum permissible signage on a building or on a site or within a development, the following sign types shall be calculated: marquee/canopy, pole, pylon, wall, monument, projecting, corporate flag and under canopy/walkway. These signs shall be known as Group A, and their use shall be subject to the Sign Use Matrix.
2. 
Wall signs are classified as either single channel letters or sign boxes/cans (see Section 9.20.050). In order to specifically encourage the use of single channel letter signs, the following sign area incentive factor may be used: If single channel letters are used, the display surface shall not exceed two and one-half square feet of display area for each lineal foot of building frontage or two square feet of display area for each lineal foot of lot frontage.
C. 
The following signs shall be permitted subject to the following criteria.
Zone
Type
Criteria
R-1
Nameplate
1 sign, 1 sq. ft.
 
Sale/lease
1 sign, 6 sq. ft.
R-2, R-3
Nameplate
1 sign per unit not exceeding 2 sq. ft.
 
Sales/Lease
0—4 units: 12 sq. ft.; 5—15 units: 16 sq. ft.; 16+ units 20 sq. ft.
 
Monument
20 sq. ft. display surface, not greater than 5 feet in height; 32 sq. ft. display surface, not greater than 6 feet in height, for the uses listed in Section 9.20.050.J only.
O-P
Nameplate
1 square foot per business.
 
Directory
1 square foot per business.
 
Sales/Lease/Rental
2 signs not to exceed an aggregate display of 20 square feet.
 
Wall Signs
40 square feet, identifying the building, site or project, per 10,000 square feet of building area, not to exceed 200 square feet.
C-1, C-2, C-3
Sales/Lease/Rental
2 signs not to exceed 20 sq. ft.
 
Group A
 
 
One-Story Building
2 sq. ft. per 1 lineal foot of building frontage or 1.5 sq. ft. per 1 lineal foot of lot frontage.
 
Two-Story Building
(1) Same as above if no second story signs are permitted in the sign program.
(2) In order to specifically encourage the limitation of second story signs the following incentive may be used: 1 monument center identification sign or major tenant sign or combination thereof is permitted for each street frontage and calculated on a 1 sq. ft. per 1 lineal foot of building frontage not to exceed 100 sq. ft. for a two-story building or 200 sq. ft. for a three-story building.
(3) If two or three story signs are permitted, 1 sq. ft. per 1 lineal foot of storefront per floor would be allowed.
M-1
Rental, Lease
2 signs not to exceed 20 ft. ft.
 
Group A
2 sq. ft. per 1 lineal foot of building frontage or 1 sq. ft. per 1 lineal foot of lot frontage
M-P
Rental, Lease
2 signs not to exceed 20 sq. ft.
 
Group A
Building site area less than 20,000 sq. ft.—50 sq. ft.
 
 
20,000 to 29,999—75 sq. ft.
 
 
30,000 to 1 acre—100 sq. ft.
 
 
Greater than 1 acre—125 sq. ft. PLUS 10 sq. ft. additional acre
O-S
 
All signs shall be subject to criteria established for the proposed use in accordance with any discretionary permit controlling such use.
(2758 § 2, 2009; 2814, 2012; 2846 §§ 7, 8, 2014)
Notwithstanding Section 9.20.060.A and B, due to the special nature and needs service stations share, they shall be subject to the following limitations described herein:
A. 
One major identification sign located in a landscaped area. This sign shall be of a monument type sign only, with a maximum height of eight feet measured from the finished grade level, but in no case higher than 10 feet from street grade. The sign shall have no more than a total of 48 square feet of sign face, subject to a limitation of two sign faces. Such sign shall bear the name and/or logo of the business(es) on the site only, but may also contain gasoline pricing information. This sign face may be increased to a maximum of 52 square feet if pricing information is included with the sign, and omitted from other freestanding signs permitted under subsection B.3 of this section. The main identification sign shall be architecturally consistent with the overall building theme and incorporate unifying features (i.e., materials) and may be internally illuminated. No such sign shall be externally illuminated.
B. 
The following information and direction signs are permitted:
1. 
The amount of all information and direction signs, as permitted in this section, shall not exceed a sum total of 200 square feet for the entire site.
2. 
Canopy signs with an aggregate display area not to exceed 30 square feet per canopy face, subject to a limitation of one allowable canopy face per street frontage, not to exceed two sign faces. Said sign shall be incorporated into the canopy, shall be architecturally consistent with the overall building theme, and if lighted, be internally illuminated.
3. 
Every business that sells gasoline or diesel fuel to the general public, either through a service station, mini-market, car wash or other location open to the general public, shall post signs on the premises indicating the cost of each grade of gasoline or diesel fuel sold, and said signs shall reflect the exact sales price posted on the pump dispensing the fuel. Said sign may include pricing, credit and similar information. One sign, not to exceed a maximum height of five feet and not exceeding a maximum of 20 square feet per face, shall be allowed for each adjacent street and shall be placed in a landscape area. Each sign may be double-faced and, if lighted, must be internally illuminated. If pricing information is included in the main identification sign, the area encompassed by the pricing information shall be subtracted from the total amount of informational signage allowed in this subsection.
4. 
Other commercial type signs are permitted to be placed on the main building structure, but must comply with subsection B.1. of this section.
5. 
Directional signs that inform the viewer of the appropriate ingress, egress and circulation system of the site are permitted. Said signs shall have a maximum display surface of two square feet per face and a maximum height of 36 inches.
C. 
Notwithstanding Section 9.20.040.A, pole and pylon signs are permitted for service station sites located on parcels of land located within 300 feet of a freeway right-of-way. In such a case, one double-faced pole sign with a maximum sign face size 125 square feet per face and not exceeding 50 feet in height may be added to the permitted signage requirement. Said sign shall not be located in a front or side street setback area and shall comply with all other requirements of this section. Said sign shall be located to the rear of the main building, and the sign faces shall be aligned for freeway exposure only. Such sign may be internally illuminated.
(2758 § 2, 2009)
A. 
In response to the California State Business and Professions Code Section 5491.1, a sign program is to be established by this city to inventory and identify pre-existing illegal or abandoned signs. Said program is to begin within six months of the date of final adoption of the ordinance codified in this title, with abatement commencing within 60 days following the six month period.
B. 
In response to the California State Business and Professions Code Section 5492.2, the City may impose fees upon all owners or lessees of on-premises business signs for the purpose of covering the actual costs of the sign inventory program described in subsection A of this section.
(2758 § 2, 2009)
All signs and sign support structures, together with all of their supports, braces, guys and anchors, shall be kept in repair and in proper state of preservation. The display surfaces of all signs shall be kept neatly painted and cleaned and without broken or missing letters or parts.
(2758 § 2, 2009)
A. 
A sign program shall be required for all existing commercial and industrial developments in the City that contain two or more uses where individual signs are allocated or have been placed for those individual uses and that currently do not have an approved and adopted sign program.
B. 
The sign program shall show, at a minimum, how the signage on the parcel or development is to comply with the purpose, intent and relevant regulations of this chapter. The City Manager or designee shall be responsible for developing and providing applications for such purposes.
C. 
Sign programs for existing developments shall be submitted for discretionary review and approval to the Zoning Administrator, subject to the following schedule:
Area Boundaries
Time Frame from Date of Ordinance
(1) North side of Garden Grove Boulevard and west side of Gilbert to the northern and western city limits
1.0 year
(2) North side of Garden Grove Boulevard and the east side of Gilbert to the northern and eastern city limits
1.5 years
(3) South side of Garden Grove Boulevard and the west side of Magnolia to the southern and western city limits
2.0 years
(4) South side of Garden Grove Boulevard and the east side of Magnolia to the southern and eastern city limits
2.5 years
D. 
The Zoning Administrator shall have a period of 30 days to approve or disapprove the sign program. An appeal of a determination made by the Zoning Administrator may be made to the Planning Commission.
E. 
No permit shall be issued after six months from the above scheduled sign program time frame for an individual sign requiring a permit, unless and until a sign program for all the existing commercial and industrial developments on which the sign will be erected has been submitted and approved by the Zoning Administrator as conforming with this section.
(2758 § 2, 2009)
A. 
Prohibition. Except for relocations of existing billboards and conversion of existing billboards to electronic billboards pursuant to this section, no new billboards shall be constructed within city limits.
B. 
Relocations of Existing Billboards. An owner of an existing billboard located within the city may apply for a billboard relocation subject to the following procedure and criteria:
1. 
Process. An applicant for a billboard relocation shall file an application for a Site Plan approval with the City. The Planning Commission shall be empowered to approve, deny, or conditionally approve the Site Plan application. The Planning Commission shall apply the criteria as set forth in this subpart in making its determination.
a. 
The Planning Commission shall hold a public hearing on the matter and provide notice to property owners of the public hearing located within 300 feet of the relocation site.
2. 
Criteria. The Planning Commission shall apply the following criteria in making its determination on the Site Plan:
a. 
The structure shall be constructed on two or less steel supports;
b. 
The relocation site shall be at least 300 feet from any other existing billboard structure, and shall also comply with the distance requirements set forth in subsection D.3.e, if applicable;
c. 
Except as otherwise provided in subsection D, the height of the sign face shall not exceed 50 feet and the display area should not be less than eight feet from the ground;
d. 
The structure shall incorporate aesthetically pleasing architectural elements to the extent feasible so as to promote compatibility with surrounding properties;
e. 
The applicant shall present proof of compliance with any applicable State or Federal law requirements relating to billboard signing and freeway location;
f. 
The structure shall not result in an adverse aesthetic or illumination nuisance upon any surrounding residential neighborhood.
3. 
Findings. The Planning Commission shall make a finding in approving such a request that the construction of the structure will not have an adverse effect on the public health, welfare, and safety of the community.
C. 
Publicly Caused Billboard Relocations. Any proposal to relocate an existing billboard structure which relocation is caused by a City and/or redevelopment agency project shall be subject to the following Site Plan review process:
1. 
The City Council shall have sole jurisdiction in considering whether such an application should be approved.
2. 
The City Council shall hold a Site Plan review hearing and utilize the same criteria to be used by the Planning Commission, except that the City Council reserves the right to make exceptions to any of the criteria set forth in subpart B.2(a)—(d).
3. 
The City Council shall make the finding that the construction of the structure will not adversely affect the public health, welfare and safety of the community.
D. 
Electronic Billboards Within the Garden Grove (22) Freeway Corridor.
1. 
For purposes of this subsection D, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
a. 
"Billboard" has the same meaning as defined in subsection 9.20.020.C.
b. 
"Electronic billboard" means an internally or externally illuminated billboard that utilizes digital message technology capable of instantaneously changing the static message or copy on the sign electronically.
c. 
"Garden Grove (22) Freeway Corridor" means the area within the City comprised of the land within 300 feet of either edge of the California State Route 22 Freeway right-of-way.
2. 
Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, subject to the discretionary approval of a Site Plan application pursuant to subsections B or C, above, entry into a relocation agreement with the City in accordance with Business and Professions Code Section 5412, and compliance with the additional requirements set forth below, the owner of an existing billboard within the City may convert and/or relocate and convert such billboard to an electronic billboard, provided such relocated and/or converted billboard is located within the Garden Grove (22) Freeway Corridor. Conversion of an existing billboard to an electronic billboard shall be deemed to be a relocation of an existing billboard that is subject to approval of a Site Plan application pursuant to subsection B. Such relocated and/or converted electronic billboards shall be deemed legal nonconforming uses and structures.
3. 
In addition to such conditions as may be imposed pursuant to approval of a Site Plan application for a billboard relocation pursuant to subsections B and/or C, above, electronic billboards shall be subject to the following criteria and conditions:
a. 
An electronic billboard may only be located within the Garden Grove (22) Freeway Corridor.
b. 
Electronic billboards shall comply with all applicable location, distance, size, operational, permit or licensing, and/or other requirements or limits imposed by Federal or State law, including, without limitation, the California Outdoor Advertising Act, California Business and Professions Code Section 5200 et seq., and its implementing regulations, including applicable amendments thereto. To the extent a conflict arises between any provisions of this section and applicable Federal or State law, State or Federal law shall control.
c. 
Each sign face of an electronic billboard shall be oriented primarily for viewing from the Garden Grove (22) Freeway and shall be oriented away from any residentially zoned property.
d. 
No electronic billboard shall be located on or within 350 feet of any residentially zoned property, as measured from the structural support column of the electronic billboard to the property line.
e. 
No electronic billboard shall be located within 500 feet of any other billboard located on the same side of the freeway or within 1,000 feet of any other electronic billboard or on-premises electronic sign located on the same side of the freeway.
f. 
The permitted height of an electronic billboard shall be determined through the Site Plan review process and shall be limited to the maximum height necessary to ensure adequate visibility of the display from the Garden Grove (22) Freeway. Requested height of an electronic billboard shall be justified through a balloon or flag test, or other similar test, conducted at the applicant's cost. Unless special circumstances necessitate a taller sign, as demonstrated through a balloon or flag test, or other similar test, no electronic billboard shall exceed 60 feet in height, as measured from finished grade to the top of the billboard structure.
g. 
The area of each electronic billboard sign face, including framing and trim, shall not exceed 680 square feet.
h. 
Electronic billboard displays shall contain still or static messages or images only, and no part of the sign structure or image being displayed may move or present the appearance or optical illusion of movement, or include flashing, blinking, or traveling lighting, the varying of light intensity, or any other means not providing constant illumination. Each static message or image shall be displayed for a minimum of eight consecutive seconds before changing, and the transition or blank screen time between one display message and the next shall not exceed one second.
i. 
The maximum intensity of light output produced by an electronic billboard display shall be established in relation to the immediate ambient lighting, and each electronic billboard shall incorporate an automatic light sensing device that will adjust the brightness or intensity of light output as ambient light conditions change. The maximum measurable light output of an electronic billboard shall not exceed 0.3 foot-candles above the ambient light level at any time, as measured using a foot-candle meter at a pre-set distance perpendicular to the display face of the electronic billboard. The pre-set distance for measurement of intensity of light output with a foot-candle meter shall vary depending on the size of the sign face, as follows:
Nominal Sign Face Size
Distance To Be Measured From
12′ x 25′
150′
10′-6″ x 36′
200′
14′x 48′ or Greater
250′
j. 
Electronic billboard owners and/or operators shall make space available for the display of emergency messaging in accordance with local, regional, and/or State protocols.
k. 
As a condition to approval of the relocation and/or conversion of a billboard to an electronic billboard, the owner of the electronic billboard shall execute a relocation agreement with the City pursuant to California Business and Professions Code Section 5412 on terms approved by the City Council in its sole and absolute discretion. At a minimum, such a relocation agreement shall: (i) require the permanent removal of a minimum of two existing billboard faces within the city for each new electronic billboard face erected or installed, (ii) provide for mitigation by the owner of aesthetic and/or other impacts caused by the electronic bill-board(s), (iii) require the owner to comply with any and all required mitigation measures, conditions of approval, and applicable provisions of this section and this code, (iv) provide for the payment by the owner of applicable fees and costs, (v) require each owner to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the City from any and all claims, lawsuits, awards and judgments, including any reasonable attorney's fees and court costs, that may arise from the approval of the relocation and/or conversion of a billboard to an electronic billboard and/or the removal of other existing billboards, pursuant to this section or any other provision of the code, subject to the terms of the agreement, and (vi) require the owner(s)/operator(s) of the electronic billboard to donate up to 10% of the total advertising time on the electronic billboard to community events, as requested by the City Manager. Nothing herein shall be construed to require the City to enter into such an agreement or to allow the relocation of an existing billboard or the conversion of an existing billboard to an electronic billboard.
l. 
The owner of an electronic billboard authorized pursuant to this section may, at its sole option, remove the digital display unit(s) from the billboard structure at any time, for any reason, and temporarily or permanently replace such digital display unit(s) with state-of-the-art non-electronic static sign faces of the same or smaller dimensions.
(2758 § 2, 2009; 2847 § 4, 2014)