Note: Prior ordinance history: Ords. 209, 586, 632, 641, 642, 646, 651, 652, 658, 661, 770, 998, 1039, 1063, 1109, 1145, 1209, 1224, 1332 and 1406.
The intent and purpose of this chapter is to establish sign regulations that:
(A) 
Protect and promote the general public welfare and artistic village character of the community;
(B) 
Implement community design criteria consistent with the general plan;
(C) 
Preserve and enhance the community's appearance by regulating the design, character, location, type, quality, scale, color, illumination and maintenance of signs;
(D) 
Promote signs that clearly identify uses and premises without confusion;
(E) 
Encourage creative, artistic and well-designed signs that contribute to the visual environment of Laguna Beach, express local character and develop a distinctive image;
(F) 
Encourage signs that are responsive to the aesthetics and character of their location and building architecture;
(G) 
Recognize that many businesses in Laguna Beach are small, non-franchise establishments that depend on their sign's clear communication to draw customers; and
(H) 
Provide a review and approval process for signs.
(Ord. 1408 § 1 (Att. A), 2002; Ord. 1499 § 1, 2009)
Signs shall not be placed, or maintained in Laguna Beach unless they conform to the standards and procedures of this chapter. The effect of this chapter is as follows:
(A) 
To establish a permit system for signs in various zoning districts;
(B) 
To provide for temporary signs in limited circumstances;
(C) 
To prohibit all signs not expressly permitted by this chapter.
(Ord. 1408 § 1 (Att. A), 2002; Ord. 1499 § 1, 2009)
"Abate"
means to put an end to and to physically remove. Discontinuance of use without removal shall not constitute abatement.
"Advertising sign"
means a sign which contains the name of a person other than the occupant of the property on which the sign is located, or contains the name of a product not sold on the premises or a service not rendered on the premises.
"Alley sign"
means a sign within or adjacent to an alley.
"Animated sign"
means any sign that uses movement, lighting or special materials to depict action. This classification of sign includes, but is not limited, to motor-activated elements, any type of electronically controllable changeable copy signs including LED and LCD signs and open flames.
"Approval authority"
means either the director of community development for signs eligible for administrative review pursuant to Section 25.54.018(E) or the planning commission.
"Banner"
means any temporary sign of lightweight fabric, plastic, paper or other non-rigid material.
"Beacon"
means any light with one or more beams directed into the atmosphere or directed at one or more points not on the same property as the light source.
"Billboard"
means an advertising pole sign, see "advertising sign" and "pole sign".
"Blade or projecting sign"
means any sign attached to or projecting from a building so that its leading edge extends more than nine inches from the surface of the building. (The bottom edge of blade or projecting signs is at least seven feet above public right-of-way.)
"Building marker"
means a sign indicating the name of a building and/or the date of construction and incidental information about the history of the building.
"Bulletin board"
means a sign announcing coming events or activities through the use of changeable copy.
"Canopy/awning sign"
means any sign that is a component of or attached to an awning or canopy.
"Changeable display sign"
means a sign which is designed to hold information that is often changed, such as gas station prices, parking lot cost or rate charges, stock prices, and time and temperature.
"City"
means the city of Laguna Beach and its staff or approval authority.
"Directory sign"
means a sign listing the persons or activities located on-site.
"Double-faced sign"
means a sign with sign faces placed back-to-back.
"Downtown"
means that area delineated in the Laguna Beach downtown specific plan.
"Flag"
means any permanent fabric sign attached to a permanent display or pole. Gonfalons, which hang between crosspieces or on a frame, and other permanent fabric signs attached along a vertical edge, shall be considered flags under this definition. Official flags of the United States, the state of California and other states of the nation, counties, municipalities, foreign nations, and nationally or internationally recognized organizations shall not be considered signs.
"Footcandle (fc)"
means a unit of illuminance on a surface one square foot in area onto which there is a uniform flux of one lumen.
"Footlambert (fL)"
means a unit of luminance of a surface reflecting or emitting light at the rate of one lumen per square foot. The average luminance of any reflecting surface in footlamberts is the product of the illuminance in footcandles striking the surface times the reflectance of the surface.
"Freestanding sign"
means any sign supported by a monument structure that is anchored into the ground, that is independent from any building(s) or structure(s) on the site and is six feet or less in height.
"Glare"
means the sensation produced by luminance within the visual field that is sufficiently greater than the luminance to which the eyes are adapted to cause annoyance, discomfort or the loss of visual performance and visibility.
"Identification sign"
means a sign limited in content to the name and address of any person(s) or entity located on-site.
"Illuminance"
means the quantity of light arriving at a sign measured in footcandles (fc) or lux (lx).
"Incidental sign"
means an informational sign, not containing a commercial message. Examples of such signs include "no parking," "loading only" and other similar directives.
"Indirectly lighted"
means illumination of a sign by a light source that is externally located to the sign surface. This method of lighting may include, but is not limited to, spotlighting or backlighting.
"Inflated display sign"
means any three-dimensional air- or gas-filled object, attached or tethered to the ground, site, merchandise, structure or roof, and used to attract attention for business identification or communication purposes.
"Interior building sign"
means a sign located on the inside of a building that is not positioned primarily for the purpose of being read or visible from the exterior of the building in which the business is located.. Interior building signs may also include signs which are primarily intended to be seen by pedestrians within an interior courtyard, plaza, or open space, when not intended to be visible from adjacent streets or rights-of-way. It does not include the display of merchandise or associated artwork and window signs.
"Internally illuminated sign"
means a sign directly lit from an interior light source contained within the sign structure through a transparent or translucent surface.
"Light source"
means any source of light, not necessarily limited to fluorescent tube, gas filled "neon" type tube, incandescent light bulb, light emitting diode (LED), liquid crystal display (LCD) or flame.
"Logo"
means any symbol(s) or letter(s) that identify a business, often used in signs.
"Luminance"
means the light that is reflected from a surface toward the eyes, which the eyes perceive and is measured in footlamberts (fL), candelas per meter squared (cd/m2 or nit) or candelas per square foot (cd/sq. ft). (One footlambert equals 3.4263 candelas per meter squared or 0.312685 candelas per square foot.)
"Luminous tube sign"
means a sign which consists of or is illuminated by exposed electrically-charged gas-filled tubing, such as neon or argon signs, or by fiber optics.
"Marquee"
means a sign designed to have changeable copy on a permanent roof-like structure extending from the façade of a playhouse or theater.
"Master sign program."
See "Sign program, master."
"Menu, a-frame or menu board sign"
means either a portable freestanding sign displaying the type and price of food and beverages sold in connection with a restaurant, or a permanently mounted sign, that may be enclosed, displaying the bill-of-fare for a restaurant.
"Miscellaneous business signs"
means business operation signs such as credit card stickers, open and closed signs and hours of operation.
"Mural"
means an original work of art that is applied or attached to an exterior wall. (At the discretion of the arts commission a mural may be considered a wall sign, if it contains words, logos, trademarks or graphic representations of any person, product or service that identify a business.)
"Nonconforming sign"
means any sign that does not conform to the requirements of this chapter.
"Open house sign"
means a temporary sign communicating that a property is available for inspection by prospective buyers and that the owner of the property or the owner's agent is on the premises during the time the property is open for inspection. (The regulations for such signs are delineated in Tables 1 and 2, (Permitted Signs by Type and Use and Design Standards by Sign Type, located at the end of this chapter).)
"Parking sign."
See "Incidental sign."
"Parking lot sign."
See "Changeable display sign."
"Person"
means any individual, association, business, corporation, firm, organization, or partnership, singular or plural, of any kind.
"Pole sign"
means any sign erected on one or more uprights supported from the ground, independent of a building for structural support.
"Portable sign"
means any sign not permanently attached to the ground or a building, or a sign designed to be transported. This shall include signs attached to or painted on vehicles parked and visible from the public right-of-way, unless such vehicles are used in the normal day-to-day operations of the business.
"Projecting sign."
See "Blade or projecting sign."
"Real estate sign"
means a sign advertising or promoting the sale, lease or rental of real estate.
"Roof sign"
means a sign which is erected upon the roof of a building.
"Setback"
means the distance from the property line to the nearest part of the applicable building, structure or sign, measured perpendicularly to the property line.
"Sign"
means any device, fixture, placard, painting, display or structure that uses any color, form, graphic, illumination, logo, symbol or letters to identify the name of a person or business, or to communicate information about the business conducted, services available or rendered, or the goods or property produced, sold or available for sale. This shall not include normal merchandise or associated artwork on display in the window.
"Sign program"
means the scaled drawings showing the dimensions, computation of sign area, location, height, sign copy, letter size, sign materials, colors and lighting elements for all signs, existing and/or proposed for an individual business site.
"Sign program, master"
means a coordinated, common set of standards for all new and existing signs, including but not limited to, letter size, sign size, style, colors, types, placement, lighting elements, number of signs and sign materials for a development with four or more businesses. (Master sign programs also provide plot plans showing the locations and sizes of existing and/or proposed signage in relation to existing and/or proposed buildings, parking lots, driveways, streets and landscaped areas of the development.)
"Site"
means that property or suite or unit within a structure that provides a location for a sign.
"Street frontage"
means the length of a property line along a street or streets that forms its boundary.
"Suspended sign"
means a sign that is attached to the underside of a horizontal plane surface of a building. (The bottom edge of suspended signs is at least seven feet above public right-of-way.)
"Temporary sign"
means a sign that is used or maintained for short duration.
"Wall sign"
means any sign attached parallel to or painted on an exterior wall of a building, and which projects not more than nine inches from such wall. (Wall signs do not intrude upon or extend over a public right-of-way, unless the bottom edges of such signs are at least seven feet above the right-of-way.)
"Window sign"
means any sign that is placed, painted or attached upon a window, and is visible from the exterior of the window.
(Ord. 1408 § 1 (Att. A), 2002; Ord. 1424 § 1, 2003; Ord. 1436 § 1, 2004; Ord. 1499 § 1, 2009)
The following principles shall control the computation of sign area and sign height:
(A) 
Computation of Area of Individual Signs. The permitted size area of individual signs shall be as specified in Tables 1 and 2 at the end of this chapter. The area of a single-faced sign shall be computed by means of the simplest geometric shape(s) that will encompass the extreme limits of the sign, including any material or color forming an integral part of the background of the display or used to differentiate the sign from the backdrop or structure against which it is placed, but not including any supporting framework or bracing. (See Figure 1.) A background panel of not more than two-inch thickness, painted the same color as the wall or structure to which it is attached, shall not be considered part of the sign. Windows with mullions less than three inches in width shall be considered as one window.
Figure 1
(B) 
Computation of Area of Multi-faced Signs. The sign area for a sign with more than one face shall be computed by adding together the area of all sign faces.
(C) 
Computation of Height. The height of a sign shall be computed as the distance from the base of the sign at natural grade to the top of the highest attached component of the sign. Natural grade shall be construed to be the lower of: (1) existing grade prior to construction; or (2) the newly established grade after construction, exclusive of any filling, berming or excavating solely for the purpose of locating the sign. In cases in which the natural grade cannot reasonably be determined, sign height shall be computed on the assumption that the elevation of the natural grade at the base of the sign is equal to the elevation of the nearest street curb. In the event there is no curb, height shall be measured from the centerline of the street.
(D) 
Computation of Total Allowable Sign Area. A site's combined allowable sign area of all permanent signs not exempt under Section 25.54.014 shall not exceed one square foot per linear foot of building or suite frontage, up to a maximum of one hundred fifty square feet. Single signs shall not exceed seventy-five square feet in size. Alley, blade or projecting, building marker, incidental, marquee, miscellaneous business signs, open house, real estate, temporary and suspended signs are exempt from the maximum combined sign area limit. Sites with two or more fronts on streets or pedestrian accessways may be permitted the above allowable sign area for each frontage on a street or pedestrian accessway, provided that such sign areas are not cumulative on any one street or pedestrian accessway or that the signage oriented toward any one street or pedestrian accessway does not exceed the total maximum allowable area.
Properties having secondary frontage on a public alley may be permitted a wall, blade or projecting sign at the entrance to the building from the alley.
(Ord. 1408 § 1 (Att. A), 2002; Ord. 1499 § 1, 2009)
(A) 
Signs may be allowed on private property only in accordance with the sign luminance table in subsection (C)(3). If the letter "A" appears for a sign type in a column, such sign is allowed without prior permit approval. If the letter "P" appears for a sign type in a column, such sign is allowed only with prior permit approval; special conditions may apply in some cases. If the letter "N" appears for a sign type in a column, such sign is not allowed under any circumstances. (Note: These letters are subject to the footnotes appended to Table 1 at the end of this chapter.)
(B) 
Design, Construction and Maintenance. All signs shall comply with the design standards set forth in Table 1 (Allowable Signs by Type and Use) and Table 2 (Design Standards by Sign Type). All signs shall be maintained in good condition for the life of the sign. Torn canopies or awnings, broken elements, faded or flaking paint, or similar evidence of poor maintenance are the responsibility of the owner to repair in a prompt manner. Signs not adequately maintained shall be considered nuisances and may be abated per Municipal Code Chapter 7.24.
(C) 
Lighting.
(1) 
Method. Where not otherwise restricted, signs may be indirectly lighted. High intensity discharge light sources including, but not necessarily limited to mercury vapor, metal halide, and high pressure sodium, shall not be permitted.
(2) 
Shielding. The lighting source shall be shielded in an appropriate manner to direct light only upon the sign and minimize glare and/or light spillage onto the public way or adjacent properties.
(3) 
Luminance. The maximum allowable lighting intensity shall be based on the following table:
Sign Luminance Standard
Range of Sign Luminance
(Candelas/square foot)
Ambient Light Environment
1 to 70
LOW areas with no exterior lighting, other than street lighting. Such areas include, but are not limited to, most residential areas and the beaches.
71 to 100
MEDIUM areas where signs are relatively isolated or areas adjacent to "Low" ambient light areas.
101 to 140
HIGH areas such as the downtown, streets or parking areas that are highly lighted or areas with high sign competition.
Illumination of signs shall be measured with a light meter using appropriate methodology that ensures accurate luminance readings. notwithstanding the above standards, the director of community development may order the dimming of any sign illumination determined to be excessively bright. Lighting fixtures used to illuminate signs from the front shall be mounted from the top of the sign structure.
(D) 
Master Sign Programs. A master sign program shall be submitted for review and approval in relation to new office or shopping center construction or substantial façade improvements of an existing office or shopping center, when either contain four or more businesses or uses prior to the issuance of any sign permits. (See the master sign program submittal requirements in Section 25.54.018(A).) In order to assure aesthetic compatibility, the approval authority may establish whatever conditions are deemed necessary to maintain appropriate design, continuity and harmony of the signage for the site.
(Ord. 1408 § 1 (Att. A), 2002; Ord. 1436 § 2, 2004; Ord. 1499 § 1, 2009)
Excepting those signs allowed under this section, no signs shall be allowed in the public right-of-way or beyond a street plan line.
(A) 
Signs Requiring a Permit. The following signs may be allowed subject to the permit procedures of Section 25.54.018:
(1) 
Canopy/awning, blade or projecting, suspended or wall signs projecting over a public right-of-way in conformity with the requirements set forth this chapter (the bottom edge of such signs shall be at least seven feet above the public right-of-way);
(2) 
Signs erected by or on behalf of a public agency to identify public property or convey public information;
(3) 
City sponsored signs or master sign programs, including temporary signs or temporary sign programs.
(B) 
Signs Not Requiring a Permit. The following signs do not require a permit prior to placement on public property:
(1) 
Bus stop signs erected by a public transit company;
(2) 
Emergency warning or directional signs erected or placed by a governmental agency, a public utility company, or a contractor doing authorized or permitted work within the public right-of-way;
(3) 
Informational signs of a public utility regarding its poles, lines, pipes or facilities;
(4) 
Signs erected by or on behalf of a public agency to post legal notices or to direct or relocate pedestrian or vehicular traffic;
(5) 
Banners approved and erected by the city over Forest Avenue or decorations erected by the city.
(C) 
Forfeiture. Any sign installed or placed on public property, except in conformance with the requirements of this section, shall be forfeited to the public and subject to confiscation. In addition to other remedies hereunder, the city shall have the right to recover from the owner or person placing such a sign the full costs of removal and disposal of such sign.
(Ord. 1408 § 1 (Att. A), 2002; Ord. 1499 § 1, 2009)
The following shall be exempt from regulation under this chapter:
(A) 
Any public notice or warning signs required by valid and applicable federal, state, or local law, regulation or ordinance;
(B) 
Holiday lights and decorations with no commercial message, allowed only between November 15th and January 15th of the following year;
(C) 
Except for luminous tube signs, all interior building signs not positioned primarily for the purpose of being read or visible from the exterior of a building in which the business is located. (Note: All luminous tube signs require a sign permit, regardless of internal location, if they are visible through a window from a public street or accessway.);
(D) 
Miscellaneous business signs, such as credit card stickers, open and closed signs, hours of operation, etc., provided that each group/set of miscellaneous business signs do not exceed two and one-quarter square feet in area and there is only one group/set of such signs per entrance. (Note: Luminous tube open and closed signs are not allowed.);
(E) 
Temporary election signs posted on private property, subject to the permission of the property owner;
(F) 
Memorial signs and plaques;
(G) 
Signs not visible from a public street or pedestrian accessway;
(H) 
Street address numerals, when not part of the business name;
(I) 
Bulletin boards twenty-five square feet and under used by public, educational or religious institutions; and
(J) 
Official flags of the United States, the state of California and other states of the nation, counties, municipalities, foreign nations, and nationally or internationally recognized organizations.
(Ord. 1408 § 1 (Att. A), 2002; Ord. 1499 § 1, 2009)
All signs not expressly permitted under this chapter or exempt from regulation in accordance with Section 25.54.014 are prohibited. Such signs include, but are not limited to:
(A) 
Animated signs except those that qualify as an interior building sign;
(B) 
A sign no longer identifying a bona fide existing business;
(C) 
Banners and beacons, except as permitted in accordance with Sections 25.54.012 and 25.54.020;
(D) 
Billboards, including mobile billboards on trailers;
(E) 
Excepting marquees, internally illuminated signs;
(F) 
Inflated display signs and tethered balloons, except as permitted in accordance with Section 25.54.020 or as a part of an approved outdoor display or sign program;
(G) 
Portable signs;
(H) 
Roof signs;
(I) 
Signs of any type associated with a bus stop. (Bus stop signs erected by a public transit agency are allowed.);
(J) 
Back-lit canopy/awning signs;
(K) 
Pole signs;
(L) 
Private incidental signs of any type, including "no parking" signs, located in the public right-of-way in an effort to monopolize or control public parking spaces.
(Ord. 1408 § 1 (Att. A), 2002; Ord. 1424 § 2, 2003; Ord. 1499 § 1, 2009)
The following procedures shall govern the application for and issuance of all sign permits under this chapter, and the submission and review of sign programs.
(A) 
Applications. All applications for sign permits or master sign programs shall be submitted to the department of community development on an approved application form.
The sign permit application shall require the development of a sign program for a business and include, but not be limited to, scaled drawings showing the dimensions, computation of sign area, location, height, sign copy, letter size, sign materials, colors and lighting elements for all signs, existing and proposed on the site. Construction specifications shall be provided for all new signs, including electrical components and wiring, and the method of attachment and design of the structure to which the sign attachment is made.
Master sign program applications shall include a complete set of coordinated, common sign standards, including, but not limited to, letter size, sign size, style, colors, types, placement, lighting elements, number of signs and sign materials. In addition, master sign program applications shall also provide an accurate plot plan showing the locations and sizes of existing and/or proposed signage in relation to existing and/or proposed buildings, parking lots, driveways, streets and landscaped areas of the development.
(B) 
Fees. Each application for a sign permit shall be accompanied by the applicable fees, which shall be established by city council resolution.
(C) 
Approval Required. The modification of an existing sign or the construction, creation or installation of a new sign requiring a sign permit shall be subject to the review and approval of the approval authority.
(D) 
Design Criteria. The following design criteria shall be considered in the review of proposed signage:
(1) 
Signs, including logos, should be compatible with the architecture of the structure and should be made of high quality materials, clearly identify the name and character of the business, and be visually compatible with the surrounding physical environment in terms of color, scale and size. In order to emphasize the village character of Laguna Beach, blade or projecting and suspended signs are strongly encouraged. Representational signs, such as an easel or a palette and brushes for an art supply store, books for a bookstore, or a corkscrew or wine bottle for wine shop, are encouraged. Three-dimensional signs are strongly encouraged.
(2) 
The use of natural materials in the construction of signs is encouraged.
(3) 
Canopies and awnings must be constructed of opaque materials.
(4) 
The height (font size) of letters must be proportional to the allowed sign size and its location. Font size should primarily be related to location. Signs in the downtown area should feature smaller font sizes to attract pedestrians and slow moving, nearby traffic. Signs outside the downtown area should allow larger font sizes to be legible to faster moving traffic.
(5) 
The downtown specific plan's urban design guidelines shall be considered by the approval authority in reviewing proposed signs in the downtown specific plan area. Primary signs for this area should meet high standards of design that enhance the charm and character of the area.
(6) 
Luminous tube signs shall be an integral part of the business sign program's design, shall not be mass-produced, and shall be one-of-a-kind signs with artistic value. The context of the proposed luminous tube sign location and outside visibility shall be taken into consideration in the design and the balance of the site's signage. There shall be a relationship between the colors of the building, the luminous tube sign colors and the rest of the site's signs. The purpose of the sign needs to be clearly answered in the context of a creative and artful expansion of communicating information about the business product or service.
(E) 
Signs Eligible for Administrative Approval. Except for luminous tube signs, signs may be eligible for administrative review and approval by the director of community development, if they meet the following criteria. At the discretion of the director, such signs may be referred to the appropriate approval authority for review. Eligible signs include:
(1) 
Signs in compliance with an approved master sign program;
(2) 
Signs that meet all of the following conditions:
(a) 
The sign(s) must meet all applicable design standards as set forth in this chapter, including but not limited to Section 25.54.010 and Tables 1 and 2 at the end of this chapter;
(b) 
The sign(s) shall not cause the total signage to exceed the maximum allowable sign area for the site; and
(c) 
The letter or font height shall not exceed eight inches.
(3) 
Temporary signs which comply with the requirements of Section 25.54.020. Temporary signs or temporary sign programs for city council approved special events are not eligible for administrative approval.
(F) 
Appeals of a Determination by the Community Development Director. Any person disagreeing with a determination of the director shall have the right of appeal to the appropriate approval authority. The appeal must be filed within ten business days after such determination and shall be heard at the next regular meeting of the appropriate approval authority.
(G) 
Creativity Encouraged. Except for the community development department director, the approval authority may, at his or her discretion, grant permits for signs not otherwise in conformance with this chapter up to a twenty-five percent increase in allowable sign area or height, if it finds the sign design to be extraordinarily creative and significantly contributing to the charm and character of Laguna Beach.
(Ord. 1408 § 1 (Att. A), 2002; Ord. 1424 § 4, 2003; Ord. 1436 § 3, 2004; Ord. 1499 § 1, 2009)
Temporary signs shall be allowed only upon the issuance of a temporary sign permit, which shall be subject to the following requirements:
(A) 
Application. Applications for temporary sign permits shall be submitted to the department of community development on an approved application form or in accordance with application specifications established by the director.
(B) 
Fees. Each application for a temporary sign permit shall be accompanied by the applicable fees, which shall be established by city council resolution.
(C) 
Term.
(1) 
Temporary sign permits for beacons, searchlights and similar devices used for commercial advertising or identification purposes may be issued for a term not to exceed seven successive nights;
(2) 
Except as specified in subsection (E) of this section, permits for other types of temporary signs may be issued for a term not to exceed thirty days, and an additional thirty days may be permitted.
(D) 
Limitation. A business license holder may post temporary signs up to a maximum of sixty days per calendar year.
(E) 
Specific Temporary Sign Requirements.
(1) 
Temporary Banners. One temporary banner sign, not exceeding five square feet in the downtown and ten square feet outside of the downtown, may be located on a face of building for a term not to exceed thirty days. Temporary banners may not be displayed within or on a window or be ground– mounted. The banner should be designed with the use of natural earth or pastel colors for the lettering and background. The approved term may be extended for one additional thirty-day period.
(2) 
Temporary Signs. Each temporary sign shall equal no more than five square feet in the downtown and ten square feet outside of the downtown. There shall only be one temporary sign per window or wall face, and it may be posted for maximum of thirty consecutive days and sixty days per calendar year.
(3) 
Temporary Construction Signs. One sign identifying the person or persons engaged in a construction project may be permitted on a property during the period of construction, subject to the following conditions:
(a) 
The sign must be located within the construction site parcel; the location shall not obstruct vehicular sight distance or be detrimental to surrounding properties.
(b) 
Where located in a residential district, the sign area shall not exceed three square feet; in other zoning districts the sign area shall not exceed six square feet.
(c) 
The sign may remain for a term not to exceed one year, and shall be completely removed prior to final building inspection.
(4) 
Temporary Subdivision Signs. One temporary sign advertising the prospective sale or lease of a group of lots or dwellings within a subdivision shall be permitted, subject to the following conditions:
(a) 
The sign must be located on the premises being sold or leased;
(b) 
The area of the sign shall not exceed six square feet;
(c) 
The sign may not be illuminated;
(d) 
The sign may remain only as long as the property remains unsold or unleased for the first time, up to a maximum one-year period. The director of community development shall have the authority to extend the one-year time period for one additional one-year period;
(e) 
There shall be deposited with the community development department cash or surety bond in the amount of three hundred dollars. The conditions of the bond shall be as follows: if the permittee faithfully complies with the requirements and conditions of this subsection, then such bond shall be exonerated and cancelled; the bond shall otherwise be forfeited to the city as a penalty for failure of the applicant to comply with the conditions of the bond.
(5) 
Special Events Signs. Temporary signs or temporary sign programs for city council approved special events may be allowed by the planning commission as long as the following items are reviewed and specified in the approval: (a) size and design for each sign; (b) maximum display term; and (c) location of each sign. The planning commission has complete discretion for these specifications regardless of the other provisions of this chapter. Such special event signs shall minimize clutter, be compatible with the village character of Laguna Beach and reflect integration with the site's surroundings.
(Ord. 1408 § 1 (Att. A), 2002; Ord. 1424 § 5, 2003; Ord. 1499 § 1, 2009)
(A) 
Amortization Period. Any sign that does not conform to this chapter, but which lawfully existed as of the date of the enactment of the ordinance codified in this chapter, shall be abated or made to conform within the applicable amortization period as specified below.
(1) 
Temporary Signs. Within one day of the property or business owner receiving written notice that the sign is nonconforming;
(2) 
Luminous Tube or Internally Illuminated Signs. Within sixty days of the property or business owner receiving written notice that the sign is nonconforming;
(3) 
Window Signs. Within one hundred twenty days of the property or business owner receiving written notice that the sign is nonconforming;
(4) 
Interior Signs Positioned Primarily for the Purpose of Being Read or Viewed From the Exterior of a Building in Which the Business is Located. Within thirty days of the property or business owner receiving written notification that the sign is nonconforming.
(5) 
All Other Signs. Within three years of the property or business owner receiving written notice that the sign is nonconforming.
(B) 
Administrative Relief. Any property or business owner may seek an extension of the applicable amortization period by filing a written application, in the form specified by the community development department and subject to payment of the filing fee established by resolution of the city council, to the director of community development within ten days of receipt of the notice described in subsection (A); provided, however, that amortizations periods shall not be extended for any of the following: any sign with an intended life of less than fifteen years, any temporary sign, any sign erected without first complying with all ordinances and regulations in effect at the time of the construction and erection of the sign, any sign which has been more than fifty percent destroyed, any sign whose owner seeks relocation thereof, or any sign for which there has been an agreement between the owner thereof and the city for its removal as of any given date. The determination of the director of community development shall be made in writing within thirty days of receipt of a complete application. Any aggrieved applicant may appeal the determination of the director of community development pursuant to Section 25.05.070.
(C) 
Criteria for Determination of Application. In making a determination as to whether an amortization period should be extended, the following matters, among other relevant information, should be considered:
(1) 
The property or business owner's investment in the nonconforming sign;
(2) 
The nonconforming sign's present actual or depreciated value;
(3) 
The depreciation treatment for income tax purposes;
(4) 
The cost to remove nonconforming sign and salvage value;
(5) 
The nonconforming sign's remaining useful life;
(6) 
The age, condition and physical characteristics of the nonconforming sign;
(7) 
The location of the nonconforming sign;
(8) 
The extent of sign's nonconformity;
(9) 
The date of construction of the nonconforming sign;
(10) 
The property or business owner's monopoly or business advantage resulting from prohibition of similar signs;
(11) 
The harm to public if the nonconforming sign remains beyond the prescribed amortization period.
(D) 
Any nonconforming sign shall either be eliminated or made to conform with the requirements of this chapter when any change, including proposed changes to the information on the face of an existing nonconforming sign, repair or maintenance is proposed.
(E) 
In newly annexed areas, all nonconforming signs shall be abated or made to conform within three years from the effective date of such annexation.
(F) 
The billboard located at 31792 Coast Highway shall be abated on or before September 6, 2010 pursuant to the Van Wagner Settlement Agreement approved by city council on October 3, 1995.
(Ord. 1408 § 1 (Att. A), 2002; Ord. 1499 § 1, 2009)
(A) 
Murals shall conform to the design standards and permit procedures outlined below; except that murals proposed in compliance with Chapter 1.09 (Art in Public Places) shall be governed by the design standards and permit procedures of that chapter, and mural proposals which are considered to be wall signs shall conform to the design standards applicable to wall signs. Signature(s) of the artist(s) shall be allowed and limited to a maximum of two square feet.
(B) 
The following procedures shall govern the approval of mural proposals:
(1) 
Applications. Applications for mural permits shall be submitted to the department of community development on an approved application form and shall be accompanied by the following: a site plan showing the lot and building dimensions and indicating the proposed location of the mural; a scale drawing and color photo of the building showing the proposed size and placement of the mural; a colored drawing of the proposed mural; and the proposed maintenance schedule.
(2) 
Arts Commission Review Required. The arts commission shall review and approve all proposed mural applications. If the proposed mural contains words, logos, trademarks or graphic representations of any person, product or service that identify a business, the arts commission shall determine whether the proposal is a mural or a wall sign.
(3) 
Heritage Committee Review Required. If a mural is proposed on a historic structure identified on the city's Historic Register, the heritage committee shall review and make a recommendation regarding the mural proposal prior to the review of the arts commission.
(4) 
Additional Review. All proposed murals located in the downtown may be appealed to the planning commission by a member of the planning commission or city council for review and approval.
(5) 
Criteria. In addition to the design criteria set forth in this chapter and Section 25.05.040 for design review, the following criteria shall be considered in the review of mural applications:
(a) 
Visual Enhancement. The proposed mural has attributes that enhance the site;
(b) 
Artistic Excellence. The proposed mural exemplifies high artistic quality of original artwork;
(c) 
Public Safety. The proposed mural does not create a public safety issue;
(6) 
Lighting. Proposed lighting of murals shall minimize glare and/or light spillage onto the public way or adjacent properties;
(7) 
Long-term Maintenance and Removal. The mural shall be maintained in good condition for the life of the mural according to the maintenance schedule and responsibilities approved by the arts commission. The removal or deaccession of murals shall comply with the deaccession policy established by the city council of Laguna Beach.
(Ord. 1408 § 1, 2002; Ord. 1499 § 1, 2009; Ord. 1670 § 8, 2022)
(A) 
Signs, Façade Changes and Sign Programs for Arts Organizations. It is recognized that certain public benefit non-profit arts organizations, specifically the Festival of Arts, the Sawdust Festival, the Art-A-Fair, the Laguna Playhouse, the Laguna Art Museum and the Laguna College of Art and Design, conduct annual or ongoing special events which have special needs in terms of the audience or patrons they serve which may not be adequately addressed by the sign requirements applicable to private commercial enterprises.
(B) 
Criteria. The above arts organizations may apply for and receive approval for sign permits or sign programs, including façade changes, from the planning commission in accordance with the provisions of this section. The proposed plans for a sign, façade change or sign program must: (1) specify the size and design for each sign or façade change; (2) the maximum display term; and (3) the location of each sign. The planning commission has complete discretion for these specifications, regardless of the other provisions of this chapter. The approved signs, façade changes or sign programs shall minimize clutter, be compatible with the village character of Laguna Beach, reflect an integration with the site's surroundings, promote the purpose and mission of the arts organization and not significantly differ from the historic pattern of the arts organization's signage and façade presentation.
(C) 
Administrative Approval. The planning commission may authorize administrative approval by the director of community development for new signs or changes to existing signs subject to and in accordance with an approved sign program. The planning commission may establish special criteria for such administrative approvals by the director when it approves an arts organization's sign program.
(D) 
Commercial Events. Signs for any type of private commercial events located at an arts organization's site shall require separate sign permits and be subject to the requirements of this chapter.
Table 1. Permitted Signs by Type and Use
Sign Type
Residential1
Commercial1
Industrial1
Institutional1
Recreational1
Advertising
N
P
P
N
N
Alley
N
P
P
P
P
Blade or Projecting7
N
P
P
P
P
Building Marker2
A
A
A
A
A
Bulletin Boards
A
A
A
A
A
Canopy/Awning7
N
P
P
P
N
Changeable Display
N
P
P
P
P
Directory
P
P
P
P
P
Freestanding
N3
P
P
P
P
Identification
A4
P
P
P
P
Incidental5
A
A
A
A
A
Interior Building
N
A
A
A
A
Luminous Tube10
N
P
P
N
N
Marquee
N
P
N
P
N
Menu, A-Frame or Menu Board
N
P
N
N
N
Open House6
A
A
A
A
A
Real Estate
A
A
A
A
A
Roof
N
N
N
N
N
Suspended7
N
P
P
P
P
Temporary8
P
P
P
P
P
Tract/Area Identity9
P
P
P
N
N
Wall7
N
P
P
P
P
Window
N
P
P
P
P
Key:
A = Allowed without a Sign Permit
P = Permit Required
N = Not Allowed
Notes:
1.
This column does not necessarily represent a zoning district. It represents types of uses permitted under the zoning ordinance in any zoning district.
2.
May include only building name, date of construction, and/or historical date on historic site.
3.
Excepting incidental signs.
4.
Permit required in R-3 zone and for "Bed & Breakfast" identification signs in the R-2 zone.
5.
Incidental signs shall not be illuminated, shall not contain a commercial message of any kind, and shall not be located in the public right-of-way or situated adjacent to the public right-of-way in an effort to monopolize or control public parking spaces.
6.
Open house signs (A) shall not exceed two square feet per sign face, (B) shall be affixed to a single wood or metal pole, (C) shall be installed no earlier than eight a.m. and removed no later than sunset on the day of the open house, (D) shall be posted only during the time the owner or agent is on the premises and the premises are open for inspection, (E) shall not be placed on public property or public right-of-way but only on private property with prior consent of that property owner, (F) shall not be installed in a manner which creates a hazard to pedestrian or vehicular traffic, (G) shall contain only the wording "open house" with a directional arrow, except that the name of the person and/or company owning the sign may be affixed in a space not exceeding three and a half inches wide by three inches high placed in the upper left-hand corner of the sign, (H) may be placed in each direction of any intersection at any time (only one sign allowed in each direction); and (I) shall have obtained approval from the approval authority of the format; for example, green, blue or red lettering on a white background.
7.
If a canopy/awning, suspended, blade/projecting or wall sign projects above a public right-of-way, the sign owner shall obtain and maintain in force liability insurance for such sign and the bottom edge must be at least seven feet above public right-of-way surface.
8.
The conditions of Section 25.54.020 of this chapter apply.
9.
Such signs shall consist of landscaped decorative masonry walls not exceeding forty-two inches in height, and shall be located so as not to interfere with vehicular access or visibility.
10.
Such luminous tube signs shall only be allowed by permit in an interior building location that is four feet or more from the closest window.
Table 2. Sign Design Standards by Sign Type
Sign Type
Maximum Number Permitted
Maximum Sign Area 1
Height 2
Other Specifications
Advertising
Discretionary
10% of allowable wall or freestanding sign area
6′
See appropriate specifications for wall or freestanding sign.
Alley 3
1 per building
10 square ft per sign
n/a
See appropriate specifications for wall or freestanding sign.
Blade or Projecting 3
Discretionary
12 square ft per sign face
7′ minimum clearance
Sign may project a maximum of 5 ft. from building wall.
Building Marker 3
1 per building
2 square feet
n/a
Must be cut or etched into masonry/bronze/similar material.
Bulletin Boards 8
1 per site
Double-faced; maximum 25 sq. ft.
6′
See appropriate specifications for wall or freestanding sign.
Canopy/Awning
Discretionary
75 sq. ft. per sign face
7′ minimum clearance
Sign copy must be located on front or leading edge only and may not be backlit.
Changeable Display 6 (including parking lot cost or rate signs)
1 per site or parking lot entrance/exit; service stations—discretionary
10 sq. ft.
6′
Service station price signs3 are allowed in accordance with state regulations; however they shall not be internally illuminated.
Directory
1 per frontage
75 sq. ft. per sign face
6′
See appropriate specifications for wall or freestanding sign.
Freestanding
1 per site 4
1/3 of allowable sign area for site; max. 50 sq. ft. total; 25 sq. ft. per sign face
6′
Minimum side setback of 5 ft.; corner setback as per Section 25.50.006.
Identification 5
1 per site or tenant
12 sq. ft. in the R-3 zone; 1/2 sq. ft. in the R-1/R-2 zones 5
6′
See appropriate specifications for wall or freestanding sign.
Incidental 3
Discretionary
Maximum of 8 sq. ft. total
4′
See appropriate specifications for wall or freestanding sign.
Luminous Tube
1 per site or tenant
3 sq. ft.
n/a
See design specifications of Section 25.54.018(D)(6).
Marquee 3
1 per site
Discretionary
n/a
Marquee may be internally illuminated.
Menu A-Frame or Menu Board
1 per site
8 sq. ft. per sign face for Menu A-Frame; 4 sq. ft. for Menu Board for restaurant & 20 sq. ft. for drive-thru
4′ for Menu A-Frame; 7′ for Menu Board
Must be located on private property, not affixed to a window or placed on a public sidewalk. Must be compatible with scale, colors and materials of restaurant.
Open House 3, 4
See Table 1, Footnote 6
2 sq. ft. per sign face
4′
See Table 1, Footnote 6.
Real Estate 3, 4
1 per frontage & must be located within site parcel
Double-faced; 3 sq. ft. per sign face
4′
See appropriate specifications for wall or freestanding sign.
Roof
Not allowed
n/a
n/a
n/a
Suspended 3
Discretionary
Double-faced; 12 sq. ft. per sign face
7′ minimum clearance
Suspended signs shall be safely attached to the structure.
Temporary 3, 7
1 per wall or window
10 sq. ft., except in the downtown area the limit is 5 sq. ft.
n/a
May not be posted for more than 30 consecutive days or a total of 60 days per year.
Wall
3 per site
75 sq. ft. per sign face, except in the downtown area the limit is 15 sq. ft.
n/a
Side setback equal to 10% of frontage, maximum requirement of 5 ft.; minimum 3 ft. separation between signs on same site.
Window
3 per site
10% of the window area, up to a max. of 10 sq. ft. per window, except in the downtown area the max. is 5 sq. ft. per window
n/a
Window signs may not be illuminated; adjacent windows with mullions less than 3 inches in width shall be considered as one window.
1.
The combined allowable sign area of all permanent signs not exempt under Section 25.54.014 on any site shall not exceed one sq. ft. per foot of linear building or suite frontage, up to a maximum of one hundred fifty square feet. Single signs shall not exceed seventy-five sq. ft. in size. (See Section 25.54.008(D)).
2.
Top of sign height limit, unless otherwise noted.
3.
Exempt from maximum allowable sign area calculations. (See Section 25.54.008(D)).
4
Excepting incidental, real estate and open house signs there shall be no more than one freestanding sign allowed per site. Brochure holders are not allowed, and only one rider sign, not to exceed eighteen inches wide by six inches high in size, per sign is allowed. Short-term rental real estate signs shall only be displayed up to a maximum of thirty consecutive days and sixty days per calendar year. Permanent real estate display signs may be applied for as advertising signs..
5.
A non-illuminated sign not exceeding one sq. ft. in area may be permitted for Bed & Breakfast Inns located in the R-2 district. Such signs may consist of the name of the occupant or establishment located on the premises and a description of services rendered; the establishment shall be referred to as an "inn."
6.
Parking lot signs (A) shall be made of wood and affixed to single or double wood or metal poles, (B) shall continuously and clearly display the charge for parking at parking lot entrances/exit so that patrons can determine the cost of parking prior to entering the lot, (C) shall not be placed on public property or public right-of-way and only on private property with prior consent of the property owner, (D) shall not be installed in a manner which creates a hazard to pedestrian or vehicular traffic, (E) shall contain a city phone number to call regarding any lot operation issues; and (F) shall have obtained from the approval authority the sign format, such as black, green or blue letters on a white background.
7.
See Section 25.54.020 for the special requirements of banners, temporary construction or subdivision signs and for city council approved temporary special event signs.
8.
Bulletin boards twenty-five square feet and under used by public, educational or religious institutions are exempt.
(Ord. 1408 § 1 (Att. A), 2002; Ord. 1424 §§ 3, 6, 2003; Ord. 1499 § 1, 2009)