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)
means to put an end to and to physically remove. Discontinuance
of use without removal shall not constitute abatement.
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.
means a sign within or adjacent to an alley.
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.
means either the director of community development for signs eligible for administrative review pursuant to Section 25.54.018(E) or the planning commission.
means any temporary sign of lightweight fabric, plastic,
paper or other non-rigid material.
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.
means an advertising pole sign, see "advertising sign" and
"pole 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.)
means a sign indicating the name of a building and/or the
date of construction and incidental information about the history
of the building.
means a sign announcing coming events or activities through
the use of changeable copy.
means any sign that is a component of or attached to an awning
or canopy.
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.
means the city of Laguna Beach and its staff or approval
authority.
means a sign listing the persons or activities located on-site.
means a sign with sign faces placed back-to-back.
means that area delineated in the Laguna Beach downtown specific
plan.
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.
means a unit of illuminance on a surface one square foot
in area onto which there is a uniform flux of one lumen.
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.
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.
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.
means a sign limited in content to the name and address of
any person(s) or entity located on-site.
means the quantity of light arriving at a sign measured in
footcandles (fc) or lux (lx).
means an informational sign, not containing a commercial
message. Examples of such signs include "no parking," "loading only"
and other similar directives.
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.
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.
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.
means a sign directly lit from an interior light source contained
within the sign structure through a transparent or translucent surface.
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.
means any symbol(s) or letter(s) that identify a business,
often used in signs.
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.)
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.
means a sign designed to have changeable copy on a permanent
roof-like structure extending from the façade of a playhouse
or theater.
See "Sign program, master."
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.
means business operation signs such as credit card stickers,
open and closed signs and hours of operation.
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.)
means any sign that does not conform to the requirements
of this chapter.
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).)
See "Incidental sign."
See "Changeable display sign."
means any individual, association, business, corporation,
firm, organization, or partnership, singular or plural, of any kind.
means any sign erected on one or more uprights supported
from the ground, independent of a building for structural support.
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.
See "Blade or projecting sign."
means a sign advertising or promoting the sale, lease or
rental of real estate.
means a sign which is erected upon the roof of a building.
means the distance from the property line to the nearest
part of the applicable building, structure or sign, measured perpendicularly
to the property line.
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.
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.
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.)
means that property or suite or unit within a structure that
provides a location for a sign.
means the length of a property line along a street or streets
that forms its boundary.
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.)
means a sign that is used or maintained for short duration.
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.)
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;
(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.
(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;
(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:
(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)
