No signs or sign structures shall be erected or placed in any zone as established by the zoning ordinance, except those signs specifically enumerated in this chapter. All signs and sign structures shall not only be regulated by the standards herein, but shall also be of such an architectural "mood" or "theme" that their appearance both individually and in relation to one another will complement rather than impair the attractiveness and appearance characteristics of the city. All signs and sign structures herein shall be subject to approval of a precise plan of design in each case, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 17.12 with the exceptions as stated in Section 17.16.080.
(Ord. 855 § 2, 1993)
For permitted types, area, height and development standards for signs, please see Table 17.20.020, "Permitted Signs by Zoning Classification," of this chapter. Except where a more specific or precise standard is established elsewhere in this chapter or by specific plan, said Table 17.20.020 shall govern all signs in all zoning classifications. No sign may be erected, maintained, used or altered which is not permitted by, or not in conformance with, the standards of Table 17.20.020.
Table 17.20.020
Permitted Signs and Their Restrictions By Zone Classification(12)
Permitted Sign Types
Limitations
Open Space
Residential Zones (Including Lordsburg Residential SP)
Commercial Zones(13) (except Lordsburg SP)
Industrial Zones (including ACSP)
Other Zones
NP = No permit required(11)
Numbers in parentheses () refer to footnotes.
A-1 Agricultural
Single-Family Residential Zones
Multiple-Family Residential Zones (incl. MHP)
C-O (Commercial Office)
CPD (Comm. Prof. Dev.)
O/I Official/ Institutional
Balloons (temporary)
Max. 30″ diam., no metal, not above roof or over right-of-way, max. of one week twice per year, no fee/no permit required, may not interfere with electrical lines, only in front of tenant space.
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Banner Sign NP
See LVMC 17.20.040
N
N
N
Y
Y
N
Bulletin Boards
See definitions in LVMC 17.16.080(c); 24 s.f. max. size(5)
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Canopy Sign
See LVMC 17.20.040(9)
N
N
Y
(32 s.f. flush max.)
Y
Y
1:1 ratio(10)
Y
Construction Sign NP
7ʹ0″ max. height, 32 s.f. max. area(4)
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Delivery Sign NP
One nonillum. sign, 3 s.f. area, per use at delivery entrance
N
N
N
Y
Y
N
Directional Sign
3 s.f. max., 4 ft. max. ht. if ground sign and placed into landscaping
N
N
N
Y
Y
N
House and Address Numbers NP
2 s.f. max. incorporated into sign program
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Initial Promotional Sign (temp) NP
35 days max. after occupancy, 100 s.f. total max. size
N
N
Y
N
N
N
Interior Signs NP
See LVMC 17.16.080
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Manager's Office Sign
Max. 2 s.f. permitted in PR6A to PR15A zones only
N
N
Y
N
N
N
Map Index, Illuminated
7ʹ-0″ max. height, 10ʹ-0″ max. width
N
Y
Y
N
N
N
Master Sign Program
Reviewed and approved by the Development Review Committee, LVMC 17.20.050
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Memorial Sign NP
Masonry or bronze; 6 s.f. max area
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Menu Boards
Per LVMC 17.08.310; with conditional use permit
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Mobile Home Park Directory (illum.)
Mandatory for all mobile home parks
N
N
Y (MHP only)
N
N
N
Monument Ground Sign
Architectural review required(6)(14)
N
Y (entry statement only)
Y (32 s.f. max., 4 ft. ht.)
Y
Y
Y (4ʹ ht., 10ʹ wide.)
Multi-Tenant Ground Signs
One per parcel, 7ʹ0″ max. height, 10ʹ-0″ max. width(7)(14)
N
N
N
Y
Y
N
Municipal Sign NP
 
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Noncommercial Signs
See definitions in LVMC Ch. 17.16
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Occupational Sign NP
Name and profession only; 2 s.f. max area
Y
N
N
Y
Y
Y (institutional only)
Outdoor Business Sign
See LVMC 17.20.110
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Project Ident. Ground Sign
For commercial/office companies over 100,000 s.f. GLA(2)(3)
N
N
N
Y
Y
N
Projection Sign (Blade)
See Lordsburg Specific Plan
N
N
N
N
N
N
Public Information Sign NP
Nonprojecting, 4 sq. ft. max.
N
N
N
Y
N
N
Real Estate Signs NP
One on-site per property for sale, lease, or hire: max. 6 sq. ft. for residential, 24 sq. ft. for commercial; See LVMC 17.16.080
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Side/Rear Wall, Canopy Signs
Same ratio as front sign calculated from length of side or rear wall belonging to tenant where sign is proposed, not to exceed size of front sign
N
N
N
Y
Y
N
Special Event Sign NP
See definitions and LVMC Ch. 17.16
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Subdivision Sign
See definitions in Code and LVMC 17.20.100
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Under-Canopy Sign
One sign per business, max. 3 s.f. area, 8ʹ-0″ vert. clearance
N
N
N
Y
Y
N
Wall Sign
See LVMC 17.20.030(9)
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Window Sign (illuminated)
12 s.f. max., one per premises
N
N
N
Y
Y
N
Window Sign (non-illum.) NP
Not to exceed 35% of each window; 25% max. size and over-counter design review applies to Lordsburg Specific Plan area(13)
N
N
N
Y
Y
N
Footnotes to Table 17.20.020
1.
Directional Signs: One directional sign is permitted per vehicular entrance to the site.
2.
GLA: GLA means "Gross Leasable Area."
3.
Project Identification Ground Signs: One project identification ground sign shall be permitted for each commercial/office complex over 100,000 square feet GLA. These signs shall be limited to one per complex as follows: 48 square feet maximum area, 4ʹ0″ maximum height, 12ʹ0″ maximum width, integrated into the landscaping and containing address number or range of address numbers. Project identification ground signs shall not be permitted in conjunction with any multi-tenant commercial complex containing a multi-tenant monument ground sign.
4.
Construction Sign: One construction sign may be displayed only during the period of construction, and denoting the architect, engineer, contractor, or lending institution when placed upon work under construction. In no case shall the sign be displayed prior to precise plan approval for the project and in no case shall the sign be displayed beyond the time of final inspection or issuance of any occupancy permit.
5.
Bulletin Boards: In the "O" Official and "INST" Institutional Zones or their equivalent, bulletin board signs may be authorized by precise plan review to a maximum height of seven feet and a maximum width of ten feet. In other zones, bulletin boards as defined by Section 17.16.080 (C) (and less than 24 square feet in area) may be erected without a permit.
6.
Monument Ground Sign: One ground sign per parcel shall be permitted as defined in Section 17.08.270, containing the name of the establishment (for major businesses as defined in Section 18.08.130 of this code) or for the commercial center, subject to the following:
 
a.
Said sign shall not exceed two square feet in area for every three lineal feet of the front wall of the building or use being advertised up to a maximum of 70 square feet in area.
 
b.
No ground sign shall exceed seven feet in height, except that an additional two feet in height may be permitted pursuant to Section 17.08.280. No sign shall exceed ten feet in width.
 
c.
Ground signs may be double-faced and illuminated.
 
d.
City required architectural enhancements shall not be counted toward maximum sign area, height or width subject to the limitations of footnote (7)(d), below.
7.
Multi-Tenant Ground Signs: Multi-tenant ground signs shall be permitted in addition to any ground sign permitted in footnote 6 above, when two or more establishments occupy a commercial/professional complex or center. The following shall be required:
 
a.
Each tenant located within the center and not having its own ground sign shall have one space allocated on one multi-tenant ground sign to the extent provided by this code. Space shall be divided equally among the tenants, regardless of size of the tenant. More than one multi-tenant ground sign may be permitted on each street frontage, but no two ground signs may be located closer than 150 feet apart. Multi-tenant signs shall contain the numerical address or numerical address range of the property. The name of the center may be incorporated into the sign.
 
b.
The sign shall not exceed nine feet in width, with the exception described in footnote (7)(d) below.
 
c.
The signs may be double-faced, or "V"-shaped with a thirty-degree angle. The V-shaped signs shall be considered a double-faced sign for the purposes of determining the maximum sign size, requiring only one side of the sign to be considered in size calculations. Multi-tenant signs shall not be located atop a landscaped berm. V-shaped signs shall include landscape screening projecting above the sign. This may be accomplished by use of trees, tall shrubs, and berming to provide a higher level for plantings. Architectural designs shall be consistent with the design criteria contained in the general plan and the La Verne Sign Guidelines (adopted September, 1993).
 
d.
City-required side and top architectural elements enhancing the sign and containing no portion of sign text, shall be omitted from maximum size calculations. These architectural elements shall add no more than three feet of overall height and four feet in height and ten feet in width. Said architectural elements shall be approved by the director or designee.
8.
Wall Signs—Industrial Specific Plan: Total area of sign (in square feet) shall not exceed 75% of the lineal frontage length for the use, for properties in the Industrial Specific Plan.
9.
Wall and Canopy Signs: "Major Businesses" as defined by Chapter 18.08, LVMC, may erect no more than two square feet of wall sign area for every three feet of business frontage, not to exceed 200 square feet maximum area.
10.
Canopy Signs in Industrial Zones: One square foot of canopy sign area is permitted for each lineal foot of frontage in industrial zones.
11.
NP: "NP" means no permit required. Check with community development staff to obtain other applicable requirements.
12.
Limitations: This table does not eliminate, change or supersede any other provisions of the sign ordinance text not documented in this table. Applicants are advised to consult the La Verne Municipal Code, appropriate specific plan, or sign guidelines for further guidance.
13.
Commercial Zone Signs: "SP" means Specific Plan. For commercial signs in the Lordsburg Specific Plan area, consult the plan. For study site and other signs in the Foothill Boulevard Specific Plan area, consult the plan.
14.
Addresses: Property address (or range of numerical address) to be clearly shown on the sign.
(Ord. 883 § 8, 1996; Ord. 1035 § 1, 2012)
In addition to the provisions of Table 17.20.020 and other applicable sections, the following standards shall govern the signs permitted by Table 17.20.020 as noted:
A. 
Front wall or front canopy signs for all businesses except "major businesses" as defined by Chapter 18.08, LVMC:
Distance from Front Property Line
Ratio in Square Feet
Maximum Permitted Sign Area
Up to 75 feet
One square foot of sign area per every two feet of building wall of the establishment
150 square feet
75.01 feet to 150 feet
Two square feet of sign area per every three lineal feet of building wall of the establishment
150 square feet
150.01 feet and greater
One square foot of sign area per every one foot of the building wall of the establishment
150 square feet
B. 
Front wall or front canopy signs for major businesses as defined by Chapter 18.08, La Verne Municipal Code:
Two square feet of sign area for every three feet of building wall of the establishment, to a maximum aggregate sign area of two hundred square feet.
C. 
Balloons. Balloons shall be allowed only under the following conditions:
1. 
Maximum diameter size shall not exceed thirty inches.
2. 
Metallic balloons shall be prohibited.
3. 
Balloons shall not project above the roof line, over or into any public right-of-way.
4. 
Balloons may be employed no more than two times in any calendar year for a maximum of one week each.
5. 
Balloons shall not interfere with electrical or other utility lines, and may be located only directly in front of and/or attached to the tenant space.
(Ord. 883 § 8, 1996)
Banner signs shall be allowed by permit only under the following conditions:
A. 
Each business shall be permitted to have one banner sign with an approved permit, however up to two additional banner signs may be permitted at the same time by the community development director if the following conditions are met:
1. 
The business has more than one building wall facing a public right-of-way or the primary parking area of a commercial center; and
2. 
The additional banner signs shall not be placed on the same building wall as the primary banner sign.
B. 
The maximum banner sign size shall not exceed forty-five square feet, however a larger banner sign, up to a maximum of eighty square feet, may be permitted by the community development director if the following conditions are met:
1. 
The business is at least twenty thousand square feet in size; and
2. 
The building wall where the banner sign will be located is at least seventy-five feet from the public right-of-way.
C. 
The maximum number of days for a banner sign shall not exceed thirty days per permit and ninety days cumulative per calendar year. An additional thirty days, for a maximum of one hundred twenty days per calendar year, may be granted for a grand opening at time of occupancy, and shall not exceed sixty days in length.
D. 
All banner signs shall be maintained in good repair and properly secured so as not to create a public safety hazard. Banner signs shall be attached directly to the building only.
(Ord. 883 § 8, 1996; Ord. 1035 § 2, 2012)
Every commercial complex containing more than two tenants shall have a master sign program which specifies the overall design, configuration, and permitted sizes of signs in that center. Master sign programs shall be subject to the following standards:
A. 
Sizes. Sizes of signs shall not exceed the maximum sign areas provided in Sections 17.20.020 and 17.20.030 of this chapter.
B. 
Contents. Each master sign program shall contain at a minimum the permitted colors, letters, sizes, numbers and locations of signs, accompanied by color chips, color board, and materials boards.
C. 
Application Procedure. Master sign program applications shall be processed as precise plans under the provisions of Chapters 17.12 and 18.16 of this code. New master sign programs, and amendments to existing programs, shall be reviewed and approved by the development review committee. Minimum application requirements shall be determined by the community development director or designee.
D. 
Notice. For any application involving the revision of or addition to a master sign program, the applicant shall submit a mailing list of current tenants, who shall be notified in writing of the pending amendment no fewer than ten days prior to the scheduled date for consideration of the application.
(Ord. 883 § 8, 1996)
The following signs are permitted only in accordance with the provisions stated in this section:
A. 
Subdivision Off-Site Directional Signs. The location of new residential subdivisions in areas of La Verne, removed from major thoroughfares and other public areas, present unique problems in advertising their availability to the general public. Therefore, subdivision off-site directional signs that pertain only to residential subdivisions located within the city may be permitted if erected and maintained in accordance with the provisions set forth in this title and all other provisions of this code, and provided further, that all such signs shall conform to the following standards:
1. 
Permitted sign size shall not exceed one hundred square feet in area. The planning director may determine that a sign of a smaller size will be more compatible to a given locality;
2. 
Visual clearance of at least six feet shall be provided under the sign facing and total height of the sign shall not exceed sixteen feet;
3. 
All signs shall be placed a minimum of one hundred feet from any other sign. All signs shall be placed a minimum of five feet inside the building line;
4. 
Not more than a total of four off-site subdivision signs shall be permitted to advertise any one subdivision or condominium project;
5. 
Flags, banner signs, spinners or any other similar devices are not permitted;
6. 
Illuminated or lighted signs shall not be permitted;
7. 
Such signs shall be placed only on major or secondary highways as such are defined in the master plan of streets and highways;
8. 
Every applicant for a permit referred to in this chapter for a subdivision off-site directional sign shall file with the building inspector, before the permit is granted, a continuing bond in the penal sum of one thousand dollars, executed by the applicant and a surety company to be approved by the city attorney to ensure the faithful performance by the applicant of the provisions of this title and all amendments thereto, and of all laws and ordinances relating to signs and sign structures, and which shall indemnify and save harmless the city from any and all damages, judgments, costs or expense which the city may incur or suffer by reason of the granting of said permit. A liability insurance policy issued by an insurance company authorized to do business in the state conforming to this section may be permitted in lieu of a bond;
9. 
Such signs shall be removed upon the sale of substantially all units in the development. Any model homes advertising a development shall not be included in the determination whether substantially all units have been sold.
B. 
Subdivision On-Site Signs. Subdivision on-site signs advertising real property which has been subdivided for the purpose of sale or lease of homes or sale of residential condominiums, townhomes, or stock cooperative units may be permitted, provided that such signs comply with the provisions of this title and all other provisions of this code, and provided further, that all such signs shall conform to the following standards:
1. 
The signs shall be located only on the property which is advertised thereon. Permitted size shall conform with subsections (A)(1) and (A)(2) of this section;
2. 
Not more than two such signs shall be permitted on any subdivision under twenty acres in gross size. On subdivisions of more than twenty acres in gross size, one additional sign may be permitted for each additional five gross acres, not to exceed a total of four signs;
3. 
All such signs shall be placed a minimum of fifty feet from any residence not a part of the subdivision.
C. 
Additional On-Site Subdivision Signs. One additional on-site subdivision sign may be permitted without benefit of precise plan of design approval; provided, however, that the permitted sign size shall not exceed six square feet in area, and such sign shall be placed a minimum of five feet inside the building line.
(Ord. 855 § 2, 1993)
The council finds that the outdoor businesses, as defined in Section 17.08.135, have unique sign needs created by the unusually high ratio of site to building area; the display requirements associated with the business; and the economic development potential which such businesses offer the community.
A. 
Applicability of Standards. Signs for outdoor businesses will be subject to the following standards:
1. 
Except where superseded by the provisions of this section, signs shall adhere to the standards of the CPD commercial professional development zone;
2. 
The provisions of this section shall apply only to outdoor businesses, existing or proposed, when located in any zone for which such enterprises are a permitted or conditional use.
B. 
Master Sign Program Required. All outdoor businesses shall have master sign programs that specify colors, letters, sizes, numbers and locations of signs.
1. 
All signs shall have a precise plan as defined by Chapter 17.12 of this code, reviewed by the development review committee and approved by the planning commission;
2. 
Sign programs shall be accompanied by a fully detailed and dimensioned master site plan accompanied by color chips, color illustration board, or other materials required by the community development director or designee;
3. 
Sign programs shall also be accompanied by a master landscape plan which incorporates landscaping specifically designed to reduce and mitigate the mass, height, bulk, linearity and impact of signs proposed in the program. This landscaping shall include clusters of trees, rocks, shrubs, flowers, planters, and other landscape treatments. The program shall also be accompanied by black and white photographs of each sign location with the sign, landscaping, streetlights and other visual obstructions superimposed.
C. 
Permitted Signs. Unless otherwise indicated in this section, all signs shall be governed by the number, size, area, location and design standards of Section 17.20.020 and Table 17.20.020.
1. 
Ground Signs. The following ground signs shall be permitted for outdoor businesses:
a. 
Monument Signs. One monument-style ground sign shall be permitted, not to exceed two square feet in area for every foot of site frontage along a dedicated major arterial, for every three hundred feet of site frontage along a dedicated public street. In no event, however, shall more than three ground signs be permitted per property, regardless of the number of street frontages or their individual and collective lengths. No ground sign shall be located closer than one hundred fifty feet from any other ground sign on the same side of the street and on the same property,
b. 
Pole Signs. In lieu of any one monument sign which is permitted by subsection (C)(1)(a) of this section, an outdoor business may elect to construct no more than one pole-mounted ground sign per outdoor business site, subject to the following standards:
i. 
The pole sign and its accompanying structure shall not exceed two square feet in area for each one lineal foot of frontage along a dedicated major street; provided, however, that the sign may not exceed twenty-five feet in height and fifteen feet in width; one hundred thirty-five square feet maximum face area; and three hundred seventy-five square feet area for the entire structure as measured by the standards of this title,
ii. 
The pole sign shall be located no closer than five hundred feet from the center line to any completed freeway or expressway as defined by the California Department of Transportation; provided, however, that any ground sign shall also meet all other applicable setback, design and construction standards as may be provided elsewhere in this title.
D. 
Design Standards. In considering any precise plan for a proposed pole or monument sign for an outdoor business, the community development director, development review committee, or planning commission (as determined by the provisions of Chapter 17.12 of this code) shall find that:
1. 
The proposed sign displays a proper degree of proportionality between its face and its supporting structures. No sign shall be approved consisting of greater than one pylon or support. The width, depth and mass of the pylon shall be sufficient to demonstrate proportionality as indicated in Exhibit A as set out in this chapter;
2. 
The proposed sign and its supporting structure contains a full architectural treatment which is consistent with the architectural design, massing, color, size and treatment of the business itself; is harmonious with the general character of immediately surrounding properties; and which conforms to the general plan community design element, and applicable specific plan, and this code. Any such proposed ground sign shall incorporate channel letters, reverse pan channel letters, and other techniques to minimize plastic or plexiglass sign faces;
3. 
The proposed sign shall observe all required setback lines applicable to sign structures in the zone for which the sign is proposed. In no event, however, shall a sign be closer than ten feet to a property line from the furthest extension of its mass; nor closer than thirty inches from its furthest extension to the nearest driveway, building or other obstruction;
4. 
The proposed sign shall incorporate dense landscaping sufficient to reduce the mass and size of the sign as seen from any public right-of-way. A landscaped area shall be provided around the sign providing an unobstructed planting area of one-half the sign's height from either face; and allowing for planting screen at the interior end sufficient to reduce the mass, consistent with Exhibit A as set out in this chapter;
5. 
The proposed sign does not project over any roof, public right-of-way or required setback area prescribed by ordinance.
E. 
Changeable Copy. No changeable copy signs shall be permitted, except that any one sign identified in subsection C of this section may include a single electronic reader board consisting of no more than two parallel faces. The sign shall be incorporated into the master sign program and submitted for planning commission review. A separate precise plan approval shall be required prior to securing building permits. It shall specify final architectural and landscape treatments sufficient to mitigate the brightness, glare and mass. Before approving a changeable copy component, the community development director or designee shall find out that:
1. 
The proposed sign will not be disruptive to other properties, residential and institutional land uses within one hundred fifty feet;
2. 
The proposed sign does not disrupt a view or scenic corridor identified in the city's general plan;
3. 
The sign is consistent with the design principles of the community design element and the ordinance codified in this section;
4. 
The changeable copy component shall change no more frequently than once every five seconds. Blinking and moving characters shall be prohibited;
5. 
The proposed sign will not create a traffic hazard by distracting drivers;
6. 
The changeable copy features shall be operable only during the normal operating hours of the business; in no event, however, shall the changeable copy feature operate later than midnight;
7. 
The changeable copy component incorporates screening, tinting, shielding, sensory dimmers or other components deemed sufficient by the community development director or designee to eliminate excessive glare;
8. 
The proposed sign incorporates sufficient landscaping to mitigate the height, mass and size of the sign, including at least one mature specimen tree not less than twenty feet in height at time of planting. Selection of plant materials has been approved by the city landscape architect or designee.
(Ord. 855 § 2, 1993)