City of La Habra, CA Chapter 18.23 SIGN STANDARDS

§ 18.23.010 Description and purpose — Applicability.

A. The provisions of this chapter shall govern all matters relating to signs and sign structures within the city that are visible from the public right-of-way or adjacent properties.

B. The purposes of these provisions are to:

1. Maintain and enhance the physical appearance and economic value of the city;

2. Direct and inform persons as to the location and nature of enterprises and activities;

3. Provide guidance for design of advertising displays, structures and devices which will harmonize with their surroundings, avoid confusion or excessive competition for visual attention, and result in signage which is architecturally compatible with adjacent buildings or structures;

4. Reduce the potential for distraction of or hazard to motorists or pedestrians; and

5. Reduce the potential for creation of visual nuisances.

C. The intent of these provisions is to provide a reasonable system of controls to assist in the preservation and enhancement of the visual environment, protection of property values, and the protection of the public safety and general welfare.

D. Applicability. This chapter does not apply to the following:

1. Anything erected or installed for the purpose of or used for displaying official notices issued by any court or public body or officer;

2. Official notices issued and/or posted by any court or public body or officer in performance of a public duty or by any person giving legal notice.

3. Anything erected or installed for the purpose of or used for displaying notices posted by any public officer in performance of a public duty or by any person in giving legal notice;

4. Directional, warning or information signs or structures required by or authorized by law or by federal, state, county, or city authority;

5. A structure erected near a city or county boundary, which contains the name of such city or county;

6. Traffic or Other Municipal Signs (Signs Required by Law). Railroad crossing signs, legal notices, and such temporary emergency or non-advertising signs as may be authorized by the city council;

7. The display of the flag of the city, United States or the flag of the state of California, or any structure used exclusively for displaying these flags;

E. Substitution Clause. Whenever a sign for a commercial message is permitted by this chapter, a noncommercial message of any type may be substituted for the duly allowed commercial message contained therein.

F. Signs on Public Property. No person, except a public officer or city employee in the performance of his duty, shall paste, post, paint or erect any flag, pennant, banner, notice or sign of any kind or cause the same to be done upon public property, street, street median, parkway, bridge or sidewalk within the city, except for the following:

1. Signs for special events to the benefit of the entire community and authorized by the city council;

2. Signs affixed to temporary construction fences located within the public right-of-way during construction, when associated with a public works project, to advertise the architect, construction company or future development; provided, that no sign shall exceed twenty-four square feet in area;

3. Signs for advertisements on bus benches and bus shelters under a regulated program authorized by the city council.

G. Signs on Private Utility Company Poles. No person shall attach any item to private utility company poles without prior written approval from the utility company to which such poles belong.

(Ord. 1852, 12/4/2023)

§ 18.23.020 Definitions.

See Chapter 18.04 (Definitions).

(Ord. 1852, 12/4/2023)

§ 18.23.030 Sign matrix.

A. Sign Matrix. Signs shall be permitted (P), conditionally permitted (CUP), temporarily permitted (T), or not permitted (-), as identified in Table 18.23.030.A - Sign Matrix.

Table 18.23.030.A - Sign Matrix
Permitted = P Conditional Use Permit = CUP Temporarily Permitted = T Banner Permit = B Not Permitted = -	Single-Unit Residential	Multi-Unit Residential	Mobilehome Park	Mixed-Use Residential	Nonresidential
Animated	-	-	-	-	-
Attached	-	P	-	P	P
Awning	-	P	-	P	P
Banner	-	B	-	B	B
Bench	-	-	-	-	CUP
Billboard	-	-	-	-	-
Bulletin board	-	-	-	-	P
Campaign	T	T	T	T	T
Canopy	-	P	-	P	P
Changeable copy	-	-	-	-	CUP
Construction	T	T	T	T	T
Convenience	P	P	P	P	P
Digital Display	-	-	-	-	-
Directory	-	P	P	P	P
Electronic message	-	-	-	-	-
Feather sign	-	-	-	-	-
Flashing	-	-	-	-	-
Freestanding	-	P	P	P	P
Future development	T	T	T	T	T
Human advertisement	-	-	-	-	-
Inflatable advertising device	-	-	-	-	-
Inflatable character	T	T	T	T	T
Marquee	-	-	-	-	CUP
Memorial	P	P	P	P	P
Menu board	-	-	-	-	CUP
Monument	P	P	P	P	P
Multi-tenant	-	-	-	-	P
Nameplate	P	P	P	P	P
Neon or neon lighting	-	-	-	-	CUP
Non-appurtenant	-	-	-	-	-
Off-site or off-premises	-	-	-	-	-
On-site or on-premises	P	P	P	P	P
One-Time Event (Residential)	T	T	T	T	-
Painted	-	-	-	-	CUP
Portable	-	-	-	P	P
Projecting	-	CUP	-	CUP	CUP
Pump-top video display	-	-	-	-	CUP
Real Estate	T	T	T	T	T
Revolving	-	-	-	-	-
Roof	-	-	-	-	-
Seasonal Commercial Sales Lots	-	-	-	-	T
Subdivision	T	T	-	-	-
Under-canopy	-	-	-	-	P
Vehicle	-	-	-	-	-
Wall	-	P	P	P	P
Window	-	-	-	-	T

B. Definitions. Signs types are defined in Chapter 18.04.

C. Signs Within the Public Right-of-Way. Except as provided for in Section 18.23.060(F) no signs shall be erected or displayed on city property or in a public right-of-way by any person. Any sign erected on city property or in a public right-of-way in violation of this section may be summarily removed by the city. The city will hold such signs at the city yard for ten calendar days after they are removed.

D. Permitted Signs. Signs that are permitted signs shall be only subject to the approval requirements of Section 18.23.040, unless they are required to be processed as part of a sign program pursuant to Section 18.23.050.

E. Conditionally Permitted Signs. Signs that are conditionally permitted are subject to the approval of a conditional use permit and shall be processed as a conditional use permit, pursuant to the requirements of Chapter 18.66, in addition to the requirements for a sign permit pursuant to Section 18.23.040, and any requirement for a sign program pursuant to Section 18.23.050.

F. Temporarily Permitted Signs and Banners. Signs that are temporarily permitted are subject to the requirements of Sections 18.23.040 and 18.23.090.

G. Not Permitted. In addition to any sign listed as not permitted in Table 18.23.030.A - Sign Matrix, any signs which are not specifically listed in said table are also prohibited unless, pursuant to a review by the planning commission, the commission makes a determination that the proposed sign is substantially similar to another permitted or conditionally permitted sign.

H. Design Standards. Any sign that does not meet the design standards of this chapter, including signs that are exempt from sign permits, shall be prohibited, unless deviations are permitted or conditionally permitted pursuant to this chapter or Chapter 18.76 (Variances).

(Ord. 1852, 12/4/2023)

§ 18.23.040 Sign permit required.

A. Applicability. No person shall erect any sign regulated by this chapter without first obtaining a sign permit, which for this section shall also include, as applicable, a temporary sign permit, banner permit or special event permit, issued by the Chief Building Official, unless said sign is exempt pursuant to subsection 18.23.010(D).

B. Number of Sign Permits Required. A separate sign permit shall be required for each sign installed; provided, however, the chief building official may allow one permit to cover a group of similar type signs for a single business entity, a group of signs on a single supporting structure, or a group of independently-mounted letters, words, or symbols intended to convey a single message; provided, that such group of signs or letters can be normally inspected at the same time and in the same manner as normally required for a single sign.

C. Application Materials. The applicant for the sign permit shall submit sign plans that include a site plan, and building and sign elevations rendered in color that identify the following:

1. Sign area with dimensions, sign colors, sign type, sign materials and method of illumination.

2. Structural details and calculations (when applicable), electrical wiring diagrams, footing and anchoring details.

3. Such other information as the chief building official deems reasonable and necessary to ensure safety of construction and compliance with this chapter and all other city ordinances.

D. Fees. All applicable building permit fees shall be paid as established in the city of La Habra Master Schedule of Fees.

E. Consent of Owner. No person shall erect any sign regulated by this chapter without first obtaining and filing with the community and economic development department the written consent of the owner and/or the lessee or person having possession of the property upon which the sign is situated.

F. Approval. The sign permit shall be subject to the approval of the chief building official, pursuant to the standards contained herein.

G. Other Applicable Permits. The approval of a sign permit does not negate the requirement for any other applicable permit, such as a conditional use permit, or any requirement for the submittal of sign plans as part of a design review.

(Ord. 1852, 12/4/2023)

§ 18.23.050 Sign program required.

A. Applicability. A sign program is sign criteria created by a property owner that provides details on the number, location, types, height, style, illumination etc. of all signs located on a property. A sign program shall be required for:

1. New multi-tenant shopping centers, office parks, other multi-tenant and mixed- use developments consisting of three or more separate suites/tenants that share the same parcel or structure and use common access and parking facilities.

2. Redesign, remodel, or redevelopment of existing multi-tenant or mixed-use developments that do not have an existing sign program adopted after the effective date of this chapter.

B. Application. A completed application shall be submitted to the community and economic development department for review and approval. A review fee shall be paid at the time of submittal as established in the master schedule of fees.

C. The sign program shall include, but is not limited to, the following information:

1. A site plan of the property with dimensions that identifies all proposed signs.

2. Building elevations drawn to scale that identify the location of all proposed building attached signs, tenant doors, windows and architectural building elements such as arches, columns etc.

3. A sign table that lists each tenant suite with storefront dimensions (length and height) that identifies the maximum area allotted for all building attached signs.

4. Written guidelines that include:

a. Purpose and intent.

b. Written general requirements and approval process by property owner or management company.

c. Approved sign design styles, lighting and colors.

d. Description of prohibited signs.

e. Construction requirements.

f. Installation requirements.

g. Tenant guarantee and insurance requirements.

D. Approval.

1. Design Review. A sign program that complies with all of the requirements of this chapter shall be processed as a design review, pursuant to the requirements of Chapter 18.68 (Design Review).

2. Conditional Use Permit. A sign program that deviates from the design standards of this chapter, and/or includes signs that are subject to the approval of a conditional use permit, shall be processed as a conditional use permit, pursuant to the requirements of Chapter 18.66.

3. Implementation. Individual tenant sign proposals shall be approved by the property owner prior to submittal of an application for a sign permit and shall be in compliance with an approved sign program, unless such program is not applicable to the subject property.

(Ord. 1852, 12/4/2023)

§ 18.23.060 Design standards — General.

Notwithstanding the sign provisions of the zone(s) in which located, the following regulations shall apply to all zones:

A. Signs shall comply with the following general design standards.

1. Compatibility. Signs shall be designed to be compatible with the architectural style of the main structure or structures on the site where the signs are to be located and shall incorporate matching or similar construction materials, colors, and other design details.

2. Illumination. The illumination of signs, from either an internal or an external source, shall not cast stray light on surrounding rights-of-way and properties. All illuminated signs shall comply with the following:

a. External light sources shall not illuminate any object other than the sign.

b. Unless otherwise allowed by another provision of this chapter, signs shall not have blinking, flashing, or intermittent lights or other illumination devices that have a changing light intensity, brightness, or color.

c. The use of colored lights in a manner that could be confused or interpreted as traffic control devices are prohibited.

d. Light sources shall utilize energy-efficient fixtures compliant with Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations.

e. Any illuminated signs that identifies a business within, or adjacent to, a residential zone shall be turned off within two hours after the business is closed.

B. Projection and Clearance. All sign types shall conform to the clearance and projection requirements of this section.

1. Signs that encroach on public property. No sign of any type as defined by this chapter or any portion thereof shall extend or project over any public sidewalk, street, alley or other public property, unless as otherwise permitted by Section 18.23.060(F).

2. Clearance. No projecting sign shall have a clearance of less than eight feet above finish grade of the walkway below.

3. Interference with traffic or right-of-way. No sign shall be located in a manner which may obstruct or interfere with the view of a traffic signal or other traffic regulatory signs as determined by the director of public works or designee. No sign shall, as determined by the director of public works or designee, be so located as to create a hazard to the life or property of any person using the public right-of-way.

4. Clearance from opening, fire exits or standpipes. No sign or sign structure shall be erected in such a manner that will interfere in any way or obstruct any opening, fire exit or standpipe.

C. Construction Requirements. Every sign and all parts, portions, and materials thereof shall be manufactured, assembled, and erected in compliance with all applicable state, federal, and city laws and regulations. All signs shall comply with the following criteria:

1. Method of Attachment. All signs shall be safely and securely attached or anchored to the ground, wall, building, or the like in accordance with the requirements and specifications in the City's Building Code (Title 15) and as required by the chief building official.

2. Screening. All transformers, equipment, programmers, and other related items shall be screened and/or painted to match the structure or shall be concealed within the sign and shall be install in compliance with the applicable electrical codes as required by the chief building official.

3. Materials. All permanent signs shall be constructed of quality materials such as metal, concrete, natural stone, wood, glass, and acrylic. Techniques shall be incorporated during construction to reduce fading and damage caused by exposure to sunlight or degradation due to other elements.

4. Lighting. All freestanding signs that incorporate lighting shall have underground utility service.

D. Maintenance Requirements. All signs, together with all of their supports, braces, guy and anchors, shall be kept in good repair and in a proper state of preservation in accordance with this section.

1. General Maintenance. It shall be the responsibility of the property owner to maintain every sign and all parts, portions, and materials thereof at all times in a state of safe and good repair.

a. All signs shall be maintained in a neat, attractive condition, and in adequate repair, as determined by the director of community and economic development or a designee, at all times.

b. Sign maintenance includes periodic repairs to prevent sign deterioration such as fading paint, fading colors, and peeling letters.

c. The display surface of all signs shall be kept clean, neatly painted, and free from rust and corrosion.

d. Any cracked, broken surfaces, malfunctioning lights, missing sign copy, or other non-maintained or damaged portions of a sign shall be repaired or replaced by the property owner within thirty calendar days following notification by the city.

2. General Sign Removal. When a sign is removed or replaced, all brackets, poles, and other structural elements that support the sign shall also be removed. Affected surfaces shall be restored to match the adjacent portion of the structure including wall texture and paint colors. This requirement does not apply to routine maintenance.

E. Calculating the Area of Signs. For sign applications and permits, all sign plans shall incorporate the following methodology for calculating the area of signs.

1. General Area Calculation. Generally, the area of a sign including logos shall be measured as the overall length of the sign multiplied by the overall height of each segment of copy or logo inclusive of background. See Figure 18.23.060-1 (General Sign Area Measurement).

2. Sign Area Allowance. Allowable sign area either is a set square footage per establishment or is based on a ratio of allowable sign area to primary building frontage (e.g., one square foot of sign area per one linear foot of primary building frontage). Where a ratio is listed, a maximum sign area also applies.

Figure 18.23.060-1

General Sign Area Measurement

3. Awning Sign Area. Sign copy area which is applied to an awning and/or canopy, shall be computed at one hundred percent of the area within a single rectangle enveloping the sign copy. See Figure 18.23.060-2 (Awning or Canopy Sign Area).

Figure 18.23.060-2

Awning or Canopy Sign Area

4. Height of Freestanding Signs. The height of any freestanding sign shall be measured from the uppermost point of the sign/frame, structure to the finished grade immediately below such point. See Figure 18.23.060-3 (Height of a Freestanding Sign)

Figure 18.23.060-3 Height of a Freestanding Sign

F. Signs on City Property and Within the Public Right-of-Way. The following signs may project over the right-of-way, provided that the owner has obtained an encroachment permit from the Public Works Department:

1. Signs attached under canopies or marquees, which shall not exceed a dimension of twelve vertical inches by forty-eight horizontal inches, and shall clear the surface below by not less than eight feet.

2. Signs affixed to the vertical face or valance of an awning or canopy for buildings located in an MX Mixed Use Overlay may be permitted subject to approval of a Design Review.

G. Signs that advertise or identify the business, service, entity or activity conducted onsite in a language other than English are encouraged to include an English description of the use (i.e., "restaurant," "medical office," "grocery store," etc.) on the sign.

H. Freestanding Signs. All freestanding signs shall be located within a landscaped area or planter, as approved through a Design Review. The base of any freestanding sign shall be constructed of masonry, wood, or other suitable building materials which are architecturally harmonious with the development to which the sign is appurtenant.

(Ord. 1852, 12/4/2023)

§ 18.23.070 Sign regulations — Residential.

Zone	Attached Signs	Freestanding Signs
Single-Family Residential Zones (R-1a-c)	Not allowed	Not allowed
(R-2 to R-7) Multiple-Family Residential Zones	1 or more signs with a collective sign area not to exceed 30 square feet.	1 monument sign per street frontage, with a maximum area of 20 square feet for the first 100 lineal feet of frontage, plus 10 square feet for each additional 100 lineal feet of frontage, or fraction thereof. Maximum sign size is limited to 50 square feet in area and a maximum height of 6 feet.
Mobile Home Park (MHP)	Not allowed	1 monument sign per street frontage, with a maximum area of 20 square feet for the first 100 lineal feet of frontage, plus 10 square feet for each additional 100 lineal feet of frontage, or fraction thereof. Maximum sign size is limited to 50 square feet in area and a maximum height of 6 feet.
Mixed Use (Residential Development)	1 or more signs with a collective sign area not to exceed 30 square feet.	1 monument sign per street frontage, with a maximum area of 20 square feet for the first 100 lineal feet of frontage, plus 10 square feet for each additional 100 lineal feet of frontage, or fraction thereof. Maximum sign size is limited to 50 square feet in area and a maximum height of 6 feet.

(Ord. 1852, 12/4/2023)

§ 18.23.080 Sign Regulations - Nonresidential.

Wall Signs
Maximum Sign Height/Length and Location Requirements	Maximum Number, Sign Area and Other Requirements
Sign Height/Length • Maximum height of all portions of a wall sign (including logo and multiple lines of copy) shall not exceed 15% of the total wall height. • Maximum length of a wall sign shall not exceed 75% building façade length.	Number • Maximum of one wall sign per business elevation that faces a street and/or provides a public entrance.
Location • No sign shall encroach into the public right-of-way, unless approved through an encroachment permit by the director of public works or designee and the director of community and economic development or designee.	Area • Commercial land uses: Maximum area of each sign shall not exceed 30% of the area of each building elevation where a sign is permitted. • Light manufacturing and/or planned commercial Industrial land uses: Maximum area of each sign shall not exceed 15% of the area of the building elevation where a sign is permitted.
	Other • Channel letters, reverse channel letters and push pin letters are preferred. • Signage containing multiple elements (e.g. logo and text) on 1 façade shall be designed so that the multiple elements are located and scaled with relationship to each other. • Internal and/or external illumination allowed. External light shall utilize energy-efficient fixtures compliant with Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations. Any illuminated signs that identify a business within, adjacent to, a residential zone shall be turned off within 2 hours after the business is closed. • Signs shall be designed to be compatible with the architectural style of the main structure or structures on the site where the signs are to be located and shall incorporate matching or similar construction materials, colors, and other design details.

Freestanding Signs
Maximum Sign Height/Length and Location Requirements	Maximum Number, Sign Area and Other Requirements
Sign Height/Length • Maximum height: 8 feet high	Number • 1 freestanding sign per street frontage of a property. • A freestanding sign shall not be permitted for each individual tenant(s). • Multiple freestanding tenant signs shall be subject to the approval of a Sign Program.
Letter Height • Minimum letter height shall be 12 inches. • The maximum letter height shall be 36 inches.	Area • Allowable sign area shall not exceed 1 square foot for each lineal foot of street frontage. • The sign area excludes the-framework (e.g., post, masonry column or beam). For double-faced (two-sided) freestanding signs, only 1 side of the sign shall be used to determine the sign area.
Location • Freestanding sign(s) shall be set back a minimum of 15 feet from the public right-of-way. Exceptions may be granted through the review and approval of a line-of-sight study, prepared by a licensed traffic or civil engineer. • No freestanding sign shall be located within 250 feet of any other freestanding sign on the same business property. • All freestanding signs shall be placed in a landscaped area and shall have a minimum horizontal clearance of 3 feet from any adjacent area used for vehicle traffic or parking.	Other • Materials, design and colors for freestanding signs shall be complementary to the materials, design and colors of the buildings for the related development. • All monument and pylon type signs must have a base element. The base element must be designed to "ground" the sign through materials, including but not limited to, rock masonry, or wood, or through decorative treatment consistent with that found on the associated building.

Projecting Signs
Maximum Sign Height/Length and Location Requirements	Maximum Number, Sign Area and Other Requirements
Sign Height/Length • Not applicable	Number • 1 per primary façade adjacent to designated pedestrian walkway.
Location • Attached to an exterior building wall (not permitted on freestanding exterior walls, fences or light fixtures). Projecting signs shall be placed only on ground-floor façades, except for businesses located above the ground level with direct exterior pedestrian access. In the case of a one-story building, the top of the sign shall, exclusive of the suspension structure, be no higher than the roof eave line. • Projecting signs shall be mounted perpendicular to the exterior building façade, or when located on the corner of the building, at a 45-degree angle to the corner of the building. • Where located above a pedestrian walkway, the lowest point of a blade or bracket sign shall be a minimum of 8 feet above grade. • A sign may project a maximum of 5 feet from the building, but is not permitted to project over or onto the public right-of-way, without the approval of an encroachment permit by the director of public works or his/her designee. • The sign shall be suspended with a clear space of at least 6 inches between the sign and the structure. Exceptions may be granted consistent with applicable Building Code requirements.	Area • Maximum 6 square feet for each blade and/or bracket signs.
	Other • Sign materials shall match those used on the buildings on the site and any other signs on the site. • Sign supports and brackets shall be compatible with the design and scale of the sign.

Awning and Canopy Signs
Maximum Sign Height/Length and Location Requirements	Maximum Number, Sign Area and Other Requirements
Sign Height/Length • Not applicable	Number • Maximum of 1 sign per individual awning and/or canopy.
Location • Awning and/or canopy signs shall only be allowed for first-story occupancies.	Area • Signage shall only be permitted on the valance. • Signage shall not exceed 70% of the valance area.
	Other • The shape of the awning or canopy must reflect the architectural style of the building to which it relates. • Only permanent signs that are an integral part of the awning or architectural projection shall be allowed. Temporary signs shall not be placed on awnings.

Automobile Service Station Signs
Maximum Sign Height/Length and Location Requirements	Maximum Number, Sign Area and Other Requirements
• One freestanding sign, or 1 monument sign; each sign may include name of fuel business, and name of convenience store, price of fuel, credit cards accepted, and existence of a car wash. • One attached sign to each device providing air or water service, recharging for electric vehicles and similar services. • One pump-top video display terminal per pump dispenser.	• Maximum of 1 canopy sign per street frontage and limited to 20 square feet not to exceed 70% of the vertical face on which the sign is located. • Attached signs that identify onsite services (air, water, recharging etc.) are limited to 4 square feet and shall not be illuminated. • Pump-top video displays are limited to a maximum viewable screen area of 19 inches measured diagonally. • Pump-top video display terminals shall be located a minimum of 40 feet to any residential zone or residential use boundary line.

(Ord. 1852, 12/4/2023)

§ 18.23.090 Sign regulations—Temporary signs.

Construction Signs
Standards	Time Limitation
• A temporary sign permit must be obtained prior to the erection of a construction sign. • The placement of multiple on-site construction signs shall be subject to review and approval by the chief building official.	• A construction sign not exceeding 45 square feet may be maintained on any lot or parcel that is undergoing construction. • Any such sign(s) shall be removed no later than 3 working days after the issuance of a certificate of occupancy.

Real Estate Signs ("For Sale, Lease, Rental and/or Open House Signs")
Standards	Time Limitation
Temporary On-Site Residential • Signs shall not exceed 8 square feet in area and shall not exceed 6 feet in height. Temporary On-Site Commercial and Industrial • Signs shall not exceed 32 square feet in area and shall not exceed 6 feet in height. Temporary Residential Open House Signs • Signs shall not exceed 6 square feet in area and shall not exceed 4 feet in height. • One open house directional sign may be placed in the parkway at any 2 intersections closest to the open house property within the city. The sign location shall not impede pedestrian or vehicular access or pose a safety hazard. • 2 flags and open house sign may be placed in the parkway of the open house. • No signs shall be posted at any time along any street median or parkway, street tree or utility pole. General Standards for All Real Estate Signs • A permit for temporary real estate signs is not required. • All signs shall be placed not less than 10 feet back from the curb face and not within the public right-of-way. • No sign shall be so located as to create a hazardous condition.	Temporary On-site Residential, Commercial or Industrial • Sign shall be removed not more than 15 days after the close of escrow, lease or rental. Temporary Residential Open House Signs • No open house signs shall be allowed on any day of the week except Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays only from sunrise to sunset. • Any open house signs remaining in the parkway after the weekend or holiday shall be subject to confiscation by the city and a citation may be issued after 1 written warning.

Subdivision Signs
Standards	Time Limitation
• A temporary sign permit must be obtained prior to the erection of a subdivision sign. • Subdivision signs may be erected along each street frontage of the subject lot for the purpose of advertising building sales in residential tracts. • No sign shall exceed an area of 50 square feet or 12 feet in height.	• Subdivision signs shall be removed within 12 months from the date of the approval or within 15 days after the close of escrow or date of lease or rental of such property, whichever period is the lesser, provided however, that such time limitation may be extended (for good cause shown) by the director of community and economic development.

Banners
Standards	Time Limitation
• A banner permit must be obtained prior to installation. • The maximum area of any banner shall not exceed 45 square feet. • Must be constructed of plastic, vinyl, canvas or other weather resistant material. Banners may not be constructed of paper, cardboard, clear plastic or similar material. • Banners may not be used in lieu of a permanent sign. • Must be attached to an exterior building wall, located below the eave or roof parapet. No banners are allowed above the eave or roof line, on freestanding light fixtures, ancillary buildings, vehicles, landscape features or plant materials.	• Shall not be displayed more than 30 consecutive days. • Shall be obtained no more than 3 times per calendar year with a minimum period of 30 days between each permit.

Special Events/Seasonal Commercial Sales Lots
Standards	Time Limitation
• Signs related to a special event and/or seasonal commercial sales lot may be displayed upon the approval of the special event permit. • Signs shall not exceed a collective total of 100 square feet of area. • No sign shall exceed a height of 8 feet. • Only one sign shall be allowed per commercial street frontage.	• All signs related to a special event and/or seasonal commercial sales lot shall be removed upon the expiration of the special event permit.

Window Signs
Maximum Sign Height/Length and Location Requirements	Maximum Number, Sign Area and Other Requirements
Sign Height/Length Not applicable	• A permit for window signs is not required. Number • Maximum 3 signs for windows up to 50 square feet in area. • Maximum 5 signs for windows up to 100 square feet in area.
Location • Window signs must be located on the interior of the window.	Area • Window signs must not obscure more than 33% of the total window or door area visible from a public street, right-of-way or parking lot.

Portable Signs
Standards	Time Limitation
• A permit for the use of a portable sign is not required. • Shall not extend into the public right-of-way or adjacent properties. • Shall not be placed within any required parking spaces. • Sign may be placed within building recesses or in a manner as not to obstruct pedestrian or vehicle traffic flow. • Sign shall not exceed a collective total of 12 square feet of area. • No sign shall exceed a height of 36 inches measured from the pavement to the highest point of the sign and 24 inches in width measured between the outer most edges of the sign or frame, whichever is greater. • Only one sign shall be allowed per business.	• The use of a portable sign is only permitted during the established hours of operation of the business. • The sign shall be removed and stored inside the building at the close of each business day.

Campaign Signs
Standards	Time Limitation
• A permit for the use of campaign signs is not required. Location • Shall not be posted without prior written approval of the property owner. • Shall not be posted upon any public property, including, but not limited to: streets, traffic signs, sidewalks, parkways, medians, and city parks. • Shall not be attached to any tree, fence, utility pole, nor affixed in any permanent manner to any structure. • Shall not be located as to constitute a hazard to auto and pedestrian traffic. • Shall not be located within 100 feet of a polling place in accordance with the Elections Code. Sign Height/Length/Illumination/Content • Shall not exceed 4 square feet in area and shall not exceed an overall height of 5 feet. • Shall not be illuminated either directly or indirectly. • Shall include the name and address of the sponsor or individual responsible for posting of the political sign.	• Shall be removed within 10 calendar days after the election. • Any campaign sign posted in violation of this Chapter may be removed by the city after providing 24 hour notice to the property owner. • The cost of removal of any campaign signs will be charged to the candidate, committee or the organization whose name appears on the sign as sponsor or responsible person or entity for such sign. • The city shall hold campaign signs removed pursuant to this section at the city yard for 10 calendar days after they are removed for pick-up by the owner.

(Ord. 1852, 12/4/2023; Ord. CC 2025-14, 11/3/2025

§ 18.23.100 Removal of illegal signs and abandoned signs — Public nuisance abatement.

In addition to any other lawful method for enforcement of the provisions of the La Habra Municipal Code (LHMC), the city may follow the provisions of this chapter.

A. Illegal Signs. Any sign which was not lawfully erected or maintained, or was not in conformance with the ordinance in effect at the time of the erection of the sign, or which was not installed with a valid permit from the city, or which poses a danger to persons or property, shall be considered illegal.

1. Illegal signs shall be abated or removed by the property owner and/or tenant within thirty days after receiving notice of the violation.

2. In the event that the property owner and/or tenant does not remove an illegal sign, within the given time, then such sign shall be required to be removed through an abatement process pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 8.16 of this code. The duty to abate arises upon notice by a city official. Such notice shall give property owners thirty calendar days to cure/abate by conformance to current law and/or current permit requirements, or to abate by removal or other remedial action. If the property owner and/or sign owner fails or refuses to cure/abate within thirty calendar days of said notice, a designated city official may initiate nuisance abatement proceedings pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 8.16.

B. Abandoned Signs. The following standards shall apply to conforming and nonconforming abandoned signs.

1. Abandoned or Vacated Business Signs. Any sign that pertains to a business/use or occupation which has vacated or is no longer using the particular property for a period of thirty calendar days or more, or which relates to a time or event which no longer applies, or constitutes false advertising/identification, shall conform to the following:

a. The sign or sign copy shall be removed within thirty calendar days after the associated business/use, occupation, or event has vacated the premises. An abandoned sign is prohibited, and the removal shall be the responsibility of the owner of the sign or the owner of the premises.

b. If the sign structure is maintained, the sign copy shall be replaced with a blank sign copy within thirty calendar days of the close of the associated business/use, occupation, event or operation (e.g., no utility service, business/use is not open for more than thirty calendar days).

c. A blank sign copy shall mean, a sign face or sign copy that does not display any visible advertising matter. No exposed light fixtures or exposed internal wiring is permitted for vacated business signs.

d. A sign structure that is maintained with a blank copy shall only be allowed to remain for twelve consecutive months from the date of the closure of the business/use. At the conclusion of this time period, if no new business/use utilizes the sign structure, the entire sign structure shall be removed by the property owner. If the sign is not removed, a code enforcement officer or designated city personnel may have the sign removed in accordance with the public nuisance abatement provisions of Chapter 8.16 of this code and the property owner will be held responsible for the cost of removal.

e. Any prior exceptions, adjustments, or modifications granted for the abandoned or obsolete sign are void forty-five calendar days after the business is no longer in operation, provided the sign structure was continually maintained with a blank sign copy pursuant to this chapter.

(Ord. 1852, 12/4/2023; Ord. CC 2026-01, 4/6/2026)

§ 18.23.110 Nonconforming signs.

Every sign in existence on the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter, and which was legal at the time of installation, and which does not conform to the provisions of this chapter, is a legal, nonconforming sign. The following requirements shall apply to all legal, nonconforming signs.

A. A nonconforming sign shall not be:

1. Changed to another nonconforming sign;

2. Structurally altered to extend its useful life;

3. Expanded;

4. Reestablished after a business has been discontinued for sixty calendar days;

B. No new sign shall be approved for a site, structure, building, or use that contains nonconforming signs unless such nonconforming signs are removed or modified to conform with the provisions of this chapter.

C. No building permit or discretionary permit shall be issued for any structures, building expansion, or new building construction on a site which contains nonconforming signs, unless all signs on the site are brought into conformance with this chapter. This does not apply to interior alterations which do not substantially change the character or intensity of the site.

D. All nonconforming signs shall be removed at such time as the use of any site, building, or structure is changed. A change in business ownership shall not be deemed a change of use, pursuant to this section.

E. Removal/Abatement. Any sign which becomes nonconforming as a result of the provisions of this chapter shall be protected from removal by applicable provisions of state law and may be removed only as allowed by state law. The city shall order signs to be abated by the property owner and/or person or entity responsible for the sign installation and/or maintenance.

F. Maintenance and Repair. Any sign currently in use that was legally installed but does not conform to the requirements of this chapter may continue with routine maintenance and repair, such as repainting, or replacement of the sign face or sign copy. No enlargement or physical change or the construction of additional sign area is permitted. For the purposes of this section "physical change" means any type of change to the structure of a sign.

G. Restoration of Damaged Signs. As determined by the director of community and economic development, whenever fifty percent or less of a nonconforming sign is destroyed by fire or other calamity (not including intentional acts), the sign may be restored to its nonconforming condition and the sign modified as necessary to comply with current code requirements. Any nonconforming sign destroyed by more than fifty percent of its assessed value shall not be restored unless it is brought into compliance with the provisions of this chapter.

H. Abatement Procedures. The provisions of Chapter 8.16 of this code apply to the abatement of any nonconforming sign.

I. Appeal Procedures. The provisions of Chapter 8.16 of this code shall apply to the appeal of an order to abate a nonconforming sign.

(Ord. 1852, 12/4/2023; Ord. CC 2026-01, 4/6/2026)