SEC. 13.11. “SN” SIGN DISTRICT.

(Added by Ord. No. 174,552, Eff. 6/16/02.)

A. Purpose. This section sets forth procedures, guidelines and standards for the establishment of “SN” Sign Districts in areas of the City, the unique characteristics of which can be enhanced by the imposition of special sign regulations designed to enhance the theme or unique qualities of that district, or which eliminate blight through a sign reduction program.

B. Establishment of Districts. The procedures set forth in Sec. 13B.1.4. (Zone Change) of Chapter 1A of this Code shall be followed, however each “SN” Sign District shall include only properties in the C or M Zones, except that R5 Zone properties may be included in a “SN” Sign District provided that the R5 zoned lot is located within an area designated on an adopted community plan as a “Regional Center”, “Regional Commercial”, or “High Intensity Commercial”, or within any redevelopment project area. No “SN” Sign District shall contain less than one block or three acres in area, whichever is the smaller. The total acreage in the district shall include contiguous parcels of land which may only be separated by public streets, ways or alleys, or other physical features, or as set forth in the rules approved by the Director of Planning. Precise boundaries are required at the time of application for or initiation of an individual district. (Amended by Ord. No. 187,712, Eff. 1/23/23, Oper. 1/22/24; Ord. No. 187,930, Eff. 7/7/23.)

C. Development Regulations. The Department of Building and Safety shall not issue a building permit for a sign within a “SN” Sign District unless the sign conforms to the regulations set forth in a specific “SN” Sign District ordinance. The development regulations for each “SN” Sign District shall be determined at the time the district is established, except that definitions shall conform with those found in Section 91.6203 of this Code, if defined in that section. The sign regulations shall enhance the character of the district by addressing the location, number, square footage, height, light illumination, hours of illumination, sign reduction program, duration of signs, design and types of signs permitted, as well as other characteristics, and can include murals, supergraphics, and other on-site and off-site signs. However, the regulations for a “SN” Sign District cannot supersede the regulations of an Historic Preservation Overlay District, a legally-adopted specific plan, supplemental use district or zoning regulation needed to implement the provisions of an approved development agreement.

(Added by Ord. No. 188,081, Eff. 2/5/24.)

A. Purpose. This section sets forth procedures and standards for the establishment of a Transportation Communication Network “TCN” District, the unique characteristics of which can be enhanced by the imposition of special sign regulations designed to facilitate the implementation of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (LACMTA) Transportation Communication Network (TCN) program citywide, which will provide intelligent transportation technology, public and commercial messaging, service alerts, revenue generation, and blight reduction through a City-wide sign reduction program.

B. Establishment of Districts.

1. The City Council, the City Planning Commission, and the Director of Planning shall have the authority to initiate, establish, or adjust the boundaries of a Transportation Communication Network (TCN) District. Applications for the establishment or expansion of a TCN District shall not be permitted.

2. The procedures set forth in Section 12.32 S. of this Code shall be followed for the initiation of the TCN District, provided that a TCN District shall only include parcels that are zoned C (Commercial), M (Industrial), PF (Public Facilities), CW (Central City Specific Plan), CM (Commercial Manufacturing), ADP (Alameda District Specific Plan) or LAX (Los Angeles International Airport Specific Plan), or are located in an equivalent specific plan zone, and that are owned by LACMTA at the time of district initiation. For the purposes of this section, any parcel with a zoning designation of PF (Public Facilities) in a portion of the TCN District shall be considered equivalent to a C (Commercial) zone.

3. A TCN District may encompass an area which is subject to, in whole or in part, a Specific Plan. If the provisions of a TCN District conflict with any City-wide regulations in the Los Angeles Municipal Code, specific plan, or supplemental use districts, other than a Historic Preservation Overlay Zone, then the requirements of the TCN District shall prevail.

4. A TCN District may include contiguous and non-contiguous parcels. Precise parcel and district boundaries are required at the time of initiation to create or expand a TCN District.

C. Development Regulations.

1. The only signs and sign support structures that a TCN District shall be permitted to authorize, above and beyond those signs and sign support structures authorized by the signage regulations in Article 4.4, shall be digital displays and associated sign support structures. These signs may display offsite advertising, and the applicability of Article 4.4 to those signs permitted by a TCN District shall be outlined in the ordinance establishing the TCN District.

shall be permitted to authorize, above and beyond those signs and sign support structures authorized by the signage regulations in Article 4.4, shall be digital displays and associated sign support structures. These signs may display offsite advertising, and the applicability of Article 4.4 to those signs permitted by a TCN District shall be outlined in the ordinance establishing the TCN District.

2. The ordinance establishing a TCN District shall specify the height limitations, maximum sign area, and operational standards, including, but not limited to, hours of operation, digital display refresh rates, and monitoring, allowed for each of the proposed signs. Furthermore, the ordinance shall include requirements for off-site sign reduction that, at minimum, results in a net reduction in off-site signs City-wide.

D. Conformance. The Department of Building and Safety shall not issue a building permit for a sign within a TCN District unless the Director of Planning issues an Administrative Clearance or other approval indicating the sign conforms to the regulations set forth in the specific TCN District Ordinance.