Bellflower Municipal Code Ch. 12.20 Temporary Signs

Note: Prior ordinance history: Ords. 696, 752, 753, 820 and 1047.

The City Council of the City of Bellflower does hereby find, determine and declare that:

A. The ordinance codified in this chapter is enacted to encourage the most appropriate use of public land and structures; to conserve and stabilize the value of property; to lessen congestion on streets; to protect, enhance and improve the esthetics values of the City of Bellflower and to promote health, safety and the general welfare of its citizens;

B. The posting, display or affixing of signs on buildings, structures and vegetation located on public property, including power poles, traffic signs, and lamp posts, or trees, shrubbery and other vegetation, constitutes clutter, and a visual and esthetic blight. Such blight reduces the quality of the environment, including property values, of the community;

C. The posting, display or affixing of signs on buildings, structures and vegetation or growth located on, over or across public property, including power poles, traffic signs, lamp posts, trees, shrubbery and other vegetation presents a potential traffic safety hazard to users of public streets, rights-of-way, and sidewalks; and

D. City-owned bulletin boards, marquees, display cases, stanchions and banner poles present a limited number of spaces in which to make official announcements of City-sponsored events or activities; to permit the use of such bulletin boards, marquees, display cases, stanchions and banner poles for purposes other than such official announcements would greatly reduce the opportunities for the City government to communicate with its citizenry regarding governmental functions or activities.

(Prior code § 8-5.1)

Except as set forth in this section, it is unlawful for any person to post, display or affix, or cause to be posted, displayed or affixed, any sign, regardless of the content of that sign, on any public property or on any building, structure, or vegetation or growth located on, over or across public property.

A. Exception—Permitted Encroachments. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to apply to any temporary sign posted on public property where such sign posting is required by the City as a condition of an encroachment permit.

B. Exception—Public Utilities and City Franchise Holders. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to apply to any temporary sign posted on public property by a public utility or City franchise holder performing work on public property or in the public right-of-way associated with work allowed by the Public Utilities Code or a City-approved franchise agreement.

C. Exemption—City. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to apply to the City.

D. Exemption—Other Public Agencies. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to apply to temporary signs posted by any other public agency when acting in the course and scope of its official governmental business, provided it has first obtained permission from the agency owning the property. The City Manager or designee will authorize any postings by other public agencies on City property.

(Prior code § 8-5.2)

Unless the written consent of the property owner of vacant or abandoned property has first been filed with the Director of Community Development, any temporary sign on such vacant or abandoned property, except for a temporary sign promoting the rental or sale of the property on which it is posted, is deemed to be trespassing upon such property and is further deemed a public nuisance.

(Prior code § 8-5.3)

No sign shall be placed within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, street sign, traffic signal or intersection where such placement might constitute a safety hazard to motorists.

(Prior code § 8-5.5)

Any signs posted or otherwise affixed in violation of this chapter will be immediately removed by the City Manager or his/her designee and stored.

(Prior code § 8-5.6)

Insofar as the circumstances permit, prompt verbal and/or written notification of all such removals will be made to the owner of the sign, including the location of the sign and the procedure for retrieving it.

(Prior code § 8-5.7)

Any temporary signs removed by the City may be considered abandoned if it is not retrieved within 15 calendar days after the date of such removal, and may be disposed of by the City without liability therefor to any person.

(Prior code § 8-5.8)