Beverly Hills Municipal Code Art. 6.5 Parking Facilities

Except as specifically provided in section 10-4-651 of this chapter, the regulations set forth in this article shall govern signage related to parking facilities in nonresidential zones. (Ord. 96-O-2257, eff. 5-10-1996)

In a residential zone which allows parking as a primary use of a property, if a parking lot or structure or other approved parking use is the primary use of the property, then one (1) wall sign or one (1) ground sign on each street frontage of the property shall be permitted. The area of each sign shall not exceed twenty (20) square feet for each sign face. Such sign shall be limited to the name of the parking facility owner or operator, validation information, a City approved "park and shop logo", directional information to a parking entrance on the site, and any other information required by law. In order to determine sign area for the purposes of this section, a multi-faced sign shall be subject to the provisions of section 10-4-610 of this chapter. (Ord. 96-O-2257, eff. 5-10-1996)

One (1) sign that does not exceed twenty (20) square feet in area on each face may be erected adjacent to each garage entrance from a public street or alley for the purpose of identifying the garage entrance. Except as provided in this section, the sign shall be limited to the name of the parking facility owner or operator, validation information, a City approved "park and shop" logo, directional information to a parking entrance on the site, a directory of no more than five (5) ground floor tenants served by the parking, and any other information required by law. The sign may be either a wall sign, ground sign or projecting sign. The highest element of such a sign shall not exceed twenty feet (20') above the level of the adjacent street.

The Architectural Commission may grant a sign accommodation pursuant to article 9 of this chapter to authorize a sign permitted by this section to vary from the City's parking sign guidelines and to authorize additional tenants and tenants above the ground floor to be listed on the sign.

A. Alley Signage: The City Council may authorize the placement of a sign identifying an alley if the Council finds that such sign is necessary to preserve the safe flow of traffic along a street or alley by helping vehicle drivers locate an off street garage entrance or approved off street valet area. Such sign shall resemble a street name sign and if such sign is located in the public right of way, then such sign shall require a location approval from the city, as provided in section 10-4-657 of this article. Prior to any approval of such sign by the city council, the planning commission shall review the application for the sign and shall make a recommendation to the city council regarding the placement of the sign and the name used to identify the alley.

B. Public Right Of Way: In addition to any other sign permitted by this section, one ground sign that identifies a parking entrance, does not exceed twelve (12) square feet in area and meets the city's parking sign guidelines may be erected in the public right of way adjacent to a parking facility provided that the owner of the sign obtains a location approval from the city to maintain the sign in the public right of way, as provided in section 10-4-657 of this article.

The architectural commission may grant a sign accommodation pursuant to article 9 of this chapter to authorize a sign permitted by this subsection to vary from the city's parking sign guidelines. (Ord. 96-O-2257, eff. 5-10-1996)

In addition to any other sign permitted by this article, one ground sign that meets the city's parking guidelines may be erected along each street frontage of a building to direct traffic from a street to a garage entrance or valet parking station that is on an alley or otherwise not readily visible from the street. The face of such sign shall not exceed one and one- half feet (1.5') in width and two feet (2') in height and the sign shall not exceed fifty inches (50") in height. If the sign is placed in the public right of way, then such sign shall require a location approval from the city, as provided in section 10-4-657 of this article. (Ord. 96-O-2257, eff. 5-10-1996)

One sign that meets the city's parking sign guidelines may be placed over each driveway ramp of a parking garage indicating the proper use or direction of such ramp. The lettering of any sign erected pursuant to this section shall not exceed eighteen inches (18") in height.

The architectural commission may grant a sign accommodation pursuant to article 9 of this chapter to authorize additional directional signs in a parking garage and to authorize signs permitted by this section to vary from the city's parking sign guidelines. (Ord. 96-O-2257, eff. 5-10-1996)

One movable ground sign or wall sign that meets the city's parking sign guidelines may be placed within a parking facility and outside of the public right of way for the purpose of identifying parking rates or indicating that a parking lot is full. The face of the sign shall not exceed one and one-half feet (1.5') in width and two feet (2') in height and a ground sign shall not exceed fifty inches (50") in height.

Additionally, two (2) signs which meet the city's parking sign guidelines shall be permitted in each parking facility for the purpose of providing information regarding the parking facility operation to patrons of the parking facility. Such information may include, but is not limited to, warnings concerning potential tire damage, disabled access information, and signs indicating the location of ticket machines or payment booths. Each face of these signs shall not exceed four (4) square feet in area and a ground sign shall not exceed fifty inches (50") in height.

The architectural commission may grant a sign accommodation pursuant to article 9 of this chapter to authorize signs permitted by this section to vary from the city's parking sign guidelines and to exceed four (4) square feet in area. However, in no event shall the commission authorize the face of a sign permitted by this section to exceed ten (10) square feet in area. (Ord. 96-O-2257, eff. 5-10-1996)

In conjunction with each valet parking station approved by the traffic and parking commission, one movable ground sign that identifies the availability of valet parking and meets the city's parking sign guidelines may be located in the public right of way. The face of the sign shall not exceed two feet (2') in width and two and one-half feet (2.5') in height and the sign shall not exceed fifty inches (50") in height. Prior to placement of the sign in the public right of way, the sign owner must obtain a location approval from the city as provided in section 10-4-657 of this article. The sign shall only be visible from the public right of way during hours that the valet parking is in operation.

A. Frontage On Two Streets: In addition to any sign otherwise authorized by this section, if a business has frontage on two (2) streets, then an additional movable ground sign that meets the city's parking sign guidelines may be placed along the second street frontage to direct drivers to valet parking. The second valet parking sign shall be subject to the same restrictions set forth in this subsection and applicable to the first valet parking sign.

B. Parking Meter Signs: In addition to any sign otherwise authorized by this section, an additional sign that identifies the availability of valet parking and meets the city's parking sign guidelines may be placed on a parking meter located in the valet parking zone authorized by the traffic and parking commission. The sign shall not exceed one square foot in area.

C. Sign Accommodation: The architectural commission may grant a sign accommodation pursuant to article 9 of this chapter to authorize signs permitted by this section to vary from the city's parking sign guidelines. (Ord. 96-O-2257, eff. 5-10-1996)

A location approval shall be required for any sign that encroaches into the public right of way. A location approval shall be issued only if the city engineer determines that the sign will not interfere with safe pedestrian and vehicular travel in the right of way. As a condition of granting the location approval, the city may require the owner of the sign and the owner of the property benefited by the sign to enter into a recordable covenant holding the city harmless and indemnifying the city from any damages that may result from the placement of the sign in the public right of way. Additionally, if required by the city, the applicant shall maintain a bond, or equivalent security satisfactory to the city, and insurance for the period during which the approval is effective. The city shall require the hold harmless and indemnification agreement, the security, and the insurance as the city determines is necessary to protect its interests.

A. Security: The security, if required, shall be in an amount established by the city engineer and in a form satisfactory to the city attorney. The security shall be provided for the purpose of securing the removal of the sign and the repair of the public right of way in the event that the applicant fails to comply with the conditions of the location approval or fails to remove the sign and repair the public right of way upon termination of the business or activity identified by the sign.

B. Insurance: The insurance, if required, shall be in an amount satisfactory to the city's risk manager and shall comply with the requirements set forth in title 3, chapter 4 of this code. The insurance shall name the city as an additional insured and shall insure the applicant and the city against injuries to persons or property as a result of the placement of the sign in the public right of way. (Ord. 96-O-2257, eff. 5-10-1996)

Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, signs governed by the city's parking sign guidelines and erected in compliance with those guidelines shall be exempt from the architectural review requirements of this code. (Ord. 96-O-2257, eff. 5-10-1996)

The architectural commission shall adopt parking sign guidelines for the purposes of this article and such guidelines shall remain on file in the department of planning and community development. The director of planning and community development shall consult, as necessary, with the city engineer concerning the application of the guidelines. (Ord. 96-O-2257, eff. 5-10-1996; amd. Ord. 09-O-2576, eff. 1-15-2010)