Beverly Hills Municipal Code Art. 9 Accommodations to Sign Regulations

A. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, upon application by a property owner pursuant to this article, sign accommodations to the following sign regulations may be granted as provided within this chapter:

• 1. Section 10-4-209 regarding nonconforming signs;
• 2. Section 10-4-306 regarding signs on marquees and awnings;
• 3. Section 10-4-310 regarding context of signs;
• 4. Section 10-4-313 regarding the color of signs;
• 5. Section 10-4-319 regarding murals and similar environmental graphics;
• 6. Section 10-4-512 regarding nonconforming and conditional uses;
• 7. Section 10-4-604 regarding business identification signs;
• 8. Section 10-4-605 regarding building identification signs;
• 9. Section 10-4-608 regarding courtyard signs;
• 10. Section 10-4-610 regarding ground signs;
• 11. Section 10-4-652 regarding parking entrance identification signs;
• 12. Section 10-4-653 regarding ground directional signs;
• 13. Section 10-4-654 regarding building directional signs;
• 14. Section 10-4-655 regarding informational parking signs; and

15. Section 10-4-656 regarding valet parking signs. (Ord. 93-O-2181, eff. 11-19-1993; amd. Ord. 96-O-2257, eff. 5-10-1996)

Applications for a sign accommodation shall be made on a form approved by the director of planning and community development and shall be accompanied by a proposed unified sign plan, as described below:

A. Building Identification Signs: An application for an accommodation that relates to a sign which identifies a building shall be accompanied by a proposed unified sign plan that shows all signs that will identify the building or that concern the operations of the buildings.

B. Business Identification Signs: An application for an accommodation that relates to a sign which identifies a business shall be accompanied by a proposed unified sign plan that shows all signs that will identify the business or that concern the operations of that business.

C. Multiple Business Identification Signs: An application for an accommodation that relates to a business identification sign that identifies multiple businesses within a building or courtyard shall be accompanied by a proposed unified sign plan that shows all signs that identify, or concern the operations of, each business represented on the sign and all signs that identify the building or the courtyard. (Ord. 93-O-2181, eff. 11-19-1993)

The approval authority for a sign accommodation shall be the architectural commission. (Ord. 93-O-2181, eff. 11-19-1993)

Noticing shall be completed in accordance with chapter 3, article 2.5 of this title and the city's public notice guidelines. (Ord. 14-O-2661, eff. 6-20-2014)

The architectural commission shall approve a sign accommodation application if the commission finds that the unified sign plan submitted with such application utilizes colors, materials and other design features which are architecturally compatible with the subject building and the commission finds that:

A. The unified sign plan is in conformity with good taste and good design and, in general, contributes to the image of Beverly Hills as a place of beauty, spaciousness, balance, taste, fitness, broad vistas, and high quality;

B. The unified sign plan indicates the manner in which the signs will be reasonably protected against external and internal noise, vibrations and other factors which may tend to make the environment less desirable;

C. The proposed signs are not, in their design and appearance, of inferior quality such as to cause the nature of the local environment to materially depreciate in appearance and value; and

D. The proposed signs are in harmony with proposed development in the area of the subject property, with the general plan for Beverly Hills, and with any specific plans governing the subject site.

The architectural commission may impose such conditions on an accommodation approval as it deems necessary to make the findings required by this section or as it deems appropriate to protect the public health, safety and general welfare. (Ord. 93-O-2181, eff. 11-19-1993)

The applicant or any person aggrieved by any decision regarding a sign accommodation may appeal such decision to the city council as provided in title 1, chapter 4, article 1 of this code. (Ord. 93-O-2181, eff. 11-19-1993)