Coachella Municipal Code Ch. 5.48 Outdoor Advertising Signs

"Back-to-back" means a structure with two parallel and directly opposite signs with their faces oriented in opposite directions located not more than two feet apart and braces completely enclosed. A back-to-back sign shall constitute one outdoor advertising sign.

"Freeway" means a divided arterial highway for through traffic with full control access and with grade separations at intersections.

"Ground sign" means any outdoor sign erected on a freestanding framework supported and affixed by two uprights.

"Official sign" means any sign erected by any governmental agency or at the direction of any governmental agency.

"On-premise sign" means any sign defined in this chapter.

"Outdoor advertising sign" means a sign including the supporting sign structure herein defined to include only two upright supports, which directs the attention of the general public to a business, service or activity not usually conducted or a product not usually offered or sold upon the premises where such sign is located. None of the following shall be deemed an outdoor advertising sign:

1. Directional and other official signs authorized by law;

2. Signs advertising the sale or lease of property upon which they are located; and

3. Signs advertising activities conducted on the property upon which they are located.

"V-type sign" means one sign in the shape of the letter "V" when viewed from above with their faces oriented in different directions located not more than two feet apart at the closest points and enclosed. A V-type sign shall constitute one outdoor advertising sign.

(Ord. 878, 2002: prior code § 3-61)

Outdoor advertising signs which conform with the provisions of this chapter shall be permitted as a matter of right in the C-G, M-H, M-W and M-S zones pursuant to Section 5.48.060.

(Ord. 878, 2002: prior code § 3-62)

A. Conforming Zone. All signs in conforming zones shall meet the construction standard in this chapter, within one year of the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter.

B. Nonconforming Zones. Signs in these zones shall be removed in accordance with the abatement schedule below, designed Exhibit A.

Exhibit A Abatement Schedule

C. Improvement. A nonconforming sign may be enhanced or improved, at the option of the planning commission, beyond its existing condition provided that any enhancements or improvements conform to the standards of the zones which it is located. Such sign is also subject to the following provisions:

1. That a written agreement approved by the city contain a stipulation to remove such sign within the time established by the abatement schedule, but not to extend beyond a five-year period. That agreement is to contain provisions for sign removal at the end of the agreed time or payment to the city for removal of such sign.

2. Such agreement shall be deemed to be in the best interest of the city as it pertains to the provision of an industrial environment, which will be compatible with the inherent characteristics of industry and it shall provide for conditions, which would enhance the aesthetic values of the surrounding area.

(Ord. 878, 2002: prior code § 3-63)

A. Outdoor advertising signs shall not be established at any location within six hundred (600) feet of any property which is used for public parks, public schools, church, courthouse, city hall or public museum.

B. No outdoor advertising sign shall be established closer to the street than the existing property line. No portion of any outdoor advertising sign may be placed on, or extend over the right-of-way line of any street or highway.

C. No outdoor advertising shall be constructed which resembles any official marker erected by the city, state or any governmental agency, or which by reason of position, shape or color would conflict with the proper functioning of any traffic sign or signal.

D. All outdoor advertising sign shall be constructed in accordance with the municipal building and electrical codes.

E. In addition to the provisions of subsection D of this section, no outdoor advertising sign shall be erected except as provided:

1. No more than two uprights shall be permitted.

2. All uprights must be of steel or concrete materials, as small as consistent with proper engineering standards.

H. No outdoor advertising sign or part thereof shall be located on any property without the consent of the owner, holder, lessee, agent or trustee.

I. The general area within twenty (20) feet of any point of any sign must be kept free and clear of sign materials, weeds, debris, trash and other refuse.

J. No mechanical devices shall be allowed on any outdoor advertising sign.

(Ord. 878, 2002: prior code § 3-64)

A. The area of any one sign facing, shall be seven hundred (700) square feet inclusive of any border or trim, but excluding the base or apron, supports and other structural members.

B. The area shall be measured by the smallest square, rectangle, triangle, circle, or combination thereof which will encompass the entire sign facing.

C. The maximum size limitations shall apply to each facing of a sign structure and sign may be placed back-to-back or in a V-type construction with not more than one display to each facing and such sign structures shall be considered one sign.

(Ord. 878, 2002: prior code § 3-65)

A. Outdoor advertising signs shall only be permitted if they are oriented to and viewable from the travel way of an freeway as defined in Section 5.48.010.

B. The distance between outdoor advertising signs on the same side of a freeway shall be five hundred (500) feet. The distance between advertising signs shall be measured from points on the freeway pavement, which are nearest to the center of each outdoor advertising sign. No outdoor advertising sign shall be placed or maintained within one hundred (100) feet of any building or structure.

C. The exact location of each outdoor advertising sign on the property on which such sign is to be placed or maintained shall be approved by the planning director or the city council pursuant to Section 5.48.090.

(Ord. 878, 2002: prior code § 3-66)

Signs shall be illuminated subject to the following restrictions:

A. Signs which are not effectively shielded so as to prevent beams or rays from being directed at any portion of the traveled ways and are of such intensity or brilliance to cause glare or impair the vision of the driver of any motor vehicle or which otherwise interferes with any driver's operation of a motor vehicle are prohibited.

B. No sign shall be so illuminated that it interferes with the effectiveness or obscures an official traffic sign, device or signal.

(Ord. 878, 2002: prior code § 3-67)

No ground sign may exceed forty (40) feet in height above the roadbed of the adjacent freeway unless a variance is secured from the planning commission.

(Ord. 878, 2002: prior code § 3-68)

A. No outdoor advertising sign may be erected without obtaining a permit from the planning director who shall determine whether a proposed outdoor advertising sign shall comply with the provisions of this chapter. For this purpose, the planning director shall require the applicant for such a permit to submit an application which identifies the property on which the sign is to be placed, the identity and address of the owner of the property, the identity and address of the person or company that will erect the sign, a diagram of the proposed sign sufficient to determine compliance with this chapter, a diagram of the location of the proposed sign on the property where it will be erected sufficient to determine compliance with this chapter and a diagram of all outdoor advertising signs within two thousand (2,000) feet of the location of the proposed sign.

B. Any person who is dissatisfied with the determination of the planning director may appeal such determination to the city council upon filing a written appeal thereof and the requisite fee with the city clerk within ten (10) days of the planning director's determination. The appeal shall be heard by the city council at its next regular meeting following the filing of the appeal provided that sufficient time exists for the planning director to prepare a report to the city council on the subject matter of the appeal. The city council decision on the appeal may affirm, overturn or modify the decision of the planning director.

C. All permits for outdoor advertising signs shall be renewed by the owner of the sign or the owner of the property where the sign is erected prior to the anniversary of the original permit.

(Ord. 878, 2002: prior code § 3-69)

Any outdoor advertising sign(s) which is placed or maintained in violation of the provisions of this chapter, which is not removed within thirty (30) days of written notice from the city, shall be subject to a penalty of five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) plus one hundred dollars ($100.00) for each day the advertising sign(s) is placed or maintained after the city sends written notice that such penalty shall be assessed.

Additionally, the city may declare that any nonpermitted sign is a public nuisance and after notice that such is the case, the cost of abatement shall be affixed as a lien charge upon the land whereon the sign is located and such cost shall be added to the tax bill for each such parcel, if not paid pursuant to such notice.

(Ord. 878, 2002: prior code § 3-70)