Compton Municipal Code § 19-5 Wall Signs, Roof Signs, Projecting Signs

[Added by Ord. #884, § 8605]

Wall signs, roof signs and projecting signs shall be constructed in accordance with subsection 19-5.1 through subsection 19-5.4.

[Added by Ord. #884, § 8605.1; amended 10-26-2021 by Ord. No. 2339]

Frames for wall signs, roof signs and projecting signs and supporting construction shall be in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 15, Construction Codes, , Building and Housing, with the following exceptions:

a. All portions of such signs less than 60 feet above grade shall be designed for wind pressure of not less than 20 pounds per square foot. All portions of such structure more than 60 feet above grade shall be designed for a wind pressure of not less than 30 pounds per square foot.

b. Structural steel members shall be not less than 1/4 inch thick if ungalvanized, and 3/16 inch thick if all members, including bolts and fastenings, are galvanized. Bolts and rivets used in sign structures supporting signs 100 square feet in area or more shall not be less than 1/2 inch in diameter if galvanized. Bolts and rivets used in sign structures supporting signs less than 100 square feet in area shall not be less than 3/8 inch in diameter if galvanized. Supports shall be designed so that all loads and reactions shall be transmitted to the ground, through the structural framework and walls of supporting buildings and structures. Signs erected on buildings or structures shall be attached securely by means of adequate metal brackets, expansion bolts, through bolts, or lag screws. No material or equipment shall be used which may become dangerous because of vibration, corrosion, disintegration or for any other reason whatsoever. Wire, other than stranded cable, shall not be considered as adequate fastenings, except for cloth and banner signs. If supports of an existing structure are found to be inadequate, such inadequacies shall be corrected upon the order of the Building Official.

[Added by Ord. #884, § 8605.2]

Projecting signs attached to a building shall be of incombustible material or of not less than one hour fire resistance construction. The thickness of any such sign shall not exceed the following:

For a maximum projection of five feet, a thickness of two feet.

For a maximum projection of four feet, a thickness of 2.6 feet.

For a maximum projection of three feet, a thickness of three feet.

[Added by Ord. #884, § 8605.3]

Wall signs extending a height of 15 feet above grade shall have a surface of incombustible material but may have ornamental moldings and lattice work of combustible material. Such signs may project not more than six feet above the roof or parapet immediately adjacent thereto and may project over the same only if a six-foot wide unobstructed passageway to the roof is maintained at each end of the sign; provided, however, no wall sign shall project above a roof or parapet wall when within three feet of a standpipe, fire escape, or fire escape ladder.

[Added by Ord. #884, § 8605.4; amended 10-26-2021 by Ord. No. 2339]

Roof signs shall be of incombustible material except that wood moldings and two-inch thick plank walkways may be used. Blocks, angles or supports fastened to the roof shall be located so as not to interfere with the drainage of the roof, and when necessary, flashing or counter flashing shall be used.

Passages clear of all obstructions shall be left under or around all such signs exceeding a height of four feet, immediately thereunder or adjacent thereto.

No roof sign on a type II, III, IV, or V building or structure, as the same are defined in Chapter 15, Construction Codes, , Building and Housing, shall exceed a height of 30 feet above the top of the parapet nearest the sign, or above the highest point of the roof directly thereunder in case there is no parapet. On a Type I building, as the same is defined in Chapter 15, Construction Codes, , no roof sign shall extend more than 30 feet above the top of the parapet nearest the sign, or above the highest point of the roof directly under the sign, unless the height of the building is more than 30 feet, in which case the height of the sign may be 50 feet; provided, however, that letters, figures, characters, or representations in cut-out, or irregular form may be maintained in conjunction with, attached to, or imposed upon any solid roof sign, but shall not exceed more than 15 feet above the height limit of the sign; provided, further, that the total surface area of the solid portion of such letters, figures, characters, or representations in cut-out, or irregular form extending above the top molding of the solid roof sign shall not exceed 30% of the total area of the surface sign space of such sign, and the total surface area of the solid portion of any one individual letter, figure, character, or representation in cut-out, or irregular form extending above the top molding of such sign shall not exceed 10% of the total area of the surface of such sign.

Notwithstanding any of the foregoing in this subsection, roof signs on one story buildings may be constructed of wood not less than 3/4 inch thick, or plywood not less than 1/2 inch thick, provided:

a. No portion of the sign extends more than four feet above the roof directly thereunder; and

b. If any portion of the sign is within four feet of the street side of the building a six-foot unobstructed passage must be maintained at each end of the sign and at least every 50 feet in the length of the sign.