Inglewood Municipal Code Art. 23 Sign Regulations

This Article provides minimum standards to safeguard life, health, property, and the public welfare by regulating and controlling the design, quality of materials, construction, size, height, illumination, location, and maintenance of all signs, sign structures, and other exterior advertising devices.

(Ord. 2459 12-13-83)

Certain words and phrases as used in this Article are defined as follows:

"Advertising device"

shall mean any sign, object, or merchandise so displayed outside as to attract attention to the property or to the merchandise available. For purposes of this Article, an advertising device shall not mean any merchandise placed within a storefront display window.

"Architectural element"

shall mean such major functional or decorative elements of a building as windows, doors, columns, pilasters, arches, eaves, cornices, gables, pediments and the like.

"Banner"

shall mean a sign made of any lightweight, non-rigid material such as plastic, fabric or other flexible material with no enclosing framework.

"Bi-faced sign"

shall mean a sign having two flat parallel surfaces displaying the sign message or graphics in two opposing directions.

"Billboard"

shall mean an off-site sign that displays regularly changed advertising graphics and is operated and maintained by an outdoor advertising company for income purposes.

"Commercial sign"

shall mean a sign which is designed for the purpose of advertising goods, wares, merchandise or real property.

"Construction sign"

shall mean a sign stating the names of those individuals or business directly connected with the construction project, together with their addresses and/or telephone numbers.

"Digital sign" or "tri-vision sign"

shall mean a form of billboard sign on which artificial light is not maintained stationary and constant in intensity or color at all times when such sign is in use, including, but not limited to, moving, rotating, flashing, oscillating, shuttered or similar signs.

"Directional sign"

shall mean an on-premises sign designed to be read by a person already on or accessing the premises and used only to identify the location of a business entrance, exit, telephone, parking lot, drive aisle, service area or route. Directional signs may contain the name or logo of the business, but cannot advertise merchandise or services. Directional signs shall not exceed six square feet in total area. The maximum height of a directional sign cannot exceed three feet above grade if freestanding.

"Free-standing sign"

shall mean a sign not attached to or located upon a building.

"Height of sign"

shall mean the distance between the grade of the property at the base of the sign and the highest point of the sign or sign support, whichever is the higher.

"Illuminated sign"

shall mean a sign which has a source of artificial light on its surface or in the interior of the sign itself.

"Lot"

shall mean a parcel of land of contiguous lots under the same ownership or which are occupied by the same commercial activity. For purposes of this Article, a shopping center or a commercial condominium complex shall be considered to be a lot.

"Lot frontage"

shall mean the lineal dimension of the common boundary of a lot and the public street or streets along which the lot is located. A public alley, freeway, or utility right-of-way shall not be considered to be a lot frontage.

"Monument sign"

shall mean a free-standing sign typically located upon the ground or raised off the ground by a very small distance.

"Mural wall sign"

shall mean any on-site graphic or painted design, colored bands, stripes, patterns, outlines or other graphic art techniques installed or painted on a building or finished wall. Mural signs cannot have exposed illumination such as neon and fiber optics. A super graphic wall sign, tri-vision sign or digital billboard sign that advertises off-site commercial or noncommercial uses shall not be considered a mural sign.

"Nonconforming sign"

shall mean a sign lawfully erected, constructed or painted on a premises which does not conform to the provisions and regulations of this Article.

"Off-site sign"

shall mean a sign or other advertising device whose message does not relate directly with an active use of the premises upon which it is displayed.

"On-site sign"

shall mean a sign or other advertising device whose message relates directly with an active use of the premises upon which it is displayed.

"Pole sign"

shall mean a free-standing sign elevated above the ground by means of one or more poles or other supporting structure.

"Projecting sign"

shall mean a sign which projects more than twelve inches horizontally from a wall or building to which it is attached.

"Real estate sign"

shall mean an on-site sign which pertains only to the sale, lease or rental of the property upon which it is located.

"Roof sign"

shall mean a sign located upon a roof, or a sign attached to a building and projecting above the roofline of the building, or a sign whose supporting structure is attached to a roof of a building.

"Sign"

shall mean:

(a)

Any display or delineation of letters, words, characters or other figures upon a building, structure or other object, for the purpose of attracting attention to the building or property or to merchandise or services offered. A sign shall include all parts, portions. units and materials composing the same, together with the frame, background, lighting, support and anchorage of same. For purposes of this Article, a sign shall not mean any sign inside a building not designed to be seen from the outside.

(b)

Any notice, placard, bill, card, poster, banner, sticker, temporary sign or other device or arrangement attached to or printed on any surface which attracts or is intended to attract attention to an object, product, place, event, idea, concept, activity, institution, assembly, announcement, person, group, or includes a letter, word, bill, poster, picture, display board, lithograph, painting, sketch, map, balloon, inflatable, valance, sandwich board, model, figure, symbol, banner, flag, fluttering object, pennant, insignia, device or representation used as, or which is in the nature of, an announcement, direction, advertisement, declaration or illustration.

"Sign structure"

shall mean all parts of a sign including its supporting elements.

"Sign, super graphic wall"

shall mean a wall sign intended for temporary display constructed of fabric, plastic, paper, or other light pliable material not enclosed in a rigid frame that is posted or painted upon, suspended from or otherwise affixed to an exterior wall, fascia, canopy, or marquee with the face of the sign approximately parallel with the wall or fascia to which it is attached.

"String pennants"

shall mean multiple small flags or pennants repetitively attached to a string or cord.

"Temporary sign"

shall mean a sign which is used or intended and designed to be used for a limited period of time. Such definition includes:

(a)

Any sign which is not securely affixed to a building or permanent structure, or imbedded in concrete;

(b)

Any portable sign capable of being transported and which, when erected, is not affixed to the ground or any buildings or permanent structure;

(c)

Flags, pennants, balloons, banners, streamers, or cloth signs and other like materials tied, mounted or attached to any building, fixture or structure; and

(d)

Super graphic signs, oversized banner signs and the like.

"Wall sign"

shall mean a sign attached to and parallel with the wall of a building that does not project above the eave or roofline of the building. Exception: A wall sign may be placed upon the vertical face of a roof dormer structure or a roof penthouse enclosure.

"Window sign"

shall mean a sign which is permanently affixed to the inside surface of a window.

(Ord. 2459 12-13-83; Ord. 02-13 3-19-02; Ord. 10-06 3-30-10; Ord. 14-04 3-25-14)

It is unlawful for any persons to install, maintain or cause, allow or permit the installation or maintenance of any sign or other advertising device upon any property or upon any structure except in accordance with the following respective regulations and limitations and other applicable provisions of this Code.

(Ord. 2459 12-13-83)

It shall be the duty of the Planning Division of the Planning and Building Department to enforce the provisions of this Article, except as specified for those signs requiring a permit which shall be enforced by the Building Division of said Department.

(Ord. 2459 12-13-83; Ord. 08-05 4-22-08)

It is unlawful for any person to erect, install, place, replace, move, or enlarge any sign on any premises or upon the exterior of any structure without having obtained sign approval and permits issued by the Planning Division and the Building and Safety Division unless otherwise specified in this Article. A separate permit shall be required for each sign or set of signs to be installed or altered. The provisions of Chapters 11 and 12 of this Code governing the procedure in making application for permits and the payment of fees therefor shall be applicable.

(Ord. 2459 12-13-83; Ord. 95-26 11-7-95)

It is unlawful for any person to place, post, print, stick, stamp, tack, or otherwise affix, or cause the same to be done, any notice, placard, bill, card, poster, sticker, banner, sign, advertising, or other device calculated to attract the attention of the public, to, at, from or upon any post, fence, wall, building, structure, tree, or area located upon any private premises or property without the written consent of any of the following: the owner, agent, or occupant; and without complying with the provisions of this Article where they are applicable.

(Ord. 2459 12-13-83)

The following signs and/or sign structures are permitted and are exempt from the permit requirement of Section 12-72; provided, however, that such signs shall comply in all respects to all other applicable requirements of this Article:

(A) Public Notices and Signs. Public notices posted pursuant to law, signs erected by governmental agencies and public utilities, and warning or information signs required by law for public health and safety.

(B) Parking and No Trespassing Signs. Signs such as "no trespassing," parking, or on-site directional information signs that do not exceed six square feet in area and which do not advertise merchandise or services.

(C) Real Estate Signs. Real estate signs which are specifically permitted in Section 12-79.

(D) Political Signs. Political signs shall be removed within ten days following the election for which they were intended. Such signs exceeding thirty-two square feet in area shall be subject to structural approval by the Building Division.

(E) Portable Signs. One bi-faced, free-standing sign not exceeding four feet in height per each street frontage for a commercial property if such signs may be readily removed from public view at the end of each business day and if such signs are not placed upon any public right-of-way or in any on-site parking space or in any landscaped planter area.

(F) Temporary Decorations. Temporary graphics and decorations for a holiday season which do not advertise merchandise or services, provided that such graphics and decorations are installed not more than thirty days before the date of the holiday and removed not later than two weeks after the holiday or a holiday season.

(G) Temporary Construction Signs. Construction signs, provided that such signs are removed not later than one week after the completion of the construction project.

(H) Changeable Copy Signs. The changing of advertising copy or message on theater boards, marquees and bulletin boards, when the basic board or marquee is permitted under the provisions of this Article.

(I) Flags. National, state or other governmental flags, or flags depicting logos of, and displayed by, public institutions or nonprofit service organizations. Additionally, flags may be displayed in the same circumstances that string pennants may be displayed. All flags shall be maintained in a nondeteriorated condition. Notwithstanding this Section, flag poles are not exempted from requiring a Building Permit.

(J) String Pennants. String pennants may be displayed only over automobile sales lots, plant nurseries, and other businesses that are permitted to maintain merchandise outdoors, and only when the string pennants are displayed in an orderly and well-maintained condition.

(K) Temporary advertising items may be placed on the sidewalk in front of a business subject to compliance with Section 12-77.11 of this Chapter.

(Ord. 2459 12-13-83; Ord. 2537 6-10-86; Ord. 2544 8-12-86; Ord. 02-13 3-19-02; Ord. 10-06 3-30-10; Ord. 10-09 5-25-10)

The following signs and/or sign-structures are prohibited:

(A) Signs Not Specified. Any sign, sign structure, or advertising device not specifically permitted in this Article.

(B) Traffic Safety. Any sign or device which by design or location resembles or conflicts with any traffic control sign or device.

(C) Safety Hazard. Any sign or device that creates a potential safety hazard by obstructing views of pedestrian and vehicular traffic at street intersections or driveways or by creating glare or other hazardous distraction.

(D) Safety Clearance. Any sign that is erected within six feet horizontally or twelve feet vertically of any overhead electric conductors exceeding seven hundred fifty volts.

(E) Roof Sign. Any sign erected upon a roof, or attached to a building and projecting above the roof line or eave line of said building, unless a Special Use Permit pursuant to Article 25 of this Chapter has been approved and only when it can be determined that circumstances prevent the utilization of any otherwise permitted signage.

(F) Incompatible Signs. Any sign or sign structure that interrupts or covers a major architectural element upon a building or that disrespects such architectural considerations as symmetry, design, materials, or color.

(G) Nondurable Material. Any sign constructed of a nondurable material including, but not limited to, cloth or other fabric (except when used as a political or other temporary sign), cardboard, paper, and unfinished wood.

(H) Wind-activated Sign. Any wind-activated sign, including, but not limited to, flags, pinwheels or string pennants (except as specifically permitted in this Chapter).

(I) Painted Wall Signs, unless a sign adjustment pursuant to Article 26.1 of this Chapter has been approved, and can/cabinet wall signs. Neon wall signs are excepted.

(Ord. 2459 12-13-83; Ord. 2544 8-12-86; Ord. 95-26 11-7-95; Ord. 96-35 1-7-97)

The following regulations and standards shall apply to all zones and areas in the City unless otherwise specified:

(A) Sign Area Calculations. The surface area of a wall sign shall comprise the smallest area that can be enclosed by no more than eight connected straight lines, drawn so as to include all lettering, words, figures, lights, special painted surfaces, borders, or fringes within said lines. The surface area of a free-standing, projecting or roof sign shall be calculated by including all the surface of all sign faces of a sign. The area of signs listed in Section 12-74 as not requiring a permit shall not be included in the calculation of the total sign area of a lot or parcel of land.

(B) Multiple Tenants. It shall be the responsibility of the property owner or his authorized agent to allocate sign area to each tenant when more than one business is located within the same building or upon the same lot or parcel of land or in the same shopping center. The total sign area of all individual tenant signs and any other signs on the property, when summed together, shall not exceed the maximum sign area or types of signs permitted by the specific sign standards for a single property for the respective zone in which said property is located.

(C) Projecting Signs. Clearance. A minimum eight feet vertical clearance is required from the bottom of a projecting sign, marquee or awning to the sidewalk or grade immediately below the sign, etc. For projecting or pole signs only, one inch of horizontal projection is permitted for each additional inch of vertical clearance over eight feet, provided that no such horizontal projection into the public right-of-way shall exceed two and one-half feet.

Exception: Awnings designed primarily to provide protection or shade to pedestrians may project further over a public sidewalk, subject to City approval. Signs may be located only upon the vertical face of an awning or canopy and no sign shall be attached above or below an awning or canopy.

(D) Moving or Animated Signs. Signs that rotate, flash, or otherwise change appearance are only permitted as follows:

(1) A revolving pole sign if the revolution is symmetrical around the vertical axis and if the diameter of the revolution does not exceed eight feet.

(2) Any electronic sign that changes its message utilizing a grid of lights to display time, temperature, or other public service messages.

(3) Any sign or graphic which displays its message through a sequence of at least three distinct and different changes in color or light intensity of sign letters or characters to create the image of motion or animation.

(4) Any billboard sign that is subject to Planning Commission review and approval of a Special Use Permit.

(E) Sign Design. The colors, design and materials of a sign and of its supporting structure shall complement the colors, design and materials of the subject building. The location of signs shall respect and compliment any architectural design or symmetry. Structural bracing for signs or for their supporting structures shall not be visible. When site conditions permit, pole signs shall be symmetrical.

(F) Sign Location. Upon buildings having three or more stories, signs may be located only below the second-story windows or above the uppermost story windows. (Exception: Billboard signs that are subject to Planning Commission review and approval of a Special Use Permit.) (G) Sign Illumination. If illuminated, pole signs and projecting signs shall be internally lighted only. Monument signs, wall signs and billboards may be externally illuminated but such spotlight devices shall be minimally noticeable and shall not shine directly upon any public right-of-way or upon neighboring property.

(H) Wall Signs. All permitted wall signs shall be made of individually-cut, molded, or embossed lettering or recessed into the façade. Neon wall signs are excepted. A business logo or symbol is allowed as long as it does not have a sign area in excess of four square feet and does not project more than nine inches from the building face. Painted wall signs are only allowed if a sign adjustment has been approved pursuant to Article 26.1 of this Chapter.

(I) Marquee Signs. The height of letters located on a marquee shall be affixed flat to the surface and shall not have a vertical height of more than two feet and shall not extend vertically or horizontally beyond the marquee. Marquee signs are permitted for theaters, ticket outlets, sports and live entertainment uses and the signs may be utilized only for publicizing upcoming live events and live entertainment events. A marquee sign shall have a minimum vertical clearance of eight feet above grade.

(J) Mural Wall Signs. A mural may cover a building or fascia wall a maximum of seventy-five percent. A mural may cover a maximum of one exterior building wall, or one side of a freestanding wall. Mural signs cannot have exposed illumination such as neon and fiber optics. Murals are subject to design review approval by the Planning Commission.

(Ord. 2459 12-13-83; Ord. 95-26 11-7-95; Ord. 96-35 1-7-97; Ord. 02-13 3-19-02; Ord. 10-06 3-30-10; Ord. 15-18 8-18-15)

(Ord. 2459 12-13-83; Ord. 14-01 2-11-14)

The following real estate signs are permitted in addition to any other sign permitted in this Article.

(A) Residential Zones. One unlighted sign, not to exceed six square feet per site and not more than five feet in height is permitted per lot or parcel. Flags (pennants) are permitted only when staked in the front yard area and only during the hours the property is available for interior inspection (open house). Any sign, flag, or other advertising device is prohibited in the public right-of-way and off-site directional signs are prohibited.

Exception: A condominium complex may additionally install one banner upon the wall of the building during the first sixty days only when the condominium units are initially available for sale.

(B) Commercial and Industrial Zones. One sign not exceeding thirty-two square feet per side and not more than six feet in height, unless mounted flush upon the wall of the building, is permitted per lot or parcel. In no event shall roof signs be permitted for such use. Off-site directional signs are prohibited.

(Ord. 2459 12-13-83)

Notwithstanding other provisions of this Article, the City of Inglewood may permit the installation and maintenance of large informational signs in strategic locations abutting freeway rights-of-way that offer visibility to large numbers of passing motorists to facilitate the dissemination of venue and event information to arriving motorists and potential patrons of the large-attendance sports or entertainment venues in the City.

(A) Special venue freeway signs shall be restricted to displaying:

(1) The name(s) of one or more sports or entertainment venues or facilities that can accommodate ten thousand or more patrons in permanent seats; and

(2) Information about particular events that are or will be occurring at each venue, including, but not limited to, dates, times, participating teams, performers, event sponsors, ticket prices, ticket availability and venue location; and

(3) Information about the City of Inglewood and community events of general public interest; and

(4) Other businesses, products and services available within the former Inglewood redevelopment project areas, as permitted by State of California (CalTrans) regulations.

(B) Special venue freeway signs shall also be limited to the following:

(1) Each special venue freeway sign shall be subject to Special Use Permit approval.

(2) Each special venue freeway sign shall be located within a former adopted redevelopment project area.

(3) No special venue freeway sign shall be located within a one mile radius of any other special venue freeway sign within the City of Inglewood.

(4) No special venue freeway sign shall be located within a certain distance of any residential (R or P) zone, such distance being equal to twice the total sign structure height.

(5) The height of a special venue freeway sign shall be determined as a condition of the Special Use Permit, but at no time shall the height exceed one hundred twenty feet above grade at its base.

(6) Subject to Special Use Permit approval and State of California (CalTrans) regulations, a special venue freeway sign may display animated graphics and/or changeable copy graphics.

(Ord. 97-02 1-28-97; Ord. 14-01 2-11-14)

(a) Except for signs approved as part of a Master Sign Plan in connection with a Sign Overlay Zone as set forth in Article 17.3 of Chapter 12 of this Code or a temporary banner program under subsection (c) below, no person shall paint, mark or write on, or post or otherwise affix, any handbill or sign to or upon any sidewalk, crosswalk, curb, curbstone, street lamp post, hydrant, tree, shrub, tree stake or guard, railroad signs, posts or poles, electric light or power or telephone or telegraph pole, or wire appurtenance or support thereof, or upon any fixture of a fire or police communications system, or upon any lighting or electrical power system, public bridge, drinking fountain, street sign or traffic sign, bus or parkway bench, bus shelters, sidewalk kiosks, fixture or object located upon or in a public street, sidewalk, walkway, boulevard or parkway maintained by the City, or any property of a public utility maintaining such property or improvements under easements granted by the City except as permitted by Section 12-77.11 of this Chapter.

(b) Any handbill or sign found posted or otherwise affixed upon any public property contrary to the provisions of this Section may be removed by the Police Department, the Departments of Parks, Public Works, Code Enforcement, or other concerned observer. The person responsible for such illegal posting shall be liable for the costs incurred in the removal thereof and the Finance Department is authorized to effect the collection of said costs.

(c) Notwithstanding any language in this Code to the contrary, the Public Works Department may establish a temporary banner program utilizing light poles located in the public right-of-way subject to the criteria set forth in Chapter 10, Article 5 of this Code.

(Ord. 2459 12-13-83; Ord. 2498 5-14-85; Ord. 96-21 9-24-96; Ord. 97-02 1-28-97; Ord. 10-09 5-25-10; Ord. 12-08 5-15-12; Ord. 21-11 8-3-21)

(A) Abandoned Signs. It shall be unlawful for any person to maintain or permit any nonconforming sign to remain in place for more than sixty days after the business to which the sign pertains has discontinued use of the site where the sign is located. It shall also be unlawful for any person to maintain or permit any conforming sign that advertises or denotes a previous tenant or use of a building to remain in place more than sixty days after a new tenant or use occupies the subject building or property.

(B) Alteration of Nonconforming Signs. Nonconforming signs shall not be enlarged by any means or altered, except to make the sign conforming to the standards of this Article. Repairs as necessary to maintain the sign in a good and safe condition are permitted; however, in the event a nonconforming sign is damaged, it may be restored to its original condition only if the damage is estimated by the Superintendent of Building and Safety to be less than fifty percent of its before-damage condition.

(C) Enforcement of Nonconforming Signs. No new signs shall be permitted upon any property or building until any existing nonconforming on-site sign is removed or altered to be made conforming to the standards of this Article. Additionally, nonconforming signs may be required to be removed or altered to be made conforming in consideration for the approval of any Special Use Permit, adjustment, variance, exception, and the like. Otherwise, any nonconforming sign may continue to be maintained only for periods designated within the amortization schedule specified in Section 12-87.

(D) Nonconforming Billboard Signs. No new, relocated or enlarged billboard, pole(s), post(s) or similar supporting apparatus shall be permitted upon any property or building that is located on any street that is not designated as a major arterial street in the City of Inglewood Circulation Element and such property or building must be suitably zoned to allow a billboard sign.

(E) Except as required under Section 12-87, any billboard sign, frame, pole(s), post(s) or similar supporting apparatus that exists on a "C" or "M" zoned property on the effective date of the ordinance codified in this Chapter shall be removed no later than forty years after the date that a business license was first issued for the billboard sign. In the event that a business license was not issued, the sign shall be removed no later than forty years from the date that a building permit was first issued for the billboard sign. Billboard signs that were installed prior to 1983 shall be removed no later than December 31, 2023. This Section shall not apply to super graphic wall signs, or billboard signs for which a new permit is issued after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this Chapter. Billboard signs that are installed after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this Chapter may be used for no more than twenty years but in all instances must be dismantled and removed from a property no later than December 31, 2050.

(Ord. 2459 12-13-83; Ord. 10-06 3-30-10)

All nonconforming signs and sign structures shall be modified pursuant to this Article or removed within the following time periods:

(Ord. 2459 12-13-83; Ord. 10-06 3-30-10)

The appraised replacement value of signs made subject to removal by this Article shall be determined by the Superintendent of Building and Safety who shall compute said value on the basis of the prevailing costs for said replacement.

(Ord. 2459 12-13-83)