Inglewood Municipal Code § 12-77 Specific Sign Regulations

The regulations and standards set out in Sections 12-77.1 through 12-77.9 shall apply to the respective zones in the City unless otherwise specified.

(Ord. 2459 12-13-83)

No sign or other advertising device shall be permitted upon any property in the R-1, R-1½ and R-2 Zones except:

(A) Real estate signs, political signs, temporary construction signs, decorations and the like, in conformance with the provisions of this Article.

(B) Signs for permitted businesses in existing commercial structures in said zones and only when in compliance with the sign standards for the R-M Zone.

(Ord. 2459 12-13-83)

No sign or other advertising device shall be permitted upon any property in the R-3, R-4, P, and P-1 Zones, except:

(A) Nameplates not exceeding two square feet in area, containing the name and occupation of the occupant of the premises, and located upon the structure.

(B) Building name identification signs not exceeding twenty square feet in area for multiple-unit dwellings and similar permitted uses.

(C) Real estate signs, political signs, temporary construction signs, decorations and the like, in conformance with the provisions of this Article.

(D) Signs for permitted businesses in existing commercial structures in said zones and only when in compliance with the sign standards for the R-M Zone.

(E) Signs on parking lots in parking zones designating the business for which the parking is provided, in conformance with the provisions of Section 12-70.

(Ord. 2459 12-13-83)

The following regulations shall apply to the C-1 (Limited Commercial), CC (Civic Center), H-C (Historic Core), MU-1 (Mixed-Use 1) and R-M (Residential-Medical) Zones:

(A) The surface area of all signs on a lot or parcel shall not exceed three square feet of sign area for each lineal foot of lot frontage.

(B) All signs permitted shall be attached to and shall be parallel with the wall of the building and shall not project more than twelve inches from the wall of the building, except:

(1) Theater marquees and awnings over public sidewalks when in conformance with the provisions of this Article.

(2) One monument sign not exceeding six feet in height per lot or parcel.

(C) Pole signs, projecting signs and roof signs are not permitted, except for pedestrian-oriented projecting signs over the sidewalk with a maximum size of fifteen square feet and Public Works Department approval.

(D) Properties developed exclusively with residential structures shall comply with the sign regulations for the R-3 Zone.

(E) Menu or product boards for drive-through restaurants, pharmacies, banks, and the like, cannot be more than six feet in height above grade, if freestanding. The menu board must be located adjacent to the drive through aisle and cannot be located within twenty feet of the street. No more than two menu boards shall be allowed per establishment.

(F) Murals are subject to design review approval.

(Ord. 02-13 3-19-02; Ord. 2459 12-13-83; Ord. 23-07 1-31-23; Ord. 25-04, 1/28/2025)

The following regulations shall apply to the MU-1A (Mixed-Use 1 Overlay), MU-2 (Mixed-Use 2), MU-2A (Mixed-Use 2A), MU-3 (Mixed-Use 3), MU-4 (Mixed-Use 4), MU-A (Mixed-Use Arts Cluster), MU-C (Mixed-Use Corridor), C-N (Commercial Neighborhood), C-2 (General Commercial) and C-3 (Heavy Commercial) Zones:

(A) The surface area of all signs on a lot or parcel shall not exceed three square feet of sign area for each lineal foot of lot frontage.

(B) No sign or advertising structure shall exceed twenty-five feet in height above the grade unless attached to the building as a wall sign.

(C) In addition to wall signs, there shall not be more than one pole sign or, in lieu thereof, one projecting sign or monument sign per each lot or parcel, except that in cases of corner properties having at least two hundred feet of lot frontage per each street, there may be one monument sign for each frontage. Monument signs shall not exceed a height of six feet above grade.

(D) Properties developed exclusively with residential structures shall comply with the sign regulations for the R-3 Zone.

(E) Menu or product boards for drive-through restaurants, pharmacies, banks and the like, cannot be more than six feet in height above grade, if freestanding. The menu board must be located adjacent to the drive-through aisle and cannot be located within twenty feet of the street. No more than two menu boards shall be allowed per establishment.

(F) Permanent window signs shall not exceed twenty percent of the total street-facing window area. If there is wall signage, the window signage cannot exceed five percent of the total window area. Window signs shall not be placed above the second floor of the building. Window signs must be placed on the interior surface of the window and the lettering must be individually cut. Window signs shall be limited to the business name, hours of operation and identification of the products sold or services offered.

(G) Murals are subject to design review approval.

(Ord. 2459 12-13-83; Ord. 02-14 3-19-02; Ord. 23-07 1-31-23)

The following regulations shall apply to the MU-1A (Mixed-Use 1 Overlay), MU-2 (Mixed-Use 2), MU-2A (Mixed-Use 2A), MU-3 (Mixed-Use 3), MU-4 (Mixed-Use 4), MU-A (Mixed-Use Arts Cluster), MU-C (Mixed-Use Corridor), C-N (Commercial Neighborhood), C-2 (General Commercial) and C-3 (Heavy Commercial) Zones:

In addition to wall signs, there shall not be more than one pole sign or, in lieu thereof, one projecting sign or monument sign per each lot or parcel, except that in cases of corner properties having at least two hundred feet of lot frontage per each street, there may be one monument sign for each frontage. Monument signs shall not exceed a height of six feet above grade. Pedestrian-oriented projecting signs over the sidewalk shall not exceed a maximum size of 15 square feet and shall obtain Public Works Department approval.

(Ord. 25-04, 1/28/2025)

The following regulations shall apply to the C-S (Commercial Service) Zone:

(A) The surface area of all signs on a lot or parcel shall not exceed four square feet of sign area for each lineal foot of lot frontage.

(B) No sign or advertising structure shall exceed forty feet in height above the grade unless attached to the building as a wall sign.

(C) In addition to wall signs, there shall not be more than one pole sign or, in lieu thereof, one projecting sign or monument sign per lot or parcel, except that in cases of corner properties having at least two hundred feet of lot frontage per street, there may be one monument sign for each frontage. Monument signs shall not exceed a height of six feet above grade.

(D) Menu or product boards for drive-through restaurants, pharmacies, banks and the like, cannot be more than six feet in height above grade, if freestanding. The menu board must be located adjacent to the drive-through aisle and cannot be located within twenty feet of the street. No more than two menu boards shall be allowed per establishment.

(E) Permanent window signs shall not exceed twenty percent of the total street-facing window area. If there is wall signage, the window signage cannot exceed five percent of the total window area. Window signs shall not be placed above the second floor of the building. Window signs must be placed on the interior surface of the window and the lettering must be individually cut. Window signs shall be limited to the business name, hours of operation and identification of the products sold or services offered.

(F) Murals are subject to design review approval.

(Ord. 2459 12-13-83; Ord. 02-14 3-19-02)

The following regulations shall apply to the C-R (Commercial Recreation) Zone within two hundred feet of the public right-of-way:

(A) The surface area of all signs on a lot or parcel shall not exceed one-half square foot of sign area for each lineal foot of lot frontage.

(B) There shall not be more than one pole sign per each lot frontage. No such sign shall exceed twenty-five feet in height above the grade and no such sign shall exceed two hundred square feet per sign face.

(C) Monument signs shall not exceed fifteen feet in height above grade. Mural signs are allowed.

(D) Projecting signs are prohibited.

(E) Signs located more than two hundred feet from the public right-of-way shall be exempt from subsections (A) through (D) and shall be regulated through design review approval by the Planning and Building Department Director or designee. Such approval or denial may be appealed by the applicant to the Planning Commission in accordance with the appeal procedures for a zone adjustment as specified in Article 26.1 of this Chapter. Application for design review approval shall include a site plan drawn to scale showing property dimensions and placement of all existing and proposed signs that are or will be within the design review area.

(F) The fee for the design review shall be the same as for site plan review as specified in the Master Fee Schedule.

(G) An off-site advertising message sign is permitted subject to Special Use Permit approval if located within the same sign area as a monument sign, pole sign or wall sign and that complies with the following:

(1) The total surface area of all off-site advertising signs shall not exceed fifty percent of the total area allowed for a monument sign, pole sign or wall sign.

(2) An off-site sign that emits sound, odor, or visible matter, strobe lights, searchlights or similar attention-attracting devices, is prohibited. An animated video sign (TV-like images) is not permitted. Rapid changing animated graphic display signs (more than one change every three seconds) is not permitted.

(3) An off-site sign shall not be located within a one-hundred-foot radius of any residentially zoned property or located within five hundred feet of any existing off-site sign.

(4) An off-site sign must be located adjacent to a major or minor arterial street.

(Ord. 2459 12-13-83; Ord. 94-08 4-5-94; Ord. 02-14 3-19-02; Ord. 04-08 4-13-04; Ord. 08-05 4-22-08; Ord. 13-04 11-5-13)

The following regulations shall apply to the A-C (Airport Campus), M-1 (Light Manufacturing) and M-2 (Heavy Manufacturing) Zones:

(A) The surface area of all signs on a lot or parcel shall not exceed one and one-half square feet of sign area for each lineal foot of lot frontage.

Exception: Any business fronting upon Manchester Boulevard may install signs in conformance with C-2 Zone standards.

(B) No sign or advertising structure shall exceed twenty-five feet in height above the grade unless attached to the building as a wall sign.

(C) In addition to wall signs, there shall not be more than one pole sign or, in lieu thereof, one projecting sign or monument sign per lot or parcel, except that in cases of corner properties having at least two hundred feet of lot frontage per street, there may be one monument sign for each frontage. Monument signs shall not exceed a height of six feet above grade.

(D) Permanent window signs shall not exceed twenty percent of the total street-facing window area. If there is wall signage, the window signage cannot exceed five percent of the total window area. Window signs shall not be placed above the second floor of the building. Window signs must be placed on the interior surface of the window and the lettering must be individually cut. Window signs shall be limited to the business name, hours of operation and identification of the products sold or services offered.

(E) Murals are subject to design review approval.

(Ord. 2459 12-13-83; Ord. 02-13 3-19-02; Ord. 23-07 1-31-23)

The following regulations shall apply to the M-1L (Limited Manufacturing) Zone:

(A) The surface area of all signs on a lot or parcel shall not exceed one square foot of sign area for each foot of frontage on the property.

(B) No sign or advertising structure shall exceed fifteen feet in height above the grade.

(C) In addition to wall signs, there shall not be more than one pole sign or, in lieu thereof, one monument sign, except that in cases of corner properties having at least two hundred feet of lot frontage per each street, there may be one monument sign for each frontage.

(D) A projecting sign is permitted in lieu of a pole or monument sign if located upon any building erected prior to April 7, 1981. Projecting signs are prohibited from any building erected under the provisions of the M-1L standards after said date.

(Ord. 2459 12-13-83)

(A) Any sign located in either the S-1 or S-2 Cemetery Zones and that is visible from the public street shall be subject to Planning Commission review and approval and payment of a fee equal to the Design Review fee as specified in the Master Fee Schedule.

(B) No commercial sign shall be located in the O-S (Open Space) Zone.

(Ord. 2459 12-13-83; Ord. 13-04 11-5-13)

For such purposes as promoting an opening or a closure of a business, banners, and bunting may be displayed at the location of such events for a period not to exceed thirty days or periods totaling no more than sixty days in a calendar year. The total surface area of all temporary signs shall not exceed fifty percent of the total allowed permanent sign area.

A Temporary Promotional Advertising Sign Permit shall be required prior to the installation of said temporary sign. The permit shall be posted in a window, glass door or similar street façade opening of a building for the duration of the temporary sign approval period while the temporary sign is in use.

(Ord. 10-09 5-25-10)

(A) Temporary freestanding sidewalk signs, clothed mannequins, display cases, clothing racks, and other non-permanent, freestanding items used to attract attention to businesses may be placed on the public sidewalk, directly outside the front of a commercial establishment structure in the C or M Zones that has less than an eighteen-inch perpendicular separation between the outermost building wall and public sidewalk. Said temporary advertising paraphernalia is subject to the following requirements:

(1) Temporary advertising items shall not project more than eighteen inches into the public right-of-way and shall not be placed in such a manner as to interfere with pedestrian or equipment use of the public sidewalk.

(2) Temporary advertising items shall not restrict the clear space on the public sidewalk for the passageway of pedestrians to less than six feet.

(3) Hours of Operation. The placement of such items on the public sidewalk shall be limited to the hours of operation established for the commercial establishment.

(4) Dimensions. Temporary advertising items shall not exceed five feet in height and shall not cover an area greater than eighteen inches deep by six feet wide.

(5) Temporary advertising items shall be tethered or secured in place throughout the day if they have the potential to be moved by strong winds or passer-bys. Items shall be located eighteen horizontal inches from shop entrance and exit doors.

(Ord. 10-09 5-25-10)